Iron-Induced Apoptotic Cell Death and Autophagy Dysfunction in Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line SH-SY5Y

Biological Trace Element Research - Iron accumulation plays a major role in neuronal cell death which has severe effects on mental health like neurodegenerative disorders. The present work aims to...     

Loading and bioavailability of iron in cereal grains

Cereal plants take up iron from the soil via a phytosiderophore-mediated chelation system. Following root absorption, iron is transported through the xylem and phloem of the plant with the help of a variety of efflux and influx transporters belonging to the Zrt Irt-like protein (ZIP) and yellow stripe-like (YSL) protein families. Iron-regulated transporter1, a member of the ZIP family, mobilises ferrous [Fe(II)] ions, while several YSL family members such as YSL2, YSL15 and YSL18 can transport both ferric [Fe(II)] and ferrous [F`III)] ions into developing grains via chelation with mugineic acid or its derivatives. The iron is accumulated largely in the outer aleurone layer and embryo of the grains, which are removed during milling, leaving behind consumable endosperm that contains a very low amount of iron. This review highlights the uptake, transport and loading mechanisms for iron in cereal grains and provides an overview of strategies adopted for developing highly iron-enriched grains.     

Pollen Morphology of Indian Species of Saraca L. (Leguminosae)-A Threatened and Legendary Medicinal Tree

The genus Saraca L. (Leguminosae) is a universal panacea in herbal medicine. The present study investigates the comparative pollen morphology of four species of Saraca viz. S. asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde, S. declinata (Jack) Miq., S. indica L., and S. thaipingensis Cantley ex Prain growing in India to reveal differences of their pollen structures to aid taxonomic and evolutionary values. The detailed morphology and surface structure of pollen grains were studied and described using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains of Saraca showed isopolar, para-syncolporate, tricolporate, with radially symmetric, prolate and prolate-spheroidal structure. The surface of pollen of S. indica is rugulate with large lirae but in S. declinata, the surface is micro-rugulate to vermiculate with relatively thin lirae and that of S. thaipingensis is indistinct as the psilate surface with a frequent protuberance and fewer perforations were observed along with the gemmae like structure. Exine ornamentation helped to separate S. indica and S. asoca. Exine thickness varies from 3-4 μm. Presence of protuberance and exine thickness varies among individuals of the species spread over different locations. Present work also provides a unique palynological identity and interrelationship of these four species based on cluster analysis taking 23 pollen characters with the help of statistical method like the plotting of ternary graph. Ternary plots also helped to calculate the level of plasticity of each character in the intra- and inter-specific level.     

Ambient temperature-dependent thermoregulatory role of REM sleep

Changes in ambient temperature produce complex effects on sleep–wakefulness. In order to find out the mechanisms involved in temperature-sensitive changes in sleep in rats, their thermal preference, body temperature and sleep were studied before and after the destruction of both peripheral and central warm receptors, by systemic administration of 375 mg/kg capsaicin. Though the pre-treated rats preferred to stay mostly at the ambient temperature of 27 °C, post-treated rats strayed freely into chambers having ambient temperature of 30 °C and 33 °C. Sleep and body temperature of these rats were studied for six hours each, when they were kept at an ambient temperature of 18–36 °C. Total sleep time, especially REM sleep, was maximum at 30 °C in pre-treated rats, but this REM sleep peak at 30 °C disappeared after capsaicin administration. Body temperature increased sharply in post-treated rats, at ambient temperatures above 30 °C. Apart from the ability to defend body temperature at high ambient temperature, avoidance of warm ambient temperature and increase in REM sleep are the behavioral measures which are lost in post-treated rats. Results of this study suggest that the ambient temperature-related increase in REM sleep at 30 °C could be part of the thermoregulatory measures.