Connected simultaneous rupture of the diaphragm and pericardium via congenitally fused site due to blunt trauma

Background

In severe blunt trauma, multiple organ injuries are often observed. Patients with a ruptured diaphragm and pericardium are referred to as having pericardio-diaphragmatic rupture. However, few studies have reported a narrowly defined case of connected rupture of the diaphragm and pericardium via their congenitally fused site along with an abdominal visceral herniation and cardiac luxation into the thoracic cavity.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old man presented to our hospital with left chest pain caused by a traffic accident. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a left diaphragmatic rupture and an intestinal herniation into the thoracic cavity. Surgical repair of the diaphragm was performed, and pericardial rupture was noted during surgery. It was considered that the laceration had spread via the congenitally fused site of the diaphragm and pericardium. The diaphragm was sutured, but the pericardium was left open because the laceration was large and the risk of cardiac incarceration was thought to be low. One year after the operation, no recurrence of diaphragmatic hernia was observed and any circulatory symptoms were not occurred.

Conclusions

In cases of diaphragmatic laceration extending to the fused site of the pericardium, connected pericardial rupture should also be considered. It would be challenging to detect without intraoperative findings, and it is desirable to observe both the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Early enteral nutrition with arginine compensates for negative nitrogen balance in patients undergoing curative total gastrectomy

The effects of early enteral arginine-rich nutrition (EAN) were analyzed among patients undergoing curative-intent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. There were 19 patients in this prospective study, all randomly assigned to either a parenteral nutrition (PN) group or an EAN group for the first seven days after surgery. The EAN group received 1.8-fold greater arginine (10.1 g/day) compared with the PN group, which was administered through an enteral tube inserted into the jejunal loop. Both groups were provided almost identical amounts of total amino acids (54 g/day), and the total energy was set at 65% of the total requirement (25 kcal/kg/day). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, oral intake, nutritional status, or body weight. The serum arginine profile was similar in the two groups, as it decreased significantly on postoperative day (POD) 1, and gradually returned to preoperative levels by POD 7. The nitrogen balance remained negative until POD 7 in the PN group, but turned neutral at POD 7 in the EAN group. While we could not confirm body weight loss improvement, these results suggested that early arginine-rich enteral nutrition could improve the nitrogen balance after total gastrectomy. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 325-333, August, 2023.

Malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pancreas: a case report

Background

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare tumors, mostly derived from connective tissue mesenchymal cells that arise from the pleura. There are very few reports of primary pancreatic SFT. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult owing to the lack of distinctive radiological findings. We report a case of pancreatic SFT with particularly rare malignant findings.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old man was referred to the hospital because of a right upper quadrant mass and abnormal liver function test results. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a well-defined enhanced tumor measuring approximately 8 cm in the pancreatic head. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed T1WI hypointensity, T2WI hyperintensity, and DWI hyperintensity. The main pancreatic duct and common bile duct were dilated owing to obstruction by the tumor. The following tumor markers were mildly elevated: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), SPan-1, and DUPAN-2. The histological diagnosis obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was negative for pancreatic ductal carcinoma, malignant lymphoma and neuroendocrine tumor, suggesting the possibility of mesenchymal tumor, but the diagnosis was not confirmed. The patient was judged suitable for surgery and underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. On histopathological examination of the resected specimen, infiltrating spindle-shaped cells had proliferated, containing numerous mitotic figures, with necrotic findings inside the tumor. Immunostaining was positive for cluster of differentiation-34 (CD34), B cell CLL/lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT6). On the basis of these findings, a diagnosis of malignant pancreatic SFT was made. The patient remains free of recurrent disease after 12 months of follow-up without adjuvant therapy and he is being carefully followed up as an outpatient.

Conclusions

We experienced a case of malignant pancreatic head SFT. Immunohistochemical staining of the extracted specimens was useful for diagnosis.

Frequency and features of myasthenia gravis developing after thymectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Thymectomy is an effective treatment for myasthenia gravis (MG) with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. We rarely encounter patients who develop MG after surgery for thymic tumors. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and frequency of post-thymectomy onset (PostTx) MG.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical information of thymoma-associated MG in 158 patients. Of these, 18 (11%) patients with PostTx MG were identified.

RESULTS

The presence of anti-AChR antibodies (82%) and electrophysiological abnormalities (50%) was confirmed before thymectomy in patients with PostTx MG. The clinical characteristics of PostTx MG were similar to those of pre-thymectomy onset (PreTx) MG. In PostTx MG, the duration between thymectomy and MG onset were distributed as < 6 months (early-onset PostTx MG) and ≥ 6 months (late-onset PostTx MG). Notably, some patients with late-onset PostTx MG were associated with thymoma relapse.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that approximately 11% of patients with thymoma-associated MG were PostTx MG and pre-surgical assessment of anti-AChR antibody titer or electrophysiological testing may predict PostTx MG development. However, no difference in clinical manifestation and prognosis was observed between PreTx MG and PostTx MG.

Safety of tapering tacrolimus dose in patients with well-controlled anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive myasthenia gravis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Tapering immunosuppressants is desirable in patients with well-controlled myasthenia gravis (MG). However, the association between tapering of calcineurin inhibitor dosage and reduction-associated exacerbation is not known. The aim of this study was to clarify the frequency of reduction-associated exacerbation when tacrolimus is tapered in stable patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive MG, and to determine the factors that predict exacerbations.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 115 patients in whom tacrolimus dosage was tapered. The reduction-associated exacerbation was defined as the appearance or worsening of one or more MG symptoms <3 months after the reduction.

RESULTS

Tacrolimus dosage was successfully tapered in 110 patients (96%) without any exacerbation. Five patients (4%) experienced an exacerbation, but symptoms were reversed in all patients when the tacrolimus dose was increased to the previous maintenance level. No patient developed an MG crisis. The age at onset was significantly earlier (30 vs. 56 years, P = 0.025) and the reduction in dosage was significantly larger (2.0 vs. 1.0 mg/day, P = 0.002) in patients with reduction-associated exacerbation than in those without exacerbation. The cut-off values determined in a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis were 52 years (sensitivity, 57%; specificity, 100%) for the age at onset and 1.5 mg (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 100%) for the dose reduction.

CONCLUSION

Tapering of tacrolimus was possible in most patients with well-controlled anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive MG. Early age at onset and a large reduction from maintenance dosage were associated with exacerbation. Reductions ≤1.5 mg/day from the maintenance dosage should be considered for patients with late-onset disease.

[Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Descending Colon Cancer Treated with Imatinib for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia]

A66 -year-old man was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia(CML). Imatinib treatment had been initiated, and a major molecular response(MMR)was achieved. The patient had anemia and was diagnosed with descending colon cancer. The patient was surgically treated, and then received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT/LV. However, imatinib was not administered during that period. The patient could undergo postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for 6 months without acute exacerbation of the CML.

First report of hepatobiliary Mycobacterium avium infection developing obstructive jaundice in a patient with neutralizing anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies

This study describes a patient who experienced hepatobiliary Mycobacterium avium infection associated with neutralizing anti–interferon gamma (IFN-γ) autoantibodies during treatment for disseminated M. avium disease. Hepatobiliary M. avium infection should be considered in jaundiced patients with neutralizing anti–IFN-γ autoantibodies, including those receiving antimycobacterial therapy for disseminated M. avium disease.

Abstract P3-01-05: A feasibility study of sentinel lymph node detection and analysis of safety to omit axillary lymph node dissection in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Background: Concerns still remain about lower sentinel node (SN) detection and higher false-negative rates (FNR) in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), especially those who are clinically node-positive before NAC. It is necessary to analyze the validity of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) after NAC and evaluate whether the SN identification rate and FNR for clinically N0 (cN0) patients after NAC would be acceptable or not in order to omit axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

Objectives and methods: We identified SN by radioisotopic methods followed by completion of ALND in cN0 patients after NAC from 2013 to 2016 as part of a clinical research study (SNB group, N=68) to analyze the accuracy of SNB, and retrospectively investigated the prognosis of patients treated with NAC from 2006 to 2012 (control group, N=92) to evaluate whether the validity of SNB would be acceptable or not.

Results: Mean patient ages in the SNB group and control group were 51.0 years and 49.5 years, respectively (p=0.17), and the distribution of intrinsic subtypes was not significantly different between the two groups. The numbers of cN1≤ before NAC in the SNB group and control group were 85.5% (57/68) and 80.4% (74/92), respectively (p=0.58), and the pathological complete response rates were 25.0% (17/68) and 19.6% (18/92), respectively (p=0.41). Lymphoscintigraphy using 99mTc-phytate acid was performed in the SNB group, and hot spots were detected at the ipsilateral axilla in 62 of 68 (91.2%) patients, in all of whom SNs could be identified by using a gamma-probe. The FNR, which indicates no metastasis in SNs and metastasis in non-SN, was 5.9% (4/68). Among these four patients, three were of the luminal type while one was triple negative. The number of patients without metastasis in both SN and non-SN, which are candidates for omission of ALND, was 26 of 68 (38.2%). They included eight of nine HER2-enriched patients and six of 13 luminal-HER2 patients. Conversely, there were no false-negative cases in these subtypes. Moreover, all SNs were identified even if there were metastases in SNs. Regarding the prognosis of the control group, the 10-year disease free survival of post-NAC N0 (ypN0) (52/92, 56.5%) and ypN1≤ (40/92, 43.5%) were 80.7% and 61.2%, respectively (p=0.08); in addition, the 10-year overall survival of yN0 and ypN1≤ were 90.4% and 72.6% (p=0.26). Thus, the prognosis of ypN1≤ was not significantly inferior to that of ypN0. If omission of ALND were performed for false negative cases, then the risk of axillary relapse would be a concern. However, these data indicate the possibility that 5.9% of FNR as shown in the SNB group would not have much influence on prognosis.

Conclusion: The accuracy of SN detection by radioisotopic methods for cN0 breast cancer after NAC was not maintained like that for -early breast cancer although it was better than the results of previous studies. However, there were no false-negative cases in HER2-enriched and luminal-HER2 subtypes, which could be potential candidates for omission of ALND. In addition, omission of ALND for false-negative patients would have less influence on the prognosis.

Citation Format: Maeno K, Yamamoto K, Ono M, Oba T, Iesato A, Ono K, Ito T, Kanai T, Ito K-I. A feasibility study of sentinel lymph node detection and analysis of safety to omit axillary lymph node dissection in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-01-05.

A prospective multicenter trial of S-1 with lafutidine vs S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer in Japan: AEOLUS

91

Background: From the result of ACTS-GC study, adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 for one year is standard therapy of gastric cancer in Japan. In this study, completion rate of pre-planned S-1 treatment was 65.8% and there is still room for improvement on this rate. Lafutidine is a H2 blocker and enhances submucosal blood flow via capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons. Alleviating effect of lafutidine on toxicity of 5FU leading to discontinuation of adjuvant treatment could be expected. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed stage II (excluding T1 cases), IIIA, or IIIB (Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma 13th) who underwent gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy were randomly assigned to receive S-1 with lafutidine(L) or S-1 (S). All patients were given S-1 (40mg/m2) for 4 weeks with 2 weeks rest, repeated for 1 year after surgery. Patients of L group received lafutidine (20mg/day) every day for 1 year with S-1. The primary end point was treatment completion rate (TCR) of S-1. Definition of treatment completion was S-1 continuation for 1 year with over 70% planned dose. The secondary end points were toxicity (CTCAE v3.0) and relative total administration dose (RD) of S-1. Results: We randomly assigned 101 patients to the L group and 101 patients to the S group between February 2010 and December 2012 from 17 centers in Japan. After randomization, two patients were found to be ineligible in L group (the absence of cytologic examination of the peritoneal fluid, stageIB) and 1 in S group (allocation violation). TCR was 68.3% in the L group and 60.4% in the S group (p = 0.072, Cochran-Mantel-Haenzel test at a pre-specified one-sided significance level of 0.1). Adverse events of grade 3/4 excluding ineligible example was 30.0% in the L group, and 36.0% in the S group. Patients who require a dose reduction and/or delay of S-1 was 41.6% in the L group, and 51.5% in the S group. RD was 83.9% (range: 1.6-103.7) in the L group, and 84.0% (range: 1.7-103.8) in the S group. No any toxicity of lafutidine was observed. Conclusions: Lafutidine may increase a completion rate of adjuvant chemotherapy using S-1 within a 30% dose reduction for gastric cancer. This result need to be confirmed in double-blind placebo control study. Clinical trial information: UMIN000002703.

Significance of measurement of serum trough level and anti-drug antibody of adalimumab as personalised pharmacokinetics in patients with Crohn's disease: a subanalysis of the DIAMOND trial

BACKGROUND

Significance of monitoring adalimumab trough levels and anti-adalimumab antibodies (AAA) for disease outcome in Crohn's disease (CD) patients remained unclear.

