Biomacromolecular Journal
Volume:7 Issue: 1, Summer 2021

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that is induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global pandemic, with more than five million death. Patients can develop pneumonia, severe symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiple organ failure. Similar to other viral respiratory infections, immune responses have a prominent role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite the understanding of the immune response to COVID-19, there are still major gaps in understanding controversial reactions that impact infection fate and it remains unclear to what extent these responses are helpful or harmful in COVID-19. Thus, the purpose of this review is to discuss virology of the SARS-CoV-2, viral infection and immune characteristics, immune escape mechanisms and virus strategies in manipulating immune cells such as NK cells, Dendritic cells, T cells and B cells that converts it to the defective system, particularly in severe disease. Finally, we highlight the relevance of these tactics in determining infection fate.

The pandemic threat of COVID-19 with more than 160 million cases and with about 5 percent critical cases characterized by cytokine storm and hyperinflammatory conditions. The disease more often leads to intensive care unit admission with a high rate of mortality. Janus kinase enzymes of Jak-1, Jak-2, Jak-3, and Tyk2 seem to be good targets for inhibition and cytokine storm management in these patients. In the present work, the binding ability and the probable inhibitory potential of different analgesics were studied by molecular docking to assess their applicability for clinical traits from different points of view. Our docking results indicated that naproxen, methadone, and amitriptyline considering their higher binding energy, lower variance in binding energy, and higher hydrophobicity, seem to express more inhibitory effects on Janus kinase enzymes than approved inhibitors for these enzymes, i.e. baricitinib and ruxolitinib. Accordingly, we suggest our wide list of candidate analgesics including indomethacin, etodolac, buprenorphine, rofecoxib, duloxetine, valdecoxib, naproxen, methadone, and amitriptyline for clinical assessments to investigate their tentative usefulness for COVID-19 treatment.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women; whose mortality rate has remained high despite medical advances. The present study is aimed to evaluate the antitumor activity of caffeic acid (CA) and methylseleninic acid (MSA), separately and in combination, on the triple-negative human Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB -231). To evaluate the cytotoxicity of CA and MSA on the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells, and the rate of cell survival, the MTT test was carried out. DAPI staining was used to determine the type of death induced in the MDA-MB-231 cells. The effect of caffeic acid and methyl seleninic acid on apoptosis was investigated in triple-negative Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB- 231) by flow cytometry. Based on the results of the MTT assay, IC50 values of 40 and 30 µg/ml were calculated for both CA and MSA on MDA-MB -231 cell line after 24 and 48 h, respectively. Based on the results of this study, caffeic acid and methylseleninic acid inhibited MDA-MB-231cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in these cells in a dose-dependent manner by increased Bax/Bcl2 level. Morphological studies also showed apoptosis characteristic features in MDA-MB -231cell after treatment with CA and MSA. Our findings indicated that CA and MSA had significant anti-tumor activity separately and in lower dose in combination . CA is effective in treating breast cancer at lower concentrations if used in combination with MSA.

Cholera is a known intestinal infection caused by toxigenic bacteria called Vibrio cholera and is a global threat to public health. Therefore, achieving accurate and affordable diagnostic management is challenging. In this study, a colorimetric-based immunoassay has been developed to direct the detection of V. cholerae O1. Initially, the gold nanoparticles synthesis program and its polyclonal antibody-based electrostatic surface modification were managed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential (Zp), and Ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy. Finally, Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) monitoring and plasmonic nanoprobes color-changing were evaluated in the presence of different concentrations of V. cholerae O1 and its related bacteria. Accordingly, the detection range of the designed LSPR-biosensor was evaluated by significantly reduced absorption and redshift of 5 nm via increasing the antigen concentration from 10 to 103 CFU/ ml. In addition, the visible color-changing of the nanoprobe suspension was confirmed for all vials containing the target antigen in less than 1 hour. Meanwhile, there was also a significant shift for V. cholerae O1 bacteria via reducing the power of absorbance in comparison to typically intestinal bacteria. In conclusion, we suggest our colorimetric biosensor can enhance the accurate monitoring of V. cholerae O1 to limit the unexpected spread of the cholera epidemic.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid plaques and neuronal death. Natural therapies have always attracted attention against AD. Herein, Myrcene, as a natural monoterpene, was applied to examine its protective and therapeutic effects on a rat model of AD along with short-term restraint stress. In order to create Alzheimer’s rat model, bilateral injection of Amyloid β1–42 was performed into rats’ hippocampus. Both therapeutic (post-AD induction) and preventive effects of Myrcene consumption (100 mg/kg) were investigated on the antioxidant and behavioral parameters as well as neurogenesis and brain amyloid plaque formation. Meanwhile, the effects of restraint stress was observed. Moreover, the effect of Myrcene (100 µM) was observed on Aβ1–42 fibrils in vitro. Alzheimer’s-induced group showed impairment in the memory and antioxidant parameters along with amyloid plaque formation and loss of neuronal cells. Administration of Myrcene, in both treatment and protective modes increased neurogenesis, reduced amyloid plaques, and improved antioxidant parameters as well as memory even during applying restraint stress. Therefore, Myrcene showed capability of improving AD signs in vivo as well as direct anti-fibril effect in vitro and therefore could be considered as neuroprotective agent.

Copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) due to their fascinating physical and chemical properties and unique fluorescence characteristics have attracted great attention in the past decade. Compared to gold and silver NCs, CuNCs are relatively cheaper which makes them more attractive in development of sensing platforms. However, they still have limitations such as low quantum yield and susceptibility to oxidation. Herein, BSA as a scaffold, stabilizer, and protective agent has been used for CuNCs synthesis via a bottom-up approach. The effects of synthesis time, copper salt and BSA concentration in fluorescence intensities of the NCs were studied, modeled, and optimized in the form of Box-Behnken design. Finally, to validate the model, CuNCs were synthesized by the predicted optimal conditions and their optical properties were compared with the model predictions. The BSA/CuNCs synthesized in this work showed two fluorescence peaks at 400 nm and 670 nm relating to NCs with different sizes. The model proposed the optimal conditions for synthesis of 400nm emitting CuNCs as copper salt concentration of 10.05 mM, BSA concentration of 27.69 mg/ml and synthesis time of 3.3h. The optimal condition for production of 670nm emitting CuNCs was determined as copper salt concentration of 19.97mM, BSA concentration of 10.1 mg/ml and synthesis time of 3.61h. CuNCs were then synthesized for validation of the model, and their emission at 400 nm and 670 nm were 90.6% and 94.9% in agreement with the model predictions, respectively.

In general, vitamin B plays an important role in the cell's metabolic cycle. It stimulates and promotes cell growth and division. Lactobacillus is valued today for its important role in gastrointestinal health and its ability to produce vitamins, including the vitamins B group. These probiotic bacteria are used as initiators in dairy products, especially traditional cheeses. In this study, 16 cheese samples were collected from Markazi province in Iran and their lactobacilli bacteria were isolated. Molecular identification of Lactobacillus species was performed by the 16S rRNA method using specific primers. The identified bacteria (five species of Lactobacillus) were examined for production of vitamin B2. All isolates were able to produce vitamin B2, the highest level by the L. fermentum strain SK152 was 285.8 µg/ml, while the lowest level was 21.42 µg/ml produced by L. delbruckeii subsp strain: YIT 0080. According to our results based on the differences in vitamin B2 production on isolated bacteria from local cheeses and the important role of these micronutrients in human life, it is recommended to consume traditional cheeses as a good source of vitamin B groups in daily regimen.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), as the most common type of dementia, gradually leads to a decrease in memory, speech, and other cognitive skills that affect a person's ability to perform daily activities. With the increase in the incidence of this disease, especially in old ages, there is a need to identify factors and drugs for prevention or treatment. In the present study, the effect of 3-Carene was investigated on behavioral, biochemical and histological parameters in Alzheimer’s-induced Wistar male rats by beta-amyloid (Aβ42) injection. Forty two Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to 7 groups (n= 6 rats/group), including control group without any treatments; PBS group receiving phosphate buffer (Aβ42 solvent); AD group with Aβ42 injection into rats’ hippocampus; sham group receiving corn oil (3-Carene solvent); two treatment groups receiving 3-Carene at 200 and 400 μg/kg after being injected with Aβ42; the protective group receiving 3-Carene (400μg/kg) before beta-amyloid injection in a protective mode. The results demonstrated that 3-Carene improved the memory, lipid profile, amyloid plaques, and superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde level, whereas Alzheimer’s-induced group showed impairment in all examined parameters. Protection with 3-Carene also demonstrated similar improvements against AD. Hence, 3-Carene has shown capability of improving the amyloid plaques, memory as well as biochemical factors associated with AD.