[Pulmonary innate immune response in Sars-cov-2 infection].

Introduction: The emerging infection caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has become a real challenge for the scientific community. Currently, there is little knowledge about the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and in recent times the participation of the host's own immune response in the progression of the disease has been proposed. Innate pulmonary immunity is the first barrier against different toxins, which can cause tissue damage, with the consequent alteration of respiratory function.

Cinnamaldehyde and related phenylpropanoids, natural repellents, and insecticides against Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.). A chemical structure-bioactivity relationship.

Background: The insecticidal and repellent effects on adult Sitophilus zeamais of 12 cinnamaldehyde-related compounds was evaluated by contact toxicity bioassays and a two-choice olfactometer. To determine non-toxicity in mammals, body weight, serum biochemical profiles, liver weight, physiological parameters, sperm motility, and histopathological data were obtained as complementary information in C57BL/6 mice treated with the best natural compound.

Results: Based on 24 h LC and LC values, α-methyl-cinnamaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde exhibited better insecticidal action than the other compounds.

Bio-efficacy of the essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare Lamiaceae. Ssp. Hirtum).

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioactivity of the essential oil isolated from Origanum vulgare L. (EOv). We analyzed the in vivo anti-inflammatory properties in a mouse-airway inflammation model and the in vitro antimicrobial activity, genotoxicity over the anaphase-telophase with the Allium cepa strain and its cytotoxicity/viability in A549 culture cells.

Anxiogenic-like effects of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. aqueous extract in an elevated plus maze test in mice: a preliminary study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of orally administered Uncaria tomentosa aqueous extracts (UTE) (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.

Chemical compositions and properties of Schinus areira L. essential oil on airway inflammation and cardiovascular system of mice and rabbits.

The main purpose was to investigate the effects of essential plant-oil of Schinus areira L. on hemodynamic functions in rabbits, as well as myocardial contractile strength and airways inflammation associated to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. This study shows the important properties of the essential oil (EO) of S.

Effect of tamoxifen treatment on the semen quality and fertility of the male rat.

Objectives: To determine the effects of tamoxifen treatment on the seminal quality and fertility of the male Wistar rat.

Design: Experimental prospective study.

Setting: Animal research and university laboratory facility.

Pathogenic consequences in semen quality of an autoimmune response against the prostate gland: from animal models to human disease.

We have recently proposed an autoimmune etiology in approximately 35% of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis patients, the most frequent form of prostatitis observed, because they exhibit IFN-gamma-secreting lymphocytes specific to prostate Ags. Interestingly, this particular group of patients, but not the rest of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis patients, also presented striking abnormalities in their semen quality. In this work, we use an experimental animal model of autoimmune prostatitis on Wistar rats developed in our laboratory to investigate when, where, and how sperm cells from autoimmune prostatitis individuals are being damaged.

Effects of PDC-109 on bovine sperm functional activity in presence or absence of heparin.

PDC-109, a heparin-binding protein (from the seminal vesicles) that binds to sperm surface phospholipids at ejaculation, may modulate several aspects of sperm activity. The objectives of the present study were to determine: (1) in the presence or absence of heparin, the effects of exogenous PDC-109 on sperm motility (Makler chamber), viability (Hoechst 33258) and membrane functional integrity (hypoosmotic swelling test) of bovine spermatozoa; (2) the role of PDC-109 as a capacitation-inducing factor; and (3) its ability to induce the acrosome reaction (fluorescein staining). After 4-h capacitation in the presence of heparin, the addition of PDC-109 (0.