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Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) are being used in medical applications, particularly in theranostics. These Carbon Quantum Dots have been gaining more attention lately due to their potential as an effective replacement for hazardous synthetic organic dyes in a variety of biomedical applications, including live cell imaging and diagnostics. In this study, highly fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots by one pot microwave based green route with a size of less than 10 nm, was prepared from commercially available almond resin, Prunus dulcis and conjugated with honey as additional reagent for surface functionalization. They exhibit a deep blue emission on excitation at 350 nm with an elevated quantum yield at 61%. They possess atomic nature and basic features such as high photo-stability, varying fluorescence, greater biocompatibility, and better water solubility. These fluorescent labels exhibit faster cellular invagination without disturbing the cell stability. The CQDs present cell imaging capacity with multi-coloration for visualizing the fine architecture of the nucleus naming, the nuclear membrane and nucleolus, which is linked with their varied, surface structures such as amphiphilic property and higher positive charges. These characteristics with minimal invasion have made carbon quantum dots to become the spotlight in theranostics. They can be used as alternatives to synthetic dyes for fluorescence- related cell-imaging. The intriguing fact about this approach is that it opens the possibility of combining therapy and diagnostics into one unit, which can alter how some diseases are handled and, in turn, transform the field of healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of Benzotriazole UV Stabilizer-328 (UV-328) in different biological and natural systems is of fast, regular concern in recent days due to their exuberant use in sunscreens. To learn more about its role of oxidative damage in the gills and to uncover the protective nature of DiMC, we evaluated its sublethal toxicity in Zebra fish gill tissue and also evaluated the potential defensive role of Dimethoxy curcumin (DiMC). Grown-up Zebra fish were exposed to 55 µg/L of UV-328 and 50mg/kg of DiMC for four weeks. After the completion of 28 days, gill tissues were dissected out and assessed for their response to oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes status, and histopathological changes. Our results demonstrated that antioxidant such as glutathione (GSH) levels and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and Glutathione S-transferase (GST) were all diminished in the gill tissue along with the profound increase in lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) in the UV-328-treated group. Histopathological lesions, for instance, inflammatory cell infiltration with a minimal congestion in primary lamellae, diffuse epithelial hyperplasia and fusion of secondary lamellae, multifocal mucus cell hyperplasia were seen in the UV-328-treated gill tissue of Zebra fish. The UV-328-induced oxidative, biochemical, and histological alterations were almost reverted back to normal in the DiMC enhanced group, suggesting its remediative efficacy against UV-328-induced respirotoxicity. Based on our findings, exposure to UV328, even at a low level, could be toxic, causing oxidative stress, antioxidant depletion, and pathological gill damage in Zebra fish. And these alterations were almost recuperated in DiMC supplemented group which signifies its protective influence against UV-328 toxicity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) are being used in medical applications, particularly in theranostics. These Carbon Quantum Dots have been gaining more attention lately due to their potential as an effective replacement for hazardous synthetic organic dyes in a variety of biomedical applications, including live cell imaging and diagnostics. In this study, highly fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots by one pot microwave based green route with a size of less than 10 nm, was prepared from commercially available almond resin, Prunus dulcis and conjugated with honey as additional reagent for surface functionalization. They exhibit a deep blue emission on excitation at 350 nm with an elevated quantum yield at 61%. They possess atomic nature and basic features such as high photo-stability, varying fluorescence, greater biocompatibility, and better water solubility. These fluorescent labels exhibit faster cellular invagination without disturbing the cell stability. The CQDs present cell imaging capacity with multi-coloration for visualizing the fine architecture of the nucleus naming, the nuclear membrane and nucleolus, which is linked with their varied, surface structures such as amphiphilic property and higher positive charges. These characteristics with minimal invasion have made carbon quantum dots to become the spotlight in theranostics. They can be used as alternatives to synthetic dyes for fluorescence- related cell-imaging. The intriguing fact about this approach is that it opens the possibility of combining therapy and diagnostics into one unit, which can alter how some diseases are handled and, in turn, transform the field of healthcare.

