Chemical constituents, anti-rheumatic potential, and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract from the aerial parts of Aristolochia esperanzae Kuntze.

Although Aristolochia plants remain controversial due to their toxicity, this group of perianth-bearing plants, which includes the medicinal species Aristolochia esperanzae, is among the most relevant from an ethnobotanical perspective. All parts of A. esperanzae are used in popular medicine in the form of infusion for the treatment of rheumatism.

Antifungal Effect of Bauhinia variegata Lectin (BvL) on Bipolaris oryzae.

The search for less harmful, ecologically efficient, more specific, and natural alternatives for the control of pathogens is essential. Bauhinia variegata lectin (BvL) is a protein that has numerous biological activities, including antifungal. The present study examines the potential in vitro of B.

Development and evaluation of a Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) prototype for the detection of IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) for antibody detection represent cost-effective and user-friendly tools for serology assessment. This study evaluated a new LFIA prototype developed with a recombinant chimeric antigen from the spike/S and nucleocapsid/N proteins to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. The evaluation of LFIA sensitivity and specificity used 811 serum samples from 349 hospitalized, SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR positive COVID-19 patients, collected at different time points and 193 serum samples from healthy controls.

Antibodies anti-rFilF protein has anti-biofilm activity against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic bacterium that causes infection in several sites. Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains (CRAb) lead the World Health Organization's list of 12 pathogens considered a priority for developing new antimicrobials.

Effects of bioconversion by Battus polydamas on the chemical composition of Aristolochia spp. and evaluation of antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility.

Aristolochia plants are emblematic from an ethnopharmacological viewpoint and are know to possess numerous biological properties, including antiseptic. However, the medicinal potential of these species is debatable because of their representative chemical constituents, aristolochic acids (AAs) and aristolactams (ALs), which are associated, for instance, with nephropathy and cancer. These contrasting issues have stimulated the development of approaches intended to detoxification of aristoloquiaceous biomasses, among which is included the bioconversion method using larvae of the specialist phytophagous insect Battus polydamas, previously shown to be viable for chemical diversification and to reduce toxicity.

The Role of Plant Lectins in the Cellular and Molecular Processes of Skin Wound Repair: An Overview.

There is increasing pressure for innovative methods to treat compromised and difficult-to-heal wounds. Consequently, new strategies are needed for faster healing, reducing infection, hydrating the wound, stimulating healing mechanisms, accelerating wound closure, and reducing scar formation. In this scenario, lectins present as good candidates for healing agents.

Characterization of a Molecularly Engineered Banlec-Type Lectin (rBTL).

Lectins are proteins that reversibly bind to carbohydrates and are commonly found across many species. The Banana Lectin (BanLec) is a member of the Jacalin-related Lectins, heavily studied for its immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, and antiviral activity. In this study, a novel sequence was generated in silico considering the native BanLec amino acid sequence and 9 other lectins belonging to JRL.

Intranasal administration of interleukin-4 ameliorates depression-like behavior and biochemical alterations in mouse submitted to the chronic unpredictable mild stress: modulation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.

Physical and psychological stress modulates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, and the redox and inflammatory systems. Impairments in these systems have been extensively reported in major depression (MD) patients. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the effects of the intranasal administration of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in mice with depressive-like behavior induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 28 days.

Anti-hyperglycemic potential and chemical constituents of Aristolochia triangularis Cham. leaves - A medicinal species native to Brazilian forests.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Aristolochia triangularis Cham. has been used in Brazilian traditional medicine for various therapeutic purposes, including as a leaf-based infusion for diabetes management.

Aim Of The Study: This study was designed to chemically characterize an infusion of in natura A.

In silico analyses and design of chimeric proteins containing epitopes of Bartonella henselae antigens for the control of cat scratch disease.

Bartonella henselae is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease (CSD), as well as bacteremia, endocarditis, and other clinical presentations. CSD remains one of the most common infections caused by bacteria in the genus Bartonella, and it is transmitted to humans through a scratch or cat bite. Vaccination and more efficient diagnostic methods would represent a promising and sustainable alternative measure for CSD control in humans and animals.

Chemical composition and effects of ethanolic extract and gel of Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) Pilg. Leaves on inflammation, pain, and wounds.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cochlospermum regium is well-known as "Algodãozinho do cerrado" in folk Brazilian medicine, and is used to fight infections, inflammation and skin disorders.

Aim Of The Study: To identify the phytochemical constituents and the effects of the ethanolic extract of C. regium leaves (EECR) on inflammation and pain, and the effects of C.

Development of a Novel Lipid-Based Nanosystem Functionalized with WGA for Enhanced Intracellular Drug Delivery.

Despite a considerable number of new antibiotics under going clinical trials, treatment of intracellular pathogens still represents a major pharmaceutical challenge. The use of lipid nanocarriers provides several advantages such as protection from compound degradation, increased bioavailability, and controlled and targeted drug release. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) is known to have its receptors on the alveolar epithelium and increase phagocytosis.

