Morphology, ultrastructure and immunocytochemistry of Hypnea cervicornis and Hypnea musciformis-(Hypneaceae, Rhodophyta) from the coastal waters of Ceará, Brazil

AbstractBased on their morphological and physiological features, red algae comprise a complex and variable group of multiple genera, including Hypnea. In particular, the genus Hypnea J.V. Lamouroux (Cystocloniaceae, Rhodophyta) consists of approximately 54 species, including Hypnea cervicornis and H. musciformis. Lectins were described for both species; however, the localization of these proteins is still unclear. Therefore, this work aimed to characterize the morphology and ultrastructure of Hypnea cervicornis and H. musciformis, as well as localize their lectins at the subcellular level. Samples were collected at Praia do Pacheco (Fortaleza-CE) and processed for light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, in addition to immunocytochemistry. The studied species presented cortical cell layers, subcortical cells and medullary cells. Based on ultrastructural analysis, these species presented vacuolated cortical cells, with a dense cytoplasm containing chloroplasts. The cell wall consisted of concentric microfibrils embedded in an amorphous matrix. Immunochemistry analysis showed the expression of lectins in the cytoplasm and cell walls. While the structure of the studied algae was similar to the description of other species of the genera under different conditions, this is the first record of algae lectin localization

AI is a viable alternative to high throughput screening: a 318-target study

: High throughput screening (HTS) is routinely used to identify bioactive small molecules. This requires physical compounds, which limits coverage of accessible chemical space. Computational approaches combined with vast on-demand chemical libraries can access far greater chemical space, provided that the predictive accuracy is sufficient to identify useful molecules. Through the largest and most diverse virtual HTS campaign reported to date, comprising 318 individual projects, we demonstrate that our AtomNet® convolutional neural network successfully finds novel hits across every major therapeutic area and protein class. We address historical limitations of computational screening by demonstrating success for target proteins without known binders, high-quality X-ray crystal structures, or manual cherry-picking of compounds. We show that the molecules selected by the AtomNet® model are novel drug-like scaffolds rather than minor modifications to known bioactive compounds. Our empirical results suggest that computational methods can substantially replace HTS as the first step of small-molecule drug discovery

Optimization of Sonication Parameters to Produce a Cashew Apple Bagasse Puree Rich in Superoxide Dismutase

The effects of ultrasound processing parameters on the extraction of antioxidative enzymes and a toxicity assessment of cashew apple bagasse puree were investigated. Ultrasound directly affects the formation of reactive oxygen species such as H2O2, and consequently, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase activities. S.O.D. activity increased up to 280% after U.S. processing at 75 W/cm2, 1:3 bagasse: water ratio, and 10 min compared to non-processed bagasse. Therefore, the effect of ultrasound in delaying browning could be correlated to the enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and decrease in peroxidase activity. At center point conditions (226 W/cm2, 1:3 bagasse: water ratio; 6 min), a decrease of 20% and 50% on POD and PPO activities was observed, respectively. No significant acute toxicity or protective effect was observed in unprocessed and sonicated cashew apple bagasse. Although cashew bagasse processed at 75 W/cm2 prevented nauplii death after 24 h of exposure, this data cannot assure the protective effect once the number of dead nauplii on 100 μg/mL was similar. However, these data indicate a possible protective effect, especially in higher cashew bagasse concentrations. The results suggest that sonicated cashew apple bagasse puree, a coproduct obtained from a traditional valued fruit in Brazil, may be used as a source of antioxidative enzymes, which further has great importance in therapeutics

Environmental scanning electron microscopy (esem) of morinda citrifolia l. (Rubiaceae) colleters

This study describes the colleters of Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae) by using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Two different developmental stages were characterized as well as the chemical composition of secretion. Colleters are secretory structures that produce mucilage protecting the meristems and leaf primordia against desiccation and/or pathogens. Although these secretory structures are common on Rubiaceae, the results reported here is to the best of our knowledge the first record of colleters on Morinda genus. Colleters are present at the stipule adaxial surface, distributed in lines. These secretory structures are standard type and have no base constriction, differently from all studied species until now. In order to better understand the colleters structure and secretion, two phases were distinguished: a secretory phase and a senescence one. On secretory phase standard type colleters were visualized between leaf primordia and stipule, emerge on secretion. They present smooth surface, however was also possible to observe the contours of secretory cells anticlinal walls. In senescent phase colleters morphology was alternated exhibiting rough surface and blunt to point tips. The surface was rough and on stipule sections was possible to observe idioblasts with raphides bundles. The secretion process of M. citrifolia colleters occurs with the disruption of cuticle and the chemical elements are mostly dominated by carbon and oxygen

Metabolic responses of kombucha consortium fermentation upon ultrasound-processing

This study investigated the effect of ultrasound-assisted fermentation on the metabolic responses of traditional and mango-flavored Kombucha fermentation. The results revealed significant differences in the sugar consumption kinetics of sonicated kombucha. Sucrose consumption over 9 days of fermentation (F1) was higher for control than US-processed kombucha. During the second fermentation (F2), ultrasound processing increased the rates of sucrose consumption as the US processing time increased. US15 increases sucrose consumption by 19 %. Ultrasound favored a higher yield of gluconic, propionic, and isobutyric acids than non-processed kombucha (control) and important changes in the kombucha bioactive compounds profile. Gluconic acid continuously increased to a maximum of 6.74 g/L on D12 (F2) in US15 kombucha compared to 4.17 g/L in non-processed one. The ethanol content was below 0.5 g/L for the sonicated kombucha, reaching its maximum of 0.46 g/L for US7 and 0.25 g/L for US15 kombucha after 28 days of refrigerated storage. Ultrasound-assisted fermentation may cause attenuation of kombucha microbiota and changes in the cellulose fiber, promoting modulation of kombucha consortium metabolism. This study's findings help to develop kombuchas with higher bioactive potential and contribute to optimizing the kombucha fermentation process

Purification, Partial Characterization and Immobilization of a Mannose-Specific Lectin from Seeds of Dioclea lasiophylla Mart.

Lectin from the seeds of Dioclea lasiophylla (DlyL) was purified in a single step by affinity chromatography on a Sephadex® G-50 column. DlyL strongly agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes and was inhibited by monosaccharides (D-mannose and α-methyl-D-mannoside) and glycoproteins (ovalbumin and fetuin). Similar to other Diocleinae lectins, DlyL has three chains, α, β and γ, with mass of 25,569 ± 2, 12,998 ± 1 and 12,588 ± 1 Da, respectively, and has no disulfide bonds. The hemagglutinating activity of DlyL was optimal in pH 8.0, stable at a temperature of 70 °C and decreased in EDTA solution, indicating that lectin activity is dependent on divalent metals. DlyL exhibited low toxicity on Artemia sp. nauplii, but this effect was dependent on the concentration of lectin in solution. DlyL immobilized on cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose® 4B bound 0.917 mg of ovalbumin per cycle, showing the ability to become a tool for glycoproteomics studies

Desempenho produtivo de cordeiros em terminação alimentados com sal forrageiro de faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl)

This study evaluated food intake and productive performance of crossbred (½ Santa Inês x ½ dorper) lambs supplemented with different levels of faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl) fodder salt. Thirty male sheep fed tifton grass hay, water, and faveleira fodder salt were randomly allocated into five treatments with six replicates each. The treatments consisted of diets with different inclusion levels of faveleira hay in the fodder salt composition: Treatment 1 (1% mineral salt + 99% faveleira hay), Treatment 2 (3% mineral salt + 97% faveleira hay), Treatment 3 (5% mineral salt + 95% faveleira hay), Treatment 4 (7% mineral salt + 93% faveleira hay), and Treatment 5 (Control - 100% mineral salt). Intake of dry matter, tifton hay and water, average daily gain, feed conversion, and feed efficiency were not affected by fodder salt supplementation (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference (P 0,05) da suplementação sobre a ingestão de matéria seca, consumo de feno de tífton, ingestão de água, ganho de peso diário, conversão e eficiência alimentar. Houve diferença (P<0,05) na ingestão diária de sal forrageiro somente entre o tratamento 4 e o tratamento testemunha, sendo que os animais do tratamento 4 (93% de feno de faveleira / 7% de sal mineral) apresentaram maior ingestão (61 g dia -1). Já em relação à ingestão de sal mineral, a análise de regressão demonstrou um efeito linear positivo à medida que os níveis de sal mineral foram aumentando. Entretanto, o GPMD foi semelhante entre todos os tratamentos, revelando que mesmo em menores quantidades, o feno de faveleira juntamente com o tífton, foram suficientemente capazes de dispor aos animais uma quantidade adequada de nutrientes, para um bom ganho de peso diário. A inclusão de faveleira de até 99% na formulação de sal forrageiro, não prejudica o consumo voluntário de volumoso, de água nem a ingestão de matéria seca, assim como também o ganho de peso diário, conversão e eficiência alimentar. Cordeiros suplementados com sal forrageiro de faveleira apresentam níveis de ganho de peso dentro da faixa ótima para o abate, além de bons níveis de conversão e eficiência alimentar, comprovando o potencial desta dicotiledônea como importante alternativa na suplementação de ovinos

Purification, partial characterization and immobilization of a mannose-specific lectin from seeds of Dioclea lasiophylla Mart.

Lectin from the seeds of Dioclea lasiophylla (DlyL) was purified in a single step by affinity chromatography on a Sephadex (R) G-50 column. DlyL strongly agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes and was inhibited by monosaccharides (D-mannose and alpha-methyl-D-mannoside) and glycoproteins (ovalbumin and fetuin). Similar to other Diocleinae lectins, DlyL has three chains, alpha, beta and gamma, with mass of 25,569 +/- 2, 12,998 +/- 1 and 12,588 +/- 1 Da, respectively, and has no disulfide bonds. The hemagglutinating activity of DlyL was optimal in pH 8.0, stable at a temperature of 70 degrees C and decreased in EDTA solution, indicating that lectin activity is dependent on divalent metals. DlyL exhibited low toxicity on Artemia sp. nauplii, but this effect was dependent on the concentration of lectin in solution. DlyL immobilized on cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose (R) 4B bound 0.917 mg of ovalbumin per cycle, showing the ability to become a tool for glycoproteomics studies