Μl Medium Research Articles

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American Journal of Reproductive ImmunologyVolume 54, Issue 2 p. 124-124 Free Access Erratum First published: 05 August 2005 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2005.00303.xAboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Am J Reprod Immunol 2005; 53:13–20. Loss of surface CD200 on stored allogeneic leukocytes may impair anti-abortive effect in vivo. Clark DA, Chaouat G. In the above paper1, Figure 5 was published with incorrect IVIG concentrations on the x-axis. The amended figure is printed below. Figure 5Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Anti-CD200 abrogates suppressive effect of human intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) in natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity assay. Fresh peripheral blood lymphocyte were tested at a ratio of 50:1 with 10451Cr-labeled K562 target cells in 200 μL medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. In some sets of wells, Bayer IVIG was added at different doses at the final concentration indicated at the beginning of the assay. Six replicate wells were utilized for each test groups. Percent suppression of NK lytic activity (LU20) was calculated as described in Materials and methods, and is expressed as mean + 1 S.E.M. In the untreated control for IVIG suppression, 51Cr release at 18 hr in this experiment was 69.1% (LU20 = 5.26). The effect of addition of 2 μg monoclonal anti-human CD200 antibody was tested in control and IVIG-supplemented wells (for flow cytometry, 1 μg/106 cells is normally used, and 2 μg was used in the experiments to ensure binding/blocking of binding of CD200 to CD200R). *P < 0.05 abrogation of suppression of IVIG by anti-CD200. Reference 1 Clark DA, Chaouat G. Loss of surface CD200 on stored allogeneic leukocytes may impair anti-abortive effect in vivo. Am J Reprod Immunol 2005; 53: 13– 20. Wiley Online LibraryCASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar Volume54, Issue2August 2005Pages 124-124 FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation

Oxidative phosphorylation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle are essential for normal development of mouse ovarian follicles

Mouse ovarian follicles are typically grown in upright drops of culture medium. Recently we found that culture of follicles at the medium-gas interface in inverted drops markedly improved follicular development, possibly due to improved access of oxygen to the follicle. In this study, we examined the importance of aerobic energy metabolism for follicle development by culturing mouse follicles (198 6 16.5 initial microm diameter, mean 6 SD) in the presence of phosphorylation and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle inhibitors. All inhibitors were tested in the inverted system using 100 microl medium drops in 96-well plates; certain inhibitors were also tested in upright drops with or without an oil overlay. The oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor rotenone (0.1, 0.5 and 1 micromol/l) totally abolished follicle growth in the inverted system; cyanide (1 mmol/l) totally abolished growth in the upright with oil system but not in the inverted system (possibly due to loss of cyanide gas due to the absence of an oil overlay). The mitochondrial uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol (0.5 and 1 mmol/l) also abolished growth in the inverted system. The TCA cycle inhibitor monofluoroacetate (10 mmol/l), significantly inhibited growth in all three culture systems (P < 0.01) but malonate (10 mmol/l) had no effect. Aerobic metabolism and an adequate oxygen supply are essential for normal follicular development.

Gene expression and developmental competence of bovine embryos produced in vitro under varying embryo density conditions

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of oocyte/embryo density (embryo number:medium volume ratio) on developmental competence and relative transcription of developmentally important genes in in vitro-produced bovine embryos. Using standard procedures, bovine oocytes were matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro in groups of 5, 10, 20 or 30 oocytes/embryos per 100 μL medium drop (embryo number/medium volume ratios of 1:20, 1:10, 1:5 and 1:3.3, respectively). A semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay was used to determine the relative abundance of Hsp 70.1 and Glut-1 transcripts in Day-6 morulae, and in Day-7 and Day-8 blastocysts and expanded blastocysts. Cleavage rates (55.9, 49.1, 47.1 and 34.6%, respectively) and blastocyst developmental rates (24.1, 18.9, 20.4 and 12.6%, respectively) were higher in groups containing 5, 10 and 20 embryos versus 30 embryos per drop, but there were no significant differences among groups in hatching rates. The relative abundance of Hsp 70.1 transcripts in Day-7 blastocysts was higher in embryos produced in the 20-embryo than in the 5-embryo groups. There were no differences among embryos from all groups in the amount of Glut-1 mRNA (regardless of embryonic stage). However, there were differences in the pattern of Hsp 70.1 gene expression between distinct stages of embryo development and embryo density; these dissimilarities appeared to be associated with compromised development at higher embryo densities. In conclusion, the increase in embryo density during IVM, IVF, and IVC phases of in vitro embryo production might negatively affect embryo development and the pattern of gene expression of in vitro-produced bovine embryos.

Anchoring Dental Implant in Tissue-Engineered Bone Using Composite Scaffold: A Preliminary Study in Nude Mouse Model

The purpose of this study was to fabricate a tissue-engineered bone graft anchoring dental implant with bone marrow stromal cell (bMSC) seeded coral-implant composite scaffold. Titanium dental implants (3 mm in diameter) were inserted into the cylinder coral scaffolds (5 mm in diameter and 1 mm in wall thickness). bMSCs were isolated from iliac bone marrow of adult New Zealand White rabbits, induced by dexamethasone and seeded into the composite scaffold at the density of 2 x 10 8 /mL in 200 muL medium. Nine cell coral-implant complexes were incubated in vitro for 5 days. One complex was processed for scanning electronic microscopy. The other 8 complexes, together with 4 coral scaffold without cell acting as control, were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice back. At 1 and 2 months after implantation, 4 specimens from the experiment group and 2 specimens from the control group were harvested respectively. New bone restoration and new bone integration with dental implant were evaluated by gross inspection, manual handling test, radiographic examination, and histologic observation. Specimens harvested at 2 months after implantation were red and similar to native bone. Manual handling test showed that dental implants were fixed in the newly formed bone. Radiographic examination showed that most of the coral scaffold had been absorbed. Bone density x-ray shadow could be observed around the dental implant. Histologic examination showed that large amount of new bone formed around the dental implants and integrated well with the implants in some area. In the control group no bone formation was observed both macroscopically and microscopically. The results of the study suggested that the tissue-engineered bone of bMSCs seeded natural coral-implant composite scaffold is promising for dental implant anchoring, which has positive implication for clinical jaw reconstruction.

Highly efficient vitrification method for cryopreservation of human oocytes

Two experiments were performed to develop a method to cryopreserve MII human oocytes. In the first experiment, three vitrification methods were compared using bovine MII oocytes with regard to their developmental competence after cryopreservation: (i) vitrification within 0.25-ml plastic straws followed by in-straw dilution after warming (ISD method); (ii) vitrification in open-pulled straws (OPS method); and (iii) vitrification in <0.1 μl medium droplet on the surface of a specially constructed fine polypropylene strip attached to a plastic handle (Cryotop method). In the second experiment, the Cryotop method, which had yielded the best results, was used to vitrify human oocytes. Out of 64 vitrified oocytes, 58 (91%) exhibited normal morphology after warming. After intracytoplasmic sperm injection, 52 became fertilized, and 32 (50%) developed to the blastocyst stage in vitro. Analysis by fluorescence in-situ hybridization of five blastocysts showed that all were normal diploid embryos. Twenty-nine embryo transfers with a mean number of 2.2 embryos per transfer on days 2 and 5 resulted in 12 initial pregnancies, seven healthy babies and three ongoing pregnancies. The results suggest that vitrification using the Cryotop is the most efficient method for human oocyte cryopreservation.

Translational regulation of XIAP expression and cell survival during hypoxia in human cholangiocarcinoma

Tumor progression is promoted by the ability of tumor cells to resist adverse environmental conditions such as hypoxia. We have shown that translational dysregulation contributes to transformed cell growth in malignant cholangiocytes. Translational regulation of gene expression can contribute to an immediate and rapid response to environmental changes such as hypoxia. Thus, our aims were to assess translational mechanisms involved in cell survival during hypoxia and to identify specific translationally regulated proteins involved in the cellular response to hypoxia. Cell viability and apoptosis in response to hypoxia were assessed in human cholangiocarcinoma cells. Translational processes were deregulated by cycloheximide or rapamycin or by targeted deletion of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-4E, a rate-limiting translational initiation factor using small interfering RNA (siRNA). A protein antibody microarray was used to screen for eIF-4E-dependent proteins expressed during hypoxia. Expression of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) was decreased using siRNA. Malignant cholangiocytes are resistant to hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, cell survival during hypoxia required protein translation. eIF-4E was over expressed in malignant cholangiocytes. Reduction in eIF-4E expression by siRNA decreased tumor cell resistance to hypoxia, increased caspase-3 activation and apoptosis, and decreased cell survival compared with controls. XIAP was identified as a translationally regulated protein expressed during hypoxia. Modulation of XIAP expression by siRNA decreases cell death during hypoxia in vitro and in vivo. Human cholangiocarcinoma cells are highly resistant to hypoxia. Translational regulation of survival proteins such as XIAP is a mechanism mediating cholangiocarcinoma survival during hypoxia.

Phospholipids reduce gastric cancer cell adhesion to extracellular matrix in vitro

BackgroundNidation of floating tumour cells initiates peritoneal carcinosis and limits prognosis of gastro-intestinal tumours. Adhesion of tumour cells to extracellular matrix components is a pivotal step in developing peritoneal dissemination of intraabdominal malignancies. Since phospholipids efficaciously prevented peritoneal adhesion formation in numerous animal studies we investigated their capacity to reduce adhesions of gastric cancer cells to extracellular matrix components (ECM).MethodsHuman gastric cancer cells (NUGC-4, Japanese Cancer Research Resources Bank, Tokyo, Japan) were used in this study. Microtiter plates were coated with collagen IV (coll), laminin (ln) and fibronectin (fn). Non-specific protein binding of the coated wells was blocked by adding 1% (w/v) BSA (4°C, 12 h) and rinsing the wells with Hepes buffer. 50.000 tumour cells in 100 μl medium were seeded into each well. Beside the controls, phospholipids were added in concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0/100 μl medium. After an incubation interval of 30 min, attached cells were fixed and stained with 0.1% (w/v) crystal violet. The dye was resuspended with 50 μl of 0.2% (v/v) Triton X-100 per well and colour yields were then measured by an ELISA reader at 590 nm. Optical density (OD) showed a linear relationship to the amount of cells and was corrected for dying of BSA/polystyrene without cells.ResultsThe attachment of gastric cancer cells to collagen IV, laminin, and fibronectin could be significantly reduced up to 53% by phospholipid concentrations of 0.5 mg/100 μl and higher.ConclusionThese results, within the scope of additional experimental studies on mice and rats which showed a significant reduction of peritoneal carcinosis, demonstrated the capacity of phospholipids in controlling abdominal nidation of tumour cells to ECM components. Lipid emulsions may be a beneficial adjunct in surgery of gastrointestinal malignancies.

Primary murine cells as a model for HIV-1 infection.

Immortalized and transduced cell lines are traditionally used in model of the HIV-1 life cycle. Primary cells may better represent the tissue of origin and events in vivo. We utilized an HIV-1/murine leukemia A4070 pseudotype virus and human Cyclin T1 to replicate HIV-1 in primary murine cells, and demonstrate that primary murine cells support HIV-1 infection better than immortalized cells.

Evidence for a Serum Factor That Initiates the Re-calcification of Demineralized Bone

The present studies show for the first time that demineralized bone re-calcifies rapidly when incubated at 37 degrees C in rat serum: re-calcification can be demonstrated by Alizarin Red and von Kossa stains, by depletion of serum calcium, and by uptake of calcium and phosphate by bone matrix. Re-calcification is specific for the type I collagen matrix structures that were calcified in the original bone, with no evidence for calcification in periosteum or cartilage. Re-calcification ceases when the amount of calcium and phosphate introduced into the matrix is comparable to that present in the original bone prior to demineralization, and the re-calcified bone is palpably hard. Re-calcified bone mineral is comparable to the original bone mineral in calcium to phosphate ratio and in Fourier transform infrared and x-ray diffraction spectra. The serum activity responsible for re-calcification is sufficiently potent that the addition of only 1.5% serum to Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium causes bone re-calcification. This putative serum calcification factor has an apparent molecular mass of 55-150 kDa and is inactivated by trypsin or chymotrypsin. The serum calcification factor must act on bone for 12 h before re-calcification can be detected by Alizarin Red or von Kossa staining and before the subsequent growth of calcification will occur in the absence of serum. The speed, matrix-type specificity, and extent of the serum-induced re-calcification of demineralized bone suggest that the serum calcification factor identified in these studies may participate in the normal calcification of bone.

Different effects of four salts and pHs on protoplast cultures of a mangrove, Bruguiera sexangula suspension cells, Populus alba leaves and tobacco BY-2 cells

Effects of a wide range of concentrations of four salts (NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, CaCl2) and different pHs (pH 4.5, 5.0, 5.7, 6.2) on colony formation, were investigated in protoplast culture of mangrove, Bruguiera sexangula, suspension cells. The results were compared to those obtained with protoplasts of tobacco BY-2 cells and leaf protoplasts of Populus alba. A 96-multiwell culture plate method was used and only 250 to 2500 protoplasts in 55 μl medium were sufficient to test the effect of each treatment. The effects of four salts were always found to inhibit colony formation of Populus and tobacco protoplasts at pH 5.7. In contrast, MgCl2 and CaCl2 stimulated further development of B. sexangula protoplasts, while KCl had an inhibitory effect. The highest number of colony formation was obtained at pH 5.7 without salt additions. However, at lower pHs, some stimulatory effects were found at low concentrations of all four salts tested. Depending on the pHs, different patterns of stimulation and inhibition of four salts were obtained in B. sexangula protoplasts.

Expression of Calcium-Binding Proteins MRP8 and MRP14 in Inflammatory Muscle Diseases

The pathophysiological role of infiltrating macrophages and their subtypes in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies such as dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis is not fully clear. Monocytes exhibit various phenotypes with different functional properties such as release of pro- or anti-inflammatory mediators. Expression of myeloid-related proteins MRP8 and MRP14, two calcium-binding S100-proteins, characterizes a proinflammatory subtype of macrophages. We immunohistochemically investigated expression of MRP8 and MRP14 in muscle biopsies of 33 patients with dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis. We found a clear association of expression of MRP8 and MRP14 by infiltrating macrophages with degeneration of myofibers. Because MRP8 and MRP14 are secreted by activated macrophages we investigated if these proteins would have direct extracellular effects on myocytes. We found that the purified MRP8/MRP14 complex inhibited proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts and that it induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that in the course of inflammatory myopathies, activated macrophages can promote destruction and impair regeneration of myocytes via secretion of MRP8/MRP14.

Effects of gas conditions, time of medium change, and ratio of medium to embryo on in vitro development of horse oocytes fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two different gas conditions (5% CO 2 in air or 5% CO 2, 5% O 2, 90% N 2, mixed gas), time of medium change (Day 3 or 4) and ratio of medium to embryo (2, 5 or 10 μl per presumptive zygote) on the development of horse oocytes fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and cultured in G1.2/2.2 medium. Oocytes from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries were matured in vitro for 24 h and fertilized by injection of frozen–thawed sperm using micromanipulation with a Piezo drill. Presumptive zygotes were randomly assigned to 5% CO 2 in air or mixed gas and fixed after 96 h of culture. Cleavage rates between two gas conditions were similar (67 and 63%), but the mean nucleus number of embryos in the mixed gas treatment was significantly ( P<0.05) higher than that of embryos cultured in 5% CO 2 in air (15.2 versus 7.0, respectively). Further experiments were done with mixed gas incubation. Development of embryos was compared after change from G1.2 to G2.2 medium at Day 3 or 4. There was no significant difference in cleavage rate (56 and 65%, respectively) or development to the blastocyst stage after 7 days of culture (5% and 46%, respectively) between embryos changed on different days. To evaluate the effect of the ratio of medium to embryo, zygotes were cultured at a ratio of 2, 5 or 10 μl medium per zygote. There were no significant differences among ratio treatments in rates of cleavage or development to blastocyst.

Using CR1aa versus KSOM as the culture medium for in vitro embryo production of cattle

This research has been conducted at the laboratory of in vitro fertilization in the Department of Animal Science University of Wisconsin, USA. These embryos can be used for improving genetic value of Indonesian cattle. Oocytes were matured in TCM- 199 medium (in 5% CO2 incubator and at 390C) enriched with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) 10 μl/ml, oestradiol 17 β 1μl/ml and 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS). The oocytes were fertilized in vitro with motile sperm and incubation between sperm and oocytes in fertilization medium Tyroide Albumin Lactate Pyruvate (TALP) for 20 hours. All zygotes were cultured in CR1aa (n=1549) medium versus modification of protein-free pottasium simplex optimized medium (KSOM) (n=675) up to blastocyst stage and were fed FCS 5 μl/50 μl medium on day 6, as treatment A and B respectively. Data were analyzed by completely randomized design with SAS program. Percentages of cleavage, morula, blastocyst, expanded blastocyst, unfertilized and degenerated ova in this study were 91.4% vs 75.6 %; 75.6% vs 58.9%; 61.5% vs 38.5%; 31.2% vs 5.1%, 8.6% vs 24.4%, 15.7% vs 8% which were significantly different (P<0.01) for treatment CR1aa and KSOM respectively. Based on this study, CR1aa medium is better culture medium than KSOM for efficient in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos. Key words : Oocytes, in vitro fertilization, embryo, blastocyst, culture medium

In vitro embryo production through modification of time and gonadotropin hormone during oocytes maturation

This research has been conducted at the laboratory of in vitro fertilization of the University of Wisconsin, USA. These embryos can be used for improving genetic value of Indonesian cattle. There is transportation constraint in importing oocytes from USA. It takes more than 24 hours to bring it to Indonesia. In fact, oocytes maturation and ready to be fertilized normally requires only 24 hours in 5% CO2 incubator at 38.5°C. Therefore, this research is needed to study the effect of gonadotropin hormone and time for oocyte maturity and ready to be fertilized at a period more than 24 hours. If this problem could be solved then the importation of oocytes could be cheaper and easier than importation of life animals or embryos. Ovaries were collected from slaughterhouse in Wisconsin. Oocytes were matured in TCM-199 medium in 5% CO2 incubator and at 30°C enriched with FSH 10 μl/ml, oestradiol 17 β 1μl/ml and 10 % FCS as control of gonadotropin hormone treatment (A); with FSH 10 μl/ml (B); with oestradiol 17 β 1μl/ml (C) and without gonadotropin hormone (D) for 24 hours, 30 hours and 36 hours as time of maturation treatment I, II and III respectively. The oocytes were fertilized in vitro with motile sperm selection by Percoll gradient and incubation between sperm and oocytes in fertilization media (TALP) for 20 hours. All zygotes were cultured in modification of KSOM medium up to blastocyst and were fed serum 5 μl/50 μl medium on day 6. Data were analyzed by SAS program. Percentage of cleavage between time of maturation were significant (p 0.05). Percentage of blastocyst between time of maturation were not significant (p>0.05), but between gonadotropin hormone treatment A vs B and A vs C and B vs D and C vs D were significant (p 0.05). Percentage of cleavage, morula, blastocyst, expanded blastocyst and unertilized ova on this study are 66.73%, 22.43%, 40.33%, 0.81% and 32.51 for 24 hours incubation (I); 61.55%, 25.69%, 32.69%, 0.54% and 27.61% for 30 hours incubation (II); 72.43%, 32.06%, 37.97%, 0.0% and 25.31% for 36 hours incubation (III) respectively. According to this study, in vitro production of embryo could be conducted at 30°C and incubation on maturation media for more than 24 hours. Key words: Oocytes, cleavage, embryos, blastocyst

Effect of Preexisting Anti-Herpes Immunity on the Efficacy of Herpes Simplex Viral Therapy in a Murine Intraperitoneal Tumor Model

HSV-1716, a replicating nonneurovirulent herpes simplex virus type 1, has shown efficacy in treating multiple types of human tumors in immunodeficient mice. Since the majority of the human population has been previously exposed to herpes simplex virus, the efficacy of HSV-based oncolytic therapy was investigated in an immunocompetent animal tumor model. EJ-6-2-Bam-6a, a tumor cell line derived from h-ras-transformed murine fibroblast, exhibit a diffuse growth pattern in the peritoneal cavity of BALB/c mice and replicate HSV-1716 to titers observed in human tumors. An established intraperitoneal (ip) tumor model of EJ-6-2-Bam-6a in naive and HSV-immunized mice was used to evaluate the efficacy of single or multiple ip administrations of HSV-1716 (4 x 10(6) pfu/treatment) or of carrier cells, which are irradiated, ex vivo virally infected EJ-6-2-Bam-6a cells that can amplify the viral load in situ. All treated groups significantly prolonged survival versus media control with an approximately 40% long-term survival rate (cure) in the multiply treated, HSV-naive animals. Prior immunization of the mice with HSV did not significantly decrease the median survival of the single or multiply treated HSV-1716 or the carrier cell-treated groups. These studies support the development of replication-selective herpes virus mutants for use in localized intraperitoneal malignancies.

New method for culture of zona-included or zona-free embryos: The Well of the Well (WOW) system

Culture of mammalian zygotes individually and in small groups results in lower developmental rates than culture of large groups. Zona-free zygotes also have impaired developmental potential in current culture systems. This paper describes a new approach to resolve the problems, the Well of the Well (WOW) system. Small wells (WOWs) were formed in four-well dishes by melting the bottom with heated steel rods. The WOWs were then rinsed, the wells were filled with medium, and the embryos were placed into the WOWs. To test the value of the WOW system a 3 × 3 factorial experiment was performed. Bovine presumptive zygotes were cultured from day 1 to day 7 (day 0: day of insemination) using three modules (single embryos, embryo groups of five, or single zona-digested embryos) and three different culture systems (400 μl medium, 200 μl drops, or WOWs). An additional control group consisted of 40 to 50 embryos cultured in 400 μl medium. The WOW system resulted in higher blastocyst/oocyte rates for all three modules (single: 59%; group of five: 61%; single zona-digested: 53%) than the culture in drops or in wells (P < 0.05 for all). The developmental rate was independent of the number of WOWs per well. The cell number of blastocysts cultured in the WOW system did not differ from that of the controls. Apart from its theoretical value in revealing the role of different factors influencing embryo development in vitro, the WOW system may have immediate practical consequences in certain areas of mammalian embryo production. Mol Reprod Dev 55:256–264, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A Morphologic Study on the Fate of Ultrafine Silver Particles: Distribution Pattern of Phagocytized Metallic Silver in Vitro and in Vivo

The distribution pattern of inhaled particles is an important factor for the evaluation of health effects. In this study, we morphologically investigated the fate of agglomerated ultrafine particles in macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Metallic silver (Ag) was chosen as a test particle, since it can be easily produced and detected by elemental and morphologic analyses. Ultrafine Ag particles generated by an electric spark generator in an argon atmosphere were collected on PTFE filters. The particles were suspended in distilled water and adjusted to different concentrations (10 μg/ml to 1 mg/ml) with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). For the in vitro study, 1774 macrophage cell suspensions (200,000 cells in 400 μl medium) were plated in small chambers. Six hours later, 100 μl of the silver-PBS suspension was added to each chamber. For the next 9 days, the chamber slides were examined daily with an inverted microscope in order to detect agglomerated particles in the cell. The medium was changed every day, and Ag in the medium was checked by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). On days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, cells in the chambers were fixed with 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde and examined ultrastructurally. For the in vivo study using F344 rats, 50 μg Ag particles were instilled intratracheally. On days 1, 4, and 7 following instillation, rats were sacrificed and the lungs were examined morphologically. The Ag content in the lung, liver, and lung-associated lymph nodes was analysed by ICP-MS. In the in vitro study, the dose-dependent presence of agglomerated particles was observed in 1774 cells. The size and form of particles remained unchanged throughout the observation period. Electron microscopy with x-ray microanalysis showed that both single and agglomerated Ag particles were observed in the dilated phagolysosome of 1774 cells. In the in vivo study, focal accumulation of Ag-particle-laden alveolar macrophages was found. Ag particles were also observed in the alveolar wall. Ag content in the lung was constant between day 1 and day 7, indicating that no rapid particle translocation from the lung to other organs had taken place in this time period. In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that agglomerated Ag particles remained in targets for a given period of time—at least up to 7 days.

Tubal transfer of bovine embryos: A simple endoscopic method reducing long-term exposure of in vitro produced embryos

Although numerous trials had shown the need to define a procedure to get free access to the bovine oviduct, there was no adequate report of a technique which was accepted for the routine transfer of early tubal-stage embryos. We have now report an endoscopically mediated transvaginal method for transferring embryos into the oviduct. The in vitro produced embryos were loaded into a curved glass capillary tube which was connected to a perfusor tube plus 1-mL syringe. The capillary tube was directly inserted via the infundibulum into the ampulla. After first having checked the ovaries for the presence of a corpus luteum the embryos were deposited under visual guidance in about 20 to 50 μL medium. Twenty-four Simmental and Brown Swiss heifers received 26 embryos and 9 animals became pregnant, of which 7 recipients delivered 8 live calves. With practice, the time used for endoscopic transfer was reduced to less than 10 min. The results demonstrate that the described technique is suitable for practical application. Especially for the early transfer of IVP-derived embryos this technique might be advantageous. In conclusion, this method is also of great potential interest for the recovery of tubal-stage embryos and for the in vivo culture of embryos followed by conventional flushing at Day 7.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of biogenic amines in cells and in culture media using on-line dialysis and trace enrichment

A highly sensitive method is presented for the automatic quantitative detection of DOPA metabolites in low concentrations in cells derived from the neural crest using reversed-phase HPLC in combination with fluorescence and electrochemical detection. The HPLC system was combined with on-line dialysis and on-line trace enrichment for the detection of small quantities of DOPA metabolites in culture media. Parameters like detector settings, pH, dialysis time and flow-rates are evaluated and optimized. Static–continuous dialysis can be performed at a low flow-rate concomitant with a high dialysis efficiency (up to >65%) depending on the type of DOPA metabolite. Counterflow dialysis can be used to analyse, with low efficiencies (17–29%), samples consisting of large volumes. Samples containing up to at least 7% (w/v) protein can be analysed in the low flow-rate static–continuous mode. In this last mode of dialysis, limits of detection for dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and n-methyldopamine in DMEM/HAMF12 medium samples are 100 fmol or even lower. Serotonin is detectable at 10 fmol at a signal/noise ratio of 3. Biogenic amines were detectable at a concentration of 10 fmol/μl in a volume of 100 μl medium with an intra- and inter-assay imprecision <6.4%. This method is applied to study the differentiation level of tumour cells in culture and slices of a tumour derived from the neural crest. With this system, we also detected the excretion of DOPA metabolites from PC-12 cells after treatment with prenylamine.

Rapid Destruction of Porcine Islets of Langerhans by Fresh Human Blood

484 Previous studies, by us and others have demonstrated only minor effects of human complement active serum on porcine islets in vitro. In this study, adult porcine islets were exposed to fresh non-heparinized human blood in a device originally devised by us for studies on complement activation.Method: Adult porcine islets (API) were isolated, using standard procedures and cultured in RPMI containing 10 % porcine serum for 1-4 days. One, 2, or 5 µl of API (1µl=1000 IEQ) suspended in 100 µl medium, was placed in a circular device consisting of a surface-heparinized cardiovascular plastic tube. Subsequently, 7 ml of nonheparinized fresh human blood was added and the device placed in an incubator at 37°C and rocked back and forth for 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. Blood supplemented with 100µl culture medium served as controls. Thrombocytes (TRC), differential leukocyte count, C3a, soluble Terminal Complement Complex (TCC), Thrombin-Anti-Thrombin (TAT) and insulin was measured. Results: The table below summarizes the findings after 60 minutes: When API were placed in the device, there was a rapid consumption of TRC during the first 5-15 minutes and an extensive, visible coagulation could be observed. In parallel, there was a significant increase in C3a, TCC and TAT compared to the controls. By 15-30 minutes there was a selective loss of neutrophils and monocytes with little or no effect on lymphocytes. The changes where equally pronounced whether 1, 2 or 5 µl of islets had been added. Islet cell destruction was manifest within 30 minutes, as evidenced by the release of large amounts of insulin.Conclusion: When mixed with fresh non-heparinized human blood adult porcine islets caused a marked activation of the complement and coagulation systems, and induced consumption of neutrophils and monocytes. During these events the islets were destroyed. The events mimic those seen in hyperacute xenograft rejection. These findings are in marked contrast to those seen in previous in vitro studies, with human serum and may have important implications for clinical islet xenotransplantation with regards to the protective measures required.