Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles loaded with -acetylcysteine for the modulation of neuroinflammatory biomarkers in human iPSC-derived PSEN2 (N141I) astrocytes as a model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein (Aβ). Aβ activates glial cells in the brain, increasing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, which leads to neuroinflammation and neuronal death. Currently, there are no effective treatments that cure or stop its progression; therefore, AD is considered a global health priority.

Radical Scavenging, Hemocompatibility, and Antibacterial Activity against MDR in Alginate-Based Aerogels Containing Lipoic Acid-Capped Silver Nanoparticles.

Retaining the hemocompatibility, supporting cell growth, and exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while having antimicrobial activity, particularly against multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR), remain a challenge when designing aerogels for biomedical applications. Here, we report that our synthesized alginate-based aerogels containing either 7.5 or 11.

Chimeric Peptides from and with Antigen-Binding Capacity: A Conotoxin Scaffold to Create Non-Natural Antibodies (NoNaBodies).

Research into various proteins capable of blocking metabolic pathways has improved the detection and treatment of multiple pathologies associated with the malfunction and overexpression of different metabolites. However, antigen-binding proteins have limitations. To overcome the disadvantages of the available antigen-binding proteins, the present investigation aims to provide chimeric antigen-binding peptides by binding a complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of variable domains of new antigen receptors (VNARs) with a conotoxin.

Neutralizing Ability of a Single Domain VNAR Antibody: In Vitro Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 is the causal pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The emergence of new variants with different mutational patterns has limited the therapeutic options available and complicated the development of effective neutralizing antibodies targeting the spike (S) protein. Variable New Antigen Receptors (VNARs) constitute a neutralizing antibody technology that has been introduced into the list of possible therapeutic options against SARS-CoV-2.

Conotoxin Patenting Trends in Academia and Industry.

Sea snails of the genus produce toxins that have been the subjects of numerous studies, projects, publications, and patents over the years. Since toxins were discovered in the 1960s, their biological activity has been thought to have high pharmaceutical potential that could be explored beyond the limits of academic laboratories. We reviewed 224 patent documents related to conotoxins and conopeptides globally to determine the course that innovation and development has taken over the years, their primary applications, the technological trends over the last six years, and the leaders in the field, since the only previous patent review was performed in 2015 and focused in USA valid patents.

Neutralizing antibodies levels are increased in individuals with heterologous vaccination and hybrid immunity with Ad5-nCoV in the north of Mexico.

The coordinated efforts to stop the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) include massive immunization of the population at a global scale. The humoral immunity against COVID-19 is conferred by neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that occur during the post-infection period and upon vaccination. Here, we provide robust data showing that potent neutralizing antibodies are induced in convalescent patients of SARS-CoV-2 infection who have been immunized with different types of vaccines, and patients with no previous history of COVID-19 immunized with a mixed vaccination schedule regardless of the previous infection.

Treatment with metformin glycinate reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral load: An in vitro model and randomized, double-blind, Phase IIb clinical trial.

The health crisis caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 highlights the need to identify new treatment strategies for this viral infection. During the past year, over 400 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment patents have been registered; nevertheless, the presence of new virus variants has triggered more severe disease presentations and reduced treatment effectiveness, highlighting the need for new treatment options for the COVID-19. This study evaluates the Metformin Glycinate (MG) effect on the SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in vivo viral load.

COVID-19 Neutralizing Antibodies in Breast Milk of Mothers Vaccinated with Three Different Vaccines in Mexico.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the largest pandemic of this century, and all aspects of this virus are being studied. The efforts to mitigate the negative effects associated with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have culminated in the development of several vaccines that are effective and safe for use to the general population. However, one aspect that remains relatively underexplored is the efficacy of different vaccines technologies (mRNA and Adenovirus) in providing passive immunity to infants through breastmilk of vaccinated mothers, and whether the antibodies passed through breast milk are functional.

Distribution of pathogenic vibrios and Vibrio spp. in the water column and sediment samples from the southern Gulf of Mexico.

This study quantified the distribution of Vibrio spp. by qPCR and pathogenic vibrio species by metagenomics, during 2 oceanographic cruises-XIXIMI-04 and XIXIMI-05 -in the southern Gulf of Mexico (GoMex). A total of 708 samples from various levels of the water column and 22 sediment samples were analyzed, according to a designed net of sampling lines.

Potential Therapeutic Applications of Synthetic Conotoxin s-cal14.2b, Derived from , for Treating Type 2 Diabetes.

The FDA's approval of peptide drugs such as Ziconotide or Exendin for pain relief and diabetes treatment, respectively, enhanced the interest to explore novel conotoxins from species venom. In general, conotoxins can be used in pathologies where voltage-gated channels, membrane receptors, or ligands alter normal physiological functions, as in metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. In this study, the synthetic cal14.

Molecular Analysis of Streptomycin Resistance Genes in Clinical Strains of and Biocomputational Analysis of the GidB L101F Variant.

