Two systems for measuring embryo development in vitro were evaluated. One was a 1-4 scale based on a subjective evaluation of embryo quality (EQ) from microscopic appearance. In addition, a formula for scoring embryo growth rate in vitro was developed. The embryo development rating (EDR) was based on the ratio between the time at which embryos were observed at a particular stage after insemination and the time at which they would be expected to reach that stage in a hypothetical "ideal" growth rate with a cell cycle length of 11.9 hr. Using this scoring system, "normally" growing embryos scored 100. This approach was aimed at partially normalizing the data and allowed all embryos to be analyzed similarly regardless of the time of observation. Analysis of 1539 embryo replacements resulting in 232 clinical pregnancies showed that both EDR and embryo-quality scores were of value in predicting success, with clinical pregnancy most likely to eventuate from a combination of moderate to good EQ scores (2-4) coupled with average or above-average growth rates (EDR scores from 90 to 129). Poor-quality and very slowly or very rapidly growing embryos were underrepresented in cycles that proceeded to pregnancy. These inferences were based on all embryos transferred (mean, 2.73 per transfer cycle), and they were substantiated by an analysis of 33 pregnancies resulting from replacement of a single embryo and from 18 pregnancies in which all embryos scored the same with both systems. EQ and EDR were significantly associated with each other and together provide a valuable guide in predicting pregnancy, in selecting embryos for freezing, and in monitoring day-to-day performance in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.

Purpose Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) activate transcription in response to numerous cytokines, controlling proliferation, gene expression and apoptosis. Aberrant activation of STAT proteins, particularly STAT-3, is implicated in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including Globlastoma Multiforme (GBM), by promoting cell cycle progression, stimulating angiogenesis, and impairing tumor immune surveillance. Little is known about the endogenous STAT inhibitors, the Protein Inhibitors of Activated STATs (PIAS) proteins, in human malignancies. The objective of this study was to examine the expression of STAT-3 and its negative regulator, PIAS3, in human tissue samples from control and GBM brains. Experimental Design Control and GBM human tissues were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry to determine the activation status of STAT-3 and expression of the PIAS3 protein. The functional consequence of PIAS3 inhibition by siRNA or PIAS3 over-expression in GBM cells was determined by examining cell proliferation, STAT-3 transcriptional activity and STAT-3 target gene expression. This was accomplished using 3H-TdR incorporation, STAT-3 dominant-negative constructs, RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Results and Conclusions STAT-3 activation, as assessed by tyrosine and serine phosphorylation, was elevated in GBM tissue compared to control tissue. Interestingly, we observed expression of PIAS3 in control tissue, while PIAS3 protein expression in GBM tissue was greatly reduced. Inhibition of PIAS3 resulted in enhanced glioblastoma cellular proliferation. Conversely, PIAS3 over-expression inhibited STAT-3 transcriptional activity, expression of STAT-3 regulated genes, and cell proliferation. We propose that the loss of PIAS3 in GBM contributes to enhanced STAT-3 transcriptional activity and subsequent cell proliferation.

The NF-B family mediates immune and inflammatory responses. In many cancers, NF-B is constitutively activated and induces the expression of genes that facilitate tumorigenesis. ING4 is a tumor suppressor that is absent or mutated in several cancers. Herein, we demonstrate that in human gliomas, NF-B is constitutively activated, ING4 expression is negligible, and NF-B-regulated gene expression is elevated. We demonstrate that an ING4 and NF-B interaction exists but does not prevent NF-B activation, nuclear translocation, or DNA binding. Instead, ING4 and NF-B bind simultaneously at NF-B-regulated promoters, and this binding correlates with reductions in p65 phosphorylation, p300, and the levels of acetylated histones and H3-Me3K4, while enhancing the levels of HDAC-1 at these promoters. Using a knockdown approach, we correlate reductions in ING4 protein levels with increased basal and inducible NF-B target gene expression. Collectively, these data suggest that ING4 may specifically regulate the activity of NF-B molecules that are bound to target gene promoters.

Silane-coated silica particle solutions (ISolate(TM) and PureSperm)TM)) and iodixanol (OptiPrep(TM)) were compared to polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated silica particles (Percoll(TM)) in their efficacy to recover spermatozoa by gradient centrifugation for use in assisted reproductive procedures. Efficacy was assessed in terms of percentages of sperm recovery, sperm vitality and motility, normal sperm morphology and normal sperm chromatin condensation. No significant difference was found in the recovery of spermatozoa for men with both normal sperm counts and oligozoospermia, between PVP-coated and silane-coated particle solutions. Iodixanol had significantly lower sperm recovery compared to the other products. Sperm vitality, progressive motility, normal morphology and normal chromatin condensation did not differ significantly between any of the sperm isolation products.

The human sperm motility assay was used as a measure of quality control in the IVF laboratory. The effects of albumin supplementation and incubation time on the sensitivity of the human sperm motility assay were investigated. The assay was also compared with mouse embryo development. The human sperm motility assay and mouse embryo development assays were performed on 25 items commonly used in IVF laboratories. Sperm motility assay was conducted after 2, 4, 6, 8, 24 and 48 h incubation intervals under standard embryology conditions. A calculated sperm motility index value <0.75 was used to indicate sperm toxicity. It was found that optimum sensitivity (P < 0.01) of the human sperm motility assay was attained in the absence of albumin after 4, 8 and 48 h incubation periods. Items identified to be sperm toxic within 8 h by the human sperm motility assay were considered to be of clinical significance due to the close concordance of these results with mouse embryo development.