Profiling DNA methylation based on next-generation sequencing approaches: New insights and clinical applications

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and, consequently, influences a wide variety of biological processes and diseases. The advances in next-generation sequencing technologies allow for genome-wide profiling of methyl marks both at a single-nucleotide and at a single-cell resolution. These profiling approaches vary in many aspects, such as DNA input, resolution, coverage, and bioinformatics analysis. Thus, the selection of the most feasible method according with the project’s purpose requires in-depth knowledge of those techniques. Currently, high-throughput sequencing techniques are intensively used in epigenomics profiling, which ultimately aims to find novel biomarkers for detection, diagnosis prognosis, and prediction of response to therapy, as well as to discover new targets for personalized treatments. Here, we present, in brief, a portrayal of next-generation sequencing methodologies’ evolution for profiling DNA methylation, highlighting its potential for translational medicine and presenting significant findings in several diseases.This research was funded by Research Center—Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOFB-GEBC-2018 and FCT (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-29043). D.B.-S. is a research fellow from CI-IPOP (BI-GEBC2018/UID/DTP/00776/POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006868), and C.J.M. is a FCT Investigador (FCT contract IF/00047/2012)

Development and validation of predictive equations for spirometry in Portuguese children

Background There are no data on lung function reference values for Portuguese children, and the contribution from the Portuguese data set in the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) is scant. Objectives We aimed to estimate new up-to-date reference values for Portuguese children by fitting a multivariable regression model to a general population sample. Further, we intended to assess the external validity of the obtained reference values and to compare them to the GLI reference values. Methods A random sample of 858 children from 20 primary schools were screened by health questionnaire, physical examination, and spirometry. Spirometric parameters recorded were FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75. Multiple regression models were used to derive reference equations. Results Overall, 481 children, aged between 7 and 12 years, 267 boys (55.5%), were included. Boys had higher values for FVC and FEV1 than girls (P < .05). The strongest correlation was found for FVC with height (r = 0.71 for boys and 0.70 for girls), while the lowest correlation was observed in both sexes for FEF25-75 with age (r = 0.23). Height was the most significant predictor of FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75 in our models. Weight and body mass index were not significant predictors for boys but had a significant effect on girls’ equations for all spirometry parameters. Compared to obtained reference equations with GLI, they performed better for FVC in boys, FEV1 in girls, and FEF25-75 in both boys and girls. Conclusion We offer up-to-date reference values of spirometry for Portuguese children that can be used in clinical practice and research.Deriving cohort was funded by Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000010 – Health, Comfort and Energy in the Built Environment (HEBE), cofinanced by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (NORTE2020), through Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER and of the Foundation for Science and Technology schoolarships SFRH/BD/108605/2015 and SFRH/BD/112269/2015. Validating cohort was funded by Programa Operacional de Saúde – Saúde XXI, Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III and by Administração Regional de Saúde do Norte. For follow-up assessments Generation XXI received funding from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (PTDC/SAU-ESA/108577/ 2008), co-funded by FEDER through COMPETE and from Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. This work was supported by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P., under the projects 2022.07363.PTDC, UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020. Generation XXI was funded by Programa Operacional de Saúde – Saúde XXI, Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III and Administração Regional de Saúde Norte (Regional Department of Ministry of Health)

Produtividade da videira de vinho cv. Syrah submetida a diferentes doses de nitrogênio e potássio aplicadas via fertirrigação.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a produção da videira de vinho cv. Syrah submetida a diferentes doses de nitrogênio e potássio aplicados via fertirrigação

Response surface for biodiesel production from soybean oil by ethylic route

Petroleum has been the most consumed energy source in the world, but it tends to run out due its non-renewable character. Among biofuels, biodiesel has emerged as the main candidate to substitute petroleum diesel. The present study aimed to identify the maximum yield point of biodiesel production by generating a response surface using molar ratio, temperature and agitation time as independent variables, and yield as a dependent variable. From the response surface, it is observed that the increase in temperature and reaction time leads to reduced yield. The configuration that resulted in maximum yield of 93.30% was 12:1 molar ratio, 30 °C temperature and 30-minute reaction time. From the chromatographic analysis it was possible to identify five different fatty acids in the composition of the biodiesels. Total saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) ranged from 41.53% to 42.09% and total unsaturated fatty acids including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids) ranged from 57.92% to 58.48%. According to the results of the physicochemical analyses, the specific mass at 68°F is in agreement with Brazilian, American and European specifications, ranging from 877.46 kg m-3 to 879.64 kg m-3 . The kinematic viscosity at 104 °F ranged from 4.49 mm² s -1 to 4.82 mm² s -1 . The acid value obtained did not vary within the limits established by the norms, and values between 0.54 and 2.74 mg KOH g -1 were observed

