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Madureira J, Paciência I, Pereira C, Teixeira JP, Fernandes EDO. Indoor air quality in Portuguese schools: levels and sources of pollutants. INDOOR AIR 2016; 26:526-37. [PMID: 26182845 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters in 73 primary classrooms in Porto were examined for the purpose of assessing levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, particulate matter, ventilation rates and bioaerosols within and between schools, and potential sources. Levels of VOCs, aldehydes, PM2.5 , PM10 , bacteria and fungi, carbon dioxide (CO2 ), carbon monoxide, temperature and relative humidity were measured indoors and outdoors and a walkthrough survey was performed concurrently. Ventilation rates were derived from CO2 and occupancy data. Concentrations of CO2 exceeding 1000 ppm were often encountered, indicating poor ventilation. Most VOCs had low concentrations (median of individual species <5 μg/m(3) ) and were below the respective WHO guidelines. Concentrations of particulate matter and culturable bacteria were frequently higher than guidelines/reference values. The variability of VOCs, aldehydes, bioaerosol concentrations, and CO2 levels between schools exceeded the variability within schools. These findings indicate that IAQ problems may persist in classrooms where pollutant sources exist and classrooms are poorly ventilated; source control strategies (related to building location, occupant behavior, maintenance/cleaning activities) are deemed to be the most reliable for the prevention of adverse health consequences in children in schools.
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Ruuskanen S, Gienapp P, Groothuis TGG, Schaper SV, Darras VM, Pereira C, de Vries B, Visser ME. Heritable variation in maternally derived yolk androgens, thyroid hormones and immune factors. Heredity (Edinb) 2016; 117:184-90. [PMID: 27381323 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal reproductive investment can critically influence offspring phenotype, and thus these maternal effects are expected to be under strong natural selection. Knowledge on the extent of heritable variation in the physiological mechanisms underlying maternal effects is however limited. In birds, resource allocation to eggs is a key mechanism for mothers to affect their offspring and different components of the egg may or may not be independently adjusted. We studied the heritability of egg components and their genetic and phenotypic covariation in great tits (Parus major), using captive-bred full siblings of wild origin. Egg mass, testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A4) hormone concentrations showed moderate heritability, in agreement with earlier findings. Interestingly, yolk triiodothyronine hormone (T3), but not its precursor, thyroxine hormone (T4), concentration was heritable. An immune factor, albumen lysozyme, showed moderate heritability, but yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) did not. The genetic correlation estimates were moderate but statistically nonsignificant; a trend for a positive genetic correlation was found between A4 and egg mass, T and lysozyme and IgY and lysozyme, respectively. Interestingly, phenotypic correlations were found only between A4 and T, and T4 and T3, respectively. Given that these egg components are associated with fitness-related traits in the offspring (and mother), and that we show that some components are heritable, it opens the possibility that natural selection may shape the rate and direction of phenotypic change via egg composition.
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Grave J, Soares S, Madeira N, Rodrigues P, Santos T, Roque C, Morais S, Pereira C, Santos V. Control of attention in bipolar disorder: Effects of perceptual load in processing task-irrelevant facial expressions. Eur Psychiatry 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD), along with schizophrenia, is one of the most severe psychiatric conditions and is correlated with attentional deficits and emotion dysregulation. Bipolar patients appear to be highly sensitive to the presence of emotional distractors. Yet, no study has investigated whether perceptual load modulates the interference of emotionally distracting information. Our main goal was to test whether bipolar patients are more sensitive to task-irrelevant emotional stimulus, even when the task demands a high amount of attentional resources.Fourteen participants with BD I or BD II and 14 controls, age- and gender-matched, performed a target-letter discrimination task with emotional task-irrelevant stimulus (angry, happy and neutral facial expressions). Target-letters were presented among five distractor-letters, which could be the same (low perceptual load) or different (high perceptual load). Participants should discriminate the target-letter and ignore the facial expression. Response time and accuracy rate were analyzed.Resultsshowed a greater interference of facial stimuli at high load than low load, confirming the effectiveness of perceptual load manipulation. More importantly, patients tarried significantly longer at high load. This is consistent with deficits in control of attention, showing that bipolar patients are more prone to distraction by task-irrelevant stimulus only when the task is more demanding. Moreover, for bipolar patients neutral and angry faces resulted in a higher interference with the task (longer response time), compared to controls, suggesting an attentional bias for neutral and threating social cues. Nevertheless, a more detailed investigation regarding the attentional impairments in social context in BD is needed.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Mendes A, Papoila AL, Carreiro-Martins P, Bonassi S, Caires I, Palmeiro T, Aguiar L, Pereira C, Neves P, Mendes D, Botelho MAS, Neuparth N, Teixeira JP. The impact of indoor air quality and contaminants on respiratory health of older people living in long-term care residences in Porto. Age Ageing 2016; 45:136-42. [PMID: 26563886 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afv157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND persons who are 65 years or older often spend an important part of their lives indoors thus adverse indoor climate might influence their health status. OBJECTIVE to evaluate the influence of indoor air quality and contaminants on older people's respiratory health. DESIGN cross-sectional study. SETTING 21 long-term care residences (LTC) in the city of Porto, Portugal. SUBJECTS older people living in LTC with ≥65 years old. METHODS the Portuguese version of BOLD questionnaire was administered by an interviewer to older residents able to participate (n = 143). Indoor air contaminants (IAC) were measured twice, during winter and summer in 135 areas. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to study the association between the health questionnaire results and the monitored IAC, adjusted for age, smoking habits, gender and number of years living in the LTC. RESULTS cough (23%) and sputum (12%) were the major respiratory symptoms, and allergic rhinitis (22%) the main self-reported illness. Overall particulate matter up to 2.5 micrometres in size median concentration was above the reference levels both in winter and summer seasons. Peak values of particulate matter up to 10 micrometres in size (PM10), total volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, bacteria and fungi exceeded the reference levels. Older people exposed to PM10 above the reference levels demonstrated higher odds of allergic rhinitis (OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1-7.2). CONCLUSION high levels of PM10 were associated with 3-fold odds of allergic rhinitis. No association was found between indoor air chemical and biological contaminants and respiratory symptoms.
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Oliveira M, Pereira C, Bessa C, Araujo R, Saraiva L. Hydrogen peroxide-induced secondary necrosis in conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus. Can J Microbiol 2015; 62:95-101. [PMID: 26639790 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2015-0561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus conidia have been linked to severe aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Recently, the cytotoxic effect of secondary metabolites from A. fumigatus conidia was reported. In the present work, a methodology used to detect cell death markers in fungal hyphae was adapted to study conidia cell death. Additionally, the mechanism of H2O2-induced cell death was studied in A. fumigatus conidia for the first time. Data presented in this work reveal that the H2O2-induced conidial cell death was associated with a marked increase of TUNEL- and PI-positive cells. It is therefore suggested that conidia cell death occurs in a dose-dependent manner through a secondary necrosis mechanism. The knowledge of conidia cell death machinery may provide insights into the molecular mechanism of conidia-mediated toxicity to the respiratory tract and may pave the way for improved therapeutic approaches against A. fumigatus conidia-mediated diseases.
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Noble PW, Bradford WZ, Costabel U, Glaspole I, Glassberg MK, Gorina E, Kardatzke D, Lancaster L, Lederer DJ, Nathan SD, Pereira C, Spirig D, Swigris JJ, Valeyre D, Albera C. P14 Pirfenidone is efficacious in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with more preserved lung function. Thorax 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-207770.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Meira E, Cruz M, Loureiro H, Duarte I, Teixeira C, Pereira C. Sleep and chronotype of Portuguese adolescents: Results from a national survey. Sleep Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2015.02.1364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Pereira S, Pereira C, Santos L, Klumpp J, Almeida A. Potential of phage cocktails in the inactivation of Enterobacter cloacae--An in vitro study in a buffer solution and in urine samples. Virus Res 2015; 211:199-208. [PMID: 26541317 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the dynamics of three previously isolated phages for Enterobacter cloacae in order to evaluate their ability to treat urinary tract infections (UTI). The phages genomes, survival, host range, were characterized, and the host-phage dynamics was determined in culture medium and urine samples. The presence of prophages in bacteria, host recovery and development of resistance to phage after treatment was also evaluated. The growth of the E. cloacae was inhibited by the three phages, resulting in a decrease of ≈3 log. The use of cocktails with two or three phages was significantly more effective (decrease of ≈4 log). In urine, the inactivation was still effective (≈2 log). Both phages were considered safe to inactivate the bacteria (no integrase and toxin codifying genes). Some bacteria remained viable in the presence of the phages, but their colonies were smaller than those of the non-treated control and were visible only after 5 days of incubation (visible after 24h in the control). A high bacterial inactivation efficiency with phage cocktails combined with the safety of the phages and their long periods of survival, even in urine samples, paves the way for depth studies, especially in vivo studies, to control urinary tract infection and to overcome the development of resistances by the nosocomial bacterium E. cloacae.
