Immunomodulatory effect of bovine lactoferrin during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction: Lactoferrin (Lf) is an important immunomodulator in infections caused by different agents. During SARS-CoV-2 infection, Lf can hinder or prevent virus access to the intracellular environment. Severe cases of COVID-19 are related to increased production of cytokines, accompanied by a weak type 1 interferon response.

Experimental Dengue Virus Type 4 Infection Increases the Expression of MicroRNAs-15/16, Triggering a Caspase-Induced Apoptosis Pathway.

The World Health Organization has estimated the annual occurrence of approximately 392 million dengue virus (DENV) infections in more than 100 countries where the virus is endemic, which represents a serious threat to humanity. DENV is a serologic group with four distinct serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4) belonging to the genus , in the family . Dengue is the most widespread mosquito-borne disease in the world.

Influence of iron binding in the structural stability and cellular internalization of bovine lactoferrin.

Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein and a component of many external secretions with a wide diversity of functions. Structural studies are important to understand the mechanisms employed by Lf to exert so varied functions. Here, we used guanidine hydrochloride and high hydrostatic pressure to cause perturbations in the structure of bovine Lf (bLf) in apo and holo (unsaturated and iron-saturated, respectively) forms, and analyzed conformational changes by intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy.

Astrocyte reactivity in spinal cord and functional impairment after tendon injury in rats.

Astrocyte reactivity in the spinal cord may occur after peripheral neural damage. However, there is no data to report such reactivity after Achilles tendon injury. We investigate whether changes occur in the spinal cord, mechanical sensitivity and gait in two phases of repair after Achilles tendon injury.

Histopathological lesions of congenital Zika syndrome in newborn squirrel monkeys.

The absence of an adequate animal model for studies has limited the understanding of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) in humans during the outbreak in America. In this study, we used squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi), a neotropical primate (which mimics the stages of human pregnancy), as a model of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Seven pregnant female squirrel monkeys were experimentally infected at three different gestational stages, and we were able reproduce a broad range of clinical manifestations of ZIKV lesions observed in newborn humans.

Physiotherapeutic evaluation and intervention proposal on a patient with post-chikungunya chronic arthritis.

Background: Chikungunya fever is an arboviral disease characterized by a high morbidity rate related to intense and persistent arthralgia, causing a decrease in both quality of life (QoL) and productivity. This study aimed to report functional evaluation and multimodal physiotherapeutic intervention on a patient with post-chikungunya chronic arthritis (PCCA).

Case Presentation: Woman, 47 years old, resident of the municipality of Belém, state of Pará, northern Brazil, with clinical diagnosis of chikungunya fever marked by fever, swelling, pain in the joints of the hands and feet, and headache.

Lactoferrin affects rhinovirus B-14 entry into H1-HeLa cells.

Lactoferrin is part of the innate immune system, with antiviral activity against numerous DNA and RNA viruses. Rhinoviruses, the leading cause of the common cold, are associated with exacerbation of respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Here, we explored the effect of bovine lactoferrin (BLf) on RV-B14 infectivity.

Prenatal disorders and congenital Zika syndrome in squirrel monkeys.

During the Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil (2015-2016), the clinical manifestations associated with its infection were complex and included miscarriage and congenital malformations, not previously described. In this study, we evaluated the prenatal conditions of pregnant female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi) infected during different gestational thirds (GTs) and assessed all clinical aspects, diagnostic imaging, viremia and the immune response. In our study, 75% of the infected animals in the 1st GT group had significant clinical manifestations, such as miscarriage and prolonged viremia associated with a late immune response.