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Cells Aug 2021The sperm flagellum is essential for the transport of the genetic material toward the oocyte and thus the transmission of the genetic information to the next generation.... (Review)
Review
The sperm flagellum is essential for the transport of the genetic material toward the oocyte and thus the transmission of the genetic information to the next generation. During the haploid phase of spermatogenesis, i.e., spermiogenesis, a morphological and molecular restructuring of the male germ cell, the round spermatid, takes place that includes the silencing and compaction of the nucleus, the formation of the acrosomal vesicle from the Golgi apparatus, the formation of the sperm tail, and, finally, the shedding of excessive cytoplasm. Sperm tail formation starts in the round spermatid stage when the pair of centrioles moves toward the posterior pole of the nucleus. The sperm tail, eventually, becomes located opposed to the acrosomal vesicle, which develops at the anterior pole of the nucleus. The centriole pair tightly attaches to the nucleus, forming a nuclear membrane indentation. An articular structure is formed around the centriole pair known as the connecting piece, situated in the neck region and linking the sperm head to the tail, also named the head-to-tail coupling apparatus or, in short, HTCA. Finally, the sperm tail grows out from the distal centriole that is now transformed into the basal body of the flagellum. However, a centriole pair is found in nearly all cells of the body. In somatic cells, it accumulates a large mass of proteins, the pericentriolar material (PCM), that together constitute the centrosome, which is the main microtubule-organizing center of the cell, essential not only for the structuring of the cytoskeleton and the overall cellular organization but also for mitotic spindle formation and chromosome segregation. However, in post-mitotic (G1 or G0) cells, the centrosome is transformed into the basal body. In this case, one of the centrioles, which is always the oldest or mother centriole, grows the axoneme of a cilium. Most cells of the body carry a single cilium known as the primary cilium that serves as an antenna sensing the cell's environment. Besides, specialized cells develop multiple motile cilia differing in substructure from the immotile primary cilia that are essential in moving fluids or cargos over the cellular surface. Impairment of cilia formation causes numerous severe syndromes that are collectively subsumed as ciliopathies. This comparative overview serves to illustrate the molecular mechanisms of basal body formation, their similarities, and dissimilarities, in somatic versus male germ cells, by discussing the involved proteins/genes and their expression, localization, and function. The review, thus, aimed to provide a deeper knowledge of the molecular players that is essential for the expansion of clinical diagnostics and treatment of male fertility disorders.
Topics: Basal Bodies; Centrosome; Germ Cells; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Spermatogenesis
PubMed: 34571916
DOI: 10.3390/cells10092266 -
Current Journal of Neurology Jul 2020This publication reviews the steps in the path towards obtaining a complete image of the brain. Up to the 1920s, plain X-ray films could demonstrate only calcified... (Review)
Review
This publication reviews the steps in the path towards obtaining a complete image of the brain. Up to the 1920s, plain X-ray films could demonstrate only calcified tumors, shifts in midline position of a calcified pineal gland due to a mass in the cranium, or foreign metallic objects within the skull. Walter Dandy reported in 1918 that he visualized cerebral ventricles by introducing air as a contrast agent through a trocar into one of the occipital lobes or the right frontal horn of the ventricular system. Dandy localized lesions that distorted or shifted the ventricles. In 1920, Dandy placed air by lumbar puncture into the spinal subarachnoid space that could visualize the brain and entire ventricles. Antonio Egas Moniz with the assistance of his neurosurgeon colleague, Almeida Lima, obtained X-ray images of cerebral arteries of dogs and decapitated human heads from corpses after injecting strontium bromide into their carotid arteries. Satisfied by these experiments, Moniz injected strontium bromide directly into carotid arteries of five patients which failed to show intracranial vessels. In the sixth patient, intracranial arteries were outlined but that patient died of cerebral thrombosis presumably due to the hyper-osmolality of that contrast agent. Finally, on June 18, 1927, Moniz injected 22% sodium iodine into a 20-year-old man and obtained clear visualization of his carotid artery and intracerebral branches after temporarily occluding the artery with a ligature. Direct percutaneous puncture of the cervical carotid artery remained the primary technique unto the 1960s to visualize intracranial blood vessels until Seldinger's technique was introduced in 1953. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) replaced cerebral arteriography for localizing tumors and epidural or subdural hemorrhage. However, angiography is used currently for embolization of aneurysms and removal of thrombi or emboli in patients with acute stroke.
PubMed: 38011427
DOI: 10.18502/cjn.v19i3.5426 -
Bundesgesundheitsblatt,... Dec 2020In academic and public debate, the meaning of irreversible loss of brain function as a reliable sign of death (brain death criterion) is repeatedly challenged. In the... (Review)
Review
In academic and public debate, the meaning of irreversible loss of brain function as a reliable sign of death (brain death criterion) is repeatedly challenged. In the present article, six prototypical theses against the brain death criterion are discussed: 1) the nonsuperiority of brain versus other organs, 2) the unreliability of brain death diagnostics, 3) the preserved perception of pain in brain death, 4) the (spontaneous) sexual maturation and preserved reproductive function in brain death, 5) the symmetry of brain death and embryonic stage, and 6) the equalization of an artificially respired brain-dead body and a living human being.None of these theses withstand critical analysis. In Germany, the whole-brain death criterion is applied. Brain death involves the complete loss of all sensation, consciousness, as well as facial, ocular, lingual and pharyngeal motor, voluntary motor, and sexual function (functional "decapitation"). Other organs or their basic control can be replaced artificially, but not the brain. The brain, not the remaining body, is determinant of the human individual. The equalization of an artificially respired brain-dead organism, that may be considered as a living system from a natural philosophy point of view, and the organism of the same living human being leads, through reducibility of constituting organs, to an obvious absurdity. The irreversible loss of brain function results inevitably in cardiac arrest, spontaneously within minutes, with intensive care usually within days. In the embryo/fetus, malformation of the complete brain also results in (prenatal) death. The statutory guideline of the German Medical Association for the determination of brain death has, by comparison, high diagnostic reliability; no confirmed misdiagnoses have occurred.
Topics: Brain Death; Critical Care; Death; Germany; Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Tissue and Organ Procurement
PubMed: 33180159
DOI: 10.1007/s00103-020-03245-1 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022Bee pollen is a natural substance obtained from flowers by bees. It is a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals. It can be used as a dietary supplement. Bee...
Changes in Histological Structure, Interleukin 12, Smooth Muscle Actin and Nitric Oxide Synthase 1. and 3. Expression in the Liver of Running and Non-Running Wistar Rats Supplemented with Bee Pollen or Whey Protein.
Bee pollen is a natural substance obtained from flowers by bees. It is a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals. It can be used as a dietary supplement. Bee pollen has been investigated for the treatment of some diseases with promising potential. It can be helpful in supportive therapy for dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes type 2, as well the prevention and control of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. Whey protein is a rich source of amino acids. It is a basic dietary supplement for many athletes, both professional and amateur. It stimulates muscle growth and provides nutrition for cachectic patients. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of dietary supplementation of bee pollen or whey protein on the Wistar rat liver histological structure and expression of interleukin 12, smooth muscle actin and nitric oxide synthases among running and non-running rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six equal groups, three running and three non-running. Among both there was one control, one supplemented with bee pollen and one receiving whey proteins. After 8 weeks, all animals were decapitated and their livers were collected. Five micrometer thick slides were prepared and used for classical histological staining and immuno-histochemistry. ImageJ image analysis software was used to measure optical density and immunohistochemistry profile coverage. Among all groups, morphology of liver was similar. In the running control group, expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) was decreased as well as expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in a group of bee pollen supplemented rats. No significant changes in α- smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression was observed. Bee pollen is proving to be a questionable choice for athletes as an alternative to whey protein. Bee pollen supplementation affects hepatocyte cellular activity and has hepatoprotective effects. Whey protein performs worse in this regard. Lower antioxidant properties were found in groups supplemented with bee pollen than with whey protein.
PubMed: 35454718
DOI: 10.3390/foods11081131 -
Advances in Clinical and Experimental... Mar 2022In the literature, it has been suggested that ketamine-related oxidative organ damage results from increased blood adrenaline level, and thiopental-related oxidative...
BACKGROUND
In the literature, it has been suggested that ketamine-related oxidative organ damage results from increased blood adrenaline level, and thiopental-related oxidative damage is caused by decreased adrenaline level, suggesting that ketamine-thiopental combination (KT) may be beneficial in reducing the hepatotoxic effect of ketamine.
OBJECTIVES
To biochemically investigate the effects of ketamine, thiopental and KT on the liver in rats.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Male albino Wistar type rats received intraperitoneally (ip.) 30 mg/kg ketamine in the ketamine alone (KG) group (n = 6), 15 mg/kg thiopental in the thiopental alone (TG) group (n = 6), and 30 mg/kg ketamine + 15 mg/kg thiopental in the ketamine+thiopental (KTG) group (n = 6). The same volume of distilled water as solvent was given to the healthy (HG) animal group. This procedure was repeated once daily for 30 days. At the end of this period, the animals were killed by decapitation and their livers were removed. In liver tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured. The IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, adrenalin (ADR), noradrenalin (NDR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were determined in blood samples taken from the tail veins.
RESULTS
In the group treated with ketamine and thiopental alone, MDA, TOS, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ADR, NDR, ALT, and AST levels were found to be high, and those of tGSH and TAS to be low. However, there was no significant change in the levels of these parameters in the KTG.
CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that oxidative stress and inflammation developed in the liver tissue of the group that used ketamine and thiopental alone, suggesting that the KT form may be safer in terms of toxicity in the clinical usage.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ketamine; Liver; Male; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Thiopental; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 34918884
DOI: 10.17219/acem/143573 -
Veterinary Sciences Jan 2023MSG is the most ubiquitous food additive in the food industry. The aim of this report was to investigate the effects of in ovo MSG administration on embryonic chicken...
MSG is the most ubiquitous food additive in the food industry. The aim of this report was to investigate the effects of in ovo MSG administration on embryonic chicken eye development using histological and histometric methods. A total of 410 fertilized eggs obtained from Babcock Brown laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were used and divided into 5 groups: I (untreated control), II (vehicle control), III (0.12 mg/g egg MSG), IV (0.6 mg/g egg MSG), and V (1.2 mg/g egg MSG), and injections were performed via the egg yolk. At incubation day 15, 18, and 21, 6 embryos from each group were sacrificed by decapitation and pieces of eye tissue were obtained. In all MSG groups, it was determined that both corneal epithelium thickness and total corneal thickness decreased at incubation time points 15, 18, and 21 days compared with the controls ( < 0.05). The total retinal thickness, thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner nuclear layer (INL), ganglion cell layer (GL), and nerve fibre layers (NFL), as well as the number of ganglion cells decreased significantly at incubation days 15, 18, and 21 ( < 0.05), and degenerative changes such as vacuolar degeneration and retinal pigment epithelial detachment were also observed. In conclusion, MSG in ovo administration can affect the cornea and distinct layers of retinal cells.
PubMed: 36851403
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020099 -
Journal of Experimental Botany Apr 2022Tiller formation is a key agronomic determinant for grain yield in cereal crops. The modulation of this trait is controlled by transcriptional regulators and plant...
Tiller formation is a key agronomic determinant for grain yield in cereal crops. The modulation of this trait is controlled by transcriptional regulators and plant hormones, tightly regulated by external environmental conditions. While endogenous (genetic) and exogenous (environmental factors) triggers for tiller formation have mostly been investigated separately, it has remained elusive how they are integrated into the developmental program of this trait. The transcription factor gene INTERMEDIUM-C (INT-C), which is the barley ortholog of the maize domestication gene TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (TB1), has a prominent role in regulating tiller bud outgrowth. Here we show that INT-C is expressed in tiller buds, required for bud growth arrest in response to shade. In contrast to wild-type plants, int-c mutant plants are impaired in their shade response and do not stop tiller production after shading. Gene expression levels of INT-C are up-regulated under light-limiting growth conditions, and down-regulated after decapitation. Transcriptome analysis of wild-type and int-c buds under control and shading conditions identified target genes of INT-C that belong to auxin and gibberellin biosynthesis and signaling pathways. Our study identifies INT-C as an integrator of the shade response into tiller formation, which is prerequisite for implementing shading responses in the breeding of cereal crops.
Topics: Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genes, Plant; Hordeum; Plant Breeding; Plant Growth Regulators; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 34894212
DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab542 -
Endokrynologia Polska 2021Orexin-A is a neuropeptide synthesized in the lateral hypothalamus. Orexin-A immunoreactive fibres overlap distribution with GnRH neurons. In adult rats, orexin A is...
INTRODUCTION
Orexin-A is a neuropeptide synthesized in the lateral hypothalamus. Orexin-A immunoreactive fibres overlap distribution with GnRH neurons. In adult rats, orexin A is known to affect LH secretion via GnRH release modulation. Because data concerning the impact of orexin-A on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis activity are limited, we focused on the involvement of orexin-A and receptors of NPY in the modulation of LH release and LH subunit b (Lhb) mRNA expression in prepubertal female rats.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Forty immature female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups and received 2 intracerebroventricular (icv) microinjections of: 1 - artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (controls); 2 - CSF followed by orexin A; 3 - selective NPY receptor antagonist (BIBP) followed by CSF; 4 - BIBP followed by orexin A. One hour after the last microinjection, all rats were decapitated. Trunk blood was collected, and serum was stored at -20°C for the LH RIA examination. The adenohypophysis was immediately excised, flash-frozen, and kept at -80°C for RNA extraction. Real-time PCR amplification was carried out, and relative Lhb gene expression was calculated.
