Novel and simple test plating for screening relative transfructosylation activity of fungi

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have received particular attention recently because of their excellent biological and functional properties, namely, as prebiotic compounds that promote the growth of intestinal microflora. They are also low calorie non-carcinogenic sweeteners with numerous suggested health benefits. These include immune system activation, resistance to infections, synthesis of Bcomplex vitamins, calcium absorption. They can be used as a treatment for breast cancer, diarrhoea, and constipation. Although FOS are present in trace amounts in fruits, vegetables and honey as natural products, its mass production is limited by seasonal restrictions and the inherent inefficiencies of these systems. Hence, microbial FOS production by fungi in bioreactors is more realistic. Several microorganisms are reported to have transfructosylation activity due to fructosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.9) and/or fructofuranosidase (EC 3.2.1.26) activities. However, the search for other fungi with higher transfructosylation activity is still a challenge. So, a presumptive and indirect colorimetric plate assay for the evaluation of transfructosylation activity in fungi was developed by the simultaneous determination in the same plate of glucose and fructose released from sucrose. The method entailed the coupling of two dye systems, namely the glucose oxidase-peroxidase coupled reaction using phenol and 4-aminoantipyrine for determination of glucose; and the fructose dehydrogenase oxidation in the presence of a tetrazolium salt for determination of fructose. In order to have a standard assay, the fungi were grown on Czapek Dox (CD) agar. 1 disc of mycelium (8 mm diameter) was cut from the edge of each colony and then put in contact with CD agar plates. After incubation at 25 ºC for 72 h each assay plate was overlaid with soft agar containing the reagents. The presence of enzymes with transfructosylation activity was identified by the formation of pink (presence of glucose) and blue (presence of fructose) halos around the discs. In conclusion, the results showed that the method is suitable for screening a large number of fungi due to its simplicity, reproducibility and rapidity.Agência de Inovação (AdI) - project BIOLIFE ref. PRIME 03/347

Hydrophobins and biodeterioration of paint by fungi

PRAXIS XXI

School psychology in Portugal: practitioners’ characteristics and practices

Little empirical evidence is available on the professional characteristics and practices of school psychologists in Portugal. This study surveyed a total of 477 Portuguese school psychologists employed in public (80%) and private schools (20%). Portuguese school psychologists are described with regard to demographic, professional, and educational backgrounds, school settings, roles performed, and main target populations served. Evaluating and counseling regular education students, vocational guidance, and special education-related activities emerged as the most time-consuming professional practices. A professional practice primarily focused on students, mainly from the highest education levels, was also observed. Results are compared with findings of previous surveys and reviewed in the context of the current literature on the school psychologist’s role. Implications for the field are also provided.Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, University of Minho, Braga, PortugalSchool Psychology Program, School of Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US

Cu oxidation mechanism on Cu-Zr(O)N coatings: Role on functional properties

Zirconium oxynitride (Zr(O)N) and Copper-Zirconium oxynitrides (Cu-Zr(O)N) were deposited by a DC reactive magnetron sputtering technique on stainless steel substrates. A duty cycle controller was used to obtain different oxygen contents in the developed films and a chemical activation procedure was carried out to obtain copper oxides. The samples were chemical and structurally characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS. Additional functional features were evaluated according to colour variation and inhibition halo tests. Zr(O)N and Cu-Zr(O)N surfaces showed a wide colour variation from golden to black tones, progressing through intermediate tones such as purple, blue and bluish grey. An antibacterial effect was only obtained after the chemical activation of Cu-ZrON-DC100, which showed a Zr(O)N matrix incapable of catching more oxygen from deposition. After, with the additional availability of O2- ions, the Cu present in the coating reacted with these ions forming CuO. The antibacterial mechanism was associated with the aforementioned characterizations and ICP-OES spectroscopy. The Cu2+ ions release had no influence on the antibacterial effect although the presence of CuO was decisive in obtaining an antibacterial behaviour. The acquired results demonstrated a potential multifunctionality of Cu-Zr(O)N coatings, joining an aesthetical surface with an antibacterial effect.This research is sponsored by FEDER funds through the COMPETE program - Competitive Factors Operational Program - and by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology - under the scope of the strategic funding of co-financed via UIDB/00285/2020 and UIDB/04650/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte, On-SURF (co-financed via FEDER (PT2020) POCI-01-0247-FEDER 546024521; The authors also thank the financial support in the framework of HEALTHYDENT - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030708) and ATRITO-0 (co-financed via FEDER (PT2020) POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-030446.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Overview on the antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of sputtered carbon-based coatings

Due to their outstanding properties, carbon-based structures have received much attention from the scientific community. Their applications are diverse and include use in coatings on self-lubricating systems for anti-wear situations, thin films deposited on prosthetic elements, catalysis structures, or water remediation devices. From these applications, the ones that require the most careful testing and improvement are biomedical applications. The biocompatibility and antibacterial issues of medical devices remain a concern, as several prostheses still fail after several years of implantation and biofilm formation remains a real risk to the success of a device. Sputtered deposition prevents the introduction of hazardous chemical elements during the preparation of coatings, and this technique is environmentally friendly. In addition, the mechanical properties of C-based coatings are remarkable. In this paper, the latest advances in sputtering methods and biocompatibility and antibacterial action for diamond-based carbon (DLC)-based coatings are reviewed and the greater outlook is then discussed.This research is sponsored by national funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, under the projects UIDB/00285/2020, UID/EMS/00285/2019 and UIDB/04650/2020, ATRITO-0 (co-financed via FEDER (PT2020) POCI-01-545 0145-FEDER-030446) and On-SURF (cofinanced via FEDER (PT2020) POCI-01-0247-FEDER-024521). Also, this work is supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Centro 2020 Regional Operational Programme under project CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000012-HealthyAging2020, and through the COMPETE 2020—Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization and Portuguese national funds via FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, under projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007440 and UID/NEU/04539/2019

