Bombyx mori cypovirus is a major pathogen which causes significant losses in silkworm cocoon harvests because the virus particles are embedded in micrometer-sized protein crystals called polyhedra and can remain infectious in harsh environmental conditions for years. But the remarkable stability of polyhedra can be applied on slow-release carriers of cytokines for tissue engineering. Here we show the complete healing in critical-sized bone defects by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) encapsulated polyhedra. Although absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) safely and effectively delivers recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) into healing tissue, the current therapeutic regimens release rhBMP-2 at an initially high rate after which the rate declines rapidly. ACS impregnated with BMP-2 polyhedra had enough osteogenic activity to promote complete healing in critical-sized bone defects, but ACS with a high dose of rhBMP-2 showed incomplete bone healing, indicating that polyhedral microcrystals containing BMP-2 promise to advance the state of the art of bone healing.
Lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam.) is an exotic fruit from the Andes Mountains with a high export potential. However, the browning that is produced during harvest and the postharvest processes alters the organoleptic and nutritional properties of this fruit, which has made its management as a fresh fruit difficult. The browning processes are regulated by the enzyme family of the polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) located in the thylakoids of the chloroplast. When there is damage at the tissue level, the phenolic compounds found in the vacuoles enter into contact with the polyphenol oxidase. This enzyme produces polymerization among the phenolic compounds, as well as between them and the proteins and cell walls. This study analyzed the polyphenol oxidase in lulo var. Castilla at the genetic level, based on DNA and RNA samples. The results showed a high level of homology with other polyphenol oxidases from plants. The highest degree of homology was found with Solanum melongena L., which belongs to the same clade, Leptostemonum. The tyrosinase and two copper-binding domains, characteristic of the polyphenol oxidase, the conserved residues that maintain the natural environment, the sequence of a signal peptide for targeting chloroplast, and the UTRA domain of transcription regulation for recognizing small molecules were identified. Southern blot was used to analyze the number of gene copies, identifying at least eight ones in the lulo genome.
This article offers a vision of how Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have adopted the principles of the bioeconomy in the last two decades with different levels of socio-economic impact. The analysis was carried out with 706 publications obtained from the SCOPUS database between 2003-2020. The results allowed us to identify that in LAC, there are capacities for the development of the bioeconomy; however, these potentialities are disparate at the country level. It was identified that the three countries that most promote the development of this issue are Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. The structural analysis of the bioeconomy work showed a high rate of cooperation between LAC institutions with institutions in North America, Asia, and Europe. The relevance of the bioeconomy in LAC is highlighted as an alternative for growth with emissions decoupling, contributing to productive diversification, especially in the agricultural and agro-industrial sectors. The potential of (agro) ...
Resumen: La regeneración de tejidos usando células, factores de crecimiento y soportes constituyen una alternativa en la Medicina Regenerativa. La fibroína de seda es un excelente biosoporte, sus propiedades mecánicas únicas le permiten soportar procesos de adhesión y crecimiento celular. Objetivo. Evaluar la fibroína de la seda obtenida del gusano de seda Bombyx mori L como material de soporte para el crecimiento de células mesenquimales estromales de pulpa dental (CMPD). Métodos. La fibroína obtenida a partir
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