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Limnoperna fortunei, the golden mussel, is a bivalve mollusk considered an invader in South America. This species is responsible for ecological and economic damages due to its voluminous fouling capability. Chemical biocides such as MXD-100™ and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) are often used to control L. fortunei infestations in hydraulic systems. Thus, we proposed to investigate the effects of different periods (24, 48 and 72 h) of exposure to MXD-100™ (0.56 mg L−1) and NaDCC (1.5 mg L−1) on the gills of L. fortunei through morphological and molecular analyses. NaDCC promoted progressive morphological changes during the analyzed periods and only an upregulation of SOD and HSP70 expression during the first 24 h of exposure. MXD-100™ led to severe morphological changes from the first period of exposure, in addition to an upregulation of SOD, CAT, HSP70 and CYP expression during the first 24 h. In contrast, MXD-100™ led to a downregulation of CAT transcription between 24 and 48 h. In static conditions, NaDCC causes lethal damage after 72 h of exposure, and that exposure needs to be continuous to achieve the control of the species. Meanwhile, the MXD-100™ treatment presented several effects during the first 24 h, showing acute toxicity in a shorter period of time.

The COVID-19 pandemic was initiated by the rapid spread of a SARS-CoV-2 strain. Though mainly classified as a respiratory disease, SARS-CoV-2 infects multiple tissues throughout the human body, leading to a wide range of symptoms in patients. To better understand how SARS-CoV-2 affects the proteome from cells with different ontologies, this work generated an infectome atlas of 9 cell models, including cells from brain, blood, digestive system, and adipocyte tissue. Our data shows that SARS-CoV-2 infection mainly trigger dysregulations on proteins related to cellular structure and energy metabolism. Despite these pivotal processes, heterogeneity of infection was also observed, highlighting many proteins and pathways uniquely dysregulated in one cell type or ontological group. These data have been made searchable online via a tool that will permit future submissions of proteomic data ( https://reisdeoliveira.shinyapps.io/Infectome_App/ ) to enrich and expand this knowledgebase.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous noncoding RNAs, and alterations in their expression may contribute to oncogenesis. Discovering a unique miRNA pattern holds the potential for early detection and novel treatment possibilities in cancer. This study aimed to evaluate miRNA expression in pediatric patients with gonadal germ cell tumors (GCTs), focusing on characterizing the miRNA profiles of each histological subtype and identifying a distinct histological miRNA signature for a total of 42 samples of pediatric gonadal GCTs. The analysis revealed distinct miRNA expression profiles for all histological types, regardless of the primary site. We identified specific miRNA expression signatures for each histological type, including 34 miRNAs for dysgerminomas, 13 for embryonal carcinomas, 25 for yolk sac tumors, and one for immature teratoma, compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we identified 26 miRNAs that were commonly expressed in malignant tumors, with six miRNAs (miR‐302a‐3p, miR‐302b‐3p, miR‐371a‐5p, miR‐372‐3p, miR‐373‐3p, and miR‐367‐3p) showing significant overexpression. Notably, miR‐302b‐3p exhibited a significant association with all the evaluated clinical features. Our findings suggest that miRNAs have the potential to aid in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of patients with malignant GCTs. Germ cell tumors cover a spectrum of benign or malignant neoplasms in children that can present with different clinical presentations and in different locations. Discovering a unique miRNA pattern holds the potential for early detection and novel treatment possibilities. miRNA expression profiling reveals distinct signatures for each malignant histology of these tumors, offering applications in diagnosis, prognosis, and potential targeted therapy.

Despite its importance as a vital nutrient for animals and humans, selenium (Se) deficiency in plants and human diets is a significant concern due to its low soil concentrations. Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ), a resilient crop widely cultivated in developing nations, shows potential for agronomic biofortification with Se. However, its genotypic diversity and ability to improve essential element uptake are often overlooked in breeding programs. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Se biofortification in 20 cowpea genotypes, specifically examining the physiological responses related to photosynthetic pigments in leaves, nitrogen compounds, and sugar concentration in grains. Results revealed that Se application led to an increased cowpea yield. Additionally, all genotypes exhibited elevated sucrose and total sugar concentrations in grains, along with increased photosynthetic pigment levels in leaves upon Se supplementation. Notably, the application of Se resulted in increased allantoin, allantoic acid, and total ureide concentrations in all genotypes with highest yield, indicating enhanced nitrogen fixation in cowpea plants by Se in this genotype. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential of Se biofortification to improve the nutritional quality of cowpea grains by increasing Se and sugar concentrations, ultimately enhancing crop yields through improved nitrogen metabolism. This information can guide future breeding programs aimed at enhancing cowpea grain quality and nutritional value through biofortification strategies.

Cultivated tomato, Solanum lycopersicum , is one of the most common fruits in the global food industry. Together with the wild tomato Solanum pennellii , it is widely used for developing better cultivars. MicroRNAs affect mRNA regulation, inhibiting its translation and/or promoting its degradation. Important proteins involved in these processes are ARGONAUTE and DICER. This study aimed to identify and characterize the genes involved in the miRNA processing pathway, miRNA molecules and target genes in both species. We validated the presence of pathway genes and miRNA in different NGS libraries and 6 miRNA families using quantitative RT-PCR. We identified 71 putative proteins in S . lycopersicum and 108 in S . pennellii likely involved in small RNAs processing. Of these, 29 and 32 participate in miRNA processing pathways, respectively. We identified 343 mature miRNAs, 226 pre-miRNAs in 87 families, including 192 miRNAs, which were not previously identified, belonging to 38 new families in S . lycopersicum . In S . pennellii , we found 388 mature miRNAs and 234 pre-miRNAs contained in 85 families. All miRNAs found in S . pennellii were unpublished, being identified for the first time in our study. Furthermore, we identified 2471 and 3462 different miRNA target in S. lycopersicum and S . pennellii , respectively.

BackgroundSporothrix brasiliensis is the principal etiological agent responsible for cat-transmitted zoonotic sporotrichosis, which is currently the most prevalent mycosis in South America—especially in Brazil—and is increasingly being reported in other regions. While itraconazole is the standard treatment, its use is limited by hepatotoxicity, high cost, and emerging reports of reduced susceptibility. Complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) with transition metals have previously shown promise as antifungal agents against bacteria, parasites, yeasts and filamentous fungi. This study investigates the in vitro and in vivo antifungal properties of [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2.4H2O (Cu-phendione) and [Ag(phendione)2]ClO4 (Ag-phendione) against S. brasiliensis isolates from domestic felines in endemic regions. MethodsSix clinical isolates of S. brasiliensis obtained from cutaneous lesions in six felines with laboratory-confirmed sporotrichosis from hyperendemic regions in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were investigated. Selection was made according to in vitro Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) response criteria for itraconazole (“wild type” WT = MIC ≤ 2 µg/mL; “non-wild type” NWT = MIC ≥ 4 µg/mL). The American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)S. brasiliensis MYA 4823 was included. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of phendione, its metal complexes, and simple silver and copper salts were evaluated against S. brasiliensis saprophytic and parasitic phases. Additionally, in vivo antifungal efficacy was assessed using Galleria mellonella larvae as a model. ResultsBoth metal complexes exhibited low MIC (0.3–5 µM) and MFC (0.3–10 µM) values against conidia and yeast forms of both WT (“sensitive”) and NWT (“resistant”) S. brasiliensis clinical isolates. Notably, MFC values were equal to or at most twice the MICs, indicating a fungicidal profile, even against itraconazole-resistant strains. Galleria mellonella treated groups exhibited higher values than the S. brasiliensis group (6.0 days) while all compounds provided larvae mean survival higher than the itraconazole treated group (p > 0.05). Cu-phendione was the compound that conferred the highest median survival (8.0 days). DiscussionSilver(I) and Copper(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione demonstrated both inhibitory and fungicidal activity against itraconazole-resistant S. brasiliensis isolates from diseased cats residing in the Brazilian hyperendemic region, highlighting their promise as novel antifungal agents. This finding is notable because drugs currently used for sporotrichosis treatment are characterized as fungistatic. This study provides data on alternative molecules that may be considered for future control of sporotrichosis, a zoonosis currently spreading throughout Latin America.

