Physiological Events Research Articles

The Effect of Vaginal Tightening Surgery on Sexual Function: A Systematic Review.

Lifetime physiological or pathological events, such as vaginal delivery and menopause, may change vaginal structure and appearance, owing to local tissue expansion and separation of the pelvic floor muscles, which can affect a woman's sexual relationships. This systematic review was aimed at exploring the effect of vaginal tightening surgery on female sexual function. Articles that had measured female sexual function after vaginal tightening were considered eligible. Articles on vaginal tightening surgeries conducted only for cosmetic and/or sexual and/or functional reasons (not for medical indications) and which evaluated postoperative sexual function by a quantitative tool were included. A literature review was conducted by searching databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from the beginning of 2000 until 1 February 2024. The authors identified 11 studies that had evaluated sexual function after vaginal reconstructive procedures designed to adjudicate sexual issues involving loss of friction, orgasmic, and aesthetic concerns. Although most of the studies implied that vaginal tightening could improve sexual function, more meticulous assessment of the studies' methodology challenged the robustness of these findings in clinical decision making. Although on the surface, it can be concluded that vaginal tightening surgery improves women's sexual function, the conclusion is severely restricted owing to the absence of the precise measurement of vaginal laxity, as well as the inconsistency in surgical techniques, methods, and tools employed in the research.

Mechanisms of calcium-induced protection against lead toxicity in Ulmus umbraculifera L.: a physiological and biochemical perspective.

Lead (Pb) is a toxic stressor in the soil, which affects plant morphological and physiological events differently. A pot study was initiated to characterize the effect of calcium (Ca) application (20 and 40 mM) on Ulmus umbraculifera L. under Pb treatment (200 and 400 µM). The results revealed that higher levels of Pb significantly reduced plant height (48.3%), total dry weight (44.7%), leaf area index (45%), chlorophyll a (53.7%), chlorophyll b (51.4%), carotenoids (37.8%), and Fv/Fm ratio (20.4%) compared to untreated plants. However, the Ca application improved the aforementioned physiological features. Additionally, Pb toxicity disrupted oxidative status in the plants by increasing malondialdehyde (MDA), methylglyoxal, superoxide anion, and H₂O₂, which also induced the activities of SOD, GR, APX, and CAT. In contrast, Ca decreased MDA, methylglyoxal, superoxide anion, and H₂O₂ by enhancing SOD, CAT, GR, and APX activities compared to the control. Notably, ascorbate (AsA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, and AsA-DHA and GSH-GSSG ratios changed significantly with Pb and Pb + Ca treatments. According to our findings, monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glyoxalase (Gly) I, and Gly II activities increased with Pb treatment; however, Ca application further promoted their activities. Furthermore, Pb treatment significantly suppressed the uptake of mineral nutrients and increased Pb accumulation, whereas Ca application improved the uptake of these elements and lowered Pb content. These observations confirmed that the positive effects of Ca application on photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient absorption, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants enhanced plant tolerance under Pb toxicity.

Redox Imbalance and Cardiovascular Pathogenesis: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Phytochemicals

Abstract: The intriguing role of the oxidation system in cardiovascular disease lies in its contribution to chronic and acute increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), driving the progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). ROS, produced as by-products of oxidative physiological and metabolic events, act as mediators in various signaling pathways contributing to cardiovascular pathology. The delicate equilibrium between the production of free radicals and antioxidant defense shifts in favor of the former, resulting in redox imbalance and extensive cellular damage. Among CVDs, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains as the leading cause of death globally. Understanding the significance of oxidative damage in the dysfunction of endothelial cells, atherosclerosis, and other pathogenic events and pathways is crucial for preventing and managing CVD. Consequently, it is imperative to comprehend the mechanism/s underlying the pathogenic alterations of CVD due to oxidative damage to develop effective prevention strategies. Many studies have reported bioactive phytochemical/s as potential therapies against CVDs, modulating ROS generation, controlling the CVD-related inflammatory mediators and protecting the vascular system. Therefore, this review provides an update for understanding how the phytoconstituents exhibit preventive roles in oxidative stress-related CVD, thus improving the quality of life of people. This study conducted a thorough literature search on CVD, oxidative imbalance, and phytoconstituents. The search was performed using multiple search engines and the main keywords, and only English publications until June 2023 were included. However, there is a need for more research and clinical trials to fully elucidate the efficacy and safety of these phytochemicals for managing the disease.

