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Gonçalves J, Rosado T, Barroso M, Restolho J, Fernández N, Luís Â, Gallardo E, Duarte AP. Comparative study of sample preparation procedures to determine the main compounds in ayahuasca beverages by QuEChERS and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Phytochem Anal 2024. [PMID: 38699824 DOI: 10.1002/pca.3370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ayahuasca is a psychoactive drink originally consumed by indigenous people of the Amazon. The lack of regulation of this drink leads to uncontrolled consumption, and it is often consumed in religious contexts. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work is to compare three miniaturised extraction techniques for extracting the main ayahuasca compounds from beverages. METHODOLOGY Three sample pretreatment techniques were evaluated (dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction [DLLME], microextraction by packed sorbent [MEPS] and QuEChERS [Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe]) for the simultaneous extraction of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), tetrahydroharmine (THH), harmine, harmaline, harmol and harmalol from ayahuasca beverage samples. Then, the most promising technique (QuEChERS) was chosen to pre-concentrate the analytes, subsequently detected by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). RESULTS The procedure was optimised, with the final conditions being 500 μL of extractor solvent, 85 mg of primary secondary amine (PSA) and 4 s of vortexing. The analytical method was validated, showing to be linear between 0.16 and 10 μg/mL for β-carbolines and between 0.016 and 1 μg/mL for DMT, with coefficients of determination (R2) between 0.9968 and 0.9993. The limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) were 0.16 μg/mL for all compounds, except for DMT (0.016 μg/mL) and extraction efficiencies varied between 60.2% and 88.0%. CONCLUSION The analytical methodology proved to be accurate and precise, with good linearity, LODs and LLOQs. This method has been fully validated and successfully applied to ayahuasca beverage samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Gonçalves
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Tiago Rosado
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Mário Barroso
- Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, Delegação do Sul, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Nicolás Fernández
- Cátedra de Toxicología y Química Legal, Laboratorio de Asesoramiento Toxicológico Analítico (CENATOXA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ângelo Luís
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Eugenia Gallardo
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Duarte
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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Felício D, Alves-Ferreira M, Santos M, Quintas M, Lopes AM, Lemos C, Pinto N, Martins S. Integrating functional scoring and regulatory data to predict the effect of non-coding SNPs in a complex neurological disease. Brief Funct Genomics 2024; 23:138-149. [PMID: 37254524 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elad020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Most SNPs associated with complex diseases seem to lie in non-coding regions of the genome; however, their contribution to gene expression and disease phenotype remains poorly understood. Here, we established a workflow to provide assistance in prioritising the functional relevance of non-coding SNPs of candidate genes as susceptibility loci in polygenic neurological disorders. To illustrate the applicability of our workflow, we considered the multifactorial disorder migraine as a model to follow our step-by-step approach. We annotated the overlap of selected SNPs with regulatory elements and assessed their potential impact on gene expression based on publicly available prediction algorithms and functional genomics information. Some migraine risk loci have been hypothesised to reside in non-coding regions and to be implicated in the neurotransmission pathway. In this study, we used a set of 22 non-coding SNPs from neurotransmission and synaptic machinery-related genes previously suggested to be involved in migraine susceptibility based on our candidate gene association studies. After prioritising these SNPs, we focused on non-reported ones that demonstrated high regulatory potential: (1) VAMP2_rs1150 (3' UTR) was predicted as a target of hsa-mir-5010-3p miRNA, possibly disrupting its own gene expression; (2) STX1A_rs6951030 (proximal enhancer) may affect the binding affinity of zinc-finger transcription factors (namely ZNF423) and disturb TBL2 gene expression; and (3) SNAP25_rs2327264 (distal enhancer) expected to be in a binding site of ONECUT2 transcription factor. This study demonstrated the applicability of our practical workflow to facilitate the prioritisation of potentially relevant non-coding SNPs and predict their functional impact in multifactorial neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Felício
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Miguel Alves-Ferreira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
- Unit for Genetic and Epidemiological Research in Neurological Diseases (UnIGENe), Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Centre for Predictive and Preventive Genetics (CGPP), Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Mariana Santos
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Unit for Genetic and Epidemiological Research in Neurological Diseases (UnIGENe), Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Marlene Quintas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
- Unit for Genetic and Epidemiological Research in Neurological Diseases (UnIGENe), Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Alexandra M Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Centre for Predictive and Preventive Genetics (CGPP), Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Carolina Lemos
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
