Serum Chemokine-release Profiles in AML-patients Might Contribute to Predict the Clinical Course of the Disease

In cancer or hematologic disorders, chemokines act as growth- or survival factors, regulating hematopoiesis and angiogenesis, determining metastatic spread and controlling leukocyte infiltration into tumors to inhibit antitumor immune responses. The aim was to quantify the release of CXCL8, -9, -10, CCL2, -5, and IL-12 in AML/MDS-pts' serum by cytometric bead array and to correlate data with clinical subtypes and courses. Minimal differences in serum-levels subdivided into various groups (e.g. age groups, FAB-types, blast-proportions, cytogenetic-risk-groups) were seen, but higher release of CXCL8, -9, -10 and lower release of CCL2 and -5 tendentially correlated with more favorable subtypes (<50 years of age, <80% blasts in PB). Comparing different stages of the disease higher CCL5-release in persisting disease and a significantly higher CCL2-release at relapse were found compared to first diagnosis - pointing to a change of 'disease activity' on a chemokine level. Correlations with later on achieved response to immunotherapy and occurrence of GVHD were seen: Higher values of CXCL8, -9, -10 and CCL2 and lower CCL5-values correlated with achieved response to immunotherapy. Predictive cut-off-values were evaluated separating the groups in 'responders' and 'non-responders'. Higher levels of CCL2 and -5 but lower levels of CXCL8, -9, -10 correlated with occurrence of GVHD. We conclude, that in AML-pts' serum higher values of CXCL8, -9, -10 and lower values of CCL5 and in part of CCL2 correlate with more favorable subtypes and improved antitumor'-reactive function. This knowledge can contribute to develop immune-modifying strategies that promote antileukemic adaptive immune responses.

Epidemiological, genetic, and clinical characterization by age of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia based on an academic population-based registry study (AMLSG BiO)

We describe genetic and clinical characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients according to age from an academic population-based registry. Adult patients with newly diagnosed AML at 63 centers in Germany and Austria were followed within the AMLSG BiO registry (NCT01252485). Between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014, data of 3525 patients with AML (45% women) were collected. The median age was 65 years (range 18-94). The comparison of age-specific AML incidence rates with epidemiological cancer registries revealed excellent coverage in patients < 70 years old and good coverage up to the age of 80. The distribution according to the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) risk categorization from 2010 was 20% favorable, 31% intermediate-1, 28% intermediate-2, and 21% adverse. With increasing age, the relative but not the absolute prevalence of patients with ELN favorable and intermediate-1 risk (p < 0.001), with activating FLT3 mutations (p < 0.001), with ECOG performance status < 2 (p < 0.001), and with HCT-CI comorbidity index < 3 (p < 0.001) decreased. Regarding treatment, obesity and favorable risk were associated with an intensive treatment, whereas adverse risk, higher age, and comorbidity index > 0 were associated with non-intensive treatment or best supportive care. The AMLSG BiO registry provides reliable population-based distributions of genetic, clinical, and treatment characteristics according to age.

162 DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE BAIT FOR FERAL PIGS

Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are an invasive species widely distributed throughout North and South America, as well as Australia. Feral pigs frequently destroy farm fields, causing $1.5 billion in damage annually in the United States alone. These pigs are known carriers of over 30 diseases, thereby posing a threat to livestock and public health. Current control methods are ineffective due to high fecundity rates. An orally consumed contraceptive bait may be effective, but currently none exists for pigs. In rats, an orally consumed contraceptive that affects both male and females has shown considerable promise. This bait contains 2 active ingredients: triptolide, a diterpenoid diepoxide isolated from the Chinese medicinal plant Tripterygium wildfordii, and 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD), an industrial chemical. Triptolide prevents ovarian follicle maturation and disrupts spermatogenesis; VCD acts in the female to cause premature ovarian failure and, in one report, disrupt male mouse spermatogenesis. There are no studies reported for these active ingredients on boar spermatogenesis. A proprietary pig bait has been developed containing these 2 ingredients and was fed to commercial (com.) and Sinclair (sin.) boars (com. n = 3, sin. n = 3) for 15 consecutive days to evaluate changes in reproductive parameters. Boars were given 250 g of bait twice daily that contained 0.25 mg of triptolide and 1.55 mM of VCD. Ejaculates were collected from boars before, during, and after the treatment period (Day 0, 7, 15, 30, 37, 45, and 60) and were evaluated for possible impacts on fertility. Ejaculates were able to be collected from 4 of 6 boars (com. n = 2, sin. n = 2). Previous studies indicate triptolide acts during the differentiation phase of spermatogenesis, suggesting a delayed onset of perturbation allowing for comparison of semen collected early in the study (Day 0, 7, and 15) to post-treatment samples. Progressive motility (PM) was rated on a 1 to 5 scale. Plasma testosterone and testes volume were also monitored at these time points. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis test. No significant differences were found in plasma testosterone, testes volume, or sperm concentration. No significant differences in viability, morphology, or PM were found at Day 0, 7, or 15. However, differences (P < 0.05) were observed in semen parameters at Day 37 and 45 in comparison to D0, 7, and 15. The percentage of sperm with normal morphology at treatment Day 37 (3.3%) and 45 (3.3%) was lower than at Day 0, 7, and 15 (72.3%, P < 0.05). Differences (P < 0.05) were also found in viability at Day 37 (13.3%) and 45 (8%) in comparison to Day 0, 7, and 15 (71.6%). Differences were also found in PM at Day 37 (0.33) and 45 (1) in comparison to Day 0, 7, and 15 (4.8). These results suggest an impact on spermatogenesis, specifically spermiogenesis, suggesting a decrease in fertility due to lower quality of spermatozoa. Further studies are needed to evaluate the bait’s impact on feral pig reproduction.

Acute myeloid leukemia derived from lympho-myeloid clonal hematopoiesis

We studied acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with lympho-myeloid clonal hematopoiesis (LM-CH), defined by the presence of DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) mutations in both the myeloid and lymphoid T-cell compartment. Diagnostic, complete remission (CR) and relapse samples were sequenced for 34 leukemia-related genes in 171 DNMT3A mutated adult AML patients. AML with LM-CH was found in 40 patients (23%) and was associated with clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential years before AML, older age, secondary AML and more frequent MDS-type co-mutations (TET2, RUNX1 and EZH2). In 82% of AML patients with LM-CH, the preleukemic clone was refractory to chemotherapy and was the founding clone for relapse. Both LM-CH and non-LM-CH MRD-positive AML patients who achieved CR had a high risk of relapse after 10 years (75% and 75%, respectively) compared with patients without clonal hematopoiesis in CR with negative MRD (27% relapse rate). Long-term survival of patients with LM-CH was only seen after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We define AML patients with LM-CH as a distinct high-risk group of AML patients that can be identified at diagnosis through mutation analysis in T cells and should be considered for HSCT.

The potential of ki67 and p53 assessment in development of individualized targeted therapy in breast cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Despite the improvement of diagnostic methods and chemotherapeutic regimens in breast cancer, overall 5-year survival significantly depends on the stage of the disease. Over expression of tumor suppressor gene p53 and the marker for cellular proliferation Ki67 in breast cancer may have prognostic significance.

