Role In Respiration Research Articles

Phylogenetic Study of Several Parasitic Plant Species Based on The atp-1 Gene Sequence

The distinction between parasitic and non-parasitic plants can be determined by analyzing the atp-1 gene, which plays a vital role in respiration and is known for its high mutation rate. This study analyzed the kinship of parasitic plant subclass species through the construction of a phylogenetic tree based on atp-1 gene sequences. The atp-1 gene sequences of parasitic and non-parasitic plants with a total of 29 species were obtained from NCBI. The sequences were then aligned with ClustalW and analyzed for mutation patterns. Sequences that have been aligned, phylogenetic trees were made with MEGA11 software with the Maximum Likelihood method and analyzed using the iTOL website. The sequences were analyzed for similarity and kinship with Matrix Coefficient and Haplotype Construction. The atp-1 gene proved that parasitic plants (hemiparasites) are furthermore related to non-parasitic plants compared to holoparasite parasitic plants. Besides that, the kinship of parasitic plants can be analyzed by several methods, namely matrix coefficient to measure similarity, DnaSP to analyzing haplotype, and haplotype network to find out detailed information on mutations that occur. Matrix coefficients can also be used to measure specific similarities between species. It was found that the same subclass had high similarities, for example the species Santalum album and Heisteria parvifolia with a genetic distance value of 0.00574. Meanwhile, different subclasses have low similarity, such as Cassytha filiformis and Ombrophytum with a genetic distance value of 0.07871. This study shows that the atp-1 gene is effective in analyzing the kinship between parasitic and non-parasitic plants. Hemiparasites are genetically closer to non-parasitic plants than holoparasites, with higher genetic similarity within the same subclass.

Machine Learning based Lung Cancer Diagnostic System using Optimized Feature Subset Selection

Lung is a vital organ that plays a major role in respiration. Without breathing, one may not survive in this world. Hence lung is an important organ that acts as filter to absorb oxygen and supply it to heart where pumping takes place through blood vessel in the circulatory system .The pumped blood takes oxygen and other nutrients to every other parts of the body. Hence one must take care of lung. There are various diseases associated with lungs. Lung Cancer is a deadly disease that spread across the countries all over the world. An early detection of lung cancer has been proved to improve the survival rate of human life. There are various resources are available to detect the lung cancer disease. They are low dose CT-scans, X-rays, blood-based screening, pathology slide reading, biopsy’s test, survey data(clinical dataset) etc. helps to predict the disease well in advance. Our proposed work uses two clinical datasets that has various features to detect how likely the persons get affected from the lung disease. Dataset1 includes features such as age, gender, smoking, yellow fingers, anxiety, peer-pressure, chronic disease, fatigue, allergy, wheezing, alcohol, coughing, shortness of breath, swallowing difficulty, and chest pain. Also, the work has experimented with another dataset2 that represents causes of lung cancer due to exposure of pesticide. Our proposed diagnostic system consider all these features in total and perform feature selection to extract optimal feature subsets using cuckoo search algorithm then perform classification using machine learning algorithms such as Linear Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression and Random Forest algorithm. It is observed that with the cuckoo search algorithm, dataset 1 achieves an accuracy of 100%, precision of 100%, recall of 100%, and F1-score of 100% by LR Classifier. The Linear SVC classifier achieves an accuracy of 90%, a precision of 88%, a recall of 86%, and an F1-score of 87%.The Random forest Classifier achieves an accuracy of 91%, precision of 86%, recall of 93%, and F1-score of 90%. For dataset 2, both the LR classifier and Linear SVC classifier outperform with an accuracy of 100%, precision of 100%, recall of 100%, and F1-score of 100%. Whereas Random Forest provides accuracy of 97%, precision of 97%, recall of 96%, and F1-score of 97%.

Phosphorylation strongly affects the inhibition of human carbonic anhydrase I CO2 hydration activity

Human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs) have essential roles in respiration, acid-base balance, and fluid secretion, with implications in diseases such as glaucoma, epilepsy, obesity, and cancer. Of the fifteen known hCAs, human CA I (hCA I) is particularly abundant in erythrocytes, playing a critical role in CO2 transport. Despite extensive research on hCA I, the impact of post-translational modifications (PTMs), particularly phosphorylation, on its catalytic activity and inhibitor binding remains poorly understood. Although multiple phosphorylation sites have been identified in hCA I in vivo through high-throughput proteomics studies including at the highly conserved Ser51 residue, the functional consequences of these modifications are not well characterized. We investigated the effects of a phosphomimetic mutation at Ser51 on hCA I, examining its catalytic efficiency and susceptibility to inhibition by sulfonamides and anions. Using a recombinant expression system and a stopped-flow kinetic assay, we characterized the CO2 hydration activity and inhibition profiles of S51E hCA I compared to the wild type enzyme. Our results demonstrate that the S51E mutation increases the catalytic turnover rate (kcat) from 2.0 × 105 s−1 to 2.6 × 105 s−1 but significantly decreases substrate affinity, raising the Michaelis constant (KM) from 4.0 mM to 13.9 mM, reducing overall catalytic efficiency by over 50 %. Inhibition studies with a panel of 41 sulfonamides revealed that the S51E mutation dramatically alters inhibitor sensitivity, particularly for the most effective inhibitors. For example, 15 of the 16 most effective sulfonamide inhibitors for hCA I (with KIs <350 nM) were an average of over 35-fold less effective in inhibiting S51E hCA I than the wild type. The KI of the anticonvulsant zonisamide increased from 31 nM for the wild type hCA I to 4.0 μM. The inhibition profile with a panel of 37 small anions further indicated that the S51E mutant exhibited significantly reduced susceptibility to inhibition by 24 out of 37 tested anions, with some KI values increasing by up to 11,000-fold for inhibitors like hydrogen sulfide. This study underscores the significant impact that phosphorylation may have on hCA I function and inhibition. By characterizing the effects of phosphorylation on the CO2 hydration activity and inhibitor sensitivity of hCA I, these findings represent early steps in developing more selective proteoform-specific inhibitors, which could lead to more effective treatments for diseases involving carbonic anhydrases.

Succinate Dehydrogenase and Human Disease: Novel Insights into a Well-Known Enzyme.

Succinate dehydrogenase (also known as complex II) plays a dual role in respiration by catalyzing the oxidation of succinate to fumarate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and transferring electrons from succinate to ubiquinone in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). Owing to the privileged position of SDH/CII, its dysfunction leads to TCA cycle arrest and altered respiration. This review aims to elucidate the widely documented profound metabolic effects of SDH/CII deficiency, along with the newly unveiled survival mechanisms in SDH/CII-deficient cells. Such an understanding reveals exploitable vulnerabilities for strategic targeting, which is crucial for the development of novel and more precise therapies for primary mitochondrial diseases, as well as for familial and sporadic cancers associated with SDH/CII mutations.

Ultrasonographic measurement indicated patients with chronic neck pain had reduced diaphragm thickness and mobility along with declined respiratory functions

Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition including notable impairments in respiratory function. The diaphragm, serving dual roles in respiration and spinal stability, is intricately linked to the cervical spine through fascial, neurophysiological, and biomechanical connections. However, to date, none has investigated the diaphragm function in patients with CNP. To investigate the diaphragm function, respiratory muscle strength, and pulmonary function in patients with CNP. In addition, their associations were also examined. A case-control study. A total of 54 participants were recruited including 25 patients with CNP (CNP group) and 29 healthy adults (CON group). Pulmonary function including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), and respiratory muscle strength represented by maximal inspiratory (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), as well as diaphragm function including ultrasonographic measures of mobility and thickness changes during maximal inspiration and expiration were assessed in all participants. Additionally, the intensity of pain and disability were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale and Neck Disability Index only in patients with CNP. Significant reductions of the FVC, FEV1, MIP, and MEP were found in the CNP group compared to the CON group (p<0.05). The diaphragm mobility and thickness changes were also significantly decreased in the CNP group than the CON group with medium effect sizes (p<0.05). Only diaphragm thickness change was positively correlated with FVC, FEV1, and MEP in patients with CNP. Furthermore, MEP showed the strongest contribution to diaphragm thickness change based on the regression analysis. Impaired diaphragm function, respiratory muscle strength, and pulmonary function were observed in patients with CNP. Patients with smaller diaphragm thickness change had poorer pulmonary function and reduced maximal expiratory muscle strength. Diaphragm assessment and intervention may be considered in CNP management.

