Role of microbes in the Ria Formosa lagoon

With the development of epifluorescence microscopy and sensitive radioisotope techniques, high abundance and activity of microorganisms was observed in marine waters since 1970s and 1980s. These observations resulted in a new concept of rapid turn-over and recycling of organic matter through a ‘microbial loop’ (Azam et al., 1983; Azam, 1998). Figure 5.1 illustrates fluxes of material through the marine microbial loop. Main processes are C fixation by photosynthetic microorganisms (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) with exudation losses of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM), which is incorporated by heterotrophic bacteria. Phagotrophic protists in turn graze both autotrophs and bacteria producing ‘sloppy feeding’ loss of DOM, which returns to the loop. DOM is remineralized by all microorganisms into Dissolved Inorganic Nutrients (DIN), which are taken up by autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms.EU contract EVK3-CT1999-00002info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SARS-CoV-2 contamination potential in environmental and wastewaters in the Algarve region, Southern Portugal

The Ria Formosa, Southern Portugal (Algarve) is a mesotidal lagoon with restricted exchange with Atlantic Ocean. Due to arid Mediterranean climate and absence of large freshwater inputs, the lagoon remains hypersaline relative to adjacent ocean (>= 37 psu). Generally, fecal coliforms and land-derived bacteria do not survive long in seawater due to UV, osmotic shock, oligotrophy and competition with marine bacteria. However, survival of human pathogenic viruses in natural waters remains relatively unknown. In view of 2020-2021 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, this preliminary study aimed to estimate potential contamination by wastewater and persistence in marine environment. Five sampling campaigns (45 total samples) were completed in 2020 and 2021 at three stations in the lagoon, as well as inflow and outflow from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Despite relatively high fecal contamination at lagoon stations, SARS-CoV-2 could not be detected in surface waters using improved methodology. Untreated wastewaters were positive at Faro-Aeroporto 21/10/2020, 14/12/2020, 08/03/2021; Vilamoura 21/10/2020, 14/12/2020; Olhao 14/12/2020. All treated wastewaters were negative, as well as environmental samples. Highest viral titers were observed in Faro-Aeroporto WWTP on 8 March 2021 (1.35 x 10(5) genomic copies L-1) coinciding with peak SARS-CoV-2 cumulative positive cases in Algarve (2.03 x 10(4)), yet SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in Vilamoura and Olhao raw wastewater then. Thus, the contamination potential of SARS-CoV-2 seemed non-existent in the Ria Formosa during peak pandemic surges in Algarve. However, predicted climate change and its impact on microbial populations remains a challenge to be addressed by both health and tourist authorities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

What is the minimal dose for resistance exercise effectiveness in prostate cancer patients? Systematic review and meta-analysis on patient-reported outcomes

© 2020, The Author(s). Background: Active treatments for prostate cancer are well known to result in several adverse effects such as fatigue, depression and anxiety symptoms, impacting the overall quality of life (QoL) and wellbeing of a considerable proportion of patients. Resistance-based exercise interventions have shown positive effects to reduce or mitigate these treatment-related side effects. However, the minimal dosage required to derive these benefits is unknown. We systematically reviewed the resistance training effects in prostate cancer patients to determine the minimal dosage regarding the exercise components (mode, duration, volume and intensity) on fatigue, QoL, depression and anxiety. Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases were searched. Eligible randomised controlled trials examined prostate cancer patients undertaking resistance-based exercise programs during or following treatment. Meta-analysis was undertaken when more than three studies were included. Associations between resistance exercise components and its effects were tested by meta-regression analysis. Results: Eighteen trials involving 1112 men with prostate cancer were included. Resistance-based exercise programs resulted in significant effects on fatigue (effect size = −0.3, 95% CI: −0.4 to −0.2, P \u3c 0.001) and QoL (effect size = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.0 to 0.4, P = 0.018), with significant effects in specific questionnaires and domains of these outcomes. Resistance-based exercise effects on depression (effect size = −0.3, 95% CI: −0.7 to 0.0) and anxiety symptoms (effect size = −0.3, 95% CI: −0.5 to 0.0) were positive but not significant (P = 0.071 to 0.077). Meta-regression indicated no significant association between resistance exercise components with fatigue and QoL outcomes (P = 0.186–0.689). Conclusions: Low volume resistance exercise undertaken at a moderate-to-high intensity is sufficient to achieve significant fatigue and QoL benefits for men with prostate cancer and also mitigate depression and anxiety symptoms. A lower resistance exercise dosage than usually prescribed may help enhance adherence by reducing exercise barriers

Effects and moderators of exercise medicine on cardiometabolic outcomes in men with prostate cancer previously or currently undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: An individual patient data meta-analysis

Purpose: To examine the effects and moderators of exercise effects on cardiometabolic outcomes in men with prostate cancer previously or currently undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Results: Seven trials including 560 patients were examined. Exercise resulted in significant effects on whole-body and regional fat mass (P ≤ 0.001). For whole-body fat mass, significant exercise effects were observed in patients who were unmarried (−1.4 kg, P \u3c 0.05) and who presented with higher fat mass levels (−1.0 kg, P \u3c 0.05). For diastolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), younger (−4.7 mmHg, P \u3c 0.05) and older patients (−0.2 mmol.l-1, P \u3c 0.10) achieved greater effects, respectively. Regarding high-density lipoprotein (HDL), patients undertaking ADT + prostatectomy + radiotherapy derived significant exercise effects (0.3 mmol.l-1, P \u3c 0.05). Conclusions: Exercise effectively reduces fat mass across subgroups of men undergoing or following ADT with different characteristics. For diastolic blood pressure, HDL and LDL, groups based on age and treatment history could be specifically targeted with exercise medicine

Moderators of resistance-based exercise programs\u27 effect on sarcopenia-related measures in men with prostate cancer previously or currently undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: An individual patient data meta-analysis

Introduction: Older men with prostate cancer are commonly affected by reductions in lean mass and physical function following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Resistance-based exercise programs are critical to counteract the musculoskeletal toxicities derived from prostate cancer treatment and aging. However, there is significant variability in the effects of exercise interventions. Examining demographic and clinical moderators of exercise effects in this patient group can assist in identifying which subgroups of patients benefit most. Therefore, we examined the effects and moderators of resistance-based exercise programs on sarcopenia-related outcomes that included lean mass, skeletal muscle index, physical function, and muscle strength in older men with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Data were retrieved from the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) consortium. For the present study, we included data from trials that examined the effects of supervised resistance-based exercise interventions on lean mass outcomes, muscle strength, and physical function in patients with prostate cancer previously or currently treated with ADT. Linear mixed models were undertaken to analyse the effects of resistance-based exercise programs considering the clustering of patients within studies. Effects were evaluated by regressing the study group on the post-intervention value of the outcome adjusted for the baseline value, while potential moderators were examined by adding the moderator and its interaction term into the regression model. Results: A total of 560 patients with prostate cancer (age: 69.5 ± 7.8 yrs.; body mass index: 28.6 ± 4.0 kg.m−2) previously or currently treated with ADT were included. Resistance-based exercise programs resulted in significant effects on whole-body and appendicular lean mass and the skeletal muscle index (P \u3c 0.05), with improvements observed across different characteristics. Improvements were also observed in 400-m walk and 6-m backwards tandem walk (P \u3c 0.05), with patients presenting with lower baseline levels deriving greater exercise effects on 400-m walk (−19.4 s, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −36.6 to −2.3) and 6-m backwards tandem walk tests (−3.0 s, 95% CI: −5.7 to −0.3). For relative muscle strength, significant exercise effects were observed, with greater effects in younger patients (0.35 kg.kg−1, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.48). Discussion: Resistance-based exercise programs effectively improve well-known markers of sarcopenia in men with prostate cancer, with specific subgroups of patients, such as those younger and presenting with lower baseline levels of physical function, deriving greater effects on muscle strength and physical function, respectively

Exercise medicine in the management of pancreatic cancer: A systematic review

The aim of this study was to examine the health-related effects of exercise in patients with pancreatic cancer (PanCa) through a systematic review of current evidence. Studies were obtained through searching PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Library databases with additional hand searches. All intervention-based studies were included if it involved (1) adult patients with PanCa, (2) exercise training, and (3) findings in quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, psychological distress, and physical function. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42020154684. Seven trials described in 9 publications were included consisting of 201 patients with early-stage and advanced PanCa. Participants were required to perform supervised and/or home-based, low- to moderate-intensity resistance and/or aerobic exercise for 12 to 35 weeks or duration of neoadjuvant therapy. There were no exercise-related adverse events with a reported retention rate of 71% to 90% and exercise attendance of 64% to 96%. The programs were consistently associated with improvements in cancer-related fatigue, psychological distress, and physical function, with mixed effects on quality of life. Exercise training seems to be safe and feasible and may have a beneficial effect on various physical and psychological outcomes in patients with PanCa. Further work with rigorous study designs is required to consolidate and advance current findings