Recently, the well-known geographically wide distribution of sporotrichosis in Brazil, combined with the difficulties of effective domestic feline treatment, has emphasized the pressing need for new therapeutic alternatives. This work considers a range of synthetic derivatives as potential antifungals against Sporothrix brasiliensis isolated from cats from the hyperendemic Brazilian region. Six S. brasiliensis isolates from the sporotrichotic lesions of itraconazole responsive or non-responsive domestic cats were studied. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of three novel hydrazone derivatives and eleven novel quinone derivatives were determined using the broth microdilution method (M38-A2). In silico tests were also used to predict the pharmacological profile and toxicity parameters of these synthetic derivatives. MICs and MFCs ranged from 1 to >128 µg/mL. The ADMET computational analysis failed to detect toxicity while a good pharmacological predictive profile, with parameters similar to itraconazole, was obtained. Three hydrazone derivatives were particularly promising candidates as antifungal agents against itraconazole-resistant S. brasiliensis from the Brazilian hyperendemic region. Since sporotrichosis is a neglected zoonosis currently spreading in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, the present data can contribute to its future control by alternative antifungal drug design against S. brasiliensis, the most virulent and prevalent species of the hyperendemic context.

This article aimed to evaluate, using statistical tools, the generation and composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the city of Belém, Pará, from nine urban collection sectors in the municipality and the average nominal income of the population. Approximately 900 kg of urban solid waste was collected from the municipality in the period from 2021 to 2022. Statistical tests were carried out on hypotheses with 5% significance in comparative evaluations and their respective average nominal incomes. The results indicated that the organic fraction corresponded to 55.57% of the waste generated in the municipality, 14.26% was inert waste (potentially contaminating), and 0.67% was miscellaneous waste. It was observed that the waste generated by families with high purchasing power tended to contain higher percentages of recyclables while in families with lower purchasing power, the highest percentages tended to be organic. Knowledge of the generation of MSW is fundamental for the choice and dimensioning of operations and processes involved in the management chain at the municipal level. The decentralization of services offered based on solid waste management would enable greater success in serving the population.

This paper presents the observational, remote sensing, and model simulation used to analyze southern Brazil Antarctic ozone hole influence (SBAOHI) events that occurred between 2005 and 2014. To analyze it, we use total ozone column (TOC) data provided by a Brewer spectrophotometer (BS) and the OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument). In addition to the AURA/MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) instrument, satellite ozone profiles were utilized with DYBAL (Dynamical Barrier Localization) code in the MIMOSA (Modélisation Isentrope du Transport Mésoéchelle de l’Ozone Stratosphérique par Advection) model Potential Vorticity (PV) fields. TOC has 7.0 ± 2.9 DU reductions average in 62 events. October has more events (30.7%). Polar tongue events are 19.3% in total, being more frequently observed in October (50% of cases), with medium intensity (58.2%), and in the stratosphere medium levels (55.0%). Already, polar filament events (80.7%) are more frequent in September (32.0%), with medium intensity (42.0%), and stratosphere medium levels (40.7%).

Selenium (Se) is a beneficial element for plants and is essential for human nutrition. In plants, it plays an important role in the formation of selenocysteine and selenomethionine and in the activation of hydrolytic enzymes, which can aid in seed germination and reduce abiotic stress during germination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the application of selenium sources and rates to the soil on the physiological quality of cowpea seeds. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications and a factorial scheme (7 × 2). Two sources of Se (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) and seven rates (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 g ha−1) were used. Physiological characterization was carried out by first counting of germination, germination, emergence, accelerated aging, cold testing, electrical conductivity, length and dry biomass of shoots and roots. Germination after accelerated aging increased with selenate, even at higher rates, whereas selenite provided benefits at lower rates. Selenation linearly increased germination after the cold test and linearly reduced electrolyte leakage as the Se rate increased. The soil application of Se is beneficial for cowpea seed quality. Compared with those treated with sodium selenite, cowpea plants treated with sodium selenate through the soil produce more vigorous seeds. The application of 10 g ha−1 Se in the form of sodium selenate provides seedlings with faster germination and root development and is an alternative for rapid stand establishment.