Antimicrobial peptides of the genus Capsicum: a mini review

Oliveira Arielle Pinheiro Bessiatti Fava,Resende Larissa Maximiano,Rodrigues Rosana,de Oliveira Mello Érica,Taveira Gabriel Bonan,de Oliveira Carvalho André,Gomes Valdirene Moreira 한국원예학회 2022 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.63 No.4

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been characterized in various organs and plant species. However, few studies have investigated AMPs in the genus Capsicum , especially their biological activities and mechanism of action. AMPs are small proteins isolated primarily from plants and animals. AMPs are of great interest to researchers because of their potent antimicrobial activity due to their ability to interact with cell membranes. While some AMPs participate in innate immune response by providing a rapid line of defense against infection, others may bolster plant defense against certain pests and pathogens. The genus Capsicum contains a myriad of AMPs involved in plant defense with the potential for new antimicrobial molecules. In recent years, our group and others have isolated and characterized AMPs from seeds, fruits, leaves and roots of Capsicum plants. Herein, we describe the diff erent AMP families, like defensins, lipid transfer proteins (LTPs), thionins, proteinase inhibitors, and others, present in the genus Capsicum . We also discuss the current knowledge of their antimicrobial activity, mechanism of action, and possible uses as antimicrobial molecules and in plant biotechnology.

Evaluation In Vitro of Toxicity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves and Roots from Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

Patrícia Martinez-Oliveira,Luísa Zuravski,Micaela Federizzi de Oliveira,Deise Jaqueline Ströher,Ritiéle Pinto Coelho,Bruna Cocco Pilar,Luís Flávio Souza de Oliveira,Jacqueline da Costa Escobar Piccoli 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.6

Yacon is an Andean plant that has been used in folk medicine for its medicinal properties. The beneficial effects of this plant are possibly due to the high content of phenolic compounds present in its leaves and roots. This study evaluated the in vitro toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and roots from yacon (1, 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL) through cell viability tests, genotoxic and mutagenic activity in leukocytes culture cells; and cytotoxicity and apoptosis cell death (1, 10, 50, 100, and 500 μg/mL) in cell line originally established from the primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells that were cultured by the designated protocol, so-called 3T3 protocol “3-day transfer, inoculum 3 × 105 cells” (3T3 cell line). No mutagenic and cytotoxic activities were observed in leukocyte cultures. Cytotoxic activity was evidenced in the highest concentrations of yacon leaf extract (50 and 100 μg/mL), whereas all concentrations tested with yacon leaf extract there was induction for apoptosis in the 3T3 cells. Genotoxic potential was observed only at higher doses of leaf (50 and 100 μg/mL) and root (100 μg/mL) extract. These results suggest that yacon leaf at high concentrations may present toxic potential showing concentration-dependent behavior; however, in vivo studies should be performed to validate these results.

Placental development in the early stages of red-rumped agouti pregnancy (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758)

Gleidson Benevides de Oliveira,Helio Noberto de Araújo Júnior,Carlos Eduardo Bezerra de Moura,Phelipe Oliveira Favaron,Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira,Moacir Franco de Oliveira 대한수의학회 2023 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.24 No.5

Background: Hystricomorpha rodents display a similar placentation model to humans. The present study was carried out considering the scarcity of information concerning the placental development in agouti. Objective: Describe the microscopy of the placenta, subplacenta and yolk sac of agoutis in early pregnancy and report on the inversion of the yolk sac. Methods: Fifteen females between the 14th–32nd day of gestation were used following euthanasia. Gestational buttons were collected, fixed, processed, stained to optical microscopy or immunohistochemistry. Results: Chorioallantoic placenta (CP) ranged from conical to a half-sphere, as follows: from the 14th to 17th day, the CP displays an inverted “V” shape, predominantly formed by cytotrophoblasts; from 20 to 22 days, formed almost entirely by cytotrophoblasts; at 28 days, a half sphere, with distinct lobes and interlobular area, numerous maternal gaps delimited by syncytiotrophoblasts and trophoblast giant cells; at 32 days, globose and undergoing the maturation process. Subplacenta, located between decidua and CP, initially presents septa consisting of simple columnar epithelium and after 17 days, comprising stratified epithelium. Visceral yolk sac (VYS) is attached to two CP projections between 14 and 17 days, formed by a simple cubic epithelium and inverted. Between 20 and 22 days, the epithelium displays apical villous projections with cytoplasmic vacuoles and a vascularized mesoderm. After the 24th day, the VYS near the placenta is pleated, very vascularized and villous, with decreased villi sizes further away from the placenta. Conclusion: The agouti CP displays similar characteristics to other hystricomorpha, including placenta lobulation, a subplacenta and an inverted vitelline placenta.

Influence of CBCT metal artifact reduction on vertical radicular fracture detection

Oliveira, Mariana Rodrigues,Sousa, Thiago Oliveira,Caetano, Aline Ferreira,de Paiva, Rogerio Ribeiro,Valladares-Neto, Jose,Yamamoto-Silva, Fernanda Paula,Silva, Maria Alves Garcia Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2021 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.51 No.1

Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool in a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) device on the diagnosis of vertical root fractures (VRFs) in teeth with different root filling materials. Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted human premolars were classified into three subgroups; 1) no filling; 2) gutta-percha; and 3) metallic post. CBCT images were acquired using an Orthopantomograph 300 unit with and without a MAR tool. Subsequently, the same teeth were fractured, and new CBCT scans were obtained with and without MAR. Two oral radiologists evaluated the images regarding the presence or absence of VRF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and diagnostic tests were performed. Results: The overall area under the curve values were 0.695 for CBCT with MAR and 0.789 for CBCT without MAR. The MAR tool negatively influenced the overall diagnosis of VRFs in all tested subgroups, with lower accuracy (0.45-0.72), sensitivity (0.6-0.67), and specificity (0.23-0.8) than were found for the images without MAR. In the latter group, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values were 0.68-0.77, 0.67-083, and 0.53-087, respectively. However, no significant difference was found between images with and without MAR for the no filling and gutta-percha subgroups (P>0.05). In the metallic post subgroup, CBCT showed a significant difference according to MAR use (P<0.05). Conclusion: The OP 300 MAR tool negatively influenced the detection of VRFs in teeth with no root canal filling, gutta-percha, or metallic posts. Teeth with metallic posts suffered the most from the negative impact of MAR.

A Review on Acupuncture Efficiency in Human Polycystic Ovary/Ovarian Syndrome

Oliveira Natália M. de,Machado Jorge,Lopes Lara,Criado Maria Begoña,Oliveira Natália M. de 대한약침학회 2023 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.26 No.2

Objectives: Human Polycystic Ovary/Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a frequent endocrine pathophysiology among women of fertile age, is associated with woman’s lifespan endocrine, metabolic and psychological implications. Long-term usage side effects of allopathic strategies and their low efficacy made complementary medicine treatments a relevant subject for these patients. The main aim of this work is to review the efficiency of the acupuncture treatment reported in the latest studies on literature regarding PCOS patients. Methods: A comprehensive literature search, in English language, about the use of acupuncture on the management of PCOS, was conducted in October 2020 using EBSCO, Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, Embase, databases for randomised and non-randomised controlled trials between 2015 and 2020 (09/2015-10/2020), following the PRISMA protocol. Results: This research led us to an analysis, according to PICOS, of six final papers selected among 178 in total. The articles addressed distinct aspects of the PCOS condition, diverse acupuncture techniques and different main and secondary outcomes in agreement to the respective main objective. According to this review, acupuncture seems to be useful for the treatment of this debilitating and chronic health condition which affects millions of women worldwide, many of them part of the workforce in their community. Conclusion: Despite of the display of these positive results addressing acupuncture treatments to manage PCOS major symptoms - whether they are reproductive, metabolic, or mental health features - more research is urgent. Randomized, double blinded controlled trials with improved quality design and following STRICTA and/or CONSORT recommendations are necessary to engage acupuncture as a standardized and scientific validated technique in PCOS condition.

Influence diagnostics for skew-t censored linear regression models

Oliveira Marcos S,Oliveira Daniela CR,Lachos Victor H 한국통계학회 2023 Communications for statistical applications and me Vol.30 No.6

This paper proposes some diagnostics procedures for the skew-t linear regression model with censored response. The skew-t distribution is an attractive family of asymmetrical heavy-tailed densities that includes the normal, skew-normal and student's-t distributions as special cases. Inspired by the power and wide applicability of the EM-type algorithm, local and global influence analysis, based on the conditional expectation of the complete-data log-likelihood function are developed, following Zhu and Lee's approach. For the local influence analysis, four specific perturbation schemes are discussed. Two real data sets, from education and economics, which are right and left censoring, respectively, are analyzed in order to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed methodology.

Impact of Zinc Stress on Biochemical and Biophysical Parameters in Coffea Arabica Seedlings

Jacqueline Oliveira dos Santos,Cinthia Aparecida Andrade,Kamila Rezende Dázio de Souza,Meline de Oliveira Santos,Isabel Rodrigues Brandão,Jose Donizeti Alves,Iasminy Silva Santos 한국작물학회 2019 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.22 No.3

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for the healthy development of plants, since its insufficient and supraoptimal doses can disrupt the metabolism and biomass production. We aimed to investigate the physiological responses of coffee seedlings to Zn deficiency and excess. Six-month-old seedlings were transferred to plastic pots containing a nutrient solution. The treatments were control (0.03 ppm), zinc deficiency (0.00 ppm), and zinc excess (0.12 ppm). The evaluations were performed in leaves and roots at the beginning of the treatments and after 30 and 60 d of treatments. Zn deficiency and excess increased the production of hydrogen peroxide, antioxidant enzymes activity, ascorbate, and lipid peroxidation contents. The imbalance in zinc nutrition reduced total chlorophyll content and increased carotenoids content throughout the experimental period. Lower biomass and proline accumulation were observed only for deficient seedlings at the end of the experiment. The characteristics analyzed showed that zinc deficiency caused greater damage to the Coffea arabica plants of (Catuai cultivar) than zinc excess.

Genipa americana (Rubiaceae) Fruit Extract Affects Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Cell Pathways in Human Trophoblast–Derived BeWo Cells: Implications for Placental Development

Aline Oliveira da Conceição,Maria Helena Rossi,Fernando Faustino de Oliveira,Larissa Takser,Julie Lafond 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.5

Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae) is a fruit tree and a traditional medicine used to treat anemia, icterus, asthma, and liver and spleen problems. The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of G. americana fruit ethanolic extract on the mechanism for proliferation and differentiation of trophoblast-like cells. Qualitative analysis of G. americana fruit extract was performed, and BeWo cells, a well-established placental choriocarcinoma cell line that can undergo differentiation, were used to analyze cell viability and proliferation. Methods consisted of cytotoxic and proliferation measurement, detection of release of human chorionic gonadotrophins, cell fusion observation, and evaluation of cell-signaling pathways (production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases [MAPKs]). A stock solution of the extract was diluted in Ham's F-12 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum at concentrations ranging from 50 to 1000 μg/mL. Cells treated with dimethylsulfoxide, forskoline, and MAPK inhibitors (PD98059 or SB203580) were used as a control. Forskoline was used to induce the differentiation state in BeWo cells. Phytoanalysis indicated the presence of steroids only. Results showed that the G. americana fruit extract did not cause any cytotoxicity or interference in cell differentiation. However, a significant antiproliferative state related to inhibition and reactivation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in BeWo cells was seen. These results suggest that steroids from G. americana may affect placental cell regulation.

Corns with Different Nutritional Profiles on Growing and Finishing Pigs Feeding (30 to 90 kg)

De Oliveira, Gisele Cristina,Moreira, Ivan,De Souza, Ana Lucia Pozzobon,Murakami, Alice Eiko,Parra, Angela Rocio Poveda,De Oliveira Carvalho, Paulo Levi,Borile, Maicon Danner Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.7

Three experiments were carried out to determine the nutritional value and to verify the pig performance in growing and finishing phases (30 to 90 kg) fed on diets containing common corn (CC), high-lysine corn (HLC) and high-oil corn (HOC). In the total digestibility trial (Exp. I) 12 barrows were used. Values of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) as-fed basis for CC, HLC and HOC, were: 3,396 and 3,275 kcal/kg; 3,248 and 3,139 kcal/kg; 3,445 and 3,308 kcal/kg, respectively. In order to determine the apparent and true ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids, as well as the values of true digestible amino acids of the CC, HLC and HOC, an ileal digestibility trial was done (Exp. II) with T-cannulated barrows ("T" simple). The treatments consisted of three diets, with one of them as the sole source of protein (CC, HLC and HOC). In the performance experiment (Exp. III), 36 crossbred pigs, allotted in a completely randomized design with three treatments and 12 replications were used. Treatments consisted of three diets: 1 - CC; 2 - HLC and 3 - HOC. It was observed no difference for performance and carcass variables among the corns with different nutritional profiles. Results of the three experiments highlighted the importance of segregating corns in their real chemical and energetic composition as well as the values of true digestible amino acids for formulating diets for growing and finishing pigs.

Cannabaceae comparative analysis based on plastid genome evolution

Barbosa D’Oliveira Matielo Cristiane,Fernando Metz Geferson,Plá Matielo Lemos Rafael,de Carvalho Victoria Filipe,de Oliveira Camargo Flávio Anastácio,Marcos Stefenon Valdir 한국작물학회 2024 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.27 No.1

Marijuana or hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) of the Cannabaceae family represents one of the most economically important crops within the group that comprises about 170 plant species, some of which are widely used in industry. It is the most consumed, cultivated, and trafficked illicit drug globally, having several hybrids and varieties resulting from crosses, making the distinctions between Cannabis species almost meaningless. In a former study, our research group sequenced and released two cpDNA from Cannabis apprehended by Brazilian Federal Police which we compare with all deposited Cannabaceae complete cpDNA in this work. In countries where planting, marketing, or consumption is prohibited, it is difficult for control and inspection bodies to identify the origin of different strains. Based on this problem, we aim to perform a comparative genomic analysis of the plastid DNA of the Cannabaceae family. We have found evidence that the ndhA intron seems to be an informative region for phylogenetic and evolutive studies in Cannabaceae family. With the results of the present work, we were able to establish the phylogenetic relationships for the Cannabaceae family using the plastid genomes of 35 accessions, between species, subspecies, varieties, and hybrids.