Publications by authors named "J Bravo"

Article Synopsis
  • The study revises the taxonomy of Neotropical Odontomachus ant species, identifying four new species and synonymizing one, resulting in a total of 27 recognized species in the region.
  • It includes detailed descriptions of worker ants, gynes (queens), and males, along with high-quality images and dichotomous keys to aid identification.
  • The findings also highlight morphological variabilities that suggest the presence of cryptic species and emphasize the need for further research on male genitalia to understand species relationships better.
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Introduction: Leptin and ghrelin are two hormones that play a role in weight homeostasis. Leptin, which is produced primarily by adipocytes and is dependent on body fat mass, suppresses appetite and increases energy expenditure. Conversely, ghrelin is the "hunger hormone", it stimulates appetite and promotes fat storage.

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Article Synopsis
  • Fibrinolysis plays a crucial role in the release of hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow, affecting the development of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).
  • Activation of plasmin, driven by annexin A2, alters the extracellular matrix (ECM), which impacts cancer cell growth by trapping the growth factor IGF1 and hindering signaling pathways.
  • Inhibiting plasmin activation with ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) shows promise in reducing tumor size and extending survival in B-ALL models, suggesting that targeting fibrinolysis could be a helpful addition to cancer treatment.
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In vitro cell culture systems serve as instrumental platforms for probing biological phenomena and elucidating intricate cellular mechanisms. These systems afford researchers the opportunity to scrutinize cellular responses within a regulated environment, thereby circumventing the ethical and logistical challenges associated with in vivo experimentation. Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have emerged as a viable alternative to mimic in vivo environments.

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Clinical implementation of therapeutic genome editing relies on efficient in vivo delivery and the safety of CRISPR-Cas tools. Previously, we identified PsCas9 as a Type II-B family enzyme capable of editing mouse liver genome upon adenoviral delivery without detectable off-targets and reduced chromosomal translocations. Yet, its efficacy remains insufficient with non-viral delivery, a common challenge for many Cas9 orthologues.

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