Integrated formic acid and deep eutectic solvent mediated sustainable synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals from shells.

The present study reports the green synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals from the shells of (SFS) cellulose. Three different methods, alkali, acid and organic acid, were screened for the maximum cellulose extraction. A maximum cellulose yield, 30.

ERMCS Ca transmission fuels cell division.

Mitosis is a cellular process that demands high energy, but it was previously unclear how this process is linked with mitochondrial ATP production. Zhao et al. describe how during mitosis, the lamin B receptor migrates to the ER membrane to enhance ER-mitochondria contact sites, coordinating Ca surges that increase ATP production necessary for cell division.

Limiting Mrs2-dependent mitochondrial Mg uptake induces metabolic programming in prolonged dietary stress.

The most abundant cellular divalent cations, Mg (mM) and Ca (nM-μM), antagonistically regulate divergent metabolic pathways with several orders of magnitude affinity preference, but the physiological significance of this competition remains elusive. In mice consuming a Western diet, genetic ablation of the mitochondrial Mg channel Mrs2 prevents weight gain, enhances mitochondrial activity, decreases fat accumulation in the liver, and causes prominent browning of white adipose. Mrs2 deficiency restrains citrate efflux from the mitochondria, making it unavailable to support de novo lipogenesis.

The human MRS2 magnesium-binding domain is a regulatory feedback switch for channel activity.

Mitochondrial RNA splicing 2 (MRS2) forms a magnesium (Mg) entry protein channel in mitochondria. Whereas MRS2 contains two transmembrane domains constituting a pore on the inner mitochondrial membrane, most of the protein resides within the matrix. Yet, the precise structural and functional role of this obtrusive amino terminal domain (NTD) in human MRS2 is unknown.

Variability of particulate organic carbon and assessment of satellite retrieval algorithms over the eastern Arabian Sea.

Particulate organic carbon (POC) and its variability were studied to assess the accuracy of ocean colour retrieval algorithms over the eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) as it controls the carbon sequestration, oxygen minimum zone and biogeochemical (C, N and P) cycles. The seasonality in the physical and biological processes strongly influenced the distribution of POC along the EAS. Higher POC and chlorophyll a (chl a) during the spring inter monsoon (SIM) in the north EAS were due to detrainment bloom.

SARS-CoV-2 infection enhances mitochondrial PTP complex activity to perturb cardiac energetics.

SARS-CoV-2 is a newly identified coronavirus that causes the respiratory disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With an urgent need for therapeutics, we lack a full understanding of the molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2-induced cellular damage and disease progression. Here, we conducted transcriptomic analysis of human PBMCs, identified significant changes in mitochondrial, ion channel, and protein quality-control gene products.

Resolving macrophage polarization through distinct Ca entry channel that maintains intracellular signaling and mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Transformation of naive macrophages into classically (M1) or alternatively (M2) activated macrophages regulates the inflammatory response. Here, we identified that distinct Ca entry channels determine the IFNγ-induced M1 or IL-4-induced M2 transition. Naive or M2 macrophages exhibit a robust Ca entry that was dependent on Orai1 channels, whereas the M1 phenotype showed a non-selective TRPC1 current.

MCU-complex-mediated mitochondrial calcium signaling is impaired in Barth syndrome.

Calcium signaling via mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex coordinates mitochondrial bioenergetics with cellular energy demands. Emerging studies show that the stability and activity of the pore-forming subunit of the complex, MCU, is dependent on the mitochondrial phospholipid, cardiolipin (CL), but how this impacts calcium-dependent mitochondrial bioenergetics in CL-deficiency disorder like Barth syndrome (BTHS) is not known. Here we utilized multiple models of BTHS including yeast, mouse muscle cell line, as well as BTHS patient cells and cardiac tissue to show that CL is required for the abundance and stability of the MCU-complex regulatory subunit MICU1.

Mitochondrial clearance of calcium facilitated by MICU2 controls insulin secretion.

Objective: Transport of Ca into pancreatic β cell mitochondria facilitates nutrient-mediated insulin secretion. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Recent establishment of the molecular identity of the mitochondrial Ca uniporter (MCU) and associated proteins allows modification of mitochondrial Ca transport in intact cells.

The MafA-target gene PPP1R1A regulates GLP1R-mediated amplification of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in β-cells.

The amplification of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) through incretin signaling is critical for maintaining physiological glucose levels. Incretins, like glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1), are a target of type 2 diabetes drugs aiming to enhance insulin secretion. Here we show that the protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor protein 1A (PPP1R1A), is expressed in β-cells and that its expression is reduced in dysfunctional β-cells lacking MafA and upon acute MafA knock down.

Hypoxia-induced TGF-β-RBFOX2-ESRP1 axis regulates human MENA alternative splicing and promotes EMT in breast cancer.

Hypoxic microenvironment heralds epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion and metastasis in solid tumors. Deregulation of alternative splicing (AS) of several cancer-associated genes has been instrumental in hypoxia-induced EMT. Our study in breast cancer unveils a previously unreported mechanism underlying hypoxia-mediated AS of a crucial cytoskeleton remodeler during EMT.

