Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Prashant Waiker, Fabiano Carlos Pinto de Abreu, Danielle Luna-Lucena, Flavia Cristina Paula Freitas, Zila Luz Paulino Simoes, Olav Rueppell
Summary: This study provides new evidence for the association between high sociality and recombination rates in Hymenoptera, supporting the hypothesis that advanced social evolution in hymenopteran insects invariably selects for high genomic recombination rates.
Article
Zoology
Jamille Costa Veiga, Gustavo Rodrigo Sanches Ruiz, Gislene Almeida Carvalho-Zilse, Cristiano Menezes, Felipe Andres Leon Contrera
Summary: The study found that characteristic marks left by mating plugs on female abdomens in stingless bees do not completely prevent remating, with varying durations of plug retention among different species. Some species show signs of polyandry. Male genital morphology may play a role in determining plug persistence.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hosea O. Mokaya, Kiatoko Nkoba, Robert M. Ndunda, Nicolas J. Vereecken
Summary: The study found that there were no significant differences in the chemical composition and antiradical activity of honey samples collected using different harvesting methods, but significant differences were observed based on bee species identity. Honeys from Liotrigona sp. had the highest levels of phenols, flavonoids, and antiradical activity, indicating the importance of establishing separate standards for stingless bee honey.
Editorial Material
Entomology
Jaqueline Aparecida da Silva, Julia Jantsch Ferla, Angelo Pallini, Angel Roberto Barchuk, Marina Wolowski
Summary: This study reports the infestation and predatory effect of Tyrophagus putrescentiae in colonies of the stingless bee Frieseomelitta varia in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The infestation led to colony weakness and population demise, highlighting the need for special care in laboratory rearing and regular monitoring of stingless bee colonies.
JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sylvie P. Vandenabeele, Thomas Schmitt
Summary: Research has shown that visual cues alone cannot fully explain the ability of solitary bees and wasps to locate their nests. Olfaction is also important in nest recognition. Chemical analysis of nest entrances and their occupants revealed a close match in the identified chemicals. Removal of these chemicals elicited a clear behavioral response in bees. This highlights the significance of olfactory cues in complementing visual orientation for precise homing in solitary species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Cristian Gongora-Gamboa, Esau Ruiz-Sanchez, Horacio S. Ballina-Gomez, Alejandra Gonzalez-Moreno, Roberto Zamora-Bustillos
Summary: This study evaluated the toxicity of five commonly used insecticides on two species of stingless bees under laboratory conditions, and found that some of them have a negative impact on the survival of these bees. This suggests that the insecticides used in agriculture may pose risks to the communities of stingless bees.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lucas Cavagnoli Marcolin, Jean Lucas de Oliveira Arias, Larine Kupski, Sergiane Caldas Barbosa, Ednei Gilberto Primel
Summary: This study evaluated the presence of sixteen Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in honey samples from seven Meliponinae species collected in southern Brazil. It was found that all samples contained at least one PAH, with some exceeding the maximum allowed levels in dietary food. The study suggests that honey can be used as an indicator of environmental pollution.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jiali Zhang, Natasha L. Hungerford, Hans S. A. Yates, Tobias J. Smith, Mary T. Fletcher
Summary: Trehalulose and erlose are the dominant sugars in stingless bee honey, with trehalulose mainly formed through sucrose isomerization in the head incubations, while erlose is a less favorable product formed through glucosylation of sucrose. Sucrose hydrolysis occurs in the abdomen incubations, resulting in glucose and fructose as the major sugars. The mechanism of sucrose isomerization to trehalulose and erlose has been established as an enzymatic double displacement reaction.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Felipe Chagas Rocha Almeida, Diego Martins Magalhaes, Arodi Prado Favaris, Jonathan Rodriguez, Kamila Emmanuella Xavier Azevedo, Jose Mauricio Simoes Bento, Denise Araujo Alves
Summary: Pathogenic fungi may impact bee behavior and chemicals, allowing guard bees to detect pathogen-exposed bees and prevent them from entering the hive. This provides important insights into how bee colonies respond to potential infectious threats.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Natasha L. Hungerford, Jiali Zhang, Tobias J. Smith, Hans S. A. Yates, Sadia A. Chowdhury, James F. Carter, Matheus Carpinelli de Jesus, Mary T. Fletcher
Summary: Experimental feeding of sugar solutions to Australian stingless bees has confirmed the origin of trehalulose in honey, while artificially feeding sucrose would result in fake honey production. The distinction between fake and natural honey can be made through isotope ratio mass spectrometry delta C-13 values.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Konrad Sebastian Frahnert, Karsten Seidelmann
Summary: Osmia cornuta is a solitary mason bee that utilizes natural existing cavities for nest construction, with females using a combination of visual and olfactory cues to recognize their own nest. The scent tags used by the bees are a mixture of body-derived substances enriched by external components, allowing for distinguishable but not perfectly matched individual odor bouquets. These scent tags, dominated by alkanes and alkenes, provide information not only on nest occupancy but also on species affiliation and constitution of the nest owner.
