Snake venom can have significant effects on fat distribution and adipose tissue
Stimulation of adipose tissue cells: Bothrops moojeni snake venom (Bmv) has been shown to stimulate preadipocytes, which are precursor cells to fat cells. This stimulation leads to the release of inflammatory mediators such as PGE2, IL-6, and KC/IL-8. Increased lipid accumulation: Bmv has been obser
Venomous avians!
Who knew our feathered friends could pack such a toxic punch? Hooded Pitohui: The OG Poison Bird Meet the hooded pitohui, the bird that started it all. This New Guinean songbird is like the femme fatale of the venomous bird world – alluring and packing a secret weapon. Its feathers and skin co
Rete pegs (aka rete processes or rete ridges or papillae) are epithelial extensions that project into the underlying connective tissue in both skin and mucous membranes.
In the epithelium of the mouth, the attached gingiva exhibit rete pegs, while the sulcular and junctional epithelia do not. Scar tissue lacks rete pegs and scars tend to shear off more easily than normal tissue as a result. Ira D. Papel (2011). Facial Plastic and
Buggy Love Potion: The Science of Insect Sex Hormones
Listen up, you sexy six-legged sirens and alluring arthropods! 🐞💋 Get ready to have your mind blown and your exoskeleton rocked. Insect sex hormones: They’re real, they’re spectacular, and they’re changing the game of love in the miniature world! From ecdysone’s double
Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) protein and a few related things
The steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) protein is a transcription factor involved in sex determination by controlling the activity of genes related to the reproductive glands or gonads and adrenal glands. This protein is encoded by the NR5A
The Two-Faced Troublemaker: Bacillus cereus, the Jekyll and Hyde of Bacteria
Bacillus cereus is the bacterial world’s very own shape-shifting supervillain! This microscopic menace is the master of disguise, equally at home in your garden soil as it is crashing your dinner party. Picture, if you will, a rod-shaped rascal with a penchant for party-crashing. B. cereus is
Flacherie (and a ridiculous history of Bt development…roundabout)
History of Bt Development as told in New Innovative Pesticides: An Evaluation of Incentives and Disincentives for Commercial Development by Industry, Stanford Research Institute (Final Report dated September 1977, Prepared for Economic Analysis Branch Criteria and Evaluation Division Office of Pesti
Bacillus thuringiensis: the James Bond of biological pest control
In the microscopic world of bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a gram-positive, soil-dwelling microbe is the go-to secret agent for farmers and gardeners worldwide, thanks to its uncanny ability to produce crystal-clear killers. From Silkworms to Superbugs Our story begins in 1902 when Japanese
Detritivores – the ultimate recyclers
These marvelous morsels of nature’s cleanup crew are the ultimate recyclers, turning yesterday’s trash into tomorrow’s treasure. Let’s dive into the delightfully dirty world of detritus dining! Imagine a world where your leftovers never go to waste. Well, in nature, that̵
Delta endotoxins (δ-endotoxins) are pore-forming toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis species of bacteria. They are useful for their insecticidal action and are the primary toxin produced by Bt maize/corn.
Bt maize/Bt corn is a variant of maize that has been genetically altered to express one or more proteins from the bacteriumBacillus thuringiensis including Delta endotoxins. During spore formation the bacteria produce crystals of such proteins (hence the name Cry toxins) that are also
Ovalbumin
Ovalbumin (abbreviated OVA) is the main protein found in egg white, making up approximately 55% of the total protein. Ovalbumin displays sequence and three-dimensional homology to the serpin superfamily, but unlike most serpins it is not a serine protease inhibitor. The function of oval
Tobacco-derived 4R-cembranoid confers neuroprotection against LPS-induced hippocampal inflammation in mice (decreases levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines; improves memory function; activates STAT3, Akt1, and CREB phosphorylation; and upregulates the mRNA levels of ORM2, GDNF, and C3) independent of the α7 nicotinic receptor
Rojas-Colón, L.A., Dash, P.K., Morales-Vías, F.A. et al. 4R-cembranoid confers neuroprotection against LPS-induced hippocampal inflammation in mice. J Neuroinflammation 18, 95 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-021-02136-9 LPS: Lipopolysaccharide “4R protects the hippocampus against
Tobacco-derived 4R-cembranoid protects neuronal cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation by modulating microglial cell activation
Fu, Hefei et al. “4R-cembranoid protects neuronal cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation by modulating microglial cell activation.” Brain research bulletin vol. 179 (2022): 74-82. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.12.007 In the search for novel compounds to treat neurodegenerative diseases, we fo
Although RES is commonly associated exclusively with macrophages, recent research has revealed that the cells that accumulate intravenously administered vital stain belong to a highly specialised group of cells called scavenger endothelial cells (SECs), that are not macrophages
In anatomy the term “reticuloendothelial system” (abbreviated RES), often associated nowadays with the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), was originally launched by the beginning of the 20th century to denote a system of specialised cells that effectively clear
Aliivibrio fischeri (aka Vibrio fischeri), a bioluminescent bacteria and a glowing squid
Aliivibrio fischeri (also called Vibrio fischeri) is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium found globally in marine environments. This species has bioluminescent properties, and is found predominantly in symbiosis with various marine animals, such as the Hawaiian bobtail squid. It is h