An issue that is currently undergoing extensive study is the influence of human vaginal microbiota (VMB) on the health status of women and their neonates. Healthy women are mainly colonised with ...lactobacilli such as Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii, and Lactobacillus iners; however, other bacteria may be elements of the VMB, particularly in women with bacterial vaginosis. The implementation of culture-independent molecular methods in VMB characterisation, especially next-generation sequencing, have provided new information regarding bacterial diversity in the vagina, revealing a large number of novel, fastidious, and/or uncultivated bacterial species. These molecular studies have contributed new insights regarding the role of bacterial community composition. In this study, we discuss recent findings regarding the reproductive tract microbiome. Not only bacteria but also viruses and fungi constitute important components of the reproductive tract microbiome. We focus on aspects related to the impact of the maternal microbiome on foetal development, as well as the establishment of the neonatal microbiomes, including the placenta microbiome, and the haematogenous source of intrauterine infection. We also discuss whether the role of the vaginal microbiome is currently understood and appreciated.
In the present study, the crystal structure, microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of bulk Ti31MoxHA composites (x = 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 wt %) were investigated. The sintering of Ti31MoxHA ...powders led to the formation of a bulk composite with grain size of approx. 1 μm. All these composites have elastic modulus lower than CP microcrystalline α-Ti, and their hardness is two times higher. The ultrafine Ti31Mo5HA composite was more corrosion resistant in Ringer solution than the bulk Ti31Mo alloy. Surface wettability measurements revealed the higher surface hydrophilicity of the bulk ultrafine-grained Ti31Mo10HA sample in comparison to microcrystalline Ti sample. Ti31Mo5HA composites with the addition of 1 wt % Ag, 2 wt % Ta2O5 or 2 wt % CeO2 were synthesized, too. The antibacterial activity of Ti31Mo5HA composite containing silver (Ag), tantalum (V) oxide (Ta2O5) or cerium (IV) oxide (CeO2) against Staphylococcus aureus was studied. In vitro bacterial adhesion, study indicated a significantly reduced number of S. aureus on the bulk ultrafine-grained Ti31Mo5HA-Ag (Ce2O3) plate surfaces in comparison to microcrystalline Ti plate surface. Ultrafine-grained Ti31Mo5HA - Ag or CeO2 biomaterials can be considered to be the future generation of medical implants.
•Ti31Mo composites with the HA and Ag, Ta2O5, CeO2 were studied.•XRD was used to investigate the volume fractions of phases.•Young’s modulus is around 95 GPa for composites with Ag and CeO2.•The composites with Ag and CeO2 have the lowest adhesion levels of S. aureus
Zearalenone is an estrogenic mycotoxin that often contaminates plant material used in the production of feeds for companion animals. Small daily doses of ingested zearalenone--a competitive substrate ...modulating the activity of enzymes participating in estrogen biosynthesis at the pre-receptor level--can induce subclinical symptoms of hyperestrogenism in bitches. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of low zearalenone doses on the presence of estrogen receptors in the ovaries of pre-pubertal Beagle bitches. The bitches were divided into three groups of 10 animals each: experimental group I--50 microg zearalenone/kg body weight administered once daily per os; experimental group II--75 microg zearalenone/kg body weight administered once daily per os; control group--placebo containing no ZEN administered per os. The animals were ovariorectomized at the end of the experiment, at 112 days of age. Estrogen receptors were detected in ovarian specimens by immunohistochemical methods. The results revealed an absence of estrogen receptors alpha in all groups. In both experimental groups a decrease in the positive response of estrogen receptors beta in specified structures of ovaries was observed. Very low alpha-zearalenol levels probably attested to the slowing down (hypostimulation) of the biotransformation process. Overall, zearalenone intoxication led to hyperestrogenism during a specific developmental stage of pre-pubertal bitches. As regards hormesis, the threshold dose of zearalenone (adaptive capability) was exceeded in the ovaries of experimental group II animals. The results obtained in both experimental groups suggest that long-term exposure to low-dose zearalenone intoxication decreased the degree of estrogen receptors beta staining in particular structures of ovaries in the experimental bitches, which initiated epigenetic modification mechanisms that inhibited ovarian development.
In the present study, the crystal structure, microstructure, mechanical, corrosion properties, and wettability of bulk Ti23Zr25Nb-x45S5 Bioglass (x = 0, 3, 6, 9 wt.%) and Ti23Zr25Nb—9 wt.% 45S5 ...Bioglass composites with the addition of 1 wt.% Ag, Cu, or Zn were synthesized and their properties studied. The hardness of these biomaterials is at least two times higher and the elastic modulus lower in comparison to commercial purity (CP) microcrystalline α-Ti. The mechanically alloyed Ti23Zr25Nb—9 wt.% 45S5 Bioglass composite was more corrosion resistant in Ringer’s solution than the bulk Ti23Zr25Nb alloy. Surface wettability measurements revealed the higher surface hydrophilicity of the bulk synthesized composites. The antibacterial activity of Ti23Zr25Nb-based composites containing silver, copper, or zinc against reference strain Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 was studied. In vitro bacterial adhesion indicated a significantly reduced number of S. mutans on the bulk Ti23Zr25Nb-BG-Ag (or Cu, Zn) plate surfaces in comparison to the microcrystalline Ti plate surface. Ultrafine-grained Ti23Zr25Nb-BG-Ag (or Cu, Zn) biomaterials can be considered to be the next generation of dental implants.
Companion animals, including bitches, may be exposed to zearalenone (ZEN) toxins that are often present in feed, and ZEN intoxication may lead to ovarian dysfunction. This study involved evaluation ...of the degree of ZEN-induced hypo stimulation of ovary by determination of proliferative and apoptotic indices and description of the ultra-structural organization of ovarian follicles in pre-pubertal bitches subjected to experimental, long-term exposure to low-dose ZEN mycotoxicosis. The experiment involved 30 clinically healthy, immature Beagle bitches aged approximately 70 days with initial average body weight of 8 kg, randomly divided into three groups of 10 animals each: two experimental groups (EI and EII) and a control group (C). Over a period of 42 days, ZEN was administered per os to EI animals at a dose of 50 microg/kg BW, and to EII bitches at a dose of 75 microg/kg BW. Control group animals were fed placebo containing no ZEN for 42 days. Analytical samples of the mycotoxin were administered daily in gelatin capsules before morning feeding. All the bitches were subjected to ovario-hysterectomy at the end of the experiment. Proliferation index (PCNA method) and apoptotic index (TUNEL test) values were determined by immune-histological analyses. The median for apoptotic index was determined at 13.45 for group EI, 17.84 for group EII, and 8.59 for group C. The median for proliferation index was determined at 35.25 for group EII, 42.44 for group EI, and 70.60 for group C. The results of ultra-structural examinations of the ovaries revealed that experimental, ZEN-induced hyperestrogenism enhanced apoptosis and lowered the proliferative ability of follicular cells what contributed to organelle destruction in pre-pubertal bitches. The changes observed were particularly advanced in EII animals, which were administered a higher dose of ZEN.
The experiment involved 30 clinically healthy Beagle bitches aged approximately 70 days with an initial body weight of approximately 8 kg. The animals were randomly divided into two experimental ...groups (EI and EII) and a control group of 10 animals each. Group EI was administered 50 microg of body weight zearalenone/kg per os for 42 days, group EII received 75 microg of body weight zearalenone/kg per os for 42 days, and the control group was administered placeboper os for 42 days. The bitches were ovariectomized at the end of the treatment period for anatomopathological examination. At the same time, peripheral blood samples were collected for endocrinological analyses (17beta-estradiol and progesterone). Administartion of zearalenone particularly higher doses, resulted in the hyperestrogenism degeneration and atrophy of ovarian cells and tissues with accompanying edema and blood extravasation, leading to increased 17beta-estradiol concentrations and an insignificant decrease in progesterone levels.
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi. Those biologically active compounds occur naturally and they include zearalenone (ZEN), a mycotoxin that contaminates plant material, ...including the ingredients used in the production of commercial dog food. The influence of monotonic, low-dose and long-term exposure to ZEN on pre-pubertal bitches has not been fully explored to date. This paper describes a 42-day experiment performed on clinically healthy female dogs aged approximately 70 days, with estimated body weight of 8 kg. The animals were randomly divided into two experimental groups (EI and EII) and a control group (C) of 10 animals each. Group EI received 50 μg ZEN/kg (of body weight) per os, group EII received 75 μg ZEN/kg BW per os, and the control group was administered placebo. The bitches were ovariohysterectomized at the end of the experiment (at around 112 days of age), and selected sections of the uterine wall were subjected to immunohistochemical analyses (TUNEL and PCNA). A shift towards higher apoptotic (AI) and proliferative index (PI) was observed, in particular in group EI. Higher AI and PI values were noted in the epithelium of all uterine regions analysed and in the uterine glands in the uterine horn proximal to the body of the uterus.
Mechanical alloying and annealing at 1150 °C for 2 h under an argon atmosphere were used to prepare Ti–45S5 bioglass nanocomposites. Ti–45S5 bioglass material was chemically modified by silver. The ...antibacterial activity of Ti–10% 45S5 bioglass nanocomposite containing silver against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus was studied. Nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy equipped with an electron energy dispersive spectrometer and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate phase composition, crystal structure and grain size. In vitro bacterial adhesion study indicated a significantly reduced number of Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus on the bulk nanostructured Ti–45S5 bioglass–Ag plate surface in comparison to that on microcrystalline Ti plate surface. Nanostructured Ti-based biomaterials can be considered to be the future generation of dental implants.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) most frequently arise in the epithelial tissues of the upper aerodigestive tract. Patients with HNSCC, aged <45 years are categorized as young ...adults (YA). They are characterized by more severe form of this disease and often lack of classical, causative risk factors (tobacco smoking, alcohol abusing) in comparison to older (typical) patients (OP). The study purpose was to establish an anticipated protective role of DNA repair genes polymorphisms against cancer-causing agents. It was assumed that the polymorphisms in these genes may have a significant role in the etiology of HNSCC in YA. Studies were carried out on three groups: YA group with HNSCC (
n
= 90), young healthy group without cancer (YH,
n
= 160) and OP with HNSCC (
n
= 205). Three polymorphisms in DNA repair genes were analyzed:
XPD
ex23: A35931C,
XRCC1
ex10: G28152A, and
XRCC3
ex7: C18067T. The choice of these genes was connected with their involvement in three different DNA repair pathways. Genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) technique. Statistical analysis included: calculation of odds ratio (ORs), 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) and
p
value. There was no significant difference in the distribution of
XPD
genotypes in YA compared to OP or YH. The
XRCC1
AA genotype variant was observed less frequently in HNSCC YA (4.7 %) than in YH and in OP group (17.1 and 10.8 %, respectively).
XRCC3
CT genotype variant was observed more frequently in HNSCC YA (61.8 %) than in YH (36.3 %) and this result is statistically significant. This variant was associated with the borderline increased risk of HNSCC development in an early age, however, a similar tendency was not observed in case of double mutated TT variant. The established differences of genotypes distribution do not seem to differentiate substantially YA and OP in head and neck cancer risk.
Farm animals are at risk of exposure to zearalenone (ZEA) in feedstuffs, which may lead to aberrations in their reproductive development, thereby adversely affecting production outcomes. The ...objective of this study was to determine the effect of long-term (48 days), per os administration of low ZEA doses (50% 20 μg ZEA/kg body weight (bw) and 100% 40 μg ZEA/kg bw NOAEL values) on anatomopathological changes in the ovaries of sexually immature gilts. The experiment involved 12 clinically healthy gilts aged 2 months with an initial body weight of about 40 kg and a determined immune status. The animals were randomly divided into two experimental groups (E1, E2) and a control group (C; all n = 4). Group E1 received per os 20 μg ZEA/kg bw for 48 days; group E2 received per os 40 μg ZEA/kg bw for 48 days; and group C received per os placebo for 48 days. Analytical samples of the mycotoxin were administered daily per os in gelatine capsules before morning feeding. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. The results of anatomopathological examinations of the ovaries in immature gilts subjected to long-term, low-dose ZEA exposure showed that ZEA-induced experimental hyperoestrogenism lowered the proliferative ability of granulosa cells of the ovarian follicle walls and of the connective tissue of the ovarian stroma, in particular at the lower ZEA dose.
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