Single layer centrifugation improves the quality of fresh donkey semen and modifies the sperm ability to interact with polymorphonuclear neutrophils

This study sought to determine whether single layer centrifugation (SLC) of fresh donkey semen with Equicoll has any impact on sperm quality parameters and on the modulation of endometrial reaction following semen deposition using an in vitro model. Seventeen ejaculates from five jackasses were obtained using an artificial vagina and diluted in a skim-milk extender. Samples were either selected through SLC (Equicoll) or non-treated (control). Two experiments were performed. The first one consisted of incubating selected or non-selected spermatozoa at 38 °C for 180 min. Integrity and lipid disorder of sperm plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular levels of calcium and reactive oxygen species were evaluated at 0, 60, 120, and 180 min. In the second experiment, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) isolated from jennies blood were mixed with selected and unselected spermatozoa. Interaction between spermatozoa and PMN was evaluated after 0, 60, 120, and 180 min of co-incubation at 38 °C. SLC-selection increased the proportions of spermatozoa with an intact plasma membrane and low lipid disorder, of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial membrane potential and with high calcium levels, and of progressively motile spermatozoa. In addition, selection through SLC augmented the proportion of phagocytosed spermatozoa, which supported the modulating role of seminal plasma proteins on sperm-PMN interaction. In conclusion, SLC of fresh donkey semen increases the proportions of functionally intact and motile spermatozoa, and appears to remove the seminal plasma proteins that inhibit sperm-PMN binding

Effect of Exposure to Seminal Plasma Through Natural Mating in Cattle on Conceptus Length and Gene Expression

peer-reviewedA growing body of evidence suggests that paternal factors have an impact on offspring development. These studies have been mainly carried out in mice, where seminal plasma (SP) has been shown to regulate endometrial gene expression and impact embryo development and subsequent offspring health. In cattle, infusion of SP into the uterus also induces changes in endometrial gene expression, however, evidence for an effect of SP on early embryo development is lacking. In addition, during natural mating, the bull ejaculates in the vagina; hence, it is not clear whether any SP reaches the uterus in this species. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine whether SP exposure leads to improved early embryo survival and developmental rates in cattle. To this end, Day 7 in vitro produced blastocysts were transferred to heifers (12–15 per heifer) previously mated to vasectomized bulls (n = 13 heifers) or left unmated (n = 12 heifers; control). At Day 14, heifers were slaughtered, and conceptuses were recovered to assess size, morphology and expression of candidate genes involved in different developmental pathways. Additionally, CL volume at Day 7, and weight and volume of CL at Day 14 were recorded. No effect of SP on CL volume and weight not on conceptus recovery rate was observed. However, filamentous conceptuses recovered from SP-exposed heifers were longer in comparison to the control group and differed in expression of CALM1, CITED1, DLD, HNRNPDL, PTGS2, and TGFB3. In conclusion, data indicate that female exposure to SP during natural mating can affect conceptus development in cattle. This is probably achieved through modulation of the female reproductive environment at the time of mating. Keywords: seminal plasma, embryo development, corpus luteu