- Unit for Genetic and Epidemiological Research in Neurological Diseases (UnIGENe), Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Nádia Pinto
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Centro de Matemática da Universidade do Porto (CMUP), Porto 4169-007, Portugal
| | - Sandra Martins
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto 4200-135, Portugal
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Joaquim A, Góis A, Soares A, Garcia C, Amarelo A, Antunes P, Afreixo V, Geraldes V, Capela A, Viamonte S, Alves AJ, Ferreira HB, Guerra I, Afonso AI, Domingues MR, Helguero LA. Effect of physical exercise on immune, inflammatory, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and fatty acids of breast cancer survivors: results from the MAMA_MOVE Gaia After Treatment trial. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:174. [PMID: 38378875 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08365-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Physical exercise has positive effects on clinical outcomes of breast cancer survivors such as quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression, body mass index, and physical fitness. We aimed to study its impact on immune, inflammatory, cardiometabolic, and fatty acids (FA) biomarkers. METHODS An exploratory sub-analysis of the MAMA_MOVE Gaia After Treatment trial (NCT04024280, registered July 18, 2019) was performed. Blood sample collections occurred during the control phase and at eight weeks of the intervention phase. Samples were subjected to complete leukocyte counts, cytokine, and cardiometabolic marker evaluation using flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunoassays, and gas chromatography. RESULTS Ninety-three percent of the 15 participants had body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2. We observed a decrease of the plasmatic saturated FA C20:0 [median difference - 0.08% (p = 0.048); mean difference - 0.1 (95%CI - 0.1, - 0.0)], positively associated with younger ages. A tendency to increase the saturated FA C18:0 and the ratio of unsaturated/saturated FA and a tendency to decrease neutrophils (within the normal range) and interferon-gamma were observed. CONCLUSIONS Positive trends of physical exercise on circulating immune cells, inflammatory cytokines, and plasmatic FA were observed. Larger studies will further elucidate the implications of physical exercise on metabolism. These exploratory findings may contribute to future hypothesis-driven research and contribute to meta-analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Joaquim
- Medical Oncology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho (CHVNG/E), 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
- ONCOMOVE®-Associação de Investigação de Cuidados de Suporte em Oncologia (AICSO), 4410-406, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - André Góis
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Anabela Soares
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Catarina Garcia
- ONCOMOVE®-Associação de Investigação de Cuidados de Suporte em Oncologia (AICSO), 4410-406, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- Research Center in Sports Sciences Health Sciences and Human Development, University of Maia, 4475-690, Maia, Portugal
| | - Anabela Amarelo
- Medical Oncology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho (CHVNG/E), 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- ONCOMOVE®-Associação de Investigação de Cuidados de Suporte em Oncologia (AICSO), 4410-406, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Pedro Antunes
- ONCOMOVE®-Associação de Investigação de Cuidados de Suporte em Oncologia (AICSO), 4410-406, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- Research Center in Sports Sciences Health Sciences and Human Development, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Vera Afreixo
- Department of Mathematics, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Center for Research & Development in Mathematics and Applications (CIDMA), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Vera Geraldes
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and Cardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreia Capela
- Medical Oncology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho (CHVNG/E), 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- ONCOMOVE®-Associação de Investigação de Cuidados de Suporte em Oncologia (AICSO), 4410-406, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Sofia Viamonte
- ONCOMOVE®-Associação de Investigação de Cuidados de Suporte em Oncologia (AICSO), 4410-406, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Centro de Reabilitação Do Norte, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, 4405-565, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Alberto J Alves
- ONCOMOVE®-Associação de Investigação de Cuidados de Suporte em Oncologia (AICSO), 4410-406, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- Research Center in Sports Sciences Health Sciences and Human Development, University of Maia, 4475-690, Maia, Portugal
| | - Helena B Ferreira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Mass Spectrometry Centre &, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Inês Guerra
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Mass Spectrometry Centre &, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana I Afonso
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and Cardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M Rosário Domingues
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Mass Spectrometry Centre &, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Luisa A Helguero
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Barros AC, Narciso DAC, Melo LF, Pereira A. Influence of Dead Cells Killed by Industrial Biocides (BAC and DBNPA) on Biofilm Formation. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:140. [PMID: 38391526 PMCID: PMC10885908 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Industrial biocides aim to keep water systems microbiologically controlled and to minimize biofouling. However, the resulting dead cells are usually not removed from the water streams and can influence the growth of the remaining live cells in planktonic and sessile states. This study aims to understand the effect of dead Pseudomonas fluorescens cells killed by industrial biocides-benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA)-on biofilm formation. Additionally, the effect of different dead/live cell ratios (50.00% and 99.99%) was studied. The inoculum was recirculated in a Parallel Plate Flow Cell (PPFC). The overall results indicate that dead cells greatly affect biofilm properties. Inoculum with DBNPA-dead cells led to more active (higher ATP content and metabolic activity) and thicker biofilm layers in comparison to BAC-dead cells, which seems to be linked to the mechanism of action by which the cells were killed. Furthermore, higher dead cell ratios (99.99%) in the inoculum led to more active (higher culturability, metabolic activity and ATP content) and cohesive/compact and uniformly distributed biofilms in comparison with the 50.00% dead cell ratio. The design of future disinfection strategies must consider the contribution of dead cells to the biofilm build-up, as they might negatively affect water system operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Barros
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diogo A C Narciso
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- CERENA-Centro Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luis F Melo
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Pereira
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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Gavinho SR, Hammami I, Jakka SK, Teixeira SS, Silva JC, Borges JP, Graça MPF. Influence of the Addition of Zinc, Strontium, or Magnesium Oxides to the Bioglass 45S5 Network on Electrical Behavior. Materials (Basel) 2024; 17:499. [PMID: 38276437 PMCID: PMC10820946 DOI: 10.3390/ma17020499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
45S5 Bioglass has been widely used in regenerative medicine due to its ability to dissolve when inserted into the body. Its typically amorphous structure allows for an ideal dissolution rate for the formation of the hydroxyapatite layer, which is important for the development of new bone. This bioactive capacity can also be controlled by adding other oxides (e.g., SrO, ZnO, and MgO) to the 45S5 Bioglass network or by storing electrical charge. Ions such as zinc, magnesium, and strontium allow for specific biological responses to be added, such as antibacterial action and the ability to increase the rate of osteoblast proliferation. The charge storage capacity allows for a higher rate of bioactivity to be achieved, allowing for faster attachment to the host bone, decreasing the patient's recovery time. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the variation in the structure of the bioglass with regard to the amount of non-bridging oxygens (NBOs), which is important for the bioactivity rate not to be compromised, and also its influence on the electrical behavior relevant to its potential as electrical charge storage. Thus, several bioactive glass compositions were synthesized based on the 45S5 Bioglass formulation with the addition of various concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2, mol%) of zinc, strontium, or magnesium oxides. The influence of the insertion of these oxides on the network was evaluated by studying the amount of NBOs using Raman spectroscopy and their implication on the electrical behavior. Electrical characterization was performed in ac (alternating current) and dc (direct current) regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Rodrigues Gavinho
- I3N and Physics Department, Aveiro University, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (S.R.G.); (I.H.); (S.K.J.); (S.S.T.)
| | - Imen Hammami
- I3N and Physics Department, Aveiro University, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (S.R.G.); (I.H.); (S.K.J.); (S.S.T.)
| | - Suresh Kumar Jakka
- I3N and Physics Department, Aveiro University, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (S.R.G.); (I.H.); (S.K.J.); (S.S.T.)
| | - Sílvia Soreto Teixeira
- I3N and Physics Department, Aveiro University, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (S.R.G.); (I.H.); (S.K.J.); (S.S.T.)
| | - Jorge Carvalho Silva
- I3N-CENIMAT and Physics Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - João Paulo Borges
- I3N-CENIMAT and Materials Science Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
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Sousa ASP, Guedes DC, Félix J, Pereira S, Santos R. Physical Activity, Readiness, and Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in the Polytechnics Communities of the Northern Region of Portugal Integrated in Mobility as a Service Concept. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:3145. [PMID: 38132035 PMCID: PMC10742940 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11243145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study is to characterize physical activity (PA) levels and PA readiness as well as stratify cardiovascular risk among the population of polytechnics community members in the north region of Portugal, including students, academic teachers, and non-teacher staff. An online questionnaire about general sample characterization, PA level, and readiness was applied. Of the 717 respondents, 237 were academic teachers, 143 were non-teacher staff, and 337 were students. Most of the participants had a level of moderate PA, including students, academic teachers, and non-teacher staff (82%). The sedentary behavior was higher in the academic teachers and non-teacher staff groups. A total of 56% of the participants had low cardiovascular risk; the group of students were the population with higher risk. Approximately half of the participants need to consult a qualified professional before increasing their PA. Overall, the participants presented moderate levels of PA, although there is still a considerable number of sedentary people that must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia S. P. Sousa
- Centre for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (D.C.G.); (J.F.); (S.P.); (R.S.)
