Human recombinant interleukin-6 improves the morphological quality of cryopreserved in vitro produced bovine blastocysts.

This work explored whether a well-characterized recombinant human interleukin-6 (hIL6) protein will influence in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryo development and survival after cryopreservation. Cumulus oocyte complexes were collected from abattoir derived ovaries, matured for 24 h, and fertilized using pooled semen from Holstein bulls. Embryos were treated with 0, 25, 50, or 100 ng/mL hIL6 on day 5 post-fertilization.

Interleukin-6 supplementation improves bovine conceptus elongation and transcriptomic indicators of developmental competence†.

A high incidence of pregnancy failures occurs in cattle during the second week of pregnancy as blastocysts transition into an elongated conceptus. This work explored whether interleukin-6 supplementation during in vitro embryo production would improve subsequent conceptus development. Bovine embryos were treated with 0 or 100 ng/mL recombinant bovine interleukin-6 beginning on day 5 post-fertilization.

Influences of Supplementing Selective Members of the Interleukin-6 Cytokine Family on Bovine Oocyte Competency.

This work explored whether supplementing selective members of the interleukin-6 (IL6) cytokine family during in vitro bovine oocyte maturation affects maturation success, cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) gene expression, fertilization success, and embryo development potential. Human recombinant proteins for IL6, IL11, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were supplemented to COCs during the maturation period, then fertilization and embryo culture commenced without further cytokine supplementation. The first study determined that none of these cytokines influenced the rate that oocytes achieved arrest at meiosis II.

Preference of Young Adult Cancer Survivors for In-Person Versus Telemedicine Cancer Survivorship Visits.

Young adult (YA) cancer survivors face barriers to follow-up care, which can be exacerbated by living in a rural location. Telemedicine may mitigate these barriers, but little is known about the preferences of YA survivors for telemedicine or in-person survivorship visits. We surveyed 57 YA cancer survivors in a rural state to assess their preference for survivorship visits.

Ablation of function in cattle embryos by double electroporation of CRISPR-Cas for DNA and RNA targeting (CRISPR-DART).

CRISPR-Cas ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are important tools for gene editing in preimplantation embryos. However, the inefficient production of biallelic deletions in cattle zygotes has hindered mechanistic studies of gene function. In addition, the presence of maternal RNAs that support embryo development until embryonic genome activation may cause confounding phenotypes.

MMR vaccination timing and long-term immunity among childhood cancer survivors.

Long-term seroprotection against the measles and mumps viruses has not been reported in childhood cancer survivor (CCS) who received two-lifetime doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. We performed a retrospective study of measles and mumps titers among 55 CCS who received standard chemotherapy and two MMR vaccinations at any time. Over 75% of CCS who received at least one MMR prior to their cancer diagnosis had a negative or equivocal titer to measles or mumps.

An updated protocol for in vitro bovine embryo production.

Cattle embryos represent a useful model for understanding parts of human embryogenesis due to various biological similarities. We describe a protocol to mature and fertilize bovine oocytes followed by culture of resulting presumptive zygotes up until the blastocyst stage. Our protocol features a unique procedure for washing and moving oocytes and zygotes between their respective dishes using a cell strainer.

Tight gene co-expression in BCB positive cattle oocytes and their surrounding cumulus cells.

Background: Cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation of oocytes, as well as interaction with the surrounding cumulus cells, are important features relevant to the acquisition of developmental competence.

Methods: Here, we utilized Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) to distinguish cattle oocytes with low activity of the enzyme Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, and thus separated fully grown (BCB positive) oocytes from those in the growing phase (BCB negative). We then analyzed the developmental potential of these oocytes, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in single oocytes, and investigated the transcriptome of single oocytes and their surrounding cumulus cells of BCB positive versus BCB negative oocytes.

Cancers Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Maine 2001-2017: A Descriptive Analysis and Model for Future Studies.

Maine has had a high age-adjusted incidence rate of cancer and a high incidence rate of childhood cancer. However, it is unknown if Maine adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have a higher-than-expected cancer incidence rate. Based on the International Classification of Diseases of Oncology, Third Edition (ICD-0-3) classification system, we obtained the incidence rates of AYA cancers by state, sex, race, and ethnicity from 2001 to 2017 using CDC WONDER.

Short Communication: Influence of estrus activity and reproductive tract size and position scores on fertility in Bos indicus and Bos taurus suckled beef cows.

The primary objective of this study was to determine if estrus activity and reproductive tract size and position score (SPS) are associated with pregnancy outcomes in Bos indicus (Nelore) and Bos taurus (Angus) beef cows. In study 1, multiparous Nelore cows (n = 1,280) were artificially inseminated at a fixed time (FTAI, day 0) using an estradiol and progesterone (P4)-based estrus synchronization protocol. In study 2, multiparous Angus cows (n = 764) were artificially inseminated at a fixed time (FTAI, day 0) using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone and P4-based estrus synchronization protocol.

Cytokines That Serve as Embryokines in Cattle.

The term "embryokine" has been used to denote molecules produced by the endometrium, oviduct, or by embryo itself that will influence embryo development. Several cytokines have been identified as embryokines in cattle and other mammals. This review will describe how these cytokines function as embryokines, with special emphasis being placed on their actions on in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos.

Effects of mid-gestational l-citrulline supplementation to twin-bearing ewes on umbilical blood flow, placental development, and lamb production traits.

The objective of the study was to examine how l-citrulline supplementation to ewes during mid-gestation influences placental activity, placental blood flow, lamb body weight, and carcass characteristics. Two studies were completed. A pharmacokinetic study to compare circulating plasma amino acid concentrations after a single intravenous injection of 155 µmol/kg BW l-citrulline or after an isonitrogenous amount of l-alanine (control; 465 µmol/kg BW).

Interleukin-6 supplementation improves post-transfer embryonic and fetal development of in vitro-produced bovine embryos.

The use of in vitro produced embryos in dairy and beef cattle has increased in recent years, but compromised post-transfer pregnancy success prevents producers from capturing all the benefits this technology can provide. This study explored whether supplementing interleukin-6 (IL6) during in vitro embryo development influences post-transfer development of the embryo-proper, fetus and placenta during early gestation in cattle. Slaughterhouse-derived cumulus oocyte complexes underwent IVM (day -1) and IVF (day 0).

Efficacy of mucosal polyanhydride nanovaccine against respiratory syncytial virus infection in the neonatal calf.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a leading cause of severe acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants and children worldwide. Bovine RSV (BRSV) is closely related to HRSV and a significant cause of morbidity in young cattle. BRSV infection in calves displays many similarities to RSV infection in humans, including similar age dependency and disease pathogenesis.

Acquired FANCA dysfunction and cytogenetic instability in adult acute myelogenous leukemia.

Myelodysplastic and leukemic stem cell clones that evolve in children and adults with Fanconi anemia universally bear complex cytogenetic abnormalities. The abnormalities are generally recurring deletions or chromosomal loss and involve precisely the same chromosomes with the same frequency as has been described in marrow cells from patients with secondary acute leukemia induced by alkylating agents. Reasoning that acquired Fanconi anemia protein dysfunction might contribute to cytogenetic instability in secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells, we analyzed leukemic cells bearing characteristic complex cytogenetic defects obtained from a 68-year-old man whose lymphoblasts showed no evidence of Fanconi anemia.