Sea pens (Superfamily Pennatuloidea) are a specialized group of octocorals that evolved to live embedded in a soft-sedimented seafloor using their peduncles as anchors. Rock-inhabiting sea pens ("rock pens") were first described in 2011; their peduncle is modified into a suction cup-like structure that allows them to attach onto the surface of hard substrates, an adaptation previously unknown in sea pens. There are currently four species that have been identified as rock pens based on their peduncular morphology: three of these are in the genus Anthoptilum (Anthoptilidae), and one in the genus Calibelemnon (Scleroptilidae).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntioxidants (Basel)
November 2024
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that is classically defined by the extracellular deposition of senile plaques rich in amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein and the intracellular accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that are rich in aberrantly modified tau protein. In addition to aggregative and proteostatic abnormalities, neurons affected by AD also frequently possess dysfunctional mitochondria and disrupted mitochondrial maintenance, such as the inability to eliminate damaged mitochondria via mitophagy. Decades have been spent interrogating the etiopathogenesis of AD, and contributions from model organism research have aided in developing a more fundamental understanding of molecular dysfunction caused by Aβ and toxic tau aggregates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFerroptosis has been characterized as a form of iron-dependent regulated cell death accompanied by an accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid oxidation products along with typical morphological alterations in mitochondria. Ferroptosis is activated by diverse triggers and inhibited by ferrostatin-1 and liproxstatin-1, apart from iron chelators and several antioxidants, and the process is implicated in multiple pathological conditions. There are, however, certain ambiguities about ferroptosis, especially regarding the final executioner of cell death subsequent to the accumulation of ROS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Inhibitors of glucose transporters are being explored as potential anti-cancer drugs. Decreased cerebral glucose utilization with reduced levels of several glucose transporters is also an important pathogenic signature of neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's disease, but its exact role in the pathogenesis of this disease is not established. We explored in an experimental model if inhibitors of glucose transporters could lead to altered amyloid-beta homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuronal death, which are relevant in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe development of neuroprotective drugs targeting mitochondria could be an important strategy in combating the progressive clinical course of Parkinson's disease. In the current study, we demonstrated that in SH-SY5Y cells (human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cell line), rotenone caused a dose-dependent (0.25-1 μM) and time-dependent (up to 48 h) loss of cell viability and a loss of cellular ATP content with mitochondrial membrane depolarization and an increased formation of reactive oxygen species; all these processes were markedly prevented by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore blocker cyclosporine A, which did not affect complex I inhibition by rotenone.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Protein Chem Struct Biol
May 2022
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized classically by motor manifestations. However, nonmotor symptoms appear early in the course of the disease progression, making both diagnosis and treatment difficult. The pathology of PD is complicated by the accumulation and aggregation of misfolded proteins in intracellular cytoplasmic inclusions called Lewy bodies (LBs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), namely ranibizumab (RBZ) or bevacizumab (BVZ), after either focal or grid or scatter laser photocoagulation, for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in the Indian population.
Methods: Retrospective data were collected in the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata, India between January 2018 and June 2019. Seventy-seven eyes received 3 consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of RBZ (0.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder of the elderly, presenting primarily with symptoms of motor impairment. The disease is diagnosed most commonly by clinical examination with a great degree of accuracy in specialized centers. However, in some cases, non-classical presentations occur when it may be difficult to distinguish the disease from other types of degenerative or non-degenerative movement disorders with overlapping symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNADPH oxidase as an important source of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) has gained enormous importance over the years, and the detailed structures of all the isoenzymes of the NADPH oxidase family and their regulation have been well explored. The enzyme has been implicated in a variety of diseases including neurodegenerative diseases. The present brief review examines the body of evidence that links NADPH oxidase with the genesis and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMult Scler Relat Disord
June 2021
Background: Spinal cord complications associated with coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are being widely reported. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize so far available pieces of evidence documenting de novo novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) mediated spinal cord demyelinating diseases. Indeed, the spinal demyelinating disorders that have been reported in those patients who have suffered from COVID-19 rather than on the people already living with diagnosed or undiagnosed primary demyelinating disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExpert Rev Anti Infect Ther
October 2021
: COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge loss of human lives and extensive socio-economic damages. The immuno-pathology of this disease is neither clearly understood nor there are effective drugs for severe cases of COVID-19. Repurposing of available drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 is imperative.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith the growing number of COVID-19 cases in recent times. significant set of patients with extra pulmonary symptoms has been reported worldwide. Here we venture out to summarize the clinical profile, investigations, and radiological findings among patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated meningoencephalitis in the form of a systemic review.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present study aimed to explore the early predictive marker of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to elucidate the associated demographic, metabolic, and ocular factors. We enrolled 43 type 2 diabetic subjects with mild non-proliferative retinopathy (MNPDR), 30 diabetic subjects with no retinopathy (DNR), and 35 healthy controls (HC). The study groups showed no significant alteration in central macular thickness (CMT) and visual acuity (VA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe ongoing Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic has witnessed global political responses of unimaginable proportions. Many nations have implemented lockdowns that involve mandating citizens not to leave their residences for non-essential work. The Indian government has taken appropriate and commendable steps to curtail the community spread of COVID-19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe toxicity of accumulated α-synuclein plays a key role in the neurodegeneration of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study has demonstrated that iron in varying concentrations (up to 400 µM) causes an increase in α-synuclein content in SH-SY5Y cells associated with mitochondrial depolarization, decreased cellular ATP content and loss of cell viability during incubation up to 96 h. Knocking-down α-synuclein expression prevents cytotoxic actions of iron, which can also be prevented by cyclosporine A (a blocker of mitochondrial permeability transition pore).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present study demonstrates the efficacies of synthetic 1,8-cineole and an 1,8-cineole-rich supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO) extract of small cardamom seeds in preventing oligomerization of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ42) and inhibiting iron-dependent oxyradical production in vitro. The oligomerization of Aβ42 was monitored by thioflavin T assay and MALDI-TOF analysis of the oligomers. The iron-dependent production of oxygen free radicals was detected by fluorometric benzoate hydroxylation assay.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe cytotoxicity of dopamine on cultured cells of neural origin has been used as a tool to explore the mechanisms of dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. In the current study, we have shown that dopamine induces a dose-dependent (10-40 μM) and time-dependent (up to 96 h) loss of cell viability associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and increased intra-cellular accumulation of α-synuclein in cultured SH-SY5Y cells. Dopamine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the loss of cell viability under our experimental conditions could be prevented by cyclosporine, a blocker of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, as well as the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate oxidative stress and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) status of alcoholics and discern their association, if any, with visual contrast sensitivity function.
Methods: Forty male alcoholic subjects and 36 male non-alcoholic subjects with the same age and nutritional status were enrolled in this study. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity of erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric assay.
Background: There is a growing body of evidence in animal and cell based models of Parkinson's disease (PD) to suggest that overexpression and / or abnormal accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein can trigger neuronal death. This important role of α-synuclein in PD pathogenesis is supported by the fact that duplication, triplication and mutations of α-synuclein gene cause familial forms of PD.
Methods: A review of literature was performed by searching PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant articles highlighting the pathogenic role of α-synuclein and the potential therapeutic implications of targeting various pathways related to this protein.
Int J Alzheimers Dis
September 2015
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the major cause of dementia worldwide, is characterized by progressive loss of memory and cognition. The sporadic form of AD accounts for nearly 90% of the patients developing this disease. The last century has witnessed significant research to identify various mechanisms and risk factors contributing to the complex etiopathogenesis of AD by analyzing postmortem AD brains and experimenting with animal and cell culture based models.
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