A current overview

Yeast adaptation to stress has been extensively studied. It involves large reprogramming of genome expression operated by many, more or less specific, transcription factors. Here, we review our current knowledge on the function of the eight Yap transcription factors (Yap1 to Yap8) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which were shown to be involved in various stress responses. More precisely, Yap1 is activated under oxidative stress, Yap2/Cad1 under cadmium, Yap4/Cin5 and Yap6 under osmotic shock, Yap5 under iron overload and Yap8/Arr1 by arsenic compounds. Yap3 and Yap7 seem to be involved in hydroquinone and nitrosative stresses, respectively. The data presented in this article illustrate how much knowledge on the function of these Yap transcription factors is advanced. The evolution of the Yap family and its roles in various pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungal species is discussed in the last section.publishersversionpublishe

Microwave- and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Cucurbita pepo Seeds: A Comparison Study of Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Profile, and In-Vitro Cells Effects

Nowadays there is a growing demand for nutraceuticals to prevent diseases related to redox imbalances, such as atherosclerosis and diabetes, being crucial to search for new matrixes rich in bioactive compounds. This work aims to characterize the value-added compounds extracted from Curcubita pepo seeds using green methodologies, namely microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), employing water as an extracting solvent for two ratios (condition 1: 1 mg/20 mL; condition 2: 2.5 mg/20 mL). The extract with the best antioxidant/antiradical activity in FRAP (71.09 μmol FSE/g DW) and DPPH (5.08 mg TE/g DW) assays was MAE condition 1, while MAE condition 2 exhibited the highest activity in the ABTS assay (13.29 mg AAE/g DW) and TPC (16.89 mg GAE/g DW). A remarkable scavenging capacity was observed, particularly for HOCl, with IC50 values ranging from 1.88–13.50 μg/mL. A total of 21 phenolic compounds were identified, being catechin (4.567–7.354 mg/g DW), caffeine (1.147–2.401 mg/g DW) and gallic acid (0.945–1.337 mg/g DW) predominant. No adverse effects were observed on Caco-2 viability after exposure to MAE extracts, while the other conditions led to a slight viability decrease in NSC-34. These results highlighted that the extract from MAE condition 2 is the most promising as a potential nutraceutical ingredient.This research was funded by UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020 by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (MCTES) through national funds. Ana Margarida Silva (SFRH/BD/144994/2019) and Ana Sofia Ferreira (2020.07519.BD) are thankful for the Ph.D. grants financed by POPH‐QREN and subsidized by the European Science Foundation and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior. Manuela M. Moreira (CEECIND/02702/2017) and Francisca Rodrigues (CEECIND/01886/2020) are thankful for their contracts financed by FCT/MCTES—CEEC Individual Program Contract.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ADENOPATIA CERVICAL COMO MANIFESTAÇÃO DE CANCRO DO CÓLON

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide, being the third most common cancer diagnosed and corresponding to the second cause of death by cancer. Approximately 25% of patients have already disseminated disease at the time of diagnosis. Case Report: We present the case of a 68-year-old female patient presented with complaints of cervical mass. She was then submitted to a biopsy of the cervical adenopathy that revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma tissue with probable gastrointestinal origin. A work-up was performed and revealed a sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. Due to associated morbidities she was submitted to supportive treatment. Discussion: This case demonstrates the singularity of metastatic pattern in colon carcinoma. The mechanism of distant lymph node metastases in colorectal cancer still remains uncertain, nevertheless this represents an advanced stage of the disease that bears a poor prognosis. Conclusion: Few reports in the literature showed a good outcome with primary tumor excision and adjuvant chemotherapy but this decision should be discussed in a multidisciplinary team in order to decide the best treatment option for each patient.Introdução: O cancro colorectal é um dos cancros mais frequentes a nível mundial, sendo o terceiro cancro mais frequentemente diagnosticado e corresponde à segunda causa de morte por cancro. Cerca de 25% dos doentes apresentam doença disseminada à data de diagnóstico. Caso Clínico: Os autores apresentam o caso de uma doente de 68 anos, do sexo feminino, que se apresentou com queixas de uma tumefacção cervical. Foi posteriormente submetida a biópsia excisional que revelou a presença de metástase de adenocarcinoma provavelmente intestinal. Foi realizado o estudo complementar com identificação de um adenocarcinoma do cólon sigmoide. Devido às morbilidades associadas foi oferecido tratamento de suporte. Discussão: Este caso representa a singularidade do padrão de metastização do cancro do cólon. O mecanismo de metastização ganglionar à distância não se encontra totalmente esclarecido, no entanto, representa um estadio de doença avançado com um mau prognóstico associado. Conclusão: Alguns casos na literatura demonstraram bons resultados com a excisão do tumor primário seguida de quimioterapia adjuvante, esta decisão deve ser realizada por uma equipa multidisciplinar de forma a avaliar a melhor opção terapêutica para cada doente

