Review
Clinical Neurology
Paula Trujillo, Megan A. Aumann, Daniel O. Claassen
Summary: Neuromelanin-sensitive MRI is a non-invasive method that can be used for the diagnosis and quantification of various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders associated with disruptions in the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems. This review focuses on the biological and physical contrast mechanisms of NM-MRI and discusses its potential clinical applications, as well as the challenges and limitations.
Article
Neurosciences
Lindsay J. Agostinelli, Scott C. Seaman, Clifford B. Saper, Dustin P. Fykstra, Marco M. Hefti, Timothy R. Koscik, Brian J. Dlouhy, Alexander G. Bassuk
Summary: Researchers report a study that combines high-resolution MRI and detailed histology to study the impact of neurologic disease on specific cell groups in the human brainstem and cerebellum. These findings are crucial for understanding and diagnosing brainstem lesions.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hemal Weerasinghe, Maheshika Kumarihamy, Hui-Fen Wu
Summary: In this study, a dual optical sensor method (DOSM) using 2D VO2 nanosheets was developed for quantitative analysis of epinephrine (EP) and dopamine (DA). The newly synthesized 2D VO2 nanosheet sensor showed promising results in detecting and quantifying EP and DA with high selectivity and sensitivity using both colorimetry and fluorometry simultaneously. The sensor was successfully applied to real urine samples, achieving satisfactory recovery rates. This study has introduced a new platform for biosensing using the DOSM and vanadium oxidation spectrum.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xuejiao Wang, Yirui Zhang, Mei Li, Qin Qin, Tao Xie
Summary: A dextranase from Penicillium cyclopium CICC-4022 was purified and its enzymatic properties were studied. The dextranase can regulate the molecular mass and homogeneity of dextran. Na+, K+ and NH4+ enhance the activity of the dextranase, while Cu2+ and Pb2+ strongly inhibit its activity. By controlling the enzyme activity, substrate concentration, and time, specific molecular weight dextran with good homogeneity can be obtained.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xibao Liu, Krishna P. Subedi, Changyu Zheng, Indu Ambudkar
Summary: Radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients can lead to persistent salivary gland dysfunction, but treatment with the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant MitoTEMPO effectively protects salivary gland secretion by reducing ROSmt and preserving STIM1.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tucker Stuart, William J. Jeang, Richard A. Slivicki, Bobbie J. Brown, Alex Burton, Victoria E. Brings, Lilian C. Alarcon-Segovia, Prophecy Agyare, Savanna Ruiz, Amanda Tyree, Lindsay Pruitt, Surabhi Madhvapathy, Martin Niemiec, James Zhuang, Siddharth Krishnan, Bryan A. Copits, John A. Rogers, Robert W. Gereau, Vijay K. Samineni, Amay J. Bandodkar, Philipp Gutruf
Summary: Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators play a crucial role in neuronal communication, but studying their release dynamics has been challenging due to technical limitations. Researchers have developed an implantable, wireless, and battery-free platform that allows real-time optogenetic stimulation and electrochemical recording of catecholamine dynamics. The platform has a small size and high sensitivity, making it suitable for studying these dynamics in small animal models. In vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated the platform's capabilities and its potential applications in studying dopamine concentration changes and opioid effects in freely behaving subjects.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhenghui Qin, Jing Zhao, Haimang Wang, Bo Wang, Liang Zheng, Hongyu Zhang
Summary: This study reports a bioinspired and eco-friendly coating that effectively inhibits marine biofouling through a synergistic strategy of antibacterial and bactericidal effects. The coating exhibits self-adhesive properties and excellent antibacterial performance, making it suitable for surface functionalization of marine devices and instruments.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Reina Suzuki, Shigehiko Uchino, Yusuke Sasabuchi, Alan Kawarai Lefor, Masamitsu Sanui
Summary: Dopamine is widely used in Japan to treat patients with shock, but high dose dopamine use may have detrimental effects.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mario Gonzalez-Jimenez, M. Pilar Garcia-Santos, Blanca Bermejo Teson, Angel L. Fuentes de Arriba, Jorge Arenas Valganon, Emilio Calle, Julio Casado
Summary: Nitroso-compounds, formed in the stomach, have the potential to cause mutations and cancer due to their ability to alkylate DNA bases. This article investigates the reactions of dopamine, serotonin, and L-tyrosine with nitrite, and finds that the resulting nitroso-compounds have mutagenic properties. Serotonin, in particular, undergoes two consecutive nitrosation reactions and has the highest mutagenic potential. Further research is needed to understand how this reaction affects the function of neurotransmitters and the potential toxic effects.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Zina Fredj, Mohamad Sawan