Cardiac lymphatics undergo distinct remodeling during hypertrophic and nonhypertrophic pregnancy.

Lymphatic vessels of the heart undergo dynamic remodeling in response to physiological and pathological cardiovascular events such as development, adult cardiac maintenance, and injury repair. During pregnancy, the cardiovascular system undergoes physiological changes to meet the increased demand for blood supply to the fetus. These extensive physiological changes make pregnancy and delivery a high-risk period in a woman's life. However, whether and how cardiac lymphatics change during pregnancy is largely undefined. Therefore, we used whole mount immunofluorescent labeling and quantitative morphometric analysis to characterize the changes in cardiac lymphatic vasculature during pregnancy using two genetically distinct inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ. When compared with age-matched, nonpregnant C57BL/6J control mice, the hearts of C57BL/6J dams in late pregnancy [gestation day 17.5 (G17.5)] undergo physiological hypertrophy. However, there were no significant changes in the cardiac lymphatic vasculature. In contrast, BALB/cJ mice do not exhibit pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy at G17.5 compared with age-matched, nonpregnant mice. Yet interestingly, the cardiac lymphatic vasculature of pregnant BALB/cJ dams undergoes extensive morphological changes, including decreased lymphatic length, number of end points, and vessel branch-point junctions on the ventral side of the heart. These findings underscore the complexity of genetic and physiological factors that contribute to the heterotypic remodeling of cardiac lymphatics during late pregnancy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardiac lymphatics remodel in response to physiological and pathological stresses. This study is the first to investigate cardiac lymphatic vessel changes during pregnancy. BALB/cJ mice, which do not undergo pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy, show decreased lymphatic length, number of end points, and junctions on the ventral side during pregnancy. In contrast, C57BL/6J mice, which undergo pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy, had no such changes. These findings underscore the complexity of genetic and physiological factors contributing to cardiac lymphatic remodeling.

Activatable red/near-infrared aqueous organic phosphorescence probes for improved time-resolved bioimaging

Abstract Organic red/near-infrared (NIR) room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) holds significant potential for autofluorescence-free bioimaging and biosensing due to its prolonged persistent luminescence and exceptional penetrability. However, achieving activatable red/NIR organic RTP probes with tunable emission in aqueous solution remains a formidable challenge. Here we report on aqueous organic RTP probes with red/NIR phosphorescence intensity and lifetime amplification. These probes consist of supramolecular assemblies comprising macrocyclic cucurbit[8]uril and amine-containing alkyl-bridged pyridiniums, exhibiting viscosity-activatable phosphorescence with enhanced quantum yield (up to 20%) and lifetime. Notably, by utilizing this activatable organic RTP probe, we successfully achieve two-photon imaging of lysosomal viscosity and millisecond scale time-resolved cell imaging. Moreover, intravital phosphorescence imaging using RTP probe enable the monitoring of viscosity variations in inflammatory mice, demonstrating a significantly improved signal-to-background ratio compared to fluorescence imaging. This activatable red/NIR supramolecular platform facilitates versatile high-resolution phosphorescence imaging for in vivo tracking of specific biomarkers and physiological events.

Mechanical wave velocities by clutter filter wave imaging detects myocardial dysfunction in acute coronary syndrome

Abstract Background/introduction Mechanical waves within the myocardium arising from physiologic events in the cardiac cycle such as the atrial kick (AK), mitral valve closure (MVC) and aortic valve closure (AVC) offer insight to tissue stiffness and can be measured by high frame rate echocardiography. Purpose To investigate the feasibility of measuring mechanical wave velocities in the left ventricle by clutter filter wave imaging (CFWI) and its potential for detecting regional myocardial dysfunction in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methods We examined 60 patients (66±9 years of age, 72% male) with acute coronary syndrome by high frame rate echocardiography after revascularisation, imaging the left ventricle from the parasternal long axis view and three apical projections. Intrinsic mechanical waves generated by the AK, MVC and AVC were analysed off-line by CFWI of all walls using custom software (PyMWI) on 2000 frames of in-phase and quadrature component data per view extracted from a Vivid E95 scanner. Results We analysed a total number of 2372 waves recorded with a frame rate of 1180 (1134-1199) frames per second. The feasibility for measuring AK waves was high in all regions (mean 89%), but lower for the MVC and AVC waves with significant variability between regions (mean 44% and 46%, respectively; p<0.001). Feasibility declined from basal to apical segments for all waves (p=0.0001). Mean mechanical wave velocity was slowest for the AK wave at 2.5 (2.0-3.0) m/s, faster for the AVC wave at 5.1 (3.5-6.3) m/s and fastest for the MVC wave at 6.6 (4.9-8.6) m/s (p=0.0001). Basal AK wave velocity was faster in patients with basal wall motion abnormalities compared to those without (2.7 vs. 2.0 m/s, p=0.0004) and could detect the presence of wall motion abnormalities adjusting for age, gender and parameters of diastolic function (univariable OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5-7.7, p<0.01; multivariable OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.4-14.1, p=0.01). Basal AK wave velocity detected wall motion abnormalities with an AUC of 0.78 with cut-off speeds of 2.3 m/s and 3.0 m/s, both correctly classifying 73% of cases (sensitivity/specificity 81%/68% and 43%/89%, respectively). Mechanical wave velocities of other waves and in other regions were not consistently and only weakly associated with echocardiographic parameters of systolic and diastolic function. Conclusion(s) Mechanical wave velocities by CFWI detects myocardial dysfunction in acute coronary syndrome. Elevated basal AK wave velocity was independently associated with myocardial dysfunction where AK wave velocity ≥2.3 m/s provided a good sensitivity and ≥3.0 m/s a good specificity for detecting regional wall motion abnormalities. The feasibility of measuring the AK wave was good, whereas MVC and AVC waves had lower feasibility and were inadequate for assessment of myocardial function. Feasibility variations between AK and MVC/AVC waves suggest differences in wave propagation dynamics or intrinsic wave properties.Illustration Clutter Filter Wave ImagingRisk of myocardial dysfunction

Juvenile-related tolerance to papaya sticky disease (PSD): proteomic, ultrastructural, and physiological events.

The proteomic analysis of PMeV-complex-infected C. papaya unveiled proteins undergoing modulation during the plant's development. The infection notably impacted processes related to photosynthesis and cell wall dynamics. The development of Papaya Sticky Disease (PSD), caused by the papaya meleira virus complex (PMeV-complex), occurs only after the juvenile/adult transition of Carica papaya plants, indicating the presence of tolerance mechanisms during the juvenile development phase. In this study, we quantified 1609 leaf proteins of C. papaya using a label-free strategy. A total of 345 differentially accumulated proteins were identified-38 at 3months (juvenile), 130 at 4months (juvenile/adult transition), 160 at 7months (fruit development), and 17 at 9months (fruit harvesting)-indicating modulation of biological processes at each developmental phase, primarily related to photosynthesis and cell wall remodeling. Infected 3- and 4-mpg C. papaya exhibited an accumulation of photosynthetic proteins, and chlorophyll fluorescence results suggested enhanced energy flux efficiency in photosystems II and I in these plants. Additionally, 3 and 4-mpg plants showed a reduction in cell wall-degrading enzymes, followed by an accumulation of proteins involved in the synthesis of wall precursors during the 7 and 9-mpg phases. These findings, along with ultrastructural data on laticifers, indicate that C. papaya struggles to maintain the integrity of laticifer walls, ultimately failing to do so after the 4-mpg phase, leading to latex exudation. This supports initiatives for the genetic improvement of C. papaya to enhance resistance against the PMeV-complex.

The Effect of Simulated Physiological Oocyte Maturation (SPOM) and L-Carnitine on Bovine Oocyte Developmental Competence

Background: Simulated Physiological Oocyte Maturation (SPOM) mimics in vitro the physiological events of oocyte maturation in the presence of cAMP modulators. These modulators increase the intracellular concentrations of cAMP, which inhibits the immediate resumption of meiosis and gives the oocyte more time to gain optimal developmental competence. In addition, L-carnitine helps to increase the energy supply of cells through the β-oxidation of fatty acids. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SPOM and L-carnitine supplementation during In Vitro Maturation (IVM) and In Vitro Culture (IVC) on the developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Methods: Ovarian Cumulus Complexes (COCs) were cultured in the presence or absence of forskolin+IBMX during the first 2 hr of IVM (pre-IVM) with or without L-carnitine (LC) during IVM or IVC in six experimental groups as follows: I) pre-IVM (pre-IVM group), II) pre-IVM with L-carnitine supplementation during IVM (pre-IVM/LC group), III) L-carnitine supplementation during IVM (IVM/LC group), IV) L-carnitine supplementation during in vitro culture (IVC/LC group), V) pre-IVM+ IVC/LC group, and VI) no treatment during IVM and IVC (Control group). The cleavage and blastocyst rates, the blastocysts’ total cells number, and the expression of Nanog, Bax, Oct4, Cdx2, and Ifnt genes in resulting blastocysts were assessed. To assess differences among experimental groups, a one-way analysis of variance was initially employed, followed by post hoc Fisher LSD. The difference between groups was considered statistically significant when p<0.05. Results: The cleavage and blastocyst rates in the Pre-IVM and Pre-IVM/LC groups was higher than control group and other groups (p≤0.05) except for IVC/LC and IVM/LC groups, respectively. The number of blastocyst’s Inner Cell Mass (ICM) in pre-IVM and Pre-IVM/LC groups as well as the ratio of ICM/TE were higher than control group (p<0.05). The expression of OCT4, CDX2, and IFNT increased in both the pre-IVM and pre-IVM/LC groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the application of SPOM-adapted IVM and L-carnitine during IVM of bovine oocyte improves the quantity and quality of the resulting embryos.

Impact of Plant Growth Promoting Endophytic Bacterial Consortia on Biochemical Parameters of Maize under Moisture Stress Conditions in In vitro

Mitigation strategies based on plant–microbe interactions to increase the performance of plants under water-deficit conditions are well documented. However, little is known about a suitable consortium of bacterial inoculants and underlying physiological and enzymatic events to improve drought tolerance in maize. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic interactions among plant growth-promoting bacteria to alleviate drought-induced damages in maize. In pot culture experiment endophytic bacterial consortium inoculated treatments imposed with moisture stress (75% water holding capacity) with full dose (T9) and 75% recommended dose of fertilizers (T8) were found to excel in many plant biochemical properties when compared to un-inoculated control. For instance chlorophyll stability index T9 (138.67%) T8 (133.33%), relative water content T9 (95.20%), The N, P and K uptake was found significantly higher in T9 with 13.98 g plant-1, 3.38 g plant-1 and 17.29 g plant-1 respectively. Thus, the current research advocates the use of endophytic microbial consortium to mitigate moisture stress and to improve plant biochemical properties which ultimately enhances the plant health and yield.

Evaluation of a low-cost portable NIRS device for monitoring muscle ischemia.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the low-cost, open-source HEGduino device as a tissue oximetry monitor to advance the research of somatic NIRS monitoring. Specifically, this study analyzes the use of this portable functional NIRS system for detecting the cessation of blood flow due to vascular occlusion in an upper limb.19 healthy patients aged between 25 and 50 were recruited and monitored using HEGduino device. Participants underwent a vascular occlusion test on one forearm. Raw values collected by HEGduino as well as the processed variables derived from the measurements were registered. Additional variables to characterize the signal noise during the tests were also recorded.The results of the data distribution curves for all the subjects in the study accurately detected the physiological events associated with transient tissue ischemia. The statistical analysis of the recorded data showed that the difference between the baseline values recorded by the red led (RED) and its normalized minimum variable was always different from zero (p < 0.014). Furthermore, the difference between the normalized baseline values recorded by the infrared led (IR) and the corresponding normalized minimum value was also different from zero (p < 0.001). The R-squared coefficient of determination for the noise variables considered in this study on the normalized RED and IR values was 0.08 and 0.105, respectively.The study confirms the potential of HEGduino system to detect an interruption of the blood flow by means of variations in regional tissue oxygen saturation. This study demonstrates the potential of the HEGduino device as a monitoring alternative to advance the study of the applicability of NIRS in muscle tissue oximetry.

Upstream and downstream pathways of diacylglycerol kinase : Novel phosphatidylinositol turnover-independent signal transduction pathways

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) phosphorylates diacylglycerol (DG) to produce phosphatidic acid (PA). Mammalian DGK comprise ten isozymes (α–κ) that regulate a wide variety of physiological and pathological events. Recently, we revealed that DGK isozymes use saturated fatty acid (SFA)/monosaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-containing and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6)-containing DG species, but not phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover-derived 18:0/20:4-DG. For example, DGKδ, which is involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, preferentially uses SFA/MUFA-containing DG species, such as 16:0/16:0- and 16:0/18:1-DG species, in high glucose-stimulated skeletal muscle cells. Moreover, DGKδ, which destabilizes the serotonin transporter (SERT) and regulates the serotonergic system in the brain, primarily generates 18:0/22:6-PA. Furthermore, 16:0/16:0-PA is produced by DGKζ in Neuro-2a cells during neuronal differentiation. We searched for SFA/MUFA-PA- and 18:0/22:6-PA-selective binding proteins (candidate downstream targets of DGKδ) and found that SFA/MUFA-PA binds to and activates the creatine kinase muscle type, an energy-metabolizing enzyme, and that 18:0/22:6-PA interacts with and activates Praja-1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase acting on SERT, and synaptojanin-1, a key player in the synaptic vesicle cycle. Next, we searched for SFA/MUFA-DG-generating enzymes upstream of DGKδ. We found that sphingomyelin synthase (SMS)1, SMS2, and SMS-related protein (SMSr) commonly act as phosphatidylcholine (PC)-phospholipase C (PLC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-PLC, generating SFA/MUFA-DG species, in addition to SMS and ceramide phosphoethanolamine synthase. Moreover, the orphan phosphatase PHOSPHO1 showed PC- and PE-PLC activities that produced SFA/MUFA-DG. Although PC- and PE-PLC activities were first described 70–35 years ago, their proteins and genes were not identified for a long time. We found that DGKδ interacts with SMSr and PHOSPHO1, and that DGKζ binds to SMS1 and SMSr. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that there are previously unrecognized signal transduction pathways that include DGK isozymes and generate and utilize SFA/MUFA-DG/PA or 18:0/22:6-DG/PA but not PI-turnover-derived 18:0/20:4-DG/PA.

Comparative intrafollicular and plasma iron, ferritin, and transferrin concentrations in cycling mares

Background and Aim: In females of various species and experimental animals, iron (Fe) status in follicular fluid (FF) is associated with local physiological reproductive events related to follicle development, steroidogenesis, and oocyte maturation. However, these mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to determine and compare the intrafollicular and plasma concentrations of Fe, ferritin (Ferr), and transferrin (TRF) in cycling mares. Materials and Methods: Sixty ovaries were collected during the breeding season from 30 clinically normal mares raised for slaughterhouse meat production. Blood samples were collected before slaughter. Follicles were classified into three categories according to size: Small (20–30 mm; n = 20), medium (≥31–40 mm; n = 20), and large (≥41 mm; n = 20). The FF samples, after collection, were immediately taken to the laboratory for processing and were centrifuged, and the Fe and Ferr concentrations in the supernatant and plasma were determined by spectrophotometry. Results: Although intrafollicular Fe and Ferr were similar to plasma, TRF was significantly higher in FF than in systemic circulation (p &lt; 0.05). Follicular development does not modify the status of Fe in the mare. Conclusion: Based on this evidence, it is possible that the acquisition of this molecule possibly originated from a local de novo source, whereas their diffusion through ultrafiltration does not play a relevant role. These results provide new scientific insights into the status of follicle Fe, suggesting its involvement in normal ovarian functions in mares. Keywords: ferritin, follicular fluid, iron, mare, transferrin.

Connecting the dots: Exploring the relationship between menstrual hygiene and bacterial vaginosis in eastern India

ABSTRACT Introduction: Menstruation is a normal physiological event that takes place in a rhythmic fashion during the reproductive period of a woman. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices differ and depend on the individual’s socioeconomic status, local traditions and beliefs, and access to water and sanitation resources. Insufficient and incorrect information regarding menstruation and lack of knowledge and awareness leads to poor personal hygienic practices, which further leads to many infections. Bacterial vaginosis, the most common RTI, is characterized by an alteration in the vaginal micro biome with a decline in hydrogen peroxide producing Lactobacillus colonization and an overgrowth of facultative anaerobic bacteria like Gardnerella spp., Mobiluncus spp., etc. Aims: The primary objective of the study was to find out the association of bacterial vaginosis with menstrual hygiene practices. The secondary objective was to determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among patients presenting with vaginal discharge to the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Women in the reproductive age group 18-45 years having regular menstrual cycles were included in the study. Participants were enquired for sociodemographic data, menstrual hygiene practices and symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge. High vaginal swab was collected for the symptomatic patients and sent to investigate for presence of bacterial vaginosis. Results and observation: The prevalence of BV was found to be 13% among symptomatic patients presenting with abnormal vaginal discharge. Apart from abnormal discharge, itching and burning sensation was also seen to have a positive association with bacterial vaginosis (p &lt; 0.001). The women who used clothes as absorbent were more prone to develop BV than women using sanitary pad. The other parameters to have positive association with BV were decreased frequency of taking body bath. Unsatisfactory sanitation of latrine was found to be strongly associated with BV after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: In conclusion, the result of this study provided a strong association between poor MHM practices with BV.

Recent advances on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their biosynthetic pathway

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)—fatty acids containing multiple double bonds within their carbon chain—are an indispensable component of the cell membrane. PUFAs, including the omega-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (ARA; C20:4n-6) and the omega-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3), have been implicated in various (patho)physiological events. These PUFAs are either obtained from the diet or biosynthesized from the essential fatty acids linoleic acid (LA; C18:2n-6) and α-linolenic acid (ALA; C18:3n-3) via enzymatic reactions that are catalyzed by fatty acid elongases (ELOVL2 and ELOVL5) and fatty acid desaturases (FADS1 and FADS2). In this review, we summarize the recent literature studying the role of PUFAs, placing a special emphasis on the newly discovered functions of PUFAs and their biosynthetic pathway as revealed by studies using animal models targeting the PUFA biosynthetic pathway and genetic approaches including genome-wide association studies.

Identification of critical amino acids in the DNA binding domain of LuxO: Lessons from a constitutive active LuxO.

Quorum sensing plays a vital role in the environmental and host life cycles of Vibrio cholerae. The quorum-sensing circuit involves the consorted action of autoinducers, small RNAs, and regulatory proteins to control a plethora of physiological events in this bacterium. Among the regulatory proteins, LuxO is considered a low-cell-density master regulator. It is a homolog of NtrC, a two-component response regulator. NtrC belongs to an evolving protein family that works with the alternative sigma factor σ54 to trigger gene transcription. Structurally, these proteins comprise 3 domains: a receiver domain, a central AAA+ATPase domain, and a C-terminal DNA-binding domain (DBD). LuxO communicates with its cognate promoters by employing its DNA binding domain. In the present study, we desired to identify the critical residues in the DBD of LuxO. Our combined mutagenesis and biochemical assays resulted in the identification of eleven residues that contribute significantly to LuxO regulatory function.

