We here review the use of quantum dots (QDs) for the imaging of sarcomeric movements in cardiac muscle. QDs are fluorescence substances (CdSe) that absorb photons and reemit photons at a different wavelength (depending on the size of the particle); they are efficient in generating long-lasting, narrow symmetric emission profiles, and hence useful in various types of imaging studies. Recently, we developed a novel system in which the length of a particular, single sarcomere in cardiomyocytes can be measured at ~30 nm precision. Moreover, our system enables accurate measurement of sarcomere length in the isolated heart. We propose that QDs are the ideal tool for the study of sarcomere dynamics during excitation-contraction coupling in healthy and diseased cardiac muscle.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/313814 | DOI Listing |
Dis Aquat Organ
January 2025
Mississippi Aquarium, Department of Veterinary Services, Gulfport, Mississippi 39502, USA.
This report documents complications in false pilchard Harengula clupeola and scad Decapterus macarellus associated with a salinomycin (60 mg kg-1) and amprolium (100 mg kg-1) gel feed treatment, along with prolonged temperature increase, for an Enteromyxum leei outbreak in a salt water, mixed species, public aquarium exhibit. Shortly after administration, a mass mortality event ensued where hundreds of false pilchards and a few scad died. Medicated gel feed was noted within the gastrointestinal tracts of all affected fish.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Kidney J
January 2025
Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a nuclear transcription factor that plays a critical role in regulating fluid, electrolytes, blood pressure, and hemodynamic stability. In conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF), MR overactivation leads to increased salt and water retention, inflammatory and fibrotic gene expression, and organ injury. The MR is essential for transcriptional regulation and is implicated in metabolic, proinflammatory, and pro-fibrotic pathways.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Sci
January 2025
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Dysregulated energy metabolism, particularly lipid metabolism disorders, has been identified as a key factor in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is a deacetylase involved in the regulation of metabolism and cellular energy homeostasis, yet its role in the progression of DCM remains unclear. We observed significantly reduced SIRT2 expression in DCM model mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiscov Med (Cham)
January 2025
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada.
Background: Microvascular dysfunction (MVD) is a recognized sign of disease in heart failure progression. Intact blood vessels exhibit abnormal vasoreactivity in early stage, subsequently deteriorating to rarefaction and reduced perfusion. In managing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), earlier diagnosis is key to improving management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFR Soc Open Sci
January 2025
School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
Lymphatic system failures contribute to cardiovascular and various other diseases. A critical function of the lymphatic vascular system is the active pumping of fluid from the interstitium back into the blood circulation by periodic contractions of lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) in the vessel walls. As in cardiac pacemaking, these periodic contractions can be interpreted as occurring due to linked pacemaker oscillations in the LMC membrane potential (M-clock) and calcium concentration (C-clock).
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