Supercritical CO2 assisted impregnation of ibuprofen on medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA)

This work is financed by national funds from FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the project UIDB/50006/2020 of the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry-LAQV, the project UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences-UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy-i4HB. Liane Meneses and Alexandre Paiva would like to acknowledge FCT for the financial support through SFRH/BD/148510/2019 and IF/01146/2015.In this work, we propose the utilization of scCO2 to impregnate ibuprofen into the mcl- PHA matrix produced by Pseudomonas chlororaphis subs. aurantiaca (DSM 19603). The biopolymer has adhesive properties, is biocompatible and has a melting temperature of 45 °C. Several conditions, namely, pressure (15 and 20 MPa) and impregnation time (30 min, 1 h and 3 h) were tested. The highest ibuprofen content (90.8 ± 6.5 mg of ibuprofen/gPHA) was obtained at 20 MPa and 40 °C, for 1 h, with an impregnation rate of 89 mg/(g.h). The processed mcl-PHA samples suffered a plasticization, as shown by the decrease of 6.5 °C in the Tg, at 20 MPa. The polymer’s crystallinity was also affected concomitantly with the matrices’ ibuprofen content. For all the impregnation conditions tested the release of ibuprofen from the biopolymer followed a type II release profile. This study has demonstrated that the mcl-PHA produced by P. chlororaphis has a great potential for the development of novel topical drug delivery systems.publishersversionpublishe

Numerical study of the unsteady flow in simplified and realistic iliac bifurcation models

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of death and disability worldwide and they are commonly associated with the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaque deposition in the vessel walls, a process denoted as atherosclerosis. This is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease of large-/medium-sized blood vessels that affects blood flow profiles, with the abdominal aorta and its branches being one of the locations prone to the development of this pathology, due to their curvatures and bifurcations. In this regard, the effect of flow patterns was studied and compared for both a simplified three-dimensional model of aorta bifurcation on the iliac arteries and a realistic model of iliac bifurcation, which was constructed from a computational tomography medical image. The flow patterns were analyzed in terms of velocity and wall shear stress distribution, but a special focus was given to the size and location of the recirculation zone. The simulations were performed using the Computational Fluid Dynamics software, FLUENT, taking into account the cardiac cycle profile at the infrarenal aorta. The shear stress and the velocity distribution observed for both models indicated that higher shear stress occurred along the flow divider wall (inner wall) and low shear stress occurred along the outer walls. In addition, the results demonstrated that the wall shear stress profiles were deeply affected by the transient profile of the cardiac cycle, with the deceleration phase being the most critical phase to the occurrence of backflow.This work was supported by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia through the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020, UIDB/04077/2020, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030171, funded by COMPETE2020, NORTE 2020, PORTUGAL 2020, and FEDER

How temperature modulates the expression of pathogenesis-related molecules of the cross-kingdom pathogen Lasiodiplodia hormozganensis

Lasiodiplodia hormozganensis, initially recognized as a fungal plant pathogen, is recognized now acknowledged as a potential threat to humans. However, our understanding of the pathogenesis mechanisms of Lasiodiplodia species remains limited, and the impact of temperature on its pathogenicity is unclear. This study aims to elucidate the effects of temperature on the biology of L. hormozganensis, focusing on the expression of pathogenesis-related molecules and its ability to function as a cross-kingdom pathogen. We conducted experiments at two different temperatures, 25 and 37 °C, analyzing the proteome and transcriptome of L. hormozganensis. Using strain CBS339.90, initially identified as L. theobromae but confirmed through ITS and tef1-α sequence analysis to be L. hormozganensis, we aimed to understand the fungus's protein expression under varying temperature conditions. Results from the functional analysis of the secretome at 25 °C showed a noteworthy presence of proteins related to carbohydrate metabolism, catabolism, plant cell wall degradation, and pathogenesis. However, when grown at 37 °C, the fungus exhibited an increased production of stress response and pathogenesis-related proteins. Our findings identified various pathways crucial for pathogenesis in both plants and humans, suggesting that L. hormozganensis possesses the genetic foundation to infect both hosts. Specific pathogenesis-related proteins, including the phytotoxin snodprot1, aspartic protease aspergillopepsin, and virulence protein SSD1, were also identified. Concluding, we propose a possible mechanism of how L. hormozganensis adapts to different temperatures. The shift in temperature results in the expression of genes that favor human related pathogenesis molecules.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A multi-omics analysis of the grapevine pathogen Lasiodiplodia theobromae reveals that temperature affects the expression of virulence- and pathogenicity-related genes

Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Botryosphaeriaceae, Ascomycota) is a plant pathogen and human opportunist whose pathogenicity is modulated by temperature. The molecular effects of temperature on L. theobromae are mostly unknown, so we used a multi-omics approach to understand how temperature affects the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity. The genome of L. theobromae LA-SOL3 was sequenced (Illumina MiSeq) and annotated. Furthermore, the transcriptome (Illumina TruSeq) and proteome (Orbitrap LC-MS/MS) of LA-SOL3 grown at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C were analysed. Proteins related to pathogenicity (plant cell wall degradation, toxin synthesis, mitogen-activated kinases pathway and proteins involved in the velvet complex) were more abundant when the fungus grew at 25 degrees C. At 37 degrees C, proteins related to pathogenicity were less abundant than at 25 degrees C, while proteins related to cell wall organisation were more abundant. On the other hand, virulence factors involved in human pathogenesis, such as the SSD1 virulence protein, were expressed only at 37 degrees C. Taken together, our results showed that this species presents a typical phytopathogenic molecular profile that is compatible with a hemibiotrophic lifestyle. We showed that L. theobromae is equipped with the pathogenesis toolbox that enables it to infect not only plants but also animals

Aesthetic preference in the transverse orientation of the occlusal plane in rehabilitation: perspective of Laypeople and dentists

The present study had a convenience sample with 236 laypeople and 242 dentists who completed an online questionnaire to choose the most attractive image among six pairs for comparison. Control image: symmetric (parallelism between occlusal plane (OP), commissural line (CL), and interpupillary line (IL)). Change of Control, obtaining three images with a 3-degree inclination of the labial commissures. Image A: OP parallel to IL; Image B: OP parallel to CL; Image C: OP at 1.5 degree mean angulation between IL and CL. Non-parametric comparison (IBM© SPSS Statistics vs. 27.0, p A > C > B (p A > (C not ≠ B). Dentists significantly prefer more the Control and Image A than laypeople (p < 0.001). Sex (single exception in laypeople), age, and dentist’s area of activity did not interfere in the perception of attractiveness. Dentists and laypeople preferred the Control when compared to images with CL canted. In the existence of CL inclination, the preference of the groups was the IL as a reference for OP orientation, with the mean angulation or coincident with the CL being considered less aesthetic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

PIBID/QUÍMICA-UECE: Jogos Didáticos para o Ensino de Química

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Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Antifungals in <em>Candida albicans</em>

Invasive Candidiasis (IC) presents a global mortality rate greater than 40%, occupying the fourth place worldwide as the most frequent opportunistic nosocomial disease. Although the genus Candida consists of around 200 species, only 20 are reported as etiological agents of IC, being Candida albicans the most frequent causal agent. Even when there is a broad range of antifungals drugs for Candida infections, azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins are considered among the most effective treatment. However, there is some incidence for antifungal resistance among some Candida strains, limiting treatment options. Several molecular mechanisms with antifungal agents have been reported for C. albicans where insertions, deletions, and point mutations in genes codifying target proteins are frequently related to the antifungal drug resistance. Furthermore, gene overexpression is also frequently associated to antifungal resistance as well as an increase in the activity of proteins that reduce oxidative damage. This chapter summarizes the main molecular mechanisms to C. albicans antifungal drug resistance, besides offering an overview of new antifungal agents and new antifungal targets to combat fungal infections

Uma coleção de história em um museu de ciências naturais: o Museu Paulista de Hermann von Ihering

Instalado em um edifício-Monumento, data de 1895 a inauguração do Museu Paulista. Seu primeiro diretor, o zoólogo Hermann Von Ihering (1895-1916), teve a tarefa de organizar suas vastas coleções, as quais possuíam objetos de diversos ramos do conhecimento, entre eles, a História. Este artigo tem a intenção de entender a dimensão, dinâmica e concepção desta coleção de História, que recebeu pouca atenção da Historiografia relativa ao tema.The Museu Paulista, installed in a landmark building, was inaugurated in 1895. Its first director, the zoologist Herman von Ihering (1895-1916) undertook the assignment of organizing its extensive collections, which comprehended objects pertaining to varied fields of knowledge, including that of History. The present article aims at understanding the dimension, the dynamics and the conception of this historical collection. Until now little attention has been bestowed upon this subject matter by the specialized historiography

Monitoreo de procesos de ecológicos del Bosque Seco Tropical: Aplicaciones de sensores remotos para estimaciones a nivel de paisaje y el cambio global