Summary: Catecholamines are crucial neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and play key roles in neurological disorders. Optical and electrochemical biosensors have been widely adopted for the real-time monitoring of catecholamine neurotransmitters and their development has been greatly accelerated in the last decade. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the recent advances and main challenges in catecholamines biosensors, with emphasis on electrochemical biosensors and the unique characteristics brought by nanotechnology. It also summarizes the therapeutic use of nanomaterials for catecholamine analysis and future development trends based on specific biosensors' performance metrics.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Larissa Bussler, Debora Jacomini, Juliana Moco Correa, Marina Kimiko Kadowaki, Alexandre Maller, Rita de Cassia Garcia Simao
Summary: The cellulase from Caulobacter crescentus (C. crescentus) showed higher expression in the presence of corn straw and released more reducing sugar during the hydrolysis of corn straw and corn cob, suggesting its potential as an alternative for the production of chemicals and biofuels. Additionally, the application of the enzyme on denim jeans resulted in a cleaner and smoother surface of the fibers, indicating its use for biopolishing. This study supports the biotechnological capabilities of the cellulase from C. crescentus based on the bacterial genomic sequence.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Heidi N. Boyda, Michelle Pham, Joyce Huang, Amanzo A. Ho, Ric M. Procyshyn, Jessica W. Y. Yuen, William G. Honer, Alasdair M. Barr
Summary: This study examined the role of peripheral catecholamines in antipsychotic-induced glucose intolerance and found a significant association between increased peripheral catecholamines and glucose intolerance.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sonja Sivcev, Eva Kudova, Hana Zemkova
Summary: Neurosteroids are independent of peripheral steroid sources and are newly synthesized steroids in the brain. They have various effects on neuronal activities and can act on multiple ligand-gated ion channels, including GABAAR, NMDARs, nAChRs, and P2X receptors. P2X2, P2X4, and P2X7 receptors are primarily regulated by neuroactive steroids. The binding site of neurosteroids on these receptors remains uncertain.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jun-Young Park, Jisu Ha, Yoonseok Choi, Pahn-Shick Chang, Kyung-Min Park
Summary: The study investigated the effects of reaction conditions on spectrophotometric and fluorometric assays using alternative substrates for high-throughput screening of lipase activity from agricultural products. Results showed that standard reaction conditions were effective for detecting typical lipase activity, but pH conditions should be considered for a wider range of lipases.
JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria De Risi, Michele Tufano, Filomena Grazia Alvino, Maria Grazia Ferraro, Giulia Torromino, Ylenia Gigante, Jlenia Monfregola, Elena Marrocco, Salvatore Pulcrano, Lea Tunisi, Claudia Lubrano, Dulce Papy-Garcia, Yaakov Tuchman, Alberto Salleo, Francesca Santoro, Gian Carlo Bellenchi, Luigia Cristino, Andrea Ballabio, Alessandro Fraldi, Elvira De Leonibus
Summary: Lysosomal storage disorders, characterized by altered metabolism of heparan sulfate, cause autistic symptoms followed by dementia in children. The study found that embryonic dopaminergic neurodevelopmental defects due to altered function of heparan sulfate lead to autistic behaviors in mice.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Donghun Kim, Ladislav Simo, Marie Vancova, Joshua Urbana, Yoonseong Park
GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marie Vancova, Tomas Bily, Jana Nebesarova, Libor Grubhoffer, Sarah Bonnet, Yoonseong Park, Ladislav Simo
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Yoonseong Park, Donghun Kim, Gunavanthi D. Boorgula, Kristof De Schutter, Guy Smagghe, Ladislav Simo, Stephanie A. Archer-Hartmann, Parastoo Azadi
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jia Xie, Ming Sang, Xiaowen Song, Sisi Zhang, Donghun Kim, Jan A. Veenstra, Yoonseong Park, Bin Li
Article
Cell Biology
Xiuli Yang, Juraj Koci, Alexis A. Smith, Xuran Zhuang, Kavita Sharma, Shraboni Dutta, Vipin S. Rana, Chrysoula Kitsou, Ozlem B. Yas, Emmanuel F. Mongodin, Utpal Pal
Summary: The peritrophic matrix (PM) plays a crucial role in tick biology and its integrity and function can be influenced by the PM_CBP protein. Targeting the molecular constituents of the PM may contribute to the development of novel interventions against tick-borne infections, affecting the tick engorgement, pathogen acquisition, and microbiome composition.
