Plant Cell-Engineered Gold Nanoparticles Conjugated to Quercetin Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1 Entry.

Recent studies have revealed considerable promise in the antiviral properties of metal nanomaterials, specifically when biologically prepared. This study demonstrates for the first time the antiviral roles of the plant cell-engineered gold nanoparticles (pAuNPs) alone and when conjugated with quercetin (pAuNPsQ). We show here that the quercetin conjugated nanoparticles (pAuNPsQ) preferentially inhibit the cell entry of two medically important viruses-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) using different mechanisms.

Multifocal Motor Neuropathy With Cranial Nerve Involvement and Vocal Cord Paralysis: A Case Report.

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a progressive, multifocal weakness, which typically begins and predominates in the upper extremities with the absence of a sensory deficit and a hallmark electrophysiologic finding of conduction block. We describe a case of an adult male with MMN who developed both cranial nerve involvement and vocal cord paralysis. The patient presented with left shoulder weakness without sensory loss followed by hoarseness of voice and later developed tongue deviation and wasting of the left sternocleidomastoid and left trapezius muscle.

Isolated Fungal Sphenoid Sinusitis With Cavernous Sinus Thrombophlebitis: A Case Report.

Cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis is a rare, potentially life-threatening, condition that is most often caused by gram-negative bacteria and, to a lesser extent, fungi. is an opportunistic fungus that frequently affects patients with a weak immune system. We describe a case of an adult female without diabetes who developed sphenoid sinusitis causing cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis.

Chrysalises as natural production units for recombinant subunit vaccines.

The baculovirus vector expression system (BEVS) combines cultured insect cells and genetically modified Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV)-derived baculovirus vectors. This expression system has been widely used for the expression of hundred of proteins for more than 30 years, existing commercial products manufactured at large scale by this methodology, mainly subunit vaccines. At an industrial scale, insect cells, as any other cultured cells, require artificial media and a strict control of environmental sterile conditions in the complex and expensive bioreactors.

African swine fever virus serodiagnosis: a general review with a focus on the analyses of African serum samples.

African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious disease that causes heavy mortality in domestic pigs. At present there is no vaccine against ASF, and eradication in countries where the disease is endemic is based only on competent diagnosis programs and the sacrifice of infected animals. Due to the presence of natural attenuated strains, certain infection conditions may result in reduced mortality.

Rotavirus A-specific single-domain antibodies produced in baculovirus-infected insect larvae are protective in vivo.

Background: Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), also known as nanobodies or VHHs, are characterized by high stability and solubility, thus maintaining the affinity and therapeutic value provided by conventional antibodies. Given these properties, VHHs offer a novel alternative to classical antibody approaches. To date, VHHs have been produced mainly in E.

Antibody recognition of the glycoprotein g of viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) purified in large amounts from insect larvae.

Background: There are currently no purification methods capable of producing the large amounts of fish rhabdoviral glycoprotein G (gpG) required for diagnosis and immunisation purposes or for studying structure and molecular mechanisms of action of this molecule (ie. pH-dependent membrane fusion). As a result of the unavailability of large amounts of the gpG from viral haemorrhagic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV), one of the most dangerous viruses affecting cultured salmonid species, research interests in this field are severely hampered.

Measurement of the rates of synthesis of three components of ribosomes of Mycobacterium fortuitum: a theoretical approach to qRT-PCR experimentation.

Background: Except for the ribosomal protein L12 (rplL), ribosomal proteins are present as one copy per ribosome; L12 (rplL) is unusual because it is present as four copies per ribosome. Thus, the strategies used by Mycobacterium fortuitum to regulate ribosomal protein synthesis were investigated, including evaluations of the rates of chain elongations of 16S rRNA, rplL and ribosomal protein S12 (rpsL).

Methodology: RNA was isolated from cell cultures and cDNA was prepared.

Homochiral drugs: a demanding tendency of the pharmaceutical industry.

The issue of drug chirality is now a major theme in the design and development of new drugs, underpinned by a new understanding of the role of molecular recognition in many pharmacologically relevant events. In general, three methods are utilized for the production of a chiral drug: the chiral pool, separation of racemates, and asymmetric synthesis. Although the use of chiral drugs predates modern medicine, only since the 1980's has there been a significant increase in the development of chiral pharmaceutical drugs.

Acyclonucleosides, modified seco-nucleosides, and salicyl- or catechol-derived acyclic 5-fluorouracil O,N-acetals: antiproliferative activities, cellular differentiation and apoptosis.

The goal of cancer chemotherapy with classical drugs - the destruction of the tumor cells - is often complicated by significant toxicity. As an alternative, induced differentiation modulates the cell programme by transforming malignant cells into mature cells with no proliferative potential. Our data demonstrate that (+/-)-1-{[3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-1-isopropoxy]propyl}-5-fluorouracil inhibits proliferation, induces myogenic differentiation, increases the expression of proteins specifically present in normally differentiated skeletal muscle cells, and modifies the adhesion capacity of these cells against the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line RD.

Design, synthesis and anticancer activity against the MCF-7 cell line of benzo-fused 1,4-dihetero seven- and six-membered tethered pyrimidines and purines.

Having previously reported the synthesis and anticancer activities of cyclic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) O,N-acetalic compounds, the decision was made to change 5-FU for uracil (U), with the prospect of finding an antiproliferative agent endowed with a new mechanism of action. The use of a reverse transcription-PCR-based assay decreased cyclin D1 mRNA, suggesting that this cyclic U O,N-acetalic compound exerts its regulatory action on cyclin D1 at the level of transcription. Following the ongoing Anticancer Drug Programme we planned the synthesis of compounds bearing a natural pyrimidine base and also, the oxygen atom at position 1 of the seven-membered cycle was replaced by its isosteric sulfur atom, and its oxidized states.

Transcriptional analysis of Mycobacterium fortuitum cultures upon hydrogen peroxide treatment using the novel standard rrnA-P1.

Background: The ability of an intracellular pathogen to establish infection depends on the capacity of the organism to survive and replicate inside the host. Mycobacterium fortuitum is a bacteria that contains genes involved in the detoxification of the oxygen reactive species such as those produced by the host during the infection. In this work, we investigate the effects of hydrogen peroxide on the transcription and expression of these genes by developing a real time quantitative PCR technique (qRT-PCR) using the ribosomal promoter region (rrnA-P1) as reference product for quantification of the mRNA levels.

Regiospecific microwave-assisted synthesis and cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cells of (RS)-6-substituted-7- or 9-(2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-benzodioxepin-3-yl)-7H- or -9H-purines.

Extended studies on the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of (RS)-6-substituted-7 or 9-(2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-benzodioxepin-3-yl)-7H- or -9H-purines are presented. The microwave-assisted organic synthesis has provided faster access to the target compounds with the advantage of selective obtaining the N-7' or N-9' regioisomers simplifying their isolation. To test the behaviour of the products (including the purine bases) on cellular systems, cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line was determined, and the three most active compounds were used to study the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line.

Synthesis and anticancer activity of (R,S)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purines.

A series of eleven 2- and 6-substituted (R,S)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives was obtained by applying a standard Mitsunobu protocol that led to a six-membered ring contraction from (R,S)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzoxathiepin-3-ol via an episulfonium intermediate. The signal approximately delta=151 ppm, which corresponds to the C4' carbon atom, is unequivocal proof of the N9' regioisomer. The potential of the target molecules as anticancer agents is reflected in their activity against the MCF-7 cancer cell line.

A synthetic uracil derivative with antitumor activity through decreasing cyclin D1 and Cdk1, and increasing p21 and p27 in MCF-7 cells.

The anticarcinogenic potential of (RS)-1-(2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-benzodioxepin-3-yl)uracil (DBDU), with the naturally occurring pyrimidine base uracil, is reported against the MCF-7 cancer cell line. The arrest in the G0/G1 and G2/M cell cycle phases was accounted for by decrease in the expression of the cyclin D1 and Cdk1 proteins, and increase in p21 and p27 proteins. Using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based assay at a dose of 5 muM of DBDU cyclin D1 mRNA was decreased, suggesting that DBDU exerts its regulatory action on cyclin D1 at the level of transcription.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships for a series of symmetrical bisquaternary anticancer compounds.

56 biscationic dibromides with distinct polar heads [bis(4-substituted)pyridinium, bis(4-aminoquinolinium), bisquinolinium, and bisisoquinolinium moieties] and several spacers between the two charged nitrogen atoms were synthesised. This oriented synthesis produced 45 inhibitors of choline kinase with antitumour activity against the HT-29 cell line. In an attempt to understand the antiproliferative activity, a quantitative structure-activity relationship was developed.