scholarly journals Potential of aquaporins and connexins in dogs and their relation to the reproductive tract

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (02) ◽  
pp. 6491-2021
Author(s):  
MAGDALENA KULUS ◽  
MARIA WIECZORKIEWICZ ◽  
JAKUB KULUS ◽  
MARIUSZ T. SKOWROŃSKI ◽  
WIESŁAWA KRANC ◽  
...  

The complexity of processes in the female reproductive system of mammals is extremely sophisticated. The overall relationship between the processes during the oestrus cycle in animals is quite well understood, but the molecular background of these processes still requires an in-depth analysis. Bitches are distinguished by a specific course of sexual cycle during which the oocyte matures after ovulation in the oviduct. Other species of mammals are characterized by maturation of the oocyte within the ovary. Acquisition of developmental competence by cumulus – oocyte complexes seems to be a process with a complex molecular background, and the key to understanding it may be the analysis of intercellular channels. Aquaporins and connexins are structural proteins that are built into the cell membrane. Their location is widespread in many body tissues. Recent years have shown that they exhibit significant expression in different parts of the mammalian reproductive system, although the number of studies on dogs is still negligible. This review paper presents the current state of knowledge of water channels and gap junction connections in different animal species, with particular focus on dogs, and also explores the role of aquaporins and connexins in the acquisition of reproductive competences.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Ramírez-Guerrero ◽  
Javier García-Onetti ◽  
Juan Adolfo Chica-Ruiz ◽  
Manuel Arcíla-Garrido

Purpose This paper attempts to fill the gap that exists in research regarding 20th-century heritage and its social appreciation. The purpose of this paper is to explore different ways of evaluating the heritage value and tourism potential and to propose an innovative model validated in the Zarzuela Hippodrome as an example of cultural asset from 20th century with important economic, social, cultural, aesthetic and architectural aspects. Design/methodology/approach This study opted for an interpretation of heritage from an ecosystem, integrating and global paradigm, understanding the asset as a set of resources that interact with each other, generating a common and enriched tourist experience among all the elements that make it up. From this perspective, it is conceived that by modifying one of the elements, the whole (tourist) ecosystem will be equally influenced. On the other side, it was incorporated non-parametric techniques based on the implementation of surveys for the validation of the tool to the case study of the Zarzuela hippodrome. Findings The results suggest that the hippodrome's internal values have been evaluated very positively, while its external values are low. Through this study, the paper has identified several weaknesses that impede its functioning as a viable “tourist product.” The distance from the city center, the lack of available information and the scarce diffusion and tourism promotion are its main weaknesses. The proposed analysis tool reveals the importance of the active participation of visitors to evaluate cultural assets through the combination of aspects related to the conservation of cultural assets and, in turn, elements that encourage their commodification as tourist products, break down barriers between these two disciplines. Research limitations/implications The management tool proposed in this study can be used to underpin the creation of tourism experiences in cultural or heritage assets by diagnosing the current state of its tourist potential, quantifying its value in relation to the visitors’ perception and making visible those problematic aspects to develop actions to solve them. Although the present study is support for future research, as well as for improving the marketing of heritage in tourist settings, an in-depth analysis of the technical elements of heritage, as well as of its intervention (if applicable), will be necessary for the managers who want to use the tool. Social implications One of the most differentiating characteristics between the construction typology of 20th-century historical buildings is perhaps the scarcity of decorative ornamentation, with exposed concrete being the main surface coating. Many of these constructions have an important cultural and historical relevance, however, the social perception, as regards its consideration as architectural and artistic heritage seems to reflect discordant aspects. This study provides support as a decision-making tool to determine the existing valuation of a building and how to enhance it. Originality/value This study takes steps toward the creation of a model that supports decision-makers and owners of cultural assets through a measurement system that makes it possible to quantify and determine the current state of tourism use through the social evaluation of heritage criteria. It defines which are the elements that favor the resilience of the property or, on the contrary, which are those that undermine its enhancement.