Large area, one step synthesis of NiSe films on cellulose paper for glucose monitoring in bio-mimicking samples for clinical diagnostics.

There is an urgent need to develop low cost electrochemical sensors wherein the sensor can be disposed after recording data, thereby eliminating the issue of inaccuracy arising from repeated sensing measurements, which plagues most conventional electrochemical sensors. This work is the first demonstration of a NiSe based disposable, one time use electrochemical glucose sensor in bio-mimicking real samples wherein NiSe was hydrothermally grown NiSe on a biodegradable cellulose paper. Both physicochemical (x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope) and electrochemical (impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV)) characterization techniques confirmed the growth and presence of NiSe on a cellulose paper.

Single step grown MoS on pencil graphite as an electrochemical sensor for guanine and adenine: A novel and low cost electrode for DNA studies.

Herein we report a simple, one-step approach to prepare a low-cost and binder free MoS-pencil graphite electrode (i.e., MoS-PGE) for the electrochemical oxidation of DNA nucleobases i.

Preserving Insulin Secretion in Diabetes by Inhibiting VDAC1 Overexpression and Surface Translocation in β Cells.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) develops after years of prediabetes during which high glucose (glucotoxicity) impairs insulin secretion. We report that the ATP-conducting mitochondrial outer membrane voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC1) is upregulated in islets from T2D and non-diabetic organ donors under glucotoxic conditions. This is caused by a glucotoxicity-induced transcriptional program, triggered during years of prediabetes with suboptimal blood glucose control.

The GTPase domain of gamma-tubulin is required for normal mitochondrial function and spatial organization.

In the cell, γ-tubulin establishes a cellular network of threads named the γ-string meshwork. However, the functions of this meshwork remain to be determined. We investigated the traits of the meshwork and show that γ-strings have the ability to connect the cytoplasm and the mitochondrial DNA together.

Bimetallic Pt-Pd nanostructures supported on MoS as an ultra-high performance electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation and nonenzymatic determination of hydrogen peroxide.

The authors report on a composite based electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation and HO sensing. The composite consists of Pt nanoparticles (NPs), Pd nanoflakes, and MoS. It was synthesized by chemical reduction followed by template-free electro-deposition of Pt NPs.

Complementary and alternative medicine use by diabetes patients in Kerala, India.

The study assessed: (1) the prevalence of exclusive use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), exclusive use of modern medicine and combined use; (2) the factors associated with exclusive CAM use; and (3) the expenditure for CAM use among type-2 diabetes patients in rural Kerala. We surveyed 400 diabetes patients selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Exclusive CAM use was reported by 9%, exclusive modern medicine by 61% and combined use by 30%.

The pathogenetic role of β-cell mitochondria in type 2 diabetes.

Mitochondrial metabolism is a major determinant of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Type 2 diabetes evolves when β-cells fail to release appropriate amounts of insulin in response to glucose. This results in hyperglycemia and metabolic dysregulation.

Glutamine-Elicited Secretion of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Is Governed by an Activated Glutamate Dehydrogenase.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), secreted from intestinal L cells, glucose dependently stimulates insulin secretion from β-cells. This glucose dependence prevents hypoglycemia, rendering GLP-1 analogs a useful and safe treatment modality in type 2 diabetes. Although the amino acid glutamine is a potent elicitor of GLP-1 secretion, the responsible mechanism remains unclear.

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein promotes prostate cancer progression by enhancing invasion and disrupting intracellular calcium homeostasis.

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) was recently implicated in the progression of breast cancer. Immunostaining of 342 prostate cancer specimens in tissue microarrays showed that COMP expression is not breast cancer-specific but also occurs in prostate cancer. The expression of COMP in prostate cancer cells correlated with a more aggressive disease with faster recurrence.

Early deficits in insulin secretion, beta cell mass and islet blood perfusion precede onset of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in BioBreeding rats.

Aims/hypothesis: Genetic studies show coupling of genes affecting beta cell function to type 1 diabetes, but hitherto no studies on whether beta cell dysfunction could precede insulitis and clinical onset of type 1 diabetes are available.

Methods: We used 40-day-old BioBreeding (BB) DRLyp/Lyp rats (a model of spontaneous autoimmune type 1 diabetes) and diabetes-resistant DRLyp/+ and DR+/+ littermates (controls) to investigate beta cell function in vivo, and insulin and glucagon secretion in vitro. Beta cell mass was assessed by optical projection tomography (OPT) and morphometry.

Elevated miR-130a/miR130b/miR-152 expression reduces intracellular ATP levels in the pancreatic beta cell.

MicroRNAs have emerged as important players of gene regulation with significant impact in diverse disease processes. In type-2 diabetes, in which impaired insulin secretion is a major factor in disease progression, dysregulated microRNA expression in the insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cell has been widely-implicated. Here, we show that miR-130a-3p, miR-130b-3p, and miR-152-3p levels are elevated in the pancreatic islets of hyperglycaemic donors, corroborating previous findings about their upregulation in the islets of type-2 diabetes model Goto-Kakizaki rats.