It has been suggested that several unique anatomical features of Tyrannosaurus rex can be explained by the use of a hunting strategy involving collision against the prey. Some biomechanical aspects of such collision between a T. rex and a Triceratops have been previously modelled. Here, we assessed the injury risk of this behaviour by applying a biomechanical model previously used to assess the injury risk of leopards free-falling while hunting from trees. We compared the probability of lethal damage, the severity of injuries, and other characteristics of the modelled hunting behaviours of T. rex with those of extant leopards to assess their plausibility. We concluded that the collision of the T. rex against a Triceratops was too risky to be a frequent hunting behaviour.
Chloroquine (CQ), an autophagy inhibitor, is increasingly studied for its antitumor effects, but its impact on neuronal ultrastructure in tumor conditions remains unclear. We investigated prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons in the melanoma mice model after CQ treatment. Transmission electron microscopy revealed reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, manifested in decreased ER cisterns volume density, and a significant reduction in clathrin-coated and transport vesicles, possibly due to PICALM inhibition and disrupted clathrin-mediated endocytosis. CQ impaired autophagic flux in tumor-bearing mice, as indicated by autophagosome and lysosome accumulation alongside decreased autolysosomes. LC3β expression was increased in CQ-treated control mice but remained unchanged in tumor-bearing mice as compared to control. Lipofuscin accumulation in the Tumor + CQ group suggested possible neurodegenerative changes associated with autophagy. Restoration of synapse number and increased synaptic vesicle density in the Tumor + CQ group may reflect compensatory synaptogenesis. These findings suggest that, in addition to its antitumor effect, CQ significantly alters neuronal homeostasis, warranting further investigation of its neurotoxic and neuroprotective potential.
Biopolymer materials similar to extracellular matrix (ECM) can imitate natural cellular environment, stimulating cell migration and proliferation. Evaluation of reparative and anti-inflammatory effects of ECM hydrolyzed biopolymers can elucidate the role of various growth factors and interleukins at different healing stages. We examined dynamics of ECM components (fibronectin, collagen type I and IV, cytokeratin), PDGF, VEGF, TGFβ1, IGF1, interleukins IL1β, IL6, IL10 in rat blood serum during skin wound treatment with hydrolyzed dermal biopolymer hydrogel. The hydrogel promoted adhesion, migration and proliferation of fibroblasts and increased their viability and metabolic activity during joint incubation in vitro. It also optimized inflammation, angiogenesis and re-epithelialization. In the experimental group, PDGF synthesis was suppressed during the first five days after wounding, IGF1 was enhanced from day 7, and VEGF and TGFβ1 were induced on day 1 and 7, respectively. We observed an increase in IL1β at the start of the experiment, and variations in IL6 and IL10 values on different days. These results will clarify the role of hydrolyzed collagen in ECM restoration and wound-related inflammation, providing a basis for developing hydrogel xenodermal mimetics.
The study examined the cytotoxic properties of novel N-hydroxybutanamide derivatives belonging to the hydroxamic acid class. The HDAC-inhibitory activity of these compounds was investigated in vitro, as well as their effects on the cytotoxic properties of the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin in tumor cell lines of various origins. The tested compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity and inhibited HDAC activity. The novel derivatives most effectively inhibited histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) activity, leading to intracellular hyperacetylation of histone H3 in HeLa cells. These N-hydroxybutanamide-based agents exhibited chemosensitizing properties and enhanced the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin in HeLa tumor cell lines.
Curcuma clovisii Škorničk., formerly known as Stahlianthus thorelii Gagnep., has a restricted distribution in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The present study provided detailed observations the micro-morphological characteristics of the rhizome, leaf, root, pseudostem, and petiole of this species. The rhizome and leaf anatomy were consistent with previous descriptions of S. thorelii, while the micro-morphological characteristics of the root, pseudostem, and petiole are reported here for the first time. In addition, the ITS and trnL regions of C. clovisii were successfully amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses based on these two molecular markers confirmed the placement of C. clovisii within the Zingiberaceae, with C. clovisii and other Stahlianthus species forming a single clade fully embedded within the genus Curcuma. Together, these findings strengthen the evidence supporting the transfer of all Stahlianthus species into Curcuma.