METHODS

We evaluated 675 patients diagnosed with breast cancer at UF Health Jacksonville between January 2000 and June 2007 with up to 5-year follow up. The aim of the study was to determine whether immunohistochemical (IHC) assessment of Ki67 and p53 may predict outcome, the 'hazard' of dying. Cox's proportional hazards models were used to control for age (< 50 vs. ≥ 50), race (white vs. other), lymph node group (negative vs. positive), ER (estrogen receptor) group (negative vs. positive), PR (progesterone receptor) group (negative vs. positive), and tumor type.

RESULTS

When only p53 was considered in the model, the hazard of dying was significantly higher for p53 positive compared to p53 negative (HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.02, 1.70, p = 0.036). When only ki67 was considered in the model, the hazard of dying was significantly higher for ki67 positive compared to ki67 negative (Hazard ratio = 1.64, 95% CI 1.08, 2.49, p = 0.021). Neither of the two markers, nor their interaction was significant when all variables were considered in the model.

DISCUSSION

This study confirms the expression of p53 and Ki67 as strong individual indicators of patient outcome. However, when controlling for the other variables, the two markers are not independent predictors. Future studies that will include these markers might help design targeted therapy.

Radiofrequency Volumetric Thermal Ablation of Fibroids and Laparoscopic Myomectomy: Long-Term Follow-up From a Randomized Trial

Aims: Laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) has been the gold standard treatment for uterine fibroids in women desiring uterine conservation. To evaluate a new fibroid treatment modality - radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation (RFVTA) - we compare 12-month results in women who had symptomatic uterine fibroids and who were randomized to laparoscopic ultrasound-guided RFVTA or LM. Materials and Methods: Our study is a 1 : 1 parallel, randomized, prospective, single-center, longitudinal, comparative analysis of RFVTA to LM for fibroid treatment in women ≥ 18 years of age who desired uterine conservation. Fifty women were randomized intraoperatively to RFVTA (n = 25) or to LM (n = 25) after laparoscopic ultrasound mapping of the uterus. Results: Post surgery, ablation and myomectomy subjects took pain medications for 4 days (range: 1-46) and 7 days (range: 1-83 days) respectively (p = 0.60). Ablation and myomectomy subjects missed 10.0 workdays (range: 2-86 days) and 17.0 workdays (range: 7-30 days) (p = 0.28), resumed normal activities in 20.5 days (range: 5-103 days) versus 28.0 days (range: 10-42 days) (p = 0.86) respectively. Mean symptom severity scores decreased (improved) by - 7.8 for the ablation subjects and by - 17.9 for the myomectomy subjects (p = 0.16). Health-related quality of life improved (increased) by 7.5 and 13.1, respectively, for the two groups (p = 0.46). Two myomectomy subjects had pregnancies that ended in a Cesarean delivery and a vaginal delivery of healthy infants. Two pregnancies in the RFVTA group ended in full-term vaginal deliveries of healthy infants. Conclusions: Early postoperative recovery and twelve-month results attest to similar clinical benefits from RFVTA and LM.

High-accuracy direct ZT and intrinsic properties measurement of thermoelectric couple devices

Advances in thermoelectric materials in recent years have led to significant improvements in thermoelectric device performance and thus, give rise to many new potential applications. In order to optimize a thermoelectric device for specific applications and to accurately predict its performance ideally the material's figure of merit ZT as well as the individual intrinsic properties (Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity) should be known with high accuracy. For that matter, we developed two experimental methods in which the first directly obtains the ZT and the second directly measures the individual intrinsic leg properties of the same p/n-type thermoelectric couple device. This has the advantage that all material properties are measured in the same sample direction after the thermoelectric legs have been mounted in the final device. Therefore, possible effects from crystal anisotropy and from the device fabrication process are accounted for. The Seebeck coefficients, electrical resistivities, and thermal conductivities are measured with differential methods to minimize measurement uncertainties to below 3%. The thermoelectric couple ZT is directly measured with a differential Harman method which is in excellent agreement with the calculated ZT from the individual leg properties. The errors in both the directly measured and calculated thermoelectric couple ZT are below 5% which is significantly lower than typical uncertainties using commercial methods. Thus, the developed technique is ideal for characterizing assembled couple devices and individual thermoelectric materials and enables accurate device optimization and performance predictions. We demonstrate the methods by measuring a p/n-type thermoelectric couple device assembled from commercial bulk thermoelectric Bi2Te3 elements in the temperature range of 30 °C-150 °C and discuss the performance of the couple thermoelectric generator in terms of its efficiency and materials' self-compatibility.

A simple differential steady-state method to measure the thermal conductivity of solid bulk materials with high accuracy

Accurate measurements of thermal conductivity are of great importance for materials research and development. Steady-state methods determine thermal conductivity directly from the proportionality between heat flow and an applied temperature difference (Fourier Law). Although theoretically simple, in practice, achieving high accuracies with steady-state methods is challenging and requires rather complex experimental setups due to temperature sensor uncertainties and parasitic heat loss. We developed a simple differential steady-state method in which the sample is mounted between an electric heater and a temperature-controlled heat sink. Our method calibrates for parasitic heat losses from the electric heater during the measurement by maintaining a constant heater temperature close to the environmental temperature while varying the heat sink temperature. This enables a large signal-to-noise ratio which permits accurate measurements of samples with small thermal conductance values without an additional heater calibration measurement or sophisticated heater guards to eliminate parasitic heater losses. Additionally, the differential nature of the method largely eliminates the uncertainties of the temperature sensors, permitting measurements with small temperature differences, which is advantageous for samples with high thermal conductance values and/or with strongly temperature-dependent thermal conductivities. In order to accelerate measurements of more than one sample, the proposed method allows for measuring several samples consecutively at each temperature measurement point without adding significant error. We demonstrate the method by performing thermal conductivity measurements on commercial bulk thermoelectric Bi2Te3 samples in the temperature range of 30-150 °C with an error below 3%.

Abstract P1-09-16: Factors affecting disparities in advanced stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND:

African American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than white American women. However, black women in the US are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer. Compared to white women, Black women in Florida have among the highest additional breast cancer deaths. Within Florida, Duval County has one of the highest rates of breast cancer. Furthermore, breast cancer mortality is significantly higher for black women (36.7 per 100,000) in Duval County, than for white women (24.0 per 100,000). Therefore, we evaluated breast cancer disparities in Duval County as a representative population to identify factors influencing breast cancer mortality.

METHODS:

Data on female breast cancer cases from 2004-2010 was extracted using the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS). Classifications included health zones within Duval County, race, insurance, and age. Insurance categories included Medicare, Medicaid, Uninsured, and Tricare/commercial which were combined in one group. The primary outcome was late stage (Stage 4) at diagnosis versus other stages. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between late stage at diagnosis and insurance, race, age, and place of residence (health zone).

RESULTS:

Using the FCDS, 6,502 new breast cancers were identified in Duval County from 2004 – 2010. Of these women, 73% were white, 24% black, 5% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 2% unknown/other. Health Zone 1 which represents the urban core has the largest population of Black women with breast cancer (76%), although the incidence of breast cancer was not higher in this group. Health Zone 1 has the highest volume of uninsured, and Medicaid breast cancer patients (10% and 8% vs. 4% average for all other zones), and the lowest number of breast cancer patients with Tricare/commercial insurance (33% vs. 56% average for all other zones). Black women overall had a higher percentage of advanced stage IV disease than any other race (8% vs. 4%, p&lt; .001). Women in Health Zone 1 are more likely to present with stage IV breast cancer than any other health zone in Duval County (10% vs. 5%, p&lt;0.01). Medicaid patients, followed by the uninsured had the highest rate of stage IV at diagnosis than those with commercial insurance (20% and 12% vs. 4%, p&lt;.001). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, only Medicaid insurance (OR = 5.3; 95% CI = (3.6, 7.9)) and living in the urban core (OR = 4.02; 95% CI = (1.9, 8.4)) was significantly associated with stage IV disease. After adjustment for insurance and place of residence, black race did not remain a significant factor (p = 0.1722).

CONCLUSION:

Living in the urban core, and lack of insurance or Medicaid funding was significantly associated with advanced stage at diagnosis in Duval County, Florida. These results suggest that socioeconomic factors are a major contributor to breast cancer mortality, irrespective of race.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P1-09-16.

Thermoelectric properties and efficiency measurements under large temperature differences

The maximum efficiency of a thermoelectric generator is determined by the material's dimensionless figure of merit ZT. Real thermoelectric material properties are highly temperature dependent and are often measured individually using multiple measurement tools on different samples. As a result, reported ZT values have large uncertainties. In this work we present an experimental technique that eliminates some of these uncertainties. We measure the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity of a single element or leg, as well as the conversion efficiency, under a large temperature difference of 2-160 degrees C. The advantages of this technique include (1) the thermoelectric leg is mounted only once and all measurements are in the same direction and (2) the measured properties are corroborated by efficiency measurements. The directly measured power and efficiency are compared to the values calculated from the measured properties and agree within 0.4% and 2%, respectively. The realistic testing conditions of this technique make it ideal for material characterization prior to implementation in a real thermoelectric generator.

[Functional hemispherectomy in adult patients with catastrophic epilepsy: a new therapeutic indication?]

Functional hemispherectomy was reported in 1983 for the treatment of catastrophic refractory epilepsies in order to reduce the complications derived by the anatomical hemispherectomy. A series of variants of the functional hemisphectomy have been reported. They include peri-insular hemispherectomy, modified lateral hemispherectomy, vertical parasagital hemispherectomy. The functional hemispherectomy has been used mainly in the treatment of catastrophic epilepsies in children, in which extensive hemispheric lesions are associated with pharmacoresistant epileptic seizures and focal neurological deficit such as: Rasmussen's encephalitis, hemimegalencephaly, Sturge-Weber syndrome, and extensive hemispheric cortical dysplasias, etc. Recently, two series of adults patients with catastrophic epilepsies with excellent control of the episodes (above 75 %) and without mortality have been reported. Thus, functional hemispherectomy may be an effective procedure in appropriately selected adult patients, although more studies with larger series are still needed to evaluate the long-term prognosis.

44 ATTEMPTS TO USE SOMATIC CELLS ISOLATED FROM FROZEN BOVINE SEMEN FOR NUCLEAR TRANSFER

Somatic cells in semen are a potential source of nuclei for nuclear transfer to produce genetically identical animals. This is especially important when an animal has died and the only viable genetic material available is frozen semen. In our previous studies, epithelial cells were cultured from fresh ovine and bovine ejaculates and blastocyst stage embryos were produced using these cells (Liu J et al. 2007 Biol. Reprod. special issue, 177; Liu J et al. 2008 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 20, 102). However, growing cells from frozen semen can be difficult. We hypothesized that nuclei of the somatic cells in frozen semen can be used for nuclear transfer even though the cell membrane and cytoplasm are damaged during the semen freezing process. Electrical fusion or piezo assisted direct injection was applied to introduce nuclei of somatic cells isolated from frozen bovine semen (not cultured) into enucleated bovine oocytes. With electrical fusion, only 5 of the 64 (7.8%) recombined couplets fused, which is lower than our normal fusion rate of approximately 70%. Of the 5 fused embryos, one cleaved and developed to a 4-cell stage embryo. Staining with propidium iodide indicated that less than 10% of somatic cells isolated from frozen bovine semen were viable. These results suggest that it might not be practical to introduce nuclei of the cells in frozen semen into oocytes by fusion due to the high proportions of dead cells. Membranes of the cells in frozen semen were hard and difficult to break by piezo pulses or drawing in and out of the injection pipette. Therefore, whole cell intracytoplasmic injection was applied. After couplet recombination, activation was induced by applying two 0.3 kV cm–1, 55 μs direct-current pulses delivered by an Eppendorf Multiporator (Eppendorf, North America) in activation medium that was composed of 0.28 m Mannitol (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA), 0.1 mm CaCl2 (Sigma-Aldrich), and 0.1 mm MgSO4 (Sigma-Aldrich), followed by incubation in 10 μg mL–1 cycloheximide (Sigma-Aldrich) and 5 μg mL–1 cytochalasin B (Sigma-Aldrich) for 5 h in a humidified 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 gas mixture at 38.5°C. Of the 299 recombined embryos, 82 (27.4%) either cleaved or were fragmented. Of the 82 embryos, 48 were examined and 42 (87.5%) were determined to be fragmented (contained intact donor cells). Low cleavage rates were observed in embryos produced by direct injection (4.5%), but no further embryonic development occurred. Cells cultured from fresh bovine semen were used as positive controls for whole cell intracytoplasmic injection. Of the 74 recombined embryos, 73 (98.6%) cleaved and 4 developed into blastocysts. These results highlight the difficulty of obtaining viable embryos by employing nuclear transfer and somatic cells obtained from frozen semen samples. Additional research is warranted given the potential value of this approach for recovering lost genetics.

Temperature dependence of the two-dimensional infrared spectrum of liquid H2O

Two-dimensional infrared photon-echo measurements of the OH stretching vibration in liquid H2O are performed at various temperatures. Spectral diffusion and resonant energy transfer occur on a time scale much shorter than the average hydrogen bond lifetime of approximately 1 ps. Room temperature measurements show a loss of frequency and, thus, structural correlations on a 50-fs time scale. Weakly hydrogen-bonded OH stretching oscillators absorbing at high frequencies undergo slower spectral diffusion than strongly bonded oscillators. In the temperature range from 340 to 274 K, the loss in memory slows down with decreasing temperature. At 274 K, frequency correlations in the OH stretch vibration persist beyond approximately 200 fs, pointing to a reduction in dephasing by librational excitations. Polarization-resolved pump-probe studies give a resonant intermolecular energy transfer time of 80 fs, which is unaffected by temperature. At low temperature, structural correlations persist longer than the energy transfer time, suggesting a delocalization of OH stretching excitations over several water molecules.

145 REESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXTINCT STRAIN OF SHEEP UTILIZING ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

The objective of this study was to reestablish an extinct strain of sheep that exhibits spontaneous X-linked factor VIII deficiency closely mimicking human hemophilia A. Twenty female carriers of the trait, produced in a previous study (Bormann et al. 2006 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 18, 201–202), were backcrossed using 3 straws of semen from their affected sire using either IVF or multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET). Eleven oocyte donors were synchronized with CIDRs (15 days) and superovulated with a declining dose of FSH (204 mg) twice daily for 3.5 days. Nine MOET donors were synchronized using CIDRs (14 days), superovulated with a declining dose of FSH (184 mg) BID for 3 days with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG; 200 IU) given with the final dose of FSH, and given 1000 IU of hCG 12 h post-CIDR removal. Recipient ewes were synchronized using sponges (Ovakron, HeriotAgvet, Rowville, Victoria, Australia) containing 30 mg of flugestone acetate (14 days) and given PMSG (400 IU) at sponge removal, followed by 1000 IU of hCG 12 h post-sponge removal. Oocytes were collected via follicular aspiration during midventral laparotomy and matured as previously reported. Semen for IVF was prepared by centrifugation on a Percoll gradient. Oocytes and sperm were incubated in mTALP with 20% estrus sheep serum (modified from Bavister et al. 1977 Bio. Reprod. 16, 228–237) for 20 h, then vortexed to remove cumulus cells, and cultured in G1.3 medium (Vitrolife, Englewood, CO) with BSA until transfer. Embryos were surgically transferred into oviducts of recipients 24 to 48 h following IVF. The 9 MOET donors were surgically inseminated at the uterotubal junction with approximately 1–2.0 � 106 spermatazoa. Oviducts of eight of these ewes were flushed 48 h post-insemination with warm M199 containing Hanks salts, 25 mm HEPES, 10% FBS, and 0.5 µg mL–1 gentamicin. MOET embryos were surgically transferred to synchronized recipients within 5 h. One MOET donor was not flushed due to poor response and did not produce an offspring. Utilizing 140 ova, IVF produced 54 embryos for an embryo/oocyte rate of 38.6%. All IVF embryos were transferred into 15 recipients resulting in 3 lambs for a lamb/embryo rate of 5.5%. The MOET donors produced 38 embryos and 13 apparently unfertilized ova, generating an embryo/oocyte rate of 74.5%. MOET embryos were transferred into 21 synchronized recipients. MOET produced 16 lambs for a lamb/embryo rate of 42.1%. Co-transfer of 1 IVF and 1 MOET embryo into a single recipient produced one offspring. Utilizing multiple reproductive technologies over a two-year period, 8 hemophilic offspring (7 females and 1 male), 6 carrier females, and 6 unaffected males were produced. This strain of sheep will be used to produce affected offspring for stem cell-based therapies.

251 DEVELOPMENT OF A TECHNIQUE FOR STAINING CHROMOSOME AND SPINDLE OF MI AND MII BABOON OOCYTES

The objective of this study was to develop a technique for staining baboon oocytes in order to detect chromosome and spindle disorganizations in abnormal oocytes. Baboon oocytes were retrieved by laparoscopy at Southwest National Primate Center/San Antonio following ovulation induction. The metaphase-I (MI) and metaphase-II (MII) oocytes were placed in one-mL sterile plastic tubes containing 10% formaldehyde solution. The tubes were sent by regular mail from San Antonio to the Reproductive Sciences Laboratory at Texas A&M University/College Station. The duration of oocyte fixation was from two to three weeks. The technique of baboon oocyte staining was based on the modification of the mouse oocyte staining protocol. A total of nine oocytes were collected for staining. The age of the baboon was six years. The oocytes were washed four times each, 20–30 min at room temperature, with PBS containing 10 µL Triton, 0.2 g dry milk, 2 g bovine serum albumin, and 0.75 g of glycine. The oocytes were kept over night in a refrigerator. The oocytes were stained with primary antibody solution (Monoclonal Anti Beta-Tubulin, Sigma Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) for 60 min at 37�C. After staining, five washes were performed for 20–30 min each at room temperature (RT). The oocytes were stained with secondary antibody solution (Alexa fluor 488, Invitrogen Co., Carlsbad, CA, USA) for 60 min at 37�C. Three washes were carried out at the end of the second staining, 20–30 min each at RT. Final staining was performed with Vectashieldreg propidium iodide (PI; Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA, USA) on a barrier slide which was then covered with a cover slide. Each slide contained 2–3 stained oocytes. The barrier slides were kept in a refrigerator for at least 48–72 h before imaging the oocytes. Chromosomes were stained with PI (red) and micro-tubular spindles were stained with anti Beta-tubulin antibodies + Alexa 488 (green). Cumulus cells appeared as bright red dots. The chromosomes of the immature oocytes (MI) did not yet appear completely aligned at the metaphase plate. The mature oocytes (MII) had extruded the polar body and it was clearly visible. The chromosomes looked elegantly organized at the metaphase plate. One chromosome was found to be disorganized (not aligned at the methaphase plate) in some oocytes which may be due to the side effect of superovulation treatment, but the spindles looked organized. In conclusion, the technique is found to be suitable for study of chromosome and spindle disorganizations which may cause recurrent abortions, birth defects, and infertility in nonhuman and human primates.

140 UTILIZATION OF LASER-ASSISTED HATCHING TO IMPROVE THE PREGNANCY RATE OF IN VITRO-FERTILIZED BOVINE EMBRYOS

In vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos are known to produce a lower pregnancy rate when compared to conventional in vivo-produced embryos. The inability of the IVP embryo to hatch from the zona pellucida (ZP) after embryo transfer is thought to be one contributing factor. This study was designed to evaluate the utilization of a microscope objective-mounted laser to cut the ZP to assist hatching prior to transfer into the recipient. Preliminary data were acquired to evaluate the effect of laser treatment on in vitro development and blastomere survival following treatment. In six replicates, bovine oocytes were in vitro-matured, fertilized, and cultured as per standard laboratory procedures (TransOva Genetics, Sioux Center, IA, USA). On Days 5, 6, and 7 of in vitro culture, embryos were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: no treatment (Control; n = 63), sham ZP cut (Sham; n = 68), or ZP cut (Cut; n = 70). Control embryos were immediately returned to the incubator following selection. Sham embryos were exposed to all conditions as Cut except laser-assisted hatching. The XYClone� system is a 300-mW, class 1 laser that emits a 3.5-µm beam at a wavelength of 1480 nm (Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Beverly, MA, USA). This laser was used to produce the Cut group, using a pulse strength of 90% and pulse length of 600 µs. Embryos were returned to culture until Day 8 when rates of embryonic development and the percentage of live cells were determined. Chi-square was used to analyze all data. No significant effect of treatment or day of exposure was noted in either the total number of developing embryos or the ratio of live cells in each embryo. Mean live cells ranged from 89 to 96% across all treatments regardless of day of treatment. To investigate IVP embryo viability after laser-assisted hatching, commercially produced embryos (TransOva Genetics, Sioux Center, IA, USA) were randomly divided into two groups on the day of transfer, Control or Cut. The ZP of treated embryos were cut with slightly reduced laser exposure of 80% pulse strength and pulse length of 500 µs on Day 7, immediately prior to transfer into estrus-synchronized recipients. Pregnancy rates were determined via ultrasonagraphy at Day 30 (n = 337) and, due to the commercial nature of this project, only a subset of the Day 30 pregnant cows was checked at Day 60 (n = 289). The 30-day pregnancy rates were 49.2% and 54.1% for Control (n = 189) and Cut (n = 148) embryos, respectively, and were not statistically different (P > 0.05). However, at Day 60, the pregnancy rates for the Control (45.7%; n = 166) and Cut groups (57.7%; n = 123) were statistically different (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that laser-assisted hatching using the XYClone system can improve 60-day pregnancy rates for in vitro-produced embryos.

[Dyskeratosis congenita in a 40-year-old patient]

A 40-year-old patient with a 3-year history of thrombocytopenia was admitted with reticulated and speckled hyper- and hypopigmentations especially on the upper trunk. Aplasia or dystrophy of the fingernails and toenails as well as atresia of the lacrimal ducts were noted. Examination of the oropharynx revealed multiple mucosal leukoplakias and loss of almost all teeth. Based on these observations the diagnosis of X-linked dyskeratosis congenita (Zinsser-Cole-Engman syndrome, OMIM #305000) was made and confirmed by sequencing of the dyskerin 1 (DKC1) gene which revealed a missense mutation in exon 11.

353 EFFECTS OF CULTURE DURATION AND CUMULUS CELL REMOVAL ON CANINE OOCYTE IN VITRO MATURATION AND FERTILIZATION USING VASAL SPERM

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) rates of canine oocytes could be improved by increasing culture duration or decreasing/increasing cumulus cell contact with the oocytes when using sperm retrieved from the vas deferens. The canine oocyte is ovulated at the germinal vesicle stage, and maturation of the oocyte occurs in the oviduct and requires up to five days. Therefore, an increase in the culture duration may cause an increase in oocyte nuclear maturation. Canine ovaries and testes were collected from a local clinic, placed in warm saline solution, and transported to the laboratory. Two distinct experiments were carried out, one involving IVM (M-II) after cumulus cell removal at 72 h and 96 h for nuclear maturation evaluation, and the second experiment the same but continued up to IVF. The oocytes were recovered from the ovaries by mincing them in warm Medium-199 with Hanks salts, L-glutamine, and HEPES (GIBCO, Grand Island, NY, USA; Invitrogen Co., Carlsbad, CA, USA). Canine oocytes with a dark cytoplasm and at least 2 layers of cumulus cells were cultured in Medium-199 supplemented with Earle&apos;s salts, 2200 mg mL&minus;1 sodium bicarbonate, 25 mM HEPES, 2 mM sodium pyruvate, 5 &micro;g mL&minus;1 progesterone, 100 ng mL&minus;1 epidermal growth factor, 10 IU mL&minus;1 human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), 5 &micro;g mL&minus;1 insulin, 0.50 mM epinephrine, 10&percnt; estrus bitch serum, 0.01 mM nonessential amino acids, and 20 &micro;g mL&minus;1 gentamicin. The oocytes were cultured for 72, 96, 120, or 144 h at 38.5&deg;C in 5&percnt; CO2 in humidified air. The cumulus cells were removed after either a 72- or 96-h culture period. For the first 48 h, the cumulus&ndash;oocyte complexes were cultured in the modified Medium-199 containing 10 IU mL&minus;1 HCG and then cultured in the same medium free of HCG. The oocytes were denuded by pipetting, stained with Hoechst 33342, and examined for nuclear maturation. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis of the data. The IVM rate (MII) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) at 72 and 96 h compared to 48, 120, and 144 h (15.1&percnt; and 16.9&percnt; vs. 6&percnt;, 12.4&percnt;, and 9.1&percnt;, respectively). The removal of cumulus cells at 72 h and 96 h resulted in 17.9&percnt; (43/240) and 14.8&percnt; (35/236) IVM rate (MII), respectively (P &gt; 0.05). The sperm motility index (SMI &equals; motility percentage &times; sperm activity grade) was significantly higher in sperm retrieved from the vas deferens (vasal sperm) compared to epididymal and testicular sperm (259 vs. 95 and 19.2, respectively, P &lt; 0.05). The mature oocytes were inseminated by vasal sperm following in vitro hyperactivation with HEPES solution supplemented with 3 mg mL&minus;1 bovine serum albumin. The IVF rates of the oocytes following 72 and 96 h of maturation in vitro were 48.2&percnt; and 40&percnt;, respectively (P &gt; 0.05). Sperm penetration was significantly higher at 96 h compared to 72 h, and the number of sperm heads inside the ooplasm was 3.2 for the 72 h group vs. 4.8 for the 96 h group (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, increasing the IVM culture period beyond 72 h did not increase the oocyte maturation rates, and increasing the culture time to 96 h without cumulus cells present increased the rate of sperm penetration.

Ultrafast noncollinear optical parametric chirped pulse amplification in KTiOAsO4

Amplification of femtosecond pulses at 1.56 microm based on noncollinear parametric chirped pulse amplification in a potassium titanyl arsenate (KTA) crystal with pumping at 1.05 microm is reported. The 100 fs pulses of an erbium fiber laser are parametrically amplified while synchronously pumped by an amplified mode-locked Nd:YLF laser. This amplifier has a saturated gain of 65 dB with 30% conversion efficiency and has produced 160 fs pulses with peak powers of up to 0.75 GW. The system produced 380 mW before compression and can be readily scaled to the multiwatt range with bandwidths to support sub-100 fs pulses.

170 POST-THAW VIABILITY OF IN VITRO-PRODUCED BOVINE EMBRYOS CULTURED EITHER IN HOST CAPRINE REPRODUCTIVE TRACTS OR IN VITRO

In vitro culture of bovine embryos is usually associated with poor pregnancy rate following cryopreservation. The objective of this study was to compare the post-thaw viability of in vitro-produced bovine zygotes, cultured in vitro or in the reproductive tract of a host goat. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured in vitro, and in vitro fertilization was carried out with frozen-thawed semen as per standard laboratory procedures. At 18-20 h post-fertilization, zygotes were stripped of remaining cumulus cells and randomly separated into culture treatments. In three replicates, a total of 606 embryos were surgically transferred 12 to 24 h post-ovulation to the oviducts of an estrous-synchronized goat (VIVO) and 550 embryos were cultured in G1.3 for 72 h and then moved to G2.3 medium for 96 h and in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 (IVC). On Day 7, embryos were flushed from the excised tract with a 69.5% recovery rate or removed from culture. Embryos were classified according to IETS criteria with grades and stages recorded. All data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance and means were compared using Student's t-test. No differences were seen in the percentage of freezable quality embryos per total recovered between the two groups (34.3% vs. 32.3% for IVC and VIVO, respectively). However, there was a significant difference in the pre-freezing stage between the two culture groups (Stage 5.5 � 0.22 vs. Stage 4.8 � 0.26 for IVC and VIVO, respectively; P < 0.05), but no difference in the quality grade. All embryos greater than Stage 4, Grade 2 were frozen in groups of 5-10 in ethylene glycol with sucrose (Vigro Ethylene Glycol Freeze Plus; Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada) in 0.25-mL straws. After thawing, embryo groups were washed, rehydrated, and incubated in G2.3 as above. Morphology was assessed by assigning grade and stage objectively at 24 h and 48 h post-thaw. Post-thaw viability in vitro was not different between groups (73.4% vs. 72.7% for IVC and VIVO, respectively). The average changes in morphology post-thaw from pre-freezing to 24 h and from 24 h to 48 h within each freezing group were determined. There was no significant difference in the mean change in stage (0.67 � 0.15 vs. 0.82 � 0.17 at 24 h and 0.31 � 0.09 vs. 0.37 � 0.10 at 48 h for IVC and VIVO, respectively) or grade (0.60 � 0.15 vs. 0.41 � 0.17 at 24 h and 0.03 � 0.06 vs. 0.14 � 0.07 at 48 h for IVC and VIVO, respectively) at either observation point. These results suggest that culture of in vitro-fertilized bovine embryos in the caprine reproductive tract did not alter post-thaw development or improve post thaw viability compared to in vitro cultured controls. However, morphological evaluation is too subjective to successfully predict pregnancy rate after transfer; therefore, further study is needed to determine if there are differences in pregnancy rates between these culture methods.

187 RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXTINCT STRAIN OF SHEEP FROM A LIMITED SUPPLY OF FROZEN SEMEN

The objective of this study was to restore a line of sheep that exhibits spontaneous X-linked factor VIII deficiency closely mimicking human hemophilia A. Six straws of frozen semen from an affected Alpine White male were obtained from Switzerland. In the first experiment the straw of semen thawed was of poor quality. Two ewes were synchronized for use as embryo donors (MOET) by means of CIDRs for 14 days and superovulated with declining doses of FSH (184 mg) twice daily for 3 days. PMSG (200 IU) was given with the final dose of FSH and 1000 IU of hCG 12 h post-CIDR removal. The ewes were surgically inseminated 24 h later. Oviducts were flushed 48 h post-insemination producing 13 unfertilized ova (UFO). Spermatozoa were used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) utilizing oocytes collected from superstimulated ewes by laporatomy. These ewes were synchronized with CIDRs (15 days) and superovulated with a declining dose of FSH (204 mg) twice daily for 3.5 days. Utilizing 236 oocytes, ICSI produced 189 embryos, an 80% embryo/oocyte rate. Embryos were transferred surgically to the oviducts of 17 synchronized recipients. Recipients were synchronized using sponges (Ovakron; Heriot Agvet, Rowville, Victoria, Australia) containing 30 mg of flugestone acetate (14 days) and given PMSG (400 IU) at sponge removal, followed by 1000 IU of hCG 12 h post-sponge removal. Eleven recipients produced 17 lambs for a lamb/embryo rate of 8.9%. The straw of semen utilized for the second experiment was of higher quality. Three ewes were superstimulated for use as MOET donors, as above, with increased doses of FSH (228 mg) and PMSG (500 IU). Donors were surgically inseminated and oviductal flushes were performed 40 h post-insemination, yielding 19 UFO and 12 embryos for an embryo/oocyte rate of 38.7%. Embryos were transferred to four recipients, synchronized as above with an increased dose of PMSG (600 IU). These MOET recipients produced nine lambs for a lamb/embryo rate of 75%. Semen was used to produce embryos via in vitro fertilization (IVF) using oocytes collected from superstimulated ewes (as above with an increase of FSH to 252 mg). IVF produced 91 embryos from 247 oocytes for an embryo/oocyte rate of 36.8%. Embryos were transferred to 20 recipients 24 to 48 h post-fertilization. Seven recipients maintained pregnancy and produced 10 lambs with a lamb/embryo rate of 11%. ICSI was also utilized, producing 54 embryos from 98 oocytes, an embryo/oocyte rate of 55.1%. Embryos were transferred to eight recipients; none maintained pregnancy. Through the use of multiple reproductive technologies, 36 lambs (22 carriers) were produced from two straws of semen. Carriers will be bred back to their sire in a similar program to produce affected lambs. The authors would like to acknowledge J. Liu and M. Ridha for their contributions. This work was supported by NIH Grant HL073737-12.

326 EVALUATION OF CULTURE DURATION AND PARTIAL CUMULUS CELL REMOVAL DURING CANINE OOCYTE MATURATION

The objectives of this study were to determine whether the percentage of canine oocytes that resume meiosis during in vitro maturation could be increased by either increasing culture duration or by removing approximately one-half of the cumulus cells 24 h after oocytes were placed into culture. Canine female reproductive tracts were collected from a local clinic and ovaries were minced in warm TL-HEPES. Oocytes with a consistently dark ooplasm and at least two layers of cumulus cells were selected, cultured in a basic canine oocyte in vitro maturation medium consisting of TCM-199 with Earl's salts, 2.92 mM Ca-lactate, 20 mM pyruvic acid, 4.43 mM HEPES, 10% fetal calf serum, 1% Penicillin/Streptomycin (GibcoBRL, Grand Island, NY, USA), and 5 μg/mL porcine somatotropin, and incubated at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in humidified air. Treatment groups were randomly assigned and oocytes were cultured for 60, 84, or 132 h (Basic). From each of these groups, one-half of the oocytes were pipetted through a fine bore pipette to partially remove the cumulus cells 24 h after the start of culture (Basic–1/2). At the end of culture, all oocytes were denuded and the nuclear status was observed with Hoechst 33342 under ultraviolet fluorescence. All data were analyzed by ANOVA with P < 0.05. Since the canine oocyte is ovulated at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage of meiosis and requires up to five days to mature in the oviduct, it was hypothesized that an increased culture time would allow for more oocytes to undergo nuclear maturation to metaphase II (MII). It was also hypothesized that partial removal of cumulus cells would decrease the cumulus cell component in the ooplasm that sustains meiotic arrest, allowing for more oocytes to resume meiosis (RM = germinal vesicle breakdown to MII). Results within each treatment group indicate that there is no significant difference between culture duration and the percent of oocytes that mature to MII. Additionally, there was no significance in the percent of oocytes that resumed meiosis after partial cumulus cell removal. Taken together, these data suggest that neither treatment is effective in canine in vitro maturation systems, given the current maturation culture conditions. Table 1. Nuclear status* of oocytes for three time periods with or without partial cumulus cell removal

124CRYOPRESERVATION OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) SEMEN

The methods for collecting and freezing deer semen have been, for the most part, limited to two species; red deer ( Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer ( Dama dama) (Asher et al., 2000 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 62, 195–211). The object of this study was to evaluate the progressive motility and effects of a thermal stress test on white-tailed deer (WTD) semen frozen in Biladyl extender (Mini Tube, Verona, WI, USA). Semen was collected by electroejaculation from WTD bucks (n=7, ages 1.5–2.5 years) during the breeding season. This trial was the second collection for one buck (#0025) and the third collection for the other 6 bucks. The bucks were immobilized with a xylazine/ketamine mixture i.m. (2mgkg−1 Vedco, Inc., St. Joseph, MO, 2.2mgkg−1 ketamine HCl, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, IA, USA) and electroejaculated with a Pulsator IV unit (Lane Manufacturing, Denver, Co). Semen was extended 1:1 with Biladyl A, and then slowly cooled to 4°C. Once cooled, semen was extended with equal amounts of Biladyl part A, then part B, to a final concentration of 160×106cells/mL. The extended semen was then loaded into 0.25-cc straws, placed over liquid nitrogen (LN2) in vapors (−80°C) for 10min, and then plunged into LN2. Straws were stored in a LN2 tank for 3 months. Semen was thawed in a 38.5°C water bath for 45s, then placed in a warm test tube and incubated at 38.5°C for 5min before progressive motility was evaluated using a computer program (Sperm Vision, Mini Tube). A thermal stress test was performed by incubating thawed samples at 38.5°C for 1h. Results of the stress test were graded as either passed (progressive motility ≥50%) or failed (progressive motility&lt;50%). Results are shown in the table below. Our results show that the protocol described above is suitable for the cryopreservation of white-tailed deer semen. These data suggest that the initial post-thaw progressive motility may not accurately represent the potential progressive motility of the spermatozoa (e.g. WTD s 0038 &amp; 0103). Table 1 Volume collected and post thaw evaluation of white-tailed deer semen

Cellular and humoral immune reconstitution after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT)

Immune reconstitution after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is of particular interest because of its importance for clinical outcome. Despite prolonged immunosuppression, especially of CD4(+) cells, few infections after neutrophil recovery occur. Only reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) is more frequent in the first year after transplantation. From August 1997 to May 2001, we prospectively evaluated 38 patients prior to conditioning and during follow-up of 12 months post-transplant for virus antibodies [measles, mumps, rubella, polio, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV)] and lymphocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry. CD3(+) T lymphocytes, CD8(+) T cells, and B-lymphocyte reconstitution in our study confirms previous reports. Complete CD4(+) lymphocyte reconstitution was not achieved in the 12 months post-transplant leading to a suppressed CD4/CD8 ratio. IgG antibody titers against measles, mumps, rubella, and polio were present in almost all patients pretransplant and during 12 months post-transplant, indicating persistent humoral immunity. CD3(+) and CD8(+) counts of patients with clinical VZV reactivation ( n=5) post-transplant were significantly higher (median: 1201/microl and 938/microl, respectively) than in patients without VZV reactivation (median: 594/microl and 482/microl, respectively) 6-12 months post-transplant. Positive CMV titers pretransplant ( n=19) were also correlated with higher CD3(+) and CD8(+) counts 3-6 months post-transplant (median: 1050/microl and 1056/microl, respectively) compared to CMV-negative patients (738/microl and 584/microl, respectively), although none of the patients suffered from CMV disease. Therefore, we conclude that persistent viral infections can contribute to the CD8(+) T-cell reconstitution after PBSCT by oligoclonal expansion of antigen-specific memory CD8(+) T cells.

What is CD4+CD56+ malignancy and how should it be treated?

CD4+CD56+ malignancy is a rare neoplasm with a typical clinical pattern, an aggressive course and high early relapse rate despite good initial response to chemotherapy. In this review, the impact of different therapeutic approaches on clinical outcome has been studied. We evaluated 91 published cases and our own six patients in terms of clinical features, immunophenotype/cytogenetics and treatment outcome. Treatment was divided into four groups: (A) chemotherapy less intensive than CHOP; (B) CHOP and CHOP-like regimens; (C) therapy for acute leukemia; (D) allogeneic/autologous stem cell transplantation. The median overall survival was only 13 months for all patients. Patients with skin-restricted disease showed no difference in the overall survival from patients with advanced disease (17 and 12 months, respectively). Age >/=60 years was a negative prognostic factor. Age-adjusted analysis revealed improved survival after high-dose chemo/radiotherapy followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation when performed in first complete remission. This therapeutic approach should be recommended for eligible patients with CD4+CD56+ malignancy. For older patients the best treatment option is still unknown.

Splenectomy in patients with mixed myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disease

According to the classification of the World Health Organization, the designation myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disorder, unclassifiable may be applied to cases that have clinical, laboratory, and morphologic features that support a diagnosis of a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as well as a myeloproliferative disorder (MPD), but that do not meet the criteria for any of the other entities included in the MDS/MPD category [3]. In this paper we report on two Caucasian patients with unclassifiable myelodysplastic syndromes with proliferative characteristics. Both patients were suffering from thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly and underwent splenectomy. The weight of the spleen specimens was more than 2000 g. Histopathology findings revealed a marked infiltration of the spleen with extramedullary hematopoiesis. After surgery, one patient showed a rapid increase of platelets in peripheral blood and developed severe thrombocytosis. In the other case, the patient was suffering from a decrease of platelets and died in hypovolemic shock caused by gastrointestinal bleeding. In summary, these two cases demonstrate the difficulties of prognosis and treatment in patients with mixed myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disorders. Additionally, we indicate the potential positive outcome of splenectomy as ultima ratio in patients with these hematological features and severe thrombopenia.

Regenerated bovine fetal fibroblasts support high blastocyst development following nuclear transfer

Regenerated bovine fetal fibroblast cells were derived from a fetus cloned from an adult cow and passaged every 2-3 days. Serum starvation was performed by culturing cells in DMEM/F-12 supplemented with 0.5% FCS for 1-3 days. In vitro matured bovine oocytes were enucleated by removing the first polar body and a small portion of cytoplasm containing the metaphase II spindle. Cloned embryos were constructed by electrofusion of fetal fibroblast cells with enucleated bovine oocytes, electrically activated followed by 5 h culture in 10 microg/mL cycloheximide + 5 microg/mL cytochalasin B, and then cultured in a B2 + vero-cell co-culture system. A significantly higher proportion of fused embryos developed to blastocysts by day 7 when nuclei were exposed to oocyte cytoplasm prior to activation for 120 min (41.2%) compared to 0-30 min (28.2%, p < 0.01). Grade 1 blastocyst rates were 85.1% and 73.3%, respectively. The mean number of nuclei per grade 1 blastocyst was significantly greater for 120 min exposure (110.63 +/- 7.19) compared to 0-30 min exposure (98.67 +/- 7.94, p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in both blastocyst development (37.4% and 30.6%) and mean number of nuclei per blastocyst (103.59 +/- 6.6 and 107.00 +/- 7.12) when serum starved or nonstarved donor cells were used for nuclear transfer (p > 0.05). Respectively, 38.7%, 29.4%, and 19.9% of the embryos reconstructed using donor cells at passage 5-10, 11-20 and 21-36 developed to the blastocyst stage. Of total blastocysts, the percentage judged to be grade 1 were 80.9%, 79.2%, and 54.1%, and mean number of nuclei per grade 1 blastocysts, were 113.18 +/- 9.06, 100.04 +/- 6.64, and 89.25 +/- 6.19, respectively. The proportion of blastocyst percentage of grade 1 blastocysts, and mean number of nuclei per grade 1 blastocyst decreased with increasing passage number of donor cells (p < 0.05). These data suggest that regenerated fetal fibroblast cells support high blastocyst development and embryo quality following nuclear transfer. Remodeling and reprogramming of the regenerated fetal fibroblast nuclei may be facilitated by the prolonged exposure of the nuclei to the enucleated oocyte cytoplasm prior to activation. Serum starvation of regenerated fetal cells is not beneficial for embryo development to blastocyst stage. Regenerated fetal fibroblast cells can be maintained up to at least passage 36 and still support development of nuclear transfer embryos to the blastocyst stage.

A cat cloned by nuclear transplantation

Sheep, mice, cattle, goats and pigs have all been cloned by transfer of a donor cell nucleus into an enucleated ovum, and now we add the successful cloning of a cat (Felis domesticus) to this list. However, this cloning technology may not be readily extendable to other mammalian species if our understanding of their reproductive processes is limited or if there are species-specific obstacles.

Mrnp41 (Rae 1p) associates with microtubules in HeLa cells and in neurons

Mrnp41 (hRae1p) is an evolutionarily highly conserved protein, which is a potential component of mRNP particles and plays a role in nuclear mRNA export. The protein is mainly localized at the nuclear pore complex, but is also associated with distinct nuclear domains and with a meshwork of numerous small particles in the cytoplasm (Kraemer and Blobel (1997): Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 1519-1523). We show that the cytoplasmic pattern of mrnp41 is sensitive to treatment with the microtubule (MT)-depolymerizing drug nocodazole which causes disappearance of mrnp41 from the cell periphery and concentration around the nucleus. By immunofluorescence we demonstrate that mrnp41 colocalizes with MT in HeLa cells and displays an MT-like distribution in cultured neurons. Association of mrnp41 with MT is further demonstrated by copurification with MT from pig brain throughout several steps of polymerization and depolymerization. Separation of MT-associated proteins (MAPs) by phosphocellulose (PC) chromatography showed copurification of mrnp41 with MAPs. These data show an association of mrnp41 with MT and, moreover, demonstrate that an intact MT system is necessary for dispersion of mrnp41-containing particles to the cellular periphery. The essential role of mrnp41 in spindle pole separation and cell cycle progression may also be related to its ability to bind to MTs.

[99mTc]oxotechnetium(V) complexes amine-amide-dithiol chelates with dialkylaminoalkyl substituents as potential diagnostic probes for malignant melanoma

[99mTc]oxotechnetium(V) complexes of amine-amide-dithiol (AADT) chelates containing tertiary amine substituents were synthesized and shown to have affinity for melanoma. For complexation the AADT-CH2[CH2]nNR2 (n = 1, 2; R = Et, n-Bu) ligand was mixed with a [99mTc]oxotechnetium(V)-glucoheptonate precursor to make the AADT-[99mTc]oxotechnetium(V) complexes in nearly quantitative yield. Structurally analogous nonradioactive oxorhenium(V) complexes were also synthesized and characterized. In vitro sigma-receptor affinity measurements indicate these complexes to possess sigma-affinity in the low micromolar range with K(i) values in the 7.8-26.1 and 0.18-2.3 microM range for the sigma1- and sigma2-receptors, respectively. In vitro cell uptake of the 99mTc complexes in intact B16 murine melanoma cells at 37 degrees C after a 60-min incubation ranged from 12% for complex 2 (n = 1, R = n-Bu) to 68% for complex 4 (n = 2, R = n-Bu). In vivo evaluation of complexes 1-Tc-4-Tc in the C57Bl/B16 mouse melanoma model demonstrated significant tumor localization. Complex 1-Tc (n = 1, R = Et) displayed an in vivo tumor uptake of 7.6% ID/g at 1 h after administration with initial melanoma/blood (M/B), melanoma/spleen (M/S), and melanoma/lung (M/L) ratios >4; these ratios increased to 10.8, 10.1, and 7.3, respectively, at 6 h. While complex 3-Tc (n = 3, R = Et) had an initial tumor uptake of 3.7% ID/g 1 h after administration with M/B, M/S, and M/L ratios >2, a greater tumor retention and slightly faster clearance from nontumor-containing organs resulted in M/B, M/S, and M/L ratios of 19.1, 19.1, and 12.7, respectively, at 6 h. The high tumor uptake and significant tumor/nontumor ratios indicate that such small technetium-99m-based molecular probes can be developed as in vivo diagnostic agents for melanoma and its metastases.

The usefulness of handheld computers in a surgical group practice

We designed a system using hand-held computers allowing physicians in the hospital setting to access their surgical schedules, to track patients in multiple hospitals, and to quickly enter billing information. The physicians would then update their schedules and pass billing information electronically when they returned to the office. The system was successfully implemented, it was well accepted by clinicians and staff users, and it showed an increased capture of charges. Whether an economically important effect on the number of days to post hospital charges will be evident after follow-up data has been collected.

Safety of tacrine: clinical trials, treatment IND, and postmarketing experience

The safety of tacrine (Cognex), a centrally active, reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved in 1993 for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer type, was evaluated in 2,706 patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) in clinical trials and in 9861 patients with AD in a treatment investigational new drug (TIND) program. More than 190,000 patients in the United States received tacrine during the first 2 years following marketing approval. The most common tacrine-associated adverse events were elevated liver transaminase levels [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and, to a lesser degree, aspartate aminotransferase] and peripheral cholinergic events involving primarily the digestive system (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, anorexia, and weight loss). Based on clinical trial experience, potentially clinically significant (>3 x upper limit of normal) ALT elevations occurred in 25% of patients, requiring routine monitoring early in treatment. The elevations were almost always asymptomatic, rarely accompanied by significant increases in bilirubin, and related to time on drug rather than to dose (90% occurred within the first 12 weeks of treatment). Gastrointestinal events were related to dose and generally of mild to moderate intensity. Tacrine-associated events, including ALT elevations, were reversible. Cholinergic events were manageable with dosage adjustment. Tacrine was not associated with permanent liver injury in clinical trials or a TIND setting.

mRNA binding protein mrnp 41 localizes to both nucleus and cytoplasm

We have identified and molecularly characterized a human protein with a Mr of 40,880 Da. After UV irradiation of HeLa cells, this protein was cross-linked to poly(A)-containing mRNA and was therefore designated mrnp 41 (for mRNA binding protein of 41 kDa). Cell fractionation and immunoblotting showed mrnp 41 in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus and particularly in the nuclear envelope. Immunofluorescence microscopy localized mrnp 41 to distinct foci in the nucleoplasm, to the nuclear rim, and to meshwork-like structures throughout the cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic meshwork staining was disrupted by prior treatment of cells with the actin filament- or microtubule-disrupting drugs cytochalasin or nocodazole, respectively, suggesting association of mrnp 41 with the cytoskeleton. Double immunofluorescence with antibodies against mrnp 41 and the cytoplasmic poly(A) binding protein showed colocalization to the cytoplasmic meshwork. Immunogold electronmicroscopy confirmed mrnp 41's cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic localization and revealed a striking labeling of nuclear pore complexes. Together these data suggest that mrnp 41 may function in nuclear export of mRNPs and/or in cytoplasmic transport on, or attachment to, the cytoskeleton. Consistent with a role of mrnp 41 in nuclear export are previous reports that mutations in homologs of mrnp 41 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, designated Rae1p, or in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, designated Gle2p, result in mRNA accumulation in the nucleus although it is presently not known whether these homologs are mRNA binding proteins as well.