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J Food Biochem 2021 Apr 13:e13725. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as a plasticizer in polycarbonate plastics. It has been used in consumer products and epoxy resins for decades as protective coatings and linings for food and beverage bottles. This can trigger human reactions to BPA which interferes with estrogen receptors. Read More

Environ Pollut 2021 Mar 23;281:116969. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400 094, India. Electronic address:

Inhalation represents the most prevalent route of exposure with Thorium-232 compounds (Th-nitrate/Th-dioxide)/Th-containing dust in real occupational scenario. The present study investigated the mechanism of Th response in normal human alveolar epithelial cells (WI26), exposed to Th-nitrate or colloidal Th-dioxide (1-100 μg/ml, 24-72 h). Assessment in terms of changes in cell morphology, cell proliferation (cell count), plasma membrane integrity (lactate dehydrogenase leakage) and mitochondrial metabolic activity (MTT reduction) showed that Th-dioxide was quantitatively more deleterious than Th-nitrate to WI26 cells. Read More

Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021 Apr 9:105976. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), School of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address:

The impairment of the CFTR channel activity, a cAMP-activated chloride (Cl-) channel responsible for cystic fibrosis (CF), has been associated with a variety of mitochondrial alterations such as modified gene expression, impairment in oxidative phosphorylation, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a disbalance in calcium homeostasis. The mechanisms by which these processes occur in CF are not fully understood. Previously, we demonstrated a reduced MTND4 expression and a failure in the mitochondrial complex I (mCx-I) activity in CF cells. Read More

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Adipose tissue is a primary regulator of energy balance and metabolism. The distribution of adipose tissue depots is of clinical interest because the accumulation of upper-body subcutaneous (ASAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, whereas lower-body gluteal-femoral adipose tissue (GFAT) appears to be protective. There is heterogeneity in morphology and metabolism of adipocytes obtained from different regions of the body, but detailed knowledge of the constituent proteins in each depot is lacking. Read More

FEBS Lett 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.

Mitochondria play a key role in cellular signalling, metabolism and energetics. Proper architecture and remodelling of the inner mitochondrial membrane are essential for efficient respiration, apoptosis and quality control in the cell. Several protein complexes including mitochondrial contact site and cristae organising system (MICOS), F F -ATP synthase, and Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1), facilitate formation, maintenance and stability of cristae membranes. Read More

Parasitol Res 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.

Tapeworms (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) are the dominant component of communities of intestinal parasites in pimelodid and other catfishes (Siluriformes) from South America. Even though these parasites have been studied intensively over more than one century, molecular taxonomy and phylogenetics have questioned their morphology-based classification, thus raising doubts about the systematic value of traits commonly used to circumscribe individual taxa. In the present study, members of three morphologically well-characterized genera of proteocephalids from pimelodid (Hemisorubim platyrhynchos and Sorubim lima) and auchenipterid (Ageneiosus inermis) catfishes from the Paraná or Amazon River basins were subjected to DNA sequencing of the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA (lsrDNA) and complete mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Read More

Parasit Vectors 2021 Apr 8;14(1):195. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.

Background: Triatomine bugs, the vectors of Chagas disease, associate with vertebrate hosts in highly diverse ecotopes. It has been proposed that occupation of new microhabitats may trigger selection for distinct phenotypic variants in these blood-sucking bugs. Although understanding phenotypic variation is key to the study of adaptive evolution and central to phenotype-based taxonomy, the drivers of phenotypic change and diversity in triatomines remain poorly understood. Read More

Redox Biol 2021 Mar 31;41:101951. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany; DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a phytochemical compound extracted from cruciferous plants, like broccoli or cauliflower. Its isothiocyanate group renders SFN reactive, thus allowing post-translational modification of cellular proteins to regulate their function with the potential for biological and therapeutic actions. SFN and stabilized variants recently received regulatory approval for clinical studies in humans for the treatment of neurological disorders and cancer. Read More

J Insect Physiol 2021 Apr 5:104236. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Italy. Electronic address:

Herbicides have become the most commonly applied agrochemicals in agroecosystems. Thus, basic knowledge of their physiological effects on insects is needed, especially for understanding their impact on beneficial insect species. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a pendimethalin-based herbicide (PND) on the cellular immune response of the carabid beetle Harpalus (Pseudoophonus) rufipes (De Geer 1774) (Coleoptera, Carabidae), acting as biocontrol agent in agroecosystems. Read More

J Nematol 2020 31;52. Epub 2020 Aug 31.

Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection-CNR, Via Amendola 122/D, 70126, Bari, Italy.

During a field survey for entomopathogenic nematodes in Georgia, in the territory of Borjomi-Kharagauli, a nematode population was isolated from the body of single dead beetle of Motschulsky 1845 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Based on morphological characters and molecular analyses, the nematode species is identical to (Schneider, 1860, 1866), being the first record of this species in Georgia. Morphometrics of the Georgian population agree with the original description, and females differ from males by very few characters. Read More

J Nematol 2020 22;52. Epub 2021 Jan 22.

