Erratum: Borges, I., et al. Exposure of Smaller and Oxidized Graphene on Polyurethane Surface Improves Its Antimicrobial Performance. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 349

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: Funding: This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) for Projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274, PTDC/CTM-BIO/4033/2014, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012, and projects UID/BIM/04293/2019—i3S and UIDB/00511/2020—LEPABE, funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: Funding: This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) for Projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274, PTDC/CTM-BIO/4033/2014, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012, and projects UID/BIM/04293/2019—i3S and UIDB/00511/2020—LEPABE, funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). This research was funded by Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) for Projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274, PTDC/CTM-BIO/4033/2014, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012, and projects UID/BIM/04293/2019?i3S and UIDB/00511/2020?LEPABE, funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)

Characterization of two heparan sulphate-binding sites in the mycobacterial adhesin Hlp

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The histone-like Hlp protein is emerging as a key component in mycobacterial pathogenesis, being involved in the initial events of host colonization by interacting with laminin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). In the present study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to map the binding site(s) of Hlp to heparan sulfate and identify the nature of the amino acid residues directly involved in this interaction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The capacity of a panel of 30 mer synthetic peptides covering the full length of Hlp to bind to heparin/heparan sulfate was analyzed by solid phase assays, NMR, and affinity chromatography. An additional active region between the residues Gly46 and Ala60 was defined at the N-terminal domain of Hlp, expanding the previously defined heparin-binding site between Thr31 and Phe50. Additionally, the C-terminus, rich in Lys residues, was confirmed as another heparan sulfate binding region. The amino acids in Hlp identified as mediators in the interaction with heparan sulfate were Arg, Val, Ile, Lys, Phe, and Thr.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data indicate that Hlp interacts with heparan sulfate through two distinct regions of the protein. Both heparan sulfate-binding regions here defined are preserved in all mycobacterial Hlp homologues that have been sequenced, suggesting important but possibly divergent roles for this surface-exposed protein in both pathogenic and saprophic species.</p

Pseudomyxoma peritonei: a clinical case of this poorly understood condition

BACKGROUND: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an uncommon condition with an estimated incidence of one to two per million (worldwide) per year. It is characterized by the peritoneal deposition of mucinous tumors, most commonly of the appendix, and occasionally from the ovary, coupled by mucinous ascites. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who presented with increased abdominal girth and dyspnea for 2 weeks. She was diagnosed as a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei. She was submitted to right oophorectomy, omentectomy, and pseudomyxoma debulking. The histology was compatible with a mucinous tumor of colorectal/appendicular origin. Chemotherapy was not administered because of her functional status. Two years and 8 months later, she refers with postprandial fullness and has moderate ascites

A prospective study of nutrition education and oral nutritional supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Weight loss in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common clinical manifestation that may have clinical significance.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To evaluate if there is a difference between nutrition education and oral nutritional supplementation on nutritional status in patients with AD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A randomized, prospective 6-month study which enrolled 90 subjects with probable AD aged 65 years or older divided into 3 groups: Control Group (CG) [n = 27], Education Group (EG) [n = 25], which participated in an education program and Supplementation Group (SG) [n = 26], which received two daily servings of oral nutritional supplementation. Subjects were assessed for anthropometric data (weight, height, BMI, TSF, AC and AMC), biochemical data (total protein, albumin, and total lymphocyte count), CDR (Clinical Dementia Rating), MMSE (Mini-mental state examination), as well as dependence during meals.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The SG showed a significant improvement in the following anthropometric measurements: weight (H calc = 22.12, p =< 0.001), BMI (H calc = 22.12, p =< 0.001), AC (H calc = 12.99, p =< 0.002), and AMC (H calc = 8.67, p =< 0.013) compared to the CG and EG. BMI of the EG was significantly greater compared to the CG. There were significant changes in total protein (H calc = 6.17, p =< 0.046), and total lymphocyte count in the SG compared to the other groups (H cal = 7.94, p = 0.019).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Oral nutritional supplementation is more effective compared to nutrition education in improving nutritional status.</p

Nonspecific Skin Reactivity in Epidemiological Studies

Os testes cutâneos por prick constituem o método diagnóstico de eleição no estudo da sensibilização alergénica, sendo no entanto influenciados por diversos factores. Não se encontram disponíveis dados sobre a quantificação da reacti-vidade cutânea inespecífica em estudos populacionais pediátricos, incluindo amostras de raças diversas. Objectivo: Avaliar e correlacionar a reactividade cutânea à histamina em crianças de diferentes raças,bem como a possível influência de factores como o sexo e a atopia. Material e Métodos: Englobado no Estudo Português de Doenças Alérgicas na Criança (PAC Study), foram estudadas 1710 crianças em idade escolar (6 a 12 anos), 244 de raça Negra na República de Cabo Verde, 756 Caucasianas na Ilha da Madeira e 710 de raça Chinesa em Macau. A todas as crianças foram efectuados testes cutâneos por prick com aeroalergenos, utilizando como referência positiva um extracto de histamina a 10mg/ml (Merck Allergopharma). Foi efectuada análise comparativa do diâmetro médio da pápula induzida pela histamina

Persistence of anticancer activity in berry extracts after simulated gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation

Fruit and vegetable consumption is associated at the population level with a protective effect against colorectal cancer. Phenolic compounds, especially abundant in berries, are of interest due to their putative anticancer activity. After consumption, however, phenolic compounds are subject to digestive conditions within the gastrointestinal tract that alter their structures and potentially their function. However, the majority of phenolic compounds are not efficiently absorbed in the small intestine and a substantial portion pass into the colon. We characterized berry extracts (raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants) produced by in vitro-simulated upper intestinal tract digestion and subsequent fecal fermentation. These extracts and selected individual colonic metabolites were then evaluated for their putative anticancer activities using in vitro models of colorectal cancer, representing the key stages of initiation, promotion and invasion. Over a physiologically-relevant dose range (0–50 µg/ml gallic acid equivalents), the digested and fermented extracts demonstrated significant anti-genotoxic, anti-mutagenic and anti-invasive activity on colonocytes. This work indicates that phenolic compounds from berries undergo considerable structural modifications during their passage through the gastrointestinal tract but their breakdown products and metabolites retain biological activity and can modulate cellular processes associated with colon cancer