Involvement of the p62/NRF2 signal transduction pathway on erythrophagocytosis

This deposit is composed by the main article plus the supplementary materials of the publication.Erythrophagocytosis, the phagocytic removal of damaged red blood cells (RBC), and subsequent phagolysosome biogenesis are important processes in iron/heme metabolism and homeostasis. Phagolysosome biogenesis implies the interaction of nascent phagosomes with endocytic compartments and also autophagy effectors. Here, we report that besides recruitment of microtubule-associated protein-1-light chain 3 (LC3), additional autophagy machinery such as sequestosome 1 (p62) is also acquired by single-membrane phagosomes at very early stages of the phagocytic process and that its acquisition is very important to the outcome of the process. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) silenced for p62, RBC degradation is inhibited. P62, is also required for nuclear translocation and activation of the transcription factor Nuclear factor E2-related Factor 2 (NRF2) during erythrophagocytosis. Deletion of the Nrf2 allele reduces p62 expression and compromises RBC degradation. In conclusion, we reveal that erythrophagocytosis relies on an interplay between p62 and NRF2, potentially acting as protective mechanism to maintain reactive oxygen species at basal levels and preserve macrophage homeostasis.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia grants: (HMSP-ICT/0024/2010, UID/Multi/04462/2013, SFRH/BD/62197/2009, SFRH/BD/90258/2012, SFRH /BD/51877/2012, SFRH/BD/52293/2013, PTDC/SAU-TOX/116627/2010, HMSP-ICT/0022/2010 ); European Union FEDER support: (COMPETE, QREN, PT2020 Partnership Agreement), ERC grant: (ERC-2011-AdG 294709-DAMAGECONTROL).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Clinical, epidemiological and mycological report on 65 patients from the Eastern Amazon region with chromoblastomycosis Relato clínico, epidemiológico e micológico de 65 pacientes com cromoblastomicose procedentes da Amazônia oriental

BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection caused by fungi from the Dematiaceae family. According to several studies, Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the most common of these fungi. The infection is more common in tropical countries, with the Brazilian state of Pará having one of the largest infected populations worldwide. The disease is difficult to treat and recurrences are common. OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiological and mycological aspects of cases of chromoblastomycosis and its clinical forms in the state of Pará, Brazil. METHODS: Mycological exams (direct mycological examinations, culture and microculture) were performed and a clinical/epidemiological evaluation was made of 65 patients receiving care at the Dermatology Department of the Federal University of Pará between 2000 and 2007. The clinical classification proposed by Carrión in 1950 was used in this study. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were male (93.8%), agricultural workers (89.2%) of 45 to 55 years of age, and the majority of lesions (55.4%) were of the verrucous type, located principally on the lower limbs (81.5%). In the majority of the cases investigated (61.5%), the infection had been present for a long time, with a mean duration of 11 years. Direct mycological examination was performed in 86.2% of the patients (n=56). Of these, 96.4% (n=54) tested positive. Culture and microculture were performed in vitro in 47 cases of those that tested positive at direct microscopy, results showing Fonsecaea pedrosoi to be the only agent present in this sample. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the extent to which chromoblastomycosis still affects the quality of life of the local population, principally individuals working in agriculture. This is a chronic disease for which there is no effective treatment. The importance of continuing to investigate this disease should be emphasized, as further studies may lead to new clinical or epidemiological findings.<br>FUNDAMENTOS: A cromoblastomicose é uma infecção fúngica crônica, causada por fungos da família Dematiaceae, sendo Fonsecaea pedrosoi a mais comum, segundo vários estudos. É mais frequente em países tropicais e o estado do Pará possui grande casuística mundial. A doença é de difícil tratamento e apresenta recorrência frequente. OBJETIVOS: Descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos, micológicos e formas clínicas dos casos de cromoblastomicose procedentes do estado do Pará - Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados exames micológicos (direto, cultura e microcultivo) e observação clinicoepidemiológica em 65 pacientes do Serviço de Dermatologia da Universidade Federal do Pará, atendidos no período de 2000 a 2007. Empregou-se a classificação clínica proposta por Carrión em 1950. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes eram, em sua maioria, homens (93,8%), lavradores (89,2%), faixa etária entre 45-55 anos, com predominância de lesões verruciformes (55,4%), localizadas principalmente nos membros inferiores (81,5%). A maioria dos casos pesquisados (61,5%) apresentou um longo tempo de doença, com uma média de 11 anos. O exame micológico direto foi realizado em 86,2% (n=56) dos pacientes; destes, 96,4% (n=54) apresentaram resultado positivo. Foram realizados cultura e microcultivo in vitro de 47 pacientes com exame micológico positivo e os resultados mostraram o Fonsecaea pedrosoi como único agente etiológico identificado nesta amostra. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo mostrou o quanto a cromoblastomicose ainda compromete a qualidade de vida da população local, principalmente a de indivíduos que trabalham em lavouras, cursando com evolução crônica e sem tratamento eficaz. Observa-se a importância de dar continuidade a este estudo, o que poderá proporcionar novas contribuições clínicas ou epidemiológicas

