How can structural biology help us understand and combat SARS-CoV-2? Researchers in the field share their experiences and opinions and point to the challenges that lie ahead.
Most microplastics are emitted, either directly or via the degradation of plastics, to the terrestrial environment and accumulate in large amounts in soils, representing a potential threat to... Show moreMost microplastics are emitted, either directly or via the degradation of plastics, to the terrestrial environment and accumulate in large amounts in soils, representing a potential threat to terrestrial ecosystems. It is very important to evaluate the uptake of microplastics by crop plants because of the ubiquity of microplastics in wastewaters often used for agricultural irrigation worldwide. Here, we analyse the uptake of different microplastics by crop plants (wheat (Triticum aestivum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa)) from treated wastewater in hydroponic cultures and in sand matrices or a sandy soil. Our results provide evidence in support of submicrometre- and micrometre-sized polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate particles penetrating the stele of both species using the crack-entry mode at sites of lateral root emergence. This crack-entry pathway and features of the polymeric particles lead to the efficient uptake of submicrometre plastic. The plastic particles were subsequently transported from the roots to the shoots. Higher transpiration rates enhanced the uptake of plastic particles, showing that the transpirational pull was the main driving force of their movement. Our findings shed light on the modes of plastic particle interaction with plants and have implications for crops grown in fields contaminated with wastewater treatment discharges or sewage sludges.The presence of microplastics in wastewaters used for irrigation highlights the urgency of analysing the possible uptake of microplastics by crop plants. This study shows that submicrometre and micrometre plastic particles from treated wastewater enter the steles of crop plants via a crack entry at sites of lateral root emergence. Show less
Gomez-Puerto, M.C.; Sun, X.Q.; Schalij, I.; Orriols, M.; Pan, X.K.; Szulcek, R.; ... ; Dijke, P. ten 2020
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by obstructed pulmonary vasculatures. Current therapies for PAH are limited and only alleviate symptoms. Reduced... Show morePulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by obstructed pulmonary vasculatures. Current therapies for PAH are limited and only alleviate symptoms. Reduced levels of BMPR2 are associated with PAH pathophysiology. Moreover, reactive oxygen species, inflammation and autophagy have been shown to be hallmarks in PAH. We previously demonstrated that MnTBAP, a synthetic metalloporphyrin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, inhibits the turn-over of BMPR2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that MnTBAP might be used to treat PAH. Human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs), as well as pulmonary microvascular endothelial (MVECs) and smooth muscle cells (MVSMCs) from PAH patients, were treated with MnTBAP. In vivo, either saline or MnTBAP was given to PAH rats induced by Sugen 5416 and hypoxia (SuHx). On PAECs, MnTBAP was found to increase BMPR2 protein levels by blocking autophagy. Moreover, MnTBAP increased BMPR2 levels in pulmonary MVECs and MVSMCs isolated from PAH patients. In SuHx rats, MnTBAP reduced right ventricular (RV) afterload by reversing pulmonary vascular remodeling, including both intima and media layers. Furthermore, MnTBAP improved RV function and reversed RV dilation in SuHx rats. Taken together, these data highlight the importance of MnTBAP as a potential therapeutic treatment for PAH. Show less
Microplastics (MPs, plastics 100 nm–5 mm in diameter) are estimated to accumulate in agricultural soils in quantities that exceed the total MP burden in ocean waters. Despite a wealth of... Show moreMicroplastics (MPs, plastics 100 nm–5 mm in diameter) are estimated to accumulate in agricultural soils in quantities that exceed the total MP burden in ocean waters. Despite a wealth of information relating to the accumulation of MPs in aquatic species, there is little information on the uptake of MPs by terrestrial plants. Information about location of MPs in plant tissues is critical to understand the modes of their interaction with plants. Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most commonly used plastic polymers worldwide and it is often found in MPs sampled in the environment. The performance of traditional detection methods (i.e., transmission electron microscopy, TEM and scanning electron microscopy, SEM) for nanoparticles is limited due to the extensive sample preparation and the limited field of view. Here we report an approach for the imaging of different sizes of PS plastic beads (ranging from submicrometer to micrometer-sized) within plant tissues by using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Fluorescent dye Nile blue or 4-chloro-7-nitro-1,2,3-benzoxadiazole were encapsulated into the PS microbeads through swelling method and they were used to detect the localization of PS beads in the root and the green tissue respectively.• This is a simple andrapid approach for imaging of MPs in plant.• The fluorescent dyes can produce bright and stable emission signals that are distinguishable from the autofluorescence background of plant tissues.• The dyes leakage in the aqueous phase can be assumed to be negligible. Show less
