Research with parthenogenetic stem cells will help decide whether a safer clinical use is possible

The derivation and use of parthenogenetic stem cells (pESCs) are envisaged as a reliable alternative to conventional embryonic stem cells. Similar to embryonic stem cells in their proliferation, expression of pluripotency markers and capacity to multilineage differentiation, pESCs are at a lower risk of immune rejection within stem cell-based therapeutics. Moreover, pESCs represent an important model system to study the effect of paternally imprinted genes on cell differentiation. However, currently available information about the genetic and epigenetic behaviour of pESCs is limited. Thus, a detailed look at the biology of parthenogenetic (PG) embryos and PG-derived cell lines would allow gaining insight into the full potential of pESC in biotechnology. In this commentary article we review some features related to the biology of PG embryos and pESCs. In addition, novel traits on bovine pESCs (bpESCs) are discussed.

262 MEIOTIC SPINDLE CONFORMATION ASSESSMENT BY POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY IN SHEEP AND GOAT OOCYTES

Polarized light microscopy (PLM) allows detection of microtubule-polymerized protein in in vitro-matured sheep and goat oocytes (Caamaño et al. 2011 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 23, 226–227). Spindle birefringence, measured as the mean retardance value, has been proposed as a marker of meiotic spindle conformation in humans and mice. Because the conformation of the meiotic spindle cannot be readily assessed by PLM, in this study we aimed to measure the mean retardance value of normal and abnormal meiotic spindles from in vitro-matured prepubertal sheep and goat oocytes. Oocytes were matured in vitro for 27 h and were then individually assessed by PLM (Oosight System, Research Instruments Ltd., Falmouth, Cornwall, UK), and the mean retardance value was analysed in meiotic spindles using specific software (Oosight). Meiotic spindle conformation was determined in individual oocytes by immunostaining and chromatin detection, as described by Morató et al. (2008 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75, 191–201). A barrel-shaped spindle was considered a normal spindle configuration. Only oocytes with meiotic spindles identified by both PLM and immunostaining were used in this study. The experiment was replicated four times. Data were analysed by the general linear models procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). A normal barrel-shaped spindle was observed in 80.8% of the sheep oocytes (n = 47) and in 83.9% of the goat oocytes (n = 62). In sheep, the mean retardance value in oocytes with a normal meiotic spindle conformation did not differ from that in oocytes with abnormal spindles (4.42 ± 0.26 nm v. 3.92 ± 0.54 nm). Similar results were obtained with goat oocytes with normal (2.94 ± 0.20 nm) v. abnormal spindle conformation (2.77 ± 0.08 nm). These results indicate that the mean retardance value does not distinguish between oocytes with normal and abnormal meiotic spindle conformation, as assessed by subsequent immunostaining. Grant support from INIA-RZ2007-00013-00-00. M. Muñoz was sponsored by RYC08-03454.

83 IMPROVED SURVIVAL TO ONE-STEP REHYDRATION OF VITRIFIED - WARMED VERSUS FROZEN - THAWED IN VITRO-PRODUCED BOVINE BLASTOCYSTS

Vitrification allows cryopreservation of embryos while avoiding the detrimental effects derived from the intracellular ice formation during slow freezing. However, while slow freezing allows direct transfer of embryos, vitrification usually requires 1 or 2 rehydration steps after warming. The aim of this work was to analyze survival rates and quality of vitrified or slow frozen in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos, after warming/thawing by one-step procedures. Bovine blastocysts were produced in vitro, and on Day 7 and 8 excellent- and good-quality expanded blastocysts were selected for slow freezing (n = 175) or vitrification (n = 176) in 4 replicates. Slow freezing was performed in phosphate buffered saline containing ethylene glycol (1.5 M) and sucrose (0.1 M). Embryos were placed in a Biocool chamber (Biocool II, FTS® Systems Inc.) at –7°C for 5 min and seeded. After 5 min, embryos were cooled at –0.3°C min–1 until –32°C and plunged in LN2. Embryos were thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 30 s. Vitrification was performed in fibreplugs as previously described (Trigal et al. 2012 Theriogenology 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.06.018). For warming, embryos were incubated for 5 min in TCM199–HEPES, 20% FCS, and 0.25 M sucrose. Thawed and warmed embryos were washed and subsequently cultured in mSOFaaci + 6 g L–1 BSA + 10% FCS for 48 h. Re-expansion (RE) (at 2, 24, and 48 h in culture) and hatching rates (HR; at 24 and 48 h in culture) were recorded. Total cells were counted in blastocysts that hatched at 24 and 48 h after fixation and bisbenzimide staining. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and are presented as least squares means ± standard error. No differences were found within RE at 2 and 24 h, and HR at 24 h (2-h RE: 94.1 ± 4.9 v. 95.4 ± 4.9; 24-h RE: 92.6 ± 4.9 v. 94.5 ± 4.9; HR: 21.0 ± 7.0 v. 20.6 ± 7.0, for slow frozen and vitrified embryos, respectively; P > 0.05). However, at 48 h, vitrified embryos hatched at higher rates than did slow-frozen embryos (53.6 ± 10.2 v. 32.5 ± 10.2; P < 0.05). Vitrified embryos (143.5 ± 12.7) had higher (P < 0.05) cell numbers than did slow-frozen embryos (106.1 ± 9.6) after hatching. Our results show that vitrification of IVP embryos in fibreplugs followed by a one-step warming is a promising candidate procedure to replace slow freezing for direct transfer on field. These results must be completed with embryo transfers to analyze pregnancy rates. RTA2011-00090 (FEDER-INIA) is acknowledged. Muñoz, Trigal, and Correia are sponsored by RYC08-03454, Cajastur, and FPU2009-5265, respectively.

63 QUALITY OF BOVINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED IN VITRO FROM IMMATURE OOCYTES TREATED WITH A SUBLETHAL HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment of immature porcine oocytes improves embryo development rates and cell numbers (Pribenszky et al. 2008 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 106, 200–207). However, it is unknown if similar effects can be obtained with bovine oocytes and how HHP affects cryopreservation of the developed blastocysts. In this work, we analyzed the effect of an HHP treatment (Cryo-Innovation Ltd., Budapest, Hungary) on bovine cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) as determined by their developmental ability and embryo quality. Immature COC were submitted to a pressure treatment (200 bar, 1 h at 37°C; HHP group; n = 643) in HEPES-buffered TCM199. Simultaneously, a group of COC was held at 37°C for 1 h (T group; n = 304) in HEPES-buffered TCM199, while other COC were untreated (n = 1182). After in vitro maturation, COC were fertilized in vitro (IVF) and cultured in modified SOF + 6 g L–1 BSA (Holm et al. 1999 Theriogenology 52, 683–700), and embryo development was recorded (5 replicates). Day 7 and 8 excellent- and good-quality embryos were selected for vitrification (cryologic vitrification method; Trigal et al. 2012 Theriogenology 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.06.018). After warming, vitrified blastocysts were cultured in modified SOF + 6 g L–1 BSA + 10% FCS for 48 h (3 replicates). Those blastocysts hatching after warming (at 24 and 48 h) were fixed and stained for differential cell counts. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and REGWQ test and are presented as least squares means ± standard error. The HHP-treated oocytes showed increased development rates on Day 3 (Day 3 ≥5-cell embryos: 64.5 ± 2.9a, 53.4 ± 3.9b, 56.7 ± 2.2b for HHP, T, and untreated groups, respectively; a v. b: P < 0.05); however, D8 blastocyst rates were not affected by the pressure treatment (28.5 ± 1.6, 26.4 ± 2.2, and 27.8 ± 1.3 for HHP, T, and untreated groups, respectively). Treatment did not affect survival rates to vitrification (2-h re-expansion rates: 100 ± 6.7, 100 ± 6.7, and 95.4 ± 6.7; 48-h hatching rates: 58.1 ± 9.4, 71.2 ± 9.4, and 62.3 ± 9.4, for HHP, T, and untreated, respectively). Embryos that hatched after warming did not differ in inner cell mass and trophectoderm cell counts (inner cell mass: 15.0 ± 1.9, 12.7 ± 3.0, and 13.0 ± 2.0; trophectoderm: 133.6 ± 8.4, 137.3 ± 12.8, and 138.4 ± 8.6 for HHP, T, and untreated groups, respectively; P > 0.05). Complementary studies are needed to analyze the effects of a sublethal stress in bovine oocytes on the subsequent embryo production and quality. Species-specific mechanisms could underlie the differences in results obtained in bovine and porcine. RTA2011-00090 (FEDER-INIA). Muñoz, Trigal, and Correia are sponsored by RYC08-03454, Cajastur, and FPU2009-5265, respectively.