Proyecto de Investigación. y extensión (Código VIE: 5402-1401-1012) Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Extensión (VIE). Escuela de Ingeniería Forestal; Alberta University, Canadá; University of Wisconsin; University of Virginia; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas; Agencia de Medio Ambiente. Cuba; Universidad Estatal de Belo Horizonte. Brasil; Universidad de Montes Claros. Brasil; Universidad de Pernambuco. Brasil; Universidad Estatal de Río de Janeiro. Brasil, 2014Este proyecto se encadenó al proyecto ya concluido "Dimensiones humanas, ecológicas y biofísicas de los bosques secos tropicales (código VIE 5402-1401-9001)". Durante su ejecución fue posible dar continuidad al análisis de datos y preparación de publicaciones científicas y académicas pendientes como fenología, dinámica de hojarasca, tasas de crecimiento, mortalidad y reingreso en el bosque seco tropical. También el proyecto trabajo en la preparación de artículos que integran los resultados de tres países: México, Costa Rica y Brasil. Así mismo se continuó con las mediciones de campo de las parcelas y procesos ecológicos para crear una base de datos robusta, actualmente y después de 10 años, estas bases permiten modelar los efectos de cambios climáticos en el comportamiento de los procesos ecológicos de los bosques secos tropicales (Bst). El elemento novedoso de este proyecto fue la instalación de torres de fenología por medio de financiamiento externo y que miden sobre el dosel del bosques seco tropical los cambios temporales de la radiación de onda corta y onda larga, tanto de entrada como de salida. Los cambios en la reflectancia de las hojas se relacionan tanto con el ángulo del sol (que podemos corregir automáticamente) como con la biomasa de hojas. Las torres permiten la colección de datos de campo a cada 15 minutos y estos datos se pueden calibrar con los índices de reflectancia de varios sensores espaciales. Una buena calibración para los diferentes tipos de bosques secos tropicales (las torres operan en Brasil, México y Costa Rica) puede permitir hacer simulaciones del efecto del cambio climático en la productividad de los bosques, su impacto en el ciclo del agua y por ende en las capacidades de fijar carbono. Además, el proyecto fue capaz de instalar una torre con equipo altamente especializado que permite determinar los flujos de CO2 y de vapor de agua del bosque seco tropical mediante la técnica de Covarianza de Flujos Turbulentos. Asociada a esta torre de 22 metros se estableció una parcela de una hectárea que permite caracterizar la huella de CO2 del ecosistema de forma más precisa. Esta hectárea permitirá mejorar la clasificación de imágenes satelitales y aéreas, así como también facilitara el uso de sensores remotos y otras técnicas de teledetección. Desde la perspectiva de los recursos naturales, se aplicó un protocolo comprensivo y estandarizado para reconocer y comparar las clasificaciones espaciales de los Bst, la estructura y composición florística de sus etapas sucesionales, dinámica de la hojarasca, fenología y tasas de crecimiento. Desde la perspectiva de las ciencias sociales, el trabajo que se realizó fue innovador dado que se crearon vínculos con el gobierno, los científicos y las comunidades. Se estudió las interacciones de las comunidades vecinas con los Bst, así como los factores socioeconómicos, políticos y legales que controlan su conservación y manejo. El proyecto fue capaz de generar la siguiente producción académica y científica: 9 artículos indexados, 2 artículos en español, 5 capítulos en libros en inglés, 1 capitulo en un enciclopedia, 20 ponencias en evento nacional, 6 ponencias en eventos internacionales, 10 artículos en borrador, 5 Tesis de pregrado y 2 Tesis de Doctorado. En medios de comunicación, el proyecto decidió ser más austero debido al alto valor de los equipos instalados en el Parque Nacional Santa Rosa para así no llamar la atención para provocar los robos o daños, sin embargo fue posible generar 7 publicaciones en medios impresos/Web y una intervención en radio nacional. En cuanto a la participación de talleres de incidencia política fueron organizados 3 talleres con decisores sobre el estado de los bosques secos en Costa Rica y sobre el potencial de trabajo conjunto entre organizaciones y el proyecto de investigación. Además se organizó una sesión de Simposio en el Congreso indexado de la ATBC y la OET en el año 2013. Adicionalmente se participó en otros 5 talleres organizados por otras instituciones. En total el proyecto recibió y entrenó a 29 estudiantes, de los cuales 9 fueron extranjeros y 20 del TEC, los cuales trabajaron como asistentes de laboratorio y campo entrenándose en el uso de instrumentos, montaje y medición de diseños experimentales, colección y procesamiento de datos y muestras. Actualmente se cuenta con una base de datos de crecimiento de 10 años, así como 4 años de datos de torres de fenología y 1 año y 3 meses de datos de flujos de carbono y vapor de agua, los cuales continuaran siendo analizados en la siguiente etapa del proyecto (código VIE 5402-1401-1028).Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica