Predatory flatworms belonging to the taxon Kalyptorhynchia are characterized by an anterior muscular proboscis that they use to seize prey. In many cases, the proboscis is armed with hooks, derived either from the extracellular matrix that surrounds the muscles or from intracellular deposits in the epithelium covering the proboscis. Glands associated with the proboscis reportedly are venomous; however, there are few direct tests of this hypothesis. This article reviews the structure and current knowledge of the function of the proboscis in the Kalyptorhynchia, points to areas in which the current understanding of phylogenetic relationships within this taxon is incongruent with our hypothesis of how the proboscis evolved, and addresses areas in need of further research, especially as regards functional morphology and biomechanics.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icb/icv056 | DOI Listing |
Appl Biochem Biotechnol
January 2025
Ethnopharmacology and Algal Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, 636011, India.
In this present investigation, plant-mediated synthesis of titanium oxide (TiO) nanoparticles was synthesized from seagrass (Thalassia hemprichi) using the hot plate combustion method (HPCM). Synthesized TiO nanoparticles optical, functional, structural, and morphology properties were analyzed by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). SEM analysis confirmed the spherical shape of the TiO nanoparticles were observed in various sizes, viz.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProtoplasma
January 2025
Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil.
Insect antennae play a crucial role in communication, acting as receptors for both chemical and physical cues. This sensory reception is facilitated by specialized cuticular structures known as sensilla, which exhibit diverse morphologies and functions. In ants, caste polymorphism and sexual dimorphism manifest in antennal structure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
January 2025
School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), Guangdong 518172, P.R. China.
Helical structures such as right-handed double helix for DNA and left-handed α-helix for proteins in biological systems are inherently chiral. Importantly, chirality at the nanoscopic level plays a vital role in their macroscopic chiral functionalities. In order to mimic the structures and functions of natural chiral nanoarchitectures, a variety of chiral nanostructures obtained from artificial helical polymers are prepared, which can be directly observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochemistry
January 2025
Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal 462066, India.
The mitochondrial outer membrane (OMM) β-barrel proteins link the mitochondrion with the cytosol, endoplasmic reticulum, and other cellular membranes, establishing cellular homeostasis. Their active insertion and assembly in the outer mitochondrial membrane is achieved in an energy-independent yet highly effective manner by the Sorting and Assembly Machinery (SAM) of the OMM. The core SAM constituent is the 16-stranded transmembrane β-barrel Sam50.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Esthet Restor Dent
January 2025
Department of Physiology and Pathology, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil.
Objectives: To evaluate the color change and trans-amelodentinal cytotoxicity of a 22% carbamide peroxide (CP) bleaching gel containing different concentration of manganese oxide (MnO).
Material And Methods: Enamel/dentin discs adapted to artificial pulp chambers were distributed according to treatments: CN-No treatment; CP22%-22%CP; CP22 + 2MnO-22%CP + 2 mg/mLMnO; CP22% + 6MnO-22%CP + 6 mg/mLMnO; CP22% + 10MnO-22%CP + 10 mg/mLMnO applied for 2 h for 15 days. Color change-CC (ΔE and ΔWI) (n = 8) was determined at 5, 10, and 15-day periods (ANOVA/Sidak).
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