474 results match your criteria: "Biological Sciences Center[Affiliation]"

A Drosophila cardiac myosin increases jump muscle stretch activation and shortening deactivation.

Biophys J

January 2025

Department of Biological Sciences & Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY 12180, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY 12180, USA. Electronic address:

Stretch activation (SA), a delayed increase in force production following rapid muscle lengthening, is critical to the function of vertebrate cardiac muscle and insect asynchronous indirect flight muscle (IFM). SA enables or increases power generation in muscle types used in a cyclical manner. Recently, myosin isoform expression has been implicated as a mechanism for varying the amplitude of SA in some muscle types.

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Background And Aims: Herbal plants may contribute to reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Yerba mate (YM) emerges as a candidate to improve endothelial function, hemodynamics, and heart rate variability (HRV) due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially decreasing cardiovascular risk. Therefore, studies are needed to assess the effect of YM ingestion on these parameters.

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Betalains are naturally occurring pigments sourced mainly from (beetroot), spp. (dragon fruit), spp., and spp.

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Reactive dyes used in the textile industry can be harmful to aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the potential cyto/genotoxic effects of the Novacron® Bold Deep Navy reactive dye on fish Astyanax lacustris before and after treatment through a vertical flow constructed wetland system (VFCW). Micronucleus test (MN), cellular morphological changes (CMC), and the comet assay were used to assess the effects of the dye in erythrocytes.

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Our study focused on a mouse model of obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). We administered Semaglutide intraperitoneally (Ozempic ®-0.05 mg/Kg-translational dose) every seven days for six weeks.

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Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have unique properties such as chemical stability, malleability, flexibility, high electrical and thermal conductivity, and catalytic activity, making them suitable for various applications. However, they also pose potential toxicity and environmental contamination risks. Natural zeolites (NZs) are considered excellent inorganic support for reducing the toxicity of AgNPs.

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Drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can improve muscle function and exercise capacity, as well as preventing, attenuating or reversing age-related losses in muscle mass, however, the exact mechanisms by which these drugs affect muscle cells, are not yet fully elucidated. Moreover, the potential epigenetic alterations induced in skeletal muscle tissue are also largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate if enalapril or losartan can change the physical performance and epigenetic profile of skeletal muscle in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

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Low protein uptake during peripuberty impairs the testis, epididymis, and spermatozoa in pubertal and adult rats.

J Dev Orig Health Dis

October 2024

Laboratory of Toxicology and Metabolic Disturbs of Reproduction, General Biology Department, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil.

Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates how a 30-day low-protein diet affects the reproductive development of male rats, focusing on the impacts during critical growth periods.
  • - Results show that the diet led to decreased testicular and epididymal weight, impaired sperm production, and various cellular changes, along with lower testosterone production.
  • - Although some aspects, like testicular and epididymal weight and overall sperm function, improved after a recovery period, permanent histological and morphological issues in sperm cells remained due to the initial protein restriction.
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Genomic analysis of Salmonella Heidelberg isolated from the Brazilian poultry farms.

Braz J Microbiol

December 2024

Bacterial Molecular Genetics Laboratory (GeMBac), Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Biological Sciences Center, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Universitário Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-960, Brazil.

Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on the sanitation challenges posed by Salmonella Heidelberg in Brazil's rapidly growing broiler chicken industry, contributing to salmonellosis outbreaks.
  • Researchers analyzed 13 genomes of Salmonella Heidelberg from pre-slaughter chicken farms, identifying genes linked to antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors, and mobile genetic elements that may facilitate gene transfer.
  • Findings revealed widespread resistance genes and significant associations between resistance and pathogenicity, emphasizing the need for improved control and monitoring strategies in poultry production to mitigate risks related to antibiotic resistance.
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The Ethanolic Extract of Polygala paniculata L. Blocks Panx1 Channels and Reduces Ischemic Brain Infarct in a Dose- and Sex-Dependent Way.

Mol Neurobiol

September 2024

Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.

Polygala paniculata L. is a native plant from tropical America. The therapeutic potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of P.

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The effects of the MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) genetic variant on susceptibility and disability worsening in multiple sclerosis patients are mediated by homocysteine.

Mult Scler Relat Disord

November 2024

Postgraduate Program of Clinical and Laboratory Pathophysiology, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil; Catholic Pontifical University, School of Medicine, Campus Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Interactions between genetic and environmental variables contribute to the autoimmune inflammatory process in multiple sclerosis (MS). Elevated homocysteine levels, and vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies are some of the environmental factors associated with the pathogenesis of MS. Considering that the relationship between MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) genetic variant, homocysteine, and folate in patients with MS remains unclear and that their role were not extensively explored in the clinical course of the disease, we investigated whether this variant and plasma homocysteine and folate levels are associated with MS susceptibility, disability, disability progression, and inflammatory biomarkers.

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There is a growing regulatory and scientific interest in the studies of environmental substances that are capable of interfering with the reproductive system. Among them, parabens stand out due to their widespread use and frequent detection as contaminants in human tissues and biological fluids. Therefore, we evaluated the toxic effects of butylparaben on the viability and follicular staging of bovine ovarian follicles in vitro.

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Impact of gastrointestinal inoculation and benznidazole treatment on infection by Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain, DTU TcII) in Swiss mice.

Exp Parasitol

October 2024

Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, 87.020.900, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, 87.020.900, Brazil; Department of Basic Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, 87.020.900, Brazil. Electronic address:

In Brazil, where Chagas disease is endemic, the most frequent form of transmission of the parasite is the oral route, associated with greater severity and worse response to benznidazole (BZ), the drug used in its treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of gastrointestinal infection (GI) and BZ treatment on the parasitological and histopathological parameters in mice inoculated with a strain of T. cruzi II.

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Article Synopsis
  • Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX), a drug for ADHD, hasn't been studied for its potential toxic effects on kidneys, which is the focus of this research.
  • The study involved male Wistar rats treated with LDX to assess kidney health through various parameters including cell death, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
  • Findings revealed increased cell death and inflammation in the kidneys of LDX-treated rats, but a normal functioning antioxidant system, indicating significant renal changes during the peripubertal period.
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Newly conducted research suggests that metabolic disorders, like diabetes and obesity, play a significant role as risk factors for psychiatric disorders. This connection presents a potential avenue for creating novel antidepressant medications by repurposing drugs originally developed to address antidiabetic conditions. Earlier investigations have shown that GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide-1) analogs exhibit neuroprotective qualities in various models of neurological diseases, encompassing conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.

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Renal protection after hemorrhagic shock in rats: Possible involvement of SUMOylation.

Biochem Pharmacol

September 2024

Department of Pharmacology, Biological Sciences Center, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), SC, Brazil; Graduate Program in Pharmacology, UFSC, SC, Brazil. Electronic address:

Hemorrhagic shock (HS), a leading cause of preventable death, is characterized by severe blood loss and inadequate tissue perfusion. Reoxygenation of ischemic tissues exacerbates organ damage through ischemia-reperfusion injury. SUMOylation has been shown to protect neurons after stroke and is upregulated in response to cellular stress.

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Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) allow for inferences about the relationships between genomic variants and phenotypic traits in natural or breeding populations. However, few have used this methodology in . We aimed to identify chromosomal regions with significant associations between SNP markers and agronomic traits in .

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Neuropathic pain arises from injuries to the nervous system in diseases such as diabetes, infections, toxicity, and traumas. The underlying mechanism of neuropathic pain involves peripheral and central pathological modifications. Peripheral mechanisms entail nerve damage, leading to neuronal hypersensitivity and ectopic action potentials.

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Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide used in agriculture and control of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. As previous reports have indicated the potential of malathion to compromise testosterone production in in vivo models, the objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the impairment of Leydig cell function, considering its critical role in male reproductive function. To this end, murine Leydig TM3 cells were exposed to concentrations of 1, 10, 100 or 1000 μM malathion for 24 h for evaluation of the compound on cell viability.

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Recycling composted human feces as biofertilizer for crop production: Assessment of soil and lettuce plant tissue contamination by Escherichia coli and human adenovirus.

Sci Total Environ

June 2024

Laboratory of Resource Recovery in Sanitation Systems Group - RReSSa, Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Technological Center, Florianopolis 88040-610, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Using waste from sewage systems, particularly human excreta, could save resources and increase soil fertility, contributing to nutrient management. However, because of the pathogenic content in human feces, this resource can pose health risks to farmers and consumers. Therefore, this work analyzed the behavior of the microorganisms: Escherichia coli ATCC13706 and human adenovirus (HAdV-2) in the soil and the internal part of the plant tissue during the vegetative stage after applying spiked composted human feces as biofertilizer.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most common type of dementia. A crucial mechanism attributed to its development is amyloid beta (Aβ) dynamics dysregulation. The extent to which exercise can modulate this phenomenon is uncertain.

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Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an important chronic disease that occurs worldwide.

Aims: This study aims to investigate how the use of the FreeStyle Libre system in Unified Health System (SUS) patients impacts diabetes parameters in patients who receive education on proper insulin administration and the use of the continuous monitoring device, as well as how this affects patients without any concomitant multidisciplinary support in Sergipe, Brazil.

Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized study in a diabetes clinic in Sergipe, Brazil, using the flash method FreeStyle Libre (Abbott).

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Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide used to control pests in crops. Thus, humans are constantly exposed through ingestion of contaminated food or water, inhalation of contaminated air, and through the skin. The juvenile and peripubertal periods comprise a window of development of the reproductive system, sensitive to toxic agents.

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Article Synopsis
  • Prebiotics like Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) were studied for their effects on gut health and mood by using mice on a high-fat diet (HFD).
  • The study involved groups of mice including a control group and those on HFD, with some receiving prebiotics and others medication, allowing researchers to compare behaviors related to depression and anxiety.
  • Results showed that prebiotic treatment improved mood and reduced neuroinflammation, indicating that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in mental health, particularly in cases of diet-induced obesity.
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