Description of the parasitic fauna of a specimen of Didelphis albiventris at Rio Grande do Sul.

Didelphis albiventris is considered the most common marsupial in Rio Grande do Sul. With omnivorous and synanthropic habits, it can serve as a host to various parasites, playing an important role in maintaining their biological cycle. Despite being a widespread and abundant species, it has a relatively little-known parasitic fauna. Therefore, the aim of this study was to report the diversity of parasites in a fecal sample from D. albiventris in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Modified Centrifugal-flotation and Spontaneous sedimentation techniques were used, revealing a high taxonomic diversity of parasites. Eggs of Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp., and Anoplocephalidae were reported for the first time in the host in the southern region of the country, along with the first report of pseudoparasitism by Syphacia spp. and Monocystis spp. in this animal species. The presence of different parasites in the feces of D. albiventris is of utmost importance, primarily for public health, but also for understanding the biodiversity of parasites present in wildlife, which has been poorly studied until now. This allows the implementation of effective strategies for controlling, preventing and treating these diseases.

Didelphis albiventris é considerado o marsupial mais comum no Rio Grande do Sul. Com hábitos onívoros e sinantrópicos, pode servir de hospedeiro para diversos parasitas, desempenhando importante papel na manutenção do seu ciclo biológico. Apesar de ser uma espécie difundida e abundante, possui uma fauna parasitária relativamente pouco conhecida. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi relatar a diversidade de parasitas em uma amostra fecal de D. albiventris no Rio Grande do Sul, Sul do Brasil. Foram utilizadas técnicas modificadas de flutuação centrífuga e sedimentação espontânea, revelando uma alta diversidade taxonômica de parasitas. Ovos de Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp. e Anoplocephalidae foram relatados pela primeira vez no hospedeiro na região sul do país, juntamente com o primeiro relato de pseudoparasitismo por Syphacia spp. e Monocystis spp. nesta espécie animal. A presença de diferentes parasitas nas fezes de D. albiventris é de extrema importância, principalmente para a saúde pública, mas também para a compreensão da biodiversidade de parasitas presentes na vida selvagem, que tem sido pouco estudada até agora. Isto permite a implementação de estratégias eficazes para controlar, prevenir e tratar estas doenças.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and phylogenetic relationships within the Yponomeutoidea superfamily.

The coffee leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella) is one of the major pests of coffee crops in the neotropical regions, and causes major economic losses. Few molecular data are available to identify this pest and advances in the knowledge of the genome of L. coffeella will contribute to improving pest identification and also clarify taxonomy of this microlepidoptera. L. coffeella DNA was extracted and sequenced using PacBio HiFi technology. Here we report the complete L. coffeella circular mitochondrial genome (16,407 bp) assembled using Aladin software. We found a total of 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and an A + T rich-region and a D-loop. The L. coffeella mitochondrial gene organization is highly conserved with similarities to lepidopteran mitochondrial gene rearrangements (trnM-trnI-trnQ). We concatenated the 13 PCG to construct a phylogenetic tree and inferred the relationship between L. coffeella and other lepidopteran species. L. coffeella is found in the Lyonetiidae clade together with L. malifoliella and Lyonetia clerkella, both leaf miners. Interestingly, this clade is assigned in the Yponomeutoidea superfamily together with Gracillariidae, and both superfamilies displayed species with leaf-mining feeding habits.

Molecular Docking and GC/MS-Based Approach for Identification of Anxiolytic Alkaloids from Griffinia (Amaryllidaceae) Species in a Zebrafish Model.

Griffinia gardneriana Ravenna, Griffinia liboniana Morren and Griffinia nocturna Ravenna (Amarillydaceae) are bulbous plants found in tropical regions of Brazil. Our work aimed to determine the alkaloid profiles of Griffinia spp. and evaluate their anxiolytic potential through in vivo and in silico assays. The plants grown in greenhouses were dried and their ground bulbs were subjected to liquid-liquid partitions, resulting in alkaloid fractions that were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Anxiolytic activity was evaluated in zebrafish (Danio rerio) through intraperitoneal injection at doses of 40, 100 and 200 mg/kg in light-dark box test. GC-MS analyses revealed 23 alkaloids belonging to different skeleton types: lycorine, homolychorine, galanthamine, crinine, haemanthamine, montanine and narcisclasine. The chemical profiles were relatively similar, presenting 8 alkaloids common to the three species. The major component for G. gardneriana and G. liboniana was lycorine, while G. nocturna consisted mainly of anhydrolycorine. All three alkaloid fractions demonstrated anxiolytic effect. Furthermore, pre-treatment with diazepam and pizotifen drugs was able to reverse the anxiolytic action, indicating involving the GABAergic and serotonergic receptors. Molecular docking showed that the compounds vittatine, lycorine and 11,12-dehydro-2-methoxyassoanine had high affinity with both receptors, suggesting them to be responsible for the anxiolytic effect.

Dietary supplementation with live or autolyzed yeast: Effects on performance, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in dairy cows.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of live or autolyzed yeast supplementation on dairy cow performance and ruminal fermentation. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate performance, feed sorting, total-tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, purine derivatives excretion, N utilization, ruminal fermentation, and abundance of specific bacterial groups in the rumen. In Exp. 1, 39 Holstein cows (171 ± 40 d in milk and 32.6 ± 5.4 kg/d milk yield) were blocked according to parity, days in milk, and milk yield and randomly assigned to the following treatments: Control (CON); autolyzed yeast (AY) fed at 0.625 g/kg DM (Levabon, dsm-firmenich); or live yeast (LY) fed at 0.125 g/kg DM (Vistacell, AB Vista). Cows were submitted to a 2-wk adaptation period followed by a 9-wk trial. In Exp. 2, 8 ruminal cannulated Holstein cows (28.4 ± 4.0 kg/d milk yield and 216 ± 30 d in milk), of which 4 multiparous and 4 primiparous, were blocked according to parity and enrolled into a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with 21 d-periods (the last 7 d for sampling). Cows within block were randomly assigned to treatments sequences: control (CON2); live yeast (LY) using the same product and dietary concentration as described in Exp. 1; or autolyzed yeast fed at 0.625 g/kg DM (AY) or 0.834 g/kg DM (AY2). In Exp. 1 and 2, nutrient intake and total-tract apparent digestibility were not affected by treatments. Sorting for long feed particles (>19 mm) tended to be greater in cows fed yeast supplements than CON in Exp.1. Efficiency of N conversion into milk N was increased when feeding yeast supplements in Exp. 1. 3.5% Fat-corrected milk yield tended to be greater in cows fed yeast supplements than CON. Feed efficiency was increased when yeast supplements were fed to cows in relation to CON in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, yield of fat-corrected milk and fat were greater in cows fed yeast supplements compared with CON2. Uric acid concentration and output in urine were increased when feeding yeast supplements when compared with CON2. Neither ruminal pH nor total volatile fatty acids were influenced by treatments. The current study did not reveal treatment differences in ruminal abundance of Anaerovibrio lipolytica, genus Butyrivibrio, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus, or Streptococcus bovis. Yeast supplementation can increase feed efficiency without affecting nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal volatile fatty acid concentration, or ruminal abundance of specific bacterial groups. Supplementing live or autolyzed yeast, regardless of the dose, resulted in similar performance.

Fungi Tryptophan Synthases: What Is the Role of the Linker Connecting the α and ß Structural Domains in Hemileia vastatrix TRPS? A Molecular Dynamics Investigation.

Tryptophan synthase (TRPS) is a complex enzyme responsible for tryptophan biosynthesis. It occurs in bacteria, plants, and fungi as an αßßα heterotetramer. Although encoded by independent genes in bacteria and plants, in fungi, TRPS is generated by a single gene that concurrently expresses the α and ß entities, which are linked by an elongated peculiar segment. We conducted 1 µs all-atom molecular dynamics simulations on Hemileia vastatrix TRPS to address two questions: (i) the role of the linker segment and (ii) the comparative mode of action. Since there is not an experimental structure, we started our simulations with homology modeling. Based on the results, it seems that TRPS makes use of an already-existing tunnel that can spontaneously move the indole moiety from the α catalytic pocket to the ß one. Such behavior was completely disrupted in the simulation without the linker. In light of these results and the αß dimer's low stability, the full-working TRPS single genes might be the result of a particular evolution. Considering the significant losses that Hemileia vastatrix causes to coffee plantations, our next course of action will be to use the TRPS to look for substances that can block tryptophan production and therefore control the disease.

Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera, Pulicidae) parasitizing White-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) at Southern Brazil - Case report.

Didelphis albiventris is a marsupial with synanthropic habits, whose contact with domestic animals and humans is increasing. They are considered potential disseminators of diseases, present as definitive hosts or reservoirs of various pathogenic agents. The present study aim to report, for the first time, the parasitism by Ctenocephalides felis in D. albiventris in Rio Grande, Southern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. An adult female White-eared Opossum (D. albiventris), killed by being run over, was collected on the roads of the city of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and sent to the laboratory for necropsy. During external inspection, a flea was found, which was stored in 70o alcohol until taxonomic identification, being classified as C. felis. This study reports the occurrence of parasitism by C. felis in D. albiventris for the first time in the location studied, demonstrating that these arthropods circulate between the wild and urban environments, and play an important role in the cycle of zoonotic pathogens among wild fauna, companion animals and humans.

Didelphis albiventris é um marsupial de hábitos sinantrópicos, cujo contato com animais domésticos e humanos está aumentando. São considerados potenciais disseminadores de doenças, apresentando-se como hospedeiros definitivos ou reservatórios de vários agentes patogênicos. O presente estudo tem como objetivo relatar, pela primeira vez, o parasitismo por Ctenocephalides felis em D. albiventris em Rio Grande, Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Uma fêmea adulta de gambá-de-orelha-branca (D. albiventris), morta por atropelamento, foi recolhida nas estradas da cidade de Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil e encaminhado ao laboratório para necropsia. Durante inspeção externa foi encontrada uma pulga que foi armazenada em álcool 70º até a identificação taxonômica sendo classificado como C. felis. Este estudo relata a ocorrência de parasitismo por C. felis em D. albiventris para o primeira vez no local estudado, demonstrando que esses artrópodes circulam entre a natureza e ambientes urbanos e desempenham um papel importante no ciclo de patógenos zoonóticos entre a fauna selvagem, animais de companhia e humanos.

Use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of nonfluent primary progressive aphasia: a case report.

Primary progressive aphasia comprises a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive speech and language dysfunction. Neuroimaging (structural and functional), biomarkers, and neuropsychological assessments allow for early diagnosis. However, there is no pharmacological treatment for the disease. Speech and language therapy is the main rehabilitation strategy. In this case report, we describe a female patient diagnosed with nonfluent primary progressive aphasia who underwent sessions of high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and showed improvement in depression scores, naming tasks in oral and written speech, and comprehension tasks in oral and written discourse.

As afasias progressivas primárias (APP) representam um grupo de doenças neurodegenerativas caracterizadas por disfunção progressiva da fala e da linguagem. A neuroimagem (estrutural e funcional), os biomarcadores e as avaliações neuropsicológicas permitem o diagnóstico precoce. No entanto, não há tratamento farmacológico para a doença. A terapia fonoaudiológica é a principal estratégia de reabilitação. Neste relato de caso, descrevemos uma paciente com diagnóstico de APP não fluente que foi submetida a sessões de estimulação magnética transcraniana de alta frequência no córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral esquerdo e apresentou melhora nos escores de depressão, nas tarefas de nomeação da fala oral e escrita e nas tarefas de compreensão da fala oral e escrita.

Molecular Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals 2.0.

Inflammation is currently the most investigated cell response, not only for the frequency with which it occurs but essentially due to the growing incidence of inflammatory diseases, increasingly labeled as characteristics of modern society [...].

Non-edible fruit seeds: nutritional profile, clinical aspects, and enrichment in functional foods and feeds.

Nowadays, fruits are gaining high demand due to their promising advantages on human health. Astonishingly, their by-products, that is, seeds and peels, account for 10-35% of fruit weight and are usually thrown as waste after consumption or processing. But it is neglected that fruit seeds also have functional properties and nutritional value, and thus could be utilized for dietary and therapeutic purposes, ultimately reducing the waste burden on the environment. Owing to these benefits, researchers have started to assess the nutritional value of different fruits seeds, in addition to the chemical composition in various bioactive constituents, like carotenoids (lycopene), flavonoids, proteins (bioactive peptides), vitamins, etc., that have substantial health benefits and can be used in formulating different types of food products with noteworthy functional and nutraceutical potential. The current review aims to comprehend the known information of nutritional and phytochemical profiling of non-edible fruits seeds, viz. apple, apricot, avocado, cherry, date, jamun, litchi, longan, mango, and papaya. Additionally, clinical studies conducted on these selected non-edible fruit seed extracts, their safety issues and their enrichment in food products as well as animal feed has also been discussed. This review aims to highlight the potential applications of the non-edible fruit seeds in developing new food products and also provide a viable alternative to reduce the waste disposal issue faced by agro-based industries.

Medicinal Plant-Derived Phytochemicals in Detoxification.

The average worldwide human life expectancy is 70 years, with a significantly higher value in Western societies. Many modern diseases are not associated with premature mortality but with a decreased quality of life in aged patients and an excessive accumulation of various toxic compounds in the human body during life. Today, scientists are especially interested in finding compounds that can help increase a healthy lifespan by detoxifying the body. Phytotherapy with specific approaches is used in alternative medicine to remove toxins from the body. Worldwide, research is conducted to identify medicinal plant-derived molecules that, with few or no side effects, may protect the liver and other organs. This review provides updated information about the detoxification process, the traditional and modern use of the most effective medicinal plants, their active metabolites as detoxifying agents, and the mechanisms and pathways involved in the detoxification process. Among medicinal plants with substantial detoxifying properties, a major part belongs to the Asteraceae family (Silybum marianum, Cynara scolymus, Arctium lappa, Helichrysum spp, Inula helenium, and Taraxacum officinale). The most widely used hepatoprotective phytocomponent is silymarin, a standardized extract from the Silybum marianum seeds containing a mixture of flavonolignans. Many polysaccharides, polyphenols, and terpenoids have a detoxifying effect. Overall, scientific data on medicinal plants used in phytotherapeutic practice worldwide provides an understanding and awareness of their efficacy in detoxification.

Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of ageing – Playing narratives as a pedagogical innovation / Percepciones de los estudiantes de fisioterapia sobre el envejecimiento - Narrativas lúdicas como como innovación pedagógica

Introduction and objectives: There is a considerable lack of structure in training health professionals in geriatrics. The narratives can promote a collaborative reflection on different topics and might be used as a pedagogic strategy for undergraduate health students. This study aimed to explore the adoption of new perspectives on ageing after the implementation of dynamic narratives in the first graduate year for physiotherapy students. Materials and methods: An exploratory qualitative study was performed. Participants were included if they were: ≥18 years old, physiotherapy students and agreed to participate. Physiotherapy students (n=44) were recruited from the School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria. Two gaming sessions were performed to help students, as narrators, express their visions and ways to deal with the geriatrics field. Students’ perspectives about ageing at baseline (T1) and after the narratives experience (T2) were collected by answering the following question: What is your perception regarding ageing? Two evaluators were involved in qualitative data analysis by performing: (i) an individual analysis of themes/subthemes and a discussion meeting to evaluate discrepancies and to reach a consensus. Results: Negative perceptions about ageing were referred 39 times at T1 (most of them related to restriction; deterioration subthemes). There were no negative perceptions registered at T2. Positive perceptions increased at T2, from n=39 to n=52, and three new subthemes emerged (beginning of something, fighting ageism, challenge). (AU)

