Evaluation of bovine embryo quality based on gene expression profiling using whole-transcriptome amplification.

This study aimed to develop a method to evaluate the quality of bovine in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos based on gene expression profiling via whole-transcriptome amplification. The expression of 11 developmentally important genes in individual bovine in vivo-derived (IVD) and IVF embryos were examined. Gene expression profiling was conducted by classifying the expression level of each gene in individual embryos as low, medium, or high. The IVF group had a higher (P < 0.01) proportion of embryos with low expression of SOX2, NANOG, and FGF4. In addition, a correlation analysis between the expression levels of each gene in individual embryos demonstrated that the relationship between gene expression differed with respect to IVD and IVF embryos. Our results suggest that the expression profiling of developmentally important genes using IVD embryos as normal controls could be a useful indicator for evaluating the quality of bovine IVF embryos.

Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the lung: a report of 2 cases.

BACKGROUND: Signet-ring cell carcinoma is a distinct subtype of mucin-producing adenocarcinoma that originates in various organs, particularly the stomach. However, primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the lung is an extremely rare condition. The preoperative identification of signet-ring cells by cytologic examination is vital because signet-ring cell carcinoma of the lung has been reported to have a worse prognosis than ordinary adenocarcinoma. In this study, we present 2 cases of primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the lung in conjunction with their cytomorphologic features. CASES: Bronchial brush and wash samples were obtained from the lungs of a 63-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man for the evaluation of lung tumors. Examination of the bronchial samples revealed many large clusters of atypical cells containing abundant intracytoplasmic mucin. Although the clusters were equivocal in the first case, the presence of more atypical cell clusters led to the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Signet-ring cell carcinoma should be considered when many atypical round cells with abundant intracytoplasmic mucin--namely, signet-ring cells--are observed along with adenocarcinomatous cells.