| 1. |
- Pequeno, Belen, et al.
(författare)
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Cooling rate modifies the location of aquaporin 3 in spermatozoa of sheep and goat
- 2024
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Ingår i: Theriogenology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 0093-691X .- 1879-3231. ; 223, s. 29-35
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The freeze-thawing process induces osmotic changes that may affect the membrane domain location of aquaporins' (AQP) in spermatozoa. Recent studies suggest that changes in AQP3 localization allows better sperm osmo-adaptation, improving the cryoresistance. Ultra-rapid freezing is an alternative cryopreservation technique that requires less equipment than conventional freezing, and it is faster, simpler and can be used in the field. This study aimed to determine the influence of freezing-thawing rates (slow (control) vs. ultra-rapid) on AQP3 expression and location in the spermatozoa from small ruminants (sheep and goats) and its relationship with sperm cryo-damage. Spermatozoa were collected from 10 Merino rams and 10 Murciano-Granadina bucks. The presence and distribution of AQP3 were assessed by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry (ICC), employing a commercial rabbit polyclonal antibody. Sperm motility was CASA system-analyzed, and membrane and acrosome integrity assessed by fluorescence (PI/PNA-FITC). Western blotting did not detect a significant effect of freezing-thawing rate on the amount of AQP3 while ICC found freezing-thawing rate affecting AQP3 location (P < 0.05). In both species, the percentages of spermatozoa showing AQP3 in the post-acrosome region, mid-piece, and principal piece of the tail were greater in samples cryopreserved by slow freezing-thawing (control) than ultra-rapid freezing-thawing rates (P < 0.05). Spermatozoa cryopreserved using ultra-rapid freezing-thawing showed decrease motility, plasma membrane, and acrosome integrity (P < 0.05), which might be related, at least in part, to a lower expression of AQP3. In conclusion, the cooling rate modifies the location of AQP3 in spermatozoa of sheep and goat, which might be associated with sperm cryosurvival.
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| 2. |
- Almanza-Aguilera, Enrique, et al.
(författare)
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Impact in Plasma Metabolome as Effect of Lifestyle Intervention for Weight-Loss Reveals Metabolic Benefits in Metabolically Healthy Obese Women
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Proteome Research. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1535-3907 .- 1535-3893. ; 17:8, s. 2600-2610
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Little is known regarding metabolic benefits of weight loss (WL) on the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) patients. We aimed to examine the impact of a lifestyle weight loss (LWL) treatment on the plasma metabolomic profile in MHO individuals. Plasma samples from 57 MHO women allocated to an intensive LWL treatment group (TG, hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity, n = 30) or to a control group (CG, general recommendations of a healthy diet and physical activity, n = 27) were analyzed using an untargeted1H NMR metabolomics approach at baseline, after 3 months (intervention), and 12 months (follow-up). The impact of the LWL intervention on plasma metabolome was statistically significant at 3 months but not at follow-up and included higher levels of formate and phosphocreatine and lower levels of LDL/VLDL (signals) and trimethylamine in the TG. These metabolites were also correlated with WL. Higher myo-inositol, methylguanidine, and 3-hydroxybutyrate, and lower proline, were also found in the TG; higher levels of hippurate and asparagine, and lower levels of 2-hydroxybutyrate and creatine, were associated with WL. The current findings suggest that an intensive LWL treatment, and the consequent WL, leads to an improved plasma metabolic profile in MHO women through its impact on energy, amino acid, lipoprotein, and microbial metabolism.
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| 3. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(författare)
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Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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Ingår i: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data.
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| 4. |
- Calatayud, Joaquín, et al.
(författare)
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Positive associations among rare species and their persistence in ecological assemblages
- 2020
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Ingår i: Nature Ecology & Evolution. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2397-334X. ; 4:1, s. 40-45
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- According to the competitive exclusion principle, species with low competitive abilities should be excluded by more efficient competitors; yet, they generally remain as rare species. Here, we describe the positive and negative spatial association networks of 326 disparate assemblages, showing a general organization pattern that simultaneously supports the primacy of competition and the persistence of rare species. Abundant species monopolize negative associations in about 90% of the assemblages. On the other hand, rare species are mostly involved in positive associations, forming small network modules. Simulations suggest that positive interactions among rare species and microhabitat preferences are the most probable mechanisms underpinning this pattern and rare species persistence. The consistent results across taxa and geography suggest a general explanation for the maintenance of biodiversity in competitive environments. Analysing spatial association networks among >300 terrestrial and aquatic assemblages, the authors find that the majority of negative associations involve abundant species. In contrast, rare species form mostly positive associations, potentially explaining their persistence in natural communities.
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| 5. |
- Carraminana, Albert, et al.
(författare)
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Rationale and Study Design for an Individualized Perioperative Open Lung Ventilatory Strategy in Patients on One-Lung Ventilation (iPROVE-OLV)
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. - : W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC. - 1053-0770 .- 1532-8422. ; 33:9, s. 2492-2502
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aim of this clinical trial is to examine whether it is possible to reduce postoperative complications using an individualized perioperative ventilatory strategy versus using a standard lung-protective ventilation strategy in patients scheduled for thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation. Design: International, multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: A network of university hospitals. Participants: The study comprises 1,380 patients scheduled for thoracic surgery. Interventions: The individualized group will receive intraoperative recruitment maneuvers followed by individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (open lung approach) during the intraoperative period plus postoperative ventilatory support with high-flow nasal cannula, whereas the control group will be managed with conventional lung-protective ventilation. Measurements and Main Results: Individual and total number of postoperative complications, including atelectasis, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pneumonia, acute lung injury; unplanned readmission and reintubation; length of stay and death in the critical care unit and in the hospital will be analyzed for both groups. The authors hypothesize that the intraoperative application of an open lung approach followed by an individual indication of high-flow nasal cannula in the postoperative period will reduce pulmonary complications and length of hospital stay in high-risk surgical patients. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc.
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| 6. |
- Fernández-Vázquez, Jorge, et al.
(författare)
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ppGpp, the general stress response alarmone, is required for the expression of the α-Hemolysin toxin in the uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolate, J96
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 23:20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ppGpp is an intracellular sensor that, in response to different types of stress, coordinates the rearrangement of the gene expression pattern of bacteria to promote adaptation and survival to new environmental conditions. First described to modulate metabolic adaptive responses, ppGpp modulates the expression of genes belonging to very diverse functional categories. In Escherichia coli, ppGpp regulates the expression of cellular factors that are important during urinary tract infections. Here, we characterize the role of this alarmone in the regulation of the hlyCABDII operon of the UPEC isolate J96, encoding the toxin α-hemolysin that induces cytotoxicity during infection of bladder epithelial cells. ppGpp is required for the expression of the α-hemolysin encoded in hlyCABDII by stimulating its transcriptional expression. Prototrophy suppressor mutations in a ppGpp-deficient strain restore the α-hemolysin expression from this operon to wild-type levels, confirming the requirement of ppGpp for its expression. ppGpp stimulates hlyCABDII expression independently of RpoS, RfaH, Zur, and H-NS. The expression of hlyCABDII is promoted at 37 °C and at low osmolarity. ppGpp is required for the thermoregulation but not for the osmoregulation of the hlyCABDII operon. Studies in both commensal and UPEC isolates demonstrate that no UPEC specific factor is strictly required for the ppGpp-mediated regulation described. Our data further support the role of ppGpp participating in the coordinated regulation of the expression of bacterial factors required during infection.
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| 7. |
- Forns, Núria, et al.
(författare)
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Temperature-dependent conjugative transfer of R27 : Role of chromosome- and plasmid-encoded Hha and H-NS proteins
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Bacteriology. - Washington : American society of microbiology. - 0021-9193 .- 1098-5530. ; 187:12, s. 3950-3959
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- IncHI plasmids encode multiple-antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. These plasmids have been considered to play a relevant role in the persistence and reemergence of this microorganism. The IncHII plasmid R27, which can be considered the prototype of IncHI plasmids, is thermosensitive for transfer. Conjugation frequency is highest at low temperature (25 to 30 degrees C), decreasing when temperature increases. R27 codifies an H-NS-like protein (open reading frame 164 [ORF164]) and an Hha-like protein (ORF182). The H-NS and Hha proteins participate in the thermoregulation of gene expression in Escherichia coli. Here we investigated the hypothetical role of such proteins in thermoregulation of R27 conjugation. At a nonpermissive temperature (33 degrees C), transcription of several ORFs in both transfer region I (Tra1) and Tra2 from R27 is upregulated in cells depleted of Hha-like and H-NS-like proteins. Both chromosome- and plasmid-encoded Hha and H-NS proteins appear to potentially modulate R27 transfer. The function of R27-encoded Hha-like and H-NS proteins is not restricted to modulation of R27 transfer. Different mutant phenotypes associated with both chromosomal hha and hns mutations are compensated in cells harboring R27.
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| 8. |
- Granero, Roser, et al.
(författare)
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Phenotype of Gambling Disorder Patients with Lotteries as a Preferred Form of Gambling
- 2023
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Ingår i: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1557-1874 .- 1557-1882. ; 21, s. 3306-3329
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lottery gambling can become an addictive behavior which can significantly interfere with daily functioning. The objectives of this work were to estimate the prevalence of lottery gambling, to assess the profile related to this gambling type in a large clinical sample of patients who met criteria for gambling disorder (GD), and to compare this profile with the other two non-strategic forms of gambling (slot-machines and bingo). Sample included n = 3,531 patients consecutively attended for treatment-seeking due to gambling-related problems. All the participants met criteria for GD and were into the range of 18 to 85 years old. Sociodemographic variables, GD severity, psychopathological state, and personality traits were assessed. Statistical comparisons between the groups defined by the patients’ gambling preference (lotteries versus other gambling activities) were conducted, with chi-square test and analysis of variance. The prevalence of lotteries as the only gambling activity was 2.5%, 8.9% for lottery gambling as primary activity with other secondary gambling types, and 20.6% for lotteries as primary or secondary gambling activity. Lottery gambling and bingo gambling were more prevalent among women (bingo included the highest percentage of women). Compared to slot machine gambling, lotteries and bingo grouped older patients and those with later age of onset of the gambling-related problems. Bingo gambling showed the highest psychological distress and the most dysfunctional personality traits. This study shows the high frequency of lottery gambling among treatment-seeking for GD patients, and it provides empirical evidence about the profile associated with this gambling activity compared to other non-strategic gambling forms. The likelihood of lottery gambling is higher for women, patients married or living with a stable partner, and those within higher social position indexes.
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| 9. |
- Kehoe, Laura, et al.
(författare)
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Make EU trade with Brazil sustainable
- 2019
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 364:6438, s. 341-
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 10. |
- Madrid-Gambin, Francisco, et al.
(författare)
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Untargeted 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics Analysis of Urine and Serum Profiles after Consumption of Lentils, Chickpeas, and Beans: An Extended Meal Study to Discover Dietary Biomarkers of Pulses
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0021-8561 .- 1520-5118. ; 66:27, s. 6997-7005
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High legume intake has been shown to have beneficial effects on the health of humans. The use of nutritional biomarkers, as a complement to self-reported questionnaires, could assist in evaluating dietary intake and downstream effects on human health. The aim of this study was to investigate potential biomarkers of the consumption of pulses (i.e., white beans, chickpeas, and lentils) by using untargeted NMR-based metabolomics. Meals rich in pulses were consumed by a total of 11 participants in a randomized crossover study and multilevel partial least-squares regression was employed for paired comparisons. Metabolomics analysis indicated that trigonelline, 3-methylhistidine, dimethylglycine, trimethylamine, and lysine were potential, though not highly specific, biomarkers of pulse intake. Furthermore, monitoring of these metabolites for a period of 48 h after intake revealed a range of different excretion patterns among pulses. Following the consumption of pulses, a metabolomic profiling revealed that the concentration ratios of trigonelline, choline, lysine, and histidine were similar to those found in urine. In conclusion, this study identified potential urinary biomarkers of exposure to dietary pulses and provided valuable information about the time-response effect of these putative biomarkers.
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