Novel memory-based sensory approach to assess large-scale typicality: the case of mainland Portugal red wines

Twenty professional wine experts were asked to describe their prototypical construct of a representative young red wine from each of the 12 Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) of mainland Portugal. No samples were assessed; the experiment was based on memory alone by completion of 12 extended self-reported sensory questionnaires. Four large-scale areas were differentiated, the typicality being statistically validated and described from a sensory standpoint. Alcohol, acidity, bitterness, and astringency were cross-linked; the respective variations were correlated with published literature and expressed as key factors for the regional macroscale area differentiation. Bitterness and astringency were found to be sensory different and related on a geographical scale, as bitterness was primarily affected by inland/coastal influence; while astringency confirmed its customary north/south dependence that finding is to be considered a new understanding. Moreover, with the proposed methodology, it was possible to achieve a novel nationwide sensory characterization of PGIs, overcoming present day limitations on macroscale sensory research and sample representativeness. Results by uncalibrated prototypical memory assessment of single PGI Beira Atlântico were compared with the outcome of calibrated wine sampling assessment by local experts, using the same sensory questionnaire, and were found significantly correlated. The need for a calibration stage was found uneven regarding the overall group of scrutinized wine descriptors

Morpho/Proteomic Comparative between High Grade Pleomorphic Sarcoma and Metastasis Diagnosed in an Old Captive Common Hippo

Old age is a risk factor for cancer development in humans and animals, and studies have shown that tumors in animals are acceptable models for studying human cancers, considering the similarities between their factors. This work was conducted in a 53-year-old captive female common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibious) with a left leg tumor and metastatic mass. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out with a final diagnosis of a high grade pleomorphic sarcoma. A proteomic study using mass spectrometry was added in order to identify further aspects of the primary tumor and metastasis which could improve our understanding, and each tissue showed a proteomic profile indicative of its pathologic state with significant differences between healthy tissue, primary and metastatic tumors. Low levels of beta-actin in primary tumors were identified, and this may be associated with a possible consequence of cytoskeleton dynamic modification. In metastatic tissue, these dynamics may be affected by the presence of HSP chaperone 60.FAPESP: 2012/02514-9Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Ambientais Quim & Farmaceut, BR-04039032 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilAC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Patol, BR-01509010 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Ambientais Quim & Farmaceut, BR-04039032 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Performance and modeling of Ni(II) adsorption from low concentrated wastewater on carbon microspheres prepared from tangerine peels by FeCl3-assisted hydrothermal carbonization

The presence of heavy metals in the environment as a consequence of human activity is an issue that has caught the attention of researchers to find wastewater treatment solutions, such as adsorption. In this work, hydrochars and activated carbon microspheres are prepared from tangerine peels as carbon precursor and FeCl3 as activating and structure-directing agent in the hydrothermal carbonization, allowing to obtain hydrochar microspheres ranging from 50 to 3615 nm. In addition, a pyrochar was prepared by pyrolysis of the same precursor. The activated carbon shows the highest surface area (SBET up to 287 m2 g–1), but the basicity of the pyrochar (1.83 mmol g 1, SBET = 104 m2 g–1) was determinant in the adsorption of Ni, being considered the carbon-based material with the highest uptake capacity of Ni. Isotherm and kinetic adsorption of Ni on the most representative activated carbon microsphere, pyrochar and hydrochar microsphere are assessed by 10 and 7 models, respectively.The authors are grateful to the FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal) and FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). We would also like to thank the scientific collaboration under Base- UIDB/50020/2020 and Programmatic- UIDP/50020/2020 funding of LSRE-LCM, and LA/P/0045/2020 funding of ALiCE, funded by national funds through FCT and MCTES (Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portugal) by PIDDAC (Programa de Investimentos e Despesas de Desenvolvimento da Administraç˜ao Central, Portugal). Fernanda F. Roman and Adriano dos Santos Silva acknowledge the national funding by FCT and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA), and the ESF (European Social Fund) for individual research grants with reference numbers of SFRH/BD/143224/2019 and SFRH/BD/151346/2021, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Parkia nitida Miquel II: efeito do congelamento em temperaturas subzero sobre a germinabilidade das sementes.

