Proteomic analysis of pregnancy-related proteins from pig uterus endometrium during pregnancy

Many important molecular events associated with implantation and development occur within the female reproductive tract, especially within the uterus endometrium, during pregnancy periods. The endometrium includes the mucosal lining of the uterus, which provides a suitable site for implantation and development of a fertilized egg and fetus. To date, the molecular cascades in the uterus endometrium during pregnancy periods in pigs have not been elucidated fully. In this study, we compared the functional regulated proteins in the endometrium during pregnancy periods with those in non-pregnant conditions and investigated changes in expression patterns during pregnancy (days 40, 70, and 93) using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and western blotting. The functional regulated proteins were identified and discovered from differentially expressed proteins in the uterus endometrium during pregnancy. We discovered 820 protein spots in a proteomic analysis of uterus endometrium tissues with 2-DE gels. We identified 63 of the 98 proteins regulated differentially among non-pregnant and pregnant tissues (matched and unmatched spots). Interestingly, 10 of these 63 proteins are development-, cytoskeleton- and chaperon-related proteins such as transferrin, protein DJ-1, transgelin, galectin-1, septin 2, stathmin 1, cofilin 1, fascin 1, heat shock protein (HSP) 90β and HSP 27. The specific expression patterns of these proteins in the endometrium during pregnancy were confirmed by western blotting. Our results suggest that the expressions of these genes involved in endometrium function and endometrium development from early to late gestation are associated with the regulation of endometrium development for maintaining pregnancy

The SAMI Galaxy Survey: kinematic alignments of early-type galaxies in A119 and A168

We investigate the kinematic alignments of luminous early-type galaxies (M r ≤ −19.5 mag) in A119 and A168 using the kinematic position angles (${{\rm{PA}}}_{{\rm{kin}}}$) from the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral-field spectrograph (SAMI) survey data, motivated by the implication of the galaxy spin alignment in a cosmological context. To increase the size of our sample for statistical significance, we also use the photometric position angles (${{\rm{PA}}}_{{\rm{phot}}}$) for galaxies that have not been observed by SAMI, if their ellipticities are higher than 0.15. Our luminous early-type galaxies tend to prefer the specific position angles in both clusters, confirming the results of Kim et al., who recently found the kinematic alignment of early-type galaxies in the Virgo cluster based on the ATLAS 3D integral-field spectroscopic data. This alignment signal is more prominent for galaxies in the projected phase-space regions dominated by infalling populations. Furthermore, the alignment angles are closely related to the directions of the filamentary structures around clusters. The results lead us to conclude that many cluster early-type galaxies are likely to be accreted along filaments while maintaining their spin axes, which are predetermined before cluster infall

Whole genome scan reveals the genetic signature of African Ankole cattle breed and potential for higher quality beef

BACKGROUND: Africa is home to numerous cattle breeds whose diversity has been shaped by subtle combinations of human and natural selection. African Sanga cattle are an intermediate type of cattle resulting from interbreeding between Bos taurus and Bos indicus subspecies. Recently, research has asserted the potential of Sanga breeds for commercial beef production with better meat quality as compared to Bos indicus breeds. Here, we identified meat quality related gene regions that are positively selected in Ankole (Sanga) cattle breeds as compared to indicus (Boran, Ogaden, and Kenana) breeds using cross-population (XP-EHH and XP-CLR) statistical methods. RESULTS: We identified 238 (XP-EHH) and 213 (XP-CLR) positively selected genes, of which 97 were detected from both statistics. Among the genes obtained, we primarily reported those involved in different biological process and pathways associated with meat quality traits. Genes (CAPZB, COL9A2, PDGFRA, MAP3K5, ZNF410, and PKM2) involved in muscle structure and metabolism affect meat tenderness. Genes (PLA2G2A, PARK2, ZNF410, MAP2K3, PLCD3, PLCD1, and ROCK1) related to intramuscular fat (IMF) are involved in adipose metabolism and adipogenesis. MB and SLC48A1 affect meat color. In addition, we identified genes (TIMP2, PKM2, PRKG1, MAP3K5, and ATP8A1) related to feeding efficiency. Among the enriched Gene Ontology Biological Process (GO BP) terms, actin cytoskeleton organization, actin filament-based process, and protein ubiquitination are associated with meat tenderness whereas cellular component organization, negative regulation of actin filament depolymerization and negative regulation of protein complex disassembly are involved in adipocyte regulation. The MAPK pathway is responsible for cell proliferation and plays an important role in hyperplastic growth, which has a positive effect on meat tenderness. CONCLUSION: Results revealed several candidate genes positively selected in Ankole cattle in relation to meat quality characteristics. The genes identified are involved in muscle structure and metabolism, and adipose metabolism and adipogenesis. These genes help in the understanding of the biological mechanisms controlling beef quality characteristics in African Ankole cattle. These results provide a basis for further research on the genomic characteristics of Ankole and other Sanga cattle breeds for quality beef. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-016-0467-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

State-of-the-Art of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Optimal Method for their Dispersion for Construction-Related Applications

In this paper, we reviewed the existing literature on the fabrication of nanocomposites based on cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), and analyzed their dispersion mechanism with respect to their use in the field of construction. First, the existing literature on CNC-based nanocomposites that exhibit the physical and chemical properties of nanocellulose and CNCs was reviewed. Next, keeping the use of these nanocomposites in the field of construction in mind, we determined the optimal mechanical method for their dispersion as an alternative to the currently used harmful chemical techniques. To this end, we evaluated the dispersibility of colloidal CNCs using two dispersion methods: magnetic stirring (for stirring times of 60 min, 120 min, and 180 min) and high-pressure dispersion (at pressures of 345 × 105 Pa, 1035 × 105 Pa, and 1587 × 105 Pa, and one to three dispersion passes). The optimal dispersion conditions were determined by analyzing the size and zeta potential of the CNC particles. It was found that the difference in the average diameter was reduced by approximately 76% at 1587 × 105 Pa during high-pressure dispersion