Supercritical Fluid Processing for the Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from Food Industry By-Products

By-products of food industry, especially wine industry, fruit and vegetable processing industry, oil industry, milling industry, seafood processing industry are rich in bioactive compounds. These compounds are mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), tocopherols, phytosterols, squalene, carotenoids and polyphenols. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction of specialty oils rich in bioactive compounds, fractionation of specialty oils or by-products to enrich the bioactive compounds, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of carotenoids and either supercritical (SFE) or subcritical fluid extraction (SCFE), and supercritical antisolvent extraction (SAE) and fractionation (SAF) of polyphenols are discussed

Threats and Conservation Strategies for Overlooked Organisms: The Case of Epiphytic Lichens

none5noIn this chapter, the main ecological factors that characterize the epiphyte environ- 7 ment and which determine the composition of epiphyte communities have been 8 described. In particular, emphasis has been made to focus on epiphytic lichens 9 which, due to their ecophysiological characteristics, represent a set of highly 10 specialized organisms that live in a delicate balance in this habitat. The main 11 threats that threaten their survival have been analysed along with the conservation 12 actions that have been undertaken to ensure the maintenance of the populations of 13 the most endangered species have been reviewed. Furthermore, some good 14 practices are suggested that can guarantee greater success of future protection 15 actions.nonePaolo Giordani, Renato Benesperi, Elisabetta Bianchi, Paola Malaspina, Juri NascimbenePaolo Giordani, Renato Benesperi, Elisabetta Bianchi, Paola Malaspina, Juri Nascimben

Nutritional and additive uses of chitin and chitosan in the food industry

Chitin is the first polysaccharide identified by man. Chitin and its numerous oligomeric and monomeric, acetylated or deacetylated derivates have many physiological functions and applications. Chitin is found in the cuticles of arthropods and is a major constituent of cell walls from fungal, yeast and algae, from where chitin can be extracted chemically, enzymatically or by fermentation. The principal sources of chitin and chitosan are actually crustacean shells. Worldwide, more than 13.000.000 tons of crustaceans are caught from marine habitats each year, thus generating huge amounts of food waste. The unique biodegradability, biorenewability, biocompatibility, physiological inertness and hydrophilicity of chitin and chitosan make them of high interest for research and industry. In this chapter, we review the use of chitin, chitosan and their oligomers and monomers as food additives. In particular, their use in the regulation of lipid digestion and hypocholesterolemia, their functioning as an antigastritic agent and prebiotic is highlighted. Literature shows that oligomerization and the degree of deacetylation influences the development of chitin/chitosan-based nutraceuticals. The absence of chitinases and chitosanases in the human gut renders those biopolymers resistant to even partial degradation. For food applications, they are used as emulsifying, fining, thickening and stabilizing agents, antioxidants, and low calories food mimetics