Background: Zebrafish have emerged as an invaluable asset in biomedical research, particularly in comparison to other vertebrate models employed for studying human ailments. Their efficacy in large-scale studies of genetic variations and drug testing has been well-established. Recent advancements in CRISPR and next-generation sequencing have further boosted zebrafish-based disease modeling, enhancing our comprehension of the biological underpinnings of hereditary human diseases. Such efforts are critical for developing targeted therapies that offer innovative diagnostic and treatment options. Materials and Methods: We extensively examined original articles and papers from prominent databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, Science Direct, and PubMed Central. This analysis included a comprehensive review of the articles, their citations, and cross-references. To identify relevant articles, we employed a variety of keywords, including but not limited to: Zebrafish applications, toxicity studies involving Zebrafish, CRISPR technology applications in Zebrafish research, substances utilized in developmental biology studies with Zebrafish, and various models employed in Zebrafish research. Results: In the medical field, zebrafish research has made strides in various areas, including developmental disorders, mental illnesses, and metabolic diseases. A growing trend involves studying an expanding spectrum of risk genes linked to neurological disorders using zebrafish as a model system. Zebrafish possess unique traits that make them an ideal choice for this purpose. For instance, their active partner growth of translucent embryos allows direct observation of the developing brain during early stages, providing valuable insights into developmental processes. Additionally, the large number of progenies zebrafish produce significantly enhances controllability, making them highly effective for therapeutic testing aimed at identifying specific molecular effectors of simple behavioral genetic traits. Conclusion:The exceptional attributes of zebrafish make them a potent and versatile tool for medical research. Their contributions have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of human diseases and developing potential treatments. As a result, zebrafish continue to play a pivotal role in biomedical research, propelling progress in personalized medicine and the pursuit of improved treatments for a wide range of health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don var. sinense Forb (PAF), a medicinal plant, has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. However, the active compounds and targets of its anticoagulant effect are still unclear. Objectives: This study aims to establish an effective reversely thrombin‐targeted screening method for anticoagulant active components in PAF by affinity ultrafiltration (AUF) coupled with ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS). Methods: Different polar parts of PAF were screened for potential thrombin ligands by AUF‐HPLC and identified by UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS. After studying the affinity between ligands and thrombin by molecular docking, the antithrombotic activity of ligands was detected in vivo by zebrafish thrombus model, and in vitro by chromogenic substrate method. The mechanism of such ligands on thrombin was further studied by coagulation factor assay. Results: Eleven potential thrombin ligands from PAF were screened by the AUF‐UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS method, and two compounds (butyl gallate and β‐sitosterol) with significant anticoagulant activity were discovered via in vitro and in vivo activity testing. Conclusion: A method system based on AUF‐UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS, molecular docking and in vivo and in vitro experiments also provided a powerful tool for further exploration of anticoagulant active components in PAF. A total of 11 potential ligands were screened by AUF from different polar parts of Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don var. sinense Forb. The molecular docking results showed that five compounds had good affinity with THR. This study chosen six compounds from potential ligands to validate their antithrombotic activities for the zebra fish experiments. After further validation through in vitro thrombin inhibition and clotting factor assays, the results showed that two compounds (Butyl gallate and β‐sitosterol) had significantly anticoagulant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation focused on the catalytic evaluation of bimetallic Sn and Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles for depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester textile waste under microwave (MW) condition and embryotoxic evaluation of the doped ZnO nanoparticle catalysts using Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo model. Bimetallic ZnO nanoparticles doped at 1 and 2 mol% of Sn and Ag synthesized by the sol–gel method and characterized by XRD, UV–Vis, FT-IR, SEM–EDS, and TEM analysis. Diffraction studies confirmed doped ZnOs retained the wurtzite structure of pristine ZnO. The electronic spectra and Tauc's plot showed that the optical bandgap reduced from 3.31 to 3.20 eV upon 2 mol% Sn and Ag doping. The SEM–EDS study confirmed elemental composition of Ag and Sn-doped ZnO and have an average crystallite size of 60–70 and 115–125 nm for 1 and 2 mol% doped ZnO NPs, respectively. Glycolytic and aminolytic depolymerization of PES textile wastes color threads converted into monomers, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide (BHETA) respectively, catalyzed by 2 mol% Sn and Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Furthermore, the Sn-doped ZnO NPs showed comparatively higher mortality than Ag-doped ZnO without any developing deformities in zebrafish embryos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal potential of plants encompasses a diverse array of compounds with therapeutic applications. These compounds have the potential to contribute to the development of innovative pharmaceuticals that enhance overall health. This study highlights the molecular identification, phytochemical analysis, teratogenic and cytotoxic effects of Gymnanthemum amygdalinum collected from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the identity of G. amygdalinum having 100 % similarity to their corresponding sequences. Also, G. amygdalinum exhibited secondary metabolites such as essential oils, phenols, sugars, anthraquinones, coumarins, anthrones, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids. The plant extract has teratogenic effects as mortality rate was observed at 1000 and 10,000 ppm, correlated with low hatchability rate at the same concentrations. These findings demonstrated the potential for anticancer, leading to further evaluation of cytotoxicity employing Artemia salina and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2). As a result, G. amygdalinum was found to be moderately toxic in brine shrimp lethality assay with a mortality rate of 10 ppm and higher. Similarly, it is moderately toxic in HepG2 at a median concentration of 1000 ppm and highly toxic at 4000 ppm. Collectively, G. amygdalinum extract exhibits teratogenic and cytotoxic effects and is suitable for further studies at the same or higher concentrations. Accordingly, it is recommended to proceed to the next phase of study for anticancer and antiproliferative. This study provides a scientific foundation for future research, supporting the researchers in uncovering the medicinal potentials of not only G. amygdalinum but other medicinal plants as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking is the major obstacles to lung cell proteostatic imbalance due to the exposure of the respiratory epithelial cell to toxic oxidants. The most active ingredient presents in the cigarette smokers, nicotine causes number of health risk by synthesis of free radicals which alters the individual cell DNA stability. Troxerutin, a flavonoid derived from the Rutin, possess antioxidant potential which has been investigated for its anti-pulmonary fibrosis activity against nicotine associated inflammation in the gills of the Zebra fish. Objectives: The current study was carried out to analyse toxicity of nicotine in zebrafish model and the restoration of gill architecture by the action of troxerutin. Materials and Methods: The activity of troxerutin was investigated by evaluation of antioxidant levels, gene expression, and tissue architecture via histopathological studies of the nicotine-induced group. Results: Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) levels significantly decreased in the nicotine-induced group in our study than in the treated groups after the administration of Troxerutin. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Nitrous Acid (NO), and Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) levels elevated in induced group which reduced significantly in Troxerutin-treated groups. It exerted protective effect by reducing the histopathological alterations linked to nicotine-induced group, enhancing antioxidant defence, modifying the oxidative status by scavenging free radicals and supressing inflammatory gene expression of IL-10, IL-1β pro-inflammatory cytokine in Zebra fish model. Conclusion: The current study confirms the potential function of troxerutin in repairing nicotine-induced pulmonary fibrosis in the Zebrafish model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal models have provided invaluable information in biological evaluation and drug screening. It comes to predicting the human body's response to candidate drugs; traditional laboratory animal models are woefully inadequate. However, increased concern for the welfare of the animals used, and a growing awareness of the concept of animal rights, has brought a greater focus on the related ethical issues. In this review, we seek to summarize the important anatomical aspects of Zebra fish as it is used as an alternative animal model for drug screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoscale copper oxide (CuO NPs) with diameters in the 80–150 nm range has been biosynthesized using lipopeptide biosurfactant derived from Bacillus vallismortis and characterized by XRD and FE-SEM. The CuO NPs could be introduced as nanocarrier systems for combination therapy and a potential candidate for antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-diabetic activity. The antibacterial activity of CuO NPs was studied by incorporating the nanoparticles with fluorescent antibiotic Ciprofloxacin HCL (CIP) to form CIP@CuO NPs and tracked inside HEK-293 cell lines. The MIC values of CIP@CuO NPs against 1 × 106 CFU ml−1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined to be 76 µg ml−1and 69 µg ml−1 against 1 × 106 CFU ml−1 Staphylococcus aureus. The CuO NPs were conjugated with the anticancer drug Doxorubicin (DOX) to form DOX@CuONPs, improving delivery toward cancer (HeLa) cells. The intracellular uptake of the drug-loaded CuO NPs was confirmed from confocal micrographs. Finally, the in vitro anti-diabetic activity of lipopeptide-coated CuO NPs was confirmed by the inhibitory activity of α-amylase. In contrast, the in vivo anti-diabetic efficacy of CuO NPs was validated by a significant reduction in blood glucose and glutathione levels. The CuO NPs positively affected the histopathological changes of the pancreas in induced diabetic mice. Cytotoxicity testing with Zebrafish demonstrated abnormal organ development with varying viability and hatching rates at 72 and 96 hpf, with an LC50 of 45 µg/l. Aside from the various potential medicinal characteristics, the study provided valuable information on cytotoxic impact, which can be used in future investigations of their eco-toxicological impacts.

