Research note: Harnessing the potential of chicken blastodermal cells as a new frontier in poultry science and biotechnology - Establishment of embryonic stem cells and their differentiability towards Schwann cell-like cell lineages.

The nervous system's regenerative potential has sparked interest in exploring novel approaches to generate Schwann cell-like cells (SC-LCs) from chicken blastoderm (B)-derived embryonic stem cells (B-ESCs). This study investigates the hypothesis that specific growth factors, when used during ex-ovo culture, can induce the differentiation of chicken B-ESCs into cells resembling Schwann cells (SCs). Blastodermal cells (BCs) were isolated from in vivo-fertilized eggs at stage X followed by 14-d proliferative culture (PRC) of B-ESCs and subsequent 14-d glial/neurolemmogenic differentiation culture (DFC).

Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of gonadal development in the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus).

Chameleons are a family of lizards distinguished by several unique features related to their arboreal lifestyles, such as a ballistic tongue, skin color changes, independent movement of both eyes, a prehensile tail, and cleft hands and feet. The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) has been proposed as a promising model species for studying squamate biology. Despite its potential, the developmental biology of this species remains poorly understood, particularly in terms of gonadal development.

Light-Modulated Circadian Synaptic Plasticity in the Somatosensory Cortex: Link to Locomotor Activity.

The circadian clock controls various physiological processes, including synaptic function and neuronal activity, affecting the functioning of the entire organism. Light is an important external factor regulating the day-night cycle. This study examined the effects of the circadian clock and light on synaptic plasticity, and explored how locomotor activity contributes to these processes.

GW0742 as a Potential TRα and TRβ Antagonist Reduces the Viability and Metabolic Activity of an Adult Granulosa Tumour Cell Line and Simultaneously Upregulates TRβ Expression.

Background/objectives: Clinical studies have demonstrated a correlation between alterations in the expression level of TRα and TRβ receptors in ovarian cancer cells and overall survival. Celecoxib and GW0742, commonly known as a COX-2 inhibitor and a PPARβ/δ agonist, are novel thyroid hormone receptor antagonists that bind to TRβ or both TRα and TRβ.

Methods: The study was conducted on a non-luteinized ovarian granulosa cell line (HGrC1) and two rare ovarian cancer cell lines (COV434 and KGN).

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human granulosa cells: first in vivo presence and positive correlation with body mass index and in vitro ovarian cell steroidogenesis regulation.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure leads to disorders reported in female infertility patients. Our hypothesis is that PAHs accumulate in granulosa cells (Gc) according to body mass index (BMI) and directly affects its functions. All 16 high-priority PAHs were in human FF, Gc and blood plasma with the highest concentration in Gc (GC-MS/MS).

New aspect on the regulation of in vitro oocyte maturation: role of the obesity, neuropeptides and adipokines.

Oocyte quality determinants and nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation establish essential processes for fertilization and further development of the conceptus. Moreover, female fertility is strongly dependent on the metabolic status of the organism. Numerous sources indicate that obesity impairs ovarian function including oocyte physiology by inhibiting nuclear maturation, stimulating lipotoxicity and inflammation, enabling cumulus cells apoptosis, promoting reactive oxygen species formation and ultimately imposing pathogenic effects on mitochondria leading to infertility.

Autophagy in the retina affects photoreceptor synaptic plasticity and behavior.

The visual system is a sensory system which is sensitive to light and detects photic stimuli. It plays many important functions, such as vision, circadian clock entrainment and regulation of sleep-wake behavior. The interconnection between the visual system and clock network is precisely regulated.

Osteogenic potential of human bone marrow stromal cell line HS-27A.

Human cell line HS-27A represents an immortalized subpopulation of human stromal cells derived from bone marrow. HS-27A cells meet the criteria set by the International Society of Cell Therapy (ISCT) for the classification as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by expression of surface molecules CD73, CD90, CD105 and HLA-ABC with no expression of CD14, CD31, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. We hypothesized that these cells may undergo osteogenesis similar to human bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) and serve as a model of osteogenic cell responses under normal and inflammatory conditions.

Towards Understanding the Role of the Glycosylation of Proteins Present in Extracellular Vesicles in Urinary Tract Diseases: Contributions to Cancer and Beyond.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a population of nanoscale particles surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer, enabling intercellular transfer of bioactive molecules. Once released from the parental cell, EVs can be found in most biological fluids in the human body and can be isolated from them. For this reason, EVs have significant diagnostic potential and can serve as an excellent source of circulating disease biomarkers.

The Effect of Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields with Low Induction and Red LED Light on Keratinocyte Biological Activity-An In Vitro Research Model.

For several decades, there has been growing interest in the influence of low-frequency magnetic fields (LFMFs) and red LED light on the healing process. Keratinocytes are cells that play a significant role in the process of wound healing and tissue regeneration. A human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) was exposed to an LFMF with low induction (180-195 Hz; 60 µT, magnetostimulation), red LED light (630 nm; 300 mW, LED therapy), and their combined action (magneto-LED therapy) in in vitro culture conditions.

A Preliminary Study on the Modifying Effect of Strawberry Seed Oil and Sex on Rabbit Meat Quality.

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of strawberry seed oil addition to rabbit feed on slaughter performance traits, meat quality traits and plasma cholesterol and triglycerides of purebred Termond White rabbits ( = 24). The experiment used young rabbits born to 6 does. From each litter, two rabbits were randomly assigned into one of the two groups.

What's new in reproductive biology? Report from the 10th Meeting of the Society for Biology of Reproduction (Towarzystwo Biologii Rozrodu, TBR).

The 10th Meeting of the Society for Biology of Reproduction (Towarzystwo Biologii Rozrodu, TBR) was held on September 12th-14th, 2024 in Warsaw, Poland. It was a continuation of previous meetings since 1999, when the first Meeting was held in Mierki near Olsztyn. As in previous meetings, the conference brought together an outstanding group of nearly 140 researchers, all connected by their work in reproductive biology across various animal models.

Haemoparasite infection risk in multi-host avian system: an integrated analysis.

Avian blood parasites play a crucial role in wildlife health and ecosystem dynamics, exhibiting heterogeneous spatial distribution influenced by various factors. Although factors underlying heterogeneity in infection with blood parasites have been explored in many avian hosts, their importance in the context of host species and the parasite taxon remains poorly understood, particularly in cohabiting host species. Using next-generation sequencing for parasite screening, we investigate the association between , and infections in relation to individual parameters, host densities and landscape features in 3 cavity-nesting passerines: great tit (), blue tit () and collared flycatcher () in a highly fragmented forest habitat.

Visfatin exerts an anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect in the human placenta cells.

Visfatin regulates energy homeostasis, metabolism, inflammation, and reproduction via the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis. Our previous study showed the visfatin gene and protein expression in the human placenta. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro effect of visfatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of placental JEG-3 and BeWo cells but also in villous explants collected from normal pregnancies and complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preeclampsia (PE), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

The association between maternal stress and human milk concentrations of cortisol and prolactin.

Psychosocial stress affects the relationship between prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CORT). The dynamics of PRL and CORT changes under stress in human milk (HM) are largely unknown. We investigated how maternal stress related to recent life changes affects milk CORT and PRL concentrations.

Prenatal exposure to air pollutants and the second to fourth digit ratio in adult women.

The study aimed to analyse the association between the digit ratio in adult women and the degree of air pollution (suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitric dioxide, benzene levels) in the place of residence of their mothers during pregnancy. The data was collected from female students in several Polish cities. Measurements were taken, and questionnaire data were collected.

Activation of 5-HT receptors in the mouse dentate gyrus does not affect theta-burst-induced plasticity at the perforant path synapse.

Background: The study examined the effects of 5-HT receptor activation on GABAergic transmission within the dentate gyrus and plasticity at the glutamatergic perforant path input.

Methods: Immunofluorescence imaging was performed using transverse hippocampal slices from transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the Htr7 promoter. This was followed by whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiological recordings assessing the effects of pharmacologically activating 5-HT receptors on spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents recorded from dentate granule cells and hilar mossy cells-two glutamatergic neuron types present in the dentate gyrus.

A novel 3D cardiac microtissue model for investigation of cardiovascular complications in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects not only the joints but also has significant cardiovascular (CV) manifestations. The mechanistic interplay between RA and cardiovascular complications is not yet well understood due to the lack of relevant in vitro models. In this study, we established RA cardiac microtisses (cMTs) from iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs), endothelial cells (ECs) and cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) to investigate whether this fully human 3D multicellular system could serve as a platform to elucidate the connection between RA and CV disorders.

PGRMC1 and PAQR4 are promising molecular targets for a rare subtype of ovarian cancer.

The heterogeneity of ovarian cancer (OC) has made developing effective treatments difficult. Nowadays, hormone therapy plays a growing role in the treatment of OC; however, hormone modulators have had only limited success so far. To provide a more rigorous foundation for hormonal therapy for different OC subtypes, the current study used a series of bioinformatics approaches to analyse the expression profiles of genes encoding membrane progesterone (PGRMC1, progestins and the adipoQ receptor [PAQR] family), and androgen (zinc transporter member 9 [ZIP9], OXER1) receptors.

Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Reduce DHT-Stimulated Changes in the Steroidogenic Activity of Adult Granulosa Cell Tumors.

Considering the properties of myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI), which are well known in polycystic ovary syndrome therapy, and the limitations of adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) treatment, especially for androgen-secreting tumors, we studied the role of MI and DCI in the androgen-rich environment of AGCTs. For this purpose, we analyzed the mRNA expression of steroidogenic genes and the secretion of progesterone (P4) and 17β-estradiol (E2) in an unstimulated and/or dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-stimulated environment under MI and DCI influence. Thus, we used the HGrC1 and KGN cell lines as in vitro models of healthy and cancerous granulosa cells.

Correction: Szymanska et al. The Effect of Visfatin on the Functioning of the Porcine Pituitary Gland: An In Vitro Study. 2023, 12, 2835.

In the original publication [...

Element Changes Occurring in Brain Point at the White Matter Abnormalities in Rats Exposed to the Ketogenic Diet During Prenatal Life.

A large number of clinical studies demonstrate that the ketogenic diet (KD) may be an effective approach to the reduction of epileptic seizures in children and adults. Such dietary therapy could also help pregnant women with epilepsy, especially since most antiseizure drugs have teratogenic action. However, there is a lack of medical data, considering the safety of using KD during gestation for the progeny.

DNA methylation at AHRR as a master predictor of smoke exposure and a biomarker for sleep and exercise.

Background: DNA methylation profiling may provide a more accurate measure of the smoking status than self-report and may be useful in guiding clinical interventions and forensic investigations. In the current study, blood DNA methylation profiles of nearly 800 Polish individuals were assayed using Illuminia EPIC and the inference of smoking from epigenetic data was explored. In addition, we focused on the role of the AHRR gene as a top marker for smoking and investigated its responsiveness to other lifestyle behaviors.