225 research outputs found
The common octopus fishery in South Portugal: a new shelter-pot
The octopus is one of the most important marine resources in
Portugal, especially in the South, the Algarve region. The fishing
gears mostly used are the âalcatruzâ and the âcovoâ. The
âalcatruzâ is a shelter-pot traditionally made of clay, with an
amphora shape, but recently plastic cylindrical pots were introduced
and became more popular. âCovosâ are baited metal
cage-traps covered by a plastic net.
Although very popular among fishermen, the traditional âalcatruzâ
made of clay has been replaced by cylindrical plastic
pots with great success, due to its resistance to brake. In an
attempt to continue using the traditional amphora-shape, a
new type of plastic pot was built in association with fishermen.
To study the behaviour of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)
towards the traditional amphora clay shelter-pot, the
cylindrical plastic shelter-pot and the new amphora plastic
shelter-pot, several experiments were performed in controlled
tanks. Three main questions were attempted to answer concerning
the preferences of the common octopus towards the
pots: 1) What kind of material: plastic or clay (traditional); 2)
What shape: cylindrical or amphora (traditional); 3) What colour:
white, black or red brick (traditional). The results showed
no particular preference towards the material of the fishing gear; a strong preference for the traditional amphora shape;
and a strong preference for the black colour
Tremor cefålico em pacientes com distonia cervical: evolução diferente?
OBJECTIVE: The association of cervical dystonia (CD) with other movement disorders have been already described, but data on clinical outcome regarding these patients are scant. The aim of this paper was to investigate whether patients with CD and head tremor (HT) would have a different outcome regarding to botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) treatment response and clinical and demographic parameters. METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated 118 medical charts of patients with CD and divided them into two groups: with (HT+) and without (HT-) head tremor. We compared the following clinical and demographic parameters: age at onset, disease duration, progression of symptoms, etiology, familial history, presence of hand tremor. We also analyzed the response to BTX-A according to Tsui score in both groups. RESULTS: The occurrence of head tremor in our sample was of 38.2%. The occurrence of postural hand tremor in the patients from the HT+ group was higher than in the HT- one (p=0.015) and if we compare BTX-A response in each group, we observe that patients with HT present a better outcome in a setting of longer follow-up. In HT+ group, Tsui score pre treatment was 10 (6-12.5) and after follow-up was 8 (5.5-10.5); p<0.001. In HT- group there was no significant difference 9 (7-12) in pre treatment and after follow-up; p=0.07. CONCLUSION: According to our data it seems that head tremor may influence the clinical outcome or treatment response with BTX-A in patients with CD.OBJETIVO: A associação de distonia cervical (DC) com outros transtornos do movimento jĂĄ foi descrita, mas hĂĄ poucos dados quanto Ă evolução clĂnica destes pacientes. Avaliamos se os pacientes com DC e tremor cefĂĄlico (TC) apresentam caracterĂsticas clĂnicas e demogrĂĄficas, assim como a resposta ao tratamento com toxina botulĂnica tipo A, diferentes. MĂTODOS: Analisamos retrospectivamente 118 prontuĂĄrios de pacientes com DC e os dividimos em dois grupos: com (TC+) e sem (TC-) tremor cefĂĄlico. Comparamos os seguintes parĂąmetros clĂnicos e demogrĂĄficos entre os grupos: idade de inĂcio, duração da doença, progressĂŁo de sintomas, etiologia, histĂłria familiar, presença de tremor em mĂŁos. TambĂ©m analisamos a resposta ao tratamento com toxina botulĂnica de acordo com escore Tsui em ambos os grupos. RESULTADOS: A ocorrĂȘncia de tremor cefĂĄlico em nosso grupo de pacientes foi 38,2%. A ocorrĂȘncia de tremor postural nas mĂŁos em pacientes TC+ foi maior (p=0,015) e se compararmos a resposta ao tratamento com toxina botulĂnica em cada grupo, observamos que os pacientes com TC tĂȘm melhor evolução em uma situação de seguimento mais prolongado. No grupo TC+, o escore Tsui prĂ©-tratamento foi 10 (6-12,5) e apĂłs o perĂodo de follow-up foi 8 (5,5-10,5); p<0,001. No grupo TC-, nĂŁo houve diferença significante: 9 (7-12) no prĂ©-tratamento e apĂłs perĂodo de follow-up; p=0,07. CONCLUSĂO: Nossos dados apontam que o tremor cefĂĄlico pode influenciar a evolução clĂnica ou resposta ao tratamento com toxina botulĂnica em pacientes com DC.Federal University of SĂŁo Paulo Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Movement Disorders UnitUNIFESP, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Movement Disorders UnitSciEL
Population homogeneity for the antibody response to COVID-19 BNT162b2/Comirnaty vaccine is only reached after the second dose across all adult age ranges
ABSTRACT: While mRNA vaccines are administrated worldwide in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the heterogeneity of the humoral immune response they induce at the population scale remains unclear. Here, in a prospective, longitudinal, cohort-study, including 1245 hospital care workers and 146 nursing home residents scheduled for BNT162b2 vaccination, together covering adult ages from 19 to 99 years, we analyse seroconversion to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and amount of spike-specific IgG, IgM and IgA before vaccination, and 3-5 weeks after each dose. We show that immunogenicity after a single vaccine dose is biased to IgG, heterogeneous and reduced with increasing age. The second vaccine dose normalizes IgG seroconversion in all age strata. These findings indicate two dose mRNA vaccines is required to reach population scale humoral immunity. The results advocate for the interval between the two doses not to be extended, and for serological monitoring of elderly and immunosuppressed vaccinees.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Evaluation of the anticancer activity and chemiluminescence of a halogenated coelenterazine analog
Chemiluminescence is a remarkable process in which light is emitted due to a chemical reaction, without the need for photoexcitation. Among some of the most well-known chemiluminescent systems is that of marine Coelenterazine. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel halogenated Coelenterazine analog, as well as the characterization of its potential anticancer activity and chemiluminescence. We have found that this analog is capable of significantly enhanced emission in aqueous solution when triggered by superoxide anion while being compatible with human cell lines. So, this compound presents great potential for the sensitive and dynamic sensing of a molecule of interest in biological media. Furthermore, the analysis of its cytotoxicity provided structural insight into the properties of brominated Coelenterazines, which were previously found to possess selective anticancer activity. Namely, the introduction of bromine heteroatoms is not enough to provide cyto-toxicity, while the introduction of electro-withdrawing groups eliminates all previously reported anticancer activity. Finally, while this compound is not active, its use in a combination approach allowed to improve the profile of a known chemotherapeutic agent. These results should be useful to guide future optimizations of halogenated Coelenterazine analogs
Elimination of Schistosoma mansoni Adult Worms by Rhesus Macaques: Basis for a Therapeutic Vaccine?