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Mertaoja A, Mascher G, Nowakowska MB, Korkeala H, Henriques AO, Lindstrom M. Cellular and population strategies underpinning neurotoxin production and sporulation in Clostridium botulinum type E cultures. mBio 2023; 14:e0186623. [PMID: 37971252 PMCID: PMC10746260 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01866-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Toxin production and sporulation are key determinants of pathogenesis in Clostridia. Toxins cause the clinical manifestation of clostridial diseases, including diarrhea and colitis, tissue damage, and systemic effects on the nervous system. Spores ensure long-term survival and persistence in the environment, act as infectious agents, and initiate the host tissue colonization leading to infection. Understanding the interplay between toxin production and sporulation and their coordination in bacterial cells and cultures provides novel intervention points for controlling the public health and food safety risks caused by clostridial diseases. We demonstrate environmentally driven cellular heterogeneity in botulinum neurotoxin and spore production in Clostridium botulinum type E populations and discuss the biological rationale of toxin and spore production in the pathogenicity and ecology of C. botulinum. The results invite to reassess the epidemiology of botulism and may have important implications in the risk assessment and risk management strategies in food processing and human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mertaoja
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gerald Mascher
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria B. Nowakowska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Korkeala
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Adriano O. Henriques
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miia Lindstrom
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Carvalho BO, Gonçalves LPC, Mendonça PV, Pereira JP, Serra AC, Coelho JFJ. Replacing Harmful Flame Retardants with Biodegradable Starch-Based Materials in Polyethylene Formulations. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4078. [PMID: 37896321 PMCID: PMC10610673 DOI: 10.3390/polym15204078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The addition of toxic flame retardants to commercially available polymers is often required for safety reasons due to the high flammability of these materials. In this work, the preparation and incorporation of efficient biodegradable starch-based flame retardants into a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix was investigated. Thermoplastic starch was first obtained by plasticizing starch with glycerol/water or glycerol/water/choline phytate to obtain TPS-G and TPS-G-CPA, respectively. Various LDPE/TPS blends were prepared by means of melt blending using polyethylene graft maleic anhydride as a compatibilizer and by varying the content of TPS and a halogenated commercial flame retardant. By replacing 38% and 76% of the harmful commercial flame retardant with safe TPS-G-CPA and TPS-G, respectively, blends with promising fire behavior were obtained, while the limiting oxygen index (LOI ≈ 28%) remained the same. The presence of choline phytate improved both the charring ability and fire retardancy of starch and resulted in a 43% reduction in fire growth index compared to the blend with commercial flame retardant only, as confirmed by means of cone calorimetry. Standard UL 94 vertical tests showed that blends containing TPS exhibited dripping behavior (rated V2), while those with commercial flame retardant were rated V0. Overall, this work demonstrates the potential of starch as a natural flame retardant that could reduce the cost and increase the safety of polymer-based materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara O. Carvalho
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Processes, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima-Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís P. C. Gonçalves
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Processes, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima-Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia V. Mendonça
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Processes, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima-Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João P. Pereira
- Componit Lda, Estr. Real 3, 2070-621 Vila Chã de Ourique, Portugal
| | - Arménio C. Serra
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Processes, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima-Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge F. J. Coelho
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Processes, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima-Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
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Duarte M, Carvalho MJ, de Carvalho NM, Azevedo-Silva J, Mendes A, Ribeiro IP, Fernandes JC, Oliveira ALS, Oliveira C, Pintado M, Amaro A, Madureira AR. Skincare potential of a sustainable postbiotic extract produced through sugarcane straw fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biofactors 2023; 49:1038-1060. [PMID: 37317790 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Postbiotics are defined as a "preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host." They can be produced by fermentation, using culture media with glucose (carbon source), and lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus, and/or yeast, mainly Saccharomyces cerevisiae as fermentative microorganisms. Postbiotics comprise different metabolites, and have important biological properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc.), thus their cosmetic application should be considered. During this work, the postbiotics production was carried out by fermentation with sugarcane straw, as a source of carbon and phenolic compounds, and as a sustainable process to obtain bioactive extracts. For the production of postbiotics, a saccharification process was carried out with cellulase at 55°C for 24 h. Fermentation was performed sequentially after saccharification at 30°C, for 72 h, using S. cerevisiae. The cells-free extract was characterized regarding its composition, antioxidant activity, and skincare potential. Its use was safe at concentrations below ~20 mg mL-1 (extract's dry weight in deionized water) for keratinocytes and ~ 7.5 mg mL-1 for fibroblasts. It showed antioxidant activity, with ABTS IC50 of 1.88 mg mL-1 , and inhibited elastase and tyrosinase activities by 83.4% and 42.4%, respectively, at the maximum concentration tested (20 mg mL-1 ). In addition, it promoted the production of cytokeratin 14, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity at a concentration of 10 mg mL-1 . In the skin microbiota of human volunteers, the extract inhibited Cutibacterium acnes and the Malassezia genus. Shortly, postbiotics were successfully produced using sugarcane straw, and showed bioactive properties that potentiate their use in cosmetic/skincare products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Duarte
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Carvalho
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nelson Mota de Carvalho
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Azevedo-Silva
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adélia Mendes
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Pinto Ribeiro
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
- Amyris Bio Products Portugal, Unipessoal Lda, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Carlos Fernandes
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana L S Oliveira
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Oliveira
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuela Pintado
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Amaro
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Raquel Madureira
- CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
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Faria L, Canato S, Jesus TT, Gonçalves M, Guerreiro PS, Lopes CS, Meireles I, Morais-de-Sá E, Paredes J, Janody F. Activation of an actin signaling pathway in pre-malignant mammary epithelial cells by P-cadherin is essential for transformation. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049652. [PMID: 36808468 PMCID: PMC9983776 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the expression or function of cell adhesion molecules have been implicated in all steps of tumor progression. Among those, P-cadherin is highly enriched in basal-like breast carcinomas, playing a central role in cancer cell self-renewal, collective cell migration and invasion. To establish a clinically relevant platform for functional exploration of P-cadherin effectors in vivo, we generated a humanized P-cadherin Drosophila model. We report that actin nucleators, Mrtf and Srf, are main P-cadherin effectors in fly. We validated these findings in a human mammary epithelial cell line with conditional activation of the SRC oncogene. We show that, prior to promoting malignant phenotypes, SRC induces a transient increase in P-cadherin expression, which correlates with MRTF-A accumulation, its nuclear translocation and the upregulation of SRF target genes. Moreover, knocking down P-cadherin, or preventing F-actin polymerization, impairs SRF transcriptional activity. Furthermore, blocking MRTF-A nuclear translocation hampers proliferation, self-renewal and invasion. Thus, in addition to sustaining malignant phenotypes, P-cadherin can also play a major role in the early stages of breast carcinogenesis by promoting a transient boost of MRTF-A-SRF signaling through actin regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lídia Faria
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, n 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Master Programme in Oncology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Canato
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, n 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Physiology and Cancer Program, Champalimaud Foundation, Avenida de Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tito T. Jesus
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, n 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Gonçalves
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia S. Guerreiro
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, n 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Vector B2B - Drug Developing - Associação Para Investigação em Biotecnologia, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Edifício Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carla S. Lopes
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Meireles
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, n 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Eurico Morais-de-Sá
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Paredes
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, n 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FMUP, Medical Faculty of University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Florence Janody
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, n 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, P-2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
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Brinca AT, Ramalhinho AC, Sousa Â, Oliani AH, Breitenfeld L, Passarinha LA, Gallardo E. Follicular Fluid: A Powerful Tool for the Understanding and Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1254. [PMID: 35740276 PMCID: PMC9219683 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents one of the leading causes of anovulatory infertility and affects 5% to 20% of women worldwide. Until today, both the subsequent etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS remain unclear, and patients with PCOS that undergo assisted reproductive techniques (ART) might present a poor to exaggerated response, low oocyte quality, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, as well as changes in the follicular fluid metabolites pattern. These abnormalities originate a decrease of Metaphase II (MII) oocytes and decreased rates for fertilization, cleavage, implantation, blastocyst conversion, poor egg to follicle ratio, and increased miscarriages. Focus on obtaining high-quality embryos has been taken into more consideration over the years. Nowadays, the use of metabolomic analysis in the quantification of proteins and peptides in biological matrices might predict, with more accuracy, the success in assisted reproductive technology. In this article, we review the use of human follicular fluid as the matrix in metabolomic analysis for diagnostic and ART predictor of success for PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Teresa Brinca
- Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (A.T.B.); (Â.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Ana Cristina Ramalhinho
- Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (A.T.B.); (Â.S.); (L.B.)
- Assisted Reproduction Laboratory of Academic Hospital of Cova da Beira, 6200-251 Covilhã, Portugal;
- C4-Cloud Computing Competence Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ângela Sousa
- Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (A.T.B.); (Â.S.); (L.B.)
| | - António Hélio Oliani
- Assisted Reproduction Laboratory of Academic Hospital of Cova da Beira, 6200-251 Covilhã, Portugal;
- São José do Rio Preto School of Medicine, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil
| | - Luiza Breitenfeld
- Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (A.T.B.); (Â.S.); (L.B.)
