Classically, osteopontin (OPN) has been described as a secreted glycophosprotein. Indeed, most data concerning its physiological and pathological roles are mainly related to the secreted OPN (sOPN). However, there are several instances in which intracellular OPN (iOPN) has been described, presenting some specific roles in distinct experimental models, such as in the immune system, cancer cells, and neurological disorders. We herein aimed to highlight and discuss some of these secreted and intracellular roles of OPN and their putative clinical and biological impacts. Moreover, by consolidating data from the OPN protein database, we also analyzed the occurrence of signal peptide (SP) sequences and putative subcellular localization, especially concerning currently known OPN splicing variants (OPN-SV). Comprehending the roles of OPN in its distinct cellular and tissue environments may provide data regarding the additional applications of this protein as biomarkers and targets for therapeutic purposes, besides further describing its pleiotropic roles.

Samples of pulp and seeds of sour (P. edulis) and sweet (P. alata) passionfruit were subjected to targeted analysis to identify β-carboline alkaloids, using combined UHPLC-MS (ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) and SBSE(PDMS) (stir bar sorption extraction using polydimethylsiloxane as stationary phase) for sample preconcentration. All the samples contained harmane and harmine; harmaline was found only in P. alata seeds and in P. edulis pulp, while harmalol was found only in P. alata seeds. An analysis of sweet passionfruit by SBSE(PDMS) combined with LC/Flu (liquid chromatography/fluorescence detection) indicated 1.03 × 10 -1 ± 3.05 × 10 -3 µg harmane L -1 pulp and 7.44 × 10 -5 ± 2.55 × 10 -6 µg harmane g -1 seeds, but harmine was not detectable by the quantitative method. Our findings underscore the need for further studies about passionfruit food safety, in view of the potential toxicity of β-carboline alkaloids.

No abstract

Several studies have highlighted that cancer patients tend to be more susceptible to develop severe infection and to die from COVID‐19. Certain medical conditions such as immunosuppression, presence of comorbidities, and underlying pulmonary damage are possible determinants of disease severity, especially in lung cancer patients. While recent studies have shown that lung cancer is one of the most prevalent tumor types among COVID‐19 cancer patients, we still have an incomplete view of how data from several countries work as a whole. The aim of this review was to investigate COVID‐19 prevalence in lung cancer patient cohorts and their probability to develop severe illness and death when compared to nonlung cancer patients from multiple nationalities, including countries that have been the epicenters of the pandemic. We also focus on some intrinsic lung cancer features that might influence COVID‐19 outcomes. An integrative view of the susceptibility of lung cancer patients might be especially relevant to assist physicians in evaluating the risks of COVID‐19 in these patients, and to foster better decisions on treatment delay.

Agradecimentos À Deus, por tantas bençãos, pela vida, saúde e força, pelas maravilhosas pessoas que colocou em meu caminho. Aos meus pais, Ronaldo e Inez, pelo amor, compreensão, apoio e por tantos ensinamentos, que estiveram sempre ao meu lado, sendo meu apoio e meu porto seguro. À minha irmã, Bárbara, pelo amor, amizade, alegrias e responsabilidades que assumiu tão forte. Aos meus amigos, Ana Paula, Nati, Ju, Lindo, Dani, pelas conversas, risadas, carinho, ombro amigo e momentos especiais. Ao meu amigo e namorado, Vinícius, sempre me incentivando a ver além do que se vê. E à sua família, que me acolheu como parte dela. À minha família de sangue e de coração, sempre tão presentes e amorosos. À professora Janete, pelos ensinamentos, seu auxílio na construção do meu conhecimento, que como orientadora me concedeu a oportunidade de aprender tanto, e poder crescer academica e pessoalmente. Ao Bene, pelos ensinamentos práticos, além de sua companhia, ajuda diária, generosidade e amizade. À Renatinha e a Tanare, por toda atenção, preocupação e disponibilidade quando tive dúvidas e problemas. E também ao Leandro Arriveti, pelo auxílio no LC-MS, sempre tão solicito. À CNPq pela bolsa concedida e a FAPESP, Processo 2013/21886-7, pelo auxilio financeiro. Ao IQSC pelo suporte acadêmico e por ser minha outra casa desde 2008. E à todos que direta ou indiretamente estiveram ao meu lado e me ajudaram nesta caminhada, meu muito obrigada! "É exatamente disso que a vida é feita, de momentos. Momentos que temos que passar, sendo bons ou ruins, para o nosso próprio aprendizado. Nunca esquecendo do mais importante: nada nessa vida é por acaso. Absolutamente nada. Por isso temos que nos preocupar em fazer a nossa parte, da melhor forma possível. A vida nem sempre segue a nossa vontade, mas ela é perfeita naquilo que tem que ser."

Bacillus subtilis (B.S.) has been used as an excellent probiotic; however, some B.S. strains seem to be opportunist pathogens or do not present inhibitory effects in the pathogenic bacterium, so the characterization of B.S. strains for use in animals is mandatory. This study aimed to select nonpathogenic strains of B.S., which have beneficial effects on birds and can inhibit Salmonella spp., avian pathogenic Escherichia coli coli (APEC) and Campylobacter jejuni (C.J.). We tested nine (9) strains of B.S. isolated from several sources (named A to I) in in vitro by tests of mucin degradation activity, haemolytic activity, apoptosis, and necrosis in fibroblasts from chickens. After the in vitro test, we tested the remaining seven (7) strains (strains A to G) in a chicken embryo (C.E.) as an in vivo model and target animal. We inoculated 3 log CFU/CE of each strain via allantoic fluid at the 10th day postincubation (DPI). Each treatment group consisted of eight C.Es. At the 17th DPI. We checked C.E. mortality, gross lesions, C.E. weight, and whether B.S. strains were still viable. To perform the cytokine, total protein, albumin, and reactive C protein analysis, we collected the C.E. blood from the allantoic vessel and intestine fragments in the duodenum portion for histomorphometric analysis. After the results in C.Es., we tested the inhibition capacity of the selected B.S. strains for diverse strains of Salmonella Heidelberg (S.H.), S. Typhimurium (S.T.), S. Enteritidis (S.E.), S. Minnesota (S.M.), S. Infantis (S.I.), Salmonella var. monophasic (S.V.M) and C. jejuni. After the in vitro trial (mucin degradation activity, haemolytic activity, apoptosis, and necrosis), we removed two (2) strains (H and I) that showed β-haemolysis, mucin degradation, and/or high apoptosis and necrosis effects. Although all strains of B.S. were viable in C.Es. at the 17th DPI, we removed four (4) strains (A, B, D, F) once they led to the highest mortality in C.Es. or a high albumin/protein ratio. C. jejuni inoculated with strain G had greater weight than the commercial strain, which could be further used for egg inoculation with benefits to the C.E. Moreover, the cytokine analysis indicated that strains E and G have immunomodulatory effects on C.Es. From the tests in C.Es., we selected the strains C, E, and G for their ability to inhibit pathogenic strains of relevant foodborne pathogens. We found that the inhibition effect was strain dependent. In general, strains E and/or G presented better or similar results than commercial control strains in the inhibition of S.H., S.T., S.I., APEC and two (2) strains of C.J. In this study, we selected B.S. strains C, E and G due to their in vitro and in vivo safety and beneficial effects. In addition, we emphasize the value of C.E. as an in vivo experimental model for assessing B.S.'s safety and possible benefits for poultry and other animals.