Elasmobranch responses to experimental warming, acidification, and oxygen loss—a meta-analysis

Despite the long evolutionary history of this group, the challenges brought by the Anthropocene have been inflicting an extensive pressure over sharks and their relatives. Overexploitation has been driving a worldwide decline in elasmobranch populations, and rapid environmental change, triggered by anthropogenic activities, may further test this group's resilience. In this context, we searched the literature for peer-reviewed studies featuring a sustained (>24 h) and controlled exposure of elasmobranch species to warming, acidification, and/or deoxygenation: three of the most pressing symptoms of change in the ocean. In a standardized comparative framework, we conducted an array of mixed-model meta-analyses (based on 368 control-treatment contrasts from 53 studies) to evaluate the effects of these factors and their combination as experimental treatments. We further compared these effects across different attributes (lineages, climates, lifestyles, reproductive modes, and life stages) and assessed the direction of impact over a comprehensive set of biological responses (survival, development, growth, aerobic metabolism, anaerobic metabolism, oxygen transport, feeding, behavior, acid-base status, thermal tolerance, hypoxia tolerance, and cell stress). Based on the present findings, warming appears as the most influential factor, with clear directional effects, namely decreasing development time and increasing aerobic metabolism, feeding, and thermal tolerance. While warming influence was pervasive across attributes, acidification effects appear to be more context-specific, with no perceivable directional trends across biological responses apart from the necessary to achieve acid-base balance. Meanwhile, despite its potential for steep impacts, deoxygenation has been the most neglected factor, with data paucity ultimately precluding sound conclusions. Likewise, the implementation of multi-factor treatments has been mostly restricted to the combination of warming and acidification, with effects approximately matching those of warming. Despite considerable progress over recent years, research regarding the impact of these drivers on elasmobranchs lags behind other taxa, with more research required to disentangle many of the observed effects. Given the current levels of extinction risk and the quick pace of global change, it is further crucial that we integrate the knowledge accumulated through different scientific approaches into a holistic perspective to better understand how this group may fare in a changing ocean

Expression, purification and antimicrobial activity of recombinant pediocin PA-1 M31L, a PA-1 derivative with enhanced stability

Meeting presentationPediocin, the prototypical class IIa bacteriocin, is an efficient antilisterial molecule. Loss of pediocin PA-1 activity is attributed to methionine oxidation at position 31 and this can be overcome by substituting methionine for leucine (pediocin M31L). The aim of this study was to produce pediocin M31L with enhanced stability by recombinant expression in E. coli cells

Magnetoliposomes containing calcium ferrite nanoparticles for applications in breast cancer therapy

Magnetoliposomes containing calcium ferrite (CaFe2O4) nanoparticles were developed and characterized for the first time. CaFe2O4 nanoparticles were covered by a lipid bilayer or entrapped in liposomes forming, respectively, solid or aqueous magnetoliposomes as nanocarriers for new antitumor drugs. The magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by UV/Visible absorption, XRD, HR-TEM, and SQUID, exhibiting sizes of 5.2 ± 1.2 nm (from TEM) and a superparamagnetic behavior. The magnetoliposomes were characterized by DLS and TEM. The incorporation of two new potential antitumor drugs (thienopyridine derivatives) specifically active against breast cancer in these nanosystems was investigated by fluorescence emission and anisotropy. Aqueous magnetoliposomes, with hydrodynamic diameters around 130 nm, and solid magnetoliposomes with sizes of ca. 170 nm, interact with biomembranes by fusion and are able to transport the antitumor drugs with generally high encapsulation efficiencies (70%). These fully biocompatible drug-loaded magnetoliposomes can be promising as therapeutic agents in future applications of combined breast cancer therapy.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding of CF-UM-UP (UID/FIS/04650/2013; UID/FIS/04650/2019), CQUM (UID/QUI/00686/2016; UID/QUI/00686/2019) and LA-26 (PEst-C/SAU/LA0026/2013), and through the research project PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028020), financed by FCT, European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER), COMPETE2020 and Portugal2020. The magnetic measurements were supported by projects UTAP-EXPL/NTec/0046/2017, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-028538 e PTDC/FIS-MAC/29454/2017. The APC was also funded by FCT. B.D.C. acknowledges FCT for a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/141936/2018)

