Obstructive sleep apnea associated with Diabetes mellitus Type 2: a proteomic study

Background: We previously showed that Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common public health concern causing deleterious cardiometabolic dysfunction, induced proteomic alterations in red blood cells (RBC) such as changes in the redox-oligomeric state of peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2)1-2. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether OSA patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus before and after positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment present similar changes in the RBC antioxidant protein PRDX2 to better understand the molecular basic mechanisms associated with OSA and OSA outcomes. Methods: RBC samples from control snorers (n=22 being 3 diabetics) and OSA patients before and after six month of PAP-treatment (n=29 being 8 diabetics) were analysed by non-reducing western blot using antibody against PRDX2 or PRDXSO2/3 to measure the total and overoxidized levels of monomeric/dimeric/multimeric forms of PRDX2. Results: We confirmed previously data by showing that in OSA RBC the overoxidation on the monomeric forms of PRDX2 was higher compared to controls. After PAP treatment, this overoxidation decreased followed by an increase of multimeric-overoxidized forms of PRDX2 described to be associated with chaperone protective function. In contrast, the level of PRDX2 monomers in RBC diabetic OSA, although higher abundant its overoxidation level was much lower than those observed in OSA without comorbidity and did not significant change after treatment. Moreover, the level of PAP-induced PRDX2-overoxidized-multimers was also lower in these diabetic OSA patients. The level of overoxidized monomeric/dimeric forms of PRDX2 correlated negatively with levels of insulin / triglycerides and HbA1C, respectively. After PAP, the level of (overoxidized) PRDX2SO2/3 multimers correlated positively with adrenaline levels. Conclusions: The redox/oligomeric state of RBC PRDX2 that is regulated by overoxidation of the active cysteines was differentially modulated in diabetic OSA patients compared to OSA without this comorbidity. PAP-induced overoxidized oligo forms of PRDX2 that is associated with chaperone protective function showed decreased in OSA patients with diabetes. The clinical impact of these findings needs further investigation and validation.Project partially supported by Harvard Medical School-Portugal Program (HMSP-ICJ/0022/2011), ToxOmics - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (FCT-UID/BIM/00009/2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The serotonin 1A receptor modulates the social behaviour within groups of a cooperatively-breeding cichlid.

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) reduces aggressive behaviour in a number of vertebrates, and the 5-HT1A receptor is known to be involved in this regulation. However, the role of this receptor in the modulation of sociopositive behaviour remains largely unknown. Here we investigated the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in the regulation of aggressive, submissive and affiliative behaviour in the cooperatively-breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher. In two experiments, we performed intramuscular injections of a 5-HT1A agonist (8-OH-DPAT) and antagonist (Way-100635) followed by recordings of social behaviour of injected fish within their social groups. We determined the concentrations and post-injection times when the drugs had the greatest effect on social behaviour. We recorded spontaneous social behaviour in both experiments. In the second experiment we also recorded behaviour after social groups received a territorial challenge by live presentations of either conspecifics or egg predators. The 5-HT1A agonist caused an increase in aggression and a decrease in submission and affiliation, whereas the antagonist had the opposite effects. Thus, the 5-HT1A receptor plays an important regulatory role not only for aggressive but also sociopositive behaviour

Transtorno alimentar e gravidez de risco: um diagnóstico situacional

Objetive: To describe a situational diagnosis of eating disorders in high-risk pregnant women who received prenatal care at a public maternity teaching hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Adult pregnant women (n = 67) who had type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or gestational diabetes mellitus and/or hypertensive syndromes and/or obesity and/or pregestational low weight, and/or a history of bariatric surgery were evaluated using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and a mixed questionnaire to collect sociodemographic, gestational, psychosocial, and nutritional data. A descriptive statistical analysis of the data was performed to calculate the means, frequencies, and standard deviations of the EDE-Q scores and other variables. Results: The participants were on average 31.4 years old (SD = 6.1), in the 28th week of gestation (SD = 6.84), with a pregestational BMI of 29.7 kg/m² (SD = 5.24). The mean EDE-Q score was 4.5 points, indicating potential risk for eating disorders. As for the comorbidities that qualified gestational risk, the most frequent were obesity (52.2%), gestational diabetes mellitus (31.3%), and hypertension (31.3%). Among the women whose global EDE-Q score ≥ 4, 64% were obese, 32% were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus, and 24% had anemia. The frequency of excessive weight concern and shape concern was 13.5% and 14.9%, respectively, while the frequency of binge eating was 22.4%. However, none of the participants reported purgative behaviors for weight control. Conclusions: Even though most of women did not show inappropriate eating behaviors, the global EDE-Q score was high enough to sound a warning as to the need for a service based on nutritional counseling and the deconstruction of dietary myths and beliefs, as well as interventions on the body image of high-risk pregnant women based on appropriate information on gestational weight gain.Objetivo: descrever um diagnóstico situacional do comportamento alimentar em gestantes de risco atendidas em uma maternidade pública de caráter de ensino no Rio de Janeiro durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Métodos: gestantes adultas (n=67) que apresentavam uma ou mais das seguintes condições clínicas: diabetes mellitus tipo 1 ou tipo 2, diabetes mellitus gestacional, síndromes hipertensivas, obesidade, baixo peso pré-gestacional e histórico de cirurgia bariátrica foram avaliadas por meio do eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDE-Q) e de questionário misto para investigação sociodemográfica e gestacional, e coleta de dados psicossociais e nutricionais. A análise estatística descritiva dos dados foi realizada a partir das medidas de tendência central, média, frequência e desvio padrão. Resultados: as gestantes tinham em média 31,4 anos (DP=6,1), 28 semanas de gestação (DP=6,84) e IMC pré-gestacional de 29,7kg/m² (DP=5,24). O escore médio do EDE-Q foi 4,5 pontos, indicando potencial risco de transtornos alimentares. Quanto às comorbidades que qualificaram o risco gestacional, as mais frequentes foram obesidade (52,2%), diabetes mellitus gestacional (31,3%) e hipertensão arterial (31,3%). Entre as gestantes que pelo EDE-Q apresentaram escore global ≥4, 64% apresentaram obesidade, 32% receberam diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus gestacional e 24% cursaram com quadro de anemia. A frequência de preocupação excessiva com o peso foi de 13,5% e com a forma corporal 14,9%, já a compulsão alimentar foi 22,4% e nenhuma gestante referiu comportamentos purgativos de controle de peso. Conclusões: mesmo com a maioria das gestantes não apresentando comportamentos alimentares inadequados, o valor de escore global do EDE-Q foi significativo para alertar sobre a necessidade do manejo baseado no aconselhamento nutricional e na desconstrução de mitos e crenças alimentares, bem como a necessidade de trabalhar a imagem corporal da gestante de alto risco em conjunto com informações claras sobre o ganho de peso gestacional

Recent advances in smart biotechnology: Hydrogels and nanocarriers for tailored bioactive molecules depot

Over the past ten years, the global biopharmaceutical market has remarkably grown, with ten over the top twenty worldwide high performance medical treatment sales being biologics. Thus, biotech R&D (research and development) sector is becoming a key leading branch, with expanding revenues. Biotechnology offers considerable advantages compared to traditional therapeutic approaches, such as reducing side effects, specific treatments, higher patient compliance and therefore more effective treatments leading to lower healthcare costs. Within this sector, smart nanotechnology and colloidal self-assembling systems represent pivotal tools able to modulate the delivery of therapeutics. A comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in the self assembly of the colloidal structures discussed therein is essential for the development of relevant biomedical applications. In this review we report the most promising and best performing platforms for specific classes of bioactive molecules and related target, spanning from siRNAs, gene/plasmids, proteins/growth factors, small synthetic therapeutics and bioimaging probes.Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)COST Action [CA 15107]People Program (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union's Seventh Framework Program under REA [606713 BIBAFOODS]Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [PTDC/AGR-TEC/4814/2014, IF/01005/2014]Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia [SFRH/BPD/99982/2014]Danish National Research Foundation [DNRF 122]Villum Foundation [9301]Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research (MIUR), PRIN [20109PLMH2]"Fondazione Beneficentia Stiftung" VaduzFondo di Ateneo FRAFRAinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Vitamin d sufficiency in hemodialysis patients and its association with nutritional and clinical parameters