Background Information: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is spiking substantially in both emerging and developed countries and the use of a nutritional approach to diabetes control has recently attracted a lot of attention. The banana (Musa spp.) is ubiquitously favourite in the tropical areas of the world. The wild plant species Musa acuminata, also referred to as the Cavendish banana, is found in tropical and subtropical climates. The health advantages of M. acuminata have drawn a lot of attention in recent years. Every component of the plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases. While the anti-diabetic potential of various parts of Musa acuminata has been reported, the corm has not been extensively studied. Objectives: Considering the lack of data on the anti-diabetic potential of M. acuminata corm, we proposed to evaluate the same using a zebra fish model. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in zebrafish by intraperitoneal administration of Streptozotocin (STZ). The fishes were maintained in 2% sucrose solution for 48 hr for induction of diabetes after which they were transferred to the respective treatment tanks containing the corm extract at 10, 20 or 30 µg/mL; on Day 8, they were all euthanized and used for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Results: Musa acuminata Corm Extract (MACE), at 10, 20 and 30 µg/mL caused significant glucose lowering action in diabetic zebra fish model. This is evident from the enzyme analysis. The histopathological analysis also revealed the enhanced growth of villi and increased number of goblet cells in the intestine of MACE treated group. Conclusion: The role of MACE in preventing diabetic complications like hypercholesteremia and hyperlipidaemia supports its claim that it can be used as an adjuvant or as an alternative to other diabetic medications. The precise mode of action of the antidiabetic potential of MACE identified in this study could not be completely deciphered at this point. Additional research is required to narrow down on the active phytoconstituents responsible for this effect and also the mechanism by which it exerts this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indiscriminate and rampant use of pesticides has raised serious concerns regarding their toxic impact on non-target organisms which underlines need for the development of an effective antidote. Metabolic activation of organophosphate pesticides by the phase I enzyme, cytochrome P450 plays a key role in influencing pesticide-toxicity. In this study, we have investigated the effect of environmentally relevant malathion concentration (100 μg/L) alone and in combination with vitamin B12 on the expression of genes related to xenobiotic metabolism such as CYP enzymes, PgP and the key oxidative stress responsive transcription factor, Nrf2 in zebra fish liver and brain. Expressions of Nrf2-trasncribed antioxidant genes and their activities were also measured. Administration of vitamin B12 successfully revived motor functions by modulation of AchE activity. Mechanistically, vitamin B12 was demonstrated to alleviate oxidative stress which was accompanied by decreased phase-I enzyme cyp3c1 and increased pgp expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubrum) as one of the Indonesian spices has so many important roles, especially in the health sector as a medicinal plant, which has many active compounds including phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and tannins. From some research before, we can know that plants growing in different places or locations have different tolerances generally. That statements can show that they have different content in their constituent metabolites. Therefore, phytochemical analysis is needed to analyze the content of each red ginger from three locations as Red ginger from Batu, Malang (RGB), Plaosan, Magetan (RGP), and Simalungun, Medan (RGS) to analyze each content contains. Also, LC50 performance was needed for analyzing its effect on Zebra fish (Danio rerio) as a model fish. For this research, we use an experimental study with a Completely Randomized Factorial Design (CRFD) method that has two independent variables such as different dosages and types of red ginger. In this study, from five dosages (10 mg/l; 20 mg/l; 30 mg/l; 40 mg/l; 50 mg/l) and three types of red ginger treatment, it found that the highest mortality and lowest survival rate were at the highest dosage (50 mg/l) in RGB and extreme increase or decrease in the curve is found in RGP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of bitter leaf extract (A. paniculata) against the growth of E. tarda bacteria. This test was carried out using the Kirby Bauer (disc test) method using five different concentrations, namely 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 150 mg/L, 200 mg/L, and 250 mg/L in TSA (Tryptone Soya Agar) and incubated for 2x24 hours using a temperature of 30 °C. The positive control used was chloramphenicol (5 mg/L), while the negative control used PBS. Bitter leaf extract contains active compounds that have bacteriostatic antibacterial properties. After incubation for 24 hours, the concentration of 250 mg/L showed the highest inhibition zone with a diameter of 7.82 mm and decreased at 48 hours to 7.46 mm. After being incubated for 24 hours, the concentration of 250 mg/L obtained an effectiveness value of 57.08% which is the best effectiveness, and there was a decrease in the 48th hour to 54.45%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unravelling the efficacy of gut biome has a major impact on health. An unbalanced microbiome composition is linked to many common illnesses such as gut dysbiosis, mental deformities and immunological imbalance. An optimistic influence on the gut biome can be made by consuming probiotics. This would stimulate neuroprotection and immunomodulation intended by heavy metals pollution. Lead is a major source of neurotoxin that can induce neural deformities. Lactobacillus species isolated from curd were characterized to confirm its specificity. Zebra fish was reared at standard conditions and preclinical assessment on the intensity of induced neurotoxin lead was performed. The embryo toxic assay, immunomodulation effects and animal behavioural models endorsed the consequence of neurotoxicity. Different concentrations of bacterial isolate with standard antidepressant was considered for analysing the vigour of toxicity and its influence on cognitive behaviour by novel tank diving method. The restrain in the animal behaviour was also conferred by all the test samples with a decreased bottom dwelling time which was authenticated with haematology and histopathological studies. The alterations in morphology of the lymphocytes were balanced by the treated test samples. This study paves a twofold potential of probiotic as neuroprotectant and immune modulator against heavy metal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study the acute toxicity of tetrodotoxin to zebra fish. Methods The maximum non-lethal concentration (MNLC) and 10% lethal concentration (LC10) determinations were used to assess the acute toxicity of tetrodotoxin. Results According to the simulation calculation of Origin 8.0 software, the MNLC was 8.62 μmol/L and 15.2 μmol/L for LC10. Under the experimental conditions, tetrodotoxin at a concentration of 16.0 μmol/L and above induced pericardial edema and arrhythmia, leading to the death of zebra fish. The target organs for acute toxicity of tetrodotoxin were the heart and liver. The main manifestations were pericardial edema, arrhythmia, and delayed yolk sac absorption. The toxicity appeared at a concentration of 0.958 μmol/L. Conclusion Tetrodotoxin has heart and liver toxicity to zebra fish, and its toxicity is dose-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World-wide researches during the last years are focused upon the negative effects caused by the natural chemical compounds and anthropogenic compounds, already being demonstrated that a great part of them change the endocrine control over reproduction at different species. The issue studied by our team is concerned with the histological changes that appear within liver, kidney and gonadal development at the zebra fish (Danio rerio), exposed to octylphenol from 21-115 days, and within 21-75 days of life. In order to achieve the histological preparations, for each period under study, fishes were divided into three groups of 30 individuals, namely: Lot 1 - Control, respectively lots 2 and 3, at which the administrated octylphenol concentrations were of 60 μg L-1, respectively 100 μg L-1. Fishes of the six groups were raised in 30-liters aquariums (30 fish / aquarium). Fragments of liver, kidney and gonads were processed histologically, colored with the Mallory thrichromic staining method and examined with the optical microscope. Histopathological study revealed changes in the three organs, namely this fine granulation hepatocytes, peritubular edema and vascular ectasia in renal parenchyma and their differentiation in the gonads to sex predominantly female, issues that demonstrate the estrogenic effect of the octylphenol. Those microscopical aspects observed in the kidney and liver of the specimens exposed to action of octhylphenol, suggest that the octhlyphenol is bind to the estrogenic receptors on the membrane of hepatic cells, inducing vitellogenin synthesis.

