Solidagenone from Solidago chilensis Meyen Protects against Acute Peritonitis and Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Shock by Regulating NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Anti-inflammatory agents are widely used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Nevertheless, the associated side effects of the available drugs make it necessary to search for new anti-inflammatory drugs. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of solidagenone. Initially, we observed that a single dose of 30, 60, or 90 mg/kg of solidagenone did not result in mortality or elicit any discernible signs of toxicity in mice. At the same doses, solidagenone promoted a significant reduction in the migration of neutrophils in an acute peritonitis model and decreased mortality in a lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic shock model. Interestingly, treatment with solidagenone conferred a protective effect against leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, hematological disorders commonly observed in sepsis conditions. In addition, treatment with all the doses of solidagenone promoted a significant reduction in nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-1ß levels relative to the LPS-stimulated vehicle-treated cultures. Furthermore, gene expression and in silico analyses also supported the modulation of the NF-κB pathway by solidagenone. Finally, in silico pharmacokinetics predictions indicated a favorable drugability profile for solidagenone. Taken together, the findings of the present investigation show that solidagenone exhibits significant anti-inflammatory properties in acute experimental models, potentially through the modulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Bacillus species as tools for biocontrol of plant diseases: A meta-analysis of twenty-two years of research, 2000-2021.

The traditional way of dealing with plant diseases has been the use of chemical products, but these harm the environment and are incompatible with the global effort for sustainable development. The use of Bacillus and related species in the biological control of plant diseases is a trend in green agriculture. Many studies report the positive effect of these bacteria, but a synthesis is still necessary. So, the objective of this work is to perform a meta-analysis of Bacillus biocontrol potential and identify factors that drive its efficacy. Data were compiled from articles published in journals listed in two of the main scientific databases between 2000 and 2021. Among 6159 articles retrieved, 399 research papers met the inclusion criteria for a systematic review. Overall, Bacilli biocontrol agents reduced disease by 60% compared to control groups. Furthermore, experimental tests with higher concentrations show a strong protective effect, unlike low and single concentration essays. Biocontrol efficacy also increased when used as a protective inoculation rather than therapeutic inoculation. Inoculation directly in the fruit has a greater effect than soil drenching. The size of the effect of Bacillus-based commercial products is lower than the newly tested strains. The findings presented in this study confirm the power of Bacillus-based bioinoculants and provide valuable guidance for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers seeking effective and sustainable solutions in plant disease management.

History of research on Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Europe: approaching the world's most invasive mosquito species from a bibliometric perspective.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), is an invasive species native to Southeast Asia. This insect, which is an important vector of arbovirus such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, has spread rapidly to several parts of the world over the last few decades. This study employed a bibliometric approach to explore, for the first time, Ae. albopictus research activity and output in Europe. We used the Web of Science Core Collection data source to characterize the current scientific research. A total of 903 publications from 1973 to 2022 were retrieved. We also provided a comprehensive analysis by year of publication; distribution by most productive European countries, institutions, and authors; collaboration networks; research topics; most productive journals; and most cited publications. Results showed a notable increase in the number of studies after the chikungunya virus outbreak in Northeast Italy in 2007. More than 60% of these publications across the entire European continent originated from France and Italy. Research output related to 'population and community ecology' topics was significantly high. The most common type of collaboration was national, which occurred between institutions in the same European country. By providing an overview of Ae. albopictus research in Europe, this work contributes to upcoming debates, decision-making, planning on research and development, and public health strategies on the continent and worldwide.

Plant bZIP Proteins: Potential use in Agriculture - A Review.

With global climate changes and the increased demand for food due to expected world population growth, genetic improvement programs have aimed at producing crops with increased yield and tolerance to environmental stresses, such as drought, salinity, and pathogens. On the other hand, genetic improvement programs via biotechnology require candidate genes that confer traits of interest to be incorporated into improved crops. In this regard, genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) can be promising since they are proteins that transcriptionally regulate the expression of target genes related to the most diverse roles in the plant, including defense against stresses. Among TFs, bZIP (basic leucine zipper) proteins regulate many developmental and physiological processes in the plant, such as seed formation, fruit ripening, nutrient assimilation, and defense response to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this review, we aim to highlight the main advances in the potential use of bZIP TFs in the genetic improvement of crops. We address this potential mainly regarding crop tolerance to stresses and other agricultural traits, such as increased yield and fruit features.

