Nitric Oxide Regulates Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus following Seizures

Hippocampal neurogenesis is changed by brain injury. When neuroinflammation accompanies injury, activation of resident microglial cells promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species like nitric oxide (NO). In these conditions, NO promotes proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC) in the hippocampus. However, little is known about the role of NO in the survival and differentiation of newborn cells in the injured dentate gyrus. Here we investigated the role of NO following seizures in the regulation of proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival of NSC in the hippocampus using the kainic acid (KA) induced seizuremouse model. We show that NO increased the proliferation of NSC and the number of neuroblasts following seizures but was detrimental to the survival of newborn neurons. NO was also required for the maintenance of long-term neuroinflammation. Taken together, our data show that NO positively contributes to the initial stages of neurogenesis following seizures but compromises survival of newborn neurons.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal); COMPETE; FEDER [PTDC/SAU-NEU/102612/2008, PTDC/NEU-OSD/0473/2012, PEst-C/SAU/LA0001/2013-2014, PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013-2014]; FCT, Portugal [SFRH/BPD/78901/2011, SFRH/BD/77903/2011

Benzothiadiazine dioxide human cytomegalovirus inhibitors: Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of main heterocycle modified derivatives

The benzothiadiazine dioxide derivatives are potent non-nucleoside human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) inhibitors. As part of our comprehensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of these compounds, we have now proposed structural modifications on the heterocyclic moiety both on the number and the nature of the fused heterocycle and on the kind of heteroatoms present on it. Synthesis of these new compounds (benzyl derivatives of thiadiazines, thienothiadiazines, benzothienothiadiazines and quinazolines) and the antiviral evaluation against HCMV has been performed. SAR investigation on this class of compounds has defined the structural requirements for potency and toxicity. They have revealed two important clues: i) a fused ring to the thiadiazine framework is necessary to maintain the anti-HCMV action, and ii) the sulfamido moiety in the main heterocycle is crucial to avoid cytotoxicity.Peer Reviewe

A haplotype-resolved draft genome of the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus)

The European sardine (Sardina pilchardus Walbaum, 1792) is culturally and economically important throughout its distribution. Monitoring studies of sardine populations report an alarming decrease in stocks due to overfishing and environmental change, which has resulted in historically low captures along the Iberian Atlantic coast. Important biological and ecological features such as population diversity, structure, and migratory patterns can be addressed with the development and use of genomics resources.Agência financiadora Portuguese national funds from FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology: UID/Multi/04326/2016; European Regional Development Fund (FEDER): 22153-01/SAICT/2016; ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121; ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022231; MAR2020 operational programme of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (project SARDI-NOMICS): MAR-01.04.02-FEAMP-0024; European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme: 654008info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Edible films as oral delivery systems for xanthines extracted from medicinal plants: an experimental design approach

Two formulations of edible films intended for oral delivery of therapeutic xanthines were developed, following an experimental design approach. Gelatin type A and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were used as polymeric matrices with different physico-chemical nature. Caffeine, a well-known methylxhanthine, was used as model bioactive molecule, representing overall xanthines (e.g. caffeine, theophylline, theobromine) extracted from medicinal plants. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was performed to outwit the formation of covalent bonds between caffeine and the matrix of edible films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to assess if caffeine was homogeneously dispersed on the matrix of edible films. Simulation of gastrointestinal tract and ex vivo permeability studies across intestinal mucosa were performed to predict the delivery profile of caffeine from developed formulations of edible films. Gelatin type A-based edible films offered a slow release of caffeine whereas sodium carboxymethylcellulose-based edible films promote an immediate release of caffeine.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ciprofloxacin resistance in domestic wastewater treatment plants

The potential of domestic wastewater treatment plants to contribute for the dissemination of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria was assessed. Differences on bacterial counts and percentage of resistance in the raw wastewater could not be explained on basis of the size of the plant or demographic characteristics of population served. In contrast, the treated effluent of the larger plants had significantly more heterotrophs and enterobacteria, including ciprofloxacin-resistant organisms, than the smaller (p<0.01). Moreover, longer hydraulic retention times were associated with significantly higher percentages of resistant enterobacteria in the treated effluent (p<0.05). Independently of the size or type of treatment used, domestic wastewater treatment plants discharged per day at least 1010–1014 colony forming units of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria into the receiving environment.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Lane background removal in thin-layer chromatography images using continuous wavelet

This paper describes a new methodology to remove the background of the lanesin Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) images aiming at improving subsequentband detection. The storage of the biological samples to be analysed by TLC isusually done via plastic containers. Filter paper is an alternative that allowsreduced costs and higher portability, but with consequences in the image analysisstage due to a lane background alteration. In order to overcome this problem, anegative control lane is generated in every chromatographic plate. After preprocessingand lane detection stages a one-dimensional intensity profile is usedfor integrating lane information and the background influence is removed withthe help of the Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) decomposition. Theproposed method was tested in 78 lane images, A band detection algorithm wasapplied on lane profiles, and a superior detection rate was achieved for thebackground removed lanes