scholarly journals Characterization of the Gastrointestinal and Reproductive Tract Microbiota in Fertile and Infertile Pakistani Couples

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Ammara Manzoor ◽  
Saira Amir ◽  
Farzana Gul ◽  
Muhammad Abubakar Sidique ◽  
Masood ur Rehman Kayani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
The Past ◽  
Individual Health ◽  
Infertile Men ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
Human Reproductive

The human microbiota is recognized as a vital “virtual” organ of the human body that influences human health, metabolism, and physiology. While the microbiomes of the gut, oral cavity, and skin have been extensively studied in the literature, relatively little work has been done on characterizing the microbiota of the human reproductive tract organs, and specifically on investigating its association to fertility. Here, we implemented a 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) amplicon sequencing approach to sequence and characterize the gut and genital tract microbiomes from several married Pakistani couples. The recruited individuals included 31 fertile and 35 infertile individuals, with ages ranging from 19–45 years. We identified several fluctuations in the diversity and composition of the gut and genital microbiota among fertile and infertile samples. For example, measures of α-diversity varied significantly between the genital samples donated by fertile and infertile men and there was overall greater between-sample variability in genital samples regardless of gender. In terms of taxonomic composition, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes fluctuated significantly between the gut microbiomes of fertile and infertile samples. Finally, biomarker analyses identified features (genera and molecular functions and pathways) that differed significantly between the fertile and infertile samples and in the past have been associated with bacterial vaginosis. However, we emphasize that 16S amplicon data alone has no bearing on individual health and is merely representative of microbial taxonomic differences that could also arise due to multiple other factors. Our findings, however, represent the first effort to characterize the microbiome associated with fertile and infertile couples in Pakistan and will hopefully pave the way for more comprehensive and broad-scale investigations in the future.

scholarly journals Localized and Systemic Immune Response in Human Reproductive Tract

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra Gudisa ◽  
Kapil Goyal ◽  
Parakriti Gupta ◽  
Mini P. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Mucosal Immune Response ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Human Reproductive

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are one of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality among adolescents and adults across the globe and encompass all the infections transmitted via person-to-person sexual contact. In spite of the widespread approach being used, STIs remain under-reported and many infections have taken an epidemic turn. The biggest roadblock in this is the unraveled basis of immunopathology of these infections, hindering the discovery of potential targets for immunization. Thereby, it is of utmost significance to decipher the hidden basis of these STIs to control the increasing epidemic of less commonly studied STIs. A complex interplay between innate immune defenses, with resident microbiota and mucosal immune response serves as the basis of therapeutic approaches, by targeting the vital steps of this dynamic interaction. The characterization of pathogen-specific antibodies to significant immunogenic molecules may divulge the conceivable protective effects.

The Use of Advanced Analytical Techniques for Characterization of the Chemical, Physical, and Crystallographic Nature of a Surface

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 132-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Herfert
Keyword(s):  
Surface Characterization ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Depth Of Penetration ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Electron

Studies of the nature of a surface, either metallic or nonmetallic, in the past, have been limited to the instrumentation available for these measurements. In the past, optical microscopy, replica transmission electron microscopy, electron or X-ray diffraction and optical or X-ray spectroscopy have provided the means of surface characterization. Actually, some of these techniques are not purely surface; the depth of penetration may be a few thousands of an inch. Within the last five years, instrumentation has been made available which now makes it practical for use to study the outer few 100A of layers and characterize it completely from a chemical, physical, and crystallographic standpoint. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) provides a means of viewing the surface of a material in situ to magnifications as high as 250,000X.

‘The Wretch of To-day, may be happy To-morrow’

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Experience ◽  
The Past

This chapter explores what we can know about the conceptualization and representation of by poorer Britons. It draws on ‘pauper letters’ to parish authorities, written tactically, and on autobiographies and letters composed by the relatively poor, noting echoes of the characterization of happiness by elite social commentators. It draws attention to a growing interest (linked to the development of the concept of nostalgia) in the emotional charge that could be derived from reflection on emotional experience as people contrasted past happiness with present misery, or vice versa. While reading such accounts may lead us to think that we are penetrating the interior lives of marginal people in the past, Lloyd suggests that our response is probably coloured by the fact that we are heirs to these ways of conceptualizing and representing experience. We need to work harder to glean insight from earlier ways of representing happiness and suffering.

The Problem of Divine Hiddenness

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Rea
Keyword(s):  
Problem Of Evil ◽  
Philosophical Discussion ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
The Past ◽  
Divine Hiddenness ◽  
The Problem Of Evil ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter provides a detailed characterization of the various meanings of the term “divine hiddenness,” carefully and rigorously articulates the version of the problem of divine hiddenness that has dominated contemporary philosophical discussion for the past twenty-five years, and then explains the relationship between that problem and the problem of evil.

Sampling, Preservation and Counting of Samples II: Zooplankton

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter H. Wiebe ◽  
Ann Bucklin ◽  
Mark Benfield
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Sample Analysis ◽  
Sample Preservation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Plankton Collection

This chapter reviews traditional and new zooplankton sampling techniques, sample preservation, and sample analysis, and provides the sources where in-depth discussion of these topics is addressed. The net systems that have been developed over the past 100+ years, many of which are still in use today, can be categorized into eight groups: non-opening/closing nets, simple opening/closing nets, high-speed samplers, neuston samplers, planktobenthos plankton nets, closing cod-end samplers, multiple net systems, and moored plankton collection systems. Methods of sample preservation include preservation for sample enumeration and taxonomic morphological analysis, and preservation of samples for genetic analysis. Methods of analysis of zooplankton samples include determination of biomass, taxonomic composition, and size by traditional methods; and genetic analysis of zooplankton samples.