Control of breathing by orexinergic signaling in the nucleus tractus solitarii

Orexin signaling plays a facilitatory role in respiration. Abnormalities in orexin levels correlate with disordered breathing patterns and impaired central respiratory chemoreception. Nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) neurons expressing the transcription factor Phox2b contribute to the chemoreceptive regulation of respiration. However, the extent to which orexinergic signaling modulates respiratory activity in these Phox2b-expressing NTS neurons remains unclear. In the present study, the injection of orexin A into the NTS significantly increased the firing rate of the phrenic nerve. Further analysis using fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that orexin 1 receptors (OX1Rs) were primarily located in the ventrolateral subdivision of the NTS and expressed in 25% of Phox2b-expressing neurons. Additionally, electrophysiological recordings showed that exposure to orexin A increased the spontaneous firing rate of Phox2b-expressing neurons. Immunostaining experiments with cFos revealed that the OX1R-residing Phox2b-expressing neurons were activated by an 8% CO2 stimulus. Crucially, OX1R knockdown in these NTS neurons notably blunted the ventilatory response to 8% CO2, alongside an increase in sigh-related apneas. In conclusion, orexinergic signaling in the NTS facilitates breathing through the activation of OX1Rs, which induces the depolarization of Phox2b-expressing neurons. OX1Rs are essential for the involvement of Phox2b-expressing NTS neurons in the hypercapnic ventilatory response.

Regulation of heme biosynthesis via the coproporphyrin dependent pathway in bacteria.

Heme biosynthesis in the Gram-positive bacteria occurs mostly via a pathway that is distinct from that of eukaryotes and Gram-negative bacteria in the three terminal heme synthesis steps. In many of these bacteria heme is a necessary cofactor that fulfills roles in respiration, gas sensing, and detoxification of reactive oxygen species. These varying roles for heme, the requirement of iron and glutamate, as glutamyl tRNA, for synthesis, and the sharing of intermediates with the synthesis of other porphyrin derivatives necessitates the need for many points of regulation in response to nutrient availability and metabolic state. In this review we examine the regulation of heme biosynthesis in these bacteria via heme, iron, and oxygen species. We also discuss our perspective on emerging roles of protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications in regulating heme biosynthesis.

Mrp and SufT, Two Bacterial Homologs of Eukaryotic CIA Factors Involved in Fe-S Clusters Biogenesis

Fe-S clusters are essential cofactors for the activity of a large variety of metalloproteins that play important roles in respiration, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, regulation of gene expression, and numerous metabolic pathways, including biosynthesis of other protein cofactors. Assembly of iron and sulfur atoms into a cluster, followed by its insertion into the polypeptide chain, is a complex process ensured by multiproteic systems. Through evolution, eukaryotes have acquired two Fe-S protein biogenesis systems by endosymbiosis from bacteria. These systems, ISC and SUF, are compartmentalized in mitochondria and plastids, respectively. The eukaryotic Fe-S protein biogenesis system (CIA) is dedicated to the biogenesis of cytosolic and nuclear Fe-S proteins. While the CIA system is absent in bacteria, at least two of its components share homologies with bacterial Fe-S protein biogenesis factors, Mrp and SufT. Here, we provide an overview of the role of Mrp and SufT in Fe-S protein biogenesis in bacteria, aiming to put forward specific but also common features with their eukaryotic CIA counterparts.

Transcription factors dealing with Iron-deficiency stress in plants: focus on the bHLH transcription factor family.

Iron (Fe), as an important micronutrient element necessary for plant growth and development, not only participates in multiple physiological and biochemical reactions in cells but also exerts a crucial role in respiration and photosynthetic electron transport. Since Fe is mainly present in the soil in the form of iron hydroxide, Fe deficiency exists universally in plants and has become an important factor triggering crop yield reduction and quality decline. It has been shown that transcription factors (TFs), as an important part of plant signaling pathways, not only coordinate the internal signals of different interaction partners during plant development, but also participate in plant responses to biological and abiotic stresses, such as Fe deficiency stress. Here, the role of bHLH transcription factors in the regulation of Fe homeostasis (mainly Fe uptake) is discussed with emphasis on the functions of MYB, WRKY and other TFs in the maintenance of Fe homeostasis. This review provides a theoretical basis for further studies on the regulation of TFs in Fe deficiency stress response.

Characterization of gill transcriptome, SSR/SNP markers and expression analysis of lysozyme LysC gene from Carassius auratus upon Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The gills are large mucosal surfaces and play primary roles in respiration and immune defences. However, the molecular mechanism for gills of fish needs still to be explored. In the present study, transcriptomic analysis and identification of SSR and SNP markers were performed in the gills of crucian carp Carassius auratus. The results showed a total of 84,259 unigenes were annotated to NCBI NR, KEGG and GO databases for 55,283, 39,303, 33,388, respectively. Enriched KEGG pathway analyses for the identified genes showed the mainly functional modules such as metabolism, cellular processes, environmental adaptation, genetic processing, organismal and immune systems. Moreover, 22,102 SSRs (simple sequence repeats) were potentially identified and 9776 (44.2%) were accounted for the most dinucleotides. Transition and transversion sites of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were also observed. Tissue distribution showed that the expression level of lysozyme LysC gene was relatively high in intestine, liver, spleen and kidney tissues and up-regulated in gills, skin and brain after the A. hydrophila infection. We discovered the immune-related pathways through the transcriptome analysis in the gills of crucian carp, some potential SSR/SNP markers were identified, and lysozyme gene predominantly expressed in mucosal immune organs (eg., gills, skin, intestine) responded to A. hydrophila infection. To the best of our knowledge, this was the detailed report on the molecular characteristics in crucian carp gills with transcriptome analysis, which will not only provide a scientific reference for further understanding the local defense mechanism, but also lay a foundation for molecular marker-assisted breeding in fish.

In vivo shear wave elasticity imaging for assessment of diaphragm function in muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes patients to suffer from ambulatory disability and cardiorespiratory failure, the latter of which leads to premature death. Due to its role in respiration, the diaphragm is an important muscle for study. A common method for evaluating diaphragm function is ex vivo force testing, which only allows for an end point measurement. In contrast, ultrasound shear wave elastography imaging (US-SWEI) can assess diaphragm function over time; however, US-SWEI studies in dystrophic patients to date have focused on the limbs without preclinical studies. In this work, we used US-SWEI to estimate the shear wave speed (SWS) in diaphragm muscles of healthy (WT) mice, mdx mice, and mdx mice haploinsufficient for utrophin (mdx-utr) at 6 and 12 months of age. Diaphragms were then subjected to ex vivo force testing and histological analysis at 12 months of age. Between 6 and 12 months, a 23.8% increase in SWS was observed in WT mice and a 27.8% increase in mdx mice, although no significant difference was found in mdx-utr mice. Specific force generated by mdx-utr diaphragms was lower than that of WT diaphragms following twitch stimulus. A strong correlation between SWS and collagen deposition was observed, as well as between SWS and muscle fiber size. Together, these data demonstrate the ability of US-SWEI to evaluate dystrophic diaphragm functionality over time and predict the biochemical and morphological make-up of the diaphragm. Additionally, our results highlight the advantage of US-SWEI over ex vivo testing by obtaining longitudinal measurements in the same subject. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In DMD patients, muscles experience cycles of regeneration and degeneration that contribute to chronic inflammation and muscle weakness. This pathology only worsens with time and leads to muscle wasting, including in respiratory and cardiac muscles. Because respiratory failure is a major contributor to premature death in DMD patients, the diaphragm muscle is an important muscle to evaluate and treat over time. Currently, diaphragm function is assessed using ex vivo force testing, a technique that only allows measurement at sacrifice. In contrast, ultrasonography, particularly shear wave elasticity imaging (USSWEI), is a promising tool for longitudinal assessment; however, most US-SWEI in DMD patients aimed for limb muscles only with the absence of preclinical studies. This work broadens the applications of US-SWE imaging by demonstrating its ability to track properties and function of dystrophic diaphragm muscles longitudinally in multiple dystrophic mouse models.