143 Short- and long-term effects of heat stress in cow-calf pairs adapted to tropical and subtropical regions

Abstract Chronic exposure to high temperatures and humidity can limit beef cattle performance in tropical/subtropical environments, regardless of breed. Despite better heat adaptability compared with Bos taurus cattle, heat-stressed Bos indicus cattle also experience an increase in body temperature above the physiological limit. As body temperature increases, cascades of behavioral and physiological events are triggered to lessen heat load but often at the expense of productive outcomes. Contrary to other species and feedlot beef cattle, the effects of heat stress on physiology and performance of grazing cow-calf pairs have not been evaluated in detail, particularly for Bos indicus cattle. Preliminary data showed opposite outcomes to heat stress in Bos indicus vs. Bos taurus cattle, limiting the implications of the existing data generated from studies using beef and dairy Bos taurus cattle. This presentation will share some nutritional and management practices to mitigate heat stress in grazing beef cattle. Practices mentioned herein include altering the timing of body weight (BW) growth pattern (stair-step, SST) and immunomodulatory feed ingredient (IFI) supplementation for replacement beef heifers, and maternal access to shade to reduce heat load. For 100 d before the breeding season, Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers grazing warm-season grasses received a constant supplementation amount or SST strategy (50 d of low then 50 d of high supplementation), with or without IFI. Under severe heat stress conditions, IFI supplementation reduced heifer vaginal temperature but did not increase their growth and reproduction, whereas the SST strategy lowered internal body temperature, enhanced growth performance and pregnancy success compared with a conventional constant supplementation practice. Our group is also focused on the critical need to determine the specific effects of heat stress mitigation during pre- and postnatal phases on physiology and performance of Bos indicus-influenced cow-calf pairs. Study 1 evaluated the impacts of maternal access to artificial shade from 83 d prepartum until 50 d postpartum on body thermoregulation, performance, and physiology of beef heifers and their first offspring. Removing maternal access to shade led to greater maternal respiration rate, vaginal and body surface temperatures and reduced maternal body condition score and calf BW at birth. Nonetheless, offspring born from cows with no access to shade were remarkably heavier during a 60-d post-weaning period and had decreased plasma indicators of inflammation and positive effects to humoral immune response. Study 2 is a multi-year, USDA/NIFA-funded study designed to capitalize on the ability of cattle to reprogram physiological/immunological systems following exposure to stress during gestation. Study 2 combined gestational and postnatal heat abatement to enhance the overall growth/immune/reproductive performance of grazing Bos indicus-influenced cow-calf pairs. Partial data on long-term growth and reproductive performance, physiology, metabolome, and microbiome of both cows and their female offspring will be shared in this presentation.

Development of luminescent probes for real-time detection of the CDK/PP2A balance during the cell cycle.

From a biochemical viewpoint, the cell cycle is controlled by the phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) substrates, and the phosphorylation level is determined by the enzymatic balance between CDK and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). However, the conventional techniques for analyzing protein phosphorylation using radioisotopes and antibodies involve many operational steps and take days before obtaining results, making them difficult to apply to high-throughput screening and real-time observations. In this study, we developed luminescent probes with a light intensity that changes depending on its phosphorylation state. We modified the Nano-lantern probe (Renilla luciferase-based Ca2+ probe) by introducing a CDK-substrate peptide and a phosphopeptide-binding domain into the luciferase. Our initial trial resulted in new probes that could report the CDK/PP2A balance in a purified system. Further modifications of these probes (replacing the phospho-Ser with phospho-Thr and randomly replacing its surrounding amino acids) improved the dynamic range by up to four-fold, making them practical for use in the Xenopus egg extracts system, where many physiological events can be reproduced. Taken together, our new probes enabled the monitoring of the CDK/PP2A balance in real time, and are applicable to high-throughput systems; the new probes thus appear promising for use in substrate and drug screening.

Effects of multiple protection model in the operating room on physiological stress and risk events in patients undergoing coronary artery stent implantation

ObjectiveTo analyze the impact of multiple protection model in the operating room on patients’ physiological stress and risk events after coronary artery stent implantation (CASI).MethodsDuring October 2021 to October 2022, 150 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were picked as the research subjects, all of whom underwent CASI. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into two groups according to different nursing methods, with 75 cases in each group. Patients in the intervention group received multiple protection model intervention in the operating room, and the patients in the control group adopted conventional care model. The patient satisfaction with nursing, postoperative recovery, psychological stress scores, physiological stress indicators, and adverse cardiac risk events were recorded.ResultsPatients in the intervention group had much higher percentage of the patient satisfaction with nursing than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The time to get out of bed and hospital stay was significantly shorter and the 6-min walking distance was markedly longer in the intervention group than the control (P < 0.05). The Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) scale and Hamilton Depression (HAMD) scale score of patients in two groups were sharply decreased after the intervention (P < 0.05), which were strongly lower in the intervention group than the control (P < 0.001). After the intervention, the heart rate, cortisol and epinephrine of patients were all sensibly elevated in two groups (P < 0.05), which were all memorably lower in the intervention group than the control (P < 0.001). The incidence of adverse cardiac risk events in the intervention group was 5.33%, which was dramatically lower than 16.00% in the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe application of multiple protection model in the operating room on patients undergoing coronary stent implantation promoted postoperative recovery, reduced patients' psychological and physiological stress, maintained blood pressure and other vital signs, reduced the incidence of adverse cardiac risk events, and improved the patient satisfaction with nursing.

Unraveling the Role of Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Proteins in Human Uterine Leiomyosarcoma.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is the most common type of uterine sarcoma, associated with poor prognosis, high rates of recurrence, and metastasis. Currently, the molecular mechanism of the origin and development of uLMS is limited. Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are involved in both physiological and pathological events. However, the role of BET proteins in the pathogenesis of uLMS is unknown. Here, we show for the first time that BET protein family members, BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4, are aberrantly overexpressed in uLMS tissues compared to the myometrium, with a significant change by histochemical scoring assessment. Furthermore, inhibiting BET proteins with their small, potent inhibitors (JQ1 and I-BET 762) significantly inhibited the uLMS proliferation dose-dependently via cell cycle arrest. Notably, RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that the inhibition of BET proteins with JQ1 and I-BET 762 altered several critical pathways, including the hedgehog pathway, EMT, and transcription factor-driven pathways in uLMS. In addition, the targeted inhibition of BET proteins altered several other epigenetic regulators, including DNA methylases, histone modification, and m6A regulators. The connections between BET proteins and crucial biological pathways provide a fundamental structure to better understand uterine diseases, particularly uLMS pathogenesis. Accordingly, targeting the vulnerable epigenome may provide an additional regulatory mechanism for uterine cancer treatment.

Hyperglycemia adversely affects critical physiological events related to rat sperm capacitation

Hyperglycemia, the hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM), is the main cause of DM-related systemic complications, including reproductive issues. Furthermore, the incidence of DM in males of reproductive ages is becoming an increasing concern, as the complexity of sperm capacitation (an essential process for fertilizing the egg) extends beyond conventional sperm parameters such as count, viability, and motility. Capacitation defects cause male infertility, and DM-related hyperglycemia may affect this process. We explore the effects of uncontrolled hyperglycemia on sperm using alloxan-induced hyperglycemic Wistar rats. In addition to assessing conventional sperm parameters, we also evaluated functional indicators, including hyperactivation (HA) with a pharmacological approach and assessed its effects with a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA); fluorescence indicators to monitor membrane potential (EmR, DiSC3(5)) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψ, JC-1); CatSper activity, using its ability to permeate Na+ ions, and ATP levels with the luciferin-luciferase reaction. We confirmed previous findings with our hyperglycemic model, which replicated the typical reduction on conventional sperm parameters. In sperm from hyperglycemic rats, we observed increased motility and HA levels after pharmacological treatment. Additionally, CatSper activity was unaffected by hyperglycemia, while EmR was hyperpolarized under non-capacitating condition. Finally, we noted a low percentage of hyperpolarized Ψ and reduced ATP content. This study highlights the significance of impact of hyperglycemia on sperm physiology and capacitation. We proposed that low ATP levels perturb energy state, signaling pathways, ion channels activity, motility, and HA. Our findings offer insight into DM-associated infertility and potential treatment strategies.