Engineered bacteriophages to target amyloyd-β in the brain

Amyloid-beta (AB) is a prime suspect to cause Alzheimer’s disease (AD). An accumulation of AB in the brain leads to its aggregation into still-soluble oligomeric and fibrillar clusters. In AD-mouse models, these AB oligomers and fibrils impair synaptic function and memory formation. However, a diagnostic tool to detect AB oligomers/fibrils selectively in the brain is currently not available. In this seminar an overview of a project, aiming at developing a cost-effective and safe bacteriophage-based tool to selectively diagnose AB oligomers and fibrils during the early stage of AD, will be presented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analysis of the variability of dehydrin codifying genes in ecotypes of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp from Mozambique

Abstract Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a tropical grain legume, which plays an important nutritional role in developing countries of the tropics and subtropics, especially in sub-Saharian Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Its production is limited by a lot of environmental stresses and drought seems to be one of the most important. It has been reported that cowpea has in its genome genes encoding proteins associated with environmental stresses. Among the stress induced proteins there is a group called dehydrins. They are produced on the last stages of embryogenesis or in response to drought, salinity, low temperature or to ABA application. It has been hypothesized that dehydrins function by stabilizing large-scale hydrophobic interactions, such as membrane structures or hydrophobic patches of proteins. We hypothesized that, as dehydrins have been proposed to protect cellular macromolecules and their expression increase in response to dehydration, it should be used as molecular marker for drought stress tolerance. To test this hypothesis, a fragment of dehydrin was amplified and used for analysis of variability dehydrin gene and cowpea. We used also semi-quantitative RT-PCR (Reverse transcription PCR) to evaluate dehydrin gene expression in plants subjected to water stress. An anti-dehydrin antibody was used to study dehydrin protein accumulation under water stress. Analysis of the dehydrin gene variability revealed a high diversity of this protein family and a high identity to Vigna unguiculata dehydrin database associated to chilling tolerance. Expression of dehydrins was high on the wild ecotypes evidencing more adaptability of this group to water deficit. Western blot analysis revealed an apparent absence of dehydrins in leaves and a presence of a constitutive dehydrin in seeds of unstressed plants

Intercultural adaptation: an exploratory study with portuguese expatriates in Angola

This paper aims to present the results of the intercultural adaptation of Portuguese expatriate workers in Angola. More specifically, it explores the perception of the expatriates participating in the study regarding their adaptation to the Angolan intercultural context. Intercultural adaptation presupposes the definition of the degree of psychological and family comfort that the expatriates feel in relation to the new environment as well as the degree of ease or difficulty with which they adapt to the day-to-day and the development of the work in the host country (Ramalu et al., 2010; Chang, 1997). Since intercultural adaptation is a process that involves behavioral, emotional, cognitive and attitudinal changes resulting from interaction with a new and different cultural context, intercultural adaptation behaves as a determinant of the (in) success of the international mission (Ramalu et al. 2010). The well-being of an expatriate results from the acceptance with the new culture, the ability to perform the function in the host organization as well as the ability to relate to the natives of that country (Lee & Vorst, 2010). However, the cultural differences between the country of origin and the host country may result in a set of barriers to which expatriates are exposed. In addition, expatriates are confronted with values, beliefs and perceptions that may differ from those they believe in or from those with whom they are familiar (Geetika & Gupta, 2012). Considering that intercultural adjustment continues to deserve high attention by researchers in international human resources management (Dabic, Gonzalez-Loureiro & Harvey, 2015), and at the same time the trend of expatriation growth in Portuguese companies to the Angolan context in recent years, reinforce the pertinence of this study. To obtain empirical evidence, a qualitative methodology was used. The instrument for collecting privileged information was the semi-structured interview, and 13 interviews were conducted with Portuguese expatriates in Angola. The results suggest that the process of intercultural adaptation of Portuguese expatriates to the Angolan context is not standardized, since three possible behaviors were perceived by the participants involved in the study: (1) existence of an intercultural shock in the initial phase of arrival in Angola but outdated with the international mission; (2) existence of an intercultural shock that has never been overcome; (3) lack of intercultural shock. We conclude that the process of intercultural adaptation of Portuguese expatriates to the Angolan context may be influenced by (1) contextual factors such as the cultural, economic and political differences between the two countries; (2) by factors of an individual nature, such as personality traits of individuals and; (3) factors of an organizational nature, namely the lack of good organizational support practices for the intercultural adjustment of expatriates. Finally, the conclusions suggest that organizations with experience in expatriation may need to reconsider their expatriation policies, with particular emphasis on issues related to intercultural preparation. The main contributions, limitations and suggestions for future studies are also presented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Molecular markers for genetic diversity, gene flow and genetic population structure of freshwater mussel species

