foRMAtion international curriculum for future Research Managers and Administrators

The Intellectual Output 2 (IO2) is the international curriculum developed within the framework of the foRMAtion project, designed to be tested and accredited by each partner university and targeted to provide an overview of the main RMA tasks and roles for university students. The curriculum is named Research Manager as a profession in the EU ecosystem: concepts, tools and practice and consists of 24 lessons that will be taught over 2 semesters. The lessons are organized into 4 Modules: Module 1: Research Methodology and Design Module 2: Research Funding, Policy and Governance Module 3: Project Integration and Management Module 4: Research Impact and Public Engagement. Based on the partner universities' rules and national accreditation procedures, the curriculum will be accredited with 3 ECTS per semester. It will be available for all students as an elective course, focusing on bachelor students but open to all (when allowed by the rules of the university hosting the course). Through the curriculum, the students will engage with the EU Research and Innovation Ecosystem where they will gather an overview of RMA work at large, including the broad aspects and technical areas, but also by actively participating in real-case activities and developing transferable competencies. The international curriculum was developed in articulation with IO3 (teaching materials) to integrate the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach, combining knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the context of RMA's main tasks and roles. This document includes the definition of learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and autonomy, plus the detailed content of all 24 curricula units (lessons).publishersversionpublishe

RISK ASSESSMENT OF AFLATOXIN IN BRAZIL NUT BY PRODUCT CONSUMPTION IN THE AMAZON REGION

Objective: Evaluate exposure to aflatoxins in processed Brazil nut (chopped and sliced) products marketed in Amazonas State. Methods: The samples were purchased during the 2017 harvest at the local retail in the city of Manaus/AM/Brazil in the form of sliced and chopped. Moisture content (MC) and water activity (aw) were verified, aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) were quantified by liquid chromatography. To characterize the risk of exposure to genotoxic use the population margin of exposure (MOE). Results: Chopped and sliced Brazil nut samples analyzed here presented an MC average of 1.62% and water activity of 0.26. These values indicate that samples are safe, according to physical-chemical baselines. Regarding aflatoxins presence, 8% of the samples presented aflatoxins total levels >10 μg/kg. A risk evaluation was performed in which exposure of the population to these substances is observed and, once found; the MOE was 1036 ± 793 (<10 000). Conclusion: Regarding the risk assessment, it was possible to observe that there is a possibility exposure of the population to these substances since the average of MOE found was 1036±793, or <10 000, characterizing this possible risk

Development of a fast MECK method for determination of 5-HMF in honey samples

AbstractIn this study, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) determination was carried out by a micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) methodology, using caffeine as the internal standard (IS). The optimisation of the electrolyte composition was approached using a 32 full factorial design with a central point to study the MEKC electrolyte components. Inspection of the response surface indicated that the optimal electrolyte composition was 5mmolL−1 sodium tetraborate (STB, pH 9.3) containing 120mmolL−1 sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Under optimal CE conditions, separation of the investigated substance was achieved in less than 0.7min. Quality parameters, such as linearity (R2>0.99), precision (RSD<5.41%), detection and quantification limits (3.37 and 11.24mgkg−1 for honey samples) and recovery (96.37–99.56%). The proposed methodology was successfully applied to the analysis of 5-HMF in honey samples. The analytical performance of this method makes it suitable for implementation in food laboratories for the routine determination of 5-HMF in honey samples

Fast determination of cations in honey by capillary electrophoresis: A possible method for geographic origin discrimination

AbstractThis study reports the development and validation of a fast capillary electrophoresis method for cation determination in honey samples and the classification of honey by geographical origin using Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The background electrolyte (BGE) was optimized using the Peakmaster® software, which evaluates the tendency of the analytes to undergo electromigration dispersion and the BGE buffer capacity and conductivity. The final BGE composition was defined as 30mmolL−1 imidazole, 300mmolL−1 acetic acid and 140mmolL−1 Lactic acid, at pH 3,0, and the separation of K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+ using Ba2+ as the internal standard was achieved in less than 2min. The method showed satisfactory results in terms of linearity (R2>0.999), the detection limits ranged from 0.27–3.17mgL−1 and the quantification limits ranged from 0.91–10.55mgL−1. Precision measurements within 0.55 and 4.64%RSD were achieved and recovery values for the analytes in the honey samples ranged from 93.6%–108.6%. Forty honey samples were analyzed to test the proposed method. These samples were dissolved in deionized water and filtered before injection. The CE-UV reliability in the cation analysis in the real sample was compared statistically with ICP-MS methodology. No significant differences were found, with a 95% confidence interval between the methodologies. The PCA showed that the cumulative variance for the first two principal components explain more than 85% of the variability of the data. The analytical data suggest a significant influence of the geographical origin on the mineral composition

