635 research outputs found
Dietary exposure to imidacloprid, and sub-lethal effects in springtails
Tese de mestrado, Biologia Humana e Ambiente, 2021, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiĂŞnciasNeonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides worldwide. A large proportion ends up in the
soil, where they degrade slowly, and are likely to affect non-target species in the soil community, such
as Collembola (springtails). Springtails play an important role in soil ecosystems by contributing to
litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Standard toxicity tests use soil exposure to toxicants, which
does not allow for detailed observation of the individuals during the experiment. These tests are
developed to expose organisms through soil to certain types of contaminants, but in nature springtails
can also be exposed to them through their diet. We therefore aimed to, and successfully developed, a
method for dietary exposure to toxicants, allowing us to observe springtails performance during
exposure. The neonicotinoid imidacloprid was applied as a test substance, and we studied two
springtail species, Folsomia quadrioculata and Hypogastrura viatica, with different life histories,
habitat, and ecology, to assess potential difference in sensitivity. For each species, five replicates of 20
newly hatched animals were exposed through feed treated with one of two different applications:
moistening the feed with a micropipette (estimated final concentration of 129 mg/kg imidacloprid) or
soaking it in a solution with 129 ug/L imidacloprid, at room temperature. Moistening the Tilia cordata
bark was most accurate, giving concentrations similar to the estimated nominal ones, while soaking
resulted in 38 times higher concentrations than moistened measured method. With our established
method of moistening the bark, we conducted a concentration-response experiment to study how
imidacloprid affects different life history traits in juvenile H. viatica using 5 sub-lethal concentrations
from 0.01 to 1.2 mg/kg dry bark. Due to time constraints as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,
which prevented access to the laboratory, it was difficult to analyze some endpoints for Folsomia
quadrioculata, and since it was possible to register molting and measure body size in Hypogastrura
viatica we conducted the second experiment only on that species. Exposure to the soil relevant
concentrations of imidacloprid caused H. viatica to reach maturity late, reduced its molting frequency,
and thus reduced its body size. Since these endpoints have negative impacts on Collembola egg
production, the studied neonicotinoid shown negative effects on population growth and may therefore
cause population-level effects. There is still little information about these two springtails species and
especially on the life history traits for springtails in general. Therefore, in the future it would be
important to use methods that allow the monitoring of effects on life history traits
Multi-residue and multi-class method for the determination of antibiotics in bovine muscle by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
A multi-residue quantitative screening method covering 41 antibiotics from 7 different families, by ultra-high-performance–liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS), is described. Sulfonamides, trimethoprim, tetracyclines, macrolides, quinolones, penicillins and chloramphenicol are simultaneously detected after a simple sample preparation of bovine muscle optimized to achieve the best recovery for all compounds. A simple sample treatment was developed consisting in an extraction with a mixture of acetonitrile and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), followed by a defatting step with n-hexane. The methodology was validated, in accordance with Decision 2002/657/EC by evaluating the required parameters: decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCβ), specificity, repeatability and reproducibility. Precision in terms of relative standard deviation was under 20% for all compounds and the recoveries between 91% and 119%. CCα and CCβ were determined according the maximum residue limit (MRL) or the minimum required performance limit (MRPL), when required
The effectiveness of substance abuse treatment: development of a brief questionnaire
Background Practitioners need brief instruments to monitor outcomes in both treatment of drugs and alcohol addiction because they are useful to guide decision making in a short time.Objectives This study aims to develop a brief questionnaire, based on Client Evaluation of Self and Treatment, to evaluate the treatment effectiveness in drug and alcohol addiction treatment settings.Methods A cross-sectional study using a convenience sample (N = 608) recruited from Division for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (DICAD – ARS North).Results The results show a new four-factor solution that accounted for 54.4% of the total variance and that provides the best fit to the data (c2/df = 1.72, CFI = .94, GFI = .91, RMSEA = .048 [.040-.057]; prmsea = .623). It also revealed a high internal consistency (a = .82). It was found a significant negative correlation (r = - .52, p < .01) between the final version of the instrument and a self report measure of psychopathology symptoms.Discussion This brief questionnaire, with good psychometric properties, can be useful to provide a viable and rapid feedback of treatment outcomes. Further studies should be performed to continue the evaluation of the reliability of this measure
The effectiveness of substance abuse treatment: development of a brief questionnaire
Background Practitioners need brief instruments to monitor outcomes in both treatment of drugs and alcohol addiction because they are useful to guide decision making in a short time.Objectives This study aims to develop a brief questionnaire, based on Client Evaluation of Self and Treatment, to evaluate the treatment effectiveness in drug and alcohol addiction treatment settings.Methods A cross-sectional study using a convenience sample (N = 608) recruited from Division for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (DICAD – ARS North).Results The results show a new four-factor solution that accounted for 54.4% of the total variance and that provides the best fit to the data (c2/df = 1.72, CFI = .94, GFI = .91, RMSEA = .048 [.040-.057]; prmsea = .623). It also revealed a high internal consistency (a = .82). It was found a significant negative correlation (r = - .52, p < .01) between the final version of the instrument and a self report measure of psychopathology symptoms.Discussion This brief questionnaire, with good psychometric properties, can be useful to provide a viable and rapid feedback of treatment outcomes. Further studies should be performed to continue the evaluation of the reliability of this measure
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus communication in biofilm infections: insights through network and database construction
AbstractThe polymicrobial nature of most infections is often characterized by complex biofilm communities, where pathogen interactions promote infection progression and severity. Quorum-sensing, the major regulator of virulence and inter-species communication, is a promising target for new anti-infective strategies. This study aimed at collecting and analysing experimental information on the molecular basis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus interactions in biofilms. Data were systematically annotated from relevant full-text papers optimally retrieved from PubMed, reconstructed as networks and integrated with specialized databases to identify promising antimicrobial targets. Network analysis revealed key entities regulating P. aeruginosa/S. aureus interactions, for instance the PqsABCDE/PqsR quorum-sensing system, which affects S. aureus growth and biofilm formation. By identifying the most reported P. aeruginosa virulence factors affecting S. aureus, for example, HQNO and siderophores, a list of experimentally validated agents affecting those factors, ranging from synthetic drugs to natural plant extracts, was constructed. The complex experimental data on P. aeruginosa/S. aureus interactions were for the first time systematically organized and made publically available in the new Inter-Species CrossTalk Database (www.ceb.uminho.pt/ISCTD).This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2019 unit; the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte for the BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004); the COMPETE2020 and the FCT under the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029841; and the FCT under the scope of the PhD Grant of Andreia Patricia MagalhĂŁes [grant number SFRH/BD/132165/2017].info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A habitação temporária no Barrocal do Douro - Picote, 1953-1957
O bairro do Barrocal do Douro, mais conhecido por Picote, foi concebido de apoio à construção da
barragem, no âmbito dos aproveitamentos hidroeléctricos do rio, pela empresa Hidro-Eléctrica do Douro
(H.E.D.). Entre 1953-1964, desenvolveram-se projectos para trĂŞs barragens, onde se incluĂam habitações e
infra-estruturas, projectados pelos arquitectos JoĂŁo Archer de Carvalho (1928-), Manuel Nunes de Almeida
(1924-2014) e Rogério Ramos (1927-1976), alunos da Escola do Porto.
O bairro de Picote, contemplava edifĂcios definitivos com influĂŞncias da arquitectura moderna internacional,
num plano urbano também modernista, com o objectivo de alojar as 400 pessoas que ficariam responsáveis
pela manutenção da central hidroeléctrica. Este plano, previsto para cerca de 4000 habitantes na fase de
estaleiro, contemplava igualmente construções de carácter temporário necessárias para o alojamento de
todos aqueles que contribuĂram para a obra.
Procura assim esta investigação, compreender de que forma a concepção de habitação temporária em
Picote responde às diferentes categorias de pessoal que contribuiu para a edificação desta barragem,
apresentando na linguagem tipolĂłgica e arquitectĂłnica das mesmas, caracterĂsticas de matriz moderna Ă
semelhança das habitações definitivas; ABSTRACT:
The Temporary Housing in Barrocal do Douro – Picote, 1953-1957
The neighbourhood of Barrocal do Douro, better known as Picote, was designed by Douro’s Hidro-Eléctrica
(H.E.D.) to support the construction of the dam, within the hydroelectric power stations of the river. Between
1953 and 1964, projects for three dams were developed, all including housing and infrastructures, design
by the architects of the Porto’s School, João Archer de Carvalho (b.1928-), Manuel Nunes de Almeida (1924-
2014) and Rogério Ramos (1927-1976).
Picote’s neighbourhood contemplated permanent buildings with modern international architecture
influences, in an also modernist urban plan, with the aim of housing the 400 people who would
be responsible for the maintenance of the hydroelectric power station. This plan, foreseen for about
4000 inhabitants at the yard stage, equally contemplated temporary constructions necessary for the
accommodation of all those who contributed to the work.
Therefore, this investigation seeks to understand how the design of temporary housing in Picote responds
to the different categories of personnel that contributed to the edification of this dam, presenting, in its
typological and architecture language, modern matrix characteristics, similar to the definitive housing
VISTA is a diagnostic biomarker and immunotherapy target of aggressive feline mammary carcinoma subtypes
Research Areas: OncologyABSTRACT - Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is a common neoplasia, showing aggressive clinicopathological features, without viable therapeutic options. The study of tumor microenvironment
has gained importance, due to the ability to control tumor progression by regulating the immune
response. Considering the lack of knowledge, feline serum VISTA levels from cats with mammary
carcinoma were compared with healthy controls, and with serum levels of PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4,
LAG-3, IL-6, and TNF-α. In parallel, VISTA tumor expression was evaluated in FMC samples.
The obtained data revealed that serum VISTA levels were significantly higher in cats presenting
HER2-positive (p = 0.0025) or triple-negative subtypes (p = 0.0019), with higher serum levels in
luminal A (p = 0.0025) correlated to the presence of metastasis (p = 0.0471). Furthermore, in HER2-
positive or triple-negative tumors, correlations were obtained between serum VISTA levels and the
serum levels of the above-mentioned molecules. In tumors, VISTA expression revealed a stronger
intensity in cancer cells, when compared to TILs (p < 0.0001). Stratifying the samples by subtypes, a
higher number of VISTA-positive TILs was observed in the HER2-positive subtype, compared with
triple-negative tumors (p = 0.0138). In conclusion, results support the development of therapeutic
strategies for HER2-positive and triple-negative FMC subtypes, reinforcing the use of cats as a human
oncology model.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Interactions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in biofilm-related infections: insights through network reconstruction and creation of a new online database
Introduction: Despite important advances in biofilm research, these consortia remain a critical concern for many biomedical applications. Their naturally occurring polymicrobial nature is characterised by the development of complex communities, where pathogen interactions can promote disease progression and severity. Intra- and inter-species communication within these consortia is majorly regulated by quorum-sensing, affecting the expression of virulence factors and biofilm formation, making it a promising target for new anti-infective strategies. P. aeruginosa and S. aureus are two major pathogens that co-occur in many biofilm-related infections and whose competitive interaction is highly related to infection resilience.
Hypothesis and aims: Information on P. aeruginosa-S. aureus interactions is currently scattered in the ever-growing scientific literature, making it difficult for researchers to grasp critical information. Therefore, this study aimed at systematically collecting and analysing experimental information presented in the biomedical literature on the molecular basis of P. aeruginosa-S. aureus interactions, identifying promising therapeutic targets, and making this data available to the research community.
Methodology: Full-text papers were optimally retrieved from PubMed and classified by their relevance. Interaction data was methodically annotated, reconstructed as networks to identify promising therapeutic targets, and integrated with specialized databases to identify promising antimicrobials. A new online database was created to deposit the gathered interaction data in searchable format.
Results: Network analysis revealed key entities regulating P. aeruginosa-S. aureus interactions, for instance the PqsABCDE/PqsR quorum-sensing system, which affects S. aureus growth and biofilm formation. By identifying the most reported P. aeruginosa virulence factors affecting S. aureus, e.g. HQNO and siderophores, a list of experimentally validated agents affecting those factors, ranging from synthetic drugs to natural plant extracts, was constructed.
Conclusion: The complex experimental data on P. aeruginosa-S. aureus interactions was for the first time thoroughly retrieved, systematized, and made publically available in the new Inter-Species CrossTalk Database (www.ceb.uminho.pt/ISCTD).Portuguese
Foundation
for
Science
and
Technology
(FCT)
under
the
scope
of
the
strategic
funding
of
UID/BIO/04469/2019 unit;
European
Regional
Development
Fund
under
the
scope
of
Norte
2020
-
Programa
Operacional
Regional
do
Norte
for
the
BioTecNorte
operation
(NORTE
-
01
-
0145
-
FEDER
-
000004
)
;
COMPETE
2020
and
FCT
for
the
project
POCI
-
01
-
0145
-
FEDER
-
029841
.
The
authors
also
thank
FCT
for
the
PhD
Grant
of
Andreia
Patricia
MagalhĂŁes
[grant
number
SFRH/BD/
132165
/
2017
]
and
ESCMID
for
the
Young
Scientist
Members
Attendance
Grantinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Development of an interface for managing and monitoring projects in an automotive company
In a competitive world, companies lose customers and opportunities due to lack of organisation, failure to meet deadlines, bad planning, among other reasons. Project management is presented as a form to guarantee compliance with deadlines, costs reduction, sales increase, revenues growth, clients’ satisfaction, among other benefits. This paper presents the development of interfaces for managing and monitoring projects at Bosch Car Multimedia in Braga, Portugal. With the increasing number of projects under the supervision of CM/MFT3, the section had greater difficulties in monitoring projects’ status. In order to tackle the situation, tools for project status control and project status overview (cockpit chart) were proposed, so that the project management practices could be improved.This work has been supported by COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043and FCT –Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologiawithin the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013
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