Microfluidic-based dynamic BH3 profiling predicts anticancer treatment efficacy

Cancer therapy; Predictive markers; Translational researchTerapia del cáncer; Marcadores predictivos; Investigación traslacionalTeràpia del càncer; Marcadors predictius; Recerca translacionalPrecision medicine is starting to incorporate functional assays to evaluate anticancer agents on patient-isolated tissues or cells to select for the most effective. Among these new technologies, dynamic BH3 profiling (DBP) has emerged and extensively been used to predict treatment efficacy in different types of cancer. DBP uses synthetic BH3 peptides to measure early apoptotic events (‘priming’) and anticipate therapy-induced cell death leading to tumor elimination. This predictive functional assay presents multiple advantages but a critical limitation: the cell number requirement, that limits drug screening on patient samples, especially in solid tumors. To solve this problem, we developed an innovative microfluidic-based DBP (µDBP) device that overcomes tissue limitations on primary samples. We used microfluidic chips to generate a gradient of BIM BH3 peptide, compared it with the standard flow cytometry based DBP, and tested different anticancer treatments. We first examined this new technology’s predictive capacity using gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cell lines, by comparing imatinib sensitive and resistant cells, and we could detect differences in apoptotic priming and anticipate cytotoxicity. We then validated µDBP on a refractory GIST patient sample and identified that the combination of dactolisib and venetoclax increased apoptotic priming. In summary, this new technology could represent an important advance for precision medicine by providing a fast, easy-to-use and scalable microfluidic device to perform DBP in situ as a routine assay to identify the best treatment for cancer patients.Ramon y Cajal Programme, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad grant RYC-2015–18357. (J.M.). Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades grant RTI2018-094533-A-I00 (J.M.). CELLEX foundation (J.M., A.M.). Beca Trienal Fundación Mari Paz Jiménez Casado (J.M.). European Research Council, grant ERC-StG-DAMOC 714317 (J.R.-A.). European Research Council, H2020 EU framework FET-open BLOC 863037 (J.R.-A.). Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, “Severo Ochoa” Program for Centers of Excellence in R&D SEV-2020-2023 (J.R.-A.). Generalitat de Catalunya. CERCA Programme 2017-SGR-1079 (J.R.-A., J.S.). Fundación Bancaria “la Caixa”- Obra Social “la Caixa” (project IBEC-La Caixa Health Ageing) (J.R.-A.). Fero Foundation (C.S.). Networking Biomedical Research Center (CIBER). CIBER is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008–2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions, and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RD16/0006/0012), with the support of the European Regional Development Fund (J.S.)

Panoràmica

-Els “altres”, el gran repte global. Ressenya del llibre de Ryszard Kapuscinski Kapuscinski, la voz del otro: entrevista de Iñaki Gabilondo a Ryszard Kapuscinski y otros textos, a càrrec d’Eduard Sanjuán -La ciutat, el gran aparador. Ressenya de Antonio J. Baladrón Pazos; Esther Martínez Pastor; Marta Pacheco Rueda (coords.) Publicidad y ciudad: la comunicación publicitaria y lo urbano: perspectivas y aportaciones. A càrrec de Miquel Altarriba -Per un (veritable) estat plurinacional. Ressenya dels llibres de Fernando Pessoa Escrits sobre Catalunya i Ibèria i de Josep Maria Puigjaner ¿Una Cataluña sin España?: carta de un escritor catalán a sus amigos españoles. A càrrec de Neus Contreras -Mirando atentamente las noticias. Ressenya del llibre de Amparo Moreno, Florencia Rovetto i Alfonso Buitrago ¿De quién hablan las noticias? Guía para humanizar la información, a càrrec Francesc Barata -La lliure circulació del coneixement a la informàtica. Ressenya del llibre de Meritxell Roca Software libre. Empresa y administración en España y Cataluña. A càrrec d’Ester Clos -Per una memòria justa. Ressenya del llibre de Francesc-Marc Álvaro (coord.). Memòria històrica, entre la ideologia i la justícia, a càrrec de Elena Yeste -Lingüísticament interessant, periodísticament amb matisos. Ressenya del llibre de Daniel Casals Ràdio en català: contribució de Catalunya Ràdio a la creació d’un llenguatge radiofònic. A càrrec de Neus Bonet -El somni d’un espot televisiu. Ressenya del llibre de Belén López Vázquez Publicidad emocional: estrategias creativas, a càrrec de Sandra Vilajoana -El placer del viajero-cinéfilo. Ressenya del llibre de Rafael Dalmau i Albert Galera Ciudades del cine, a càrrec de Álex Lor

Optimization of biogenic sulfur flocculation from an anoxic desulfurization bioreactor using response surface methodology

Elemental sulfur is an interesting byproduct obtained in the anoxic biodesulfurization of biogas. However, the colloidal properties of this biogenic elemental sulfur (S0) make its efficient recovery difficult. The present study investigated the flocculation of S0 produced in an anoxic bioreactor for biogas desulfurization using cationic (Sedifloc 40L4 C, Lizaflock 853 M), anionic (Innoflock 201) and non-ionic flocculants (NI-1009) and a coagulant (polyaluminum chloride). Cationic-type flocculants showed the highest flocculation efficiency, which led to its selection for further evaluation using the response surface methodology of the effects and interactions of its dose, stirring speed and pH on the biogenic sulfur flocculation rate. Optimum S0 flocculation conditions were observed using Lizaflock 853 M at a dose of 0.82 mg L−1, a stirring speed of 30 rpm and a pH of 8.0. A S0 flocculation rate of 97.05% was achieved for an initial concentration of 1730 mg S0 L−1. The Zeta potential of the settled sulfur particles increased after the flocculation process. © 2022 The Author(s