A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study

Funding Information: We thank the EpiDoc Unit and EpiReumaPt team for conceptualising, planning, and implementing the main research project. We would like to acknowledge that the present publication was supported by Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, IP national support through CHRC (UIDP/04923/2020). Funding Information: This work was supported by an independent research grant from Pfizer. DC received national funding through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I. P. under the Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/148420/2019Background: Hip/knee osteoarthritis (HKOA) is a leading cause of disability and imposes a major socioeconomic burden. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of HKOA in Portugal, characterised the clinical severity of HKOA in the population, and identified sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors associated with higher clinical and radiographic severity. Methods: Participants with a diagnosis of HKOA from the EpiReumaPt study (2011–2013) were included (n = 1,087). Hip/knee osteoarthritis diagnosis was made through a structured evaluation by rheumatologists according to American College of Rheumatology criteria. Clinical severity was classified based on Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (HOOS) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (KOOS) score tertiles. Radiographic severity was classified based on the Kellgren-Lawrence grades as mild, moderate, or severe. Sociodemographic lifestyle and clinical variables, including the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms, were analysed. Factors associated with higher clinical and radiographic severity were identified using ordinal logistic regression models. Results: Hip/knee osteoarthritis diagnosis was present in 14.1% of the Portuguese population [12.4% with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and 2.9% with hip OA]. Clinical severity was similar between people with hip (HOOS = 55.79 ± 20.88) and knee (KOOS = 55.33 ± 20.641) OA. People in the high HOOS/KOOS tertile tended to be older (64.39 ± 0.70 years), female (75.2%), overweight (39.0%) or obese (45.9%), and had multimorbidity (86.1%). Factors significantly associated with higher clinical severity tertile were age [55–64 years: odds ratio (OR) = 3.18; 65–74 years: OR = 3.25; ≥75 years: OR = 4.24], female sex (OR = 1.60), multimorbidity (OR = 1.75), being overweight (OR = 2.01) or obese (OR = 2.82), and having anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.83). Years of education was inversely associated with higher clinical severity. Factors significantly associated with higher radiographic severity were age (65–74 years: OR = 3.59; ≥75 years: OR = 3.05) and being in the high HOOS/KOOS tertile (OR = 4.91). Being a female and live in Lisbon or in the Centre region were inversely associated with the higher radiographic severity. Conclusion: Hip/knee osteoarthritis is present in ~1.1 million of Portuguese people. Age, educational level, and obesity are independently associated with HKOA clinical severity, whereas age, sex, geographic location, and clinical severity are independently associated with radiographic severity.publishersversionpublishe

Eco-friendly ZnO/chitosan bionanocomposites films for packaging of fresh poultry meat