Renal failure is a complicating factor in the maintenance of vitamin D adequate levels, which can interfere in the patients’ nutritional status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with clinical and nutritional parameters. Prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients were submitted to a single evaluation about demographic characteristics, clinical data and laboratory measurements. Anthropometric measurements and electrical bioimpedance were performed to obtain BMI, percentage of standard MAMC (%MAMC), fat percentage (%Fat) and phase angle (PA). Deficiency was defined as a 25(OH)D level<15ng/mL, insufficiency as 15-30 ng/mL and sufficiency as>30ng/mL. Univariate models were constructed and the variables associated with 25(OH)D sufficiency were included subsequently in the multiple regression model. Statistical significance was p<0.05.One hundred twelve patients (59 male, 53 female) were included. Twenty seven (24.1%) were 25(OH)D deficient, 43 (38.4%) insufficient and 42 (37.5%) sufficient. In univariate regression, creatinin, albumin and PA were positively associated with serum 25(OH)D, while age, glucose, BMI and %MAMC were negatively associated. In multivariate regression, age and %MAMC were negatively associated with sufficiency. Most studied sample showed inadequate 25(OH)D levels. In our study, the result to be highlighted was the negative associations of 25(OH)D sufficiency with age and %MAMC, but all the findings suggest that fat interferes with vitamin D stores in HD patients

Bragg gratings inscription using PMMA polymer optical fibers drawn from preforms with specific thermal pre-treatment

In this work, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are inscribed in various undoped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer optical fibres (POFs) using different types of UV lasers and inscription time and their temperature and strain sensitivities are investigated. The polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) were inscribed using two UV lasers: a continuous UV HeCd @325 nm laser and a pulsed UV KrF @248 nm laser. The PMMA POFs drawn from a preform without specific thermal pre-treatment need more inscription time than the fibers drawn from a preform that has been pre-annealed at 80ºC for 2 weeks. Using both UV lasers, for the latter fiber less than half the inscription time is needed compared with a commercial undoped PMMA POF and other homemade POFs, where the preforms have not had a well-defined thermal pre-treatment. The effect on a POF from a preform that has been annealed prior to drawing is different as previously shown in the literature, where these POFs are much less sensitive to thermal treatment. Also, a proper polymerization process plays a key role as will be discussed. These results indicate the impact of preform thermal pre-treatment as well as polymerization process before the PMMA POFs drawing, which can be an essential characteristic in view of developing POF sensors technology

Um panorama de pesquisas sobre a Prática como Componente Curricular na Licenciatura em Matemática

The aim of this study is to present an overview concerning research on Practice as a Curricular Component throughout Licenciate Degrees in Mathematics. This study is a bibliographic review of the doctoral thesis that the first author is currently developing in the Postgraduate Mathematical Education Studies Program, at PUC-SP.&nbsp;A bibliographic survey was carried out by searching the CAPES journal database, by conducting an analysis of Pereira and Nogueira's research, and also by searching a mapping reported by Fiorentini et al. The data were analyzed in light of the Content Analysis methodology, according to Bardin.&nbsp;The results demonstrate the importance of investigating&nbsp;Licenciate Degrees in Mathematics, how much Practice as a Curricular Component allows for diverse interpretations by the actors involved in teacher training, as well as indicating the challenges and weaknesses to be overcome in relation to Practice as a Curricular Component.&nbsp;In addition, initial teacher training requires special attention, since it is perceived that teaching training alone does not account for the knowledge building required for future teachers, and that Practice as a Curricular Component, if properly understood, is an aspect that can significantly contribute to improvements in teacher training.El objetivo de este artículo es presentar una visión general de investigaciones sobre la Práctica como Componente Curricular en la Licenciatura en Matematicas. Este trabajo es un recorte de la revisión bibliográfica de la tesis de doctorado que el primer autor está desarrollando en el Programa de Estudios Post-Graduados en Educación Matemática de PUC-SP. Realizamos un levantamiento bibliográfico en el portal de revistas CAPES, un análisis de la investigación de Pereira y Nogueira y aún, tomamos como base, un mapeo presentado por Fiorentini y colaboradores. Analizamos los datos a la luz de la metodología del Análisis de Contenido, según Bardin. Los resultados evidencian cuán importante es investigar la Licenciatura en Matemáticas, cuanto la Práctica como Componente Curricular es posible de interpretaciones diversas por parte de los actores involucrados en la formación docente e indican también desafíos y fragilidades a ser superados en relación a la Práctica como Componente Curricular. Y, además, que la formación inicial de profesores requiere una atención especial, pues se percibe que por sí sola no da cuenta de construir los conocimientos necesarios a los futuros docentes y que la práctica como componente curricular, si adecuadamente comprendida, es un aspecto que puede contribuir a la mejora de la formación inicial de los profesores.O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um panorama de pesquisas sobre a Prática como Componente Curricular na Licenciatura em Matemática. Este trabalho é um recorte da revisão bibliográfica da tese de doutorado que o primeiro autor está desenvolvendo no Programa de Estudos Pós-Graduados em Educação Matemática da PUC-SP. Realizamos um levantamento bibliográfico no portal de periódicos CAPES, uma análise da investigação de Pereira e Nogueira e ainda, tomamos como base, um mapeamento apresentado por Fiorentini e colaboradores. Analisamos os dados à luz da metodologia da Análise de Conteúdo, segundo Bardin. Os resultados evidenciam o quão é importante investigar a Licenciatura em Matemática, o quanto a Prática como Componente Curricular é possível de interpretações diversas por parte dos atores envolvidos na formação docente e indicam também desafios e fragilidades a serem superados em relação a Prática como Componente Curricular. E ainda, que a formação inicial de professores requer uma atenção especial, pois se percebe que sozinha ela não dá conta de construir os conhecimentos necessários aos futuros docentes e que a Prática como Componente Curricular, se adequadamente compreendida, é um aspecto que pode contribuir para a melhoria da formação inicial de professores

Fast bragg grating inscription in PMMA polymer optical fibres:impact of thermal pre-treatment of preforms

In this work, fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) were inscribed in two different undoped poly- (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer optical fibres (POFs) using different types of UV lasers and their inscription times, temperature and strain sensitivities are investigated. The POF Bragg gratings (POFBGs) were inscribed using two UV lasers: a continuous UV HeCd @325 nm laser and a pulsed UV KrF @248 nm laser. Two PMMA POFs are used in which the primary and secondary preforms (during the two-step drawing process) have a different thermal treatment. The PMMA POFs drawn in which the primary or secondary preform is not specifically pre-treated need longer inscription time than the fibres drawn where both preforms have been pre-annealed at 80 °C for 2 weeks. Using both UV lasers, for the latter fibre much less inscription time is needed compared to another homemade POF. The properties of a POF fabricated with both preforms thermally well annealed are different from those in which just one preform step process is thermally treated, with the first POFs being much less sensitive to thermal treatment. The influence of annealing on the strain and temperature sensitivities of the fibres prior to FBG inscription is also discussed, where it is observed that the fibre produced from a two-step drawing process with well-defined pre-annealing of both preforms did not produce any significant difference in sensitivity. The results indicate the impact of preform thermal pre-treatment before the PMMA POFs drawing, which can be an essential characteristic in the view of developing POF sensors technology