The contamination of aquatic environments has increased over time, affecting environmental integrity and human health. Herbicides represent a source of this contamination, and among the most commercialized are the triazines and glyphosate. In contrast, there are natural herbicides, which are less harmful to the environment. The aim of this study was to verify the ecotoxicological effects of the conventional herbicides (Atrazine and Glyphosate) and a natural herbicide on Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish were exposed for 72 h to different concentrations of conventional herbicides (1, 65, and 5,000 µg L−1) and the natural herbicide (0.62, 1.25, and 2.5 µg L−1) in aquaria (20 L). At end of the experiment, blood was collected from the fish, and slides were prepared to verify the frequency of nuclear abnormalities and micronuclei. A greater number of morphological nuclear alterations were recorded in the conventional herbicide treatments. In addition, significant differences were observed in the composition of abnormalities between treatments. Atrazine and Glyphosate can cause greater damage in D. rerio, demonstrating potential toxicity at all concentrations applied. The natural herbicide showed less mutagenic potential and was less harmful to fish. Thus, natural herbicides can be a better option for the preservation of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells in the body. There is a foreseeable need for an effective anti-carcinogenic drug. In this regard, zerumbone (ZER) is identified as one such therapeutic herbal compound that has been shown to enhance the anticancer activity of cisplatin (CIS), with negligible side effects. Yet, the fundamental mechanisms of co-treatment of ZER and CIS on Hepatocellular carcinoma remain indefinable. The current study is endeavored to evaluate the anti-cancer effect of the individual and co-treatment of ZER, CIS and its combination on Diethyl nitrosamine induced hepatic cancer in wild-type zebra fish (Danio Rerio) models. Our careful analysis on treated and untreated fishes shows that CIS + ZER combination group restricted further progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells significantly, which concludes that co-treatment of ZER with CIS was therapeutically effective for treating human HCC cancer cells which were induced into zebra fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of green synthesis approaches in NP synthesis and their possible toxicity in aquatic environments has been very limitedly studied. In this study, VA-Ag / AC NPs were synthesised using Viscum album plant as a reducing agent and Chenopodium album (CA) plant as an active carbon source. TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and XRD (X-ray crystallography) analysis of the synthesised VA-Ag / AC NPs were performed to detect their morphological and chemical properties. The inducing of oxidative stress and the effectiveness of VA-Ag/AC NPs in neurotoxic pathways and teratogenic changes in aquatic organisms have been investigated. In addition, a modelling was created to elucidate the toxicity mechanism. The results revealed that green synthesised VA-Ag/AC NPs nanoparticles are approximately 1600 times less toxic than nanoparticles synthesised by different methods. It had been determined that only high doses of VA-Ag/AC NPs nanoparticles cause neurological, histopathological and morphological changes. The findings in this study for VA-Ag/AC NPs, which are the evidence of the complexity of their mode of action at the cellular level, are a first in the aquatic ecosystem and require different findings regarding the stability and safety of such synthesis products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endothelial cell (EC)-pericyte interactions are known to remodel in response to hemodynamic forces; yet there is a lack of mechanistic understanding of the signaling pathways that underlie these events. Here, we have identified a novel signaling network regulated by blood flow in ECs-the chemokine receptor CXCR3 (CXC motif chemokine receptor 3) and one of its ligands, CXCL11 (CXC motif chemokine ligand 11)-that delimits EC angiogenic potential and promotes pericyte recruitment to ECs during development., Methods: We investigated the role of CXCR3 on vascular development using both 2- and 3-dimensional in vitro assays, to study EC-pericyte interactions and EC behavioral responses to blood flow. Additionally, genetic mutants and pharmacological modulators were used in zebra fish in vivo to study the impacts of CXCR3 loss and gain of function on vascular development., Results: In vitro modeling of EC-pericyte interactions demonstrates that suppression of EC-specific CXCR3 signaling leads to loss of pericyte association with EC tubes. In vivo, phenotypic defects are particularly noted in the cranial vasculature, where we see a loss of pericyte association with ECs and expansion of the vasculature in zebra fish treated with the Cxcr3 inhibitor AMG487 or in homozygous cxcr3.1/3.2/3.3 triple mutants. We also demonstrate that CXCR3-deficient ECs are more elongated, move more slowly, and have impaired EC-EC junctions compared with their control counterparts., Conclusions: Our results suggest that CXCR3 signaling in ECs helps promote vascular stabilization events during development by preventing EC overgrowth and promoting pericyte recruitment.

In this study, we examined the effect of herbal medicine Hemolax in neutralizing of 5 mg/lit glyphosate poison in the liver of zebrafish, Danio rerio. We also examined the combined effects of poison and Hemolax as well as the effects of each drug separately for 10 days in Zebrafish. This experiment was designed in five treatments and three replications. According to the results of liver tissue, histopathological effects in the drug–toxin treatments were less than the groups that were consumed the drugs.

This is a good thing because animals show other organisms how to stay healthy in their environment. Biologists can learn more about a lot of different biological processes by studying animals that aren't humans. They can also get new ideas about how other organisms work. A model organism called the zebra fish (Danio rerio) has been used to study development and diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as toxicology and drug discovery. Zebra fish have also been used in molecular genetics and genomic research. They are used in toxicology and biology research because they are a good example of a living thing. Because zebra fish are used to model human diseases, they have a lot more advantages than other vertebrate models. For example, zebra fish are better than other vertebrate models when it comes to testing largescale genetic mutations and therapeutic chemicals. They are used in toxic genomics and aquaculture as genetic models. They can also be used to make human illness models based on zebra fish diseases, which can help scientists learn more about how humans get sick. For example, because it's so easy to keep and breed this little fish, it can be used in a wide range of scientific fields because it has a translucent body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prinsepia utilis Royle, also known as the Anas fruit, is a unique perennial woody oil plant from Yunnan Province, China. In the ancient texts of Dongba sutras and Yunnan Southern Materia Medica, it has been documented that the local Naxi, Tibetan, and Mosuo communities extensively utilize the root and leaf fruits of green thorns for various purposes. These include treating mild-to-moderate specific dermatitis, moisturising the skin, providing protection against UV damage, aiding childbirth in pregnant women, safeguarding stomach health, reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis, and delaying aging. In this study, leftover residues from oil extraction were efficiently reused, and flavonoids were identified during subsequent extraction and separation processes. The anti-senescent effects of flavonoids in P. utilis Royle have not been systematically studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the anti-senescent properties of the flavonoids obtained from P. utilis Royle. First, HPLC and other analytical techniques were used to identify the components of the P. utilis Royle flavonoid (PURF). Next, DPPH, hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion O2−, collagenase, and elastase were initially detected using in vitro biochemical assays. To examine its antioxidant properties, a zebrafish model was used, and to confirm its anti-senescent effects, a d-galactose-induced mouse aging model was employed. The anti-senescent mechanism of PURF was examined using a natural senescence HFF model. Furthermore, the anti-senescent target was confirmed using a 3D full T-Skin™ model. In vitro biochemical assays demonstrated that flavones exhibited potent antioxidant activity and anti-senescent potential by inhibiting DPPH, hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion O2−, collagenase, and elastase. It significantly enhanced the antioxidant effect on zebrafish while suppressing ROS and inflammatory injury, up-regulating COL1A1, COL3A1, AMPK, and mTOR gene expression and down-regulating MMP-9, TGF-β, p21, and p16 gene expression suggesting its potential anti-senescent ability. Findings from the D-galactose-induced aging mouse model showed that PURF greatly increased SOD levels, while simultaneously decreasing HYP and MDA levels. In addition, when PURF was given to the HFF cell and 3D full T-Skin™ model, consistent trends were observed in gene and protein expression, with up-regulation of COL1A1, COL3A1, AMPK, and mTOR genes and down-regulation of TGF-β, MMP-1, MMP-9, p21, and p16 genes. Therefore, these preliminary findings indicate that flavones can modulate AMPK/mTOR/TGF-β signalling pathways to exert its influence. The kernel residue of natural P. utilis Royle oil extracted from Yunnan province was previously considered agricultural waste, but we successfully extracted and isolated its flavonoid components. Our preliminary studies demonstrated its potential as an environmentally friendly anti-senescent raw material. [Display omitted] • The waste residue after P. utilis Royle oil extraction contain flavonoids. • P. utilis Royle flavonoids exhibit antioxidant and anti-aging properties. • Intervention of AMPK/mTOR/TGF-β pathway can mitigate aging damage. • Intervention of AMPK/mTOR/TGF-β pathway can intervene the external barrier function. • Blocking Nrf2-AP1/NFκB pathway can reduce collagen degradation and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to analyse the effect induced by valproic acid (VPA) in relation to the typical behavior of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The VPA administered in both prenatal and postnatal periods triggers the autistic symptoms. The deficiencies induced by VPA could be morphological and physiological with direct results that are reflected externally by typical ASD behavior: impaired musculoskeletal activity, hyperactivity, stereotyped behavior, communication and social aggressiveness. The behavioral conditions observed are swim performance and aggressiveness induced by the administration of 200 μm of VPA. These behavioral patterns can be tracked in the vertebrate model by analysing the swim performance using an open space test reproduced in the T- maze. During the test, the maze was adapted to study the state of aggressiveness induced by exposure to valproic acid. The uptake of the test was achieved by introducing a visual stimulus (provided by mirror reflection prop) into the left arm of the maze. The stimulus is intended to show the behavior of the aquatic model in relation to the reflection, which is meant to geenrate the reaction to image props and the reaction to a conspecific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural pigments and food colorants have shown a positive impact on human health compared to the use of synthetic pigments and colorants. We are reporting the oral toxicity of Delonix regia Raf. It has natural pigments with various pharmaceutical properties. The crude extract was obtained from the D. regia petals and the functional groups in the extract were characterized with UV, FTIR and the compounds were identified using GC-MS. To analyze the toxicity of the crude extract, Zebrafish was used asa model organism. Different concentrations of the extract (5 µg/mL to 2000 µg/mL) were used in the zebrafish embryo. The results revealed that the toxic effect was only seen at higher concentrations (1000 µg/mL and beyond). In lesser concentrations, no toxicity was observed. This preliminary study forms a basis for further animal studies. Also, it adds a new safe food colorant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opsin proteins are classically seven transmembrane receptor proteins which detect light. The present investigation describes the stereoscopic structure of the apoprotein Opsin by online structure determining tools using the crystallographic structure of Rhodopsin from Bos taurus as the template. The modeled structure was validated and checked through validated data tools for stereochemical quality of a protein structure, ProSa and the square root of the mean square deviation between the templates and the predicted structure was calculated using PyMol. It was found that the chromophores, 11-cis retinal and 11- cis 3, 4-didehydroretinal was covalently docked with apoprotein which gives the structures of Rhodopsin and Porphyropsin respectively. Due to its close homology to the human rhodopsin (accession P08100), zebra fish rhodopsin may serve as an excellent model for study of human diseases in future. This article represents the test of structure/function relationship of apoprotein opsin in this ornamental aquarium fish and provides a foundation for future work exploring cellular and molecular pathways of photoreception in retinal development and disease models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological and toxicological evaluation of nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2) particles in food is important for ensuring food safety. In this study, nano-SiO2 particles isolated from five brands of instant coffee, were structurally characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analyses. Their toxicity was assessed by measuring cell viability, membrane integrity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in model gastrointestinal cells (GES-1 and Caco-2). Additionally, mortality, deformity rate, heart rate and death of whole zebra fish embryos were measured. The five types of nano-SiO2 samples comprised amorphous particles with a purity of approximately 99%, which met the food additive standard. Considering that the original particle size ranged from 10 to 50 nm, the samples were classified as nano-SiO2 food additives. Nano-SiO2 did not significantly impact the activity of GES-1 or Caco-2 cells, and no significant cell membrane damage was observed (Caco-2 cells exhibited mild micro damage); however, a slight increase in intracellular RPS levels was detected. Moreover, nano-SiO2 was found to cause head deformity, pericardial edema, yolk sac edema and tail bending. Collectively, the results show that nano-SiO2 time- and dose-dependently affects GES-1 and Caco-2 cell viability, as well as the mortality, heart rate, and abnormality rate of zebra fish embryos. Specifically, a high concentration (≥ 200 μg/mL) and long exposure time (≥ 48 h) of food additive nano-SiO2 affected GES-1, Caco-2 cells, and the gastrointestinal tract in zebra fish embryos.