UID/EMS/04077/2019 UID/QUI/50006/2019 UID/QUI/00100/2019 Contrato No: IST-ID/154/2018) under Decree-Law No. 57/2016 and 57/2017.The advances on the development of novel materials capable to enhance the shelf life of food products may contribute to reduce the current worldwide food waste problem. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and due to their good antimicrobial properties are suitable to be applied as active compounds in food packaging. ZnO NPs were synthesized to be tested in active bionanocomposites through an eco-friendlier route using apple peel wastes. This work aimed to develop bionanocomposites based on chitosan and incorporated with ZnO NPs to characterize its bioactivity via in vitro and in situ studies, using fresh poultry meat as the food matrix. Overall, bio-based biodegradable films presented good antimicrobial activity, being the intrinsic antimicrobial properties of chitosan enhanced by the ZnO NPs added on the system. When used as primary packaging of the meat, the samples protected with the films presented a decrease on the deterioration speed, which was represented by the preservation of the initial reddish color of the meat and reduction on the oxidation process and microbiological growth. The nanoparticles enhanced especially the antioxidant properties of the films and proved to be potential food preservatives agents to be used in active food packaging.publishersversionpublishe

Probiotic edible films from bacterial cellulose/cashew tree gum

Edible films are thin layers of biopolymer-based materials, which are expected to help the packaging system in protecting food against environmental factors. Besides passive protection, edible films may also be carriers of active/bioactive components. Probiotic films are expected not only to bring health benefits to the consumers, but also to extend food microbial shelf life due to competitive effects of probiotics1. Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been presented as a promising matrix for immobilization of probiotics, protecting them against adverse factors e.g. stomach pH2. In this study, BC was combined to cashew tree gum (CG) to produce an edible film carrying a probiotic bacteria (Bacillus coagulans). CG was used to decrease the viscosity of film forming dispersions. Four films were produced: BC/CG/Pro (containing the probiotic B. coagulans), BC/CG/Pre (containing the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides FOS), BC/CG/Syn (containing both probiotic and prebiotic, making it synbiotic), and BC/CG (a control film). The presence of the probiotic and/or prebiotic affected the tensile properties of the films, especially the tensile strength. The survival rate of the probiotic on film drying and storage was increased by the presence of FOS. An in vitro digestibility test was also carried out on films, demonstrating that the bacteria in BC/CG/Pro films exhibited an enhanced survival rate on gastric environment when compared to the free probiotic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus epidermidis colonizing veterinary staff and students

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Diversidade da fauna de insectos fitófagos e de inimigos naturais em culturas frutícolas da ilha Terceira, Açores: a importância do maneio e da heterogeneidade ambiental

"A evidência mostra que os artrópodes constituem uma fracção importante da biodiversidade estrutural e funcional dos habitats terrestres (Kim, 1993). Por outro lado, só é possível conservar os processos ecológicos associados aos artrópodes promovendo a gestão correcta dos seus habitats. Para tal, é necessária uma correcta identificação e caracterização das suas comunidades de forma a promover a sua boa gestão. Durante os últimos anos têm sido realizados nos Açores vários estudos de inventariação e caracterização ecológica dos artrópodes em alguns dos habitats mais importantes destas ilhas: i) habitat cavernícola (Borges & Oromí, 1994); ii) pastagens semi-naturais e intensivas (Borges & Brown, 2001, 2003, 2004); iii) florestas nativas dos Açores (Borges et al., 2000, 2005a, b, 2006; Ribeiro et al., 2005). No entanto, na diversidade de usos do solo das ilhas açoreanas, as fruteiras constituem um habitat mal estudado em termos da cadeia trófica de artrópodes (contudo ver Oliveira, 2002). […]" (da Introdução)

a cross-sectional population-based study

Funding Information: We thank Prof. Carla Nunes (NOVA National School of Public Health – Universidade NOVA de Lisboa) for the valuable insights and discussions in the conceptualization of this project. We thank the EpiDoc Unit and EpiReumaPt team for conceptualizing, planning, and implementing the main research project. We also acknowledge the support of CHRC (UIDP/04923/2020), granted by national funds through Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, IP. Funding Information: This study received funding from an independent research grant (ID: 64165707) by Pfizer, and the first author received a grant from Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, IP under the PhD grant SFRH/BD/148420/2019. The funders were not involved in study design; collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; or writing this article or the decision to submit it for publication. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).Background: Pain due to knee and / or hip osteoarthritis (HKOA) is the most common symptom for seeking healthcare. Pain interferes on daily activities, social and occupational participation in people with HKOA. The goal of this study is to estimate the prevalence of unmanageable pain levels (UPL) among people with HKOA), characterize this population and identify factors associated with UPL, and compare therapeutic strategies used by people with UPL versus manageable pain levels (MPL). Methods: We analysed data from the EpiReumaPt study (n = 10,661), that included a representative sample of the Portuguese population. Among these, 1081 participants had a validated diagnosis of HKOA by a rheumatologist. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related data were collected in a structured interview. Pain intensity (NPRS) data were collected in a medical appointment. Painmedication (last month), physiotherapy and surgery were considered as therapies for pain management. UPL was defined as a mean pain intensity in the previous week of ≥5 points on 11-point numeric pain rating scale. The factors associated with UPL were analyzed with logistic regression (p < 0.05, 95%CI). The effect of unmanageable pain levels was assessed by the HOOS/KOOS activities of daily living and quality of life subscales. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Analysis was completed with linear and logistic regression. All analysis were weighted. Results: The estimated prevalence of UPL among people with HKOA was 68.8%. UPL was associated with being female (odds ratio (OR) = 2.36, p < 0.001), being overweight (OR = 1.84, p = 0.035) or obese (OR = 2.26, p = 0.006), and having multimorbidity (OR = 2.08, p = 0.002). People with UPL reported worse performance in activities of daily living and lower quality of life (β = − 21.28, p < 0.001 and β = − 21.19, p < 0.001, respectively) than people with MPL. People with UPL consumed more NSAIDs (22.0%, p = 0.003), opioids (4.8%, p = 0.008), paracetamol (2.7%, p = 0.033), and overall analgesics (7.3%, p = 0.013) than people with MPL. A higher proportion of people with UPL underwent physiotherapy (17.5%, p = 0.002) than people with MPL. Conclusion: Two-thirds of people with HKOA in Portugal have poor management of their pain levels. Clinical and lifestyle factors, that are highly presented in individuals with HKOA, are associated with unmanageable pain. Our results highlighting the need for further research and implementation of effective interventions to improve pain, function and quality of life in people with HKOA.publishersversionpublishe

Bacterial cellulose/cashew gum films as probiotic carriers

This study was carried out to obtain probiotic films with good stability by combining spore-forming, resistant bacteria (Bacillus coagulans) with a biopolymer mix (bacterial cellulose BC and cashew gum - CG) as a carrier matrix. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were used as prebiotic. Four different films were produced, namely, Co (control), Pro (added with probiotic), Pre (containing the prebiotic FOS), and Syn (synbiotic films containing probiotic and FOS). Although the tensile and barrier properties of films have been undermined by probiotic and FOS, those properties have remained within the values needed for food applications. Most films (except Pre) exhibited hydrophobic character (contact angles > 90°). FOS enhanced probiotic viability upon processing. The storage stability of probiotics was very good; even at 37 °C, the viability loss did not surpass 1 log cycle, due to the resistance of B. coagulans and the protective role of BC. Moreover, no cytotoxic effect of the films was observed on Caco-2 cells.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA, Brazil, 23.14.04.007.00.00 and Rede AgroNano, 0114030010300). the Research Support Foundation of Ceará State (FUNCAP/CNPq PR2-0101-00023.01.00/15), as well as the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) on a Brazil/Portugal Bilateral Agreement (CAPES/FCT 99999.008530/2014-09). We also thank Sacco Srl (Italy) for providing us with Bacillus coagulans. Author Oliveira thanks FUNCAP (BMD-0008-0026 3.01.08/17) and CAPES (8887.138002/2017-00) for her scholarship. Author Azeredo thanks the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for her Research Productivity Fellowship (302381/2016-3).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio