Roles of Calcium Signaling in Gene Expression and Photosynthetic Acclimatization of Solanum lycopersicum Micro-Tom (MT) after Mechanical Damage

A momentary increase in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ generates an oscillation responsible for the activation of proteins, such as calmodulin and kinases, which interact with reactive oxygen species (ROS) for the transmission of a stress signal. This study investigated the influence of variations in calcium concentrations on plant defense signaling and photosynthetic acclimatization after mechanical damage. Solanum lycopersicum Micro-Tom was grown with 0, 2 and 4 mM Ca²⁺, with and without mechanical damage. The expression of stress genes was evaluated, along with levels of antioxidant enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, histochemistry, photosynthesis and dry mass of organs. The ROS production generated by mechanical damage was further enhanced by calcium-free conditions due to the inactivation of the oxygen evolution complex, contributing to an increase in reactive species. The results indicated that ROS affected mechanical damage signaling because calcium-free plants exhibited high levels of H₂O₂ and enhanced expression of kinase and RBOH1 genes, necessary conditions for an efficient response to stress. We conclude that the plants without calcium supply recognized mechanical damage but did not survive. The highest expression of the RBOH1 gene and the accumulation of H₂O₂ in these plants signaled cell death. Plants grown in the presence of calcium showed higher expression of SlCaM2 and control of H₂O₂ concentration, thus overcoming the stress caused by mechanical damage, with photosynthetic acclimatization and without damage to dry mass production.     

Oxidative Precipitation Synthesis of Calcium-Doped Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles for Magnetic Hyperthermia

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are of high interest for therapeutic applications. In this work, nanoparticles of calcium-doped manganese ferrites (Ca_xMn_1−xFe₂O₄) functionalized with citrate were synthesized through thermally assisted oxidative precipitation in aqueous media. The method provided well dispersed aqueous suspensions of nanoparticles through a one-pot synthesis, in which the temperature and Ca/Mn ratio were found to influence the particles microstructure and morphology. Consequently, changes were obtained in the optical and magnetic properties that were studied through UV-Vis absorption and SQUID, respectively. XRD and Raman spectroscopy studies were carried out to assess the microstructural changes associated with stoichiometry of the particles, and the stability in physiological pH was studied through DLS. The nanoparticles displayed high values of magnetization and heating efficiency for several alternating magnetic field conditions, compatible with biological applications. Hereby, the employed method provides a promising strategy for the development of particles with adequate properties for magnetic hyperthermia applications, such as drug delivery and cancer therapy.     

Identification of Potential New Aedes aegypti Juvenile Hormone Inhibitors from N-Acyl Piperidine Derivatives: A Bioinformatics Approach

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit several human pathogens that cause millions of deaths worldwide, mainly in Latin America. The indiscriminate use of insecticides has resulted in the development of species resistance to some such compounds. Piperidine, a natural alkaloid isolated from Piper nigrum, has been used as a hit compound due to its larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti. In the present study, piperidine derivatives were studied through in silico methods: pharmacophoric evaluation (PharmaGist), pharmacophoric virtual screening (Pharmit), ADME/Tox prediction (Preadmet/Derek 10.0^®), docking calculations (AutoDock 4.2) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation on GROMACS-5.1.4. MP-416 and MP-073 molecules exhibiting ΔG binding (MMPBSA −265.95 ± 1.32 kJ/mol and −124.412 ± 1.08 kJ/mol, respectively) and comparable to holo (ΔG binding = −216.21 ± 0.97) and pyriproxyfen (a well-known larvicidal, ΔG binding= −435.95 ± 2.06 kJ/mol). Considering future in vivo assays, we elaborated the theoretical synthetic route and made predictions of the synthetic accessibility (SA) (SwissADME), lipophilicity and water solubility (SwissADME) of the promising compounds identified in the present study. Our in silico results show that MP-416 and MP-073 molecules could be potent insecticides against the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.     

Systematic Review: Drug Repositioning for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG)

Advances in research have boosted therapy development for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a group of rare genetic disorders affecting protein and lipid glycosylation and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor biosynthesis. The (re)use of known drugs for novel medical purposes, known as drug repositioning, is growing for both common and rare disorders. The latest innovation concerns the rational search for repositioned molecules which also benefits from artificial intelligence (AI). Compared to traditional methods, drug repositioning accelerates the overall drug discovery process while saving costs. This is particularly valuable for rare diseases. AI tools have proven their worth in diagnosis, in disease classification and characterization, and ultimately in therapy discovery in rare diseases. The availability of biomarkers and reliable disease models is critical for research and development of new drugs, especially for rare and heterogeneous diseases such as CDG. This work reviews the literature related to repositioned drugs for CDG, discovered by serendipity or through a systemic approach. Recent advances in biomarkers and disease models are also outlined as well as stakeholders’ views on AI for therapy discovery in CDG.     

Targeting Lysosomes in Colorectal Cancer: Exploring the Anticancer Activity of a New Benzo[a]phenoxazine Derivative

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been ranked as one of the cancer types with a higher incidence and one of the most mortal. There are limited therapies available for CRC, which urges the finding of intracellular targets and the discovery of new drugs for innovative therapeutic approaches. In addition to the limited number of effective anticancer agents approved for use in humans, CRC resistance and secondary effects stemming from classical chemotherapy remain a major clinical problem, reinforcing the need for the development of novel drugs. In the recent years, the phenoxazines derivatives, Nile Blue analogues, have been shown to possess anticancer activity, which has created interest in exploring the potential of these compounds as anticancer drugs. In this context, we have synthetized and evaluated the anticancer activity of different benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives for CRC therapy. Our results revealed that one particular compound, BaP1, displayed promising anticancer activity against CRC cells. We found that BaP1 is selective for CRC cells and reduces cell proliferation, cell survival, and cell migration. We observed that the compound is associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, accumulates in the lysosomes, and leads to lysosomal membrane permeabilization, cytosolic acidification, and apoptotic cell death. In vivo results using a chicken embryo choriollantoic membrane (CAM) assay showed that BaP1 inhibits tumor growth, angiogenesis, and tumor proliferation. These observations highlight that BaP1 as a very interesting agent to disturb and counteract the important roles of lysosomes in cancer and suggests BaP1 as a promising candidate to be exploited as new anticancer lysosomal-targeted agent, which uses lysosome membrane permeabilization (LMP) as a therapeutic approach in CRC.     

Electroanalytical determination of the sunscreen agent octocrylene in cosmetic products

An electroanalytical method was developed to detect and quantify the sunscreen agent octocrylene (OCR) in cosmetic products. The method was based on electrochemical reduction, using voltammetric techniques. OCR was reduced at -0.97 V vs. Ag/AgCl on a glassy carbon electrode using a mixture of Britton-Robinson buffer (0.04 mol L(-1)) and ethanol (7 : 3, v/v) as the supporting electrolyte solution. Under optimized conditions and square-wave voltammetry, OCR response was linear from 5.0 × 10(-6) to 8.0 × 10(-5) mol L(-1) (r = 0.9995), with a limit of detection of 2.8 × 10(-6) mol L(-1). The proposed electroanalytical method proved simple, fast and suitable for detection and quantification of OCR in samples of cosmetic products, with satisfactory results in the recovery test and analytical determination in real samples.     

Effect of gamma and electron beam irradiation on the physico-chemical and nutritional properties of mushrooms: a review

The short shelf-life of mushrooms is an obstacle to the distribution and marketing of the fresh product. Thus, prolonging postharvest storage, while preserving their quality, would benefit the mushroom industry as well as consumers. There has been extensive research on finding the most appropriate technology for mushrooms preservation. Gamma, electron-beam and UV irradiation have been shown to be potential tools in extending the postharvest shelf-life of fresh mushrooms. Studies evaluating the effects of ionizing radiation are available mainly in cultivated species such as Agaricus bisporus, Lentinus edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus. This review comprises a comprehensive study of the effects of irradiation on physico-chemical parameters (weight, colour, texture and pH), chemical compounds including nutrients (proteins, sugars and vitamins) and non-nutrients (phenolics, flavonoids and flavour compounds), and on biochemical parameters such as enzymatic activity of mushrooms for different species and from different regions of the world.     

Quantification of furanic compounds in coated deep-fried products simulating normal preparation and consumption: Optimisation of HS-SPME analytical conditions by response surface methodology

The validation of a method for the simultaneous quantification of furanic compounds in coated deep-fried samples processed and handled as usually consumed is presented. The deep-fried food was grinded using a device that simulates the mastication, and immediately analysed by headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Parameters affecting the efficiency of HS-SPME procedure were selected by response surface methodology, using a 2(3) full-factorial central composite design. Optimal conditions were achieved using 2g of sample, 3g of NaCl and 40min of absorption time at 37°C. Consistency between predicted and experimented values was observed and quality parameters of the method were established. As a result, furan, 2-furfural, furfuryl alcohol and 2-pentylfuran were, for the first time, simultaneously detected and quantified (5.59, 0.27, 10.48 and 1.77μgg(-1) sample, respectively) in coated deep-fried fish, contributing to a better understanding of the amounts of these compounds in food.     

Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Raw Meats and Prepared Foods in Public Hospitals in Salvador,Bahia, Brazil

This study investigated the presence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in raw meat and fish and foods prepared from them for patient consumption in public hospitals in Salvador, Bahia, in northeastern Brazil. A total of 114 samples of raw meat and fish (chicken, n = 30; beef, n = 30; pork, n = 24; and fish, n = 30) and 63 samples of prepared foods (made with chicken, n = 15; beef, n = 15; pork, n = 15; and fish, n = 18) were collected from the kitchens of 10 different hospitals. Of the 114 investigated raw meat and fish samples, 28.1% were positive for MRSA, which comprised 23.3% beef, 23.3% chicken, 37.5% pork, and 30% fish samples. Of the prepared foods, 9.5% were positive for MRSA, which comprised 5.6% chicken products, 6.7% pork products, and 22.2% fish products. MRSA contamination was not detected in prepared beef dishes. A statistical analysis showed no association between the presence of MRSA and the type of raw food (P > 0.05). The high prevalence of MRSA among the raw foods tested and the presence of the microorganism in prepared foods emphasizes the necessity of enforcing hygienic practices within hospital kitchens.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extracts of roasted and green Coffea arabica L.

Green coffee contains a large quantity and variety of polyphenols and flavonoids. The roasting affects the composition of the polyphenols in coffee, due to the formation of compounds generated by Maillard reaction, which can have anti-inflammatory or antioxidant potential. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of aqueous extracts of green (AGCa) and roasted (ARCa) coffee beans were investigated in animal models and using a DPPH radical scavenging test. In the formalin test the extracts reduced licking activity only in the late phase. The inhibitory values of oedema at 3 h post-carrageenan were 53% and 74% for 100 and 300 mg/kg of the AGCa extract and 36% for ARCa (300 mg/kg). Leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity was inhibited by the extracts. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were higher than the reference antioxidants, ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene. These results indicate that coffee extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.