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Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Jul 2024Lipids play numerous pivotal physiological roles in mammalian reproduction, being indispensable for oocyte competence acquisition and post-fertilization embryonic...
Lipids play numerous pivotal physiological roles in mammalian reproduction, being indispensable for oocyte competence acquisition and post-fertilization embryonic development. Profiling lipids in minute samples, such as oocytes, presents challenges but has been accomplished through mass spectrometry technologies like Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) profiling. With the dual objectives of simplifying workflow and examining the influence of preanalytical conditions, we assessed whether transportation at room temperature affects the lipid profile of bovine oocytes. To this end, samples were prepared using either monophasic (methanol only) or biphasic liquid extraction protocols (Bligh & Dyer method) and transported either on dry ice or at room temperature inside sealed-vacuum packages to prevent lipid oxidation. Subsequently, employing a comprehensive method, we screened a list of 316 MRMs from 10 different lipid subclasses in oocyte lipid extracts. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed similar lipid profiles concerning temperature during transportation, whereas clear differentiation among samples was observed based on the lipid extraction method. Univariate analysis indicated that the one-phase methanol extraction resulted in higher relative abundances of phospholipids, except for phosphatidylserines. Conversely, the Bligh & Dyer extraction favored the detection of neutral intracellular lipids (triacylglycerols, free fatty acids, cholesteryl esters, and acyl-carnitines). Consequently, lipid recovery was directly correlated with the polarity of lipid class and the extraction method. Regarding transportation temperature, phosphatidylethanolamine, triacylglycerol, and free fatty acids exhibited lower abundances when samples were transported at room temperature. Based on multivariate and univariate analyses, we conclude that if samples undergo the same lipid extraction protocol and are transported in the same batch at room temperature inside vacuum-sealed bags, it is feasible to analyze lipid extracts of bovine oocytes and still obtain informative lipid profiling results.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Oocytes; Female; Lipids; Lipidomics; Specimen Handling; Lipid Metabolism
PubMed: 38561471
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01524-9 -
Nature Feb 2024Late Pleistocene ice-age climates are routinely characterized as having imposed moisture stress on low- to mid-latitude ecosystems. This idea is largely based on fossil...
Late Pleistocene ice-age climates are routinely characterized as having imposed moisture stress on low- to mid-latitude ecosystems. This idea is largely based on fossil pollen evidence for widespread, low-biomass glacial vegetation, interpreted as indicating climatic dryness. However, woody plant growth is inhibited under low atmospheric CO (refs. ), so understanding glacial environments requires the development of new palaeoclimate indicators that are independent of vegetation. Here we show that, contrary to expectations, during the past 350 kyr, peaks in southern Australian climatic moisture availability were largely confined to glacial periods, including the Last Glacial Maximum, whereas warm interglacials were relatively dry. By measuring the timing of speleothem growth in the Southern Hemisphere subtropics, which today has a predominantly negative annual moisture balance, we developed a record of climatic moisture availability that is independent of vegetation and extends through multiple glacial-interglacial cycles. Our results demonstrate that a cool-moist response is consistent across the austral subtropics and, in part, may result from reduced evaporation under cool glacial temperatures. Insofar as cold glacial environments in the Southern Hemisphere subtropics have been portrayed as uniformly arid, our findings suggest that their characterization as evolutionary or physiological obstacles to movement and expansion of animal, plant and, potentially, human populations should be reconsidered.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Animal Migration; Australia; Cold Temperature; Desert Climate; Ecosystem; History, Ancient; Humidity; Ice Cover; Plants; Pollen; Volatilization
PubMed: 38326596
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06989-3 -
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... Jul 2023To assess the appropriate preanalytical process for storage of plasma for renin concentration analysis. This study was initiated due to the wide variation in...
OBJECTIVES
To assess the appropriate preanalytical process for storage of plasma for renin concentration analysis. This study was initiated due to the wide variation in preanalytical handling of samples observed within our network, particularly with respect to freezing for longer term storage.
METHODS
Pooled plasma from patient samples was analysed immediately post separation for renin concentration (n=30, concentration 4.0-204 mIU/L). Aliquots from these samples were frozen in a -20 °C freezer and then analysed, with the renin concentration compared to the respective baseline concentration. Comparisons were also made to: aliquots snap frozen using a dry ice/acetone bath, aliquots stored at room temperature, and aliquots stored at 4 °C. Subsequent experiments investigated the potential sources of cryoactivation observed in these initial studies.
RESULTS
Substantial and highly variable cryoactivation was observed in samples frozen using a -20 °C freezer, with renin concentration increasing over 300% from baseline in some samples (median 21.3%). This cryoactivation could be prevented by snap freezing samples. Subsequent experiments determined that long term storage in a -20 °C freezer could prevent cryoactivation provided samples were initially frozen rapidly in a -70 °C freezer. Rapid defrosting of samples was not required to prevent cryoactivation.
CONCLUSIONS
Standard -20 °C freezers may not be appropriate for freezing samples for renin analysis. Laboratories should consider snap freezing their samples using a -70 °C freezer or similar to avoid cryoactivation of renin.
Topics: Humans; Renin; Freezing; Plasma
PubMed: 36800985
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-1190 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jan 2024The central component of mosquito and vector surveillance programs globally is the adult mosquito trap, which is intended to collect host-seeking mosquitoes. The...
The central component of mosquito and vector surveillance programs globally is the adult mosquito trap, which is intended to collect host-seeking mosquitoes. The miniature CDC trap is a widely distributed trap style in part due to its relative affordability and compact nature. Despite already being a simple trap, in-house production methods, such as 3D printing, could improve the accessibility of the CDC trap by eliminating some of the supply chain variables. We present here several trials with the Salt Lake City (SLC) trap, a three-dimensional (3D) printed trap design. Functional assessments were made on secondary components and found no statistically significant differences when comparing CO2 line height (above vs. below fan), battery types (sealed lead acid vs. USB battery pack), and trap body collection shape (funnel body vs. simple/straight body). The SLC trap was compared directly to a commercial equivalent, the ABC trap, with comparative assessment on species diversity and evenness in collections and found to be statistically equivalent on all metrics. Methods also detail an accompanying optional transport system for a pressurized CO2/regulator set-up, should a practitioner elect not to use dry ice. Our final design is presented here with the publicly published stereolithography (STL) files and a detailed outline of the transport container system. Alternative models are available for in-house manufacture of mosquito traps, and we contribute these designs in an effort to stimulate further growth in vector surveillance.
Topics: Animals; United States; Culicidae; Carbon Dioxide; Mosquito Vectors; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Mosquito Control
PubMed: 38198453
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011899 -
Nature Communications Apr 2024All-solid-state batteries using Si as the anode have shown promising performance without continual solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) growth. However, the first cycle...
All-solid-state batteries using Si as the anode have shown promising performance without continual solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) growth. However, the first cycle irreversible capacity loss yields low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of Si, limiting the energy density. To address this, we adopt a prelithiation strategy to increase ICE and conductivity of all-solid-state Si cells. A significant increase in ICE is observed for LiSi anode paired with a lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathode. Additionally, a comparison with lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NCM) reveals that performance improvements with Si prelithiation is only applicable for full cells dominated by high anode irreversibility. With this prelithiation strategy, 15% improvement in capacity retention is achieved after 1000 cycles compared to a pure Si. With LiSi, a high areal capacity of up to 10 mAh cm is attained using a dry-processed LCO cathode film, suggesting that the prelithiation method may be suitable for high-loading next-generation all-solid-state batteries.
PubMed: 38582753
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47352-y -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2024Due to extreme weather events and deforestation the physical and chemical characteristics of watersheds in mountain areas could exceed the known variations. Therefore,...
Due to extreme weather events and deforestation the physical and chemical characteristics of watersheds in mountain areas could exceed the known variations. Therefore, the spring water of the Innerste river in the Western Harz Mountains (Germany) was monitored from 2020 to 2023. The monitoring approach is simple and can be directly transferred to other watersheds of springs which are connected to the meteoric water cycle. The specific electrical conductivity (SEC) of the water is compared to daily precipitation data. The SEC values range between 50 and 100 μS/cm. In September 2020 and July 2022 the spring dried out. A hysteretic relationship between spring runoff and spring water mineralisation was found. The SEC values of the spring water are rising during dry periods or in winter seasons with a long ice cover in the catchment area. The highest SEC values are typical for long dry periods and flush events after the drying out of the spring. The relationship of SEC and major ions of the spring water (especially bicarbonate) indicates that biogeochemical processes within the soil zone and water-rock interactions in fractured shales and greywackes of the catchment area control the chemical composition of the spring water. Comparing the obtained results with data measured before the first observed drying out of the spring, no unexpected new values and correlations of runoff, SEC values and ion concentrations were found.
PubMed: 38810740
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173565 -
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Aug 2024Freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) in soils can cause the aggregation of dissolved organic matter but controlling factors are little understood.
HYPOTHESIS
Freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) in soils can cause the aggregation of dissolved organic matter but controlling factors are little understood.
EXPERIMENTS
In freeze-thaw experiments with tannic acid (TA) as model substance, we studied the effect of TA concentration, pH, electrolytes (NaCl, CaCl, AlCl), and number of FTC on particle formation. Tannic acid (0.005 to 10 g L) was exposed to 1-20 FTC at pH 3 and 6. The size and shape of particles was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Particle stability was deduced from the equivalent circle diameter (ECD) obtained in dry state and the hydrodynamic diameter measured in thawing solutions.
FINDINGS
Tannic acid particles occurred as plates and veins, resembling the morphology of ice grain boundaries. Low pH and presence of electrolytes favored the formation of large particles. The freeze-concentration effect was most intense at low TA concentrations and increased with the number of FTC. While ECD of particles formed at low TA concentrations were smaller than at high concentrations, it was vice versa in the thawed state. At low TA concentrations, higher crystallization pressure of ice caused enhanced stability of large particles. We conclude that FTC can strongly alter the physical state of dissolved organic matter, with likely consequences for its bioavailability.
PubMed: 38657540
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.080 -
Journal of the American Mosquito... Jun 2024Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes the most clinically severe neuroinvasive arboviral disease in the United States. The virus is endemic in eastern and Gulf...
Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes the most clinically severe neuroinvasive arboviral disease in the United States. The virus is endemic in eastern and Gulf Coast states and the Great Lakes region, causing cases annually. To detect EEEV circulation in its enzootic cycle before the virus infects humans and other mammals, mosquito control agencies in New Jersey have conducted mosquito surveillance using a series of permanent wooden resting box sites since 1975. We conducted 2 field studies, 1 evaluating resting traps and 1 evaluating efficacy of CO2 lures, to optimize collection of Culiseta melanura, the primary enzootic vector of EEEV. Resulting mosquito samples were subjected to molecular analysis to determine EEEV infection rates. Corrugated plastic boxes trapped more bloodfed Cs. melanura than other resting trap types (resting boxes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] resting traps, or fiber pots) and were similar to resting boxes in total number of female Cs. melanura caught. Further, non-baited CDC light traps were more successful in trapping host-seeking Cs. melanura than those baited with dry ice, a CO2 lure. The EEEV RNA was identified in Cs. melanura, Aedes vexans, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, and Uranotaenia sapphirina. Our findings indicate that corrugated plastic boxes and non-CO2 baited traps could improve detection of Cs. melanura. Mosquito control agencies are encouraged to periodically assess their surveillance strategy for EEEV.
Topics: Animals; Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine; New Jersey; Culicidae; Female; Mosquito Control; Mosquito Vectors
PubMed: 38587266
DOI: 10.2987/23-7148 -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2024The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is one of the most challenging areas for human long-term settlement due to its extreme living environment. Understanding the relationship...
The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is one of the most challenging areas for human long-term settlement due to its extreme living environment. Understanding the relationship between human activities and environmental changes in this extreme environment is important and can provide a historical reference for adapting to future climate change. In this study, we took the Angren Basin in the southern TP as a case study to elucidate the relationship since Little Ice Age (LIA). Using fecal stanol in feces, lake and river surface sediments, surface soils, and sediment core, we found that specific indices S1 and S2 from the composition of coprostanol, epicoprostanol, 5β-ethylcoprostanol and 5β-ethylepicoprostanol can reflect changes in human population and herbivores, respectively. Through the comparison between environmental changes determined by grain size, elements, sedimentation rate, and other climate records, the relationship between human activities and environmental changes was interpreted. Our results indicate that: (i) during 1480-1820 CE, the fecal stanols in lake sediments mainly originated from livestock, and the human population was low. In contrast, during 1820-2021 CE, the proportion and flux of S1 have been continuously increasing, indicating significant population growth. (ii) During the middle LIA, the cold-dry climate inhibited the development of agriculture and farming. However, the increased precipitation during the late LIA promoted that development, resulting in an increase in human population and livestock in a short term. (iii) Since 1951, people have reclaimed wasteland and developed husbandry, leading to increased soil erosion. (iv) Over the past 40 years, with a warm-humid climate and good policy support, human activities, such as agriculture and husbandry, have rapidly increased, but soil erosion has declined in the recent 20 years due to good soil-water conservation efforts. This study sheds light on the relationship between human activities and environmental changes and provides insights into future climate change responses.
Topics: Tibet; Climate Change; Humans; Human Activities; Environmental Monitoring; Lakes; Geologic Sediments; Feces; Soil
PubMed: 38857808
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173741 -
Analytical Chemistry Jul 2023Recently reported "displaceable probe" loop amplification (DP-LAMP) architecture has shown to amplify viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2 with little sample processing. The...
Recently reported "displaceable probe" loop amplification (DP-LAMP) architecture has shown to amplify viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2 with little sample processing. The architecture allows signals indicating the presence of target nucleic acids to be spatially separated, and independent in sequence, from the complicated concatemer that LAMP processes create as part of their amplification process. This makes DP-LAMP an attractive molecular strategy to integrate with trap and sampling innovations to detect RNA from arboviruses carried by mosquitoes in the field. These innovations include (a) development of organically produced carbon dioxide with ethylene carbonate as a bait deployable in mosquito trap, avoiding the need for dry ice, propane tanks, or inorganic carbonates and (b) a process that induces mosquitoes to lay virus-infected saliva on a quaternary ammonium-functionalized paper (Q-paper) matrix, where (c) the matrix (i) inactivates the deposited viruses, (ii) releases their RNA, and (iii) captures viral RNA in a form that keeps it stable for days at ambient temperatures. We report this integration here, with a surprisingly simple workflow. DP-LAMP with a reverse transcriptase was found to amplify arboviral RNA directly from Q-paper, without requiring a separate elution step. This capture-amplification-detection architecture can be multiplexed, with the entire system integrated into a device that can support a campaign of surveillance, in the wild outdoors, that reports the prevalence of arboviruses from field-captured mosquitoes.
Topics: Animals; Arboviruses; Saliva; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Culicidae; RNA, Viral; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
PubMed: 37390024
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01735