Genome of Rhodnius prolixus, an insect vector of Chagas disease, reveals unique adaptations to hematophagy and parasite infection

Rhodnius prolixus not only has served as a model organism for the study of insect physiology, but also is a major vector of Chagas disease, an illness that affects approximately seven million people worldwide. We sequenced the genome of R. prolixus, generated assembled sequences covering 95% of the genome ( approximately 702 Mb), including 15,456 putative protein-coding genes, and completed comprehensive genomic analyses of this obligate blood-feeding insect. Although immune-deficiency (IMD)-mediated immune responses were observed, R. prolixus putatively lacks key components of the IMD pathway, suggesting a reorganization of the canonical immune signaling network. Although both Toll and IMD effectors controlled intestinal microbiota, neither affected Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, implying the existence of evasion or tolerance mechanisms. R. prolixus has experienced an extensive loss of selenoprotein genes, with its repertoire reduced to only two proteins, one of which is a selenocysteine-based glutathione peroxidase, the first found in insects. The genome contained actively transcribed, horizontally transferred genes from Wolbachia sp., which showed evidence of codon use evolution toward the insect use pattern. Comparative protein analyses revealed many lineage-specific expansions and putative gene absences in R. prolixus, including tandem expansions of genes related to chemoreception, feeding, and digestion that possibly contributed to the evolution of a blood-feeding lifestyle. The genome assembly and these associated analyses provide critical information on the physiology and evolution of this important vector species and should be instrumental for the development of innovative disease control methods

Dense lamellar scaffold, biomimetically inspired, for reverse cardiac remodeling : effect of proanthocyanidins and glutaraldehyde

Regenerative medicine is an emerging field that aims in healing damaged tissue. The choice of the crosslinking agent is one of the most critical requirements for the development of three-dimensional scaffold devices. This study aimed to investigate the effects of proanthocyanidins (PA) and glutaraldehyde (GA) associated with plastic compression method on the properties of the dense lamellar. The physiomechanical and physical–chemical properties of the scaffolds were evaluated. The antioxidant activity was investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method; viability and proliferation cellular were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and imaging cytometer (H9c2 cells). The effect of the crosslinking agents modified the physiomechanical properties but did not modify the mucoadhesion properties. Proanthocyanidin-scaffold has the ability to bind water’s molecule and to reduce the space between polymeric chains. Proanthocyanidin-scaffold and GA scaffold showed, respectively, 44 and 17% of antioxidant activity. Both crosslinking agents did not influence the viability and proliferation of H9c2 cells. Considering the anisotropic structure, and the physiomechanical properties, cellular compatibility, and protective action against reactive oxygen species, this study may provide a way to improve the inverse modulation of heart tissue, after infarct acute of the myocardiumCONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP425271/2016-113432-0/2018Postgraduate Support Program for Private Education Institution – Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Prosup-Capes) with financial support for scholarship. CNPq.-Brazil: 425271/2016-1. FAPESP-Brazil 13432-0/2018. This work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientıfico e Tecnologico; Coordenac¸~ao de Aperfeic¸oamento de Pessoal de Nıvel Superior; Fundac¸~ao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paul

Biomimetic dense lamellar scaffold based on a colloidal complex of the polyaniline (PANi) and biopolymers for electroactive and physiomechanical stimulation of the myocardial

A novel biodegradable conductive scaffold containing water-soluble polyaniline (PANi) was manufacture. The conductive dense lamellar scaffolds were obtained by a mixture of collagen, fibroin solution, hyaluronic acid, and water-soluble polyaniline, using plastic compression method. Scaffolds held open and interconnected pores having a pore size ranging from several 100 to 150 mu m. PANi-scaffolds had compression modulus and strength of 1.77 +/- 0.11 MPa. The isoelectric point of the scaffold was observed by surface zeta potential in pH 7.7. The conductivity of the scaffold was measured as 2.10-6 S.cm(-1) for dry PANi-scaffold and 6.10-4 S.cm(-1) for hydrated. The PANi-scaffold has physiomechanical, and physico-chemical properties supported the viability and proliferation of cardiomyocytes. Our results highlight the potential of incorporation of PANi as an electroactive moiety for induction of cardiomyocyte proliferation and repair of damaged heart tissue579CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES45271/2016-1não te

Structural comparison, physicochemical properties, and in vitro release profile of curcumin-loaded lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticle: Influence of hydrotrope as interface stabilizers

Lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) is a nano-biomimetic lipid-based system, which has thermodynamic property that is peculiar to it, and suitable for its structural ordering, which facilitates more intimate contact with the tissues. The LLC as a carrier of curcumin has been much studied, however, this is the first time that hydrotrope method approach has been used in the lamellar system precursor of the LLC nanoparticles (LLC-NPs). Curcumin was used due to its pharmacological properties. However, bioavailability is limited by poor water solubility, high chemical instability and metabolic susceptibility. The aim of this study was developed and lipid-based LLC systems prepared by the hydrotrope method were evaluated. Unlike most studies, sodium lauryl sulphate and Poloxamer 407® were used as hydrotropes and the stability, dissolution rate, and physicochemical properties of LLC-NPs were evaluated. The analysis of results showed that hydrotropes increase the stability of LLC-NPs and modify the curcumin release profile. The structural ordering of the lamellar mesophase and LLC-NPs was revealed by microscopy of polarized light and laser confocal scanning microscopy, the results showed a structure with the maltese cross. The LLC-NPs arising from lamellar mesophase with hydrotropes into water-lipid matrices hosted curcumin in the hilum of the maltese cross, and controlled release of curcumin.This study had financial support from CAPES/PROSUP-Brazil. We thank Kerry (Brazil) for supplying the raw material (Myverol® 18- 92K). We thank Prof. Dr. Fabio Leite responsible for the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring located at the Federal University of São Carlos in Sorocaba/SP-Brazil and Prof. Dr. Moema de Alencar Hausen by analysis of structural characterization by laser confocal scanning microscopy. We thank Laboratory of Biomaterials, Pontificial University Catholic (PUC/SP-Brazil) and Prof. Dr. Daniel Komatsu by analysis of structural characterization by polarized light microscopyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio