Improving antigen presentation is crucial for the success of immunization strategies. Yeasts are classically used as biofactories to produce recombinant proteins and are efficient vehicles for ...antigen delivery, in addition to their adjuvant properties. Despite the absence of epidemic outbreaks, several vaccine approaches continue to be developed for Zika virus infection. The development of these prophylactic strategies is fundamental given the severity of clinical manifestations, mainly due to viral neurotropism. The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo the immune response induced by
recombinant strains displaying epitopes of the envelope (ENV) and NS1 ZIKV proteins. Intramuscular immunization with heat-attenuated yeast enhanced the secretion of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, in addition to the activation of CD4
and CD8
T cells, in BALB/c mice.
displaying ENV epitopes induced a more robust immune response, increasing immunoglobulin production, especially IgG isotypes. Both proposed vaccines showed the potential to induce immune responses without adverse effects, confirming the safety of administering
as a vaccine vehicle. Here, we demonstrated, for the first time, the evaluation of a vaccine against ZIKV based on a multiepitope construct using yeast as a delivery system and reinforcing the applicability of
as a whole-cell vaccine.
In this work, we developed bactericidal cotton fabrics treated with ZnO and Cu
2+
, with citric acid as a binder and reduction agent, via microwave irradiation. Fabrics were characterized by ...thermogravimetric analysis, FT-Raman, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffractometry, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and antibacterial activity against
Bacillus subtilis
and
Escherichia coli
. FT-Raman and FTIR results indicated bonding and electrostatic interaction between the nanoparticles (NPs) and the fabrics, more intense for the highest binder concentrations. The SEM images confirm the efficient incorporation of NPs in the cotton fabric, prepared by a low-cost and straightforward methodology that uses microwave irradiation and a low-cost and environmentally friendly binder. Besides, citric acid acted as a modifier of the crystalline structure of cellulose, depending on its concentration. The easily identifiable copper and zinc oxide particles on the surface of cotton fibers are responsible for their antimicrobial activity.
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Introduction Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome characterized by a high risk of colorectal and extracolonic tumors. Germline pathogenic variants (GPV) in the PMS2 gene ...are associated with <15% of all cases. The PMS2CL pseudogene presents high homology with PMS2 , challenging molecular diagnosis by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Due to the high methodological complexity required to distinguish variants between PMS2 and PMS2CL , most laboratories do not clearly report the origin of this molecular finding. Objective The aim of this study was to confirm the GPVs detected by NGS in regions of high homology segments of the PMS2 gene in a Brazilian sample. Methods An orthogonal and gold standard long-range PCR (LR-PCR) methodology to separate variants detected in the PMS2 gene from those detected in the pseudogene. Results A total of 74 samples with a PMS2 GPV detected by NGS in exons with high homology with PMS2CL pseudogene were evaluated. The most common was NM_000535.6:c.2182_2184delinsG, which was previously described as deleterious mutation in a study of African-American patients with LS and has been widely reported by laboratories as a pathogenic variant associated with the LS phenotype. Of all GPVs identified, only 6.8% were confirmed by LR-PCR. Conversely, more than 90% of GPV were not confirmed after LR-PCR, and the diagnosis of LS was ruled out by molecular mechanisms associated with PMS2. Conclusion In conclusion, the use of LR-PCR was demonstrated to be a reliable approach for accurate molecular analysis of PMS2 variants in segments with high homology with PMS2CL . We highlight that our laboratory is a pioneer in routine diagnostic complementation of the PMS2 gene in Brazil, directly contributing to a more assertive molecular diagnosis and adequate genetic counseling for these patients and their families.