Introducción y objetivos: Existe una considerable falta de estructura en la formación de los profesionales de la salud relacionados con el campo de la geriatría. Las narrativas son capaces de promover una reflexión colaborativa sobre diferentes temas, y podrían ser utilizadas como una estrategia pedagógica para los estudiantes de salud de pregrado. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar la adopción de nuevas perspectivas sobre el envejecimiento después de la implementación de narrativas dinámicas en el primer año de posgrado para estudiantes de fisioterapia. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo exploratorio. Los participantes fueron incluidos si tenían: más de 18 años de edad; estudiantes de fisioterapia que aceptaron participar voluntariamente. Los estudiantes de fisioterapia (n=44) fueron reclutados del Instituto Politécnico de Leiria. Se realizaron 2 sesiones de juego para ayudar a los estudiantes, como narradores, a expresar sus visiones y formas de lidiar con el campo de la geriatría. Las perspectivas de los estudiantes sobre el envejecimiento al inicio (T1) y después de la experiencia narrativa (T2) se recopilaron respondiendo a la siguiente pregunta: ¿Cuál es su percepción con respecto al envejecimiento? Dos evaluadores participaron en el análisis cualitativo de los datos, realizando: un análisis individual de los temas/subtemas; una reunión de debate para evaluar las discrepancias y llegar a un consenso. Resultados: Las percepciones negativas sobre el envejecimiento fueron referidas 39 veces en T1. No se registraron percepciones negativas en T2. Las percepciones positivas aumentaron después en T2, de n=39 a n=52 y surgieron 3 nuevos subtemas (comienzo de algo; lucha contra la discriminación por edad; desafío). (AU)

Anticancer activity of broccoli, its organosulfur and polyphenolic compounds.

The use of natural bioactive constituents from various food sources for anticancer purposes has become increasingly popular worldwide. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is on the top of the consumed vegetables by the masses. Its raw matrix contains a plethora of phytochemicals, such as glucosinolates and phenolic compounds, along with rich amounts of vitamins, and minerals. Consumption of broccoli-derived phytochemicals provides strong antioxidant effects, particularly due to its sulforaphane content, while modulating numerous molecules involved in cell cycle regulation, control of apoptosis, and tuning enzyme activity. Thus, the inclusion of broccoli in the daily diet lowers the susceptibility to developing cancers. Numerous studies have underlined the undisputable role of broccoli in the diet as a chemopreventive raw food, owing to the content in sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate produced as a result of hydrolysis of precursor glucosinolates called glucoraphanin. This review will provide evidence supporting the specific role of fresh florets and sprouts of broccoli and its key bioactive constituents in the prevention and treatment of different cancers; a number of studies carried out in the in vitro and in vivo conditions as well as clinical trials were analyzed.

Advances in Plants-Derived Bioactives for Cancer Treatment.

Cancer, while a multifactorial chronic disease with an increasing prevalence, has been the subject of intense investigation, not only because of the growing need to find the main triggers that motivate its onset but essentially because of the need to discover increasingly safer and effective therapeutic options that have fewer adverse effects and associated toxicity [...].

Physiotherapy students' perceptions of ageing - Playing narratives as a pedagogical innovation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There is a considerable lack of structure in training health professionals in geriatrics. The narratives can promote a collaborative reflection on different topics and might be used as a pedagogic strategy for undergraduate health students. This study aimed to explore the adoption of new perspectives on ageing after the implementation of dynamic narratives in the first graduate year for physiotherapy students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exploratory qualitative study was performed. Participants were included if they were: ≥18 years old, physiotherapy students and agreed to participate. Physiotherapy students (n=44) were recruited from the School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria. Two gaming sessions were performed to help students, as narrators, express their visions and ways to deal with the geriatrics field. Students' perspectives about ageing at baseline (T1) and after the narratives experience (T2) were collected by answering the following question: What is your perception regarding ageing? Two evaluators were involved in qualitative data analysis by performing: (i) an individual analysis of themes/subthemes and a discussion meeting to evaluate discrepancies and to reach a consensus. RESULTS: Negative perceptions about ageing were referred 39 times at T1 (most of them related to restriction; deterioration subthemes). There were no negative perceptions registered at T2. Positive perceptions increased at T2, from n=39 to n=52, and three new subthemes emerged (beginning of something, fighting ageism, challenge). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the potential of narrative-based experiences as a desirable pedagogic methodology (board games-oriented) for geriatric education in undergraduate health students.

