Effect of Photobiomodulation on Denervation-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Autophagy: A Study in Mice.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether photobiomodulation (PBM) can protect against and attenuate muscle atrophy owing to complete peripheral nerve lesion in mice by acting on autophagy. METHODS: C57BL/10 mice underwent right sciatic nerve transection to induce tibialis anterior muscle atrophy. After 6 hours of denervation, the mice received PBM (wavelength, 830 nm) daily, transcutaneously over the tibialis anterior muscle region for 5 or 14 days. Some mice with sciatic nerve lesion did not receive PBM. Mice that did not have sciatic nerve lesion and PBM were used as controls. After 5 and 14 days, the right tibialis anterior muscle was examined using histomorphometric (cross-sectional area of muscle fibers), Western blot (levels of the autophagy marker LC3), and immunofluorescence analyses (number of LC3 puncta in the muscle fibers). RESULTS: The cross-sectional area of the tibialis anterior muscle fibers decreased after 5 and 14 days of denervation. PBM protected against muscle fiber atrophy after 5 days of denervation and attenuated muscle fiber atrophy after 14 days of denervation. After 5 days of muscle denervation, autophagy did not change, as demonstrated by the comparable levels of LC3-I/II ratio and LC3 puncta between the controls and the mice with atrophic muscle; PBM did not change this profile. After 14 days of denervation, an increased LC3-I/II ratio suggested an ongoing autophagy, which was not affected by PBM. CONCLUSION: PBM attenuated the tibialis anterior muscle atrophy induced by sciatic nerve transection in the mice after at least 5 and 14 days of muscle denervation, without affecting autophagy. The transient protective effect of PBM was observed as early as 5 days after the of complete nerve lesion.

Genotoxicity induced in vitro by water-soluble indoor PM2.5 fractions in relation to heavy metal concentrations.

The aim of the present study was to examine the genotoxicity induced by water-soluble fractions of particulate matter (PM) and its potential relation with heavy metals. For this purpose, the genotoxicity induced on human peripheral lymphocytes by water-soluble PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) collected from the indoor air of various workplaces in Greece (n = 20), was examined by the Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) induction assay and assessed in relation to the concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Cr, and Cd. The number of SCEs per metaphase (SCEs/metaphase), as an indicator of genotoxicity, the proliferation rate index (PRI), as an indicator of cytostaticity, and the mitotic index (MI), as an indicator of cytotoxicity, were measured and assessed in three water-soluble fractions of PM2.5: the total water-soluble fraction WSA (filtered through 0.45 µm), the dissolved fraction WSB (filtered through 0.22 µm), and the non-chelexed dissolved fraction WSC (filtered through Chelex-100 resin). Results showed statistically significant number of SCEs/metaphase in all water-soluble PM2.5 fractions in relation to the control with large variabilities across the workplaces as a result of variations in indoor conditions, sources, and/or activities. The concentrations of genotoxicity were evaluated in terms of mass-normalized genotoxicity (SCEs/mg PM2.5), that represents the genotoxic potency of particles, and air volume-normalized genotoxicity (SCEs/m3 air), that reflects the inhalation risk for people working or spending much time in these microenvironments. Correlation and linear regression analyses were further employed in order to investigate the potential relationships between genotoxicity and the water-soluble concentrations of PM2.5-bounded heavy metals. According to the results, the highest mass-normalized genotoxicity values were found for PM2.5 from the photocopying center, whereas the highest air volume-normalized genotoxicity was found in tavern-2. Significant positive correlations between the genotoxicity and water-soluble metals were derived, highlighting the role that heavy metals play in the genotoxicity of indoor PM2.5. Among the targeted metals, Zn and Pb were found to be good predictors of the genotoxicity of water-soluble PM2.5.

The microbiota influences the Drosophila melanogaster life history strategy.

