The effects of ambient temperature and thermoregulation on locomotor performance of newborn Guide toad-headed lizards (Phrynocephalus putjatia)

The effect of thermal environments during embryonic development as a proximate source of variation in the fitness of offspring has been examined in a wide variety of taxa, and reptiles have been proved to be excellent mode systems for research in this field. Here, we describe a study revealing the effects of ambient temperature and thermoregulation on locomotor performance of newborn ovoviviparous lizards. A 2 (background temperatures set at 18 °C or 22 °C) × 2 (allowing thermoregulation for 14 h or 10 h daily) factorial design experiment was carried out to examine the effects of ambient temperature and thermoregulation on the locomotor performance of newborn Guide toad-headed lizards (Phrynocephalus putjatia; Agamidae). Gravid females were collected in May 2010 from a population in Guide, Qinghai, northwestern China, and were transported to our laboratory in Hangzhou. Ten to fifteen females were housed together in 1200 mm × 600 mm × 700 mm (length × width × height) communal cages, which were placed in AAPS (artificial atmospheric phenomena simulator) rooms, and contained a substrate of sand (～400 mm depth), with rocks and pieces of clay tiles provided as shelter and basking sites. One light bulb (200 W) was suspended above one end of the cage to create a thermal gradient ranging from room temperature to 60 °C for 14 h or 10 h daily, and overnight temperatures followed AAPS temperatures (18 °C or 22 °C). Food (mealworms and house crickets) dusted with multivitamins and minerals and water were provided daily. Cages were checked twice daily for neonates after the first female gave birth, and neonates were immediately collected and weighed after birth.Twenty neonates from single litters of each testament were measured at birth for locomotor performance. All running trials were conducted at a body temperature of 30 °C, which was achieved by placing the newborns in an incubator at 30 °C for 30 min prior to testing. Locomotor performance was assessed by chasing the neonates along a 2-m-long racetrack, which was placed in a room at constant 30 °C, with one side of the racetrack transparent, allowing videoing with a Panasonic NV-DS77 digital video camera. The tapes were later examined with a computer using MGI VideoWave III software for PC (MGI Software Co., Toronto, Canada) for sprint speed in the fastest 250-mm interval and the maximal length. Each individual was measured five times after birth, at 15-day intervals, until 60 days.We found that locomotor performance of neonates was affected by thermoregulating opportunity, but not by background temperature. Neonates produced by females thermoregulated for 14 h daily performed better (both sprint speed and the maximal length) in the racetrack than those produced by females thermoregulated for 10 h daily. However, the interaction between background temperature and thermoregulating opportunity was not a significant source of variation in locomotor performance. Moreover, sprint speed was positively correlated to the maximal length in newborn P. putjatia. In summary, locomotor performance is a highly fitness-related trait, and this study implies that viviparity allows female P. putjatia to provide optimal temperatures for embryo development through thermoregulation, thereby producing well-performed offspring.     

Serum selenium levels of the very low birth weight premature newborn infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

BackgroundThe selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that has a critical role in synthesis and activity of a number of selenoproteins with protective properties against free radical damage. This study was conducted to detect the serum Se concentration in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants and its association with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Materials and methodsCord blood Se concentration was determined in 54 neonates with gestation age 30 week or less. Another sample was obtained from these infants at day 28 of birth and serum Se levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. All neonates were followed for oxygen dependency at 28 day after birth and 36 week postmenstrual age.ResultsThe mean cord blood Se concentration in studied neonates was 64.78 ± 20.73 μg L^?1. Serum Se concentration was 60.33 ± 26.62 μg L^?1 at age 28-day. No significant correlation was observed for serum Se concentration at birth and at one month after birth (r = ?0.04, p = 0.72). BPD was diagnosed in 25 neonates (46%). The mean serum Se concentration at one month was 57.16 ± 29.68 μg L^?1 in patients with BPD (25 cases) and 63.27 ± 23.6 μg L^?1 in 29 patients without BPD (p = 0.40).ConclusionIn our study, serum Se concentration at 28 day of birth was lower than cord blood levels in preterm neonates, but we have not found significant difference among patients who had BPD or not with respect to serum Se concentrations at this age.     

Serum zinc levels of cord blood: Relation to birth weight and gestational period

BackgroundZn-deficiency has been associated with numerous alterations during pregnancy including low birth weight; however, the research relating neonatal zinc status and birth weight has not produced reliable results.ObjectiveTo compare the serum Zn-levels of cord blood in healthy newborns and low birth weight newborns, and to assess a possible relationship between zinc concentration and neonatal birth weight and gestational age.Material and methods123 newborns divided in “study group” (n = 50) with <2500 g birth weight neonates and “control group” (n = 73) with ≥2500 g birth weight neonates were enrolled. Study group was subdivided according to gestational age in preterm (<37 weeks) and full-term (≥37 weeks). Serum cord blood samples were collected and the Zn-levels were analyzed using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method and the result was expressed in μmol/L. The Zn-levels were compared between the groups (Mann–Whitney-U test) and the Zn-levels were correlated with the birth weight and gestational age (Spearman's rank correlations).ResultsStatistically significant low positive correlation between Zn-levels and birth weight (ρ = 0.283; p = 0.005) was found. No statistically significant difference between Zn-levels of study and control groups [17.00 ± 0.43 vs. 18.16 ± 0.32 (p = 0.053)] was found. Statistically significant low positive correlation between Zn-levels and gestational age (ρ = 0.351; p = 0.001) was found. No statistically significant difference between Zn-levels of preterm as compare to full-term newborns [16.33 ± 0.42 vs. 18.43 ± 0.93 (p = 0.079)] was found. Zn-level of preterm subgroup was significantly lower compared to control group (p = 0.001).ConclusionsDespite low birth weight preterm neonates had significantly lower serum zinc levels of cord blood than healthy term neonates, the correlation between cord blood zinc levels and birth weight and gestational age was lower. The results are not enough to relate the change in cord blood zinc concentration to the birth weight values or gestational period. In relation to complicated pregnancies, further studies regarding zinc levels in blood in our population are required.     

Factors affecting nest choice by Pekin ducks

To encourage nest use in breeder poultry flocks, it is important that nest boxes are attractive. Few studies have evaluated factors affecting nest attractiveness to ducks. We assessed the effects of nest box experience (Experiments 1 and 2) and features of nests, including degree of enclosure (Experiments 1 and 2) and the presence of an egg (Experiment 3), on nest site selection by sexually mature Pekin ducks. The hens were tested individually in pens containing different nest box choices. Nest preferences were determined based on the locations of 14 successively laid eggs. Ducks in Experiment 1 were provided with nest box access prior to the onset of lay (20 weeks of age, EXP group, N = 12) or at the time of preference testing (35 weeks of age, DELAYED-EXP group, N = 12). Delaying nest box access by 15 weeks did not significantly affect the proportion of eggs laid in nest boxes rather than on the floor (P = 0.40). Regardless of experience ducks laid more than 66% of their eggs in nest boxes offering a higher degree of enclosure. Ducks in Experiment 2 were reared with either open-top (OP, N = 12) or closed-top (CL, N = 12) boxes. Regardless of rearing condition, ducks preferred boxes with the highest level of enclosure offered. Ducks laid twice the expected proportion (25%) of eggs in CL boxes with curtains (P = 0.0004). CL boxes without curtains were used as predicted by chance, 25% (P = 0.746), while OP boxes with (P = 0.009) and without (P = 0.015) curtains each contained only half the expected number of eggs. Ducks in Experiment 3 were provided with two nest boxes, one of which contained the egg laid the previous day. Each day, the newly laid egg was marked and either placed back in the nest box where it was found (HANDLED, N = 12) or moved into the adjacent nest box (MOVED, N = 12). Ducks in HANDLED and MOVED laid 97.6% and 79.8%, respectively, of their eggs in boxes containing the previous day's egg. While ducks in HANDLED were consistent in their choice throughout the test, those in MOVED developed the preference over time (P = 0.039), suggesting that the preference for laying in a nest containing an egg may be influenced by experience. These results indicate that nest box enclosure and the presence of an egg are important in determining the nesting choices of Pekin ducks. Incorporating these features into nest boxes may be useful for increasing consistency of nest use in breeder duck flocks.     

Muscle aging and oxidative stress in wild-caught shrews

Red-toothed shrews (Soricidae, subfamily Soricinae) are an intriguing model system to examine the free-radical theory of aging in wild mammals, given their short (< 18 months) lifespan and high mass-specific metabolic rates. As muscle performance underlies both foraging ability and predator avoidance, any age-related decline should be detrimental to fitness and survival. Muscle samples of water shrews (Sorex palustris) and sympatrically distributed short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda) were therefore assessed for oxidative stress markers, protective antioxidant enzymes and apoptosis. Activity levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased with age in both species. Similarly, Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase isoform content was elevated significantly in older animals of both species (increases of 60% in the water shrew, 25% in the short-tailed shrew). Only one oxidative stress marker (lipid peroxidation) was age-elevated; the others were stable or declined (4-hydroxynonenal adducts and dihydroethidium oxidation). Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the short-tailed shrew, while catalase activity was 2× higher in water shrews. Oxidative stress indicators were on average higher in short-tailed shrews. Apoptosis occurred in < 1% of myocytes examined, and did not increase with age. Within the constraints of the sample size we found evidence of protection against elevated oxidative stress in wild-caught shrews.     

Case-control study of birth characteristics and the risk of hepatoblastoma

Background: Hepatoblastoma is a malignant embryonal tumor typically diagnosed in children younger than five years of age. Little is known on hepatoblastoma etiology. Methods: We matched California Cancer Registry records of hepatoblastomas diagnosed in children younger than age 6 from 1988 to 2007 to birth records using a probabilistic record linkage program, yielding 261 cases. Controls (n = 218,277), frequency matched by birth year to all cancer cases in California for the same time period, were randomly selected from California birth records. We examined demographic and socioeconomic information, birth characteristics, pregnancy history, complications in pregnancy, labor and delivery, and abnormal conditions and clinical procedures relating to the newborn, with study data taken from birth certificates. Results: We observed increased risks for hepatoblastoma among children with low [1500–2499 g, Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–3.15] and very low birthweight (<1500 g, OR = 15.4, 95% CI 10.7–22.3), preterm birth <33 weeks (OR = 7.27, 95% CI 5.00, 10.6), small size for gestational age (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.25–2.45), and with multiple birth pregnancies (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.54–4.14). We observed a number of pregnancy and labor complications to be related to hepatoblastoma, including preeclampsia, premature labor, fetal distress, and congenital anomalies. Conclusion: These findings confirm previously reported associations with low birthweight and preeclampsia. The relation with multiple birth pregnancies has been previously reported and may indicate a relation to infertility treatments.     

Birth weight and other perinatal factors and childhood CNS tumors: A case–control study in California

AimsWe conducted a large registry-based study in California to investigate the association of perinatal factors and childhood CNS tumors, with analysis by tumor subtype.MethodsWe linked California cancer and birth registries to obtain information on 3308 cases and 3308 controls matched on age and sex. We examined the association of birth weight, gestational age, birth order, parental ages, maternal conditions during pregnancy, newborn abnormalities and the risk of childhood CNS tumors using conditional logistic regression, with adjustment for potential confounders.ResultsThe odds ratio (OR) per 1000 g increase in birth weight was 1.11 (95% CI: 0.99–1.24) for total childhood CNS tumors, 1.17 (95% CI: 0.97–1.42) for astrocytoma and 1.28 (95% CI: 0.90–1.83) for medulloblastoma. Compared to average-for-gestational age, large-for-gestational age infants were at increased risk of glioma (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 0.99–3.48), while small-for-gestational age infants were at increased risk of ependimoma (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.10–6.30). Increased risk of childhood CNS tumors was observed for 5-year increase in maternal and paternal ages (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.00–1.12 and 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.10 respectively). Increased risk of astrocytoma was detected for 5-year increase in paternal age (OR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.00–1.16) and increased risk of glioma for maternal age ≥ 35 years old (OR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.00–3.52). Maternal genital herpes during pregnancy was associated with a pronounced increase in risk of total CNS tumors (OR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.16–6.51). Other (non-sexually transmitted) infections during pregnancy were associated with decreased risk of total CNS tumors (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09–0.85). Maternal blood/immune disorders during pregnancy were linked to increased risk of CNS tumors (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.08–4.83) and medulloblastoma (OR = 7.13, 95% CI: 0.82–61.03). Newborn CNS abnormalities were also associated with high risk of childhood CNS tumors (OR = 4.08, 95% CI: 1.13–14.76).ConclusionsOur results suggest that maternal genital herpes, blood and immunological disorders during pregnancy and newborn CNS abnormalities were associated with increased risk of CNS tumors. Maternal infections during pregnancy were associated with decreased risk of CNS tumors. Advanced maternal and paternal ages may be associated with a slightly increased risk of CNS tumors. Factors associated with CNS tumor subtypes varied by subtype, an indicator of different etiology for different subtypes.     

Reproduction and postnatal development of the bushveld gerbil Gerbilliscus (formerly Tatera) leucogaster

The reproduction and postnatal development of the bushveld gerbil Gerbilliscus (formerly Tatera) leucogaster was studied in the laboratory. Nineteen pairs produced 23 litters. Mean litter size was 3.5 and gestation was 21–22 days. Neonates weighed 3.7 g on average and were altricial. Development was slow, with eyes usually opening 16–18 days after birth, and weaning occurring by about 24 days of age. The earliest age of sexual maturity was 6.6 weeks in females and 9.9 weeks in males. A comparison with other studies of G. leucogaster, and with closely and distantly related similar-sized murid rodents, indicates that reproduction generally varies with geographic location, and that the slow postnatal development of G. leucogaster appears to be phylogenetically constrained.     

Ontogeny of the Spitzenkörper in germlings of Neurospora crassa

The Spitzenkörper (Spk) is a highly dynamic and pleomorphic complex located at the hyphal apex of filamentous fungi. Most studies revealing the structure and behavior of the Spk have been conducted on mature vegetative hyphae of filamentous fungi, including both main leading hyphae and branches. However, these reports do not address whether the observations can be extended to germ tubes. By enhanced phase-contrast video-microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy we have analyzed the intracellular changes prior to the appearance of a Spk in germlings of Neurospora crassa. Observations began at the early stages of spore germination and were carried out until a conspicuous Spk could be observed at the apex of germ tubes. Before a Spk could be observed, young germ tubes (<150 μm) displayed a uniform distribution of organelles such as nuclei, mitochondria, and cytoplasmic granules along the length of the cells. Once the germlings started reaching lengths of more than approximately 150 μm, visible organelles experienced a displacement towards the subapical region of the cell and a small exclusion zone free of organelles (0.6 ± 0.3 μm) formed at the apex. The position of this exclusion zone within the apex seemed to determine the germling growth direction, which was highly erratic. Few minutes after it first appeared, upon growth of the germling, the exclusion zone started to become occupied by an accumulation of material that gradually concentrated into a light gray body that we describe as an immature Spk. During this phase the presence of a Spk in the apical dome was not constant. Approximately 30 min later, the immature Spk became more robust and gradually acquired its typical phase-dark appearance, while the growth direction of the germ tube became less wavering. The formation of a mature phase-dark Spk coincided with the stabilization of the growth direction of the germling, therefore suggesting that it is at this stage when the transition from germling to vegetative hypha occurs.     

Nest architecture development of grass-cutting ants

Atta bisphaerica is a species of grass-cutting ants commonly found in the Cerrado biome. The Brazilian Cerrado (savanna) biome covers 2 million km representing 23% of the area of the country. It is an ancient biome with rich biodiversity, estimated at 160,000 species of plants, fungi and animals. However, little is known about their nest architecture development. This study investigated the architecture of fourteen A. bisphaerica nests from Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Molds were made of the nests by filling them with cement to allow better visualization of internal structures such as chambers and tunnels. After excavation, the depth and dimensions (length, width, and height) of the chambers were measured. As expected, there was a lateral development in the nests and increase in the number of chambers over time. Results showed that in nests with an estimated age of 14 months, the average depth was 1.6 ± 0.4 m; for those with 18 months it was 2.2 ± 0.7 m and at 28 months it was 2.5 ± 0.7 m. The number of chambers varied from 4 to 7 in 28-month nests, 2 to 4 in 18-month nests, and from 2 to 3 in 14-month nests. With respect to the dimensions of the internal tunnels, there were variations in their average width, increasing with time. The fungus chambers were located beneath the largest mound of loose soil. This study contributes to a better understanding of the so far unknown nest architecture development of A. bisphaerica grass-cutting ants.     

Birth weight and subsequent risk of cancer

Background: We aimed to determine the association between self-reported birth weight and incident cancer in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study cohort, a large multiethnic cohort of postmenopausal women. Methods: 65,850 women reported their birth weight by category (<6 lbs, 6–7 lbs 15 oz, 8–9 lbs 15 oz, and ≥10 lbs). All self-reported, incident cancers were adjudicated by study staff. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for associations between birth weight and: (1) all cancer sites combined, (2) gynecologic cancers, and (3) several site-specific cancer sites. Results: After adjustments, birth weight was positively associated with the risk of lung cancer (p = 0.01), and colon cancer (p = 0.04). An inverse trend was observed between birth weight and risk for leukemia (p = 0.04). A significant trend was not observed with breast cancer risk (p = 0.67); however, women born weighing ≥10 lbs were less likely to develop breast cancer compared to women born between 6 lbs-7 lbs 15 oz (aHR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63, 0.94). Conclusion: Birth weight category appears to be significantly associated with the risk of any postmenopausal incident cancer, though the direction of the association varies by cancer type.     

Circulating soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) as diagnostic and prognostic marker in neonatal sepsis

ObjectiveTriggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is an important receptor involved in the innate inflammatory response and sepsis. We assessed soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) in 112 septic neonates (63 culture-positive and 49 culture-negative) and 40 healthy controls as a potential early diagnostic and prognostic marker for neonatal sepsis (NS).MethodsStudied neonates were evaluated for early- or late-onset sepsis using clinical and laboratory indicators upon admission. sTREM-1 was measured on initial sepsis evaluation and at 48 h after antibiotic therapy. For ethical reasons, cord blood samples were collected from control neonates and only samples from neonates that proved to be healthy by clinical examination and laboratory analysis were further analyzed for sTREM-1.ResultsBaseline sTREM-1 levels were significantly elevated in culture-proven (1461.1 ± 523 pg/mL) and culture-negative sepsis (1194 ± 485 pg/mL) compared to controls (162.2 ± 61 pg/mL) with no significant difference between both septic groups. Culture-positive or negative septic preterm neonates had significantly higher sTREM-1 compared to full term neonates. sTREM-1 was significantly higher in neonates with early sepsis than late sepsis and was associated with high mortality. sTREM-1 was significantly decreased 48 h after antibiotic therapy compared to baseline or levels in neonates with persistently positive cultures. sTREM-1 was positively correlated to white blood cells (WBCs), absolute neutrophil count, immature/total neutrophil (I/T) ratio, C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and sepsis score while negatively correlated to gestational age and weight. hs-CRP and sepsis score were independently related to sTREM-1 in multiregression analysis. sTREM-1 cutoff value of 310 pg/mL could be diagnostic for NS with 100% sensitivity and specificity (AUC, 1.0 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.696–1.015) while the cutoff value 1100 pg/mL was predictive of survival with 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity (AUC, 0.978 and 95% CI, 0.853–1.13). However, hs-CRP cutoff 13.5 mg/L could be diagnostic for NS with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 72% (AUC, 0.762 and 95% CI, 0.612–0.925) and levels were not related to survival as no significant difference was found between dead and alive septic neonates.ConclusionsElevated sTREM-1 could be considered an early marker for NS that reflects sepsis severity and poor prognosis.     

Shifts in thermoregulatory strategy during ontogeny in harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus)

Heat balance can be difficult for young and/or small animals in polar regions because environmental conditions in combination with small body size or physiological immaturity can increase heat loss. We investigated how thermoregulatory patterns change with ontogeny in 5 age classes of harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) from birth to post-molt to further understand the timing of thermoregulatory development in relation to their potential vulnerability to ongoing fluctuations in the extent and stability of Arctic pack ice. We measured changes in the amount, conductivity, and resistance of the seal pups׳ insulative layers (blubber and fur), the potential for endogenous heat-generation by shivering (muscle enzyme activity), and nonshivering thermogenesis (NST; brown adipose tissue (BAT) uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression and mitochondrial density). There was no significant difference in blubber conductivity among age classes, though the amount of blubber insulation significantly increased from birth to weaning. Pelage conductivity was low (0.12±0.01 W m⁻¹ °C⁻¹) except in 9-day old pups (0.40±0.08 W m⁻¹ °C⁻¹); the significantly higher conductivity may signal the beginning of the molt, and this age group may be the most vulnerable to early water entry. Citrate synthase activity significantly increased (49.68±3.26 to 75.08±3.52 μmol min⁻¹ g wet weight⁻¹) in the muscle; however it is unlikely that increasing a single enzyme greatly impacts heat generation. BAT of younger pups contained UCP1, though expression and mitochondrial density quickly declined, and the ability of pups to produce heat via NST was lost by weaning. While total thermal resistance did not differ, neonatal and early nursing animals gained the majority of their thermal resistance from lanugo (82.5±0.03%); however, lanugo is not insulative when wet, and NST may be important to maintain euthermia and dry the coat if early immersion in water occurs. By late nursing, blubber seems sufficient as insulation (75.87±0.01% of resistance after 4 weeks), but high conductivity of fur may be responsible for retention of UCP1 expression. Weaned animals rely on blubber insulation, and no longer need NST, as wetted fur is no longer a threat to euthermia.     

Changes in carotenoid and chlorophyll content of black tomatoes (Lycopersicone sculentum L.) during storage at various temperatures

Black tomatoes have a unique color and higher lycopene content than typical red tomatoes. Here, black tomatoes were investigated how maturation stage and storage temperature affected carotenoid and chlorophyll accumulation. Immature fruits were firmer than mature fruits, but failed to develop their distinctive color and contained less lycopene when stored at 8 °C. Hunter a^* values of black tomatoes increased with storage temperature and duration; storage of immature fruits at high temperature favored lycopene accumulation. Chlorophyll levels of black tomatoes declined during storage, but differences between mature and immature tomatoes stored at 12 °C were minimal. β-Carotene levels of black tomatoes increased during early storage, but rapidly declined beginning 13 d post-harvest. The highest lycopene and chlorophyll levels were observed in mature black tomatoes stored at 12 °C for 13 d; these conditions also yielded the best quality fruit. Thus, the unique pigmentation properties of black tomatoes can be precisely controlled by standardizing storage conditions.     

The emergence of technology: A cultural step or long-term evolution?

There are two hypotheses to explain the emergence of the technical behaviour: (1) a sudden and fast appearance across the African continent; (2) a long period of emergence and consolidation before it began to spread. We defend this second hypothesis and suggest that the hominid project started around 3 Myr ago, with a ‘biofunctional’ stage. Later than 2.5 Myr, the ‘biomorphotechnical’ stage began (Mode 1), and, at around 1.7 Myr, another stage emerged and developed: the ‘biopotential’ stage (Mode 2). All these stages consist of a two-part process: innovation/emergence, and socialization/generalization of a technical mode.     

Development to the blastocyst stage of immature pig oocytes arrested before the metaphase-II stage and fertilized in vitro

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryonic development of mature and meiotically arrested porcine oocytes were compared in the present study. After in vitro maturation (IVM) of cumulus-oocyte complexes for 48 h, 75.4% of them extruded a visible polar body (PB). Most of the oocytes with a first polar body (PB+ group) were at the metaphase-II (M-II) stage (91.4%). Most of the oocytes without a visible polar body (PB− group) appeared to be arrested at the germinal vesicle (GV) (41.6%) and metaphase-I (M-I) (34.0%) stages. After IVF of oocytes (day of IVF = Day 0), there was no difference between PB⁺ and PB⁻ groups in rates of sperm penetration, mono-spermy, however oocyte activation rate after penetration was greater in the PB+ than in the PB− group (P < 0.05). On Day 2, there was no difference between rates of embryos cleaved at the 2–4 cell stages in PB+ and PB− groups (42.1 ± 48.8% and 33.6 ± 2.1%, respectively). On Day 4, the rate of PB+ embryos developing beyond the 4-cell stage was greater than that of PB− embryos (P < 0.05, 31.7 ± 3.9% and 14.1 ± 1.5%, respectively), and PB+ embryos had more cells than the PB− embryos (P < 0.05, 8.3 ± 0.4 and 6.0 ± 0.8 cells, respectively). On Day 6, a greater proportion of PB+ embryos developed to the blastocyst stage than did PB− embryos (P < 0.05, 34.6 ± 2.4% and 20.7 ± 2.8%, respectively). However, when the GV oocytes of the PB− group were not included in recalculations, there was no difference in blastocyst rates between M-I arrested and M-II oocytes (35.3 and 34.6%, respectively). The number of blastomere nuclei in embryos obtained from the PB+ group (52.0 ± 2.5) was greater than that from the PB− group (P < 0.05, 29.1 ± 2.8). The proportion of degenerated parts in the blastocysts, as determined by morphological appearance, was the same in the PB+ and PB− groups. Although the quality of PB+ embryos was enhanced as compared with that of the PB− group, the proportion of inner cell mass and trophectoderm cells in PB+ and PB− blastocysts did not differ (1:1.9 and 1:2.2, respectively). Chromosome analysis revealed that PB+ blastocysts had more diploidy (P < 0.05, 69.7%) than did PB− blastocysts (44.0%), whereas PB− blastocysts had more triploid cells (P < 0.05, 34.0%) than did PB+ oocytes (8.4%). These results indicate that pig oocytes arrested before the M-II stage (M-I oocytes) undergo cytoplasmic maturation during maturation culture and have the same ability to develop to blastocysts after IVF as M-II oocytes, but some of them resulted in degeneration or delayed development with poor embryo quality.     

The effect of oxidative stress on nucleotide-excision repair in colon tissue of newborn piglets

Nucleotide-excision repair (NER) is important for the maintenance of genomic integrity and to prevent the onset of carcinogenesis. Oxidative stress was previously found to inhibit NER in vitro, and dietary antioxidants could thus protect DNA not only by reducing levels of oxidative DNA damage, but also by protecting NER against oxidative stress-induced inhibition. To obtain further insight in the relation between oxidative stress and NER activity in vivo, oxidative stress was induced in newborn piglets by means of intra-muscular injection of iron (200 mg) at day 3 after birth. Indeed, injection of iron significantly increased several markers of oxidative stress, such as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) levels in colon DNA and urinary excretion of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua). In parallel, the influence of maternal supplementation with an antioxidant-enriched diet was investigated in their offspring. Supplementation resulted in reduced iron concentrations in the colon (P = 0.004) at day 7 and a 40% reduction of 8-oxodG in colon DNA (P = 0.044) at day 14 after birth. NER capacity in animals that did not receive antioxidants was significantly reduced to 32% at day 7 compared with the initial NER capacity on day 1 after birth. This reduction in NER capacity was less pronounced in antioxidant-supplemented piglets (69%). Overall, these data indicate that NER can be reduced by oxidative stress in vivo, which can be compensated for by antioxidant supplementation.     

Association of naturally acquired IgG antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen-5 with reduced placental parasitemia and normal birth weight in pregnant Ugandan women: A pilot study

Plasmodium falciparum infection during pregnancy contributes substantially to malaria burden in both mothers and offspring. Analysis of naturally acquired immune responses that confer protection against parasitemia and clinical disease is important to guide vaccine evaluation as well as identify immune correlates. Unfortunately, few studies have addressed the relationship between immune responses to malaria vaccine candidate antigens and protection against adverse effects on pregnant women and newborn birth weight. This study examines the relationship of maternal antibody responses to serine repeat antigen-5 (SE36) and merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1₁₉ and MSP1₄₂) with placental parasitemia and birth weight. In a peri-urban setting in Uganda, pregnant women without placental parasites have high median ODs for antibodies against SE36 (P < 0.001). Naturally acquired anti-SE36 IgG was most prevalent in women without placental parasitemia (P < 0.001). Furthermore, pregnant women with significantly high levels of anti-SE36 IgG delivered babies with normal birth weights (P < 0.001). That antibody to SE36 was associated with both a reduced risk of placental parasitemia and resulting normal birth weight in newborns suggests some protective role. In contrast, although antibody to MSP1₄₂ was also associated with reduced placental parasitemia and immune responses to both MSP1₁₉ and MSP1₄₂ may be of importance, there was no association between anti-MSP1₁₉ antibodies and infant birth weight outcomes. This study highlights the need for conducting further studies to investigate the association of antibodies against SE36 and outcomes of malaria infection in pregnant women.     

CYP1A2 genetic polymorphisms and adenocarcinoma lung cancer risk in the Tunisian population

AimsIn this study, the effects of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), ? 3860G > A, ? 2467delT, ? 739T > G and ? 163C > A, of CYP1A2 gene on lung cancer were evaluated in Tunisian population.Main methodsFour polymorphisms of CYP1A2 gene were analysed in 109 healthy smokers and in 101 lung cancer cases, including 63 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 41 with adenocarcinoma (AD). The genotyping for the SNPs ? 3860 G > A, ? 2467delT, ? 739T > G and ? 163C > A was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Key findingsThe results showed that smokers with CYP1A2 gene polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk for the development of lung AD. There was however no significant increased risk of developing lung SCC in smokers having CYP1A2 gene polymorphisms. An increased risk of developing AD was observed in smokers who are carriers of at least one copy of ? 3680A or ? 739G giving a significant odds ratio (OR) of 6.02 (CI = 2.91–12.9) and 3.01 (CI = 1.54–5.98), respectively.SignificanceThese genotyping data are consistent with the hypothesis that tobacco-specific-N-nitrosamines (TSN) such as 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) are major contributors to the development of lung AD and that CYP1A2 gene product plays an important role in the metabolic activation of NNK. This study suggests that SNPs of CYP1A2 could be considered as promising biomarkers in the aetiology of lung AD in smokers.     

Time trends in educational differences in lung and upper aero digestive tract cancer mortality in France between 1990 and 2007

Background: We investigated the magnitude of educational differences in lung and upper aero digestive tract (UADT) cancer mortality in France from 1990 to 2007. Methods: The analyses were based on census data from a representative sample of the French population. Educational level was used as the indicator for socioeconomic status. Educational differences in mortality from lung and UADT cancer were calculated among people aged 30–74 and by birth cohort. Two periods were compared: 1990–1998 and 1999–2007. Mortality rates, hazard ratios and relative indices of inequality (RII) were computed. Results: We found higher lung and UADT cancer mortality among those with less education. Inequalities in male UADT cancer mortality remained stable over time (RII_1990–1998 = 0.21 (95% confidence interval 0.15–0.29); RII_1999–2007 = 0.17 (0.11–0.26)) whereas inequalities in lung cancer mortality increased among the younger men (RII_1990–1998 = 0.48 (0.28–0.83); RII_1999–2007 = 0.16 (0.09–0.31)). Among women, inequalities in lung cancer mortality became apparent during the second period with higher mortality among those with less education. This trend was exclusively driven by the younger women, among whom inequalities reached about the same magnitude as among younger men (RII_1999–2007 = 0.21 (0.08–0.56)). Conclusion: UADT cancer mortality rates strongly decreased over time for every educational level. This implies that the burden of health associated with socioeconomic inequalities in UADT cancer mortality decreased substantially. Inequalities in lung cancer mortality are increasing among the younger generation and are expected to increase even more. Differences in magnitude of inequalities among men and women may disappear in the coming decades.