Freshwater mussel species are in global decline. Anthropogenic changes of river channels and the decrease of autochthonous fish population, the natural hosts of mussels larval stages (glochidia), are the main causes. Therefore, the conservation of mussel species depends not only on habitat conservation, but also on the availability of the fish host. In Portugal, information concerning most of the mussel species is remarkably scarce. One of the most known species, Unio pictorum is also in decline however, in the basins of the rivers Tua and Sabor (Northeast of Portugal), there is some indication of relatively large populations. The aforementioned rivers can be extremely important for this species conservation not only in Portugal, but also in the remaining Iberian Peninsula. Thus, it is important to obtain data concerning Unio pictorum bioecology (distribution, habitat requirements, population structure, genetic variability, reproductive cycle and recruitment rates), as well as the genetic variability and structure of the population. Concomitantly, information concerning fish population structure, the importance of the different fish species as glochidia hosts and their appropriate density to allow effective mussel recruitment, will also be assessed. The achieved data is crucial to obtain information to develop effective management measures in order to promote the conservation of this bivalve species, the conservation of autochthonous fish populations, and consequently the integrity of the river habitats

Scientifically advanced solutions for chestnut ink disease

On the north regions of Portugal and Spain, the Castanea sativa Mill. culture is extremely important. The biggest productivity and yield break occurs due to the ink disease, the causal agent being the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi. This oomycete is also responsible for the decline of many other plant species in Europe and worldwide. P. cinnamomi and Phytophthora cambivora are considered, by the generality of the authors, as the C. sativa ink disease causal agents. Most Phytophthora species secrete large amounts of elicitins, a group of unique highly conserved proteins that are able to induce hypersensitive response (HR) and enhances plant defense responses in a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) manner against infection by different pathogens. Some other proteins involved in mechanisms of infection by P. cinnamomi were identified by our group: endo-1,3-beta-glucanase (complete cds); exo-glucanase (partial cds) responsible by adhesion, penetration, and colonization of host tissues; glucanase inhibitor protein (GIP) (complete cds) responsible by the suppression of host defense responses; necrosis-inducing Phytophthora protein 1 (NPP1) (partial cds); and transglutaminase (partial cds) which inducts defense responses and disease-like symptoms. In this mini-review, we present some scientifically advanced solutions that can contribute to the resolution of ink disease

Criatividade, equação simbólica e objecto transicional na obra de Munch

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao ISPA - Instituto UniversitárioAnalisámos a relação que Munch estabeleceu com as suas obras que representavam a mãe e a irmã, através das teorizações do luto patológico, na acepção de Bowlby, e da simbolização, hipotetizando que aquela relação poderá ser integrada no conceito de equação simbólica desenvolvida por Segal, podendo aquelas obras ser demonstrativas de uma regressão para a posição esquizo-paranóide, dado que a separação dos objectos, a ambivalência, a culpa e a perda não puderem ser toleradas. Também a identificação projectiva, utilizada como defesa contra a ansiedade, foi restaurada, tendo levado a que os símbolos já formados, e que desempenhavam apenas a função de símbolo, tenham revertido para equações simbólicas, negando assim a falta do objecto ideal. Hipotetizámos ainda, que na sequência de uma retirada esquizóide, na relação que Munch estabeleceu com os seus quadros, ao invés de com pessoas, terá encontrado forma de se proteger das relações com o mundo exterior que considerava ameaçantes, defendendo-se deste isolamento criando relações com as suas obras, que poderiam ser enquadradas no conceito de objecto transicional de Winnicott. Concluímos que Munch, pese embora todas as perdas de objectos significantes que sofreu, o luto patológico que toda a vida o acompanhou, os insucessos amorosos, e as dificuldades nas relações com o outro, conseguiu manter um certo grau de homeostasia psíquica, através da sua arte, tendo a criatividade e as obras que Munch criou, fortemente expressivas do seu sofrimento, contribuindo grandemente para evitar a total desintegração do seu aparelho psíquicoABSTRACT: We analysed the relation that Munch established with his works of art representing his mother and sister, in according with the theories of pathological mourning following Bowlby, and of symbolization, hypothesizing that the said relation could be understood by the concept of symbolic equation following Segal. Those works of art could represent a regression to the paranoid-schizoid position once the separation of the objects, the ambivalence, the guilt and the loss could not be tolerated. Also, the projective identification used as a defense against anxiety was restorted, leading the symbols already formed and used as symbols to revert to symbolic equations, denying consequently the lack of the ideal object. We hypothesised too, as a result of a schizo retreat Munch established relationships with his paintings, instead of people, finding this way a form of projection against the relationships with the world that he considered threating. At the same time he defended himself against isolation establishing object relations with his paintings, which in accordance with Winnicot theory could be seen as transitional object. We concluded that Munch in spite of all the losses of significant objects he experienced, the pathological mourning that follow him through his life, the unhappy relationships with women, and the difficulties in relating with others, was able to keep a certain degree od psychic homeostasis through his art. In our opinion his creativity and his works of art, that are strongly representative of his grief, have definitively contributed to avoid his total psychic disintegration