PEDOT-AuNPs-based impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Electrochemical sensors and biosensors are useful techniques for fast, inexpensive, sensitive, and easy detection of innumerous specimen. In face of COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident the necessity of a rapid and accurate diagnostic test, so the impedimetric immunosensor approach can be a good alternative to replace the conventional tests due to the specific antibody-antigen binding interaction and the fast response in comparison to traditional methods. In this work, a modified electrode with electrosynthesized PEDOT and gold nanoparticles followed by the immobilization of truncated nucleoprotein (N aa160-406aa) was used for a fast and reliable detection of antibodies against COVID-19 in human serum sample.

Glycosyl hydrolases family 5, subfamily 5: Relevance and structural insights for designing improved biomass degrading cocktails.

Endoglucanases are carbohydrate-degrading enzymes widely used for bioethanol production as part of the enzymatic cocktail. However, family 5 subfamily 5 (GH5_5) endoglucanases are still poorly explored in depth. The Trichoderma reesei representative is the most studied enzyme, presenting catalytic activity in acidic media and mild temperature conditions.

Effect of supplementation of medium with Bauhinia forficata recombinant lectins on expression of oxidative stress genes during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes.

The lectin of Bauhinia forficata (nBfL) is a protein able to bind reversibly to N-acetylgalactosamine, performing several functions and one of them is the antiproliferative activity in tumor cells, but its effects have not yet been evaluated in female gametes. The objective of the present study was to determine the additional effect of B. forficata recombinants lectins in the medium of maturation in vitro of bovine oocytes in expression of genes related to oxidative stress pathways.

Three challenging cases of infections by multidrug-resistant Serratia marcescens in patients admitted to intensive care units.

The occurrence of multidrug-resistant Serratia marcescens strains represents a serious public health threat. The purpose here is to report three cases of carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens infections with unfavorable clinical outcomes and provide a molecular description of the antibiotic resistance determinants at a genomic level.

Induction of metabolic variability of the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. by OSMAC approach and experimental design.

This work has as the main focus, to analyze the behavior of physic-chemical variations from the fungus Xylaria sp., through the OSMAC (One Strain, Many Compounds) approach as an efficient way of obtaining new compounds. To perform such inductions and to explore the variability of the metabolic network of this microorganism, a factorial design was designed to induce variability (or enhancement) of metabolites.

Development of Lipid Nanocarriers for Tuberculosis Treatment: Evaluation of Suitable Excipients and Nanocarriers.

Background: Lipid nanocarriers have been widely tested as drug delivery systems to treat diseases due to their bioavailability, controlled release, and low toxicity. For the pulmonary route, the Food and Drug Administration favors the use of substances generally recognized as safe, as well as biodegradable and biocompatible to minimize the possibility of toxicity. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health threat worldwide, mainly due to the long treatment duration and adverse effects.

Antiviral activity of native banana lectin against bovine viral diarrhea virus and bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) are responsible for major economic losses of livestock worldwide, making their eradication an important objective of veterinary research. Vaccines against these infectious agents are commercially available but have some limitations due to the specific features of these viral agents. The development of new antiviral drugs is therefore essential.

Campylobacter jejuni isolated from poultry meat in Brazil: in silico analysis and genomic features of two strains with different phenotypes of antimicrobial susceptibility.

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of foodborne diarrheal disease worldwide and is among the antimicrobial resistant "priority pathogens" that pose greatest threat to public health. The genomes of two C. jejuni isolated from poultry meat sold on the retail market in Southern Brazil phenotypically characterized as multidrug-resistant (CJ100) and susceptible (CJ104) were sequenced and analyzed by bioinformatic tools.

TargeTALE: A Web Resource to Identify TALEs in Genomes and Their Respective Targets.

The genus, comprises more than 30 species of gram-negative bacteria, most of which are pathogens of plants with high economic value, such as rice, common bean, and maize. Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), which act by regulating the host gene expression, are some of the major virulence factors of these bacteria. We present a novel tool to identify TALE genes in the genome of strains and their respective targets.

Genome sequence of Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. fuscans strain Xff49: a new isolate obtained from common beans in Southern Brazil.

The genus Xanthomonas comprises Gram-negative bacteria, many of which are phytopathogens. Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. fuscans is one of the most devastating pathogens affecting the bean plant, resulting in the common bacterial blight of bean (CBB).

Heterologous expression and characterization of a new galactose-binding lectin from Bauhinia forficata with antiproliferative activity.

In this study, we describe the characterization of a new lectin, BfL-II, purified from the seeds of Bauhinia forficata, which is distinct, at sequence-level, from the previously reported lectin from the same specie (BfL). In addition, the gene for this lectin was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and its antiproliferative activity was evaluated against human breast and colorectal cancer cells (MCF-7 and HT-29, respectively). The treatment with 100 μg/μL of either native or recombinant BfL (nBfL or rBfL) significantly reduced the proliferation of both cancer cell lines (p < 0.

Complete genome sequence and in silico analysis of L. interrogans Canicola strain DU114: A virulent Brazilian isolate phylogenetically related to serovar Linhai.

Canine leptospirosis is often caused by Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola. Infected dogs may become asymptomatic carriers of the pathogen, which leads to many public health concerns. In this work, we present the complete genome sequencing and in silico analysis from a virulent Brazilian strain of L.