Chronic exposure to 2,2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane that induces intestinal damage and oxidative stress in larvae of Drosophila melanogaster.

Embryonic development is exceptionally susceptible to pathogenic, chemistry and mechanical stressors as they can disrupt homeostasis, causing damage and impacted viability. Oxidative stress has the capacity to induce alterations and reshape the environment. However, the specific impacts of these oxidative stress-induced damages in the gastrointestinal tract of Drosophila melanogaster larvae have been minimally explored. This study used 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), a free radical generator, to investigate oxidative stress effects on Drosophila embryo development. The results showed that exposing Drosophila eggs to 30 mM AAPH during 1st instar larva, 2nd instar larva and 3rd instar larva stages significantly reduced hatching rates and pupal generation. It increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and increased oxidative damage to proteins and MDA content, indicating severe oxidative stress. Morphological changes in 3rd individuals included decreased brush borders in enterocytes and reduced lipid vacuoles in trophocytes, essential fat bodies for insect metabolism. Immunostaining revealed elevated cleaved caspase 3, an apoptosis marker. This evidence validates the impact of oxidative stress toxicity and cell apoptosis following exposure, offering insights into comprehending the chemically induced effects of oxidative stress by AAPH on animal development.

Effects of an L-Leucine-Rich Diet on Liver and Kidneys in a Doxorubicin Toxicity Model.

Supplements and diets containing L-leucine, a branched-chain amino acid, have been considered beneficial for controlling oxidative stress and maintaining cardiac tissue in toxicity models using doxorubicin, a drug widely used in cancer treatment. However, there is a lack of studies in the literature that assess the effects of this diet on other organs and tissues, such as the liver and kidneys. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of a leucine-rich diet on the liver and kidneys of healthy rats submitted to the doxorubicin toxicity model by analyzing biomarkers of oxidative stress and histological parameters. The animals were divided into four groups: naive, doxorubicin, L-leucine, and doxorubicin + L-leucine, and the diet was standardized with 5% L-leucine and a dose of 7.5 mg/kg of doxorubicin. We evaluated tissue injury parameters and biomarkers of oxidative stress, including enzymes, antioxidant profile, and oxidized molecules, in the liver and kidneys. Although some studies have indicated benefits of a diet rich in L-leucine for the muscle tissue of animals that received doxorubicin, our results showed that the liver was the most affected organ by the L-leucine-rich diet since the diet reduced its antioxidant defenses and increased the deposit of collagen and fat in the hepatic tissue. In the kidneys, the main alteration was the reduction in the number of glomeruli. These results contribute to the scientific literature and encourage further studies to evaluate the effects of an L-leucine-rich diet or its supplementation, alone or combined with doxorubicin using an animal model of cancer. Therefore, our study concludes that the leucine-rich diet itself was harmful and, when co-administered with doxorubicin, was not able to maintain the antioxidant defenses and tissue structure of the evaluated organs.

Drosophila melanogaster as a model for studies related to the toxicity of lavender, ginger and copaiba essential oils.

This study addresses the current trend of essential oils in alternative medicine using the non-chordate model Drosophila melanogaster. Following the three R's principles, it proposes non-chordate models to fill knowledge gaps on essential oil toxicity. Copaiba, lavender, and ginger essential oils are evaluated for effects on D. melanogaster lifespan, climbing ability, and brain structure, while their anti-inflammatory properties are also analyzed. Results show dose-related differences: higher concentrations (0.25% v/v) cause brain deterioration and impaired climbing, while lower concentrations (0.0625% v/v for copaiba and ginger; 0.125% for lavender) have no effect on climbing or brain structure. Lavender oil significantly extends lifespan and maintains anti-inflammatory activity when ingested, underscoring its therapeutic potential. These findings highlight the importance of D. melanogaster as a model for studying essential oil properties, potentially replacing chordate models. In addition, this research advances alternative remedies for currently incurable diseases, with lavender oil emerging as a promising candidate for drug discovery.

