X- and Y-chromosomal gene expression during spermatogenesis, studied in the context of separation of X and Y spermatozoa

Mankind has been interested in S6X preselection since ancient times. Methods presumed to achieve sex preselection have already been described by Greek philosophers as far as 500 B.C. (reviewed by Betteridge, 1984). Although it took almost 2500 years since then to develop reliable and repeatable methods, sex preselection is now possible and is actually applied in both humans and livestock. It can be achieved either by sexing of early embryos or by separation of X and Y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa (X and Y spermatozoa)

Effects of digested onion extracts on intestinal gene expression using rat intestine slices

Rat small intestine precision cut slices were exposed for 6 hours to in vitro digested yellow (YOd) or white onion extracts (WOd) that was followed by transcriptomics analysis. The digestion was performed to mimic the digestion that in vivo takes place in the saliva, stomach and small intestine. A main question was to which extent the outcome of the biological interpretation of the transcription analysis (pathway analysis) depend on the model used. One outcome was that mainly processes related to oxidative stress, and especially the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, were affected by onions in all three models

Effects of digested onion extracts on intestinal gene expression using rat intestine slices

Rat small intestine precision cut slices were exposed for 6 hours to in vitro digested yellow (YOd) or white onion extracts (WOd) that was followed by transcriptomics analysis. The digestion was performed to mimic the digestion that in vivo takes place in the saliva, stomach and small intestine. A main question was to which extent the outcome of the biological interpretation of the transcription analysis (pathway analysis) depend on the model used. One outcome was that mainly processes related to oxidative stress, and especially the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, were affected by onions in all three models

Effects of digested onion extracts on intestinal gene expression using rat intestine slices

Rat small intestine precision cut slices were exposed for 6 hours to in vitro digested yellow (YOd) or white onion extracts (WOd) that was followed by transcriptomics analysis. The digestion was performed to mimic the digestion that in vivo takes place in the saliva, stomach and small intestine. A main question was to which extent the outcome of the biological interpretation of the transcription analysis (pathway analysis) depend on the model used. One outcome was that mainly processes related to oxidative stress, and especially the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, were affected by onions in all three models

The effects of tributyltin oxide and deoxynivalenol on the transcriptome of the mouse thymoma cell line EL-4

The main goal of this study was to assess the potential of the mouse thymoma EL-4 cell line in screening for chemical induced immunotoxicity. Therefore, EL-4 cells were exposed to two well-known immunotoxicants, organotin compound tributyltin oxide (TBTO, 0.5 and 1 µM for 3 or 6 h) and the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 µM for 3, 6 or 11 h). Previous studies in human Jurkat T cells and mouse thymus in vivo showed that the primary mode of action of TBTO is induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, T cell activation and apoptosis. DON induces ribotoxic stress and, similarly to TBTO, induces ER stress, T cell activation and apoptosis. In the present study, the effects of TBTO and DON on EL-4 mRNA expression were assessed by whole genome microarray analysis. The microarray data were then compared to those obtained with mouse thymuses in vivo, mouse thymocytes in vitro, and CTLL-2 cells and human Jurkat cells in vitro exposed to TBTO or DON. Analysis at the level of gene sets revealed that part of the previously detected modes of action of TBTO and DON were not observed in the EL-4 cell line. In EL-4 cells, TBTO induced genes involved in calcium signalling and ER stress but did not induce genes involved in T cell activation and apoptosis. DON induced RNA related processes and ribosome biogenesis. Furthermore, DON downregulated ER stress, T cell activation and apoptosis which is opposite to the mechanism of DON observed in the mouse thymus in vivo and in Jurkat T cells in vitro. Apparently, EL-4 cells lack factors that are necessary to link ribotoxic stress to ER stress. In addition, of the lack of T cell activation response of EL-4 cells to TBTO is likely due to the fact that these cells are in a constitutively activated state already. Based on the results obtained for TBTO and DON, it can be concluded that the EL-4 cell line has limited value for immunotoxicogenomics based screening

Participatory Decision Making for Sanitation Improvements in Unplanned Urban Settlements in East Africa

Solving the problem of inadequate access to sanitation in unplanned settlements in East Africa needs to combine social and technical dimensions in such a manner that they fit the local context. The modernized mixtures approach offers an analytical framework for identifying such solutions, but this approach requires effective methods for participatory decision making. This article intends to contribute to filling this gap by identifying and further elaborating an appropriate multicriteria decisionmaking tool. The multicriteria decision analysis methodology, Proact 2.0, offers an adequate solution as it creates the possibility to connect knowledge, experiences, and preferences from scientists, experts, and policy makers with those of the end users. We show in particular that users not always prefer the most optimal sanitation system, defined from an “expert” point of view. This article concludes that using Proact 2.0 can lead to substantial improvements in decision making in the field of sanitation in unplanned settlements in East Africa

Mainstreaming fair trade: the role of retailers

In just two decades, fair trade has evolved from a niche market supplying products for a small group of dedicated consumers to a well-established market in several European countries, including the Netherlands. This transition has led to important changes in the dynamics in the fair-trade supply chain and the role of different participating actors. The success of this provisioning model depends upon producers and consumers as well as on the engagement of retailers, but to date researchers have not actively investigated their role. This article helps fill this gap by applying a social practices perspective to analyze the role of retailers in the fair-trade supply chain in the Netherlands. Our empirical research shows that Dutch retailers may apply different strategies when selling fair-trade products, but also that many of them are interested in supplying these goods for reasons other than economic advantage. The main challenge that retailers face is how to balance actively promoting fair-trade products to consumers and presenting their outlet as unique by selling such items in a consumer-silent manner and contributing to a broader transition toward sustainable production and consumption