Better knowledge of medicinal plant species and their conservation is an urgent need worldwide. Decision making for conservation strategies can be based on the knowledge of the variability and ...population genetic structure of the species and on the events that may influence these genetic parameters. Achyrocline flaccida (Weinm.) DC. is a native plant from the grassy fields of South America with high value in folk medicine. In spite of its importance, no genetic and conservation studies are available for the species. In this work, microsatellite and ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat) markers were used to estimate the genetic variability and structure of seven populations of A. flaccida from southern Brazil. The microsatellite markers were inefficient in A. flaccida owing to a high number of null alleles. After the evaluation of 42 ISSR primers on one population, 10 were selected for further analysis of seven A. flaccida populations. The results of ISSR showed that the high number of exclusive absence of loci might contribute to the inter-population differentiation. Genetic variability of the species was high (Nei's diversity of 0.23 and Shannon diversity of 0.37). AMOVA indicated higher genetic variability within (64.7%) than among (33.96%) populations, and the variability was unevenly distributed (FST 0.33). Gene flow among populations ranged from 1.68 to 5.2 migrants per generation, with an average of 1.39. The results of PCoA and Bayesian analyses corroborated and indicated that the populations are structured. The observed genetic variability and population structure of A. flaccida are discussed in the context of the vegetation formation history in southern Brazil, as well as the possible anthropogenic effects. Additionally, we discuss the implications of the results in the conservation of the species.
Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue virus, requires a blood meal to produce eggs. Although live animals are still the main blood source for laboratory colonies, many artificial feeders are ...available. These feeders are also the best method for experimental oral infection of Ae. aegypti with Dengue viruses. However, most of them are expensive or laborious to construct. Based on principle of Rutledge-type feeder, a conventional conical tube, glycerol and Parafilm-M were used to develop a simple in-house feeder device. The blood feeding efficiency of this apparatus was compared to a live blood source, mice, and no significant differences (p = 0.1189) were observed between artificial-fed (51.3% of engorgement) and mice-fed groups (40.6%). Thus, an easy to assemble and cost-effective artificial feeder, designated "Glytube" was developed in this report. This simple and efficient feeding device can be built with common laboratory materials for research on Ae. aegypti.
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•Biopolymer membranes with appropriate morphology were prepared by electrospinning.•The experimental design optimized the parameters applied during electrospinning.•The factor ...concentration of nanoclay is statistically significant in fiber diameters.•Electrospun membranes were applied to remove metal ions from the aqueous solution.•Nanoclay after thermal modification incorporation into the polymeric matrix improves the adsorption capacity.
This work aims to develop novel biomembranes based on PLA, PBS, or their blend and composites, with the Cloisite® 20A nanoclay, as adsorptive materials for metal ions removal. To obtain a membrane with good morphology and thinner diameter of the fibers, a series of nonwoven mats were prepared by electrospinning. To improve the adsorption performance of the electrospun membranes, thermal and acid modifications were carried out in the nanoclay before the electrospinning process, and the final electrospun membranes were applied in the removal of Cr(VI), Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Mn(II) ions present in a multi-metal solution. The PBS/PLA/C20A (80/10/10) membrane obtained with an injection flow rate of 3 mL/h, needle tip-to-collector distance of 15 cm, and voltage of 20 kV were selected for the synthesis of the adsorptive membranes, which has the best morphology due to the small average diameter of the fiber and bead-free structures. The characterization techniques (TGA, BET, helium pycnometry, RMN, and DMA) results proved that the addition of PLA and nanoclay resulted in the formation of a material more resistant and with high porosity and specific surface area than the neat PBS. It can be seen that the membranes prepared with the nanoclay after thermal modification showed high metal removal efficiency than the mats designed with the raw nanoclay and after acid modification. It was also possible to conclude that PBS and PLA present the capacity to gradually release organic carbon compounds, which can be used directly as electron donors for Cr(VI) reduction.
Piscine lactococcosis is a disease caused by Lactococcus garvieae, L. petauri and L. formosensis. It is considered to be an emerging disease and poses a risk to global aquaculture production. Studies ...of the genetic diversity of Lactococcus spp. strains have epidemiological importance since they provide information on the genetic relationships between isolates and indicate geographic and temporal distribution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Brazilian Lactococcus spp. isolates obtained from native fish species using PCR-based DNA fingerprinting techniques. For this, 36 isolates were evaluated by gyrB sequencing, molecular serotyping, REP-, BOX-, and RAPD-PCR approaches. The discriminatory power and the congruence between the typing methods were calculated. After the correct taxonomic identification of the isolate, a total of 14, 5 and 17 isolates were reclassified as L. garvieae, L. formosensis and L. petauri, respectively. Lactococcus garvieae and L. petauri are related to serotype I, while L. formosensis strains were classified as serotype II. The typing methods tested are useful for evaluating the genetic diversity of isolates and a comprehensive indication of the diversity was found. Heterogeneous and homogeneous populations were observed for L. garvieae and L. petauri, respectively. Among the genotyping methods evaluated, RAPD-PCR demonstrated a greater discriminatory power for L. formosensis and L. petauri, while REP-PCR showed better results for L. garvieae strains, thus these methodologies are recommended for genotyping these bacterial species. In conclusion, Brazilian isolates of Lactococcus spp. obtained from native fish species constitute a genetically diverse population and the techniques used in this study allowed a better genetic characterization of the isolates.
•First description of Lactococcus petauri and L. formosensis as pathogen in native Brazilian fish species•Serotype II was detected only in L. formosensis•L. garvieae strains had a greater genetic heterogeneity•RAPD-PCR is a better predictor of L. formosensis and L. petauri diversity
The synergistic interactions between nitrogen doses and microbial inoculation in crops indicate the potential for integrated nutrient management strategies in plant cultivation. Therefore, this study ...investigated the interactive effects of nitrogen doses and Azospirillum brasilense inoculation on wheat flour characteristics in terms of the falling number and color parameters and yields of reducing sugars obtained by subcritical water hydrolysis (SWH) from wheat bran. The strip-plot experimental design, bifactorial with three replications, was applied. Factor A was three wheat cultivars: ORS Agile (AGI), ORS Feroz (FER), and TSZ Dominadore (DOM). Factor D was five nitrogen doses in the topdressing: 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha−1. The lowest value of falling number of 332 s was achieved with flour from FER cultivar using a nitrogen dose of 80 kg ha−1 with A. brasilense inoculation. The SWH produced yields of reducing sugars (YRS) from wheat bran of up to 6.74 ± 0.18 g (100 g of wheat bran)−1 for the cultivar DOM when using a nitrogen dose of 60 kg ha−1 associated with A. brasilense inoculation. In this cultivation condition, the falling number was 408 s and the color parameters were L* of 92.49, a* of −0.26, and b* of 11.91. In the other conditions, the YRS ranged from 2.93 ± 0.63 to 6.52 ± 0.04 g (100 g of wheat bran)−1. Both flour and bran are nutritional products with high application potential, and this study indicated SWH as a promising technique to dissociate the lignocellulosic complex of wheat bran without using hazardous solvents.
This cross-sectional and descriptive study examined the family quality of life (FQoL) among 72 Brazilian families who have children with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder in which most ...individuals have an intellectual disability, usually mild. Data were collected using sociodemographic and clinical data forms and the Beach Center FQoL Scale. The overall FQoL score was 3.90 ± 0.45, below the limit of four points considered satisfactory. Families felt more satisfied with the family interaction (4.11 ± 0.57), parenting (4.07 ± 0.42), and disability-related support (3.94 ± 0.62) domains, and less satisfied with the family’s emotional (3.49 ± 0.73) and physical/material well-being (3.73 ± 0.74) domains. Paternal education, children’s cardiopathy and autonomy in activities of daily living explained 24.5% of the variance in the overall FQoL. Measures are necessary to improve the emotional and physical/material well-being of families to reduce the family burden. Monitoring the child’s cardiac condition and promoting independence in activities of daily living are also the main procedures.
Chitosan is a cationic polysaccharide with intrinsic antimicrobial properties that can be used as an ecological alternative to develop functional materials to inhibit the proliferation of ...microorganisms. This work evaluates chitosan nanocapsules (CNs) as a self-disinfecting agent to provide bactericidal activity on cotton fabrics (CF), using polyacrylate to bind the CNs on the CF surface. The fabrics were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle (CA), moisture retention, and antimicrobial tests against
Escherichia coli
and
Bacillus subtilis
. The FTIR results showed new peaks related to chitosan structure, indicating the adequate fixation of the CNs on the cotton fibers. SEM images corroborated the polyacrylate binder's efficient adhesion, connecting the CNs and the cotton fiber surface. The CF surface properties were considerably modified, while CN/polyacrylate coating promoted antibacterial activity against the
B. subtilis
(gram-positive bacteria) for the developed wipe, but they do not display bactericidal effects against
E. coli
(gram-negative bacteria).
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