Qualidade de uvas e do mosto de videiras Syrah submetidas à adubação orgânica e fertirrigação potássica: 2º ciclo de produção.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da adubação orgânica e da fertirrigação potássica nas características de qualidade de uvas e do mosto de videiras Syrah cultivadas no Submédio Vale do São Francisco

The association between probable post-COVID-19 condition and sleep-related parameters: a longitudinal study of non-hospitalised patients

The long-term effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on sleep remain poorly known. We evaluated the association between probable post-COVID-19 condition and changes in sleep quality and quantity before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a consecutive sample of non-hospitalized adults. Individuals were identified with SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020 at the central laboratory of a tertiary hospital in Porto and followed as outpatients. We included patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection ≥3 months before this evaluation, with no missing data on key variables (n = 2445). Participants completed a questionnaire that included sociodemographic, clinical, and infection-related questions. We computed changes in sleep-related parameters referred to 1 month before diagnosis and 1 week before the questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to compute crude and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Compared to the pre-infection period, those with probable post-COVID-19 condition reported a greater decrease in hours of sleep, had a 2.60 (95% CI 2.02–3.34) higher adjusted odds of perceiving their sleep quality as worsened and experienced a significant increase in number of days with sleeping disturbances as defined according to multiple items. The association between post-COVID-19 condition and indicators of poor sleep health requires special attention from healthcare professionals and services. It is essential that appropriate multidisciplinary care is provided to mitigate the physical, psychological, social, and professional impact of sleeping problems in these already burdened patients. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of Sleep Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Sleep Research Society.We wish to acknowledge Elisabete Ramos and Sílvia Fraga for their contribution to the design of the questionnaire, the interviewers who conducted the questionnaires, and all patients who agreed to participate. This study was funded by national funds of Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) under the Project ‘From SARS-CoV-2 infection to COVID-19. Study of viral kinetics and immune response to understand contagion and clinical evolution’ (613735895) and through the projects with references UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020 and DOI identifiers https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04750/2020 and https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0064/2020. Joana Pinto Costa holds a PhD grant (DFA/BD/8562/2020) co-funded by the national funds of FCT and the Fundo Social Europeu with DOI identifier: https://doi.org/10.54499/2020.08562.BD

Avaliação da variabilidade genética para caracteres morfométricos em uma população de Parkia gigantocarpa Ducke .

Parkia gigantocarpa Ducke é uma arvore de grande porte, hermafrodita, encontrada em áreas de floresta, nos Estados do Pará e Amazonas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar a variabilidade genética de matrizes de P. gigantocarpa pela estimativa de parâmetros genéticos para caracteres de frutos e sementes no pré-melhoramento da espécie. Determinou-se o peso dos frutos, número total de sementes/fruto, número de sementes boas/fruto e peso de sementes boas/fruto. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com 15 tratamentos (matrizes) e 5 repetições de 10 frutos/parcela. Os caracteres peso do fruto (5,31%), número total de sementes/fruto (3,70%), número de sementes boas/fruto (11,13%) e peso de sementes boas/fruto (12,30%) foram analisadas através do coeficiente de variação experimental, obtendo valores considerados adequados. Os coeficientes de herdabilidade apresentaram valores relativamente altos, indicando sucesso na seleção destas características nas próximas gerações. Em plantas individuais a herdabilidade (h2g) variou de 25,0 % a 48,0%, sendo considerado de moderado a alto e para a herdabilidade média entre matrizes (h²mm), o valor foi acima de 90,0 %, sugerindo expressivo controle genético. A população de P. gigantocarpa apresentou variabilidade genética de moderada a alta, com potencial de seleção para os caracteres morfométricos analisados e a possibilidade de alto potencial de seleção entre matrizes