Mechanistic Insights into the Binding of Boar Salivary Pheromones and Putative Molecule with Receptor Proteins: A Comparative Computational Approach.

Precise estrus detection in sows is pivotal in increasing the productivity within the pork industry. Sows in estrus exhibit exclusive behaviors when exposed to either a live boar or the steroid pheromones androstenone and androstenol. Recently, a study employing solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has identified a novel salivary molecule in boars, known as quinoline.

Rbm8a deficiency causes hematopoietic defects by modulating Wnt/PCP signaling.

Defects in blood development frequently occur among syndromic congenital anomalies. Thrombocytopenia-Absent Radius (TAR) syndrome is a rare congenital condition with reduced platelets (hypomegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia) and forelimb anomalies, concurrent with more variable heart and kidney defects. TAR syndrome associates with hypomorphic gene function for that encodes a component of the exon junction complex involved in mRNA splicing, transport, and nonsense-mediated decay.

Fishing for answers to hemostatic and thrombotic disease: Genome editing in zebrafish.

Over the past two decades, the teleost vertebrate (zebrafish) has emerged as a model for hemostasis and thrombosis. At genomic and functional levels, there is a high degree of conservation of the hemostatic system with that of mammals. Numerous features of the fish model offer unique advantages for investigating hemostasis and thrombosis.

Evaluation of Maghemite Nanoparticles-Induced Developmental Toxicity and Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish Embryos/Larvae.

Maghemite nanoparticles ([Formula: see text] NPs) have a wide array of applications in various industries including biomedical field. There is an absence of legislation globally for the regulation of the production, use, and disposal of such NPs as they are eventually dumped into the environment where these NPs might affect the living systems. This study evaluates the effect of the [Formula: see text] NP-induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos/larvae.

Fisetin Inhibits Autophagy in HepG2 Cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AMPK Pathway.

The effect of fisetin on autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma remains uncovered. HepG2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of fisetin (25, 50, and 100 µM) for 24 h. The cells were also treated with rapamycin and chloroquine alone or in combination with fisetin.

Selective detection of pyrophosphate anion by zinc ensemble of C-symmetric triaminoguanidine-pyrrole conjugate and its biosensing applications.

A new-fangled C-symmetric triaminoguanidine-pyrrole conjugate has been constructed and utilized for sensing applications. The probe selectively detects zinc ions (Zn) by colorimetric as well as turn-on fluorescent manner. Further, the in-situ formed zinc ensemble displays turn-off fluorescence response towards the pyrophosphate anion (PPi) via displacement approach.

Fisetin, a phytopolyphenol, targets apoptotic and necroptotic cell death in HepG2 cells.

Fisetin (3,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone), a bioactive dietary flavonoid, intrigued scientists for its anticancer potential against various cancer types. We investigated the fisetin-induced inhibition of growth and survival of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Fisetin decreased cell viability and proliferation of HepG2 cells as revealed from MTT and clonogenicity assays.

Ferulic acid attenuates arsenic-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Arsenic (As), a potent environmental toxin, causes cardiac functional impairments. Ferulic acid (FA), a ubiquitous dietary hydroxycinnamate, exerts beneficial effects on human health. Hence, the present study investigated the effect of FA on myocardial oxidative stress parameters, ATP level, the status of cardiac cytoskeleton intermediate filaments-desmin and vimentin, and AMPK signaling proteins in As-intoxicated rats.

Acute fluoride exposure alters myocardial redox and inflammatory markers in rats.

Acute fluoride (F) exposure adversely impairs cardiac functions. We previously reported that acute F toxicity causes modulation in oxidant and antioxidant systems, heat shock proteins, cytoskeletal proteins and AMPK signaling proteins in the myocardium of rats. With these findings, we hypothesized that acute F intoxication may trigger an acute myocardial inflammatory response through the activation of NF-κB signaling and reduction of redox signaling regulatory system.

Role of epigenetics in zebrafish development.

The role of epigenetics in development has garnered attention in recent years due to their ability to modulate the embryonic developmental gene expression in response to the environmental cues. The epigenetic mechanisms - DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs have a unique impact on vertebrate development. Zebrafish, a model vertebrate organism is being used widely in developmental studies due to their high fecundability and rapid organogenesis.

Chronic exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles causes muscle toxicity in adult zebrafish.

Repeated deposition of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) into aquatic systems makes them a global threat since the NPs accumulate in various organs of the fish particularly skeletal muscle. In the present study, adult zebrafish were exposed to different concentrations of CuO-NPs (1 and 3 mg/L) for a period of 30 days. The status of functional markers (acetylcholinesterase, creatine kinase-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase) and oxidative stress markers (oxidants and antioxidants) were analyzed.

Identification of compounds that inhibit the binding of Keap1a/Keap1b Kelch DGR domain with Nrf2 ETGE/DLG motifs in zebrafish.

The Keap1-Nrf2-ARE system serves as a premier defence mechanism to curb oxidative stress, which remains as one of the major causes of ageing and pathogenesis in various diseases. Nrf2 is the principal master regulator of the cellular defence system, and its activation remains the prospective therapeutic approach against chronic diseases. One of the recent strategies is to disrupt Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) that alters the docking of Keap1 with Nrf2 by compounds occupying a position in the Keap1 blocking the interface with Nrf2.

Dysregulation of Nrf2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role in Cancer Progression and Chemoresistance.

The liver executes versatile functions and is the chief organ for metabolism of toxicants/xenobiotics. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and the third foremost cause of cancer death worldwide. Oxidative stress is a key factor related with the development and progression of HCC.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of Nrf2 binding sites - Antioxidant response elements in zebrafish.

