Searching for new thermally emitting isolated neutron stars in the 2XMMp catalogue - Discovery of a promising candidate

The group of 7 thermally emitting and radio-quiet isolated neutron stars (INSs) discovered by ROSAT constitutes a nearby population which locally appears to be as numerous as that of the classical radio pulsars. So far, attempts to enlarge this particular group of INSs finding more remote objects failed to confirm any candidate. We found in the 2XMMp catalogue a handful of sources with no catalogued counterparts and with X-ray spectra similar to those of the ROSAT discovered INSs, but seen at larger distances and thus undergoing higher interstellar absorptions. In order to rule out alternative identifications such as an AGN or a CV, we obtained deep ESO-VLT and SOAR optical imaging for the X-ray brightest candidates. We report here on the current status of our search and discuss the possible nature of our candidates. We focus particularly on the X-ray brightest source of our sample, 2XMM J104608.7-594306, observed serendipitously over more than four years by the XMM-Newton Observatory. A lower limit on the X-ray to optical flux ratio of ~ 300 together with a stable flux and soft X-ray spectrum make it the most promising thermally emitting INS candidate. Beyond the finding of new members, our study aims at constraining the space density of this population at large distances and at determining whether their apparently high local density is an anomaly or not.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, proceedings of the conference "40 Years of Pulsars", 12-17 August 2007, Montreal, Canad

XMM-Newton reveals a candidate period for the spin of the "Magnificent Seven" neutron star RX J1605.3+3249

The group of thermally emitting isolated neutron stars (INSs) known as the "Magnificent Seven" (M7) is unique among the various neutron star populations. Crustal heating by means of magnetic field decay and an evolutionary link with magnetars may explain why these objects rotate more slowly and have higher thermal luminosities and magnetic field intensities than standard pulsars of similar age. The third brightest INS, RX J1605.3+3249, is the only object amidst the seven still lacking a detected periodicity. We observed the source with the XMM-Newton Observatory for 60 ks aiming at unveiling the neutron star rotation rate and investigating its spectrum in detail. A periodic signal at P=3.387864(16) s, most likely the neutron star spin period, is detected at the 4-sigma confidence level. The coherent combination of the new data with a past XMM-Newton EPIC-pn observation of the source constrains the pulsar spin-down rate at the 2-sigma confidence level, implying a dipolar magnetic field of B~7.4e13 G. If confirmed, RX J1605.3+3249 would be the neutron star with the highest dipolar field amongst the M7. The spectrum of the source shows evidence of a cool blackbody component, as well as for the presence of two broad absorption features. Furthermore, high-resolution spectroscopy with the RGS cameras confirms the presence of a narrow absorption feature at energy 0.57 keV in the co-added spectrum of the source, also seen in other thermally emitting isolated neutron stars. Phase-resolved spectroscopy, as well as a dedicated observing campaign aimed at determining a timing solution, will give invaluable constraints on the neutron star geometry and will allow one to confirm the high value of spin down, which would place the source closer to a magnetar than any other M7 INS.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures; accepted for publication in A&A (revised version after language editing; results unchanged

Chemical Profile and Biological Activities of Brassica rapa and Brassica napus Ex Situ Collection from Portugal

This study aimed to analyse the chemical profile and biological activities of 29 accessions of Brassica rapa (turnips) and 9 of Brassica napus (turnips and seeds) collections, maintained ex situ in Portugal. HPLC-HRMS allowed the determination of glucosinolates (GLS) and polyphenolic compounds. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were determined by using relevant assays. The chemical profiles showed that glucosamine, gluconasturtiin, and neoglucobrassin were the most abundant GLS in the extracts from the turnip accessions. Minor forms of GLS include gluconapoleiferin, glucobrassicanapin, glucoerucin, glucobrassin, and 4-hydroxyglucobrassin. Both species exhibited strong antioxidant activity, attributed to glucosinolates and phenolic compounds. The methanol extracts of Brassica rapa accessions were assessed against a panel of five Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar, and Yersinia enterocolitica) and three Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus). The extracts exhibited activity against S. enterica and S. aureus, and two showed inhibitory activity against E. coli and Y. enterocolitica. This study provides valuable insights into the chemical composition and biological properties of Brassica rapa and Brassica napus collections in Portugal. The selected accessions can constitute potential sources of natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds, which can be used in breeding programs and improving human health and to promote healthy food systems.Work developed within the project was financially supported by PDR2020-7.8.4-FEADER-784- 042736 Conservação e melhoramento de Hortícolas and Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020), and Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE) is supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) through Projects UIDB/00100/2020 and UIDP/00100/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biological activity of pumpkin byproducts: antimicrobial and antioxidant properties

Pumpkin fruits are widely appreciated and consumed worldwide. In addition to their balanced nutritional profile, pumpkin species also present valuable bioactive compounds that confer biological and pharmacological properties to them. However, the seeds, peels, and fibrous strands resulting from pumpkin processing are still poorly explored by the food industry. The current study used those fruit components from the genotypes of pumpkin that are economically significant in Portugal and Algeria to produce bioactive extracts. In order to support their usage as preservatives, their phenolic content (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) and antioxidant (OxHLIA and TBARS) and antimicrobial properties (against eight bacterial and two fungal strains) were assessed. In terms of phenolic profile, the peel of the Portuguese ‘Common Pumpkin’ showed the most diversified profile and also the highest concentration of total phenolic compounds, with considerable concentrations of (-)-epicatechin. Regarding the antioxidant capacity, the seeds of ‘Butternut Squash’ from both countries stood out, while the fibrous strands of Portuguese ‘Butternut Squash’ and the seeds of Algerian ‘Gold Nugget Pumpkin’ revealed the strongest antimicrobial activity. The bioactive compounds identified in the pumpkin byproducts may validate their enormous potential as a source of bio-based preservatives that may enhance consumers’ health and promote a circular economy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Jitter, Shimmer and HNR classification within gender, tones and vowels in healthy voices

A statistical analysis of the Jitter, Shimmer and Harmonic to Noise Ratio parameters was applied to classify and compare genders, vowels and tones of healthy voices. Different type of speech records has used for the comparison, namely records with sustained vowels /a/, /i/ and /u/ at High, Low and Neutral tones. A gender comparison has made denoting differences only in Jitter parameter. The parameters determined in recorded vowels /a/, /i/ and /u/ has also compared and the Kruskal Wallis statistical test showed differences for parameters rap, Shim, ShdB, apq3, apq5 and HNR. High, Low and Neutral tones has compared using the same statistical test denoting statistical differences for all Jitter, Shimmer and HNR parameters. A statistical classification of the mean and standard values for these parameters on healthy voices is also presented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Human naïve regulatory T-cells feature high steady-state turnover and are maintained by IL-7

Naïve FoxP3-expressing regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are essential to control immune responses via continuous replenishment of the activated-Treg pool with thymus-committed suppressor cells. The mechanisms underlying naïve-Treg maintenance throughout life in face of the age-associated thymic involution remain unclear. We found that in adults thymectomized early in infancy the naïve-Treg pool is remarkably well preserved, in contrast to conventional naïve CD4 T-cells. Naïve-Tregs featured high levels of cycling and pro-survival markers, even in healthy individuals, and contrasted with other circulating naïve/memory CD4 T-cell subsets in terms of their strong γc-cytokine-dependent signaling, particularly in response to IL-7. Accordingly, ex-vivo stimulation of naïve-Tregs with IL-7 induced robust cytokine-dependent signaling, Bcl-2 expression, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent proliferation, whilst preserving naïve phenotype and suppressive capacity. Altogether, our data strongly implicate IL-7 in the thymus-independent long-term survival of functional naïve-Tregs, and highlight the potential of targeting the IL-7 pathway to modulate Tregs in different clinical settings.This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT; POCI2010/IC/83068/2007 to RMMV; PTDC/SAU-MIC/109786/2009 to AES), and Gulbenkian Foundation (96526/2009 to JF; P132532/2013 to AES). SLS, ASA, RBF, ARP, PM and SMF received FCT scholarships

Hábitos alimentares e sucesso académico em estudantes universitários

INTRODUÇÃO Existe uma relação entre os hábitos alimentares e o desempenho académico dos estudantes universitários. Um comportamento alimentar saudável para além de fornecer energia e bem-estar, permite um melhor desenvolvimento físico e mental. Este estudo teve como objetivo a realização de uma revisão sistemática sobre a relação entre os hábitos alimentares e o sucesso escolar, em estudantes universitários. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática de acordo com as normas PRISMA e foi avaliada a qualidade de evidência segundo o sistema GRADE. Utilizou-se a seguinte combinação de palavras-chave: “university students” AND “eating habits” AND “academic performance”. Foram incluídos todos os artigos em texto integral (Web of Science) que relacionam hábitos alimentares e desempenho académico em estudantes universitários. RESULTADOS/DISCUSSÃO De 53 citações obtidas, apenas 2 cumprem os critérios de inclusão nesta revisão. Ambos os estudos são transversais envolvendo um total de 821 participantes, com idades entre 18 e 25 anos e performance escolar avaliada pelo GPA (escala de 0 a 10). Ambos os artigos demonstram um aumento significativo da performance escolar com o aumento da frequência semanal de pequeno almoço e um deles demonstra uma redução significativa da performance escolar com o aumento da frequência semanal de “fast food”. CONCLUSÃO Este estudo realça a importância da promoção de comportamentos alimentares saudáveis, nos estudantes universitários, pelo impacto que estes comportamentos têm na performance escolar.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

