Whole genome analysis reveals aneuploidies in early pregnancy loss in the horse

The first 8 weeks of pregnancy is a critical time, with the majority of pregnancy losses occurring during this period. Abnormal chromosome number (aneuploidy) is a common finding in human miscarriage, yet is rarely reported in domestic animals. Equine early pregnancy loss (EPL) has no diagnosis in over 80% of cases. The aim of this study was to characterise aneuploidies associated with equine EPL. Genomic DNA from clinical cases of spontaneous miscarriage (EPLs; 14–65 days of gestation) and healthy control placentae (various gestational ages) were assessed using a high density genotyping array. Aneuploidy was detected in 12/55 EPLs (21.8%), and 0/15 healthy control placentae. Whole genome sequencing (30X) and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) validated results. The majority of these aneuploidies have never been reported in live born equines, supporting their embryonic/fetal lethality. Aneuploidies were detected in both placental and fetal compartments. Rodents are currently used to study how maternal ageing impacts aneuploidy risk, however the differences in reproductive biology is a limitation of this model. We present the first evidence of aneuploidy in naturally occurring equine EPLs at a similar rate to human miscarriage. We therefore suggest the horse as an alternative to rodent models to study mechanisms resulting in aneuploid pregnancies

Development of mouthwash with Rosmarinus officinalis extract

Rosmarinus officinalis, which belongs to the Lamiaceaefamily, is a species of medicinal flora with therapeutic properties. In order to exploit the benefits of these properties, a mouthwash formulation was developed, with careful selection of raw materials to meet pharmacotechnical requirements. Extracts of the plant were incorporated into a mouthwash, which was shown to have inhibitory action in vitro against the micro-organisms commonly found in periodontics. Controls for assessing the quality of the drugs were carried out, quantifying phenols and flavonoids as chemical markers. Mouthwash solutions were formulated containing 0.1, 5 and 10% ethanol extract of R. officinalis; and 0.05, 5 and 10% of the hexane fraction of R. officinalis. In order to evaluate synergism, ethanol extract and hexane fraction were also added to formulations containing 0.05% sodium fluoride and 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate. These formulations were assessed for inhibitory effect against the specific microorganisms involved in the process of bacterial plaque formation, S. mutans(ATCC25175) and C. albicans(ATCC 10231), frequently found in cases of oral infections. The agar diffusion method was used to evaluate the inhibitory activity of extracts and formulations. All mouthwash solutions displayed inhibitory activity having higher sensitivity to S. mutansfor the 5% ethanol extract+0.05% sodium fluoride, and greater sensitivity to C. albicansfor the 10% hexane fraction. Results were characterized by the appearance of a growth inhibition halo, justifying the utilization and association of extracts of R. officinalis

Convenient diastereospecific synthesis of a rociverine precursor and its resolution by lipase-catalyzed transesterification

Racemic cyclohexyl(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanol I (R = H), a precursor of the antimuscarinic drug Rociverine, was obtained diastereospecifically in very high yield, from the Grignard reaction between C6H11MgCl and an appropriately protected 2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanone.  The prepn. of enantiomerically enriched (+)-(1R,2S)-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanol II and the corresponding 2-acetoxymethyl deriv. (+)-(1S,2R)-I (R = Ac) was achieved by lipase PPL-catalyzed transesterification of racemic I (R = H) with vinyl acetate