Aim: Ovarian cancer is a collaborative malignant tumor of the female reproductive system in clinical research. Some clinical studies have shown that OR3A4, which is a cancer-causing lncRNA, plays a major role in promoting the occurrence and development of a variety of tumors. And we also expressed the view that it expressed in ovarian tissue. However, the function of OR3A4 in ovarian cancer remains unclear. Methods and Results: To further verify the function of lncRNA OR3A4 in ovarian cancer, we established the xenograft model in the zebra fish. In this study, cells transformed with OR3A4 shRNA plasmids were transplanted into the zebra fish, and the cell proliferation and migration ability were significantly reduced compared to the empty vector. While knocking out OR3A4, we further downregulated its expression by siRNA of KLF6. Our study found that the knocked out OR3A4 resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation and migration level, which can be found in the downregulated expression of KLF6. We also verify the relationship between OR3A4 and circulating tumor cells in the zebra fish xenograft model, the results indicate that lncRNA OR3A4 may be involved in the resistance of ovarian cancer to complain. Conclusion: lncRNA OR3A4 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer through the KLF6 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optogenetics uses light to control and observe the activity of neurons, often using a focused laser beam. As brain tissue is a scattering medium, beams are distorted and spread with propagation through neural tissue, and the beam's degradation has important implications in optogenetic experiments. To address this, we present an analysis of scattering and loss of intensity of focused laser beams at different depths within the brains of zebrafish larvae. Our experimental set-up uses a 488 nm laser and a spatial light modulator to focus a diffraction-limited spot of light within the brain. We use a combination of experimental measurements of back-scattered light in live larvae and computational modelling of the scattering to determine the spatial distribution of light. Modelling is performed using the Monte Carlo method, supported by generalised Lorenz-Mie theory in the single-scattering approximation. Scattering in areas rich in cell bodies is compared to that of regions of neuropil to identify the distinct and dramatic contributions that cell nuclei make to scattering. We demonstrate the feasibility of illuminating individual neurons, even in nucleus-rich areas, at depths beyond 100 μm using a spatial light modulator in combination with a standard laser and microscope optics.

Selenium and zinc are important dietary micronutrients having antimicrobial and antioxidant roles, thereby assisting in normal development, and an enhanced immune system. Supplementation of selenium and zinc for enhancing the growth performance and reproductive capacity in fish was explored in this study. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) using a 10-h dry milling technique at a 10:1 ball-to-powder ratio (BPR) and were premixed with basal feed followed by the administration to adult zebra fish (D. rerio) (2 months old) for 30 days. Growth analysis revealed that zebra fish fed with SeNPs + ZnONPs (2 mg/ kg, equimolar mixture) had significantly higher length and weight than only SeNP (2 mg/ kg) or ZnONP (2 mg/ kg) groups and control zebra fish (p < 0.05). The average length–weight relationships were assessed by estimating the condition factor (C), which was highest in the SeNP + ZnONP group (1.96), followed by a downward trend in SeNP (C = 1.15) and ZnONP (1.11) (p < 0.05). Relative gene expression of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 was significantly high in the SeNP + ZnONP group compared to other groups (p < 0.05), which indicated that combined administration of both the nanoparticles in basal feed enhanced the growth performance of zebra fish. Intracellular ROS generation was low in the combined group, followed by control, SeNP, and ZnONP groups, indicating higher concentrations of both nanoparticles, in particular, ZnONPs induced oxidative stress. Fecundity and the development of fertilized embryos were significantly high in the SeNP + ZnONP–treated zebra fish compared to only the SeNP- or ZnONP-treated group or control (p < 0.05). These findings indicated that supplementation of SeNP + ZnONP in basal feed could considerably improve the growth performance and development of zebra fish which could be exploited for enhancing aquaculture production.