INOVPESCA - Redução de capturas acidentais de espécies marinhas protegidas em pescarias costeiras algarvias: inovação de procedimentos e técnicas de mitigação

Relatório técnico iNOVPESCA, Programa MAR2020, MAR-16-01-03-FMP-0020, Universidade do Algarve, CCMARO presente relatório é uma iniciativa do Projecto iNOVPESCA, com o objetivo de documentar o trabalho desenvolvido ao longo do projeto (2018-2021) e incentivar a implementação voluntária de medidas que contribuam para uma melhoria da relação entre as pescas e as espécies marinhas protegidas, especialmente de cetáceos, contribuindo para a sustentabilidade ambiental com a redução de capturas acidentais e sustentabilidade económica do sector das pescarias costeiras Algarvias, podendo servir de exemplo a nível nacional. Este trabalho pretende ser um documento de referência sobre o nível de interação que existe entre pescarias costeiras ao longo da costa algarvia com espécies marinhas protegidas (cetáceos, aves marinhas e tartarugas), e por outro lado, pode servir como aconselhamento para todas as entidades que beneficiam das pescas e que necessitam desta atividade para o seu desenvolvimento económico e social. Para isso foi desenvolvida uma linha de orientação sobre boas práticas assente em dois aspetos chave: - Contribuir para a consciencialização, informação e treino de todas as partes interessadas, no que se refere a medidas de mitigação de conflitos entre pescas e espécies marinhas protegidas; - Promover o uso de práticas responsáveis de pesca e otimizar, em cooperação com o sector pesqueiro, soluções que ajudem a diminuir a mortalidade acidental de cetáceos ou outras espécies protegidas (ex. aves marinhas e tartarugas marinhas) e evitar situações que contribuam para perdas económicas para o pescador (como por exemplo, danos nas artes e perda ou danos no pescado por predação). As interações entre espécies marinhas protegidas e as pescas são um problema mundial com duas componentes importantes, a da conservação, quando os animais como captura não intencional ficam presos nas artes de pesca acabando por morrer, e a socioeconómica quando os animais causam danos nas artes de pesca e na captura alvo dos pescadores.Programa MAR2020, MAR-16-01-03-FMP-0020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Study of reactions induced by 6He on 9Be

We present the results of experiments using a 6He beam on a 9Be target at\ud energies 7 − 9 times the Coulomb barrier. Angular distributions of the elastic, inelastic\ud scattering (target breakup) and the -particle production in the 6He+9Be collision have\ud been analysed. Total reaction cross sections were obtained from the elastic scattering\ud analyses and a considerable enhancement has been observed by comparing to stable systems.FAPESPFundação Araucári

Pharmacological inhibition of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) induces global transcriptional deregulation and ultrastructural alterations that impair viability in Schistosoma mansoni

Treatment and control of schistosomiasis still rely on only one effective drug, praziquantel (PZQ) and, due to mass treatment, the increasing risk of selecting for schistosome strains that are resistant to PZQ has alerted investigators to the urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies. The histone-modifying enzymes (HMEs) represent promising targets for the development of epigenetic drugs against Schistosoma mansoni. In the present study, we targeted the S. mansoni lysine-specific demethylase 1 (SmLSD1), a transcriptional corepressor, using a novel and selective synthetic inhibitor, MC3935, which was used to treat schistosomula and adult worms in vitro. By using cell viability assays and optical and electron microscopy, we showed that treatment with MC3935 affected parasite motility, egg-laying, tegument, and cellular organelle structures, culminating in the death of schistosomula and adult worms. In silico molecular modeling and docking analysis suggested that MC3935 binds to the catalytic pocket of SmLSD1. Western blot analysis revealed that MC3935 inhibited SmLSD1 demethylation activity of H3K4me1/2. Knockdown of SmLSD1 by RNAi recapitulated MC3935 phenotypes in adult worms. RNA-Seq analysis of MC3935-treated parasites revealed significant differences in gene expression related to critical biological processes. Collectively, our findings show that SmLSD1 is a promising drug target for the treatment of schistosomiasis and strongly support the further development and in vivo testing of selective schistosome LSD1 inhibitors