Isolation and characterization of a novel inducible mammalian galectin

A novel mammalian galectin cDNA (ovgal11) was isolated by representational difference analysis from sheep stomach (abomasal) tissue infected with the nematode parasite, Haemonchus contortus. The mRNA is greatly up-regulated in helminth larval infected gastrointestinal tissue subject to inflammation and eosinophil infiltration. Immunohistological analysis indicates that the protein is localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of upper epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract. The protein is also detected in mucus samples collected from infected abomasum but not from uninfected tissue. The restricted and inducible expression of ovgal11 mRNA and limited secretion of the protein support the hypothesis that OVGAL11 may be involved in gastrointestinal immune/inflammatory responses and possibly protection against infection.     

Unexpected Attraction of Polarotactic Water-Leaving Insects to Matt Black Car Surfaces: Mattness of Paintwork Cannot Eliminate the Polarized Light Pollution of Black Cars

The horizontally polarizing surface parts of shiny black cars (the reflection-polarization characteristics of which are similar to those of water surfaces) attract water-leaving polarotactic insects. Thus, shiny black cars are typical sources of polarized light pollution endangering water-leaving insects. A new fashion fad is to make car-bodies matt black or grey. Since rough (matt) surfaces depolarize the reflected light, one of the ways of reducing polarized light pollution is to make matt the concerned surface. Consequently, matt black/grey cars may not induce polarized light pollution, which would be an advantageous feature for environmental protection. To test this idea, we performed field experiments with horizontal shiny and matt black car-body surfaces laid on the ground. Using imaging polarimetry, in multiple-choice field experiments we investigated the attractiveness of these test surfaces to various water-leaving polarotactic insects and obtained the following results: (i) The attractiveness of black car-bodies to polarotactic insects depends in complex manner on the surface roughness (shiny, matt) and species (mayflies, dolichopodids, tabanids). (ii) Non-expectedly, the matt dark grey car finish is much more attractive to mayflies (being endangered and protected in many countries) than matt black finish. (iii) The polarized light pollution of shiny black cars usually cannot be reduced with the use of matt painting. On the basis of these, our two novel findings are that (a) matt car-paints are highly polarization reflecting, and (b) these matt paints are not suitable to repel polarotactic insects. Hence, the recent technology used to make matt the car-bodies cannot eliminate or even can enhance the attractiveness of black/grey cars to water-leaving insects. Thus, changing shiny black car painting to matt one is a disadvantageous fashion fad concerning the reduction of polarized light pollution of black vehicles.     

An engineered bacterial therapeutic lowers urinary oxalate in preclinical models and in silico simulations of enteric hyperoxaluria

Enteric hyperoxaluria (EH) is a metabolic disease caused by excessive absorption of dietary oxalate leading to the formation of chronic kidney stones and kidney failure. There are no approved pharmaceutical treatments for EH. SYNB8802 is an engineered bacterial therapeutic designed to consume oxalate in the gut and lower urinary oxalate as a potential treatment for EH. Oral administration of SYNB8802 leads to significantly decreased urinary oxalate excretion in healthy mice and non‐human primates, demonstrating the strain''s ability to consume oxalate in vivo. A mathematical modeling framework was constructed that combines in vitro and in vivo preclinical data to predict the effects of SYNB8802 administration on urinary oxalate excretion in humans. Simulations of SYNB8802 administration predict a clinically meaningful lowering of urinary oxalate excretion in healthy volunteers and EH patients. Together, these findings suggest that SYNB8802 is a promising treatment for EH.     

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa in cyprinid fishes

The present study investigated semen cryopreservation in cyprinid fish using computer-assisted sperm motility analysis for viability control. Spermatozoa of the bleak, Chalcalbumus chalcoides, were used as a basic model to describe the toxic and cryoprotective effects of internal and external cryoprotectants, their most effective concentrations and combinations, the freezing and thawing conditions, and the effects of equilibration. We also used these data to develop a cryopreservation protocol for Barbus barbus, Chondrostoma nasus, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cyprinus cario, Hypohtalmichthys molitrix, Leuciscus cephalus, Rutilus meidingerii, and Vimba vimba. For all investigated species the optimal extender composition was a buffered physiological sperm motility-inhibiting saline solution containing 10% DMSO and 0.5% glycin. The optimal sperm equilibration period in the extender was < or = 5 min. Freezing was performed in an insulated box in liquid nitrogen vapor and it was optimal at 4 to 5 cm above the surface of the liquid, depending on the species. Thawing was optimal in a 25 degrees C water bath whereby the thawing time ranged depending on species from 15 to 45 sec. This cryopreservation protocol resulted in frozen-thawed semen with 35 to 65% motile and 5 to 25% locally motile spermatozoa depending on the quality of fresh semen.