A quantitative proteomic approach to highlight Phragmites sp. adaptation mechanisms to chemical stress induced by a textile dyeing pollutant

Phragmites sp. is present worldwide in treatment wetlands though the mechanisms involved in the phytoremediation remain unclear. In this study a quantitative proteomic approach was used to study the prompt response and adaptation of Phragmites to the textile dyeing pollutant, Acid Orange 7 (AO7). Previously, it was demonstrated that AO7 could be successfully removed from wastewater and mineralized in a constructed wetland planted with Phragmites sp. This azo dye is readily taken up by roots and transported to the plant aerial part by the xylem. Phragmites leaf samples were collected from a pilot scale vertical flow constructed wetland after 0.25, 3.25 and 24.25h exposure to AO7 (400mgL-1) immediately after a watering cycle used as control. Leaf soluble protein extraction yielded an average of 1560 proteins in a broad pI range (pH3-10) by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A time course comparative analysis of leaf proteome revealed that 40 proteins had a differential abundance compared to control (p<0.05) within a 3.25h period. After 24.25h in contact with AO7, leaf proteome was similar to control. Adaptation to AO7 involved proteins related with cellular signalling (calreticulin, Ras-related protein Rab11D and 20S proteasome), energy production and conversion (adenosine triphosphate synthase beta subunit) carbohydrate transport and metabolism (phosphoglucose isomerase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, frutockinase-1 and Hypothetical protein POPTR_0003s12000g and the Uncharacterized protein LOC100272772) and photosynthesis (sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase). Therefore, the quantitative proteomic approach used in this work indicates that mechanisms associated with stress cell signalling, energy production, carbohydrate transport and metabolism as well as proteins related with photosynthesis are key players in the initial chemical stress response in the phytoremediation process of AO7

Meanings and Experiences of Prisoners and Family Members Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Brazilian Prison Unit: A Grounded Theory Analysis

Funding: This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES) (finance code 001). This work was also supported by the Fundaçãopara a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), I.P. (UIDB/05704/2020 and UIDP/05704/2020), and the Scientific Employment Stimulus—Institutional Call (CEECINST/00051/2018).Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic represented a health emergency for prisons. This study sought to understand the meanings and experiences through the narratives of prisoners and family members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of a maximum-security state penitentiary complex in southern Brazil. For this purpose, a qualitative study was developed based on the methodological framework of constructivist grounded theory. Data were collected between February and August 2022 through individual in-depth interviews and field notes. The sample consisted of 41 participants: 28 male prisoners, and 13 family members. Guided by the Charmaz method of grounded theory analysis, the study afforded the core category “Feeling trapped in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic” with three interrelated phases: “Triggering”, “Escalating”, and “Readjustment”. The “Triggering” phase refers to COVID-19-related elements or events that triggered certain reactions, processes, or changes in prison. During the “Escalating” phase, participants became overwhelmed by the suffering caused by incarceration and the pandemic crisis. The “Readjustment” phase involved adapting, reorienting, or reformulating previous approaches or strategies for dealing with a specific situation. Prisons faced complex challenges during the pandemic and were forced to prioritize protecting public health. However, the measures adopted must be carefully evaluated, ensuring their needs and that they are based on scientific evidence. The punitive approach can undermine inmate trust in prison authorities, making it difficult to report symptoms and adhere to preventive measures. © 2023 by the authors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oil from Leaves of Zanthoxylum monogynum St. Hill (Rutaceae).

Background: The Zanthoxylum monogynum species belongs to the family Rutaceae and is found in Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast Brazil. For this genus several biological activities have been described. Methods: The essential oil (EO) was obtained from the leaves of Zanthoxylum monogynum by hydro-distillation and was analyzed by gas chromatograph and gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (GC and GC/MS). Also the EO of Z. monogynum was evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against six tumor cell lines and for antimicrobial activity, performing disk diffusion and MIC assays with yeast and bacterial strains. Results: The chemical analysis afforded the identification of 18 components (99.0% of the EO). The major components were found to be citronellol (43.0%) and farnesol (32.0%). The in vitro cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines, resulted in IC50 values ranging from 11-65 µg/mL against all tested cell lines. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also tested and oil was effective, especially against Cryptococcus sp. yeast. All the tested yeast strains showed at least 90% growth inhibition. Conclusions: the essential oil from leaves of Z. monogynum has a different qualitative and quantitative composition when compared to the composition previously described. Also this EO has significant cytotoxic activity and moderate activity against Cryptococcus sp. and Saccharomyces cereviseae yeasts

Integrative analysis reveals the divergence and speciation between sister Sooty Copper butterflies Lycaena bleusei and L. tityrus

