Magnetoliposomes incorporated in peptide-based hydrogels: towards development of magnetolipogels

A major problem with magnetogels is the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs. Magnetoliposomes not only provide these domains but also improve drug stability and avert the aggregation of the magnetic nanoparticles. In this work, two magnetoliposome architectures, solid and aqueous, were combined with supramolecular peptide-based hydrogels, which are of biomedical interest owing to their biocompatibility, easy tunability, and wide array of applications. This proof-of-concept was carried out through combination of magnetoliposomes (loaded with the model drug curcumin and the lipid probe Nile Red) with the hydrogels prior to pH triggered gelation, and fluorescence spectroscopy was used to assess the dynamics of the encapsulated molecules. These systems allow for the encapsulation of a wider array of drugs. Further, the local environment of the encapsulated molecules after gelation is unaffected by the used magnetoliposome architecture. This system design is promising for future developments on drug delivery as it provides a means to independently modify the components and adapt and optimize the design according to the required conditions.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(UIDB/00686/2020

Tratamento de efluente têxtil através de processo oxidativo avançado (H2O2/TiO2/UV)

Em toda indústria ocorre grande geração de efluentes, geralmente com alta demanda biológica de oxigênio (DBO) e demanda química de oxigênio (DQO). Tratamentos convencionais permitem apenas a transferência de fase do poluente, resolvendo o problema de maneira parcial. Os processos oxidativos avançados (POA), que se baseiam na formação de radicais hidroxilas (•OH) de alto poder oxidante, tem ganhado cada vez mais espaço como técnica de tratamento de efluente. Para esse trabalho foi utilizado a técnica de fotocatálise heterogênea (H2O2/TiO2/UV) em reator tubular do tipo anular assistido por lâmpada de luz negra. Para otimização do processo foi utilizado planejamento fatorial com 2 variáveis independentes, concentração de H2O2 e TiO2. Esse trabalho tem o objetivo de estudar o tratamento de efluente industrial através de POA do tipo fotocatálise heterogênea, com a finalidade de reuso de água na indústria ou para outros fins. A solução teste utilizada experimentalmente foi produzida em laboratório com o corante remazol preto B 133%. As melhores condições de degradação de corante quando utilizados as concentrações de 200 mM e 0,5 g/L de H2O2 e TiO2, respectivamente. Na análise de custo foi estimado o valor de R$ 255,24/m3, levando-se em consideração custos de reagentes químicos, energia e equipamentos

Tratamento de efluente da indústria de laticínios aplicando processo oxidativo avançado (H2O2/TiO2/UV)

O soro do leite, um subproduto da fabricação de queijos, apresenta altas cargas de lipídios, carboidratos e proteínas, que são de difícil biodegradabilidade e apresentam riscos ao meio ambiente. São produzidos cerca de 145 milhões de toneladas por ano de soro no mundo. Por isso, devem ser tratados adequadamente antes de serem lançados nos corpos receptores. Os processos oxidativos avançados (POA’s) podem ser uma alternativa não convencional, para o tratamento desse tipo de efluente, cuja eficiência do tratamento, tem-se mostrado como uma alternativa viável. Os POA’s são processos físico-químicos que geram espécies transitórias com elevado poder oxidante, principalmente o radical hidroxila (•OH), este radical oxida uma grande variedade de compostos orgânicos em CO2, H2O e íons inorgânicos. Com base nisso, o objetivo do trabalho foi de estudar o tratamento de efluente da indústria de laticínios através de POA’s em reator tubular com lâmpada de luz negra em processo de fotocatálise heterogênea (H2O2/TiO2/UV). Para isso foi utilizado um planejamento experimental 22. Obteve-se melhor resposta na concentração de TiO2 de 1,5 g/L e 200 mM de H2O2, reduzindo-se em cerca de 34% em DQO do efluente, em 20 minutos. Obteve-se um valor final de custo igual a US $0,05/L ou US$ 50/m

Congenital Zika syndrome is associated with maternal protein malnutrition

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy is associated with a spectrum of developmental impairments known as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). The prevalence of this syndrome varies across ZIKV endemic regions, suggesting that its occurrence could depend on cofactors. Here, we evaluate the relevance of protein malnutrition for the emergence of CZS. Epidemiological data from the ZIKV outbreak in the Americas suggest a relationship between undernutrition and cases of microcephaly. To experimentally examine this relationship, we use immunocompetent pregnant mice, which were subjected to protein malnutrition and infected with a Brazilian ZIKV strain. We found that the combination of protein restriction and ZIKV infection leads to severe alterations of placental structure and embryonic body growth, with offspring displaying a reduction in neurogenesis and postnatal brain size. RNA-seq analysis reveals gene expression deregulation required for brain development in infected low-protein progeny. These results suggest that maternal protein malnutrition increases susceptibility to CZS.Fil: Barbeito Andrés, Jimena. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; ArgentinaFil: Pezzuto, Paula. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Higa, Luiza. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Dias, André Alves. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Vasconcelos, Janaina. Universidade Federal do Pará; BrasilFil: Santos, T. M. P.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Ferreira, Jéssica. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Ferreira, R. O.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Dutra, F. F.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Rossi, A. D.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Barbosa, R. V.. Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro. Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural E Bioimagem.; BrasilFil: Amorim, C. K. N.. Evandro Chagas Institute; BrasilFil: de Souza, M. P. C.. Evandro Chagas Institute; BrasilFil: Chimelli, L.. Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer ; BrasilFil: Aguiar, R. S.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Gonzalez, Paula Natalia. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; ArgentinaFil: Lara, F. A.. Oswaldo Cruz Institute; BrasilFil: Castro, M.C.. Harvard University. Harvard School of Public Health; Estados UnidosFil: Molnár, Z.. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Lopes, R. T.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Bozza, M. T.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Vianez, J. L. S. G.. Evandro Chagas Institute; BrasilFil: Barbeito, Claudio Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Cuervo, P.. Oswaldo Cruz Institute; BrasilFil: Bellio, M.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Tanuri, A.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Garcez, P. P.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasi

The response of carbon assimilation and storage to long‐term drought in tropical trees is dependent on light availability

Whether tropical trees acclimate to long‐term drought stress remains unclear. This uncertainty is amplified if drought stress is accompanied by changes in other drivers such as the increases in canopy light exposure that might be induced by tree mortality or other disturbances. Photosynthetic capacity, leaf respiration, non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) storage and stomatal conductance were measured on 162 trees at the world's longest running (15 years) tropical forest drought experiment. We test whether surviving trees have altered strategies for carbon storage and carbon use in the drier and elevated light conditions present following drought‐related tree mortality. Relative to control trees, the surviving trees experiencing the drought treatment showed functional responses including: (a) moderately reduced photosynthetic capacity; (b) increased total leaf NSC; and (c) a switch from starch to soluble sugars as the main store of branch NSC. This contrasts with earlier findings at this experiment of no change in photosynthetic capacity or NSC storage. The changes detected here only occurred in the subset of drought‐stressed trees with canopies exposed to high radiation and were absent in trees with less‐exposed canopies and also in the community average. In contrast to previous results acquired through less intensive species sampling from this experiment, we also observe no species‐average drought‐induced change in leaf respiration. Our results suggest that long‐term responses to drought stress are strongly influenced by a tree's full‐canopy light environment and therefore that disturbance‐induced changes in stand density and dynamics are likely to substantially impact tropical forest responses to climate change. We also demonstrate that, while challenging, intensive sampling is essential in tropical forests to avoid sampling biases caused by limited taxonomic coverage.Publicado online em 29 set. 2020

Late Onset Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (LONMOSD) from a Nationwide Portuguese Study: Anti-AQP4 Positive, Anti-MOG Positive and Seronegative Subgroups

Introduction: Several neuroimmunological disorders have distinct phenotypes according to the age of onset, as in multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis. It is also described that late onset NMOSD (LONMOSD) has a different phenotype. Objective: To describe the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD and distinguish them from those with early onset (EONMOSD). Methods: From a nationwide Portuguese NMOSD study we analyzed the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD. Results: From the 180 Portuguese patients 45 had disease onset after 50 years old, 80% were female. 23 had anti-AQP4 antibodies (51.1%), 13 anti-MOG antibodies (28.9%) and 9 were double seronegative (20.0%). The most common presenting phenotypes in LONMOSD were transverse myelitis (53.3%) and optic neuritis (26.7%), without difference from EONMOSD (p = 0.074). The mean EDSS for LONMOSD was 6.0 (SD=2.8), after a mean follow-up time of 4.58 (SD=4.47) years, which was significantly greater than the mean EDSS of EONMOSD (3.25, SD=1.80)(p = 0.022). Anti-AQP4 antibodies positive LONMOSD patients had increased disability compared to anti-MOG antibodies positive LONMOSD (p = 0.022). The survival analysis showed a reduced time to use a cane for LONMOSD, irrespective of serostatus (p<0.001). Conclusions: LONMOSD has increased disability and faster progression, despite no differences in the presenting clinical phenotype were seen in our cohort.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: a Nationwide Portuguese Clinical Epidemiological Study

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare disorder in which astrocyte damage and/or demyelination often cause severe neurological deficits. Objective: To identify Portuguese patients with NMOSD and assess their epidemiological/clinical characteristics. Methods: This was a nationwide multicenter study. Twenty-four Portuguese adult and 3 neuropediatric centers following NMOSD patients were included. Results: A total of 180 patients met the 2015 Wingerchuk NMOSD criteria, 77 were AQP4-antibody positive (Abs+), 67 MOG-Abs+, and 36 seronegative. Point prevalence on December 31, 2018 was 1.71/100,000 for NMOSD, 0.71/100,000 for AQP4-Abs+, 0.65/100,000 for MOG-Abs+, and 0.35/100,000 for seronegative NMOSD. A total of 44 new NMOSD cases were identified during the two-year study period (11 AQP4-Abs+, 27 MOG-Abs+, and 6 seronegative). The annual incidence rate in that period was 0.21/100,000 person-years for NMOSD, 0.05/100,000 for AQP4-Abs+, 0.13/100,000 for MOG-Abs+, and 0.03/100,000 for seronegative NMOSD. AQP4-Abs+ predominated in females and was associated with autoimmune disorders. Frequently presented with myelitis. Area postrema syndrome was exclusive of this subtype, and associated with higher morbidity/mortality than other forms of NMOSD. MOG-Ab+ more often presented with optic neuritis, required less immunosuppression, and had better outcome. Conclusion: Epidemiological/clinical NMOSD profiles in the Portuguese population are similar to other European countries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Accuracy and quality assessment of 454 GS-FLX Titanium pyrosequencing

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rapid evolution of 454 GS-FLX sequencing technology has not been accompanied by a reassessment of the quality and accuracy of the sequences obtained. Current strategies for decision-making and error-correction are based on an initial analysis by Huse <it>et al. </it>in 2007, for the older GS20 system based on experimental sequences. We analyze here the quality of 454 sequencing data and identify factors playing a role in sequencing error, through the use of an extensive dataset for Roche control DNA fragments.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We obtained a mean error rate for 454 sequences of 1.07%. More importantly, the error rate is not randomly distributed; it occasionally rose to more than 50% in certain positions, and its distribution was linked to several experimental variables. The main factors related to error are the presence of homopolymers, position in the sequence, size of the sequence and spatial localization in PT plates for insertion and deletion errors. These factors can be described by considering seven variables. No single variable can account for the error rate distribution, but most of the variation is explained by the combination of all seven variables.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The pattern identified here calls for the use of internal controls and error-correcting base callers, to correct for errors, when available (e.g. when sequencing amplicons). For shotgun libraries, the use of both sequencing primers and deep coverage, combined with the use of random sequencing primer sites should partly compensate for even high error rates, although it may prove more difficult than previous thought to distinguish between low-frequency alleles and errors.</p