Development and psychometric properties of the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire for Adolescents (CD-Quest-T).

INTRODUCTION: The Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest) is an instrument that identifies logical errors or cognitive distortions and is used in trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT). However, it had previously only been available for adults. OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a version of the CD-Quest for teens (CD-Quest-T) aged 11 to 17 years and test its psychometric properties. METHOD: A total of 299 schoolchildren participated in the investigation. After content validity was assessed, the language was adapted for the target age group, and the length of the instrument was reduced to eight items (from the initial 15). Five cognitive therapists analyzed the content and structure of the items. Finally, to investigate the construct validity of the CD-Quest-T, the instrument was divided into a full scale and two subscales, which measure the frequency of the distortions and the intensity attributed to them, respectively. RESULTS: The overall internal consistency of the scale was α = 0.77, whereas subscale indices were α = 0.75 for the frequency scale and α = 0.73 for the intensity scale. Results from exploratory factor analysis and concurrent validity analysis indicated that the CD-Quest-T items have good psychometric properties and generate scores reliably. CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties of the CD-Quest-T demonstrate its adequacy for measurement of cognitive distortions in adolescents.

Development and psychometric properties of the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire for Adolescents (CD-Quest-T)

Abstract Introduction The Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest) is an instrument that identifies logical errors or cognitive distortions and is used in trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT). However, it had previously only been available for adults. Objectives To develop and validate a version of the CD-Quest for teens (CD-Quest-T) aged 11 to 17 years and test its psychometric properties. Method A total of 299 schoolchildren participated in the investigation. After content validity was assessed, the language was adapted for the target age group, and the length of the instrument was reduced to eight items (from the initial 15). Five cognitive therapists analyzed the content and structure of the items. Finally, to investigate the construct validity of the CD-Quest-T, the instrument was divided into a full scale and two subscales, which measure the frequency of the distortions and the intensity attributed to them, respectively. Results The overall internal consistency of the scale was α = 0.77, whereas subscale indices were α = 0.75 for the frequency scale and α = 0.73 for the intensity scale. Results from exploratory factor analysis and concurrent validity analysis indicated that the CD-Quest-T items have good psychometric properties and generate scores reliably. Conclusion The psychometric properties of the CD-Quest-T demonstrate its adequacy for measurement of cognitive distortions in adolescents.

In vivo and in silico approaches to assess surface water genotoxicity from Tocantins River, in the cities of Porto Nacional and Palmas, Brazil.

The main environmental problem in urban areas, especially in Brazil, is the discharge of untreated sewage. The in vivo Drosophila melanogaster Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) was used to assess the genotoxicity of surface waters from three different sites in the Tocantins River, Brazil. The in silico approach was used to search for known and predicted interactions between environmental chemicals found in our samples and Drosophila and human proteins. The genotoxicity tests were performed in standard (ST) and high bioactivation (HB) crosses with samples collected at two periods, the rainy and dry seasons. Mutant spot frequencies found in treatments with unprocessed water from the test sites were compared with the frequencies observed in negative controls. The collection points were represented as sites A, B and C along Tocantins River. Sites A and B are located in Porto Nacional City, whereas site C is located in Palmas City. Considering the rainy season collection, positive responses in the ST cross were observed for sites A and C (89.47% and 85% of recombination, respectively) and in the HB cross for sites A, B and C (88.24%, 84.21% and 82.35% of recombination, respectively). The positive results in the dry season were restricted to sites A and B (88.89% and 85.71% of recombination, respectively) in the HB cross. In accordance with in vivo and in silico results, we hypothesize that ribosomal proteins (RPs) in fruit fly and humans are depleted in cells exposed to heavy metal causing DNA damage and chromosome instability, increasing homologous recombination.

Interrupción del tallo hipofisario como causa poco frecuente de amenorrea primaria / Pituitary stalk disruption as a rare cause of primary amenorrhea

El síndrome de interrupción del tallo hipofisario es una anomalía congénita de probable origen genético causante de hipopituitarismo, que radiológicamente se caracteriza por hipoplasia de la adenohipófisis, neurohipófisis ectópica e interrupción del tallo hipofisario. Suele presentarse con baja estatura y deficiencia de hormonas adenohipofisarias. El retraso en el diagnóstico se relaciona con alta morbimortalidad. Se reporta el caso de una mujer de 24 años que consulta por amenorrea primaria. Presentaba talla baja y ausencia de caracteres sexuales secundarios, con genitales infantiles. Los exámenes paraclínicos mostraron compromiso de dos ejes hipofisarios. Una resonancia magnética nuclear mostró hallazgos consistentes con síndrome de interrupción de tallo hipofisario.

Pituitary stalk disruption syndrome is a congenital abnormality of probable genetic origin that causes hypopituitarism, which is radiologically characterized by adenohypophysis hypoplasia, ectopic neurohypophysis, and pituitary stalk disruption. It usuallypresents with short stature and adenohypophyseal hormone deficiency. The delay in diagnosis is related to high morbidity and mortality. The case of a 24-year-old woman who consulted for primary amenorrhea is reported. She had short stature and no secondary sexual characteristics, with infantile genitalia. Paraclinical examinations showed involvement of two pituitary axes. An MRI scan showed findings consistent with pituitary stalk disruption syndrome.

Animal assisted intervention for oncology and palliative care patients: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Animal assisted interventions (AAI) have been used in different contexts including oncology/palliative care and can improve mood, quality of life and wellness. The goal of this review was to evaluate studies about AAI and its effects on oncological/palliative care patients. METHODS: The search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus and Lilacs databases. The inclusion criteria were original articles that measured quantitatively the health-related outcomes of an AAI on oncological/palliative care patients. RESULTS: Ten studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Benefits related to the AAI were described. Mood, pain perception and quality of life seemed to be the variables that had improvement with the intervention. Due to the small sample sizes/heterogeneous methodologies, additional analyses could not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: AAI can be an important tool for improving psychosocial/physiological parameters in cancer/palliative care patients. Further well designed studies are needed to provide a better knowledge of the AAI benefits in this setting.

Halophytes and other molecular strategies for the generation of salt-tolerant crops.

The current increase in salinity can intensify the disparity between potential and actual crop yields, thus affecting economies and food security. One of the mitigating alternatives is plant breeding via biotechnology, where advances achieved so far are significant. Considering certain aspects when developing studies related to plant breeding can determine the success and accuracy of experimental design. Besides this strategy, halophytes with intrinsic and efficient abilities against salinity can be used as models for improving the response of crops to salinity stress. As crops are mostly glycophytes, it is crucial to point out the molecular differences between these two groups of plants, which may be the key to guiding and optimizing the transformation of glycophytes with halophytic tolerance genes. Therefore, this can broaden perspectives in the trajectory of research towards the cultivation, commercialization, and consumption of salt-tolerant crops on a large scale.

Tuberculosis incidence in patients with human immunodeficiency virus, treated with isoniazid for latent tuberculosis infection

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death amongst adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The lifetime risk of tuberculosis disease for a person with latent infection is estimated at 5-10% with most cases occurring within five years of initial infection. The World Health Organization recommends isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for latent tuberculosis treatment, amongst other strategies. The aim was to assess tuberculosis incidence, survival (free of tuberculosis) and associated factors in HIV-positive patients. IPT was offered to participants with a positive (≥5mm) tuberculin skin test. Participants were followed from February 2003-December 2016. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis. Variables with p-value ≤ 0.2 in the univariate analysis entered into the multivariate Cox-Model, keeping those with p-value ≤ 0.05. The 95% confidence interval of incidence of tuberculosis was estimated using Poisson distribution. One hundred nineteen patients completed the IPT and were followed for a median duration of 110.7 months (IQR 93.1-121.0). The probability of developing tuberculosis (10 years post-IPT) was 5.4%. Tuberculosis incidence was 0.58/100 patient/years (CI 95% 0.213-1.264). IPT over 6 months provided long-term protection against tuberculosis. AIDS-defining illness was the only statistically significant variable (HR=5.67) in the multivariate model.

Central giant cell granuloma mimicking a periapical lesion of endodontic origin: A case report.

This paper aims to report a case in which central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) mimicked a periapical lesion of endodontic origin. An 18-year-old female patient was referred for diagnosis and treatment of extensive radiolucent periapical lesion involving 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 teeth. Clinically, the patient presented slight facial asymmetry and healthy teeth on the affected side with positive response to thermal vitality tests. Thus, an incisional biopsy was performed, which presented a histopathological picture characteristic of a CGCG. The endodontic treatment of the involved teeth was followed by surgical curettage of the lesion. After two years of follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic, with marked improvement in mandibular symmetry and adequate healing of the lesion. Therefore, the diagnosis of radiolucent periapical lesions must include lesions of endodontic and non-endodontic origin for better treatment planning and execution.

A new Piper nigrum cysteine proteinase inhibitor, PnCPI, with antifungal activity: molecular cloning, recombinant expression, functional analyses and molecular modeling.

MAIN CONCLUSION: A new Piper nigrum cysteine proteinase inhibitor, PnCPI, belonging to group I of phytocystatins, with inhibitory activity against papain and growth of Fusarium solani f. sp. piperis, was isolated and characterized. Previous studies (de Souza et al. 2011) have identified a partial cDNA sequence of putative cysteine proteinase inhibitor differentially expressed in roots of black pepper (P. nigrum L.) infected by F. solani f. sp. piperis. Here, we aimed to isolate the full-length cDNA and genomic sequences of the P. nigrum cysteine proteinase inhibitor gene, named PnCPI. Sequence analyses showed that the PnCPI gene encodes a deduced protein of 108 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 12.3 kDa and isoelectric point of 6.51. Besides the LARFAV-like sequence, common to all phytocystatins, PnCPI contains three conserved motifs of the superfamily cystatin: a glycine residue at the N-terminal region, the QxVxG reactive site more centrally positioned, and one tryptophan in the C-terminal region. PnCPI, belonging to group I of phytocystatins, showed high identity with cystatins isolated from several plant species. Sequence analyses also revealed no putative signal peptide at the N-terminal of PnCPI, as well as no introns within the genomic sequence corresponding to the PnCPI coding region. Molecular modeling showed the ability of PnCPI to interact with papain, while its inhibitory activity against this protease was confirmed after heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. The effects of heat treatments on the inhibitory activity of recombinant PnCPI, rPnCPI, were evaluated. In addition, rPnCPI exhibited in vitro activity against F. solani f. sp. piperis, revealing a new cystatin with the potential antifungal application. The identification of PnCPI as a functional cystatin able to inhibit the in vitro growth of F. solani f. sp. piperis indicates other factors contributing to in vivo susceptibility of black pepper to root rot disease.

Transcriptome analyses suggest that changes in fungal endophyte lifestyle could be involved in grapevine bud necrosis.

Bud necrosis (BN) is a common disorder that affects Vitis vinifera L. and reduces its potential yield. To minimize the losses caused by BN, the double pruning management was applied in Brazilian Southeast vineyards. In this management strategy plants are pruned at the winter to promote a vegetative cycle and then, at summer, to promote the reproductive cycle at optimal environmental conditions. To investigate the relationship of BN and the double pruning management RNA-seq libraries were sequenced from healthy and necrotic tissues at four different stages of the year. The comparison of differentially expressed genes in necrotic and non-necrotic tissues showed an enhanced expression of genes related to cell death possibly induced by endophytic microorganisms in the necrotic tissues. The de novo assembly, characterization and quantification of transcripts within the RNA-seq libraries showed that genes from the endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata, responsible for the production of toxic compounds were highly expressed under BN. Here we propose a model in which unfavorable conditions and reduced carbohydrate levels in buds can promote the switch from a biotrophic lifestyle to a necrotrophic lifestyle in the endophytic fungi, which seems to be involved in the development of BN.

A Novel Fungal Lipase With Methanol Tolerance and Preference for Macaw Palm Oil.

Macaw palm is a highly oil-producing plant, which presents high contents of free fatty acids, being a promising feedstock for biofuel production. The current chemical routes are costly and complex, involving highly harsh industrial conditions. Enzymatic processing is a potential alternative; however, it is hampered by the scarce knowledge on biocatalysts adapted to this acidic feedstock. This work describes a novel lipase isolated from the thermophilic fungus Rasamsonia emersonii (ReLip), which tolerates extreme conditions such as the presence of methanol, high temperatures, and acidic medium. Among the tested feedstocks, the enzyme showed the highest preference for macaw palm oil, producing a hydrolyzate with a final free fatty acid content of 92%. Crystallographic studies revealed a closed conformation of the helical amphipathic lid that typically undergoes conformational changes in a mechanism of interfacial activation. Such conformation of the lid is stabilized by a salt bridge, not observed in other structurally characterized homologs, which is likely involved in the tolerance to organic solvents. Moreover, the lack of conservation of the aromatic cluster IxxWxxxxxF in the lid of ReLip with the natural mutation of the phenylalanine by an alanine might be correlated with the preference of short acyl chains, although preserving catalytic activity on insoluble substrates. In addition, the presence of five acidic amino acids in the lid of ReLip, a rare property reported in other lipases, may have contributed to its ability to tolerate and be effective in acidic environments. Therefore, our work describes a new fungal biocatalyst capable of efficiently hydrolyzing macaw oil, an attractive feedstock for the production of "drop-in" biofuels, with high desirable feature for industrial conditions such as thermal and methanol tolerance, and optimum acidic pH. Moreover, the crystallographic structure was elucidated, providing a structural basis for the enzyme substrate preference and tolerance to organic solvents.

A Cassava CPRF-2-like bZIP Transcription Factor Showed Increased Transcript Levels during Light Treatment.

BACKGROUND: bZIP proteins participate in the regulation of gene expression, playing crucial roles in various biological processes in plants, including response to environmental changes. Luminosity is an environmental factor of extreme importance for plant metabolism, acting as a regulator of its growth and development. Despite advances in the identification of bZIP proteins in several plant species, studies on these transcription factors in cassava are lacking. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the most important food crops in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly in developing countries, where its storage root is a major source of calories for low-income people. OBJECTIVES: Our main aim was the isolation of a cDNA sequence encoding a bZIP protein from cassava (MebZIP) as well as the in silico characterization of its nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences. In addition, we evaluated the expression pattern of the MebZIP gene in response to light, and its possible relationship with regulation of the chalcone synthase (MeCHS) gene. METHODS: RT-PCR and 3' and 5' RACE assays were used to isolate the full-length cDNA sequence of MebZIP. Bioinformatics tools were used to characterize the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of MebZIP. Semiquantitative RT-PCR assays were used to evaluate the expression levels of MebZIP and MeCHS genes. RESULTS: We isolated the full-length cDNA sequence of MebZIP with a 1320-bp ORF encoding a deduced protein with a predicted molecular weight and isoelectric point of 47 kDa and 5.85, respectively. Comparative analyses with GenBank sequences showed high identity of MebZIP with bZIP CPRF-2 of Hevea brasiliensis (XP_021650934) and Petroselinum crispum (Q99090.2). Besides the basic region and leucine zipper domains, MebZIP contains putative conserved domains (D1- D4), found in parsley CPRF-2 and bZIP proteins closely related to this protein. Since CPRF proteins are known for their function in regulation of the CHS gene by light, we evaluated the expression levels of the MebZIP gene and the possible target gene to be regulated by MebZIP (the MeCHS gene) in cassava under light conditions. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays revealed that MebZIP transcription increased in response to white light, with maximum expression levels at 6 h of light exposure. On the other hand, the expression levels of the MeCHS gene were statistically constant in all samples, indicating that they were not influenced by the experimental conditions used here. CONCLUSION: The putative MebZIP protein identified in this work contains the conserved domains (bZIP, D1-D4) that indicate its functionality, thus allowing it to be considered a new member of the bZIP transcription factor CPRF-2 family. The expression levels of the MebZIP gene increased during white light exposure, indicating a potential function in light-response in cassava.

An Introduction to the Callithrix Genus and Overview of Recent Advances in Marmoset Research.

We provide here a current overview of marmoset (Callithrix) evolution, hybridization, species biology, basic/biomedical research, and conservation initiatives. Composed of 2 subgroups, the aurita group (C aurita and C flaviceps) and the jacchus group (C geoffroyi, C jacchus, C kuhlii, and C penicillata), this relatively young primate radiation is endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest biomes. Significant impacts on Callithrix within these biomes resulting from anthropogenic activity include (1) population declines, particularly for the aurita group; (2) widespread geographic displacement, biological invasions, and range expansions of C jacchus and C penicillata; (3) anthropogenic hybridization; and (4) epizootic Yellow Fever and Zika viral outbreaks. A number of Brazilian legal and conservation initiatives are now in place to protect the threatened aurita group and increase research about them. Due to their small size and rapid life history, marmosets are prized biomedical models. As a result, there are increasingly sophisticated genomic Callithrix resources available and burgeoning marmoset functional, immuno-, and epigenomic research. In both the laboratory and the wild, marmosets have given us insight into cognition, social group dynamics, human disease, and pregnancy. Callithrix jacchus and C penicillata are emerging neotropical primate models for arbovirus disease, including Dengue and Zika. Wild marmoset populations are helping us understand sylvatic transmission and human spillover of Zika and Yellow Fever viruses. All of these factors are positioning marmosets as preeminent models to facilitate understanding of facets of evolution, hybridization, conservation, human disease, and emerging infectious diseases.

Genetic damage in environmentally exposed populations to open-pit coal mining residues: Analysis of buccal micronucleus cytome (BMN-cyt) assay and alkaline, Endo III and FPG high-throughput comet assay.

DNA and chromosomal damage in individuals occupationally exposed to coal mining residues have repeatedly been reported in lymphocytes and epithelial cells, suggesting a systemic exposure-response in which generation of oxidative damage may play a major role. Nevertheless, the understanding of this mechanism is still incomplete, particularly in regard to environmental exposures. This study aimed to evaluate DNA damage using the cytome assay (BMN-cyt) in buccal cells and its relation to primary and oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes, assessed by the high-throughput alkaline and modified (FPG-ENDO III) Comet assay in individuals with environmental exposure to coal mining residues in northern Colombia. Considering metals from coal mining activities as the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the concentrations of inorganic elements in blood samples was also assessed. The analysis revealed that frequencies of BMN-cyt parameters related to DNA damage (micronuclei), cytokinesis (binucleated cells) and cell death (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis and karyolysis) were significantly higher in individuals that were environmentally exposed to coal compared to the unexposed group. The level of % Tail DNA in the alkaline and the modified Comet assay was 4.0 and 4.3 times higher among exposed individuals than in unexposed controls respectively. Increased MN frequencies in buccal cells were correlated with increased %Tail DNA in alkaline and FPG Comet assay. Additionally, exposed individuals had higher concentrations of Cr, Ni, Mn, and Br in the blood compared to unexposed controls. %Tail DNA in alkaline Comet assay was highly correlated with Al, Mn, and Br concentrations, while %Tail DNA in the FPG Comet assay correlated with Mn levels. These results suggest that oxidative damage, particularly purine oxidation, may play an essential role in DNA damage in individuals exposed to coal residues and that some inorganic elements are related to this effect.