111 FUNCTIONAL AND MOLECULAR GENITAL ASYMMETRY IN THE COW

Bilateral asymmetry in the cow affects ovarian function, uterine horn morphology, pregnancy, and embryonic sex. However, many aspects and molecular mechanisms of such laterality remain obscure. The objective of this work was identifying new traits of ovarian and uterine asymmetry, as based on oestrus and ovarian monitoring, P4 concentrations, early embryo development, flushing performance, and pregnancy outcomes after embryo transfer (ET). In addition, proteins identified in previous work by difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (DIGE-MS) in uterine fluid (UF) were reanalyzed in a horn-of-origin basis (n = 16 and n = 14 flushes from left and right horns, respectively; Muñoz et al. 2012 J. Proteome Res. 11, 751–766; Gómez et al. 2011 Reprod. Fert. Dev. 24, 152). Studies were performed in experimental herd and on field. Data were analyzed by Proc GLM of SAS/STAT (Version 9.2; SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) and REGWQ test for means. In experimental herd, we analyzed ovarian and uterine asymmetry within animals (n = 25) monitored through different reproductive cycles (n = 109). Animals synchronised with progestagen + PGF2α were alternatively transferred with IVP embryos (n = 30–60) or vehicle (sham transfer) on Day 5 to ipsilateral horn. On Day 8, embryos and/or diluted UF were recovered by flushing with 30 or 45 mL PBS. Nonsignificant differences (P > 0.7) were obtained in ovulatory follicle diameters 48 h after PGF2α injection, onset oestrus time and recoverable total protein by flushing between animals ovulating in the left or in the right ovary. However, cows bearing the corpus luteum (CL) in the right ovary (i.e. right) had higher (26.3 ± 1.5) Day 8 P4 concentration than those showing a CL in the left ovary (i.e. left) (21.6 ± 1.8) (P = 0.03). Fluid recovery (%) was lower in the left (47.0 ± 6.3) than in the right (64.4 ± 5.0) horn when 30 mL were infused (P = 0.035); in contrast, 45 mL infused did not differ between horns (61.6 ± 4.1 v. 67.9 ± 4.1). Less total embryos were recovered from the left (14.6 ± 4.7) than the right (31.0 ± 3.7) horn (P < 0.02), although the relative proportions of viable embryos were conserved. Among 76 proteins analyzed, concentrations of VLCAD, KPYM, CFB, ALB, FGG, EZR, and ACTB were higher (P ≤ 0.05), while TWF1 and ENO1 were lower in the left horn. On field experiments (n = 184 ET in 286 synchronised animals from 39 farms; ≥3 ET per farm) confirmed on Day 7 the above differences in P4 (right: 8.3 ± 0.43 v. left: 6.1 ± 0.55; P = 0.0058). Pregnancy rates after ET did not differ between horns (51.0 ± 3.6, right v. 53.2 ± 4.7, left). However, P4 concentrations differ (P = 0.018) between pregnant and open animals in the left (15.9 ± 1.7 v. 8.3 ± 1.2) but not in the right horn (12.4 ± 1.3 v. 12.4 ± 1.2), respectively. Genital asymmetry in the cow has physical concerns (flushing and recoveries), while changes in P4 and/or proteins could operate to hold similar pregnancy rates between horns. Project AGL2009-10059 (MICINN). MM, BT and EC are sponsored by RYC08-03454, Cajastur and FPU2009-5265, respectively.

120 EXPRESSION OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR (TNF) AND ITS RECEPTOR TNFR2 IN BOVINE ENDOMETRIUM AND EMBRYOS DURING THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), a pleiotropic cytokine that could be involved in early embryo-maternal interactions (Muñoz et al. 2012 J. Proteome Res. 11, 751–766), binds to receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2. The TNFR2 mediates apoptotic and survival processes (Fischer et al. 2011 Cell. Signal. 23, 161–170) and its expression is hormonally regulated (Okuda et al. 2010 Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 330, 41–48). In this work we analyzed the expression of TNFR2 by Western blot (WB) and immunocytochemistry (ICQ) and its co-localization with TNF by ICQ in bovine embryos and endometrium. Heifers that were transferred with multiple in vitro produced (IVP) embryos (n = 3) or sham transferred (n = 3) on Day 5 to horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum were slaughtered on Day 8. Embryos were flushed and endometrial samples were collected from caruncular and intercaruncular regions in the middle and cranial horn thirds. Endometrial samples and Day 8 IVP embryos were subjected to ICQ, and the immunostaining pattern of TNFR2 and TNF was examined by confocal microscopy. Endometrial samples were also subjected to WB. Expression of TNRF2 was quantified by densitometry (immunoblots) and blind assessment (immunostaining). Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS Version 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and REGWQ test for means. Trophectoderm (TF) cells from blastocysts and uterine epithelial and stromal cells showed TNFR2 expression. TNF and TNRF2 were predominantly co-localised in embryos and endometrial samples, although occasionally they were detected independently. The presence of embryos increased TNFR2 in the basal glandular epithelia (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, TNFR2 was higher in the intercaruncular than in the caruncular luminal epithelium (P = 0.07). The presence of embryos did not affect TNFR2 expression between cranial and middle horn thirds. However, the TNFR2 low-molecular-weight isoform (Lmw) in the caruncles and in the middle third of the uterine horn tended to increase in the presence of embryos (P ≤ 0.1). Interestingly, TNFR2 Lmw was more abundant in the middle caruncular region than in other endometrial regions (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that TNF can mediate embryo-maternal communication in the uterus, acting both in the embryonic and maternal sides. In addition, although implantation does not begin in ruminants until elongation is complete, early bovine embryos seem to show an ability to interact with caruncles. Project AGL2009-10059 (MICINN). M. Muñoz, A. Balseiro, B. Trigal, and E. Correia are sponsored by RYC08-03454, Contrato de Investigación para Doctores grant from INIA, Cajastur, and FPU (AP2009-5265), respectively.

Impact on knowledge and practice of an intervention to control catheter infection in the ICU

Information on the impact of care bundles has been mainly acquired in adult intensive care units (ICUs). However, specific data for educational programs are scarce. Our objective was to analyze the impact of an educational program on the knowledge and prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in two pediatric intensive care units (P-ICUs). A prospective study was carried out at a large teaching institution in Madrid, Spain. Healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge of guidelines for the prevention of CRBSI was assessed before and after the educational program using a questionnaire covering 12 issues. A 20-min program was offered to all HCWs on each ICU shift. The incidence density of CRBSI was assessed before, during, and after the educational program. A total of 174 questionnaires were completed by HCWs from both the neonatal ICU (N-ICU) and the P-ICU before the intervention and 54 were completed after the intervention (120 participants were not present during this period). The incidence density of CRBSI before, during, and after the intervention was 6.2, 5.2, and 9.3 in the N-ICU and 2.2, 3.1, and 2.9 in the P-ICU (p > 0.05). A single 20-min educational intervention on the prevention of CRBSI significantly improved HCWs' knowledge, but was not enough to reduce the incidence density of CRBSI.

