Natural variability of lotic Mediterranean ecosystems or wildfire perturbations: who will win?

This study evaluates the impacts of wildfires in lotic Mediterranean ecosystems. It was carried out at Monchique ridge after big wildfires occurred during 2002 and 2003. Deferential impacts were evaluated comparing historical results obtained before the wildfires (1999 and 2001), with the post fire ones (2006 and 2007). Physical and chemical parameters of the water, habitat morphology, diatoms, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fishes were evaluated at 10 collecting places, before and after wildfires. High recovering rates were observed to the vegetation, but it is still possible to found fire impacts over macrophytes and river morphology. Wildfires, contributed to canopy decrease and, consequently to the growth of plants that usually are controlled by shadow. As a result, vegetation biodiversity tend to increase. River banks tend also to be invaded by terrestrial plants. Higher post fires recover rates were observed to the more aquatic communities (diatoms, macroinvertebrates and fishes). For those communities, comparing spring situations before and after the fires no substantial differences were observed. Sometimes differences between consecutive years are even higher. So it can be concluded that magnitude of wildfire impacts is less than the natural inter-annual variability of Mediterranean rivers. Long-term effects of forest fires, resulting from large woody debries, were also detected by morphological alterations, like debries dams. Habitat diversity increase and impacts on aquatic communities are expected

Identification of novel accessory proteins encoded by influenza A virus segment 2 that prevent interferon induction

Influenza A viruses (IAV) are a major group of pathogens that infect a broad range of mammalian and avian species and in humans, cause of annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. IAVs are orthomyxoviruses containing an 8 segment negativesense single-stranded RNA genome encoding 10 core polypeptides essential for virus replication. Alternative translation events that produce additional viral polypeptides have been shown to be significant in IAV biology. IAV genome segment 2 is a virulence determinant known to encode PB1, PB1- F2 and PB1-N40 proteins, starting from AUG codons 1, 4 and 5 respectively. Work in this thesis investigated the expression of two additional polypeptides, arising from translation initiation at AUGs 10 and 11 of segment 2. These codons are highly conserved in IAV and direct the translation of two N-terminally truncated versions of the primary PB1 product (PB1-N92 and -N111 respectively). Mutation of AUGs 10 or 11 in the background of the A/PR/8/34 strain had minor effects on virus replication kinetics despite giving elevated levels of IRF3 phosphorylation and type I IFN secretion compared to the WT virus. However, simultaneous mutation of AUGs 10 and 11 severely decreased viral fitness. Similar patterns of defective replication and elevated innate signalling were seen when mutating AUGs 10 and/or 11 in other mammalian virus isolates. The propagation deficit of the PR8 ΔAUG10,11 mutant recovered in IFN-deficient models, including IFN α/β receptor (IFNAR) knockout bone marrow-derived macrophages and in vivo in IFNAR-/- mouse lungs. Moreover, expression of PB1-N92 or –N111 polypeptides blocked poly I:C- and TBK1-, but not IRF3-induced activation of the IFN-β promoter in transfected cells, suggesting the polypeptides blocked innate immune signalling downstream of RIG-I-like receptor signalling but upstream of IRF3 phosphorylation. Consistent with this, addition of a TBK1/IKKε inhibitor increased growth of the mutant viruses. In conclusion, IAV segment 2 expresses two previously undescribed Nterminally truncated versions of PB1 which play a role in antagonising the host IFN response, most likely at the stage of the TBK1/IKKε complex

Natural and semi-natural habitats in the design of urban open spaces – an approach to the challenges of contemporary cities

