Peripheral axonal ensheathment is regulated by RalA GTPase and the exocyst complex

Funding This work was supported by H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions [H2020- GA661543-Neuronal Trafficking to R.O.T.], Fundo Regional para a Ciência e Tecnologia [IF/00392/2013/CP1192/CT0002 to R.O.T.] and iNOVA4Health (UID/Multi/04462/2013) (co-funded by FCT-FEDER-PT2020).Axon ensheathment is fundamental for fast impulse conduction and the normal physiological functioning of the nervous system. Defects in axonal insulation lead to debilitating conditions, but, despite its importance, the molecular players responsible are poorly defined. Here, we identify RalA GTPase as a key player in axon ensheathment in Drosophila larval peripheral nerves. We demonstrate through genetic analysis that RalA action through the exocyst complex is required in wrapping glial cells to regulate their growth and development. We suggest that the RalA-exocyst pathway controls the targeting of secretory vesicles for membrane growth or for the secretion of a wrapping glia-derived factor that itself regulates growth. In summary, our findings provide a new molecular understanding of the process by which axons are ensheathed in vivo, a process that is crucial for normal neuronal function.publishersversionpublishe

Synthesis of novel Glycoconjugates derived from Alkynyl heterocycles through a click approach

Accepted author version posted online: 05 Jun 2012The synthesis of a series of novel 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole compounds bearing a D-glucose derivative and an heteroaromatic system is described. Alkylation of isatin, 3-methyl-carbazole and one tetrahydro-gamma-carboline with propargyl bromide gave their N-propargyl derivatives in good yields. These compounds further reacted with acetylated D-glucose with the azide group in position 1, to give three final products and with peracetylated 6-azido-6-deoxy-alpha-D-methylglucoside giving the corresponding derivative of tetrahydro-gamma-carboline.FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) and FEDE

Synthesis of 4-amino-3,5-dicyano-arylpyrazoles : part 2 : isolation and characterization of by-products

Reaction of (dicyanomethylidene-hydrazino)benzoic acids with chloroacetonitrile, under basic conditions, gave cyanomethyl-3-(7-amino-3,5-dicyano-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-1-yl-benzoates and para substituted cyanomethyl benzoates, in addition to the expected cyanomethyl 3-(4-amino-3,5-dicyano-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-benzoates.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Portugal). National Program for Scientific Re-equipment, contract REDE/1517/RMN/2005 with funds from POCI 2010 (FEDER) and FC

Nickel-based magnetoliposomes for delivery of new potential antitumor compounds

Publicado em "NN14 abstract book"Nickel-based nanoparticles were prepared and entrapped in liposomes, forming magnetoliposomes.The magnetoliposomes prepared were able to encapsulate new potential antitumor thienopyridine derivatives, showing to be promising for drug delivery applications.FCT and FEDER/COMPETE for Projects PEst-C/QUI/UI0686/2013, P-Est-C/FIS/UI0607/ /2013. n-STeP Project NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000039 supported by the Region Operational Programme of the North of Portugal (ON.2). FCT and POPH/QREN/FSE for A.R.O.R. PhD grant (SFRH/BD/90949/2012)

Magneto-sensitive liposomes containing manganese ferrite nanoparticles as nanocarriers for new promising antitumor thienopyridin-amine derivatives

In this work, manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles, with superparamagnetic behaviour at room temperature, were obtained by coprecipitation method and their structural and magnetic properties were evaluated. New promising antitumor drugs, thienopyridine derivatives containing an amine moiety and were successfully incorporated in aqueous and solid magnetoliposomes.FCT - Portuga

Aedes aegypti entomological indices in an endemic area for dengue in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os tipos de imóveis e de recipientes mais produtivos para o desenvolvimento de Aedes aegyptie a distribuição espacial de indicadores entomológicos. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas coletas de formas imaturas de mosquitos para obtenção de indicadores entomológicos em 9.875 imóveis no bairro Jaguaré, no município de São José do Rio Preto, SP, entre dezembro de 2006 e fevereiro de 2007. Aplicou-se questionário sobre as condições e características de imóveis em março e abril de 2007. Utilizou-se regressão logística para identificar as variáveis associadas com a presença de pupas nos imóveis. Índices calculados por quadra foram combinados com mapas georreferenciados, possibilitando a produção de mapas temáticos por meio de interpolação estatística. RESULTADOS: Os imóveis inspecionados apresentaram os seguintes índices para Ae. aegytpi: Índice de Breteau de 18,9, 3,7 larvas e 0,42 pupas por imóvel, 5,2 recipientes com Ae. aegypti por hectare, 100,0 larvas e 11,6 pupas por hectare, e 1,3 larva e 0,15 pupa por habitante. Presença de quintal, jardim e animais associaram-se com a presença de pupas. CONCLUSÕES: Não foram identificados tipos específicos de imóveis e de recipientes que fossem pouco frequentes dentre aqueles com a presença do vetor e, ao mesmo tempo, que apresentassem elevada participação na produtividade de larvas e pupas. O uso de índices baseados na quantificação de larvas e pupas não traria informações além daquelas obtidas com os índices estegômicos tradicionais em localidades com características similares a São José do Rio Preto. Os índices calculados por área apresentaram maior acurácia para avaliar espacialmente a infestação, e a infestação por Ae. aegypti apresentou grande variabilidade espacial, apontando a necessidade de realizar avaliações de infestação em microáreas.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the most productive types of properties and containers for Aedes aegypti and the spatial distribution of entomological indices. METHODS: Between December 2006 and February 2007, the vector's immature forms were collected to obtain entomological indices in 9,875 properties in the Jaguare neighborhood of Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Southeastern Brazil. In March and April 2007, a questionnaire about the conditions and characteristics of properties was administered. Logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with the presence of pupae at the properties. Indices calculated per block were combined with a geo-referenced map, and thematic maps of these indices were obtained using statistical interpolation. RESULTS: The properties inspected had the following Ae. aegypti indices: Breteau Index = 18.9, 3.7 larvae and 0.42 pupae per property, 5.2 containers harboring Ae. aegypti per hectare, 100.0 larvae and 11.6 pupae per hectare, and 1.3 larvae and 0.15 pupae per inhabitant. The presence of yards, gardens and animals was associated with the presence of pupae. CONCLUSIONS: Specific types of properties and containers that simultaneously had low frequencies among those positive for the vector and high participation in the productivity of larvae and pupae were not identified. The use of indices including larval and pupal counts does not provide further information beyond that obtained from the traditional Stegomyia indices in locations with characteristics similar to those of São José do Rio Preto. The indices calculated per area were found to be more accurate for the spatial assessment of infestation. The Ae. aegypti infestation levels exhibited extensive spatial variation, indicating that the assessment of infestation in micro areas is needed.OBJETIVO: Evaluar los tipos de inmuebles y de recipientes más productivos para el desarrollo de Aedes aegypti y la distribución espacial de indicadores entomológicos MÉTODOS: Se realizaron colectas de formas inmaduras de mosquitos para obtención de indicadores entomológicos en 9.875 inmuebles en la urbanización Jaguaré, en el municipio de Sao José do Rio Preto, SP (Brasil), entre diciembre de 2006 y febrero de 2007. Se aplicó cuestionario sobre las condiciones y características de los inmuebles en marzo y abril de 2007. Se utilizó regresión logística para identificar las variables asociadas con la presencia de pupas en los inmuebles. Se combinaron los Índices calculados por cuadra con mapas georeferenciados, posibilitando la producción de mapas temáticos por medio de interpolación estadística. RESULTADOS: Los inmuebles inspeccionados presentaron los siguientes índices para Aedes aegypti: Índice de Breteau de 18,9, 3,7 larvas y 0,42 pupas por inmueble, 5,2 recipientes con Ae. Aegypti por hectárea, 100,0 larvas y 11,6 pupas por hectárea, y 1,3 larvas y 0,15 pupas por habitante. Presencia de patio, jardín y animales se asociaron con la presencia de pupas. CONCLUSIONES: No se identificaron tipos específicos de inmuebles y de recipientes que fueran poco frecuentes entre aquellos con la presencia del vector y, al mismo tiempo, que presentaran elevada participación en la productividad de larvas y pupas. El uso de índices basados en la cuantificación de larvas y pupas no traería informaciones aunadas a las obtenidas con los índices Stegómicos tradicionales en localidades con características similares a Sao José do Rio Preto. Los índices calculados por área presentaron mayor precisión para evaluar espacialmente la infestación y la infestación por Ae. Aegypti presentó gran variabilidad espacial, señalando la necesidad de realizar evaluaciones de infestación en micro áreas

Fluorescence studies on new potential antitumoral 1,3-diarylurea derivatives of thieno[3,2-b]pyridines in solution and in nanoliposomes

This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal), QREN and FEDER through CFUM, CQ/UM and Project PTDC/QUI/81238/2006 cofinanced by FCT and program FEDER/COMPETE (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007467)

Magnetic/plasmonic liposomes as nanocarriers for novel antitumor tricyclic lactones against non-small cell lung cancer

In this work, MnFe2O4/Au core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) and MnFe2O4 NPs decorated with Au NPs were synthesized and the structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties evaluated. The prepared NPs were covered with a lipid bilayer, forming solid magnetoliposomes (SMLs). The heating capabilities of the nanosystems were assessed through the fluorescence quenching of Nile Red (incorporated in the lipid bilayer of the SMLs) under irradiation.UIDB/04650/2020; PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028020

Magnetic nanoparticles covered by or entrapped in lipid bilayers: Advances towards dual cancer therapy

In this work, both aqueous magnetoliposomes (magnetic nanoparticles entrapped in liposomes) and solid magnetoliposomes (a cluster of particles covered by a lipid bilayer) have been developed, containing either nickel/silica core/shell nanoparticles, nickel ferrite or manganese ferrite nanoparticles, with diameters below 150 nm, suitable for biomedical applications. Moreover, both aqueous (AMLs) and solid (SMLs) magnetoliposomes show a superparamagnetic behavior, the SMLs exhibiting a high saturation magnetization.Financial support by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013 and UID/QUI/00686/2016 is acknowledged. A.R.O Rodrigues thanks the FCT for SFRH/BD/90949/2012 PhD grant and funding to MAP-Fis Doctoral Program.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Interaction of benzothienoquinolines with DNA and lipid membranes monitored by fluorescence

RICI4 - Book of AbstractsThis work was funded by FCT-Portugal through CFUM, CQ-UM, research project PTDC/QUI/81238/2006 (cofinanced by FEDER/COMPETE, FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007467). R.C.C. acknowledges FCT the post-doctoral grant (SFRH/BPD/68344/2010