In the post-genomic era, deciphering the Nrf2 binding sites - antioxidant response elements (AREs) is an essential task that underlies and governs the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway - a cell survival response pathway to environmental stresses in the vertebrate model system. AREs regulate the transcription of a repertoire of phase II detoxifying and/or oxidative-stress responsive genes, offering protection against toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and xenobiotics. In order to identify and analyze AREs in zebrafish, a pattern search algorithm was developed to identify AREs and computational tools available online were utilized to analyze the identified AREs in zebrafish.

Tamarind seed coat extract restores fluoride-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in rats.

Fluoride (F) is becoming an ineluctable environmental pollutant causing deleterious effects in humans. In the present study, we examined whether tamarind seed coat extract (TSCE) is beneficial against the F-induced systemic toxicity and hematological changes. Wistar rats were randomly grouped as follows: group I served as control; group II intoxicated with sodium fluoride (NaF, 300 ppm) in drinking water; group III was administered through oral intubation with TSCE (100 mg/kg bw); group IV was treated with NaF (300 ppm) in association with TSCE (100 mg/kg bw) for 30 days.

Analysis of Lethality and Malformations During Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Development.

The versatility offered by zebrafish (Danio rerio) makes it a powerful and an attractive vertebrate model in developmental toxicity and teratogenicity assays. Apart from the newly introduced chemicals as drugs, xenobiotics also induce abnormal developmental abnormalities and congenital malformations in living organisms. Over the recent decades, zebrafish embryo/larva has emerged as a potential tool to test teratogenicity potential of these chemicals.

Antioxidant response elements: Discovery, classes, regulation and potential applications.

Exposure to antioxidants and xenobiotics triggers the expression of a myriad of genes encoding antioxidant proteins, detoxifying enzymes, and xenobiotic transporters to offer protection against oxidative stress. This articulated universal mechanism is regulated through the cis-acting elements in an array of Nrf2 target genes called antioxidant response elements (AREs), which play a critical role in redox homeostasis. Though the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE system involves many players, AREs hold the key in transcriptional regulation of cytoprotective genes.

A review on the chemotherapeutic potential of fisetin: In vitro evidences.

During the past five decades, cancer cell lines are being successfully used as an in vitro model to discover the anti-cancer potential of plant secondary metabolites. Fisetin - the most popular polyphenol from fruits and vegetables, exhibits a repertoire of promising pharmacological features. Such versatile properties make fisetin an excellent anticancer agent and its efficacy as a chemotherapeutic agent against tumor heterogeneity from in vitro studies are encouraging.

Differential expression of myocardial heat shock proteins in rats acutely exposed to fluoride.

Acute fluoride (F) toxicity is known to cause severe cardiac complications and leads to sudden heart failure. Previously, we reported that increased myocardial oxidative damage, apoptosis, altered cytoskeleton and AMPK signaling proteins associated with energy deprivation in acute F induced cardiac dysfunction. The present study was aimed to decipher the status of myocardial heat shock proteins (Hsps-Hsp27, Hsp32, Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90) and heat shock transcription factor 1 (Hsf1) in acute F-intoxicated rats.

Metal oxide nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents: a promise for the future.

Microbial infectious diseases are a global threat to human health. Excess and improper use of antibiotics has created antimicrobial-resistant microbes that can defy clinical treatment. The hunt for safe and alternate antimicrobial agents is on in order to overcome such resistant micro-organisms, and the birth of nanotechnology offers promise to combat infectious organisms.

Iron oxide nanoparticles modulate heat shock proteins and organ specific markers expression in mice male accessory organs.

With increased industrial utilization of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO-NPs), concerns on adverse reproductive health effects following exposure have been immensely raised. In the present study, the effects of FeO-NPs exposure in the seminal vesicle and prostate gland were studied in mice. Mice were exposed to two different doses (25 and 50 mg/kg) of FeO-NPs along with the control and analyzed the expressions of heat shock proteins (HSP60, HSP70 and HSP90) and organ specific markers (Caltrin, PSP94, and SSLP1).

Acute fluoride poisoning alters myocardial cytoskeletal and AMPK signaling proteins in rats.

Background: Our previous findings revealed that increased oxidative stress, apoptosis and necrosis were implicated in acute fluoride (F) induced cardiac dysfunction apart from hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia. Cardiac intermediate filaments (desmin and vimentin) and cytoskeleton linker molecule vinculin plays an imperative role in maintaining the architecture of cardiac cytoskeleton. In addition, AMPK is a stress activated kinase that regulates the energy homeostasis during stressed state.

In silico prediction of microRNAs on fluoride induced sperm toxicity in mice.

Fluorosis is an endemic global problem causing male reproductive impairment. F mediates male reproductive toxicity in mice down-regulating 63 genes involved in diverse biological processes - apoptosis, cell cycle, cell signaling, chemotaxis, electron transport, glycolysis, oxidative stress, sperm capacitation and spermatogenesis. We predicted the miRNAs down-regulating these 63 genes using TargetScan, DIANA and MicroCosm.

Repeated exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles causes testicular toxicity in mice.

The aim of this study was to determine whether repeated exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe O -NPs) could be toxic to mice testis. Fe O -NPs (25 and 50 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered into mice once a week for 4 weeks. Our study showed that Fe O -NPs have the ability to cross the blood-testis barrier to get into the testis.

Acute and sub-lethal exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles causes oxidative stress and teratogenicity in zebrafish embryos.

Nano-copper oxides are a versatile inorganic material. As a result of their versatility, the immense applications and usage end up in the environment causing a concern for the lifespan of various beings. The ambiguities surround globally on the toxic effects of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs).