Development of a Nanoformulation for Oral Protein Administration: Characterization and Preclinical Orofacial Antinociceptive Effect.

Nanoencapsulation is a valid alternative for the oral administration of peptide drugs and proteins, as nanoparticles protect them from proteolytic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and promote the absorption of these macromolecules. The orofacial antinociceptive effect of frutalin (FTL), through the intraperitoneal route, has already been proven. This study aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate the orofacial antinociceptive activity of an oral formulation containing FTL in acute and neuropathic preclinical tests.

Drought, desertification and poverty: A geospatial analysis of snakebite envenoming in the Caatinga biome of Brazil.

Epidemiological data on snakebite in the Brazilian state of Ceará are scarce, as the only report on this subject was last published in 1997. However, according to the Brazilian system of recording disease incidents (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação [SINAN]), more than 13,000 snakebites have been registered since 2001 in the state of Ceará, making this disease an important public health issue. In the present study, we evaluate the influence of environmental changes, including drought and desertification, on the risk of snakebite envenoming in the Brazilian northeastern state of Ceará.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation Improves Ovarian Tissue Vitrification Outcome: An Alternative to Preserve the Ovarian Function of Morada Nova Ewe.

This study evaluated the effect of adding alpha lipoic acid (ALA) to the vitrification solution of sheep ovarian tissue on 7 days of in vitro culture or 15 days of xenotransplantion. ALA was used at two different concentrations (100 μM: ALA100 and 150 μM: ALA150). Ovarian tissue was evaluated by classical histology (follicular morphology, development, and stromal cell density); immunohistochemistry for forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a); Ki67 (cell proliferation); cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31); and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).

Dioclea Altissima Seed Lectin (DAL) Prevents Anxiety-like Behavioral Responses in Adult Zebrafish (Danio Rerio): Involvement of GABAergic and 5-HT Systems.

Background: Plant lectins have shown promising neuropharmacological activities in animal models.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of Dioclea altissima seed lectin (DAL) on adult zebrafish behavior.

Method: Zebrafish (n=6/group) were treated (i.

In silico analysis of mismatches in RT-qPCR assays of 177 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Brazil.

Introduction: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) can detect the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a highly specific manner. However, a decrease in the specificity of PCR assays for their targets may lead to false negative results.

Methods: Here, 177 high-coverage complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from 13 Brazilian states were aligned with 15 WHO recommended PCR assays.

Application of a cost-effective DNA extraction protocol for screening transgenic and CRISPR-edited primary goat cells.

The genotyping of genetically-modified cells is a crucial step in studies of transgenics and genomic editing with systems such as CRISPR/Cas. The detection of genome editing events can be directly related to the genotyping methodology used, which is influenced by its costs, since many experiments require the analysis of a large number of samples. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of direct lysis methods of genomic DNA (gDNA) extraction for the detection of knockins and knockouts in primary goat cells.

Evaluation of the proteomic profiles of ejaculated spermatozoa from Saanen bucks ( ).

The Saanen goat breed has been widely explored in breeding programmes; however, there are few reports about the breed's genetic and molecular composition. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the proteomic profile of spermatozoa from Saanen breeding goats. Five breeding animals with proven fertility were selected, the spermatozoa were collected, and the protein was extracted.

Proteins Involved in the Induction of Procoagulant Activity and Autoimmune Response in Patients With Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

The aim of this study was to determine the plasma protein profile of patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) compared to healthy controls and identify proteins that might be used in the evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis of this condition. The sample consisted of 14 patients with PAPS and 17 sex- and age-matched controls. Plasma samples were submitted to proteomic analysis (albumin and immunoglobulin G depletion, concentration, digestion, and label-free data-independent mass spectrometry).

Animal Galectins and Plant Lectins as Tools for Studies in Neurosciences.

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immunological origin capable of reversibly and specifically binding to glycoconjugates. They exist in free form or associated with cells and are widely distributed in nature, being found in plants, microorganisms, and animals. Due to their characteristics and mainly due to the possibility of reversible binding to glycoconjugates, lectins have stood out as important tools in research involving Neurobiology.

Differences in protein expression associated with ivermectin resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The indiscriminate administration of synthetic anthelmintics such as ivermectin contributes to the selection of subpopulations capable of resisting the drugs' effects. To understand the mechanisms of ivermectin resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans, this study attempted to identify molecular targets. C.

New structural insights into anomeric carbohydrate recognition by frutalin: an α-d-galactose-binding lectin from breadfruit seeds.

Frutalin (FTL) is a multiple-binding lectin belonging to the jacalin-related lectin (JRL) family and derived from (breadfruit) seeds. This lectin specifically recognizes and binds α-d-galactose. FTL has been successfully used in immunobiological research for the recognition of cancer-associated oligosaccharides.

Angiopoietin-2: A Potential Mediator of the Glycocalyx Injury in Adult Nephrotic Patients.

Introduction: Glomerulopathy is a group of diseases that affect mainly young adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Recently, it has been demonstrated that syndecan-1, a biomarker of endothelial glycocalyx damage, is increased in nephrotic patients with near-normal renal function and it is important to endothelial dysfunction in these patients. Angiopoietin-2 (AGPT2) is an endothelial growth factor that promotes cell derangement.

Hydrogel and membrane scaffold formulations of Frutalin (breadfruit lectin) within a polysaccharide galactomannan matrix have potential for wound healing.

Plant lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins, which can interact with cell surfaces to initiate anti-inflammatory pathways, as well as immunomodulatory functions. Here, we have extracted, purified and part-characterized the bioactivity of Jacalin, Frutalin, DAL and PNA, before evaluating their potential for wound healing in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Only Frutalin stimulated fibroblast migration in vitro, prompting further studies which established its low cytotoxicity and interaction with TLR4 receptors.

Proteomic analysis to identify candidate biomarkers associated with type 1 diabetes.

Purpose: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) is one of the most common chronic diseases observed during childhood. The incidence of DM1 is increasing worldwide, and there is currently no way to prevent or delay the onset or to cure the disease. Most diseases, including diabetes, stem from abnormalities in the functioning of proteins, and some studies have reported the expression of protein variation to be involved in the development of DM1.

Neuropharmacological characterization of frutalin in mice: Evidence of an antidepressant-like effect mediated by the NMDA receptor/NO/cGMP pathway.

In this study we evaluated the effect of frutalin (FTL) on mouse behavior. Mice (n=6/group) were treated (i.p.

Action mechanism of naphthofuranquinones against fluconazole-resistant Candida tropicalis strains evidenced by proteomic analysis: The role of increased endogenous ROS.

The increased incidence of candidemia in terciary hospitals worldwide and the cross-resistance frequency require the new therapeutic strategies development. Recently, our research group demonstrated three semi-synthetic naphthofuranquinones (NFQs) with a significant antifungal activity in a fluconazole-resistant (FLC) C. tropicalis strain.

Frutapin, a lectin from (breadfruit): cloning, expression and molecular insights.

(breadfruit) seeds contain three different lectins (Frutalin, Frutapin (FTP) and Frutackin) with distinct carbohydrate specificities. The most abundant lectin is Frutalin, an α-D-galactose-specific carbohydrate-binding glycoprotein with antitumour properties and potential for tumour biomarker discovery as already reported. FTP is the second most abundant, but proved difficult to purify with very low yields and contamination with Frutalin frustrating its characterization.

Label-Free Proteome Analysis of Plasma from Patients with Breast Cancer: Stage-Specific Protein Expression.

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer among women. Breast cancer mortality rates remain high probably because its diagnosis is hampered by inaccurate detection methods. Since changes in protein expression as well as modifications in protein glycosylation have been frequently reported in cancer development, the aim of this work was to study the differential expression as well as modifications of glycosylation of proteins from plasma of women with breast cancer at different stages of disease ( = 30) compared to healthy women ( = 10).

A panel of glycoproteins as candidate biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment evaluation of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common malignant cancer in childhood. The signs and symptoms of childhood cancer are difficult to recognize, as it is not the first diagnosis to be considered for nonspecific complaints, leading to potential uncertainty in diagnosis. The aim of this study was to perform proteomic analysis of serum from pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) to identify candidate biomarker proteins, for use in early diagnosis and evaluation of treatment.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of frutalin, an α-D-galactose-specific lectin from Artocarpus incisa seeds.

Frutalin is an α-D-galactose-specific carbohydrate-binding glycoprotein with antitumour properties and is a powerful tool for tumour biomarker discovery. The crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of this lectin, which was isolated from Artocarpus incisa seeds, are reported here. Frutalin was purified and submitted to mass-spectrometric analysis.

Proteomic analysis of salt stress and recovery in leaves of Vigna unguiculata cultivars differing in salt tolerance.

Cowpea cultivars differing in salt tolerance reveal differences in protein profiles and adopt different strategies to overcome salt stress. Salt-tolerant cultivar shows induction of proteins related to photosynthesis and energy metabolism. Salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting plant cultivation and productivity.

Insights on the phytochemical profile (cyclopeptides) and biological activities of Calotropis procera latex organic fractions.

Calotropis procera is a medicinal plant whose pharmacological properties are associated with its latex. Here, the Calotropis procera latex fractions were investigated in an attempt to trace its phytochemical profile and measure its anti-inflammatory and toxicity activity. The crude latex was partitioned, yielding five fractions (49.

Gastroprotective potential of frutalin, a D-galactose binding lectin, against ethanol-induced gastric lesions.

The present study was designed to verify whether frutalin (FTL) affords gastroprotection against the ethanol-induced gastric damage and to examine the underlying mechanism(s). Gastric damage was induced by intragastric administration of 0.2 ml of ethanol (96%).

Proline accumulation and glutamine synthetase activity are increased by salt-induced proteolysis in cashew leaves.

In this study cashew (Anacardium occidentale) plants were exposed to a short- and long-term exposure to NaCl in order to establish the importance of the salt-induced proteolysis and the glutamine synthetase activity on the proline accumulation. The cashew leaf showed a prominent proline accumulation in response to salt stress. In contrast, the root tissue had no significant changes in proline content even after the drastic injury caused by salinity on the whole plant.