Author(s):  
Vladimir Kresin ◽  
Sergei Ovchinnikov ◽  
Stuart Wolf

For the past almost fifty years, scientists have been trying to explain the phenomenon of superconductivity. The mechanism is the key ingredient of microscopic theory, which was developed by Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer in 1957. The theory also introduced the basic concepts of pairing, coherence length, energy gap, and so on. Since then, microscopic theory has undergone an intensive development. This book provides a very detailed theoretical treatment of the key mechanisms of superconductivity, including the current state of the art (phonons, magnons, plasmons). In addition, the book contains descriptions of the properties of the key superconducting compounds that are of the most interest for science and applications. For many years, there has been a search for new materials with higher values of the main parameters, such as the critical temperature and critical current. At present, the possibility of observing superconductivity at room temperature has become perfectly realistic. That is why the book is especially concerned with high-Tc systems such as high-Tc oxides, hydrides with record values for critical temperature under high pressure, nanoclusters, and so on. A number of interesting novel superconducting systems have been discovered recently, including topological materials, interface systems, and intercalated graphene. The book contains rigorous derivations based on statistical mechanics and many-body theory. The book also provides qualitative explanations of the main concepts and results. This makes the book accessible and interesting for a broad audience.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan ◽  
Muhammad Sohail Sajid ◽  
Haider Abbas ◽  
Muhammad Fiaz Qamar ◽  
Qaiser Akram

The cases and deaths due to Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) [49] virus commonly known as Congo virus (fatality rate 15%) have been reported throughout Pakistan from the last five years especially during religious occasion, Eid-ul-Azha. The annual increase in death rates due to CCHF demonstrate the importance of awareness of Congo fever at academia as well as public level. The symptoms of Congo fever which appear one to nine days after tick bite, include sudden high fever, muscle aches, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, sore eyes, jaundice, mood swings, confusion, aggression, and sensitivity to light. The other signs include sore throat, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhages, and bleeding from skin and large intestine. The Infection has been reported in many species of wild as well as domestic animals including hares, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, mice and hedgehogs. At least 31 species of Hyalomma, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor (Ixodidae: hard ticks) act as vector of CCHF in which transovarial, transstadial and venereal transmission occurs. The virus attacks the immune system of the host and influences the immune cells. The Congo fever virus can be isolated from blood, plasma and many body tissues (kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, brain and bone marrow). Mice inoculation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can be used for detection of the infection. Furthermore, IgM and IgG antibodies against CCHFV can also be detected and quantified. Education of general public, tick control with acaricides, use of anti-CCHFV immunoglobulin, usage of approved repellents to prevent tick bites, wearing neutral-coloured garments, application of a permethrin spray to the clothing, avoiding tall grasses and shrubs, applying sunscreen, avoiding direct contact with the blood or tissues of animals are the factors for successful prevention of the infection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Álvarez-García ◽  
Amador Durán-Sánchez ◽  
María de la Cruz del Río-Rama

Purpose Since Masaaki Imai coined the term Kaizen in the mid-1980s, it has been seen as a key element for the competitiveness of Japanese companies, and it is currently a widely discussed philosophy and is applied in a wide range of organizations throughout the world. The purpose of this paper is to serve as guidance for researchers who are developing their studies in the field of the Kaizen philosophy, in order to improve their knowledge on the most relevant articles, the most productive authors or the key scientific journals that make up this subject. Design/methodology/approach In order to fulfill the proposed objective, a descriptive bibliometric study was carried out with the analysis of citations from 138 articles included in the multidisciplinary database Scopus (Elsevier) until 2016. For the search of documents, a tracking strategy was chosen that allowed for the development of the ad hoc database required to analyze each of the basic variables of the bibliometric indicators. Findings The results obtained show a growing interest of the scientific community in its study in the last decade, as shown by the significant increase in citations received by articles, despite the reduction in the number of papers published in the last two years. Research limitations/implications The main limitations are derived from the choice of a specific database, as well as the specific search equation. Originality/value The study presents an in-depth analysis of the current state of research regarding the Kaizen philosophy through its bibliometric study, providing useful information for academics and professionals by providing a series of significant indicators to measure the bibliographic material.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Rękawiecki ◽  
M. Kowalik ◽  
J. Kotwica

