Insights into conceptus elongation and establishment of pregnancy in ruminants

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. Spencer ◽  
N. Forde ◽  
P. Lonergan
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
New Information ◽  
Improve Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Other Substances ◽  
Stage Embryo ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Pregnancy Recognition ◽  
And Function ◽  
New Strategies ◽  
Embryotrophic Factors

This review integrates established and new information on the factors and pathways regulating conceptus–endometrial interactions, conceptus elongation and establishment of pregnancy in sheep and cattle. Establishment of pregnancy in domestic ruminants begins at the conceptus stage (embryo or fetus and associated extra-embryonic membranes) and includes pregnancy recognition signalling, implantation and the onset of placentation. Survival and growth of the preimplantation blastocyst and elongating conceptus require embryotrophic factors (amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and other substances) provided by the uterus. The coordinated and interactive actions of ovarian progesterone and conceptus-derived factors (interferon-τ and prostaglandins) regulate expression of elongation- and implantation-related genes in the endometrial epithelia that alter the uterine luminal milieu and affect trophectoderm proliferation, migration, attachment, differentiation and function. A comparison of sheep and cattle finds both conserved and non-conserved embryotrophic factors in the uterus; however, the overall biological pathways governing conceptus elongation and establishment of pregnancy are likely conserved. Given that most pregnancy losses in ruminants occur during the first month of pregnancy, increased knowledge is necessary to understand why and provide a basis for new strategies to improve pregnancy outcome and reproductive efficiency.

Pregnancy recognition and conceptus implantation in domestic ruminants: roles of progesterone, interferons and endogenous retroviruses

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Spencer ◽  
Greg A. Johnson ◽  
Fuller W. Bazer ◽  
Robert C. Burghardt ◽  
Massimo Palmarini
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Cathepsin L ◽  
Prostaglandin F2α ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
Cell Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
New Information ◽  
Conceptus Development ◽  
Pregnancy Recognition

The present review highlights new information on pregnancy recognition and conceptus development and implantation in sheep with respect to regulation by progesterone, interferons and endogenous retroviruses. After formation of the corpus luteum, progesterone acts on the endometrium and stimulates blastocyst growth and elongation to a filamentous conceptus (embryo/fetus and associated extra-embryonic membranes). The envelope of endogenous retroviruses related to Jaagsiekte sheep retroviruses appears to intrinsically regulate mononuclear trophectoderm cell proliferation and differentiation into trophoblast giant binucleate cells. The mononuclear trophectoderm cells of elongating sheep conceptuses secrete interferon-τ, which acts on the endometrium to prevent development of the luteolytic mechanism by inhibiting transcription of the gene for the oestrogen receptor α in the luminal and superficial ductal glandular epithelia. These actions prevent oestrogen-induced transcription of the oxytocin receptor gene and, therefore, oxytocin-induced luteolytic pulses of prostaglandin F2α. Progesterone downregulation of its receptors in luminal and glandular epithelia correlates temporally with a reduction in anti-adhesive mucin 1and induction of secreted galectin 15 (LGALS15) and secreted phosphoprotein 1, which are proposed to regulate trophectoderm proliferation and adhesion. Interferon-τ acts on the endometrial lumenal epithelium to induce WNT7A and to stimulate LGALS15, cathepsin L and cystatin C, which are candidate regulators of conceptus development and implantation. The number of potential contributors to maternal recognition and establishment of pregnancy continues to grow and this highlights our limited appreciation of the complexity of the key molecules and signal transduction pathways that intersect during these key developmental processes. The goal of improving reproductive efficiency by preventing embryonic losses that occur during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy in domestic ruminants provides the challenge to increase our knowledge of endometrial function and conceptus development.

scholarly journals Technology-Powered Strategies to Rethink the Pedagogy of History and Cultural Heritage through Symmetries and Narratives

Symmetry ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martín López-Nores ◽  
Omar Bravo-Quezada ◽  
Maddalena Bassani ◽  
Angeliki Antoniou ◽  
Ioanna Lykourentzou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Semantic Web ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Digital Humanities ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
New Information ◽  
New Strategies

Recent advances in semantic web and deep learning technologies enable new means for the computational analysis of vast amounts of information from the field of digital humanities. We discuss how some of the techniques can be used to identify historical and cultural symmetries between different characters, locations, events or venues, and how these can be harnessed to develop new strategies to promote intercultural and cross-border aspects that support the teaching and learning of history and heritage. The strategies have been put to the test in the context of the European project CrossCult, revealing enormous potential to encourage curiosity to discover new information and increase retention of learned information.

scholarly journals Evolutionary Conservation of Reactions in Translation

2002 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Clelia Ganoza ◽  
Michael C. Kiel ◽  
Hiroyuki Aoki
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Tertiary Structure ◽  
Evolutionary Conservation ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Common Features ◽  
New Information ◽  
And Function

SUMMARY Current X-ray diffraction and cryoelectron microscopic data of ribosomes of eubacteria have shed considerable light on the molecular mechanisms of translation. Structural studies of the protein factors that activate ribosomes also point to many common features in the primary sequence and tertiary structure of these proteins. The reconstitution of the complex apparatus of translation has also revealed new information important to the mechanisms. Surprisingly, the latter approach has uncovered a number of proteins whose sequence and/or structure and function are conserved in all cells, indicating that the mechanisms are indeed conserved. The possible mechanisms of a new initiation factor and two elongation factors are discussed in this context.

scholarly journals Aragonite-Polylysine: Neuro-Regenerative Scaffolds with Diverse Effects on Astrogliosis

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2850
Author(s):  
Tzachy Morad ◽  
Roni Mina Hendler ◽  
Eyal Canji ◽  
Orly Eva Weiss ◽  
Guy Sion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Neural Cell ◽  
Cell Adherence ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Damage Repair ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Strong Capacity

Biomaterials, especially when coated with adhesive polymers, are a key tool for restorative medicine, being biocompatible and supportive for cell adherence, growth, and function. Aragonite skeletons of corals are biomaterials that support survival and growth of a range of cell types, including neurons and glia. However, it is not known if this scaffold affects neural cell migration or elongation of neuronal and astrocytic processes, prerequisites for initiating repair of damage in the nervous system. To address this, hippocampal cells were aggregated into neurospheres and cultivated on aragonite skeleton of the coral Trachyphyllia geoffroyi (Coral Skeleton (CS)), on naturally occurring aragonite (Geological Aragonite (GA)), and on glass, all pre-coated with the oligomer poly-D-lysine (PDL). The two aragonite matrices promoted equally strong cell migration (4.8 and 4.3-fold above glass-PDL, respectively) and axonal sprouting (1.96 and 1.95-fold above glass-PDL, respectively). However, CS-PDL had a stronger effect than GA-PDL on the promotion of astrocytic processes elongation (1.7 vs. 1.2-fold above glass-PDL, respectively) and expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (3.8 vs. and 1.8-fold above glass-PDL, respectively). These differences are likely to emerge from a reaction of astrocytes to the degree of roughness of the surface of the scaffold, which is higher on CS than on GA. Hence, CS-PDL and GA-PDL are scaffolds of strong capacity to derive neural cell movements and growth required for regeneration, while controlling the extent of astrocytic involvement. As such, implants of PDL-aragonites have significant potential as tools for damage repair and the reduction of scar formation in the brain following trauma or disease.

scholarly journals Post-Translational Modifications of Circulating Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Protein

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 9187
Author(s):  
Urszula Lechowicz ◽  
Stefan Rudzinski ◽  
Aleksandra Jezela-Stanek ◽  
Sabina Janciauskiene ◽  
Joanna Chorostowska-Wynimko
Keyword(s):  
Acute Phase Protein ◽  
Molecular Forms ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Serpina1 Gene ◽  
Phase Protein ◽  
Other Substances ◽  
Alpha 1 Antitrypsin ◽  
And Function ◽  
Antiprotease Activity

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), an acute-phase protein encoded by the SERPINA1 gene, is a member of the serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) superfamily. Its primary function is to protect tissues from enzymes released during inflammation, such as neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3. In addition to its antiprotease activity, AAT interacts with numerous other substances and has various functions, mainly arising from the conformational flexibility of normal variants of AAT. Therefore, AAT has diverse biological functions and plays a role in various pathophysiological processes. This review discusses major molecular forms of AAT, including complex, cleaved, glycosylated, oxidized, and S-nitrosylated forms, in terms of their origin and function.

scholarly journals Foliar colleters in Macrocarpaea obtusifolia (Gentianaceae): anatomy, ontogeny, and secretion

Botany ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valdnéa Casagrande Dalvi ◽  
Lucas Siqueira Cardinelli ◽  
Renata Maria Strozi Alves Meira ◽  
Aristéa Alves Azevedo
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Nature ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Histochemical Analysis ◽  
Secretory Structures ◽  
Standard Type ◽  
Vegetative Organs ◽  
New Information ◽  
And Function ◽  
First Time

Colleters are secretory structures located in reproductive and (or) vegetative organs of many eudicots. In Gentianaceae Juss., the presence of foliar colleters has been neglected, and anatomical and histochemical studies are scarce. The objectives of this study were to investigate the anatomy, ontogeny, and chemical nature of the secretion found in Macrocarpaea obtusifolia (Griseb.) Gilg colleters to establish a relationship between their structure and function and check whether these structures are similar to those described for other genera of the Gentianaceae and other families of the Gentianales. Samples of leaves at different developmental stages were collected and processed for anatomical and histochemical analysis using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Colleters in M. obtusifolia have a protodermal origin, are of standard type, and are not vascularized. Young colleters are translucent and produce an abundant amount of sticky secretion. Later, they turn yellowish with a blackened region at the apex of the head, and the secretion, composed of polysaccharides and proteins, becomes less abundant and brownish. During senescence, the process begins with complete degradation and cell collapse of the secretory portion. The colleters of the standard type in M. obtusifolia have been observed for the first time in the Gentianaceae and represent additional evidence that reinforces how common this type of colleter is in the Gentianales. Such results provide new information on the anatomy, ontogeny, histochemistry, and colleter types of Gentianaceae.

scholarly journals The story of the fibrin(ogen) αC-domains: evolution of our view on their structure and interactions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonid Medved ◽  
John W Weisel
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Optical Trap ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Ordered Structures ◽  
Multiple Binding Sites ◽  
New Information ◽  
Multiple Binding ◽  
And Function ◽  
Fibrinogen Molecule

Although much has been established concerning the overall structure and function of fibrinogen, much less has been known about its two αC regions, each consisting of an αC-connector and αC-domain, but new information has been accumulating. This review summarizes the state of our current knowledge of the structure and interactions of fibrinogen’s αC regions. A series of studies with isolated αC regions and their fragments demonstrated that the αC-domain forms compact ordered structures consisting of N- and C-terminal sub-domains including β sheets and suggested that the αC-connector has a poly(L-proline) type II structure. Functionally, the αC-domains interact intramolecularly with each other and with the central region of the molecule, first demonstrated by electron microscopy and then quantified by optical trap force spectroscopy. Upon conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin, the αC-domains switch from intra- to intermolecular interactions to form ordered αC polymers. The formation of αC polymers occurs mainly through the homophilic interaction between the N-terminal sub-domains; interaction between the C-terminal sub-domains and the αC-connectors also contributes to this process. Considerable evidence supports the idea that the αC-regions accelerate fibrin polymerization and affect the final structure of fibrin clots. The interactions between αC-regions are important for the mechanical properties of clots, increasing their stiffness and extensibility. Conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin results in exposure of multiple binding sites in its αC regions, providing interaction of fibrin with different proteins and cell types during hemostasis and wound healing. This heretofore mysterious part of the fibrinogen molecule is finally giving up its secrets.

scholarly journals Effects of antioxidant activity of black maize in corn borer larval survival and growth

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Revilla ◽  
Pilar Soengas ◽  
Rosa A. Malvar
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Sesamia Nonagrioides ◽  
Maize Flour ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Other Substances ◽  
Survival And Growth

Antioxidant activity (AA) of black maize kernels attributed mainly to polyphenols has potential effects on health and possible defense functions against pests. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of maize polyphenols and AA in survival and growth of larvae of the corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides. We carried out two bioassays with S. nonagrioides larvae grown in artificial diet with white and black maize flour and control. AA was tested spectrophotometrically on each of the diets using four methods. The different measurements of AA were strongly correlated, indicating that these measurements were highly reliable. The control diet, the white-maize-diet and black-maize-diet with vitamin C and without H2O2 had the highest antioxidant activity. The processing of the maize flour altered the AA of the polyphenols. The control treatment had the highest AA, and vitamin C had stronger AA than polyphenols. AA of vitamin C hides that of polyphenols probably due to environmental effects, dilution of polyphenols, or interactions with other substances. Larvae grew more in the control diet and the addition of H2O2 had not significant effects on weight. There was a weak rank correlation between AA and larval weight. Mortality was lowest for the control diet with or without H2O2 followed by white maize with or without H2O2 and black maize without H2O2. Effects of polyphenols depend on other substances that might interact with them. The results indicate that antioxidant activity has insecticide effects on young larvae and, as the larvae grow, antioxidants have positive effects on larvae.

scholarly journals Critical Analysis of the Composition Techniques and Devices Used in Troy Roberts' Album 'The XenDen Suite'

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Michael Victor Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Direct Application ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
New Information ◽  
Musical Concepts ◽  
Musical Characteristics ◽  
The Many ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

<p>Troy Roberts is a jazz saxophonist, originally from Perth, West Australia. At present, no academic research has been done on Roberts’ compositions or playing, making this research project a positive way of contributing new information to the academic body of knowledge.   His album, ‘The Xen-Den Suite’ was chosen as the material best suited to provide insight into Roberts’ musicianship (particularly focussing on his compositional and arranging techniques), as it is both intellectually complex and also musically innovative. The aim of the study was to identify and describe the use of various techniques and devices (including their relevance, purpose and function) present in Roberts’ music. Through this study, this researcher attempted to gain a basic overview of Roberts’ musical characteristics, with the objective to be able to utilise this information to further this researcher’s musical development (including compositions, arrangements and saxophone playing).  The findings were useful for direct application (i.e. the techniques could be used in the same manner as they appeared in the XenDen Suite, and could therefore be immediately applied to other areas such as composition, arrangement and improvisation), but the many different ways in which the techniques were used compositionally by Roberts provided a more insightful look into broader musical concepts, and their application.</p>

scholarly journals Comparative transcriptome analysis identifies genes associated with chlorophyll levels and reveals photosynthesis in green flesh of radish taproot

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0252031
Author(s):  
Yuan-yuan Li ◽  
Min Han ◽  
Rui-hua Wang ◽  
Ming-gang Gao
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Calvin Cycle ◽  
Comparative Transcriptome ◽  
Chl A ◽  
New Information ◽  
Green Tissue ◽  
And Function ◽  
Chl Fluorescence

The flesh of the taproot of Raphanus sativus L. is rich in chlorophyll (Chl) throughout the developmental process, which is why the flesh is green. However, little is known about which genes are associated with Chl accumulation in this non-foliar, internal green tissue and whether the green flesh can perform photosynthesis. To determine these aspects, we measured the Chl content, examined Chl fluorescence, and carried out comparative transcriptome analyses of taproot flesh between green-fleshed “Cuishuai” and white-fleshed “Zhedachang” across five developmental stages. Numerous genes involved in the Chl metabolic pathway were identified. It was found that Chl accumulation in radish green flesh may be due to the low expression of Chl degradation genes and high expression of Chl biosynthesis genes, especially those associated with Part Ⅳ (from Protoporphyrin Ⅸ to Chl a). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes between “Cuishuai” and “Zhedachang” were significantly enriched in photosynthesis-related pathways, such as photosynthesis, antenna proteins, porphyrin and Chl metabolism, carbon fixation, and photorespiration. Twenty-five genes involved in the Calvin cycle were highly expressed in “Cuishuai”. These findings suggested that photosynthesis occurred in the radish green flesh, which was also supported by the results of Chl fluorescence. Our study provides transcriptome data on radish taproots and provides new information on the formation and function of radish green flesh.

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