Do aluminum, boron, arsenic, cadmium, lipoperoxidation, and genetic polymorphism determine male fertility?

Male infertility is a world multifactorial problem modulated by environmental and genetic factors. Male aspects account for 20-50 % of infertility cases. Our results are unique because they treat the importance of components participating in the determination of male infertility (environmental and immunogenetic determinants, seminological analysis, lipoperoxidation, genetic determinants, role of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium and boron). We analyzed agents affecting male reproductive potential (aluminum, boron, cadmium, arsenic, lipid peroxidation, gene polymorphisms (MTHFRv.C677T (rs1801133) (chromosome-1) and IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) (chromosome-5) in men with semen disorders (n=76) and with normozoospermia (n=87) from Central Poland. Polymorphisms of MTHFRv.C677T and IL-4v.C589T genes indirectly shape toxic metals concentration and lipoperoxidation but do not exert direct influence on male fertility disorders (monomorphism and lack of differences in genotypes frequency). Men with genotype TT or CC (IL-4v.C589T) show some differentiation in elements concentration and intensity of lipoperoxidation. Analysis of TT or CC (IL-4v.C589T) genotype brought correlations with B, Al, Cd, and lipoperoxidation (P<0.05) and suggesting that mentioned factors jointly shape male reproductive capability. Toxic metals may play an important role in shaping of men genetic polymorphisms, since Cd was identified as a factor increasing risk of qualification to infertile group, predisposing to fertility disorders. B, Al and Cd may be considered as important modulators of reproductive condition. However, lipoperoxidation as an isolated predictive parameter does not produce convincing results in male reproductive potential (higher MDA concentration in healthy men). Our results may be helpful in the diagnosis of male infertility, in the reduction of idiopathic cases of unknown origin and in implementation of targeted and more effective treatment (pharmacological, hormonal). Identification of environmental stressors and their correlations with fertility disorders can help to eliminate or reduce the impact of factors unfavorable to fertility. Our results highlight the importance of environmental and immunogenetic factors in shaping of defensive potential against destruction of spermatozoa and infer a role of oxidative stress in the induction of gene polymorphisms, affecting male fertility.

Ticks and spirochetes of the genus Borrelia in urban areas of Central-Western Poland.

Due to the extensive use of green urban areas as recreation places, city residents are exposed to tick-borne pathogens. The objectives of our study were (i) to determine the occurrence of ticks in urban green areas, focussing on areas used by humans such as parks, schools and kindergartens, and urban forests, and (ii) to assess the prevalence of Borrelia infections in ticks in Zielona Góra, a medium-sized city in western Poland. A total of 161 ticks representing the two species Ixodes ricinus (34 males, 51 females, 30 nymphs) and Dermacentor reticulatus (20 males, 26 females) were collected from 29 of 72 (40.3%) study sites. In total, 26.1% of the ticks (85.7% of I. ricinus and 14.3% of D. reticulatus) yielded DNA of Borrelia. The difference in the infection rate between I. ricinus and D. reticulatus was significant. Among infected ticks, the most frequent spirochete species were B. lusitaniae (50.0%) and B. afzelii (26.2%), followed by B. spielmanii (9.5%), B. valaisiana (7.1%), B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, (4.8%) and B. miyamotoi (2.4%). No co-infections were found. We did not observe a correlation in the occurrence of Borrelia spirochetes in ticks found in individual study sites that differed in terms of habitat type and height of vegetation. Our findings demonstrate that the Borrelia transmission cycles are active within urban habitats, pointing the need for monitoring of tick-borne pathogens in public green areas. They could serve as guidelines for authorities for the proper management of urban green spaces in a way that may limit tick populations and the potential health risks posed by tick-borne pathogens.

Mechanism and Antibacterial Activity of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) Functionalized with Natural Compounds from Plants.

Recently, the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been widely studied and described. In the age of bacterial drug resistance, an intensive search for new agents with antibacterial properties or a new form of antibiotics with effective action is necessary. As a result, the antibacterial activity of AuNPs functionalized with natural compounds is being investigated more frequently. AuNPs biosynthesized with plant extract or functionalized with bioactive compounds isolated from plants could be particularly useful for pharmaceutical applications. The biosynthesized AuNPs are stabilized by an envelope, which may consist of flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids and proteins as well as carbohydrates and vitamins. The composition of the natural coating affects the size, shape and stability of the AuNPs and is also responsible for interactions with the bacterial cell wall. Recently, several mechanisms of AuNP interactions with bacterial cells have been identified. Nevertheless, they are not yet well understood, due to the large diversity of plants and biosynthesized AuNPs. Understanding the antibacterial mechanisms allows for the creation of pharmaceutical formulations in the most useful form. Utilizing AuNPs functionalized with plant compounds as antibacterial agents is still a new concept. However, the unique physicochemical and biological properties of AuNPs emphasises their potential for a broad range of applications in the future.

Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) Are Exposed to High Diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Species Infecting Fox-Derived Ixodes Ticks in West-Central Poland.

