Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Qianqian Wang, Junhui Zhang, Jiachen Zhuang, Fei Shen, Minjie Zhao, Juan Du, Peng Yu, Hao Zhong, Fengqin Feng
Summary: This study found that supplementation with soft-shelled turtle peptides could prolong the lifespan and healthspan of fruit flies. It improved antioxidant, starvation, and heat stress abilities, and achieved anti-aging effects by enhancing autophagy and reducing oxidative stress through the downregulation of the target of rapamycin signaling pathway.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lu Zhou, Jinhong Lei, Xiaofei Zhai, Ningning Lu, Haitao Shi, Jichao Wang
Summary: Vocalization is crucial for the survival of underwater animals. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle, a highly vulnerable species, has not been studied for its underwater vocalization, which can provide important insights for ecological and evolutionary research. By conducting underwater recordings, we identified 10 call types of the turtle and observed differences in vocalizations between individuals of different ages and sexes. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle has a diverse range of vocalizations and shows the tendency for vocalization to become more diverse with age, aiding its adaptation to complex and dim underwater environments.
Article
Fisheries
Peng Zhang, Naicheng Liu, Zidong Xiao, Mengjie Zhang, Yan Meng, Yuding Fan, Xiaowei Hu, Junqiang Qiu, Qinghua Zhang, Yong Zhou
Summary: White abdominal disease is a major disease in Chinese soft-shelled turtle aquaculture. Pathological characteristics of diseased turtles were studied and showed changes in hematological, histopathological, intestinal microbial, and immune gene expression. The diseased turtles exhibited anemia, visceral tissue lesions, reduction of intestinal microbial species, and innate immune activation.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Fen Wang, Zhu Chen, Yunsheng Cheng, Guanjun Hou, Suofei Ji, Ye Zhang, Jie Li, Chengjun Zhu, Yuchun Wu, Guangtong Song, Yelin Jiang
Summary: The study found that the muscle of Yangtze and Japanese strains of Chinese soft-shelled turtle is high in protein and low in fat, making it beneficial for human health, but caution should be exercised when consuming the calipash.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Pan Li, Yin Guo, Lin Jin, Xiao Liang, Gaoan Chen, Wei Sun, Ling Xiao, Guoying Qian, Chutian Ge
Summary: Exogenous estrogen induces feminization in ZZ individuals of Chinese soft-shelled turtles through the ESR1 pathway, involving a decrease in male gene expression and an increase in the expression of ovarian development regulators.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Xiaowei Hu, Zidong Xiao, Bo Li, Mingyang Xue, Nan Jiang, Yuding Fan, Peng Chen, Feng Qi, Xianghui Kong, Yong Zhou
Summary: Aeromonas veronii is a gram-negative bacterium that can be found in many aquatic environments and is capable of infecting various aquatic organisms. In this study, we isolated a bacterium named XC-1908 from the liver of Chinese soft-shelled turtles, which was identified as A. veronii based on its characteristics and genetic analysis. The bacterium was pathogenic for the turtles, causing symptoms and histopathological changes consistent with natural infections. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that the bacterium was sensitive to certain antibiotics while resistant to others. This study provides strategies for preventing outbreaks of A. veronii infection in Chinese soft-shelled turtles.
Article
Fisheries
Yuqi Mu, Mengyan Lan, Yali Li, Zhao Zhang, Yueqiang Guan
Summary: Florfenicol has significant effects on the antioxidant and immune systems of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Various dosage levels of florfenicol were found to influence antioxidant enzyme activities and immune-related gene expression. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms and pathways involved in the florfenicol response of P. sinensis.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pei Wang, Gang Xiong, Dan Zeng, Jianguo Zhang, Lingrui Ge, Li Liu, Xiaoqing Wang, Yazhou Hu
Summary: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in pigmentation processes in aquatic animals. In this study, we performed an integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the skin of Chinese soft-shelled turtles during three embryonic stages. We identified novel genes and miRNAs, and found differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DEMs) between different stages. Some of these DEGs and DEMs may be associated with turtle pigmentation in embryonic development. Our findings provide insights into the regulatory patterns of miRNAs in reptile pigmentation and may contribute to understanding the molecular processes involved in pigmentation.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Rui Feng, Zhao Zhang, Yueqiang Guan
Summary: Nitrite affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, liver antioxidant system, and lipid peroxidation in Chinese soft-shelled turtles, while also triggering immune responses. The study identified differentially expressed genes and pathways involved in cellular responses to nitrite stress.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yufei Huang, Sheng Yang, Xuebing Bai, Yonghong Shi, Qiusheng Chen
Summary: The Chinese soft-shelled turtle is one of the most primitive amphibians and reptiles, attracting attention due to its environmental suitability and unique hibernation habits. Research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the periodic variation of lipid droplets in the liver of this species revealed a shift in energy metabolism during hibernation, with lipid oxidation becoming the main mode of energy generation. Further analysis showed that lipolysis plays a key role in the degradation of hepatic lipid droplets during hibernation in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Bangsai Yang, Wei Sun, Lin Jin, Pan Li, Yingjie Zhou, Guoying Qian, Chutian Ge, Ling Xiao
Summary: SOX8 is found to be a key regulator of early male differentiation in Chinese soft-shelled turtles, as it exhibits male-specific higher expression during the critical period of sex determination and is rapidly down-regulated during male-to-female sex reversal. Knockdown of SOX8 leads to complete feminization, highlighting its crucial role in reptile sex determination.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hao Zhong, Jinyuan Shi, Junhui Zhang, Qianqian Wang, Yipeng Zhang, Peng Yu, Rongfa Guan, Fengqin Feng
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of soft-shelled turtle peptides (STP) against fatigue. The results showed that STP supplementation increased swimming time, reduced muscle and thymus burden, and improved energy metabolism. Furthermore, STP exhibited antioxidant activity by modulating the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway.
Article
Fisheries
Yu Zhang, Xiaowei Fang, Xueyang Chen, Houkun Wang, Jing Liu, Xiongyan Liang, Yufang Gu, Chun Fang, Yuying Yang
Summary: The soft-shelled turtle, an important aquacultural species in China, has been suffering from a bacterial infection caused by Bacillus cereus. This pathogen led to significant pathological changes in infected turtles, and the bacterium showed sensitivity to certain antibiotics, which could be used for prevention and treatment.
Article
Fisheries
Qing Yu, Mingzhu Liu, Mengmeng Li, Meizhen Su, Rui Xiao, Guixiang Tong, Xianling Qin, Pengfei Li
Summary: The ssDNA aptamers LYST1 and LYST2 showed high specificity and affinity for STIV-infected cells, serving as specific delivery systems for antiviral therapies. They exhibited antiviral activities in vitro and have the potential for rapid diagnostic assays and targeted antiviral drugs against STIV in aquaculture.
Article
Cell Biology
Tong Zhou, Guobin Chen, Meng Chen, Yubin Wang, Guiwei Zou, Hongwei Liang
Summary: The study found that sex dimorphism in Chinese soft-shelled turtles is characterized by differences in gene expression and RNA methylation modification between different genders, especially in alternative splicing, gene expression, and methylation modification. These results reveal an important role of epigenetics during sexual reversal in Chinese soft-shelled turtles.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin Wong Wei Xiang, Wilfried A. A. Saron, James C. Stewart, Arthur Hain, Varsha Walvekar, Dorothee Misse, Frederic Thomas, R. Manjunatha Kini, Benjamin Roche, Adam Claridge-Chang, Ashley L. St. John, Julien Pompon
Summary: A study found that DENV infection increases mosquito attraction to hosts and hinders their biting efficiency, resulting in infected mosquitoes needing more bites to reach similar blood repletion. By establishing transmission models and mathematical models, the study also revealed that the number of infected hosts per infected mosquito tripled when mosquito behavior was influenced by DENV infection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
R. Ponalagusamy, D. Murugan
Summary: This paper investigates the dispersion problem of a solute in electro-magneto-hydrodynamic peristaltic flow of Jeffrey fluid in a uniform channel filled with porous medium and compliant walls. Through numerical computation and analysis of various physical parameters, valuable conclusions have been drawn. The findings of this research are significant for the field of artificial bio-processing.
KOREA-AUSTRALIA RHEOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mojca Jensterle, Rok Herman, Andrej Janez, Wael Al Mahmeed, Khalid Al-Rasadi, Kamila Al-Alawi, Maciej Banach, Yajnavalka Banerjee, Antonio Ceriello, Mustafa Cesur, Francesco Cosentino, Massimo Galia, Su-Yen Goh, Sanjay Kalra, Peter Kempler, Nader Lessan, Paulo Lotufo, Nikolaos Papanas, Ali A. Rizvi, Raul D. Santos, Anca P. Stoian, Peter P. Toth, Vijay Viswanathan, Manfredi Rizzo
Summary: The article reviews the rationale for glucocorticoid use in COVID-19 and emphasizes the need to be cautious about glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency. The authors also discuss other mechanisms that may affect HPA axis function and the increased risk and severity of COVID-19 in patients with pre-existing HPA axis disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bala Mohan Sivani, Mahmoud Azzeh, Rajashree Patnaik, Anca Pantea Stoian, Manfredi Rizzo, Yajnavalka Banerjee
Summary: This review critically appraises the pharmacological properties of curcumin, focusing on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects. Various extraction strategies and clinical trials are also reviewed. The review highlights the need for further research in specific areas.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Ramasamy Ponalagusamy, Jaganmohan Sangeetha
Summary: In this article, the motion of two-phase immiscible fluids in a channel with a porous medium in the presence of a magnetic field is investigated. The impact of various physiological parameters on flow dynamics and electric potential nature is studied. The results show that the Casson parameter, Darcy numbers, and electric double layer (EDL) effects are the predominant features. These findings provide guidance for the pumping effect of gas pipelines or designing microfluidic devices.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART E-JOURNAL OF PROCESS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
R. Ponalagusamy, D. Murugan
Summary: The present study analyzes the solute dispersion mechanism in a circular conduit with pulsatile flow of Carreau fluid. By using dispersion technique and finite Hankel transforms, the axial solute distribution process is analyzed. The effects of various physical parameters on the dispersion environment are investigated, and an increment in the Debye-Huckel parameter is found to enhance the dispersion mechanism. Furthermore, the study highlights the clinical aspect of solute dispersion in blood and its potential applications in medical and bioengineering fields.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yong Jie Yip, Gomathi Mahadevan, Teresa Stephanie Tay, Mei Lin Neo, Serena Lay-Ming Teo, Suresh Valiyaveettil
Summary: Many organisms are consuming food contaminated with micro- and nanoparticles of plastics, some of which absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from the environment and acting as carrier vectors for increasing the bioavailability in living organisms. In this study, the toxicity of diphenylamine (DPA) incorporated PMMA nanoparticles are assessed using barnacle larvae as a model organism. The results suggest that the slow release of pollutants from polymer nanoparticles may not induce significant toxicity to the organism living in a dynamic environment. The impact of long-term exposure of DPA absorbed plastic nanoparticles need to be investigated in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Chingakham Chinglenthoiba, Bitassori Pukhrambam, Kangabam Thoibisana Chanu, Khaidem Sonika Devi, Naorem Jemes Meitei, Yumnam Devika, Suresh Valiyaveettil
Summary: Microplastic particles (MPs) are globally emerging pollutants in marine and freshwater ecosystems. This review focuses on scientific studies conducted in different regions of India, examining the identification and analysis of MPs collected from various environmental samples. The most common plastic particles identified were PET, PE, PP, nylon, and PS, which were found in samples such as seawater, rivers, groundwater, sediments, and seafood. The review highlights research gaps and proposes a roadmap for future studies on sampling, separation, and identification protocols for MPs. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppe Mainas, Luigi Nibali, Mark Ide, Wael Al Mahmeed, Khalid Al-Rasadi, Kamila Al-Alawi, Maciej Banach, Yajnavalka Banerjee, Antonio Ceriello, Mustafa Cesur, Francesco Cosentino, Alberto Firenze, Massimo Galia, Su-Yen Goh, Andrej Janez, Sanjay Kalra, Nitin Kapoor, Peter Kempler, Nader Lessan, Paulo Lotufo, Nikolaos Papanas, Ali A. Rizvi, Amirhossein Sahebkar, Raul D. Santos, Anca P. Stoian, Peter P. Toth, Vijay Viswanathan, Manfredi Rizzo
Summary: Periodontitis is a disease that leads to the loss of periodontal attachment and bone resorption. COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Investigations have shown a possible relationship between periodontitis and COVID-19, as both conditions can lead to cardiometabolic impairments. This review aims to summarize the existing evidence regarding the link between periodontitis and COVID-19 and their associated complications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gomathi Mahadevan, Rajeev Kungur Brahma, R. Manjunatha Kini, Suresh Valiyaveettil
Summary: Living organisms develop hard structures such as teeth, bones, and shells through mineralization for vital functions. The role of biomolecules like proteins and peptides in forming defect-free hierarchical structures in nature is poorly understood. This study extracted and characterized peptides from cuttlefish bone, and found that they induced the nucleation and aggregation of calcium carbonate crystals. The peptides CBP2 and CBP3 showed concentration-dependent nucleation and morphological changes in the crystals. These intramineral peptides contribute to understanding the mechanism of calcium salt deposition in nature.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Venkatesh Mayandi, Wen-Tyng Kang, Darren Shu Jeng Ting, Eunice Tze Leng Goh, Myoe Naing Lynn, Thet Tun Aung, Jamuna Vadivelu, Veluchamy Amutha Barathi, Anita Sook Yee Chan, Rajamani Lakshminarayanan
Summary: This study demonstrates that the combination of propranolol and antifungal drugs can enhance antifungal activity, particularly in combination with itraconazole. In vivo studies using a murine systemic candidemia model showed that the combination treatment resulted in decreased weight loss, lower kidney fungal burden, and reduced renal inflammation compared to monotherapy or no treatment. These findings suggest that propranolol can increase the efficacy of azoles against C. albicans, providing a new therapeutic strategy for invasive fungal infections.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Farah Otaki, Mandana Gholami, Iman Fawad, Anjum Akbar, Yajnavalka Banerjee
Summary: This study aims to develop and evaluate a problem-solving assessment as an instructional tool for a biochemistry course in a medical program. The results will provide evidence for the application of this assessment in achieving competency goals and fostering self-directed learning, which can be beneficial to other medical educators in similar contexts.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rajashree Patnaik, Shirin Jannati, Bala Mohan Sivani, Manfredi Rizzo, Nerissa Naidoo, Yajnavalka Banerjee
Summary: This study developed a novel protocol for generating chondrocytes from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a 3D culture system, which has significant implications for cartilage biology research and the discovery of potential therapeutic interventions.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hang Xu, Xiaorui Zhang, Chingakham Chinglenthoiba, Suresh Valiyaveettil
Summary: The study focuses on the removal of nano- and microplastic particles from water using modified kapok tubes (KT). Polyethyleneimine (PEI) was grafted onto the surface of KT to enhance the interaction with plastic particles. The modified fiber showed high removal rates (> 96%) for various types of polymer nanoparticles within 90 minutes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
R. Ponalagusamy
Summary: This study focuses on the flow of seminal fluid through the ductus efferentes and examines the role of electro-osmotic force and cilia motion. The researchers use the K-L fluid model to describe the constitutive equation of semen liquid and solve the main equations of ciliary flow. They find that the introduction of electric force in the ciliary flow system decreases flow impedance and increases plug core radius. The study also investigates the effects of physiological parameters on the flow rates of rhesus monkey and human semen. By introducing an electric field and using a rheology model, the researchers are able to reduce flow resistance and increase the flow velocity of seminal fluid, which is beneficial for fertilization.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART E-JOURNAL OF PROCESS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)