RESUMO

Africanized bees have spread across the Americas since 1956 and consequently resulted in human and animal deaths attributed to massive attacks related to exposure from Argentina to the USA. In Brazil, more than 100,000 accidents were registered in the last 5 years with a total of 303 deaths. To treat such massive attacks, Brazilian researchers developed the first specific antivenom against Africanized honey bee sting exposure. This unique product, the first of its kind in the world, has been safely tested in 20 patients during a Phase 2 clinical trial. To develop the antivenom, a standardized process was undertaken to extract primary venom antigens from the Africanized bees for immunization of serum-producing horses. This process involved extracting, purifying, fractionating, characterizing, and identifying the venom (apitoxin) employing mass spectrometry to generate standardized antigen for hyperimmunization of horses using the major toxins (melittin and its isoforms and phospholipase A2). The current guide describes standardization of the entire production chain of venom antigens in compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) required by regulatory agencies. Emphasis is placed upon the welfare of bees and horses during this process, as well as the development of a new biopharmaceutical to ultimately save lives.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Africanized bees have spread across the Americas since 1956 and consequently resulted in human and animal deaths attributed to massive attacks related to exposure from Argentina to the USA. In Brazil, more than 100,000 accidents were registered in the last 5 years with a total of 303 deaths. To treat such massive attacks, Brazilian researchers developed the first specific antivenom against Africanized honey bee sting exposure. This unique product, the first of its kind in the world, has been safely tested in 20 patients during a Phase 2 clinical trial. To develop the antivenom, a standardized process was undertaken to extract primary venom antigens from the Africanized bees for immunization of serum-producing horses. This process involved extracting, purifying, fractionating, characterizing, and identifying the venom (apitoxin) employing mass spectrometry to generate standardized antigen for hyperimmunization of horses using the major toxins (melittin and its isoforms and phospholipase A2). The current guide describes standardization of the entire production chain of venom antigens in compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) required by regulatory agencies. Emphasis is placed upon the welfare of bees and horses during this process, as well as the development of a new biopharmaceutical to ultimately save lives.

RESUMO

Beehive derivatives, including honeybee pollen (HBP), have been extensively studied for their beneficial health properties and potential therapeutic use. Its high polyphenol content gives it excellent antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Today its use is limited due to poor organoleptic properties, low solubility, stability, and permeability under physiological conditions. A novel edible multiple W/O/W nanoemulsion (BP-MNE) to encapsulate the HBP extract was designed and optimized to overcome these limitations. The new BP-MNE has a small size (∼100 nm), a zeta potential greater than +30 mV, and efficiently encapsulated phenolic compounds (∼82%). BP-MNE stability was measured under simulated physiological conditions and storage conditions (4 months); in both cases, stability was promoted. The formulation's antioxidant and antibacterial (Streptococcus pyogenes) activity was analyzed, obtaining a higher effect than the non-encapsulated compounds in both cases. In vitro permeability was tested, observing a high permeability of the phenolic compounds when they are nanoencapsulated. With these results, we propose our BP-MNE as an innovative solution to encapsulate complex matrices, such as HBP extract, as a platform to develop functional foods.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Apis mellifera royal jelly (RJ) is a well-known remedy in traditional medicine around the world and its versatile effects range from antibacterial to anti-inflammatory properties and pro-regenerative properties. As a glandular product, RJ has been shown to contain a substantial number of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and, in this study, we aimed to investigate the extent of involvement of RJEVs in wound healing-associated effects. Molecular analysis of RJEVs verified the presence of exosomal markers such as CD63 and syntenin, and cargo molecules MRJP1, defensin-1, and jellein-3. Furthermore, RJEVs were demonstrated to modulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation and secretome, as well as decrease LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages by blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In vivo studies confirmed antibacterial effects of RJEVs and demonstrated an acceleration of wound healing in a splinted mouse model. This study suggests that RJEVs play a crucial role in the known effects of RJ by modulating the inflammatory phase and cellular response in wound healing. Transfer of RJ into the clinics has been impeded by the high complexity of the raw material. Isolating EVs from the raw RJ decreases the complexity while allowing standardization and quality control, bringing a natural nano-therapy one step closer to the clinics.

RESUMO

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of bee pollen (BP) and propolis (PRO) supplementation on rabbits' productive performance and serum metabolites through a meta-analysis. Sixteen peer-reviewed publications were included in the data set. The rabbit strains used in the studies included in the data set were New Zealand White, V-line, Rex, and V-line crosses. Weighted mean differences (WMD) between treatments supplemented with BP or PRO and control treatments were used to assess the magnitude of the effect. BP supplementation decreased (p < 0.001) daily feed intake (DFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR); however, increased (p < 0.001) average daily gain (ADG) and hot carcass yield (HCY). PRO supplementation reduced DFI (p = 0.041) and FCR (p < 0.001), and increased ADG (p < 0.001) and HCY (p = 0.005). In blood serum, BP supplementation increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC; p = 0.002) and decreased serum creatinine concentration (p = 0.049). Likewise, decreased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected in response to BP supplementation (p < 0.05). PRO supplementation increased the TAC in blood serum (p = 0.018); however, decreased serum concentrations of AST, ALT, and MDA were observed (p < 0.05). In conclusion, BP or PRO supplementation can be used as a natural growth promoter in rabbits, and both can also improve rabbits' antioxidant status. However, BP or PRO supplementation does not affect rabbits' renal or hepatic health status.

RESUMO

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with bee pollen (BP) and propolis (PRO) on productive performance, Eimeria oocyst counts in feces, blood metabolites, and the meat quality of growing rabbits. A total of 160 hybrid rabbits (California × New Zealand) of 30 days of age and 643 ± 8.0 g body weight (BW) were assigned to four treatments with 10 replicates each (four rabbits/replicate). The treatments were as follows: (1) CON: rabbits fed basal diet and not supplemented with BP or PRO; (2) BP500: CON + BP (500 mg/kg BW); (3) PRO50: CON + PRO (50 µL/kg BW); and (4) BP + PRO: CON + BP (500 mg/kg BW) + PRO (50 µL/kg BW). Higher daily weight gain (p = 0.04) and lower feed conversion rate (p = 0.03) were observed in rabbits supplemented with PRO50. In addition, supplementation with PRO50 and BP + PRO reduced the amount of Eimeria oocysts per gram of feces (p < 0.05). Most hematological and serum biochemical parameters were similar in rabbits of all treatments. Protein content, collagen, and meat color were similar between treatments. In conclusion, propolis supplementation (50 µL/kg BW) can prevent coccidiosis and act as a natural growth promoter in rabbits without affecting animal health and meat quality.

RESUMO

Division of labor is central to the ecological success of social insects. Among honeybees foragers, specialization for collecting nectar or pollen correlates with their sensitivity to gustatory stimuli (e.g. sugars). We hypothesize that pollen and nectar foragers also differ in their sensitivity to odors, and therefore in their likelihood to show odor-mediated responses. To assess foragers sensitivity to natural odors, we quantified the conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex (PER) to increasing concentrations (0.001; 0.01; 0.1; 1 M) of linalool or nonanal. Furthermore, we compared electroantennogram (EAG) recordings to correlate bees' conditioned responses with the electrophysiological responses of their antennae. To further explore differences of the antennal response of foragers in relation to task-related odors, we registered EAG signals for two behaviorally ''meaningful'' odors that mediate pollen collection: fresh pollen odors and the brood pheromone (E)-ß-ocimene. Pollen foragers performed better than nectar foragers in PER conditioning trials when linalool and nonanal were presented at low concentrations (0.001, 0.01 M). Consistently, their antennae showed stronger EAG signals (higher amplitudes) to these odors, suggesting that differences in sensitivity can be explained at the periphery of the olfactory system. Pollen and nectar foragers detect pollen odors differently, but not (E)-ß-ocimene. Pollen volatiles evoked EAG signals with hyper and depolarization components. In pollen foragers, the contribution of the hyperpolarization component was higher than in nectar foragers. We discuss our findings in terms of adaptive advantages to learn subtle olfactory cues that influence the ability to better identify/discriminate food sources.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this work was to investigate the potential use of zinc-dithiocarbimate salts to control Hemileia vastatrix, the causal agent of the coffee leaf rust disease, and to evaluate their toxicity towards Apis mellifera, one of the most important coffee plant pollinators. RESULTS: Zinc-dithiocarbimate salts were prepared and fully characterized by infrared, proton (1 H) and carbon-13 (13 C) nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analyses of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn). X-ray diffraction technique studies confirmed the proposed structures. The salts inhibited the germination of H. vastatrix spores in vitro, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) from 12 to 18 µmol.L-1 and a 90% inhibitory concentration (IC90 ) from 23 to 26 µmol.L-1 . Zinc-dithiocarbimate salts with the best in vitro results were selected for in vivo experiments with Coffea arabica var Caturra and with the pollinator A. mellifera. The results were similar to those of Mancozeb, a broad-spectrum contact fungicide, with a good control of the disease and low toxicity to the honeybee. CONCLUSION: The zinc-dithiocarbimate complex salts have potential to control coffee leaf rust, with low toxicity to the pollinator insect. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Honeybee pollen (HBP) chemical composition is highly variable conforming to the floral and geographical origin of the pollen grains. The beneficial effects and functional properties of the HBP are well-known and have been mainly attributed to their high content of antioxidant polyphenols. In this work, twelve HBPs samples from the Southern region of Chile (X Región de Los Lagos) were characterized for the first time according to their botanical origin, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity. The in vitro gastrointestinal digestion assay was done to simulate the human upper digestive tract. Selected honeybee pollen extracts (HBPEs) were assessed as bioaccessible fractions during an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Contents of phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and recovery index of quercetin, myricetin, and cinnamic acid were monitored in different steps of gastrointestinal digestion. Furthermore, the protective effect of in vitro digested HBP towards DNA damage induced by peroxyl radicals was evaluated. The introduced species Brassica rapa L. (Brassicaceae), Lotus pedunculatus Cav. (Fabaceae), and Ulex europaeus L. (Fabaceae) predominated in all the HBPs analyzed, while the native species Buddleja globosa Hope (Scrophulariaceae), Luma apiculata (DC.) Burret (Myrtaceae), Embothrium coccineum J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (Proteaceae) and Eucryphia cordifolia Cav. (Cunoniaceae) appeared less frequently. The content of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity in HBPEs achieved full bioaccessibility at the end of the intestinal digestion step. However, results obtained by a state-of-the-art technique (i.e. HPLC-DAD) demonstrated relatively low values of bioaccessible quercetin and cinnamic acid after the digestion process. In contrast, myricetin showed a high bioaccessibility in the intestinal digestion steps. The protective effect of in vitro digested HBP towards DNA damage induced by peroxyl radicals showed promising results (up to 91.2% protection). In conclusion, HBPs from the X Region de Los Lagos are rich sources of phenolic antioxidants that protect DNA from strand breakage. Therefore, the potential of HBPEs in preventing gastric and/or intestinal cancer should be further considered.

RESUMO

Introducción: Para la comercialización y mercadeo es importante determinar el origen botánico y geográfico mediante estudios polínico de mieles colectados por Apis mellifera (A. mellifera). Objetivo: efectuar un análisis polínico en muestras de mieles del departamento del Cauca, Colombia colectada por A. mellifera. Materiales y métodos. Las muestras de mieles fueron tomas en 11 apiarios durante 12 meses (2014-2015) en los municipios de Timbio, Totoró y Piendamó, se tomaron ejemplares de herbario de las plantas melíferas a 2Km a la redonda de los apiarios. Resultados. Se identificaron 110 tipos polínicos inmersos en las mieles, de los cuales la guayaba (Psidium guajava - Mirtaceae) con un 64% fue el tipo más frecuente para el municipio de Totoró, limpia dientes (Gouania polígama - Ramnaceae) con un 18,2% y 46% en Piendamó y Timbio, respectivamente. El resto de tipos polínicos se encuentran en menores proporciones. Conclusiones. Los análisis polínicos demuestran que las mieles colectadas durante la investigación se clasifican como poliflorales por la alta variedad de plantas cultivadas y silvestres que conservan y cultivan los apicultores del Cauca.

Introduction: For the commercialization and marketing of honeys it is important to determine the botanical and geographical origin through pollen studies of honeys collected by Apis mellifera (A. mellifera). Objective: to carry out a pollen analysis on honey samples from the department of Cauca, Colombia collected by A. mellifera. Materials and methods The honeys samples were taken in 11 apiaries during 12 months (2014-2015) to the municipalities of Timbio, Totoró and Piendamó. Moreover, specimens of herbarium were taken from melliferous plants at 2Km from the apiaries. Results: There were identified 86 pollen types immersed in honeys, of which in guava (Psidium guajava - Mirtaceae) with 64% was the most frequent type for the municipality of Totoró. Limpiadientes (Gouania polygama - Ramnaceae) with 18.2% and 46% in Piendamó and Timbio respectively. The rest of the pollen types were found in smaller proportions. Conclusion. The pollen analyses indicated that the honeys collected during the investigation are classified as polyfloral by the high variety of plants cultivated and wild that conserve and cultivate the beekeepers of Cauca.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Abstract Experiments were performed investigating citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) as a repellent to honeybee Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Egypt, it was conducted in laboratory in the Department of Entomology and Pesticides Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, to check long-term survival of honeybee when exposed to different nano insecticides alone or combined with citronella at the same examination box for each. In this study, we used a modeling approach regarding survival data of caged worker bees under chronic exposure to four insecticides (Chloropyrophos, Nano-chloropyrophos Imidacloprid, Nano-Imidacloprid) each of them was supplemented in a box alone and in combination with citronella. Having three replicates and five concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm). Laboratory bioassay of these insecticides showed that chloropyrophos and nano chloropyrophos were the most toxic at their high dose (500 ppm) with LT50 of 120.98 and 122.02 followed by 132.14 and 136.5 minutes for Imidacloprid and Nano-Imidacloprid, respectively. No consumption occurred by bees to mixed sugar syrup with insecticides in all treatments when citronella was added. These data highly recommended that adding citronella is very effective when nicotinoid pesticides are used to longevity honeybee life and keep bee safe.

Resumo Foram realizados experimentos para investigar a citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) como repelente de abelhas Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) no Egito, conduzidos no laboratório do Departamento de Entomologia e Ciência de Pesticidas, da Faculdade de Agricultura, da Universidade do Cairo, e verificar a sobrevivência a longo prazo das abelhas quando expostas a diferentes nanoinseticidas isoladamente ou combinados com citronela na mesma caixa de exame para cada um. Neste estudo, usamos uma abordagem de modelagem em relação aos dados de sobrevivência de abelhas operárias enjauladas sob exposição crônica a quatro inseticidas (clorpirifós, nanoclorpirifós, imidacloprida e nanoimidacloprida), e cada um deles foi suplementado em uma caixa e em combinação com citronela, tendo três repetições e cinco concentrações (100, 200, 300, 400 e 500 ppm). O bioensaio em laboratório desses inseticidas mostrou que clorpirifós e nanoclorpirifós foram os mais tóxicos em altas doses (500 ppm) com LT50 de 120,98 e 122,02, seguidos por 132,14 e 136,5 minutos para imidacloprida e nanoimidacloprida, respectivamente. Não houve consumo pelas abelhas do xarope de açúcar misto com inseticidas em todos os tratamentos quando a citronela foi adicionada. Esses dados recomendam a adição de citronela, sendo muito eficaz quando pesticidas nicotinoides são utilizados para longevidade das abelhas e para mantê-las seguras.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Experiments were performed investigating citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) as a repellent to honeybee Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Egypt, it was conducted in laboratory in the Department of Entomology and Pesticides Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, to check long-term survival of honeybee when exposed to different nano insecticides alone or combined with citronella at the same examination box for each. In this study, we used a modeling approach regarding survival data of caged worker bees under chronic exposure to four insecticides (Chloropyrophos, Nano-chloropyrophos Imidacloprid, Nano-Imidacloprid) each of them was supplemented in a box alone and in combination with citronella. Having three replicates and five concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm). Laboratory bioassay of these insecticides showed that chloropyrophos and nano chloropyrophos were the most toxic at their high dose (500 ppm) with LT50 of 120.98 and 122.02 followed by 132.14 and 136.5 minutes for Imidacloprid and Nano-Imidacloprid, respectively. No consumption occurred by bees to mixed sugar syrup with insecticides in all treatments when citronella was added. These data highly recommended that adding citronella is very effective when nicotinoid pesticides are used to longevity honeybee life and keep bee safe.(AU)

Foram realizados experimentos para investigar a citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) como repelente de abelhas Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) no Egito, conduzidos no laboratório do Departamento de Entomologia e Ciência de Pesticidas, da Faculdade de Agricultura, da Universidade do Cairo, e verificar a sobrevivência a longo prazo das abelhas quando expostas a diferentes nanoinseticidas isoladamente ou combinados com citronela na mesma caixa de exame para cada um. Neste estudo, usamos uma abordagem de modelagem em relação aos dados de sobrevivência de abelhas operárias enjauladas sob exposição crônica a quatro inseticidas (clorpirifós, nanoclorpirifós, imidacloprida e nanoimidacloprida), e cada um deles foi suplementado em uma caixa e em combinação com citronela, tendo três repetições e cinco concentrações (100, 200, 300, 400 e 500 ppm). O bioensaio em laboratório desses inseticidas mostrou que clorpirifós e nanoclorpirifós foram os mais tóxicos em altas doses (500 ppm) com LT50 de 120,98 e 122,02, seguidos por 132,14 e 136,5 minutos para imidacloprida e nanoimidacloprida, respectivamente. Não houve consumo pelas abelhas do xarope de açúcar misto com inseticidas em todos os tratamentos quando a citronela foi adicionada. Esses dados recomendam a adição de citronela, sendo muito eficaz quando pesticidas nicotinoides são utilizados para longevidade das abelhas e para mantê-las seguras.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Honey has been employed since antiquity due to its sensory, nutritional, and therapeutic properties. These characteristics are related to its physical and chemical composition. For example, phenolic compounds are substances that can determine antioxidant activity, as well as sensory characteristics, and can be employed as biomarkers of floral and geographical origin. This has generated a growing interest in the study of phenolic compounds and their influence in the intrinsic properties of this beekeeping product. This review aims to summarize, analyze, and update the status of the research that demonstrates the role of phenolic compounds in antioxidant activity, botanical-geographical origin, and the sensory characteristics of honey. These phenolic compounds, according to various results reported, have great relevance in honey's biological and functional activity. This leads to research that will link phenolic compounds to their floral, geographical, productive, and territorial origin, as well as some sensory and functional characteristics.

RESUMO

Nutrition is vital for health and immune function in honey bees (Apis mellifera). The effect of diets enriched with bee-associated yeasts and essential oils of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) was tested on survival, food intake, accumulated fat body tissue, and gene expression of vitellogenin (Vg), prophenoloxidase (proPO) and glucose oxidase (GOx) in newly emerged worker bees. The enriched diets were provided to bees under the premise that supplementation with yeasts or essential oils can enhance health variables and the expression of genes related to immune function in worker bees. Based on a standard pollen substitute, used as a control diet, enriched diets were formulated, five with added bee-associated yeasts (Starmerella bombicola, Starmerella etchellsii, Starmerella bombicola 2, Zygosaccharomyces mellis, and the brewers' yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and three with added essential oils from L. graveolens (carvacrol, thymol, and sesquiterpenes). Groups of bees were fed one of the diets for 9 or 12 days. Survival probability was similar in the yeast and essential oils treatments in relation to the control, but median survival was lower in the carvacrol and sesquiterpenes treatments. Food intake was higher in all the yeast treatments than in the control. Fat body percentage in individual bees was slightly lower in all treatments than in the control, with significant decreases in the thymol and carvacrol treatments. Expression of the genes Vg, proPO, and GOx was minimally affected by the yeast treatments but was adversely affected by the carvacrol and thymol treatments.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Much of the complex anatomy of a holometabolous insect is built from disc-shaped epithelial structures found inside the larva, i.e., the imaginal discs, which undergo a rapid differentiation during metamorphosis. Imaginal discs-derived structures, like wings, are built through the action of genes under precise regulation. RESULTS: We analyzed 30 honeybee transcriptomes in the search for the gene expression needed for wings and thoracic dorsum construction from the larval wing discs primordia. Analyses were carried out before, during, and after the metamorphic molt and using worker and queen castes. Our RNA-seq libraries revealed 13,202 genes, representing 86.2% of the honeybee annotated genes. Gene Ontology analysis revealed functional terms that were caste-specific or shared by workers and queens. Genes expressed in wing discs and descendant structures showed differential expression profiles dynamics in premetamorphic, metamorphic and postmetamorphic developmental phases, and also between castes. At the metamorphic molt, when ecdysteroids peak, the wing buds of workers showed maximal gene upregulation comparatively to queens, thus underscoring differences in gene expression between castes at the height of the larval-pupal transition. Analysis of small RNA libraries of wing buds allowed us to build miRNA-mRNA interaction networks to predict the regulation of genes expressed during wing discs development. CONCLUSION: Together, these data reveal gene expression dynamics leading to wings and thoracic dorsum formation from the wing discs, besides highlighting caste-specific differences during wing discs metamorphosis.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Microtubules (MTs) are important structures of the cytoskeleton in neurons. Mammalian brain MTs act as biomolecular transistors that generate highly synchronous electrical oscillations. However, their role in brain function is largely unknown. To gain insight into the MT electrical oscillatory activity of the brain, we turned to the honeybee (Apis mellifera) as a useful model to isolate brains and MTs. The patch clamp technique was applied to MT sheets of purified honeybee brain MTs. High resistance seal patches showed electrical oscillations that linearly depended on the holding potential between ± 200 mV and had an average conductance in the order of ~9 nS. To place these oscillations in the context of the brain, we also explored local field potential (LFP) recordings from the Triton X-permeabilized whole honeybee brain unmasking spontaneous oscillations after but not before tissue permeabilization. Frequency domain spectral analysis of time records indicated at least two major peaks at approximately ~38 Hz and ~93 Hz in both preparations. The present data provide evidence that MT electrical oscillations are a novel signaling mechanism implicated in brain wave activity observed in the insect brain.

RESUMO

Propolis is produced by honeybees from materials collected from plants they visit. It is a resinous material having mixtures of wax and bee enzymes. Propolis is also known as bee glue and used by bees as a building material in their hives, for blocking holes and cracks, repairing the combs and strengthening their thin borders. It has been extensively used since ancient times for different purposes in traditional human healthcare practices. The quality and composition of propolis depend on its geographic location, climatic zone and local flora. The New Zealand and Brazilian green propolis are the two main kinds that have been extensively studied in recent years. Their bioactive components have been found to possess a variety of therapeutic potentials. It was found that Brazilian green propolis improves the cognitive functions of mild cognitive impairments in patients living at high altitude and protects them from neurodegenerative damage through its antioxidant properties. It possesses artepillin C (ARC) as the key component, also known to possess anticancer potential. The New Zealand propolis contains caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) as the main bioactive with multiple therapeutic potentials. Our lab performed in vitro and in vivo assays on the extracts prepared from New Zealand and Brazilian propolis and their active ingredients. We provided experimental evidence that these extracts possess anticancer, antistress and hypoxia-modulating activities. Furthermore, their conjugation with γCD proved to be more effective. In the present review, we portray the experimental evidence showing that propolis has the potential to be a candidate drug for different ailments and improve the quality of life.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Brain differential morphogenesis in females is one of the major phenotypic manifestations of caste development in honey bees. Brain diphenism appears at the fourth larval phase as a result of the differential feeding regime developing females are submitted during early phases of larval development. Here, we used a forward genetics approach to test the early brain molecular response to differential feeding leading to the brain diphenism observed at later developmental phases. Using RNA sequencing analysis, we identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the brains of queens and workers at the third larval phase. Since miRNAs have been suggested to play a role in caste differentiation after horizontal and vertical transmission, we tested their potential participation in regulating the DEGs. The miRNA-mRNA interaction network, including the DEGs and the royal- and worker-jelly enriched miRNA populations, revealed a subset of miRNAs potentially involved in regulating the expression of DEGs. The interaction of miR-34, miR-210, and miR-317 with Takeout, Neurotrophin-1, Forked, and Masquerade genes was experimentally confirmed using a luciferase reporter system. Taken together, our results reconstruct the regulatory network that governs the development of the early brain diphenism in honey bees.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Managed honeybees play an important role as pollinators. The health and nutritional condition of honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) depends for an important part on management practices, and it is influenced by multiple factors. This study aims to identify the stressors that lead to the loss of honeybee health and its consequences on the colony's productivity. Different aspects related to management practices, productivity, clinical observations related to diseases, presence of sanitary gaps in the apiaries, colony strength, weather and infestation rates by Varroa sp. mites were measured. The information was collected during two monitoring in 53 apiaries in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. The results show correlations among many of the management practices, health condition and yield. The most important factors affecting the productivity of the studied honeybee colonies were nuclei preparation, the number of combs in the brood chamber, change of bee queen, disinfection of beekeeping material, among other less significant ones. Although honey production is important in the region, the colony strength was deficient and inadequate during both monitoring. Due to its dependence on management by the beekeeper, it is suggested that a holistic approach could improve bee health, increasing the productivity of honeybees.

RESUMO

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the case of a 19-year-old male presenting with bradycardia and hypotension after a honeybee sting making a review of the literature and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular and electrocardiogram (EKG) changes after a bee sting. Methods: The patient's airway was inspected and secured. Electrocardiogram with an idioventricular rhythm at 41' bpm. Oxygen was administered, an intravenous access was established, and the transcutaneous pacemaker leads were placed on the chest of the patient, then published guidelines management was induced. Results: The EKG showed idioventricular rhythm at a rate of 41 beats/min that resolved to a normal sinus rhythm after treatment. Conclusions: A full and prompt cardiovascular evaluation should be performed in all patients presenting to the emergency department after a bee sting, and published guidelines regarding the management of bradycardia and anaphylaxis should be followed to achieve successful outcomes.

Resumen Objetivo: Describir el caso de un paciente masculino de 19 años que presenta bradicardia e hipotensión después de una picadura de abeja haciendo una revisión de la literatura y fisiopatología de los cambios cardiovasculares y electrocardiográficos después de una picadura de abeja. Métodos: Se inspeccionó y aseguró la vía aérea del paciente. Un rastreo de ECG realizado al ingreso reveló ritmo idioventricular a una ritmo de 41 latidos por minuto. Se administró oxígeno, se estableció un acceso IV y se colocaron los cables del marcapasos transcutáneo en el tórax del paciente, luego se indujo el manejo de las guías publicadas. Resultados: El electrocardiograma mostró un ritmo idioventricular a una frecuencia de 41 latidos por minuto que se resolvió a un ritmo sinusal normal después del tratamiento. Conclusiones: Se debe realizar una evaluación cardiovascular completa y rápida en todos los pacientes que se presentan al departamento de emergencias después de una picadura de abeja, y se deben seguir las pautas publicadas sobre el manejo de la bradicardia y la anafilaxia para lograr resultados exitosos.

Assuntos