Epithelial and cellular innate immune responses of Anopheline mosquitoes to Plasmodium parasites

Anopheles gambiae is the most prominent vector of human malaria in Africa. The causative agents of this disastrous disease are unicellular eukaryotic parasites of the genus Plasmodium which are transmitted to humans by infected female mosquitoes when they take a blood meal. During its development in the mosquito, Plasmodium undergoes massive losses suggesting that mosquitoes are able to mount an immune response that limits parasite infection. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying parasite invasion, immune evasion, its recognition and killing via the vector are not well understood. We have functionally analysed the orthologous SRPN6 genes from Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles gambiae and showed that they are specifically expressed in midgut cells invaded by Plasmodium ookinetes. Phenotypic analysis via RNAi knock down indicates that AsSRPN6 is involved in the parasite killing process, whereas AgSRPN6 acts on parasite clearance, by promoting parasite lysis. Furthermore, SRPN6 is also a parasite induced salivary gland epithelial marker located at the basal side of epithelial cells in proximity to invading sporozoites. Knockdown of SRPN6 had no effect on oocyst rupture but significantly increased the number of sporozoites present in salivary glands. Midgut invasion is vital for the parasite life cycle progression. We show that Δpplp5 ookinetes cannot invade midgut epithelial cells and are retained attached to the midgut, possibly, due to the fact that, these mutant parasites can not form pores in the plasma membrane. Haemocytes secrete immune factors such as opsonins, proteases and their negative regulators as well as antimicrobial peptides, all crucial for immune responses. We report the first genome wide molecular characterisation of Anopheles gambiae circulating haemocytes, presenting a list of 1587 genes we strongly suggest are expressed by these cells

Wolbachia surface protein induces innate immune responses in mosquito cells

BACKGROUND: Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria are capable of inducing chronic upregulation of insect immune genes in some situations and this phenotype may influence the transmission of important insect-borne pathogens. However the molecules involved in these interactions have not been characterized. RESULTS: Here we show that recombinant Wolbachia Surface Protein (WSP) stimulates increased transcription of immune genes in mosquito cells derived from the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, which is naturally uninfected with Wolbachia; at least two of the upregulated genes, TEP1 and APL1, are known to be important in Plasmodium killing in this species. When cells from Aedes albopictus, which is naturally Wolbachia-infected, were challenged with WSP lower levels of upregulation were observed than for the An. gambiae cells. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that WSP is a strong immune elicitor in a naturally Wolbachia-uninfected mosquito species (Anopheles gambiae) while a milder elicitor in a naturally-infected species (Aedes albopictus). Since the WSP of a mosquito non-native (nematode) Wolbachia strain was used, these data suggest that there is a generalized tolerance to WSP in Ae. albopictus

Project management practices for collaborative university-industry R&D: a hybrid approach

This paper aims to help stakeholders involved in collaborative university-industry R&D initiatives by presenting a hybrid project management (PM) approach, with a set of key distinct PM practices for this particular context. Collaborative university-industry R&D initiatives are usually organized as programs with a set of related projects associated. Therefore, a hybrid PM approach was developed based on a case study research strategy. During the large case study analysis two research methods were applied: participant observation and document analysis. The hybrid management approach was developed based on the contingency theory, which identifies a set of 24 Must Have PM practices, and that are transversal to all projects in the program as the program governance must have to be assured. Additionally, it identifies three different sets of Nice to Have PM practices, which are optional and are dependent on the particular project context and PM approach adopted by each project team: waterfall or agile. Overall 32 Nice to Have PM practices were identified, being 15 of them agile, 3 waterfall and the 14 remaining transversal to both agile and waterfall approaches.This research is sponsored by the Portugal Incentive System for Research and Technological Development. Project in co-promotion nº 002814/2015 (iFACTORY 2015-2018) and by the FCT (SFRH/BPD/111033/2015)

400G Frequency-Hybrid Superchannel for the 62.5 GHz Slot

We experimentally demonstrate a PM-16QAM/64QAM triple-carrier 400G superchannel compatible with the 62.5 GHz grid. The optimum power ratio between carriers is analytically determined using the EGN model, enabling a maximum reach of 1700 km

An Analysis of the Mechanisms Influencing Health, Sleep, Life Satisfaction, and Emotional Well-Being

Ferreira, M. B., de Almeida, F., Soro, J. C., Herter, M. M., Pinto, D. C., & Silva, C. S. (2021). On the Relation Between Over-Indebtedness and Well-Being: An Analysis of the Mechanisms Influencing Health, Sleep, Life Satisfaction, and Emotional Well-Being. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1-14. [591875]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.591875This paper aims to explore the association between over-indebtedness and two facets of well-being – life satisfaction and emotional well-being. Although prior research has associated over-indebtedness with lower life satisfaction, this study contributes to the extant literature by revealing its effects on emotional well-being, which is a crucial component of well-being that has received less attention. Besides subjective well-being (SWB), reported health, and sleep quality were also assessed. The findings suggest that over-indebted (compared to non-over-indebted) consumers have lower life satisfaction and emotional well-being, as well as poorer (reported) health and sleep quality. Furthermore, over-indebtedness impacts life satisfaction and emotional well-being through different mechanisms. Consumers decreased perceived control accounts for the impact of over-indebtedness on both facets of well-being (as well as on reported health and sleep). Financial well-being (a specific component of life satisfaction), partly mediates the impact of indebtedness status on overall life satisfaction. The current study contributes to research focusing on the relationship between indebtedness, well-being, health, and sleep quality, and provides relevant theoretical and practical implications.publishersversionpublishe

Real-Time Demonstration of Low-Complexity Time-Domain Chromatic Dispersion Equalization

We demonstrate real-time CD equalization (CDE) for coherent optical transmission systems using a low complexity time-domain (TD) multiplierless finite-impulse response (FIR)-based equalizer, based on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation. The real-time operation is performed for a single-channel 2.5 Gb/s QPSK optical signal with a performance penalty of only 0.15 dB with respect to the maximum performance. The hardware complexity is also evaluated in terms of occupation in a Virtex-6 FPGA-XC6VLX240T, revealing the high efficiency of the proposed CDE algorithm

Cymoxanil inhibits respiration through inhibition of mitochondrial complex IV

Cymoxanil is a synthetic acetamide fungicide, used against oomycetes. It was first introduced in 1977 and can be used against downy mildew diseases induced by Plasmopara viticola in grapevine cultures and late blight diseases caused by Phytophthora infestans, in tomatoes and potatoes cultures. This fungicide is used in mixed formulations and its higher solubility enables a relatively widespread occurrence in toxic concentrations in aquatic environments. Although it has been used over the years, its biochemical mode of action is not yet known. Some studies reported that cymoxanil affects growth, respiration, DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and RNA polymerase activity of Phytophthora infestans, and it was reported to inhibit cell growth and biomass production and decrease the respiration rate of S. cerevisiae. Using yeast S. cerevisiae as model, we further characterized its effect on mitochondria. We found that whole cells treated with cymoxanil present a higher inhibition of oxygen consumption after 3 h of treatment that remains over time. Using isolated mitochondria, we observe that cymoxanil inhibits respiratory rate of yeast cells by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation, through inhibition of complex IV activity. Although other targets cannot be excluded, our data provide new information about mode of action of cymoxanil that can be instrumental to drive informed management regarding the use of this fungicide.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of dopants and DBD plasma treatment on the conductivity of fabrics impregnated with PEDOT:PSS

Conductive properties are paving the way to produce smart textiles with a robust framework, so the development of electroconductive textiles is an area with growing interest. Poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), is a conductive polymer widely used to impart conductivity to textiles. An increase of the conductivities is possible through the addition of secondary dopants to the conductive polymers, such as glycerol (GLY) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment improves the adhesion of coatings by modifying the surface of textiles. Herein, electrically conductive textiles for heat generation were prepared and characterized. Polyester (PES, DBD plasma-treated and not treated) fabrics were impregnated in a padding system with five layers of conductive solutions: PEDOT:PSS; PEDOT:PSS + GLY 5%; and, PEDOT:PSS + DMSO 7%

Prognostic indicators for poor outcomes in low back pain patients consulted in primary care