AIM

To evaluate the association of adalimumab trough levels and AAA at week 26 with clinical remission at week 52, the effect of azathiopurine on AAA and factors influencing trough levels in CD patients in the DIAMOND trial.

METHODS

We performed this study using adalimumab trough levels, AAA at week 26 and 6-thioguanine nucleotide (TGN) in red blood cells at week 12. A multiple regression model and receiver operating analysis was performed to identify factors influencing adalimumab trough levels and AAA, and adalimumab thresholds for predicting disease activity.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference of adalimumab trough level at week 26 between patients with disease remission and without at week 52 (7.7 ± 3.3 μg/mL vs 5.4 ± 4.3 μg/mL: P <.001). Adalimumab trough level of 5.0 μg/mL yielded optimal sensitivity and specificity for remission prediction (80.2% and 55.6%, respectively). AAA development at week 26 significantly affected remission at week 52 (P = .021), which was strongly associated with adalimumab trough levels. Female gender and increasing body weight were independently associated with low adalimumab trough levels, and female gender was associated with AAA development. A cut-off 6TGN level of >222.5 p mol/8 ×10⁸ RBCs yielded sensitivity (100%) and specificity (60.6%) for AAA negativity.

CONCLUSION

Adalimumab trough levels and AAA occurrence were significantly associated with clinical remission. Higher 6TGN affected AAA negativity. The combination therapy is beneficial in some relevant aspects for CD patients. (UMIN Registration No. 000005146).

Fluence correction factor for graphite calorimetry in a clinical high-energy carbon-ion beam

The aim of this work is to develop and adapt a formalism to determine absorbed dose to water from graphite calorimetry measurements in carbon-ion beams. Fluence correction factors, [Formula: see text], needed when using a graphite calorimeter to derive dose to water, were determined in a clinical high-energy carbon-ion beam. Measurements were performed in a 290 MeV/n carbon-ion beam with a field size of 11  ×  11 cm², without modulation. In order to sample the beam, a plane-parallel Roos ionization chamber was chosen for its small collecting volume in comparison with the field size. Experimental information on fluence corrections was obtained from depth-dose measurements in water. This procedure was repeated with graphite plates in front of the water phantom. Fluence corrections were also obtained with Monte Carlo simulations through the implementation of three methods based on (i) the fluence distributions differential in energy, (ii) a ratio of calculated doses in water and graphite at equivalent depths and (iii) simulations of the experimental setup. The [Formula: see text] term increased in depth from 1.00 at the entrance toward 1.02 at a depth near the Bragg peak, and the average difference between experimental and numerical simulations was about 0.13%. Compared to proton beams, there was no reduction of the [Formula: see text] due to alpha particles because the secondary particle spectrum is dominated by projectile fragmentation. By developing a practical dose conversion technique, this work contributes to improving the determination of absolute dose to water from graphite calorimetry in carbon-ion beams.

An Effective New Cryopreservation Procedure for Pancreatic Islets Using Hollow Fiber Vitrification

The present study aimed at establishing a new cryopreservation method for mouse pancreatic islets by vitrification using hollow fibers as a container. A unique feature of the hollow fiber vitrification (HFV) method is that this method achieves stable vitrification using a minimum volume of cryoprotectant (CPA) solution, thereby ensuring high viability of the islets. The cytotoxicity, optimum composition, and concentration of the CPAs for vitrifying islets were examined. The viability, functional-integrity of vitrified islets were evaluated in comparison with those vitrified by conventional methods. Insulin secretion was measured in vitro by a static incubation assay and the metabolic functions was tested after transplantation into Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The combination of 15% dimethyl sulfoxide+15% ethylene glycol resulted in the best CPA solution for the HFV of islets. HFV showed the highest viability in comparison to 2 vitrification methods, open pulled straws and vitrification with EDT324 solution. The vitrified islets stably expressed β-cells markers NeuroD, Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1, and MafA. Transplantation of the vitrified islets achieved euglycemia of the host diabetic mice and response to an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test to a similar extent as non-vitrified transplanted islets. The HFV method allows for efficient long-term cryopreservation of islets.

Serum cytokine and chemokine profiles in patients with myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory disease of the neuromuscular junction. Previous studies of animal MG models have suggested important roles of cytokines in MG pathogenesis, but adequate studies on cytokines in human MG are lacking. Using a multiplex suspension array system, we measured the serum levels of 27 cytokines/chemokines in 47 anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive patients with MG and 20 normal controls (NC) to investigate the contribution of cytokines/chemokines toward MG pathogenesis. Correlations between clinical parameters and cytokine/chemokine levels in patients with MG were also examined. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-15 (mean ± standard deviation: 6·85 ± 6·97 pg/ml) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (96·21 ± 71·60 pg/ml) significantly increased, whereas IL-4 levels (3·57 ± 0·86 pg/ml) decreased in patients with MG compared with NC (IL-15: 4·42 ± 1·55 pg/ml; VEGF: 63·51 ± 32·95 pg/ml; IL-4: 4·15 ± 0·81 pg/ml, P < 0·05). In addition, eight cytokines (IL-4, IL-8, IL-15, eotaxin, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, VEGF and IL-1b) were significantly changed among MG patients with thymoma, MG patients without thymoma and NC (P < 0·05). Some cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-15, and VEGF, may play roles in the pathogenesis of MG.

Operation status of the electron cyclotron resonance ion source at Gunma University

An ECR ion source of Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, so-called KeiGM [M. Muramatsu, A. Kitagawa, Y. Sakamoto, S. Sato, Y. Sato, H. Ogawa, S. Yamada, H. Ogawa, Y. Yoshida, and A. G. Drentje, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 76, 113304 (2005)], has been operated for cancer therapy and physical/biological experiment since 2010. KeiGM produces typically 230 μA of 10 keV/u C(4+) ions from CH4 gases. The vacuum pressure is kept between 1.2 × 10(-4) and 1.7 × 10(-4) Pa so as to suppress the pulse-to-pulse current fluctuation within ±10%. The extraction electrode is cleaned every 6-8 months in order to remove deposited carbon, which increases the leak current and discharge. In order to investigate the possibility of long-term operation without such maintenances, oxygen aging for the cleaning of the extraction electrode has been tested in the test bench. The same-designed ion sources at National Institute of Radiological Sciences and SAGA Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Tosu (SAGA-HIMAT) are also operated with stable C(4+) current, which are suitable for the continuous operation for cancer therapy.

26 IN VIVO EXOGENIC ORGAN GENERATION WITH ORGANOGENESIS-DISABLED CLONED PIGS AS A PLATFORM

The generation of organs from pluripotent stem cells (PSC) is one of the ultimate goals of regenerative medicine. We have demonstrated that functional organs can be generated in vivo from xenogenic PSC in the body of organogenesis-disabled mice using blastocyst complementation. To apply this principle in generating human organs, a technical platform using large non-rodent mammals is essential. The aim of the present study was to establish a blastocyst complementation system using cloned pig embryos. We generated transgenic-cloned pigs with an apancreatic phenotype via the overexpression of Hes1 (hairy and enhancer of split-1) under the Pdx1 promoter (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1). Cloned embryos of apancreatic pigs (host embryos, male) were complemented (i.e. chimerized) by blastomeres of cloned embryos (donor cells, female) with normal developmental competence. Chimeric embryos were cultured for 1 or 2 days before being transferred into the uteri of oestrus-synchronized gilts. The complementation of 292 Pdx1-Hes1 cloned embryos gave rise to 260 (89.0%) blastocysts. The transfer of these blastocysts resulted in 5 male chimeric pigs. Chimerism was confirmed by the detection of host embryo-derived Pdx1-Hes1 and marker transgenes of the donor cells, such as humanized Kusabira-Orange (huKO) or Pdx1-Venus. Chimeric pigs possessed normally formed pancreata entirely derived from the exogenous donor cells. We thus established a blastocyst complementation system in the pig using cloned embryos that would otherwise give rise to apancreatic animals. Chimeric pigs obtained developed normally, maintaining normal serum glucose concentrations up to maturity, and became fertile boars. Mating the chimeric boars with 7 wild-type sows gave rise to 72 fetuses/piglets of which 37 (51.4%) exhibited the apancreatic phenotype. These results indicate that a missing organ can be generated from exogenous cells when functionally normal pluripotent cells chimerize with a cloned dysorganogenetic embryo. Blastocyst complementation using cloned porcine embryos may permit the use of a large animal for the generation of functional organs from xenogenic PSC, including human iPSC. The chimeric boar produced by blastocyst complementation sired fetuses/offspring with the apancreatic phenotype in a Mendelian fashion. Porcine fetuses with an organogenesis-disabled phenotype may provide a useful platform for organ regeneration research. Table 1.Production of chimeric pigs by complementation and of Pdx1-Hes1 cloned embryos

20 GENERATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRANSGENIC-CLONED PIGS EXPRESSING THE FAR-RED FLUORESCENT PROTEIN MONOMERIC PLUM

Transgenic (Tg) pigs expressing a fluorescent protein are extremely useful for research into transplantation and regenerative medicine. This study aimed to create Tg pigs expressing monomeric Plum (mPlum), a far-red fluorescent protein with a longer wavelength than enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and humanized Kusabira Orange (huKO), the two fluorescent proteins that have been used previously for Tg pig production. A linearized CAG-mPlum transgene construct was transferred into porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFF) by electroporation. mPlum fluorescence-positive cells were collected using a cell sorter and used as nuclear donors (mPlum-PFF) for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In vitro-matured oocytes were obtained from porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes cultured in NCSU23-based medium and were used to obtain recipient oocytes for SCNT after enucleation. Then, SCNT was performed as reported previously (Matsunari et al., 2008). The reconstructed embryos were cultured for 7 days in porcine zygote medium-5 (PZM-5). mPlum fluorescence expression was screened during the early development of the embryos. After 5 or 6 days of culture, the SCNT embryos were surgically transferred to the uterus of a recipient gilt. We first obtained fetuses on Day 36 or 37 of gestation by Caesarean section and the PFF were retrieved from their skin. Fluorescence expression was analysed using fluorescence microscope, and the number of transgene copies in each fetus was determined by Southern blot analysis. We also analysed whether unique spectral properties of mPlum are suitable for multicolor imaging using confocal microscope and flow cytometer. The identification of mPlum-expressing PFF under the mixed culture of PFF expressing EGFP and huKO was examined. The 2 cell lines of PFF expressing EGFP and huKO were previously generated in our laboratory. Rates of normal cleavage and blastocyst formation occurred in the SCNT embryos generated with mPlum-PFF (mPlum embryos) were equivalent to those of SCNT embryos derived from nontransgenic PFF (34/42, 81.0%; 33/42, 78.6% v. 37/40, 92.5%; 30/40, 75.0%). Total cell numbers in mPlum and control blastocysts did not differ significantly (88.3 ± 6.0 v. 99.9 ± 8.8). Fluorescence expression in the mPlum embryos began at the 8-cell stage and became brighter from the morula stage. The gilt into which 103 mPlum embryos were transferred produced 3 fetuses. These fetuses expressed mPlum fluorescence systemically and had 1 to 5 copies of the transgene. Multicolor fluorescence imaging and flow cytometric analyses of a mixed culture of mPlum PFF and PFF expressing EGFP and huKO showed that clear identification and isolation of cells displaying each of the 3 fluorescence signals was possible. These observations demonstrate that the transfer of CAG-mPlum did not interfere with the development of porcine SCNT embryos and resulted in the successful generation of Tg cloned pigs that systemically expressed mPlum. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 25293279.

Scale-up Rule for Double Bubble Tubular Process of PA6 Film

The analysis of scale-up rule for double bubble tubular film process of PA6 was investigated. The scale-up rule previously proposed for a blown film process by the authors was applied to a double bubble tubular film process with a small-scale plant for research (pilot plant) and a large-scale plant for commercial production (production plant).

According to the scale-up rule based on the equivalent stretching stress between the pilot and production plants, the equivalence of stretching stability, birefringence pattern and deformation pattern were confirmed.

It has been confirmed that the proposed scale-up rule is applicable to predict the physical properties such as film impact strength and the bubble stability for the large-scale tubular film process on the basis of the experimental results obtained from the pilot plant.

Dynamics of Double Bubble Tabular Film Process for Producing Biaxially oriented Nylon 6 Film

A double bubble tubular film process for nylon 6 was investigated. This report discussed three topics: Relationship between process conditions and film stretching stresses; deformation rate during double bubble process, birefringence and film thickness uniformity; and scale-up rule for double bubble tubular film process. The optimum stretching stress during the double bubble tubular film process exists. The bubble break occurs over stress of 1300 Kg/cm2 and bubble stability occurs below stress of 600 Kg/cm2. The cross point of stretching stress, which means stress in the machine direction is equal to stress in the transverse direction, is influenced by a deformation rate which is closely related to birefringence and bubble stability. Bubble stability and film thickness uniformity are improved with increasing deformation rate. It is found that the scale-up rule which was set up theoretically is applicable to predict the physical properties and bubble stability for large scale double bubble tubular film process once the same process is carried out by using the same scale machine and a small amount of resin.