Aim: Ovarian cancer is a collaborative malignant tumor of the female reproductive system in clinical research. Some clinical studies have shown that OR3A4, which is a cancer-causing lncRNA, plays a major role in promoting the occurrence and development of a variety of tumors. And we also expressed the view that it expressed in ovarian tissue. However, the function of OR3A4 in ovarian cancer remains unclear.Methods and Results: To further verify the function of lncRNA OR3A4 in ovarian cancer, we established the xenograft model in the zebra fish. In this study, cells transformed with OR3A4 shRNA plasmids were transplanted into the zebra fish, and the cell proliferation and migration ability were significantly reduced compared to the empty vector. While knocking out OR3A4, we further downregulated its expression by siRNA of KLF6. Our study found that the knocked out OR3A4 resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation and migration level, which can be found in the downregulated expression of KLF6. We also verify the relationship between OR3A4 and circulating tumor cells in the zebra fish xenograft model, the results indicate that lncRNA OR3A4 may be involved in the resistance of ovarian cancer to complain.Conclusion: lncRNA OR3A4 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer through the KLF6 pathway.

Spatial boundaries formed during animal development originate from the pre-patterning of tissues by signaling molecules, called morphogens. The accuracy of boundary location is limited by the fluctuations of morphogen concentration that thresholds the expression level of target gene. Producing more morphogen molecules, which gives rise to smaller relative fluctuations, would better serve to shape more precise target boundaries; however, it incurs more thermodynamic cost. In the classical diffusion-depletion model of morphogen profile formation, the morphogen molecules synthesized from a local source display an exponentially decaying concentration profile with a characteristic length λ. Our theory suggests that in order to attain a precise profile with the minimal cost, λ should be roughly half the distance to the target boundary position from the source. Remarkably, we find that the profiles of morphogens that pattern the Drosophila embryo and wing imaginal disk are formed with nearly optimal λ. Our finding underscores the cost-effectiveness of precise morphogen profile formation in Drosophila development.

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pain affects millions of people and is one of the most frequent complaints in the medical office. Pain involves various behavioral and emotional aspects. When it is persistent, it can become debilitating, impairing occupational performance, and producing negative impacts for the economy and public health costs. In general, commercial drugs can improve chronic pain patients' quality of life which can result in adverse reactions. Therefore, the search for new capsules as an opportunity remedy for ache is a challenge. Pain occurs due to stimuli from pain receptors called nociceptors. One pain known in the medical world is orofacial, defined as pain that occurs in soft and hard tissue in the head, face, and neck area. This study determined the antinociceptive effect of flavonoids isolated from the Leea Indica plant, on orofacial pain in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a test model for behavior or locomotor activity. To study the orofacial pain of zebrafish induced with glutamate, this study was a true experiment. The parameter used was the number of times the fish crossed the line between the caudran from the glass petri dish during 0-5 minutes and 15-30 minutes. The Anova one-way test showed that there were differences in locomotors activity measured from 0-5 minutes and 15-30 minutes by giving flavonoids that could affect zebrafish locomotors activity or an increase in zebrafish locomotors activity. The antinociceptive effect of flavonoids was similar to tramadol. The flavonoids from Leea Indica had an antinociceptive effect on orofacial pain in adult zebrafish. The flavonoid dose of 2.5 mg/ml was a dose that had a significant difference in all treatment groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, simultaneous optimization of ultrasound-assistant extraction (UAE) of four representative groups of Osmanthus fragrans (OF) fruit was firstly performed using the response surface methodology (RSM). Subsequently, qualitative and quantitative analysis of irioid glycosides from the optimized OF fruit extract was performed using UPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS/MS. A total of 13 irioid glycosides were tentatively identified, of which six compounds were identified for the first time. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of the optimized OF var. aurantiacus Makino (OFA) fruit extract was evaluated based on a CuSO4-induced zebra fish model. The biological results demonstrated that OFA fruit extract at a concentration of 5 μg/mL could significantly reduce the number of macrophages, but no significant activities were observed at high concentrations (10 and 50 μg/mL). These results suggest that OF fruit has the promise as a functional additive in food for health promotion.

Unravelling the efficacy of gut biome has a major impact on health. An unbalanced microbiome composition is linked to many common illnesses such as gut dysbiosis, mental deformities and immunological imbalance. An optimistic influence on the gut biome can be made by consuming probiotics. This would stimulate neuroprotection and immunomodulation intended by heavy metals pollution. Lead is a major source of neurotoxin that can induce neural deformities. Lactobacillus species isolated from curd were characterized to confirm its specificity. Zebra fish was reared at standard conditions and preclinical assessment on the intensity of induced neurotoxin lead was performed. The embryo toxic assay, immunomodulation effects and animal behavioural models endorsed the consequence of neurotoxicity. Different concentrations of bacterial isolate with standard antidepressant was considered for analysing the vigour of toxicity and its influence on cognitive behaviour by novel tank diving method. The restrain in the animal behaviour was also conferred by all the test samples with a decreased bottom dwelling time which was authenticated with haematology and histopathological studies. The alterations in morphology of the lymphocytes were balanced by the treated test samples. This study paves a twofold potential of probiotic as neuroprotectant and immune modulator against heavy metal toxicity.

Over the past few years, environment-friendly green synthetic methods for metal nanoparticles (NPs) have received considerable attention. The use of plant extracts is considered as potential for the biosynthesis of metal NPs due to its easier obtainment, cheap accessibility to industrial scale-up and high biosecurity. Herein, with the aqueous leaf extract of barley leaves as the template, we reported a rapid, single step, cost-effective and eco-friendly synthetic route to prepare new gold nanoparticles (BL-Au NPs). Significantly, except for the key role as the reducing, barley leaves was further utilized as the capping agent that ensure the stability of the BL-Au NPs. The characterization results of TEM, FTIR and UV-vis indicated that the gold nanoparticles coated with barley leaves extract were successfully synthesized. In vitro and zebra fish toxicity and stability assays demonstrated its good biocompatibility and high colloidal stability. The CT images in vitro demonstrated that the constructed BL-Au NPs possessed superiority in X-ray attenuation ability compared to clinically commonly used iodinated small molecular contrast agent. And BL-Au NPs can be used as contrast agent for effective CT imaging of zebra fish model. These results suggest the potential utility of BL-Au NPs as a CT imaging contrast agent in clinical CT imaging based diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widest-spectrum, most-consumed β-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX) is used to treat bovine mastitis that is caused primarily by many bacteria. Excessive use of antibiotics can lead to established residual contamination of the milk even after pasteurization. The amount of antibiotic residue above Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) has a negative impact on both public health and the environment. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the concentration of amoxicillin residue (AMXR) in raw and pasteurized milk samples of cow suffered from mastitis, by the standard methods of HPLC compared to pure AMX drug and effect of the said residue on the developmental toxicity and genotoxicity of zebra fish at 72 hpf and 48 hpf embryo, respectively. Results obtained by HPLC showed that AMXR exhibits 574.89 and 250.75 times higher concentration in the raw and pasteurized milk than MRL in compare to pure AMX drug. This current study showed that AMXR decreased the body length and yolk sac region, while the pure AMX drug-treated group showed increased height and length of the yolk sac and shorter body length relative to the other groups. The Comet Assay measured the DNA damage caused by AMXR. The group where AMXR were applied showed the highest percentage of tail DNA and tail moment relative to other groups. So, here AMXR is considered as the genotoxic contaminant that is emerging and affect on public health.