The nose knows: a review of the diversity, form, and function of the external and internal features of the bat nose

Dr. M. Brock Fenton has been intrigued by the diversity of bats throughout his long career, and has combined his research and photography skills to capture the extensive morphological diversity found across the order Chiroptera. In this paper, we honour Brock’s fascination with diversity by conducting a review of the external and internal characteristics of the bat nose, a morphological feature that Brock’s photographs have beautifully captured in many bat species. Specifically, we explore variation in form and function of the bat rostrum and its role in respiration, echolocation, and olfaction in bats, with an emphasis on the noseleaves of nasal-emitting echolocators, as well as how turbinate morphology may be impacted by nasophonation. While our review is not an extensive dive into all that is known about bat noses, our goal is to highlight the diversity we see in form across the order Chiroptera while exploring how function has been shaped by selection, particularly in relation to mode of echolocation signal emission.

Diffusion-Limited Processes in Hydrogels with Chosen Applications from Drug Delivery to Electronic Components.

Diffusion is one of the key nature processes which plays an important role in respiration, digestion, and nutrient transport in cells. In this regard, the present article aims to review various diffusion approaches used to fabricate different functional materials based on hydrogels, unique examples of materials that control diffusion. They have found applications in fields such as drug encapsulation and delivery, nutrient delivery in agriculture, developing materials for regenerative medicine, and creating stimuli-responsive materials in soft robotics and microrobotics. In addition, mechanisms of release and drug diffusion kinetics as key tools for material design are discussed.

Abstract P3032: 15( R )-lipoxin A 4 Contributes To Splenic Erythrophagocytosis Via Activation Of ALX/FPR2

Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most abundant cell type in the body and are traditionally appreciated for their role in respiration and gas exchange. Recently, however, RBCs have garnered new attention for their immunomodulatory effects which is primarily achieved via their interaction with resident macrophages in the spleen, known as red pulp macrophages. As RBCs enter the spleen, red pulp macrophages probe the cells for signs of mechanical and oxidative damage, as well as inflammatory stimuli bound to cell surface receptors (e.g., foreign pathogens, endogenous chemokines). Once recognized, red pulp macrophages prune damaged portions of RBC membranes or phagocytose the cell entirely, efficiently processing and recycling the cellular cargo of the RBC. In a healthy human, this process, termed erythrophagocytosis, accounts for the daily turnover of roughly 150-200 billion RBCs. Consequently, defects in the system can have wide-ranging health effects including anemia, impaired host defense, and even sepsis. Recent data suggest that arachidonic acid (AA)-derived prostaglandins promote erythrophagocytosis, yet the impact of other eicosanoid species on the process has not been well described. We performed targeted lipidomics analyses focused on the AA metabolome in two distinct models of erythrophagocytosis. First, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were incubated with freshly isolated RBCs; then, spleens from mice were collected following exogenous delivery of damaged RBCs. In both models, we found increased production of the 15( R )-epimer of lipoxin A 4 (15( R )-LXA 4 ), as well as its biosynthetic intermediate, 15-HETE. Similar to LXA 4 , 15( R )-LXA 4 has been shown to robustly promote the active resolution of inflammation by regulating leukocyte function via its interaction with the G protein-coupled receptor, ALX/FPR2. In mice genetically deficient in this receptor, we measured a significant decrease in splenic clearance of damaged RBCs. Together, these data suggest that 15( R )-LXA 4 activation of ALX/FPR2 on red pulp macrophages may be a critical aspect regulating erythrophagocytosis and maintaining RBC homeostasis.

