Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) is native to India and belongs to the Meliaceae family.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe CRISPR/Cas9 system is a simpler and more versatile method compared to other engineered nucleases such as Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) and Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and since its discovery, the efficiency of CRISPR-based genome editing has increased to the point that multiple and different types of edits can be made simultaneously. These advances in gene editing have revolutionized biotechnology by enabling precise genome editing with greater simplicity and efficacy than ever before. This tool has been successfully applied to a wide range of animal species, including cattle, pigs, dogs, and other small animals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrganoids are in vitro models that originated from the three-dimensional culture of stem cells with the ability to reproduce part of the in vivo structural and functional specificities of body organs. Intestinal organoids have great relevance in cell therapy, as they provide more accurate information about tissue composition and architecture in relation to two-dimensional culture, in addition to serving as a study model for host interaction and drug testing. The yolk sac (YS) is a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are multipotent stem cells with self-renewal ability and potential to differentiated into mesenchymal lineages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeveral species of reptiles and mammals have components in their sera that can neutralize toxic components present in snake venoms. In this manuscript, we studied the neutralizing capacity of Chaco eagle's (Buteogallus coronatus) serum. This South American bird of prey eats snakes as a regular part of its diet and has anatomical features that protect from snakes' bites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe mitochondrial transcription factor A () is considered a key factor in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. Given that the regulation of active copies of mtDNA is still not fully understood, we investigated the effects of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells on mtDNA copy number. The aim of this study was to generate a new in vitro model by CRISPR-Cas9 system by editing the locus in HEK293T cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurogenesis in adult mammals occurs mainly in the subventricular and subgranular areas of the brain, but there are also reports of its occurrence in the spinal cord. In a study on rats, neural stem cells and neuroprogenitor cells could be obtained through primary spinal cord culture, but there are no studies on these cells in canine species, to date. Dogs represent an appropriate animal model for studies on neurogenesis and neurological disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMitochondrial disorders are collectively common, genetically heterogeneous disorders in both pediatric and adult populations. They are caused by molecular defects in oxidative phosphorylation, failure of essential bioenergetic supply to mitochondria, and apoptosis. Here, we present three affected individuals from a consanguineous family of Pakistani origin with variable seizures and intellectual disability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe characterization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from the canine yolk sac (cYS) can contribute to future gene therapies because it is possible to obtain information about the beginning of the development of the circulatory system through the characterization. The cYS is a likely source of HSC, which is a source of blood cell development in mammals. Studies in this field have been conducted for decades; however, interest in cellular therapy is currently at its peak with greater visibility, and these cells are a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of diseases related to animals and humans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe creation of a genetic resource bank of avian species aims to prevent the decline and fragmentation of wild bird populations, which in turn lead to the loss of genetic diversity and, in more serious cases, the extinction of the most threatened species. In order for the collected genetic material to be stored in a bank and useful when necessary, it is essential to improve the technique ensuring its effectiveness. Thus, our study used feather follicle cells from the species to standardize the technique of cell culture and subsequent cryopreservation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGene editing in large animal models for future applications in translational medicine and food production must be deeply investigated for an increase of knowledge. The mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is a member of the HMGB subfamily that binds to mtDNA promoters. This gene maintains mtDNA, and it is essential for the initiation of mtDNA transcription.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), it has been reported that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulation of EP2 and EP4 receptors triggers processes such as migration, self-renewal, survival, and proliferation, and their activation is involved in homing. The aim of this work was to establish a genetically modified adipose (aMSC) model in which receptor genes EP2 and EP4 were edited separately using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. After edition, the genes were evaluated as to if the expression of MSC surface markers was affected, as well as the migration capacity in vitro of the generated cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe yolk sac is an extraembryonic membrane, of saccular form, connected to the ventral region of the embryo. It is the main source of nutrition for the embryo during the period when the placenta is not fully formed. The aim of this study was to generate tubular structures using mesenchymal stem cells from the bovine yolk sac (bYS-MSCs) and determine if these structures can be a model for in vitro vasculogenesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcology
June 2019
The mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) binding protein essential for the initiation of transcription and genome maintenance. Recently it was demonstrated that the primary role of TFAM is to maintain the integrity of mtDNA and that it is a key regulator of mtDNA copy number. It was also shown that TFAM plays a central role in the mtDNA stress-mediated inflammatory response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy on the secretory apparatus of natriuretic peptides in right atrial cardiomyocytes.
Methods: Nine-month-old mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy or sham surgery. The blood exam of the ovariectomized mice showed results consistent with castrated females.
The yolk sac (YS) is the main source of embryonic nutrition during the period when the placenta has not yet formed. It is also responsible for hematopoiesis because the blood cells develop from it as part of the primitive embryonic circulation. The objective of this study was to characterize the transitional area between the YS and primitive gut using the techniques of light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry to detect populations of pluripotent cells by labeling with Oct4 antibody.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study we report that variation in lethality, hemorrhagic potency and procoagulation between individual samples of Bothrops alternatus venom from a single region, and variation between regional pools at the national level are comparable in range. Furthermore, the range of relative neutralization potencies of individual venoms within a region overlaps, and sometimes exceeds, the range of neutralization of regional venom pools throughout the country. Thus, the potency of neutralization of a national venom pool is poorly predictive of the potencies of neutralization of its constituent regional venom pools and, furthermore, the potency of neutralization of a regional venom pool is poorly predictive of the potencies of neutralization of its individual venom constituents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report a study of toxic and enzymatic activities of Bothrops neuwiedi complex venoms collected from specimens of different regions of Argentina and a pool of these same venoms. Were determined lethal, hemorrhagic and pro-coagulant (plasma and fibrinogen) doses and the neutralization of these activities by a bivalent antivenom. The electrophoretic pattern of different regions venom was studied by SDS-PAGE.
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