Molecular Characterisation of Uterine Endometrial Proteins during Early Stages of Pregnancy in Pigs by MALDI TOF/TOF

The molecular mechanism underlying embryonic implantation is vital to understand the correct communications between endometrium and developing conceptus during early stages of pregnancy. This study’s objective was to determine molecular changes in the uterine endometrial proteome during the preimplantation and peri-implantation between 9 days (9D), 12 days (12D), and 16 days (16D) of pregnant Polish Large White (PLW) gilts. 2DE-MALDI-TOF/TOF and ClueGO^TM approaches were employed to analyse the biological networks and molecular changes in porcine endometrial proteome during maternal recognition of pregnancy. A total of sixteen differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified using 2-DE gels and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Comparison between 9D and 12D of pregnancy identified APOA1, CAPZB, LDHB, CCT5, ANXA4, CFB, TTR upregulated DEPs, and ANXA5, SMS downregulated DEPs. Comparison between 9D and 16D of pregnancy identified HP, APOA1, ACTB, CCT5, ANXA4, CFB upregulated DEPs and ANXA5, SMS, LDHB, ACTR3, HP, ENO3, OAT downregulated DEPs. However, a comparison between 12D and 16D of pregnancy identified HP, ACTB upregulated DEPs, and CRYM, ANXA4, ANXA5, CAPZB, LDHB, ACTR3, CCT5, ENO3, OAT, TTR down-regulated DEPs. Outcomes of this study revealed key proteins and their interactions with metabolic pathways involved in the recognition and establishment of early pregnancy in PLW gilts.     

XPS study of duplex stainless steel oxidized by oxygen atoms

Surface oxidation of the duplex stainless steel DSS alloy 2205 was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and SEM imaging. The experiments were performed on the alloy after controlled oxidation with oxygen atoms created in an inductively coupled plasma. Experiments were performed at temperatures from room temperature up to 700 °C. Compositions of the modified oxidized surfaces were obtained from XPS survey scans, and the chemistries of selected elements from higher energy resolution scans of appropriate peaks. The morphologies of the surfaces were obtained using field emission scanning electron microscopy at different magnifications, up to 10,000×. Different Fe/Cr/Mn oxidized layers and different oxide thicknesses were observed and correlated with temperature.     

Fade and quench-resistant emission in calcium phosphate nanoreactors

The fluorescence emission and photodegradation properties of fluorescein dye inside fluid-filled spherical nanoreactors ～ 150 nm in diameter and surrounded by a few nanometres thick layer of calcium phosphate are considered in detail. Steady state, stopped flow, and laser pulsed fluorescence spectroscopies, absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy were used to characterize the materials as a function of encapsulated dye concentration, particle concentration, illumination time, and pH. Fluorescein tends to form stable J-aggregates inside the nanoreactors. The molecular collision rate constants between the dye aggregates and between the dyes and soluble quenchers are greatly reduced inside the nanoreactors and are responsible for the observed resistance to photodegradation and reduced emission quenching. A model for dye behaviour in nanoreactors is suggested. Nanoreactors can be concentrated to a high suspension concentration, yielding exceptionally strong luminescence affected only by inner filter effects absent particle-particle crosstalk. These and similar nanoreactors can be utilized as building blocks for three-dimensional photo-optical devices, and as versatile and resilient supramolecular chromophores or tracers in complex fluids, cells and microfluidic systems where high resolution visualization is needed.     

Biomolecular Markers of Recurrent Implantation Failure—A Review

Currently, infertility affects 8–12% of reproductive age couples worldwide, a problem that also affects women suffering from recurrent implantation failure (RIF). RIF is a complex condition resulting from many physiological and molecular mechanisms involving dynamic endometrium–blastocyst interaction. The most important are the endometrial receptivity process, decidualization, trophoblast invasion, and blastocyst nesting. Although the exact multifactorial pathogenesis of RIF remains unclear, many studies have suggested the association between hormone level imbalance, disturbances of angiogenic and immunomodulatory factors, certain genetic polymorphisms, and occurrence of RIF. These studies were performed in quite small groups. Additionally, the results are inconsistent between ethnicities. The present review briefly summarizes the importance of factors involved in RIF development that could also serve as diagnostic determinants. Moreover, our review could constitute part of a new platform for discovery of novel diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for RIF.     

Current Concepts on Genetic Aspects of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), neurodegenerative motor neuron disorder is characterized as multisystem disease with important contribution of genetic factors. The etiopahogenesis of ALS is not fully elucidate, but the dominant theory at present relates to RNA processing, as well as protein aggregation and miss-folding, oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, inflammation and epigenetic dysregulation. Additionally, as mitochondria plays a leading role in cellular homeostasis maintenance, a rising amount of evidence indicates mitochondrial dysfunction as a substantial contributor to disease onset and progression. The aim of this review is to summarize most relevant findings that link genetic factors in ALS pathogenesis with different mechanisms with mitochondrial involvement (respiratory chain, OXPHOS control, calcium buffering, axonal transport, inflammation, mitophagy, etc.). We highlight the importance of a widening perspective for better understanding overlapping pathophysiological pathways in ALS and neurodegeneration in general. Finally, current and potentially novel therapies, especially gene specific therapies, targeting mitochondrial dysfunction are discussed briefly.     

Contribution of marine and continental aerosols to the content of major ions in the precipitation of the central Mediterranean

The region of the investigated receptor is situated in the southern part of the Adriatic Sea in the Mediterranean. The measuring station is located on the seashore, which, being considered as a border area, is representative for the qualitative and quantitative estimation of the influence of marine and continental aerosols on the content of major ions in precipitation. In the sampling period, precipitation in the region of the investigated receptor was more abundant during the summer and autumn than during the winter and spring. The most frequent precipitation heights were up to 20 mm, while high precipitation came exclusively from the continental region. The results of the measurements of ions readily soluble in water were used for the differentiation of marine from continental contributions of primary and secondary aerosols to their content in the precipitation. Using PCA, it was shown that main contribution of Cl(-), Na(+) and Mg(2+) came from primary marine aerosols, while the contribution from continental sources was dominant for the content of SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-), NH(4)(+) and Ca(2+) in the precipitation. The continental origin of Ca(2+) was from a primary source, while SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-) and NH(4)(+) were representatives of secondary aerosols produced by reactions between acid oxides and alkaline species in the atmosphere, but SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-) also exist in the precipitation as free acids. The origin of the trace elements Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the precipitation came from anthropogenic emission sources. The results obtained in this work are based on experimental data from 609 samples collected during the period 1995-2000.     

Structural and Molecular Kinetic Features of Activities of DNA Polymerases

DNA polymerases catalyze DNA synthesis during the replication, repair, and recombination of DNA. Based on phylogenetic analysis and primary protein sequences, DNA polymerases have been categorized into seven families: A, B, C, D, X, Y, and RT. This review presents generalized data on the catalytic mechanism of action of DNA polymerases. The structural features of different DNA polymerase families are described in detail. The discussion highlights the kinetics and conformational dynamics of DNA polymerases from all known polymerase families during DNA synthesis.     

Adaptation of Oxidative Phosphorylation Machinery Compensates for Hepatic Lipotoxicity in Early Stages of MAFLD

Alterations in mitochondrial function are an important control variable in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), while also noted by increased de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and hepatic insulin resistance. We hypothesized that the organization and function of a mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) in this pathologic condition is a consequence of shifted substrate availability. We addressed this question using a transgenic mouse model with increased hepatic insulin resistance and DNL due to constitutively active human SREBP-1c. The abundance of ETC complex subunits and components of key metabolic pathways are regulated in the liver of these animals. Further omics approaches combined with functional assays in isolated liver mitochondria and primary hepatocytes revealed that the SREBP-1c-forced fatty liver induced a substrate limitation for oxidative phosphorylation, inducing enhanced complex II activity. The observed increased expression of mitochondrial genes may have indicated a counteraction. In conclusion, a shift of available substrates directed toward activated DNL results in increased electron flows, mainly through complex II, to compensate for the increased energy demand of the cell. The reorganization of key compounds in energy metabolism observed in the SREBP-1c animal model might explain the initial increase in mitochondrial function observed in the early stages of human MAFLD.