An ankylosaur larynx provides insights for bird-like vocalization in non-avian dinosaurs

A voice box (larynx) is unique for tetrapods and plays functional roles in respiration, airway protection, and vocalization. However, in birds and other reptiles, the larynx fossil is extremely rare, and the evolution of this structure remains largely unknown. Here we report the fossil larynx found in non-avian dinosaurs from ankylosaur Pinacosaurus grangeri. The larynx of Pinacosaurus is composed of the cricoid and arytenoid like non-avian reptiles, but specialized with the firm and kinetic cricoid-arytenoid joint, prominent arytenoid process, long arytenoid, and enlarged cricoid, as a possible vocal modifier like birds rather than vocal source like non-avian reptiles. Although bird-unique vocal source (syrinx) have never been reported in non-avian dinosaurs, Pinacosaurus could have employed bird-like vocalization with the bird-like large, kinetic larynx. This oldest laryngeal fossil from the Cretaceous dinosaur provides the first step for understanding the vocal evolution in non-avian dinosaurs toward birds.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists Have Distinct, Sleep-state Dependent Effects on Postictal Breathing in Amygdala Kindled Mice

Seizures can cause profound breathing disruptions. Seizures arising from sleep cause greater breathing impairment than those emerging from wakefulness and more often result in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) plays a major role in respiration and sleep-wake regulation. 5-HT modulates seizure susceptibility and severity and is dysregulated by seizures. Thus, the impact of seizures on breathing dysregulation may be due to impaired 5-HT neurotransmission. We examined whether pharmacologically increasing 5-HT neurotransmission prior to seizures improves postictal breathing and how sleep-state during seizure induction contributes to these effects. We assessed breathing with whole-body plethysmography in 84 amygdala-kindled mice pre-treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) or 5-HT2 receptor agonists. SSRIs and 5-HT2 agonists increased postictal breathing frequency (fR), tidal volume (VT), and minute ventilation (VE) at different timepoints following seizures induced during wakefulness. These effects were not observed following seizures induced during NREM sleep. SSRIs suppressed ictal and postictal apnea regardless of sleep state. The SSRI citalopram and the 5-HT2 agonists TCB-2 and MK-212 decreased breathing variability following wake-occurring seizures at different postictal timepoints. Only MK-212 decreased breathing variability when seizures were induced during NREM sleep. The 5-HT2A antagonist MDL-11939 reduced the effect of citalopram on fR, VT, and VE, and enhanced its effect on breathing variability in the initial period following a seizure. These results suggest that 5-HT mechanisms that are dependent on or independent from the 5-HT2 family of receptors impact breathing on different timescales during the recovery of eupnea, and that certain serotonergic treatments may be less effective at facilitating postictal breathing following seizures emerging from sleep.

Morphological study of the phrenic nerve to determine a reference value for the myelinated fiber density in elderly individuals.

Phrenic nerves (PNs) play an important role in respiration; however, very few morphological studies have assessed them. This study aimed to provide control reference values, including the density of large and small myelinated PN fibers, for future pathological studies. We assessed a total of nine nerves from eight cases among consecutive autopsy cases registered to the Brain Bank for Aging Research between 2018 and 2019 (five men and three women, mean age 77.0 ± 7.0 years). The nerves were sampled distally, and their structures were analyzed using semi-thin sections stained with toluidine blue. The mean and standard deviation of the density of each myelinated fiber of the PN was 6908 ± 1132 fibers/mm2 (total myelinated fiber), 4095 ± 586 fibers/mm2 (large diameter myelinated fiber; diameter ≥7 μm), and 2813 ± 629 fibers/mm2 (small diameter myelinated fiber; diameter <7 μm). There was no correlation between myelinated fiber density and age. This study provides the density measurement of the human PN myelinated fiber, and these findings can be used as reference values for the PN in elderly individuals.

Oxygen Measurement in Microdevices.

Oxygen plays a fundamental role in respiration and metabolism, and quantifying oxygen levels is essential in many environmental, industrial, and research settings. Microdevices facilitate the study of dynamic, oxygen-dependent effects in real time. This review is organized around the key needs for oxygen measurement in microdevices, including integrability into microfabricated systems; sensor dynamic range and sensitivity; spatially resolved measurements to map oxygen over two- or three-dimensional regions of interest; and compatibility with multimodal and multianalyte measurements. After a brief overview of biological readouts of oxygen, followed by oxygen sensor types that have been implemented in microscale devices and sensing mechanisms, this review presents select recent applications in organs-on-chip in vitro models and new sensor capabilities enabling oxygen microscopy, bioprocess manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries. With the advancement of multiplexed, interconnected sensors and instruments and integration with industry workflows, intelligent microdevice-sensor systems including oxygen sensors will have further impact in environmental science, manufacturing, and medicine.

Targeted base editing in the mitochondrial genome of Arabidopsis thaliana

Beyond their well-known role in respiration, mitochondria of land plants contain biologically essential and/or agriculturally important genes whose function and regulation are not fully understood. Until recently, it has been difficult to analyze these genes or, in the case of crops, to improve their functions, due to a lack of methods for stably modifying plant mitochondrial genomes. In rice, rapeseed, and Arabidopsis thaliana, mitochondria-targeting transcription activator-like effector nucleases (mitoTALENs) have recently been used to disrupt targeted genes in an inheritable and stable manner. However, this technique can also induce large deletions around the targeted sites, as well as cause ectopic homologous recombinations, which can change the sequences and gene order of mitochondrial genomes. Here, we used mitochondria-targeting TALEN-based cytidine deaminase to successfully substitute targeted C:G pairs with T:A pairs in the mitochondrial genomes of plantlets of A. thaliana without causing deletions or changes in genome structure. Expression vectors of the base editor genes were stably introduced into the nuclear genome by the easy-to-use floral dipping method. Some T1 plants had apparent homoplasmic substitutions that were stably inherited by seed progenies, independently of the inheritance of nuclear-introduced genes. As a demonstration of the method, we used it to restore the growth of an organelle transcript processing 87 (otp87) mutant that is defective in the editing of RNA transcripts of the mitochondrial atp1 gene and to identify bases in atp1 that affect the efficiency of RNA editing by OTP87.

A Study to Find the Efficacy of Core Stabilization Exercise on Respiratory Functions

Core stabilization exercise has become a well-known trend in fitness. The diaphragm, which is a component of core stability, plays a role in respiration and stabilizing the trunk by controlling intra-abdominal pressure. Abdominal exercises, such as sit-ups and leg lifts, are used to enhance the strength of the core muscles. Correct breathing (especially as it involves the respiratory muscles) is vital to abdominal training because respiratory muscles are directly involved during common core stability exercises. This is an experimental study where pre and post design is used. This study was done on a healthy population; a total number of 30 subjects were taken according to the inclusion criteria. 15 subjects in Group-A received five core stabilization exercises combined with diaphragmatic breathing with pre and post-test analysis and 15 subjects in Group-B received resting breathing and diaphragmatic breathing with pre and post-test analysis. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) were measured. Based on the inter-group analysis, Group-A (Experimental Group) showed greater improvement p &lt; 0.05 than Group-B (Control Group) in post-test on 6MWT as well as FEV1, FVC, PEF. All the interventions have brought about some improvement (p&lt;0.05) in each group post-treatment based on the mean score but its significance varies. The significance of this study is that it showed the relationship between the core muscles and respiratory functions. So, this study can be concluded that the exercise protocol of core stability exercise with diaphragmatic breathing could improve respiratory functions significantly as compared to resting breathing and diaphragmatic breathing exercise alone.