Comparison of Siglec-1 protein networks and expression patterns in sperm and male reproductive tracts of mice, rats, and humans.

Background: Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 1 (Siglec-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in the sialic acid (Sia)-dependent regulation of the immune system. Siglec-1 expression has recently been identified in the male reproductive tract (MRT) of several species, including humans, cattle, horses, and sheep, and may play a role in modulating fertility in a Sia-dependent manner.

Materials And Methods: In this study, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis of Siglec-1 was conducted to identify associated network protein conservation, and the expression of Siglec-1 in the MRT of mice and rats, including their accessory sex glands and spermatozoa was determined by immunostaining.

Transcriptomics analysis of the bovine endometrium during the perioestrus period.

During the oestrous cycle, the bovine endometrium undergoes morphological and functional changes, which are regulated by alterations in the levels of oestrogen and progesterone and consequent changes in gene expression. To clarify these changes before and after oestrus, RNA-seq was used to profile the transcriptome of oestrus-synchronized beef heifers. Endometrial samples were collected from 29 animals, which were slaughtered in six groups beginning 12 h after the withdrawal of intravaginal progesterone releasing devices until seven days post-oestrus onset (luteal phase).

N-Linked glycosylation profiles of therapeutic induced senescent (TIS) triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) and their extracellular vesicle (EV) progeny.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has poor clinical outcomes and limited treatment options. Chemotherapy, while killing some cancer cells, can result in therapeutic-induced-senescent (TIS) cells. Senescent cells release significantly more extracellular vesicles (EVs) than non-senescent cells.

Immunoglobulin G from bovine milk primes intestinal epithelial cells for increased colonization of bifidobacteria.

A bovine colostrum fraction (BCF) was recently shown to enhance the adherence of several commensal organisms to intestinal epithelial cells through modulating the epithelial cell surface. In this study, the main components of the BCF were examined to investigate the active component/s responsible for driving the changes in the intestinal cells. The adherence of various bifidobacteria to HT-29 cells was increased when the intestinal cells were pre-incubated with immunoglobulin G (IgG).

Bovine colostrum-driven modulation of intestinal epithelial cells for increased commensal colonisation.

Nutritional intake may influence the intestinal epithelial glycome and in turn the available attachment sites for bacteria. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that bovine colostrum may influence the intestinal cell surface and in turn the attachment of commensal organisms. Human HT-29 intestinal cells were exposed to a bovine colostrum fraction (BCF) rich in free oligosaccharides.

Interrogation of Milk-Driven Changes to the Proteome of Intestinal Epithelial Cells by Integrated Proteomics and Glycomics.

Bovine colostrum is a rich source of bioactive components which are important in the development of the intestine, in stimulating gut structure and function and in preparing the gut surface for subsequent colonization of microbes. What is not clear, however, is how colostrum may affect the repertoire of receptors and membrane proteins of the intestinal surface and the post-translational modifications associated with them. In the present work, we aimed to characterize the surface receptor and glycan profile of human HT-29 intestinal cells after exposure to a bovine colostrum fraction (BCF) by means of proteomic and glycomic analyses.

Modulation of expression in BEAS-2B airway epithelial cells of α-L-fucosidase A1 and A2 by Th1 and Th2 cytokines, and overexpression of α-L-fucosidase 2.

Chronic Th2-driven airway inflammation with excessive mucus production occurs in asthma. The regulation of FUCA1 and FUCA2 gene expression and enzyme activity in response to asthma-associated Th2 cytokines and, for contrast, Th1 cytokine IFN-γ, were investigated in a human airway cell line. BEAS-2B cells were supplemented with Th2-derived cytokines (IL-13, IL-4, IL-5) or/and IFN-γ.

A HPLC-based glycoanalytical protocol allows the use of natural O-glycans derived from glycoproteins as substrates for glycosidase discovery from microbial culture.

Many disorders are characterised by changes in O-glycosylation, but analysis of O-glycosylation has been limited by the availability of specific endo- and exo-glycosidases. As a result chemical methods are employed. However, these may give rise to glycan degradation, so therefore novel O-glycosidases are needed.

The expression of mucin genes and the presence of mucin gene products in the equine endometrium.

In the equine reproductive tract, little is known about mucin gene expression and the role of mucins in barrier function and host-cell interaction. The aims of the study were to identify equine orthologs of mammalian mucin genes using available equine sequence data, to profile expression of equine orthologous mucin genes in the endometrium using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), to determine spatial expression patterns of mucin genes using in situ hybridisation, and to confirm the presence of mucin gene products using Western blotting and equine-specific mucin antibodies during oestrus and dioestrus. While the mucin gene expression pattern in equine endometrium is similar to that of other mammals, several mucins appear to be uniquely expressed in this tissue (eqMUC3B, 7, 18, and 20) and one is hormonally regulated (eqMUC3B).

Molecular aspects of mucin biosynthesis and mucus formation in the bovine cervix during the periestrous period.

Mucus within the cervical canal represents a hormonally regulated barrier that reconciles the need to exclude the vaginal microflora from the uterus during progesterone dominance, while permitting sperm transport at estrus. Its characteristics change during the estrous cycle to facilitate these competing functional requirements. Hydrated mucin glycoproteins synthesized by the endocervical epithelium form the molecular scaffold of this mucus.

Horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase: new perspectives for an old enzyme.

The EE subunit of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH-EE) has been subcloned in pRSETb vector to generate a fusion His-tag protein. The migration from a multistep purification protocol for this well-known enzyme to a single-step has been successfully achieved. Several adjustments to the traditional purification procedure for His-tag proteins have been made to retain protein activity.

Analysing mucin degradation.

Turnover of mucins in supramucosal gels is essential for the removal of surface contaminants, and the maintenance of normal mucosal barrier function. In addition to the well-known processes promoting the physical turnover of mucus gels, extracellular mucin degradation also requires the coordinated action of a range of enzyme activities including glycosidases and proteases. These are collectively termed "mucinase".

Secretory virulence factors produced by Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from mastitic bovine milk--effect on bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

The aim of the research was to test whether exogenic virulence factors secreted by Staphylococcus aureus isolates are involved in mechanisms that allow the bacteria to modulate and evade phagocytosis by bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The research was based on the comparison of the effects of supernatants, prepared from cultures of 30 S. aureus isolates, on the functional properties of bovine neutrophils in vitro.

Extremophiles and their application to veterinary medicine.

Extremophiles can be defined as organisms that can survive in extreme environments that cannot support mammalian life. They include microorganisms that can tolerate temperature extremes, extremes of pH, salinity, hydrostatic pressure and ionizing radiation, as well as low oxygen tension, desiccation and the presence of heavy metals. Psychrophilic organisms also include fish in polar waters and animals that withstand freezing.

Practical classes: a platform for deep learning? Overall context in the first-year veterinary curriculum.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the many practical formats that support the first-year veterinary curriculum. These practical classes are diverse in content and style. They include laboratory-based formats, classes involving live animals and cadavers, classes conducted using computer-aided learning tools, study groups, and information technology training.

The activity and expression of chitinase in the equine lung and its activity in normal horses and animals with recurrent airway obstruction.

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is a chronic inflammatory condition in equine lung, which may share a common immunological basis with human asthma, in which dysregulated Th2 responses occur. Mammals express chitinases and chitinase-like proteins, two of which are active enzymes, chitotriosidase and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase). Both enzymes are upregulated in a range of inflammatory conditions, including asthma.

Biochemical characterisation of the recombinant peroxiredoxin (FhePrx) of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica.

The parasitic helminth Fasciola hepatica secretes a 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx) that may play important functions in host-parasite interaction. Recombinant peroxiredoxin (FhePrx) prevented metal-catalyzed oxidative nicking of plasmid DNA and detoxified hydrogen peroxide when coupled with Escherichia coli thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase (k(cat)/K(m)=5.2 x 10(5)M(-1)s(-1)).

Observations of veterinary medicine students' approaches to study in pre-clinical years.

Rationale For This Study: This study has two purposes. The first is to explore an instrument of evaluation of the approaches to study (deep, strategic, and surface) adopted by students in the pre-clinical years of their veterinary degree program. The second is to examine relationships between these approaches and a broad range of further factors deemed relevant to the veterinary medicine context.

Extremophiles and their application to veterinary medicine.

: Extremophiles are organisms that can grow and thrive in harsh conditions, e.g., extremes of temperature, pH, salinity, radiation, pressure and oxygen tension.

Alanine dehydrogenase from the psychrophilic bacterium strain PA-43: overexpression, molecular characterization, and sequence analysis.

The gene encoding alanine dehydrogenase (AlaDH; EC 1.4.1.