De-etiolation is Almost Color Blind: The Study of Photosynthesis Awakening under Blue and Red Light.

The synthesis and assembly of functioning photosynthetic complexes in chloroplasts developing from etioplasts during the de-etiolation of angiosperm seedlings are imperative for the plant's autotrophic lifestyle. This study compared the de-etiolation process under monochromatic red or blue light of equal photon flux density during a 24-h illumination period of etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. The aim was to elucidate the impact of these light wavelengths on the etioplast-to-chloroplast transformation and the initiation of light-dependent photosynthetic reactions.

Epigenetic footprints: Investigating placental DNA methylation in the context of prenatal exposure to phenols and phthalates.

Background: Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as phthalates and phenols can affect placental functioning and fetal health, potentially via epigenetic modifications. We investigated the associations between pregnancy exposure to synthetic phenols and phthalates estimated from repeated urine sampling and genome wide placental DNA methylation.

Methods: The study is based on 387 women with placental DNA methylation assessed with Infinium MethylationEPIC arrays and with 7 phenols, 13 phthalates, and two non-phthalate plasticizer metabolites measured in pools of urine samples collected twice during pregnancy.

Lipoxygenase LOX3 Is the Enigmatic Tocopherol Oxidase in Runner Bean ().

Purification of extracts from the etiolated seedlings of runner bean (), coupled with mass spectrometry analysis of proteins revealed that the enzyme responsible for tocopherol oxidation activity is lipoxygenase, an enzyme known for enzymatic lipid peroxidation of unsaturated lipids. Biochemical analysis of the activity, along with the expression profile of three isoforms (, , ) in various parts of the etiolated seedlings, revealed that was the major isoform expressed in the epicotyls, indicating that this isoform was responsible for the tocopherol oxidation activity; in the primary leaves, besides , the other two isoforms might have also contributed to the activity. The experiments performed in the model systems showed that unsaturated lipids were not required for the tocopherol oxidase activity, but that lipids were necessary to provide an optimal, hydrophobic environment of the substrate for the reaction.

Longitudinal Associations between Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates and Steroid Hormones in Maternal Hair Samples from the SEPAGES Cohort.

We assessed phthalate-hormone associations in 382 pregnant women of the new-generation SEPAGES cohort (2014-2017, France) using improved exposure and outcome assessments. Metabolites from seven phthalate compounds and the replacement di(isononyl)cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) were measured in within-subject pools of repeated urine samples collected at the second and third pregnancy trimesters (≈21 samples/trimester). Metabolites from five steroid hormones were measured in maternal hair samples collected at delivery, reflecting cumulative levels over the previous weeks to months.

Prenatal exposure to triclosan assessed in multiple urine samples and placental DNA methylation.

A previous study reported positive associations of maternal urinary concentrations of triclosan, a synthetic phenol with widespread exposure in the general population, with placental DNA methylation of male fetuses. Given the high number of comparisons performed in -omic research, further studies were needed to validate and extend on these findings. Using a cohort of male and female fetuses with repeated maternal urine samples to assess exposure, we studied the associations between triclosan and placental DNA methylation.

Integrating -omics approaches into population-based studies of endocrine disrupting chemicals: A scoping review.

Health effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are challenging to detect in the general population. Omics technologies become increasingly common to identify early biological changes before the apparition of clinical symptoms, to explore toxic mechanisms and to increase biological plausibility of epidemiological associations. This scoping review systematically summarises the application of omics in epidemiological studies assessing EDCs-associated biological effects to identify potential gaps and priorities for future research.

Pregnancy Exposure to Phenols and Anthropometric Measures in Gestation and at Birth.

Background: Some synthetic phenols alter pathways involved in fetal development. Despite their high within-subject temporal variability, earlier studies relied on spot urine samples to assess pregnancy exposure. In this study, we examined associations between prenatal phenol exposure and fetal growth.

Dynamics of Etiolation Monitored by Seedling Morphology, Carotenoid Composition, Antioxidant Level, and Photoactivity of Protochlorophyllide in .

Although etiolated seedlings are widely used as a model to study the de-etiolation process, the etiolation itself at the molecular level still needs elucidation. Here, we monitored the etiolation dynamics for wild type seedlings and lutein-deficient () mutant between 2 and 12 days of their growth in the absence of light. We analyzed the shape of the apex, the growth rate, the carotenoids and protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) accumulation, and the light-dependent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase () transcripts.

Pregnancy exposure to phthalates and DNA methylation in male placenta - An epigenome-wide association study.

Background: Exposure to phthalates during pregnancy may alter DNA methylation in the placenta, a crucial organ for the growth and development of the fetus.

Objectives: We studied associations between urinary concentrations of phthalate biomarkers during pregnancy and placental DNA methylation.

Methods: We measured concentrations of 11 phthalate metabolites in maternal spot urine samples collected between 22 and 29 gestational weeks in 202 pregnant women.

Prenatal exposure to a wide range of environmental chemicals and child behaviour between 3 and 7 years of age - An exposome-based approach in 5 European cohorts.

Background: Studies looking at associations between environmental chemicals and child behaviour usually consider only one exposure or family of exposures.

Objective: This study explores associations between prenatal exposure to a wide range of environmental chemicals and child behaviour.

Methods: We studied 708 mother-child pairs from five European cohorts recruited in 2003-2009.

Comparing the effects of different exogenous hormone combinations on seed-derived callus induction in Nicotiana tabacum.

Callus from Nicotiana tabacum is used as a model in plant developmental research. We tested several phytohormone (Indoleacetic acid - IAA; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2,4-D; kinetin - KIN; 6-Benzylaminopurine - BAP) combinations to compare different approaches to callus induction directly from the seeds of Nicotiana tabacum. Callus formation was observed up to 4 weeks after sowing and the most effective were 0.

Pregnant woman with primary membranous nephropathy - case report.

Unlabelled: Membranous nephropathy is a common form of glomerulonephritis typically presenting between 30 to 50 years of age with nephrotic range proteinuria, with one third of patients undergoing spontaneous remission, one third experiencing non-progressive CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) while the remaining third progressing to ESRD (end stage renal disease).

Case Report: A 21-year old pregnant female developed massive proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia during first weeks of pregnancy and required intensive nephrological evaluation and treatment. Renal biopsy was performed, microscopic examination was consistent with Membranous Nephropathy and as anti-PLA2R antibodies tested positive, active disease was confirmed.

A water-soluble [60]fullerene-derivative stimulates chlorophyll accumulation and has no toxic effect on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (WT 2137) P. A. Dang.

The effect of bisphenol A on growth, pigment composition and photosystem II activity of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical, that can potentially be toxic to plants. In this study we examined the toxicity of 5-50 mg/l of BPA on Arabidopsis thaliana. Additionally, the effects of 0.

HDAC4: a key factor underlying brain developmental alterations in CDKL5 disorder.

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) is a Ser/Thr protein kinase predominantly expressed in the brain. Mutations of the CDKL5 gene lead to CDKL5 disorder, a neurodevelopmental pathology that shares several features with Rett Syndrome and is characterized by severe intellectual disability. The phosphorylation targets of CDKL5 are largely unknown, which hampers the discovery of therapeutic strategies for improving the neurological phenotype due to CDKL5 mutations.

Transient alteration of the vestibular calyceal junction and synapse in response to chronic ototoxic insult in rats.

Ototoxicity is known to cause permanent loss of vestibule function through degeneration of sensory hair cells (HCs). However, functional recovery has been reported during washout after chronic ototoxicity, although the mechanisms underlying this reversible dysfunction are unknown. Here, we study this question in rats chronically exposed to the ototoxic compound 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN).

Using the Accelerometers Integrated in Smartphones to Evaluate Essential Tremor.

Background/Aims: Evaluation of tremor constitutes a crucial step from the diagnosis to the initial treatment and follow-up of patients with essential tremor. The severity of tremor can be evaluated using clinical rating scales, accelerometry, or electrophysiology. Clinical scores are subjectively given, may be affected by intra- and interevaluator variations due to different experience, delays between consultations, and subtle changes in tremor severity.

Mice with ablated adult brain neurogenesis are not impaired in antidepressant response to chronic fluoxetine.

The neurogenesis hypothesis of major depression has two main facets. One states that the illness results from decreased neurogenesis while the other claims that the very functioning of antidepressants depends on increased neurogenesis. In order to verify the latter, we have used cyclin D2 knockout mice (cD2 KO mice), known to have virtually no adult brain neurogenesis, and we demonstrate that these mice successfully respond to chronic fluoxetine.

Lack of cyclin D2 impairing adult brain neurogenesis alters hippocampal-dependent behavioral tasks without reducing learning ability.

The exact function of the adult brain neurogenesis remains elusive, although it has been suggested to play a role in learning and memory processes. In our studies, we employed cyclin D2 gene knockout (cD2 KO) mice showing impaired neurogenesis as well as decreased hippocampal size. However, irrespectively of the genetic background of cD2 KO mice, this phenotype resulted in neither deficits in the hippocampal-dependent learning ability nor the memory formation.

Unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation for disabling kinetic tremor in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Surgical options of multiple sclerosis (MS) tremor treatment are limited and narrowed to thalamotomy or deep brain stimulation of the thalamic nucleus ventralis intermedius. Lack of qualification protocol frequently results in poor outcome.

Objective: To determine prospectively the efficacy and safety of unilateral ventralis intermedius deep brain stimulation as a tool to control disabling kinetic arm tremor related to MS.

Repetitive behaviours in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: tics, compulsions, or both?

Background: Repetitive behaviours (RB) in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) are frequent. However, a controversy persists whether they are manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or correspond to complex tics.

Methods: 166 consecutive patients with GTS aged 15-68 years were recruited and submitted to extensive neurological, psychiatric and psychological evaluations.