Riparin-B as a Potential Inhibitor of AdeABC Efflux System from Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes serious health-related infections, especially in intensive care units. The present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Riparin-B (Rip-B) alone and in association with norfloxacin against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of A. baumannii. For this, the minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by the microdilution method. For the evaluation of resistance-modulating activity, MIC values for antibiotics were determined in the presence or absence of subinhibitory concentrations of Rip-B or chlorpromazine (CPZ). The AdeABC-AdeRS efflux system genes from these isolates were detected by PCR. Docking studies were also carried out to evaluate the interaction of Riparin-B and the AdeABC-AdeRS efflux system. The study was conducted from 2017 to 2019. The results showed that Rip-B showed weak intrinsic activity against the strains tested. On the other hand, Rip-B was able to modulate norfloxacin's response against A. baumannii strains that express efflux pump-mediated resistance. Docking studies provided projections of the interaction between Rip-B and EtBr with the AdeB protein, suggesting that Rip-B acts by competitive inhibition with the drug. Results found by in vitro and in silico assays suggest that Rip-B, in combination with norfloxacin, has the potential to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant A. baumanni with efflux pump resistance.

Incidence of Bloodstream Infection in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension under Intravenous Epoprostenol or Iloprost-A Multicentre, Retrospective Study.

Intravenous synthetic prostacyclin analogs (iPCAs), such as epoprostenol, treprostinil and iloprost have been widely used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Despite having good outcomes, continuous infusion of iPCAs has been associated with some adverse effects. Bloodstream infection (BSI) is one of the most severe complications, although poorly recognized, especially under iloprost administration, which few studies have addressed. This study aimed to compare the BSI incidence rates between intravenous iloprost and epoprostenol administration. Patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) functional class III or IV receiving intravenous iloprost or epoprostenol through Hickman catheter, between 2004 and 2019, were retrospectively selected from two PH treatment centers. From a total of 36 patients (13 for iloprost and 23 for epoprostenol), 75% (n = 27) fulfilled the PAH criteria, mainly belonging to the idiopathic group. Overall BSI rate was 1.5/1000 days of treatment (3.38 and 0.09/1000 days for iloprost and epoprostenol, respectively). Patients receiving iloprost were at a higher risk of developing BSI than those receiving epoprostenol (HR: 12.5; 95% CI: 1.569-99.092). A higher mortality rate from BSI was also identified in the iloprost group (p = 0.04). Twenty-seven patients developed BSI, with 92% of them requiring hospitalization. A total of 29 agents were found, 10 Gram-positive (mainly Staphylococcus aureus; n = 5) and 19 Gram-negative (mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa; n = 6) bacteria. Iloprost administration was linked to a significantly higher incidence of BSI, worse prognosis, and more BSI-related deaths than epoprostenol. BSI due to Gram-negative, commensal, low-virulence bacteria was also higher in the iloprost group. In short, physicians should be aware when prescribing iPCA to guarantee their patients' safety and best medical care.

An approach on detection, quantification, technological properties, and trends market of A2 cow milk.

The genetic variant A2 ß-casein integrates the casein protein group in milk and has been often associated with positive health outcomes. Therefore, this review explores the present understanding of A2 ß-casein, including detection methods and the market trends for dairy from A2 milk. Also, the interaction of A2 ß-casein with αs1-casein and κ-casein genotypes was examined in terms of technological impacts on A2 milk. A limited number of preliminary studies has aimed to investigate the sensorial and technological impacts of ß-casein variants in milk matrices, for instance, in yogurt and other derivatives. Nevertheless, considering studies carried out so far, it is concluded that the manufacture of dairy products from A2 milk is perfectly feasible, as the products presented slight differences when compared to those derived from traditional milk. In one of the works, sensitive drops in rennet coagulation time and curd firmness values were observed in cheese traits. However, it is relevant to point out that variant A of κ-casein plays a negative role in the coagulation features of milk. Therefore, alterations in the pattern of cheese-making properties are not uniquely related to ß-casein variants. Attempts to produce A2 ß-casein in laboratory (non-natural source), through biosynthesis, for example, have not been found so far. This knowledge gap offers a promising area for future studies concerning proteins and bioactive peptide production.

Plant-food-derived Bioactives in Managing Hypertension: From Current Findings to Upcoming Effective Pharmacotherapies.

A sedentary lifestyle has evoked a high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, diabetes, and obesity, all of them with high morbimortality rates and with a common denominator, hypertension. Numerous pharmacological drugs have been used for the treatment of hypertension. However, the side effects associated with the use of existing pharmacological therapies have triggered a demand for plant-based medications. In this connection, the aim of this review was to provide an in-depth analysis of the use of plant-derived bioactives for the effective management of hypertension. Phytoconstituents from leaves, bark, stem, roots, seeds, and fruits of medicinal plants grown in our different regions of the globe have been highly searched. Among them, polyphenols (e.g., flavonoids as quercetin, anthocyanins as cyanidin, tannins as ellagic acid, stilbenes as resveratrol, lignans as honokiol and others as hydroxytyrosol or curcumin), organosulfur compounds (e.g. s-allyl cysteine and allicin), fatty acids (e.g. α-lipoic acid, DHA and oleic acid), alkaloids (e.g. berberine or tetrandrine) and some terpenes have been intensively investigated for the management of hypertension, with effective ability being stated in controlling high blood pressure and related health problems both in vivo and in vitro studies. Some of the activities presented by these bioactive compounds are reducing oxidative stress, renin-angiotensin system control, SIRT1 activation, regulating platelet aggregation and COX activity, anti-atherogenic effects, anti-inflammatory properties, vasorelaxation and other results that translate into the prevention or control of hypertension. The knowledge of these bioactive compounds is important in developing countries where traditional medicine is the majority, but it can also give rise to new approaches in hypertension therapy.

Promising Molecular Targets in Pharmacological Therapy for Neuronal Damage in Brain Injury.

The complex etiopathogenesis of brain injury associated with neurodegeneration has sparked a lot of studies in the last century. These clinical situations are incurable, and the currently available therapies merely act on symptoms or slow down the course of the diseases. Effective methods are being sought with an intent to modify the disease, directly acting on the properly studied targets, as well as to contribute to the development of effective therapeutic strategies, opening the possibility of refocusing on drug development for disease management. In this sense, this review discusses the available evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction induced by Ca2+ miscommunication in neurons, as well as how targeting phosphorylation events may be used to modulate protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity in the treatment of neuronal damage. Ca2+ tends to be the catalyst for mitochondrial dysfunction, contributing to the synaptic deficiency seen in brain injury. Additionally, emerging data have shown that PP2A-activating drugs (PADs) suppress inflammatory responses by inhibiting different signaling pathways, indicating that PADs may be beneficial for the management of neuronal damage. In addition, a few bioactive compounds have also triggered the activation of PP2A-targeted drugs for this treatment, and clinical studies will help in the authentication of these compounds. If the safety profiles of PADs are proven to be satisfactory, there is a case to be made for starting clinical studies in the setting of neurological diseases as quickly as possible.

Recent advances in the concept of paraprobiotics: Nutraceutical/functional properties for promoting children health.

Probiotics consumption has been associated with various health promoting benefits, including disease prevention and even treatment by modulating gut microbiota. Contrary to this, probiotics may also overstimulate the immune system, trigger systemic infections, harmful metabolic activities, and promote gene transfer. In children, the fragile immune system and impaired intestinal barrier may boost the occurrence of adverse effects following probiotics' consumption. To overcome these health challenges, the key focus has been shifted toward non-viable probiotics, also called paraprobiotics. Cell wall polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, surface proteins and teichoic acid present on cell's surface are involved in the interaction of paraprobiotics with the host, ultimately providing health benefits. Among other benefits, paraprobiotics possess the ability to regulate innate and adaptive immunity, exert anti-adhesion, anti-biofilm, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and antagonistic effects against pathogens, while also enhance clinical impact and general safety when administered in children in comparison to probiotics. Clinical evidence have underlined the paraprobiotics impact in children and young infants against atopic dermatitis, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, in addition to be useful for immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, this review focuses on probiotics-related issues in children's health and also discusses the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. qualities for qualifying as paraprobiotics and their role in promoting the children's health.