Nuclear progesterone receptor isoforms and their functions in the female reproductive tract Progesterone (P4), which is produced by the corpus luteum (CL), creates proper conditions for the embryo implantation, its development, and ensures proper conditions for the duration of pregnancy. Besides the non-genomic activity of P4 on target cells, its main physiological effect is caused through genomic action by the progesterone nuclear receptor (PGR). This nuclear progesterone receptor occurs in two specific isoforms, PGRA and PGRB. PGRA isoform acts as an inhibitor of transcriptional action of PGRB. The inactive receptor is connected with chaperone proteins and attachment of P4 causes disconnection of chaperones and unveiling of DNA binding domain (DBD). After receptor dimerization in the cells' nucleus and interaction with hormone response element (HRE), the receptor coactivators are connected and transcription is initiated. The ratio of these isoforms changes during the estrous cycle and reflects the different levels of P4 effect on the reproductive system. Both isoforms, PGRA and PGRB, also show a different response to the P4 receptor antagonist activity. Connection of the antagonist to PGRA can block PGRB, but acting through the PGRB isoform, P4 receptor antagonist may undergo conversion to a strongly receptor agonist. A third isoform, PGRC, has also been revealed. This isoform is the shortest and does not have transcriptional activity. Alternative splicing and insertion of additional exons may lead to the formation of different PGR isoforms. This paper summarizes the available data on the progesterone receptor isoforms and its regulatory action within the female reproductive system.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Abba ◽  
Suleiman Simon ◽  
Halima Idris Gambo ◽  
Ikechukwu Onyebuchi Igbokwe ◽  
Yusuf Iliyasu

The study of pathological conditions of the male reproductive system is paramount to understanding reproductive inefficiency in the Sahel goat. In this study, 1048 Sahel bucks presented for slaughter at the Maiduguri metropolitan abattoir were evaluated for the presence of various pathological abnormalities of the reproductive system. A total incidence of 15.08% was recorded for various pathological conditions, with testicular, penile, and scrotal conditions having incidences of 7.82%, 4.80 and 2.50%, respectively. Bilateral testicular hypoplasia and atrophy and unilateral cryptorchidism accounted for incidences of 4.10%, 2.38%, and 1.24%, respectively, while paraphimosis and scrotal laceration had incidences of 1.72% and 1.05%, respectively. Age specific incidence of pathological conditions were not significant(P>0.05)between bucks aged <1–1.5 and 2–2.5 years. However, bucks aged 3–3.5 year a had lower(P<0.05)incidence of pathological conditions than other age groups. Histopathological evidence of inflammation, degeneration, and atrophy was observed in the testes, while inflammatory changes were observed in the prepuce.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 19-20
Author(s):  
Ewa Roszkowska

Purpose. The main objective of the work is not only to evaluate historical articles published in the "Folia Turistica" journal in 1990-2018, but also the opinion on the importance of the journal in the development and popularisation of historical knowledge on tourism, or more broadly, physical culture. Method. In the research applied, the method of direct fact finding, external and internal criticism of the published publications and the content analysis technique were used. Results. Research allowed identification and evaluation of historical articles published in the journal "Folia Turistica". They have been presented in comparison to the current state of knowledge, which allowed us to state that they are original in nature, in some cases, filling the gap in current knowledge or constituting a basic starting point for further research and historical studies on tourism. Research and conclusions limitations. The source database is limited to publications in the "Folia Turistica" journal. The conclusions were broadened thanks to referring the content of these articles to the current state of historical knowledge on the history of tourism. Practical implications. In the article, analysing publications dealing with research on the history of tourism, the possibility of undertaking further historical research in this field is indicated. Originality. Both the content and the nature of historical publications in the journal have not been subject to in-depth analysis. The article is the first study of this type. Type of work: The article is a review.


