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1.
Sina Saari Ana Andjelković Geovana S. Garcia Howard T. Jacobs Marcos T. Oliveira 《BMC developmental biology》2017,17(1):9
Background
Mitochondrial alternative respiratory-chain enzymes are phylogenetically widespread, and buffer stresses affecting oxidative phosphorylation in species that possess them. However, they have been lost in the evolutionary lineages leading to vertebrates and arthropods, raising the question as to what survival or reproductive disadvantages they confer. Recent interest in using them in therapy lends a biomedical dimension to this question.Methods
Here, we examined the impact of the expression of Ciona intestinalis alternative oxidase, AOX, on the reproductive success of Drosophila melanogaster males. Sperm-competition assays were performed between flies carrying three copies of a ubiquitously expressed AOX construct, driven by the α-tubulin promoter, and wild-type males of the same genetic background.Results
In sperm-competition assays, AOX conferred a substantial disadvantage, associated with decreased production of mature sperm. Sperm differentiation appeared to proceed until the last stages, but was spatially deranged, with spermatozoids retained in the testis instead of being released to the seminal vesicle. High AOX expression was detected in the outermost cell-layer of the testis sheath, which we hypothesize may disrupt a signal required for sperm maturation.Conclusions
AOX expression in Drosophila thus has effects that are deleterious to male reproductive function. Our results imply that AOX therapy must be developed with caution.2.
Jumeau Fanny Fernandez-Gomez Francisco-Jose Eddarkaoui Sabiha Duban-Deweer Sophie Buée Luc Béhal Hélène Sergeant Nicolas Mitchell Valérie 《Andrologie》2018,28(1):10
Background
The limitations of conventional sperm analyses have highlighted the need for additional means of evaluating sperm quality.Methods
In a study of a cohort of 245 men with known conventional sperm parameters, one-dimensional PAGE was used to monitor protein content and quality in samples from individual ejaculates.Results
The sperm protein content varied markedly from sample to another, especially in the high-molecular-weight range. The intensity of the 80–110 kDa bands was correlated with progressive motility (r?=?0.15, p?=?0.015) and was significantly higher (p?=?0.0367) in the group of men with conventional parameters above the World Health Organization’s 2010 reference values than in the group with at least one subnormal parameter (i.e. semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm count per ejaculate, progressive motility, proportion of normal forms or multiple anomaly index below the lower reference value). Using mass spectrometry, the 80–110 kDa bands were found to correspond primarily to three proteins from the flagellum’s fibrous sheath: A-kinase anchor protein 4, A-kinase anchor protein 3, and spermatogenic cell-specific type 1 hexokinase.Conclusion
One-dimensional PAGE constitutes a simple, rapid, reliable, inexpensive method for analyzing proteins associated with sperm motility in individual human ejaculates.3.
Background
Fertilization in Caenorhabditis elegans requires functional SPE-9 protein in sperm. SPE-9 is a transmembrane protein with a predicted extracellular domain that contains ten epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like motifs. The presence of these EGF-like motifs suggests that SPE-9 is likely to function in gamete adhesive and/or ligand-receptor interactions.Results
We obtained specific antisera directed against different regions of SPE-9 in order to determine its subcellular localization. SPE-9 is segregated to spermatids with a pattern that is consistent with localization to the plasma membrane. During spermiogenesis, SPE-9 becomes localized to spiky projections that coalesce to form a pseudopod. This leads to an accumulation of SPE-9 on the pseudopod of mature sperm.Conclusions
The wild type localization patterns of SPE-9 provide further evidence that like the sperm of other species, C. elegans sperm have molecularly mosaic and dynamic regions. SPE-9 is redistributed by what is likely to be a novel mechanism that is very fast (~5 minutes) and is coincident with dramatic rearrangements in the major sperm protein cytoskeleton. We conclude that SPE-9 ends up in a location on mature sperm where it can function during fertilization and this localization defines the sperm region required for these interactions.4.
Francesca Scolari Boaz Yuval Ludvik M Gomulski Marc F Schetelig Paolo Gabrieli Federico Bassetti Ernst A Wimmer Anna R Malacrida Giuliano Gasperi 《BMC genetics》2014,15(Z2):S10
Background
In the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, a highly invasive agricultural pest species, polyandry, associated with sperm precedence, is a recurrent behaviour in the wild. The absence of tools for the unambiguous discrimination between competing sperm from different males in the complex female reproductive tract has strongly limited the understanding of mechanisms controlling sperm dynamics and use.Results
Here we use transgenic medfly lines expressing green or red fluorescent proteins in the spermatozoa, which can be easily observed and unambiguously differentiated within the female fertilization chamber. In twice-mated females, one day after the second mating, sperm from the first male appeared to be homogenously distributed all over the distal portion of each alveolus within the fertilization chamber, whereas sperm from the second male were clearly concentrated in the central portion of each alveolus. This distinct stratified sperm distribution was not maintained over time, as green and red sperm appeared homogeneously mixed seven days after the second mating. This dynamic sperm storage pattern is mirrored by the paternal contribution in the progeny of twice-mated females.Conclusions
Polyandrous medfly females, unlike Drosophila, conserve sperm from two different mates to fertilize their eggs. From an evolutionary point of view, the storage of sperm in a stratified pattern by medfly females may initially favour the fresher ejaculate from the second male. However, as the second male's sperm gradually becomes depleted, the sperm from the first male becomes increasingly available for fertilization. The accumulation of sperm from different males will increase the overall genetic variability of the offspring and will ultimately affect the effective population size. From an applicative point of view, the dynamics of sperm storage and their temporal use by a polyandrous female may have an impact on the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Indeed, even if the female's last mate is sterile, an increasing proportion of sperm from a previous mating with a fertile male may contribute to sire viable progeny.5.
Thijs Welle Anna T. Hoekstra Ineke A. J. J. M. Daemen Celia R. Berkers Matheus O. Costa 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2017,13(7):83
Introduction
Swine dysentery caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is a production limiting disease in pig farming. Currently antimicrobial therapy is the only treatment and control method available.Objective
The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolic response of porcine colon explants to infection by B. hyodysenteriae.Methods
Porcine colon explants exposed to B. hyodysenteriae were analyzed for histopathological, metabolic and pro-inflammatory gene expression changes.Results
Significant epithelial necrosis, increased levels of l-citrulline and IL-1α were observed on explants infected with B. hyodysenteriae.Conclusions
The spirochete induces necrosis in vitro likely through an inflammatory process mediated by IL-1α and NO.6.
Korey J. Brownstein Mahmoud Gargouri William R. Folk David R. Gang 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2017,13(11):133
Introduction
Botanicals containing iridoid and phenylethanoid/phenylpropanoid glycosides are used worldwide for the treatment of inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions that are primary causes of human years lived with disability, such as arthritis and lower back pain.Objectives
We report the analysis of candidate anti-inflammatory metabolites of several endemic Scrophularia species and Verbascum thapsus used medicinally by peoples of North America.Methods
Leaves, stems, and roots were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed in MetaboAnalyst 3.0 after processing the datasets in Progenesis QI.Results
Comparison of the datasets revealed significant and differential accumulation of iridoid and phenylethanoid/phenylpropanoid glycosides in the tissues of the endemic Scrophularia species and Verbascum thapsus.Conclusions
Our investigation identified several species of pharmacological interest as good sources for harpagoside and other important anti-inflammatory metabolites.7.
Jude D Bigoga Lucien Manga Vincent PK Titanji Maureen Coetzee Rose GF Leke 《Malaria journal》2007,6(1):5
Background
Malaria is a major public health problem in Cameroon. Unlike in the southern forested areas where the epidemiology of malaria has been better studied prior to the implementation of control activities, little is known about the distribution and role of anophelines in malaria transmission in the coastal areas.Methods
A 12-month longitudinal entomological survey was conducted in Tiko, Limbe and Idenau from August 2001 to July 2002. Mosquitoes captured indoors on human volunteers were identified morphologically. Species of the Anopheles gambiae complex were identified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mosquito infectivity was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and PCR. Malariometric indices (plasmodic index, gametocytic index, parasite species prevalence) were determined in three age groups (<5 yrs, 5–15 yrs, >15 yrs) and followed-up once every three months.Results
In all, 2,773 malaria vectors comprising Anopheles gambiae (78.2%), Anopheles funestus (17.4%) and Anopheles nili (7.4%) were captured. Anopheles melas was not anthropophagic. Anopheles gambiae had the highest infection rates. There were 287, 160 and 149 infective bites/person/year in Tiko, Limbe and Idenau, respectively. Anopheles gambiae accounted for 72.7%, An. funestus for 23% and An. nili for 4.3% of the transmission. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was 41.5% in children <5 years of age, 31.5% in those 5–15 years and 10.5% in those >15 years, and Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant parasite species.Conclusion
Malaria transmission is perennial, rainfall dependent and An. melas does not contribute to transmission. These findings are important in the planning and implementation of malaria control activities in coastal Cameroon and West Africa.8.
Nicholas J. Bond Albert Koulman Julian L. Griffin Zoe Hall 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2017,13(11):128
Introduction
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) experiments result in complex multi-dimensional datasets, which require specialist data analysis tools.Objectives
We have developed massPix—an R package for analysing and interpreting data from MSI of lipids in tissue.Methods
massPix produces single ion images, performs multivariate statistics and provides putative lipid annotations based on accurate mass matching against generated lipid libraries.Results
Classification of tissue regions with high spectral similarly can be carried out by principal components analysis (PCA) or k-means clustering.Conclusion
massPix is an open-source tool for the analysis and statistical interpretation of MSI data, and is particularly useful for lipidomics applications.9.
Monique Weemstra Frank J. Sterck Eric J. W. Visser Thomas W. Kuyper Leo Goudzwaard Liesje Mommer 《Plant and Soil》2017,415(1-2):175-188
Aim
The fine roots of trees may show plastic responses to their resource environment. Several, contrasting hypotheses exist on this plasticity, but empirical evidence for these hypotheses is scattered. This study aims to enhance our understanding of tree root plasticity by examining intra-specific variation in fine-root mass and morphology, fine-root growth and decomposition, and associated mycorrhizal interactions in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests on soils that differ in resource availability.Methods
We measured the mass and morphological traits of fine roots (i.e. ≤ 2 mm diameter) sampled to 50 cm depth. Fine-root growth was measured with ingrowth cores, and fine-root decomposition with litter bags. Mycorrhizal fungal biomass was determined using ingrowth mesh bags.Results
Both tree species showed more than three times higher fine-root mass, and a ten-fold higher fine-root growth rate on sand than on clay, but no or marginal differences in overall fine-root morphology. Within the fine-root category however, beech stands had relatively more root length of their finest roots on clay than on sand. In the spruce stands, ectomycorrhizal mycelium biomass was larger on sand than on clay.Conclusions
In temperate beech and spruce forests, fine-root mass and mycorrhizal fungal biomass, rather than fine-root morphology, are changed to ensure uptake under different soil resource conditions. Yet enhancing our mechanistic understanding of fine-root trait plasticity and how it affects tree growth requires more attention to fine-root dynamics, the functional diversity within the fine-roots, and mycorrhizal symbiosis as an important belowground uptake strategy.10.
Ying-ge Wang Jin-mei Cheng Hai-bo Ding Xi Lin Guo-hao Chen Mei Zhou Sheng-nan Ye 《Mycopathologia》2018,183(3):551-558
Objective
To improve the diagnosis and treatment of Penicilliosis marneffei without human immunodeficiency virus infection.Methods
Analyze and review the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of six cases of P. marneffei without human immunodeficiency virus infection at The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University.Results
Two cases were diagnosed in the ENT Department, three cases in the respiratory department and one case in the dermatological department. Penicillium marneffei infection was confirmed by sputum culture, blood culture and tissue biopsy. After definite diagnosis, one refused further treatment, and others showed significant improvement.Conclusion
Penicilliosis marneffei is insidious onset and easy to be escaped and misdiagnosed. To achieve early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, doubtful cases should be alerted for the diagnoses as P. marneffei.11.
Heidi A. Waddell Richard J. Simpson Megan H. Ryan Hans Lambers Denys L. Garden Alan E. Richardson 《Plant and Soil》2017,412(1-2):7-19
Aims
Rytidosperma species are native Australian grasses which have different growth rates and phosphorus (P) requirements. This study examined the role of root morphology traits in response to P supply.Methods
Nine Rytidosperma species ranging from slow- to fast-growth were examined along with Lolium perenne and Bromus hordeaceus. Plants were grown in a glasshouse for 47 days in soil supplied with six levels of P between 0 and 60 mg P per pot. Root mass, length and diameter, root hair length and density, and extent of mycorrhizal colonisation were measured.Results
Across all species there was a positive correlation (P < 0.001) between P uptake and root mass, length and root hair cylinder volume (RHCV; estimated using root diameter, root hair length and root length) at all levels of P supply. An exception was the RHCV of B. hordeaceus, where expected P uptake was not achieved due to a markedly reduced root length at low-P supply. For the Rytidosperma species, morphological plasticity for specific root length, root mass fraction and root hair length ranged from 1.5-fold to 2.7-fold between high- and low-P supply. However, across all species and P levels no single root morphological trait was identified for universally increasing the size of the root system and P uptake.Conclusions
Fast-growing species took up more P as a result of an overall larger root mass, greater root length and larger RHCV.12.
Masato Tashiro Kiyohide Fushimi Kei Kawano Takahiro Takazono Tomomi Saijo Kazuko Yamamoto Shintaro Kurihara Yoshifumi Imamura Taiga Miyazaki Katsunori Yanagihara Hiroshi Mukae Koichi Izumikawa 《BMC pulmonary medicine》2017,17(1):219
Background
There is conflicting evidence regarding the benefit of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. We hypothesised that corticosteroid therapy could reduce mortality and length of stay (LOS) in such patients.Methods
Adult patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia from January 2010 to December 2013 were identified from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database. The effects of low-dose and high-dose corticosteroid therapies on mortality, LOS, drug costs and hyperglycaemia requiring insulin treatment were evaluated using propensity score analyses.Results
Eligible patients (n?=?2228) from 630 hospitals were divided into no-corticosteroid (n?=?1829), low-dose corticosteroid (n?=?267) and high-dose corticosteroid (n?=?132) groups. The propensity score-matched pairs were generated from no-corticoid and low-dose corticoid groups (251 pairs), or no-corticoid and high-dose corticosteroid groups (120 pairs). Adjunctive corticosteroid therapy did not decrease 30-day mortality. In addition, both low-dose and high-dose corticosteroid therapies were associated with increases in LOS. Furthermore, hyperglycaemia requiring insulin treatment and drug cost increased with corticosteroid use.Conclusions
Adjunctive treatment with low-dose or high-dose corticosteroids may not be beneficial in M. pneumoniae pneumonia.13.
Background
Physical objects like vegetation can influence oviposition by mosquitoes on soil or water substrates. Anopheles gambiae s. l. is generally thought to utilize puddles over bare soil as its prime larval habitat and to avoid standing water populated with vegetation. In Kisian, Kenya near Kisumu, water often pools in grassy drainage areas both during and after periods of infrequent rains, when typical puddle habitats become scarce because of drying. This raised the question of whether An. gambiae has the behavioural flexibility to switch ovipositional sites when puddles over bare soil are unavailable.Methods
To test whether presence and height of grasses influenced oviposition, wild-caught gravid An. gambiae s. l. were offered paired choices between wet, bare soil and wet soil populated with mixed grasses or grasses of differing height. No-choice tests were also conducted by giving females either grassy soil or bare soil.Results
In choice tests, females laid four times more eggs on bare, wet soil than soil populated with grasses. However in no-choice tests, egg output was not significantly different whether grasses were present or not. Females laid significantly more eggs on soil populated with short grass than with medium, or tall grass.Conclusion
This work shows An. gambiae s. l. has the capacity to oviposit into grassy aquatic habitats when typical puddles over bare soil are unavailable. This knowledge will need to be considered in the design and implementation of programmes aimed at reducing malaria transmission by suppression of An. gambiae s. l. immatures.14.
Objectives
To develop a versatile Trichoderma reesei (teleomorph Hypocrea jecorina) expression system for the high-purity production of heterologous proteins.Results
The versatile T. reesei expression system is based on xyn1 and xyn2 promoters, A824V transition in XYRI, and a bicomponent carbon source strategy. Red fluorescent protein gene rfp and alkaline endoglucanase EGV gene egv3 from Humicola insolens were used as reporter genes to test our versatile expression systemConclusions
The versatile T. reesei expression system can be applied to produce heterologous proteins with high purity and high yield.15.
Yanping Zhou Wiktor Lisowski Yan Zhou Ng Wun Jern Kama Huang Eileen Fong 《Biotechnology letters》2017,39(10):1509-1514
Objectives
To improve its phosphate accumulating abilities for phosphate recycling from wastewater, a magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense, was genetically modified to over-express polyphosphate kinase.Results
Polyphosphate kinase was over-expressed in the bacterium. The recombinant strain accumulated ninefold more polyphosphate from synthetic wastewater compared to original wild type. The magnetic property of the recombinant M. gryphiswaldense strain was retained.Conclusions
The recombinant M. gryphiswaldense can be used for phosphate removal and recovery in bioremediation.16.
Zexi Cai Trine Michelle Villumsen Torben Asp Bernt Guldbrandtsen Goutam Sahana Mogens Sandø Lund 《BMC genetics》2018,19(1):103
Background
Identification of genes underlying production traits is a key aim of the mink research community. Recent availability of genomic tools have opened the possibility for faster genetic progress in mink breeding. Availability of mink genome assembly allows genome-wide association studies in mink.Results
In this study, we used genotyping-by-sequencing to obtain single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes of 2496 mink. After multiple rounds of filtering, we retained 28,336 high quality SNPs and 2352 individuals for a genome-wide association study (GWAS). We performed the first GWAS for body weight, behavior, along with 10 traits related to fur quality in mink.Conclusions
Combining association results with existing functional information of genes and mammalian phenotype databases, we proposed WWC3, MAP2K4, SLC7A1 and USP22 as candidate genes for body weight and pelt length in mink.17.
Marco Graziano Raul Benito Josep V. Planas Arjan P. Palstra 《BMC developmental biology》2018,18(1):10
Background
Male European seabass, already predominant (~?70%) in cultured stocks, show a high incidence (20–30%) of precocious sexual maturation under current aquaculture practices, leading to important economic losses for the industry. In view of the known modulation of reproductive development by swimming exercise in other teleost species, we aimed at investigating the effects of sustained swimming on reproductive development in seabass males during the first year of life in order to determine if swimming could potentially reduce precocious sexual maturation.Methods
Pre-pubertal seabass (3.91?±?0.22 g of body weight (BW)) were subjected to a 10 week swimming regime at their optimal swimming speed (Uopt) in an oval-shaped Brett-type flume or kept at rest during this period. Using Blazka-type swim tunnels, Uopt was determined three times during the course of the experiment: 0.66 m s??1 at 19?±?1 g BW, 10.2?±?0.2 cm of standard length (SL) (week 1); 0.69 m s??1 at 38?±?3 g BW, 12.7?±?0.3 cm SL (week 5), and also 0.69 m s??1 at 77?±?7 g BW, 15.7?±?0.5 cm SL (week 9). Every 2 weeks, size and gonadal weight were monitored in the exercised (N?=?15) and non-exercised fish (N?=?15). After 10 weeks, exercised and non-exercised males were sampled to determine plasma 11-ketotestosterone levels, testicular mRNA expression levels of genes involved in steroidogenesis and gametogenesis by qPCR, as well as the relative abundance of germ cells representing the different spermatogenic stages by histological examination.Results
Our results indicate that sustained swimming exercise at Uopt delays testicular development in male European seabass as evidenced by decreased gonado-somatic index, slower progression of testicular development and by reduced mRNA expression levels of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (fshR), 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βhsd), 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βhsd), estrogen receptor-beta (erβ2), anti-mullerian hormone (amh), structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1B (smc1β), inhibin beta A (inhba) and gonado-somal derived factor 1 (gsdf1) in exercised males as compared with the non-exercised males.Conclusions
Swimming exercise may represent a natural and non-invasive tool to reduce the incidence of sexually precocious males in seabass aquaculture.18.
Background and aims
Layered profiles of designed soils may provide long-term benefits for green roofs, provided the vegetation can exploit resources in the different layers. We aimed to quantify Sedum root foraging for water and nutrients in designed soils of different texture and layering.Methods
In a controlled pot experiment we quantified the root foraging ability of the species Sedum album (L.) and S. rupestre (L.) in response to substrate structure (fine, coarse, layered or mixed), vertical fertiliser placement (top or bottom half of pot) and watering (5, 10 or 20 mm week?1).Results
Water availability was the main driver of plant growth, followed by substrate structure, while fertiliser placement only had marginal effects on plant growth. Root foraging ability was low to moderate, as also reflected in the low proportion of biomass allocated to roots (5–13%). Increased watering reduced the proportion of root length and root biomass in deeper layers.Conclusions
Both S. album and S. rupestre had a low ability to exploit water and nutrients by precise root foraging in substrates of different texture and layering. Allocation of biomass to roots was low and showed limited flexibility even under water-deficient conditions.19.
Marie GB Hansen Mette Christoffersen Line R Thuesen Morten R Petersen Anders M Bojesen 《Acta veterinaria Scandinavica》2010,52(1):3
Background
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are able to infect horses. However, the extend to which Danish horses are infected and seroconvert due to these two bacteria is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum in Danish horses.Methods
A total of 390 blood samples collected from all major regions of Denmark and with a geographical distribution corresponding to the density of the Danish horse population were analyzed. All samples were examined for the presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum by the use of the SNAP®4DX ® ELISA test.Results
Overall, 29.0% of the horses were seropositive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato whereas 22.3% were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum.Conclusions
Antibodies against B burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum are commonly found among Danish horses thus showing that Danish horses are frequently infected by these organisms.20.
Chih-Yueh Liu Chang-Ching Weng Chih-Hsiang Lin Chiou-Ying Yang Kwok-Kong Tony Mong Yaw-Kuen Li 《Biotechnology letters》2017,39(3):407-413