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Eukaryotic initiation factor 2B, eIF2B is a guanine nucleotide exchange, factor with a central role in coordinating the initiation of translation. During stress and disease, the activity of eIF2B is inhibited via the phosphorylation of its substrate eIF2 (p-eIF2α). A number of different kinases respond to various stresses leading to the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2, and collectively this regulation is known as the integrated stress response, ISR. This targeting of eIF2B allows the cell to regulate protein synthesis and reprogramme gene expression to restore homeostasis. Advances within structural biology have furthered our understanding of how eIF2B interacts with eIF2 in both the productive GEF active form and the non-productive eIF2α phosphorylated form. Here, current knowledge of the role of eIF2B in the ISR is discussed within the context of normal and disease states focusing particularly on diseases such as vanishing white matter disease (VWMD) and permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM), which are directly linked to mutations in eIF2B. The role of eIF2B in synaptic plasticity and memory formation is also discussed. In addition, the cellular localisation of eIF2B is reviewed and considered along with the role of additional in vivo eIF2B binding factors and protein modifications that may play a role in modulating eIF2B activity during health and disease.

The increased resistance of bacteria against conventional pharmaceutical solutions, the antibiotics, has raised serious health concerns. This has stimulated interest in the development of bio-based therapeutics with limited resistance, namely, essential oils (EOs) or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). This study envisaged the evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of selected biomolecules, namely LL37, pexiganan, tea tree oil (TTO), cinnamon leaf oil (CLO) and niaouli oil (NO), against four bacteria commonly associated to nosocomial infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibiotic vancomycin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were used as control compounds for comparison purposes. The biomolecules were initially screened for their antibacterial efficacy using the agar-diffusion test, followed by the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), kill-time kinetics and the evaluation of the cell morphology upon 24 h exposure. All agents were effective against the selected bacteria. Interestingly, the AgNPs required a higher concentration (4000–1250 μg/mL) to induce the same effects as the AMPs (500–7.8 μg/mL) or EOs (365.2–19.7 μg/mL). Pexiganan and CLO were the most effective biomolecules, requiring lower concentrations to kill both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (62.5–7.8 μg/mL and 39.3–19.7 μg/mL, respectively), within a short period of time (averaging 2 h 15 min for all bacteria). Most biomolecules apparently disrupted the bacteria membrane stability due to the observed cell morphology deformation and by effecting on the intracellular space. AMPs were observed to induce morphological deformations and cellular content release, while EOs were seen to split and completely envelope bacteria. Data unraveled more of the potential of these new biomolecules as replacements for the conventional antibiotics and allowed us to take a step forward in the understanding of their mechanisms of action against infection-related bacteria.

Nanotechnology is a powerful tool for engineering functional materials that has the potential to transform textiles into high-performance, value-added products. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the development of functional textiles using metal nanoparticles (MNPs). The incorporation of MNPs in textiles allows for the obtention of multifunctional properties, such as ultraviolet (UV) protection, self-cleaning, and electrical conductivity, as well as antimicrobial, antistatic, antiwrinkle, and flame retardant properties, without compromising the inherent characteristics of the textile. Environmental sustainability is also one of the main motivations in development and innovation in the textile industry. Thus, the synthesis of MNPs using ecofriendly sources, such as polysaccharides, is of high importance. The main functions of polysaccharides in these processes are the reduction and stabilization of MNPs, as well as the adhesion of MNPs onto fabrics. This review covers the major research attempts to obtain textiles with different functional properties using polysaccharides and MNPs. The main polysaccharides reported include chitosan, alginate, starch, cyclodextrins, and cellulose, with silver, zinc, copper, and titanium being the most explored MNPs. The potential applications of these functionalized textiles are also reported, and they include healthcare (wound dressing, drug release), protection (antimicrobial activity, UV protection, flame retardant), and environmental remediation (catalysts).