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) remains a prevalent threat to public health. In 2019, TB affected 10 million people and caused 1.4 million deaths.

Improvement of the wound healing properties of hydrogels with -acetylcysteine through their modification with methacrylate-containing polymers.

Hydrogels with antioxidant activity have shown to significantly improve the standard of care, because they promote efficient wound healing, i.e. regeneration.

Smart Nanoformulation Based on Stimuli-Responsive Nanogels and Curcumin: Promising Therapy against Colon Cancer.

Curcumin (CUR) has gained much attention for its widely reported anticancer effect; however, its clinical use is restricted due to its low water solubility and, consequently, its poor bioavailability. Here, we report on the use of a nanoformulation of CUR with cationic nanogels for colon cancer therapy. Cationic stimuli-sensitive nanogels were prepared using a scale-up polymerization methodology based on surfactant-free emulsion polymerization of ,'-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEM) and poly(ethyleneglycol) methacrylate (PEGMA).

Detection of Alcanivorax spp., Cycloclasticus spp., and Methanomicrobiales in water column and sediment samples in the Gulf of Mexico by qPCR.

Water column and sediment samples were collected in the southern Gulf of Mexico (GoMex) during 3 oceanographic cruises: XIXIMI-04 (September 2015), XIXIMI-05 (June 2016), and XIXIMI-06 (August 2017). DNA that was extracted from the samples was analyzed by qPCR to detect and quantify bacterial groups that have been reported to metabolize alkanes (Alcanivorax) and aromatic hydrocarbons (Cycloclasticus) and are involved in methane production (Methanomicrobiales). The results were then analyzed with regard to the water masses that are currently detected in the GoMex.

Surface Modification of Polyester-Fabric with Hydrogels and Silver Nanoparticles: Photochemical Versus Gamma Irradiation Methods.

A Gamma irradiation and photochemical crosslinking/grafting of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (poly(HEMA-co-PEGMA)) hydrogels onto polyethyleneterephtalate fabric (PET) surfaces were evaluated, in order to obtain a hydrophilic homogeneous coating onto PET fabrics. The materials were characterized by FTIR-ATR, SEM, EDS, and thermal analysis. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were loaded by in situ reduction of AgNO, and its antibacterial activity against and was determined.

Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis of the Tentacles and Mucus of Verrill, 1869.

Sea anemone venom contains a complex and diverse arsenal of peptides and proteins of pharmacological and biotechnological interest, however, only venom from a few species has been explored from a global perspective to date. In the present study, we identified the polypeptides present in the venom of the sea anemone Verrill, 1869 through a transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of the tentacles and the proteomic profile of the secreted mucus. In our transcriptomic results, we identified 261 polypeptides related to or predicted to be secreted in the venom, including proteases, neurotoxins that could act as either potassium (K) or sodium (Na) channels inhibitors, protease inhibitors, phospholipases A2, and other polypeptides.

Cationic versus anionic core-shell nanogels for transport of cisplatin to lung cancer cells.

Stimuli-responsive polymeric nanogels have been proposed as nanocarriers of cisplatin to maximize its effect for cancer treatment. In this work, a comparative study between anionic core nanogels (ACN) and cationic core nanogels (CCN), both with PEGylated shells, has been performed. The nanogels were synthesized with different cross-linked cores: CCN with poly(N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA) and ACN with poly(2-methacryloyloxi benzoic acid) (P2MBA).

Marine peptides as immunomodulators: -derived synthetic conotoxins induce IL-10 production by regulatory T cells (CD4Foxp3).

CD4 T lymphocytes are able to differentiate into distinct subtypes according to several immunological scenarios, including T helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells. CD4 T cells are phenotypically flexible and have specific ion channels, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) that could be modulated by peptides produced by marine snails, known as conotoxins. Their effect on T lymphocytes has not been explored and emerging evidence suggests that these peptides may have immunomodulatory activities.

The Diversified O-Superfamily in Presents a Conotoxin with Antimycobacterial Activity.

, previously named , has always been considered a unique species within cone snails, because of its molecular, toxicological and morphological singularities; including the wide range of its diet, since it is capable of preying indifferently on fish, snails, octopus, shrimps, and worms. We report here a new cysteine pattern conotoxin assigned to the O1-superfamily capable of inhibiting the growth of (Mtb). The conotoxin was tested on a pathogen reference strain (H37Rv) and multidrug-resistant strains, having an inhibition effect on growth with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 3.

Scaffolds based on alginate-PEG methyl ether methacrylate-Moringa oleifera-Aloe vera for wound healing applications.

This study sought to improve the handling, stability to aqueous medium and healing properties of alginate-based three-dimensional structures to be applied as wound scaffolds. Thus, Ca-alginate was plasticized with PEG-methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) and blended with the freeze-dried gel of A. vera and aqueous leaves extracts of M.