Kampfe L et al. (1986) Zoologische Jahrbucher - Abt. Zool. Phys. der Tiere "Effects of lathyrogenous compounds and of the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) on the free-living nematode species C. briggsae and Rhabditis oxycerca."

Ullrich HL, Kreil V, Kampfe L

[Zoologische Jahrbucher - Abt. Zool. Phys. der Tiere, 1986]

Some substances produced by Lathyrus species cause disorders of the nervous system and connective tissue in vertebrates. These disorders are known as lathyrism and are characterized by suppression of molecular cross linking in collagenous structures. Several lathyrogenous agents caused restricted motion activity in the free-living nematode species Rhabditis oxycerca and Caenorhabditis briggsae apparently through effects on the nervous system (neurolathyrism). However, the death rate was only slightly increased. Retarded development and reduced reproduction occurred after long-term exposure to isoniazide hydrazinehydrate ane and phenylhydrazine. These effects may be related to disorders in the collagen structure and are comparable to osteolathyrism in vertebrates. Under non-sterile conditions the inhibitory effects of isoniazide and hydrazinchydrate on reproduction and development were markedly diminished, apparently due to microbial degradation of these substances. In combination with thiosemicarbazide the insecticidal synergistic substance piperonyl butoxide (PBO), known as a MfO-inhibitor, primarily restrained reproduction mainly by retarding larval development to such a degree that puberty could not be reached. Under axenic conditions a synergistic effect between PBO and isoniazide was also seen. PBO alone had a distinct nematicidal effect as well. Its synergistic effect is probably due to toxic metabolites

Queliconi BB et al. (2013) Free Radic Biol Med "Bicarbonate modulates oxidative and functional damage in ischemia-reperfusion."

Vaz SM, Brookes PS, Kowaltowski AJ, Queliconi BB, Augusto O, Nehrke K, Marazzi TB

[Free Radic Biol Med, 2013]

The carbon dioxide/bicarbonate (CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)) pair is the main biological pH buffer. However, its influence on biological processes, and in particular redox processes, is still poorly explored. Here we study the effect of CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) on ischemic injury in three distinct models (cardiac HL-1 cells, perfused rat heart, and Caenorhabditis elegans). We found that, although various concentrations of CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) do not affect function under basal conditions, ischemia-reperfusion or similar insults in the presence of higher CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) resulted in greater functional loss associated with higher oxidative damage in all models. Because the effect of CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) was observed in all models tested, we believe this buffer is an important determinant of oxidative damage after ischemia-reperfusion.

Vandenberg LN et al. (2013) Commun Integr Biol "It's never too early to get it Right: A conserved role for the cytoskeleton in left-right asymmetry."

Vandenberg LN, Levin M, Lemire JM

[Commun Integr Biol, 2013]

For centuries, scientists and physicians have been captivated by the consistent left-right (LR) asymmetry of the heart, viscera, and brain. A recent study implicated tubulin proteins in establishing laterality in several experimental models, including asymmetric chemosensory receptor expression in C. elegans neurons, polarization of HL-60 human neutrophil-like cells in culture, and asymmetric organ placement in Xenopus. The same mutations that randomized asymmetry in these diverse systems also affect chirality in Arabidopsis, revealing a remarkable conservation of symmetry-breaking mechanisms among kingdoms. In Xenopus, tubulin mutants only affected LR patterning very early, suggesting that this axis is established shortly after fertilization. This addendum summarizes and extends the knowledge of the cytoskeleton's role in the patterning of the LR axis. Results from many species suggest a conserved role for the cytoskeleton as the initiator of asymmetry, and indicate that symmetry is first broken during early embryogenesis by an intracellular process.

Filippidis, G et al. (2005) J Phys D Appl Phys "Imaging of Caenorhabditis elegans samples and sub-cellular localization of new generation photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, using non-linear microscopy."

Filippidis, G, Kouloumentas, C, Voglis, G, Tavernarakis, N, Papazoglou, TG, Kapsokalyvas, D

[J Phys D Appl Phys, 2005]

Two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) are relatively new promising tools for the imaging and mapping of biological structures and processes at the microscopic level. The combination of the two image-contrast modes in a single instrument can provide unique and complementary information concerning the structure and the function of tissues and individual cells. The extended application of this novel, innovative technique by the biological community is limited due to the high price of commercial multiphoton microscopes. In this study, a compact, inexpensive and reliable setup utilizing ferntosecond pulses for excitation was developed for the TPEF and SHG imaging of biological samples. Specific cell types of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans were imaged. Detection of the endogenous structural proteins of the worm, which are responsible for observation of SHG signals, was achieved. Additionally, the binding of different photosensitizers in the HL-60 cell line was investigated, using non-linear microscopy. The sub-cellular localization of photosensitizers of a new generation, very promising for photodynamic therapy (PDT), (Hypericum perforatum L. extracts) was achieved. The sub-cellular localization of these novel photosensitizers was linked with their photodynamic action during PDT, and the possible mechanisms for cell killing have been elucidated.