bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação de identidade, pureza e metais em óleos essenciais de Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (Melaleuca), Mentha x piperita L. (Hortelã pimenta) e Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Alecrim)
Authors: Borchhardt Deise , Sarturi Cleide Salete
Published: April 2023

A adulteração e/ou falsificação de óleos essenciais datam de um longo tempo devido ao demorado processo e custo para a obtenção de diferentes óleos essenciais puros. Neste trabalho foram aplicados testes para a verificação da qualidade dos óleos de: Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (melaleuca), Mentha x piperita L. (hortelã pimenta) e Rosmarinus officinalis L. (alecrim), sendo nove amostras de três marcas diferentes (A, B e F). O primeiro estudo foi a respeito do rótulo dos frascos, os testes para cor, odor e estado fí­sico se encontraram nos padrões. Os óleos que se apresentaram fora dos valores padrões de rotação ótica e resí­duo de evaporação foram o óleo de Rosmarinus officinalis L. (alecrim) das marcas F e B, respectivamente, sendo assim os mesmos são indicados como prováveis produtos com adulterações e/ou falsificações. Realizou-se também análise de metais chumbo, cobalto, ní­quel e ferro presentes nas amostras de óleo. Para chumbo não houve a detecção de nenhuma quantidade presente nas amostras, o que se torna um bom resultado para a saúde dos consumidores, o cobalto foi encontrado no óleo de hortelã pimenta, o ní­quel foi determinado para todas as amostras assim como o ferro.
O efeito da restrição alimentar no desempenho de alevinos de tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Geller Iago Vinicios , Noleto Rafael Bueno , De Campos Celine , Ribeiro Marcos Otávio
Published: April 2023

O Brasil encontra-se entre os 14 maiores produtores mundiais de pescado e vem proporcionando ampliação de renda para produtores rurais, embora uma das maiores dificuldades encontradas neste ramo é o custo alto com ração e fontes proteicas para o cultivo. Estratégias como restrição alimentar e realimentação é uma forma de explorar a capacidade natural de recuperação metabólica e crescimento dos peixes, podendo permitir economia no custo final do lote. Diante do exposto, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos da restrição alimentar em alevinos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), considerada uma das espécies mais cultivadas na piscicultura, a fim de estabelecer qual ní­vel de restrição não afetaria o desempenho para a espécie em determinada fase do crescimento. O estudo foi desenvolvido na estação de piscicultura da Universidade Estadual do Paraná – campus de União da Vitória, Paraná. Os alevinos foram distribuí­dos em três tanques com 50 indiví­duos em cada, sendo realizada uma biometria inicial, e as demais biometrias em 30, 45 e 60 dias. Os tratamentos foram classificados em: R1 (um dia de restrição alimentar), R2 (dois dias) e R3 (três dias) na semana. Os resultados ao final dos 60 dias de experimento demonstraram um decréscimo no crescimento do grupo R3 se comparado com os outros grupos (R2 e R1). Portanto, tais resultados mostram que restrição alimentar acima de 2 dias por semana, comprometem significativamente o crescimento de alevinos de tilápia durante sua fase inicial de crescimento (3g a 50g).
Correlação das caracterí­sticas citológicas vaginais de Rattus novergicus com os ní­veis séricos de 17-Î² estradiol
Authors: Gan Gabriele , Borille Josi Mariano , Bacil Caroline , Machado Camila Juraszeck , Kanunfre Carla Cristine
Published: April 2023

O ciclo reprodutivo dos mamí­feros não primatas é chamado de ciclo estral, assim as ratas são ditas poliestrais e apresentam ciclo estral constituí­do por quatro fases distintas, proestro, estro, metaestro e diestro. Uma das maneiras para identificar essas fases é através da técnica do esfregaço vaginal e posterior análise microscópica, porém existem ainda poucos e divergentes estudos sobre ela. Desta maneira, o objetivo deste estudo foi correlacionar as caracterí­sticas citológicas vaginais de fêmeas de Rattus novergicus da linhagem Wistar com os respectivos ní­veis de 17-Î² estradiol, classificando as lâminas de esfregaços vaginais quanto a fase do ciclo estral. Foram utilizadas 18 ratas para a coleta do material vaginal, realizada através da técnica do esfregaço vaginal. Após isso os animais foram sacrificados por decapitação para coleta de sangue e soro e determinação hormonal. Para a identificação das fases do ciclo estral as lâminas obtidas através do esfregaço vaginal foram analisadas quanto à presença e tipos celulares por microscopia de luz nos aumentos de 10 e 40 X. Após identificação das fases e obtenção dos resultados dos ní­veis hormonais foram realizadas as comparações e as correlações das fases identificadas com a concentração de 17-Î² estradiol. Houve correlação dos resultados obtidos nas lâminas com os obtidos na análise hormonal para 66,66% das amostras. A fase mais frequente nos três dias de estudo foi a fase de diestro, tanto pela análise das lâminas quanto pela avaliação hormonal dos ní­veis séricos de 17-Î² estradiol, com 49,99% e 83,33% de frequência, respectivamente. Dessa forma, inferimos que a técnica do esfregaço vaginal foi eficiente para identificação das fases do ciclo estral de ratas.
Screening test of Diatomaceous Earth as an alternative control method for Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) eggs
Authors: Arthur dos Santos de Oliveira João , Magatão Angela Cristina , De Araujo Lennon Alonso , Lupepsa Luara , Conte Helio
Published: April 2023

The sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis is a pest that causes damage to sugarcane fields. The female lays imbricated egg masses on the leave. They cause the greatest damage as larvae, and thus, control before egg hatching is desired to prevent the development of this pest and avoid damage to the plant. Diatomaceous Earth, or diatomite, is inert dust with insecticidal properties. In this work, we aimed to test the activity of Diatomaceous Earth on viable eggs of D. saccharalis as a potential alternative control method for sugarcane borer. D. saccharalis eggs 1 day after oviposition were immersed in a Diatomaceous Earth solution (10% - w/v) for 5, 10, or 15 min and observed every 24 h for 216 h of analysis. During the first 72 h, there were no changes observed in egg morphology, which maintained an oval shape, pale yellow in color. After 96 h, chorion striations were observed in the treatments with 10 and 15 min of exposure and were not present in the chorion controls eggs. Differences between embryo's number it was observed after 96h in the 15 min treatment when compared with the untreated eggs control. Besides that, control larvae completely hatched in 192 h and the treatment with 10 min and 15 min not shown completely hatching suggesting a delay in the embryonic development of the D. saccharalis larvae. Overall, our study is the first report of the application of D. saccharalis eggs, and we believe that Diatomaceous Earth could be a potential tool for the control of Diatraea eggs, however, thorough investigations are required to elucidate the action of this powder on Diatraea and would be an alternative method to interrupt the biological cycle of the pest.
Análise microbiológica de bactérias patogênicas em areias de praças públicas no municí­pio de União da Vitória - Paraná
Authors: Kochinski Tais , Barbosa Patrícia , Romanello Larissa
Published: April 2023

As bactérias são um grupo de microrganismos extremamente difundido que habitam os mais diferentes locais. Apesar da grande maioria não ser patogênica, algumas cepas podem representar grande problema de saúde pública, como as superbactérias. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar análise microbiológica em amostras de areias de quatro praças públicas (A, B, C e D) no perí­metro urbano central da cidade de União da Vitória-PR destinadas à recreação a fim de verificar a existência de bactérias patogênicas. As amostras foram coletadas no mês de dezembro de 2017 e o método adotado para a análise foi cultura em meio Ágar sangue seguido de provas bioquí­micas. No ponto B foi identificada apenas a existência da bactéria Pseudomonas putida, uma bactéria de solo que não é classificada como patogênica. No ponto D também foi identificado apenas uma bactéria, do gênero Bacillus. No ponto A além das bactérias Bacillus sp.e Pseudomonas putida, foi identificada também a existência de Pseudomonas aeruginosa, uma bactéria comum em ambiente hospitalar amplamente reportada como causadora de infecções nosocomiais. O registro recorrente de cepas de Bacillus sp.e Pseudomonas putida foi observado no ponto C. Além destas,exemplares da famí­lia enterobacteriaceae, incluindo Escherichia coli e Enterococcus faecalis também foram identificadas. As bactérias E. coli e E. faecalis podem causar infecções do trato urinário, meningites e endocardites, e são bactérias comumente encontradas em fezes, indicando a possí­vel contaminação da areia com fezes humanas ou de animais. A partir desses resultados pode-se concluir que a presença dessas bactérias potencialmente patogênicas nas areias das praças A e C indicam que estas representam focos de contaminação com considerável risco de infecção, principalmente para crianças, idosos e indiví­duos imunossuprimidos.
Atividade antimicrobiana do extrato de acetato de etila de Coix lacryma-jobi sobre
Authors: Almeida Durinézio José de , Gomes Camila Camargo
Published: April 2023

O número de bactérias resistentes a antibióticos vem crescendo e se destacando como um problema de saúde pública, motivo pelo qual a demanda por novas substâncias antimicrobianas nas plantas ganha importância no ambiente cientí­fico; Coix lacryma-jobi (Lineu) é uma planta de origem chinesa, conhecida popularmente como lágrima de Jó, que tem efeitos antialérgicos, anti-inflamatórios, tônicos estomacais, hiperlipidemia, hiperglicêmica e antioxidante; estudos antimicrobianos com extratos etanólicos, metanóicos, ésteres e clorofórmios mostraram resultados positivos para bactérias gram-negativas e positivas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial antimicrobiano de extratos da raiz, semente, caule e folha de Coix lacryma-jobi, utilizando solvente de acetato de etila em imersão a frio. Os extratos foram utilizados em linhagens de Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Os resultados mostraram que a folha e a raiz não mostram atividade antimicrobiana e extratos de sementes e caule da planta mostram atividade antimicrobiana em ambos os microrganismos.
Clube de Ciências Unespar e a formação inicial de professores de Ciências, Biologia e Química
Authors: Vicente de Lima Cassiano , Ricardo dos Santos Emerson , Maria Moura dos Santos Jessica , Klobukoski Vanessa , Paula Gryczak Stephany , Barbosa Patrícia , Bueno Noleto Rafael , Romanello Larissa
Published: April 2023

