Lack of Stim2 Affects Vision-Dependent Behavior and Sensitivity to Hypoxia.

Stromal interaction molecules (STIMs) are endoplasmic reticulum-resident proteins that regulate Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling by store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). The different properties and functions of STIM1 and STIM2 have been described mostly based on work in vitro. STIM2 knockout mice do not survive until adulthood. Therefore, we generated and characterized stim2a and stim2b double-knockout zebrafish. The (stim2a;stim2b)-/- zebrafish did not have any apparent morphological phenotype. However, RNA sequencing revealed 1424 differentially expressed genes. One of the most upregulated genes was annexin A3a, which is a marker of activated microglia. This corresponded well to an increase in Neutral Red staining in the in vivo imaging of the (stim2a;stim2b)-/- zebrafish brain. The lack of Stim2 decreased zebrafish survival under low oxygen conditions. Behavioral tests, such as the visual-motor response test and dark-light preference test, indicated that (stim2a;stim2b)-/- larvae might have problems with vision. This was consistent with the downregulation of many genes that are related to light perception. The periodic acid-Schiff staining of retina sections from adult zebrafish revealed alterations of the stratum pigmentosum, suggesting the involvement of a Stim2-dependent process in visual perception. Altogether, these data reveal new functions for Stim2 in the nervous system.

The influence of different concentrations of flavanol chocolate bars under acute supplement conditions on exercise and performance.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects and acute dosage of different flavanol concentrations in a dark chocolate bar on physiological parameters during steady state (SS) and incremental exercise. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomised, crossover study, 15 healthy participants with a mean ± SD age of 30 ± 7 years; stature 176.8 ± 8.6 cm and body mass 80.3 ± 8.4 kg supplemented with high flavanol (HF) (1060 mg), moderate flavanol (MF) (746 mg), low flavanol (LF) (406 mg), or a control (CON) (88 mg) chocolate bar (~ 34 g), 2 h prior to 40 min of SS cycling (80% gas-exchange threshold) followed by an incremental test to volitional fatigue. During the SS cycle oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]), respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. Plasma samples were collected prior to commencing exercise to determine nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) levels under each condition. RESULTS: There was no observed effect between flavanol concentrations on [Formula: see text], RER, and HR during SS cycling (P > 0.05). [Formula: see text], peak power, HR peak, and RER peak also did not significantly differ between conditions (P > 0.05). There was a small trend for higher plasma NO2- levels following higher flavanol concentration; however, this did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acute supplementation with cocoa of differing flavanol concentrations does not appear to have any effect on exercise and performance. It is plausible that longer flavanol supplementation periods might have greater accumulative effects and thus may potentially elicit a larger effect.

Assessment of acute toxicity and biochemical responses to chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and their combination exposed earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae.

Recurrent application of chemical pesticides in the agricultural fields have adverse impact on flora and fauna of soil ecosystem. Earthworms immensely contribute in increasing the fertility of soil. They may act as a bioindicator for the ecotoxicological analysis of pesticide induced soil pollution. Earthworms, Eudrilus eugeniae were exposed to different concentrations of pesticides chlorpyrifos (OP), cypermethrin (a pyrethroid) and their combination for 48 h by paper contact toxicity method. The LC50 for commercial grade of chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and combined pesticides were determined as 0.165, 0.066 and 0.020 µg/cm2, respectively. To assess the sub-lethal effect of these pesticides, E. eugeniae were exposed to 5% and 10% of LC50 of the pesticides for 48 h. Variation in morpho-behavioural changes such as coiling, clitellar swelling, mucus release, bleeding and body fragmentation in earthworms were observed after exposure of both pesticides and their combination. Various biochemical estimations such as specific activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione -S-transferase (GST); levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were carried out in different body segments. Significant changes in these stress markers were observed at low and high sub-acute concentration of pesticides exposed earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae. Such changes indicate potential health risk to E. eugeniae if exposed to the high concentrations of these pesticides accumulated in soil.

Assessment of the acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin to Heteropneustes fossilis and their impact on acetylcholinesterase activity.

In the present study, the acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate, OP) and cypermethrin (a pyrethroid) pesticides was estimated for 96 h in Heteropneustes fossilis. The LC50 for chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin was found to be 1.90 mg/L and 0.085 mg/L, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) activity in Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to both the insecticides was assayed in brain, muscle and gills. In general, tissue specific as well as dose-dependent decrease in the AChE activity was exhibited by both pesticides. In response to the increasing concentrations of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin as well, a significant decrease in the activity of AChE was found in brain while muscle and gills exhibited lesser inhibition. Thus, the brain was the main target organ for both insecticides, followed by muscle and gills. Between the two pesticides chlorpyrifos acted as more potent AChE inhibitor than cypermethrin since more intense changes in behavioral pattern was observed with the chlorpyrifos. These changes indicate that the effects of these pesticides are at neural as well as neuromuscular level.

Evaluation of acute toxicity of triazophos and deltamethrin and their inhibitory effect on AChE activity in Channa punctatus.

Pesticides are applied to control the pests indoor and outdoor; however, their remarkable amount reaches to the aquatic system through various routes like run-off, leaching, spray-drift, effluent from factories. These are reported to have negative metabolic impact on different non-target aquatic organisms like fishes. Thus, present study is aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of two groups of pesticides, organophosphate and pyrethroid, namely triazophos and deltamethrin, respectively. The test was conducted for 96 h period in a freshwater teleost, Channa punctatus. The LC50 values for triazophos and deltamethrin after 96 h treatment was found to be 0.069 mg/L and 7.33 µg/L. The deltamethrin was found to be about ten times more toxic than triazophos to the fish. In treated fish, alterations in various behavioural patterns were observed with increasing concentrations of both the pesticides as compared to control. Further, tissue specific as well as dose dependent inhibition in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) activity was found in brain, muscle and gills in Channa punctatus exposed to both the insecticides. However, the effect was more pronounced in triazophos treated fishes than the deltamethrin. A futuristic approach on biochemical and molecular studies may throw light on the mechanism of action of these pesticides.