scholarly journals Molecular Pathogenesis of Hodgkin Lymphoma: Past, Present, Future

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Bienz ◽  
Salima Ramdani ◽  
Hans Knecht
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Genetic Instability ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
The Past

Our understanding of the tumorigenesis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and the formation of Reed–Sternberg cells (RS-cells) has evolved drastically in the last decades. More recently, a better characterization of the signaling pathways and the cellular interactions at play have paved the way for new targeted therapy in the hopes of improving outcomes. However, important gaps in knowledge remain that may hold the key for significant changes of paradigm in this lymphoma. Here, we discuss the past, present, and future of cHL, and review in detail the more recent discoveries pertaining to genetic instability, anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, the tumoral microenvironment, and host-immune system evasion in cHL.

scholarly journals Metagenomic, Metabolomic, and Functional Evaluation of Kimchi Broth Treated with Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 472
Author(s):  
Yeong-Ji Oh ◽  
Ye-Rin Park ◽  
Jungil Hong ◽  
Do-Yup Lee
Keyword(s):  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Metabolic Phenotype ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Functional Evaluation ◽  
Initial Condition ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Blue Led ◽  
Red Led

The light-emitting diode (LED) has been widely used in the food industry, and its application has been focused on microbial sterilization, specifically using blue-LED. The investigation has been recently extended to characterize the biotic and abiotic (photodynamic) effects of different wavelengths. Here, we investigated LED effects on kimchi fermentation. Kimchi broths were treated with three different colored-LEDs (red, green, and blue) or kept in the dark as a control. Multiomics was applied to evaluate the microbial taxonomic composition using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and the metabolomic profiles were determined using liquid chromatography–Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Cell viability was tested to determine the potential cytotoxicity of the LED-treated kimchi broths. First, the amplicon sequencing data showed substantial changes in taxonomic composition at the family and genus levels according to incubation (initial condition vs. all other groups). The differences among the treated groups (red-LED (RLED), green-LED (GLED), blue-LED (BLED), and dark condition) were marginal. The relative abundance of Weissella was decreased in all treated groups compared to that of the initial condition, which coincided with the decreased composition of Lactobacillus. Compositional changes were relatively high in the GLED group. Subsequent metabolomic analysis indicated a unique metabolic phenotype instigated by different LED treatments, which led to the identification of the LED treatment-specific and common compounds (e.g., luteolin, 6-methylquinoline, 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, and 9-HODE). These results indicate that different LED wavelengths induce characteristic alterations in the microbial composition and metabolomic content, which may have applications in food processing and storage with the aim of improving nutritional quality and the safety of food.

scholarly journals Transitions in oral and gut microbiome of HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma following definitive chemoradiotherapy (ROMA LA-OPSCC study)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Oliva ◽  
Pierre H. H. Schneeberger ◽  
Victor Rey ◽  
Matthew Cho ◽  
Rachel Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Oral Microbiome ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
16S Rna ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Oral and gut microbiomes have emerged as potential biomarkers in cancer. We characterised the oral and gut microbiomes in a prospective observational cohort of HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients and evaluated the impact of chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods Saliva, oropharyngeal swabs over the tumour site and stool were collected at baseline and post-CRT. 16S RNA and shotgun metagenomic sequencing were used to generate taxonomic profiles, including relative abundance (RA), bacterial density, α-diversity and β-diversity. Results A total of 132 samples from 22 patients were analysed. Baseline saliva and swabs had similar taxonomic composition (R2 = 0.006; p = 0.827). Oropharyngeal swabs and stool taxonomic composition varied significantly by stage, with increased oral RA of Fusobacterium nucleatum observed in stage III disease (p < 0.05). CRT significantly reduced the species richness and increased the RA of gut-associated taxa in oropharyngeal swabs (p < 0.05), while it had no effect in stool samples. These findings remained significant when adjusted by stage, smoking status and antibiotic use. Conclusions Baseline oral and gut microbiomes differ by stage in this HPV+ cohort. CRT caused a shift towards a gut-like microbiome composition in oropharyngeal swabs. Stage-specific features and the transitions in oral microbiome might have prognostic and therapeutic implications.

scholarly journals Synthesis and Characterization of Store-Operated Calcium Entry Inhibitors Active in the Submicromolar Range

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9777
Author(s):  
Camille Le Guilcher ◽  
Tomas Luyten ◽  
Jan B. Parys ◽  
Mathieu Pucheault ◽  
Olivier Dellis
Keyword(s):  
Cell Activation ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Calcium Entry ◽  
Ip3 Receptors ◽  
Excitable Cells ◽  
Cellular Targets ◽  
Entry Inhibitors ◽  
The Past ◽  
Store Operated Calcium Entry

The store-operated calcium entry, better known as SOCE, forms the main Ca2+ influx pathway in non-excitable cells, especially in leukocytes, where it is required for cell activation and the immune response. During the past decades, several inhibitors were developed, but they lack specificity or efficacy. From the non-specific SOCE inhibitor 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB), we synthetized 16 new analogues by replacing/modifying the phenyl groups. Among them, our compound P11 showed the best inhibitory capacity with a Ki ≈ 75 nM. Furthermore, below 1 µM, P11 was devoid of any inhibitory activity on the two other main cellular targets of 2-APB, the IP3 receptors, and the SERCA pumps. Interestingly, Jurkat T cells secrete interleukin-2 under phytohemagglutinin stimulation but undergo cell death and stop IL-2 synthesis when stimulated in the presence of increasing P11 concentrations. Thus, P11 could represent the first member of a new and potent family of immunosuppressors.

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