Pneumotórax espontâneo num pulmão vicariante

AbstractSpontaneous contralateral pneumothorax after pneumonectomy is a rare condition. A high index of suspicion is required for a correct diagnosis. Management can be challenging, as surgical intervention, if necessary, is a very high risk procedure. Chemical pleurodesis can be a simple and effective measure in cases with no major air leak. We describe the case of a 21-year-old female with spontaneous pneumothorax in a single lung, which posed several diagnostic and therapeutic problems. The presence of a “buffalo chest” made the initial chest x-ray interpretation difficult. The patient had an important air leak without complete pulmonary expansion and thoracic surgery was considered of risk. Accordingly, instillation of talc slurry through one of the thoracic drains was undertaken with eventual resolution. We are convinced that bron-co-pleural fistula resolution was facilitated by slurry talc, despite complete lung expansion never having been achieved.Rev Port Pneumol 2007; XIII (4): 613-61

Nanospraydryer for the production of sub-micro particles based on bovine lactoferrin

This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145- FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Arlete M. Marques (SFRH/BD/132911/2017) is the recipient of a fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling condition that disrupts motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Despite extensive research in the last decades, SCI continues to be a global health priority affecting thousands of individuals every year. The lack of effective therapeutic strategies for patients with SCI reflects its complex pathophysiology that leads to the point of no return in its function repair and regeneration capacity. Recently, however, several studies started to uncover the intricate network of mechanisms involved in SCI leading to the development of new therapeutic approaches. In this work, we present a detailed description of the physiology and anatomy of the spinal cord and the pathophysiology of SCI. Additionally, we provide an overview of different molecular strategies that demonstrate promising potential in the modulation of the secondary injury events that promote neuroprotection or neuroregeneration. We also briefly discuss other emerging therapies, including cell-based therapies, biomaterials, and epidural electric stimulation. A successful therapy might target different pathologic events to control the progression of secondary damage of SCI and promote regeneration leading to functional recovery.This work has been funded by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)-project UIDB/50026/2020, UIDP/50026/2020 and project EXPL/MED-PAT/0931/2021. Financial support was also provided from Prémios Santa Casa Neurociências-Prize Melo e Castro for Spinal Cord Injury Research (MC-18-2021)

Production and characterization of collagenase by Penicillium sp. UCP 1286 isolated from Caatinga soil

A new Penicillium sp. strain isolated from the soil of Caatinga, a Brazilian Biome (UCP 1286) was selected for collagenase production. Fermentation system allowing obtention of collagenolytic activity about 2.7 times higher than existing data, with the highest values of collagenolytic and specific activity (379.80 U/mL, 1460.77 U/mg, respectively), after 126 hours. Applying a factorial design, enzyme production was increased by about 65% compared to the preliminary results. The factorial design demonstrated the existence of two factors with statistical significance on the production of the enzyme: pH and temperature, both with negative effects. Enzyme was found to be more active at pH 9.0 and 37 °C, and also to be very stable in comparison with the collagenase produced by other microorganisms. The enzyme seems to belong to collagenolytic serine proteases family. Concerning the substrate specificity, it was observed that the highest enzyme activity corresponds to azocoll, there was no relevant activity on azocasein and the enzyme showed to be more specific to type V collagen and gelatin than the commercial colagenase produced by Clostridium histolyticum. Major band observed at electrophoresis was approximately 37 kDa. Zymogram analysis confirmed the collagenolytic activity. All data indicates this enzyme as promising biotechnology product.This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE) (IBPG-0137-2.08/12) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Sara Silvério also acknowledges her post-doc grant (SFRH/BPD/88584/2012) from FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), Portugal

Capsicum spp. and the antifungal potential of capsaicinoids as safeguards for agri-food production

In recent years, cases of pathogenic fungi in agricultural crops and in animals, including humans, are growing (Paziani et al., 2020; Costa et al., 2022). Many of these pathogenic fungi are resistant to the commonly used antifungals. This scenario has created a need for new effective antifungals, particularly those based on eco-friendly approaches, such as plant secondary metabolites (e.g. capsaicinoids from Capsicum species) (Costa et al., 2022). The American Phytopathological Society recognises a biofungicide as a naturally based biochemical product that must contain naturally-occurring substances (McGrath, 2004). The use of pepper pod extracts for the production of biofungicide has been proposed in the literature (Costa et al., 2022). As a natural compound, capsaicinoids and their analogues are much less dangerous than commercial synthetic fungicides. Biofungicides present a low risk for environmental health. They could be applied in different stages of agricultural production without putting workers and the environment at health risk. In addition, since biofungicides are based on non-recalcitrant molecules, there is expected no risk of contaminating soil and groundwater. In this context, the use of natural compounds is directly related with the One Health approach, which tries to find a balance among people, animals and the environments health (World Health Organization, 2023). In fact, capsaicinoids compounds has been characterised as antifungal molecules. Capsaicinoids-based biofungicides could have the potential to improve food safety, nutritional value and overcome antimicrobial resistance, with less associated health risk. Beneficial characteristics of capsaicinoids include the demonstrated fungicidal and fungistatic activities of pure Capsicum extracts and purified capsaicinoids (Soumya and Nair, 2012; Costa et al., 2022). These molecules can be used to control the growth of pathogenic fungi in plant crops and as ecological alternatives for pest management. This work aims to review the use of pepper pod extracts, rich in capsaicinoid compounds, as a strategy for safeguarding of agrifood production. The advantages and limitations, for environmental health, of using capsaicinoids-based biofungicides will be presented and discussed in this work.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio