Bisphenol-A (BPA) is categorized as a major endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) used to manufacture many plastic products. BPA affects reproductive performance and promotes infertility by causing hormonal imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered gene expression. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of BPA exposure for 28 days on the activity or level of antioxidant response elements (AREs), mRNA expressions of antioxidant genes, and histomorphological changes in the ovary of adult zebrafish.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScientific exploration of phototrophic bacteria over nearly 200 years has revealed large phylogenetic gaps between known phototrophic groups that limit understanding of how phototrophy evolved and diversified. Here, through Boreal Shield lake water incubations, we cultivated an anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium from a previously unknown order within the Chloroflexota phylum that represents a highly novel transition form in the evolution of photosynthesis. Unlike all other known phototrophs, this bacterium uses a type I reaction centre (RCI) for light energy conversion yet belongs to the same bacterial phylum as organisms that use a type II reaction centre (RCII) for phototrophy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the pursuit of cultivating anaerobic anoxygenic phototrophs with unusual absorbance spectra, a purple sulfur bacterium was isolated from the shoreline of Baltrum, a North Sea island of Germany. It was designated strain 970, due to a predominant light harvesting complex (LH) absorption maximum at 963-966 nm, which represents the furthest infrared-shift documented for such complexes containing bacteriochlorophyll . A polyphasic approach to bacterial systematics was performed, comparing genomic, biochemical, and physiological properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFlexible perovskite solar cells introduce opportunities for high throughput, high specific weight, and short energy payback time photovoltaics. However, they require additional investigation into their mechanical resiliency. This work investigates the mechanical properties and behaviors of perovskite thin films and builds a robust model for future research.
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