Accuracy of microRNAs as markers for the detection of neck lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background: the presence of metastatic disease in cervical lymph nodes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients is a very important determinant in therapy choice and prognosis, with great impact in overall survival. Frequently, routine lymph node staging cannot detect occult metastases and the post-surgical histologic evaluation of resected lymph nodes is not sensitive in detecting small metastatic deposits. Molecular markers based on tissue-specific microRNA expression are alternative accurate diagnostic markers. Herein, we evaluated the feasibility of using the expression of microRNAs to detect metastatic cells in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lymph nodes and in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of HNSCC patients.Methods: An initial screening compared the expression of 667 microRNAs in a discovery set comprised by metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes from HNSCC patients. the most differentially expressed microRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR in two independent cohorts: i) 48 FFPE lymph node samples, and ii) 113 FNA lymph node biopsies. the accuracy of the markers in identifying metastatic samples was assessed through the analysis of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and area under the curve values.Results: Seven microRNAs highly expressed in metastatic lymph nodes from the discovery set were validated in FFPE lymph node samples. MiR-203 and miR-205 identified all metastatic samples, regardless of the size of the metastatic deposit. Additionally, these markers also showed high accuracy when FNA samples were examined.Conclusions: the high accuracy of miR-203 and miR-205 warrant these microRNAs as diagnostic markers of neck metastases in HNSCC. These can be evaluated in entire lymph nodes and in FNA biopsies collected at different time-points such as pre-treatment samples, intraoperative sentinel node biopsy, and during patient follow-up. These markers can be useful in a clinical setting in the management of HNSCC patients from initial disease staging and therapy planning to patient surveillance.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, Lab Canc Mol Biol, BR-04039032 São Paulo, SP, BrazilBarretos Canc Hosp, Mol Oncol Res Ctr, BR-14784400 Barretos, SP, BrazilBarretos Canc Hosp, Dept Pathol, BR-14784400 Barretos, SP, BrazilBarretos Canc Hosp, Dept Head & Neck Surg, BR-14784400 Barretos, SP, BrazilDuke NUS Grad Med Sch, Canc Stem Cell Biol Program, Singapore 169857, SingaporeUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, Lab Canc Mol Biol, BR-04039032 São Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2012/14837-7Web of Scienc

Human neutrophil migration and activation by BJcuL, a galactose binding lectin purified from Bothrops jararacussu venom

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neutrophil migration to an inflamed site constitutes the first line of the innate immune response against invading microorganisms. Given the crucial role of endogenous lectins in neutrophil mobilization and activation, lectins from exogenous sources have often been considered as putative modulators of leukocyte function. Lectins purified from snake venom have been described as galactoside ligands that induce erythrocyte agglutination and platelet aggregation. This study evaluated human neutrophil migration and activation by C-type lectin BJcuL purified from <it>Bothrops jararacussu </it>venom.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Utilizing fluorescence microscopy, we observed that biotinylated-BJcuL was evenly distributed on the neutrophil surface, selectively inhibited by D-galactose. Lectin was able to induce modification in the neutrophil morphology in a spherical shape for a polarized observed by optical microscopy and exposure to BJcuL in a Boyden chamber assay resulted in cell migration. After 30 minutes of incubation with BJcuL we found enhanced neutrophil functions, such as respiratory burst, zymozan phagocytosis and an increase in lissosomal volume. In addition, BJcuL delays late apoptosis neutrophils.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results demonstrate that BJcuL can be implicated in a wide variety of immunological functions including first-line defense against pathogens, cell trafficking and induction of the innate immune response since lectin was capable of inducing potent neutrophil activation.</p