Feasibility of supervised telehealth exercise for patients with advanced melanoma receiving checkpoint inhibitor therapy

Purpose: To determine the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of a telehealth supervised exercise programme in patients with advanced melanoma receiving checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Methods: A 8-week non-randomised feasibility pilot trial utilising a telehealth delivered multimodal exercise programme undertaken thrice weekly with assessments at baseline and post-intervention. The study was considered feasible if there were no severe or life-threatening adverse events as a result of exercise, and three or more of the following criteria were met: the recruitment rate was \u3e 50%, completion rate was \u3e 80%, median programme attendance was \u3e 75%, median exercise compliance \u3e 75%, and average tolerance was \u3e 70%. Preliminary efficacy was assessed for objective measures of physical function (2-min step test, repeated chair stand test, 30-s push-up test, and a modified static balance test) and quality of life (QoL), fatigue and other patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. Results: Eleven patients (32–80 years) were included in the study (6 female, 5 male). The recruitment rate was 48%, completion rate 91%, programme attendance 88%, median exercise compliance 82.1% and 84.9% for resistance and aerobic exercise, respectively, and tolerance 88%, with no severe or life-threatening adverse events as a result of exercise. In terms of preliminary efficacy, physical function significantly improved while QoL was maintained following the intervention. Conclusion: An 8-week telehealth exercise intervention is feasible and safe for patients with advanced melanoma and appears to improve physical function while preserving QoL during checkpoint inhibitor therapy

Metal Coordination and Biological Screening of a Schiff Base Derived from 8-Hydroxyquinoline and Benzothiazole

Designing new metallodrugs for anticancer therapy is a driving force in the scientific community. Aiming to contribute to this field, we hereby report the development of a Schiff base (H2L) derived from the condensation of 2-carbaldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline with 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole and its complexation with transition metal ions. All compounds were characterised by analytical and spectroscopic techniques, which disclosed their structure: [Cu(HL)Cl], [Cu(HL)2], [Ni(HL)(acetate)], [Ni(HL)2], [Ru(HL)Cl(DMSO)], [VO(HL)2] and [Fe(HL)2Cl(H2O)]. Different binding modes were proposed, showing the ligand’s coordination versatility. The ligand proton dissociation constants were determined, and the tested compounds showed high lipophilicity and light sensitivity. The stability of all complexes in aqueous media and their ability to bind to albumin were screened. Based on an antiproliferative in vitro screening, [Ni(HL)(acetate)] and [Ru(HL)Cl(DMSO)] were selected for further studies aiming to investigate their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential towards colon cancer. The complexes displayed IC50 < 21 μM towards murine (CT-26) and human (HCT-116) colon cancer cell lines. Importantly, both complexes exhibited superior antiproliferative properties compared to the clinically approved 5-fluorouracil. [Ni(HL)(acetate)] induced cell cycle arrest in S phase in CT-26 cells. For [Ru(HL)Cl(DMSO)] this effect was observed in both colon cancer cell lines. Additionally, both compounds significantly inhibited cell migration particularly in the human colon cancer cell line, HCT-116. Overall, the therapeutic potential of both metal complexes was demonstrated

Association between energy balance-related factors and clinical outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence in patients with ovarian cancer at diagnosis and/or during first-line treatment on; (i) the association of body weight, body composition, diet, exercise, sedentary behavior, or physical fitness with clinical outcomes; and (ii) the effect of exercise and/or dietary interventions. Methods: Risk of bias assessments and best-evidence syntheses were completed. Meta-analyses were performed when ≥ 3 papers presented point estimates and variability measures of associations or effects. Results: Body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis was not significantly associated with survival. Although the following trends were not supported by the best-evidence syntheses, the meta-analyses revealed that a higher BMI was associated with a higher risk of post-surgical complications (n = 5, HR: 1.63, 95 % CI: 1.06 – 2.51, p = 0.030), a higher muscle mass was associated with a better progression-free survival (n = 3, HR: 1.41, 95 % CI: 1.04 – 1.91, p = 0.030) and a higher muscle density was associated with a better overall survival (n = 3, HR: 2.12, 95 % CI: 1.62 – 2.79, p \u3c 0.001). Muscle measures were not significantly associated with surgical or chemotherapy-related outcomes. Conclusions: The prognostic value of baseline BMI for clinical outcomes is limited, but muscle mass and density may have more prognostic potential. High-quality studies with comprehensive reporting of results are required to improve our understanding of the prognostic value of body composition measures for clinical outcomes. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO identifier CRD42020163058