Profiling DNA methylation based on next-generation sequencing approaches: New insights and clinical applications

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and, consequently, influences a wide variety of biological processes and diseases. The advances in next-generation sequencing technologies allow for genome-wide profiling of methyl marks both at a single-nucleotide and at a single-cell resolution. These profiling approaches vary in many aspects, such as DNA input, resolution, coverage, and bioinformatics analysis. Thus, the selection of the most feasible method according with the project’s purpose requires in-depth knowledge of those techniques. Currently, high-throughput sequencing techniques are intensively used in epigenomics profiling, which ultimately aims to find novel biomarkers for detection, diagnosis prognosis, and prediction of response to therapy, as well as to discover new targets for personalized treatments. Here, we present, in brief, a portrayal of next-generation sequencing methodologies’ evolution for profiling DNA methylation, highlighting its potential for translational medicine and presenting significant findings in several diseases.This research was funded by Research Center—Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOFB-GEBC-2018 and FCT (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-29043). D.B.-S. is a research fellow from CI-IPOP (BI-GEBC2018/UID/DTP/00776/POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006868), and C.J.M. is a FCT Investigador (FCT contract IF/00047/2012)

Development and validation of predictive equations for spirometry in Portuguese children

Background There are no data on lung function reference values for Portuguese children, and the contribution from the Portuguese data set in the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) is scant. Objectives We aimed to estimate new up-to-date reference values for Portuguese children by fitting a multivariable regression model to a general population sample. Further, we intended to assess the external validity of the obtained reference values and to compare them to the GLI reference values. Methods A random sample of 858 children from 20 primary schools were screened by health questionnaire, physical examination, and spirometry. Spirometric parameters recorded were FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75. Multiple regression models were used to derive reference equations. Results Overall, 481 children, aged between 7 and 12 years, 267 boys (55.5%), were included. Boys had higher values for FVC and FEV1 than girls (P < .05). The strongest correlation was found for FVC with height (r = 0.71 for boys and 0.70 for girls), while the lowest correlation was observed in both sexes for FEF25-75 with age (r = 0.23). Height was the most significant predictor of FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75 in our models. Weight and body mass index were not significant predictors for boys but had a significant effect on girls’ equations for all spirometry parameters. Compared to obtained reference equations with GLI, they performed better for FVC in boys, FEV1 in girls, and FEF25-75 in both boys and girls. Conclusion We offer up-to-date reference values of spirometry for Portuguese children that can be used in clinical practice and research.Deriving cohort was funded by Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000010 – Health, Comfort and Energy in the Built Environment (HEBE), cofinanced by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (NORTE2020), through Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER and of the Foundation for Science and Technology schoolarships SFRH/BD/108605/2015 and SFRH/BD/112269/2015. Validating cohort was funded by Programa Operacional de Saúde – Saúde XXI, Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III and by Administração Regional de Saúde do Norte. For follow-up assessments Generation XXI received funding from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (PTDC/SAU-ESA/108577/ 2008), co-funded by FEDER through COMPETE and from Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. This work was supported by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P., under the projects 2022.07363.PTDC, UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020. Generation XXI was funded by Programa Operacional de Saúde – Saúde XXI, Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III and Administração Regional de Saúde Norte (Regional Department of Ministry of Health)

Produtividade da videira de vinho cv. Syrah submetida a diferentes doses de nitrogênio e potássio aplicadas via fertirrigação.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a produção da videira de vinho cv. Syrah submetida a diferentes doses de nitrogênio e potássio aplicados via fertirrigação

Response surface for biodiesel production from soybean oil by ethylic route

Petroleum has been the most consumed energy source in the world, but it tends to run out due its non-renewable character. Among biofuels, biodiesel has emerged as the main candidate to substitute petroleum diesel. The present study aimed to identify the maximum yield point of biodiesel production by generating a response surface using molar ratio, temperature and agitation time as independent variables, and yield as a dependent variable. From the response surface, it is observed that the increase in temperature and reaction time leads to reduced yield. The configuration that resulted in maximum yield of 93.30% was 12:1 molar ratio, 30 °C temperature and 30-minute reaction time. From the chromatographic analysis it was possible to identify five different fatty acids in the composition of the biodiesels. Total saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) ranged from 41.53% to 42.09% and total unsaturated fatty acids including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids) ranged from 57.92% to 58.48%. According to the results of the physicochemical analyses, the specific mass at 68°F is in agreement with Brazilian, American and European specifications, ranging from 877.46 kg m-3 to 879.64 kg m-3 . The kinematic viscosity at 104 °F ranged from 4.49 mm² s -1 to 4.82 mm² s -1 . The acid value obtained did not vary within the limits established by the norms, and values between 0.54 and 2.74 mg KOH g -1 were observed

Qualidade de uvas e do mosto de videiras Syrah submetidas à adubação orgânica e fertirrigação potássica: 2º ciclo de produção.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da adubação orgânica e da fertirrigação potássica nas características de qualidade de uvas e do mosto de videiras Syrah cultivadas no Submédio Vale do São Francisco

Avaliação da variabilidade genética para caracteres morfométricos em uma população de Parkia gigantocarpa Ducke .

Parkia gigantocarpa Ducke é uma arvore de grande porte, hermafrodita, encontrada em áreas de floresta, nos Estados do Pará e Amazonas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar a variabilidade genética de matrizes de P. gigantocarpa pela estimativa de parâmetros genéticos para caracteres de frutos e sementes no pré-melhoramento da espécie. Determinou-se o peso dos frutos, número total de sementes/fruto, número de sementes boas/fruto e peso de sementes boas/fruto. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com 15 tratamentos (matrizes) e 5 repetições de 10 frutos/parcela. Os caracteres peso do fruto (5,31%), número total de sementes/fruto (3,70%), número de sementes boas/fruto (11,13%) e peso de sementes boas/fruto (12,30%) foram analisadas através do coeficiente de variação experimental, obtendo valores considerados adequados. Os coeficientes de herdabilidade apresentaram valores relativamente altos, indicando sucesso na seleção destas características nas próximas gerações. Em plantas individuais a herdabilidade (h2g) variou de 25,0 % a 48,0%, sendo considerado de moderado a alto e para a herdabilidade média entre matrizes (h²mm), o valor foi acima de 90,0 %, sugerindo expressivo controle genético. A população de P. gigantocarpa apresentou variabilidade genética de moderada a alta, com potencial de seleção para os caracteres morfométricos analisados e a possibilidade de alto potencial de seleção entre matrizes

Productive efficiency and density and viscosity studies of biodiesels from vegetable oil mixtures

Received: January 31st, 2021 ; Accepted: April 10th, 2021 ; Published: April 29th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] in Brazil the minimum content of biodiesel in mixtures is 11% and, according to Brazilian laws, the goal is to reach 15% in volume in diesel fuel available for final consumers by 2023. Therefore, studies about different matrices of biodiesel and distinct mixtures are essential. The present work had two goals, the first one was to analyse physico-chemical properties of 16 biofuels produced from soybean and cotton oils, using S10 diesel, in mixtures B8, B10, B20 and B30. The second goal was to verify the vantages and disadvantages of biodiesel production through prior mixing of the oils, before and after the transesterification process. All biofuels produced presented results of specific mass values at 20 °C and kinematic viscosity at 40 °C within the limits established by ANP Resolution no 30/2016 and International Resolutions. The soybean B20 biofuel showed the best overall results, with the second highest production yield of 65.36%, the fifth lowest kinematic viscosity with 3.48 mm s -1 . The mixture of soybean and cotton oils before the transesterification process presented the highest production yield when compared with the production from a single oil or biodiesel mixtures. The results found proved to be satisfactory and corroborate to continue with the increase of biodiesel in the mixture with diesel to B15 until 2023 and support the possibility of planning for a gradual increase of this mixture in the following years