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Cells May 2024The differential effects of cellular and ultrastructural characteristics on the optical properties of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces in the genus highlight the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The differential effects of cellular and ultrastructural characteristics on the optical properties of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces in the genus highlight the intricate relationships between cellular arrangement and pigment distribution in the plant cells. We examined hyperspectral and chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) kinetics using spectroradiometers and optical and electron microscopy techniques. The leaves were analysed for their spectral properties and cellular makeup. The biochemical compounds were measured and correlated with the biophysical and ultrastructural features. The main findings showed that the top and bottom leaf surfaces had different amounts and patterns of pigments, especially anthocyanins, flavonoids, total phenolics, chlorophyll-carotenoids, and cell and organelle structures, as revealed by the hyperspectral vegetation index (HVI). These differences were further elucidated by the correlation coefficients, which influence the optical signatures of the leaves. Additionally, ChlF kinetics varied between leaf surfaces, correlating with VIS-NIR-SWIR bands through distinct cellular structures and pigment concentrations in the hypodermis cells. We confirmed that the unique optical properties of each leaf surface arise not only from pigmentation but also from complex cellular arrangements and structural adaptations. Some of the factors that affect how leaves reflect light are the arrangement of chloroplasts, thylakoid membranes, vacuoles, and the relative size of the cells themselves. These findings improve our knowledge of the biophysical and biochemical reasons for leaf optical diversity, and indicate possible implications for photosynthetic efficiency and stress adaptation under different environmental conditions in the mesophyll cells of Tradescantia plants.
Topics: Tradescantia; Plant Leaves; Fluorescence; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyll A
PubMed: 38891083
DOI: 10.3390/cells13110952 -
Cells May 2024has been implicated in various gastrointestinal disorders, including functional dyspepsia. This study aimed to compare the anti- activity and gastroprotective effects... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
has been implicated in various gastrointestinal disorders, including functional dyspepsia. This study aimed to compare the anti- activity and gastroprotective effects of three typical herbal formulas used for gastrointestinal disorders in Korea: Shihosogan-tang (ST), Yijung-tang (YT), and Pyeongwi-san (PS). Firstly, we assessed the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidative capacity. Additionally, we evaluated the antibacterial effect on using an ammonia assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test, and the disk agar diffusion method. Furthermore, we examined alterations in the gene expression of tight junction proteins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cellular vacuolation using an AGS cell model infected with . While ST exhibited a higher total phenolic content, superior free radical scavenging, and inhibition of compared to YT and PS, YT more evidently inhibited gastric cellular morphological changes such as vacuolation. All formulations significantly ameliorated changes in inflammatory and gastric inflammation-related genes and cellular morphological alterations induced by infection. Overall, the present in vitro study suggests that all three herbal formulas possess potential for ameliorating gastrointestinal disorders, with ST relatively excelling in inhibiting infection and inflammation, while YT potentially shows greater efficacy in directly protecting the gastric mucosa.
Topics: Helicobacter pylori; Dyspepsia; Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Helicobacter Infections; Antioxidants; Flavonoids; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Gastric Mucosa; Plant Extracts; Protective Agents; Drugs, Chinese Herbal
PubMed: 38891033
DOI: 10.3390/cells13110901 -
BMC Veterinary Research Jun 2024In recent years, anthropogenic activities have released heavy metals and polluted the aquatic environment. This study investigated the ability of the silica-stabilized...
Aquatic assessment of the chelating ability of Silica-stabilized magnetite nanocomposite to lead nitrate toxicity with emphasis to their impact on hepatorenal, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, histopathological, and bioaccumulation parameters in Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, anthropogenic activities have released heavy metals and polluted the aquatic environment. This study investigated the ability of the silica-stabilized magnetite (Si-M) nanocomposite materials to dispose of lead nitrate (Pb(NO)) toxicity in Nile tilapia and African catfish.
RESULTS
Preliminary toxicity tests were conducted and determined the median lethal concentration (LC) of lead nitrate (Pb(NO)) to Nile tilapia and African catfish to be 5 mg/l. The sublethal concentration, equivalent to 1/20 of the 96-hour LC Pb(NO), was selected for our experiment. Fish of each species were divided into four duplicated groups. The first group served as the control negative group, while the second group (Pb group) was exposed to 0.25 mg/l Pb(NO) (1/20 of the 96-hour LC). The third group (Si-MNPs) was exposed to silica-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles at a concentration of 1 mg/l, and the fourth group (Pb + Si-MNPs) was exposed simultaneously to Pb(NO) and Si-MNPs at the same concentrations as the second and third groups. Throughout the experimental period, no mortalities or abnormal clinical observations were recorded in any of the treated groups, except for melanosis and abnormal nervous behavior observed in some fish in the Pb group. After three weeks of sublethal exposure, we analyzed hepatorenal indices, oxidative stress parameters, and genotoxicity. Values of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, and creatinine were significantly higher in the Pb-intoxicated groups compared to the control and Pb + Si-MNPs groups in both fish species. Oxidative stress parameters showed a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, along with a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) concentrations, as well as DNA fragmentation percentage in the Pb group. However, these values were nearly restored to control levels in the Pb + Si-MNPs groups. High lead accumulation was observed in the liver and gills of the Pb group, with the least accumulation in the muscles of tilapia and catfish in the Pb + Si-MNPs group. Histopathological analysis of tissue samples from Pb-exposed groups of tilapia and catfish revealed brain vacuolation, gill fusion, hyperplasia, and marked hepatocellular and renal necrosis, contrasting with Pb + Si-MNP group, which appeared to have an apparently normal tissue structure.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that Si-MNPs are safe and effective aqueous additives in reducing the toxic effects of Pb (NO) on fish tissue through the lead-chelating ability of Si-MNPs in water before being absorbed by fish.
Topics: Animals; Lead; Cichlids; Oxidative Stress; Silicon Dioxide; Liver; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Catfishes; Nitrates; Nanocomposites; Chelating Agents; Kidney; Bioaccumulation; Gills; DNA Damage
PubMed: 38890656
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04094-9 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024With resistance to most antimalarials increasing, it is imperative that new drugs are developed. We previously identified an aryl acetamide compound, MMV006833 (M-833),...
With resistance to most antimalarials increasing, it is imperative that new drugs are developed. We previously identified an aryl acetamide compound, MMV006833 (M-833), that inhibited the ring-stage development of newly invaded merozoites. Here, we select parasites resistant to M-833 and identify mutations in the START lipid transfer protein (PF3D7_0104200, PfSTART1). Introducing PfSTART1 mutations into wildtype parasites reproduces resistance to M-833 as well as to more potent analogues. PfSTART1 binding to the analogues is validated using organic solvent-based Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration (Solvent PISA) assays. Imaging of invading merozoites shows the inhibitors prevent the development of ring-stage parasites potentially by inhibiting the expansion of the encasing parasitophorous vacuole membrane. The PfSTART1-targeting compounds also block transmission to mosquitoes and with multiple stages of the parasite's lifecycle being affected, PfSTART1 represents a drug target with a new mechanism of action.
Topics: Plasmodium falciparum; Acetamides; Protozoan Proteins; Antimalarials; Animals; Carrier Proteins; Mutation; Malaria, Falciparum; Humans; Drug Resistance; Life Cycle Stages
PubMed: 38890312
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49491-8 -
Italian Journal of Food Safety May 2024The aim of this work is the description and characterization of a severe microsporidian infection in a batch of salted and dried cod. Particularly, the case involves a...
The aim of this work is the description and characterization of a severe microsporidian infection in a batch of salted and dried cod. Particularly, the case involves a batch of approximately 800 kg obtained from (Food and Agriculture Organization Zone 61 - Northwest Pacific Ocean), which, after rehydration and sectioning operations, underwent routine company checks before packaging. In about 20% of the samples, the presence of whitish nodules with a diameter ranging from 1 to 2 mm was observed on the surface of the fillets and in cross-section. The lesions ranged from a few units to 10 per cm. Some samples were subjected to fresh microscopic observation with the stereomicroscope, confirming the nodular nature of the lesions, which were often confluent, alternating with empty spaces, giving the tissue a honeycombing aspect. The histological examination at low magnification allowed us to observe the heavy vacuolization of nodular lesions irregularly surrounded by a spongy-like wall. The observation at higher magnification of other sections allowed us to identify intra-myofibrillar cists containing presumptive microsporidian elements. The tissue damage derived from the technological processes and gravity of lesions did not allow a morphological characterization of presumptive protozoans. The molecular examination of the nodular lesions and the analysis of the sequence of an 897 bp fragment of the small subunit 16S rRNA revealed 100% identity with (GenBank accession number MT928885-89) first isolated from the skeletal muscles of specimens from the Sea of Okhotsk. This finding confirms the importance of selecting suppliers and raw materials in the seafood industry, as well as the usefulness of an effective traceability system.
