An international consensus statement on the management of postoperative anaemia after major surgical procedures

Despite numerous guidelines on the management of anaemia in surgical patients, there is no pragmatic guidance for the diagnosis and management of anaemia and iron deficiency in the postoperative period. A number of experienced researchers and clinicians took part in a two-day expert workshop and developed the following consensus statement. After presentation of our own research data and local policies and procedures, appropriate relevant literature was reviewed and discussed. We developed a series of best-practice and evidence-based statements to advise on patient care with respect to anaemia and iron deficiency in the postoperative period. These statements include: a diagnostic approach to iron deficiency and anaemia in surgical patients; identification of patients appropriate for treatment; and advice on practical management and follow-up that is easy to implement. Available data allow the fulfilment of the requirements of Pillar 1 of Patient Blood Management. We urge national and international research funding bodies to take note of these recommendations, particularly in terms of funding large-scale prospective, randomised clinical trials that can most effectively address the important clinical questions and this clearly unmet medical need.

Is donor age 6 years or less related to increased risk of surgical complications in pediatric kidney transplantation?

INTRODUCTION

Despite the widespread organ shortage dilemma, there is hesitancy regarding utilization of young donors (aged ≤6 years) because previous reports have suggested that this is associated with an increased risk of surgical complications and graft loss.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine if donor age ≤6 years is related to increased risk of surgical complications or allograft loss in pediatric kidney transplantation (KT).

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of pediatric kidney transplants (KT) undertaken between January 2000 and July 2015. The incidence of surgical and urological complications, and allograft loss were analyzed and compared between donors aged ≤6 years (Group 1) and donors aged >6 years (Group 2).

RESULTS

A total of 171 pediatric KTs were performed at the current center during the study period. Twenty-eight patients were excluded; as a result, the study comprised 143 patients: 60 (Group 1) and 83 (Group 2). Mean recipient weight was 17 kg (SD 9.7; range 3.2-47) in Group 1 and 38.2 kg (SD 15.3; range 7.8-73) in Group 2. Despite a significantly higher proportion of risk factors in Group 1, no significant between-group differences were observed in terms of: surgical complications (OR 0.4; range 0.1-1.2), early urological complications (OR 2.2; range 0.4-11), late urological complications (OR 0.3; range 0.8-1.4), lymphoceles (OR 6.2; range 0.7-51.7) and allograft loss (OR 1.5; range 0.7-3.1, summary Table). Graft survival at 1 and 5 years was: 81% and 70% (Group 1) and 92% and 79% (Group 2), respectively (P = 0.093). Mean follow-up was 90.13 ± 49.7 months.

DISCUSSION

The main finding of this retrospective study was that pediatric donor kidneys from donors aged ≤6 years could safely be used in pediatric recipients without an increased risk of surgical and urological complications or graft loss. Nevertheless, KT with small donor kidneys is challenging and should be performed at experienced pediatric centers.

CONCLUSION

In line with these results, the outcomes of KT using donors aged ≤6 years were encouraging and similar to those obtained with older donors. Thus, this study supported using kidney grafts from young donors, given the organ shortage and potential high mortality risk while awaiting KT.

Protein in culture and endogenous lipid interact with embryonic stages in vitro to alter calf birthweight after embryo vitrification and warming

Short-term protein removal in vitro improves long-term blastocyst competence to survive vitrification. We investigated the mechanisms and effects underlying protein removal. Day-6 morulae and early blastocysts were cultured individually with and without protein for 24h. Development and lipid content were analysed in expanded blastocysts derived from morulae (M-XB) and from early blastocysts (EB-XB). Expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, stress responses and apoptosis was analysed in fresh and vitrified-warmed M-XB produced with and without protein. Pregnancy rates, birth rates and birthweight (BW) were recorded after transfer of embryos. Day-7 EB-XB production rates (with, 66.9±6.2 and without, 68.8±6.0 protein) were higher than M-XB rates (with, 21.4±4.6 and without, 9.4±4.6 protein; P<0.005). EB-XB showed fewer lipids than M-XB (P=0.03). In fresh M-XB, expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP1) was lower with (4.1±2.2) than without (13.6±2.2) protein, contrary to results obtained for Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2, Hormone-sensitive lipase and Bcl-2-associated X protein (P<0.05). Protein did not affect pregnancy rates and birth phenotypes (P>0.05). However, BW was higher (P<0.01) in calves born from vitrified M-XB (48.6±3.4kg) than from EB-XB (39.8±2.9kg). Such effects were more pronounced in females (P<0.001). Calves from fresh embryos did not show BW differences. These results indicate that embryonic kinetics and vitrification impact birth phenotypes, at least in females. Alterations might involve exogenous protein and mobilisation of lipid stocks.

