Incidents of viral outbreaks have increased at an alarming rate over the past decades. The most recent human coronavirus known as COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has already spread around the world and shown R 0 values from 2.2 to 2.68. However, the ratio between mortality and number of infections seems to be lower in this case in comparison to other human coronaviruses (such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)). These outbreaks have tested the limits of healthcare systems and have posed serious questions about management using conventional therapies and diagnostic tools. In this regard, the use of nanotechnology offers new opportunities for the development of novel strategies in terms of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and other viral infections. In this review, we discuss the use of nanotechnology for COVID-19 virus management by the development of nano-based materials, such as disinfectants, personal protective equipment, diagnostic systems and nanocarrier systems, for treatments and vaccine development, as well as the challenges and drawbacks that need addressing.

Background: Agricultural products and by products provide the primary materials for a variety of technological applications in diverse industrial sectors. Agro-industrial wastes, such as cotton and curaua fibers, are used to prepare nanofibers for use in thermoplastic films, where they are combined with polymeric matrices, and in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, amongst other applications. The development of products containing nanofibers offers a promising alternative for the use of agricultural products, adding value to the chains of production. However, the emergence of new nanotechnological products demands that their risks to human health and the environment be evaluated. This has resulted in the creation of the new area of nanotoxicology, which addresses the toxicological aspects of these materials. Purpose and methods: Contributing to these developments, the present work involved a genotoxicological study of different nanofibers, employing chromosomal aberration and comet assays, as well as cytogenetic and molecular analyses, to obtain preliminary information concerning nanofiber safety. The methodology consisted of exposure of Allium cepa roots, and animal cell cultures (lymphocytes and fibroblasts), to different types of nanofibers. Negative controls, without nanofibers present in the medium, were used for comparison. Results:The nanofibers induced different responses according to the cell type used. In plant cells, the most genotoxic nanofibers were those derived from green, white, and brown cotton, and curaua, while genotoxicity in animal cells was observed using nanofibers from brown cotton and curaua. An important finding was that ruby cotton nanofibers did not cause any significant DNA breaks in the cell types employed. Conclusion: This work demonstrates the feasibility of determining the genotoxic potential of nanofibers derived from plant cellulose to obtain information vital both for the future usage of these materials in agribusiness and for an understanding of their environmental impacts.

The use of nanoparticles in food packaging has been proposed on the basis that it could improve protection of foods by, for example, reducing permeation of gases, minimizing odor loss, and increasing mechanical strength and thermal stability. Consequently, the impacts of such nanoparticles on organisms and on the environment need to be investigated to ensure their safe use. In an earlier study, Moura and others (2008a) described the effect of addition of chitosan (CS) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties, water vapor, and oxygen permeability of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films used in food packaging. Here, the genotoxicity of different polymeric CS/PMAA nanoparticles (size 60, 82, and 111 nm) was evaluated at different concentration levels, using the Allium cepa chromosome damage test as well as cytogenetic tests employing human lymphocyte cultures. Test substrates were exposed to solutions containing nanoparticles at polymer mass concentrations of 1.8, 18, and 180 mg/L. Results showed no evidence of DNA damage caused by the nanoparticles (no significant numerical or structural changes were observed), however the 82 and 111 nm nanoparticles reduced mitotic index values at the highest concentration tested (180 mg/L), indicating that the nanoparticles were toxic to the cells used at this concentration. In the case of the 60 nm CS/PMAA nanoparticles, no significant changes in the mitotic index were observed at the concentration levels tested, indicating that these particles were not toxic. The techniques used show promising potential for application in tests of nanoparticle safety envisaging the future use of these materials in food packaging.

Trichoderma harzianum is a biological control agent used against phytopathogens and biostimulation in agriculture. However, its efficacy can be affected by biotic and abiotic factors, and microencapsulation has been used to maximize the efficacy. The objective was to develop polymeric microparticles to encapsulate T. harzianum, to perform physicochemical characterization to evaluate its stability, to evaluate effects on the soil microbiota, antifungal activity in vitro and enzymatic activity. Size distribution of wet and dry microparticles was 2000 and 800 µm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy showed spherical morphology and encapsulation of T. harzianum. Photostability assays showed that encapsulation protected the fungus against ultraviolet radiation. The evaluation of the microbiota showed that the proportion of denitrifying bacteria increased when compared to the control. The T. harzianum encapsulation showed an improvement in the chitinolytic and cellulosic activity. In vitro tests showed that encapsulated fungus were able to provide a greater control of S. sclerotiorum.

RESUMO -Avaliou-se o efeito da inclusão de farelo de amêndoa da castanha de caju (FACC) sobre a utilização dos nutrientes da dieta, o desempenho e as características dos ovos de codornas japonesas. Duzentos e setenta codornas com 17 semanas de idade foram pesadas e distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis dietas e nove repetições de cinco aves. Foram testadas uma dieta controle (sem FACC) e cinco dietas com 4, 8, 12, 16 e 20% de FACC. A digestibilidade da MS e do nitrogênio reduziu linearmente, entretanto, apenas com o nível de 20% de FACC estes resultados foram menores que os obtidos com a dieta controle. A digestibilidade da gordura e da energia bruta e os valores de EM das dietas não foram influenciados pelos níveis de FACC na dieta. O consumo de ração não foi afetado pelos níveis desse alimento na dieta, mas a produção de ovos, o peso e a massa de ovo e a conversão alimentar decresceram linearmente com a inclusão de FACC na dieta. As porcentagens de albúmen e gema, assim como a coloração da gema, sofreram efeito quadrático dos níveis de FACC na dieta. A porcentagem de albúmen e a coloração da gema aumentaram e a porcentagem de gema reduziu com a inclusão de FACC em níveis superiores a 9%. Em comparação à dieta controle, apenas a dieta com 20% de FACC prejudicou a produção de ovos, o peso e a massa de ovo, a coloração da gema e a conversão alimentar. O farelo de amêndoa da castanha de caju pode ser incluído em níveis de até 16% em dietas para codornas japonesas em postura.Palavras-chave: alimento alternativo, característica dos ovos, consumo de ração Cashew nut meal in laying diets for Japanese quailsABSTRACT -This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion of cashew nut meal (CNM) in diets on nutrient digestibility, bird performance and egg characteristics of Japanese quails. A total of 270 japanese quails with 17 weeks of age were weighed and distributed into a completely randomized design with six diets and nine replicates of five birds in each experimental unit. Treatments consisted of one diet without CNM (control) and five diets containing 4; 8; 12; 16 and 20% of CNM. There was a linear reduction on digestibility coefficient of DM and nitrogen. But, significant difference in relation to control diet was detected only with diet containing 20% of CNM. Values of fat digestibility, gross energy and metabolizable energy of the diets were not affected by the inclusion levels of CNM. Feed intake was not affected by the inclusion of CNM.However egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion decreased linearly as dietary CNM levels increased in diets.Percentages of albumen and yolk as well as yolk color, showed a quadratic effect as dietary CNM levels increased. Albumen percentage and yolk color increased and yolk percentage decreased as CNM increased up to the level of 9%. Comparing to control diet only treatment with 20% CNM produced lower egg production, egg weight, egg mass, yolk color and bird feed conversion. In conclusion CNM can be included in Japanes...

Nanomaterials composed of natural matrices associated with biopesticides have promising applications in sustainable agriculture. In this study, the biopesticide neem Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems CorporationAnswer: Thank you for your comment. We have inserted the requested information throughout the manuscript. Please verify the revised version.Reviewer: Figure 5. I do not agree with the analysis. I will suggest to apply repeated measures ANOVA or survival analysis and their curves. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We would like to explain that in Figure 5, there is no need to perform repeated measurements ANOVA because our data do not represent measurements over time of the same sample. In fact, different leaves were collected on different days after the application of the treatments to perform the test, and not a single leaf was collected and analyzed 1, 6 and 12 days latter. We have modified the figure caption for better understanding. Please verify the revised version of the manuscript.Reviewer: Line 591-801. Firstly, discussion section seems like a review of literature and many of the sentenses are awkwardly placed. I will suggest to rewrite the whole sentense. Secondly, hard to get the idea due to linguistic and syntax errors. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We have abbreviated the discussion and some cited studies were deleted. Please verify the revised version of the manuscript.Reviewer: Line 592-600. The opening paragraph of the discussion section is not appropriately written. I will suggest to rewrite this section. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We have rewritten the discussion. Please verify the revised version of the manuscript.Reviewer: Line 553-554. The sentense is awkwardly placed. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We have deleted the indicated sentence.Reviewer: Line 801. I will suggest the authors to provide a comprehensive conclusion of the study. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We have rewritten the conclusion. Please verify the revised version of the manuscript. Reviewer #2: Reviewer: I have read the manuscript entitled " Nanobiopesticide based on zein nanoparticles and neem oil: a study using target and nontarget organisms". The manuscript presents a well-written and appropriately analyzed series of experiments to determine the pesticidal and biological activity of neem oil-loaded zein nanoparticles against three pests (Acanthoscelides obtectus, Bemisia tabaci, and Tetranychus urticae), in addition to the phytotoxic effects of these nanoparticles using Phaseolus vulgaris. Overall, the manuscript is generally clear and concise report of a well-executed study. The objectives are clear; the experiments are pertinent and follow a logical reasoning; the main findings of the study are convincing and the conclusion is appropriate. The paper is clearly organized and the contribution is interesting and falls within the scope of the journal. The work is generally well written, except for certain parts of the manuscript, where a good technical ...

In the last year, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic brought a new consideration for the multidisciplinary sciences. The unknown mechanisms of infection used by SARS-CoV-2 and the absence of effective antiviral pharmacological therapy, diagnosis methods, and vaccines evoked scientific efforts on the COVID-19 outcome. In general, COVID-19 clinical features are a result of local and systemic inflammatory processes that are enhanced by some preexistent comorbidities, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, and pulmonary diseases, and biological factors, like gender and age. However, the discrepancies in COVID-19 clinical signs observed among those patients lead to investigations about the critical factors that deeply influence disease severity and death. Herein, we present the viral infection mechanisms and its consequences after blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) axis in different tissues and the progression of inflammatory and immunological reactions, especially the influence of genetic features on those differential clinical responses. Furthermore, we discuss the role of genotype as an essential indicator of COVID-19 susceptibility, considering the expression profiles, polymorphisms, gene identification, and epigenetic modifications of viral entry factors and their recognition, as well as the infection effects on cell signaling molecule expression, which amplifies disease severity.

Este experimento foi conduzido para avaliar a estabilidade oxidativa do farelo de coco (FC) tratado ou não com butil-hidroxitolueno (BHT) e armazenado por 35 dias e estudar o efeito de rações contendo esse ingrediente sobre o desempenho e a qualidade do ovo de poedeiras. Um lote de 200 kg de farelo de coco foi dividido em cinco partes: uma foi armazenada sem a adição de antioxidante e as demais tratadas com 500 ppm de BHT nos dias 0, 7, 14 e 21. A estabilidade oxidativa do farelo de coco foi acompanhada por meio dos índices de acidez e de peróxidos, determinados semanalmente. Após 35 dias de armazenamento, 10% de farelo de coco tratado e não tratado com BHT nos diferentes tempos de armazenamento foi usado na formulação de rações isonutrientes para poedeiras comerciais. Foram utilizadas 180 poedeiras da linhagem Hisex White, distribuídas ao acaso em 5 tratamentos e 6 repetições de 6 aves cada. Os índices de acidez e de peróxidos do farelo de coco armazenado com ou sem BHT aumentaram com o tempo de armazenamento. Contudo, os tratamentos não afetaram o desempenho nem a qualidade dos ovos das aves. O farelo de coco armazenado por 35 dias sem antioxidante, embora sofra oxidação, pode ser usado em níveis de até 10% na ração para poedeiras comerciais.