Bis-(2-ethylexhyl) phthalate impairs spermatogenesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used industrial additive for increasing plastic flexibility. Its metabolites are known to exert toxic effects on reproduction and development of mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of DEHP (0.2 and 20 μg/L) on the reproductive biology of adult male zebrafish (Danio rerio). The effects of DEHP and 17β-ethynylestradiol (a positive control) were determined after one or three weeks of exposure by TUNEL assay, histomorphometric analysis and evaluation of reproductive performance. DEHP impaired reproduction in zebrafish by inducing a mitotic arrest during spermatogenesis, increasing DNA fragmentation in sperm cells and markedly reducing embryo production (up to 90%). In conclusion, relatively short-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of DEHP is able to alter spermatogenesis and affect reproduction in zebrafish

[310-POS]: Potential role of Klotho protein in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES: An aging-suppressor gene, klotho, is a candidate factor for vascular disease because its deficiency leads to impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation and impaired angiogenesis. The aim was to verify a possible relation among the expression of the klotho gene, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the promoter region, and placenta aging. METHODS: Placentas were collected from normal pregnancies (n=34) and pregnancies complicated by Preeclampsia (n=34), matched for gestational age. Klotho mRNA and protein were determined using Real-Time PCR and Western blot, respectively. SNPs (i.e.: -744delA, and -395A/G) were investigated using allele-specific PCR. Expression of pluripotency markers (i.e.: Nanog, and Oct-4) and telomere length measurement were assessed using Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: Real-Time PCR analyses demonstrated a significant down-regulation of Klotho ( 83%; p=0.005) in patients with Preeclampsia versus Controls. Results of Western Blot agreed with Real-Time PCR ones. Polymorphism analysis results suggest that -744delA allele is associated with 3-fold increased risk for preeclampsia. Real-Time PCR investigation revealed a significant down-regulation of pluripotency markers in pathological group. CONCLUSIONS: Klotho expression is decreased in preeclamptic pregnancies. Further data are required to confirm the role of this protein in pathophysiology of preeclampsia and the possible link to long term outcomes

Perinatal outcomes in oocyte donor pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the obstetric outcomes of pregnancy following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using donor oocytes. METHODS: Twenty-six deliveries from oocyte donor ICSI (d-ICSI) were compared to the next two consecutive deliveries from homologous ICSI (h-ICSI group) (n = 52) and with the two consecutive deliveries from women older than 40 years (Advanced Maternal Age: AMA) (n = 52). We evaluated the occurrence of gestational hypertension (GH), preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (IUGR), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), preterm birth, placental anomalies, mode of delivery, hemorrhage, gestational age at birth and birth weight. RESULTS: d-ICSI had significantly more PE (d-ICSI 19.2%, h-ICSI 0%, AMA 0%, p < 0.001); higher rates of IUGR than AMA pregnancies (d-ICSI 19.2%, AMA 3.8%, p < 0.025). Placental accretism was found only in the d-ICSI group (15.4%, p < 0.043). No postpartum bleeding was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that compares the obstetric outcomes of donor pregnancies to the outcomes of h-ICSI and AMA. Obstetricians who deal with pregnancies from oocyte donation need to be aware of the more severe obstetric outcomes, especially placenta accreta and preeclampsia. All women who conceive through oocyte donation should be counseled as early as the pre-conception period and referred to specific centers for high-risk pregnancies

Prediction of Outcome in Embolic Strokes of Undetermined Source

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Predicting outcome after stroke is a major goal and research field. The Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) is a recently introduced clinical construct, and the prediction of outcome in this population has to be further explored. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic validity and accuracy of the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne (ASTRAL) score in patients with ESUS. METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke who met the ESUS diagnostic criteria were identified and the ASTRAL scores estimated. The study endpoint was the 3-month unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale>2). Predictive performance was investigated through logistic regression analysis and discrimination and calibration tests. RESULTS: Among 202 patients with ESUS, 67 (33.2%) had unfavourable 3-month outcome. The ASTRAL score was an independent predictor of poor outcome [adjOR = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-1.60, P < .001], showed good discriminatory power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve .913, 95% CI .871-.956) and was well calibrated (Hosmer-Lemeshow test P = .496). CONCLUSIONS: The ASTRAL score was an independent predictor of 3-month functional outcome and showed high predictive accuracy in patients with ESUS

Placental Alpha Hemoglobin Stabilizing Protein (AHSP) and recurrent miscarriage

AHSP inhibits cellular production of the reactive oxygen species. Reduced AHSP indicates reduced protection against oxidative stressors. Our objective was to investigate AHSP levels in recurrent miscarriage (RM). Trophoblast was collected from women of 10 weeks gestation: voluntary abortion controls (VA, n = 10); spontaneous first miscarriage with subsequent normal pregnancy (SMSN, n = 15) or with subsequent miscarriage (SMSM, n = 5); RM previously investigated (RMPS, n = 5) or not previously investigated (RM, n = 5). AHSP mRNA and protein were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, respectively. One-way ANOVA was performed to assess statistical significance (p < 0.05). ahsp mRNA levels were maximally reduced in RM and RMPS (8.0 × 10−6 ± 1.3 and 8.1 × 10−6 ± 0.7, respectively) compared with SMSN and VA (16.1 × 10−6 ± 2.3 and 26.1 × 10−6 ± 2.7, respectively). SMSM showed levels significantly reduced as well (9.0 × 10−6 ± 2.3). In RM, a reduced defense from oxidative stressors is evident at first miscarriage, identifying women at high risk for subsequent eventful pregnancy. Reduced AHSP may identify women at risk of experiencing further miscarriages

Role of the alpha hemoglobin-stabilizing protein in HELLP syndrome, intrauterine growth restriction and fetal death.

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Laser Ablation Characterization in Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro

Using high power laser focalized into a target material generates plasma and it has the consequence to immediately extract and ionize atoms from the target itself. This process is the starting point to have a simple and compact ion source, usually named Laser Ion Source (LIS). This kind of sources are arising in the scenario of ion sources especially in refractory elements ions production, where the atomization of the material to ionize is the main issue because of its high evaporating temperature. These considerations and the fact that ion sources are becoming nowadays more and more important to several fields of science and technology, open an interesting line of research that our group at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro wants to investigate. Experiment involves characterization of produced ions by measuring charge state and amount of ions created. Measurements will be performed with several power densities and varying ions collector distance and potential respect to the target. These simple experiments are the necessary preliminary steps to characterize the system and to start a solid future development onto possible different and effective ways to perform ions sources using laser

Additional file 7 of Transcriptomic analysis of stem cells from chorionic villi uncovers the impact of chromosomes 2, 6 and 22 in the clinical manifestations of Down syndrome

Additional file 7: Table S4. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for CHr21_22_ (GO process, KEGG pathway, Reactome pathway)