PubMed: 38887589
DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2024.12333 -
Acta Neuropathologica Communications Jun 2024Filaments made of residues 120-254 of transmembrane protein 106B (TMEM106B) form in an age-dependent manner and can be extracted from the brains of neurologically normal...
Filaments made of residues 120-254 of transmembrane protein 106B (TMEM106B) form in an age-dependent manner and can be extracted from the brains of neurologically normal individuals and those of subjects with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. TMEM106B filament formation requires cleavage at residue 120 of the 274 amino acid protein; at present, it is not known if residues 255-274 form the fuzzy coat of TMEM106B filaments. Here we show that a second cleavage appears likely, based on staining with an antibody raised against residues 263-274 of TMEM106B. We also show that besides the brain TMEM106B inclusions form in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord, where they were mostly found in non-neuronal cells. We confirm that in the brain, inclusions were most abundant in astrocytes. No inclusions were detected in heart, liver, spleen or hilar lymph nodes. Based on their staining with luminescent conjugated oligothiophenes, we confirm that TMEM106B inclusions are amyloids. By in situ immunoelectron microscopy, TMEM106B assemblies were often found in structures resembling endosomes and lysosomes.
Topics: Membrane Proteins; Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Spinal Cord; Amyloid; Ganglia, Spinal; Brain; Male; Female; Peripheral Nervous System; Aged; Animals
PubMed: 38886865
DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01813-z -
Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B Jun 2024In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae, large amounts of amylolytic enzymes are inducibly produced by isomaltose, which is converted from maltose incorporated via...
Glucose-induced endocytic degradation of the maltose transporter MalP is mediated through ubiquitination by the HECT-ubiquitin ligase HulA and its adaptor CreD in Aspergillus oryzae.
In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae, large amounts of amylolytic enzymes are inducibly produced by isomaltose, which is converted from maltose incorporated via the maltose transporter MalP. In contrast, the preferred sugar glucose strongly represses the expression of both amylolytic and malP genes through carbon catabolite repression. Simultaneously, the addition of glucose triggers the endocytic degradation of MalP on the plasma membrane. In budding yeast, the signal-dependent ubiquitin modification of plasma membrane transporters leads to selective endocytosis into the vacuole for degradation. In addition, during glucose-induced MalP degradation, the homologous of E6AP C-terminus-type E3 ubiquitin ligase (HulA) is responsible for the ubiquitin modification of MalP, and the arrestin-like protein CreD is required for HulA targeting. Although CreD-mediated MalP internalization occurs in response to glucose, the mechanism by which CreD regulates HulA-dependent MalP ubiquitination remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that three (P/L)PxY motifs present in the CreD protein are essential for functioning as HulA adaptors so that HulA can recognize MalP in response to glucose stimulation, enabling MalP internalization. Furthermore, four lysine residues (three highly conserved among Aspergillus species and yeast and one conserved among Aspergillus species) of CreD were found to be necessary for its ubiquitination, resulting in efficient glucose-induced MalP endocytosis. The results of this study pave the way for elucidating the regulatory mechanism of MalP endocytic degradation through ubiquitination by the HulA-CreD complex at the molecular level.
PubMed: 38885923
DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103909 -
Food Science & Nutrition Jun 2024With the changes of people's lifestyle, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia which were induced from a diet high in both fat and sugar have become serious health concerns....
With the changes of people's lifestyle, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia which were induced from a diet high in both fat and sugar have become serious health concerns. Tree peony seed oil (PSO) is a novel kind of edible oil that shows great potential in the food industry because of its high constituent of unsaturated fatty acids. Based 16S rRNA and gut untargeted metabolomics, this study elucidated that the mechanism of PSO regulating blood glucose (Glu) and lipids. The impact of PSO on gut microbiota balance and gut metabolites of mice with a high-fat diet (HFD) was evaluated. The findings indicated that PSO decreased HFD mice's body weight and fat accumulation, ameliorating the levels of blood lipid, reduced liver fat vacuole levels. What's more PSO modulated the proportion of gut microbiota in HFD mice and enhanced the abundance of probiotics. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that PSO not only impacted the generation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by gut microorganism and altered metabolic pathway but exerted influence on secondary bile acids (BA), amino acid metabolism, and various other metabolites. These results suggested that PSO has the potential function for mitigating HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia by regulating gut microbiota and host metabolism.
PubMed: 38873446
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4108 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a lethal rare genetic disorder, which results in cardiac dysfunction, severe skeletal muscle weakness, immune issues and growth delay. Mutations...
Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a lethal rare genetic disorder, which results in cardiac dysfunction, severe skeletal muscle weakness, immune issues and growth delay. Mutations in the TAFAZZIN gene, which is responsible for the remodeling of the phospholipid cardiolipin (CL), lead to abnormalities in mitochondrial membrane, including alteration of mature CL acyl composition and the presence of monolysocardiolipin (MLCL). The dramatic increase in the MLCL/CL ratio is the hallmark of patients with BTHS, which is associated with mitochondrial bioenergetics dysfunction and altered membrane ultrastructure. There are currently no specific therapies for BTHS. Here, we showed that cardiac mitochondria isolated from TAFAZZIN knockdown (Taz) mice presented abnormal ultrastructural membrane morphology, accumulation of vacuoles, pro-fission conditions and defective mitophagy. Interestingly, we found that in vivo treatment of Taz mice with a CL-targeted small peptide (named SS-31) was able to restore mitochondrial morphology in tafazzin-deficient heart by affecting specific proteins involved in dynamic process and mitophagy. This agrees with our previous data showing an improvement in mitochondrial respiratory efficiency associated with increased supercomplex organization in Taz mice under the same pharmacological treatment. Taken together our findings confirm the beneficial effect of SS-31 in the amelioration of tafazzin-deficient dysfunctional mitochondria in a BTHS animal model.
Topics: Animals; Barth Syndrome; Mitophagy; Disease Models, Animal; Mice; Acyltransferases; Cardiolipins; Mitochondria, Heart; Transcription Factors; Lysophospholipids; Mice, Knockout; Oligopeptides
PubMed: 38871974
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64368-y -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Eukaryotic membranes are compartmentalized into distinct micro- and nanodomains that rearrange dynamically in response to external and internal cues. This lateral...
Eukaryotic membranes are compartmentalized into distinct micro- and nanodomains that rearrange dynamically in response to external and internal cues. This lateral heterogeneity of the lipid bilayer and associated clustering of distinct membrane proteins contribute to the spatial organization of numerous cellular processes. Here, we show that membrane microdomains within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of yeast cells are reorganized during metabolic reprogramming and aging. Using biosensors with varying transmembrane domain length to map lipid bilayer thickness, we demonstrate that in young cells, microdomains of increased thickness mainly exist within the nuclear ER, while progressing cellular age drives the formation of numerous microdomains specifically in the cortical ER. Partitioning of biosensors with long transmembrane domains into these microdomains increased protein stability and prevented autophagic removal. In contrast, reporters with short transmembrane domains progressively accumulated at the membrane contact site between the nuclear ER and the vacuole, the so-called nucleus-vacuole junction (NVJ), and were subjected to turnover via selective microautophagy occurring specifically at these sites. Reporters with long transmembrane domains were excluded from the NVJ. Our data reveal age-dependent rearrangement of the lateral organization of the ER and establish transmembrane domain length as a determinant of membrane contact site localization and autophagic degradation.
Topics: Endoplasmic Reticulum; Autophagy; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Membrane Microdomains; Cellular Senescence; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; Vacuoles; Membrane Proteins
PubMed: 38871812
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64493-8