A formação inicial de professores é um processo que deve garantir uma preparação de qualidade para garantir que estes profissionais estejam aptos a encarar os desafios recorrentes à docência. Nessa perspectiva, a formação restrita apenas aos cursos de licenciatura e os curtos estágios para prática docente nem sempre são suficientes para preparação adequada. Nesse sentido, faz-se necessário recorrer à alternativas para complementação da formação e prática. Como alternativa apresentam-se os projetos de extensão, que possibilitam aos acadêmicos o desenvolvimento de habilidades que vinculam o ensino e a pesquisa com a prática através do contato direto com outros setores da sociedade. Este trabalho apresenta a reflexão sobre as experiências de acadêmicos dos cursos de Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas e Quí­mica, da Universidade Estadual do Paraná – UNESPAR campus União da Vitória, participantes do projeto de extensão "Clube de Ciências UNESPAR" no perí­odo de fevereiro de 2018 a novembro de 2019. O objetivo do projeto foi aproximar os alunos das escolas públicas do municí­pio e região do ambiente universitário promovendo a democratização do conhecimento. Além disso, oportunizar aos acadêmicos a complementação da prática docente através da elaboração e promoção das oficinas com os alunos participantes, promovendo o protagonismo estudantil e o desenvolvimento de habilidades como liderança, segurança, facilidade de trabalho em grupo, criatividade e dinamismo.
Compreensões sobre divulgação científica e o papel formativo do projeto de extensão Sporum segundo seus integrantes
Authors: Custódio Otávio da Silva , Mohr Adriana
Published: April 2023

Nota-se a escassez de pesquisas que investiguem sobre como jovens divulgadores consideram sua participação em projetos de divulgação da ciência e quais são suas compreensões sobre esse tipo de divulgação. Neste sentido, esta investigação objetivou identificar e analisar o papel formativo do projeto de divulgação cientí­fica Nome (PET-Biologia-Instituição) segundo ativos e ex-integrantes do projeto e suas compreensões sobre divulgação cientí­fica. Os dados foram colhidos através de questionários com dezesseis sujeitos. Para a análise dos dados obtidos, foi utilizada a análise textual discursiva. Como resultado, os sujeitos pesquisados consideram que o projeto: os permitiu aperfeiçoar suas formas de comunicação, ampliou seus conhecimentos e contribuiu para o desenvolvimento de habilidades relativas à alteridade. Conceituam divulgação cientí­fica desde transmissão de conhecimentos cientí­ficos até veiculação de aspectos relativos à natureza da ciência. A importância da divulgação cientí­fica é justificada por fornecer informações para a população e contribuir para a emancipação do pensamento. Discute-se implicações destas atividades para a formação dos graduandos em Ciências Biológicas.
Hypoxia mitigation by manganese-doped carbon dots for synergistic photodynamic therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Xu Yongzhi , Zhu Tingting , Sang Zhiqin , Guo Xiaoli , Sun Yu , Hao Yuanping , Wang Wanchun
Published: April 2023

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is widely used for cancer treatment due to its non-invasive and precise effectiveness, however, hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment greatly limits the efficacy of photodynamic therapy. Compared with conventional photosensitizers, carbon dots (CDs) have great potential. Therefore, developing a water-soluble, low-toxicity photosensitizer based on CDs is particularly important, especially one that can enhance the photodynamic efficacy using the tumor microenvironment to produce oxygen. Herein, manganese-doped carbon dot (Mn-CDs, ∼2.7 nm) nanoenzymes with excellent biocompatibility were prepared by a solvothermal method using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid manganese disodium salt hydrate and o-phenylenediamine as precursors. TEM, AFM, HR-TEM, XRD, XPS, FT-IR, ζ potential, DLS, UV-Vis, and PL spectra were used to characterize the Mn-CDs. Cancer resistance was assessed using the CCK-8 kit, calcein AM versus propidium iodide (PI) kit, and the Annexin V-FITC/PI cell apoptosis assay kit. The obtained Mn-CDs have excellent near-infrared emission properties, stability, and efficient 1O2 generation. Notably, the manganese doping renders CDs with catalase (CAT)-like activity, which leads to the decomposition of acidic H2O2in situ to generate O2, enhancing the PDT efficacy against OSCC-9 cells under 635 nm (300 mW·cm−2) irradiation. Thus, this work provides a simple and feasible method for the development of water-soluble photosensitizers with oxygen production, presenting good biosafety for PDT in hypoxic tumors.
A circular bioprocess application of algal-based substrate for Bacillus subtilis natto production of γ-PGA
Authors: Parati Mattia , Philip Catherine , Mendrek Barbara , Townrow David , Khalil Ibrahim , Tchuenbou-Magaia Fideline , Stanley Michele , Kowalczuk Marek , Adamus Grazyna , Radecka Iza
Published: April 2023