Discriminative capacity and construct validity of the Clock Drawing Test in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric and diagnostic properties of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), scored according to the Babins, Rouleau, and Cahn scoring systems, for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) screening, and develop corresponding cutoff scores. Additionally, we assessed the construct validity of the CDT through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. METHODS: We developed a cross-sectional study of ambulatory MCI and AD patients, divided in two clinical groups (450 MCI and 250 mild AD patients) and a normal control group (N = 400). All participants were assessed with the CDT, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for convergent validity. RESULTS: The selected scoring systems presented adequate validity and reliability values. The proposed cutoff scores showed 60 to 65% sensitivity and 58 to 62% specificity to identify MCI patients. The corresponding values for AD were 84 to 90% sensitivity and 76 to 78% specificity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the Babins scoring system had good construct validity and allowed us to propose a three-factor model for this system. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the complexity of the CDT and support it as a cognitive screening instrument particularly sensitive to AD. The use of the CDT with MCI patients should be interpreted with more caution due to the lower sensitivity and specificity for milder forms of cognitive impairment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gerenciamento de resíduos químicos como uma proposta didática na disciplina de físico-química aplicada à biotecnologia

O gerenciamento e o reaproveitamento de resíduos químicos é uma atividade de grande importância para a formação acadêmica do graduando na área de ciências. Tendo em vista essa preocupação, no laboratório de Físico-Química/Química Analítica do Instituto de Saúde e Biotecnologia foram desenvolvidas algumas ações pelos acadêmicos do curso de Bacharelado em Biotecnologia durante as aulas experimentais da disciplina de Físico-Química. O resultado desse trabalho gerou o presente relato de experiência que tem como objetivo promover entre os acadêmicos o desenvolvimento da conscientização ambiental através do gerenciamento de resíduos químicos. No primeiro momento foi feito a triagem dos reagentes e dos resíduos químicos e o levantamento da carga horária semestral de aulas no referido laboratório, visando o desenvolvimento de metodologias para o tratamento, descarte e reaproveitamento adequado em aulas práticas. Foram analisadas dezoito soluções ociosas. Dessas soluções, foram aferidos pH, volume e verificado a toxicidade. Os resultados das substâncias avaliadas apontaram que 20% da substâncias são tóxicas, 27% são oxidantes, 5% são cancerígenas, 24% corrosivas e 24% irritantes, sendo o volume total 5,541 L. Além disso, o levantamento da carga horária semestral apontou 90 horas para o semestre par e 120 horas para o semestre ímpar distribuídas nas disciplinas de Química Analítica e Físico-Química. A partir desses resultados foi proposto requisitar bombonas para armazenar os descartes de maneira correta e um formulário de prática experimental conforme os princípios da química verde, visando mitigar o descarte incorreto e com a finalidade de reutilização ou doação de reagentes ociosos. Ainda que o projeto esteja em fase de aperfeiçoamento, a experiência dos acadêmicos com os procedimentos deste trabalho piloto no Instituto de Saúde e Biotecnologia promoveram o desenvolvimento da conscientização do controle de resíduos químicos, a consolidação da utilização de técnicas analíticas e maior conhecimento sobre as regras de segurança do laboratório por parte dos discentes da disciplina de Físico-Química aplicada à Biotecnologia

Tecnología Informática en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje semipresenciales y a distancia

En esta línea de investigación se vienen realizando estudios y trabajos experimentales relacionados con los procesos de enseñanza y de aprendizaje en modalidad semipresencial y a distancia. Entre ellos, se analiza la transformación de cursos presenciales en semipresenciales y a distancia, se evalúa a través de métricas dicha transformación, analizando luego los resultados. También se estudia el impacto de algunos ambientes de simulación y entornos de aprendizaje virtual sobre el proceso de aprendizaje (Ej. Visual Da Vinci, plataforma WebLIDI). En particular, se han realizado varias experiencias con el curso de ingreso a la Facultad de Informática de la UNLP y a la Facultad de Ingeniería de la UNPSJB (Sede Ushuaia). Se mencionan resultados obtenidos y líneas de trabajo actuales.Eje: Informática educativaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Tecnología Informática en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje semipresenciales y a distancia

