Aurora magazine

A Japanese team sent sperm dehydrated mice to the International Space Station. After 9 months, he used them to fertilize some eggs by getting a litter in perfect health. Mice do not show genetic abnormalities or major illnesses, which are far from obvious. Space is in fact full of radiation, which could damage the reproductive system of animals and humans.

The researchers dehydrated and frozen mouse sperm samples, then dispatched them into space for 288 days. This happened between August 2013 and May 2014. The samples then returned and the researchers compared them with sperm stored in similar conditions but on the ground. Spatial spermatopses showed a comprehensible number of major DNA damage damages.

The authors of the study used sperm in the two groups for in vitro fertilization. The embryos thus obtained were implanted in some females to complete their pregnancy. The birth rates of the two groups were similar. The researchers then performed DNA analysis on the small ones: spores born from sperm spatial revealed minimal differences. Once adults, the mice created no problems and their little ones were healthy.

The findings indicate that DNA damage in the sperm was fixed during fertilization, almost without trace. The application is, however, for the moment fantascientific: the study aims in fact to analyze the possible consequences of a colonization in space.

Source: lescienze.it

An Alabama University team has identified biomarkers in cord blood that help predict some of the problems of premature babies. Along with prenatal screening, biomarkers could highlight the risks of death in the cradle and pulmonary abnormalities.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a pulmonary anomaly that affects about 25% -50% of premature babies born. Many of these require prolonged oxygen therapy. Therapy saves them life, but interferes with the maturation of the still developing lungs. In fact, the alveoli conclude maturation during the last 14 weeks of gestation and the first 5 after childbirth. With oxygen therapy, maturation stops, which increases the risk of chronic lung disease.

The researchers examined cordonous bloodstream endothelial cells of 69 newborn babies born in the 26th week. Children weighed on average less than 1 kg. Of these 34 survived without bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Out of the remaining 35, 24 survived with dysplasia, while 11 died before developing it.
Venous endothelial cells have been cultured and tested for mitochondrial energy functions and oxidative generation. Mitochondria are cellular organelles that regulate cellular metabolism. Oxidative stress can damage them, causing the release of dangerous forms of oxygen-responsive species.

Neonatal cells with dysplasia or deaths had less oxygen consumption. They therefore produced more superoxide following the exposure of too much oxygen, releasing even more hydrogen peroxide. Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are both types of oxygen-responsive species that have damaged mitochondrial DNA.

Damage to mitochondrial DNA has altered the functions of mitochondria. The alterations could therefore be used as a biomarker for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. If you locate it in time, you will be able to change the therapeutic strategies.

Source: uab.edu

In the village of Crete Island Mylopotamos lies a gene that protects the heart and blood vessels. The discovery comes from a research team at Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, coordinated by Dr. Eleftheria Zeggini. Thanks to the results obtained, new treatments for cardiovascular disease and the risk of heart attack could be developed.

Mylopotamos is a Greek village isolated from the rest of the world, whose inhabitants follow a diet rich in animal fat. With these premise one could think of a population with a very high rate of cardiovascular disease and infarction. Despite their diet, however, the inhabitants of Mylopotamos live long and in good health.
The researchers mapped the DNA of 250 inhabited Greek villages. They then compared it with the DNA of a control group of 3,200 people. Thus a genetic variant of the Dscaml1 gene, rs145556679, emerged. The rs145556679 variant corresponds to levels of bad blood in the lower blood. Thanks to the reduction of bad fats, it also reduces the risk of heart disease and circulatory system.

The rs145556679 variant produces a protein that forms nets within the blood vessels. These networks block bad cholesterol and prevent it from entering the vascular walls. This will prevent the formation of thrombi and reduce the risk of heart attack. The discovered protein is similar to Loxina, identified by Giuseppe Novelli's geneticist team at Tor Vergata University.

Both the protein produced by rs145556679 and Loxina are important for the development of new drugs. They open doors to new treatments that protect against heart disease and heart disease.

Source: ansa.it

Attempts to eliminate the effects of early menopause continue. Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University have returned fertility to some cavities. They have transplanted stem cells of a fertile goat into another affected by the premature decline of the ovaries. After 2 months, the mice of the mice thus treated gave birth to the small, healthy and free of genetic malformations. The next step will be to check whether such treatment is applicable to the human being.

Early menopause involves loss of normal ovarian function. The organs stop releasing the eggs before the age of 40, causing loss of fertility. The condition is rare and at the time incurable. It can be treated with hormones in order to avoid the most serious health consequences. However, many scientists are studying how to use stem cells to regenerate tissues. This way, it would be possible to restore lost fertility.

In the study in question, the researchers isolated and characterized germinal stem cells. The stems came from a transgenic cell, with fluorescent cells exposed to a blue laser. This allowed the researchers to analyze stem cells transplanted into the sterile ovaries of the subject.

Transplanted stem cells implanted in the tissue and differentiated into egg cells. The new oocytes took a few weeks to mature and allowed conception within 2 months. The whole process of development took place in a manner similar to the natural one.

Additional studies will be required to verify the safety of the treatment and its applicability to humans. However, if the results were positive again, there would be a new approach to combating a female infertility.

Source: cellpress.com