In magnetic multilayer systems, a large spin-orbit coupling at the interface between heavy metals and ferromagnets can lead to intriguing phenomena such as the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, the spin Hall effect, the Rashba effect, and especially the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (IDM) interaction. This interfacial nature of the IDM interaction has been recently revisited because of its scientific and technological potential. Here we demonstrate an experimental technique to straightforwardly observe the IDM interaction, namely Brillouin light scattering. The non-reciprocal spin wave dispersions, systematically measured by Brillouin light scattering, allow not only the determination of the IDM energy densities beyond the regime of perpendicular magnetization but also the revelation of the inverse proportionality with the thickness of the magnetic layer, which is a clear signature of the interfacial nature. Altogether, our experimental and theoretical approaches involving double time Green's function methods open up possibilities for exploring magnetic hybrid structures for engineering the IDM interaction.

The effects of oviductal fluid on sperm penetration and cortical granule exocytosis in pigs were examined. Cortical granule exocytosis in oocytes matured in vivo and in vitro was observed by staining with fluorescent-labelled lectin and laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Exocytosis of matured oocytes was classified into three categories after in vitro fertilization: complete cortical granule exocytosis and even distribution of exudate in the entire perivitelline space (type I); complete exocytosis and partial distribution of exudate (type II) and incomplete cortical granule exocytosis (type III). The incidence of oocytes with type I exocytosis was higher in oocytes matured in vivo than in those matured in vitro. The addition of oviductal fluid at a concentration of 1% or 10% to the fertilization medium decreased sperm penetration and the mean number of spermatozoa present in penetrated eggs. The distribution of cortical granule exudate was not different in the presence of 1% oviductal fluid after sperm penetration from that of control groups. When oocytes were cultured for 1.5 h in medium containing 10% or 30% oviductal fluid before insemination, the incidence of monospermy increased without a decrease in sperm penetration. Preculture of oocytes in medium containing 30% oviductal fluid increased type I cortical granule reaction and increased resistance of the zona pellucida to dissolution by 0.1% (w/v) pronase at the time of sperm penetration. These results suggest that a factor(s) from the oviductal secretion is required for the complete cortical granule reaction and in the modification of the zona pellucida.

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family, and their roles in oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion are well known in the mouse and human, but not in the pig. We investigated GDF9 and BMP15 expressions in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation. A significant increase in the mRNA levels of GDF9 and BMP15 was observed at germinal vesicle breakdown, with expression levels peaking at metaphase I (MI), but decreasing at metaphase II (MII). GDF9 and BMP15 protein localized to the oocyte cytoplasm. While treatment with GDF9 and BMP15 increased the expression of genes involved in both oocyte maturation (c-mos, cyclinb1 and cdc2) and cumulus expansion (has2, ptgs2, ptx3 and tnfaip6), SB431542 (a TGFβ-GDF9 inhibitor) decreased meiotic maturation at MII. Following parthenogenetic activation, the percentage of blastocysts in SB431542 treatment was lower than in the control (41.3% and 74.4%, respectively). Treatment with GDF9 and BMP15 also increased the mRNA levels of maternal genes such as c-mos [a regulatory subunit of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)], and cyclinb1 and cdc2 [regulatory subunits of maturation/M-phase-promoting factor (MPF)]; however, SB431542 significantly decreased their mRNA levels. These data were supported by poly (A)-test PCR and protein activity analyses. Our results show that GDF9 and BMP15 participate in cumulus expansion and that they stimulate MPF and MAPK activities in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation.

The keratinocytes in the depigmented compared with the normally pigmented epidermis of vitiligo may become apoptotic more easily after suction.

Objective: Ghrelin is a recently discovered peptide, which is produced primarily in the stomach. This orexigenic peptide participates not only in the induction of mealtime hunger but also in long-term body weight regulation and energy homeostasis. Adiponectin is a protein secreted by adipocytes, and has been proposed to mediate obesity-related insulin resistance. Moreover, concentrations of adiponectin are reduced in individuals with obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. However, human data are sparse about the direct relationship between adiponectin, ghrelin and cardiovascular risk factors including insulin resistance. Design: Three hundred and thirty-eight elderly Korean women (mean age^S.D., 72.3^5.5 years) were included in the present study. Methods: Plasma ghrelin and adiponectin levels were measured by RIA. Anthropometric measurements were taken and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test performed. Fasting insulin and lipid profile were measured and insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-R) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Results: Plasma adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with central obesity indices such as waist circumference (r ¼ 20.27, P , 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (r ¼ 20.32, P , 0.001), and with insulin resistance indices such as fasting insulin (r ¼ 20.17, P ¼ 0.004) and HOMA-R (r ¼ 2 0.13, P ¼ 0.035). Plasma ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with WHR (r ¼ 2 0.12, P ¼ 0.03), but plasma adiponectin and ghrelin levels were not correlated (r ¼ 0.03, P ¼ 0.66). Multiple regression analysis showed that adiponectin was associated with WHR, fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels. When ghrelin was used as a dependent variable, only WHR remained in the final fitted model. Conclusion: Fasting plasma adiponectin and ghrelin levels were found to be associated with central obesity or insulin resistance. However, plasma adiponectin and ghrelin concentrations were not associated with each other in elderly Korean women. 150 715-718 European Journal of Endocrinology

