Lipid rafts control P2X3 receptor distribution and function in trigeminal sensory neurons of a transgenic migraine mouse model

Mechanisms of disease, diagnostics and therap

Dose optimization, frequency and spectrum of Gamma-ray induced chlorophyll mutations in acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia) cv. Agamalai

Citrus, one of the most popular fruit crops grown worldwide, has high nutritional, medicinal and commercial value. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of gamma radiation with various doses, including 0 Gy, 5Gy, 10 Gy, 15 Gy, 20 Gy, 25Gy, 30 Gy, 35 Gy, 40 Gy and 45 Gy of cobalt 60 sources on acid lime variety Agamalai citrus, (Citrus aurantifolia). The  study was carried out at the Horticulture College and Research Institute in Periyakulam.The mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness were evaluated using the frequency of chlorophyll mutations and the biological damage in M1 plants. The stomatal index reduces (19.62 %– 13.99%) with increasing treatment dose, compared to control (20.39%), although guard cell dimensions, such as length (6.09 µm) in 15 Gy and breadth (4.56 µm) in 5 Gy increase with higher dose treatment than untreated (3.71 µm,3.54 µm). Identifying the mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness of the mutagen and maximising the lethal dosage is the first stage in any mutagenesis research. This work will serve as a foundation for subsequent gamma-irradiation studies in acidlime to generate desirable mutants.

Digital carbon footprint awareness among digital natives: an exploratory study

Changes in use practices due to COVID-19 have illustrated the potential of digital technology as a catalyst of more sustainable and pro-environmental behavior. At the same time, the energy consumption and environmental impact of digital applications and services has been put more firmly on the agenda. In this paper, we adopt a bottom-up approach to explore digital natives’ awareness of their digital carbon footprint, i.e., related to their use of digital services and applications. We present findings from 21 semi-structured in-depth interviews that were conducted to explore (1) to which extent digital natives are aware of and reflect on their digital carbon footprint, (2) what could motivate efforts to reduce this footprint and (3) which compromises they might be willing to make in this respect. The findings point to low awareness of the carbon footprint of digital applications and services. The lack of technological understanding, public information and social awareness about the topic were identified as important factors. In terms of the motivation for adopting pro-environmental digital habits, we found that several factors indirectly contribute to this goal, including the striving for personal wellbeing. Finally, the results indicate some willingness to change and make compromises, albeit not an unconditional one: the alignment with other goals (e.g., personal well-being) and nature of the perceived sacrifice and its impact play a key role. With this work, we aim to strengthen ongoing efforts to increase users’ awareness and to stimulate more sustainable and well-being supporting digital consumption

Solanum tuberosum L: Botanical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Nutritional Significance

Solanum tuberosum commonly known as potato belongs to solanaceae family. The whole part of potato plant including leaves; tuber, peel and juice are used in traditional medicine. A number of pharmacological activities of potato have been reported viz. Antioxidant, anticancer, antiallergy, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anti-ulcer activity. Potato contains Phenolic acids, anthocyanin, flavonoids, vitamin B6, vitamin B3, pantothenic acid, potassium, manganese, phosphorous; copper and fibres. The medicinal properties, traditional uses, nutritional value, phytochemical constituents, taxonomy, geographic origin and distribution have been mentioned in this present review to provide collective data for multipurpose benefits.

Small Molecule Inhibitors of the BfrB-Bfd Interaction Decrease Pseudomonas aeruginosa Fitness and Potentiate Fluoroquinolone Activity

© 2019 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved. The iron storage protein bacterioferritin (BfrB) is central to bacterial iron homeostasis. The mobilization of iron from BfrB, which requires binding by a cognate ferredoxin (Bfd), is essential to the regulation of cytosolic iron levels in P. aeruginosa. This paper describes the structure-guided development of small molecule inhibitors of the BfrB-Bfd protein-protein interaction. The process was initiated by screening a fragment library and followed by obtaining the structure of a fragment hit bound to BfrB. The structural insights were used to develop a series of 4-(benzylamino)- A nd 4-((3-phenylpropyl)amino)-isoindoline-1,3-dione analogs that selectively bind BfrB at the Bfd binding site. Challenging P. aeruginosa cells with the 4-substituted isoindoline analogs revealed a dose-dependent growth phenotype. Further investigation determined that the analogs elicit a pyoverdin hyperproduction phenotype that is consistent with blockade of the BfrB-Bfd interaction and ensuing irreversible accumulation of iron in BfrB, with concomitant depletion of iron in the cytosol. The irreversible accumulation of iron in BfrB prompted by the 4-substituted isoindoline analogs was confirmed by visualization of BfrB-iron in P. aeruginosa cell lysates separated on native PAGE gels and stained for iron with Ferene S. Challenging P. aeruginosa cultures with a combination of commercial fluoroquinolone and our isoindoline analogs results in significantly lower cell survival relative to treatment with either antibiotic or analog alone. Collectively, these findings furnish proof of concept for the usefulness of small molecule probes designed to dysregulate bacterial iron homeostasis by targeting a protein-protein interaction pivotal for iron storage in the bacterial cell

From Khoi-San indigenous knowledge to bioengineered CeO2 nanocrystals to exceptional UV-blocking green nanocosmetics

Single phase CeO2 nanocrystals were bio-synthesized using Hoodia gordonii natural extract as an effective chelating agent. The nanocrystals with an average diameter of 〈Ø〉 ~ 5–26 nm with 4+ electronic valence of Ce displayed a remarkable UV selectivity and an exceptional photostability. The diffuse reflectivity profile of such CeO2 exhibited a unique UV selectivity, in a form of a Heaviside function-like type profile in the solar spectrum. While the UV reflectivity is significantly low; within the range of 0.7%, it reaches 63% in the VIS and NIR. Their relative Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production was found to be < 1 within a wide range of concentration (0.5–1000 μg/ml). This exceptional photostability conjugated to a sound UV selectivity opens a potential horizon to a novel family of green nano-cosmetics by green nano-processing

Mutated CaV2.1 channels dysregulate CASK/P2X3 signaling in mouse trigeminal sensory neurons of R192Q Cacna1a knock-in mice

Background: ATP-gated P2X3 receptors of sensory ganglion neurons are important transducers of pain as they adapt their expression and function in response to acute and chronic nociceptive signals. The present study investigated the role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) in controlling P2X3 receptor expression and function in trigeminal ganglia from Cacna1a R192Q-mutated knock-in (KI) mice, a genetic model for familial hemiplegic migraine type-1.Results: KI ganglion neurons showed more abundant CASK/P2X3 receptor complex at membrane level, a result that likely originated from gain-of-function effects of R192Q-mutated CaV2.1 channels and downstream enhanced CaMKII activity. The selective CaV2.1 channel blocker \u3c9-Agatoxin IVA and the CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 were sufficient to return CASK/P2X3 co-expression to WT levels. After CASK silencing, P2X3 receptor expression was decreased in both WT and KI ganglia, supporting the role of CASK in P2X3 receptor stabilization. This process was functionally observed as reduced P2X3 receptor currents.Conclusions: We propose that, in trigeminal sensory neurons, the CASK/P2X3 complex has a dynamic nature depending on intracellular calcium and related signaling, that are enhanced in a transgenic mouse model of genetic hemiplegic migraine. \ua9 2013 Gnanasekaran et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Electrodeposited lead dioxide coatings

Lead dioxide coatings on inert substrates such as titanium and carbon now offer new opportunities for a material known for 150 years. It is now recognised that electrodeposition allows the preparation of stable coatings with different phase structures and a wide range of surface morphologies. In addition, substantial modification to the physical properties and catalytic activities of the coatings are possible through doping and the fabrication of nanostructured deposits or composites. In addition to applications as a cheap anode material in electrochemical technology, lead dioxide coatings provide unique possibilities for probing the dependence of catalytic activity on layer composition and structure (critical review, 256 references)