Exploring the biological activities and potential therapeutic applications of agro-industrial waste products through non-clinical studies: A systematic review.

The latent potential of active ingredients derived from agro-industrial waste remains largely untapped and offers a wealth of unexplored resources. While these types of materials have applications in various fields, their ability to benefit human health needs to be further explored and investigated. This systematic review was conducted to systematically evaluate non-clinical studies that have investigated the biological effects of fractions, extracts and bioactive compounds from agro-industrial wastes and their potential therapeutic applications. Articles were selected via PubMed, Embase and Medline using the descriptors (by-products[title/abstract]) AND (agro-industrial[title/abstract]). The systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Prospero) under the number CRD42024491021. After a detailed analysis based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 38 articles were used for data extraction and discussion of the results. Information was found from in vitro and in vivo experiments investigating a variety of residues from the agro-industry. The studies investigated peels, pomace/bagasse, pulp, seeds, aerial parts, cereals/grains and other types of waste. The most studied activities include mainly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but other activities such as antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiproliferative, antinociceptive, hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic and anticoagulant effects have also been described. Finally, the studies included in this review demonstrate the potential of agro-industrial waste and can drive future research with a focus on clinical application.

The telocytes relationship with satellite cells: Extracellular vesicles mediate the myotendinous junction remodeling.

The peripheral nerve injury (PNI) affects the morphology of the whole locomotor apparatus, which can reach the myotendinous junction (MTJ) interface. In the injury condition, the skeletal muscle satellite cells (SC) are triggered, activated, and proliferated to repair their structure, and in the MTJ, the telocytes (TC) are associated to support the interface with the need for remodeling; in that way, these cells can be associated with SC. The study aimed to describe the SC and TC relationship after PNI at the MTJ. Sixteen adult Wistar rats were divided into Control Group (C, n = 8) and PNI Group (PNI, n = 8), PNI was performed by the constriction of the sciatic nerve. The samples were processed for transmission electron microscopy and immunostaining analysis. In the C group was evidenced the arrangement of sarcoplasmic evaginations and invaginations, the support collagen layer with a TC inside it, and an SC through vesicles internally and externally to then. In the PNI group were observed the disarrangement of invaginations and evaginations and sarcomeres degradation at MTJ, as the disposition of telopodes adjacent and in contact to the SC with extracellular vesicles and exosomes in a characterized paracrine activity. These findings can determine a link between the TCs and the SCs at the MTJ remodeling. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Peripheral nerve injury promotes the myotendinous junction (MTJ) remodeling. The telocytes (TC) and the satellite cells (SC) are present at the myotendinous interface. TC mediated the SC activity at MTJ.

CPW partially attenuates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the gastrointestinal tract. The etiology is not fully understood, but environmental, microbial, and immunologic factors, as well as a genetic predisposition, play a role. UC is characterized by episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss, severe colonic inflammation, and ulceration. Despite the increase in the frequency of UC and the deterioration of the quality of life, there are still patients who do not respond well to available treatment options. Against this background, natural products such as polysaccharides are becoming increasingly important as they protect the intestinal mucosa, promote wound healing, relieve inflammation and pain, and restore intestinal motility. In this study, we investigated the effect of a polysaccharide isolated from the biomass of Campomanesia adamantium and Campomanesia pubescens (here referred to as CPW) in an experimental model of acute and chronic ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). CPW reversed weight loss, increased disease activity index (DAI), bloody diarrhea, and colon shortening. In addition, CPW reduced visceral mechanical hypersensitivity, controlled oxidative stress and inflammation, and protected the mucosal barrier. CPW is not absorbed in the intestine, does not inhibit cytochrome P450 proteins, and does not exhibit AMES toxicity. These results suggest that CPW attenuates DSS-induced acute and chronic colitis in mice and may be a potential alternative treatment for UC.

Polysaccharides from Passion Fruit Peels: From an Agroindustrial By-Product to a Viable Option for 5-FU-Induced Intestinal Damage.

