Classification, quality characteristics, sensory perception and texture prediction of wooden breast myopathy in broilers from Argentina.

The objective of this study was to characterize the wooden breast (WB) myopathy in the poultry industry, and establish degrees of severity by analyzing the composition and important characteristics of meat quality. 175 chickens from the COBB-500 commercial line were analyzed, and three WB categories were established: normal, moderate, and severe. The prevalence was: 4.00% severe, 46.29% moderate, and 49.71% normal, and it was affected by sex and weight. The WB characterization was carried out on 7 breasts of each WB degree. A decrease in protein and ashes, an increase in fat and loss of water by dripping, and color changes were observed as the degree of severity advanced. The texture was evaluated by instrumental, sensory, and image analysis techniques. Severe samples showed alterations in compression test, cohesiveness and juiciness, together with significant differences on the parameters, "contrast" and "energy". A characterization of WB myopathy was achieved for the first time in Argentina. The decline in meat quality could lead to industrial losses. Image analysis proved to be a promising technique for differentiating the severity of WB myopathy in raw chicken. Differences between raw and cooked samples were detected, thus both types of meat should be studied in detail. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05608-9.

Characterisation of several ankyrin repeat protein variant 2, a phosphoprotein phosphatase 1-interacting protein, in testis and spermatozoa.

Phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 (PPP1) catalytic subunit gamma 2 (PPP1CC2), a PPP1 isoform, is largely restricted to testicular germ cells and spermatozoa. The key to understanding PPP1 regulation in male germ cells lies in the identification and characterisation of its interacting partners. This study was undertaken to determine the expression patterns of the several ankyrin repeat protein variant 2 (SARP2), a PPP1-interacting protein, in testis and spermatozoa. SARP2 was found to be highly expressed in testis and spermatozoa, and its interaction with human spermatozoa endogenous PPP1CC2 was confirmed by immunoprecipitation. Expression analysis by RT-qPCR revealed that SARP2 and PPP1CC2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the spermatocyte fraction. However, microscopy revealed that SARP2 protein was only present in the nucleus of elongating and mature spermatids and in spermatozoa. In spermatozoa, SARP2 was prominently expressed in the connecting piece and flagellum, as well as, to a lesser extent, in the acrosome. A yeast two-hybrid approach was used to detect SARP2-interacting proteins and a relevant interaction with a novel sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) variant, a testis and spermatozoa-specific c-Jun N-terminal kinase-binding protein, was validated in human spermatozoa. Given the expression pattern of SARP2 and its association with PPP1CC2 and SPAG9, it may play a role in spermiogenesis and sperm function, namely in sperm motility and the acrosome reaction.

Smoking Induces a Decline in Semen Quality and the Activation of Stress Response Pathways in Sperm.

Male infertility is a prevalent concern affecting couples worldwide. While genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, and reproductive system defects play significant roles, emerging evidence suggests that lifestyle choices also profoundly impact male fertility. This study aimed to explore the effects of several lifestyle factors, including tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dietary habits, on semen quality parameters and molecular biomarkers. Thirty healthy male volunteers were recruited in the Urology service at Hospital Infante D. Pedro, Aveiro, Portugal. Participants completed lifestyle questionnaires and provided semen samples, which were analyzed according to the World Health Organization criteria by experienced technicians. We also analyzed the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and heat-shock response-related proteins to explore the activation of signaling pathways involved in stress response within sperm cells. Our results revealed that tobacco consumption reduced semen volume and total sperm count. Although the changes in the percentage of total motility and normal morphology in the smokers' group did not reach statistical significance, a slight decrease was observed. Moreover, we identified for the first time a significant association between tobacco consumption and increased levels of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and phosphorylated HSP27 (p-HSP27) in sperm cells, indicating the potential detrimental effects of tobacco on the reproductive system. This study highlights that lifestyle factors reduce semen quality, possibly by inducing stress in sperm, raising awareness about the effects of these risk factors among populations at risk of male infertility.

Investigation of spectroscopic and proteomic alterations underlying prostate carcinogenesis.

Prostate cancer (PCa) treatment remains challenging, especially in advanced stages, where the lack of sensitivity and specificity of available biomarkers makes it difficult to establish an accurate prognosis. Therefore, it is imperative to study PCa biology to identify key molecules that can improve PCa management. In this study, eight prostate tumor tissues and paired normal tissues were analyzed using two approaches-Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for spectroscopic profiling of biomolecules and antibody microarray for signaling proteins-with the main goal of identifying metabolic and proteomic changes that enable the distinction between normal and tumor conditions. Principal component analysis of FT-IR spectra revealed different spectroscopic signals for each condition. The most relevant changes in prostate tumor tissues identified by FT-IR were dysregulation in lipid metabolism, lower polysaccharide and glycogen content, higher nucleic acid content, and increased protein phosphorylation. Using an antibody microarray, 42 proteins were identified as differentially regulated between the two conditions; 14 of those revealed changes in their phosphorylation status. These proteins include transcription factors and kinases and constitute a highly-interconnected interaction network. Altogether, our data reveal metabolic and proteomic alterations that may be of interest in future translational studies aimed at establishing PCa prognosis and treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: Prostate tumor tissues and adjacent benign tissues were analyzed using two approaches-Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for biomolecules and an antibody microarray for signaling proteins, which allowed to identify a panel of metabolic and proteomic alterations that may be of interest in future translational studies to enable the distinction between normal and tumor conditions.

Profiling signaling proteins in human spermatozoa: biomarker identification for sperm quality evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between semen basic parameters and the expression and activity of signaling proteins. DESIGN: In vitro studies with human spermatozoa. SETTING: Academic research institute. PATIENT(S): Thirty-seven men provided semen samples for routine analysis. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Basic semen parameters tracked included sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), the expression levels of 75 protein kinases, and the phosphorylation/cleavage patterns of 18 signaling proteins in human spermatozoa. RESULT(S): The results indicated that the phosphorylated levels of several proteins (Bad, GSK-3ß, HSP27, JNK/SAPK, mTOR, p38 MAPK, and p53), as well as cleavage of PARP (at D214) and Caspase-3 (at D175), were significantly correlated with motility parameters. Additionally, the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the phosphorylated levels of p70 S6 kinase and, in turn, head defects and the teratozoospermia index (TZI) showed a significant negative correlation with the phosphorylated levels of Stat3. There was a significant positive correlation between SDF and the teratozoospermia index, as well as the presence of head defects. In contrast, SDF negatively correlated with the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa and the phosphorylation of Akt and p70 S6 kinase. Subjects with varicocele demonstrated a significant negative correlation between head morphological defects and the phosphorylated levels of Akt, GSK3ß, p38 MAPK, and Stat1. Additionally, 34 protein kinases were identified as expressed in their total protein levels in normozoospermic samples. CONCLUSION(S): This study contributed toward establishing a biomarker "fingerprint" to assess sperm quality on the basis of molecular parameters.

Imaginarios de infancia y adolescencia criminalizada en procesos de Terapia ocupacional / Imaginaries of childhood and criminalized adolescence in occupational therapy process

La siguiente investigación aborda desde una perspectiva crítica los imaginarios de infancia criminalizada de terapeutas ocupacionales que trabajan con niños, niñas y adolescentes criminalizados/as en programas de prevención de riesgo psicosocial y programas con y sin sanción penal, con el objetivo de conocer las implicancias de estos imaginarios en la praxis de la profesión.MetodologíaSe realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a siete terapeutas ocupacionales. Posteriormente se elaboró un análisis categorial de contenidos.Resultados La etapa infanto adolescente es referida como exploratoria, compleja y fundamental para la constitución de la personalidad adulta. Los imaginarios se asocian a una serie de situaciones que pueden llevar al niño, niña o adolescente a vincularse con la actividad delictual (familismo, deserción escolar, escaso apoyo de instituciones públicas, sistema neoliberal, consumismo). Los centros de prevención realizan intervenciones en espacios cotidianos y promueven instancias de participación ocupacional, mientras que en centros cerrados con sanción penal, se realizan principalmente actividades para la reinserción sociolaboral.discusiónExisten diversidad de perspectivas en torno a las intervenciones, existiendo diferencias significativas entre los imaginarios de quienes trabajan en contextos de población sancionada y quienes no.Las limitaciones gubernamentales restringen de diversas maneras las expectativas y proyecciones de las intervenciones, confrontando a los imaginarios con lo propuesto en la declaración internacional de los derechos del niño y la niña.

The following research approaches from a critical perspective the criminalized childhood imaginary of occupational therapists who works in psychosocial prevention programs and closed treatment centers, whose users are criminalized children and adolescents with and without criminal sanction, in order to know the implications of this issue has in the praxis of the profession.MethodologyIn-depth were done to seven occupational therapists. Afterwards, a categorical content analysis was elaborated.ResultsThe childhood and teenage stage is referred to as exploratory, complex and fundamental for the constitution of the adult personality. The imaginaries are associated with a series of situations that can lead the child and adolescent to be linked to this activity (familism, school dropout, scant support from the public institutions, the neoliberal system, consumerism). The prevention centers carry out interventions in daily spaces and promote instances of occupational participation, meanwhile in closed centers are carried out mainly, activities focused on social and labor reintegration.discussionThere is a diversity of perspectives regarding to the interventions, existing significant differences between imaginaries of those occupational therapist who work in contexts of sanctioned population and those who do not. The government limitations greatly restrict the interventions, expectations and projections, confronting this imaginaries with the proposed in the international convention of The Right of the Child.

Degradación de las formaciones psicóticas: un intento de objetivación / Degradation of the psychotic structures: an attempt of objectivation

El proceso de recuperación de la psicosis se lleva a cabo a través de una serie de etapas gradativas; de ahí su denominación de proceso de degradación. Este proceso se basa fundamentalmente en dos fenómenos: la debilitación de la certidumbre acerca de la realidad de la formación psicótica y la desactualización de la misma; o sea, la recuperación de un juicio de realidad correcto, sustitutorio del hasta entonces juicio de realidad psicótico. Con el fin de objetivar el proceso de degradación de la psicosis, y en particular los dos fenómenos señalados, hemos diseñado un cuestionario (CEDEP) que evaluá el grado de certeza que un determinado paciente posee sobre la realidad o ficción de sus formaciones psicóticas, tanto actuales como mnésticas. Este trabajo se inserta en la línea de investigación que Castilla del Pino y colaboradores llevan a cabo sobre la psicopatologia de la conducta psicótica