Prediction of Birefringence for Optical Memory Disk

Polycarbonate (PC) is considered to be a proper resin for optical memory disk, however PC resin shows high birefringence. It is very important to reduce birefringence of PC optical memory disk. This research is to obtain the relationship between birefringence and process conditions and to get the optimum condition for the production of low birefringence substrate of PC optical memory disk. The birefringence distribution of PC optical memory disk was theoretically predicted by the calculations of both the stress distribution caused by molecular orientation during the filling stage and the thermal stress caused by temperature difference during the cooling stage. The relationship between birefringence distribution and the process conditions such as rheological properties of PC resin, injection temperature, mold temperature, mold design and annealing condition is possible to be predicted theoretically by calculating shear stress during the injection process and thermal stress during the cooling process. The predicted results of birefringence distribution qualitatively agree with the experimental ones.

Thickness Uniformity of Double Bubble Tubular Film Process for Producing Biaxially Oriented PA 6 Film

It is known that while the double bubble tubular film process gives better impact strength and more uniform shrinkage balance than the tenter process, yet it is relatively poor in film thickness uniformity. The film thickness uniformity of the PA 6 produced by the double bubble tubular film process was investigated.

The optimum stretching stress during the double bubble tubular film process exists. The bubble breaks over stress 130 MPa and bubble is unstable below stress 60 MPa. In the optimum condition, which is process temperature 310 °C and stretching ratio 3.2, stretched film uniformity was twice worse than non-stretched film one. The thickness uniformity of the film stretched in the optimum condition was better than that of the film stretched at higher process temperature and at lower stretching ratio. In the observations of the bubble sample through the polarizing plates, deformation pattern showed the equality of deformation. Thickness uniformity of non-stretched film significantly affects the thickness uniformity of biaxially oriented film.

Local stretching ratio, which varies along the film width, influences tensile modulus and tensile strength at break. In order to obtain the uniform physical properties of film, it is important to produce the film with uniform thickness. Film thickness uniformity can be improved when stretching stress is high and bubble stability is good. These factors are influenced by stretching temperature, stretching ratio and air velocity from air ring.

Deformation Behavior, Processability and Physical Properties for Biaxially Oriented Film of LLDPE

The bubble deformation behavior of double bubble tubular film (DBTF) of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is experimentally analyzed. Also investigated is how the bubble deformation behavior of the stretched films are changed by stretching conditions, especially stretching temperature, and how the properties of stretched films are influenced by stretching conditions.

From the results, the optimum conditions required to obtain a stable bubble and good properties for the DBTF of LLDPE are indicated. The relationship between the DBTF and laboratory tenter stretched film (LTSF) is investigated in order to predict the processability and the properties of the DBTF by using the laboratory tenter biaxial stretcher. This method is not only more time efficient, but also reduces overall costs of developing the DBTF.

Easy Tear Film of Biaxially Oriented PA 6/MXD 6 Blend by Double Bubble Tubular Film Process

In the market, a film which adapted to environmental and barrier problems is desired. This report discusses the stretching stability and physical properties for biaxially oriented PA 6/ MXD 6 blending film produced by double bubble tubular film process. As MXD 6 blending ratio increased, the stretching stress decreased. Hydrogen bond is due to be suppressed by the steric hindrance of the MXD 6 resin. Blending film can be stretched stably and oxygen gas permeability is more excellent than PA 6. Further the film blended between 20 % and 40 % as MXD 6 blend ratio has the property of easy straight line cut. It is found that the plate-like cylinder structure was formed in the observation of TEM. However, thickness uniformity deteriorates when MXD 6 blending ratio exceeds 40 %. To improve the thickness uniformity, the influence of the kneading conditions was studied. When the melting point of MXD 6 decreased, the stretching stability deteriorated and mechanical properties drastically lowered. The excess reaction of the blending resins is not desirable. Stretchability, easy tear property and oxygen gas barrier property are maintained by following process conditions. In case of dry blending, MXD 6 30% is proper content. And in case of premixing, MXD 6 melting point keeps over 236°C. It was confirmed that there is the condition satisfying all properties. The blending film keeps the compatible performance of strength and easy tear property. Namely, the material and production technology of a film could solve environmental and barrier free problems.

Bowing Phenomenon in Double Bubble Tubular Film Processing for PA 6

This report is to discuss the bowing phenomenon and the sag elimination tension for biaxial oriented PA 6 film process, which consists of double bubble tubular film process and the thermosetting tentering.

The bowing phenomenon does not occur in the heat set of the triple bubble tubular process. However, there is a serious problem of the bubble stability when the sufficient thermosetting by the tubular process is carried out, so the heat set by the tenter process is required. The bowing phenomenon arises when the annealing is carried out by the tenter method. The bowing distortion becomes large when the annealing temperature is high and film relaxation ratio is large.

It is possible to reduce the bowing distortion when thermosetting is carried out in a two-step tenter process. The shrinkage stress of the stretched film was relaxed in the heat treatment during the second step whose temperature is higher than the first one. A two-step heat treatment was able to decrease the bowing distortion compared with the one-step heat treatment.

When the bowing phenomenon occurred, shrinkage percentage in hot water changes along the cross-direction of a film. The humidity expansion coefficient in the film which increases as the increasing shrinkage percentage in hot water is related to the molecular orientation. The sag also increased with increasing the bowing distortion. The bowing distortion and the sag elimination of tension have proportional connection.

Stretchability and Properties of LLDPE Blends for Biaxially Oriented Film

In order to improve the stretchability of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) for double bubble tubular film (DBTF), the blending of LLDPEs have been investigated. Three LLDPEs of varying densities were blended, and several films having different densities, molecular-weight distributions and composition distributions were produced. The stretchability and properties of these films were investigated and the relationship between the stretchability and the material properties were also discussed. The material properties of LLDPE which showed better stretchability were reported. Furthermore, the stretchability of LLDPE by using the laboratory tenter stretched film (LTSF) and the DBTF were compared. The prediction of the stretchability for the DBTF by using the LTSF was reported.

Stretchability and Properties of Various LLDPE for Biaxially Oriented Film

Stretchability and properties of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) blends for biaxially oriented film was investigated in the previous report [1]. That report focused on changing the film density by blending three different densities of LLDPE. The relationship among stretchability, film density and the composition distribution was explored. In this report, several different densities and melt flow indices (MFI) of LLDPE were examined. A film with a density of about 0.915 g/cm3 displayed the best stretchability, while films not less than 2 g/10 min MFI had poor stretchability. The most suitable composition distribution for stretching was reported. The properties of biaxially oriented films were also evaluated. Furthermore, the relationship between the laboratory tenter stretched film (LTSF) and the double bubble tubular film (DBTF) was investigated. There was a correlation between the density in film over 0.910 g/cm3 and the stretchability of the DBTF and LTSF.

Easy Tear Multilayer Film of Biaxially Oriented PA6/MXD6 by Double Bubble Tubular Film Process

In the market, a film which is adapted to environmental and barrier problems and easy tear property is desired. A previous report discussed easy tear PA6 film. This report discusses the film having not only easy tear, but also high barrier properties.

A biaxially oriented PA6/MXD6 blend film produced by double bubble tubular film process does possess gas barrier. So a multilayer film having high gas barrier layer and keeping easy tear cut has been studied. High gas barrier layer of high content MXD 6 in the center layer is added to PA6/MXD6 blend film in the outer layers.

When MXD6 blending ratio of PA6/MXD6 blending film layer is 30 %, the property of easy straight line cut is obtained. It is found that the plate-like cylinder structure was formed in the observation of TEM for PA6/MXD6 blend film.

The multilayer biaxially oriented film composed of PA6/MXD6 blend layer and MXD6 high content layer keeps high strength, easy tear property and high gas barrier. Namely, the material and production technology of a PA6 film could solve environmental and barrier problems.

Study on the Bleeding Mechanism of Slip Agents in a Polypropylene Film using Molecular Dynamics

The bleeding (internal transport) process of additives in a polypropylene film under atmospheric pressure was investigated. The experimental results were explained more precisely by a new model assuming the two-step transport between the amorphous and crystalline regions. The diffusion coefficient of a higher fatty acid such as behenic acid (docosanoic acid) in isotactic polypropylene film and that of higher fatty acid amides such as erucamaide (13-cis-docosenamide) in ethylene copolymerized polypropylene film were determined at 40 and 50°C respectively. The difference between the diffusion coefficients of three slip agents in a polypropylene film at 50°C was explained using a molecular dynamics simulation in which self-association of the slip agent molecules by hydrogen bonding was considered.

Multilayer Barrier Film of Biaxially Oriented PA6/EVOH by Double Bubble Tubular Film Process

In the market, a film adapted to environmental and barrier problems is desired. The previous report discussed easy tear and gas barrier PA6 film. This report discusses the multilayer PA6 film having high barrier EVOH layer.

A biaxially oriented PA6 film produced by double bubble tubular film process has high strength, but does not have enough gas barrier property compared with K-coated PA6. In the following a multilayer film with gas barrier layer is studied. A high gas barrier layer of EVOH is added to the center layer in the outer layers of PA6 films. The gas barrier ability increases with increasing the content of EVOH and decreasing ethylene content of EVOH, but at the same time the mechanical properties and processability get worse. From this point of view, it is found that the optimum content of EVOH is between 20% and 43%.

In a biaxially oriented multilayer film composed of PA6 layers and EVOH one keeps high strength and high gas barrier. The material and production technology of a PA6 film can solve environmental and barrier problems.

Visualization of Flow Instabilities for High Density Polyethylene

Two typical flow instabilities of “Shark Skin” and “Melt Fracture” for high density polyethylene were investigated in this report. Experimental measurements were carried out methodically in a wide flow region from the reservoir (entry region) to the die land with a specific slit die. Especially the flow pattern was visualized with a high speed camera and the frequency of the flow instability was analyzed. Corresponding to the visualization analysis, the pressure fluctuation in the slit die and the surface roughness at the die exit were measured simultaneously and these frequency characteristics were analyzed with a FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analyzer. As for “Shark Skin” region, the irregularity of the surface roughness in the broad frequency band was recognized at the die exit. In spite of this surface roughness, the pressure fluctuation and the fluctuation of the flow pattern at the wall vicinity in the die land were not observed. These results indicate that “Shark Skin” occurs at the die exit. As for “Melt Fracture” region, the periodical oscillation of the flow pattern and the periodical pressure fluctuation which corresponded to the periodical distortion of the extrudate was recognized in the die land. However the periodical oscillation of the flow pattern and the periodical pressure fluctuation could not be recognized in the reservoir (entry region of the die land). These results indicate that “Melt Fracture” is initiated at the die entry and occurs in the die land. Consequently it is clarified that “Shark Skin” occurs at the die exit and the flow instability which lead to “Melt Fracture” is initiated at the die entry and occurs in the die land.

Quantitative Analysis for Polymer Degradation in the Extrusion Process

Polymer degradation in the extrusion process decreases quality and productivity. For this reason, it is necessary to prevent polymer degradation. In the extrusion process, polymer degradation is caused by oxidation. It depends on the processing temperature and the amount of dissolved oxygen in the molten polymer. Therefore, a quantitative analysis of these factors is required.

As for the degradation characteristics of the material used in this study, temperature and oxygen concentration dependency of the oxidation rate could be quantitatively characterized with an apparatus to evaluate polymer degradation which utilized chemiluminescence generated by an oxidation reaction.

Moreover, an online measuring apparatus to analyze dissolved gas in the extruded molten polymer was developed. With this apparatus, the volume ratio of dissolved gases (N2, O2 etc.) to the extruded molten polymer could be quantitatively analyzed and the quality of the extruded molten polymer evaluated.

With this apparatus, dissolved nitrogen (an index of entrained air) was analyzed with a full-flight screw and a barrier screw. Furthermore, observation of cross sectional views in the screw channel obtained from the cooling experiment under the operating conditions was carried out for the full-flight screw and the barrier screw. With the full-flight screw, break up phenomenon (collapse of solid polymer) occurred in the screw channel and the amount of nitrogen increased. With the barrier screw, the amount of nitrogen decreased because of prevention of the break up phenomenon in the screw channel.

Consequently, it is shown that the use of the barrier screw is suitable for oxygen reduction in the molten polymer, which is a factor in causing polymer degradation.

297 PRODUCTION OF CHIMERIC PORCINE FETUSES BY AGGREGATION METHOD USING PARTHENOGENETIC EMBRYOS

Porcine induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are considered to be an invaluable research tool in translational research with pigs as a large animal model. Pluripotency of the iPS cells needs to be verified by their competence to contribute to chimera formation. The aim of the present study is to establish feasible system to create chimeric pig fetuses using parthenogenetic embryos. In Experiment 1, inner cell mass (ICM) was isolated by immunosurgery from Day 6 blastocysts obtained by parthenogenetic activation of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes. Isolated ICM were used as the donor cells after staining with fluorescent carbocyanine dye (DiI). Using parthenogenetic morulae or 4- to 8-cell embryos as the host embryos, chimeric embryos were prepared by injection or aggregation method. Injection of ICM was performed by micromanipulation: a single ICM was directly injected into the centre portion of the host morulae. In the aggregation method, a single ICM was aggregated with blastomeres isolated from 2 host embryos at the morula or 4- to 8-cell stage in a micro-well (400 µm diameter, 300 µm deep). The chimeric embryos were cultured in PZM-5 (Yoshioka et al. 2008) for 2 to 3 days to examine development to blastocysts and incorporation of donor ICM cells into the resultant blastocysts ICM (ICM chimerism). In Experiment 2, donor blastomeres isolated from a parthenogenetic morula or 4- to 8-cell embryo were stained by DiI and aggregated with a parthenogenetic host embryo at the morula or 4- to 8-cell stage, and the in vitro development to the blastocyst stage and the ICM chimerism were examined. In Experiment 3, ICM isolated from IVF blastocysts harboring humanized Kusabira-Orange (huKO) gene were used as donor cells. Donor ICM were aggregated with the host embryos at the morula or 4- to 8-cell stage, and the resultant blastocysts were transferred to 4 recipient gilts to collect fetuses on Day 18. Results of Experiments 1 and 2 are summarised in Table 1. Combination of the donor ICM and host morulae yielded high rates of blastocyst formation (~95%) and ICM chimerism (~85%), regardless of the method used (injection or aggregation). Transfer of 73 blastocysts developed from host morulae to 2 recipients (Experiment 3) gave rise to 25 (34.2%) fetuses, of which 6 (24.0%) were confirmed to be chimeric by their clear orange fluorescence and immunostaining by anti-huKO antibody. Of 22 (40.7%) fetuses obtained after transfer of 54 blastocysts derived from 4- to 8-cell host embryos to 2 recipients, 3 (13.6%) were chimeric. Contribution of the donor cells in the tissues of the chimeric fetuses measured by image analysis software (ImageJ, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) ranged between 16.1 and 65.2%. These results demonstrate that the aggregation method using parthenogenetic host embryos is an efficient means to produce chimeric pig fetuses, and thereby feasible for verification of pluripotent cells such as iPS cells. Table 1.In vitro development of injected or aggregated porcine embryos

324 PRODUCTION OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED PIGS BY ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES USING FROZEN EPIDIDYMAL SPERM

Genetically modified (GM) pigs are useful tools for many types of biomedical research. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable protocol for the reproduction of GM pigs using frozen epididymal sperm. Epididymal sperm were collected from 3 GM boars: (1) humanized Kusabira-Orange (huKO) transgenic, (2) mutant human hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF-1α) transgenic, and (3) α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GalT-KO). Additionally, a wild type (WT) boar was also used for sperm collection. After collection, the sperm were frozen in Niwa and Sasaki freezing medium (Niwa et al. 1989 Manual for Cryopreservation of Pig Spermatozoa 19–23; 1.0 × 109 sperm mL–1) using 0.5-mL straws. The sperm were cooled utilising the 2-step method, from 25 to 15°C at a rate of 0.17°C min–1, and then from 15 to 5°C at 0.08°C min–1. After cooling to 5°C, the straws were frozen in liquid nitrogen with 3% glycerol for storage. After storage for 0.5 to 21 months, the straws were thawed by immersion into a 37°C water bath. The recovered sperm were washed by centrifugation in PBS + 1 mg mL–1 BSA and were resuspended in either Beltsville thawing solution (Pursel and Johnson. 1975 J. Anim. Sci. 40, 99–102) for intra-fallopian AI or in porcine fertilization medium (PFM, Research Institute for the Functional Peptides, Yamagata, Japan) for IVF. Prepubertal gilts (6.5 months), in which oestrus was induced by 1000 IU eCG and 1500 IU hCG given 66 or 72 h apart, were surgically inseminated with 0.9–7.9 × 106 progressive motile sperm 41 to 51 h after receiving an hCG injection. Oocytes, which matured in vitro either in modified porcine oocyte medium (IFP) or modified NCSU23 medium, were inseminated in PFM for 8 h with either 0.5 (huKO, GalT-KO) or 1.6 (HNF-1α) × 106 progressive motile sperm mL–1. The in vitro fertilized oocytes were cultured in porcine zygote medium-5 (Research Institute for the Functional Peptides) for 5 to 6 days until they were transferred. Some of these oocytes were examined for their fertilization rates. Blastocysts were transferred into the uterus of the recipient 150 h after hCG treatment. The fertilization rates for huKO, HNF-1α and GalT-KO sperm were 63.5% (61/96), 62.5% (70/112) and 92.4% (61/66), respectively; 50.8% (31/61), 82.9% (58/70) and 60.7% (37/61) of these were monospermic. The rate at which the IVF embryos developed into blastocysts was 47.8–52.4%. This study demonstrates that IVF using frozen epididymal sperm is more efficient method for reproducing genetically modified pigs than AI (87.5 v. 33.3%). Table 1.Pig production efficiencies of frozen epididymal sperm from genetically modified pigs utilising AI and IVF This study was supported by JST, ERATO, NAKAUCHI Stem Cell and Organ Regeneration Project, Tokyo.

326 GENERATION OF A DOUBLE-TRANSGENIC PIG WITH PANCREAS-SPECIFIC GREEN AND LIVER-SPECIFIC RED FLUORESCENCE

Transgenic (Tg) pigs with organ/tissue-specific fluorescence expression provide invaluable research tools for many types of studies, such as organogenesis analysis, in vitro tissue generation from pluripotent cells, and progenitor/stem cell transplantation therapy. We aimed to develop a Tg pig characterised by pancreas- and liver-specific fluorescence expression. A 8.4 kb transgene construct expressing Venus (green fluorescence) under the control of the mouse Pdx1 (pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1) promoter and a BAC-derived construct (170 kb) consisting of the whole-length porcine albumin (Alb) promoter and humanized Kusabira-Orange (huKO, red fluorescence) was introduced into porcine in vitro-matured oocytes using the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-mediated gene transfer method. Injected embryos were transferred to the oviducts of oestrus-synchronized recipients after culture for 1 to 3 days. The transfer of 370 Pdx1-Venus embryos into 4 recipients produce 22 (5.9%) fetuses/piglets, and 9 (40.9%) Tg pigs exhibited pancreas-specific Venus expression. Two (1 male and 1 female) founder Pdx1-Venus-Tg pigs were mated with wild-type (WT) pigs and produced 32 offspring in 3 litters, of which 16 (50.0%) were transgenic. Pancreas-specific Venus expression was inherited in these Tg offspring. The transfer of 523 Alb-huKO embryos into 4 recipients resulted in 19 (3.6%) piglets including a Tg female, which showed liver-specific huKO fluorescent expression. Expression of huKO was detected by RT-PCR exclusively in liver, but not in 7 other organs/tissues examined, including heart, lung, stomach, small intestine, spleen, kidney and skin. This founder Tg female produced a total of 12 non-Tg and 5 Tg offspring (in 2 litters) after mating with a WT boar. Liver-specific huKO expression was inherited in these Tg offspring. Furthermore, the mating of a female Pdx1-Venus pig with an Alb-huKO boar yielded 7 non-Tg and 10 Tg pigs. Four of these Tg pigs carrying both of the transgenes exhibited both pancreas-specific Venus and liver-specific huKO expression in single individuals. Double-Tg pigs with pancreas-specific green fluorescence and liver-specific red fluorescence grew normally, and tests of their reproduction ability are currently underway. These data demonstrate that transgene introduction by ICSI-mediated gene transfer into in vitro-matured oocytes is a feasible option for generating pigs expressing fluorescent proteins in a tissue-specific manner.

67 A HOLLOW FIBER VITRIFICATION METHOD ENABLES CRYOBANKING OF IN VITRO-MATURATION/IN VITRO-FERTILIZATION-DERIVED TRANSGENIC PIG EMBRYOS

We have recently developed a novel high-performance embryo cryopreservation method: the hollow fiber vitrification (HFV) method (Matsunari et al. 2012 J. Reprod. Dev., in press). In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the utility of the HFV method for the cryopreservation of transgenic pig embryos produced by in vitro oocyte maturation/fertilization (IVM/IVF). In vitro-matured oocytes were inseminated with cryopreserved epididymal sperm (Kikuchi et al. 1998 Theriogenology 50, 615–623) from a transgenic pig carrying the humanized Kusabira-Orange gene (Matsunari et al. 2008 Cloning Stem Cell 10, 313–323) and then cultured for 96 h. Morulae with normal morphology were divided into the vitrification and nonvitrification groups. The vitrification of embryos was performed by the HFV method using 20-mM HEPES-buffered TCM199 containing 20% calf serum as a base medium. Cellulose acetate hollow fibers (25 mm), each containing 10 to 20 embryos, were placed in an equilibration solution containing 7.5% ethylene glycol and 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide for 5 to 7 min and were then placed for 1 min in the vitrification solution containing 15% ethylene glycol, 15% dimethyl sulfoxide, and 0.5 M sucrose. The embryos were then vitrified by immersion in liquid nitrogen and held there for 5 to 10 min. The embryos were warmed by immersing the hollow fiber in a 1-M sucrose solution at 38.5°C, followed by a stepwise dilution of the cryoprotectants using 0.5-M sucrose solution (3 min) and the base medium (10 min). Vitrified and nonvitrified embryos were cultured for 40 h, and their development into blastocysts was evaluated. The in vitro development of vitrified embryos to the blastocyst stage was compared with that of the nonvitrified controls on Day 6. In the embryo-transfer experiments, blastocysts at either Day 5 or Day 6 from both the vitrification and nonvitrification groups were transferred to 3 recipient gilts per group (25–32 blastocysts/gilt), and their development through farrowing was compared. To test long-term preservation, some of the vitrified morulae were kept in liquid nitrogen for 43 days, and their development to Day 30 fetuses was evaluated after transfer to an additional recipient. The differences in proportional data between the 2 groups were analyzed with the χ2-test. Of the 393 putative zygotes obtained by IVM/IVF, 169 (43.0%) developed into morulae. In vitro development of the vitrified morulae to blastocysts (66/85, 77.6%) was comparable with that of the nonvitrified morulae (67/84, 79.8%, not significant: NS). The embryo-transfer experiments resulted in pregnancy in all 6 of the recipients. The production efficiency of piglets (piglets/embryos transferred) was 17/88 (19.3%) for the vitrification group and 27/88 (27.7%, NS) for the nonvitrification group. Approximately 50% of the offspring in both groups were transgenic. Long-term cryopreservation using the HFV method resulted in similar piglet production efficiency (7 piglets produced out of 32 embryos transferred). This study demonstrated for the first time that the HFV method effectively cryopreserves IVM/IVF-derived transgenic pig embryos. Supported by the JST CREST program.

Sub-two-cycle, carrier-envelope phase-stable, intense optical pulses at 1.6 μm from a BiB3O6 optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier

We report on the generation of 9.0 fs, 550 μJ, carrier-envelope phase (CEP)-stabilized optical pulses around 1.6 μm at 1 kHz. Few-cycle IR pulses are obtained from a BiB(3)O(6) optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier. The amplification of nearly octave-spanning ultrabroad pulses without spectral broadening results in good stability in output energy (0.85% rms) and CEP (160 mrad rms). We observed high harmonics in the water window from a neon cell that corresponds to a laser intensity of 4.1×10(14) W/cm(2).

Design of ridge filters for spread-out Bragg peaks with Monte Carlo simulation in carbon ion therapy

Spread-out Bragg peaks made by ridge filters or wheel range modulators are used in charged particle therapy with passive methods to achieve uniform biological responses in irradiated tumors. Following the biological responses needed to design the ridge filters, which were developed at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Japan, new ridge filters were designed using recent developments in heavy-ion reactions and dosimetry. The Monte Carlo code of Geant4 was used to calculate the qualities of carbon ion beams in a water phantom. The results obtained from the simulation were corrected so that they agreed with the measurements of depth dose distributions. The calculations of biological responses to fragments other than carbon ions were assumed to be for helium ions. The measured dose distributions with the designed ridge filters were compared to the calculated distributions. A beam modifying system using this adaptable method was successively applied to carbon ion therapy at Gunma University.