Foi avaliado o efeito do congelamento a -20 ºC e a -196 ºC por 72h sobre a germinabilidade de sementes de duas amostras (A1 e A2) de Parkia nitida, coletadas em Porto Velho - RO, à margem esquerda do rio Madeira. Para as sementes de A1 com 7,1% de umidade os percentuais germinativos foram de 96% (controle), 79% (-20 ºC) e 87% (-196 ºC), havendo diferença significativa (P < 0,05) entre os percentuais de germinação do controle e -20 ºC. Para as sementes de A2 com 7,8% de umidade, os percentuais germinativos foram de 89% (controle), 14% (-20 ºC) e 0% (-196 ºC). Houve diferença significativa entre o controle e os tratamentos em A2. Esses resultados são atribuídos à interação entre diferentes fatores, tais como diferença do grau de maturação e da qualidade fisiológica entre as sementes das amostras e teor de água inapropriado para a exposição das sementes às temperaturas subzero. Recomenda-se testar sementes de outras procedências e com distintos teores de água, com vistas a determinar as melhores condições para a conservação em longo prazo de sementes de Parkia nitida

Revisiting the use of remission criteria for rheumatoid arthritis by excluding patient global assessment: An individual meta-analysis of 5792 patients

Objectives: To determine the impact of excluding patient global assessment (PGA) from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Boolean remission criteria, on prediction of radiographic and functional outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Meta-analyses using individual patient data from randomised controlled trials testing the efficacy of biological agents on radiographic and functional outcomes at ≥2 years. Remission states were defined by 4 variants of the ACR/EULAR Boolean definition: (i) tender and swollen 28-joint counts (TJC28/SJC28), C reactive protein (CRP, mg/dL) and PGA (0-10=worst) all ≤1 (4V-remission); (ii) the same, except PGA >1 (4V-near-remission); (iii) 3V-remission (i and ii combined; similar to 4V, but without PGA); (iv) non-remission (TJC28 >1 and/or SJC28 >1 and/or CRP >1). The most stringent class achieved at 6 or 12 months was considered. Good radiographic (GRO) and functional outcome (GFO) were defined as no worsening (ie, change in modified total Sharp score (ΔmTSS) ≤0.5 units and ≤0.0 Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index points, respectively, during the second year). The pooled probabilities of GRO and GFO for the different definitions of remission were estimated and compared. Results: Individual patient data (n=5792) from 11 trials were analysed. 4V-remission was achieved by 23% of patients and 4V-near-remission by 19%. The probability of GRO in the 4V-near-remission group was numerically, but non-significantly, lower than that in the 4V-remission (78 vs 81%) and significantly higher than that for non-remission (72%; difference=6%, 95% CI 2% to 10%). Applying 3V-remission could have prevented therapy escalation in 19% of all participants, at the cost of an additional 6.1%, 4.0% and 0.7% of patients having ΔmTSS >0.0, >0.5 and >5 units over 2 years, respectively. The probability of GFO (assessed in 8 trials) in 4V-near-remission (67%, 95% CI 63% to 71%) was significantly lower than in 4V-remission (78%, 74% to 81%) and similar to non-remission (69%, 66% to 72%). Conclusion: 4V-near-remission and 3V-remission have similar validity as the original 4V-remission definition in predicting GRO, despite expected worse prediction of GFO, while potentially reducing the risk of overtreatment. This supports further exploration of 3V-remission as the target for immunosuppressive therapy complemented by patient-oriented targets

L-NAME treatment enhances exercise-induced content of myocardial heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) in rats

Background/Aim: Nitric oxide (NO) modulates the expression of the chaperone Hsp72 in the heart, and exercise stimulates both NO production and myocardial Hsp72 expression. The main purpose of the study was to investigate whether NO interferes with an exercise-induced myocardial Hsp72 expression. Methods: Male Wistar rats (70-100 days) were divided into control (C, n= 12), L-NAME-treated (L, n= 12), exercise (E, n= 13) and exercise plus L-NAME-treated (EL, n= 20) groups. L-NAME was given in drinking water (700 mg. L-1) and the exercise was performed on a treadmill (15-25 m.min(-1), 40-60 min. day(-1)) for seven days. Left ventricle (LV) protein Hsp content, NOS and phosphorylated-NOS (p-NOS) isoforms were measured using Western blotting. The activity of NOS was assayed in LV homogenates by the conversion of [H-3] L-arginine to [H-3] L-citrulline. Results: Hsp72 content was increased significantly (223%; p < 0.05) in the E group compared to the C group, but exercise alone did not alter the NOS content, p-NOS isoforms or NOS activity. Contrary to our expectation, L-NAME enhanced (p < 0.05) the exercise-induced Hsp72 content (EL vs. C, L and E groups = 1019%, 548% and 457%, respectively). Although the EL group had increased stimulatory p-eNOS(Ser1177) (over 200%) and decreased inhibitory p-nNOS(Ser852) (similar to 50%) compared to both the E and L groups (p < 0.05), NOS activity was similar in all groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that exercise-induced cardiac Hsp72 expression does not depend on NO. Conversely, the in vivo L-NAME treatment enhances exercise-induced Hsp72 production. This effect may be due to an increase in cardiac stress. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel275479486CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA E INOVAÇÃO DO ESPÍRITO SANTO - FAPESsem informaçã