The comparison of closely related taxa is cornerstone in biology, as understanding mechanisms leading up to differentiation in relation to extant shared characters are powerful tools in interpreting the evolutionary process. Hotspots of biodiversity such as the west-Mediterranean, where many lineages meet are ideal grounds to study these processes. We set to explore the interesting example of Sooty Copper butterflies: widespread Eurasian Lycaena tityrus (Poda, 1761) comes into contact in Iberia with closely related and local endemic, L. bleusei (Oberthür, 1884), which hasn’t always been considered a distinct species. An integrative analysis was designed, combining the use of extensive molecular data (five genes), geometric morphometrics analyses, verified and up-to-date distribution data, and environmental niche modelling, aimed at deciphering their true relationship, their placement within European Lycaena and trace their evolutionary history. We revealed several levels of differentiation: L. bleusei and L. tityrus appear to be reciprocally monophyletic independent gene-pools, distinct in all genes analysed, having mutually diverged 4.8 Ma ago. L. tityrus but not L. bleusei, further displays a genetic structure compatible with several glacial refugia, where populations assignable to infraspecific taxa surface. Conversely, L. bleusei shows a loss in mtDNA diversity in relation to nuDNA. Morphological analyses differentiate both species according to size and shape but also discriminate strong seasonal and sexual traits and a geographical phenotype segregation in L. tityrus. Finally, updated distribution and its modelling for current and glacial timeframes reveal both species respond differently to environmental variables, defining a mostly parapatric distribution and an overlapping belt where sympatry was recovered. During the last glacial maximum, a wider expansion in L. bleusei distribution explains current isolated populations. Our study highlights the importance of gathering several lines of evidence when deciphering the relationships between closely related populations in the fringe of cryptic species realm.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Topical Hpmc/s-nitrosoglutathione Solution Decreases Inflammation And Bone Resorption In Experimental Periodontal Disease In Rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is a nitric oxide (NO) donor, which exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microbicidal actions. Intragingival application of GSNO was already shown to decrease alveolar bone loss, inflammation and oxidative stress in an experimental periodontal disease (EPD) model. In the present study, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effect of topical applications of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)/GSNO solutions on EPD in Wistar rats. EPD was induced by placing a sterilized nylon (3.0) thread ligature around the cervix of the second left upper molar of the animals, which received topical applications of a HPMC solutions containing GSNO 2 or 10 mM or vehicle (HPMC solution), 1 h prior to the placement of the ligature and then twice daily until sacrifice on day 11. Treatment with HPMC/ GSNO 10 mM solution significantly reduced alveolar bone loss, oxidative stress and TNF-alpha e IL-1 beta levels in the surrounding gingival tissue, and led to a decreased transcription of RANK and TNF-alpha genes and elevated bone alkaline phosphatase, compared to the HPMC group. In conclusion, topical application of HPMC/GSNO solution is a potential treatment to reduce inflammation and bone loss in periodontal disease.114National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - CNPq [478380/2011-9, 309390/2011-7]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

MACRO LESIONES INDUCIDAS POR NEMATODOS DE BOTHROPS JARARACA Y BOTHROPS ALTERNATUS EN BRASIL CON DOS NUEVOS REGISTROS

Results of fecal examinations have been compared with those obtained during necropsies of snakes infected with helminths. Stool samples from specimens of Bothrops jararaca and B. alternatus were investigated and three animals were positive for eggs during coprological screenings: one case representing authochtonous snake parasites, other related to species accidentally introduced together with naturally infected mice snakes fed on, and another with the association of both. Necropsies of those same specimens, showed the presence of the nematodes Ophidascaris travassosi Vaz, 1938, Kalicephalus costatus (Rudolphi, 1819), K. inermis Molin, 1861, Kalicephalus sp. and Acanthorhabdias acanthorhabdias Pereira, 1927. Bothrops jararaca is a new host record for O. travassosi and Bothrops alternatus for A. acanthorhabdias; the gross pathological lesions induced by the nematodes are reported.Resultados de exámenes de heces han sido comparados a los obtenidos durante necropsias de serpientesinfectadas con helmintos. Muestras de heces de ejemplares de Bothrops jararaca e B. alternatus fueroninvestigadas y tres animales fueron positivos para huevos durante los exámenes: un caso representandoparásitos autóctonos de serpientes, otro relativo a especies introducidas accidentalmente junto con ratones naturalmente infectados que son ofrecidos como alimentación para las serpientes y otro con la asociación de ambos. Resultados de las necropsias de los mismos ejemplares indican la presencia de los nematodos Ophidascaris travassosi Vaz, 1938, Kalicephalus costatus (Rudolphi, 1819), K. inermis Molin, 1861, Kalicephalus sp. y Acanthorhabdias acanthorhabdias Pereira, 1927. Las especies Bothrops jararaca es un nuevo registro de huésped para Ophidascaris travassosi y Bothrops alternatus para A. acanthorhabdias; los resultados con relación a lesiones macroscópicas inducidas por los nematodos son presentados

Determination of 5-fluorouracil in surface samples using SPE combined with HPLC- DAD

A simple and rapid SPE-HPLC-DAD method was developed for the determination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in surface samples. A C18 column (250 x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm) and a similar pre-column were used for the separation at 25 ºC, using 20 mM ammonium acetate buffer solution pH 4.7: methanol (95:5, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. Under optimal conditions, the linearity was 0.9993, in a range of 25-100 µg/mL. The limits of detection and quantification were 5 and 25 µg/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviation (%) was below 15 % for the evaluation of precision and the mean recovery was 77 %. The extracting procedure followed HPLC analysis showed their applicability in order to examine 5- FU in surfaces samples. Moreover, it could be suggested that the developed method is an alternative in the monitoring of the occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents, once the analyte in question is considered an indicator for this purpose.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire