Bioprospection of rattlesnake venom peptide fractions with anti-adipose and anti-insulin resistance activity in vitro.

Animal venoms are natural products that have served as a source of novel molecules that have inspired novel drugs for several diseases, including for metabolic diseases such as type-2 diabetes and obesity. From venoms, toxins such as exendin-4 (Heloderma suspectum) and crotamine (Crotalus durissus terrificus) have demonstrated their potential as treatments for obesity. Moreover, other toxins such as Phospholipases A2 and Disintegrins have shown their potential to modulate insulin secretion in vitro. This suggests an unexplored diversity of venom peptides with a potential anti-obesogenic in Mexican rattlesnake venoms. For that reason, this study explored the in vitro effect of Crotalus venom peptide-rich fractions on models for insulin resistance, adipocyte lipid accumulation, antioxidant activity, and inflammation process through nitric oxide production inhibition. Our results demonstrated that the peptide-rich fractions of C. aquilus, C. ravus, and C. scutulatus scutulatus were capable of reverting insulin resistance, enhancing glucose consumption to normal control; C. culminatus, C. molossus oaxacus, and C. polystictus diminished the lipid accumulation on adipocytes by 20%; C. aquilus, C. ravus, and C. s. salvini had the most significant cellular antioxidant activity, having nearly 80% of ROS inhibition. C. aquilus, C. pyrrhus, and C. s. salvini inhibited nitric oxide production by about 85%. We demonstrated the potential of these peptides from Crotalus venoms to develop novel drugs to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity. Moreover, we described for the first time that Crotalus venom peptide fractions have antioxidant and inflammatory properties in vitro models.

Insights into the mechanism of crotamine and potential targets involved in obesity-related metabolic pathways.

Crotamine (Ctm) is a peptide isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. This molecule has been demonstrated to diminish body weight gain and enhance browning in adipose tissue, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity; hence, it has been postulated as an anti-obesogenic peptide. However, the mechanism to elicit the anti-obesogenic effects has yet to be elucidated. Thus, we investigated the possible interaction of Ctm with receptors involved in obesity-related metabolic pathways through protein-protein docking and molecular dynamics refinement. To test the anti-obesogenic mechanism of Ctm, we selected and retrieved 18 targets involved in obesity-related drug discovery from Protein Data Bank. Then, we performed protein-protein dockings. The best three Ctm-target models were selected and refined by molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular docking demonstrated that Ctm was able to interact with 13 of the 18 targets tested. Having a better docking score with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) (-1430.2 kcal/mol), DPP-IV (dipeptidyl peptidase-IV) (-1781.7 kcal/mol) and α-glucosidase (-1232.3 kcal/mol). These three models were refined by molecular dynamics. Ctm demonstrated a higher affinity for GLP-1R (ΔG: -41.886 ± 2.289 kcal/mol). However, Ctm interaction was more stable with DPP-IV (RMSD: 0.360 ± 0.015 nm, Radius of gyration: 2.781 ± 0.009 nm). Moreover, the number of interactions and the molecular mechanics energies of Ctm residues suggest that the interaction of Ctm with these receptors is mainly mediated by basic-hydrophobic dyads Y1-K2, W31-R32, and W33-R34. Together, all these results allow elucidating a possible molecular mechanism behind the previously described anti-obesogenic effects.

Mesh-like External Suture Splint: A Way to Improve Results and Reduce Postoperative Complications after High-definition Liposculpture.

High-definition liposculpture with variable degrees of muscular definition allows both patients and surgeons to broaden the procedure to fit almost any individual preferences; however, skin laxity and those secondary cases still represent a big challenge for the surgeon to achieve optimal outcomes. We are reporting our experience with a new suture-splint procedure to reduce edema, avoid skin laxity, and increase muscular definition after liposculpture. We enrolled patients undergoing HDL with any risk factor that could compromise aesthetic outcomes. Tumescent technique with VASER fat emulsification and power-assisted liposuction were used to complete HDL. We performed a continuous suture over the midline and other areas of muscular definition right before patients awakened from anesthesia. Real-time ultrasound imaging was performed to ensure the safety of the procedure. A total of 52 consecutive patients were treated with MesHD in our study. Only two patients voluntarily dropped off from postoperative analysis due to geographical limitations. Postoperative edema was referred by only one patient after surgery. No major complications were reported. Three patients complained of stabbing pain over one of the stitches, which resolved completely after suture removal. All patients were satisfied with postoperative results. Mesh suture-splint at body areas with high risk of adverse effects after body contouring surgery may be an effective procedure to improve recovery by decreasing edema formation, enhancingmuscular definition, decreasing risk of fibrosis, and avoiding skin laxity postoperative appearance.

Effects of Optimal Temperature Control in Body Contouring Surgery: A Nonrandomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative hypothermia in plastic surgery has underestimated risks, including increased risk of infection, cardiac events, blood loss, prolonged recovery time, and increased nausea, pain, and opioid usage. Inadequate preventive measures can result in up to 4 hours of normothermia restoration. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to compare the impact of different strategies for normothermia during plastic surgery procedures and their relationship with clinical outcomes. METHODS: A nonrandomized clinical trial was conducted in a single center in Bogota, Colombia. We enrolled adult patients undergoing body contouring surgery and divided them into 4 intervention groups with different measures to control body temperature. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed, comparing several clinical symptoms to evaluate outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were analyzed. Most of them were females (84.3%). Mean age was 38.6 years, and the median procedure duration was 260 minutes. Demographic and clinical characteristics did not exhibit significant differences between the groups. There were notable variations in temperature measurements at crucial moments during the surgical procedure among the groups, attributed to the implementation of distinct thermal protective strategies. Group comparisons showed a relationship between hypothermia and increased nausea, vomiting, shivering, pain, and additional analgesia requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of active thermal protective measures, such as Blanketrol or HotDog, during body contouring procedures, markedly diminishes the risk of hypothermia and enhances overall clinical outcomes. Implementing these active measures to maintain the patient in a state of normothermia not only improves operating room efficiency but also leads to a reduction in recovery room duration.

Ultrasonic- and Ultrasound-assisted Improvement of Silhouette of the Torso: Bone Structure High-definition Remodeling (Part I).

Background: High-definition liposculpture allowed plastic surgeons to achieve better aesthetic results by carving the underlying muscles and contours in a new way. Several authors have improved the original technique by adding other procedures and new technologies. We designed a new improvement by incorporating bone transformation surgery to overcome the lack of silhouette at the waist and, as a result, optimize the breast-waist-hip ratios. Methods: We carried out a prospective multicenter study, with five different surgeons performing the same rib remodeling technique for waist definition. We used an ultrasonic piece for costal corticotomy and real-time ultrasound imaging to perform green-stick fractures over the last two or three floating ribs. Ours is a new technique based on the prior one described by Kudzaev. Results: We reported 131 consecutive patients who were enrolled in this study. Waistline diameter decreased an average of 8 cm after surgery (P < 0.05). Most patients were women (n = 125, 95.4%). No major complications were reported. Most common complication was prolonged pain, with only three cases of contour asymmetry, all of which were attributable to noncompliance of constantly wearing the corset + compressive garments. Patients reported a high satisfaction rate and fast recovery (Body-QoL survey). Conclusions: Ultrasonic- and ultrasound- assisted indentation surgery of the thorax is a safe and reliable technique for waistline definition, with a high satisfaction rate, almost-invisible scars, and minimal risk for complications. Incorporation of high-definition liposculpture to rib remodeling opens up a new horizon for bone structure modification surgery (S-high-definition remodeling) that can be safely performed for patients who seek better aesthetic outcomes in body contouring.

Rational selection of bioactive principles for wound healing applications: Growth factors and antioxidants.

Wound healing is a complex process of communication between growth factors, reactive species of oxygen, cells, signalling pathways, and cytokines in the extracellular matrix, in which growth factors are the key regulators. In humans, the main regulators of the cellular responses in wound healing are five growth factors, namely EGF, bFGF, VEGF, and TGF-ß1. On the other hand, antioxidants such as astaxanthin, beta-carotene, epigallocatechin gallate, delphinidin, and curcumin have been demonstrated to stimulate cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, and control inflammation, to suggest a practical approach to design new strategies to treat non-healing cutaneous conditions. Based on the individual effects of growth factors and antioxidants, it may be envisioned that the use of both types of bioactives in wound healing formulations may have an additive or synergistic effect on the healing potential. This review addresses the effect of growth factors and antioxidants on wound healing-related processes. Furthermore, a prospective on their potential additive or synergistic effect on wound healing formulations, based on their individual effects, is presented. This may serve as a guide for the development of a new generation of wound healing formulations.

Non-Thermal Technologies as Tools to Increase the Content of Health-Promoting Compounds in Whole Fruits and Vegetables While Retaining Quality Attributes.

Fruits and vegetables contain health-promoting compounds. However, their natural concentration in the plant tissues is low and in most cases is not sufficient to exert the expected pharmacological effects. The application of wounding stress as a tool to increase the content of bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables has been well characterized. Nevertheless, its industrial application presents different drawbacks. For instance, during the washing and sanitizing steps post-wounding, the primary wound signal (extracellular adenosine triphosphate) that elicits the stress-induced biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is partially removed from the tissue. Furthermore, detrimental reactions that affect the quality attributes of fresh produce are also activated by wounding. Therefore, there is a need to search for technologies that emulate the wound response in whole fruits and vegetables while retaining quality attributes. Herein, the application of non-thermal technologies (NTTs) such as high hydrostatic pressure, ultrasound, and pulsed electric fields are presented as tools for increasing the content of health-promoting compounds in whole fruits and vegetables by inducing a wound-like response. The industrial implementation and economic feasibility of using NTTs as abiotic elicitors is also discussed. Whole fruits and vegetables with enhanced levels of bioactive compounds obtained by NTT treatments could be commercialized as functional foods.

Evaluation of the Immune Response of a Candidate Phage-Based Vaccine against Rhipicephalus microplus (Cattle Tick).

Cattle tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) represents a severe problem causing substantial economic losses, estimated in billions of dollars annually. Currently, chemical acaricides represent the most widely used control method. However, several problems such as resistance have been described. Phage-based vaccines represent a fast and low-cost tool for antigen delivery. In this regard, the objective of the present work was to develop a candidate phage-based vaccine displaying a cattle tick antigen (Bm86-derived Sbm7462 antigen) on the surface of bacteriophage M13. Phage ELISA and dot blotting analysis confirmed the display of the antigen. Vaccine immunogenicity was evaluated using a bovine monocyte-derived dendritic cell-based ex vivo assay and a murine in vivo assay. The ex vivo model showed the maturation of dendritic cells after being pulsed with the phage-based vaccine. The humoral response was confirmed in the in vivo assay. These results demonstrated the capacity of the phage-based vaccine to induce both humoral and cellular immune-specific responses. Importantly, this is the first report describing a control method for cattle ticks using a candidate phage-based vaccine. Further studies to evaluate the immunogenicity in a bovine model are needed. The current approach represents a promising alternative to control cattle tick infestations.

Reactive aqueous two-phase systems for the production and purification of PEGylated proteins

BACKGROUND PEGylation, defined as the covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol, allows the synthesis of PEGylated therapeutic proteins with enhanced physicochemical properties. Traditional alkylating Nterminal PEGylation reactions on amine groups involve the use of modified linear mono-methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) molecules looking for the synthesis of mono-PEGylated products. However, this approach requires different purification steps since inevitably undesired cross-linked products are synthesized. Herein, we propose the use of reactive aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) to produce and purify PEGylated therapeutic conjugates using Ribonuclease A (RNase A) as a model protein. RESULTS: Selected linear 5 kDa and 20 kDa mPEG ­ potassium phosphate systems were produced according to equilibrium data obtained from constructed binodal curves. All reactive systems were able to generate biphasic systems and to PEGylate RNase A. Two 5 kDa and two 20 kDa systems were selected based on the reaction yield percentage and the feasibility of purifying the mono-PEGylated RNase A from the diPEGylated and native RNase A by contrasting the differences in their partition behaviors. The remnant biological activity was of 94% and of 100% for the mono-PEGylated RNase A purified from the 5 kDa and 20 kDa mPEG systems when compared to the mono-PEGylated conjugate obtained by standard procurement methods.

Binding Analysis of Functionalized Multimode Optical-Fiber Sandwich-like Structure with Organic Polymer and Its Sensing Application for Humidity and Breath Monitoring.

In recent years, the chemical modification of optical fibers (OFs) has facilitated the manufacture of sensors because OFs can identify several analytes present in aqueous solutions or gas phases. Nevertheless, it is imperative better to understand the chemical interactions in this molecular system to generate low-cost and efficient sensors. This work presents a theoretical and experimental study of organic polymeric functionalized OF structures and proposes a cost-effective alternative to monitor breathing and humidity. The device is based on silicon optical fibers functionalized with (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and alginate. The theoretical analysis is carried out to validate the activation of the silicon dioxide fiber surface; moreover, the APTES-alginate layer is discussed. The computational simulation suggests that water can be absorbed by alginate, specifically by the calcium atom linked to the carboxylic acid group of the alginate. The analysis also demonstrates a higher electrostatic interaction between the water and the OF-APTES-alginate system; this interaction alters the optical fiber activated surface's refractive index, resulting in transmission power variation. The humidity analysis shows a sensitivity of 3.1288 mV/RH, a time response close to 25 s, and a recovery time around 8 s. These results were achieved in the range of 50 to 95% RH. Moreover, the recovery and response time allow the human breath to be studied. The proposed mechanism or device is competitive with prior works, and the components involved made this sensor a cost-effective alternative for medical applications.

Bacteriophage-Based Vaccines: A Potent Approach for Antigen Delivery.

Vaccines are considered one of the most important bioproducts in medicine. Since the development of the smallpox vaccine in 1796, several types of vaccines for many diseases have been created. However, some vaccines have shown limitations as high cost and low immune responses. In that regard, bacteriophages have been proposed as an attractive alternative for the development of more cost-effective vaccines. Phage-displayed vaccines consists in the expression of antigens on the phage surface. This approach takes advantage of inherent properties of these particles such as their adjuvant capacity, economic production and high stability, among others. To date, three types of phage-based vaccines have been developed: phage-displayed, phage DNA and hybrid phage-DNA vaccines. Typically, phage display technology has been used for the identification of new and protective epitopes, mimotopes and antigens. In this context, phage particles represent a versatile, effective and promising alternative for the development of more effective vaccine delivery systems which should be highly exploited in the future. This review describes current advances in the development of bacteriophage-based vaccines, with special attention to vaccine delivery strategies. Moreover, the immunological aspects of phage-based vaccines, as well as the applications of phage display for vaccine development, are explored. Finally, important challenges and the future of phage-bases vaccines are discussed.

Practical context of enzymatic treatment for wound healing: A secreted protease approach (Review).

Skin wounds have been extensively studied as their healing represents a critical step towards achieving homeostasis following a traumatic event. Dependent on the severity of the damage, wounds are categorized as either acute or chronic. To date, chronic wounds have the highest economic impact as long term increases wound care costs. Chronic wounds affect 6.5 million patients in the United States with an annual estimated expense of $25 billion for the health care system. Among wound treatment categories, active wound care represents the fastest-growing category due to its specific actions and lower costs. Within this category, proteases from various sources have been used as successful agents in debridement wound care. The wound healing process is predominantly mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that, when dysregulated, result in defective wound healing. Therapeutic activity has been described for animal secretions including fish epithelial mucus, maggot secretory products and snake venom, which contain secreted proteases (SPs). No further alternatives for use, sources or types of proteases used for wound healing have been found in the literature to date. Through the present review, the context of enzymatic wound care alternatives will be discussed. In addition, substrate homology of SPs and human MMPs will be compared and contrasted. The purpose of these discussions is to identify and propose the stages of wound healing in which SPs may be used as therapeutic agents to improve the wound healing process.

Thermo-separating polymer-based aqueous two-phase systems for the recovery of PEGylated lysozyme species.

Fractionation of native, mono and di-PEGylated lysozyme was performed in 36 different polymer-polymer aqueous two-phase systems using UCON as a phase-forming component. After a discrete partition analysis, dextran 75 kDa-UCON, volume ratio 3, tie-line length 35% w/w; ficoll 70 kDa-UCON, volume ratio 1, tie-line length 45% w/w and a PEG 8 kDa-UCON volume ratio 3, tie-line length 65% w/w systems were selected for optimization via salt addition and to observe the behavior of the lysozyme species in mixtures. The dextran-UCON and the PEG-UCON systems with 75 mM NaCl showed effectiveness in separating 75% and 87% of mono-PEGylated lysozyme from the rest of the lysozyme species in the top and bottom phases, respectively. These results are an advancement in incorporating these extractions in different processes since the use of UCON simplifies the removal of the polymers, providing the opportunity of recycling it to the operation.

El embarazo adolescente en la deserción escolar de una comunidad indígena del noreste del estado de Guanajuato, México / Adolescent pregnancy in dropping out of an indigenous community in the northeast of the state of Guanajuato, Mexico

La adolescencia es una etapa de cambios tanto físicos como emocionales, en cual ocurren embarazos, los cuales son un problema de salud pública y tienen mayor incidencia en poblaciones de recursos económicos bajos, con poco acceso a los servicios de salud y educación, como lo son las comunidades indígenas. Un embarazo a temprana edad es una responsabilidad para la mujer que lo presenta pues tiene que enfrentar a una sociedad llena de prejuicios, la consecuencia principal a esta edad es abandonar temporal o definitivamente sus estudios para tomar la responsabilidad de esta nueva situación. OBJETIVO: Conocer cuáles son los factores que influyen en la deserción escolar de madres adolescentes en una comunidad indígena. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, transversal y descriptivo, se estudió una muestra de 16 madres adolescentes de entre 15 y 20 años, se utilizó una ficha de información donde se identifican las causas principales por las que se origina la deserción escolar respetando en todo momento la autonomía, justicia, beneficencia y no maleficencia. RESULTADOS: La causa principal fue la falta de recursos económicos, seguido por la pérdida de interés por los estudios y el cuidar a su hijo. CONCLUSIÓN: La falta de recursos económicos y la responsabilidad de un nuevo ser son la causa principal para abandonar la escuela, debido a las responsabilidades nuevas que acaba de adquirir, no logrando la adaptación al nuevo cambio.

Adolescence is a stage of physical and emotional changes, in which pregnancies occur, which are a public health problem and have a greater incidence in populations with low economic resources, with little access to health and education services, as are the indigenous communities. A pregnancy at a young age is a responsibility for the woman who presents it because she has to face a society full of prejudices, the main consequence at this age is to temporarily or permanently leave school to take responsibility for this new situation. OBJECTIVE: Knowing the factors that influence the dropout of adolescent mothers in an indigenous community. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative, transversal and descriptive study was carried out, we studied a sample of 16 adolescent mothers between 15 and 20 years old, an information sheet was used to identify the main causes of school dropout, respecting autonomy, justice, beneficence and non-maleficence at all times. RESULTS: The main cause was thelack of economic resources followed by the loss of interest in the studies and caring for their child. CONCLUSION: The lack of economic resources and the responsibility of a new being are the main cause to leave school, due to the new responsibilities that have just acquired, not achieving the adaptation to the new change.

Identification of Arenin, a Novel Kunitz-Like Polypeptide from the Skin Secretions of Dryophytes arenicolor.

Amphibian skin secretions are enriched with complex cocktails of bioactive molecules such as proteins, peptides, biogenic amines, alkaloids guanidine derivatives, steroids and other minor components spanning a wide spectrum of pharmacological actions exploited for centuries in folk medicine. This study presents evidence on the protein profile of the skin secretions of the canyon tree frog, Dryophytes arenicolor. At the same time, it presents the reverse-phase liquid chromatography isolation, mass spectrometry characterization and identification at mRNA level of a novel 58 amino acids Kunitz-like polypeptide from the skin secretions of Dryophytes arenicolor, arenin. Cell viability assays performed on HDFa, CaCo2 and MCF7 cells cultured with different concentrations of arenin showed a discrete effect at low concentrations (2, 4, 8 and 16 µg/mL) suggesting a multi-target interaction in a hormetic-like dose-response. Further work is required to investigate the mechanisms underlying the variable effect on cell viability produced by different concentrations of arenin.

UVA, UVB Light Doses and Harvesting Time Differentially Tailor Glucosinolate and Phenolic Profiles in Broccoli Sprouts.

Broccoli sprouts contain health-promoting glucosinolate and phenolic compounds that can be enhanced by applying ultraviolet light (UV). Here, the effect of UVA or UVB radiation on glucosinolate and phenolic profiles was assessed in broccoli sprouts. Sprouts were exposed for 120 min to low intensity and high intensity UVA (UVAL, UVAH) or UVB (UVBL, UVBH) with UV intensity values of 3.16, 4.05, 2.28 and 3.34 W/m², respectively. Harvest occurred 2 or 24 h post-treatment; and methanol/water or ethanol/water (70%, v/v) extracts were prepared. Seven glucosinolates and 22 phenolics were identified. Ethanol extracts showed higher levels of certain glucosinolates such as glucoraphanin, whereas methanol extracts showed slight higher levels of phenolics. The highest glucosinolate accumulation occurred 24 h after UVBH treatment, increasing 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin, glucobrassicin and glucoraphanin by ~170, 78 and 73%, respectively. Furthermore, UVAL radiation and harvest 2 h afterwards accumulated gallic acid hexoside I (~14%), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (~42%), gallic acid derivative (~48%) and 1-sinapoyl-2,2-diferulolyl-gentiobiose (~61%). Increases in sinapoyl malate (~12%), gallotannic acid (~48%) and 5-sinapoyl-quinic acid (~121%) were observed with UVBH Results indicate that UV-irradiated broccoli sprouts could be exploited as a functional food for fresh consumption or as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with potential industrial applications.

Combined effect of water loss and wounding stress on gene activation of metabolic pathways associated with phenolic biosynthesis in carrot.

The application of postharvest abiotic stresses is an effective strategy to activate the primary and secondary metabolism of plants inducing the accumulation of antioxidant phenolic compounds. In the present study, the effect of water stress applied alone and in combination with wounding stress on the activation of primary (shikimic acid) and secondary (phenylpropanoid) metabolic pathways related with the accumulation of phenolic compound in plants was evaluated. Carrot (Daucus carota) was used as model system for this study, and the effect of abiotic stresses was evaluated at the gene expression level and on the accumulation of metabolites. As control of the study, whole carrots were stored under the same conditions. Results demonstrated that water stress activated the primary and secondary metabolism of carrots, favoring the lignification process. Likewise, wounding stress induced higher activation of the primary and secondary metabolism of carrots as compared to water stress alone, leading to higher accumulation of shikimic acid, phenolic compounds, and lignin. Additional water stress applied on wounded carrots exerted a synergistic effect on the wound-response at the gene expression level. For instance, when wounded carrots were treated with water stress, the tissue showed 20- and 14-fold increases in the relative expression of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosanate synthase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase genes, respectively. However, since lignification was increased, lower accumulation of phenolic compounds was detected. Indicatively, at 48 h of storage, wounded carrots treated with water stress showed ~31% lower levels of phenolic compounds and ~23% higher lignin content as compared with wounded controls. In the present study, it was demonstrated that water stress is one of the pivotal mechanism of the wound-response in carrot. Results allowed the elucidation of strategies to induce the accumulation of specific primary or secondary metabolites when plants are treated with water stress alone or when additional water stress is applied on wounded tissue. If the accumulation of a specific primary or secondary metabolite were desirable, it would be recommended to apply both stresses to accelerate their biosynthesis. However, strategies such as the use of enzymatic inhibitors to block the carbon flux and enhance the accumulation of specific compounds should be designed.

Plants as biofactories: glyphosate-induced production of shikimic acid and phenolic antioxidants in wounded carrot tissue.

The use of plants to produce chemical compounds with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications has intensified in recent years. In this regard, genetic engineering is the most commonly used tool to generate crop lines with enhanced concentrations of desirable chemicals. However, growing genetically modified plants is still limited because they are perceived as potential biological hazards that can create an ecological imbalance. The application of postharvest abiotic stresses on plants induces the accumulation of secondary metabolites and thus can be used as an alternative to genetic modification. The present project evaluated the feasibility of producing shikimic acid (SA) and phenolic compounds (PC) in wounded carrots ( Daucus carota ) treated with glyphosate. The spray application of a concentrated glyphosate solution on wounded carrot tissue increased the concentrations of SA and chlorogenic acid by ∼1735 and ∼5700%, respectively. The results presented herein demonstrate the potential of stressed carrot tissue as a biofactory of SA and PC.

Ecological and anthropogenic drivers of rabies exposure in vampire bats: implications for transmission and control.

Despite extensive culling of common vampire bats in Latin America, lethal human rabies outbreaks transmitted by this species are increasingly recognized, and livestock rabies occurs with striking frequency. To identify the individual and population-level factors driving rabies virus (RV) transmission in vampire bats, we conducted a longitudinal capture-recapture study in 20 vampire bat colonies spanning four regions of Peru. Serology demonstrated the circulation of RV in vampire bats from all regions in all years. Seroprevalence ranged from 3 to 28 per cent and was highest in juvenile and sub-adult bats. RV exposure was independent of bat colony size, consistent with an absence of population density thresholds for viral invasion and extinction. Culling campaigns implemented during our study failed to reduce seroprevalence and were perhaps counterproductive for disease control owing to the targeted removal of adults, but potentially greater importance of juvenile and sub-adult bats for transmission. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of RV maintenance in vampire bats and highlight the need for ecologically informed approaches to rabies prevention in Latin America.

Aqueous two-phase affinity partitioning systems: current applications and trends.

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) have been studied and used for product recovery and purification from diverse biological sources. ATPS are characterized by their versatility, easy scale up parameters, process integration capability and relative low cost. This technique is commonly regarded as a primary recovery stage mainly due to its low selectivity. However, the use of strategies involving the modification of ATPS with affinity ligands have resulted in significant increases in recovery yields and purification folds of biological products. The aim of this review is to highlight current applications, trends and challenges regarding affinity partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems for the fractionation, recovery and purification of biological products.