Dual target strategy: a proposal to mitigate the risk of overtreatment and enhance patient satisfaction in rheumatoid arthritis

Commentary - abstract not available

Progression of mitral regurgitation in rheumatic valve disease : role of left atrial remodeling

Introduction: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common valve abnormality in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) often associated with stenosis. Although the mechanism by which MR develops in RHD is primary, longstanding volume overload with left atrial (LA) remodeling may trigger the development of secondary MR, which can impact on the overall progression of MR. This study is aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of MR progression in patients with RHD. Methods: Consecutive RHD patients with non-severe MR associated with any degree of mitral stenosis were selected. The primary endpoint was a progression of MR, which was defined as an increase of one grade in MR severity from baseline to the last follow-up echocardiogram. The risk of MR progression was estimated accounting for competing risks. Results: The study included 539 patients, age of 46.2 ± 12 years and 83% were women. At a mean follow-up time of 4.2 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.2–6.9 years), 54 patients (10%) displayed MR progression with an overall incidence of 2.4 per 100 patient-years. Predictors of MR progression by the Cox model were age (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.541, 95% CI 1.222–1.944), and LA volume (HR 1.137, 95% CI 1.054–1.226). By considering competing risk analysis, the direction of the association was similar for the rate (Cox model) and incidence (Fine-Gray model) of MR progression. In the model with LA volume, atrial fibrillation (AF) was no longer a predictor of MR progression. In the subgroup of patients in sinus rhythm, 59 had an onset of AF during follow-up, which was associated with progression of MR (HR 2.682; 95% CI 1.133–6.350). Conclusions: In RHD patients with a full spectrum of MR severity, progression of MR occurs over time is predicted by age and LA volume. LA enlargement may play a role in the link between primary MR and secondary MR in patients with RHD

Peptide:lipid ratio and membrane surface charge determine the mechanism of action of the antimicrobial peptide BP100. Conformational and functional studies

The cecropin-melittin hybrid antimicrobial peptide BP100 (H-KKLFKKILKYL-NH2) is selective for Gram-negative bacteria, negatively charged membranes, and weakly hemolytic. We studied BP100 conformational and functional properties upon interaction with large unilamellar vesicles, LUVs, and giant unilamellar vesicles, GUVs, containing variable proportions of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and negatively charged phosphatidylglycerol (PG). CD and NMR spectra showed that upon binding to PG-containing LUVs BP100 acquires a-helical conformation, the helix spanning residues 3-11. Theoretical analyses indicated that the helix is amphipathic and surface-seeking. CD and dynamic light scattering data evinced peptide and/or vesicle aggregation, modulated by peptide: lipid ratio and PG content. BP100 decreased the absolute value of the zeta potential () of LUVs with low PG contents; for higher PG, binding was analyzed as an ion-exchange process. At high salt, BP100-induced LUVS leakage requires higher peptide concentration, indicating that both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions contribute to peptide binding. While a gradual release took place at low peptide:lipid ratios, instantaneous loss occurred at high ratios, suggesting vesicle disruption. Optical microscopy of GUVs confirmed BP100-promoted disruption of negatively charged membranes. the mechanism of action of BP100 is determined by both peptide:lipid ratio and negatively charged lipid content While gradual release results from membrane perturbation by a small number of peptide molecules giving rise to changes in acyl chain packing, lipid clustering (leading to membrane defects), and/or membrane thinning, membrane disruption results from a sequence of events large-scale peptide and lipid clustering, giving rise to peptide-lipid patches that eventually would leave the membrane in a carpet-like mechanism. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Institut Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia de fluidos complexos (INCTFCx)Nude de Apoio Pesquisa de Fluidos Complexos (NAPFCx)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Univ São Paulo, Inst Chem, Dept Biochem, BR-05513970 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biophys, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Med Biochem, Nucl Magnet Resonance Natl Ctr, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilEmbrapa Recursos Genet & Biotecnol, BR-70770917 Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biophys, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2007/50970-5FAPESP: 2013/08166-5Web of Scienc