In Vitro Biological Activities of Leaf Extracts.

In many developing countries, human health problems are solved using local plants. Knowledge of their chemical composition and biological activities can contribute to the creation of natural-based products usefully employed in human health. In this work, we analysed leaves extracted with diverse eco-compatible procedures and subjected to chemical, microbiological, and cellular compatibility assays.

Comparative Study of Condensed and Hydrolysable Tannins during the Early Stages of Zebrafish Development.

In this study, we present data on the effects of condensed tannins (CTs) and hydrolysable tannins (HTs), polyphenols extracted from plants, at different concentrations on zebrafish development to identify the range of concentrations with toxic effects. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to CTs and HTs at two different concentration ranges (5.0-20.

Disruption of lysosomal proteolysis in astrocytes facilitates midbrain organoid proteostasis failure in an early-onset Parkinson's disease model.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on biopolymers accompanies cellular aging and drives poorly understood disease processes. Here, we studied how AGEs contribute to development of early onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) caused by loss-of-function of DJ1, a protein deglycase. In induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived midbrain organoid models deficient for DJ1 activity, we find that lysosomal proteolysis is impaired, causing AGEs to accumulate, α-synuclein (α-syn) phosphorylation to increase, and proteins to aggregate.

Long-read RNA-seq atlas of novel microglia isoforms elucidates disease-associated genetic regulation of splicing.

Microglia, the innate immune cells of the central nervous system, have been genetically implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases. We previously mapped the genetic regulation of gene expression and mRNA splicing in human microglia, identifying several loci where common genetic variants in microglia-specific regulatory elements explain disease risk loci identified by GWAS. However, identifying genetic effects on splicing has been challenging due to the use of short sequencing reads to identify causal isoforms.

Novel human pluripotent stem cell-derived hypothalamus organoids demonstrate cellular diversity.

The hypothalamus is a region of the brain that plays an important role in regulating body functions and behaviors. There is a growing interest in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for modeling diseases that affect the hypothalamus. Here, we established an hPSC-derived hypothalamus organoid differentiation protocol to model the cellular diversity of this brain region.

Dietary Supplementation with a Blend of Hydrolyzable and Condensed Tannins Ameliorates Diet-Induced Intestinal Inflammation in Zebrafish ().

The current study evaluated the effects of hydrolyzable and condensed tannins from chestnut and quebracho wood, respectively (TSP, Silvafeed), on zebrafish with intestinal inflammation induced by a plant-based diet (basal diet). Four experimental diets were prepared as follows: the basal diet + 0 TSP, the basal diet + TSP at 0.9 g/kg of feed, the basal diet + TSP at 1.

A reference human induced pluripotent stem cell line for large-scale collaborative studies.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines are a powerful tool for studying development and disease, but the considerable phenotypic variation between lines makes it challenging to replicate key findings and integrate data across research groups. To address this issue, we sub-cloned candidate human iPSC lines and deeply characterized their genetic properties using whole genome sequencing, their genomic stability upon CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing, and their phenotypic properties including differentiation to commonly used cell types. These studies identified KOLF2.

FAIM-L - SIVA-1: Two Modulators of XIAP in Non-Apoptotic Caspase Function.

Apoptosis is crucial for the correct development of the nervous system. In adulthood, the same protein machinery involved in programmed cell death can control neuronal adaptiveness through modulation of synaptic pruning and synaptic plasticity processes. Caspases are the main executioners in these molecular pathways, and their strict regulation is essential to perform neuronal remodeling preserving cell survival.

High-throughput generation of midbrain dopaminergic neuron organoids from reporter human pluripotent stem cells.

Here, we describe a high-throughput 3D differentiation protocol for deriving midbrain dopaminergic neurons from human pluripotent stem cells. The use of organoids has become prevalent in disease modeling, but there is a high demand for more homogeneous cultures. Our approach is advantageous for large-scale production of uniform midbrain organoids that can be maintained in diverse formats, and our reporters allow for sorting of dopaminergic neurons.

Towards physiologically relevant human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) models of Parkinson's disease.

The derivation of human embryonic stem cells followed by the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells and leaps in genome editing approaches have continuously fueled enthusiasm for the development of new models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is characterized by the relative selective loss of dopaminergic neurons (DNs) in specific areas of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). While degeneration in late stages can be widespread, there is stereotypic early degeneration of these uniquely vulnerable neurons.

Is Regulated by MiR-206, MiR-1-3p and MiR-133b.

Apoptosis plays an important role during development, control of tissue homeostasis and in pathological contexts. Apoptosis is executed mainly through the intrinsic pathway or the death receptor pathway, i.e.

SIVA-1 regulates apoptosis and synaptic function by modulating XIAP interaction with the death receptor antagonist FAIM-L.

The long isoform of Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (FAIM-L) is a neuron-specific death receptor antagonist that modulates apoptotic cell death and mechanisms of neuronal plasticity. FAIM-L exerts its antiapoptotic action by binding to X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), an inhibitor of caspases, which are the main effectors of apoptosis. XIAP levels are regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

A cross-talk between leptin and 17β-estradiol in vitellogenin synthesis in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss liver.

The existence of nutritional and energy reserves is fundamental for fish female fertility, so that the existence of a correlation between metabolic reserves and reproductive capacity is suggested. Leptin regulates body weight and energy homeostasis. Estradiol induces the synthesis of vitellogenin, a phospholipoglycoprotein produced by the liver and taken up by the growing oocytes.

Rapid Evaluation Methods for Quality of Trout () Fresh Fillet Preserved in an Active Edible Coating.