Increased selenium concentration in the synthesis of CdSe magic-sized quantum dots affects how the brain responds to oxidative stress.

CdSe magic-sized quantum dots (MSQDs) have been widely used as fluorescent probes in biological systems due to their excellent optical properties with a broader fluorescence spectrum and stable luminescence in biological media. However, they can be cytotoxic and alter the redox balance depending on the amounts of Cd2+ adsorbed on their surface. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate whether increases in selenium concentration in the synthesis of CdSe-MSQDs decrease the oxidative stress caused by Cd2+ -based quantum dots. CdSe-MSQDs synthesized with different concentrations of selenium were investigated against oxidative stress in the brain of chicken embryos by examining total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, thiol, and glutathione contents, as well as the activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase. In addition, the vascularization of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) analysis was performed. Higher selenium concentrations alter the surface defect levels (decrease free Cd2+ ) and controlled the oxidative effects of CdSe-MSQDs by reducing the lipid peroxidation, restoring the glutathione defense system and the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT, and maintaining the vascular density of the CAM. The current findings reinforce the study of the effects of the presence of Cd2+ ions on the surface of quantum dots, changing toxicity, and aiming interesting strategies of nanomaterials in biological systems.

Association of salivary alpha-amylase with anxiety and stress in nursing professionals.

OBJECTIVE: to assess if changes in salivary alpha-amylase activity are associated with anxiety and stress among hospital nursing professionals and whether anxiety and stress are associated with sociodemographic, epidemiological, and occupational factors. METHOD: cross-sectional, quantitative study, carried out with 210 nursing professionals from a hospital. For data collection, we used a questionnaire to characterize workers, Beck's Anxiety Inventory, Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults and samples and saliva samples collected in work shifts. The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using the software Statistical Package for the Social Science and GraphPad Prism. RESULTS: most professionals experienced stress and anxiety. The variables age group, number of children, use of medication and workload were associated with anxiety; age group, smoking and medication use were associated with stress. An increase in the salivary alpha-amylase activity was observed in the middle of the work shift. Professionals who had stress and anxiety had significant changes in alpha-amylase in the night shift. CONCLUSION: changes in salivary alpha-amylase were associated with anxiety and stress among nursing professionals, indicating that this enzyme can be a possible biomarker of anxiety and stress in workers.

Immunosensor Based on Zinc Oxide Nanocrystals Decorated with Copper for the Electrochemical Detection of Human Salivary Alpha-Amylase.

(1) Background: Nanocrystals (NCs)-based electrochemical sensors have been proposed for biomarkers detection, although immunosensors using ZnO NCs decorated with copper are still scarce. (2) Methods: Electrochemical immunodetection of human salivary alpha-amylase (HSA) used ZnO, CuO, and ZnO:xCu (x = 0.1, 0.4, 1.0, 4.0, and 12.0) NCs. (3) Results: Substitutional incorporation of Cu2+ in the crystalline structure of ZnO and formation of nanocomposite were demonstrated by characterization. Graphite electrodes were used and the electrochemical signal increased by 40% when using ZnO:1Cu and 4Cu (0.25 mg·mL-1), in an immunosensor (0.372 mg·mL-1 of anti-alpha-amylase and 1% of casein). Different interactions of HSA with the alpha-amylase antibody were registered when adding the NCs together, either before or after the addition of saliva (4 µL). The immunosensor changed specificity due to the interaction of copper. The ZnO:1Cu and ZnO:4Cu samples showed 50% interference in detection when used before the addition of saliva. The immunosensor showed 100% specificity and a sensitivity of 0.00196 U·mL-1. (4) Conclusions: Results showed that the order of NCs addition in the sensors should be tested and evaluated to avoid misinterpretation in detection and to enable advances in the validation of the immunosensor.

Association of salivary alpha-amylase with anxiety and stress in nursing professionals / Associação da alfa amilase salivar com a ansiedade e o estresse de profissionais de enfermagem / Asociación de la alfa amilasa salival con la ansiedad y el estrés en profesionales de enfermería

Objective: to assess if changes in salivary alpha-amylase activity are associated with anxiety and stress among hospital nursing professionals and whether anxiety and stress are associated with sociodemographic, epidemiological, and occupational factors. Method: cross-sectional, quantitative study, carried out with 210 nursing professionals from a hospital. For data collection, we used a questionnaire to characterize workers, Beck's Anxiety Inventory, Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults and samples and saliva samples collected in work shifts. The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using the software Statistical Package for the Social Science and GraphPad Prism. Results: most professionals experienced stress and anxiety. The variables age group, number of children, use of medication and workload were associated with anxiety; age group, smoking and medication use were associated with stress. An increase in the salivary alpha-amylase activity was observed in the middle of the work shift. Professionals who had stress and anxiety had significant changes in alpha-amylase in the night shift. Conclusion: changes in salivary alpha-amylase were associated with anxiety and stress among nursing professionals, indicating that this enzyme can be a possible biomarker of anxiety and stress in workers.

Objetivo: avaliar se a alteração na atividade da alfa amilase salivar está associada à ansiedade e ao estresse dos profissionais de enfermagem hospitalar e, se a ansiedade e o estresse estão associados aos fatores sociodemográficos, epidemiológicos e laborais. Método: estudo transversal, quantitativo, desenvolvido com 210 profissionais de enfermagem de uma instituição hospitalar. Para a coleta de dados, utilizouse um questionário de caracterização dos trabalhadores, o Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck, o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp e as amostras de saliva coletadas durante os turnos de trabalho. Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva e inferencial utilizando os softwares Statistical Package for the Social Science e GraphPad Prism. Resultados: a maioria dos profissionais apresentou estresse e ansiedade. As variáveis faixa etária, quantidade de filhos, uso de medicamentos e carga horária de trabalho estavam associadas à ansiedade; faixa etária, tabagismo e uso de medicamentos estavam associadas ao estresse. Observouse um aumento da atividade da alfa amilase salivar no meio do turno de trabalho. Os profissionais que tinham estresse e ansiedade apresentaram alteração significativa da alfa amilase no turno da noite. Conclusão: as alterações na atividade da alfa amilase estavam associadas à ansiedade e ao estresse dos profissionais de enfermagem, demonstrando que essa enzima pode ser um possível biomarcador de ansiedade e estresse em trabalhadores.

Objetivo: evaluar si la alteración en la actividad de la alfa amilasa salival está asociada a la ansiedad y al estrés de los profesionales de enfermería hospitalaria y, si la ansiedad y el estrés están asociados a factores sociodemográficos, epidemiológicos y laborales. Método: estudio transversal, cuantitativo, desarrollado en 210 profesionales de enfermería, en una institución hospitalaria. Para la recogida de datos, se utilizó un cuestionario de caracterización de los trabajadores, el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck, el Inventario de Síntomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp y las muestras de saliva recogidas durante los turnos de trabajo. Los datos fueron analizados de forma descriptiva e inferencial utilizando los softwares Statistical Package for the Social Science y GraphPad Prism. Resultados: la mayoría de los profesionales presentó estrés y ansiedad. Las variables intervalo etario, cantidad de hijos, uso de medicamentos y carga horaria de trabajo estaban asociadas a la ansiedad; el intervalo etario, el tabaquismo y el uso de medicamentos estaban asociados al estrés. Se observó un aumento de la actividad de la alfa amilasa salival en los ambientes de los turnos de trabajo. Los profesionales que tenían estrés y ansiedad presentaron alteración significativa de la alfa amilasa en el turno de la noche. Conclusión: las alteraciones en la actividad de la alfa amilasa estaban asociadas a la ansiedad y al estrés de los profesionales de enfermería, demostrando que esa enzima puede ser un posible biomarcador de ansiedad y estrés en trabajadores.

Adaptogenic potential of royal jelly in liver of rats exposed to chronic stress.

Restraint and cold stress increase both corticosterone and glycemia, which lead to oxidative damages in hepatic tissue. This study assessed the effect of royal jelly (RJ) supplementation on the corticosterone level, glycemia, plasma enzymes and hepatic antioxidant system in restraint and cold stressed rats. Wistar rats were allocated into no-stress, stress, no-stress supplemented with RJ and stress supplemented with RJ groups. Initially, RJ (200mg/Kg) was administered for fourteen days and stressed groups were submitted to chronic stress from the seventh day. The results showed that RJ supplementation decreases corticosterone levels and improves glycemia control after stress induction. RJ supplementation also decreased the body weight, AST, ALP and GGT. Moreover, RJ improved total antioxidant capacity, SOD activity and reduced GSH, GR and lipoperoxidation in the liver. Thus, RJ supplementation reestablished the corticosterone levels and the hepatic antioxidant system in stressed rats, indicating an adaptogenic and hepatoprotective potential of RJ.

Metformin attenuates the TLR4 inflammatory pathway in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats.

AIMS: Inflammation induced by hyperglycemia triggers the toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway into cells. Our hypothesis was that metformin treatment attenuates the TLR signaling pathways triggered by inflammation in skeletal muscle of hypoinsulinemic/hyperglycemic STZ-induced rats. Thus, we examined TLR signaling under hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia conditions and its correlation with insulin resistance in muscle of diabetic rats treated with metformin. METHODS: Ten-day diabetic rats were submitted to 7 days of saline (D group) or metformin (500 mg/kg once per day) (D + M group). The skeletal muscle was collected before the insulin tolerance test. Then, Western blotting analysis of skeletal muscle supernatant was probed with TLR4, TLR2, NF-κB, IκB, p-AMPK and p-JNK. TNF-α and CXCL1/KC content was analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Metformin treatment increased whole-body insulin sensitivity. This regulation was accompanied by a parallel change of p-AMPK and by an inverse regulation of TLR4 and NF-κB contents in the soleus muscle (r = 0.7229, r = -0.8344 and r = -0.7289, respectively, Pearson correlation; p < 0.05). Metformin treatment increased IκB content when compared to D rats. In addition, metformin treatment decreased p-JNK independently of TLR2 signal in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: In summary, the results indicate a relationship between muscular TLR4, p-AMPK and NF-κB content and insulin sensitivity. The study also highlights that in situations of insulin resistance, such as in diabetic subjects, metformin treatment may prevent attenuation of activation of the inflammatory pathway.

Royal jelly decreases corticosterone levels and improves the brain antioxidant system in restraint and cold stressed rats.

Restraint and cold stress induces the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to release corticosterone from the adrenal gland, which can worsen the antioxidant defense system in the central nervous system. Here, we investigated the corticosterone levels and the antioxidant defense system in the cerebellum and brain, as well as in its isolated regions, such as cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of stressed rats supplemented with royal jelly (RJ). Wistar rats were supplemented with RJ for 14days and the stress induction started on the 7th day. Stressed rats increased corticosterone levels, glycemia and lipid peroxidation in the brain and cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus besides reduced glutathione defense system in the brain and striatum. Rats supplemented with RJ decreased corticosterone, maintained glycemia and decreased lipid peroxidation in the brain, cerebellum, as well as striatum and hippocampus, besides improved glutathione defense system in cerebral cortex and striatum. This study suggests an anti-stress and neuroprotective effect of RJ under stress conditions.