Gastrointestinal mucositis is a serious and dose-limiting toxic side effect of oncologic treatment. Interruption of cancer treatment due to gastrointestinal mucositis leads to a significant decrease in cure rates and consequently to the deterioration of a patient's quality of life. Natural polysaccharides show a variety of beneficial effects, including a gastroprotective effect. Treatment with soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) biomass residues protected the gastric and intestinal mucosa in models of gastrointestinal injury. In this study, we investigated the protective therapeutic effect of SDF on 5-FU-induced mucositis in male and female mice. Oral treatment of the animals with SDF did not prevent weight loss but reduced the disease activity index and preserved normal intestinal function by alleviating diarrhea and altered gastrointestinal transit. SDF preserved the length of the colon and histological damage caused by 5-FU. SDF significantly restored the oxidative stress and inflammation in the intestine and the enlargement and swelling of the spleen induced by 5-FU. In conclusion, SDF may be a promising adjuvant strategy for the prevention and treatment of intestinal mucositis induced by 5-FU.

Rodent models for anticancer toxicity studies: Contributions to drug development and future perspectives.

Antineoplastic treatment induces a type of gastrointestinal toxicity known as mucositis. Findings in animal models are usually easily reproducible, and standardized treatment regimens are often used, thus supporting translational science. Essential characteristics of mucositis, including intestinal permeability, inflammation, immune and oxidative responses, and tissue repair mechanisms, can be easily investigated in these models. Given the effects of mucositis on the quality of life of patients with cancer, and the importance of experimental models in the development of more effective new therapeutic alternatives, this review discusses progress and current challenges in using experimental models of mucositis in translational pharmacology research.

Cardiovascular and Neurological Complications of COVID-19: A Narrative Review.

A novel coronavirus emerged in China in late 2019 as a disease named coronavirus disease 2019. This pathogen was initially identified as causing a respiratory syndrome, but later, it was found that COVID-19 could also affect other body systems, such as the neurological and cardiovascular systems. For didactic purposes, cardiovascular and neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 have been classified in three different groups: acute complications, late complications, and post-vaccine complications. Therefore, the following study has the goal to summarize and disseminate the present knowledge about the cardiovascular and neurological manifestations of COVID-19 based on the latest and most up-to-date data available and, thus, promote more prepared medical care for these conditions as the medical team is updated. Based on what is brought on this revision and its understanding, the medical service becomes more aware of the causal relationship between some conditions and COVID-19 and can better prepare for the most prevalent conditions to associate and, consequently, to treat patients earlier. Therefore, there is a chance of better prognoses in this context and the need to increase the number of studies about complications related to SARS-CoV-2 infection for a better understanding of other associated conditions.

Ultrastructural and Molecular Development of the Myotendinous Junction Triggered by Stretching Prior to Resistance Exercise.

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is a highly specialized region of the locomotor apparatus. Here, we investigated the ultrastructural and molecular effects in the MTJ region after static stretching prior to the ladder-based resistance training. Thirty-two male, 60-day old Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Sedentary, Resistance Training, Stretching, and Stretching-Resistance Training. The gastrocnemius muscle was processed for transmission electron microscopy techniques and Western blot assay. We observed that the static stretching prior to the ladder-based resistance training increased the MTJ components, the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and FGF-6 protein expression. Also, we demonstrated the lower transforming growth factor expression and no difference in the lysyl oxidase expression after combined training. The MTJ alterations in response to combined training demonstrate adaptive mechanisms which can be used for the prescription or development of methods to reduce or prevent injuries in humans and promote the myotendinous interface benefit.

Myotendinous Junction: Exercise Protocols Can Positively Influence Their Development in Rats.

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is an interface that different stimuli alter their morphology. One of the main stimuli to promote alterations in the MTJ morphology is physical exercise. The present study aimed to investigate the morphology and molecular MTJ adaptations of biceps brachii muscle in adult Wistar rats submitted to different ladder-based protocols. Forty Wistar rats (90 days old) were divided into four groups: Sedentary (S), Climbing (C), Overload Climbing (OC), Climbing, and Overload Climbing (COC). The results of light microscopy demonstrated the cell and collagen tissue reorganization in the experimental groups. The sarcomeres lengths of different regions showed a particular development according to the specific protocols. The sarcoplasmic invaginations and evaginations demonstrated positive increases that promoted the myotendinous interface development. In the extracellular matrix, the structures presented an increase principally in the COC group. Finally, the immunofluorescence analysis showed the telocytes disposition adjacent to the MTJ region in all experimental groups, revealing their network organization. Thus, we concluded that the different protocols contributed to the morphological adaptations with beneficial effects in distinct ways of tissue and cellular development and can be used as a model for MTJ remodeling to future proteomic and genetic analysis.

An overview of the gut side of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In late 2019, an outbreak of pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) initiated in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The major clinical symptoms described for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) include respiratory distress and pneumonia in severe cases, and some patients may experience gastrointestinal impairments. In accordance, viral RNA or live infectious virus have been detected in feces of patients with COVID-19. Binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a vital pathway for the virus entry into human cells, including those of the respiratory mucosa, esophageal epithelium as well as the absorptive enterocytes from ileum and colon. The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 receptor may decrease the receptor expression and disrupt the function of B0AT1 transporter influencing the diarrhea observed in COVID-19 patients. In this context, a fecal-oral transmission route has been considered and points out a role for the digestive tract in disease transmission and severity. Here, in order to further understand the impact of COVID-19 in human physiology, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity are discussed in the context of gastrointestinal disturbances.

Description of the puparium and adult genitalia of Dactylodeictes brevifacies James, 1974 (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

The puparium of Dactylodeictes brevifacies was described based on fifty-eight specimens reared in laboratory until the emergence of adults. Larvae were collected under the bark of fallen trees in a Cerrado vegetation, Gallery forest; Palm swamp (Vereda) and open grassland (Campo Limpo) in States of Goiás and Tocantins, Brazil (New Record). The puparium was compared with that of Brachyodina lopesi, the most closely related species with a described puparium. Despite this species clearly shared the larval pachygastrinae features it has a remarkable character not know before for this subfamily: the presence of four pairs of ventral setae (V) in the eighth abdominal segment in ventral view, while in other larvae and puparia of this subfamily, there are five pairs of ventral setae. The adult male and female were described and figured.(AU)

Description of the puparium and adult genitalia of Dactylodeictes brevifacies James, 1974 (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

The puparium of Dactylodeictes brevifacies was described based on fifty-eight specimens reared in laboratory until the emergence of adults. Larvae were collected under the bark of fallen trees in a Cerrado vegetation, Gallery forest; Palm swamp (Vereda) and open grassland (Campo Limpo) in States of Goiás and Tocantins, Brazil (New Record). The puparium was compared with that of Brachyodina lopesi, the most closely related species with a described puparium. Despite this species clearly shared the larval pachygastrinae features it has a remarkable character not know before for this subfamily: the presence of four pairs of ventral setae (V) in the eighth abdominal segment in ventral view, while in other larvae and puparia of this subfamily, there are five pairs of ventral setae. The adult male and female were described and figured.

Description of the puparium and adult genitalia of Dactylodeictes brevifacies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Abstract The puparium of Dactylodeictes brevifacies was described based on fifty-eight specimens reared in laboratory until the emergence of adults. Larvae were collected under the bark of fallen trees in a Cerrado vegetation, Gallery forest; Palm swamp (Vereda) and open grassland (Campo Limpo) in States of Goiás and Tocantins, Brazil (New Record). The puparium was compared with that of Brachyodina lopesi, the most closely related species with a described puparium. Despite this species clearly shared the larval pachygastrinae features it has a remarkable character not know before for this subfamily: the presence of four pairs of ventral setae (V) in the eighth abdominal segment in ventral view, while in other larvae and puparia of this subfamily, there are five pairs of ventral setae. The adult male and female were described and figured.

Amantadine-induced livedo reticularis--Case report.

Livedo reticularis is a spastic-anatomical condition of the small vessels which translates morphologically by a reticular pattern, interspersing cyanosis, pallor and erythema. The same can be congenital or acquired. Among the acquired, we highlight the physiological livedo reticularis and the idiopathic livedo by vasospasm; the latter configures the most common cause. The drug-induced type is less common. The drugs amantadine and norepinephrine are often implicated. Cyanosis is usually reversible if the causative factor is removed, however, with chronicity, the vessels may become permanently dilated and telangiectatic. We report a case of a patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease with chronic livedo reticularis associated with the use of amantadine and improvement after discontinuation of the drug.

Amantadine-induced livedo reticularis - Case report

AbstractLivedo reticularis is a spastic-anatomical condition of the small vessels which translates morphologically by a reticular pattern, interspersing cyanosis, pallor and erythema. The same can be congenital or acquired. Among the acquired, we highlight the physiological livedo reticularis and the idiopathic livedo by vasospasm; the latter configures the most common cause. The drug-induced type is less common. The drugs amantadine and norepinephrine are often implicated. Cyanosis is usually reversible if the causative factor is removed, however, with chronicity, the vessels may become permanently dilated and telangiectatic. We report a case of a patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease with chronic livedo reticularis associated with the use of amantadine and improvement after discontinuation of the drug.

Penfigoide bolhoso induzido por enalapril / Bullous pemphigoid induced by enalapril

O penfigoide bolhoso (PB) é uma dermatose bolhosa autoimune subepidérmica que comumente afeta indivíduos idosos. O desencadeamento da doença por medicamentos é conhecido, entretanto, pouco descrito na literatura, especialmente casos associados ao uso de enalapril. A interrupção do fármaco desencadeante constitui o pilar terapêutico, entretanto medicações podem ser necessárias. Descrevemos um caso de PB em um paciente com 45 anos associado ao uso do enalapril e discutimos sobre a variante de PB induzida por medicamentos.

[The green rural economy: challenges to research and to public health policies posed by agricultural modernization]. / O verde da economia no campo: desafios à pesquisa e às políticas públicas para a promoção da saúde no avanço da modernização agrícola.

In this paper, we ask ourselves who should, can and has the will to promote health in the rural zone today. The fields of science and public policy were chosen as our primary focus of dialogue conducted from the perspective of the right to health and a healthy environment. Seven lessons emerged: (1) in addition to the surveillance of isolated chemical risks, the relation between agrochemicals and health should be investigated in the context of conservative agricultural modernization; (2) it is mandatory and urgent to discover the health problems related to the use of agrochemicals; (3) the State has been successful in its support of agribusiness, but highly inefficient at enforcing policies to safeguard social rights; (4) sectors of society linked to rural organizations have played an important role in the public policies combating agrochemicals and protecting health; (5) studies must help deconstruct the myths surrounding the Green Revolution model; (6) we are faced with the challenge of contributing to the construction of an emerging scientific paradigm founded on an ethical-political commitment to the most vulnerable social elements; (7) rural communities are creating agro-ecological alternatives for life in semiarid areas.

O verde da economia no campo: desafios à pesquisa e às políticas públicas para a promoção da saúde no avanço da modernização agrícola / The green rural economy: challenges to research and to public health policies posed by agricultural modernization

Neste ensaio, é feita a pergunta de quem deve, pode e quer promover a saúde no campo hoje. Foi eleito, prioritariamente, o campo da ciência e o das políticas públicas como foco de diálogo. Configurou-se oito lições aprendidas sob a perspectiva dos direitos à saúde a um ambiente saudável, aqui compartilhadas: (1) para além de um risco químico isolado, a relação entre agrotóxicos e saúde deve ser estudada no contexto da modernização agrícola conservadora; (2) é necessário e urgente que se proceda ao desvelamento dos agravos à saúde relacionados aos agrotóxicos; (3) o Estado tem tido significativa eficácia no apoio ao agronegócio e significativa ineficácia nas políticas sociais de garantia de direitos dos trabalhadores e da população; (4) setores da sociedade ligados às organizações do campo vêm desempenhando importante papel na política pública de combate aos agrotóxicos e de proteção da saúde; (5) é importante que os estudos contribuam para a desconstrução dos mitos que sustentam o modelo da Revolução Verde; (6) se está diante do desafio de contribuir na construção de um paradigma emergente de ciência, fundado no compromisso ético-político com os mais vulneráveis; (7) comunidades camponesas vêm construindo alternativas agroecológicas de vida no semiárido.

In this paper, we ask ourselves who should, can and has the will to promote health in the rural zone today. The fields of science and public policy were chosen as our primary focus of dialogue conducted from the perspective of the right to health and a healthy environment. Seven lessons emerged: (1) in addition to the surveillance of isolated chemical risks, the relation between agrochemicals and health should be investigated in the context of conservative agricultural modernization; (2) it is mandatory and urgent to discover the health problems related to the use of agrochemicals; (3) the State has been successful in its support of agribusiness, but highly inefficient at enforcing policies to safeguard social rights; (4) sectors of society linked to rural organizations have played an important role in the public policies combating agrochemicals and protecting health; (5) studies must help deconstruct the myths surrounding the Green Revolution model; (6) we are faced with the challenge of contributing to the construction of an emerging scientific paradigm founded on an ethical-political commitment to the most vulnerable social elements; (7) rural communities are creating agro-ecological alternatives for life in semiarid areas.

Distribuição e biologia do Aedes albopictus no Brasil: um problema em potencial de saúde pública / Distribution and biology of Aedes albopictus in Brazil: a potential problem for public health

O risco de Ae. albopictus relaciona-se à transmissão de arboviroses como dengue e febre amarela. A descrição da sua distribuição geográfica no Brasil e caracterização biológica tornam-se importantes, focalizando seu controle. Encontra-se disperso em todo o País, mostrando adaptabilidade a diferentes hábitats, e seus criadouros variam desde depósitos artiiciais àqueles naturais. A presença do Ae. albopictus aumenta a probabilidade de início da transmissão de febre amarela urbana no Brasil, e o desafio é a redução da incidência de formas graves de dengue. Seu controle está associado necessariamente a ações intersetoriais de vigilância em saúde, envolvendo ações na atenção primária e junto à população.

The risk of Ae. albopictus is related to the transmission of arboviruses as dengue and yellow fever. The description of its geographical distribution in Brazil and biological characterization become important, focusing its control. It is dispersed throughout the country showing adaptability to different habitats, their breeding range from natural to artificial deposits. The presence of Ae. albopictus increases the likelihood of initiating transmission of urban yellow fever in Brazil, and the challenge is the incidence reduction of serious forms of dengue. Its control is associated necessarily intersectoral health surveillance, involving primary health care and the population.

Correlation between Enterococcus faecalis biofilms development stage and quantitative surface roughness using atomic force microscopy.

Biofilms are assemblages of microorganisms and their associated extracellular products at an interface and typically with an abiotic or biotic surface. The study of the morphology of biofilms is important because they are associated with processes of biofouling, corrosion, catalysis, pollutant transformation, dental caries, drug resistance, and so forth. In the literature, biofilms have been examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), which has proven to be a potent tool to study different aspects of the biofilm development on solid surfaces. In this work, we used AFM to investigate topographical changes during the development process of Enterococcus faecalis biofilms, which were generated on sterile cellulose nitrate membrane (CNM) filters in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth agar blood plates after 24, 36, 72, 192, and 360 h. AFM height images showed topographical changes due to biofilm development, which were used to characterize several aspects of the bacterial surface, such as the presence of extracellular polymeric substance, and the biofilm development stage. Changes in the development stage of the biofilm were shown to correlate with changes in the surface roughness as quantified through the mean roughness.