1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 537-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis J. Guillette ◽  
Elizabeth A. Guillette

At the onset of the industrial age, environmental contaminants began to pose a major threat to the health of wildlife. That threat appears to continue today. In the last three decades, the focus of our concern on the health consequences of environmental pollution has been on lethal, carcinogenic, and/or extreme teratogenic manifestations. Evidence from a number of sources suggests that another mechanism, endocrine-disruption, also must be examined. There is excellent laboratory and field evidence that man-made chemicals (xenochemicals) released into the environment act as hormones or antihormones. They act as endocrine-disrupting contaminants (EDCs). The release of EDCs occurred in the past and continues today. The development of the reproductive system is vulnerable to perturbation by EDCs. Wildlife studies demonstrate that both sexes are affected and experience modifications of gonadal and reproductive tract development or functioning and abnormal synthesis or metabolism of hormones. A number of abnormalities seen in the reproductive system of various wildlife species correlate with similar abnormalities described as rising in human populations. We suggest that wildlife are excellent sentinels of ecosystem health. Data from these wildlife studies present models and methodologies for examining human health.


1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 945-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
M B Anderson ◽  
M Collado-Torres ◽  
M R Vaupel

By use of the biotin-avidin immunohistochemical method and a homologous antiserum as the primary antiserum, relaxin immunostaining was absent in the testes, prostate, seminal vesicles, and epididymides of the rat. Relaxin immunostaining was also lacking when anti-porcine relaxin serum was employed as the primary antiserum. Furthermore, immunohistochemical studies for relaxin localization in the reproductive tract of the male mouse using both anti-rat and anti-porcine relaxin sera also revealed an absence of the hormone in the reproductive system of this species. Although this study suggests that immunoreactive relaxin is absent in the male reproductive tracts of both the rat and mouse, it raises some questions concerning the reports in the literature of the presence of relaxin-like substances in the male reproductive tracts of other species. These reports are discussed in relation to our current results.


Endocrinology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 149 (8) ◽  
pp. 4209-4217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Anguiano ◽  
Nuri Aranda ◽  
Guadalupe Delgado ◽  
Carmen Aceves

We characterized the enzymes that catalyze the deiodination of T4 to T3 in the male reproductive tract. Testis, epididymis (EPI), seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands, spermatozoa, and semen were taken from sexually mature rats (300 g). Iodothyronine 5′-deiodinase (5′-D) activity was quantified by the radiolabeled-iodide-release method. 5′-D activity was 10-fold higher in EPI and semen than in the rest of the tissues. In EPI, semen, and prostate, the enzymatic activity was completely inhibited by 1 mm 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil, whereas in the other tissues the inhibition was partial (50%). The high susceptibility to 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil inhibition, a ping-pong kinetic pattern, and low cofactor (Michaelis Menten constant for dithiothreitol = 0.7 mm) and high substrate (Michaelis Menten constant for reverse T3 = 0.4 μm) requirements indicate that EPI 5′-D corresponds to type 1 deiodinase (D1). Real-time RT-PCR amplification of D1 mRNA in this tissue confirms this conclusion. The highest EPI D1 expression occurred at the onset of puberty and sexual maturity, and in the adult, this activity was more abundant in corpus and caput than in the caudal region. EPI D1 expression was elevated under conditions of hyperthyroidism and with addition of 17β-estradiol. Our data also showed a direct association between D1 and a functional epididymis marker, the neutral α-glucosidase enzyme, suggesting that local generation of T3 could be associated with the development and function of EPI and/or spermatozoa maturation. Further studies are necessary to analyze the possible physiological relevance of 5′-D in the male reproductive system.


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