Tributyltin (TBT), an organotin compound, is hazardous in aquatic ecosystems. However, the mechanisms underlying TBT-induced central nervous system (CNS) toxicity remain to be determined especially in freshwater aquatic vertebrates. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to TBT on brain functions in a freshwater teleost the adult wild-type zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations of TBT (10, 100 or 300 ng/L) for 6 weeks. The influence of long-term TBT exposure was assessed in the brain of zebrafish with antioxidant related indices including malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and total antioxidant capacity, neurological parameters such as activities of acetylcholinesterase, and monoamine oxidase as well as levels of nitric oxide, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine. In addition indices related to sensitivity of toxic insult such as cytochrome P450 1 regulation and heat shock protein 70 were determined. The regulation of related genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), apoptosis and Nrf2 pathway were measured. Adverse physiological and biochemical responses were significantly enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner reflecting neurotoxicity attributed to TBT exposure. Our findings provide further insight into TBT-induced toxicity in wild-type zebrafish. and enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying TBT-initiated CNS effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jurnal Veteriner is the property of Fakultas Kedokteran Hewan, Universitas Udayana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

It is a hot topic to improve efficiency and decrease toxicity of gene transfection reagents. The extracellular nanovesicles (EVs) that are released by cells play an important role in intercellular communication and are naturally designed for genetic exchange between cells. Here, we show that the EVs have a large beneficial effect in polyethyleneimine (PEI)-mediated transfection of a GFP-encoding plasmid into HEK293T cells. An improvement of transfection efficiency of ~500% and a decrease in toxicity were observed in a specific concentration range of PEI. The EVs also greatly improved the transfection of the same plasmid into zebrafish embryos. To verify the generality of this gene transfection approach, we also tested the cell viability and gene transfection efficiency using two other plasmids (EpTEN and ELuc) and in another cell line (A549). The measured increase in transfection efficiency makes EV a promising candidate for enhancement of the quality of current PEI-based transfection technique.

Scanning laser image correlation (SLIC) is an optical correlation technique for measuring the fluid velocity of particles suspended in a liquid. This technique combines laser scanning of an arbitrary pattern with pair cross-correlation between any two points in the pattern. SLIC overcomes many of the limitations of other optical correlation techniques for flow measurement, such as laser speckle, spatial temporal image correlation spectroscopy, and two-foci methods. One of the main advantages of SLIC is that the concept can be applied to measurements on a range of scales through simple zooming or modifications in the instrumentation. Additionally, SLIC is relatively insensitive to instrument noise through the use of correlation analysis and is insensitive to background. SLIC can provide detailed information about the direction and pattern of flow. SLIC has potential applications ranging from microfluidics to blood flow measurements.

Present study was conducted to investigate the effects of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) essential oil on the intestine and liver tissues of zebra fish. Essential oil was added to the diet in two concentrations (500 and 1000 mg/kg) and at the end of the experiment (8 weeks) histological studies were performed. The results showed that villus height and width, absorption surface area of the intestinal mucous membrane surface, diameters of hepatocyte and their nucleus in the fish that fed with the essential oils were higher than control treatment, while the crypt depth decreased compared with the control. In fish grown with diet containing 1000 mg/kg, the number of goblet cells increased compared with control group, while in fish fed with the lower concentrations, the number of them was lower. Despite the observed changes in the measured parameters just the diameters of the hepatocytes in fish fed with diets containing 1000 mg/kg essential oils showed a significant difference and the size of these cells was larger than other treatments. In general, due to the increase in the absorption surface area and decrease in the number of goblet cells in fish fed with diet containing 500 mg/kg essential oil it seems that the use of low concentrations of essential oils can improve the histological characteristics of the digestive tract.

Tota Lake is a water source of great importance at a regional and national level given its environmental and economic value, the latter represented by agricultural, livestock and fish farming activities. These activities have contributed to the contamination observed at present, being an environmental problem in constant rise, where the health, the development of the communities and the ecological processes have been affected. In fact, Lake Tota has been classified as one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet by the global network of wetlands. Despite the environmental problems posed by the contamination of the Lake, there are very few studies that investigate the genetic damage generated by exposure to the toxic agents present in this basin. In this regard, an optimal biological model for genotoxicity studies is the zebrafish, given its high genetic homology with humans, as well as its capacity for regeneration, adaptation and immune response to high concentrations of chemical compounds such as pesticides. This review focuses on recent reports on Tota Lake contamination and the use of biological models for genotoxicity studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessment of chemical mixtures has emerged as a focus of research efforts, but traditional toxicology testing in mammals is costly, time-consuming, and subject to ethical scrutiny in the context of recent trends to reduce reliance on animal testing. In this review, which is a summary of presentations given at a workshop in Havana, Cuba, in April 2019, we survey the utility of zebra fish as an alternative laboratory model in whole-mixture and component-based testing, as well as in vitro modeling in 3-dimensional organotypic cultures from primary human cells cultured at the air–liquid interface and organ-on-a-chip platforms. Finally, we discuss the complexities of assessing the dynamics and delivery of multispecies liquid aerosol mixtures along the human respiratory tract, with examples of alternative and computational approaches to aerosol dosimetry. The workshop contributed to the professional development of Cuban toxicologists, an underserved segment of the global scientific community, delivering a set of tools and recommendations that could potentially provide cost-effective solutions for scientists with limited research resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]