Raman Micro-Spectroscopy Can Be Used to Investigate the Developmental Stage of the Mouse Oocyte

In recent years, the uptake of assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilisation has risen exponentially. However, there is much that is still not fully understood about the biochemical modifications that take place during the development and maturation of the oocyte. As such, it is essential to further the understanding of how oocyte manipulation during these procedures ultimately affects its developmental potential; yet, there are few methods currently available which are capable of providing a quantitative measure of oocyte quality. Raman spectroscopy enables investigation of the global biochemical profile of intact cells without the need for labelling. Here, Raman spectra were acquired from the ooplasm of mouse oocytes at various stages of development, from late pre-antral follicles, collected after in vitro maturation within their ovarian follicles and from unstimulated and stimulated ovulatory cycles. Using a combination of univariate and multivariate statistical methods, it was found that ooplasm lipid content could be used to discriminate between different stages of oocyte development. Furthermore, the spectral profiles of mature oocytes revealed that oocytes which have developed in vitro are protein-deficient when compared to in vivo grown oocytes. Finally, the ratio of two Raman peak intensities, namely 1605∶1447 cm⁻¹, used as a proxy for the protein-to-lipid ratio of the ooplasm, was shown to be indicative of the oocyte’s quality. Together, results indicate that Raman spectroscopy may present an alternative analytical tool for investigating the biochemistry of oocyte developmental stage and quality.     

Lightsheet fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with wide‐field time‐correlated single photon counting

We report on wide‐field time‐correlated single photon counting (TCSPC)‐based fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) with lightsheet illumination. A pulsed diode laser is used for excitation, and a crossed delay line anode image intensifier, effectively a single‐photon sensitive camera, is used to record the position and arrival time of the photons with picosecond time resolution, combining low illumination intensity of microwatts with wide‐field data collection. We pair this detector with the lightsheet illumination technique, and apply it to 3D FLIM imaging of dye gradients in human cancer cell spheroids, and C. elegans.     

Solid state and solution NMR, X-ray and antimicrobial studies of 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of silver(I) cyanide with alkanediamine ligands

Several complexes of AgCN with alkanediamine ligands (where the ligands are ethylenediamine, propane-1,3-diamine, butane-1,4-diamine, N,N′-dimethyl-ethylenediamine, N,N′-di-iso-propyl-ethylenediamine, etc.) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In these species, alkanediamine ligands act as chelating ligands. The X-ray structure of the complex cyano-(N,N′-di-iso-propyl-ethylenediamine)-silver(I) was determined. These complexes have been also characterized by IR, solution as well as solid-state NMR studies. There are two types of IR absorptions observed for mono and dinuclear complexes. For the mono nuclear complexes, a sharp CN band is observed between 2111 and 2131 cm⁻¹ range, whereas for binuclear complexes the bands are in the range 2136-2140 cm⁻¹. The effect of the size of the ligands as well as their substituents is discussed. The antimicrobial activity studies of AgCN and its complexes show that the former exhibits substantial antibacterial activities compared to its complexes.     

Quantitative characteristics of glutamate transport in rat liver mitochondria

1. The kinetics of glutamate transport into mitochondria were determined by using Bromocresol Purple to terminate the transport process. 2. Glutamate transport was found to have a V(max.) of 9.1nmol/min per mg of protein at pH6.9 and 20 degrees C; the K(m) for glutamate was 4mm. 3. The rate of glutamate deamination in intact mitochondria was tenfold slower than in disrupted mitochondria. 4. These results suggest that glutamate deamination may be controlled by the rate of glutamate transport. Possible consequences of these findings are discussed.     

Nitrate impacts on the Florida apple snail, Pomacea paludosa

Nitrate pollution in springs in Florida has been suggested as a possible reason for declining populations of the Florida apple snail, Pomacea paludosa (Say). No correlation was found between snail density and nitrate concentration measured in six Florida springs. In laboratory studies examining short-term acute impacts of nitrate, adult and juvenile snail 96 h LC₅₀ values could not be determined due to low mortality rates despite nitrate concentrations > 500 ppm. Juvenile snail growth was affected with EC₅₀ values of 504 and 622 ppm nitrate, in two trials, respectively. Juvenile survival during the 14 d growth study fell below 50%, but again nitrate levels were very high (> 500 ppm). Given that snails exhibited little to no response to nitrate concentrations orders of magnitude greater than those found in Florida springs, we suggest that other factors, possibly including natural differences in habitat structure or changes in structure related to exotic plant invasions, may help explain the observed declines in apple snail abundance.