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a bio-derived water-soluble, edible, hydrating, non-immunogenic polymer. Bacillus subtilis natto is a wild-type γ-PGA producer originally isolated from Japanese fermented natto beans whose activity has been shown to be enhanced through ion-specific activation of Extrachromosomal DNA maintenance mechanisms. Being a GRAS γ-PGA producer, this microorganism has attracted great interest in its use within an industrial context. Here we successfully synthesised amorphous, crystalline and semi-crystalline γ-PGA between 11–27 g/L. In line with circular economy principles, scalable macroalgal biomass has been evaluated as substrate for γ-PGA, displaying great potential in both yields and material composition. In this study whole cell, freeze dried seaweed -namely Laminaria digitata, Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta-were pre-treated by means of mechanical methods, sterilised and subsequently inoculated with B. subtilis natto. High shear mixing was found to be the most suitable pre-treatment technique. Supplemented L. digitata (9.1 g/L), S. latissima (10.2 g/L), A. esculenta (13 g/L) displayed γ-PGA yields comparable to those of standard GS media (14.4 g/L). Greatest yields of pure γ-PGA were obtained during the month of June for L. digitata (Avg. 4.76 g/L) comparable to those obtained with GS media (7.0 g/L). Further, pre-treated S. latissima and L. digitata complex media enabled for high molar mass (4,500 kDa) γ-PGA biosynthesis at 8.6 and 8.7 g/L respectively. Compared to standard GS media, algal derived γ-PGA displayed significantly higher molar masses. Further studies will be necessary to further evaluate the impact of varying ash contents upon the stereochemical properties and modify the properties of algal media based γ-PGA with the aid of key nutrients; however, the material synthesised to date can directly displace a number of fossil fuel derived chemicals in drug delivery applications, cosmetics, bioremediation, wastewater treatment, flocculation and as cryoprotectants.
The HRA2pl fusion peptide exerts in vitro antiviral activity against human respiratory paramyxoviruses and pneumoviruses
Authors: Meza Uriel Cruz , Lara Norvell Perezbusta , Gómez Laura Chávez , Rodríguez Marcela Solís , Hernández Javier R. Ambrosio , Mendoza Rocio Tirado
Published: April 2023

Acute respiratory infections are a group of diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites that mainly affect children until the age of 5 and immunocompromised senior adults. In Mexico, these infections are the main cause of morbidity in children, with more than 26 million cases of respiratory infections reported by the Secretariat of Health, in 2019. The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and the human parainfluenza-2 (hPIV-2) are responsible for many respiratory infections. Currently, palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the fusion protein F, is the treatment of choice against hRSV infections. This protein is being studied for the design of antiviral peptides that act by inhibiting the fusion of the virus and the host cell. Therefore, we examined the antiviral activity of the HRA2pl peptide, which competes the heptad repeat A domain of the F protein of hMPV. The recombinant peptide was obtained using a viral transient expression system. The effect of the fusion peptide was evaluated with an in vitro entry assay. Moreover, the effectiveness of HRA2pl was examined in viral isolates from clinical samples obtained from patients with infections caused by hRSV, hMPV, or hPIV-2, by evaluating the viral titer and the syncytium size. The HRA2pl peptide affected the viruses’ capacity of entry, resulting in a 4-log decrease in the viral titer compared to the untreated viral strains. Additionally, a 50% reduction in the size of the syncytium was found. These results demonstrate the antiviral potential of HRA2pl in clinical samples, paving the way toward clinical trials.
Nutritional labeling, communication design, and relevance
Authors: Scott Kate
Published: April 2023

In this paper, I use relevance theory to explain the relative effectiveness of three different nutrition labeling systems in communicating information and influencing consumer food choices. Facts Up Front [also known as Reference intake (RI) or Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA)], traffic light systems, and warning labels present nutritional information in different front of pack (FOP) formats. Research into the effectiveness of these systems shows that warning labels improve consumers' ability to identify unhealthy products, compared with both Facts Up Front and traffic light systems. Warnings and traffic light systems perform equally well, however, when participants are asked to identify the most healthful product. I demonstrate how these findings can be explained in terms of the processing effort and inferential steps required from the consumer when accessing relevant contextual assumptions and deriving relevant implications in decision-making contexts. That is, I show how the success of the various labeling systems is linked to their relevance in the context of interpretation. This analysis illustrates the explanatory power of relevance theory in relation to visual communication and has implications for communication design and policy more generally.
Active faulting of the Nanhe Fault and relation to the Anninghe Fault zone in the late Quaternary, eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Ma Chao , Liu Yufa , An Like , Yang Xing , Liu Shao , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2023

Faults along the boundaries of active tectonic blocks are the main structures that are responsible for major earthquakes in mainland China. Investigating the geometric distribution, rupture behavior, and paleoseismic history of these faults is the prerequisite for constraining geodynamic models and regional seismic hazard analyses. The Nanhe Fault, located at the eastern boundary of the Sichuan–Yunnan Block near Mianning County, has been paid less attention so far due to insufficient historical records of major earthquakes. In this paper, we focused on the Nanhe Fault and conducted satellite imagery interpretation, field investigations, and trench excavations. Our findings indicate that the Nanhe Fault initiates north of Mianning County; the north segment of the fault is connected with the Anninghe Fault; and it extends for about 70 km south-westward and terminates southwest of Ermaga Village. The fault has been faulting in the late Late Pleistocene with a left-lateral strike-slip rate of 2.40–2.56 mm/yr, while in the late Holocene, the left-lateral strike-slip and vertical slip rates are 2.50–2.60 mm/yr and about 0.60 mm/yr, respectively. Three paleoseismic events (5373–4525 BC, AD 1193–1576, and AD 1496–1843) were identified by excavating trenches at the Nanhe Fault. A comparative analysis of paleoseismic events between the Nanhe and the Anninghe fault indicates that both faults may have induced cascade rupture or triggered earthquakes—such related events may have occurred in 1496–1627. Additionally, by comparing the kinematic relationship of the faults at the eastern boundary of the Sichuan–Yunnan Block, we propose that the Nanhe Fault takes part in strain partitioning along the boundary. This interpretation reasonably explains the loss of the sliding rate between the Anninghe and Zemuhe faults, which also supports the GPS inversion results, and the discontinuous deformation model for the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.
ECSIT is essential for RANKL-induced stimulation of mitochondria in osteoclasts and a target for the anti-osteoclastogenic effects of estrogens
Authors: Marques-Carvalho Adriana , Sardão Vilma A. , Kim Ha-Neui , Almeida Maria
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Estrogens inhibit bone resorption and preserve bone mass, at least in part, via direct effects on osteoclasts. The binding of RANKL, the critical cytokine for osteoclast differentiation, to its receptor in osteoclast precursor cells of the monocyte lineage recruits the adaptor protein TRAF6 and activates multiple signaling pathways. Early effects of RANKL include stimulation of mitochondria. 17β-estradiol (E2) prevents the effects of RANKL on mitochondria and promotes mitochondria mediated apoptotic cell death. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the actions of RANKL and estrogens on mitochondria remain unknown. Evolutionarily Conserved Signaling Intermediate in Toll Pathway (ECSIT) is a complex I-associated protein that regulates immune responses in macrophages following the engagement of Toll-like receptors, which also recruit TRAF6. Here, we examined whether ECSIT could be implicated in the rapid effects of RANKL and E2 on osteoclast progenitors.