Effect of saliva collection methods and oral hygiene on salivary biomarkers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of unstimulated and stimulated saliva collection methods, as well as tooth brushing, on the secretion rate of salivary total protein, nitrite, total antioxidant capacity and alpha-amylase. Saliva of 14 healthy individuals were collected with stimulation using Salivette®, Parafilm® and chewing gum and without stimulation from spit with and without fluid accumulation, before and after oral hygiene. Total protein, nitrite, total antioxidant capacity and alpha-amylase concentration (sAA) were evaluated. The collection of saliva stimulated with Parafilm® and chewing gum increased the salivary flow (1.5 ± 0.4 and 3.4 ± 0.7 mL/min, respectively) and the secretion rate of salivary total protein (1.0 ± 0.2 and 2.3 ± 0.5 mg/min, respectively). Also, chewing gum increases the salivary nitrite secretion (213 ± 58 nmol/min) and total antioxidant capacity (410 ± 47 nmol trolox eq/min). Interestingly, the unstimulated method without saliva accumulation prior to collection resulted in low sAA levels (23,531 ± 7979 pixel density). Furthermore, oral hygiene decreased salivary flow (1.3 ± 0.5 to 1.0 ± 0.4 mL/min), reduced the secretion rate of total protein (1.0 ± 0.5 to 0.6 ± 0.2 mg/min, p < .05) and increased sAA (13,159 ± 7114 to 20,075 ± 25,656 pixel density, p < .05). The type of stimulation can activate autonomous receptors responsible for the secretion and composition of saliva. Therefore, the evaluation of saliva collection methods and oral hygiene on salivary biomarkers is important for understanding and standardizing variations in salivary composition to strengthen the use of saliva as a diagnostic fluid.

Hepatoprotective Properties of a Polyphenol-Enriched Fraction from Annona crassiflora Mart. Fruit Peel against Diabetes-Induced Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress.

A polyphenol-enriched fraction from Annona crassiflora fruit peel (Ac-Pef) containing chlorogenic acid, (epi)catechin, procyanidin B2, and caffeoyl-glucoside was investigated against hepatic oxidative and nitrosative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Serum biochemical parameters, hepatic oxidative and nitrosative status, glutathione defense system analysis, and in silico assessment of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) of the main compounds of Ac-Pef were carried out. Ac-Pef treatment during 30 days decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as hepatic lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and nitration, inducible nitric oxide synthase level, and activities and expressions of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. There were increases in antioxidant capacity, glutathione reductase activity, and reduced glutathione level. ADMET predictions of Ac-Pef compounds showed favorable absorption and distribution, with no hepatotoxicity. A. crassiflora fruit peel showed hepatoprotective properties, indicating a promising natural source of bioactive molecules for prevention and therapy of diabetes complications.

The Role of Metformin in Controlling Oxidative Stress in Muscle of Diabetic Rats.

Metformin can act in muscle, inhibiting the complex I of the electron transport chain and decreasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Our hypothesis is that the inhibition of complex I can minimize damage oxidative in muscles of hypoinsulinemic rats. The present study investigated the effects of insulin and/or metformin treatment on oxidative stress levels in the gastrocnemius muscle of diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic (D) with an injection of streptozotocin and were submitted to treatment with insulin (D+I), metformin (D+M), or insulin plus metformin (D+I+M) for 7 days. The body weight, glycemic control, and insulin resistance were evaluated. Then, oxidative stress levels, glutathione antioxidant defense system, and antioxidant status were analyzed in the gastrocnemius muscle of hypoinsulinemic rats. The body weight decreased in D+M compared to ND rats. D+I and D+I+M rats decreased the glycemia and D+I+M rats increased the insulin sensitivity compared to D rats. D+I+M reduced the oxidative stress levels and the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in skeletal muscle when compared to D+I rats. In conclusion, our results reveal that dual therapy with metformin and insulin promotes more benefits to oxidative stress control in muscle of hypoinsulinemic rats than insulinotherapy alone.

Chronic stress induces a hyporeactivity of the autonomic nervous system in response to acute mental stressor and impairs cognitive performance in business executives.

The present study examined the incidence of chronic stress in business executives (109 subjects: 75 male and 34 female) and its relationship with cortisol levels, cognitive performance, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity after an acute mental stressor. Blood samples were collected from the subjects to measure cortisol concentration. After the sample collection, the subjects completed the Lipp Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults and the Stroop Color-Word Test to evaluate stress and cognitive performance levels, respectively. Saliva samples were collected prior to, immediately after, and five minutes after the test. The results revealed that 90.1% of the stressed subjects experienced stress phases that are considered chronic stress. At rest, the subjects with chronic stress showed higher cortisol levels, and no gender differences were observed. No differences were found between the stressed and non-stressed subjects regarding salivary amylase activity prior to test. Chronic stress also impaired performance on the Stroop test, which revealed higher rates of error and longer reaction times in the incongruent stimulus task independently of gender. For the congruent stimulus task of the Stroop test, the stressed males presented a higher rate of errors than the non-stressed males and a longer reaction time than the stressed females. After the acute mental stressor, the non-stressed male group showed an increase in salivary alpha-amylase activity, which returned to the initial values five minutes after the test; this ANS reactivity was not observed in the chronically stressed male subjects. The ANS responses of the non-stressed vs stressed female groups were not different prior to or after the Stroop test. This study is the first to demonstrate a blunted reactivity of the ANS when male subjects with chronic psychological stress were subjected to an acute mental stressor, and this change could contribute to impairments in cognitive performance.

Salivary surrogates of plasma nitrite and catecholamines during a 21-week training season in swimmers.

The collection of samples of saliva is noninvasive and straightforward, which turns saliva into an ideal fluid for monitoring the adaptive response to training. Here, we investigated the response of the salivary proteins alpha-amylase (sAA), chromogranin A (sCgA), and the concentration of total protein (sTP) as well as salivary nitrite (sNO2) in relation to plasma catecholamines and plasma nitrite (pNO2), respectively. The variation in these markers was compared to the intensity and load of training during a 21-week training season in 12 elite swimmers. Overall, the salivary proteins tracked the concentration of plasma adrenaline and were inversely correlated with the training outcomes. No correlations were observed between sNO2 and pNO2. However, sNO2 correlated positively with the intensity and load of training. We argue that the decrease in sympathetic activity is responsible for the decrease in the concentration of proteins throughout the training season. Furthermore, the increase in nitrite is likely to reflect changes in hemodynamics and regulation of vascular tone. The association of the salivary markers with the training outcomes underlines their potential as noninvasive markers of training status in professional athletes.

Myosins and DYNLL1/LC8 in the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) brain.

Honey bees have brain structures with specialized and developed systems of communication that account for memory, learning capacity and behavioral organization with a set of genes homologous to vertebrate genes. Many microtubule- and actin-based molecular motors are involved in axonal/dendritic transport. Myosin-Va is present in the honey bee Apis mellifera nervous system of the larvae and adult castes and subcastes. DYNLL1/LC8 and myosin-IIb, -VI and -IXb have also been detected in the adult brain. SNARE proteins, such as CaMKII, clathrin, syntaxin, SNAP25, munc18, synaptophysin and synaptotagmin, are also expressed in the honey bee brain. Honey bee myosin-Va displayed ATP-dependent solubility and was associated with DYNLL1/LC8 and SNARE proteins in the membrane vesicle-enriched fraction. Myosin-Va expression was also decreased after the intracerebral injection of melittin and NMDA. The immunolocalization of myosin-Va and -IV, DYNLL1/LC8, and synaptophysin in mushroom bodies, and optical and antennal lobes was compared with the brain morphology based on Neo-Timm histochemistry and revealed a distinct and punctate distribution. This result suggested that the pattern of localization is associated with neuron function. Therefore, our data indicated that the roles of myosins, DYNLL1/LC8, and SNARE proteins in the nervous and visual systems of honey bees should be further studied under different developmental, caste and behavioral conditions.

Comparative analysis of two immunohistochemical methods for antigen retrieval in the optical lobe of the honeybee Apis mellifera: myosin-V assay.

The present study compared two heating methods currently used for antigen retrieval (AR) immunostaining: the microwave oven and the steam cooker. Myosin-V, a molecular motor involved in vesicle transport, was used as a neuronal marker in honeybee Apis mellifera brains fixed in formalin. Overall, the steam cooker showed the most satisfactory AR results. At 100 ºC, tissue morphology was maintained and revealed epitope recovery, while evaporation of the AR solution was markedly reduced; this is important for stabilizing the sodium citrate molarity of the AR buffer and reducing background effects. Standardization of heat-mediated AR of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections results in more reliable immunostaining of the honeybee brain.

Recursos de bioinformática aplicados às ciências ômicas como genômica, transcriptômica, proteômica, interatômica e metabolômica / Bioinformatic resources applied on the omic sciences as genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, interatomic and metabolomic

As ciências ômicas tratam da análise global dos sistemas biológicos, integrando diferentes áreas do conhecimento, como a bioquímica, genética, fisiologia e computação, com o objetivo de isolar e caracterizar genes, proteínas e metabólitos, assim como estudar as interações entre eles, com base em técnicas experimentais, softwares e bancos de dados. A bioinformática por sua vez, propõe novas formas de ciência baseada na experimentação in silico, sendo muito dinâmica na sua atualização e fornecendo a base para geração de novos dados e conhecimentos que podem ser aplicados na pesquisa básica e na aplicada com o desenvolvimento de novos produtos e soluções. Este processo está intimamente relacionado à inovação tecnológica, que é conseguida unindo-se a biotecnologia e a bioinformática. Contudo, o objetivo desta revisão é apresentar uma pequena abordagem dos recursos de bioinformática aplicados às ciências ômicas, como genômica, transcriptômica, proteômica, interatômica, metabolômica, farmacogenômica, dentre outras.

The omic sciences had a wide point of view of the biological systems, integrating different knowledgement areas, as biochemistry, genetics and physiology, with the aim of isolation and characterization of genes, proteins and metabolites as well study their interactions, based on experimental techniques, softwares and data banks. Bioinformatics proposes a new science, which is based on in silico experimentation, being very dynamic in its update and also can provides the basis for generation of new data and knowledge that can be applied in basic research and applied to the development of new products and solutions. This process is closely related to technological innovation, which is achieved joining biotechnology and bioinformatics. However, the objective of this review is to present a small approach of bioinformatics resources applied to the omics science, like genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, interatomics, metabolomics, pharmacogenomics, among others.

Comparative analysis of two immunohistochemical methods for antigen retrieval in the optical lobe of the honeybee Apis mellifera: Myosin-v assay

The present study compared two heating methods currently used for antigen retrieval (AR) immunostaining: the microwave oven and the steam cooker. Myosin-V, a molecular motor involved in vesicle transport, was used as a neuronal marker in honeybee Apis mellifera brains fixed in formalin. Overall, the steam cooker showed the most satisfactory AR results. At 100 ºC, tissue morphology was maintained and revealed epitope recovery, while evaporation of the AR solution was markedly reduced; this is important for stabilizing the sodium citrate molarity of the AR buffer and reducing background effects. Standardization of heat-mediated AR of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections results in more reliable immunostaining of the honeybee brain.

Identification of calmodulin-binding proteins in brain of worker honeybees.

Calmodulin is a Ca(+2)-binding protein important in a variety of cell functions. The Ca(+2)/calmodulin complex interacts with and regulates various enzymes and target proteins, known as calmodulin-binding proteins (CaMBPs). In this study, we revealed a comparative identification of the CaMBPs composition in the worker honeybee (Apis mellifera) brain, considering two different honeybee behaviors in the colony. To this end, the CaMBPs of forager and nurse workers were purified by affinity chromatography, separated in 1D gel, digested and submitted to peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF). In the PMF analysis, 15 different proteins, considered behavior-specific proteins, were identified, one of them exclusively in forager workers and 10 in nurses. All the proteins were classified in terms of their function and cell localization, revealing a greater expression of metabolism-related CaMBPs in both worker subcastes. Protein sequences were then analyzed for the presence of the calmodulin-binding sites. Therefore, the honeybee brain CaMBPs profiles presented differences between worker subcastes. This is the first identification of calmodulin-binding proteins in the brain of A. mellifera upon nursing and foraging behaviors in the colony and this diversity of target proteins for Ca(+2)/CaM may be involved in terms of the function of these proteins in the nervous system.