Removal efficiency and toxicity reduction of 4-chlorophenol with physical, chemical and biochemical methods

Chlorophenols are well-known priority pollutants and many different treatments have been assessed to facilitate their removal from industrial wastewater. However, an absolute and optimum solution still has to be practically implemented in an industrial setting. In this work, a series ofphysical, chemical and biochemical treatments have been systematically tested for the removal of 4-chlorophenol, and their results have been compared in order to determine the most effective treatment based on removal efficiency and residual by-product formation. Chemical treatments based on advanced oxidation processes (AOP) produced the best results on rate and extent of pollutant removal. The non-chemical technologies showed advantages in terms of complete (in the case of adsorption) or easy (enzymatic treatments) removal of toxic treatment by-products. The AOP methods led to the production of different photoproducts depending on the chosen treatment. Toxic products remained in most cases following treatment, though the toxicity level is significantly reduced with combination treatments. Among the treatments, a photochemical method combining UV, produced with a KrCl excilamp, and hydrogen peroxide achieved total removal of chlorophenol and all by-products and is considered the best treatment for chlorophenol removal.

Continuous tank reactors in series: an improved alternative in the removal of phenolic compounds with immobilized peroxidase

Immobilized derivatives of soybean peroxidase, covalently bound to a glass support, were used in a continuous stirred tank reactor in series, in order to study the removal of two phenolic compounds: phenol and 4-chlorophenol. The use of two reactors in series, rather than one continuous tank, improved the removal efficiencies of phenol and 4-chlorophenol. The distribution of different amounts of enzyme between the two tanks showed that the relative distributions influenced the removal efficiency reached and the degree of the enzyme deactivation. The highest removal percentages were reached at the outlet of the second tank for a distribution of 50% of the enzyme in each tank. However, with a distribution of 75% in the first tank and 25% in the second, the elimination percentage in the second tank was slightly lower than in the previous case, and the effects of deactivation of the enzyme in the first tank were less pronounced. In all the distributions assayed it was observed that the first tank acts as a filter for the second one, which receives a feed with a smaller load of phenolic compounds, thus diminishing enzyme deactivation in the second tank.

79 A DIMORPHIC RESPONSE TO EARLY MALE AND FEMALE EMBRYOS IN THE BOVINE UTERUS

Sexual dimorphism has been reported in early mammalian embryos. However, it is unknown whether in utero signalling at early stages differs between male and female embryos. In this work, we used bovine embryos produced with sex–sorted spermatozoa to analyse embryo–maternal interactions measured as changes in uterine fluid (UF). Male (M) or female (F), Day-5 in vitro-produced embryos (E) (n = 23–51) were non–surgically transferred into the uteri of well–nourished heifers (body condition score = 3 in a scale 0–5). All recipients (n = 8) received male and female embryos within non-consecutive oestrous cycles (4 recipients with male embryos first and 4 with female embryos first). On Day 8, embryos and their corresponding diluted MUF and FUF were recovered. Proteins were extracted from a first-flushed fraction of 45 mL PBS containing protease inhibitor, while flushing continued for embryo recovery. Data were analysed by ANOVA and Duncan's test. Total embryo recovery rates (RR) tended to differ (P = 0.06) between ME and FE (18.6 ± 2.5 vs 27.7 ± 3.3). However, blastocysts RR (11.6 ± 1.7 vs 14.2 ± 2.3; P = 0.56) and flushed volume RR (57.8 ± 2.9 vs 60.9 ± 2.3) did not vary between ME and FE. Recoverable protein was lower in FUF than MUF (9.0 ± 1.2 vs 13.2 ± 1.5 μg/100 μL [P < 0.05] and 2580 ± 102 vs 3450 ± 131 μg total [P < 0.001], respectively). Proteomic profiles were obtained in concentrated UFs by 2-D fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis and protein characterisation by nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS. After dialyzation against SOFaaci, factors ≥3 kDa contained in MUF and FUF were used in culture (1 mg mL–1) with Day-5 male and female embryos in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Blastocyst development, cell counts and caspase-3 positive embryonic cells were analysed in 5 replicates. FUF and MUF differed in 41 protein spots (t-test; P < 0.05), out of which 35 proteins were identified. Up-regulated proteins (n = 34; in FUF) represented an increased carbohydrate metabolism activity combined with anti-stress responses, involving the NFkB system, insulin and oestradiol. PARK7, a protein not previously identified in the bovine uterus is also diferentially expressed in FUF and MUF. MUF+ME tended to show (P < 0.06) higher expansion rates in vitro than MUF+FE, FUF+FE and FUF+ME (51.4 ± 5.2 vs 30.0 ± 5.2, 24.5 ± 5.7 and 35.7 ± 5.7, respectively). Trophoblast cell counts tended to be higher (P < 0.10) in MUF+ME (98.7 ± 9.5) than in FUF+FE (85.7 ± 10.6) and MUF+FE (81.0 ± 9.8). In the inner cell mass, caspase-positive cells percentage in MUF+ME (9.8 ± 1.5) differed (P < 0.03) from FUF+FE (15.6 ± 1.5) (groups omitted did not show significant differences). Embryonic sex is maternally detectable at early stages, leading to a favourable uterine environment specifically induced by males, but not by females. This could be associated with a sex-selection mechanism for male embryos in well-nourished females. Project AGL2009-10059 (MICINN). M. Muñoz and B. Trigal are sponsored by RYC08-03454 and a Cajastur fellow grant. GEMINI, COST Action FA0702.