Nematology Research Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium.

The root-lesion nematodes (RLN), spp., are among the major plant-parasitic nematodes affecting yam ( spp.) production in West Africa. Read More

J Nematol 2020 24;52. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 484 Russell Laboratories, 1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI, 53706.

is a common and important agricultural pest in Wisconsin, a USA state with a diverse agriculture. We compared populations from around the state to each other and to data published for populations around the world to gain insight on the variability of features important for identification of this cosmopolitan species. Thirteen isolates from samples collected in soybean fields in ten Wisconsin counties were established in monoxenic cultures. Read More

J Nematol 2020 6;52. Epub 2020 Nov 6.

Crop Protection Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju, 55365, Korea.

Rice is one of the most important staple grains in Korea and the largest starch source in addition to its usefulness in the production of beverages. Under different areas and environments of production, various pests and diseases including soil-borne plant pathogens such as plant-parasitic nematodes can compromise rice productivity. In a survey to identify plant parasitic nematodes on rice, cyst nematodes were encountered in rice fields that required characterization and identification. Read More

J Nematol 2020 12;52. Epub 2020 Aug 12.

Professor and Research Scientist, respectively School of Plant and Environmental Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061.

Females, males, and second-stage juveniles of were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of . was typical for species of the genus in general, but differed in several characters, appearing to be in a more primitive state. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 Apr 7;15(4):e0008964. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, New Jersey, United States of America.

Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) caused by a parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is a life-threatening disease in Latin America, for which there is no effective drug or vaccine. The pathogenesis of CCC is complex and multifactorial. Previously, we demonstrated T. Read More

J Physiol 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Dept. of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.

Key Points: The costs associated with immune and thermal responses may exceed its benefits to the host during severe inflammation. In this case, regulated hypothermia instead of fever can occur in rodents as a beneficial strategy to conserve energy for vital functions with consequent tissue protection and hypoxia prevention. We tested the hypothesis that this phenomenon is not exclusive to mammals, but extends to the other endothermic group, birds. Read More

Clin Chem 2021 Apr 5. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Background: The quantification of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy for the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease or after mitochondrial donation, is performed mainly using next-generation sequencing strategies (NGS). Digital PCR (dPCR) has the potential to offer an accurate alternative for mutation load quantification.

Methods: We assessed the mutation load of 23 low-input human samples at the m. Read More

World J Biol Psychiatry 2021 Apr 6:1-38. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Molecular Brain Science Research Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Results: Using various models of sleep deprivation, animal studies support the involvement of mitochondria in sleep via differential gene and protein expression patterns, OXPHOS enzyme activity, and morphology changes. Human studies are more limited but also show differences in OXPHOS enzyme activity and protein levels among individuals with who have undergone sleep deprivation or suffer from different forms of insomnia.

Conclusion: Taken altogether, both types of study provide evidence for mitochondria's involvement in the sleep-wake cycle. Read More

Eur J Pharm Sci 2021 Apr 2:105829. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address:

This work aims to synthesize two novel 1-MT (1-Methyl-DL-tryptophan) grafted CMCS (carboxymethyl chitosan) polymer prodrugs CMCS-amido-1-MT and CMCS-ester-1-MT, and to further manufacture their nanoparticles for potential biomedical applications. The polymeric prodrugs are prepared by three-step chemical synthesis. The chemical structure of drugs is confirmed by FTIR and 1H-NMR. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2021 19;12:588003. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substrate and Function of Natural Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mitochondrial morphology is dynamic and precisely regulated by mitochondrial fission and fusion machinery. Aberrant mitochondrial fragmentation, which can result in cell death, is controlled by the mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). Read More

Zookeys 2021 18;1025:35-71. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.

Kraits of the genus Daudin 1803 are widely known venomous snakes distributed from Iran to China and Indonesia. Here, we use a combination of mitochondrial DNA sequence data and morphological data to describe a new species from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China: . Phylogenetically, this species forms a monophyletic lineage sister to the // complex based on cyt and ND4 genes but forms a sister species pair with the species Wall & Evans, 1901 based on COI gene fragments. Read More

Exp Anim 2021 Apr 2. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College.

To observe the changes in NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in a rat model of diabetes-induced lung injury, and investigate the effect of low-dose ethanol on the production of NLRP3 inflammasome. The type I diabetic mellitus (DM) rat model was established, and the rats were divided into four groups: normal control group (CON group), low-dose ethanol group (EtOH group), diabetes group (DM group) and DM+EtOH group. The rats were fed for 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. Read More

Anticancer Res 2021 Apr;41(4):1831-1840

College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, P.R. China;

Background/aim: Peroxiredoxin V (Prx V) plays crucial roles in cellular apoptosis and proliferation in various cancer cells by regulating the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Materials And Methods: Here, we examined the possible regulatory effects of Prx V on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cellular apoptosis and its mechanisms in the human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS cells).

Results: Our findings suggest that Prx V knockdown may significantly increase the DOX-induced apoptosis by aggravating intracellular ROS accumulation. Read More