Search Results (1,576)

Background: Exercise-induced fatigue arises primarily from energy substrate depletion and the accumulation of metabolites such as lactate and ammonia, which impair performance and delay recovery. Emerging evidence implicates gut microbiota modulation—particularly via probiotics—as a means to optimize host energy metabolism and accelerate clearance of fatigue-associated by-products. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether live or heat-inactivated Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NB23 can enhance exercise endurance and attenuate fatigue biomarkers in a murine model. Methods: Forty male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomized into four groups (n = 10 each) receiving daily gavage for six weeks with vehicle, heat-killed NB23 (3 × 10¹⁰ cells/mouse/day), low-dose live NB23 (1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/mouse/day), or high-dose live NB23 (3 × 10¹⁰ CFU/mouse/day). Forelimb grip strength and weight-loaded swim-to-exhaustion tests assessed performance. Blood was collected post-exercise to measure serum lactate, ammonia, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatine kinase (CK). Liver and muscle glycogen content was also quantified, and safety was confirmed by clinical-chemistry panels and histological examination. Results: NB23 treatment produced dose-dependent improvements in grip strength (p < 0.01) and swim endurance (p < 0.001). All NB23 groups exhibited significant reductions in post-exercise lactate (p < 0.0001), ammonia (p < 0.001), BUN (p < 0.001), and CK (p < 0.0001). Hepatic and muscle glycogen stores rose by 41–59% and 65–142%, respectively (p < 0.001). No changes in food or water intake, serum clinical-chemistry parameters, or tissue histology were observed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that both live and heat-treated L. paracasei NB23 may contribute to improved endurance performance, increased energy reserves, and faster clearance of fatigue-related metabolites in our experimental model. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously given the exploratory nature and limitations of our study. Full article

The aim of this work is to analyse the effectiveness of the medical use of the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) in microsurgical treatment of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors (IMSCTs), with a focus on the thermo-mechanical effects on neighbouring tissues to assess any potential damage. Indeed, CUSA emerges as an innovative solution, minimally invasive tumor excision technique, enabling controlled and focused operations. This study employs a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to simulate the vibratory and thermal interactions occurring during CUSA application. A computational model of a vertebral column segment affected by an IMSCT was developed and analysed using ANSYS 2024 software. The simulations examined strain distribution, heat generation, and temperature propagation within the biological tissues. The FEA results demonstrate that the vibratory-induced strain remains highly localised to the application site, and thermal effects, though measurable, do not exceed the critical safety threshold of 46 °C established in the literature. These findings suggest that CUSA can be safely used within defined operational parameters, provided that energy settings and exposure times are carefully managed to mitigate excessive thermal accumulation. These conclusions contribute to the understanding of the thermo-mechanical interactions in ultrasonic tumour resection and aim to assist medical professionals in optimising surgical protocols. Full article

Background/Objective: Exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) is primarily driven by mechanical stress on muscles during strenuous or unaccustomed exercise, often exacerbated by environmental factors like heat and dehydration. While the general cellular pathway involving energy depletion and calcium overload is understood in horse ER models, the underlying mechanisms specific to the ER are not universally known within humans. This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with ER exhibited transcriptional signatures that were significantly different from those of healthy individuals. Methods: This study utilized RNA sequencing on skeletal muscle samples from 19 human patients with ER history, collected at a minimum of six months after the most recent ER event, and eight healthy controls to investigate the transcriptomic landscape of ER. To identify any alterations in biological processes between the case and control groups, functional pathway analyses were conducted. Results: Functional pathway enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes revealed strong suppression of mitochondrial function. This suppression included the “aerobic electron transport chain” and “oxidative phosphorylation” pathways, indicating impaired energy production. Conversely, there was an upregulation of genes associated with adhesion and extracellular matrix-related pathways, indicating active restoration of muscle function in ER cases. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that muscle tissue exhibited signs of suppressed mitochondrial function and increased extracellular matrix development. Both of these facilitate muscle recovery within several months after an ER episode. Full article

Heat stress transcription factor (Hsf) families play important roles in abiotic stress responses. However, previous studies reported that HsfBs genes may play diverse roles in response to heat stress. Here, we conducted functional analysis on a woodland strawberry Class B Hsf gene, FvHsfB1a, to improve thermotolerance. The structure of FvHsfB1a contains a typical Hsf domain for DNA binding at the N-terminus, and FvHsfB1a belongs to the B1 family of Hsfs. The FvHsfB1a protein was localized in the nucleus. The FvHsfB1a gene was expressed in various strawberry tissues and highly induced by heat treatment. Under heat stress conditions, ectopic expression of FvHsfB1a in Arabidopsis improves thermotolerance, with higher germination and survival rates, a longer primary root length, higher proline and chlorophyll contents, lower malonaldehyde (MDA) and O²⁻ contents, better enzyme activities, and greater expression of heat-responsive and stress-related genes compared to WT. FvWRKY75 activates the promoter of the FvHsfB1a gene through recognizing the W-box element. Similarly, FvWRKY75-OE lines also displayed a heat-tolerant phenotype, exhibiting more proline and chlorophyll contents, lower MDA and O²⁻ contents, and higher enzyme activities under heat stress. Taken together, our study indicates that FvHsfB1a is a positive regulator of heat stress. Full article

Histotripsy is a novel, noninvasive, non-thermal technology invented in 2004 for the precise destruction of biologic tissue. It offers a powerful alternative to more conventional thermal or surgical interventions. Using short-pulse, low-duty cycle ultrasonic waves, histotripsy creates cavitation bubble clouds that selectively and precisely destroy targeted tissue in a predefined volume while sparing critical structures like bile ducts, ureters, and blood vessels. Such precision is of value when treating tumors near vital structures. The FDA has cleared histotripsy for the treatment of all liver tumors. Major medical centers are currently spearheading clinical trials, and some institutions have already integrated the technology into patient care. Histotripsy is now being studied for a host of other cancers, including primary kidney and pancreatic tumors. Preclinical murine and porcine models have already revealed promising outcomes. One of histotripsy’s primary advantages is its non-thermal mechanical actuation. This feature allows it to circumvent the limitations of heat-based techniques, including the heat sink effect and unpredictable treatment margins near sensitive tissues. In addition to its non-invasive ablative capacities, it is being preliminarily explored for its potential to induce immunomodulation and promote abscopal inhibition of distant, untreated tumors through CD8+ T cell responses. Thus, it may provide a multilayered therapeutic effect in the treatment of cancer. Histotripsy has the potential to improve precision and outcomes across a multitude of specialties, from oncology to cardiovascular medicine. Continued trials are crucial to further expand its applications and validate its long-term efficacy. Due to the speed of recent developments, the goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of histotripsy. It will explore its physics-based mechanisms, differentiating it from similar technologies, discuss its clinical applications, and examine its advantages, limitations, and future. Full article

Molecular chaperones, especially heat shock proteins (HSPs) have vital functions in cells’ responses to stress. Here, we cloned and sequenced the complete complementary DNA encoding HSP90 (MjHSP90) from the shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus. The MjHSP90 cDNA comprised 3162 bp, including a 2172 bp coding region encoding a 724 amino acid-protein (predicted molecular mass = 83.12 kDa). Homology and phylogenetic analyses showed that MjHSP90 was highly conserved and most homologous to Litopenaeus vannamei HSP90. MjHSP90 is expressed in all tested tissues, with high expression in gill tissue and the hepatopancreas. Cold stress significantly upregulated MjHSP90 expression in the gill and hepatopancreas (p < 0.05). Following RNA interference knockdown of MjHSP90, the cold stress-related death rate of the shrimp increased significantly, accompanied by significantly upregulated expression of apoptosis-related genes Mjcaspase-3 and Mjbcl-2 (p < 0.05) and an increase in the number of apoptotic cells. The results indicated that MjHSP90 might play a pivotal role in the shrimp’s immune response to cold stress. Full article

Pain following orthodontic treatment is the chief complaint of patients undergoing this form of treatment. Although the use of diode lasers has been suggested for pain reduction, the mechanism of laser-induced analgesic effects remains unclear. Neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), contribute to the transmission and maintenance of inflammatory pain. Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 plays a protective role against various stresses, including orthodontic forces. This study aimed to examine the effects of diode laser irradiation on neuropeptides and HSP 70 expression in periodontal tissues induced by experimental tooth movement (ETM). For inducing ETM for 24 h, 50 g of orthodontic force was applied using a nickel–titanium closed-coil spring to the upper left first molar and the incisors of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats (7 weeks old). The right side without ETM treatment was considered the untreated control group. In 10 rats, diode laser irradiation was performed on the buccal and palatal sides of the first molar for 90 s with a total energy of 100.8 J/cm². A near-infrared (NIR) laser with a 808 nm wavelength, 7 W peak power, 560 W average power, and 20 ms pulse width was used for the experiment. We measured the number of facial groomings and vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) in the ETM and ETM + laser groups. Immunohistochemical staining of the periodontal tissue with SP, CGRP, and HSP 70 was performed. The number of facial grooming and VCM periods significantly decreased in the ETM + laser group compared to the ETM group. Moreover, the ETM + laser group demonstrated significant suppression of SP, CGRP, and HSP 70 expression. These results suggest that the diode laser demonstrated analgesic effects on ETM-induced pain by inhibiting SP and CGRP expression, and decreased HSP 70 expression shows alleviation of cell damage. Thus, although further validation is warranted for human applications, an NIR diode laser can be used for reducing pain and neuropeptide markers during orthodontic tooth movement. Full article

We investigate the temperature evolution in the three-dimensional skin tissue exposed to a millimeter-wave electromagnetic beam that is not necessarily perpendicular to the skin surface. This study examines the effect of the beam’s incident angle. The incident angle influences the thermal heating in two aspects: (i) the beam spot projected onto the skin is elongated compared to the intrinsic beam spot in a perpendicular cross-section, resulting in a lower power per skin area; and (ii) inside the tissue, the beam propagates at the refracted angle relative to the depth direction. At millimeter-wavelength frequencies, the characteristic penetration depth is sub-millimeter, whereas the lateral extent of the beam spans at least several centimeters in applications. We explore the small ratio of the penetration depth to the lateral length scale in a nondimensional formulation and derive a leading-term asymptotic solution for the temperature distribution. This analysis does not rely on a small incident angle and is therefore applicable to arbitrary angles of incidence. Based on the asymptotic solution, we establish scaling laws for the three-dimensional skin temperature, the skin surface temperature, and the skin volume in which thermal nociceptors are activated. Full article

Background: Inflammation abrogates cellular organization and tissue homoeostasis, resulting in redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function. A model of carrageenan-induced paw edema (CIE) is commonly utilized to test anti-inflammatory substances. Based on the ability of Lepisanthes alata (LA), a tropical plant that is rich in phytochemicals like polyphenols, this study assessed the optimal dose and the health benefits of LA in rats that had been induced with carrageenan to develop paw swelling. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups to which carrageenan was administered, after which, distilled water at oral dose (C + DW), sodium diclofenac 25 mg/kg (C + DS), LA extract in 250 mg/kg (C + LA250), and 500 mg/kg (C + LA500) was given, respectively. Paw edema was assessed in 24 h. Pain was assessed using the Rat Grimace Scale (RGS), cytokines, antioxidant activity, and tissue changes. Results: LA at 250 and 500 mg/kg significantly decreased paw edema and inflammatory markers in the results of both studies. Remarkably, LA 250 mg/kg significantly decreased RGS scores as well as IL-1β, TNF-α, and histological inflammation but had a positive effect on T-SOD levels. Conclusions: LA extract, especially at 250 mg/kg, shows potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties in CIE rats. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale membrane-enclosed particles, are natural carriers of proteins and nucleic acids. Microalgae are widely used as a source of bioactive substances in the food and cosmetic industries and definitely have a potential to be used as the producers of EVs for biomedical applications. In this study, the extracellular vesicles isolated from the culture medium of two unicellular microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlamy-EVs) and Parachlorella kessleri (Chlore-EVs), were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), cryo-electronic microscopy (cryo-EM), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The biocompatibility with human cells in vitro (HEK-293T, DF-2 and A172) and biodistribution in mouse organs and tissues in vivo were tested for both microalgal EVs. An exogenous therapeutic protein, human heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), was successfully loaded to Chlamy- and Chlore-EVs, and its efficient delivery to human glioma and colon carcinoma cell lines has been confirmed. Additionally, in order to search for potential therapeutic biomolecules within the EVs, their proteomes have been characterized. A total of 105 proteins were identified for Chlamy-EVs and 33 for Chlore-EVs. The presence of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the Chlamy-EV constituents allows for considering them as antioxidant agents. The effective delivery of exogenous cargo to human cells and the possibility of the particle yield optimization by varying the microalgae growth conditions make them favorable producers of EVs for biotechnology and biomedical application. Full article

High-temperature stress has become an important factor that has restricted the aquaculture industry. Huso dauricus is a high-economic-value fish that has faced the threat of thermal stress. Based on this point, our investigation aimed to explore the detailed mechanism of the negative impacts of heat stress on the liver metabolism functions in Huso dauricus. In this study, we set one control group (19 °C) and four high-temperature treatment groups (22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C) with 40 fish in each group for continuous 53-day heat exposure. Histological analysis, biochemical detection, and transcriptome technology were used to explore the effects of heat stress on the liver structure and functions of juvenile Huso dauricus. It suggested heat-stress-induced obvious liver injury and reactive oxygen species accumulation in Huso dauricus with a time/temperature-dependent manner. Serum total protein, transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities showed significant changes under heat stress (p < 0.05). In addition, 6433 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified based on the RNA-seq project. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that various DEGs could be mapped to the lipid-metabolism-related terms. KEGG enrichment and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that ferroptosis and FoxO signaling pathways were significantly enriched (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that thermal stress induced oxidative stress damage in the liver of juvenile Huso dauricus, which triggered lipid metabolism disorder and hepatocyte ferroptosis to disrupt normal liver functions. In conclusion, chronic thermal stress can cause antioxidant capacity imbalance in the liver of Huso dauricus to mediate the ferroptosis process, which would finally disturb the lipid metabolism homeostasis. In further research, it will be necessary to verify the detailed cellular signaling pathways that are involved in the heat-stress-induced liver function disorder response based on the in vitro experiment, while the multi-organ crosswalk mode under the thermal stress status is also essential for understanding the comprehensive mechanism of heat-stress-mediated negative effects on fish species. Full article

Background: Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is highly susceptible to various abiotic stresses during their growth and development, leading to severe reductions in both yield and quality. β-Glucosidase (BGLU) is widely involved in plant growth and development, as well as in the response to abiotic stress. Methods: We performed a genome-wide identification of pepper BGLU (CaBGLU) genes. Phylogenetic analysis included BGLU proteins from Arabidopsis, tomato, and pepper. Gene structures, conserved motifs, and promoter cis-elements were analyzed bioinformatically. Synteny within the pepper genome was assessed. Protein-protein interaction potential was predicted. Gene expression patterns were analyzed across tissues and under abiotic stresses using transcriptomic data and qRT-PCR. Subcellular localization of a key candidate protein CaBGLU21 was confirmed experimentally. Results: We identified 32 CaBGLU genes unevenly distributed across eight chromosomes. Phylogenetic classification of 99 BGLU proteins into 12 subfamilies revealed an uneven distribution of CaBGLUs across six subfamilies. Proteins within subfamilies shared conserved motifs and gene structures. CaBGLU promoters harbored abundant light-, hormone- (MeJA, ABA, SA, GA), and stress-responsive elements (including low temperature). A duplicated gene pair (CaBGLU19/CaBGLU24) was identified. 27 CaBGLU proteins showed potential for interactions. Expression analysis indicated CaBGLU5 and CaBGLU30 were mesophyll-specific, while CaBGLU21 was constitutively high in non-leaf tissues. CaBGLU21 was consistently upregulated by cold, heat, and ABA. Subcellular localization confirmed CaBGLU21 resides in the tonoplast. Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis characterizes the pepper BGLU gene family. CaBGLU21, exhibiting constitutive expression in non-leaf tissues, strong upregulation under multiple stresses, and tonoplast localization, emerges as a prime candidate gene for further investigation into abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms in pepper. The findings provide a foundation for future functional studies and stress-resistant pepper breeding. Full article

The Pennes bioheat equation is the most widely used model for describing heat transfer in living tissue during thermal exposure. It is derived from the classical Fourier law of heat conduction and assumes energy exchange between blood vessels and surrounding tissues. The literature presents various numerical methods for solving the bioheat equation, with exact solutions developed for different boundary conditions and geometries. However, analytical models based on this framework are rarely reported. This study aims to develop an analytical three-dimensional model using MATHEMATICA software, with subsequent mathematical validation performed through COMSOL simulations, to characterize heat transfer in biological tissues induced by laser irradiation under various therapeutic conditions. The objective is to refine the conventional bioheat equation by introducing three key improvements: (a) incorporating a non-Fourier framework for the Pennes equation, thereby accounting for the relaxation time in thermal response; (b) integrating Dirac functions and the telegraph equation into the bioheat model to simulate localized point heating of diseased tissue; and (c) deriving a closed-form analytical solution for the Pennes equation in both its classical (Fourier-based) and improved (non-Fourier-based) formulations. This paper investigates the nuanced relationship between the relaxation time parameter in the telegraph equation and the thermal relaxation time employed in the bioheat transfer equation. Considering all these aspects, the optimal thermal relaxation time determined for these simulations was 1.16 s, while the investigated thermal exposure time ranged from 0.01 s to 120 s. This study introduces a generalized version of the model, providing a more realistic representation of heat exchange between biological tissue and blood flow by accounting for non-uniform temperature distribution. It is important to note that a reasonable agreement was observed between the two modeling approaches: analytical (MATHEMATICA) and numerical (COMSOL) simulations. As a result, this research paves the way for advancements in laser-based medical treatments and thermal therapies, ultimately contributing to more optimized therapeutic outcomes. Full article

Myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF), named in reference to its secretion from myeloid cells in bone marrow, is a novel protein with anti-apoptotic and tissue-repairing properties. MYDGF is found in various human tissues affected by different diseases. To date, however, MYDGF expression has yet to be reported in the nervous system. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that MYDGF mRNA levels increased in the zebrafish retina 1 h after optic nerve injury (ONI). MYDGF-producing cells were located in the photoreceptors and infiltrating leukocytic cells. We prepared the retina for MYDGF gene knockdown by performing intraocular injections using either MYDGF-specific morpholino or the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Under these MYDGF-knockdown retinal conditions, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 mRNA was suppressed; in comparison, apoptotic caspase-3 and inflammatory TNFα mRNA were significantly upregulated in the zebrafish retina after ONI compared to the control. Furthermore, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) was evidently suppressed under these conditions, leading to a significant number of apoptotic neurons. These findings indicate that MYDGF is a key molecule in the stimulation of neuronal regeneration in the central nervous system. Full article

Asia minor bluegrass (Polypogon fugax), a widespread Poaceae weed, exhibits broad tolerance to abiotic stresses. Validated reference genes (RGs) for reliable RT-qPCR normalization in this ecologically and agriculturally significant species remain unidentified. This study identified eight candidate RGs using transcriptome data from seedling tissues. We assessed the expression stability of these eight RGs across various abiotic stresses and developmental stages using Delta Ct, BestKeeper, geNorm, and NormFinder algorithms. A comprehensive stability ranking was generated using RefFinder, with validation performed using the target genes COR413 and P5CS. Results identified EIF4A and TUB as the optimal RG combination for normalizing gene expression during heat stress, cold stress, and growth stages. EIF4A and ACT were most stable under drought stress, EIF4A and 28S under salt stress, and EIF4A and EF-1 under cadmium (Cd) stress. Furthermore, EIF4A and UBQ demonstrated optimal stability under herbicide stress. Additionally, application of validated RGs revealed higher acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene (ACCase) expression in one herbicide-resistant population, suggesting target-site gene overexpression contributes to resistance. This work presents the first systematic evaluation of RGs in P. fugax. The identified stable RGs provide essential tools for future gene expression studies on growth and abiotic stress responses in this species, facilitating deeper insights into the molecular basis of its weediness and adaptability. Full article