Responses of marine organisms to physical and chemical impacts

The multistressor effect of pH reduction, microplastic and lanthanum on sea urchin Arbacia lixula

pH reduction (Low pH), microplastic (MP), and lanthanum (La) are substantial stressors due to their increasing trends in marine ecosystems and having adverse effects on marine species. This study investigates the single and combined effects of those stressors (Low pH: 7.45, polyethylene MP: 26 μg L-1, and La: 9 μg L-1) on the physiology and histology of sea urchin Arbacia lixula. Regarding physiological results, while the coelomocytes' quantity was slightly affected by stressors, their viability was significantly affected. The coelomocyte count and viability were suppressed most in Low pH-MP-La treatment. The stressors did not impact the respiration rate. According to the histological examination results, the crypt (villi-like structure) was shorter, and epithelial layers were thinner in single and dual stress treatments like MP, Low pH, Low pH-La, and MP-La. Overall, we suggest that the combination of variable types of those stressors causes negative effects on sea urchin's physiology and histology.

Exploration of the sea urchin coelomic fluid via combinatorial peptide ligand libraries

The urchin Paracentrotus lividus has been characterized via previous capture and enhancement of low-abundance proteins with combinatorial peptide ligand libraries (CPLL, ProteoMiner). Whereas in the control only 26 unique gene products could be identified, 82 species could be detected after CPLL treatment. Due to the overwhelming presence of two major proteins-the toposome (a highly glycosylated, modified calcium-binding, iron-less transferrin) and the major yolk proteins, belonging to the class of cell adhesion proteins-which constituted about 70% of the proteome of this biological fluid and strongly interfered with the capture of the minority proteome, no additional proteins could be detected. Yet, at present, this constitutes the most thorough investigation of the proteome of this biological fluid.

Potential Effect of Bacopa monnieri on Nitrobenzene Induced Liver Damage in Rats

The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri in acute experimental liver injury induced by Nitrobenzene in rats. The extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight was administered orally once every day for 10 days. The increased serum marker enzymes, Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were restored towards normalization significantly by the extract. Significant increase in SOD, CAT and GPx was observed in extract treated liver injured experimental rats. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues supported the hepatoprotection. It is concluded that the ethanolic extract of Bacopa monieri plant possess good hepatoprotective activity.

Advances in progenitor cell therapy using scaffolding constructs for central nervous system injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Current clinical therapy is focused on optimization of the acute/subacute intracerebral milieu, minimizing continued cell death, and subsequent intense rehabilitation to ameliorate the prolonged physical, cognitive, and psychosocial deficits that result from TBI. Adult progenitor (stem) cell therapies have shown promise in pre-clinical studies and remain a focus of intense scientific investigation. One of the fundamental challenges to successful translation of the large body of pre-clinical work is the delivery of progenitor cells to the target location/organ. Classically used vehicles such as intravenous and intra arterial infusion have shown low engraftment rates and risk of distal emboli. Novel delivery methods such as nanofiber scaffold implantation could provide the structural and nutritive support required for progenitor cell proliferation, engraftment, and differentiation. The focus of this review is to explore the current state of the art as it relates to current and novel progenitor cell delivery methods.