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Cell Reports Jun 2024Morphological studies of skeletal muscle tissue provide insights into the architecture of muscle fibers, the surrounding cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM)....
Morphological studies of skeletal muscle tissue provide insights into the architecture of muscle fibers, the surrounding cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, a spatial proteomics analysis of the skeletal muscle including the muscle-tendon transition zone is lacking. Here, we prepare cryotome muscle sections of the mouse soleus muscle and measure each slice using short liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) gradients. We generate 3,000 high-resolution protein profiles that serve as the basis for a network analysis to reveal the complex architecture of the muscle-tendon junction. Among the protein profiles that increase from muscle to tendon, we find proteins related to neuronal activity, fatty acid biosynthesis, and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Blocking the RAS in cultured mouse tenocytes using losartan reduces the ECM synthesis. Overall, our analysis of thin cryotome sections provides a spatial proteome of skeletal muscle and reveals that the RAS acts as an additional regulator of the matrix within muscle-tendon junctions.
PubMed: 38900641
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114374 -
Plant Signaling & Behavior Dec 2024Soil toxicity is a major environmental issue that leads to numerous harmful effects on plants and human beings. Every year a huge amount of Pb is dumped into the... (Review)
Review
Soil toxicity is a major environmental issue that leads to numerous harmful effects on plants and human beings. Every year a huge amount of Pb is dumped into the environment either from natural sources or anthropogenically. Being a heavy metal it is highly toxic and non-biodegradable but remains in the environment for a long time. It is considered a neurotoxic and exerts harmful effects on living beings. In the present review article, investigators have emphasized the side effects of Pb on the plants. Further, the authors have focused on the various sources of Pb in the environment. Investigators have emphasized the various responses including molecular, biochemical, and morphological of plants to the toxic levels of Pb. Further emphasis was given to the effect of elevated levels of Pb on the microbial population in the rhizospheres. Further, emphasized the various remediation strategies for the Pb removal from the soil and water sources.
Topics: Lead; Plants; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 38899525
DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2365576 -
Cureus May 2024Sickle cell disease (SCD) is marked by episodic vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Recurrent VOC creates a pro-inflammatory state that induces phenotypic alterations in innate...
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is marked by episodic vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Recurrent VOC creates a pro-inflammatory state that induces phenotypic alterations in innate immune cells. Monocytes are of particular interest to VOC pathophysiology because they are especially malleable to inflammatory signaling. Indeed, inflammatory disease states such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity and atherosclerosis are known to influence monocyte development and alter monocyte subpopulations. In this study, we describe SCD monocyte subsets by performing immunophenotypic flow cytometric, enzymatic, and morphologic analysis on peripheral blood. Herein, we add to the growing body of evidence suggesting aberrant monocyte populations underpin VOC pathophysiology. We found that SCD monocytes possess an immature phenotype as demonstrated by 1) decreased CD4 positivity (p < .01), 2) low α-naphthyl butyrate esterase (ANBE) expression, and 3) naïve morphologic features. We additionally found an increase in CD14CD16CD4 monocytes (p < .01), a subset associated with the impaired immune response of post-trauma patients. Interestingly, we also found a large proportion of CD14CD4HLA-DR monocytes which, under normal circumstances, are exclusively found in neonates (p < .01). Finally, we report an increase in nonclassical monocytes (CD14CD16), a subset recently shown to have a critical role in prevention and recovery from VOC.
PubMed: 38899253
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60703 -
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy 2024The amygdala is a noticeable bilateral structure in the medial temporal lobe and it is composed of at least 13 different nuclei and cortical areas, subdivided into the...
INTRODUCTION
The amygdala is a noticeable bilateral structure in the medial temporal lobe and it is composed of at least 13 different nuclei and cortical areas, subdivided into the deep nuclei, the superficial nuclei, and the remaining nuclei which contain the central nucleus (CeA). CeA mediates the behavioral and physiological responses associated with fear and anxiety through pituitary-adrenal responses by modulating the liberation of the hypothalamic Corticotropin Releasing Factor/Hormone.
METHODS
Five dolphins of three different species, belonging to the family Delphinidae (three striped dolphins, one common dolphin, and one Atlantic spotted dolphin), were used for this study. For a precise overview of the CeA's structure, thionine staining and the immunoperoxidase method using calbindin D-28k were employed.
RESULTS
CeA extended mainly dorsal to the lateral nucleus and ventral to the striatum. It was medial to the internal capsule and lateral to the optic tract and the medial nucleus of the amygdala.
DISCUSSION
The dolphin amygdaloid complex resembles that of primates, including the subdivision, volume, and location of the CeA.
PubMed: 38899230
DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2024.1382036 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024The gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa, poses a significant global threat to Eucalyptus cultivation, by causing substantial economic losses. The objective of this study was to...
The gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa, poses a significant global threat to Eucalyptus cultivation, by causing substantial economic losses. The objective of this study was to differentiate between resistant and susceptible genotypes by morphological characteristics using image analysis based on the damage caused by the gall wasp. In addition, consensus sequences derived from transposable elements (TEs) and the genome of Eucalyptus spp. Were identified by in silico analysis. Furthermore, another objective was to discriminate Eucalyptus genotypes in response to Leptocybe invasa by conducting molecular analyses involving transposable elements and inter simple sequence markers. For image analysis, the GroundEye ® system was used to collect images of 60 leaves from six genotypes, three of which were resistant and three susceptible. Eucalyptus spp. sequences were obtained from the GenBank database by in silico analysis and pairwise alignments with TE sequences were conducted using BLASTN. Multiple sequence alignment was performed with Clustal Omega, followed by the identification of conserved regions in Jalview. A motif signature was generated using Weblogo. For molecular characterization using ISSR markers and TEs, samples of young leaves were obtained from a total of 80 Eucalyptus seedlings, of which 50 were classified as resistant and 30 as susceptible to L. invasa. It was possible to distinguish gall wasp susceptible and resistant genotypes by image analysis. In silico analysis enabled the identification of conserved regions in the Eucalyptus spp. genome, which were associated with proteins involved in secondary metabolite production, e.g., terpenes, which play a role in the response to L. invasa. The discrimination capacity of TEs and ISSR primers was demonstrated and bands were generated that could be used to identify resistant genotypes. However, increasing the number of markers required to discriminate genotypes in both cases is suggested.
Topics: Eucalyptus; Genotype; Phenotype; Animals; Wasps; Disease Resistance; Computer Simulation; Plant Diseases; DNA Transposable Elements
PubMed: 38896727
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.279850 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2024Cholinergic receptor activation enables the persistent firing of cortical pyramidal neurons, providing a key cellular basis for theories of spatial navigation involving...
Cholinergic receptor activation enables the persistent firing of cortical pyramidal neurons, providing a key cellular basis for theories of spatial navigation involving working memory, path integration, and head direction encoding. The granular retrosplenial cortex (RSG) is important for spatially-guided behaviors, but how acetylcholine impacts RSG neurons is unknown. Here, we show that a transcriptomically, morphologically, and biophysically distinct RSG cell-type - the low-rheobase (LR) neuron - has a very distinct expression profile of cholinergic muscarinic receptors compared to all other neighboring excitatory neuronal subtypes. LR neurons do not fire persistently in response to cholinergic agonists, in stark contrast to all other principal neuronal subtypes examined within the RSG and across midline cortex. This lack of persistence allows LR neuron models to rapidly compute angular head velocity (AHV), independent of cholinergic changes seen during navigation. Thus, LR neurons can consistently compute AHV across brain states, highlighting the specialized RSG neural codes supporting navigation.
PubMed: 38895393
DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.04.597341 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024In this study, we designed a novel electrochemical sensor by modifying a glass carbon electrode (GCE) with Pd confined mesoporous carbon hollow nanospheres (Pd/MCHS) for...
In this study, we designed a novel electrochemical sensor by modifying a glass carbon electrode (GCE) with Pd confined mesoporous carbon hollow nanospheres (Pd/MCHS) for the simultaneous detection of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA). The structure and morphological characteristics of the Pd/MCHS nanocomposite and the Pd/MCHS/GCE sensor are comprehensively examined using SEM, TEM, XRD and EDX. The electrochemical properties of the prepared sensor are investigated through CV and DPV, which reveal three resolved oxidation peaks for AA, DA, and UA, thereby verifying the simultaneous detection of the three analytes. Benefiting from its tailorable properties, the Pd/MCHS nanocomposite provides a large surface area, rapid electron transfer ability, good catalytic activity, and high conductivity with good electrochemical behavior for the determination of AA, DA, and UA. Under optimized conditions, the Pd/MCHS/GCE sensor exhibited a linear response in the concentration ranges of 300-9000, 2-50, and 20-500 µM for AA, DA, and UA, respectively. The corresponding limit of detection (LOD) values were determined to be 51.03, 0.14, and 4.96 µM, respectively. Moreover, the Pd/MCHS/GCE sensor demonstrated outstanding selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. The recovery percentages of AA, DA, and UA in real samples, including a vitamin C tablet, DA injection, and human urine, range from 99.8-110.9%, 99.04-100.45%, and 98.80-100.49%, respectively. Overall, the proposed sensor can serve as a useful reference for the construction of a high-performance electrochemical sensing platform.
Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Uric Acid; Dopamine; Nanospheres; Electrochemical Techniques; Carbon; Palladium; Limit of Detection; Porosity; Humans; Electrodes; Biosensing Techniques; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 38893303
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112427 -
Nutrients May 2024Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder identified by impairments in common social interactions and repetitive behaviors. In ASD patients,...
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder identified by impairments in common social interactions and repetitive behaviors. In ASD patients, substantial morphological alterations have been observed in the hippocampus, which represents an important region for the development of social skills. Melatonin, commonly found in many foods and plants, is also produced by the pineal gland. This indolamine, known to regulate the circadian rhythm, shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We therefore hypothesized that melatonin may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus of ASD patients. We explored our hypothesis using the BTBR mouse, a well-regarded murine transgenic model for ASD. Immediately after weaning, male BTBR and C57BL/6 mice underwent an 8-week treatment with melatonin or vehicle. Later, through immunohistochemistry and the immunoblotting analysis of the hippocampus, we evaluated the overall expression and cellular localization of Nrf2 and SOD1, two enzymes involved in the oxidative stress response. Similarly, we evaluated NLRP3 and NFkB, two mediators of inflammation, and GAD67, an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of GABA. Ultimately, we addressed melatonin's potential to regulate iron metabolism through a DAB-enhanced Perls reaction assay. Results showed melatonin's potential for modulating the analyzed markers in BTBR mice, suggesting a potential neuroprotective effect in ASD patients.
Topics: Animals; Melatonin; Hippocampus; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oxidative Stress; Disease Models, Animal; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Antioxidants; Mice, Transgenic; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Inflammation
PubMed: 38892585
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111652 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Bone regeneration remains a significant clinical challenge, often necessitating surgical approaches when healing bone defects and fracture nonunions. Within this... (Review)
Review
Bone regeneration remains a significant clinical challenge, often necessitating surgical approaches when healing bone defects and fracture nonunions. Within this context, the modulation of adenosine signaling pathways has emerged as a promising therapeutic option, encouraging osteoblast activation and tempering osteoclast differentiation. A literature review of the PubMed database with relevant keywords was conducted. The search criteria involved in vitro or in vivo models, with clear methodological descriptions. Only studies that included the use of indirect adenosine agonists, looking at the effects of bone regeneration, were considered relevant according to the eligibility criteria. A total of 29 articles were identified which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and they were reviewed to highlight the preclinical translation of adenosine agonists. While preclinical studies demonstrate the therapeutic potential of adenosine signaling in bone regeneration, its clinical application remains unrealized, underscoring the need for further clinical trials. To date, only large, preclinical animal models using indirect adenosine agonists have been successful in stimulating bone regeneration. The adenosine receptors (A, A, A, and A) stimulate various pathways, inducing different cellular responses. Specifically, indirect adenosine agonists act to increase the extracellular concentration of adenosine, subsequently agonizing the respective adenosine receptors. The agonism of each receptor is dependent on its expression on the cell surface, the extracellular concentration of adenosine, and its affinity for adenosine. This comprehensive review analyzed the multitude of indirect agonists currently being studied preclinically for bone regeneration, discussing the mechanisms of each agonist, their cellular responses in vitro, and their effects on bone formation in vivo.
Topics: Bone Regeneration; Humans; Animals; Receptors, Purinergic P1; Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists; Adenosine; Signal Transduction; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 38892291
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116104 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Chronic variable mild stress (CVS) in rats is a well-established paradigm for inducing depressive-like behaviors and has been utilized extensively to explore potential...
Chronic variable mild stress (CVS) in rats is a well-established paradigm for inducing depressive-like behaviors and has been utilized extensively to explore potential therapeutic interventions for depression. While the behavioral and neurobiological effects of CVS have been extensively studied, its impact on myocardial function remains largely unexplored. To induce the CVS model, rats were exposed to various stressors over 40 days. Behavioral assessments confirmed depressive-like behavior. Biochemical analyses revealed alterations in myocardial metabolism, including changes in NAD+ and NADP+, and NADPH concentrations. Free amino acid analysis indicated disturbances in myocardial amino acid metabolism. Evaluation of oxidative DNA damage demonstrated an increased number of abasic sites in the DNA of rats exposed to CVS. Molecular analysis showed significant changes in gene expression associated with glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and cardiac remodeling pathways. Histological staining revealed minor morphological changes in the myocardium of CVS-exposed rats, including increased acidophilicity of cells, collagen deposition surrounding blood vessels, and glycogen accumulation. This study provides novel insights into the impact of chronic stress on myocardial function and metabolism, highlighting potential mechanisms linking depression and cardiovascular diseases. Understanding these mechanisms may aid in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of depression.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Myocardium; Male; Stress, Psychological; Oxidative Stress; Depression; Disease Models, Animal; DNA Damage; Adaptation, Physiological; NAD; Glucose
PubMed: 38892086
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115899