Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nakul Sridhar, Apresio Kefin Fajrial, Rachel L. Doser, Frederic J. Hoerndli, Xiaoyun Ding
Summary: Caenorhabditis elegans is an important genetic model for neuroscience studies, but most studies are limited in obtaining both high-resolution microscopy imaging and behavior analysis in the same set of animals. In this paper, a novel microfluidic device using surface acoustic waves is presented to temporarily immobilize worms, allowing for non-invasive analysis of behavior and high-resolution imaging. This device enables longitudinal analysis of animal motility and subcellular morphological changes during development and aging.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tong Pan, Elizabeth A. Ronan, X. Z. Shawn Xu
Summary: A new study shows that the heat-sensing neuron AFD is responsible for attracting the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis to human body heat, using unknown neural mechanisms. Interestingly, this same neuron also plays a role in thermotaxis in the nematode C. elegans.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rong Zhou, Ru Liu, Weixin Li, Yixuan Wang, Xiang Wan, Ninghui Song, Yue Yu, Jiaming Xu, Yuanqing Bu, Aiguo Zhang
Summary: The study revealed that the toxic effects of atrazine on Caenorhabditis elegans were concentration-dependent, leading to changes in body length, lifespan, intestinal ROS levels, locomotion behavior, and brood size. Additionally, atrazine may influence the biological activities of nematodes by modulating the mtUPR pathway.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Seth D. Currie, Joseph Patrick Doherty, Kathy S. Xue, Jia-Sheng Wang, Lili Tang
Summary: This study investigates the toxic effects of different PFAS on worms at different life stages. Four PFAS (PFOS, NEtFOSAA, PFBS, and PFHxS) were found to significantly inhibit worm growth and reproduction at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 200 mu mol/L. PFOS and PFBS also decreased the brood size of worms, and all PFAS reduced the motility of adulthood worms.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gefei Huang, Yiming Ma, Dongying Xie, Cunmin Zhao, Lin Zhu, Guangshan Xie, Pengfei Wu, Wei Wang, Zhongying Zhao, Zongwei Cai
Summary: Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystems. While the adverse effects of microplastics have been extensively studied, the toxicity of nanoplastics remains unclear, particularly at the protein level. This study used quantitative proteomics to investigate the proteome dynamics in a soil nematode exposed to 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs). The results showed that exposure to PS-NPs led to differential expression of proteins related to various cellular processes, and these changes were consistent with the observed phenotypic defects. Overall, this study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of nanoplastics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Dan Su, Liangming Chen, Xiaohao Du, Mei Liu, Long Jin
Summary: The nematode connectome neural network (NCNN) is a modified convolutional neural network structure that uses the connectome of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as the connection pattern. It improves the accuracy and computational efficiency of image classification. Experimental results on multiple datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed NCNN model.
APPLIED SOFT COMPUTING
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Satish Kumar Rajasekharan, Chaitany Jayprakash Raorane, Jintae Lee
Summary: This study presents a straightforward, rapid, eco-friendly, and efficient method for isolating nematode eggs and synchronizing nematode stages. The method involves using bacterial or fungal feed chunks to lure nematodes, and then gently washing the consumed feed to collect the eggs. The protocol proves to be a reliable, simple means of separating eggs from adults and inducing the synchronization of nematodes.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Haiyan Wu, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj, Zhijun Tan
Summary: This study evaluated the neurotoxicity and chronic toxicology of Saxitoxin (STX) on Caenorhabditis elegans. It found that STX does not cause lethal effects on the worms but does induce substantial oxidative stress, with a dose-responsive relationship. The lifespan, productivity, and body size of the worms were all influenced by STX exposure.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aurelie Guisnet, Malosree Maitra, Sreeparna Pradhan, Michael Hendricks
Summary: The study highlights how laboratory conditions and environmental enrichment can impact gene expression patterns and behaviors of model organisms. By developing a protocol to create three-dimensional habitable scaffolds for trans-generational culture of C. elegans, researchers can control the microbial environment and observe a clear behavioral bias towards the enriched environment in the nematodes. The initial assessment reveals complex nictation behavior, including group towering and jumping, in dauer populations maintained in the scaffolds.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Hoess, Marie-Theres Rauchschwalbe, Hendrik Fueser, Walter Traunspurger
Summary: The effects of 1-μm polystyrene (PS) beads on the reproduction of Caenorhabditis elegans in freshwater sediments were studied using a standardized protocol for toxicity testing. The results showed that the body burdens of PS beads in the nematodes differed between sediments, but not significantly. The ECx-values for C. elegans' reproduction varied among different sediments and were higher than values reported for water exposure, indicating that microplastic reduces food availability and affects reproduction in benthic ecosystems.
Article
Cell Biology
Dhruv Khatri, Thibault Brugiere, Chaitanya A. Athale, Marie Delattre
Summary: This study observed spindle activities in six different nematode species and found a tradeoff relationship between cytoplasmic viscosity and cortical pulling forces. The study provides a framework for understanding the evolutionary diversification of spindle mobility.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Adam J. Iliff, Can Wang, Elizabeth A. Ronan, Alison E. Hake, Yuling Guo, Xia Li, Xinxing Zhang, Maohua Zheng, Jianfeng Liu, Karl Grosh, R. Keith Duncan, X. Z. Shawn Xu
Summary: The ability to sense airborne sound extends beyond vertebrates and arthropods to include invertebrates as well, suggesting convergent evolution of auditory capabilities in the animal kingdom. The discovery challenges the conventional view that invertebrates are insensitive to sound and highlights the unexpected role of nAChRs in mechanosensation. Animals without ears should not be automatically presumed to be sound insensitive.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Carlos Lopez-Viso, Gassan Hodaifa, Manuel J. Munoz
Summary: This study discovered that Caenorhabditis elegans can grow on urban sludge and convert it into nematode biomass while removing organic matter. By conducting different experiments, the feasibility of using nematodes to reduce urban sludges was demonstrated. This work presents a new method for valorizing urban sludge and obtaining by-products with high added value.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weiwei Sun, Han Liu, Aijun Qiao, Ting Jiang, Jianghui Li, Long Wang, Ling Yang, Huicong Huang, Xiumei Yan, Baolong Yan
Summary: The study found that certain environmental pollutants induce the accumulation of a specific protein in nematodes, forming "rod-like" structures that can be used to evaluate the toxicity of environmental contaminants. By generating transgenic nematodes, this monitoring method can be implemented more conveniently.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Stephanie N. Bowles, Casonya M. Johnson
Summary: The research found that in C. elegans, astrocyte-like cephalic glia (CEPglia) and the glia-specific bHLH transcription factor HLH-17 influence mating behavior and the defecation motor program (DMP) through different mechanisms. CEPglia mediate complex behaviors by signaling to the GABAergic DVB neuron, while HLH-17 activity influences discrete steps within those behaviors.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
C. Bainbridge, A. Schuler, A. G. Vidal-Gadea
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS
(2016)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
G. S. Hwang, R. Bhat, R. D. Crutchley, M. Trivedi
PHARMACOGENOMICS JOURNAL
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
K. J. Hughes, A. Rodriguez, K. M. Flatt, S. Ray, A. Schuler, B. Rodemoyer, V. Veerappan, K. Cuciarone, A. Kullman, C. Lim, N. Gutta, S. Vemuri, V. Andriulis, D. Niswonger, L. Barickman, W. Stein, A. Singhvi, N. E. Schroeder, A. G. Vidal-Gadea
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2019)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
C. Bainbridge, B. L. Clites, C. S. Caldart, B. Palacios, K. Rollins, D. A. Golombek, J. T. Pierce, A. G. Vidal-Gadea
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY A-NEUROETHOLOGY SENSORY NEURAL AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jesse Cohn, Vivek Dwivedi, Giulio Valperga, Nicole Zarate, Mario de Bono, H. Robert Horvitz, Jonathan T. Pierce
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2019)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Grace S. Hwang, Elsie Rizk, Lan N. Bui, Tomona Iso, Emily Sartain, Anh Thu Tran, Joshua T. Swan
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2020)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jesse A. Cohn, Elizabeth R. Cebul, Giulio Valperga, Lotti Brose, Mario de Bono, Maxwell G. Heiman, Jonathan T. Pierce
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Oncology
Grace S. Hwang, Rutugandha Paranjpe, Carine Opsomer, Kelvin Lu, Uzoamaka Abajue, Susan Abughosh, Hanna Zaghloul, Meghana Trivedi
CLINICAL BREAST CANCER
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eliana M. Fernandez, Yamila B. Cutraro, Jessica Adams, Melisa C. Monteleone, Kiley J. Hughes, Alberto C. Frasch, Andres G. Vidal-Gadea, Marcela A. Brocco
Summary: This study used C. elegans to elucidate the role of GPM6A in stress responses, highlighting the importance of nmgp-1 in neuronal morphology and behaviors associated with chemosensation. These findings propose nmgp-1 mutants as a potential tool for screening drugs for human nervous system pathologies.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Wolfgang Stein, Margaret L. DeMaegd, Lena Yolanda Braun, Andres G. Vidal-Gadea, Allison L. Harris, Carola Staedele
Summary: Electrical synapses exhibit complex dynamics that interact with other electrical processes in neurons. This study shows that the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (I-h) is critical to the function of electrical synapses, as it shifts the voltage dependence of synaptic transmission and allows it to match the functional membrane potential range of a motor neuron.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kiley Hughes, Ashka Shah, Xiaofei Bai, Jessica Adams, Rosemary Bauer, Janelle Jackson, Emily Harris, Alyson Ficca, Ploy Freebairn, Shawn Mohammed, Eliana M. Fernandez, Chance Bainbridge, Marcela Brocco, Wolfgang Stein, Andres G. Vidal-Gadea
Summary: Two PIEZO mechanosensitive cation channels, PIEZO1 and PIEZO2, have been identified in mammals, where they are involved in sensory processes. However, little is known about how different PIEZOs transduce force and how their unique properties match the functional needs of the tissues they are expressed in. In this study, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to investigate the expression patterns and functions of the PIEZO ortholog (pezo-1). The study found that different pezo-1 isoforms are expressed in different tissues and cells of the digestive system, suggesting distinct functions for these isoforms. Mutant analysis also showed that long pezo-1 isoforms are necessary for appropriate responses to food in pharyngeal muscles and glands. This research provides valuable insights into the molecular basis for functional differences in the PIEZO family of mechanoreceptors.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Donald C. Moore, Matthew R. Peery, Katherine A. Tobon, Farah Raheem, Grace S. Hwang, Lin Alhennawi, Mitchell E. Hughes
Summary: This review discusses the pharmacology, efficacy, safety, dosing, and administration of new agents for the treatment of relapsed/refractory DLBCL.
JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY PHARMACY PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Wolfgang Stein, Margaret L. DeMaegd, Abigail M. Benson, Rajit S. Roy, Andres G. Vidal-Gadea
Summary: This paper proposes that the recently sequenced marbled crayfish could become a genetic model system for crustacean neuroscience. The marbled crayfish is parthenogenetic and produces genetically identical offspring, making it easy to maintain across generations for genetic studies. The paper also discusses the accessibility of marbled crayfish neurons using standard physiological and molecular techniques, as well as CRISPR-mediated manipulations of the germline for gene knockout. The potential impact of these approaches on neurophysiology research in decapod crustaceans and invertebrates overall is also considered.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Nicholas S. Teran, Grace S. Park
Summary: The incidence of breakthrough infections in AML and APL patients is low, and nonmold-active prophylaxis may be sufficient, but the low incidence of aspergillosis should be considered.
JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY PHARMACY PRACTICE
(2023)