Altered expression of systemic and ovarian factors involved in the recruitment and activation of immune cells in bovine cystic ovarian disease.

Despite the involvement of both immune cells and soluble factors in the etiopathogenesis of cystic ovarian disease (COD), the precise interplay between these components in this reproductive condition remains unclear. Based on this, in the present study we aimed to evaluate the expression of key molecules involved both locally and systemically in the recruitment, infiltration and activation of immune cells in Holstein cows diagnosed with follicular cysts (N = 5). For this, animals from commercial dairy farms located in the milk-productive region of Santa Fe, Argentina were included after their diagnosis were confirmed by ultrasonographic examination and hormonal evaluation.

Spatial mapping of cellular senescence: emerging challenges and opportunities.

Cellular senescence is a well-established driver of aging and age-related diseases. There are many challenges to mapping senescent cells in tissues such as the absence of specific markers and their relatively low abundance and vast heterogeneity. Single-cell technologies have allowed unprecedented characterization of senescence; however, many methodologies fail to provide spatial insights.

Two phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases with differing biochemical properties in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) catalyses the reversible reaction of decarboxylation and phosphorylation of oxaloacetate (OAA) to generate phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and CO playing mainly a gluconeogenic role in green algae. We found two PEPCK isoforms in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and we cloned, purified and characterised both enzymes. ChlrePEPCK1 is more active as decarboxylase than ChlrePEPCK2.

Association between heat stress during intrauterine development and the expression and regulation of ovarian steroid hormone receptors in adult Holstein cows.

Context: Dairy cattle experience stressful environmental situations that affect production. Heat stress during gestation can influence the intrauterine development of offspring, resulting in long-term damage that can affect the reproductive life of the adult offspring.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in the expression and regulation of steroid hormone receptors in the ovary of Holstein cows gestated under different temperature-humidity index (THI) during their in utero development.

Fast neutron mutagenesis in soybean enriches for small indels and creates frameshift mutations.

The mutagenic effects of ionizing radiation have been used for decades to create novel variants in experimental populations. Fast neutron (FN) bombardment as a mutagen has been especially widespread in plants, with extensive reports describing the induction of large structural variants, i.e.

An altered expression of components of the IGF system could contribute to follicular persistence in Holstein cows.

In dairy cows, reproductive diseases such as cystic ovarian disease (COD) represent a major problem that impacts on dairy production. It has been postulated that the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system may contribute to follicular persistence and development of COD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze relevant members of the IGF system in a critical period immediately after the expected time of ovulation, to obtain information about their role in follicular persistence in dairy cows.

Association between heat stress during intrauterine development and the calving-to-conception and calving-to-first-service intervals in Holstein cows.

Heat stress has been widely studied in relation to its effects on the production and reproduction of dairy cattle. However, the long-term effects of heat stress during intrauterine development on adult cows have been scarcely considered. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes in the reproductive performance of Holstein cows gestated under different values of the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) during their intrauterine development.

Taking critical thinking, creativity and grit online.

Technology has the potential to facilitate the development of higher-order thinking skills in learning. There has been a rush towards online learning by education systems during COVID-19; this can therefore be seen as an opportunity to develop students' higher-order thinking skills. In this short report we show how critical thinking and creativity can be developed in an online context, as well as highlighting the importance of grit.

Alterations in the insulin signaling pathway in bovine ovaries with experimentally induced follicular persistence.

Reproductive diseases in dairy cows as cystic ovarian disease (COD) represent a major problem that impacts on dairy production. COD is characterized by anovulation, persistence of the dominant follicle, and interruption of normal estrous cycles. Anovulation is attributable to a failure in the LH surge, due to endocrine imbalances and alterations in local factors, such as the insulin signaling pathway.

Abundance of insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2, and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor in placentas of dogs.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are among the primary compounds regulating placental development. In bitches, relative abundance of IGF1, IGF2 and IGFR1 mRNA transcripts have been studied in the pre-implantation uterus and early endotheliochorial placentas. The IGF2 and IGFR1 distribution has also been previously described in the uterus before embryo implantation.

Hepatitis B and C virus infection among HIV patients within the public and private healthcare systems in Chile: A cross-sectional serosurvey.

Background: Coinfections of HIV patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are mayor public health problems, contributing to the emerging burden of HIV-associated hepatic mortality. Coinfection rates vary geographically, depending on various factors such as predominant transmission modes, HBV vaccination rates, and prevalence of HBV and HCV in the general population. In South America, the epidemiology of coinfections is uncertain, since systematic studies are scarce.

Liver fatty acid metabolism associations with reproductive performance of dairy cattle.

The peri-calving period is characterized by a negative energy balance, which leads to lipid mobilization. Thus, during this period, the liver has important functions related to optimizing milk yield, preventing metabolic and infectious diseases, and improving fertility. To clarify the relationship between liver fatty acid metabolism and reproductive performance, the present study was conducted to assess the abundance of specific hepatic proteins related to lipid metabolism in both plasma and follicular fluid in dairy cattle with different days to conception (DC).

Fabry pedigree analysis: A successful program for targeted genetic approach.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked disorder of glycosphingolipid catabolism caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (GLA). FD is still an underdiagnosed disorder worldwide. Moreover, there is delay between symptom onset and Fabry diagnosis of at least 10 years.

Role of epigenetic factors in the selection of the alternative splicing isoforms of human in colorectal cancer cell lines.

Mutation-driven activation of is crucial to cancer development. The human gene yields four mRNA splicing isoforms, 4A and 4B being translated to protein. Their different properties and oncogenic potential have been studied, but the mechanisms deciding the ratio 4A/4B are not known.

Data Quality in Institutional Arthroplasty Registries: Description of a Model of Validation and Report of Preliminary Results.

Background: Arthroplasty registries are a relevant source of information for research and quality improvement in patient care and its value depends on the quality of the recorded data. The purpose of this study is to describe a model of validation and present the findings of validation of an Institutional Arthroplasty Registry (IAR).

Methods: Information from 209 primary arthroplasties and revision surgeries of the hip, knee, and shoulder recorded in the IAR between March and September 2015 were analyzed in the following domains.

A protective personal factor against disability and dependence in the elderly: an ordinal regression analysis with nine geographically-defined samples from Spain.

Background: Sense of Coherence (SOC) is defined as a tendency to perceive life experiences as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The construct is split in three major domains: Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulness. SOC has been associated with successful coping strategies in the face of illness and traumatic events and is a predictor of self-reported and objective health in a variety of contexts.

Follicular Cysts: A Single Sign and Different Diseases. A View from Comparative Medicine.

Ovarian cystic follicles are the sign of important causes of reproductive failure in numerous species. In this review, some morphological, endocrinological and clinical aspects of cystic follicles in women, cows, mares, sows and bitches are discussed. Follicular cysts are the consequence of the failure of a mature follicle to ovulate at the appointed time of ovulation in the estrous cycle.

BMP2, 4 and 6 and BMPR1B are altered from early stages of bovine cystic ovarian disease development.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is an important cause of subfertility in dairy cattle. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), mainly BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6, play a key role in female fertility. In this study, we hypothesized that an altered BMP system is associated with ovarian alterations contributing to COD pathogenesis.

Assessing the HIV Care Continuum in Latin America: progress in clinical retention, cART use and viral suppression.

Introduction: We assessed trends in HIV Care Continuum outcomes associated with delayed disease progression and reduced transmission within a large Latin American cohort over a decade: clinical retention, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) use and viral suppression (VS).

Methods: Adults from Caribbean, Central and South America network for HIV epidemiology clinical cohorts in seven countries contributed data between 2003 and 2012. Retention was defined as two or more HIV care visits annually, >90 days apart.

Role of Glucocorticoids in Cystic Ovarian Disease: Expression of Glucocorticoid Receptor in the Bovine Ovary.

The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the components of normal bovine ovary and in animals with cystic ovarian disease (COD). Changes in the protein and mRNA expression levels were determined in control cows and cows with COD by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. GR protein expression in granulosa cells was higher in cysts from animals with spontaneous COD and adrenocorticotropic hormone-induced COD than in tertiary follicles from control animals.

Thromboprophylaxis after major orthopedic surgery: Improving compliance with clinical practice guidelines.

Introduction: Identifying risk factors and strategies for the prevention of deep venous thromboembolism in major orthopedic surgery has allowed the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). Currently, there is a gap between clinical practice and the implementation of the recommendations of CPGs. The purpose of this paper is to report the impact of the implementation of improvement strategies on adherence to venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis guidelines.

[Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection in Latin-American immigrants: comparative analysis from clinical records in a clinical care centre in Santiago in the last decade].

Background: There has been an increasing number of immigrants to Chile in the last years, especially from South American countries. The phenomenon of immigration and its consequences has been studied by international literature, and different health care needs have been reported for this group as compared with local population. In Chile this phenomenon is poorly studied and HIV prevention campaigns are focused on national population needs.

Crystal structure of the Bacillus subtilis phosphodiesterase PhoD reveals an iron and calcium-containing active site.

The PhoD family of extra-cytoplasmic phosphodiesterases are among the most commonly occurring bacterial phosphatases. The exemplars for this family are the PhoD protein of Bacillus subtilis and the phospholipase D of Streptomyces chromofuscus. We present the crystal structure of B.

A complex iron-calcium cofactor catalyzing phosphotransfer chemistry.

Alkaline phosphatases play a crucial role in phosphate acquisition by microorganisms. To expand our understanding of catalysis by this class of enzymes, we have determined the structure of the widely occurring microbial alkaline phosphatase PhoX. The enzyme contains a complex active-site cofactor comprising two antiferromagnetically coupled ferric iron ions (Fe(3+)), three calcium ions (Ca(2+)), and an oxo group bridging three of the metal ions.

Role of activin, inhibin, and follistatin in the pathogenesis of bovine cystic ovarian disease.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is an important cause of infertility in dairy cattle. Although many researchers have focused their work on the endocrine changes related to this disease, evidence indicates that intraovarian components play an important role in follicular persistence. Activin, inhibin, and follistatin participate as intraovarian regulatory molecules involved in follicular cell proliferation, differentiation, steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, and corpus luteum function.