Bioactive Molecules Derived from Snake Venoms with Therapeutic Potential for the Treatment of Thrombo-Cardiovascular Disorders Associated with COVID-19

The Protein Journal - As expected, several new variants of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged and have been detected around the world throughout this Coronavirus...     

Effect of Trichodesma indicum extract on cough reflex induced by sulphur dioxide in mice.

The effect of methanol extract of whole plants of Trichodesma indicum R. Br. has been investigated on sulphur dioxide (SO2) induced cough reflex in Swiss albino mice. The extract has demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) inhibition in frequency of cough in all the tested doses when compared with untreated control group. The effect persisted up to 90 min of its oral administration and also comparable to that of the effect exhibited by the standard drug (Codeine phosphate). This study confirmed the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of cough. Determination of underlying mechanism of beneficial effect is major topic requiring further comprehensive investigation.     

Functional significance of Micraspis discolor (F.) (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in rice ecosystem

Coccinellids are key predators that are conserved and augmented in agricultural ecosystems, to achieve biological control of pests. Actual quantification of field predation has not been attempted for many of the beneficial coccinellids. Numerous reports show coccinellids as opportunistic, feeding on a variety of food material in addition to their preferred prey. Micraspis discolor is the most abundant species of coccinellid in rice ecosystems and touted as a biocontrol option for brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stal), a key pest of rice. However, it has been reported as both entomophagous and phytophagous. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was used to separate esterases from whole‐body homogenates of Micraspis and its prey viz., green leafhopper (GLH) Nephotettix virescens (Distant), BPH N. lugens, whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera (Horvath), aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L., thrips, Haplothrips sp., and pollen. Field‐collected beetles showed a range of bands, some corresponding with pollen and GLH, while others were different from prey offered, indicating a wider range of prey spectrum than envisaged. Feeding preference studies confirmed a preference for pollen and GLH in no‐choice (H = 20.724; P = 0.001) and multiple‐choice tests (H = 20.52; P < 0.001) and a significant preference for pollen over all insects offered in the paired‐choice test (t = 5.099; P = 0.007). The abundance of adult M. discolor in rice at flowering phase does not correspond to prey abundance in the field but rather reflects an inclination to pollen feeding more than entomophagy.     

A negative influence of manure on calcareous soils

Summary On a soil rich in CaCO₃ in a semiaride climate in Algeria a hard soil layer, impermeable for plant roots, was formed in a depth of 20–40 cm after farmyard manure application and irrigation. To find the reason soil samples of this field were taken and leaching experiments were carried out in the laboratory, with the result that much more Caions and HCO₃-ions were leached out of the soils with farmyard manure application than from the soils without manure. Probably the high amount of CO₂, being liberated by the organic matter, and the irrigation water dissolved the CaCO₃ in the soil, and the formed Ca- and HCO₃-ions followed the movement of water in the soil. Where the Ca(HCO₃)₂ reached soil layers with a less amount of CO₂, CaCO₃ precipitated and formed the hard soil layer. In order to avoid the formation of such calcareous crusts on irrigated, limy soils in a dry climate it is recommended to fertilize rather often small quantities instead of rarely big quantities of farmyard manure.     

Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry Based Metabolomic Approach for Optimization and Toxicity Evaluation of Earthworm Sub-Lethal Responses to Carbofuran

Despite recent advances in understanding mechanism of toxicity, the development of biomarkers (biochemicals that vary significantly with exposure to chemicals) for pesticides and environmental contaminants exposure is still a challenging task. Carbofuran is one of the most commonly used pesticides in agriculture and said to be most toxic carbamate pesticide. It is necessary to identify the biochemicals that can vary significantly after carbofuran exposure on earthworms which will help to assess the soil ecotoxicity. Initially, we have optimized the extraction conditions which are suitable for high-throughput gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based metabolomics for the tissue of earthworm, Metaphire posthuma. Upon evaluation of five different extraction solvent systems, 80% methanol was found to have good extraction efficiency based on the yields of metabolites, multivariate analysis, total number of peaks and reproducibility of metabolites. Later the toxicity evaluation was performed to characterize the tissue specific metabolomic perturbation of earthworm, Metaphire posthuma after exposure to carbofuran at three different concentration levels (0.15, 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg of soil). Seventeen metabolites, contributing to the best classification performance of highest dose dependent carbofuran exposed earthworms from healthy controls were identified. This study suggests that GC-MS based metabolomic approach was precise and sensitive to measure the earthworm responses to carbofuran exposure in soil, and can be used as a promising tool for environmental eco-toxicological studies.     

Observations on the biology of Leuciscus ‘svallize’ in the Kremasta reservoir (Greece)

The age, growth, feeding habits and reproductive biology of Leuciscus svallize in artificial lake Kremasta (Greece), are described. There is a considerable similarity in the feeding and reproductive characteristics between L. svallize and L. cephalus and also a similarity in the life span, growth patterns and age of maturation between L. svallize and some southern L. cephalus populations, which may suggest similar responses of closely related taxa to similar conditions.     

Do extraction procedures affect olive oil quality and stability?

Quality and stability of olive oil extracted using discontinuous (pressing) or continuous (centrifuging) procedures were studied. Virgin olive oils extracted from two olive varieties were stored for 17 months. Analytical parameters of oil quality (acidity, peroxide value, polyphenol content, chlorophyll amount, fatty acid composition and triacylglycerol molecular species) were followed at different time intervals. Our results showed that no differences exist between the two types of tested mill, since the studied parameters were unchanged or varied slightly in the same range during the time of oil conservation. Changes depend on olive varieties rather than extraction systems used. Moreover, oils produced by the continuous system contain comparatively higher levels of polyphenols, which may confer to them greater resistance against oxidation for long-term storage.     

Paradoxical effect of salbutamol in a model of acute organophosphates intoxication in guinea pigs: role of substance P release

Organophosphates induce bronchoobstruction in guinea pigs, and salbutamol only transiently reverses this effect, suggesting that it triggers additional obstructive mechanisms. To further explore this phenomenon, in vivo (barometric plethysmography) and in vitro (organ baths, including ACh and substance P concentration measurement by HPLC and immunoassay, respectively; intracellular Ca2+) measurement in single myocytes) experiments were performed. In in vivo experiments, parathion caused a progressive bronchoobstruction until a plateau was reached. Administration of salbutamol during this plateau decreased bronchoobstruction up to 22% in the first 5 min, but thereafter airway obstruction rose again as to reach the same intensity as before salbutamol. Aminophylline caused a sustained decrement (71%) of the parathion-induced bronchoobstruction. In in vitro studies, paraoxon produced a sustained contraction of tracheal rings, which was fully blocked by atropine but not by TTX, omega-conotoxin (CTX), or epithelium removal. During the paraoxon-induced contraction, salbutamol caused a temporary relaxation of approximately 50%, followed by a partial recontraction. This paradoxical recontraction was avoided by the M2- or neurokinin-1 (NK1)-receptor antagonists (methoctramine or AF-DX 116, and L-732138, respectively), accompanied by a long-lasting relaxation. Forskolin caused full relaxation of the paraoxon response. Substance P and, to a lesser extent, ACh released from tracheal rings during 60-min incubation with paraoxon or physostigmine, respectively, were significantly increased when salbutamol was administered in the second half of this period. In myocytes, paraoxon did not produce any change in the intracellular Ca2+ basal levels. Our results suggested that: 1) organophosphates caused smooth muscle contraction by accumulation of ACh released through a TTX- and CTX-resistant mechanism; 2) during such contraction, salbutamol relaxation is functionally antagonized by the stimulation of M2 receptors; and 3) after this transient salbutamol-induced relaxation, a paradoxical contraction ensues due to the subsequent release of substance P.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of cyanohydrins with recombinant nitrile hydratase and amidase from hodococcus erythropolis

Nitrile hydratase and amidase from Rhodococcus erythropolis CIMB11540 were both cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Crude cell free extracts were used for the hydrolysis of different aromatic cyanohydrins. Nitrile hydratase expression was increased up to 5-fold by redesign of the expression cassette. The recombinant enzymes were successfully used for the conversion of several cyanohydrins to the corresponding alpha-hydroxy amides and acids while retaining enantiopurity.     

Mouse Macrophage Galactose-type Lectin (mMGL) is Critical for Host Resistance against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection

The C-type lectin receptor mMGL is expressed exclusively by myeloid antigen presenting cells (APC) such as dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (Mφ), and it mediates binding to glycoproteins carrying terminal galactose and α- or β-N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal/GalNAc) residues. Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) expresses large amounts of mucin (TcMUC)-like glycoproteins. Here, we show by lectin-blot that galactose moieties are also expressed on the surface of T. cruzi. Male mMGL knockout (-/-) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice were infected intraperitoneally with 10⁴ T. cruzi trypomastigotes (Queretaro strain). Following T. cruzi infection, mMGL-/- mice developed higher parasitemia and higher mortality rates compared with WT mice. Although hearts from T. cruzi-infected WT mice presented few amastigote nests, mMGL-/- mice displayed higher numbers of amastigote nests. Compared with WT, Mφ from mMGL-/- mice had low production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in response to soluble T. cruzi antigens (TcAg). Interestingly, upon in vitro T. cruzi infection, mMGL-/- Mφ expressed lower levels of MHC-II and TLR-4 and harbored higher numbers of parasites, even when mMGL-/- Mφ were previously primed with IFN-γ or LPS/IFN-γ. These data suggest that mMGL plays an important role during T. cruzi infection, is required for optimal Mφ activation, and may synergize with TLR-4-induced pathways to produce TNF-α, IL-1β and NO during the early phase of infection.