The rising pandemic caused by a coronavirus, resulted in a scientific quest to discover some effective treatments against its etiologic agent, the severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 ...(SARS‐CoV‐2). This research represented a significant scientific landmark and resulted in many medical advances. However, efforts to understand the viral mechanism of action and how the human body machinery is subverted during the infection are still ongoing. Herein, we contributed to this field with this compilation of the roles of both viral and human enzymes in the context of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In this sense, this overview reports that proteases are vital for the infection to take place: from SARS‐CoV‐2 perspective, the main protease (Mpro) and papain‐like protease (PLpro) are highlighted; from the human body, angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐2, transmembrane serine protease‐2, and cathepsins (CatB/L) are pointed out. In addition, the influence of the virus on other enzymes is reported as the JAK/STAT pathway and the levels of lipase, enzymes from the cholesterol metabolism pathway, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase are also be disturbed in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Finally, this paper discusses the importance of detailed enzymatic studies for future treatments against SARS‐CoV‐2, and how some issues related to the syndrome treatment can create opportunities in the biotechnological market of enzymes and the development of new drugs.
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N) is a multifunctional promiscuous nucleic acid-binding protein, which plays a major role in nucleocapsid assembly and discontinuous RNA transcription, ...facilitating the template switch of transcriptional regulatory sequences (TRS). Here, we dissect the structural features of the N protein N-terminal domain (N-NTD) and N-NTD plus the SR-rich motif (N-NTD-SR) upon binding to single and double-stranded TRS DNA, as well as their activities for dsTRS melting and TRS-induced liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Our study gives insights on the specificity for N-NTD(-SR) interaction with TRS. We observed an approximation of the triple-thymidine (TTT) motif of the TRS to β-sheet II, giving rise to an orientation difference of ~25° between dsTRS and non-specific sequence (dsNS). It led to a local unfavorable energetic contribution that might trigger the melting activity. The thermodynamic parameters of binding of ssTRSs and dsTRS suggested that the duplex dissociation of the dsTRS in the binding cleft is entropically favorable. We showed a preference for TRS in the formation of liquid condensates when compared to NS. Moreover, our results on DNA binding may serve as a starting point for the design of inhibitors, including aptamers, against N, a possible therapeutic target essential for the virus infectivity.
Sorghum is a crop that has high adaptability to adverse edaphoclimatic conditions, maintaining a high productive performance, serving as a food source for animal humans, as well as raw material for ...ethanol production. In the semi-arid region, this crop is even more important, especially as an alternative in complementing the food diet, mainly animal, bringing cost reduction in the livestock sector, and favorably contribute to the balance of grain regulatory stocks and promoting balance in production. Thus, contributing to the sustainable growth of livestock in this region. However, evidence indicates a reduction in planted area in recent harvests due to an evident reduction in sorghum crop production performance under the edaphoclimatic conditions of that region, discouraging large-scale production. In this context, overcoming these obstacles has been the use of cultivars adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of these regions, as well as some modifications in crop planning and crop management. This review aimed to explore the general characteristics, classification of sorghum types, socioeconomic importance, ecophysiology, edaphology, phytosanitary agents and yield potential of sorghum cultivars currently available for cultivation in the Brazilian semiarid region. Sorghum cultivation in Brazil has shown a high productive potential, not only for its adaptive ability in different environmental conditions, but for its ease of mechanization from sowing to harvest.
El sorgo es un cultivo que tiene una alta adaptabilidad a condiciones edafoclimáticas adversas, mantiene un alto rendimiento productivo, sirve como fuente de alimento para humanos y animales, así como materia prima para la producción de etanol. En la región semiárida, este cultivo es aún más importante, especialmente como una alternativa para complementar la dieta alimentaria, principalmente animal, reduciendo los costos en el sector ganadero y contribuyendo favorablemente al equilibrio de las existencias reguladoras de granos y promoviendo el equilibrio en la producción de fibrosos, contribuyendo así al crecimiento sostenible del ganado en esta región. Sin embargo, la evidencia indica una reducción en el área plantada en las cosechas recientes debido a un descenso en el rendimiento de la producción de cultivos de sorgo en las condiciones edafoclimáticas da región, lo que desalienta la producción a gran escala. En este contexto, la superación de estos obstáculos ha sido el uso de cultivares adaptados a las condiciones edafoclimáticas de estas regiones, así como algunas modificaciones en la planificación y gestión de cultivos. Esta revisión tuvo como objetivo explorar las características generales, la clasificación de los tipos de sorgo, la importancia socioeconómica, la ecofisiología, la edafología, los agentes fitosanitarios y el potencial de rendimiento de los cultivares de sorgo actualmente disponibles para el cultivo en la región semiárida brasileña. El cultivo de sorgo en Brasil ha demostrado un alto potencial productivo, no solo por su capacidad de adaptación en diferentes condiciones ambientales, sino por su facilidad de mecanización desde la siembra hasta la cosecha.
O sorgo é uma cultura que apresenta elevada capacidade de adaptação a condições edafoclimáticas adversas, mantendo um alto desempenho produtivo, servindo como fonte alimentar para humanos e animais, assim como matéria prima para a produção de etanol. Na região do semiárido, esta cultura tem uma importância ainda maior, sobretudo como alternativa na complementação da dieta alimentar, principalmente animal, trazendo redução de custos no setor pecuário, além de contribuir favoravelmente para o equilíbrio dos estoques reguladores de grãos e promovendo equilíbrio na produção de volumosos, contribuindo assim para o crescimento sustentável da pecuária nessa região. No entanto, evidencias indicam uma redução na área plantada nas últimas safras devido a uma diminuição do desempenho produtivo da cultura do sorgo nas condições edafoclimáticas da região, desestimulando a sua produção em grande escala. Nesse contexto, a superação destes obstáculos tem sido a utilização de cultivares adaptadas às condições edafoclimáticas dessas regiões, bem como algumas modificações no planejamento do cultivo e no manejo da cultura. Esta revisão objetivou explorar as características gerais, classificação dos tipos de sorgo, importância socioeconômica, ecofisiologia, edafologia, agentes fitossanitários e potencial produtivo de cultivares de sorgo atualmente disponível para cultivo na região Semiárida brasileira. A cultura do sorgo no Brasil vem mostrando um alto potencial produtivo, não só pela sua habilidade adaptativa em diferentes condições ambientais, mas pela sua facilidade de mecanização desde semeadura a colheita.
Recovery of degraded pastures improves the sustainability of meat and milk production systems. Humic acids (HA) and endophytic diazotrophic bacteria (EDB) are known to have bio-stimulating effects on ...several crops but have not been tested for the recovery of degraded pastures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate soil C and N dynamics, nutrient uptake and forage yield of 'Brachiaria decumbens' following the foliar application of HA and EDB in a degraded pasture. A randomized block design with six replications was used. The four treatments were: HA, EDB, HA+EDB and Control. The subplots consisted of four evaluation times for soil characteristics: before treatment application (0) and 30, 60 and 120 days after treatment application (ATA). Soil total organic carbon (TOC), recalcitrant carbon (Crecal), labile carbon (Clabil), total nitrogen (TN) and C and N stocks were determined in the 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm of soil layers. Forage yield and leaf nutrient contents were evaluated at 30 days ATA. The application of the HA and EDB increased the TOC, Clabil, soil C stock (almost equal18%), forage dry matter yield (16 to 52%) and nutrient uptake (almost equal30%) after 30 days ATA. Our results showed that the application of HA combined with EDB may be a strategy for the recovery of degraded pastures in the tropical region.
The increasing demand for meat and milk has stimulated interest in the development and recovery of pastures. Although humic acids (HAs) have been shown to have a biostimulating effect on plant ...growth, their use in pastures remains relatively unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the growth of 'Brachiaria decumbens' at different HAs concentrations and application times. This study was conducted in a greenhouse with pots containing 1.5 L of soil collected in a degraded pasture. A trial was carried out in a randomized block design in which five HAs concentrations (0, 7.5, 15, 30 and 60 mg L-1 C) and four application times were used as follows: leaf spray 15 days after emergence (LS 15 DAE); LS 45 DAE; LS 60 DAE; and successive leaf sprays (15, 45 and 60 DAE). Stem height, diameter, forage production and root development were evaluated. Height and stem diameter measurements were performed weekly. At 45 and 90 DAE, a cut was made at a height of 10 cm to simulate grazing and to measure forage production. At 90 DAE, the root mass was assessed. The HAs used at the concentration of 60 mg L-1 C applied at 15 DAE promoted increases of 44% in plant height and 196% in forage mass. After the cut, the optimum concentration was approximately 40 mg L-1 C. Although the use of HAs promoted root development, successive applications had deleterious effects on the plant. HAs could improve pasture biomass production at a low cost if applied at the ideal concentration.
Front Cover Image, Volume 42, Issue 6 Fé, Luana Xavier Soares Gomes Moura; Cipolatti, Eliane Pereira; Pinto, Martina Costa Cerqueira ...
Medicinal research reviews,
November 2022, 2022-11-00, Letnik:
42, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The cover image is based on the Review Article Enzymes in the time of COVID‐19: An overview about the effects in the human body, enzyme market, and perspectives for new drugs by Luana Xavier Soares ...Gomes Moura Fé et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/med.21919.
Introdução: A hérnia de disco (HD) ocorre quando o disco intervertebral, uma estrutura entre as vértebras da coluna, se rompe ou se desloca, pressionando os nervos próximos e causando dor. Isso pode ...resultar em sintomas como dor nas costas, dependendo da localização da hérnia. Relevância: Por ser um tema de dor associada a compressões nervosas, o estudo reintegra a importância de terapias de intervenção para resolução desta comorbidade latente bem como sua discussão mais aprofundada. Problemática: A HD, por vezes, apresenta um desafio significativo por ser considerada uma condição crônica. Mesmo após tratamentos e intervenções, alguns pacientes podem continuar a lidar com sintomas persistentes a longo prazo. Objetivo: Entender como gerenciar a dor da HD de disco, em especial a lombar e analisar na literatura as opções terapêuticas de realização do manejo da dor até as opções cirúrgicas. Metodologia: Revisão sistemática através das plataformas: Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO), Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), para conduzir a seleção foram usados os descritores em saúde (DECs)controlados: “Deslocamento do Disco Intervertebral”, “Intervenção Cirúrgica”, “Manejo da Dor”. Resultados: O tratamento pode variar desde medidas conservadoras, até intervenções mais invasivas, como cirurgia para aliviar a compressão nervosa. O desfecho da doença depende da gravidade da hérnia, da resposta ao tratamento e do comprometimento dos nervos A recuperação pode variar, e alguns pacientes experimentam melhora considerável, enquanto outros podem lidar com sintomas residuais. Conclusão: A gestão eficaz da HD muitas vezes requer uma combinação de abordagens para controlar a dor e melhorar a qualidade de vida do paciente. Embora a cirurgia possa ser uma opção em casos graves ou quando os tratamentos conservadores não proporcionam alívio suficiente, é crucial reconhecer outras intervenções originais.
Lyophilized whole cells and the crude enzymatic extract from the fungus Stemphylium lycopersici were successfully immobilized in situ in rigid polyurethane foam, as an alternative biocatalyst for the ...kinetic resolution of rac-1-phenylethylamine, an interesting building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. The enzymatic activity of immobilized whole cells and the crude enzymatic extract was 2.52 and 5.05 U/g, respectively. The immobilization yield in polyurethane of both forms was at least above 100%, and the process did not change the affinity of the biocatalyst for the substrate. The optima reaction conditions for the kinetic resolution of rac-1-phenylethylamine into acetophenone were: 32.5 °C, 120 rpm by 24 h containing 10 mL (20% m/v) of phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) and 20% biocatalyst mass, resulting in conversions of 45% and 34% using the immobilized lyophilized fungus and crude enzymatic extract, respectively. Stemphylium lycopersici was also subjected to high pressure using CO2. The best conditions provided conversions of 49 (99% ee) and 26.21 (without ee) using the immobilized lyophilized fungus and the immobilized lyophilized crude enzyme extract, respectively, with 20 cycles of reuse and recovery greater than 50% (fungus). Interestingly, the compounds were satisfactorily converted to the corresponding ketones with up to 90% ee for the R-enantiomer. The capacity for conversion of the immobilized lyophilized fungus to different amines: rac-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine, rac-1-phenylpropylamine, and rac-phenylbutylamine was also evaluated. ω-transaminase activity changed significantly depending on the experimental conditions applied, allowing the selection of proper operating conditions for advantageous application of this biocatalyst in transamination reactions.
•Stemphylium lycopersici as biocatalyst for kinetic resolution of amines.•The efficiency of polyurethane for the immobilization of biocatalysts.•The fungal whole cell contributes positively for ω-transamination reactions.•The activation process in pressurized CO2 provided a better catalytic performance.
The objective was to evaluate the fermentation process, nutritional quality, and aerobic stability of mixed silages of arboreal cotton and cactus pear. This was a completely randomized design, with ...five levels of inclusion of cactus pear (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60%) in the arboreal cotton silage and four replications per treatment, totaling 20 experimental units. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression at a 5% probability level for type I error. The inclusion of cactus pear resulted in increased losses from gases (P<0.001), effluents (P<0.001), buffering capacity (P<0.001), aerobic stability (P = 0.010), and pH upward trend (P<0.001). There was a decreasing linear effect on dry matter recovery (P<0.001), pH (P<0.001), ammonia nitrogen (P <0.001), the maximum difference in the temperature of the silage in relation to the environment (P = 0.005) and maximum pH (P<0.001) of silages. The inclusion of cactus pear affected the maximum temperature (P<0.001) of silages in a quadratic way. There was a decreasing linear effect of dry matter (P<0.001), ether extract (P<0.001), Organic matter (P<0,001), crude protein (P = 0,002) and neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (P = 0.030). The use of cactus pear promoted an increasing linear effect for the levels of mineral matter (MM) (P<0.001), corresponding to an increase of 0,271%, for each 1% inclusion of cactus pear. The increase in the proportions of cactus pear in the silages promoted an increasing linear effect for mineral matter (P<0,001). The inclusion of cactus pear by up to 60% in arboreal cotton silages alters the fermentation profile with increased fermentation losses and nutritional reduction. However, it still presents characteristics of good quality silages.
The present study aimed to use a conventional and metagenomic approach to investigate the microbiological diversity of water bodies in a network of drainage channels and rivers located in the central ...area of the city of Belém, northern Brazil, which is considered one of the largest cities in the Brazilian Amazon.
In eight of the analyzed points, both bacterial and viral microbiological indicators of environmental contamination-physical-chemical and metals-were assessed. The bacterial resistance genes, drug resistance mechanisms, and viral viability in the environment were also assessed. A total of 473 families of bacteria and 83 families of viruses were identified. Based on the analysis of metals, the levels of three metals (Cd, Fe, and Mn) were found to be above the recommended acceptable level by local legislation. The levels of the following three physicochemical parameters were also higher than recommended: biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Sixty-three bacterial resistance genes that conferred resistance to 13 different classes of antimicrobials were identified. Further, five mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance were identified and viral viability in the environment was confirmed.
Intense human actions combined with a lack of public policies and poor environmental education of the population cause environmental degradation, especially in water bodies. Thus, urgent interventions are warranted to restore the quality of this precious and scarce asset worldwide.
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