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Souza R, Gastaldi V, Rodríguez Y, Pereira C, Fernades J, Carlos R, Bueno O, Fontanetti C. Genotoxic action of a metallic-insecticide using Tradescantia pallida as test organism. Toxicol Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Mendes A, Papoila A, Martins P, Caires I, Palmeiro T, Aguiar L, Pereira C, Neves P, Costa S, Teixeira J. Health impact of indoor air quality on elderly living in care centres located in Porto city. Toxicol Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Fortini A, Monteiro F, Scari M, da Silva F, Sousa R, da Silva C, Costa A, Pereira C, Veloso M. Recent advances on the use of reprocessed fuels and combined thorium fuel cycles in HTR systems. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fernández-García MP, Teixeira JM, Machado P, Oliveira MRFF, Maia JM, Pereira C, Pereira AM, Freire C, Araujo JP. Automatized and desktop AC-susceptometer for the in situ and real time monitoring of magnetic nanoparticles' synthesis by coprecipitation. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2015; 86:043904. [PMID: 25933868 DOI: 10.1063/1.4918723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The main purpose of this work was to design, develop, and construct a simple desktop AC susceptometer to monitor in situ and in real time the coprecipitation synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles. The design incorporates one pair of identical pick-up sensing coils and one pair of Helmholtz coils. The picked up signal is detected by a lock-in SR850 amplifier that measures the in- and out-of-phase signals. The apparatus also includes a stirrer with 45°-angle blades to promote the fast homogenization of the reaction mixture. Our susceptometer has been successfully used to monitor the coprecipitation reaction for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles.
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Alkhuriji M, Pereira C, Borowicz P, Baranko L, Wellnitz K, Swanson K, Berg E. Influence of diet on serum glucose and insulin concentrations, insulin receptor concentration in adipose and muscle tissues, and oxygen consumption in liver and muscle in gilts. Meat Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.09.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Pereira Barbosa M, Bugalho de Almeida A, Pereira C, Chen CW, Georgiou P, Peachey G. Real-life efficacy and safety of omalizumab in Portuguese patients with persistent uncontrolled asthma. REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE PNEUMOLOGIA 2015; 21:151-6. [PMID: 25926246 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppnen.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The real life effectiveness, safety and the use of omalizumab for Portuguese patients with uncontrolled persistent allergic asthma are not sufficiently well known. The objective of this report was to make an evaluation, in a post-marketing, non-interventional, observational registry, of the Portuguese population included in the eXpeRience study. METHODS The methods used in this report are the same as the global eXpeRience ones, applied to a Portuguese sub-population. Patients with uncontrolled allergic asthma who had started omalizumab within the previous 15 weeks were enrolled and received omalizumab add-on therapy for 24 months. The physicians' global evaluation of treatment effectiveness (GETE), asthma symptoms and control (ACT score), quality of life (mini-AQLQ score), exacerbations, and serious adverse events (SAE) were reported. RESULTS Of the 943 patients recruited in the eXpeRience registry, 62 patients were from Portugal. 62.1% of them were observed to be responders with good/excellent GETE assessment at Week 16. Clinically meaningful improvements in asthma control (ACT score) and quality of life (mini-AQLQ score) were observed with omalizumab therapy at Months 12 (mean change: +7.7 [n=35]; +2.1 [n=20], respectively) and 24 (mean change: +7.0 [n=26]; +2.7 [n=13], respectively). Asthma symptoms and rescue medication usage were reduced to ≤1 day/week at Month 24 from a baseline of ≥3.5 days/week. The proportion of patients with no clinically significant exacerbations increased from 6.5% during pre-treatment (n=62) to 50% at Month 12 (n=54) and 60% at Month 24 (n=45). CONCLUSION The findings from the Portugal subpopulation of eXpeRience registry confirm that omalizumab add-on therapy is efficacious and well tolerated in the management of uncontrolled persistent allergic asthma. Another pertinent issue is the fact that the Portuguese subpopulation response is similar to the international population average of the study.
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Pereira C, Santos L, Silva AP, Silva YJ, Cunha A, Romalde JL, Nunes ML, Almeida A. Seasonal variation of bacterial communities in shellfish harvesting waters: preliminary study before applying phage therapy. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 90:68-77. [PMID: 25484114 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The recurrent emergence of infections outbreaks associated with shellfish consumption is an important health problem, which results in substantial economic losses to the seafood industry. Even after depuration, shellfish is still involved in outbreaks caused by pathogenic bacteria, which increases the demand for new efficient strategies to control the shellfish infection transmission. Phage therapy during the shellfish depuration is a promising approach, but its success depends on a detailed understanding of the dynamics of bacterial communities in the harvesting waters. This study intends to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of the overall bacterial communities, disease-causing bacterial populations and bacterial sanitary quality indicators in two authorized harvesting-zones at Ria de Aveiro. During the hot season, the total bacterial community presented high complexity and new prevalent populations of the main shellfish pathogenic bacteria emerged. These results indicate that the spring/summer season is a critical period during which phage therapy should be applied.
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Rufo JC, Madureira J, Paciência I, Slezakova K, Pereira MDC, Pereira C, Teixeira JP, Pinto M, Moreira A, Fernandes EDO. Exposure of Children to Ultrafine Particles in Primary Schools in Portugal. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2015; 78:904-914. [PMID: 26167756 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2015.1048866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Children spend a large part of their time at schools, which might be reflected as chronic exposure. Ultrafine particles (UFP) are generally associated with a more severe toxicity compared to fine and coarse particles, due to their ability to penetrate cell membranes. In addition, children tend to be more susceptible to UFP-mediated toxicity compared to adults, due to various factors including undeveloped immune and respiratory systems and inhalation rates. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine indoor UFP number concentrations in Portuguese primary schools. Ultrafine particles were sampled between January and March 2014 in 10 public primary schools (35 classrooms) located in Porto, Portugal. Overall, the average indoor UFP number concentrations were not significantly different from outdoor concentrations (8.69 × 10(3) vs. 9.25 × 10(3) pt/cm(3), respectively; considering 6.5 h of indoor occupancy). Classrooms with distinct characteristics showed different trends of indoor UFP concentrations. The levels of carbon dioxide were negatively correlated with indoor UFP concentrations. Occupational density was significantly and positively correlated with UFP concentrations. Although the obtained results need to be interpreted with caution since there are no guidelines for UFP levels, special attention needs to be given to source control strategies in order to reduce major particle emissions and ensure good indoor air quality.
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Madureira J, Paciência I, Ramos E, Barros H, Pereira C, Teixeira JP, Fernandes EDO. Children's Health and Indoor Air Quality in Primary Schools and Homes in Portugal-Study Design. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2015; 78:915-930. [PMID: 26167757 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2015.1048926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The main aim of the research project "On the Contribution of Schools to Children's Overall Indoor Air Exposure" is to study associations between adverse health effects, namely, allergy, asthma, and respiratory symptoms, and indoor air pollutants to which children are exposed to in primary schools and homes. Specifically, this investigation reports on the design of the study and methods used for data collection within the research project and discusses factors that need to be considered when designing such a study. Further, preliminary findings concerning descriptors of selected characteristics in schools and homes, the study population, and clinical examination are presented. The research project was designed in two phases. In the first phase, 20 public primary schools were selected and a detailed inspection and indoor air quality (IAQ) measurements including volatile organic compounds (VOC), aldehydes, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), bacteria, fungi, temperature, and relative humidity were conducted. A questionnaire survey of 1600 children of ages 8-9 years was undertaken and a lung function test, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), and tear film stability testing were performed. The questionnaire focused on children's health and on the environment in their school and homes. One thousand and ninety-nine questionnaires were returned. In the second phase, a subsample of 68 children was enrolled for further studies, including a walk-through inspection and checklist and an extensive set of IAQ measurements in their homes. The acquired data are relevant to assess children's environmental exposures and health status.
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Duarte AS, Cavaleiro E, Pereira C, Merino S, Esteves AC, Duarte EP, Tomás JM, Correia AC. Aeromonas piscicola AH-3 expresses an extracellular collagenase with cytotoxic properties. Lett Appl Microbiol 2014; 60:288-97. [PMID: 25443157 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and the phenotypic expression of a gene coding for a putative collagenase. This gene (AHA_0517) was identified in Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 7966 genome and named colAh. We constructed and characterized an Aeromonas piscicola AH-3::colAh knockout mutant. Collagenolytic activity of the wild-type and mutant strains was determined, demonstrating that colAh encodes for a collagenase. ColAh-collagen interaction was assayed by Far-Western blot, and cytopathic effects were investigated in Vero cells. We demonstrated that ColAh is a gluzincin metallopeptidase (approx. 100 kDa), able to cleave and physically interact with collagen, that contributes for Aeromonas collagenolytic activity and cytotoxicity. ColAh possess the consensus HEXXH sequence and a glutamic acid as the third zinc binding positioned downstream the HEXXH motif, but has low sequence similarity and distinct domain architecture to the well-known clostridial collagenases. In addition, these results highlight the importance of exploring new microbial collagenases that may have significant relevance for the health and biotechnological industries. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Collagenases play a central role in processes where collagen digestion is needed, for example host invasion by pathogenic micro-organisms. We identified a new collagenase from Aeromonas using an integrated in silico/in vitro strategy. This enzyme is able to bind and cleave collagen, contributes for AH-3 cytotoxicity and shares low similarity with known bacterial collagenases. This is the first report of an enzyme belonging to the gluzincin subfamily of the M9 family of peptidases in Aeromonas. This study increases the current knowledge on collagenolytic enzymes bringing new perspectives for biotechnology/medical purposes.