Africa is entering a new fire paradigm, with climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure shifting the patterns of frequency and severity. Thus, it is crucial to use available information and technologies to understand vegetation dynamics during the post-fire recovery processes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the seasonal spatio-temporal trends of vegetation recovery in response to fires across Africa, from 2001 to 2020. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) products comparing the following three-month seasonal periods: December-February (DJF), March-May (MAM), June-August (JJA), and September-November (SON). We evaluated the seasonal spatial trends of NDVI in burned areas by hemisphere, territory, or country, and by land cover types, and fire recurrences, with a focus on forested areas. The relationships between the seasonal spatial trend and three climatic variables (i.e. maximum air temperature, precipitation, and vapor pressure deficit) were then analyzed. For the 8.7 million km 2 burned in Africa over the past 22 years, we observed several seasonal spatial trends of NDVI. The highest proportions of areas with increasing trend ( p < 0.05) was recorded in MAM for both hemispheres, with 22.0% in the Northern Hemisphere and 17.4% in the Southern Hemisphere. In contrast, areas with decreasing trends ( p < 0.05), showed 4.8–5.5% of burned area in the Northern Hemisphere, peaking in JJA, while the Southern Hemisphere showed a range of 7.1 to 10.9% with the highest proportion also in JJA. Regarding land cover types, 48.0% of fires occurred in forests, 24.1% in shrublands, 16.6% in agricultural fields, and 8.9% in grasslands/savannas. Consistent with the overall trend, the area exhibiting an increasing trend in NDVI values ( p < 0.05) within forested regions had the highest proportion in MAM, with 19.9% in the Northern Hemisphere and 20.6% in the Southern Hemisphere. Conversely, the largest decreasing trend (p < 0.05) was observed in DJF in the Northern Hemisphere (2.7–2.9%) and in JJA in the Southern Hemisphere (7.2–10.4%). Seasonally, we found a high variability of regeneration trends of forested areas based on fire recurrences. In addition, we found that of the three climatic variables, increasing vapor pressure deficit values were more related to decreasing NDVI levels. These results indicate a strong component of seasonality with respect to fires, trends of vegetation increase or decrease in the different vegetation covers of the African continent, and they contribute to the understanding of climatic conditions that contribute to vegetation recovery. This information is helpful for researchers and decision makers to act on specific sites during restoration processes.

The Belostoma plebejum group comprises nine species, and the most evident characteristic shared by all species of the group is a phallus that is strongly curved ventrally. The difficulty in studying its species is much aggravated by the scarcity of identified material in Brazilian collections, and this has negatively impacted phylogenetic studies within the group. We tested the monophyly of the B. plebejum group using discrete and continuous characters under different weighting schemes and inferences. We described B. lanemeloi sp. nov. and B. nieseri sp. nov. and they served as the basis to study the phylogenetic relationships. A strict-consensus tree recovered under maximum parsimony and with implicit weighting scheme is as follows: ( B. parvum , (( B. lanemeloi sp. nov. , ( B. nessimiani , B. nieseri sp. nov. )), ( B. micantulum var1, ( B. micantulum var2, ( B. estevezae , (( B. plebejum , ( B. minusculum var1, B. minusculum var2)), (( B. nicaeum var1, B. nicaeum var2), (( B. lariversi var1, B. lariversi var2), ( B. pygmeum var1, B. pygmeum var2))). The monophyly of the B. plebejum group is corroborated by four non-homoplastic synapomorphies, and the aforementioned condition of the phallus is one of them. We tested the phylogenetic integrity of some species of the B. plebejum group, and only the exemplars of B. micantulum did not constitute monophyletic clades. Comparing the topologies obtained by different approaches clearly showed the presence of different scenarios in terms of heterogeneity of evolutionary rates among characters, but this could also be influenced by the disproportionate number of discrete characters compared with continuous characters.

