Organometallic Complex Strongly Impairs Chikungunya Virus Entry to the Host Cells

Chikungunya fever is a disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) that is transmitted by the bite of the female of Aedes sp. mosquito. The symptoms include fever, muscle aches, skin rash, and severe joint pains. The disease may develop into a chronic condition and joint pain for months or years. Currently, there is no effective antiviral treatment against CHIKV infection. Treatments based on natural compounds have been widely studied, as many drugs were produced by using natural molecules and their derivatives. Alpha-phellandrene (α-Phe) is a naturally occurring organic compound that is a ligand for ruthenium, forming the organometallic complex [Ru2Cl4(p-cymene)2] (RcP). Organometallic complexes have shown promising as candidate molecules to a new generation of compounds that presented relevant biological properties, however, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the anti-CHIKV activity of these complexes. The present work evaluated the effects of the RcP and its precursors, the hydrate ruthenium(III) chloride salt (RuCl3⋅xH2O) (Ru) and α-Phe, on CHIKV infection in vitro. To this, BHK-21 cells were infected with CHIKV-nanoluciferase (CHIKV-nanoluc), a viral construct harboring the nanoluciferase reporter gene, at the presence or absence of the compounds for 16 h. Cytotoxicity and impact on infectivity were analyzed. The results demonstrated that RcP exhibited a strong therapeutic potential judged by the selective index > 40. Antiviral effects of RcP on different stages of the CHIKV replicative cycle were investigated; the results showed that it affected early stages of virus infection reducing virus replication by 77% at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Further assays demonstrated the virucidal activity of the compound that completely blocked virus infectivity. In silico molecular docking calculations suggested different binding interactions between aromatic rings of RcP and the loop of amino acids of the E2 envelope CHIKV glycoprotein mainly through hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, infrared spectroscopy spectral analysis indicated interactions of RcP with CHIKV glycoproteins. These data suggest that RcP may act on CHIKV particles, disrupting virus entry to the host cells. Therefore, RcP may represent a strong candidate for the development of anti-CHIKV drugs

Chikungunya virus entry is strongly inhibited by phospholipase A2 isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the etiologic agent of Chikungunya fever, a globally spreading mosquito-borne disease. There is no approved antiviral or vaccine against CHIKV, highlighting an urgent need for novel therapies. In this context, snake venom proteins have demonstrated antiviral activity against several viruses, including arboviruses which are relevant to public health. In particular, the phospholipase A2CB (PLA2CB), a protein isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus was previously shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antibacterial and antiviral activities. In this study, we investigated the multiple effects of PLA2CB on the CHIKV replicative cycle in BHK-21 cells using CHIKV-nanoluc, a marker virus carrying nanoluciferase reporter. The results demonstrated that PLA2CB possess a strong anti-CHIKV activity with a selectivity index of 128. We identified that PLA2CB treatment protected cells against CHIKV infection, strongly impairing virus entry by reducing adsorption and post-attachment stages. Moreover, PLA2CB presented a modest yet significant activity towards post-entry stages of CHIKV replicative cycle. Molecular docking calculations indicated that PLA2CB may interact with CHIKV glycoproteins, mainly with E1 through hydrophobic interactions. In addition, infrared spectroscopy measurements indicated interactions of PLA2CB and CHIKV glycoproteins, corroborating with data from in silico analyses. Collectively, this data demonstrated the multiple antiviral effects of PLA2CB on the CHIKV replicative cycle, and suggest that PLA2CB interacts with CHIKV glycoproteins and that this interaction blocks binding of CHIKV virions to the host cells

Sugarcane (Saccharum X officinarum): A Reference Study for the Regulation of Genetically Modified Cultivars in Brazil

Global interest in sugarcane has increased significantly in recent years due to its economic impact on sustainable energy production. Sugarcane breeding and better agronomic practices have contributed to a huge increase in sugarcane yield in the last 30 years. Additional increases in sugarcane yield are expected to result from the use of biotechnology tools in the near future. Genetically modified (GM) sugarcane that incorporates genes to increase resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses could play a major role in achieving this goal. However, to bring GM sugarcane to the market, it is necessary to follow a regulatory process that will evaluate the environmental and health impacts of this crop. The regulatory review process is usually accomplished through a comparison of the biology and composition of the GM cultivar and a non-GM counterpart. This review intends to provide information on non-GM sugarcane biology, genetics, breeding, agronomic management, processing, products and byproducts, as well as the current technologies used to develop GM sugarcane, with the aim of assisting regulators in the decision-making process regarding the commercial release of GM sugarcane cultivars

Design, construction and operation of the ProtoDUNE-SP Liquid Argon TPC

The ProtoDUNE-SP detector is a single-phase liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) that was constructed and operated in the CERN North Area at the end of the H4 beamline. This detector is a prototype for the first far detector module of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), which will be constructed at the Sandford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota, U.S.A. The ProtoDUNE-SP detector incorporates full-size components as designed for DUNE and has an active volume of 7 × 6 × 7.2 m3. The H4 beam delivers incident particles with well-measured momenta and high-purity particle identification. ProtoDUNE-SP's successful operation between 2018 and 2020 demonstrates the effectiveness of the single-phase far detector design. This paper describes the design, construction, assembly and operation of the detector components

O significado atribuído ao papel masculino e feminino por adolescentes de periferia El significado que los adolescentes de la periferia le atribuyen al rol masculino y femenino Meanings attributed to the masculine and feminine roles by socially-excluded adolescents

Trata-se de pesquisa-ação cujo objetivo foi compreender os significados atribuídos ao papel masculino e feminino pelos adolescentes/jovens integrantes de um projeto de inclusão social. Participaram 27 sujeitos vinculados aos grupos da Gastronomia, Estética e Nova Descoberta. Os dados derivam da oficina "conhecimento do corpo humano", desenvolvida nos três grupos em momentos distintos, por meio da construção de cartazes, atividades de recorte, colagem, desenho, escrita; utilização de manequim e abordagem dialógica do tema. Os dados foram analisados conforme o método de análise temática de conteúdo. Os resultados apontam duas categorias: "a fortaleza e o poder masculino" e "o papel contraditório do gênero feminino". Conclui-se que as diferenças dos papéis masculino e feminino, relacionadas ao contexto sócio-político-cultural no qual os adolescentes/jovens estão inseridos, tem repercussões importantes na forma que vivem a sua sexualidade, e, acima de tudo, na construção do seu viver saudável e de sua cidadania.<br>Se trata de investigación -acción cuyo objetivo fue comprender los significados que los adolescentes de un grupo de inclusión social le atribuyen al papel masculino y femenino Participaron 27 sujetos vinculados a los grupos da Gastronomía, Estética y Nueva Descubierta. Los datos derivan del taller "conocimiento del cuerpo humano", desarrollado en los 3 grupos, en momentos distintos, a través de la creación de carteles , actividades para hacer collagede recorte , diseño, escritura; utilización de maniquí y abordaje dialógica del tema. Los datos fueron analizados con el método de análisis temático de contenido. Los resultados evidencian dos categorías: "la fortaleza y el poder masculino" y "el papel contradictorio del género femenino". Se concluye que las diferencias de papeles masculino y femenino, relacionadas al contexto socio-político-cultural en el cual los adolescentes/jóvenes están inseridos, tiene repercusiones importantes en la forma en la que viven su sexualidad y en la construcción de una vida sana y en la formación de su ciudadanía.<br>The objective of this research-action was to better comprehend the meanings attributed to the masculine and feminine roles by socially-excluded adolescents/youth that are integrated to a social-inclusion project. Twenty-seven subjects who are linked to the Gastronomy, Aesthetics, and New Discovery Groups. The data were derived from the "human body knowledge" workshop, developed separately in 3 groups through the construction of poster boards, collage activities, drawing, writing, the utilization of mannequins, and a dialectic approach to the theme. The data was analyzed according to thematic content analysis, producing two categories: "masculine strength and power", and "the contradictory role of the feminine gender." We conclude that the differences in masculine and feminine roles related to the social-political-cultural context of which these adolescents/youth are inserted, have important repercussions in the form in which they live their sexuality and more importantly their construction of healthy living and citizenshi