Arthropods, the largest animal phylum, including insects, spiders and crustaceans, are characterized by their bodies being covered primarily in chitin. Besides being a source of this biopolymer, ...crustaceans have also attracted attention from biotechnology given their cuticles' remarkable and diverse mechanical properties. The goose barnacle,
, is a sessile crustacean characterized by their body parts covered with calcified plates and a peduncle attached to a substrate covered with a cuticle. In this work, the composition and structure of these plates and cuticle were characterized. The morphology of the tergum plate revealed a compact homogeneous structure of calcium carbonate, a typical composition among marine invertebrate hard structures. The cuticle consisted of an outer zone covered with scales and an inner homogenous zone, predominantly organic, composed of successive layers parallel to the surface. The scales are similar to the tergum plate and are arranged in parallel and oriented semi-vertically. Structural and biochemical characterization confirmed a bulk composition of ɑ-chitin and suggested the presence of elastin-based proteins and collagen. The mechanical properties of the cuticle showed that the stiffness values are within the range of values described in elastomers and soft crustacean cuticles resulting from molting. The removal of calcified components exposed round holes, detailed the structure of the lamina, and changed the protein properties, increasing the rigidity of the material. This flexible cuticle, predominantly inorganic, can provide bioinspiration for developing biocompatible and mechanically suitable biomaterials for diverse applications, including in tissue engineering approaches.
The effect of fenofibrate on the metabolism of skeletal muscle and visceral white adipose tissue of diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice was investigated. C57BL/6J male mice were fed either a control or ...high‐fat diet for 8 weeks. Fenofibrate (50 mg/Kg BW, daily) was administered by oral gavage during the last two weeks of the experimental period. Insulin‐stimulated glucose metabolism in soleus muscles, glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, indirect calorimetry, lipolysis of visceral white adipose tissue, expression of miR‐103‐3p in adipose tissue, and miR‐1a, miR‐133a/b, miR‐206, let7b‐5p, miR‐23b‐3p, miR‐29‐3p, miR‐143‐3p in soleus muscle, genes related to glucose and fatty acid metabolism in adipose tissue and soleus muscle, and proteins (phospho‐AMPKα2, Pgc1α, Cpt1b), intramuscular lipid staining, and activities of fatty acid oxidation enzymes in skeletal muscle were investigated. In DIO mice, fenofibrate prevented weight gain induced by HFD feeding by increasing energy expenditure; improved whole body glucose homeostasis, and in skeletal muscle, increased insulin dependent glucose uptake, miR‐1a levels, reduced intramuscular lipid accumulation, and phospho‐AMPKα2 levels. In visceral adipose tissue of obese mice, fenofibrate decreased basal lipolysis rate and visceral adipocytes hypertrophy, and induced the expression of Glut‐4, Irs1, and Cav‐1 mRNA and miR‐103‐3p suggesting a higher insulin sensitivity of the adipocytes. The evidence is presented herein that beneficial effects of fenofibrate on body weight, glucose homeostasis, and muscle metabolism might be related to its action in adipose tissue. Moreover, fenofibrate regulates miR‐1a‐3p in soleus and miR‐103‐3p in adipose tissue, suggesting these microRNAs might contribute to fenofibrate beneficial effects on metabolism.
We demonstrated that miR‐1a regulates glucose uptake. Fenofibrate actions in metabolism may be related to its effects on specific miRNA in isolated tissues. Moreover, no other work has evaluated in depth the effect of fenofibrate on muscle and adipose tissue, and more importantly, has shown the crosstalk between these tissues under fenofibrate treatment.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The traditional use of essential oils in aromatherapy has offered numerous health benefits. However, few scientific studies have been conducted with these oils to confirm their therapeutic efficacy. ...(+)-Limonene is a chemical constituent of various bioactive essential oils. The present study reports on the anxiolytic-like effects of (+)-limonene in an elevated maze model of anxiety in mice. At concentrations of 0.5% and 1.0%, (+)-limonene, administered to mice by inhalation, significantly modified all the parameters evaluated in the elevated plus maze test. The pharmacological effect of inhaled (+)-limonene (1%) was not blocked by flumazenil. Analysis of (+)-limonene using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) showed its volatility to be high. These data suggest possible connections between the volatility of (+)-limonene and its anxiolytic-like effect on the parameters evaluated in the elevated plus maze test. The data indicate that (+)-limonene could be used in aromatherapy as an antianxiety agent.