Type A spermatogonia, including spermatogonial stem cells, are primary cells that maintain spermatogenesis and produce spermatozoa. Many spermatogonial markers have been reported in rodents. However, few markers have been identified in pig spermatogonia. Despite the lack of information, it is necessary to separate pure spermatogonial cells from whole testicular cells to understand the mechanism of spermatogenic meiosis and to establish spermatogonial stem cells for further biotechnological studies. The purpose of this study was to identify glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha-1 (GFRα-1) as a surface marker for early spermatogonia in neonatal pig testes. Histological analysis of 3-day-old pig testes revealed that type A spermatogonia, which lack heterochromatin, could be distinguished in neonatal pig testes. Immunohistochemistry of neonatal pig testes with GFRα-1 antibody identified that some of the spermatogonial cells expressed GFRα-1 on the cell membrane. Co-immunostaining with both GFRα-1 and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) detected PGP 9.5 in all spermatogonia of neonatal pig testes, whereas GFRα-1 was not detected on the surface of some PGP 9.5-positive cells, indicating that some of the spermatogonial cells were PGP 9.5 positive and GFRα-1 negative. After immunomagnetic cell sorting using a GFRα-1 antibody, both GFRα-1-positive and GFRα-1-negative cells expressed PGP 9.5. Identifying the differential mRNA expression of both GFRα-1-positive and GFRα-1-negative cells using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the expression of promyelocytic leukaemia zinc finger, octamer-binding protein 4 and homeobox transcription factor in both cell types. These results suggest that GFRα-1-positive and GFRα-1-negative spermatogonia exist in PGP 9.5-positive spermatogonia during the early stage of pig testes spermatogenesis, and that GFRα-1 can be used for sorting PGP 9.5-expressing spermatogonia.

In general, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) play important roles in the regulation of cumulus cell expansion and oocyte maturation. We investigated the effects of supplementation of FSH or LH in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on the incidence of cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation in canine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mg/ml cysteine, 0.2 mm pyruvic acid and different concentrations of FSH or LH (control, 0.5, 5 or 50 microg/ml) at 38.5 degrees C, 5% CO(2) in air for 72 h. The cumulus cell expansion was measured by microscopic visualization, and nuclear maturation of denuded oocytes was determined by staining with 10 microg/ml Hoechst33342 for 30 min. The cumulus cell expansion in the 5 microg/ml FSH group (397.2 +/- 64.3 microm) was significantly higher than those in the control, 0.5, and 50 microg/ml FSH groups (168.3 +/- 19.1, 286.0 +/- 69.7 and 300.0 +/- 84.3 microm, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in cumulus cell expansion among the control, 0.5, 5 and 50 microg/ml LH groups (165.6 +/- 20.2, 160 +/- 26.5, 172 +/- 20.5 and 168 +/- 23.1 microm, respectively; p > 0.05). After 72 h of IVM, the proportion of nuclear development to the MI-MII stage in the 0.5 microg/ml FSH group (15.1%) was higher than those in the control, 0.5 and 50 microg/ml FSH groups (0.9%, 6.5% and 8.0%, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in nuclear maturation to the MI-MII stage among control, 0.5, 5 and 50 microg/ml LH groups (4.6%, 2.3%, 5.4% and 8.6%, respectively; p > 0.05). This study indicated that a FSH supplement in IVM medium can increase cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation, while the nuclear maturation rate remained low. Further studies are required to improve the nuclear development to the MI-MII stages in canine oocytes.

We report the thickness dependence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) and spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in Pt\Co(t)\AlO x , studied by current-induced domain wall (DW) motion and second-harmonic experiments. From the DW motion study, a monotonous decay of the effective DMI strength with an