Article
Zoology
Michael S. Engel, Lien Thi Phuong Nguyen, Ngat Thi Tran, Tuan Anh Truong, Andres F. Herrera Motta
Summary: A new genus of minute stingless bees, Ebaiotrigona, is described from Southeast Asia. It is distinct from Lisotrigona and shares some similarities with Austroplebeia. Phylogenetic analyses are needed to confirm its relationship with Austroplebeia.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pierre-Andre Eyer, Jared Salin, Anjel M. Helms, Edward L. Vargo
Summary: This study found differences in the production of royal pheromones between primary reproductives and neotenics in termites, suggesting that neotenics may over-signal their reproductive status with a unique royal blend. Future research should delve deeper into these pressures to provide a more comprehensive understanding of social regulation mechanisms in termites.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felipe Martelli, Tiago Falcon, Daniel G. Pinheiro, Zila L. P. Simoes, Francis M. F. Nunes
Summary: Pollinator populations, including bees, are declining rapidly worldwide, and poor nutrition is a significant factor. This study found that the absence of pollen during the early adult life of honeybees triggers the premature onset of aging-related phenotypes.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Yu-Ran Li, Zheng-Wei Wang, Zong-Rong Yu, Richard T. Corlett
Summary: This study identified seven stingless bee species from four genera in Yunnan through extensive sampling. The morphological characters, genitalia characters, and multivariate morphometrics results of males supported the taxonomic classification. Further sampling in a wider range is needed to assess the full diversity of Chinese stingless bees.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Diego B. Carvalho, Amarith R. das Neves, Gisele B. Portapilla, Ozildeia Soares, Larissa B. B. Santos, Jefferson R. S. Oliveira, Luan S. Vianna, Wagner A. S. Judice, Iara A. Cardoso, Pedro H. Luccas, M. Cristina Nonato, Norberto P. Lopes, Sergio de Albuquerque, Adriano C. M. Baroni
Summary: Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, requires new antitrypanosomal agents due to the adverse effects and toxicity of current drugs. 5-Nitrofuran-isoxazole analogs synthesized in this study showed significant in vitro antitrypanosomal activity against T. cruzi. Analog 7s exhibited the highest efficacy, with an IC50 value of 40 nM and selectivity index of 132.50. The active analogs showed substrate activity for type I nitroreductase, suggesting their potential as agents for CD treatment.
ARCHIV DER PHARMAZIE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Luis Gustavo A. Patrone, Gustavo D. D. Ferrari, Rodrigo Moreira da Silva, Luciane C. C. Alberici, Norberto Peporine Lopes, Angelita M. M. Stabile, Wilfried Klein, Kenia C. Bicego, Luciane H. H. Gargaglioni
Summary: Cannabis legalization has led to increased cannabis use during pregnancy. This study found that prenatal exposure to synthetic cannabinoid WIN can affect the respiratory control system of neonatal and juvenile rats, with greater CO2 sensitivity in males and breathing and brainstem changes. In females, it leads to increased apnea and reduced serotonin neurons. These findings demonstrate long-term and sex-specific consequences of excessive stimulation of the endocannabinoid system during gestation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Leticia da Silva Borges, Joao Henrique Carvalho Batista, Leandro Bozzini, Celso Donizete Lourenco Jr, Norberto Peporine Lopes, Giuliano Cesar Clososki, Ricardo Vessecchi
Summary: In this study, the gas-phase reactivity and fragmentation of seven 2-arene-2-oxazolines compounds were investigated using computational chemistry combined with mass spectrometry. Protonation studies revealed three major fragmentation pathways for the protonated molecules. These results can be applied for identifying 2-arene-2-oxazoline derivatives and monitoring reactions using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Diego B. Carvalho, Pedro A. N. Costa, Gisele B. Portapilla, Amarith R. das Neves, Cristiane Y. K. Shiguemoto, Bruno I. Pelizaro, Fernanda Silva, Eliane M. Piranda, Carla C. P. Arruda, Priscyla D. M. Gaspari, Iara A. Cardoso, Pedro H. Luccas, M. Cristina Nonato, Norberto P. Lopes, Sergio de Albuquerque, Adriano C. M. Baroni
Summary: Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are neglected diseases of high priority as a public health problem. In this study, a series of newly synthesized compounds showed promising antitrypanosomatid properties, indicating their potential as future treatments for these diseases.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Andres E. Brunetti, Carlos A. Fuzo, Silvana Aguilar, Mauricio Rivera-Correa, Mariela M. Marani, Norberto P. Lopes
Summary: Amphibians' skin is a rich source of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which show sequence divergence related to the arms race between host and pathogens. In this study, the evolution of AMPs in Cophomantini, a diverse clade of neotropical tree frogs, and their interaction with bacterial membranes were investigated using peptidomics, molecular modeling, and phylogenetic analyses.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Juliana Neves de Paula e Souza, Rodrigo Moreira da Silva, Simone Silveira Fortes, Anderson Rodrigo Moraes de Oliveira, Leandro S. S. Ferreira, Ricardo Vessecchi, Norberto Peporine Lopes, Denise Brentan Silva
Summary: Licarin A, a dihydrobenzofuranic neolignan found in medicinal plants and nutmeg seeds, has strong activity against protozoans responsible for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Biomimetic reactions using metalloporphyrin and Jacobsen catalysts resulted in the production of seven products, including four isomeric epoxidation products of licarin A. In vivo acute toxicity assays showed potential liver toxicity, but no tissue damage indicative of toxicity was observed after 14 days of exposure. New metabolic pathways of licarin A were identified through in vitro biomimetic oxidation reactions and in vitro metabolism by rat or human liver microsomes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia S. S. Guimaraes, Vyctoria S. Ramos, Laura F. L. Prado-Souza, Rayssa M. Lopes, Gabriel S. Arini, Luis G. P. Feitosa, Ricardo R. Silva, Iseli L. Nantes, Debora C. Damasceno, Norberto P. Lopes, Tiago Rodrigues
Summary: The study found that rosemary is an aromatic herb with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, which can be used as a condiment and in folk medicine. The study also found that a rosemary extract can protect liver mitochondria from oxidative damage in vitro and have antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects in vivo. These findings highlight the potent antioxidant activity of rosemary and its potential health benefits.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Renato Dantas-Medeiros, Gabriel Davi Marena, Victor Hugo Sousa Araujo, Francisco de Assis Bezerra Neto, Ana Caroline Zanatta, Norberto Peporine Lopes, Paulina Bermejo, Jose Antonio Guerra, Luis Miguel Bedoya, Bruno Fonseca-Santos, Bruno Amorim-Carmo, Matheus de Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa, Guilherme Maranhao Chaves, Tais Maria Bauab, Marlus Chorilli, Silvana Maria Zucolotto