Organisms are locally adapted when members of a population have a fitness advantage in one location relative to conspecifics in other geographies. For example, across latitudinal gradients, some organisms may trade off between traits that maximize fitness components in one, but not both, of somatic maintenance or reproductive output. Latitudinal gradients in life history strategies are traditionally attributed to environmental selection on an animal's genotype, without any consideration of the possible impact of associated microorganisms ("microbiota") on life history traits. Here, we show in Drosophila melanogaster, a key model for studying local adaptation and life history strategy, that excluding the microbiota from definitions of local adaptation is a major shortfall. First, we reveal that an isogenic fly line reared with different bacteria varies the investment in early reproduction versus somatic maintenance. Next, we show that in wild fruit flies, the abundance of these same bacteria was correlated with the latitude and life history strategy of the flies, suggesting geographic specificity of the microbiota composition. Variation in microbiota composition of locally adapted D. melanogaster could be attributed to both the wild environment and host genetic selection. Finally, by eliminating or manipulating the microbiota of fly lines collected across a latitudinal gradient, we reveal that host genotype contributes to latitude-specific life history traits independent of the microbiota and that variation in the microbiota can suppress or reverse the differences between locally adapted fly lines. Together, these findings establish the microbiota composition of a model animal as an essential consideration in local adaptation.

Microalgae-Derived Pigments: A 10-Year Bibliometric Review and Industry and Market Trend Analysis.

Microalgae productive chains are gaining importance as sustainable alternatives to obtain natural pigments. This work presents a review on the most promising pigments and microalgal sources by gathering trends from a 10-year bibliometric survey, a patents search, and an industrial and market analysis built from available market reports, projects and companies' webpages. The performed analysis pointed out chlorophylls, phycocyanin, astaxanthin, and ß-carotene as the most relevant pigments, and Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina platensis, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Dunaliella salina, respectively, as the most studied sources. Haematococcus is referred in the highest number of patents, corroborating a high technological interest in this microalga. The biorefinery concept, investment in projects and companies related to microalgae cultivation and/or pigment extraction is increasingly growing, particularly, for phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis. These pieces of evidence are a step forward to consolidate the microalgal pigments market, which is expected to grow in the coming years, increasing the prospects of replacing synthetic pigments by natural counterparts.

Development of Water-in-Oil Emulsions as Delivery Vehicles and Testing with a Natural Antimicrobial Extract.

Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions have high potential for several industrial areas as delivery systems of hydrophilic compounds. In general, they are less studied than oil-in-water (O/W) systems, namely in what concerns the so-called fluid systems, partly due to problems of instability. In this context, this work aimed to produce stable W/O emulsions from a natural oil, sweet almond oil, to be further tested as vehicles of natural hydrophilic extracts, here exemplified with an aqueous cinnamon extract. Firstly, a base W/O emulsion using a high-water content (40/60, v/v) was developed by testing different mixtures of emulsifiers, namely Tween 80 combined with Span 80 or Span 85 at different contents. Among the tested systems, the one using a 54/46 (v/v) Span 80/Tween 80 mixture, and subjected to 12 high-pressure homogenizer (HPH) cycles, revealed to be stable up to 6 months, being chosen for the subsequent functionalization tests with cinnamon extract (1.25-5%; w/v; water-basis). The presence of cinnamon extract leaded to changes in the microstructure as well as in the stability. The antimicrobial and antioxidant analysis were evidenced, and a sustained behavior compatible with an extract distribution within the two phases, oil and water, in particular for the higher extract concentration, was observed.

Selective synthesis of Cu2O and Cu/Cu2O NPs: antifungal activity to yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and DNA interaction.

A facile selective synthesis of Cu2O and heterogeneous Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) was achieved through a solvothermal approach by Cu(NO3)2 in proportion of three different surfactants, namely, tetraethylene glycol (TEG), oleylamine (OAm) and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan laurate (Tween 20). Formation aspects for the spherical Cu2O@OAm (30 nm) and Cu2O@Tween (12 nm) as well as for the core-shell and semishell Cu/Cu2O@TEG NPs (7 nm) and the Cu/Cu2O@OAm (170 nm) nanorods have been proposed. The fungistatic and fungicidal activity of the newly synthesized NPs was studied in vitro against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which constitutes a unicellular eukaryotic model microorganism in molecular and cell biology. The antifungal results, based on optical density and fluorescence measurements, clearly indicate that the composition, size, and amount of surfactant are of key importance in the antifungal properties of the NPs. Cu2O@OAm NPs exhibited the most prominent antifungal activity with 3.73 µg/mL IC(50viability) value. The isolated DNA of S. cerevisiae cells after exposure to the NPs was investigated, and binding and/or degradation phenomena were recorded that are correlated to the size and concentration of the NPs. Their activity pathway was further explored, and reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation were verified mainly for Cu2O NPs.

Common Deletion (CD) in mitochondrial DNA of irradiated rat heart.

The purpose of this study was to map the common deletion (CD) area in mtDNA and investigate the levels of this deletion in irradiated heart. The assays were developed in male Wistar rats that were irradiated with three different single doses (5, 10 or 15 Gy) delivered directly to the heart and the analyses were performed at various times post-irradiation (3, 15 or 120 days). The CDs area were sequenced and the CD quantified by real-time PCR. Our study demonstrated that the CD levels progressively decreased from the 3rd until the 15th day after irradiation, and then increased thereafter. Additionally, it was observed that the levels of CD are modulated differently according to the different categories of doses (moderate and high). This study demonstrated an immediate response to ionizing radiation, measured by the presence of mutations in the CD area and a decrease in the CD levels.

Biodegradable PBAT/PLA blend films incorporated with turmeric and cinnamomum powder: A potential alternative for active food packaging.

Active packaging made from biodegradable polymers and natural additives appears as an ecological alternative. In addition to having antioxidant activity and enhancing food preservation, it allows mitigating the negative impacts caused by improper disposal. This study pursued to produce biodegradable films based on a polymer blend PBAT/PLA (Ecovio®) using the flat extrusion method. The films were prepared with the incorporation of 5 wt% of powdered turmeric or cinnamon as natural additives. The films obtained, and those reprocessed twice, were characterized in terms of colorimetric, UV light transmittance, water contact angle, water vapor permeability, morphology, mechanical properties, and antioxidant activity. Cinnamon reduced the UV light transmittance and made a surface more hydrophobic. Reprocessing led to greater elongation and maximum load, associated with increased dispersion and distribution, as evidenced in the morphological analysis. The films developed have significant potential for applications in active food packaging, with emphasis on cinnamon-additivated films.

Caspase-3 activation and increased procollagen type I in irradiated hearts.

The caspase-3-cleaved presence was evaluated in this study in the heart of irradiated rats, during the decline of ventricular function. Female Wistar rats were irradiated with a single dose of radiation (15 Gy) delivered directly to the heart and the molecular, histological and physiological evaluations were performed at thirteen months post-irradiation. The expressions of procollagen type I, TGF-ß1 and caspase-3-cleaved were analyzed using Western blotting. Cardiac structural and functional alterations were investigated by echocardiography and electron microscopy. In the irradiated group, the levels of procollagen type I, TGF-ß1 and caspase-3-cleaved are increased. Significant histological changes (degeneration of heart tissue and collagen deposition) and functional (reduced ejection fraction) were observed. Data suggest that the cardiac function decline after exposure to ionizing radiation is related, in part, to increased collagen and increased caspase-3-cleaved.

Fluoxetine and Curcumin Prevent the Alterations in Locomotor and Exploratory Activities and Social Interaction Elicited by Immunoinflammatory Activation in Zebrafish: Involvement of BDNF and Proinflammatory Cytokines.

The increase in proinflammatory cytokine expression causes behavioral changes consistent with sickness behavior, and this led to the suggestion that depression might be a psychoneuroimmunological phenomenon. Here, we evaluated the effects of the pretreatment with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and curcumin (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) on the immune response elicited by the inoculation of an Aeromonas hydrophila bacterin in zebrafish. Non-pretreated but A. hydrophila-inoculated and sham-inoculated groups of fish served as controls. The social preference, locomotor, exploratory activities, and cerebral expression of il1b, il6, tnfa, and bdnf mRNA were compared among the groups. Behavioral changes characteristic of sickness behavior and a significant increase in the expression of il1b and il6 cytokines were found in fish from the immunostimulated group. The behavioral alterations caused by the inflammatory process were different between males and females, which was coincident with the increased expression of cerebral BDNF. Fluoxetine and curcumin prevented the sickness behavior induced by A. hydrophila and the increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Our results point to the potential of zebrafish as a translational model in studies related to neuroinflammation and demonstrate for the first time the effects of fluoxetine and curcumin on zebrafish sickness behavior.

Antimicrobial Activity and Molecular Docking Studies of the Biotransformation of Diterpene Acanthoic Acid Using the Fungus Xylaria sp.

Biotransformations are reactions mediated by microorganisms, such as fungi. These bioreactions have high chemo- and stereoselectivity on organic substrates and can be applied in the search for new bioactive compounds. In this study, acanthoic acid (AA) was biotransformed using the fungus Xylaria sp., giving the novel compound 3ß,7ß-dihydroxyacanthoic acid (S1). Both the AA and the product S1 were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. To identify and validate possible biological targets as enzymes or proteins involved in the activity observed in vitro, we used the molecular docking method. Hydroxylation at the C-3 and C-7 positions of the biotransformation product enhanced its activity against Escherichia coli as well as its binding affinity and interactions with superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1; PDB ID 4A7G). Based on our results, the SOD1 enzyme was suggested to be a possible target for the antioxidant activity of product S1.

Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by an Aggressive Weight Loss Diet in a Patient With No Predisposing Factors.

Phytobezoars are a well-documented cause of small bowel obstruction. Previous reports include patients who have predisposing factors such as gastric surgery, diabetes mellitus, or poor dentition. Consequences of extreme dieting have also been reported, but a resultant phytobezoar and life-threatening bowel obstruction are rare. We present a case of phytobezoar solely due to a diet inordinately high in fiber.

Genome Sequence of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DmPark25_157, a Bacterial Strain Isolated from Drosophila melanogaster.

We present the genome sequence of a bacterial strain isolated from park25 mutants of Drosophila melanogaster as part of efforts to better understand the microbial communities in D. melanogaster We isolated and sequenced a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain. We present a preliminary comparative analysis with a closely related strain.

Genome Sequence of Acetobacter tropicalis DmPark25_167, a Bacterium Isolated from a Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Here, we report the genome of Acetobacter tropicalis DmPark25_167, a bacterial strain isolated from a Drosophila melanogaster park25 mutant. The park25 mutant is an established genetic model of Parkinson's disease. DmPark25_167 has duplicated methionine metabolism and type IV secretion gene alleles compared with another strain of A. tropicalis.

Preliminary pre-clinical studies on the side effects of breast cancer treatment.

Purpose: Technological advancement in the treatment of cancer together with early detection and diagnosis have considerably improved the survival of breast cancer patients. On the other hand, the potential of patients developing side effects from cancer treatment are not negligible. Despite the progress that has been made in terms of early diagnosis, therapy, and survival, including improvements in the chemotherapeutic agents, radiation and molecular targeted therapies, cardiotoxicity of cancer therapy is still cause for concern. Radiation therapy for breast cancer is associated with increased risk of heart disease and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the association of radiation therapy to chemotherapy is an important aspect to be considered in the development of cardiac disease, as this could play an additional role as a risk factor. Besides the heart effect, other side effects can be observed in the bone, ovary, uteri, and other organs. This paper aims to review the recent literature to present the current understanding of side effects associated with breast cancer treatment. The focus is on recent preclinical studies that have assessed potential changes in different organs that may be injured after breast cancer treatment, both due to both radiation and chemotherapy agents.Conclusion: Radiation-induced heart disease is one important side effect that must be considered during the treatment planning and patient follow-up. The cardiac damage can be potentialized when chemotherapy is associated to radiotherapy, and the literature findings indicate that heart fibrosis plays an important role at the radio-chemotherapy induced cardiac damage. Literature findings also showed important side effects at the bone, that can lead to ospeoporosis, due to the decrease of calcium, after radio or chemotherapy treatments. This decrease could be explained by the ovarian failure observed at rats after chemotherapy treatment. It is of great importance to acknowledge the complications originating from the treatment, so that new strategies can be developed. In this way, it will be possible to minimize side effects and improve the patients' quality of life.

Biological effects induced by doses of mammographic screening.

PURPOSE: Mammography is the diagnostic imaging practice used in screening to detect early lesions suspected of malignancy. It uses a low energy X-ray beam in which a low dose in the order of 2-3 mGy is delivered to patient breast cells. However, it has been speculated that it could lead to significant cell damage, when compared to conventional X-ray. We investigated the biological effects of low doses, with mean glandular doses (MGDs) of 2.5 mGy and 2.5 + 2.5 mGy, on mammary cells in vitro. METHODS: We used the non-tumorigenic cell line (MCF-10A) and two tumor cells lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). Colony formation, apoptosis, and double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) were quantified. RESULTS: The selected MGD regimens did not alter the formation of colonies by any of the cell lines. MCF-7 cells exhibited a markedly increase in apoptosis, 24 h after the single-dose protocol; MCF-10A cells underwent apoptosis only after 72 h, with both irradiation regimens, while MDA-MB-231 cells (highly invasive and metastatic) were not susceptible to apoptosis. The detection of γH2AX histone in the nuclei of irradiated cells showed that the double-dose resulted in increase of DSBs, especially in tumor cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: Although the health benefits of early breast screening remain indisputable, our future perspective is to better understand the biological basis for the effects of low dose radiation on breast cells and to investigate if and under what conditions there would be a risky situation in repeated mammography screening, in both asymptomatic and symptomatic women.

The effect of composition and structural ordering on the magnetism of FePt nanoparticles.

Spherical 4 nm FePt nanoparticles were synthesized by the simultaneous decomposition of Fe(CO)5 and the polyol reduction of Pt(acac)2. The final Fe-to-Pt composition was tuned between 15-55 at.% by varying the ingredient precursor ratios. The effect of composition and structural ordering on the macroscopic magnetic features of final FePt nanoparticles was examined via post-synthetic annealing stages at different conditions. Structural ordering is promoted in all cases, though samples approximating equiatomic Fe/Pt ratios eventually transform to fct-FePt phase while the FePt3-phase is favored for the Pt-richer samples. Consequently, the magnetic features of the annealed nanoparticles may be categorized; the hard magnetic FePt region dominating for Fe content between 40-55 at.% and the soft magnetic FePt3 region dominating in the region 20-30 at.% while Fe content less than 20 at.% results in Pt-richer phases with diminishing ferromagnetic behavior.

Size-induced effects in wet-chemically synthesized CoPt3 nanoparticles.

CoPt3 alloy spherical nanoparticles with sizes tuned between 3-7 nm were produced by the simultaneous thermal treatment of proper platinum and cobalt precursors in the presence of surfactants. The final size and composition of the particles are determined by the precursors' ratio, the chemical behavior of Co precursors and the stabilizing efficiency of the surfactants. By employing higher reaction temperatures (approximately 350 degrees C) better alloying is achieved leading to enhancement of macroscopic magnetic features and decrease of the superparamagnetic limit down to 7 nm.

Cardiac and skeletal muscle changes associated with rosuvastatin therapy in dystrophic mdx mice.

Statins are prescribed to prevent and treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases but have controversial effects on skeletal muscles. While statins are a reported cause of myopathy, some studies have suggested that statins could potentially ameliorate dystrophy due to their pleiotropic effects on inflammation, myonecrosis, and autophagy. In the present study, we evaluated the potential benefit of rosuvastatin treatment on heart, limb, and diaphragm muscles in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice at an early stage (45 days of age) of disease. Mdx mice received rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg) by gavage for 30 days beginning at 15 days of age. Normal C57BL/10 mice received rosuvastatin by the same route over the same interval. In the mdx group, rosuvastatin significantly increased IgG-positive fibers (myonecrosis) and the inflammatory areas in the biceps brachii and diaphragm muscles and decreased the anterior limb muscle force (grip strength). Molecular markers of inflammation (TNF-α and NF-kB) and fibrosis (fibronectin) were not altered by rosuvastatin in mdx mice skeletal and cardiac muscles. In normal mice, rosuvastatin increased CK, TNF-α (heart), NF-kB (diaphragm), and fibronectin (heart and diaphragm). Inflammatory areas were seen in all normal muscles of rosuvastatin-treated mice. Rosuvastatin did not benefit dystrophy in the mdx mice and was associated with inflammation in normal cardiac and skeletal muscles.