Probiotics, Prebiotics, Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, and Dietary Patterns in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Scope: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the most common chronic and debilitating functional bowel disorders affecting around 11% of the population across the world. IBD is associated with 3.6 million physician visits per year, being the most common reason visiting a gastroenterologist and the second most common reason to be absent from work, sharply increasing the health care costs.

Transcriptome profiling of histone writers/erasers enzymes across spermatogenesis, mature sperm and pre-cleavage embryo: Implications in paternal epigenome transitions and inheritance mechanisms.

Accumulating evidence points out that sperm carry epigenetic instructions to embryo in the form of retained histones marks and RNA cargo that can transmit metabolic and behavioral traits to offspring. However, the mechanisms behind epigenetic inheritance of paternal environment are still poorly understood. Here, we curated male germ cells RNA-seq data and analyzed the expression profile of all known histone lysine writers and erasers enzymes across spermatogenesis, unraveling the developmental windows at which they are upregulated, and the specific activity related to canonical and non-canonical histone marks deposition and removal.

Confirmation of radiant catalytic ionization efficacy for airborne SARS-CoV-2 elimination indoors using "COVID19 traps".

Radiant catalytic ionization (RCI) is a novel technology that uses the appropriate wavelength (240-260 nm) and the phenomenon of photo-oxidation leading to permanent removal of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Here, two analyses were performed. The first of them was a complete analysis of environmental biosecurity in a hospital environment.

Impact of irrigation with fish-processing effluents on nitrification and ammonia-oxidizer abundances in Patagonian arid soils.

This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of irrigation with diluted fish-processing effluents on soil pH, electrical conductivity, nitrification rate and abundance of ammonia oxidizers. To accomplish that, we constructed microcosms of soil from an undisturbed arid ecosystem of Patagonia, and irrigated them for 2 months with diluted effluents from a fish-processing factory or with water as control. In the initial soil sample, and along the experiment, we determined soil pH, electrical conductivity, and the concentration of inorganic nitrogen forms, which we used to calculate the net nitrification rate.

Exploring the Stress Impact in the Paternal Germ Cells Epigenome: Can Catecholamines Induce Epigenetic Reprogramming?

Spermatogenesis is characterized by unique epigenetic programs that enable chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation for proper meiotic divisions and germ cells maturation. Paternal lifestyle stressors such as diet, drug abuse, or psychological trauma can directly impact the germ cell epigenome and transmit phenotypes to the next generation, pointing to the importance of epigenetic regulation during spermatogenesis. It is established that environmental perturbations can affect the development and behavior of the offspring through epigenetic inheritance, including changes in small non-coding RNAs, DNA methylation, and histones post-translational modifications.

A dual death/survival role of autophagy in the adult ovary of Lagostomus maximus (Mammalia- Rodentia).

Follicular atresia is a cell death event that occurs in the great majority of follicles before ovulation in the mature mammalian ovary. Germ cell loss has been mainly associated to apoptosis although autophagy also seems to be at play. Aimed to increase our understanding on the possible cooperating role of autophagy and apoptosis in follicular atresia and/or follicular survival, we analyzed both programmed cell death mechanisms in a rodent model, the South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus.

Dopamine Receptor D1 Contributes to Cocaine Epigenetic Reprogramming of Histone Modifications in Male Germ Cells.

Paternal environmental perturbations, including cocaine intake, can affect the development and behavior of the offspring through epigenetic inheritance. However, the mechanism by which cocaine alters the male germ cells epigenome is almost unexplored. Here, we report that cocaine-treated male mice showed alterations on specific histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) including increased silent chromatin marks H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 and decreased active enhancer and promoter marks H3K27ac and H3K4me3 in isolated germ cells.

The inflammatory mediators TNFα and nitric oxide arrest spermatogonia GC-1 cell cycle.

During an inflammatory process of the testis, the network of somatic, immune, and germ cell interactions is altered leading to organ dysfunction. In testicular biopsies of infertile men, spermatogenesis impairment is associated with reduced spermatogonia proliferation, increased number of immune cells, and content of pro-inflammatory cytokines. TNFα-TNFR and nitric oxide (NO)-NO synthase systems are up-regulated in models of testicular damage and in human testis with maturation arrest.

Cocaine alters the mouse testicular epigenome with direct impact on histone acetylation and DNA methylation marks.

Research Question: Recent evidence suggests that cocaine administration in animal models can trigger non-genetic inheritance of addiction traits from father to offspring, affecting development and behaviour. Is chronic cocaine intake involved in alterations of epigenetic homeostasis in the testis?

Design: Epigenetic marks and mediators in testis and isolated germ cells of adult mice treated with cocaine (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (sterile saline solution) were evaluated in an intermittent binge protocol: three intraperitoneal injections, 1 h apart, one day on/off for 13 days, collecting tissue 24 h after the last binge administration (day 14).

Results: It was shown that chronic cocaine intake in mice disrupts testicular epigenetic homeostasis, increasing global methylated cytosine levels in DNA from germ cells and sperm.

Age-related and photoperiodic variation of the DAZ gene family in the testis of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

SummaryThe Deleted in AZoospermia (DAZ) gene family regulates the development, maturation and maintenance of germ cells and spermatogenesis in mammals. The DAZ family consists of two autosomal genes, Boule and Dazl (Daz-like), and the Daz gene on chromosome Y. The aim of this study was to analyze the localization of DAZL and BOULE during testicular ontogeny of the seasonal-breeding Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus.

The balance between apoptosis and autophagy regulates testis regression and recrudescence in the seasonal-breeding South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus.

Mammalian testis undergoes deep changes in their architecture and function during photoregression conditions in seasonal breeders. Particularly, the testicular mechanisms that regulate the transition between the active (functional) and inactive (regression) stage vary between species. The aim of the present study was to analyze the incidence of proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy in the testicular seminiferous ephitelium of a seasonal breeder, Lagostomus maximus, during the annual reproductive cycle.

Local production of neurostradiol affects gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion at mid-gestation in (Rodentia, Caviomorpha).

Females of the South American plains vizcacha, , show peculiar reproductive features such as massive polyovulation up to 800 oocytes per estrous cycle and an ovulatory process around mid-gestation arising from the reactivation of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-ovary (H.H.O.

EFFECTS OF METHAMPHETAMINE ON LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY AND THALAMIC GENE EXPRESSION IN LEPTIN-DEFICIENT OBESE MICE.

Leptin is an adipose-derived hormone that regulates energy balance. Leptin receptors are expressed in extrahypothalamic sites and several reports showed that leptin can influence feeding and locomotor behavior via direct actions on dopaminergic neurons. The leptin deficient mouse () has been used as an animal model of blunted leptin action, and presents with obesity and mild type 2 diabetes.

ERα and GnRH co-localize in the hypothalamic neurons of the South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus (Rodentia, Caviomorpha).

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the key regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Estradiol (E) affects GnRH synthesis and delivery. Hypothalamic estrogen receptors (ER) modulate GnRH expression acting as transcription factors.

Immunolocalization of the TGFB1 system in submandibular gland fibrosis after experimental periodontitis in rats.

Saliva is the first barrier to entry of bacteria and viruses into the body. The submandibular glands (SMG) contribute to the maintenance of oral health and regulation of immune/ inflam matory responses. Previous studies suggest that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) may contribute to salivary gland fibrosis but the expression of the TGFB1 system in the SMG has not been elucidated.

Psychostimulant-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Mice: Evidence of Cocaine and Caffeine Effects on the Local Dopaminergic System.

Several organ systems can be affected by psychostimulant toxicity. However, there is not sufficient evidence about the impact of psychostimulant intake on testicular physiology and catecholaminergic systems. The aim of the present study was to further explore potential toxic consequences of chronic exposure to cocaine, caffeine, and their combination on testicular physiology.

IGF1 regulation of BOULE and CDC25A transcripts via a testosterone-independent pathway in spermatogenesis of adult mice.

The Deleted in AZoospermia (DAZ) gene family plays an essential role in spermatogenesis and fertility in mammals. This gene family contains two autosomal genes, BOULE and DAZL (DAZ-Like), and the DAZ gene cluster in the Y chromosome. CDC25A (a cell cycle regulator) has been proposed as a putative substrate for the RNA-binding proteins of DAZ family.

Influence of the photoperiod on TGF-β1 and p15 expression in hamster Leydig cells.

Adult hamsters exposed to short photoperiods show a marked atrophy of their internal reproductive organs, including a reduction in size, though not number of Leydig cells. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is involved in the regulation of growth and proliferation of different cell types. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of photoperiod on the protein and gene expression of TGF-β1 and its receptors as well as gene expression of p15.

Expression of androgen receptor, estrogen receptors alpha and beta and aromatase in the fetal, perinatal, prepubertal and adult testes of the South American plains Vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus (Mammalia, Rodentia).

Androgens and androgen receptor play a critical role in spermatogenesis and fertility in mammals, and estrogens and their receptors contribute to regulation of testicular function through initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis and germ cell division and survival. However, results from different species are still far from establishing a clear understanding of these receptors in the different cell types from the testis. We analyzed the expression of androgen receptor, estrogen receptors α and β and aromatase protein by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, in relation to proliferation followed by the expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and germinal identity by VASA protein, in fetal, perinatal, prepubertal and adult testes of Lagostomus maximus, a rodent with sustained germ cell proliferation and an increasing number of OCT-4-expressing gonocytes in the developing ovary.

Expression of the TGF-beta1 system in human testicular pathologies.

Background: In non-obstructive azoospermia, histological patterns of Sertoli cell-only Syndrome (SCO) and hypospermatogenesis (H) are commonly found. In these pathologies, Leydig cell hyperplasia (LCH) is detected in some patients. Since TGF-β1 is involved in cellular proliferation/development, the aim of this work was to analyze the expression of TGF-β1, its receptors TGFBRII, TGFBRI (ALK-1 and ALK-5), and the co-receptor endoglin in human biopsies from patients with idiopathic infertility.

TGF-beta1 system in Leydig cells. Part II: TGF-beta1 and progesterone, through Smad1/5, are involved in the hyperplasia/hypertrophy of Leydig cells.

Several reports indicate that transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) participates in the regulation of cell cycle progression. In this work, we analyzed the in vitro effect of TGF-beta1 on Leydig cell proliferation markers and the in vivo effect of this cytokine in Leydig cell hyperplasia/hypertrophy. The in vitro effect of TGF-beta1 (1 ng/ml) plus progesterone (10(-6) M) on purified Leydig cells from 3 week-old mice increased the immunocytochemically detected PCNA and stimulated the phosphorylation of Smad 1/5.

TGF-beta1 system in Leydig cells. Part I: effect of hCG and progesterone.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) modulates male reproductive function. Genetically modified mice overexpressing alpha/beta subunits of hCG (hCG+) show Leydig cell hyperplasia/hypertrophy at prepuberty that disappears as the mice approach adulthood. In this study we analyzed the gene expression of TGF-beta1, its specific receptors, type II (TGF-betaRII) and type I (activin receptor-like kinase 1 and 5: ALK1 and ALK5), and co-receptor endoglin (CD105) in purified Leydig cells from hCG+ and wild-type mice at 3 and 8 weeks of age and the occurrence of TGF-beta1, ALK1 and ALK5 by immunohistochemistry.

Cyclooxygenase-2 in testes of infertile men: evidence for the induction of prostaglandin synthesis by interleukin-1β.

As we previously reported, testes of men suffering from hypospermatogenesis and germ cell arrest or Sertoli cell-only syndrome show a major increase in the number of macrophages expressing interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and abundant expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the inducible isoform of the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (PGs), in Leydig cells. In the present study we report [1] a positive correlation between IL-1β levels and COX-2 expression in testes of infertile patients, [2] the induction of COX-2 by IL-1β in mouse Leydig cells (TM3) and human macrophages (THP-1), and therefore [3] evidence for an IL-1β-dependent induction of testicular inflammatory states.