The introduction of potential vegetation in the urban space is a fundamental feature both in the cities’ identity and in the intensification of ecological efficiency. Its use, as part of a landscape structure in the urban space, is supported by contemporary cities’ strategy with the following objectives: promote wellbeing, be sustainable, be resilient and adaptive facing future uncertainty, namely regarding climate change.Considering the contemporary city sustainable planning and recent studies on urban spaces, ecological systems and their aesthetical values, the aim of this essay is the inclusion of natural and semi-natural habitats of Community Interest (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC), based on potential natural vegetation assessment, in innovative design approach to the city's open spaces. It is defined by the ecological systems, working with the site ecological conditions, aiming at improving the efficiency of multifunctional land uses (production, protection and leisure) and increasing biodiversity. This design approach simultaneously ensures the articulation of these spaces with urban interfaces bringing the natural processes near to the «urbanscape». The connection with nature is also promoted, improving the wished sense of identity and belonging. The use of this methodology in the design of a landscape infrastructure to the city of Évora, that assures the articulation with its open spaces and the connection between them and the countryside, had an experimental character with development of a pilot project, which implied the introduction of several non-generalizable, site-specific variables

Characterization of a second open reading frame in genome segment 10 of bluetongue virus

Viruses have often evolved overlapping reading frames in order to maximise their coding capacity. Until recently, the segmented double-stranded (ds) RNA genome of viruses of the Orbivirus genus was thought to be monocistronic but the identification of the bluetongue virus (BTV) NS4 protein changed this assumption. A small open reading frame (ORF) in segment 10, overlapping the NS3 ORF in the +1 position that is maintained in more than 300 strains of the 26 different BTV serotypes and in more of 200 strains of the phylogenetically related African horse sickness (AHSV). In BTV, this ORF (named S10-ORF2 in this study) encodes a putative protein of 50-59 amino acid residues in length and appears to be under a strong positive selection. HA- or GFP-tagged versions of S10-ORF2 expressed from transfected plasmids localised within the nucleoli of transfected cells unless a putative nucleolar localisation signal was mutated S10-ORF2 inhibited gene expression, but not RNA translation, in transient transfection reporter assays. In both mammalian and insect cells, BTV S10-ORF2 deletion mutants (BTV8ΔS10-ORF2) displayed similar replication kinetics to wild type virus. In vivo, S10-ORF2 deletion mutants were pathogenic in mouse models of disease. Although further evidence is required for S10-ORF2 expression during infection, the data presented provide an initial characterisation of this open reading frame

Influência Da Massa Corporal Na Frequência De Linfedema E Outras Complicações Depois De Cirurgia Para Câncer De Mama

This study assessed the influence of pre-operative body mass index (BMI) has upon lymphedema, scar tissue adhesion, pain, and heaviness in the upper limb at two years after surgery for breast cancer. Methods: retrospective analysis of 631 medical records of women who underwent surgery for breast cancer and were referred to the Physiotherapy Program at Prof. Dr. José Aristodemo Pinotti Women's Hospital of the Center for Integral Women's Health Care, CAISM/UNICAMP between January 2006 and December 2007. Results: mean age of women was 56.5 years (±13.7 years) and the most part (55%) were overweight or obese, surgical stages II and III were present in 63% of women studied. Radical mastectomy was the most frequent surgery (54.4%), followed by quadrantectomy (32.1%). In the first year after surgery, there was no significant association between BMI categories and incidence of scar tissue adhesion, pain, heaviness and lymphedema. In the second year, overweight and obese women had higher rates of heaviness in the upper limb and lymphedema. For lymphedema, there was a significant difference among BMI categories (p=0.0268). Obese women are 3.6 times more likely to develop lymphedema in the second year after surgery (odds ratio 3.61 95% CI 1.36 to 9.41). Conclusion: BMI ≥25kg/m2 prior to treatment for breast cancer can be considered a risk factor for developing lymphedema in the two years after surgery. There was no association between BMI and the development of other complications.231849

Influencia del índice de masa corporal en la frecuencia de linfedema y otras complicaciones después de la cirugía para el cáncer de mama