ESTRUTURA DA VEGETAÇÃO DE FRAGMENTOS FLORESTAIS NO CAMPUS DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO AMAPÁ - BRASIL

To better understand the dynamics of the forest in relation to its structure, it is important to conduct studies on communities that compose them. The aim of the work was the phytosociological analysis of fragments of forest on the campus of the Federal University of Amapá. For the study, 40 permanent plots systematically 250m² were installed. All trees with (CAP) ≥ 10 cm were sampled. The botanical material was identified in the Herbarium of the Federal University of Amapá, following the classification system APG III. The horizontal parameters analyzed were:  Density, Dominance, Frequency, Importance Value, Diversity and Distribution diameter and Space. The specie with the highest importance value was Enterolobium schomburgkii (28.76 %), but the most common in the area was the Protium guacayanum species who appeared in almost all plots of the study area. The largest of the CAP was found of the species Byrsonima aerugo Sagot, the family Malpighiaceae, measuring 220 cm. In the floristic composition survey, 2,431 individuals were sampled and identified about 90 species belonging to 40 families. The family that had the greatest number of individuals was the Fabaceae (496). Regarding the distribution diametric the class 7 and 9 showed absence of individuals in relation to the most sought-after species of commercial value. The spatial distribution of the species was aggregate. Slightly more than 50 % of young individuals compete for abiotic factors, given that the vegetation is in the process of formation of the forest fragments than are restructuring.Keyword: Phytosociology; abiotic; species; classes.Para melhor compreensão da dinâmica da floresta em relação à sua estrutura, é importante a realização de estudos sobre as comunidades que as compõem. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar a análise fitossociológica dos fragmentos de mata existentes no Câmpus da Universidade Federal do Amapá. Para o estudo, foram instaladas sistematicamente 40 parcelas permanentes de 250m². Foram amostrados todos os indivíduos arbóreos com (CAP) ≥ 10 cm. O material botânico coletado foi identificado no Herbário da Universidade Federal do Amapá, seguindo Sistema de classificação APG III. Foram analisados os seguintes parâmetros horizontais: Densidade, Dominância, Frequência, Valor de Importância, Diversidade e Distribuição Diamétrica e Espacial. A espécie que apresentou maior valor de importância foi a Enterolobium schomburgkii (28,76%), porém a mais frequente na área foi a espécie Protium guacayanum que apareceu em quase todas as parcelas da área de estudo. O maior CAP encontrado foi da espécie Byrsonima aerugo Sagot, da família Malpighiaceae, medindo 220 cm. No levantamento da composição florística, foram amostradas 2.431 indivíduos, e identificados cerca de 90 espécies pertencentes a 40 famílias. A família que apresentou maior número de indivíduos foi a Fabaceae (496). Em relação a distribuição diamétrica a classe 7 e 9 apresentaram ausência de indivíduos em relação às espécies mais procuradas de valor comercial. A distribuição espacial demonstrou como sendo agregada. Um pouco mais de 50 % dos indivíduos jovens competem de igual frequência por fatores abióticos, tendo em vista que a vegetação esta em processo de formação e os fragmentos florestais estão se reestruturando.Palavra-chave: Fitossociologia, abióticos, espécie, classes.

Imported Human West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Infection in Spain: Neurological and Gastrointestinal Complications

We report the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 infection imported to Spain by a traveler returning from Romania. Serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine samples were analyzed and West Nile virus infection was identified by PCR and serological tests. The patient developed fever, diarrhea and neurological symptoms, accompanied by mild pancreatitis, described previously in very few cases as a complication of WNV infection and by alithiasic cholecystitis. Viral RNA was detected in urine until 30 days after the onset of symptoms and neutralizing antibodies were detected at very low titers. The phylogenetic analysis in a fragment of the NS5 gene of the virus showed a homology with sequences from WNV lineage 2 belonging to the monophyletic Central/Southern European group.This work was partially funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III Projects “PI14CIII/00014” and “PI19CIII_00014”.S