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gloria I. Giraldo-Calderon, Arley Calle-Tobon, Paula Rozo-Lopez, Tonya M. Colpitts, Yoonseong Park, Guillermo L. Rua-Uribe, Berlin Londono-Renteria
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Jinghua Zhu, Kunmiao Zhu, Liang Li, Zengxin Li, Weiwei Qin, Yoonseong Park, Yueping He
Article
Immunology
Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Dasiel Obregon, Jennifer Maye, Jeremie Borneres, Nicolas Versille, Jose de la Fuente, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Adnan Hodzic, Ladislav Simo, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juraj Koci, Sandhya Bista, Payal Chirania, Xiuli Yang, Chrysoula Kitsou, Vipin Singh Rana, Ozlem Buyuktanir Yas, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Utpal Pal
Summary: I. scapularis ticks produce multiple orthologs for the widely studied tick gut protein Bm86, termed as Is86, which features at least three identifiable regions with EGF-like domains. Immunization with specific recombinant EGF antigens in murine hosts marginally reduced spirochete loads in the skin during B. burgdorferi infection, but the impact of EGF immunization on tick engorgement and pathogen survival in the vector is limited. Further investigations of Is86 and other tick antigens would enrich our understanding of tick biology and contribute to the development of anti-tick measures.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ghania Boularias, Naouelle Azzag, Clemence Galon, Ladislav Simo, Henri-Jean Boulouis, Sara Moutailler
Summary: The study found that ixodid ticks on cattle in Algeria mainly carry tick-borne pathogens such as Rickettsia spp., Francisella-like endosymbionts, Theileria spp., Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., and Babesia spp. Multiple pathogens can be carried by the same tick species.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Monika Radvanszka, Evan D. Paul, Roman Hajdu, Kristina Borsova, Viera Kovacova, Piotr Putaj, Stanislava Birova, Ivana Cirkova, Martin Carnecky, Katarina Buranovska, Adrian Szobi, Nina Vojtassakova, Diana Drobna, Viktoria Cabanova, Monika Slavikova, Martina Lickova, Veronika Vanova, Sabina Fumacova Havlikova, L'ubomira Lukacikova, Ivana Kajanova, Juraj Koci, Diana Rusnakova, Tatiana Sedlackova, Klaas E. A. Max, Thomas Tuschl, Tomas Szemes, Boris Klempa, Pavol Cekan
Summary: Sensitive and accurate RT-qPCR tests are essential for identifying SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. This study describes a series of optimized RT-qPCR tests targeting specific gene regions of the virus. The tests have enhanced sensitivity and specificity through primer/probe redesign, locked nucleic acid nucleotides, and dual probe technology. The workflow has been streamlined with internal controls and multiplexed assays. The study also introduces modified enzymes for room temperature-stable master mix and lyophilized positive control. The tests can be easily implemented in diagnostic laboratories and provide a powerful tool for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenzas.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Adam Kevely, Veronika Pranclova, Monika Slavikova, Jan Haviernik, Vaclav Honig, Eva Novakova, Martin Palus, Daniel Ruzek, Boris Klempa, Juraj Koci
Summary: The study utilized a recombinant reporter tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) to investigate its fitness in different tick-derived cell cultures and live ticks. The reporter virus successfully replicated in tick cell lines and live ticks, but fluorescence was not observed in live ticks. The results suggest that the reporter virus can be a useful tool for studying interactions between ticks and TBEV in a tick in vitro model, but further development of reporter-tagged viruses is needed for studying TBEV in live ticks.
Article
Microbiology
Juraj Koci, Marta Novotova, Monika Slavikova, Boris Klempa, Ivan Zahradnik
Summary: The study finds that the coronavirus alters the cytoplasm of infected cells and triggers autophagy-like processes. Through transmission electron microscopy and autophagy PCR array analysis, it is observed that the cytoplasm of infected cells mainly consists of double-membrane vesicles, phagophores, and phagosomes engulfing virus particles and cellular debris, along with interactions with viral nucleoprotein complexes, mitochondria, and lipid droplets. These findings highlight the significance of autophagy-like processes in the maturation and egress of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting deviations from canonical autophagy response.
Article
Microbiology
Ladislav Simo
Summary: Kaufman and Phillips' series of papers 50 years ago greatly contributed to our understanding of ion and water balance in ixodid ticks and emphasized the importance of their salivary glands in regulating these processes, paving the way for future research.