SAICT-POL/23439/2016| LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-023439). This Grant covers all the planned activities for this study including, the design of the study, data collection, data analysis and interpretation and the writing of this manuscript.The funder did not play any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of this manuscriptBackground Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition in western countries and is associated with persistent disability and high consumption of health care resources. NSLBP patients first seek primary health care services but the outcomes are often uncertain. This study aimed to examine the clinical course of the outcomes and to identify prognostic indicators for poor outcomes in NSLBP patients who consulted primary care. Methods A prospective cohort study of 115 patients seeking treatment for NSLBP in primary care was conducted. Participants were consecutively recruited by their General Practitioners (GPs) and then assessed at baseline and 2 and 6 months later. Baseline assessment included socio-demographic and clinical data, psychosocial factors, pain, disability, and health related quality of life (HRQoL). Pain, disability, HRQoL and global perception of change were also assessed at 2 and 6-months’ follow-up. In addition, information regarding the GP’ practice was collected. Poor outcomes were determined according to the cut-off point used to define a persistent disabling condition and the minimal important change established for disability, pain and for global perception of change. The relationship between variables on baseline and poor outcomes was modulated through binary logistic regression analysis. The significance of associations was evaluated at ≤ 0.05 p-value with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Results 110 (94.8%) and 104 (89.7%) participants completed the follow-up assessment at 2 and 6 months, respectively. The mean age (±SD) was 48.06 ± 11.41, with 53.9%, (N = 62) reporting an acute presentation of NSLBP. Six months after GP consultation, 53.8% (N = 56) of the participants reported a persistent disabling condition. An “LBP episode of less than 12 weeks” [AOR: 0.26; 95% CI (0.10, 0.65); AOR: 0.34; 95% CI (0.14, 0.81); AOR: 0.21; 95% CI (0.09, 0.53)],”maladaptive psychosocial factors” [AOR: 2.06; 95% CI (1.40, 3.04); AOR: 1.82; 95% CI (1.27, 2.59); AOR: 1.72; 95% CI (1.20, 2.47)] were significantly associated with poor outcomes on disability, pain and global perception of change, respectively. Besides these factors, being employed reduces the chances of poor outcomes on disability [AOR 0.31; 95% CI (0.11, 0.92)]. Conclusions A large proportion of LBP patients seeking primary health care reported poor outcomes 6 months after GP consultation. Patients who report chronic LBP, maladaptive psychosocial factors and are unemployed have a significant increase in the risk of poor outcome. These findings suggest the need of implementing effective models of care able to provide early screening and appropriate treatment to those at greatest risk of a poor outcome.publishersversionpublishe

Active neutralizing mats for corrosive chemical storage

Laboratories and industries that handle chemicals are ubiquitously prone to leakages. These may occur in storage rooms, cabinets or even in temporary locations, such as workbenches and shelves. A relevant number of these chemicals are corrosive, thus commercial products already exist to prevent material damage and injuries. One strategy consists of the use of absorbing mats, where few display neutralizing properties, and even less a controlled neutralization. Nevertheless, to the authors’ knowledge, the commercially available neutralizing mats are solely dedicated to neutralizing acid or alkali solutions, never both. Therefore, this work describes the development and proof of a completely novel concept, where a dual component active mat (DCAM) is able to perform a controlled simultaneous neutralization of acid and alkali leakages by using microencapsulated active components. Moreover, its active components comprise food-grade ingredients, embedded in nonwoven polypropylene. The acid neutralizing mats contain sodium carbonate (Na2CO3 ) encapsulated in sodium alginate microcapsules (MC-ASC). Alkali neutralizing mats possess commercial encapsulated citric acid in hydrogenated palm oil (MIRCAP CT 85-H). A DCAM encompasses both MC-ASC and MIRCAP CT 85-H and was able to neutralize solutions up to 10% (v/v) of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The efficacy of the neutralization was assessed by direct titration and using pH strip measurement tests to simulate the leakages. Due to the complexity of neutralization efficacy evaluation based solely on pH value, a thorough conductivity study was performed. DCAM reduced the conductivity of HCl and NaOH (1% and 2% (v/v)) in over 70%. The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The size of MC-ASC microcapsules ranged from 2 µm to 8 µm. Finally, all mat components displayed thermal stability above 150 ◦C