Differential genome-wide gene expression profiling of bovine largest and second-largest follicles: identification of genes associated with growth of dominant follicles

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bovine follicular development is regulated by numerous molecular mechanisms and biological pathways. In this study, we tried to identify differentially expressed genes between largest (F1) and second-largest follicles (F2), and classify them by global gene expression profiling using a combination of microarray and quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) analysis. The follicular status of F1 and F2 were further evaluated in terms of healthy and atretic conditions by investigating mRNA localization of identified genes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Global gene expression profiles of F1 (10.7 +/- 0.7 mm) and F2 (7.8 +/- 0.2 mm) were analyzed by hierarchical cluster analysis and expression profiles of 16 representative genes were confirmed by QPCR analysis. In addition, localization of six identified transcripts was investigated in healthy and atretic follicles using in situ hybridization. The healthy or atretic condition of examined follicles was classified by progesterone and estradiol concentrations in follicular fluid.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hierarchical cluster analysis of microarray data classified the follicles into two clusters. Cluster A was composed of only F2 and was characterized by high expression of 31 genes including IGFBP5, whereas cluster B contained only F1 and predominantly expressed 45 genes including CYP19 and FSHR. QPCR analysis confirmed AMH, CYP19, FSHR, GPX3, PlGF, PLA2G1B, SCD and TRB2 were greater in F1 than F2, while CCL2, GADD45A, IGFBP5, PLAUR, SELP, SPP1, TIMP1 and TSP2 were greater in F2 than in F1. In situ hybridization showed that AMH and CYP19 were detected in granulosa cells (GC) of healthy as well as atretic follicles. PlGF was localized in GC and in the theca layer (TL) of healthy follicles. IGFBP5 was detected in both GC and TL of atretic follicles. GADD45A and TSP2 were localized in both GC and TL of atretic follicles, whereas healthy follicles expressed them only in GC.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We demonstrated that global gene expression profiling of F1 and F2 clearly reflected a difference in their follicular status. Expression of stage-specific genes in follicles may be closely associated with their growth or atresia. Several genes identified in this study will provide intriguing candidates for the determination of follicular growth.</p

The job description survey for analyzing experiences, knowledge and skills of institutional researcher in the U.S. higher education institutions

我が国において近年進む大学改革の中で，大学職員の高度専門職化は一つの重要課題となっている。特に，18歳人口減少社会を迎え，厳しい大学運営を迫られる現状においては，経営資源の有効化や，的確な大学経営判断が欠かせなくなっている。そのような中，データ分析や経営判断のための情報を集めるInstitutional Research(IR)は，様々な職種の中でも大きな注目を集めている。すでに，日本の一部大学にも広がっているが，必ずしもその形は一様でなく，全体的な定着に至るにはまだ課題もある。本論では，IRを早くから導入し，高度専門職化を進めてきたアメリカの事例から，大規模な大学の教職員の公募サイトであるHigherEdJobsを利用し，客観的な情報からIRを適切に運用するために求められる経験や能力を考察する。Professional development for the college and university’s staff is to be one of the vital issues in the recent university reform movement in Japan. Japanese higher education institutions face unfavorable financial conditions due to the decreasing 18 years old population. That make colleges and universities having management perspective for utilizing managerial resources and appropriate descion making in their management. Institutional Research (IR) is seen important work in the university administration and penetrate to Japanese higher education gradually. This study aim to point out the experiences, knowledge and skills of Institutional researcher through analyzing job description on recruiting website in U.S. as an advance case of IR

A Study for Quality Assurance of Graduate Education using Student Data : Through constructing the Integrated Database of Education and Student Learning

Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) had accepted governmental funding project “Quality Assurance for Graduate Education with International Coherence” from 2010 to 2014. We have constructed the integrated database of education and student learning for analysis of graduate education. At the viewpoint of enrollment management, this database covers huge data of education and student learning for the analysis of curriculum development and student engagement. Although some examples of such database on undergraduate education have already been conducted, our challenge will become a leading case on graduate education. As JAIST has an advanced and systematic educational system focusing on coursework, this database will become useful to improve curriculum development and student engagement. This paper describes the approach and process to construct the database, and suggests the rough results and perspectives concerning data analysis

Pulmonary Cyst

Pulmonary cysts occupy an important place among diseases of the chest. and their treatment has to be considered by taking into account the pathologic condition of each disease. We have reported here the findings obtained through clinical experience of 6 cases of intrapulmonary bronchial cyst, 36 cases of giant bulla, and 127 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax, who were operated on during the past-odd 10 years at this hospital, with regard to the concept, pathologic condition, developmental mechanism, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of each disease

Characteristics of Damages of Severe Local Storms Based on Field Surveys in Bangladesh

This paper presents field survey results on damage from severe local storms, such as tornadoes. Surveys were conducted in Bangladesh in August 2009 and August 2010 to clarify damage details, meteorological features, factors related to damage generation and spread, recovery problems experienced by local residents due to storm damage and storms prediction in local areas

Quantitative analysis of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene expression in calf and adult bovine ovaries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been reported that calf oocytes are less developmentally competent than oocytes obtained from adult cows. Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) play critical roles in folliculogenesis, follicular development and ovulation in mammalian ovaries. In the present study, we attempted to compare the expression patterns of <it>BMP15 </it>and <it>GDF9 </it>in the cells of calf and cow ovaries to determine a relationship between the level of these genes and the low developmental competence of calf oocytes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Bovine tissues were collected from 9-11 months-old calves and from 4-6 years-old cows. We characterized the gene expression of BMP15 and GDF9 in calf and adult bovine oocytes and cumulus cells using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) and <it>in situ </it>hybridization. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The expression of <it>BMP15 </it>and <it>GDF9 </it>in cumulus cells of adult ovaries was significantly higher than that in calf ovaries, as revealed by QPCR. <it>GDF9 </it>expression in the oocytes of calf ovaries was significantly higher than in those of the adult ovaries. In contrast, <it>BMP15 </it>expression in the oocytes of calf and adult ovaries was not significantly different. The localization of gene expression and protein were ascertained by histochemistry.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our result showed for the first time BMP15 and GDF9 expression in bovine cumulus cells. <it>BMP15 </it>and <it>GDF9 </it>mRNA expression in oocytes and cumulus cells was different in calves and cows.</p