RESULTS
In comparison to the CSF-treated controls with a mean LH serum concentration of 0.40 ± 0.02 ng/mL, the mean LH serum level was diminished both after orexin-A (0.27 ± 0.01 ng/mL) and after BIBP (0.30 ± 0.02 ng/mL) icv microinjections. In the presence of BIBP, orexin-A more effectively inhibited LH release (0.20 ± 0.01 ng/mL) when compared to the BIBP-treated group. Orexin-A and BIBP exerted a consistent inhibitory effect on Lhb mRNA expression levels in the anterior pituitary gland. In comparison to the CSF-treated controls, orexin-A, and BIBP-treated females responded with, respectively, 35% and 40% reduction of Lhb mRNA expression. Orexin-A and BIBP co-administration evoked a further reduction of Lhb gene transcriptional activity.
CONCLUSIONS
Orexin-A exerts a down-regulatory effect on LH synthesis and release in immature female rats. Considering that Y1R-oriented down-regulation of endogenous NPY activity did not reverse the suppressive effect of exogenous orexin-A, it might be suggested that NPY and orexin A systems can operate independently to affect gonadotropin activity in the anterior pituitary of the immature female rats.
Topics: Animals; Down-Regulation; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Luteinizing Hormone; Neuropeptide Y; Orexins; RNA, Messenger; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Neuropeptide Y
PubMed: 34010439
DOI: 10.5603/EP.a2021.0041 -
PloS One 2015This study aimed to investigate the quality of reporting of anesthesia and euthanasia in experimental studies in small laboratory mammals published in the top ten impact... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Anesthesia and Monitoring in Small Laboratory Mammals Used in Anesthesiology, Respiratory and Critical Care Research: A Systematic Review on the Current Reporting in Top-10 Impact Factor Ranked Journals.
RATIONALE
This study aimed to investigate the quality of reporting of anesthesia and euthanasia in experimental studies in small laboratory mammals published in the top ten impact factor journals.
METHODS
A descriptive systematic review was conducted and data was abstracted from the ten highest ranked journals with respect to impact factor in the categories 'Anesthesiology', 'Critical Care Medicine' and 'Respiratory System' as defined by the 2012 Journal Citation Reports. Inclusion criteria according to PICOS criteria were as follows: 1) population: small laboratory mammals; 2) intervention: any form of anesthesia and/or euthanasia; 3) comparison: not specified; 4) primary outcome: type of anesthesia, anesthetic agents and type of euthanasia; secondary outcome: animal characteristics, monitoring, mechanical ventilation, fluid management, postoperative pain therapy, animal care approval, sample size calculation and performed interventions; 5) study: experimental studies. Anesthesia, euthanasia, and monitoring were analyzed per performed intervention in each article.
RESULTS
The search yielded 845 articles with 1,041 interventions of interest. Throughout the manuscripts we found poor quality and frequency of reporting with respect to completeness of data on animal characteristics as well as euthanasia, while anesthesia (732/1041, 70.3%) and interventions without survival (970/1041, 93.2%) per se were frequently reported. Premedication and neuromuscular blocking agents were reported in 169/732 (23.1%) and 38/732 (5.2%) interventions, respectively. Frequency of reporting of analgesia during (117/610, 19.1%) and after painful procedures (38/364, 10.4%) was low. Euthanasia practice was reported as anesthesia (348/501, 69%), transcardial perfusion (37/501, 8%), carbon dioxide (26/501, 6%), decapitation (22/501, 5%), exsanguination (23/501, 5%), other (25/501, 5%) and not specified (20/501, 4%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The present systematic review revealed insufficient reporting of anesthesia and euthanasia methods throughout experimental studies in small laboratory mammals. Specific guidelines for anesthesia and euthanasia regimens should be considered to achieve comparability, quality of animal experiments and animal welfare. These measures are of special interest when translating experimental findings to future clinical applications.
Topics: Anesthesia; Anesthesiology; Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Critical Care; Euthanasia; Journal Impact Factor; Mammals; Monitoring, Physiologic; Periodicals as Topic; Research; Research Report; Respiration; Respiration, Artificial
PubMed: 26305700
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134205 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022Dismemberment is characterized by the fragmentation of the body into anatomical sections. It can occur because of a murder, suicide, or accident. In the literature,... (Review)
Review
Dismemberment is characterized by the fragmentation of the body into anatomical sections. It can occur because of a murder, suicide, or accident. In the literature, there are no cases of patricide perpetrated by a daughter in which the offender performed the dismemberment. However, in this paper, we reported a case of patricide by a schizophrenic daughter that was not treated with antipsychotic therapy. Post-mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT), autopsy, and histological examinations were performed. The soft tissues were removed through maceration techniques and chemical treatment. An analysis was performed to study the bone margins and clarify the weapon and manner of death. This investigation, which used radiological and histological studies, helped to assess the vitality of the injuries. The purpose of the study is to discover the weapon used, the cause, and the manner of death, with particular interest in this case due to the dismemberment. Moreover, we emphasize the correlation between patricide, dismemberment, and a lack of antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia.
PubMed: 35885483
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071577