Are in vitro and in silico approaches used appropriately for animal-based Major Depressive Disorder research?

This study was supported by Animalfree Research–Switzerland in the form of funds awarded to CC. Centro de Estatística e Aplicações (CEAUL) provided partial support to TAM, through project funding from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal (FCT) (UID/MAT/00006/2019). The publication fee was financed by Portuguese national funds awarded to LV within the Centro de Filosofia das Ciência da Universidade de Lisboa (CFCUL) research center strategic project, funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (UIDB/00678/2020).The current paradigm for biomedical research and drug testing postulates that in vitro and in silico data inform animal studies that will subsequently inform human studies. Recent evidence points out that animal studies have made a poor contribution to current knowledge of Major Depressive Disorder, whereas the contribution of in vitro and in silico studies to animal studies- within this research area- is yet to be properly quantified. This quantification is important since biomedical research and drug discovery and development includes two steps of knowledge transferability and we need to evaluate the effectiveness of both in order to properly implement 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). Here, we used the citation tracking facility within Web of Science to locate citations of original research papers on in vitro and in silico related to MDD published identified in PubMed by relevant search terms. 67 publications describing target papers were located. Both in vitro and in silico papers are more cited by human medical papers than by animal papers. The results suggest that, at least concerning MDD research, the current two steps of knowledge transferability are not being followed, indicating a poor compliance with the 3R principles.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Are in vitro and in silico approaches used appropriately for animal-based major depressive disorder research?

This study was supported by Animalfree Research–Switzerland in the form of funds awarded to CC. Centro de Estatística e Aplicações (CEAUL) provided partial support to TAM, through project funding from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal (FCT) (UID/MAT/00006/2019). The publication fee was financed by Portuguese national funds awarded to LV within the Centro de Filosofia das Ciência da Universidade de Lisboa (CFCUL) research center strategic project, funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (UIDB/00678/2020).The current paradigm for biomedical research and drug testing postulates that in vitro and in silico data inform animal studies that will subsequently inform human studies. Recent evidence points out that animal studies have made a poor contribution to current knowledge of Major Depressive Disorder, whereas the contribution of in vitro and in silico studies to animal studies- within this research area- is yet to be properly quantified. This quantification is important since biomedical research and drug discovery and development includes two steps of knowledge transferability and we need to evaluate the effectiveness of both in order to properly implement 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). Here, we used the citation tracking facility within Web of Science to locate citations of original research papers on in vitro and in silico related to MDD published identified in PubMed by relevant search terms. 67 publications describing target papers were located. Both in vitro and in silico papers are more cited by human medical papers than by animal papers. The results suggest that, at least concerning MDD research, the current two steps of knowledge transferability are not being followed, indicating a poor compliance with the 3R principles.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Biological evolution in curricula of countries with different links between state and religion

The plural features of society can be perceived in education through the analysis of school curricula. This paper analyses curricula from three Latin American countries with different links between State and Religion: Argentina constitution refers Catholicism has its official religion; Brazil assumes secularism officially but there is considerable religion influence on the State affairs; Uruguay has a higher consolidated secularism. The controversial theme of biological evolution was analysed in secondary school biology curricula of these three countries. To achieve this goal, school national programmes, syllabi and other related documents from each country were analysed. Results showed that curricula provide modern approaches with regard to the teaching of biological evolution. Argentina and Brazil have decentralizing policies set up by their Federal Ministry of Education in which the 23 Provinces (in Argentina) and the 26 States (in Brazil) define their specific curriculum contents. This system leads to differences between more conservative Provinces/States where biological evolution can be absent and more liberal Provinces/States where biological evolution is present. Uruguay highlights biological evolution explicitly in its national curriculum, possibly because of its solid secularism. From overall findings, it can be concluded that State secularism may influence the design of the biology curriculum, particularly in controversial matters, as biological evolution.CIEC – Research Centre on Child Studies, IE, UMinho (FCT R&D unit 317), Portugalinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Isolation and characterization of novel chlorella vulgaris mutants with low chlorophyll and improved protein contents for food applications