Methods

Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) from C57BL/6 mice were cultured with RANKL (30 ng/ml) with or without E2 (10-8 M). ECSIT-TRAF6 interaction was evaluated by co-immunoprecipitation and ECSIT levels in mitochondria and cytosolic fractions by Western blot. ShRNA lentivirus particles were used to knockdown ECSIT. Osteoclasts were enumerated after tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates were measured with Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer. ATP, lactate, and NAD/NADH were measured with commercial assay kits. NADH oxidation to NAD was used to evaluate Complex I activity. Total and mitochondrial ROS, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured with H2DCFDA, MitoSOX, and TMRM probes, respectively. Degradation of DEVD-AFC was used to measure Caspase-3 activity.

Results

We found that RANKL promoted ECSIT-TRAF6 interaction and increased the levels of ECSIT in mitochondria. E2 abrogated these effects of RANKL. Silencing of ECSIT decreased osteoclast differentiation and abrogated the inhibitory effects of E2 on osteoclastogenesis. Loss of ECSIT decreased complex I activity, oxygen consumption, NAD+/NADH redox ratio, and ATP production and increased mitochondrial ROS. In the absence of ECSIT, the stimulatory actions of RANKL on complex I activity and all other markers of oxidative phosphorylation, as well as their inhibition by E2, were prevented. Instead, RANKL stimulated apoptosis of osteoclast progenitors.

Discussion

These findings suggest that dysregulated mitochondria cause a switch in RANKL signaling from pro-survival to pro-apoptotic. In addition, our results indicate that ECSIT represents a central node for the early effects of RANKL on mitochondria and that inhibition of ECSIT-mediated mitochondria stimulation might contribute to the bone protective actions of estrogens.
Ferroptosis: roles and molecular mechanisms in diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zhao Yangting , Pan Binjing , Lv Xiaoyu , Chen Chongyang , Li Kai , Wang Yawen , Liu Jingfang
Published: April 2023

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which leads to the aggravation of myocardial fibrosis, disorders involving systolic and diastolic functions, and increased mortality of patients with diabetes through mechanisms such as glycolipid toxicity, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress. Ferroptosis is a form of iron-dependent regulatory cell death that is attributed to the accumulation of lipid peroxides and an imbalance in redox regulation. Increased production of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) during ferroptosis promotes oxidative stress and damages myocardial cells, leading to myocardial systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Overproduction of ROS is an important bridge between ferroptosis and DCM, and ferroptosis inhibitors may provide new targets for the treatment of patients with DCM.
Overview of junctional complexes during mammalian early embryonic development
Authors: Canse Ceren , Yildirim Ecem , Yaba Aylin
Published: April 2023

Cell-cell junctions form strong intercellular connections and mediate communication between blastomeres during preimplantation embryonic development and thus are crucial for cell integrity, polarity, cell fate specification and morphogenesis. Together with cell adhesion molecules and cytoskeletal elements, intercellular junctions orchestrate mechanotransduction, morphokinetics and signaling networks during the development of early embryos. This review focuses on the structure, organization, function and expressional pattern of the cell–cell junction complexes during early embryonic development. Understanding the importance of dynamic junction formation and maturation processes will shed light on the molecular mechanism behind developmental abnormalities of early embryos during the preimplantation period.
Treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism focusing on parathyroidectomy
Authors: Hiramitsu Takahisa , Hasegawa Yuki , Futamura Kenta , Okada Manabu , Goto Norihiko , Narumi Shunji , Watarai Yoshihiko , Tominaga Yoshihiro , Ichimori Toshihiro
Published: April 2023

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a major problem for patients with chronic kidney disease and can cause many complications, including osteodystrophy, fractures, and cardiovascular diseases. Treatment for SHPT has changed radically with the advent of calcimimetics; however, parathyroidectomy (PTx) remains one of the most important treatments. For successful PTx, removing all parathyroid glands (PTGs) without complications is essential to prevent persistent or recurrent SHPT. Preoperative imaging studies for the localization of PTGs, such as ultrasonography, computed tomography, and 99mTc-Sestamibi scintigraphy, and intraoperative evaluation methods to confirm the removal of all PTGs, including, intraoperative intact parathyroid hormone monitoring and frozen section diagnosis, are useful. Functional and anatomical preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerves can be confirmed via intraoperative nerve monitoring. Total or subtotal PTx with or without transcervical thymectomy and autotransplantation can also be performed. Appropriate operative methods for PTx should be selected according to the patients’ need for kidney transplantation. In the case of persistent or recurrent SHPT after the initial PTx, localization of the causative PTGs with autotransplantation is challenging as causative PTGs can exist in the neck, mediastinum, or autotransplanted areas. Additionally, the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of calcimimetics and PTx are increasingly being discussed. In this review, medical and surgical treatments for SHPT are described.
Powering Qatar’s agricultural growth: Examining the link between electricity prices and development
Authors: Shannak Sa’d , Surkatti Riham , Al-Kuwari Mohammad , Amhamed Abdulkarem
Published: April 2023

This study analyzes the impact of electricity prices on the development of the agriculture sector in Qatar, using annual data from 2003 to 2019. Its findings contribute to addressing a gap in current literature and offer valuable perspectives on the sector’s obstacles and potential prospects. An extended Cobb-Douglas production function was employed as a theoretical framework, in conjunction with several econometric techniques, including Fully Modified Least Squares, Dynamic Ordinary Least Square, Canonical Cointegration Regression, and Gets, to analyze the persistent relationship between electricity prices, and the gross value added of the agriculture sector. Our research found that electricity prices exert a positive effect on agricultural development. Although the magnitude of the impact was small over the long term, it remained statistically significant. Specifically, the elasticity of the electricity prices ranged between 0.097–0.11, whereas the elasticity of another examined variable, labor productivity, was also positive and ranged between 0.67–0.74. These empirical findings support the ongoing government policy to reform energy prices, increase vegetable production using modernized hydroponic systems, and reduce groundwater use for irrigation, among other policies to sustain food production. Clearly, if these policy options are managed properly, the agriculture sector can play a significant role in diversifying the economy, maintaining environmental conditions and improving food sustainability.
Habitat preference and distribution of Chinese pangolin and people’s attitude to its conservation in Gorkha District, Nepal
Authors: Panta Melina , Dhami Bijaya , Shrestha Bikram , Kc Nishan , Raut Nirjala , Timilsina Yajna Prasad , Khanal Chhetri Bir Bahadur , Khanal Sujan , Adhikari Hari , Varachova Sona , Kindlmann Pavel
Published: April 2023

The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) has experienced a rapid population decline throughout its distribution. In Nepal, it mostly occurs outside protected areas; therefore, habitat degradation due to anthropogenic activities is one of the major threats to its survival. However, the scarcity of information on the ecology and distribution of pangolins impedes evidence-based conservation of this species in Nepal. Its habitat preferences and distribution and the factors influencing people’s attitude to its conservation were studied in Gorkha District in central Nepal. Thirteen transects, each 0.5 km in length, were used for recording burrows indicating the presence of pangolin. In total, 124 burrows were recorded, of which 38 were new and 86 were old, which indicated a clumped distribution. Based on the highest percentage frequency of occurrence, most burrows occurred between 650 and 800 m a.s.l., in areas with a south-facing aspect, with moderate canopy cover, in forest, red soil and gentle terrain. The logistic regression model revealed that habitat type, soil type, crown cover, terrain, and distance to water were the most important factors affecting pangolin presence. In total, 87 households and 9 key informants were interviewed using questionnaires to determine the people’s knowledge of pangolins and attitude to their conservation. More than 50% of the respondents had seen pangolin in the areas studied and had a general knowledge of their habitat and benefits. However, most of them were unaware that it was illegal to hunt pangolins and were involved in opportunistic hunting for meat consumption. Pangolins were mostly recorded in forest at altitudes 650–800 m a.s.l., with moderate canopy cover, red soil, and close to a source of water; habitat, soil, canopy cover, terrain, and distance to water were statistically significantly associated with the presence of pangolin burrows. This study revealed that an increase in public awareness (mainly through education) would help to increase the likelihood of pangolin survival. These results can also serve as guidelines for protecting pangolin habitats for use by local authorities.
Multi-omics analysis reveals a molecular landscape of the early recurrence and early metastasis in pan-cancer
Authors: He Dan-ni , Wang Na , Wen Xiao-Ling , Li Xu-Hua , Guo Yu , Fu Shu-heng , Xiong Fei-fan , Wu Zhe-yu , Zhu Xu , Gao Xiao-ling , Wang Zhen-zhen , Wang Hong-jiu
Published: April 2023