Infection with blood-dwelling schistosome worms is a major cause of human disease in many tropical countries. Despite intensive efforts a vaccine has proved elusive, not least because the chronic nature of the infection provides few pointers for vaccine development. The rhesus macaque appears unique among animal models in that adult worms establish but are eventually lost. We investigated whether this was due to pathological or immunological causes by monitoring the fate of a schistosome infection, and were able to rule out escape of worms from the portal system as a result of egg-induced vascular shunts. A substantial worm population established in all animals but there was a wide variation in the numbers recovered at 18 weeks. We observed a strong inverse association between the rapidity and intensity of the IgG response and worm burden. Rather than an acute lethal attack, immune-mediated elimination of worms appeared to be a prolonged process directed against vital components of exposed surfaces, causing worms to starve to death. We suggest that if the mechanisms deployed by the rhesus macaque could be replicated in humans by administration of key recombinant antigens, they would form the basis for a vaccine with both prophylactic and therapeutic properties
Determination of mercury in airborne particulate matter collected on glass fiber filters using high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and direct solid sampling
A study has been undertaken to assess the capability of high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of mercury in airborne particulate matter (APM) collected on glass fiber filters using direct solid sampling. The main Hg absorption line at 253.652 nm was used for all determinations. The certified reference material NIST SRM 1648 (Urban Particulate Matter) was used to check the accuracy of the method, and good agreement was obtained between published and determined values. The characteristic mass was 22 pg Hg. The limit of detection (3Ï), based on ten atomizations of an unexposed filter, was 40 ng g- 1, corresponding to 0.12 ng m- 3 in the air for a typical air volume of 1440 m3 collected within 24 h. The limit of quantification was 150 ng g-1, equivalent to 0.41 ng m-3 in the air. The repeatability of measurements was better than 17% RSD (n = 5). Mercury concentrations found in filter samples loaded with APM collected in Buenos Aires, Argentina, were between < 40 ng g-1 and 381 ± 24 ng g-1. These values correspond to a mercury concentration in the air between < 0.12 ng m-3 and 1.47 ± 0.09 ng m-3. The proposed procedure was found to be simple, fast and reliable, and suitable as a screening procedure for the determination of mercury in APM samples.Fil: Araujo, Rennan G. O.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Vignola, FabĂola. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Castilho, Ivan N. B.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Borges, Daniel L. G.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Welz, Bernhard. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Vale, Maria Goreti R.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Smichowski, Patricia Nora. ComisiĂłn Nacional de EnergĂa AtĂłmica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ferreira, SĂ©rgio L. C.. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Becker Ross, Helmut. Leibniz-Institut fĂŒr Analytische Wissenschaften; Alemani
Photodynamic Therapy
This book is dedicated to a topic related to the effects of photodynamic therapy organized by Biomedicines in 2022 (https://www.mdpi.com/topics/photodynamic_therapy). In medicine, the use of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of oncological and non-oncological diseases has been widely documented and well codified. In dermatology, the use varies from oncological to the treatment of chronic wounds, as well as in cosmetology for photo-rejuvenation. The 19 manuscripts published in this book cover all aspects of this therapy, including the discovery of new natural and synthetic photosensitizers, biomaterials and nanotechnology, in vitro and in vivo studies, and clinical trials
Data standardization of plantâpollinator interactions
Background: Animal pollination is an important ecosystem function and service, ensuring both the integrity of natural systems
and human well-being. Although many knowledge shortfalls remain, some high-quality data sets on biological interactions are now
available. The development and adoption of standards for biodiversity data and metadata has promoted great advances in biological
data sharing and aggregation, supporting large-scale studies and science-based public policies. However, these standards are currently
not suitable to fully support interaction data sharing.
Results: Here we present a vocabulary of terms and a data model for sharing plantâpollinator interactions data based on the Darwin
Core standard. The vocabulary introduces 48 new terms targeting several aspects of plantâpollinator interactions and can be used to
capture information from different approaches and scales. Additionally, we provide solutions for data serialization using RDF, XML,
and DwC-Archives and recommendations of existing controlled vocabularies for some of the terms. Our contribution supports open
access to standardized data on plantâpollinator interactions.
Conclusions: The adoption of the vocabulary would facilitate data sharing to support studies ranging from the spatial and temporal
distribution of interactions to the taxonomic, phenological, functional, and phylogenetic aspects of plantâpollinator interactions. We
expect to fill data and knowledge gaps, thus further enabling scientific research on the ecology and evolution of plantâpollinator
communities, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and the development of public policies. The proposed data model is
flexible and can be adapted for sharing other types of interactions data by developing discipline-specific vocabularies of termsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
- âŠ