Effects of Floodplain Vegetation on Flow Resistance and Large Horizontal Vortices

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Turbulent flow structure in meandering vegetated open channel

River hydrodynamicsTurbulent open channel flow and transport phenomen

Transforming growth factor beta family expression at the bovine feto-maternal interface

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endometrial remodelling is necessary for implantation in all mammalian species. The TGF beta super-family plays a crucial role in this event in humans and mice. However, the role of TGF beta super-family members during implantation is still unclear in ruminants. In the present study, the spacio-temporal expression of TGF beta super-family members including activin was explored in bovine trophoblasts and endometrial tissue during the peri-implantation period in order to elucidate whether it is essential for promoting cell proliferation at the implantation site.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Gene expression in the fetal membrane and endometrium of the gravid and non-gravid horn around Day 35 of gestation were analyzed with a custom-made oligo-microarray in cattle. The expression of activin and its related genes was also analyzed with quantitative RT-PCR. Activin-like activity in trophoblastic tissue and BT-1 cells was examined using a fibroblast cell proliferation test and Western blotting.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The expression of various TGF beta super-family related genes including activin was detected in trophoblasts and the endometrium in cattle. The most intensive activin expression was found in the gravid horn endometrium, and rather intense expression was detected in the non-gravid trophoblastic tissue. Extracts from the fetal membrane including trophoblasts and purified activin both stimulated fibroblast proliferation effectively, and activin was immunologically detected in BT-1 cells, which have trophoblastic features.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Specific expression of the activin gene (gene name: inhibin beta A) was found in the gravid horn endometrium during peri-implantation. An activin-like molecule, which was derived from the endometrium and trophoblasts, stimulated the proliferation of fibroblast cells. These results suggested that as in other species, the activity of TGF beta super-family members including activin-like molecules plays a pivotal role in endometrial remodelling, which is an essential process in implantation and placentogenesis during the peri-implantation period in cattle.</p

Loss of maternal annexin A5 increases the likelihood of placental platelet thrombosis and foetal loss

Antiphospholipid syndrome is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and pregnancy loss. Annexin A5 (Anxa5) is a candidate autoantigen. It is not known, however, whether endogenous Anxa5 prevents foetal loss during normal pregnancy. We found significant reductions in litter size and foetal weight in Anxa5-null mice (Anxa5-KO). These changes occurred even when only the mother was Anxa5-KO. A small amount of placental fibrin deposition was observed in the decidual tissues, but did not noticeably differ between wild-type and Anxa5-KO mice. However, immunoreactivity for integrin beta 3/CD61, a platelet marker, was demonstrated within thrombi in the arterial canals only in Anxa5-KO mothers. Subcutaneous administration of the anticoagulant heparin to pregnant Anxa5-KO mice significantly reduced pregnancy loss, suggesting that maternal Anxa5 is crucial for maintaining intact placental circulation. Hence, the presence of maternal Anxa5 minimises the risk of thrombosis in the placental circulation and reduces the risk of foetal loss

Investigation of a Peptide Responsible for Amyloid Fibril Formation of β2-Microglobulin by Achromobacter Protease I

This research was originally published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Gennady V. Kozhukh, Yoshihisa Hagihara, Toru Kawakami, Kazuhiro Hasegawa, Hironobu Naiki and Yuji Goto. Investigation of a Peptide Responsible for Amyloid Fibril Formation of β2-Microglobulin by Achromobacter Protease I. J. Biol. Chem. 2002; 277, 1310-1315. © the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biolog