Oribatídeos em clones de Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Rich. na Embrapa Amazônia Oriental.

A acarofauna em muricizeiro ainda é pouco conhecida. Espécimes de ácaros pertencentes à ordem Oribatida foram coletados em muricizeiro em um levantamento preliminar, o que motivou o presente trabalho que teve como objetivo avaliar a presença de oribatídeos em clones Byrsonima crassifolia em área experimental da Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, em Belém, PA. De janeiro a novembro de 2012, folhas de muricizeiro foram coletadas quinzenalmente em dez clones. Em laboratório os ácaros foram quantificados e os espécimes pertencentes à ordem Oribatida foram separados por clone e data de coleta, acondicionados em microtubos com álcool 70% para identificação. Dos ácaros coletados 53,77% foram oribatídeos, presentes em todos os clones com maior abundância nos clones Santarém 2 e Tocantins 2. O percentual de ocorrência variou de 29,41% a 89,47%

Associação de ácaros predadores e fitófagos em híbridos de dendê na Embrapa Amazônia Oriental.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as espécies de ácaros predadores associados aos ácaros fitófagos presentes em mudas de dendezeiro (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. ? Arecaceae) em casa de vegetação e viveiro na Embrapa Amazônia Oriental. No período de julho de 2010 a outubro de 2012, folíolos de mudas de dendê foram amostrados e em laboratório os ácaros foram coletados, montados e identificados. Foram observadas infestações de ácaros pertencentes à família Tetranychidae, com Tetranychus palmarum Flechtmann & Noronha em casa de vegetação e Tetranychus mexicanus (McGregor) em viveiro. Foram encontradas quatro famílias de predadores associadas aos ácaros Tetranychidae: Bdellidae, Cheyletidae, Cunaxidae e Phytoseiidae. Dentre os Phytoseiidae, Amblyseius aerialis Muma e Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers foram predominantes

Advances on Bacterial and Fungal Biofilms for the Production of Added-Value Compounds

Simple Summary The production of bio-based materials, including organic acids, antibiotics, enzymes, ethanol, and hydrogen, is generally done by the cultivation of suspended cells rather than using immobilized cells. However, several studies suggest the application of productive biofilms as a reliable alternative for biocatalysis, with many advantages over suspended-growth systems. This review gives an overview of the breakthrough in the application of biofilm platforms for the sustainable production of valuable compounds, with particular insight into the latest advances in the production of recombinant proteins. Productive biofilms are shown to improve production rates and product yields, demonstrating great potential for industrial applications. In recent years, abundant research has been performed on biofilms for the production of compounds with biotechnological and industrial relevance. The use of biofilm platforms has been seen as a compelling approach to producing fine and bulk chemicals such as organic acids, alcohols, and solvents. However, the production of recombinant proteins using this system is still scarce. Biofilm reactors are known to have higher biomass density, operational stability, and potential for long-term operation than suspended cell reactors. In addition, there is an increasing demand to harness industrial and agricultural wastes and biorefinery residues to improve process sustainability and reduce production costs. The synthesis of recombinant proteins and other high-value compounds is mainly achieved using suspended cultures of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. This review discusses the use of biofilm reactors for the production of recombinant proteins and other added-value compounds using bacteria and fungi

Exopolysaccharide production by Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a widespread Gram-negative bacterium that infects the stomach of humans leading to the onset of several gastric disorders, such as, gastritis, gastric ulcers, and cancers. Studies from developing countries with low socioeconomic status and poor management of the drinking water suggest that it may serve as an environmental reservoir of H. pylori and therefore contribute to human infection. It has been reported that H. pylori has the ability to form microbial consortia embedded by a highly hydrated exopolysaccharidic matrix (biofilms) on surfaces exposed to water. The enhanced protection provided to microbial cells by the exopolysaccharides (EPS) brings added concerns about the possibility of H. pylori being transmitted through drinking water. H. pylori EPS as been reported to be composed mainly by Gal:Glc:GlcN in a proportion of 1.0:2.1:7.0, respectively (Stark et al., 1999). The present work brings about microscopical evidences of the capability of H. pilory to form free swimming bacterial aggregates and biofilms when submitted to nutrient depletion and hydrodynamic stress. Evidences that H. pylori aggregation is an exopolysaccharidic mediated phenomena both in planktonic and sessile states are also showed. Ethanol fractioning of the material recovered from these aggregates revealed an EPS composed of Gal:Glc:GlcN in a proportion of 1.0:0.4:1.6 respectively. A further structural detail about this EPS is under progress

Protein glycosylation and tumor microenvironment alterations driving cancer hallmarks

