Publications by authors named "Stefania Short"

Protein toxins are defense mechanisms and adaptations found in various organisms and microorganisms, and their use in scientific research as therapeutic candidates is gaining relevance due to their effectiveness and specificity against cellular targets. However, discovering these toxins is time-consuming and expensive. In silico tools, particularly those based on machine learning and deep learning, have emerged as valuable resources to address this challenge.

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Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are natural biomolecules found in cold-adapted organisms that lower the freezing point of water, allowing survival in icy conditions. These proteins have the potential to improve cryopreservation techniques by enhancing the quality of genetic material postthaw. , a freezing-tolerant plant, possesses AFPs and is a promising candidate for cryopreservation applications.

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The chorion fulfills important functions in fish embryos, including protecting the embryo during development. The characterization of the protein profile of this envelope could be used as a bioindicator in the evaluation of the quality of embryonic development. The object of this work was to validate a standardized protocol for protein extraction from chorion of embryos at 280 accumulated thermal units (ATU) by comparing and combining existing methods.

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The development of semen cryopreservation strategies is necessary to improve the semen storage technologies of species of great commercial interest for aquaculture. Recent studies demonstrate that lipids play an important role in the fertility and cryotolerance of fish gametes. This study investigated the effect of exogenous lipids in the freezing medium on the post-thaw functional parameters of Salmo salar spermatozoa.

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Deschampsia antarctica has managed to colonize the maritime Antarctic. One of the main factors associated with its tolerance to low temperatures is the presence of apoplastic proteins with antifreeze activity. This work focuses on the effect of cold acclimation of D.

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Sperm motility in fish with external fertilization is critical for reproductive efficiency in aquaculture, especially in salmonids. Gamete preservation techniques, such as cryopreservation, however, reduce sperm motility and fertilizing capacity. Very few studies have addressed cryodamage from energetic and cell signalling approaches.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines the effects of cold storage and cryopreservation on the sperm quality of Atlantic salmon, specifically focusing on their morphology and lipid composition.
  • After cold storage at 4°C and cryopreservation, significant changes were observed in spermatozoa, including damage to the mitochondria, plasma membrane, and flagellum, with cryopreservation causing greater structural abnormalities.
  • The findings indicate that both storage methods lead to lipid composition changes, with a decrease in beneficial polyunsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids, highlighting the need to improve storage techniques to minimize damage and enhance sperm viability for use in the salmon industry.
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There is an extraordinary diversity of reproductive modes in teleost and this variability is related to the phylogenetic relationships and adaption to very different biotopes. As in all vertebrates, sperm is produced as the end product of the process of spermatogenesis, and regarding teleost the spermatozoa lack an acrosome in almost all species and motility is activated as a response to osmolarity and ion content of the aquatic medium where the sperm is released. In this context, mitochondria possess a fundamental role for fish spermatozoa motility and integrity, hence, fertilizing potential; they are the energy supplier that allows flagellar movement and their dysfunction could play a main role in structural and functional damage to the spermatozoa.

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Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IH) is linked with oxidative stress, impairing cardiac function. However, early IH also activate cardio-protective mechanisms. Omega 3 fatty acids (Ω3) induce cardioprotection by reducing infarct size and reinforcing antioxidant defenses.

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Background: Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) induces changes in the redox status and structure in rat testis. These effects may be present in people at high altitudes, such as athletes and miners. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can be effective in counteracting these oxidative modifications due to their antioxidants properties.

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