Short- and long-term outcomes of the absence of protein during bovine blastocyst formation in vitro

In cattle, individual in vitro embryo culture after Day 6 benefits development, allowing non-invasive analysis of culture medium. However, undefined supplements in culture reduce analytical reliability. In this study we assayed the short- and long-term performance of embryos after bovine serum albumin removal over a 24-h period in individual culture. The absence of protein decreased embryo development and cell counts in the inner cell mass without affecting blastocyst sex ratio. However, the absence of protein produced embryos with an improved tendency to survive vitrification after 24h in culture (P=0.07). After transfer to recipients, birth rates of embryos that had been cultured with protein tended to decrease (P<0.06) mostly as a result of a higher number of miscarriages (P<0.013), reflecting lower viability. Birthweight, gestation length, height and thorax circumference did not differ between embryos cultured with or without protein. In fresh blastocysts cultured without protein, gene expression analysis showed higher abundance (P<0.05) of insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R; imprinting) and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3; endoplasmic reticulum stress) transcripts, with DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A; imprinting) tending to increase (P=0.062). However, in hatched blastocysts that survived cryopreservation, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was overexpressed in embryos cultured without protein (P<0.01). The absence of protein results in fewer blastocysts but improved long-term viability after cryopreservation.

Leiomyosarcoma of the Soft Tissues in a Patient with Nevoid Basal-Cell Carcinoma Syndrome

A 57-year-old man was admitted with complaints of progressive anorexia, weight loss and right flank pain. He had been treated for basal-cell carcinoma of the skin 19 years before. On physical examination, eight moles in the face, back and left thigh were found along with palmar pits. In addition, a painful induration in his right thigh was evident. Biopsy proved that six moles were basal-cell carcinomas and the thigh mass a high-grade leiomyosarcoma. Computed tomographs revealed multiple metastases in the lungs and the liver. The patient was treated with epirubicin, with partial response, and subsequently with ifosfamide. He died 17 months after diagnosis. Whereas the world literature records several cases of soft tissue tumors in patients with nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome, this is the first report of a simultaneous occurrence of leiomyosarcoma and nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome.

Differential release of cell-signaling metabolites by male and female bovine embryos cultured in vitro

Male and female early bovine embryos show dimorphic transcription that impacts metabolism. Individual release of metabolites was examined in a 24h single culture medium from Day-6 male and female morulae that developed to Day-7 expanded blastocysts. Embryos were produced in vitro, fertilized with a single bull and cultured in SOFaaci+6  g/L BSA. The embryonic sex was identified (amelogenin gene amplification). Embryos (N = 10 males and N = 10 females) and N = 6 blank samples (i.e. SOFaaci+6  g/L BSA incubated with no embryos) were collected from 3 replicates. Metabolome was analyzed by UHPLC-TOF-MS in spent culture medium. After tentative identification, N = 13 metabolites significantly (P < 0.05; ANOVA) differed in their concentrations between male and female embryos, although N = 10 of these metabolites showed heterogeneity (Levene's test; P > 0.05). LysoPC(15:0) was the only metabolite found at higher concentration in females (fold change [FC] male to female = 0.766). FC of metabolites more abundant in male culture medium (N = 12) varied from 1.069 to 1.604. Chemical taxonomy grouped metabolites as amino-acids and related compounds (DL-2 aminooctanoic acid, arginine, 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan, and palmitoylglycine); lipids (2-hexenoylcarnitine; Lauroyl diethanolamide; 5,6 dihydroxyprostaglandin F1a; LysoPC(15:0); DG(14:0/14:1(9Z)/0:0) and triterpenoid); endogenous amine ((S)-N-Methylsalsolinol/(R)-N-Methylsalsolinol); n-acyl-alpha-hexosamine (N-acetyl-alpha-d-galactosamine 1-phosphate); and dUMP, a product of pyrimidine metabolism. Among the compounds originally contained in CM, female embryos significantly depleted more arginine than males and blank controls (P < 0.001). Male and female embryos induce different concentrations of metabolites with potential signaling effects. The increased abundance of metabolites released from males is consistent with the higher metabolic activity attributed to such blastocysts.

Abstract P2-09-14: A predictive model of pathological response following dual HER2 blockade-only based on tumor cellularity and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CelTIL) in HER2-positive breast cancer

Background: Increased number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) at baseline is associated with pathological complete response (pCR) and improved outcomes in HER2-positive early breast cancer treated with anti-HER2-based chemotherapy. In the absence of chemotherapy, the association of TILs with pCR following anti-HER2 therapy-only is currently unknown.

Methods: The PAMELA (NCT01973660)neoadjuvant trial treated 151 women with HER2-positive breast cancer with lapatinib and trastuzumab (and hormonal therapy if hormone receptor-positive) for 18 weeks. Percentage of TILs and tumor cellularity were determined at baseline (n=148) and after 2 weeks of treatment (n=134). Associations of TILs and tumor cellularity with pCR in the breast were evaluated using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. The regression coefficients were used to derive a score based on TILs and tumor cellularity measured at week 2 (CelTIL) was derived in PAMELA,and tested in week 2 samples from 65 patients with HER2+ disease recruited in the LPT109096 (NCT00524303) phase 2 neoadjuvant trial, where anti-HER2 therapy-only (trastuzumab, lapatinib or the combination) was administered for 2 weeks, followed by the addition of standard multi-agent chemotherapy for 24 weeks.

Results: In PAMELA, at baseline, TILs were significantly associated with pCR in univariate analysis but not in multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.01, 0.98-1.03; p-value=0.620). A statistically significant increase in TILs was observed at week 2 compared to baseline (mean difference +6.9%; p-value&lt;0.001). At week 2, TILs were significantly associated with pCR in univariate and multivariable analyses (adjusted OR=1.04, 1.01-1.06; p-value=0.009). TILs and tumor cellularity at week 2 were independently associated with pCR and a combined score (from 0 to 100) taking into account both variables was derived. CelTIL as a continuous variable was significantly associated with pCR, and patients with CelTIL-low and CelTIL-high scores (cutoff &lt; 33.59) had a pCR rate of 0% and 33%, respectively. Independent validation of CelTIL in week 2 samples from 65 patients with HER2+ disease recruited in the LPT109096 phase 2 neoadjuvant trial will be presented at the conference.

Conclusions: A combined score of TILs and tumor cellularity at week 2 following anti-HER2 therapy-only is associated with pCR upon completion of neoadjuvant anti-HER2-based therapy.

Citation Format: Nuciforo P, Holgado E, Llombart A, Fasani R, Paré L, Pascual T, Oliveira M, Martínez N, Bermejo B, Vidal M, Pernas S, López R, Muñoz M, Garau I, Manso L, Alarcón J, Martínez E, Villagrasa P, Cortés J, Prat A. A predictive model of pathological response following dual HER2 blockade-only based on tumor cellularity and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CelTIL) in HER2-positive breast cancer [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 P2-09-14.

Abstract P5-21-23: Evaluation of the drug interaction potential of palbociclib and exemestane – Results from the PEARL pharmacokinetic sub-Study

Background: Palbociclib (PAL) is an oral cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor that is under investigation in multiple oncologic clinical trials and is currently approved for use in combination with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) or fulvestrant (FUL) in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2–) advanced breast cancer (BC).

The PEARL Study is an ongoing international, open label, controlled, randomized Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of PAL in combination with endocrine therapy (exemestane [EXE] or FUL) versus capecitabine in postmenopausal women with HR+/ HER2– metastatic BC whose disease progressed on AIs. A secondary objective of the study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of PAL (125mg QD, 3 weeks on/1 week off) and EXE (25mg QD, continuously) when coadministered. This is the first study to investigate the drug-drug interaction (DDI) potential of the combination of PAL and the AI EXE.

Methods: Patients (pts) randomized to the PAL+EXE arm of the PEARL Study in seven selected sites had the option of participating in the PK sub-study. Those who enrolled in the PK sub-study received EXE alone in a 7-day lead-in period immediately prior to Cycle 1 Day 1, when both drugs were coadministered on their standard dosing regimens. Sub-study pts were to have 2 pre-dose plasma PK samples drawn at steady-state (ss) during the lead-in period ("EXE Alone") for EXE determination, and 2 ss PK samples drawn for EXE and PAL determination (2 per analyte) during coadministration ("PAL+EXE"). Plasma concentrations of PAL and EXE were measured using validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. The withinpatient mean concentration of the PK samples which met ss acceptance criteria (WPM-Ctrough) for each analyte were generated for each treatment period as the input for DDI analyses.

To assess the effect of coadministration of PAL on EXE PK, the WPM-Ctrough of EXE was compared within patients between the "PAL+EXE" (Test) and "EXE Alone" (Reference) treatment periods using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model with treatment as a fixed effect and patient as a random effect. To assess the effect of coadministration of EXE on PAL PK, the WPM-Ctrough of PAL was compared between the "PAL+EXE" period (Test) and historical data (Reference) using an ANOVA model. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were used to assess the impact of demographic differences between analysis populations in covariates known to impact PAL PK on the ANOVA model conclusions.

Results: A total of 26 pts randomized to the PAL+EXE arm were enrolled in the PK sub-study and had PK samples analysed, of which 23 meet ss acceptance criteria. The ratio of the adjusted geometric means for EXE WPM-Ctrough was 106.9% (90%CI: 82.4-138.8), when EXE was administered with PAL, compared with its administration alone. Likewise, the models to assess potential for EXE to perpetrate DDI on PAL PK showed ratios of adjusted geometric means of 102.4% (90%CI: 82.0-127.9) and 111.6% (90%CI: 90.3137.8), when adjusted for covariates.

Conclusion: The PK data indicate a lack of a clinically meaningful DDI between PAL and EXE when the 2 drugs are coadministered.

Sponsor: GEICAM

Citation Format: Martín M, Hoffman J, Ruiz-Borrego M, Muñoz M, Calvo L, Crownover P, García-Sáenz JA, Alba E, Wang D, Thallinger C, Stradella A, Montaño Á, Adamo B, Antolín S, Moreno-Antón F, Falo C, Ruiz V, Martín N, Caballero R, Carrasco E, Gil-Gil M. Evaluation of the drug interaction potential of palbociclib and exemestane – Results from the PEARL pharmacokinetic sub-Study [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 P5-21-23.

Abstract P3-09-08: Overeating and breast cancer risk by pathologic subtypes: EpiGEICAM study

Introduction: It has been reported that overeating may be the greatest avoidable cause of cancer in nonsmokers and obesity increases postmenopausal breast cancer (BC) risk. Calorie restriction reduces BC incidence in experimental animals, but the evidence in humans is more limited. This study analyzes the association between female BC risk and excessive or restricted calorie consumption in Spain.

Methods: EpiGEICAM is a multicenter case-control study including 1017 matched pairs (age & town) of incident BC cases and healthy controls in 14 regions in Spain. Participants filled a structured questionnaire. Average calorie intake (cals) during the 5 years previous to diagnosis (cases) or interview (controls) was estimated using a validated 117-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Expected calorie intake (cals_exp) was calculated from a linear regression model taking into account the basal metabolic rate (Sabounchi's meta-regression) and the amount of physical activity performed by each woman (5 categories). For each woman the prediction interval (99%) of cals_exp was used to consider her calorie intake as “normal” (NCI) (cals inside this interval –the reference group-), “excesive” (ECI) (cals&gt;upper limit of the interval) or “restricted” (RCI) (cals&lt;lower limit of the interval). The association of ECI and RCI with BC, overall and by pathologic subtype (luminal (ER+ and/or PR+ with HER2-), HER2+ and triple negative), was evaluated using conditional and multinomial logistic regression models, adjusted for age and region (multinomial models), education, body mass index (BMI), smoking, age at menarche & at first birth, menopausal status, previous history of benign breast disease, family history of BC, hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), physical activity and two scores reflecting the participant's adherence to Mediterranean and Western dietary patterns.

Results: After excluding participants with extreme calorie intake, 973 case-control pairs were considered. Average number of calories was higher in BC cases (1990 kcals) than controls (1897 kcals) P=0.001). Women with RCI (cals&lt;80% of the predicted limit) had lower BC risk (OR=0.52, P=0.001), being this effect more marked in premenopausal women (OR=0.36; Pheterogeneity=0.001). On the contrary, women with ECI (cals&gt;40% of the predicted limit) showed increased BC risk (OR=1.92; P=0.001), being this effect stronger in postmenopausal women (OR=2.81; Pheterogenity=0.001). By pathologic subtypes, no statistically significant differences were observed, but ECI (over 40%) was strongly associated with HER2+ tumors (OR=2.05, P=0.021). No differences in the effect of ECI or RCI were observed by levels of BMI, tobacco or HRT.

Conclusion: After taking BMI into account, excessive energy intake increases BC risk, while relative caloric restriction seems to have a protective effect. Moderate calorie restriction, in combination with regular physical activity, could be a good strategy for BC prevention.

Funding:Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), SEOM, FECMA, Cerveza y Salud Foundation, FIS CD110/00018

Citation Format: Pollán M, Castelló A, Martín M, Ruiz A, Casas AM, Baena JM, Antolin S, Ramos M, Garcia-Saénz JA, Muñoz M, Lluch A, de Juan A, Jara C, Sánchez Rovira P, Antón A, Chacón JI, Arcusa A, Jimeno MA, Bezares S, Carrasco E, Pérez-Gómez B, Lope V. Overeating and breast cancer risk by pathologic subtypes: EpiGEICAM study [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 P3-09-08.

Programa de selección genética enfocada en la calidad de cerdos Ibéricos puros de montanera

Los programas de selección genética son inusuales en el sector porcino Ibérico de extensivo. La empresa tradicional de productos de cerdo Ibérico, Sánchez Romero Carvajal (SRC), localizada en la Sierra de Huelva, junto con el Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal del INIA, se está esforzando en desarrollar un esquema de selección basado en evaluaciones BLUP-Modelo animal y enfocado a la mejora genética de cerdos Ibéricos puros de montanera. Los animales implicados en este programa pertenecen a una piara distribuida entre las fincas Montecastila y Tejarejo (La Granada de Riotinto). Para la selección de caracteres de crecimiento, composición de canal y calidad de carne y grasa, se dispone de registros de 1.205 animales de genealogía controlada. Los caracteres principales registrados son: ganancia media diaria en montanera, peso de canal y pesos de piezas nobles (jamones, paletas y lomos). Además, como caracteres de calidad se midieron: perfil de ácidos grasos en grasa subcutánea, porcentaje de grasa intramuscular, color, pérdidas de agua después de descongelado y cocinado, así como resistencia del lomo al corte. Las valoraciones genéticas para caracteres maternos (número de lechones nacidos vivos y peso de camada al destete) se han efectuado hasta la fecha usando datos de 5.134 camadas nacidas en 88 lotes de 1.456 cerdas y 22 verracos. Las reproductoras estaban localizadas en un sistema de parideras tradicionales. Esta información permite la obtención de estimas de heredabilidad y correlaciones genéticas, así como de un índice combinado construido con los valores mejorantes ponderados por los pesos económicos respectivos para cada carácter. Las actividades del programa permiten además la realización de diversos estudios de genética molecular. Estos estudios permitirán en el futuro aumentar la eficacia del programa de selección convencional.

Verificación racial de jamones y paletas Ibéricos comercializados en supermercados españoles

La Norma de Calidad española regula la comercialización tanto de producto fresco como curado procedente de raza Ibérica. La primera Norma, que fue aprobada en 2007 (Real Decreto 1469/2007), establecía que los productos etiquetados como “Ibérico” debían proceder de cerdos con al menos un 50% del genoma Ibérico y que el porcentaje restante debía proceder de Duroc. Esta Norma fue modificada en 2014 (Real Decreto 4/2014) añadiendo que el producto etiquetado como “100% Ibérico” debe proceder de cerdos Ibéricos puros y mantiene la misma regulación que en 2007 para el producto etiquetado como “Ibérico”. En el Grupo de Genética de Cerdos del INIA se ha desarrollado un chip de 64 SNPs para trazabilidad genética, que permite inferir la proporción del genoma de origen Ibérico y Duroc de animales y productos cárnicos. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en comprobar si los productos curados (jamones y paletas) etiquetados como “Ibérico” por fabricantes y distribuidores representativos del sector y comercializados en los principales supermercados españoles cumplen este aspecto de la Norma de Calidad. 116 muestras problema procedentes de paquetes de loncheados de jamón y paleta comercializados como “Ibéricos” fueron genotipadas con este chip. Los genotipos fueron analizados usando el programa BAPS 5.3. En el 34.48% de las muestras analizadas la proporción estimada de genoma de origen Ibérico era inferior al 40% incumpliendo claramente la Norma. Cabe destacar que en cinco de las 116 muestras la proporción estimada de genes Duroc era del 100%. Estos resultados son indicativos de un insatisfactorio cumplimiento de la Norma de Calidad en diez de los doce distribuidores analizados. Un muestreo futuro mostrará si los controles más estrictos impuestos con la nueva Norma de 2014 han servido para mejorar el cumplimiento de la ley.

Spontaneous exchange bias formation driven by a structural phase transition in the antiferromagnetic material

Most of the magnetic devices in advanced electronics rely on the exchange bias effect, a magnetic interaction that couples a ferromagnetic and an antiferromagnetic material, resulting in a unidirectional displacement of the ferromagnetic hysteresis loop by an amount called the 'exchange bias field'. Setting and optimizing exchange bias involves cooling through the Néel temperature of the antiferromagnetic material in the presence of a magnetic field. Here we demonstrate an alternative process for the generation of exchange bias. In IrMn/FeCo bilayers, a structural phase transition in the IrMn layer develops at room temperature, exchange biasing the FeCo layer as it propagates. Once the process is completed, the IrMn layer contains very large single-crystal grains, with a large density of structural defects within each grain, which are promoted by the FeCo layer. The magnetic characterization indicates that these structural defects in the antiferromagnetic layer are behind the resulting large value of the exchange bias field and its good thermal stability. This mechanism for establishing the exchange bias in such a system can contribute towards the clarification of fundamental aspects of this exchange interaction.

In vitro cultured bovine endometrial cells recognize embryonic sex

Endometrial cell co-culture (ECC) with single embryo may reflect endometrium responses in vivo. Bovine Day-6 in vitro-produced morulae were cultured until Day-8 in modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF), or on the epithelial side of ECC. Expression of epithelial- and stromal-cell transcripts was analyzed by RT-PCR in ECC with one male (ME) or female embryo (FE). Concentrations of ARTEMIN (ARTN) and total protein were determined in epithelial cell-conditioned medium. ECCs yielded embryos with more cells in the inner cell mass than embryos cultured in mSOF. Embryos altered transcript expression only in epithelial cells, not in stromal ones. Thus, ME induced larger reductions than FE and controls (i.e., no embryos cultured) in hexose transporter solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1) and member 5 (SLC2A5), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), artemin (ARTN), and interferon alpha and beta receptors subunit IFNAR1 and IFNAR2. FE reduced SLC2A1 and SLC2A5, and increased ARTN expression with respect to controls. ME tended to reduce total protein concentration (P < 0.082) in ECC-conditioned medium, while ARTN protein and gene expressions strongly correlated (R > 0.90; P < 0.05) in the group of ME or FE, but not in controls (without embryo). Isolated male and female embryos may differentially release signaling factors that induce sexually dimorphic responses in endometrial cells.

Direct and maternal additive effects are not the main determinants of Iberian piglet perinatal mortality

Data of 127,800 Iberian piglets were used to study genetic parameters of mortality at birth at the piglet level. These records proceed from three data sets: 4,987 litter of 2,156 sows of a dam line, 2,768 litter of 817 sows of a complete diallel cross between four Iberian strains and 7,153 litter of 2,113 sows of the Torbiscal composite line. Perinatal mortality was considered as a binary trait, and Bayesian threshold animal models were fitted to separately analyse the three data sets. The posterior means of direct heritability were 0.010, 0.004 and 0.003, and those of maternal heritability were 0.034, 0.011 and 0.014 for dam line, diallel cross and Torbiscal line, respectively. Important effects of litter size and parity order were inferred in the three data sets, of within-breed cross-breeding parameters in the diallel cross and of sex and sow handling in the Torbiscal line Therefore, the inclusion of perinatal mortality in the objective of selection is questionable in this breed and strategies for reducing piglet mortality successful in other breeds should be considered.