Decades of research have disclosed a plethora of alterations in protein glycosylation that decisively impact in all stages of disease and ultimately contribute to more aggressive cell phenotypes. The biosynthesis of cancer-associated glycans and its reflection in the glycoproteome is driven by microenvironmental cues and these events act synergistically toward disease evolution. Such intricate crosstalk provides the molecular foundations for the activation of relevant oncogenic pathways and leads to functional alterations driving invasion and disease dissemination. However, it also provides an important source of relevant glyco(neo)epitopes holding tremendous potential for clinical intervention. Therefore, we highlight the transversal nature of glycans throughout the currently accepted cancer hallmarks, with emphasis on the crosstalk between glycans and the tumor microenvironment stromal components. Focus is also set on the pressing need to include glycans and glycoconjugates in comprehensive panomics models envisaging molecular-based precision medicine capable of improving patient care. We foresee that this may provide the necessary rationale for more comprehensive studies and molecular-based intervention.The authors wish to acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the human resources grants: PhD grant SFRH/BD/111242/2015 (AP), and FCT auxiliary researcher grant CEECIND/03186/2017 (JF). FCT is co-financed by European Social Fund (ESF) under Human Potential Operation Programme (POPH) from National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF). The authors also acknowledge the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto Research Centre (CI-IPOP-29-2014; CI-IPOP-58-2015), the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences of ICBAS-University of Porto, and the Early stage cancer treatment, driven by context of molecular imaging (ESTIMA) framework (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000027). The authors were also supported by the CANCER project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000029) co-funded through the NORTE-45-2015-02

Evidences of exopolysaccharide production by Helicobacter pylori submitted to hydrodynamic stress

Helicobacter pylori is a widespread Gram-negative bacterium that infects the stomach of humans leading to the onset of several gastric disorders, such as gastritis, gastric ulcers, and cancers. The transmission of H. pylori remains unclear but two different pathways have been suggested: faecal-oral and oraloral. It has been reported that H. pylori has the ability to incorporate in biofilms formed on water-exposed surfaces thus providing a route of infection. On the other hand, a polysaccharide-containing biofilm has been observed at the air-liquid interface when H. pylori is grown in a glass fermenter1. Because exopolysaccharides (EPS) play a determinant role in bacterial adhesion by conferring protection against adverse conditions such as starvation and environmental aggressions, EPS production would be expected to be higher if the bacterium is exposed to water. In this work the capability of H. pylori to produce EPS when exposed to water and under hydrodynamic stress has been evaluated. H. pylori was inoculated in autoclaved distilled water and allowed to stand under gentle stirring at room temperature. The significant and continuous increase in the sugar content 192 hours after inoculation suggests the production of exopolysaccharides. This evidence is reinforced by epiflourescence microscopical observation of the bacteria stained with DAPI (4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) that revealed the presence of bacterial aggregates 318 hours after inoculation

Obesity-related knowledge and body mass index : a national survey in Portugal

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Part of Springer Nature.Purpose: Obesity-related knowledge predicts weight control but previous studies only comprise individuals with excessive weight and assess very specific aspects of knowledge. This study aims to evaluate several domains of obesity-related knowledge according to the body mass index (BMI) in a representative sample of Portuguese-speaking dwellers in mainland Portugal. Methods: A sample of 1624 participants aged 16–79 years was analyzed. Eighteen questions comprising eight obesity domains were asked: prevalence, physical activity, number of calories, adiposity location, causes, diagnosis, treatment and consequences; each one was dichotomized into correct/incorrect knowledge. Results: The majority of Portuguese-speaking dwellers recognized the benefits of physical activity, the risks of abdominal obesity and most consequences of excessive weight, independently of their BMI. However, knowledge gaps were identified regarding prevalence, calories and BMI diagnosis. BMI influenced specific obesity-related knowledge: participants with a normal BMI knew the BMI formula more often, identified 22 as normal BMI more frequently and had the highest proportion of correct knowledge regarding the number of calories an adult should eat; obese individuals identified natural products as not being good treatments for obesity more often. After adjusting for age, sex and educational level, obese individuals identified natural products and supplements as not being good obesity treatments more often. Conclusions: Obesity-related knowledge gaps (prevalence, calories, and diagnosis) were identified among Portuguese adults. Moreover, correct knowledge does not necessarily translate into a healthier BMI. Besides the dissemination of accurate information, public health interventions should focus on the transfer of knowledge to behaviors that will guarantee better weight management. Evidence-based medicine rankings: Level V: Opinions of respected authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.This study was supported by FEDER funds through Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization and by national funding from The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science) within the project (HMSP-IISE/SAU-ICT/0004/2009) and within the Epidemiology Research Unit—Institute of Public Health, University of Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862; Ref. UID/ DTP/04750/2013). Additionally, we gratefully acknowledge the FCT Investigator contract IF/01674/2015 (Susana Silva) and also a Scientifc Employment Stimulus contract CEECIND/01793/2017 (Ana Henriques). The funding source had no role in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of data, writing the manuscript, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio