Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation as a Method to Maximize the Beneficial Effects of Muscle Stem Cells Transplanted into Dystrophic Skeletal Muscle

Cellular therapy is a potential approach to improve the regenerative capacity of damaged or diseased skeletal muscle. However, its clinical use has often been limited by impaired donor cell survival, proliferation and differentiation following transplantation. Additionally, functional improvements after transplantation are all-too-often negligible. Because the host microenvironment plays an important role in the fate of transplanted cells, methods to modulate the microenvironment and guide donor cell behavior are warranted. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for 1 or 4 weeks following muscle-derived stem cell (MDSC) transplantation into dystrophic skeletal muscle can modulate the fate of donor cells and enhance their contribution to muscle regeneration and functional improvements. Animals submitted to 4 weeks of NMES after transplantation demonstrated a 2-fold increase in the number of dystrophin+ myofibers as compared to control transplanted muscles. These findings were concomitant with an increased vascularity in the MDSC+NMES group when compared to non-stimulated counterparts. Additionally, animals subjected to NMES (with or without MDSC transplantation) presented an increased maximal specific tetanic force when compared to controls. Although cell transplantation and/or the use of NMES resulted in no changes in fatigue resistance, the combination of both MDSC transplantation and NMES resulted in a faster recovery from fatigue, when compared to non-injected and non-stimulated counterparts. We conclude that NMES is a viable method to improve MDSC engraftment, enhance dystrophic muscle strength, and, in combination with MDSC transplantation, improve recovery from fatigue. These findings suggest that NMES may be a clinically-relevant adjunct approach for cell transplantation into skeletal muscle.     

Maternal Obesity in Early Pregnancy and Risk of Adverse Outcomes

Objectives

To assess the role of the health consequences of maternal overweight and obesity at the start of pregnancy on gestational pathologies, delivery and newborn characteristics.

Methods

A cohort of pregnant women (n = 6.558) having delivered at the Maternal & Child University Hospital of Gran Canaria (HUMIGC) in 2008 has been studied. Outcomes were compared using multivariate analyses controlling for confounding variables.

Results

Compared to normoweight, overweight and obese women have greater risks of gestational diabetes mellitus (RR = 2.13 (95% CI: 1.52–2.98) and (RR = 2.85 (95% CI: 2.01–4.04), gestational hypertension (RR = 2.01 (95% CI: 1.27–3.19) and (RR = 4.79 (95% CI: 3.13–7.32) and preeclampsia (RR = 3.16 (95% CI: 1.12–8.91) and (RR = 8.80 (95% CI: 3.46–22.40). Obese women have also more frequently oligodramnios (RR = 2.02 (95% CI: 1.25–3.27), polyhydramnios. (RR = 1.76 (95% CI: 1.03–2.99), tearing (RR = 1.24 (95% CI: 1.05–1.46) and a lower risk of induced deliveries (RR = 0.83 (95% CI: 0.72–0.95). Both groups have more frequently caesarean section (RR = 1.36 (95% CI: 1.14–1.63) and (RR = 1.84 (95% CI: 1.53–2.22) and manual placenta extraction (RR = 1.65 (95% CI: 1.28–2.11) and (RR = 1.77 (95% CI: 1.35–2.33). Newborns from overweight and obese women have higher weight (p<0.001) and a greater risk of being macrosomic (RR = 2.00 (95% CI: 1.56–2.56) and (RR = 2.74 (95% CI: 2.12–3.54). Finally, neonates from obese mother have a higher risk of being admitted to special care units (RR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.01–1.77). Apgar 1 min was significantly higher in newborns from normoweight mothers: 8.65 (95% CI: 8.62–8.69) than from overweight: 8.56 (95% CI: 8.50–8.61) or obese mothers: 8.48 (95% CI: 8.41–8.54).

Conclusion

Obesity and overweight status at the beginning of pregnancy increase the adverse outcomes of the pregnancy. It is important to promote the normalization of bodyweight in those women who intend to get pregnant and to provide appropriate advice to the obese women of the risks of obesity at the start of the pregnancy.     

Differences in acidity of apples are probably mainly caused by a malic acid transporter gene on LG16

Acidity has profound effects on the taste of apples (Malus × domestica). Malic acid is the predominant organic acid in apples. Differences in malic acid content are caused by differences in accumulation of malic acid in the vacuole. This accumulation may be caused by a gene that is responsible for transport of malic acid from the cytosol into the vacuole. Here, we provide evidence that a malic acid transporter gene at the top of chromosome 16 caused significant differences in malic acid concentration and pH of apples. The pH of apples in a segregating F1 population was mapped and at the pH locus (named henceforth Ma locus for malic acid), two putative malic acid transporter genes were detected. These genes show high homology to AtALMT genes that code for malate channel proteins located in vacuolar membrane in Arabidopsis. The expression of one of the candidate genes (Ma1) cosegregated clearly with malic acid content. The inheritance of at least one dominant allele of this gene sufficed for an increased expression level that likely caused the observed threefold increase of the malic acid concentration and the reduction of the pH from 4 to 3 in mature apples, compared to the presence of the recessive, lowly expressed allele only. Our results show that differences in fruit acidity were probably caused by differences in expression levels of alleles of a malic acid transporter gene.     

On‐target ultrasonic digestion of proteins

In the present work, we report a novel on‐target protein cleavage method. The method utilizes ultrasonic energy and allows up to 20 samples to be cleaved in 5 min for protein identification and one sample in 30 s for on‐tissue digestion. The standard proteins were spotted on a conductive glass slide in a volume of 0.5 μL followed by 5 min of ultrasonication after trypsin addition. Controls (5 min, 37°C no ultrasonication) were also assayed. After trypsin addition, digestion of the tissues was enhanced by 30 s of ultrasonication. The samples were analyzed and compared to those obtained by using conventional 3 h heating proteolysis. The low sample volume needed for the digestion and reduction in sample‐handling steps and time are the features that make this method appealing to the many laboratories working with high‐throughput sample treatment.     

A two‐dimensional proteome map of the aflatoxigenic fungus Aspergillus flavus

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic soil‐borne pathogen that produces aflatoxins, the most potent naturally occurring carcinogenic compounds known. This work represents the first gel‐based profiling analysis of A. flavus proteome and establishes a 2D proteome map. Using 2DE and MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS, we identified 538 mycelial proteins of the aflatoxigenic strain NRRL 3357, the majority of which were functionally annotated as related to various cellular metabolic and biosynthetic processes. Additionally, a few enzymes from the aflatoxin synthesis pathway were also identified.     

Identification and characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans protein fractions that induce protective immune responses

Cryptococcus neoformans, the main causative agent of cryptococcosis, is a fungal pathogen that causes life‐threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. To date, there is no vaccine or immunotherapy approved to treat cryptococcosis. Cell‐ and antibody‐mediated immune responses collaborate to mediate optimal protection against C. neoformans infections. Accordingly, we identified cryptococcal protein fractions capable of stimulating cell‐ and antibody‐mediated immune responses and determined their efficacy to elicit protection against cryptococcosis. Proteins were extracted from C. neoformans and fractionated based on molecular mass. The fractions were then evaluated by immunoblot analysis for reactivity to serum extracted from protectively immunized mice and in cytokine recall assays for their efficacy to induce pro‐inflammatory and Th1‐type cytokine responses associated with protection. MS analysis revealed a number of proteins with roles in stress response, signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis, and protein synthesis. Immunization with select protein fractions containing immunodominant antigens induced significantly prolonged survival against experimental pulmonary cryptococcosis. Our studies support using the combination of immunological and proteomic approaches to identify proteins that elicit antigen‐specific antibody and Th1‐type cytokine responses. The immunodominant antigens that were discovered represent attractive candidates for the development of novel subunit vaccines for treatment and/or prevention of cryptococcosis.     

Toxicokinetics of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and its effects on luteal function in sheep

The aim of the present study was to determine the toxicokinetics of short-term exposures to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and its effects on ovarian cyclicity and luteal function using a sheep experimental model. For establishing the model, we examined the clearance of DEHP after intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of a single dose of 25 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) and after i.m. administration of two different doses (25 and 50 mg/kg b.w.; DEHP25 and DEHP50, respectively) three times a week for two months. Results showed a significant, dose-dependent effect of DEHP administration, when compared to the control group (CTL; untreated ewes; n = 6), on the duration of the ewes’ estrous cycles (17.1 ± 0.5 days, CTL; 15.1 ± 0.9 days, DEHP25; 12.0 ± 0.8 days, DEHP50; p < 0.05); 94.9% of the cycles were of regular duration (15–19 days) in CTL, but only 51.1% and 25.4% in DEHP25 and DEHP50, respectively. Corpora lutea (CL) were smaller in DEHP50 than in DEHP25 (p < 0.05) and were smaller in both groups than in CTL (p < 0.005), but the maximum plasma concentrations of progesterone were greater (p < 0.05) in DEHP25 and DEHP50 than in CTL. In conclusion, the exposure of cycling ewes to DEHP causes shortening of the ovulatory cycles due mainly to a reduction in the size and lifespan of CL. However, the exposure to the phthalate is also associated with an increase in circulating concentrations of progesterone, suggesting the influence of DEHP on steroid metabolism.     

Vitamin D receptor BsmI polymorphism modulates soy intake and 25-hydroxyvitamin D supplementation benefits in cardiovascular disease risk factors profile

Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms may predispose that not all individuals could have benefits from the nutritional supplementation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Furthermore, vitamin D-related cardiovascular effects may also be influenced by soy isoflavones considered endocrine regulators of cardiovascular homeostasis. To find possible gene–diet interactions by evaluating individualized lipid metabolism benefits from an increase in soy and 25-hydroxyvitamin D intake, 106 healthy individuals, genotyped for vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism rs1544410 (BsmI) were randomly assigned to either no intake, to daily 250?mL or 500?mL of a 25-hydroxyvitamin D supplemented SB for 2 months. The soybean beverage induced differences in cardiovascular risk factors (lipid profile, blood pressure, TNFα and MCP-1), as well as vitamin D metabolites in a dose-gene-dependent relation. Thus, VDR BsmI polymorphism affected individual response being the GG genotype the ones that showed dose-dependent manner responsiveness in the reduction in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in comparison with the AA/AG genotype. These differences were associated with increased plasma levels of 1α,25-dyhydroxyvitamin D3 in the carriers of the GG genotype. It was concluded that metabolic response to 25-hydroxyvitamin D and soybean supplementation is dependent on VDR BsmI GG genotype due to a higher conversion rate from vitamin D precursors.     

The Histone Variant His2Av is Required for Adult Stem Cell Maintenance in the Drosophila Testis

Many tissues are sustained by adult stem cells, which replace lost cells by differentiation and maintain their own population through self-renewal. The mechanisms through which adult stem cells maintain their identity are thus important for tissue homeostasis and repair throughout life. Here, we show that a histone variant, His2Av, is required cell autonomously for maintenance of germline and cyst stem cells in the Drosophila testis. The ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling factor Domino is also required in this tissue for adult stem cell maintenance possibly by regulating the incorporation of His2Av into chromatin. Interestingly, although expression of His2Av was ubiquitous, its function was dispensable for germline and cyst cell differentiation, suggesting a specific role for this non-canonical histone in maintaining the stem cell state in these lineages.