Modulation by Sigma-1 Receptor of Morphine Analgesia and Tolerance: Nociceptive Pain, Tactile Allodynia and Grip Strength Deficits During Joint Inflammation

Sigma-1 receptor antagonism increases the effects of morphine on nociceptive pain, even in morphine-tolerant animals. However, it is unknown whether these receptors are able to modulate morphine antinociception and tolerance during inflammatory pain. Here we used a mouse model to test the modulation of morphine effects by the selective sigma-1 antagonist S1RA (MR309), by determining its effect on inflammatory tactile allodynia (von Frey filaments) and on grip strength deficits induced by joint inflammation (a measure of pain-induced functional disability), and compared the results with those for nociceptive heat pain recorded with the unilateral hot plate (55 C) test. The subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of morphine induced antinociceptive effects to heat stimuli, and restored mechanical threshold and grip strength in mice with periarticular inflammation induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant. S1RA (80 mg/kg, s.c.) administered alone did not induce any effect on nociceptive heat pain or inflammatory allodynia, but was able to partially reverse grip strength deficits. The association of S1RA with morphine, at doses inducing little or no analgesic-like effects when administered alone, resulted in a marked antinociceptive effect to heat stimuli and complete reversion of inflammatory tactile allodynia. However, S1RA administration did not increase the effect of morphine on grip strength deficits induced by joint inflammation.MT was supported by a postdoctoral grant from the University of Granada.MR-C and IB-C were supported by FPU grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO). This study was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Grants SAF2013-47481P and SAF2016-80540-R), the Junta de Andalucía (Grant CTS109), and FEDER funds

Biorrecuperación del metal en catalizadores Pd/Al2O3 mediante sistemas tiosulfato-cobre-amoniaco (BIORE-Pd)

Resumen del proyecto de líneas prioritarias "Biorrecuperación del metal en catalizadores Pd/Al2O3 mediante sistemas tiosulfato-cobre-amoniaco (BIORE-Pd)" del IMEYMAT

Experimental data about mammalian sperm function and survival. Effects of Roundup and its main component, glyphosate

The wide use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) has become a matter of concern due to its potential harmful effects on human health, including men fertility. The study investigated, using the pig as a model, the impact of pure glyphosate and its most known commercial formulation, Roundup, on sperm function and survival. These data sets contain the raw data of the flow cytometry analysis of sperm parameters (sperm viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity and DNA fragmentation) and motility analysis by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) of fresh commercial semen doses incubated with different concentrations (0–360 μg/mL) of glyphosate (GLY) or Roundup (R), at the equivalent GLY concentration for 3 h

Blocking NHE Channels Reduces the Ability of In Vitro Capacitated Mammalian Sperm to Respond to Progesterone Stimulus

Few data exist about the presence and physiological role of Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) in the plasma membrane of mammalian sperm. In addition, the involvement of these channels in the ability of sperm to undergo capacitation and acrosomal reaction has not been investigated in any mammalian species. In the present study, we addressed whether these channels are implicated in these two sperm events using the pig as a model. We also confirmed the presence of NHE1 channels in the plasma membrane of ejaculated sperm by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. The function of NHE channels during in vitro capacitation was analyzed by incubating sperm samples in capacitating medium for 300 min in the absence or presence of a specific blocker (DMA; 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride) at different concentrations (1, 5, and 10 µM); acrosome exocytosis was triggered by adding progesterone after 240 min of incubation. Sperm motility and kinematics, integrity of plasma and acrosome membranes, membrane lipid disorder, intracellular calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated after 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 250, 270, and 300 min of incubation. NHE1 localized in the connecting and terminal pieces of the flagellum and in the equatorial region of the sperm head and was found to have a molecular weight of 75 kDa. During the first 240 min of incubation, i.e., before the addition of progesterone, blocked and control samples did not differ significantly in any of the parameters analyzed. However, from 250 min of incubation, samples treated with DMA showed significant alterations in total motility and the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), acrosomal integrity, membrane lipid disorder, and MMP. In conclusion, while NHE channels are not involved in the sperm ability to undergo capacitation, they could be essential for triggering acrosome exocytosis and hypermotility after progesterone stimulus

Concentraciones plasmáticas de 25-OH vitamina D y parathormona en sangre de cordón umbilical

Background: Plasma 25(OH)D levels in the newborn are dependent on maternal stores, thus, neonates of vitamin D-deficient mothers present a greater risk of hypocalcaemia, rickets and infections the first year of life. Several studies showing a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women have been published recently. The aim of the study is to analyze the levels of 25(OH)D in cord blood and determine whether there is a relation with nutritional, socioeconomic and clinical factors of pregnant women and their newborns. Metthods: Between March and May 2013, 99 pregnant women were recruited in Hospital del Mar (Barcelona), in whom plasma 25(OH)D and PTH levels were measured in cord blood at birth. Clinical history data were collected and a nutritional survey was made on maternal vitamin D and calcium intake and sun exposure. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Comparisons were performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and correction for multiple comparisons using Bonferroni. P value <0.05 and <0.0083 for multiple comparisons were considered statistically significant. Results: Mean 25(OH)D value in cord blood was 10.4±6.1 ng/ml. 94% of pregnant women had 25(OH)D levels in cord blood <20 ng/ml. Vitamin D and calcium intake was considered adequate in 92% although sun exposure was deficient in 47%. A correlation between serum 25(OH)D and vitamin D (p 0.033) and calcium intake (p 0.005), sun exposure (p<0.001), ethnicity (p<0.001), skin phototype (p<0.001) and use of traditional clothing (p<0.001) was found. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of low levels of vitamin D after winter months in cord blood. The lowest 25(OH D levels were observed in Indo-Pakistani ethnicity, dark phototype and deficient sun exposure.Fundamentos: Los niveles de vitamina D (25(OH)D) del recién nacido dependen de los depósitos maternos, presentando mayor riesgo de hipocalcemia, raquitismo e infecciones durante el primer año de vida si existe déficit. Recientemente se han publicado estudios que muestran una alta prevalencia de deficiencia de vitamina D en mujeres gestantes. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los niveles de 25(OH)D en sangre de cordón umbilical y determinar si existe una relación con factores nutricionales, socioeconómicos y clínicos de las mujeres gestantes. Métodos: Entre marzo y mayo de 2013 se seleccionó a 99 gestantes del Hospital del Mar (Barcelona), en las que se determinaron las concentraciones de 25(OH)D y parathormona en sangre de cordón umbilical. Se recogieron datos de la historia clínica y se realizó una encuesta sobre ingesta de vitamina D y calcio así como de exposición solar. Se realizó el análisis estadístico mediante el programa SPSS. Las comparaciones se realizaron mediante test de Kruskal-Wallis y U de Mann-Whitney, aplicando corrección por comparaciones múltiples de Bonferroni. Se consideró estadísticamente significativa una p<0,05 y de 0,0083 para comparaciones múltiples. Resultados: El valor medio de 25(OH)D en sangre de cordón fue 10,4±6,1 ng/ml. El 94% de las mujeres presentaron niveles de 25(OH)D en sangre de cordón <20 ng/ml. La ingesta de vitamina D y calcio fueron adecuadas en 92%, aunque la exposición solar resultó deficitaria en 47%. Se encontró una correlación entre niveles de 25(OH)D e ingesta de vitamina D (p<0,033) y calcio (p<0,005), exposición solar (p<0,001), etnia (p<0,001), fototipo cutáneo (p<0,001) y uso de indumentaria tradicional (p<0,001). Conclusiones: Existe una elevada prevalencia de déficit de vitamina D en sangre de cordón umbilical tras los meses de invierno. Los niveles de 25(OH)D más bajos se observaron en etnia indopakistaní, fototipo oscuro y baja exposición solar