- C4-Cloud Computing Competence Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Luís A. Passarinha
- Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (A.T.B.); (Â.S.); (L.B.)
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departament of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, University of Beira Interior, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Eugenia Gallardo
- Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (A.T.B.); (Â.S.); (L.B.)
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, University of Beira Interior, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
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Romagosa M, Pérez-Jorge S, Cascão I, Mouriño H, Lehodey P, Pereira A, Marques TA, Matias L, Silva MA. Food talk: 40-Hz fin whale calls are associated with prey biomass. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211156. [PMID: 34229495 PMCID: PMC8261222 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals use varied acoustic signals that play critical roles in their lives. Understanding the function of these signals may inform about key life-history processes relevant for conservation. In the case of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), that produce different call types associated with different behaviours, several hypotheses have emerged regarding call function, but the topic still remains in its infancy. Here, we investigate the potential function of two fin whale vocalizations, the song-forming 20-Hz call and the 40-Hz call, by examining their production in relation to season, year and prey biomass. Our results showed that the production of 20-Hz calls was strongly influenced by season, with a clear peak during the breeding months, and secondarily by year, likely due to changes in whale abundance. These results support the reproductive function of the 20-Hz song used as an acoustic display. Conversely, season and year had no effect on variation in 40-Hz calling rates, but prey biomass did. This is the first study linking 40-Hz call activity to prey biomass, supporting the previously suggested food-associated function of this call. Understanding the functions of animal signals can help identifying functional habitats and predict the negative effects of human activities with important implications for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Romagosa
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Sergi Pérez-Jorge
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Irma Cascão
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Helena Mouriño
- Centro de Matemática, Aplicações Fundamentais e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrick Lehodey
- Collecte Localisation Satellite (CLS), Ramonville St Agne, France
| | - Andreia Pereira
- Instituto Dom Luiz (IDL), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago A. Marques
- Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Luís Matias
- Instituto Dom Luiz (IDL), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mónica A. Silva
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
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Martins D, Araújo SDS, Rubiales D, Vaz Patto MC. Legume Crops and Biotrophic Pathogen Interactions: A Continuous Cross-Talk of a Multilayered Array of Defense Mechanisms. Plants (Basel) 2020; 9:E1460. [PMID: 33137969 PMCID: PMC7692723 DOI: 10.3390/plants9111460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Legume species are recognized for their nutritional benefits and contribution to the sustainability of agricultural systems. However, their production is threatened by biotic constraints with devastating impacts on crop yield. A deep understanding of the molecular and genetic architecture of resistance sources culminating in immunity is critical to assist new biotechnological approaches for plant protection. In this review, the current knowledge regarding the major plant immune system components of grain and forage legumes challenged with obligate airborne biotrophic fungi will be comprehensively evaluated and discussed while identifying future directions of research. To achieve this, we will address the multi-layered defense strategies deployed by legume crops at the biochemical, molecular, and physiological levels, leading to rapid pathogen recognition and carrying the necessary information to sub-cellular components, on-setting a dynamic and organized defense. Emphasis will be given to recent approaches such as the identification of critical components of host decentralized immune response negatively regulated by pathogens while targeting the loss-of-function of susceptibility genes. We conclude that advances in gene expression analysis in both host and pathogen, protocols for effectoromics pipelines, and high-throughput disease phenomics platforms are rapidly leading to a deeper understanding of the intricate host-pathogen interaction, crucial for efficient disease resistance breeding initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Martins
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biologia António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, Estação Agronómica Nacional, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (S.d.S.A.); (M.C.V.P.)
| | - Susana de Sousa Araújo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biologia António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, Estação Agronómica Nacional, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (S.d.S.A.); (M.C.V.P.)
- Association BLC3—Technology and Innovation Campus, Centre Bio R&D Unit, Rua Nossa Senhora da Conceição, 2, Lagares, 3405-155 Oliveira do Hospital, Portugal
| | - Diego Rubiales
- Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Maria Carlota Vaz Patto
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biologia António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, Estação Agronómica Nacional, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (S.d.S.A.); (M.C.V.P.)
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14
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Chan QHS, Stroud R, Martins Z, Yabuta H. Concerns of Organic Contamination for Sample Return Space Missions. Space Sci Rev 2020; 216:56. [PMID: 32624626 PMCID: PMC7319412 DOI: 10.1007/s11214-020-00678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of organic matter has been one of the major motivations behind solar system exploration missions. It addresses questions related to the organic inventory of our solar system and its implication for the origin of life on Earth. Sample return missions aim at returning scientifically valuable samples from target celestial bodies to Earth. By analysing the samples with the use of state-of-the-art analytical techniques in laboratories here on Earth, researchers can address extremely complicated aspects of extra-terrestrial organic matter. This level of detailed sample characterisation provides the range and depth in organic analysis that are restricted in spacecraft-based exploration missions, due to the limitations of the on-board in-situ instrumentation capabilities. So far, there are four completed and in-process sample return missions with an explicit mandate to collect organic matter: Stardust and OSIRIS-REx missions of NASA, and Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 missions of JAXA. Regardless of the target body, all sample return missions dedicate to minimise terrestrial organic contamination of the returned samples, by applying various degrees or strategies of organic contamination mitigation methods. Despite the dedicated efforts in the design and execution of contamination control, it is impossible to completely eliminate sources of organic contamination. This paper aims at providing an overview of the successes and lessons learned with regards to the identification of indigenous organic matter of the returned samples vs terrestrial contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Queenie Hoi Shan Chan
- Planetary and Space Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA UK
- Present Address: Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Surrey, TW20 0EX UK
| | - Rhonda Stroud
- Code 6360, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375 USA
| | - Zita Martins
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hikaru Yabuta
- Department of Earth and Planetary Systems Science, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Hiroshima, 739-8526 Japan
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Fevereiro J, Sajjadi N, Fraga AG, Teixeira PM, Pedrosa J. Individual and clinical variables associated with the risk of Buruli ulcer acquisition: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008161. [PMID: 32267838 PMCID: PMC7170268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Buruli ulcer (BU) is a necrotizing skin disease, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, with poorly understood acquisition risk factors. This review aims at evaluating the importance of individual-sex, age, family ties with history of BU, gene variants-and clinical-Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunization, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection-variables in this process. METHODS A systematic review was performed considering the following databases: ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), Current Contents Connect, Embase, MEDLINE, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Science. Eligible studies were critically appraised with The Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran Q-test and I2 statistic. Published demographic data was descriptively analysed and clinical data pooled within random-effects modelling for meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 29 studies were included in the systematic review. Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 21 case-control studies were selected for meta-analysis. Studies show that BU mainly affects age extremes, more preponderately males among children. Data pooled from RCTs do not reveal BCG to be protective against BU (odds ratio (OR) = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.38-1.05; I2 = 56%), a finding case-control studies appear to corroborate. HIV infection (OR = 6.80; 95% CI = 2.33-19.85; I2 = 0%) and SLC11A1 rs17235409 A allele (OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.25-2.77; I2 = 0%) are associated with increased prevalence of the disease. No definite conclusions can be drawn regarding the influence of previous family history of BU. DISCUSSION While available evidence warrants further robustness, these results have direct implications on current interventions and future research programs, and foster the development of more cost-effective preventive and screening measures. REGISTRATION The study was registered at PROSPERO with number CRD42019123611.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Fevereiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nikta Sajjadi
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Alexandra G. Fraga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro M. Teixeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jorge Pedrosa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Rodriguez E, Sousa M, Gomes A, Azevedo R, Mariz-Ponte N, Sario S, Mendes RJ, Santos C. Genotoxic endpoints in a Pb-accumulating pea cultivar: insights into Pb 2+ contamination limits. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019; 26:32368-32373. [PMID: 31605360 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06465-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) persists among the most hazardous contaminant metals. Pb-induced genotoxic effects remain a matter of debate as they are a major cause of plant growth impairment, but assessing Pb genotoxicity requires the selection of Pb-sensitive genotoxic biomarkers. Seedlings of the ecotoxicological model species Pisum sativum L. were exposed to Pb2+ (≤ 2000 mg L-1). Flow cytometry (FCM) revealed that 28 days after, Pb2+ arrested root cell cycle at G2 but no eu/aneuploidies were found. Comet assay and FCM-clastogenicity assays showed that Pb2+ increased DNA breaks in roots at concentrations as low as 20 mg L-1. Leaves showed no variation in DNA-ploidy or cell cycle progression but had increased DNA breaks at the highest Pb2+ dose. We conclude that both Comet assay and the full-peak coefficient of variation (FPCV) were the most relevant endpoints of Pb-phytogenotoxicity. Also, the Pb-induced DNA breaks may be related with the arrest at the G2-checkpoint. Data will be relevant to better define Pb2+ ecogenotoxicological effects and their measuring tools and may contribute to a regulatory debate of this pollutant limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleazar Rodriguez
- LBC, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Márcia Sousa
- Department of Biology and LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Anicia Gomes
- Department of Biology and LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Azevedo
- LBC, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nuno Mariz-Ponte
- Department of Biology and LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Sario
- Department of Biology and LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CITAB-Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Rafael José Mendes
- Department of Biology and LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
- CITAB-Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Conceição Santos
- Department of Biology and LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
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Bencatel J, Ferreira CC, Barbosa AM, Rosalino LM, Álvares F. Research trends and geographical distribution of mammalian carnivores in Portugal (SW Europe). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207866. [PMID: 30496223 PMCID: PMC6264823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Information regarding species’ status at a regional scale is instrumental for effective conservation planning. Some regions of southwestern Europe, such as Portugal, albeit included in the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, lack a detailed assessment of the distribution patterns of several taxonomic groups, such as carnivores. Moreover, information is scattered, often unreliable and biased towards some species or regions. This study aimed at reviewing the existing knowledge on mammalian terrestrial carnivores in Portugal, to analyse research trends, update the species checklist and assess their historical and current distribution patterns. We conducted a comprehensive review of 755 scientific studies to analyse several publication metrics and compiled 20,189 presence records of all mammalian terrestrial carnivores occurring in Portugal since historical times to evaluate their distribution patterns. Carnivore research in Portugal began in the 18th century, with a recent boost in the mid-1990s, and has been biased towards certain research topics and regionally threatened species. There are 15 extant species in Portugal, with nine occurring across the country, six showing a more limited range, as well as one additional species currently locally extinct (Ursus arctos). Over the last decades, the distribution ranges of seven species apparently remained stable, two expanded, two contracted, and three showed unclear trends. The presence of a new invasive carnivore, the raccoon (Procyon lotor), is also documented here. This study illustrates the relevance of a comprehensive analysis of non-systematic data to assess the historic and current status of mammalian terrestrial carnivores at a national level, and to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Bencatel
- CIBIO/InBio, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| | - Catarina C. Ferreira
- UFZ—Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Conservation Biology, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | | | - Luís Miguel Rosalino
- Center for Environmental and Marine Studies–CESAM, Aveiro, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Francisco Álvares
- CIBIO/InBio, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
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Coutinho D, Santos S, Gonçalves B, Travassos B, Wong DP, Schöllhorn W, Sampaio J. The effects of an enrichment training program for youth football attackers. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199008. [PMID: 29897985 PMCID: PMC5999098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify the effects of a complementary training program based on differential learning approach in the physical, technical, creative and positioning performance of youth football attackers. Fifteen players were allocated into the control (U15C = 9, age: 13.9±0.5 years; U17C = 6, age: 16.1±0.7 years) and the experimental (U15E = 9, age: 14.2±0.8 years; U17E = 6, age: 15.8±0.5 years) groups. The experimental groups participated in 10-weeks of a complementary training program based on differential learning approach to improve physical literacy and players’ tactical behavior. Variables studied encompassed: motor (vertical jump, speed and repeated change-of direction), technical (pass, dribble and shot), creative (fluency, attempts, versatility) and positioning-related variables (stretch index, spatial exploration index and regularity of the lateral and longitudinal movements). Results revealed that U15E improved both the jump and repeated change-of-direction performance, while the U17E have only improved the jump performance. The U15E showed improvements in all technical variables (small to large effects), and in the fluency and versatility (moderate effects), while the U17 have only improved the successful shots (large effects). From a positional perspective, there was a moderate increase in the stretch index, and decreased longitudinal and lateral regularity (small to moderate effects) in the U15E compared to the U15C. In turn, the U17E revealed a moderate increase of the spatial exploration index and a small decrease in the stretch index. Overall, the results suggest that the complementary training program was effective for the development of the overall performance of the U15E attackers, while more time and/or variability may be needed for older age groups. Nevertheless, the overall higher values found in experimental groups, may suggest that this type of complementary training program improves performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Coutinho
- Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- CIDESD, Research Center in Sports, Health Sciences and Human Development, Portugal
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Sara Santos
- Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- CIDESD, Research Center in Sports, Health Sciences and Human Development, Portugal
- University Institute of Maia, ISMAI, Maia, Portugal
| | - Bruno Gonçalves
- Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- CIDESD, Research Center in Sports, Health Sciences and Human Development, Portugal
| | - Bruno Travassos
- CIDESD, Research Center in Sports, Health Sciences and Human Development, Portugal
- Department of Sports Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Del P. Wong
- Sport Science Research Center, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Wolfgang Schöllhorn
- Institute for Training and Movement Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jaime Sampaio
- Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- CIDESD, Research Center in Sports, Health Sciences and Human Development, Portugal
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