Using nanotechnology to deliver biomolecules from nose to brain — peptides, proteins, monoclonal antibodies and RNA

There is a growing number of biomolecules, including peptides, proteins, monoclonal antibodies and RNA, that could be potentially used for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, the realization of their potential is being hampered by the extraordinary difficulties these complex biomolecules have to reach the brain in therapeutically meaningful amounts. Nose-to-brain (N-to-B) delivery is now being investigated as a potential option for the direct transport of biomolecules from the nasal cavity to different brain areas. Here, we discuss how different technological approaches enhance this N-to-B transport, with emphasis on those that have shown a potential for clinical translation. We also analyse how the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers and their modification with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and targeting ligands affect their efficacy as N-to-B carriers for biomolecules. Graphical abstract

Self-Reiki, Consideration of a Potential Option for Managing Chronic Pain during Pandemic COVID-19 Period

While the world faces an unprecedented situation with the pandemic, other chronic diseases such as chronic pain continue to run their course. The social distancing and restrictive displacement imposed by the pandemic situation represents a new barrier to access to pain management and tends to reinforce chronification process. Given this context, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) might offer new opportunities to manage CP, notably with a hand-touch method, such as self-Reiki therapy. Although Reiki administered by a practitioner has shown promising results to reduce pain and psychological distress, and to improve quality of life, self-Reiki practice needs evidence-based medicine to be disseminated. Overall, self-Reiki could bring positive results in addition to, and without interfering with, conventional medicine approaches in patients experienced chronic pain.

The Use of Calcium Lactate to Enhance the Durability and Engineering Properties of Bioconcrete

This study investigated the optimization of the bioconcrete engineering properties and durability as a response of the calcium lactate (CL) content (0.22–2.18 g/L) and curing duration (7–28 days) using the response surface methodology (RSM). Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was conducted to evaluate the microstructure of calcium precipitated inside the bioconcrete. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for the engineering properties of concrete and durability were determined at 2.18 g/L of CL content after 23.4 days. The actual and predicted values of the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and water absorption were 43.51 vs. 43.43, 3.19 vs. 3.19, 6.93 vs. 5.50, and 7.55 vs. 7.55, respectively, with a level of confidence exceeding 95%. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) proved that the amount of calcium increased with the increase in CL content up to 2.81 g/L at 23.4 days, reducing the pores inside the concrete and making it a great potential option for healing of concrete structures.

Exploring the Mystery of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme II (ACE2) in the Battle against SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19 is the newly born pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the recently emerged betacoronavirus that crosses the species barrier. It predominantly infects pneumocytes of the respiratory tract, but due to the presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) on other cells like surface enterocytes of the upper esophagus and colon, these are also considered as the primary sites of infection. ACE2 receptor served as a cellular entry point for SARS-CoV-2. The expression of the ACE2 receptors is regulated by several factors such as age, tobacco smoking, inflammatory signaling, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes). Therefore, scientists are trying to explore the in-depth knowledge of ACE2 and considered it as a potential indirect target for COVID-19 therapeutics. In this focused review, we discussed in detail ACE2 expressions and regulation by different factors in the primary or vulnerable sites of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Clinical trials of rhACE2 in COVID-19 patients are ongoing, and if the outcome of the trials proves positive, it will be a breakthrough for the management of COVID-19. Finally, we suggest that targeting the ACE2 (a master regulator) in a balanced way could serve as a potential option against the management of COVID-19.

Use of carrageenan for the reduction of deoxynivalenol contamination in wheat and barley kernels

Wheat and barley are among the more important staple foods for human and animal nutrition in the World. Nevertheless, these crops constantly suffer from the Fusarium Heat Blight disease, responsible for decrease in yields and the bioaccumulation of the trichothecene deoxynivalenol in kernels. Searching for alternatives to overcome these problems, a set of 14 trials involving wheat and barley cultivars over two consecutive harvest seasons (2018-2019) were carried out in the States of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The tests consisted in the use of a carrageenan-rich product (Algomel Push®) produced from the red-algae Solieria chordalis in the rates of 1.0 and 2.0 L ha-1 sprayed at the beginning of the tillering stage. Overall, the use of carrageenan decreased DON contamination up to 34.64% and 35.74% when 1.0 and 2.0 L ha-1 of carrageenan was applied in wheat and barley, respectively. An increase in yield and kernels with better bromatological aspects were also seen after the use of carrageenan. Our findings suggest that the bioactive compounds found in the product, mostly carrageenan, have the ability of eliciting the plant’s mechanisms of defence and growth, and can be considered a potential option/tool for farmers and industries to cope with the problem of food quality in their mycotoxicological and bromatological aspects. Key-words: DON; elicitation; FHB; Fusarium graminearum; Solieria chordalis

Assessment of a novel artificial anal sphincter with constant force

Fecal incontinence caused by sphincter dysfunction is an unresolved problem which has a serious effect on patients, both physically and psychologically. For patients with severe symptoms, treatment with an artificial anal sphincter could be a potential option to restore continence. Acticon Neosphincter still has safety and efficacy problems, which is the only device certified by the US Food and Drug Administration. The biomechanical compatibility is the key problem of artificial anal sphincter in the clinical application. This paper describes an artificial anal sphincter with superelastic shape memory alloys and its mechanical properties assessment in artificial intestine models. The new design was developed as a low invasive and constant force or pressure prosthesis with a simple structure to solve the problem of severe fecal incontinence in patients.