En esta línea de investigación se vienen realizando estudios y trabajos experimentales relacionados con los procesos de enseñanza y de aprendizaje en modalidad semipresencial y a distancia. Entre ellos, se analiza la transformación de cursos presenciales en semipresenciales y a distancia, se evalúa a través de métricas dicha transformación, analizando luego los resultados. También se estudia el impacto de algunos ambientes de simulación y entornos de aprendizaje virtual sobre el proceso de aprendizaje (Ej. Visual Da Vinci, plataforma WebLIDI). En particular, se han realizado varias experiencias con el curso de ingreso a la Facultad de Informática de la UNLP y a la Facultad de Ingeniería de la UNPSJB (Sede Ushuaia). Se mencionan resultados obtenidos y líneas de trabajo actuales.Eje: Informática educativaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

School dropout, problem behaviour and poor academic achievement : a longitudinal view of portuguese male offenders

This study examines school drop outs from the perspective of male adults themselves through interviews with offenders currently serving sentences. Participants were 10 Portuguese male inmates, between the ages of 19 and 46 years of age, incarcerated in two prison facilities of the Azores. Qualitative and interpretative methods were carried out using a semi-structured in-depth individual interview that was audiorecorded and conducted on the basis of a list of topics. Interview transcripts and thematic analysis were used in data treatment and analysis. The findings primarily indicate that poor academic achievement and emotional and behavioural difficulties of participants played a particular role in early school drop out. The trajectories these individuals followed within the education system presented problem behaviour, learning disabilities, and/or foster care interventions. While school drop out circumstances were apparently various, analysis showed that they were underpinned by three distinct sets of conditions generally not addressed by the education system. The analysis of the triggering factors and the maintenance dynamics of school drop outs indicated three distinct types: retention/absenteeism, life turning points and positive resolution. Implications for secondary prevention and screening practices are discussed.FCT (SFRH/ BD/ 44245/ 2008)CIEC - unidade de investigação 317 da FC

Development of pH-Sensitive magnetoliposomes containing shape anisotropic nanoparticles for potential application in combined cancer therapy

Late diagnosis and systemic toxicity associated with conventional treatments make oncological therapy significantly difficult. In this context, nanomedicine emerges as a new approach in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this work, pH-sensitive solid magnetoliposomes (SMLs) were developed for controlled release of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX). Shape anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles of magnesium ferrite with partial substitution by calcium (Mg0.75Ca0.25Fe2O4) were synthesized, with and without calcination, and their structural, morphological and magnetic properties were investigated. Their superparamagnetic properties were evaluated and heating capabilities proven, either by exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) (magnetic hyperthermia) or by irradiation with near-infrared (NIR) light (photothermia). The Mg0.75Ca0.25Fe2O4 calcined nanoparticles were selected to integrate the SMLs, surrounded by a lipid bilayer of DOPE:Ch:CHEMS (45:45:10). DOX was encapsulated in the nanosystems with an efficiency above 98%. DOX release assays showed a much more efficient release of the drug at pH = 5 compared to the release kinetics at physiological pH. By subjecting tumor cells to DOX-loaded SMLs, cell viability was significantly reduced, confirming that they can release the encapsulated drug. These results point to the development of efficient pH-sensitive nanocarriers, suitable for a synergistic action in cancer therapy with magnetic targeting, stimulus-controlled drug delivery and dual hyperthermia (magnetic and plasmonic) therapy.This work was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) within the framework of the Strategic Funding of Research Units UIDB/04650/2020 (CF-UM-UP), UIDB/00319/2020 (ALGORITMI), UIDB/04077/2020 (MEtRICs), UIDB/04436/2020 (CMEMS) and UIDB/00511/2020 (LEPABE). FCT, POCI, FEDER and NORTE2020 are acknowledged for funding through research projects PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017, EXPL/EMD-EMD/0650/2021, PTDC/EEI-EEE/2846/2021 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000054. MINECO (Spain) is acknowledged for project MAT2016-76824-C3-2-R. B.D.C. and V.M.C. acknowledge FCT for PhD grants SFRH/BD/141936/2018 (B.D.C.) and UI/BD/151028/2021 (V.M.C.). R.O.R. thanks FCT for contract 2020.03975.CEECIND