Abstract

Skeletal muscle (SKM) constitutes about 35-40% of the adult body mass in mammals and is the largest metabolic organ that relies on oxidative metabolism as the major energy source during daily life. Unlike mature multinucleated myocytes, muscle stem cells (MuSC) depend on anerobic glycolysis in the cytoplasm for their energy supply, and a metabolic transition toward oxidative metabolism is necessary during myogenic differentiation.  Mitochondria (MITO) and peroxisomes (PEXO) are the major organelles involved in the oxidative metabolism of cells, and we found that PEXO number and functions were both increased, but MITO efficiency might be reduced  amid increased MITO DNA.  These metabolic changes are critical for myogenesis as knockdown of PEXO biogenesis factors Pex3 and Pex5 repressed PEXO and MITO functions as well as myogenesis.   Taken together, these observations suggest that dynamics and functions of both MITO and PEXO are coupled with each other and with the metabolic changes during myogenesis, and these metabolic couplings are critical for myogenesis.  The importance of MITO functions in myogenesis was further demonstrated by the repressive effects of the plasticzer mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), which interfered with the MITO functions.  The repression of myogenesis is normally seen in sarcopenia and cancer cachexia where aging and/or cancer factors induce atrophy of myofibers and repress myogenic regeneration.  Under most of these pathological conditions, the expression and functions of MyoD, the master regulator of myogenesis, were found to be compromised, and over-expression of MyoD could rescue myogenesis under most, if not all, these pathological conditions.    These observations suggest that MyoD should be the major target for treating SKM metabolic syndromes, such as sarcopenia and cancer cachexia.

Abstract

The increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), has been identified as one of the main causes of global warming, with significant implications for global climate and ecological balance. Soil carbon sequestration emerges as a promising strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change, given that soil is one of the largest terrestrial carbon reservoirs. However, the carbon storage capacity of tropical soils is influenced by a range of factors, such as soil texture, vegetation dynamics, agricultural systems, land-use practices, and edaphoclimatic variability. In this context, we will present preliminary results from an ongoing research project, where we are quantifying soil carbon stocks across different soil types and production systems in Brazil. The data obtained are analyzed considering the edaphoclimatic variations and different agricultural management practices, with a particular emphasis on comparison with carbon stocks in native environments under similar conditions. This research aims to provide a detailed assessment of carbon dynamics in tropical soils, contributing to the understanding of the factors influencing carbon sequestration and supporting more efficient management practices for mitigating GHG emissions.

Abstract

Biotechnology has revolutionized multiple sectors, including agriculture, medicine, and industry, by harnessing biological processes for innovative applications and medical treatments that enhance human health. One of its key techniques, in vitro culture, involves the controlled growth of cells, tissues, or organs outside their natural environment. This method is widely employed in plant biotechnology for micropropagation, genetic modification, and germplasm conservation, enabling the large-scale production of disease-resistant and high-yielding crops. In medicine, in vitro culture plays a crucial role in stem cell research, regenerative medicine, drug development, and personalized therapies, offering valuable models for studying diseases and testing pharmaceuticals. Advances in molecular biology, in vitro culture, and biochemistry have paved the way for groundbreaking innovations in biotechnology, contributing to improved human health and food security. A key advantage of these technologies in healthcare is their ability to facilitate the extraction and study of bioactive compounds from plants, potentially leading to the development of new treatments or the enhancement of existing therapies for diseases affecting the global population. Additionally, they provide essential tools for studying disease mechanisms, fostering a deeper understanding of their pathology. With continued advancements, in vitro culture, molecular biology, and biochemistry will remain at the forefront of biotechnology, driving progress in sustainable agriculture, precision medicine, and synthetic biology.

Abstract

Malaria poses a global threat to human health. It’s a vector-borne disease of public health concern and affects the socio-economic status of people in developing countries. Malaria management faces many challenges namely, affordability, availability, and quality of drugs. Plants are considered a very significant resource in many parts of the world due to their variety of uses in treating diseases and ailments. Conventional drugs are expensive and not readily available. Repellents have been in use for the prevention of Anopheles bites, but all these have a myriad of negative effects to the user, such as allergy and dermatitis. This study sought to develop a plant- based Anopheles gambiae repellent for control of malaria, because it is eco-friendly and non-toxic. The plant leaf samples: Ocimum americanum and Eucalyptus citriodora were collected from Mugui village in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya, while Ocimum suave was harvested at Gacuru village in Meru County, Kenya. The samples were hydro-distilled using a Clevenger apparatus to obtain the essential oils. The experimental tests were done in a repellent testing chamber. The values of repellency action were determined over control at a p-value of 0.05 and 0.01 by one-way ANOVA and separated using Student-Newman-Keels at P≤0.05 using Minitab software. The chemical analysis of the essential oils was done using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Selective detector instrument (GC-MSD). The human-bait method was used to assess the repellency efficacy of the essential oils and their blends against An. gambiae. The GC-MSD results revealed that the plants are endowed with terpenoids, such as 1,8-Cineole. β-Bisabolene, β-Pinene, α-Terpineol, and Geranial as the most abundant compounds in the samples. The blend of O. suave and O. americanum in the ratio of 1:1 was the most potent (100.00±0.00) and compared well with the positive control Ballet^TM (100.00±0.00). The observation that the blend of O. suave and O. americanum was comparable to Ballet^TM, suggests that this may be due to additive or synergistic effects of individual constituents. This study revealed that these plants are endowed with bioactive compounds such as terpenoids and flavonoids that possess potent repellency against An. gambiae mosquitoes.