The role of red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and its associated ticks in maintaining Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) was studied. A total of 1583 ticks were removed from ears of 120 infested animals and were identified as species using a nested PCR targeting the ITS2 and coxI fragments of Ixodes DNA. Ixodes kaiseri prevailed (76%), followed by I. canisuga, I. ricinus, and I. hexagonus. In total, 32.4% of 943 ticks revealed Borrelia DNA and 10 species of B. burgdorferi s.l. complex were identified. Borrelia garinii and B. afzelii comprised 70% of all infections. The other eight species included B. americana, B. bissettiae, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), B. californiensis, B. carolinensis, B. lanei, B. spielmanii, and B. valaisiana. Analysis of tissues from 243 foxes showed that 23.5% were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. Borrelia garinii was detected in 91% of the infected animals, including 31% of mixed infections with B. afzelii, the second most prevalent species, followed by B. spielmanii. The predominance of B. garinii in PCR-positive animals and infected larval ticks (38.1%), suggests that this spirochete and B. afzelii are preferentially associated with foxes. Although red foxes are exposed to a high diversity of B. burgdorferi s.l. species found in engorged Ixodes ticks, their reservoir competence for most of them appears to be low.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Italian slow-worm Anguis veronensis Pollini, 1818, and its comparison with mitogenomes of other Anguis species.

In this paper, we present complete mitochondrial genome of the Italian legless lizard species Anguis veronensis Pollini, 1818. The complete mtDNA consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNA genes which in total formed a DNA strand of 17,322 bp. Anguis veronensis mitogenome had the same gene order as two other compared Anguis spp., i.e. A. cephallonica and A. fragilis. The base composition of A. veronensis mitochondrial genome was A - 30.8%, T - 24.9%, C - 29.9%, G - 14.4%, with an A + T bias (55.7%). The newly described genome provides valuable data for future comparative mitogenomic analysis within Anguis genus.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Eastern slow worm, Anguis colchica (Nordmann, 1840).

Here, we present complete mitochondrial genome of the Eastern Slow Worm, Anguis colchica (Nordmann, 1840). Mitogenome complete sequence is 17,097 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one control region. Anguis colchica mitochondrial genome has the same gene order as other mitogenomes of Anguis spp. Their analyzed genome has base composition as: A (30.4%), T (24.6%), C (30.4%), G (14.6%), with an A + T bias (55%). Length of the all 22 tRNA genes varies from 65 to 73 bp with an average of 69 bp. Presented mitogenome will provide new data for phylogenetic analysis within the genus Anguis.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the endemic legless lizard Anguis cephallonica Werner, 1894 and its comparison with mitogenome of Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Peloponnese endemic lizard species Anguis cephallonica is presented in this study. The complete sequence is 17 208 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one control region. The gene order is same as in the relative species Anguis fragilis. Length of the 22 tRNA genes varies from 64 bp to 73 bp. The Anguis cephallonica mitogenome base composition is: A (30.5%), T (24.2%), C (30.5%), G (14.8%), with an A + T bias (54.7%). Six protein coding genes have incomplete stop codons. This is the first complete mitogenome described in this species as well as in any endemic Peloponnese lizard. Presented complete mitochondrial genome will form a basis for future comparative analysis within the genus Anguis.

Spectrins: a structural platform for stabilization and activation of membrane channels, receptors and transporters.

This review focuses on structure and functions of spectrin as a major component of the membrane skeleton. Recent advances on spectrin function as an interface for signal transduction mediation and a number of data concerning interaction of spectrin with membrane channels, adhesion molecules, receptors and transporters draw a picture of multifaceted protein. Here, we attempted to show the current depiction of multitask role of spectrin in cell physiology. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Reciprocal influences between cell cytoskeleton and membrane channels, receptors and transporters. Guest Editor: Jean Claude Hervé.

The YJL185C, YLR376C and YJR129C genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are probably involved in regulation of the glyoxylate cycle.

The ER24 aci (acidification) mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae excreting protons in the absence of glucose was transformed with a multicopy yeast DNA plasmid library. Three different DNA fragments restored the wild-type phenotype termed Aci- because it does not acidify the complete glucose medium under the tested conditions. Molecular dissection of the transforming DNA fragments identified two multicopy suppressor genes YJL185C, YJR129C and one allelic YLR376C. Disruption of either of the three genes in wild-type yeast strain resulted in acidification of the medium (Aci+ phenotype) similarly to the original ER24 mutant. These data indicate the contribution of the ER24 gene product Ylr376Cp and of the two suppressor gene products Yjl185Cp and Yjr129Cp to a complex regulation of the glyoxylate cycle in yeast.

The genetic characteristics Saccharomyces cerevisiae aci(+) mutants.

A series of 30 Saccharomyces cerevisiae aci(+) mutants (characterized as acidifying Ogur's glucose medium containing bromocresol purple) were isolated after EMS mutagenesis. All the mutants excreted acid metabolites to the medium after 24 or 48 hours of incubation. The character of the aci(+) mutations was defined using classical genetic techniques. Three of the aci(+) mutants were studied by molecular genetics techniques.