Cardiac end vascular responses of isolated rat tissues treated with diterpenes from Sinularia flexibilis (Coelenterata: Octocorallia)

The marine environment is a rich source of compounds with cardiovascular activity. This study characterizes the cardiac and vascular responses in isolated rat tissues of flexibilide, dihydroflexibilide and sinulariolide, three diterpenes isolated from the soft coral Sinularia flexibilis. On rat left ventricular papillary muscles, dihydroflexibilide and flexibilide showed similar potencies (- log EC = 4.69 ± 0.05 and 4.66 ± 0.06, respectively); the maximal response to dihydroflexibilide of 1.4 ± 0.2 mN was 35 ± 7% that of calcium chloride in the same muscles. All diterpenes relaxed rat thoracic aortic rings precontracted with KCl (100 mM) with similar potencies (flexibilide, - log EC = 4.17 ± 0.06). Flexibilide was further characterized and shown to increase force in isolated rat left atria by 0.8 ± 0.5 mN at 1 x 10 M, to increase rate of contraction in isolated rat right atria by 18 ± 5 beats/min at 3 x 10 M and to completely relax endothelium-denuded rat thoracic aortic rings ( - log EC) = 4.14 ± 0.05). Toxicity as indicated by the occurrence of ectopic beats was not observed with the diterpenes at concentrations which produced complete relaxation of blood vessels, maximal positive inotropic activity and minor positive chronotropic responses. Thus, these compounds may be useful lead compounds in the search for improved treatment of cardiovascular disease, especially heart failure

The Senior High School Student-Mothers in the New Normal: Understanding their Lived Experiences on Modular Distance Learning

Balancing motherhood and academic life are a difficult task - being a mother is a demanding role, and being a student is also demanding. With the advent of the new learning modality, specifically modular distance learning, SHS student-mothers face a whole new circumstance in addition to their existing dual roles. This case study explored the lived experiences of five senior high school student mothers in the modular distance learning. Participants met the inclusion criteria of a student mother, which includes (1) a student-mother under the General Academic Strand in a Public Stand-alone Senior High School of the School of the Schools Division of the City of Batac; (2) a working student mother and living with her child;  and  (3)  willingness to participate in the study. Four major themes emerged in the participants' lived experiences, which include (1) struggles with dual roles, (2) learning challenges, (3) realizations, and (4) a strong support system. The findings revealed that the participants faced adversities and struggles as mothers and students and remained more steadfast and resilient in fulfilling their dreams of finishing their senior high school and receiving a basic education diploma amid the pandemic. Hence, the lived experiences of student mothers have established baseline data for developing educational programs and guidance services that can meet the needs of student mothers amid the pandemic

Preparation of Cytocompatible ITO Neuroelectrodes with Enhanced Electrochemical Characteristics Using a Facile Anodic Oxidation Process

Physicochemical modification of implantable electrode systems is recognized as a viable strategy to enhance tissue/electrode integration and electrode performance in situ. In this work, a bench-top electrochemical process to formulate anodized ITO films with altered roughness conducting profiles and thickness was explored. In addition, the influence of these anodized films on neural cell adhesion, proliferation, and function indicated that anodized ITO film cytocompatibility can be altered by varying the anodization current density. Furthermore, ITO anodized films formed with a current density of 0.4 mA cm-2 showed important primary neural cell survival, modulation of glial scar formation and promotion of neural network activity

Cnidaria: Anthozoans in the Hot Seat

Cnidarians comprise a diverse and phylogenetically basal phylum, some of which—such as scleractinian corals (Anthozoa)—are responsible for the formation and maintenance of ecosystems. Anthozoan immunology is a relatively new field, yet has great potential to inform invertebrate immunology, medicine, as well as coral reef conservation and restoration. Here we review cnidarian innate immune mechanisms in the context of invertebrate effector responses. We focus on anthozoans and discuss the blurred boundary between immune and stress responses. We conclude by high 1ighting unique aspects of coral biology and exploring the role of immunology in coral reef conservation and restoration through climate change