Metals and metalloids are toxic, persistent, and non-biodegradable and can be biomagnified (e.g., Hg), and therefore pose a serious threat to the algal flora of aquatic ecosystems. This laboratory study tested the effects of metals (Zn, Fe, and Hg) and a metalloid (As) on the cell wall morphology and protoplasmic content of living cells of six widespread diatom genera over 28 days. Diatoms exposed to Zn and Fe had a higher frequency of deformed diatom frustules (> 1%) compared to the As, Hg, and control treatments (< 1%). Deformities in the valve outline and striae were found in all treatments, including the control, whereas deformed raphes and more than one type of deformity were more prevalent under Zn and Hg stress. The order of toxicity is as follows: Zn > Fe > Hg≈As. Deformities were more frequent in Achnanthes and Diploneis (adnate forms) than in the motile genera of Nitzschia and Navicula. The correlation between the % healthy diatoms and % deformities in all six genera showed a negative relationship with the integrity of protoplasmic content (i.e., greater alteration in protoplasmic content was associated with greater frustule deformation). We conclude that diatom deformities can be a good indicator of metal and metalloid stress in waterbodies and are very useful in the rapid biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystems.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00709-023-01864-4 | DOI Listing |
J Cosmet Dermatol
January 2025
Clinical Research Center of the Carolinas, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Background: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles, composed of a phospholipid bilayer, that are primarily derived from stem cells. The contents of exosomes can be incorporated into the tissue in which they are introduced, which presents a unique therapeutic option.
Aims: Exosomes have been investigated as a treatment for a number of medical ailments, but the literature supporting these indications is inconclusive.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chao-Wang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Skin, as the first line of defence of the human body, is exposed to dangers such as overheating substances, ultraviolet rays, and environmental pollutants, and the incidence of skin diseases is increasing annually. Oxidative stress plays a dominant role in most skin diseases. Abelmoschus manihot (L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Data
January 2025
Laboratory of RNA Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, 02-109, Poland.
Gametogenesis is a process in which dysfunctions lead to infertility, a growing health and social problem worldwide. In both spermatogenesis and oogenesis, post-transcriptional gene expression regulation is crucial. Essentially, all mRNAs possess non-templated poly(A) tails, whose composition and dynamics (elongation, shortening, and modifications) determine the fate of mRNA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biol Chem
January 2025
Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal. Electronic address:
The translocation of proteins from the cytoplasm to the endoplasmic reticulum occurs via a conserved Sec61 protein channel. Previously, we reported that mutations in histones cause downregulation of a CUP1 copper metallothionein and copper exposure inhibits the activity of Sec61. However, the role of epigenetic dysregulation on the activity of channel is not clear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedicine (Baltimore)
January 2025
Opthalmology, Chongqing Hechuan District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China.
Background: Bushen-Huoxue-Mingmu-Formula (MMF) has achieved definite clinical efficacy. However, its mechanism is still unclear.
Objective: Investigating the molecular mechanism of MMF to protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).
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