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► Inhaled limonene ► Increases open entries and open duration in elevated plus-maze. ► Anxiolytic properties in mice
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
has been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. However, few studies have been conducted to relate its antidiabetic properties to proteins. In this study, a leaf protein isolate was obtained ...from
leaves, named
-LPI, and the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects on alloxan-induced diabetic mice were assessed.
-LPI was obtained by aqueous extraction, ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis. The electrophoresis profile and proteolytic hydrolysis confirmed its protein nature.
-LPI showed hemagglutinating activity, cross-reaction with anti-insulin antibodies and precipitation after zinc addition. Single-dose intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of
-LPI (500 mg/kg·bw) reduced the blood glucose level (reductions of 34.3%, 60.9% and 66.4% after 1, 3 and 5 h, respectively). The effect of
-LPI was also evidenced in the repeated dose test with a 56.2% reduction in the blood glucose level on the 7th day after i.p. administration.
-LPI did not stimulate insulin secretion in diabetic mice.
LPI was also effective in reducing the oxidative stress in diabetic mice by a decrease in malondialdehyde level and increase in catalase activity.
-LPI (2500 mg/kg·bw) did not cause acute toxicity to mice.
-LPI is a promising alternative or complementary agent to treat diabetes.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study evaluated the median lethal concentration of silver nanoparticles and their effects in fish tambaqui Colossoma macropomum. Therefore, an acute toxicity assay was carried out in completely ...randomized design evaluating six different concentrations of silver nanoparticles on blood parameters of tambaqui. The silver nanoparticles were produced by chemical reduction with polyvinyl alcohol (AgNP-PVA). The lethal concentration 50% (LC50) was estimated using probit regression. The blood was collected, analyzed and the data were submitted to T-test (dying x surviving fish) and Tukey test (surviving fish). An increase in glucose, hematocrit, total plasma protein, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils as well as reduced MCV (mean corpuscular volume) in dying fish compared to surviving fish were observed. Survived fish exposed to 187.5 µg/L showed an increase in hematocrit, MCV, and MCH and a reduction in erythrocytes, total numbers of leukocyte, thrombocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil. The fish exposed to concentrations below 125 µg/L, had returned the blood parameter to baselines compared to control. The estimated LC50 was 165.09 µg/L and was classified as highly toxic for the fish tambaqui. In higher concentrations, it causes an acute respiratory toxicity, but in concentrations below 125 µg/L, the fish can adapt to the stressing agent.
COVID-19 has infected humans worldwide, causing millions of deaths or prolonged symptoms in survivors. The transient or persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection have been defined as ...post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC). We conducted a study of 151 Brazilian PCC patients to analyze symptoms and immunoglobulin profiles, taking into account sex, vaccination, hospitalization, and age. Fatigue and myalgia were the most common symptoms, and lack of vaccination, hospitalization, and neuropsychiatric and metabolic comorbidities were relevant to the development of PCC. Analysis of serological immunoglobulins showed that IgA was higher in PCC patients, especially in the adult and elderly groups. Also, non-hospitalized and hospitalized PCC patients produced high and similar levels of IgA. Our results indicated that the detection of IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 during the course of the disease could be associated with the development of PCC and may be an immunological signature to predict prolonged symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
is an important pathogen responsible for a variety of diseases. We have recently shown that Pic, a serine protease secreted by
, mediates immune evasion by the direct cleavage of complement ...molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of a Pic-producing bacteria in a murine model of sepsis. Mice were infected with Pic-producing
(F5) or F5∆
mutant. Animal survival was monitored for five days, and a subset of mice was euthanized after 12 h for sample acquisition. The inoculation of Pic-producing bacteria induced 100% death within 24 h. The colony forming units count in the organs was significantly higher in F5. Hematological analysis showed a decrease of total leukocytes. Nitric oxide and cytokines were detected in serum, as well as on peritoneal lavage of the F5 group in higher levels than those detected in the other groups. In addition, immunophenotyping showed a decrease of activated lymphocytes and macrophages in the F5 group. Therefore, Pic represents an important virulence factor, allowing the survival of the bacterium in the bloodstream and several organs, as well as inducing a high production of proinflammatory mediators by the host, and concomitantly a cellular immunosuppression, leading to sepsis and death.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Currently, the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the marine environment pose а potential risk to both wildlife and human health. The occurrence of EDCs in seafood depends of ...several factors such as source and amounts of EDCs that reach the aquatic environment, physicochemical features of EDCs, and its accumulation in trophic chain. This review highlights the occurrence and distribution of EDCs along the seafood in the last 6 years. The following EDCs were included in this review: brominated flame retardants (PBDEs, PBBs, HBCDDs, TBBPA, and novel flame retardants); pharmaceuticals (paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac, carbamazepine), bisphenols, hormones, personal care products (Musk and UV Filters), and pesticides (organochlorides, organophosphates, and pyrethroids). Some of them were found above the threshold that may cause negative effects on human, animal, and environmental health. More control in some countries, as well as new legislation and inspection over the purchase, sale, use, and production of these compounds, are urgently needed. This review provides data to support risk assessment and raises critical gaps to stimulate and improve future research.