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Pereira C, Rubio TC, Rubio RD. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Maintenance Treatment With Rituximab In Patients With Follicular Lymphoma Responding To First Line Induction Therapy In Portugal. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2014; 17:A530-A531. [PMID: 27201679 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.1684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
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Veiga N, Carvalho P, Pereira C, Lopes P, Coelho I. Efficacy of oral health promotion in the control of bacterial dental plaque – preliminary study. Eur J Public Health 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku161.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Veiga N, Amaral O, Pereira C, Chaves C, Nelas P, Ferreira M, Ferreira P, Correia I. Prevalence of oral hygiene habits and dental appointments among a portuguese sample of adolescents. Eur J Public Health 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku151.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Picot Groz M, Martinez Bueno MJ, Rosain D, Fenet H, Casellas C, Pereira C, Maria V, Bebianno MJ, Gomez E. Detection of emerging contaminants (UV filters, UV stabilizers and musks) in marine mussels from Portuguese coast by QuEChERS extraction and GC-MS/MS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 493:162-169. [PMID: 24946029 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The UV filters and musk fragrances have come into focus because these compounds are contained and increasingly used not only in sunscreen products but also in many products of daily use, such as cosmetics, skin creams, plastics or varnish. In view of this, the main objective of the present work was to develop and validate a method for the determination of three UV filters, two UV stabilizers and four musks in mussel samples (Mytilus galloprovincialis). The procedure combined a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction method with an analysis by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The methodology allowed the determination of target analytes at trace concentration levels (ng/g), with mean recoveries ranging from 91 to 112%. A monitoring study was conducted in four beaches in the Portuguese coast which are impacted by recreational activities and outflow of treated waste water effluents in rivers. The results are used to assess the occurrence of UV filters in comparison with UV stabilizers and musk fragrances which indicate other activities than bathing.
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Rebordão MR, Carneiro C, Alexandre-Pires G, Brito P, Pereira C, Nunes T, Galvão A, Leitão A, Vilela C, Ferreira-Dias G. Neutrophil extracellular traps formation by bacteria causing endometritis in the mare. J Reprod Immunol 2014; 106:41-9. [PMID: 25218891 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Besides the classical functions, neutrophils (PMNs) are able to release DNA in response to infectious stimuli, forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and killing pathogens. The pathogenesis of endometritis in the mare is not completely understood. The aim was to evaluate the in vitro capacity of equine PMNs to secrete NETs by chemical activation, or stimulated with Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (Szoo), Escherichia coli (Ecoli) or Staphylococcus capitis (Scap) strains obtained from mares with endometritis. Ex vivo endometrial mucus from mares with bacterial endometritis were evaluated for the presence of NETs. Equine blood PMNs were used either without or with stimulation by phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA), a strong inducer of NETs, for 1-3h. To evaluate PMN ability to produce NETs when phagocytosis was impaired, the phagocytosis inhibitor cytochalasin (Cyt) was added after PMA. After the addition of bacteria, a subsequent 1-h incubation was carried out in seven groups. NETs were visualized by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and anti-histone. Ex vivo samples were immunostained for myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase. A 3-h incubation period of PMN + PMA increased NETs (p < 0.05). Bacteria + 25 nM PMA and bacteria + PMA + Cyt increased NETs (p<0.05). Szoo induced fewer NETs than Ecoli or Scap (p < 0.05). Ex vivo NETs were present in mares with endometritis. Scanning electron microscopy showed the spread of NETs formed by smooth fibers and globules that can be aggregated in thick bundles. Formation of NETs and the subsequent entanglement of bacteria suggest that equine NETs might be a complementary mechanism in fighting some of the bacteria causing endometritis in the mare.
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Velasquez C, Sousa R, Fortini A, Pereira C, Costa A, da Silva C, Veloso M, de Oliveira A, de Carvalho F. Spent fuel criticality and compositions evaluation for long-term disposal in a generic cask. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2014.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Salomé J, Guerra B, Pereira C, de Menezes M, da Silva C, Dalle H. Evaluation of the thermal neutron flux in samples of Al–Au alloy irradiated in the carrousel channels of the TRIGA MARK I IPR-R1 reactor using MCNP code. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2014.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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