Microalgae are widely used as food supplements due to their high protein content, essential fatty acids and amino acids as well as carotenoids. The addition of microalgal biomass to food products (e.g., baked confectioneries) is a common strategy to attract novel consumers. However, organoleptic factors such as color, taste and smell can be decisive for the acceptability of foods supplemented with microalgae. The aim of this work was to develop chlorophyll-deficient mutants of Chlorella vulgaris by chemically induced random mutagenesis to obtain biomass with different pigmentations for nutritional applications. Using this strategy, two C. vulgaris mutants with yellow (MT01) and white (MT02) color were successfully isolated, scaled up and characterized. The changes in color of MT01 and MT02 mutant strains were due to an 80 and 99% decrease in their chlorophyll contents, respectively, as compared to the original wild type (WT) strain. Under heterotrophic growth, MT01 showed a growth performance similar to that of the WT, reaching a concentration of 5.84 and 6.06 g L-1, respectively, whereas MT02 displayed slightly lower growth (4.59 g L-1). When grown under a light intensity of 100 μmol m-2 s-1, the pigment content in MT01 increased without compromising growth, while MT02 was not able to grow under this light intensity, a strong indication that it became light-sensitive. The yellow color of MT01 in the dark was mainly due to the presence of the xanthophyll lutein. On the other hand, phytoene was the only carotenoid detected in MT02, which is known to be colorless. Concomitantly, MT02 contained the highest protein content, reaching 48.7% of DW, a 60% increase as compared to the WT. MT01 exhibited a 30% increase when compared to that of the WT, reaching a protein content of 39.5% of DW. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that the partial abrogation of pigment biosynthesis is a factor that might promote higher protein contents in this species. Moreover, because of their higher protein and lower chlorophyll contents, the MT01 and MT02 strains are likely candidates to be feedstocks for the development of novel, innovative food supplements and foods.FCT: UIDB/04085/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Oral glucose tolerance testing at 1 h and 2 h: relationship with glucose and cardiometabolic parameters and agreement for pre-diabetes diagnosis in patients with morbid obesity

Background: One hour plasma glucose concentration (1hPG) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may be an alternative to 2-h plasma glucose concentration (2hPG) in the identification of individuals at increased risk of hyperglycaemia, although its role is not fully understood. Aim: We aim to investigate the relationship of these measures with other glucose parameters, as well as their relationship with cardiometabolic risk markers and the level of agreement for prediabetes mellitus diagnosis, in a sample of patients with morbid obesity. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 656 patients with morbid obesity without diagnosed diabetes. To define prediabetes with 2hPG, 2022 American Diabetes Association guidelines criteria were used, while for 1hPG, glucose ≥ 155 mg/dL was considered. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to assess the agreement between both measures of prediabetes mellitus diagnosis. Results: A Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.405 (p < 0.001) was obtained. The 1hPG were positively correlated with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ρ = 0.281, p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (ρ = 0.581, p < 0.001), glycated haemoglobin (Hb1AC) (ρ = 0.347, p < 0.001) and were negatively correlated with homeostatic model assessment for cell-β function (HOMA-β) (ρ = −0.092, p = 0.018). 2hPG were also correlated with the same parameters, except for HOMA-β. Conclusion: A fair agreement between 1 and 2hPG was verified. 1hPG criteria may be a useful indicator of β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in patients with morbid obesity without diabetes diagnosis. © 2022, The Author(s).Funding text 1: We would like to acknowledge the support of all the endocrinologists, surgeons and nutritionists of the Multidisciplinary Group for Surgical Management of Obesity.; Funding text 2: Isabel Maia holds a PhD Grant (ref: SFRH/BD/117371/2016) co-funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT (The Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) and the POCH/FSE programme

Terapêutica da Diabetes Tipo1 com Bomba Infusora de Insulina

[resumo][abstract

O papel da investigação na prática pedagógica dos mestrados em ensino

Os mestrados em ensino da Universidade do Minho preveem a formação do professor/ educador como prático reflexivo e intelectual crítico, conferindo um lugar de relevo à investigação pedagógica no estágio através da construção e avaliação de um “projeto de intervenção pedagógica supervisionada” que deve enquadrar-se numa visão democrática da educação. O projeto dá origem a um relatório final, defendido em provas públicas. Com o objetivo de compreender o papel da investigação no estágio, foi analisado um corpus de 28 relatórios de 5 mestrados de diversos níveis de ensino, com base numa grelha incidente na visão de educação subjacente aos projetos, no tipo e função do conhecimento mobilizado, na articulação investigação-ensino e no valor educativo das intervenções. Os projetos evidenciam a importância da investigação no desenvolvimento de práticas educativas focadas na qualidade dos processos de ensino e de aprendizagem, embora a coexistência de diferentes modalidades de articulação investigação-ensino sinalize conceções diferenciadas de formação e da função da investigação na regulação das práticas e na (re)construção de competências profissionais. A partir das potencialidades e limitações observadas, traçam-se linhas de ação futura para a construção de uma cultura investigativa na formação inicial de professores/ educadores

Beta Cell Function as a Baseline Predictor of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

Background: Obesity is a multifactorial disease, which is strongly associated to other metabolic disorders. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment of morbid obesity. The role of beta cell function in weight loss after bariatric surgery is uncertain. Aim: To evaluate the association between beta cell function and percentage of total body weight loss (TBWL%) 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after bariatric surgery in patients with morbid obesity. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study in patients with morbid obesity followed in our center between January 2010 and July 2018. Patients were excluded if they had diabetes at baseline or missing data on the needed parameters. We evaluated baseline Homeostatic Model Assessment of IR, Homeostatic Model Assessment of ß-cell function (HOMA-beta), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, and Matsuda and DeFronzo index, and TBWL% at years 1 to 4. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association of indexes of insulin resistance with TBWL% (unadjusted and adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and type of surgery). Results: There were 1,561 patients included in this analysis. HOMA-beta was negatively associated with TBWL% at second, third, and fourth years post-surgery (ß = -1.04 [-1.82 to -0.26], p<0.01; ß = -1.16 [-2.13 to -0.19], p=0.02; ß = -1.29 [-2.64 to 0.06], p=0.061, respectively). This was not observed in the first year post-surgery nor for the other indexes. Glycemia at baseline was positively associated to EWL% at second and third years post-surgery. Conclusion: ß-cell function at baseline seems to be associated to long-term weight loss, explicitly after the first year post bariatric surgery. This might be a helpful predictor of weight loss in clinical practice.The authors would like to thank all the CRIO group members for following these patients: John Rodrigues Preto; Eduardo Jorge Lima da Costa; Hugo Miguel Santos Sousa; André Manuel Costa Pinho; Carla Cristina Oliveira Rodrigues Teixeira Galego; Maria Flora Ferreira Sampaio Carvalho Correia; Cidália Fátima Castro Carção Gil; Diva Bizarro Figueiredo Melim; Eduardo Gil Ferreira Rodrigues Pinto; Marco António Costa Silva; Cristina Sarmento Pontes Martins; Luis Miguel Gonçalves Pereira; Inês Vasconcelos Sousa Magalhães; Isabel Maria Boavista Vieira Marques Brandão; Sertório Manuel Freitas Andrade, and Patrícia Maria Lopes Nunes. The authors would also like to thank the patients and the hospital for their support. The authors would like to thank to Associação dos Amigos do Serviço de Endocrinologia do Hospital de S. João

Thyroid Function and the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Morbid Obesity

Background: An association between hypothyroidism and the risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has been suggested. This association remains to be elucidated in patients with morbid obesity. Aim: To evaluate the association between thyroid function and parameters of liver function and hepatic scores in patients with morbid obesity. Methods: Patients with morbid obesity followed in our center between January 2010 and July 2018 were included. The ones without evaluation of liver and thyroid functions were excluded. Fatty Liver Index (FLI) and BARD scores were used as predictors of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, respectively. Results: We observed a positive association between TSH and both BARD (OR 1.14; p = 0.035) and FLI (OR 1.19; p = 0.010) in the unadjusted analysis. We found a negative association between free triiodothyronine levels and BARD (OR 0.70; p<0.01) and a positive association between free triiodothyronine levels and FLI (OR 1.48; p = 0.022). Concerning liver function, we found a positive association between total bilirubin and free thyroxine levels (ß = 0.18 [0.02 to 0.35]; p = 0.033) and a negative association between total bilirubin and free triiodothyronine levels (ß = -0.07 [-0.14 to -0.002]; p = 0.042). Conclusion: Higher levels of TSH and free triiodothyronine may be associated with a higher risk of NAFLD, particularly steatosis, in patients with morbid obesity