Cancer remains a formidable challenge in medicine due to its propensity for recurrence and metastasis, which can result in unfavorable treatment outcomes. This challenge is particularly acute for early-stage patients, who may experience recurrence and metastasis without timely detection. Here, we first analyzed the differences in clinical characteristics among the primary tumor, recurrent tumor, and metastatic tumor in different stages of cancer, which may be caused by the molecular level. Moreover, the importance of predicting early cancer recurrence and metastasis is emphasized by survival analyses. Next, we used a multi-omics approach to identify key molecular changes associated with early cancer recurrence and metastasis and discovered that early metastasis in cancer demonstrated a high degree of genomic and cellular heterogeneity. We performed statistical comparisons for each level of omics data including gene expression, mutation, copy number variation, immune cell infiltration, and cell status. Then, various analytical techniques, such as proportional hazard model and Fisher’s exact test, were used to identify specific genes or immune characteristics associated with early cancer recurrence and metastasis. For example, we observed that the overexpression of BPIFB1 and high initial B-cell infiltration levels are linked to early cancer recurrence, while the overexpression or amplification of ANKRD22 and LIPM, mutation of IGHA1 and MUC16, high fibroblast infiltration level, M1 polarization of macrophages, cellular status of DNA repair are all linked to early cancer metastasis. These findings have led us to construct classifiers, and the average area under the curve (AUC) of these classifiers was greater than 0.75 in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer patients, confirming that the features we identified could be biomarkers for predicting recurrence and metastasis of early cancer. Finally, we identified specific early sensitive targets for targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Once the biomarkers we identified changed, treatment-sensitive targets can be treated accordingly. Our study has comprehensively characterized the multi-omics characteristics and identified a panel of biomarkers of early cancer recurrence and metastasis. Overall, it provides a valuable resource for cancer recurrence and metastasis research and improves our understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving early cancer recurrence and metastasis.
Genetic polymorphism related to ethambutol outcomes and susceptibility to toxicity
Authors: Barliana Melisa Intan , Afifah Nadiya Nurul , Yunivita Vycke , Ruslami Rovina
Published: April 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that ensuring access to effective and optimal treatment is a key component to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) through the End TB Strategy. Personalized medicine that depends on the genetic profile of an individual is one way to optimize treatment. It is necessary because of diverse drug responses related to the variation in human DNA, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Ethambutol (EMB) is a drug widely used as the treatment for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (Mtb) and/non-tuberculous mycobacteria and has become a potential supplementary agent for a treatment regimen of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB. In human genetic polymorphism studies of anti-tuberculosis, the majority focus on rifampicin or isoniazid, which discuss polymorphisms related to their toxicity. Whereas there are few studies on EMB, the incidence of EMB toxicity is lower than that of other first-line anti-TB drugs. To facilitate personalized medicine practice, this article summarizes the genetic polymorphisms associated with alterations in the pharmacokinetic profile, resistance incidence, and susceptibility to EMB toxicity. This study includes 131 total human studies from 17 articles, but only eight studies that held in the low-middle income country (LMIC), while the rest is research conducted in developed countries with high incomes. Personalized medicine practices are highly recommended to maintain and obtain the optimal therapeutic effect of EMB.
IL-27 induces an IFN-like signature in murine macrophages which in turn modulate colonic epithelium
Authors: Andrews Caroline , McLean Mairi H. , Hixon Julie A. , Pontejo Sergio M. , Starr Tregei , Malo Courtney , Cam Margaret , Ridnour Lisa , Hickman Heather , Steele-Mortimer Olivia , Wink David A. , Young Howard A. , McVicar Daniel W. , Li Wenqing , Durum Scott K.
Published: April 2023

Mucosal delivery of IL-27 has been shown to have a therapeutic benefit in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The IL-27 effect was associated with phosphorylated STAT1 (pSTAT1), a product of IL27 receptor signaling, in bowel tissue. To determine whether IL-27 acted directly on colonic epithelium, murine colonoids and primary intact colonic crypts were shown to be unresponsive to IL-27 in vitro and to lack detectable IL-27 receptors. On the other hand, macrophages, which are present in inflamed colon tissue, were responsive to IL-27 in vitro. IL-27 induced pSTAT1 in macrophages, the transcriptome indicated an IFN-like signature, and supernatants induced pSTAT1 in colonoids. IL-27 induced anti-viral activity in macrophages and MHC Class II induction. We conclude that the effects of mucosal delivery of IL-27 in murine IBD are in part based on the known effects of IL27 inducing immunosuppression of T cells mediated by IL-10. We also conclude that IL-27 has potent effects on macrophages in inflamed colon tissue, generating mediators that in turn act on colonic epithelium.
Tetramerization of STAT5 regulates monocyte differentiation and the dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice
Authors: Monaghan Kelly L. , Zheng Wen , Akhter Halima , Wang Lei , Ammer Amanda G. , Li Peng , Lin Jian-Xin , Hu Gangqing , Leonard Warren J. , Wan Edwin C. K.
Published: April 2023

In response to external stimuli during immune responses, monocytes can have multifaceted roles such as pathogen clearance and tissue repair. However, aberrant control of monocyte activation can result in chronic inflammation and subsequent tissue damage. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induces monocyte differentiation into a heterogenous population of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) and macrophages. However, the downstream molecular signals that dictate the differentiation of monocytes under pathological conditions is incompletely understood. We report here that the GM-CSF-induced STAT5 tetramerization is a critical determinate of monocyte fate and function. Monocytes require STAT5 tetramers to differentiate into moDCs. Conversely, the absence of STAT5 tetramers results in a switch to a functionally distinct monocyte-derived macrophage population. In the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colitis, STAT5 tetramer-deficient monocytes exacerbate disease severity. Mechanistically, GM-CSF signaling in STAT5 tetramer-deficient monocytes results in the overexpression of arginase I and a reduction in nitric oxide synthesis following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Correspondingly, the inhibition of arginase I activity and sustained supplementation of nitric oxide ameliorates the worsened colitis in STAT5 tetramer-deficient mice. This study suggests that STAT5 tetramers protect against severe intestinal inflammation through the regulation of arginine metabolism.
USP10 is a potential mediator for vagus nerve stimulation to alleviate neuroinflammation in ischaemic stroke by inhibiting NF-κB signalling pathway
Authors: Xie Chenchen , Gao Xiang , Liu Gang , Tang Hao , Li Changqing
Published: April 2023

Background

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has a protective effect on neurological recovery in ischaemic stroke. However, its underlying mechanism remains to be clarified. Ubiquitin-specific protease 10 (USP10), a member of the ubiquitin-specific protease family, has been shown to inhibit the activation of the NF-κB signalling pathway. Therefore, this study investigated whether USP10 plays a key role in the protective effect of VNS against ischemic stroke and explore its mechanism.

Methods

Ischaemic stroke model was constructed by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in mice. VNS was performed at 30 min, 24hr, and 48hr after the establishment of tMCAO model. USP10 expression induced by VNS after tMCAO was measured. LV-shUSP10 was used to establish the model with low expression of USP10 by stereotaxic injection technique. The effects of VNS with or without USP10 silencing on neurological deficits, cerebral infarct volume, NF-κB pathway activation, glial cell activation, and release of pro-inflammation cytokines were assessed.

Results

VNS enhanced the expression of USP10 following tMCAO. VNS ameliorated neurological deficits and reduced cerebral infarct volume, but this effect was inhibited by silencing of USP10. Activation of the NF-κB pathway and the expression of inflammatory cytokines induced by tMCAO were suppressed by VNS. Moreover, VNS promoted the pro-to-anti-inflammatory response of microglia and inhibited activation of astrocytes, while silencing of USP10 prevented the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of VNS.

Conclusion

USP10 is a potential mediator for VNS to alleviate neurological deficits, neuroinflammation, and glial cell activation in ischaemic stroke by inhibiting NF-κB signalling pathway.
New pairings and deorphanization among the atypical chemokine receptor family — physiological and clinical relevance
Authors: Szpakowska Martyna , D’Uonnolo Giulia , Luís Rafael , Alonso Bartolomé Ana , Thelen Marcus , Legler Daniel F. , Chevigné Andy
Published: April 2023

Atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) form a small subfamily of receptors (ACKR1–4) unable to trigger G protein-dependent signaling in response to their ligands. They do, however, play a crucial regulatory role in chemokine biology by capturing, scavenging or transporting chemokines, thereby regulating their availability and signaling through classical chemokine receptors. ACKRs add thus another layer of complexity to the intricate chemokine–receptor interaction network. Recently, targeted approaches and screening programs aiming at reassessing chemokine activity towards ACKRs identified several new pairings such as the dimeric CXCL12 with ACKR1, CXCL2, CXCL10 and CCL26 with ACKR2, the viral broad-spectrum chemokine vCCL2/vMIP-II, a range of opioid peptides and PAMP-12 with ACKR3 as well as CCL20 and CCL22 with ACKR4. Moreover, GPR182 (ACKR5) has been lately proposed as a new promiscuous atypical chemokine receptor with scavenging activity notably towards CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL12 and CXCL13. Altogether, these findings reveal new degrees of complexity of the chemokine network and expand the panel of ACKR ligands and regulatory functions. In this minireview, we present and discuss these new pairings, their physiological and clinical relevance as well as the opportunities they open for targeting ACKRs in innovative therapeutic strategies.
TLR4 is one of the receptors for Chikungunya virus envelope protein E2 and regulates virus induced pro-inflammatory responses in host macrophages
Authors: Mahish Chandan , De Saikat , Chatterjee Sanchari , Ghosh Soumyajit , Keshry Supriya Suman , Mukherjee Tathagata , Khamaru Somlata , Tung Kshyama Subhadarsini , Subudhi Bharat Bhusan , Chattopadhyay Soma , Chattopadhyay Subhasis
Published: April 2023

Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) receptor, is known to exert inflammation in various cases of microbial infection, cancer and autoimmune disorders. However, any such involvement of TLR4 in Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection is yet to be explored. Accordingly, the role of TLR4 was investigated towards CHIKV infection and modulation of host immune responses in the current study using mice macrophage cell line RAW264.7, primary macrophage cells of different origins and in vivo mice model. The findings suggest that TLR4 inhibition using TAK-242 (a specific pharmacological inhibitor) reduces viral copy number as well as reduces the CHIKV-E2 protein level significantly using p38 and JNK-MAPK pathways. Moreover, this led to reduced expression of macrophage activation markers like CD14, CD86, MHC-II and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6, MCP-1) significantly in both the mouse primary macrophages and RAW264.7 cell line, in vitro. Additionally, TAK-242-directed TLR4 inhibition demonstrated a significant reduction of percent E2-positive cells, viral titre and TNF expression in hPBMC-derived macrophages, in vitro. These observations were further validated in TLR4-knockout (KO) RAW cells. Furthermore, the interaction between CHIKV-E2 and TLR4 was demonstrated by immuno-precipitation studies, in vitro and supported by molecular docking analysis, in silico. TLR4-dependent viral entry was further validated by an anti-TLR4 antibody-mediated blocking experiment. It was noticed that TLR4 is necessary for the early events of viral infection, especially during the attachment and entry stages. Interestingly, it was also observed that TLR4 is not involved in the post-entry stages of CHIKV infection in host macrophages. The administration of TAK-242 decreased CHIKV infection significantly by reducing disease manifestations, improving survivability (around 75%) and reducing inflammation in mice model. Collectively, for the first time, this study reports TLR4 as one of the novel receptors to facilitate the attachment and entry of CHIKV in host macrophages, the TLR4-CHIKV-E2 interactions are essential for efficient viral entry and modulation of infection-induced pro-inflammatory responses in host macrophages, which might have translational implication for designing future therapeutics to regulate the CHIKV infection.