Extracellular vesicles derived from bovine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells enhance in vitro embryo production from lesioned ovaries.

Background And Aims: Ovum pick-up (OPU) is an intrinsic step of in vitro fertilization procedures. Nevertheless, it can cause ovarian lesions and compromise female fertility in bovines. Recently, we have shown that intraovarian injection of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) effectively preserves ovarian function in bovines.

In silico assessment of missense point mutations on human cathelicidin LL-37.

Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides are a diverse family of cationic amphipathic peptides with multiple activities. In humans, cathelicidin LL-37 is one of the main host defense peptides with a remarkable medical and biotechnological potential. Deregulation of LL-37 expression has been associated with inflammatory diseases.

Use of next generation sequencing and bioinformatics for profiling freshwater eukaryotic microalgae in a novel peatland integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system: Case study from the Republic of Ireland.

Development of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems constitutes a step change in the sustainable production of freshwater fish to meet emerging needs for high-protein foods globally. Recently, there has been a paradigm shift away from harvesting peat as a fuel towards the development of wettable peatland innovation (termed 'paludiculture'), such as aquaculture. Such eco-innovations support carbon sequestration and align with a balanced environmental approach to protecting biodiversity.

Benchmarking analysis of deleterious SNP prediction tools on CYP2D6 enzyme.

The cytochrome P450 family is composed of hemeproteins involved in the metabolic transformation of endogenous and exogenous substances. The CYP2D6 enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of ~25% of clinically used drugs and is mainly expressed in the liver. The CYP2D6 gene is known to have a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Spring Is Coming: Genetic Analyses of the Bud Break Date Locus Reveal Candidate Genes From the Cold Perception Pathway to Dormancy Release in Apple ( × Borkh.).

Chilling requirement (CR) for bud dormancy completion determines the time of bud break in apple ( × Borkh.). The molecular control of bud dormancy is highly heritable, suggesting a strong genetic control of the trait.

Comparative transcriptome analyses of magainin I-susceptible and -resistant Escherichia coli strains.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted considerable attention because of their multiple and complex mechanisms of action toward resistant bacteria. However, reports have increasingly highlighted how bacteria can escape AMP administration. Here, the molecular mechanisms involved in Escherichia coli resistance to magainin I were investigated through comparative transcriptomics.

In silico analyses of deleterious missense SNPs of human apolipoprotein E3.

ApoE3 is the major chylomicron apolipoprotein, binding in a specific liver peripheral cell receptor, allowing transport and normal catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein constituents. Point mutations in ApoE3 have been associated with Alzheimer's disease, type III hyperlipoproteinemia, atherosclerosis, telomere shortening and impaired cognitive function. Here, we evaluate the impact of missense SNPs in APOE retrieved from dbSNP through 16 computational prediction tools, and further evaluate the structural impact of convergent deleterious changes using 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations.

Computational Investigation of Growth Hormone Receptor Trp169Arg Heterozygous Mutation in a Child With Short Stature.

Mutations in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene can cause disruption of the growth hormone signaling pathway, resulting in growth deficiency due to growth hormone (GH) resistance. Both recessive and apparently dominant mutations have been described in the literature. In order to shed some light on the molecular mechanism of partial growth hormone resistance caused by heterozygous mutations, we performed an in-depth in silico analysis of a mutation found in a girl with a previous diagnosis of idiopathic short stature.

Theoretical structural characterization of lymphoguanylin: A potential candidate for the development of drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders.

Guanylin peptides (GPs) are small cysteine-rich peptide hormones involved in salt absorption, regulation of fluids and electrolyte homeostasis. This family presents four members: guanylin (GN), uroguanylin (UGN), lymphoguanylin (LGN) and renoguanylin (RGN). GPs have been used as templates for the development of drugs for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Novel Mucilaginibacter Member Isolated from Brazilian Amazon Soil.

Bacteria from the Mucilaginibacter genus are still poorly understood, although their importance has been shown by recent reports describing great quantities of biofilms produced in their colonies. We report the draft genome sequence of a novel Mucilaginibacter member, comprising 8 contigs, totaling 5,478,589 bp and 4,876 predicted coding sequences.

Structural impact analysis of missense SNPs present in the uroguanylin gene by long-term molecular dynamics simulations.

The guanylate cyclase activator 2B, also known as uroguanylin, is part of the guanylin peptide family, which includes peptides such as guanylin and lymphoguanylin. The guanylin peptides could be related to sodium absorption inhibition and water secretion induction and their dysfunction may be related to various pathologies such as chronic renal failure, congestive heart failure and nephrotic syndrome. Besides, uroguanylin point mutations have been associated with essential hypertension.

Prediction of the impact of coding missense and nonsense single nucleotide polymorphisms on HD5 and HBD1 antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.

Defensins confer host defense against microorganisms and are important for human health. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in defensin gene-coding regions could lead to less active variants. Using SNP data available at the dbSNP database and frequency information from the 1000 Genomes Project, two DEFA5 (L26I and R13H) and eight DEFB1 (C35S, K31T, K33R, R29G, V06I, C12Y, Y28* and C05*) missense and nonsense SNPs that are located within mature regions of the coded defensins were retrieved.

Venom gland transcriptome analyses of two freshwater stingrays (Myliobatiformes: Potamotrygonidae) from Brazil.

Stingrays commonly cause human envenoming related accidents in populations of the sea, near rivers and lakes. Transcriptomic profiles have been used to elucidate components of animal venom, since they are capable of providing molecular information on the biology of the animal and could have biomedical applications. In this study, we elucidated the transcriptomic profile of the venom glands from two different freshwater stingray species that are endemic to the Paraná-Paraguay basin in Brazil, Potamotrygon amandae and Potamotrygon falkneri.

HD5 and HBD1 variants' solvation potential energy correlates with their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.

The structure-activity relationship of defensins is not clear. It is known that point mutations in HD5 and HBD1 could modify their activities; however, these mutations do not seem to alter their three-dimensional structures. Here, applying molecular dynamics simulations, this relationship was studied in depth.

Computational analyses and prediction of guanylin deleterious SNPs.

Human guanylin, coded by the GUCA2A gene, is a member of a peptide family that activates intestinal membrane guanylate cyclase, regulating electrolyte and water transport in intestinal and renal epithelia. Deregulation of guanylin peptide activity has been associated with colon adenocarcinoma, adenoma and intestinal polyps. Besides, it is known that mutations on guanylin receptors could be involved in meconium ileus.

Shedding some light over the floral metabolism by arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) spathe de novo transcriptome assembly.

Zantedeschia aethiopica is an evergreen perennial plant cultivated worldwide and commonly used for ornamental and medicinal purposes including the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the current understanding of molecular and physiological mechanisms in this plant is limited, in comparison to other non-model plants. In order to improve understanding of the biology of this botanical species, RNA-Seq technology was used for transcriptome assembly and characterization.