Endometrial expression of key genes related to fertility in repeat breeder and non-repeat breeder cows

The aim of the present study was to compare the endometrial gene expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), nodal growth differentiation factor (NODAL), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), oestrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) in repeat breeder cows (RBC) and non-RBC during diestrus. Endometrial samples were collected by cytobrush technique and stored in RNA stabilizing solution at −20°C until RT-qPCR analysis. Differences in endometrial mRNA expression of selected genes were assessed by ANOVA and simple (r) and the partial correlations (rp) among selected genes were performed. Results demonstrated that mRNA expression of EGFR and NODAL were higher in RBC than in non-RBC (3 and 25-fold change, p < .01 and p < .01, respectively), while the mRNA expression of PTGS2 was lower (1.56-fold change, p < .01). Although there were no differences detected in the mRNA expression of ESR1 and PGR, there was a positive correlation between the expression of ESR1 and EGFR (0.84, p < .05) and a negative correlation between PGR and PTGS2 (−0.49, p < .05). In conclusion, the difference on the endometrial mRNA expression of the genes included in the study between RBC and non-RBC indicates a deregulation of important mechanisms that are vital to establish a successful pregnancy. Thus, the present study provides useful insight as a base for future studies to elucidate the causes of RBC.     

Cognitive and affective determinants of satisfaction,willingness to pay,and loyalty in suburban parks

This paper explores the determining effect of the cognitive and affective antecedents of, satisfaction on the behavioural intentions of visitors to two suburban natural areas in Spain. Specifically, we examine the effect of psychological variables on willingness to pay for the, improvement of the conservation of the area and on visitor loyalty. Using multigroup invariance, analysis, we show how positive disconfirmation and positive emotions play a determining role, in the satisfaction formation process of visitors to the natural areas considered. We also show, that positive cognitive and affective experiences in visitors raise the economic valuation of the, conservation of a natural area and increase the likelihood of a prompt return visit. We discuss, the management implications deriving from the study of this cognitive and affective satisfaction, sequence in the environmental context, and demonstrate the usefulness of these behavioural, models combining economics with other social sciences in the environmental context.     

Development of a method for the quantitation of chloro-, bromo-, and iodoacetic acids in alcoholic beverages

Chloroacetic, bromoacetic, and iodoacetic acids can be found in alcoholic beverages when they are used as preservatives/stabilizers or as disinfectants. As they are toxic components, their addition is not permitted under European Union and U.S. regulations. To date, no sensitive methods are available, and those proposed are very laborious. This paper describes a sensitive and straightforward method for the determination of the three monohalogenated acetic acids (m-HAAs) in wines and beers using static headspace extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Prior to extraction, the target analytes were esterified to increase their volatility, and all parameters related to the extraction/methylation process were optimized to achieve high efficiency (>90%). The study examined the influence both of the ethanol concentration on the headspace partitioning and of the primary acids present in wine on the derivatization reaction of the m-HAAs. The proposed method allows the determination of these compounds at microgram per liter levels in alcoholic beverages.     

Agroforestry as a sustainable land use option to reduce wildfires risk in European Mediterranean areas

Agroforestry Systems - Wildfires have always been an integral part of the ecology of many terrestrial ecosystems, but their frequency is increasing in many parts of the world. Wildfires were once a...     

Marine fish egg hydration is aquaporin-mediated

The positive buoyancy of marine fish eggs in sea water, allowed by hydration of the oocyte, is critical for their survival and dispersion in the ocean. We isolated an aquaporin, SaAQP1o, that belongs to a unique subfamily of aquaporin-1-like channels specifically evolved in teleosts and mainly expressed in the ovary. We further show that hormone-induced fish oocyte hydration is a highly controlled process based on the interplay between protein hydrolysis and the translocation of SaAQP1o to the plasma membrane, indicating a specialized physiological role for this aquaporin.     

Protein isolates and concentrates of Lupinus free from toxic substances

The presence of alkaloids in different species and varieties of Lupin limit their use in the diet [4, 9]. Experiments have been carried out to obtain protein concentrates [3, 4] and isolates [10, 11, 12] of two species of Lupins.L. albus andL. mutabilis and these have been compared with those carried out with soya. The results obtained indicated the importance of this flour, due to its high protein content in relation to the weight of the initial product used. In the protein isolates, with comparable yields of 29%, the protein levels were 90% for the soya and 96% for theL. mutabilis. For the concentrates (65% yield in soya to 72% inL. albus) protein percentages of 52% for the soya, 47% forL. albus and 67% forL. mutabilis, were obtained.     

Partial purification of latent polyphenol oxidase from peach (Prunus persica L. Cv. Catherina). Molecular properties and kinetic characterization of soluble and membrane-bound forms

This paper analyzes the kinetic and structural characteristics of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from peach cv. Catherina. The PPO was obtained in a latent state in both the soluble and membrane-bound forms, and both forms were activated by acid shock and the detergent SDS. Plant defense is the main function assigned to PPO, which would be activated by the acid environment resulting from tissue damage. On the other hand, it has been suggested that, physiologically, the role played by SDS may be fulfilled by lipids. Native isoelectric focusing identified two acid isoforms of pI 5.7 and 5.8 for the soluble form and one isoform with pI 5.7 for the membrane-bound form. A partially denaturing SDS-PAGE revealed two very close bands of activity in both cases, but the Western blot performed on a totally denaturing SDS-PAGE, using polyclonal antibodies against bean PPO, revealed a single band in the membrane-bound fraction with a molecular mass of 60 kDa.