Amphibian-Derived Peptides as Natural Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro): A Combined In Vitro and In Silico Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has highlighted the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents targeting viral enzymes such as the main protease (Mpro), which plays a crucial role in viral replication. In this study, we investigate the inhibitory potential of 23 peptides isolated from the skin of amphibians belonging to the Hylidae and Leptodactylidae families against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Five peptides demonstrated significant inhibition using a colorimetric Mpro inhibition assay, with IC50 values ranging from 41 to 203 µM.

Gender biases and hate speech: Promoters and targets in the Argentinean political context.

Hate speech found in social media a place to flourish. In the Argentinean context, new right-wing parties have disrupted the political arena, winning the elections of 2023. Many of these new right-wing figures grew in popularity due to their use of social media, on a background of increasing political violence.

Evaluating the performance of a new ergonomic laparoscopic needle holder for intracorporeal suturing.

In laparoscopy, the absence of ergonomics in the instruments affects the performance and efficiency of the surgeon, increasing the likelihood of developing musculoskeletal injuries. This article presents the development of a laparoscopic needle holder with an ergonomic handle and the experience in its use with surgeons in the intracorporeal suturing task. The handle of the laparoscopic needle holder consists of a semi-spherical piece that easily adapts to the palm of the surgeon's hand and improves the posture and ergonomics of the wrist, allowing the direct transmission of rotational movements around the longitudinal axis of the instrument towards the tip.

Factors influencing the adoption of e-government by female university students.

The primary purpose of electronic government (e-government) is to promote transparency, facilitate access to government services, and strengthen the accountability of public institutions in the digital transformation age. However, few studies have explored the factors that affect women's adoption of e-government, especially in emerging economies. Consequently, this study aims to identify the factors that influence the adoption of e-government services by young women in Medellín, Colombia.

Mucosal leishmaniasis is associated with the Leishmania RNA virus and inappropriate cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment.

Background: Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a severe clinical form of leishmaniasis that is characterized by the destruction of the nasal and/or the oral mucosae and appears as a late complication in 5% to 10% of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases produced by species belonging to Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus. Some strains of Leishmania spp. carry an RNA virus known as Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) that may contribute to the appearance of ML.

Increasing the Orthogonality of 4-Pyridiniophenols: An NMR Study of Their Solvatomagnetism.

The H- and C-NMR spectra of three substituted N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pyridinium perchlorates, precursors of solvatochromic 4-pyridiniophenolate betaines, were recorded in deuterated acetone, dimethylsulfoxide, and acetonitrile, and their spectral behavior in these solvents was analyzed as evidence of the solute-solvent interactions present in solution. The effect of the increasing orthogonality between the phenolic and pyridinium fragments was clearly evident from the obtained spectra, thus shedding light on the ground-state structures of their deprotonated solvatochromic derivatives and their interactions with the solvent.

Metabolism-lipid droplet-nucleic acid crosstalk to regulate lipid storage and other cellular processes in oleaginous Rhodococcus bacteria.

Actinobacteria belonging to Mycobacterium and Rhodococcus genera are able to synthesize and intracellularly accumulate variable amounts of triacylglycerols (TAG) in the form of lipid droplets (LDs). The lipid storage capacity of LDs in cells is controlled by the balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis. The growth of LDs in bacterial cells may be directly promoted by TAG biosynthesis, whereas TAG degradation might result in the reduction of LD sizes and lipid storage capacity.

Synthesis, Structural Analysis, and Antibacterial Properties of a Novel β-Aminoenone.

(Z)-3-butylamino-4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)but-2-en-1-one (1), a new β-aminoenone, has been investigated in terms of its intra- and intermolecular interactions. Vibrational, electronic and NMR spectroscopies were used for the characterization, while X-ray diffraction methods afforded the determination of the crystal structure. The compound is arranged in the crystal lattice as centre-symmetric H-bonded dimeric aggregates (C2/c monoclinic space group).

Extracorporeal membrane therapy in a case of ruptured abscess on the mitroaortic intervalvular fibrosa associated to multisystem inflammatory syndrome: a case report.

Background: The mitroaortic intervalvular fibrosa is an avascular structure near the left ventricular outflow tract, between the mitral and aortic valves. Mitroaortic intervalvular fibrosa complications, such as tamponade, hemopericardium, and abscesses, are rare and often diagnosed postmortem. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic notably impacted pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases, who frequently presented cardiac complications including arrhythmias, elevated troponins, myocarditis, and heart failure.

The Potential Role of Sanguinarine as an Inhibitor of Leishmania PP2C in the Induction of Apoptosis.

Leishmania spp. cause a wide range of human diseases, localized skin lesions, mucocutaneous and visceral infections. In the present study, the aim was to investigate the potential role of sanguinarine as a specific inhibitor of Leishmania PP2C that can induce apoptosis in the parasite.

Human health risk assessment by exposure to contaminants from an urban reservoir: a pilot study in the Madin Dam (México).

Water contamination greatly impacts human health. The Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico (MAVM) is one of the most densely inhabited and polluted places globally, with a significant problem being the rising water demand. The research aims to assess the impact of metals such as iron, aluminum, lead, cadmium, and total chromium, among others, in the water of the Madin Dam, a key reservoir in the area's water supply.

The influence of halogen-mediated interactions on halogen abstraction reactions by formyl radicals.

This article reports a theoretical study on the halogen exchange reactions YX + CHO → Y + XCHO (with Y = F, Cl, Br; X = Cl, Br, I) carried out at a high level of accuracy using coupled-cluster based methodologies including CCSD(T)-F12, CCSD(T)/CBS and CCSDT(Q). Most of the reactions are exothermic at room temperature, with the exception of the reactions FI + CHO → F + ICHO and ClI + CHO → Cl + ICHO. Exothermicity follows two concurrent trends established by the strength of the bonds being cleaved and formed: Y = F < Cl < Br (X-Y bond strength) and X = Cl > Br > I (C-X bond strength).

Conformational versatility among crystalline solids of L-phenylalanine derivatives.

In this study, we present a new N-derivative of L-phenylalanine with 2-naphthaldehyde (PN), obtained by the Schiff base formation procedure and its subsequent reduction. This compound was crystallized as a zwitterion {2-[(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)azaniumyl]-3-phenylpropanoate, CHNO}, as an anion in a sodium salt (catena-poly[[diaquasodium(I)-di-μ-aqua] 2-[(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)amino]-3-phenylpropanoate monohydrate], {[Na(HO)](CHNO)·HO}), as a cation in a chloride salt [(1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl)(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)azanium chloride acetic acid monosolvate, CHNO·Cl·CHCOOH], and additionally acting as a ligand in the pentacoordinated zinc compound aquabis{2-[(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)amino]-3-phenylpropanoato-κO}zinc(II), [Zn(CHNO)(HO)] or [Zn(PN)(HO)], denoted (PN-Zn), with the amino acid derivative in its carboxylate form.

Pressure-driven phase transformations on MgCa(CO) huntite carbonate.

Magnesium and calcium carbonate minerals are significant reservoirs of Earth's carbon and understanding their behavior under different conditions is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of deep carbon storage. Huntite, MgCa(CO), is one of the two stable calcium magnesium carbonate phases, together with dolomite. The distinctive cation coordination environment of Ca atoms compared to calcite-type and dolomite structures makes huntite a comparatively less dense phase.

Insights into the Planarization of Benzo-Thianthrene Rings: Relevance of Electronic and Steric Effects with Resulting Aromatic Properties.

Covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) are useful architectures for two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) active materials. Recently, the characterization of the nonplanar benzo[5,6][1,4]dithiino[2,3-]thianthrene-6,13-dicarbonitrile (bTEpCN), as a prototypical section of 2D COFs, enables further understanding of the properties on such extended networks. Upon adsorption on the Au(111) surface, planarization of bTEpCN is achieved.

[Diversity and Institution: Scopes for Health Sciences Education].

Unlabelled: With the growing access to higher education, the university population has become increasingly heterogeneous. This situation has forced educational institutions to rethink their work. Health schools, specifically, must not only ensure the acquisition of technical-professional competencies, but also promote comprehensive training in students in this area.

Fusarium Head Blight in Argentina, a Profile of Produced Mycotoxins and a Biocontrol Strategy in Barley During Micro-Malting Process.

Barley ( L.) is the second winter crop in Argentina. In the national market, grains are mainly destined to produce malt for beer manufacture.

Holocellulose from a Winemaking By-Product to Develop a Biopolymeric System for Bacterial Immobilization: Adsorption of Ochratoxin A in Wine Model Solutions (Box-Behnken Design).

Significant agro-industrial waste is produced during the winemaking process, including grape stalks, which are a rich source of the valuable biopolymer holocellulose that can be utilized for biotechnological processes. The purpose of this study was to delignify grape stalks in order to extract holocellulose. Then Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) was immobilized in the interstitial spaces of holocellulose and then coated with natural polymers (chitosan, Ch; and alginate, Al) to create the Holo-LP/Ch/Al complex.

Characterization, Quantification, and Molecular Identification of Co-Infection of Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2) Variants in Dogs Affected by Gastroenteritis in Ecuador During 2022-2023.

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) is a highly contagious virus in canines, and it is mostly spread by touching infected feces. Dogs of all ages can catch it, but puppies are more likely to suffer from it. Severe signs include vomiting, diarrhea with blood, feeling tired, and not drinking enough water.

A New Graphical Method for Displaying Two-Dimensional Echocardiography Results in Dogs: Comprehensive Analysis of Results of Diagnostic Imaging Organized in a BOX (CARDIOBOX).

Introduction And Objective: Rapid and efficient interpretation of echocardiographic findings is critical in clinical decision-making. This study aimed to design and validate a new graphical method, called CARDIOBOX, to represent echocardiographic findings in dogs.

Methods: A prospective, observational, exploratory cohort study was conducted over three years.

Optimizing Muscle Performance in Young Soccer Players: Exploring the Impact of Resisted Sprint Training and Its Relationship with Distance Covered.

Background: Speed training with resisted sprints has been shown to positively affect neuromuscular performance in soccer players. Various loads, ranging from 10% to 120% of body mass, have demonstrated performance improvements across the spectrum. However, the impact of sprint distance with optimal load on these adaptive responses has yet to be thoroughly described.

Antimicrobial Activities of Polysaccharide-Rich Extracts from the Irish Seaweed , Generated Using Green and Conventional Extraction Technologies, Against Foodborne Pathogens.

A rise in antimicrobial resistance coupled with consumer preferences towards natural preservatives has resulted in increased research towards investigating antimicrobial compounds from natural sources such as macroalgae (seaweeds), which contain antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer compounds. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of compounds produced by the Irish seaweed against and , bacterial species which are relevant for food safety. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), ultrasound-microwave-assisted extraction (UMAE), and conventional extraction technologies (maceration) were applied to generate extracts from , followed by their preliminary chemical composition (total phenolic content, total protein content, total soluble sugars) and antimicrobial activity (with minimum inhibitory concentration determined by broth microdilution methods), examining also the molecular weight distribution (via high performance size exclusion chromatography) and oligosaccharide fraction composition (via high-performance liquid chromatography) of the polysaccharides, as they were the predominant compounds in these extracts, aiming to elucidate structure-function relationships.

Induced Defense in Ryegrass-Epichloë Symbiosis Against : Impact on Peramine Levels and Pest Performance.

The Argentine stem weevil (ASW), a major pest in ryegrass pastures, causes significant agricultural losses. Ryegrass can establish a symbiotic association with endophytic fungi, which supply chemical defenses, including peramine. This symbiosis helps protect ryegrass by providing peramine, which acts as a primary defense.