Abstract The objective of the present study was to characterize non-classical class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in buffaloes and evaluate the expression of these genes in different tissue components of the placenta of buffaloes during pregnancy and in trophoblastic cells after stimulation using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To do this, DNA was extracted from the blood of buffaloes and was subjected to PCR testing and sequencing of the genes NC3 and MICB. The RNA extracted from the placentome and intercotyledonary region of buffaloes in their first (n = 6), second (n = 6) and third (n = 6) trimesters of gestation was subjected to real-time PCR. Explants were created using the chorioallantoic membrane and two experimental groups were established: control and stimulated with LPS for four hours to evaluate the gene expression profile. Analysis on the sequences obtained showed that the genes NC3 and MICB of buffaloes were homologous with those of cattle, with high similarity in the analysis on the sequence variation pattern. The gene expression analysis showed that the genes assessed were transcribed at stages and in placental tissue that differed from what was seen in cattle. The transcription of these genes varied in the tissues studied, with greater transcription of MICB in the intercotyledonary region over the first third of gestation, while the genes studied in the placentome presented low rates of transcription. The trophoblastic cells of the chorioallantoic membrane stimulated with LPS for six hours did not present non-classic MFC-I transcription alterations. The present study therefore provides additional knowledge regarding the immune regulation of placental tissues of buffaloes. Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar genes não clássicos do complexo principal de histocompatibilidade (MHC) de classe I em búfalas e avaliar a expressão desses genes em diferentes componentes teciduais da placenta de búfalas durante a gestação e em células trofoblásticas após estimulação com lipopolissacarídeo (LPS). Para isso, o DNA foi extraído do sangue de búfalos e submetido a testes de PCR e sequenciamento dos genes NC3 e MICB. O RNA extraído do placentônio e região intercotiledonar de búfalas no primeiro (n = 6), segundo (n = 6) e terceiro (n = 6) trimestres de gestação foi submetido à PCR em tempo real. Explantes foram criados usando a membrana corioalantóide e dois grupos experimentais foram estabelecidos: controle e estimulado com LPS por quatro horas para avaliar o perfil de expressão gênica. A análise das sequências obtidas mostrou que os genes NC3 e MICB de búfalos foram homólogos aos de bovinos, com alta similaridade na análise do padrão de variação de sequência. A análise da expressão gênica mostrou que os genes avaliados foram transcritos em estágios e em tecido placentário diferentes do observado em bovinos. A transcrição desses genes variou nos tecidos estudados, com maior transcrição de MICB na região intercotiledonar ao longo do primeiro terço da gestação, enquanto os genes estudados no placentoma apresentaram baixas taxas de transcrição. As células trofoblásticas da membrana corioalantóide estimuladas com LPS por seis horas não apresentaram alterações não clássicas na transcrição da MFC-I. O presente estudo, portanto, fornece conhecimento adicional sobre a regulação imune de tecidos placentários de búfalos.

The aim of the present study was to develop a specific formula by measuring the developing teeth, carpal bones, and epiphyses of the ulna and radius to determine the chronological age in Turkish children. The left developing permanent mandibular teeth were evaluated, and the number of teeth with closed apex was recorded. The distance between the inner sides of open apex/apices was measured by using the ImageJ program and divided by the tooth length. The sum of the normalized open apices was also calculated. The carpal area (Ca), covering the epiphyses of ulna and radius and the carpal bones, was measured on the X-rays of left hand. The areas of each carpal bone and epiphyses of the ulna and radius were measured, and these measurements were added together to obtain the bone area (Bo). The Bo/Ca ratio between the total area of carpal bones and the carpal area was calculated to normalize the measurements. The accuracy of the equations formulated by Cameriere was evaluated, and a new regression equation was developed accordingly. The new formula showed no statistically significant difference between the chronological and the estimated age for females, males, and total sample. The new formula, which hit the age with 72.80% accuracy, was more successful in predicting chronological age than other adjusted regression equations. The new regression model, created for the Turkish children by using both developing teeth and hand-wrist bones, was considerably successful in estimating the chronological age.

Aims/hypothesis Several risk stratification systems have been proposed for predicting development of diabetic foot ulcer. However, little has been published that assesses their similarities and disparities, diagnostic accuracy and evidence level. Consequently, we conducted a systematic review of the existing stratification systems. Methods We searched the MEDLINE database for studies (published until April 2010) describing the creation and validation of risk stratification systems for prediction of diabetic foot ulcer development. Results We included 13 studies describing or evaluating the following different risk degree stratification systems: University of Texas; International Working Group on Diabetic Foot; Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN); American Diabetes Association; and Boyko and colleagues. We confirmed that five variables were included in almost all the systems: diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, foot deformity, and previous foot ulcer and amputation. The number of variables included ranged from four to eight and the number of risk groups from two to six. Only four studies reported or allowed the calculation of diagnostic accuracy measures. The SIGN system showed some higher diagnostic accuracy values, particularly positive likelihood ratio, while predictive ability was confirmed through external validation only in the system of Boyko et al. Conclusions/interpretation Foot ulcer risk stratification systems are a much needed tool for screening patients with diabetes. The core variables of various systems are very similar, but the number of included variables in each model and risk groups varied greatly. Overall, the quality of evidence for these systems is low, as little validation of their predictive ability has been done.

The understanding of acclimation strategies to low temperature and water availability is decisive to ensure coffee crop sustainability, since these environmental conditions determine the suitability of cultivation areas. In this context, the impacts of single and combined exposure to drought and cold were evaluated in three genotypes of the two major cropped species, Coffea arabica cv. Icatu, Coffea canephora cv. Apoatã, and the hybrid Obatã. Crucial traits of plant resilience to environmental stresses have been examined: photosynthesis, lipoperoxidation and the antioxidant response. Drought and/or cold promoted leaf dehydration, which was accompanied by stomatal and mesophyll limitations that impaired leaf C-assimilation in all genotypes. However, Icatu showed a lower impact upon stress exposure and a faster and complete photosynthetic recovery. Although lipoperoxidation was increased by drought (Icatu) and cold (all genotypes), it was greatly reduced by stress interaction, especially in Icatu. In fact, although the antioxidative system was reinforced under single drought and cold exposure (e.g., activity of enzymes as Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, APX, glutathione reductase and catalase, CAT), the stronger increases were observed upon the simultaneous exposure to both stresses, which was accompanied with a transcriptional response of some genes, namely related to APX. Complementary, non-enzyme antioxidant molecules were promoted mostly by cold and the stress interaction, including α-tocopherol (in C. arabica plants), ascorbate (ASC), zeaxanthin, and phenolic compounds (all genotypes). In general, drought promoted antioxidant enzymes activity, whereas cold enhanced the synthesis of both enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidants, the latter likely related to a higher need of antioxidative capability when enzyme reactions were probably quite repressed by low temperature. Icatu showed the wider antioxidative capability, with the triggering of all studied antioxidative molecules by drought (except CAT), cold, and, particularly, stress interaction (except ASC), revealing a clear stress cross-tolerance. This justified the lower impacts on membrane lipoperoxidation and photosynthetic capacity under stress interaction conditions, related to a better ROS control. These findings are also relevant to coffee water management, showing that watering in the cold season should be largely avoided.

Physical, physicochemical, and microbiological changes were monitored in 256 samples of artisanal Minas cheese from eight producers from Serro region (Minas Gerais, Brazil) for 64 days of ripening to determine the minimum ripening time for the cheese to reach the safe microbiological limits established by Brazilian legislation. The cheeses were produced between dry season (April-September) and rainy season (October-March); 128 cheeses were ripened at room temperature (25 ± 4 °C), and 128 were ripened under refrigeration (8 ± 1 °C), as a control. No Listeria monocytogenes was found, but one cheese under refrigeration had Salmonella at first 15 days of ripening. However, after 22 days, the pathogen was not detected. Seventeen days was the minimum ripening time at room temperature to reduce at safe limits of total coliforms > 1000 cfu.g (-1) ), Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (> 100 cfu.g (-1) ) in both periods of manufacture. Otherwise under refrigeration, as expected, the minimum ripening time was longer, 33 days in the dry season and 63 days in the rainy season. To sum up, we suggest that the ripening of artisanal Minas cheese be done at room temperature, since this condition shortens the time needed to reach the microbiological quality that falls within the safety parameters required by Brazilian law, and at the same time maintain the appearance and flavor characteristics of this traditional cheese.