Biology subjects

Moraes, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Moraes, B..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Unravelling the role of epigenetic regulators during embryonic development of Rhipicephalus micropolus

Epigenetic modifications are long-lasting changes to the genome that influence a cells transcriptional potential, thereby altering its function. These modifications can trigger adaptive responses that impact protein expression and various cellular processes, including differentiation and growth. The primary epigenetic mechanisms identified to date include DNA and RNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA-mediated regulation of gene expression. The intricate crosstalk among these mechanisms makes epigenetics a compelling field for the development of novel control strategies, particularly through the use of epigenetic drugs targeting arthropod vectors such as ticks. In this study, we identified the Rhipicephalus microplus orthologs of canonical histone-modifying enzymes, along with components of the machinery responsible for m5C and 6mA-DNA, and m6A-RNA methylations. We further characterized their transcriptional profiles and enzymatic activities during embryonic development. To explore the functional consequences of epigenetic regulation in R. microplus, we evaluated the effects of various epigenetic inhibitors on the BME26 tick embryonic cell line. Molecular docking simulations were performed to predict the binding mode of these inhibitors to tick enzymes, followed by in vitro assessment of their effects on cell viability and morphology. Tick cells exposed to these inhibitors exhibited phenotypic and molecular alterations. Notably, we observed higher levels of DNA methylation in the mitochondrial genome compared to nuclear DNA. Inhibition of DNA methylation using 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) was associated with increased activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and ATP synthesis, but reduced cellular proliferation. Our findings highlight the importance of epigenetic regulation during tick embryogenesis and suggest that targeting these pathways may offer a novel and promising strategy for tick control. HighlightsO_LIR. microplus presents a complete set of epigenetic enzymes that modify histones, DNA and RNA C_LIO_LIEpigenetic regulation is highly dynamic, and functionally significant during R. microplus embryogenesis C_LIO_LIInhibition of DNA methylation leads to overactivation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain C_LI

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Use of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in reactor co-digestion of residues from 1G2G ethanol biorefinery: microbiological routes and operational aspects

The co-digestion of residues from the sugarcane industry has already proven to be a highly attractive process for biogas production through anaerobic digestion (AD). The use of residues such as vinasse (1G) filter cake (1G) and deacetylation liquor (2G) in CSTR operation showed the potential for integrating 1G and 2G ethanol biorefineries through AD in previous work by our research group. The use of nanoparticles (NP) is a favorable way to optimize AD processes, as these additives allow the introduction of nutrients to the process more assertively concerning the distribution and interaction with microorganisms. The present work proposed the optimization of the co-digestion of vinasse, filter cake, and deacetylation liquor in a continuous reactor by adding Fe3O4 NP, comparing the results with a previous reactor operation without NP. Initially, tests were carried out in batches with different NP concentrations, resulting in 5 mg L-1 as the best concentration to be added in the continuous reactor along the increments of the applied organic rate load (ORL). CH4 production reached a maximum value of 2.8 {+/-} 0.1 NLCH4 gVS-1 and the organic matter removal reached 71 {+/-} 0.9%, in phase VI (ORL of 5.5 gVS L-1 day-1). This production was 90% higher than the reactor co-digestion operation without NP. The pH and alkalinity results indicated the methanogenesis stabilization within 60 days of operation: 30 days before when there was no NP added. The AD development was stable, presenting low variations in the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and stable organic acid (OA) concentrations, which indicated the propionic acid route to produce CH4 was predominant. The main methanogenic Archeae identified was Methanoculleus, indicating that the predominant metabolic route was that of acetate (SAO) coupled with hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. The use of Fe3O4 NP managed to improve the AD from the 1G2G ethanol production residues and stimulated the microbial community growth, not modifying the preferable metabolic pathways.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2021

Operational and biochemical aspects of co-digestion (co-AD) from sugarcane vinasse, filter cake and deacetylation liquor

This work performed co-AD from the vinasse and filter cake (from 1G ethanol production) and deacetylation liquor (from the pre-treatment of sugarcane straw for 2G ethanol production) in a semi-Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (s-CSTR) aiming to provide optimum operational parameters for continuous CH4 production. Using filter cake as co-substrate may allow the reactor to operate throughout the year, as it is available in the sugarcane off-season, unlike vinasse. A comparison was made from the microbial community of the seed sludge and the reactor sludge when CH4 production stabilized. Lactate, butyrate and propionate fermentation routes were denoted at the start-up of the s-CSTR, characterizing the acidogenic phase: the Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) values ranged from -800 to -100 mV. Once the methanogenesis was initiated, alkalizing addition was no longer needed as its demand by the microrganisms was supplied by the alkali-characteriscs of the deacetylation liquor. The gradual increase of the applied Organic Load Rates (OLR) allowed stabilization of the methanogenesis from 3.20 gVS L-1 day-1: the highest CH4 yield (230 NmLCH4 gSV-1) and average organic matter removal efficiency (83% {+/-} 13) was achieved at ORL of 4.16 gVS L-1day-1. The microbial community changed along the reactor operation, presenting different metabolic routes mainly due to the used lignocellulosic substrates. Bacteria from the syntrophic acetate oxidation (SAO) process coupled to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis were predominant ([~] 2% Methanoculleus) during the CH4 production stability. The overall results are useful as preliminary drivers in terms of visualizing the co-AD process in a sugarcane biorefinery integrated to scale. KeypoitnsIntegration of 1G2G sugarcane ethanol biorefinery from co-digestion of its residues Biogas production from vinasse, filter cake and deacetylation liquor in a semi-CSTR Lignicellulosic substrates affected the biochemical routes and microbial community Biomol confirmed the stablismenht of thermophilic community from mesophilic sludge

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2021

Follow-up of a hospital cohort during the first 3,530 suspected cases of COVID-19 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

IntroductionIn a global context, COVID-19 is the most significant health threat in the present days, evidenced by the fact that, in just over four months, SARS-CoV-2 has spread to 171 countries, reaching a Pandemic status. Most patients with COVID-19 have a mild course of the disease. However, approximately 20% develop severe illness with a high mortality rate which is associated with age, comorbidities, and immunosuppression. Epidemiological studies are used to reveal the extent of viral spread in homes, communities, and hospitals. Thus, preventive and control measures can be established by the authorities. ObjectiveIn this study, patients with suspect COVID-19 symptoms who search for hospital care at the city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (Sao Paulo, Brazil) were monitored, in order to identify the first case of this new disease in the region. In the first two months (March and April), more than 3000 individuals looked for the public and private health system with suspected respiratory symptoms, but only 164 (8.4%) were COVID-19 confirmed. ResultsFrom those, males (56.1%) and patients of the age distribution of 16-59 (91.2%), with diarrhea (22.2%), runny nose (25%), altered taste (15.9%), and anosmia (11.6%) presented statistical significance, although none comorbidities were related with COVID-19 occurrence. The odds ratio analysis supports this finding. Days of onset of symptoms are positively associated with whit viral load, and the same happens with the occurrence of symptoms (dyspnea and low saturation).

molecular biology↗