Behaviour of RO98pHt polyamide membrane in reverse osmosis and low reverse osmosis conditions for phenol removal

Phenolic compounds and their derivatives are very common pollutants in wastewaters. Among the methods described for their removal, pressure-driven membrane processes are considered as a reliable alternative. Our research group has previously studied phenol removal in reverse osmosis (RO) conditions and obtained very low rejection percentages. Subsequently, when low reverse osmosis (LRO) conditions were studied, the organic rejection percentages improved. To further our knowledge in this respect, the main objective of this work was to study the behaviour of the polyamide thin-film composite membrane RO98pHt used for phenol removal in RO and LRO conditions. The influence of different operating pressures, phenol feed concentrations and pH on permeate flux and phenol rejection was studied. Low reverse osmosis conditions led to higher phenol rejection percentages in all the assayed conditions, suggesting that other factors related to the molecular characteristics of the organic molecules, such as solubility, acidity and hydrogen bonding capacity, play an important role in the rejection percentage attained. As expected, permeate flux was greater in RO conditions.

Spinal Arachnoid Cyst as an Infrequent Cause of Spinal Cord Compression

Spinal arachnoid cysts are rare lesions that may produce symptoms by compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. MRI is essential for diagnosing this entity. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts, radiological examinations, and follow-up data of four adults with spinal arachnoid cysts diagnosed in our center over a two-year period (2007-2009). All cysts were located in the thoracic spine. Three were dorsolateral to the spinal cord and one was ventral. Most had multiple septa but one had a single septum. Cyst size varied greatly; one cyst extended through eight vertebral bodies. One patient treated expectantly died of cardiovascular problems one year after the cyst was diagnosed. The other three patients underwent laminectomy and cyst fenestration; two had clinical and imaging signs of relapse after surgery. One of the patients with a relapsed cyst worsened clinically, developing syringomyelia and requiring reintervention with shunting to the subarachnoid space. The outcome of the operation was good in the case of the single septum. Spinal arachnoid cyst is uncommon. Its diagnosis is complex because the symptoms are unspecific and the imaging findings are subtle. Spinal arachnoid cyst should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic paraparesis. Imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis, follow-up and management of spinal arachnoid cysts.

Two cases of reciprocal chromosomal translocation (4; 7)(p+; q-) (2; 8)(q-; q+) in piglets produced by ICSI

In this study, the karyotypes of 14 piglets from four different litters produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and embryo transfer were analysed. The chromosome analysis was based on a classical cytogenetic examination following the standard protocols of lymphocyte cultures. Two cases of reciprocal translocation [(4; 7)(p+; q-) and (2; 8)(q-; q+)] were detected in two female transgenic piglets. These animals showed neither anatomical nor physiological alterations and had normal growth. To our knowledge, this is the first karyotype study of piglets produced by ICSI.