Biolog (United States)

The absence of aspecific antiviral treatment for thehighly virulentand lethal coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) remains a significantchallenge. The potential of natural agents with immune-promotion capabilities,including apitherapy products, is being investigated as a potentialtherapeutic modality. Propolis is characterized by a high concentrationof bioactive compounds, which exhibit significant antimicrobial, bactericidal,antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties.This study investigated the potential of ethanolic extracts of Braziliangreen propolis for COVID-19 treatment. Propolis extracts were obtainedat room (EEPV-F) and under 70 °C-heat (EEPV-Q) temperatures,and the extraction yields were 36.74% and 53.54%, respectively. Totalflavonoid contents (10.6 ± 0.9 and 6.6 ± 0.2 mg QE g–1), total phenolic compounds (44 ± 2 and 66 ±3 mg GAE g–1), and antioxidant capacity by DPPH(IC50 values of 18.0 ± 0.3 and 16.6 ± 0.5 μgmL–1) and ABTS (IC50 values of 16.6 ±0.02 and 15.3 ± 0.2 μg mL–1) assays weredetermined. The extracts were not cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 macrophagesand exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, particularlyEEPV-Q. All EEPV-Q concentrations significantly reduced nitric oxideproduction and demonstrated suitability for further investigation.Molecular docking analysis revealed that the compound guibourtinidol-(4alpha→8)-epiafzelechinexhibited stronger binding affinity for PLpro, RdRp, and Spike-analyzedenzymes. Both EEPV-F and EEPV-Q presented hemolytic activity below5% across all tested concentrations. Given the limited therapeuticoptions available for COVID-19, the utilization of green propolisas a therapeutic agent has emerged as a promising and relevant approach.This natural product possesses several advantages, including its safety,ease of oral administration, and its availability as both a naturalsupplement and a functional food.

The latest outbreak caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) has turned into an international public health emergency, underscoring the urgent need for rapid, large-scale, and sensitive diagnostic tests for MPXV. Here, a capacitive biosensor for detecting MPXV was developed using a laser-scribed graphene (LSG) sensor manufactured on synthetic aramid fiber. The aramid-LSG sensor was modified with monoclonal antibodies for detecting MPXV through electrochemical capacitance measurements (Cμ–). The electrochemical detection was performed using a system of two interdigitated electrodes, providing excellent reproducibility and without cross-reactivity in the presence of other poxviruses and nonpoxviruses. Also, the wearable textile biosensor achieved a LOD of 7.5 × 10–1 PFU mL–1 and a LOQ of 2.4 × 100 PFU mL–1, enabling its application in plasma, saliva, and PBS samples (simulating application to human skin containing the virus). Furthermore, cytotoxicity assay studies demonstrated that the device is safe to use, according to the in vitro studies employing 3T3 cell cultures. This approach demonstrates the great potential of the wearable capacitive biosensor, which can be manufactured on a large scale using an environmentally friendly method for the wearable analysis of MPXV on patient skin.

Protein aggregation is a factor in a multitude of neurodegenerative diseases and aggregates of protein-based biotherapeutics can cause toxicity in vivo and adverse patient outcomes. Monoclonal antibody (M)-fluorophore (F) complexes with four different antibody sequences and masses of ∼680 kDa were analyzed using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and mass spectrometry using both quadrupole-time-of-flight (QTOF) and charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). Higher-order aggregates were not resolved using SEC, but species as large as the MF2 complex and M5F3 were resolved using QTOF and CDMS, respectively. Results from three freeze-thaw cycles and long-term heat stress indicate that both aggregation and degradation occurs. Two of the antibodies form a critical M2F complex that is sensitive to thermal stress, whereas the other two antibodies undergo degradation and formation of the assembled MF2 complex in response to freeze-thaw and thermal stressors, respectively. These data show that small differences in mAb sequence can result in significant changes to the aggregation and degradation pathways and highlight the promise of combined mass spectrometry approaches for characterizing how various stress factors affect the stability and aggregation propensity of mAbs.

An extreme example from St. Eustatius of how uncontrolled livestock husbandry can overgraze vulnerable slopes to the point at which even infrastructure at the top of the cliff comes in danger from erosion.

The African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a major global threat affecting pork production and strengthening biosecurity practices is an urgent priority, especially given the paucity of effective vaccines and antiviral drugs. Mitigation strategies focused on virus inactivation play an important role in controlling ASFV and there is growing recognition that multipronged mitigation strategies can not only achieve rapid decontamination of ASFV-exposed materials in different environmental settings but also support pig health by minimizing disease symptoms and preventing lateral transmission. Herein, we critically analyze the latest progress in developing thermal, chemical, and physical strategies to stop ASFV based on heat treatment, chemically reactive disinfectants, and physically disruptive mitigants. Our focus is on introducing ASFV-specific data that supports the use of different mitigation strategies in particular contexts and analyzing the corresponding inactivation mechanisms behind each strategy. In closing, we also discuss emerging innovation possibilities in the ASFV mitigation testing space and provide a forward-looking viewpoint of outstanding scientific questions and future research needs.

Contextualization: Since the 20th century, water consumption has increased globally. This increasing is due to the fact that there is currently a high demand in developed countries and in those with rising economies. Another problem is population growth worldwide, which generates indiscriminate water use in the agricultural, livestock and industrial sectors; which generates an increasing in the use water. Knowledge gap: Fog catchment systems (fog catchers) become a useful alternative for taking advantage of the water resource available in the environment for subsequent storage and distribution in different human development activities. However, in Colombia there is a lack of studies that can be related to the implementation of these artisanal systems. Purpose: In this research, the relevance of the use of four fog catchers with different percentages in the polyshade, are located in the Vijal and Alto Bonito properties, which correspond to an ecosystem zone of sub-Andean forest, was investigated with the aim to determinate the viability of this tool in the water collection. Methodology: A randomized complete block design was carried out and, using Duncan's test, it was determined if there were significant differences between the polyshade percentages used and the height of the plots. Results and conclusions: As a result, it was obtained that polyshade of 65%, captured 980 ml corresponding to the Alto Bonito property; while in the Vijal, the fog catch was 784 ml. The mesh with 80% polyshade, captured 990 ml in the Alto Bonito property, while in Vijal, the fog catch was 794 ml. There is no significant difference to obtain water related to polyshadows. In relation to the difference in the properties altitude, there is a significant difference; the water average accumulated in the Vijal property is 25.5 ml/day, while in Alto Bonito, it is 31.8 ml/day.

ABSTRACTPurposeExposure to low doses (LD) of ionizing radiation (IR), such as the ones employed in computed tomography (CT) examination, can be associated with cancer risk. However, not all individuals respond the same to IR, and cancer development could depend on the individual radiosensitivity. Notably, inter-individual differences in the response to IR have been very well studied for high and medium doses, but not for LD. In the present study, we wanted to evaluate the differences in the response to a CT-scan radiation dose of 20 mGy in two lymphoblastoid cell lines with different radiosensitivity.Materials and MethodsSeveral parameters were studied: gene expression, DNA damage, and its repair (by analyzing gamma-H2AX foci, chromosome breaks, and sister chromatid exchange), as well as cell viability, proliferation, and death.ResultsAfter 20 mGy of IR, the radiosensitive (RS) cell line showed an increase in DNA damage, and higher cell proliferation and apoptosis, whereas the radioresistant (RR) cell line was insensitive to this LD. Interestingly, gene expression analysis showed a higher expression of an antioxidant gene in the RR cell line, which could be used by the cells as a protective mechanism. After a dose of 500 mGy, both cell lines were affected by IR but with significant differences. The RS cells presented an increase in DNA damage and apoptosis, but a decrease in cell proliferation and cell viability, as well as less antioxidant response.ConclusionsA differential biological effect was observed between two cell lines with different radiosensitivity, and these differences are especially interesting after a CT scan dose. If this is confirmed by further studies, one could think that individuals with radiosensitivity-related genetic variants may be more vulnerable to long-term effects of IR, potentially increasing cancer risk after LD exposure.