In this study different methods were used to evaluate the effectiveness of a carrageenan coating and carrageenan coating incorporating lemon essential oil (ELO) in preserving the physicochemical and olfactory characteristics of trout fillets stored at 4 °C up to 12 days. The fillet morphological structure was analyzed by histological and immunological methods; lipid peroxidation was performed with the peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) tests. At the same time, two less time-consuming methods, such as Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transformed Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and the electronic nose, were used.

Mifepristone affects fertility and development in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus.

Drugs such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies are known to find their way into rivers, lakes and seas, and have the potential to affect reproduction and development of the wildlife. The knowledge of the reproductive mechanisms and their regulation in aquatic species is of fundamental importance for predicting and preventing the damage by the increasing release of such chemicals in the environment. Mifepristone, a synthetic steroid used as a drug for chemical abortion, works by blocking the effects of progesterone.

Evaluation of metabolic changes induced by polyphenols in the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus by metabolomics using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy.

In the present study, the effects of polyphenols on the chemical composition of the hepatopancreas of the Astacus leptodactylus, a highly sought farmed crayfish, have been investigated by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The hepatopancreas spectrum was quite complex and contained several peaks arising from the contribution of different functional groups belonging to protein, lipids and carbohydrates. The PCA statistical analysis revealed that there were significant differences between crayfish fed a diet without polyphenols and crayfish fed a diet containing polyphenols.

Evidence for leptin receptor immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract and gastric leptin regulation in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

In this study, evidence for leptin receptor (LR) and gastric leptin immunoreactivity along the digestive tract of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), is reported. Besides this, the regulation of gastric leptin and its transcript by fatty acids was analyzed in vitro. LR was detected mainly in the cells of the stomach gastric glands and in the brush border of the epithelium of the anterior, middle and distal intestine.

Identification and characterization of new isoforms of human fas apoptotic inhibitory molecule (FAIM).

Fas Apoptosis Inhibitory Molecule (FAIM) is an evolutionarily highly conserved death receptor antagonist, widely expressed and known to participate in physiological and pathological processes. Two FAIM transcript variants have been characterized to date, namely FAIM short (FAIM-S) and FAIM long (FAIM-L). FAIM-S is ubiquitously expressed and serves as an anti-apoptotic protein in the immune system.

FAIM-L regulation of XIAP degradation modulates Synaptic Long-Term Depression and Axon Degeneration.

Caspases have recently emerged as key regulators of axonal pruning and degeneration and of long-term depression (LTD), a long-lasting form of synaptic plasticity. However, the mechanism underlying these functions remains unclear. In this context, XIAP has been shown to modulate these processes.

Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecules: more than death-receptor antagonists in the nervous system.

The importance of death receptor (DR) signaling in embryonic development and physiological homeostasis is well established, as is the existence of several molecules that modulate DRs function, among them Fas Apoptotis Inhibitory Molecules. Although FAIM1, FAIM2, and FAIM3 inhibit Fas-induced cell death, they are not structurally related, nor do they share expression patterns. Moreover, they inhibit apoptosis through completely different mechanisms.

Lifeguard Inhibits Fas Ligand-mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum-Calcium Release Mandatory for Apoptosis in Type II Apoptotic Cells.

Death receptors are members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily involved in the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Lifeguard (LFG) is a death receptor antagonist mainly expressed in the nervous system that specifically blocks Fas ligand (FasL)-induced apoptosis. To investigate its mechanism of action, we studied its subcellular localization and its interaction with members of the Bcl-2 family proteins.

The orexinergic system in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and its regulation by dietary lipids.

In this study, we report the distribution of orexin A (OXA), orexin B (OXB), and orexin receptor (OX2R) immunoreactive (ir) cells in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract of Oncorhynchus mykiss fed diets with different dietary fatty acid compositions. Trout were fed five iso-energetic experimental diets containing fish oil, or one of four different vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, linseed, and palm oils) as the added dietary lipid source for 12 weeks. OXA, OXB, and OX2R immunoreactive neurons and nervous fibers were identified in the lateral and ventro-medial hypothalamus.

TNFα sensitizes neuroblastoma cells to FasL-, cisplatin- and etoposide-induced cell death by NF-κB-mediated expression of Fas.

Background: Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NBL) tumors have a high mortality rate. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of new treatments for this condition. Targeting death receptor signaling has been proposed as an alternative to standard chemo- and radio-therapies in various tumors.

Functional characterization of a BCL10 isoform in the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

The complexes formed by BCL10, MALT1 and members of the family of CARMA proteins have recently been the focus of much attention because they represent a key mechanism for regulating activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. Here, we report the functional characterization of a novel isoform of BCL10 in the trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, which we named tBCL10. tBCL10 dimerizes, binds to components of the CBM complex and forms cytoplasmic filaments.

Fatty acid-specific alterations in leptin, PPARα, and CPT-1 gene expression in the rainbow trout.

It is known that fatty acids (FA) regulate lipid metabolism by modulating the expression of numerous genes. In order to gain a better understanding of the effect of individual FA on lipid metabolism related genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), an in vitro time-course study was implemented where twelve individual FA (butyric 4:0; caprylic 8:0; palmitic (PAM) 16:0; stearic (STA) 18:0; palmitoleic16:1n-7; oleic 18:1n-9; 11-cis-eicosenoic 20:1n-9; linoleic (LNA) 18:2n-6; α-linolenic (ALA) 18:3n-3; eicosapentenoic (EPA) 20:5n-3; docosahexaenoic (DHA) 22:6n-3; arachidonic (ARA) 20:4n-6) were incubated in rainbow trout liver slices. The effect of FA administration over time was evaluated on the expression of leptin, PPARα and CPT-1 (lipid oxidative related genes).