•PBDEs were the most evaluated BFRs compounds in seafood in last six years.•Lack of studies pointing to the evaluation of food processing conditions on PhACs in seafood.•Bisphenol studies have been mainly performed in processed seafood.•Polycyclic musks are the mainly musks found in seafood.•Banned organochlorine pesticide are still found in seafood.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Adolescence is a transition stage between childhood and adulthood and is an important phase for the acquisition of future lifestyles, including the practice of physical activity (PA). The prevalence ...of sedentary lifestyle in adolescents is often high, creating the need for studies addressing the practice of PA and its associated factors for a better understanding of the phenomenon and possible interventions that would encourage positive changes.
Cross-sectional study of a representative sample of students aged 14-18 years enrolled in both public and private schools of a large Brazilian city to determine the level of physical activity (PA) and its associated factors. Sedentary lifestyle was measured by applying the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The independent variables were gender, age, race, tobacco use and alcohol consumption in the past 30 days, socioeconomic status, body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure. The crude prevalence ratio was used as a measure of association and was estimated from a Poisson regression.
The sample consisted of 862 adolescents with a mean age of 15.4 ± 1.1 years. Females were predominant (52.8%), and the age between 14 and 15 years was the most frequent (52.2%). The majority of the group reported themselves as Caucasians (51.2%), belonging to socioeconomic class C (52.5%) and were attending to public schools (69.1%). The prevalence of sedentary lifestyle was 66.8% (95% confidence interval CI: 63.5-69.9), where values of 65.4% and 69.9% were observed among students from public and private schools, respectively (p = 0.196). Sedentary lifestyle was more frequent in females (78.0% vs 54.3%; p < 0.001). The factor directly associated with sedentary lifestyle was female gender both in public and private schools and the only independent variable related to sedentarism was also female gender.
The prevalence of sedentary lifestyle was extremely high in the population of adolescents studied both in public and private schools. Female sex was directly associated with sedentary lifestyle.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•LL-37 demonstrates better antimicrobial activity compared to Ca(OH)2 and clavanins against E. faecalis.•Clavanin MO can be considered potentially cytotoxic.•Ca(OH)2 can be considered a ...pro-inflammatory agent due to up-stimulation of MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-6 production.
Endodontic treatment is mainly based on root canal disinfection and its failure may be motivated by microbial resistance. Endodontic therapy can be benefitted by host defense peptides (HDPs), which are multifunctional molecules that act against persistent infection and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activity of several HDPs, namely clavanin A, clavanin A modified (MO) and LL-37, compared to intracanal medication Ca(OH)2. HDPs and Ca(OH)2 were evaluated by: (1) antimicrobial assays against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis, (2) cytotoxicity assays and (3) cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 and nitric oxide (NO) production by RAW 264.7 cells incubated with or without heat-killed (HK) C. albicans or E. faecalis combined or not with interferon-γ. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was established only for E. faecalis (LL-37, 57μM). Considering cytotoxicity, clavanin MO was able to reduce cell viability in many groups and demonstrated lowest LC50. The Ca(OH)2 up-regulated the production of MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-6 and down-regulated IL-1α, IL-10 and NO. Clavanins up-regulated the TNF-α and NO and down-regulated IL-10 production. LL-37 demonstrated up-regulation of IL-6 and TNF-α production and down-regulation in IL-10 and NO production. In conclusion, LL-37 demonstrated better antibacterial potential. In addition, Ca(OH)2 demonstrated a proinflammatory response, while the HDPs modulated the inflammatory response from non-interference with the active cytokines in the osteoclastogenesis process, probably promoting the health of periradicular tissues.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
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