2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis in Rattus norgevicus: a categorization proposal

Reproducibility in animal research is crucial for its reliance and translational relevance. The 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is widely used but inconsistently and incompletely characterized throughout the literature. This hinders comparisons between studies and influences the low rate of translation of effective preclinical molecules. The purpose of this study was to categorize TNBS-induced colitis, based on macroscopic and microscopic scoring systems, and to identify basic routine parameters that could anticipate those categories. We retrospectively analysed male Wistar Rattus norvegicus (n=28 for the control group and n=87 for the TNBS group) and categorized TNBS-induced colitis in three phenotypes: Mild, Moderate and Severe colitis, as for human IBD. Also, we showed that the time course of food intake and fecal excretion (but not body weight, fluid intake or welfare scores) could foresee those categories. So, routine evaluation of food intake and fecal excretion may guide researchers in planning their experiments, selecting the animals with the severity of colitis that better matches their aims, or applying early humane endpoints to animals that will not be used in the experiments. In conclusion, categorizing TNBS-induced colitis enhances the reproducibility of data gathered with this experimental model and strengths its translational relevance.     

Naphthoquinone dimers and trimers from Euclea natalensis

The naphthoquinone dimers natalenone, 8′-hydroxydiospyrin and euclanone and the trimers galpinone and a compound with MW 562 were isolated from E. natalensis roots. Natalenone is a dehydrodimer of 7-methyl- juglone with the two moieties linked by two CC bonds to give a fused tetracyclic structure, one ring bearing a methylene bridge. Galpinone is a 7-methyljuglone linear trimer, the three units probably being linked C-8-C-6′and C-3′-C-3″. Euclanone is a new dimer of 7-methyljuglone and methylnaphthazarin, isomeric with 8′-hydroxydiospyrin.     

Expression of lipoxygenase during organogenic nodule formation from hop internodes.

Study of lipoxygenase expression (LOX; EC 1.13.11.12) during organogenic nodule formation in hop (Humulus lupulus var. Nugget) showed that LOXs are developmentally regulated throughout the process, suggesting their involvement in the response of internodes to wounding, nodule formation, and plantlet regeneration from these nodules. LOX activity and lipid peroxides exhibited a huge increase during the first week of culture, which may indicate a role for LOX and LOX products in response to wounding in hop, as reported for other systems. Western blotting analysis showed a de novo synthesis of LOX isoenzymes in response to wounding and the detection of three different isoenzymes. Confocal analysis of LOX immunofluorescence revealed the presence of the enzyme in cortical cells of induced internodes and in prenodular cells, mostly appearing as cytoplasmic spots. Some of them were identified as lipid bodies by cytochemical and double immunofluorescence assays, suggesting the involvement of a lipid body LOX during nodule formation. Immunogold labeling detected LOX in peroxisomes, lipid bodies, and plastids of nodular cells. Quantification of the labeling density provided statistical significance for the localization of LOX (three different isoenzymes) in the three compartments, which suggested a possible involvement of LOX in metabolic functions of these organelles during organogenic nodule formation and plantlet regeneration.     

Quantum Dots in Cell Biology

Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals that have broad excitation spectra, narrow emission spectra, tunable emission peaks, long fluorescence lifetimes, negligible photobleaching, and ability to be conjugated to proteins, making them excellent probes for bioimaging applications. Here the author reviews the advantages and disadvantages of using quantum dots in bioimaging applications, such as single-particle tracking and fluorescence resonance energy transfer, to study receptor-mediated transport.     

The ovarian morphology of Scorpaena notata shows a specialized mode of oviparity

Scorpaena notata is an oviparous species with external fertilization that deposits its eggs in a gelatinous matrix. The internal epithelium of the ovarian wall is chiefly responsible for the production of this matrix, which is particularly abundant and viscous during the spawning period. The oocytes lack lipid droplets, so flotation and transport of the eggs is probably accomplished by means of the matrix that surrounds them. The ovarian stroma is situated along the centre of the gonad and the developing oocytes are connected to it by peduncles. The paucity and small size of the cortical alveoli of the oocytes are notable, as is the thinness of the zona radiata. These are characteristics that would be typical of viviparous species. The histological and ultrastructural observations lead to the conclusion that this species presents a type of oviparity more highly specialized than that of the majority of teleosts.     

Brain and testis: more alike than previously thought?

Several strands of evidence indicate the presence of marked similarities between human brain and testis. Understanding these similarities and their implications has become a topic of interest among the scientific community. Indeed, an association of intelligence with some semen quality parameters has been reported and a relation between dysfunctions of the human brain and testis has also been evident. Numerous common molecular features are evident when these tissues are compared, which is reflected in the huge number of common proteins. At the functional level, human neurons and sperm share a number of characteristics, including the importance of the exocytotic process and the presence of similar receptors and signalling pathways. The common proteins are mainly involved in exocytosis, tissue development and neuron/brain-associated biological processes. With this analysis, we conclude that human brain and testis share several biochemical characteristics which, in addition to their involvement in the speciation process, could, at least in part, be responsible for the expression of a huge number of common proteins. Nonetheless, this is an underexplored topic, and the connection between these tissues needs to be clarified, which could help to understand the dysfunctions affecting brain and testis, as well as to develop improved therapeutic strategies.