Isolation and Sequencing of Actin1, Actin2 and Tubulin1 Genes Involved in Cytoskeleton Formation in Phytophthora cinnamomi

Oomycetes from the genus Phytophthora are fungus-like plant pathogens that are devastating for agriculture and natural ecosystems. On the Nordeste Transmontano region (northeast Portugal), the Castanea sativa chestnut culture is extremely important. The biggest productivity and yield break occurs due to the ink disease, caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi which is one of the most widely distributed Phytophthora species, with nearly 1000 host species. The knowledge about molecular mechanisms responsible for pathogenicity is an important tool in order to combat associate diseases of this pathogen. Complete open reading frames (ORFs) of act1, act2 and tub1 genes who participate in cytoskeleton formation in P. cinnamomi were achieved by high-efficiency thermal asymmetric interlaced (HE-TAIL) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). act1 gene comprises a 1128 bp ORF, encoding a deduced protein of 375 amino acids (aa) and 41,972 kDa. act2 ORF comprises 1083 bp and encodes a deduced protein of 360 aa and 40,237 kDa. tub1 has a total length of 2263 bp and encodes a 453 aa protein with a molecular weight of 49.911 kDa. Bioinformatics analyses shows that actin1 is ortholog to the act1 genes of Phytophthora infestans, Phytophthora megasperma and Phytophthora melonis; actin2 is ortholog to the act2 genes of P. infestans, Phytophthora brassicae, P. melonis and Pythium splendens and tubulin1 shows the highest orthology to P. infestans and P. capsici α-tubulin genes. Analysed 3D structure of the three putative proteins revealed a spatial conformation highly similar to those described for orthologous proteins obtained by X-ray diffraction.COMBATINTA/SP2.P11/02 Interreg IIIA–Cross-Border Cooperation Spain-Portugal, financed by The European Regional Development Fund

Moyens du bord: espaces en suspension, temps interstitiels et activités socioculturelles en prison

A dinamização do sector sociocultural é atualmente uma parte integrante da gestão das prisões portuguesas. Neste contexto, reclusos são incentivados a participar ativamente, fazendo uso das suas competências sociais e artísticas, e beneficiando de alívios na pressão disciplinar da prisão. Frequentadores destes “espaços suspensos” onde se organizam atividades lúdicas e artísticas, alguns reclusos tornam-se “prata da casa”, simultaneamente imagem pública da prisão e beneficiários de uma relação próxima com os técnicos. Propomos aqui a análise desta posição ambígua e das formas como a “prata da casa” nos permitem pensar sobre esta modalidade penal em que os reclusos assumem uma parte da administração da sua própria pena.The sociocultural sector has been in recent times an integral part of Portuguese prison management. Inmates are encouraged to proactively engage in these activities, to put their social and artistic skills to use, and to find in them some relief in the prison’s disciplinary pressure. As they participate in these “suspended spaces” wherein ludic and artistic activities are organized, certain inmates become “prata da casa” (homegrown pride), acting as the prison’s public image and benefiting from a close relationship with the prison staff. Drawing from this ambiguous status, we propose an analysis of a penal modality whereby inmates partly take charge of managing their own sentence.Moyens du bord: Espaces en suspension, temps interstitiels et activités socioculturelles en prison La dynamisation du secteur socioculturel fait actuellement partie intégrante de la gestion des prisons portugaises. Dans ce contexte, les détenus sont encouragés à y participer activement, en employant leurs compétences sociales et artistiques et en bénéficiant de soulagements par rapport à la pression disciplinaire de la prison. Dans ces « espaces en suspension », où des activités ludiques et artistiques sont organisées, certains des détenus deviennent « prata da casa » (moyens du bord), en agissant, en même temps, comme l’image publique de la prison et en bénéficiant d’une relation plus étroite avec le personnel. Cet article vise à analyser cette ambiguïté et la manière dont les « moyens du bord » nous permettent de réfléchir sur cette modalité pénale où les détenus prennent à leur compte une partie de l’administration de leurs propres peines.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Serviço Social Escolar em Portugal

O Serviço Social Escolar é um campo de acção que ao longo de quase 40 anos tem uma trajectória significativa, tendo sofrido algumas vicissitudes no seu percurso influenciado pelo contexto social político e económico e pelas relações Estado/Mercado. Este estudo vai no sentido de fazer uma análise ao processo de institucionalização do Serviço Social Escolar em Portugal nas décadas de 60 e 70, em que se privilegiam as trajectórias e dinâmicas da prática profissional das Assistentes Sociais na área da Educação, ao nível dos ensinos primários, preparatórios e secundários, e mais especificamente da prática profissional das Assistentes Sociais do Ministério da Educação, da Zona Centro do País. Está dividido em duas partes fundamentais, acompanhando a primeira de1960 até 1974 e a segunda parte após o período da Revolução de 25 de Abril de 1974 até ao período de Normalização Democrática de 1976 a 1980. Procura-se apreender e compreender a relação entre o Serviço Social, políticas sociais, de acção social escolar, a sociedade portuguesa, as correntes de pensamento e as influências que se fizeram sentir no Serviço Social Escolar, identificando problemas e posicionamentos das Assistentes Sociais na dinâmica sócio-histórico e no Instituto de Acção Social Escolar, nos períodos em análise. Com este trabalho pretende-se abrir o debate sobre este campo de acção na actualidade e restituir ao Serviço Social Escolar o papel fundamental de mediador nos processos de regulação no campo da educação, num trabalho em parceria e numa transversalidade de competências e saberes com todos os parceiros da comunidade educativa e com a sociedade em geral, na defesa pelos direitos humanos e ampliação do estatuto de cidadania, por uma escola para todos e de qualidade

Cloning and expression analysis of glucanase genes from Phytophthora cinnamomi

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soil-borne pseudofungus belonging to the Class Oomycetes or „water moulds' in the Kingdom Chromista (Figure 1). Is one among the most destructive species of Phytophthora associated to the decline of forestry, ornamental and fruit species, as well as of some 900 other woody perennial plant species Associated with this oomycete is the ink disease of Castanea Sativa Mill. Glucan endo-1,3-β-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.39) catalyzes de hydrolysis of 1,3-β-D-glucoside linkages in callose, laminarin and several carbohydrates found in the cell wall of plants and fungi. It is generally thought that glucanases play a role in plant defense by digesting wall components of the fungal pathogen. In yeast, 1,3-- glucanases have been studied for their role in germination, sporulation, mating and cell growth since they are regulated in cell cycle dependent manner, and are differentially expressed during vegetative growth, mating and the late stages of sporulating diploid. In plant, 1,3--glucanases have been characterized for their major role in plant defence, as well as for their involvement in germination, microsporogenesis and embryogenesis. In oomycetes, glucanases have been studied on a biochemical level for their possible role in hyphal tip growth and branching where there is thought to be a delicate balance between cell wall synthesis and hydrolyses. In the present work, we obtained a fragment with 1231bp of the endo-1,3--glucanase gene by standard PCR, using conserved primers and the whole genomic sequence with 2586 bp was obtained by amplifying the previous sequence by asymmetric PCR. The gene expression was studied during growth in different carbon sources and was also performed a time course of endo-1,3-β-D-glucosidase production