Summary: In this study, a hydrogel formulation containing a proanthocyanidin polymer-rich extract of Commiphora leptophloeos was developed and characterized. The hydrogel demonstrated good physico-chemical and microbiological stability and showed higher antifungal potential compared to a free extract. The results suggest that this hydrogel has the potential to be used in treating vulvovaginal candidiasis.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Barbhara Mota Marinho, Victor Hugo Dantas Guimara, Daniel Silva Moraes, Guilherme Henrique Mendes Ribeiro, Rodrigo Moreira da Silva, Norberto Peporine Lopes, Andre Luiz Sena Guimara, Alfredo Mauricio Batista de Paula, Sergio Henrique Sousa Santos
Summary: The present study investigated the effects of Lychnophora ericoides ethanolic extract (EELE) on cutaneous wound healing and the underlying mechanisms. The results revealed that EELE significantly reduced the wound area, improved anatomical skin features, promoted collagen production and angiogenesis, and decreased the number of mast cells at the injury site. Real-time PCR data showed that EELE increased important factors for wound healing, such as FGF, VEGF, collagen formation, and the expression of the proliferative axis of the renin-angiotensin system.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juliana Escher Toller-Kawahisa, Carlos Hiroji Hiroki, Camila Meirelles de Souza Silva, Daniele Carvalho Nascimento, Gabriel Azevedo Publio, Timna Varela Martins, Luis Eduardo Alves Damasceno, Flavio Protasio Veras, Paula Ramos Viacava, Fabio Yuji Sukesada, Emily Anne Day, Alessia Zotta, Tristram Alexander Jasper Ryan, Rodrigo Moreira da Silva, Thiago Mattar Cunha, Norberto Peporine Lopes, Fernando de Queiroz Cunha, Luke Anthony John O'Neill, Jose Carlos Alves-Filho
Summary: Neutrophils depend on glycolytic metabolism for their functions, including ROS production. This study shows that the glycolytic enzyme PKM2 regulates ROS production and bacterial killing in neutrophils.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalia N. Kato, Gabriel S. Arini, Ricardo Roberto Silva, Maria Elina Bichuette, Jose Augusto P. Bitencourt, Norberto P. Lopes
Summary: Caves are unique ecosystems with diverse biological and chemical diversity, with studies on cave microbiomes mainly focused on taxonomic classification and the exploration of their ability to produce secondary metabolites. The oligotrophic environment and limited energy input in caves differentiate the cave microorganisms from other microbiomes, creating a habitat that is yet to be fully understood in terms of its biology and chemical diversity. Multi-omics integration is an important strategy for studying the microbiome in caves and gaining a comprehensive understanding of its processes and diversity.
JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jacqueline Nakau Mendonca, Valquiria A. Polisel Jabor, Gabriel Santos Arini, Ricardo Roberto da Silva, Rafael Carvalho da Silva, Ricardo Vessecchi, Fabio Santos do Nascimento, Norberto Peporine Lopes
Summary: Juvenile hormone (JH III) is derived from the terpene biosynthetic pathway and plays a crucial role in reproductive and developmental processes across various species. This study utilizes tandem mass spectrometry combined with electrospray ionization to explore the dissociative behavior of JH III in the gas phase, providing diagnostic fragment-ions for accurate identification and measurement in biological samples.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Basil Minder, Jacqueline N. Mendonca, Taran Grant, Norberto P. Lopes
Summary: In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding the chemistry and ecological role of natural products from various organisms. Some frog species use dietary alkaloids obtained from mites and ants as a chemical defense mechanism. However, the current analytical techniques used in these studies have limitations in detecting polar metabolites. This study aims to elucidate the fragmentation pathways of two toxins using a specialized mass spectrometry system, providing new insights and possibilities for the discovery of new polar analogues.
JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juliane M. S. Silva, Flavia C. R. Vilar, Gabriel A. B. Lima, Elizangela M. Souza, Livia M. Dutra, Jackson R. G. S. Almeida, Larissa A. Rolim, Norberto P. Lopes, Ana P. Oliveira
Summary: The present study aimed to assess the toxic, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of P. amboinicus essential oil. The results showed that the essential oil has weak antioxidant activity, is highly toxic against Artemia salina, and exhibits strong antibacterial activity, especially against Aeromonas hydrophila strains.
JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Correction
Biochemical Research Methods
Tiago Cabral Borelli, Gabriel Santos Arini, Luis G. P. Feitosa, Pieter C. Dorrestein, Norberto Peporine Lopes, Ricardo R. da Silva
