Basic Exploratory Study of Bisphenol A (BPA) Dietary Administration to Istrian Pramenka Rams and Male Toxicity Investigation.

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical and environmental pollutant, has been reported by many researchers to induce male reproductive toxicity in different experimental models. In this study, we investigated whether long-term exposure for two months to 25 µg/kg body weight (low dose) of BPA affects spermatogenesis or sperm quality in young Istrian Pramenka rams exposed via diet. We evaluated body and testicular weights, histopathology of testes and epididymides, and sperm analyses, and compared these parameters between the group of treated rams and the control group of rams.

Policing in pandemics: A systematic review and best practices for police response to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a range of unforeseen and unprecedented challenges for police departments worldwide. In light of these challenges, the goal of this review is to understand the potential short- and long-term effects of disasters and public health emergencies on policing organisations and officers. A total of 72 studies were eligible for inclusion, based on their focus on policing and police work during and in the aftermath of natural disasters and public health emergencies.

[Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) - Outbreak in North Rhine-Westphalia (District of Heinsberg) - First diagnosis of a COVID-19 manifestation in a couple].

History And Clinical Findings: Up to February 24 2020 occasionally occuring SARS-CoV-2 infections in Germany without severe course. Emergency presentation of a couple in the emergency room. For seven days now, the man has fever, dry cough und physical weakness and the wife has similar symptoms of a milder form.

Screen for alterations of iron related parameters in N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-treated mice identified mutant lines with increased plasma ferritin levels.

Iron is essential for numerous cellular processes. For diagnostic purposes iron-related parameters in patients are assessed by clinical chemical blood analysis including the analysis of ferritin, transferrin and iron levels. Here, we retrospectively evaluated the use of these parameters in the phenotype-driven Munich N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mouse mutagenesis project for the generation of novel animal models for human diseases.

Sulforaphane has opposing effects on TNF-alpha stimulated and unstimulated synoviocytes.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by progressive inflammation associated with rampantly proliferating synoviocytes and joint destruction due to oxidative stress. Recently, we described nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) as a major requirement for limiting cartilage destruction. NF-κB and AP-1 are the main transcription factors triggering the inflammatory progression in RA.

Generation of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mouse mutants with deviations in hematological parameters.

Research on hematological disorders relies on suitable animal models. We retrospectively evaluated the use of the hematological parameters hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), and platelet count (PLT) in the phenotype-driven Munich N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mouse mutagenesis project as parameters for the generation of novel animal models for human diseases. The analysis was carried out on more than 16,000 G1 and G3 offspring of chemically mutagenized inbred C3H mice to detect dominant and recessive mutations leading to deviations in the levels of the chosen parameters.

A splice site mutation in the murine Opa1 gene features pathology of autosomal dominant optic atrophy.

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (adOA) is a juvenile onset, progressive ocular disorder characterized by bilateral loss of vision, central visual field defects, colour vision disturbances, and optic disc pallor. adOA is most frequently associated with mutations in OPA1 encoding a dynamin-related large GTPase that localizes to mitochondria. Histopathological studies in adOA patients have shown a degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and a loss of axons in the optic nerve.

Efficient and fast targeted production of murine models based on ENU mutagenesis.

Mice with targeted genetic alterations are the most effective tools for deciphering organismal gene function. We generated an ENU-based parallel C3HeB/FeJ sperm and DNA archive characterized by a high probability to identify allelic variants of target genes as well as high efficiencies in allele retrieval and model revitalization. Our archive size of over 17,000 samples contains approximately 340,000 independent alleles (20 functional mutations per individual sample).

Autoimmunity and inflammation due to a gain-of-function mutation in phospholipase C gamma 2 that specifically increases external Ca2+ entry.

The identification of specific genetic loci that contribute to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases has proved difficult due to the contribution of multiple interacting genes, the inherent genetic heterogeneity present in human populations, and a lack of new mouse mutants. By using N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis to discover new immune regulators, we identified a point mutation in the murine phospholipase Cg2 (Plcg2) gene that leads to severe spontaneous inflammation and autoimmunity. The disease is composed of an autoimmune component mediated by autoantibody immune complexes and B and T cell independent inflammation.

Synergistic interaction of two independent genetic loci causes extreme elevation of serum IgA in mice.

Understanding the molecular regulation of immunoglobulin A (IgA) expression is important as it plays an essential role in the first-line defence through mucosal secretions. Using inbred mouse strains, we identified two independent and dominant acting genetic loci that synergistically cause a 40-fold upregulation in serum IgA levels when introduced into the murine strain C57Bl/6J (B6). The first locus on chromosome 12 appears to be mainly responsible for the natural four-fold higher IgA levels in C3HeB/FeJ (C3H) compared to B6 mice.

Vestibular defects in head-tilt mice result from mutations in Nox3, encoding an NADPH oxidase.

The vestibular system of the inner ear is responsible for the perception of motion and gravity. Key elements of this organ are otoconia, tiny biomineral particles in the utricle and the saccule. In response to gravity or linear acceleration, otoconia deflect the stereocilia of the hair cells, thus transducing kinetic movements into sensorineural action potentials.

Association of vitamin D binding protein variants with chronic mucus hypersecretion in Iceland.

Background: Previous studies of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP, also known as group-specific component, Gc, encoded by the GC gene) have implicated two gene variants, GC*2 and GC*1F, as possible contributors with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) protection and susceptibility, respectively. The objective of this study was to examine the association of VDBP to different subtypes of COPD.

Study Design: The association of the various GC genotypes to the COPD phenotype was examined in Icelandic COPD patients who were followed by pulmonary physicians at the University Hospital of Iceland.

Identification of the nicking tyrosine of geminivirus Rep protein.

The replication initiator (Rep) proteins of geminiviruses perform a DNA cleavage and strand transfer reaction at the viral origin of replication. As a reaction intermediate, Rep proteins become covalently linked to the 5' end of the cleaved DNA. We have used tomato yellow leaf curl virus Rep protein for in vivo and in vitro analyses.

Rep protein of tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus has an ATPase activity required for viral DNA replication.

The Rep protein of geminiviruses is the sole viral protein required for their DNA replication. The amino acid sequence of Rep protein contains an NTP binding consensus motif (P-loop). Here we show that purified Rep protein of tomato yellow leaf curl virus expressed in Escherichia coli exhibits an ATPase activity in vitro.

In vitro cleavage and joining at the viral origin of replication by the replication initiator protein of tomato yellow leaf curl virus.

Replication of the single-stranded DNA genome of geminiviruses occurs via a double-stranded intermediate that is subsequently used as a template for rolling-circle replication of the viral strand. Only one of the proteins encoded by the virus, here referred to as replication initiator protein (Rep protein), is indispensable for replication. We show that the Rep protein of tomato yellow leaf curl virus initiates viral-strand DNA synthesis by introducing a nick in the plus strand within the nonanucleotide 1TAATATT decreases 8AC, identical among all geminiviruses.

Determination of the origin cleavage and joining domain of geminivirus Rep proteins.

Replication of the single-stranded DNA genome of plant geminiviruses follows a rolling circle mechanism. It strictly depends on a 'rolling circle replication initiator protein', the M(r) 41 kDa viral Rep protein, encoded by the C1 or AC1 genes. Using wheat dwarf virus (WDV) and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) as examples, we show that not only the full-size Rep proteins, but also a putative 30 kDa translation product of WDV open reading frame C1-N as well as an artificially shortened 24 kDa Rep of TYLCV, cleave and join single-stranded origin DNA in vitro.

Geminivirus replication: genetic and biochemical characterization of Rep protein function, a review.

Replication of the single-stranded DNA genome of plant geminiviruses follows a rolling circle mechanism. It strictly depends on a 'replication initiator protein' (Rep) which is the sole viral protein essential for replication. Rep protein catalyzes multiple reactions during the reproductive cycle of the virus.

The combination of a novel stimulatory element in the first exon of the maize Shrunken-1 gene with the following intron 1 enhances reporter gene expression up to 1000-fold.

Both exon 1 and intron 1 of the maize Shrunken-1 (Sh1) gene individually stimulate expression of reporter genes in transient gene expression experiments if present within the transcription unit. The Sh1 exon 1 mediates a 10-fold increase in activity when inserted at the 5' end of the bacterial chloramphenicol transacetylase (CAT) marker gene in both monocot and dicot protoplasts. The Sh1 intron 1 enhances chimeric gene expression in rice and maize protoplasts approximately 100-fold but inhibits CAT expression in tobacco protoplasts.

Wheat dwarf virus Ac/Ds vectors: expression and excision of transposable elements introduced into various cereals by a viral replicon.

The maize transposon Activator (Ac) and in vitro-generated nonautonomous derivatives thereof [Ac delta or Dissociation (Ds) elements] were inserted into the genome of a geminivirus of graminaceous plants, wheat dwarf virus, at a site that does not interfere with viral replication. These recombinant viral genomes were introduced into wheat, maize, and rice protoplasts, where rapid and efficient excision of Ac was observed. Excision was detected only in vectors in which, after transfection, the virus could replicate.

Transcription of transposable element Activator (Ac) of Zea mays L.

Transcripts of various sizes hybridize to the transposable element Ac of Zea mays in most maize lines. A 3.5-kb mRNA with an abundance of 1-3 x 10 of the poly(A) RNA, however, is found exclusively in those lines that carry an active Ac.