Objective: this study assessed the influence of pre-operative body mass index (BMI) has upon lymphedema, scar tissue adhesion, pain, and heaviness in the upper limb at two years after surgery for breast cancer. Methods: retrospective analysis of 631 medical records of women who underwent surgery for breast cancer and were referred to the Physiotherapy Program at Prof. Dr. José Aristodemo Pinotti Women's Hospital of the Center for Integral Women's Health Care, CAISM/UNICAMP between January 2006 and December 2007. Results: mean age of women was 56.5 years (±13.7 years) and the most part (55%) were overweight or obese, surgical stages II and III were present in 63% of women studied. Radical mastectomy was the most frequent surgery (54.4%), followed by quadrantectomy (32.1%). In the first year after surgery, there was no significant association between BMI categories and incidence of scar tissue adhesion, pain, heaviness and lymphedema. In the second year, overweight and obese women had higher rates of heaviness in the upper limb and lymphedema. For lymphedema, there was a significant difference among BMI categories (p=0.0268). Obese women are 3.6 times more likely to develop lymphedema in the second year after surgery (odds ratio 3.61 95% CI 1.36 to 9.41). Conclusion: BMI ?25kg/m2 prior to treatment for breast cancer can be considered a risk factor for developing lymphedema in the two years after surgery. There was no association between BMI and the development of other complications.Avaliou-se a influência do índice de massa corporal (IMC) pré-operatória na ocorrência de linfedema, aderência cicatricial, dor e peso no membro superior nos primeiros dois anos após cirurgia para câncer de mama. O estudo é uma análise retrospectiva, secundária de 631 prontuários de mulheres submetidas à cirurgia para câncer de mama e encaminhadas ao Programa de Fisioterapia do Hospital Professor Dr. José Aristodemo Pinotti do Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, CAISM /UNICAMP, entre janeiro de 2006 e dezembro de 2007. Eram mulheres com idade média de 56,5 anos (±13,7 anos), a maioria (55%) com sobrepeso ou obesa. Os estádios clínicos II e III foram encontrados em 63% das mulheres. Mastectomia radical foi a cirurgia mais frequente (54,4%), seguida por quadrantectomia (32,1%). No primeiro ano após a cirurgia não houve associação significativa entre as categorias do índice de massa corporal e incidência de aderência cicatricial, dor, peso e linfedema. No segundo ano, mulheres com sobrepeso e obesidade apresentaram maiores taxas de peso no membro superior e linfedema. Para linfedema houve diferença significativa entre as categorias de índice de massa corporal (p=0,0268). Mulheres obesas têm 3,6 vezes mais chance de desenvolver linfedema no segundo ano após a cirurgia (odds ratio 3,61 95% IC 1,36-9,41). Concluiu-se que IMC ?25kg/m2 anterior ao tratamento para câncer de mama pode ser considerado fator de risco para desenvolvimento do linfedema dois anos após a cirurgia. Não houve associação entre IMC e outras complicações.231849

STATs in lung development: distinct early and late expression, growth modulation and signaling dysregulation in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a life-threatening developmental anomaly, intrinsically combining severe pulmonary hypoplasia and hypertension. During development, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are utilized to elicit cell growth, differentiation, and survival.Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a life-threatening developmental anomaly, intrinsically combining severe pulmonary hypoplasia and hypertension. During development, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are utilized to elicit cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Methods: We used the nitrofen-induced CDH rat model. At selected gestational time points, lungs were divided into two experimental groups, i.e., control or CDH. We performed immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis to investigate the developmental expression profile of the complete family of STATs (STAT1-6), plus specific STATs activation (p-STAT3, p-STAT6) and regulation by SOCS (SOCS3) in normal lungs against those of diseased lungs. The normal fetal lung explants were treated with piceatannol (STAT3 inhibitor) in vitro followed by morphometrical analysis. Results: Molecular profiling of STATs during the lung development revealed distinct early and late expression signatures. Experimental CDH altered the STATs expression, activation, and regulation in the fetal lungs. In particular, STAT3 and STAT6 were persistently over-expressed and early over-activated. Piceatannol treatment dose-dependently stimulated the fetal lung growth. Conclusion: These findings suggest that STATs play an important role during normal fetal lung development and CDH pathogenesis. Moreover, functionally targeting STAT signaling modulates fetal lung growth, which highlights that STAT3 and STAT6 signaling might be promising therapeutic targets in reducing or preventing pulmonary hypoplasia in CDH.Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020) - NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mutations in the Schmallenberg virus Gc glycoprotein facilitate cellular protein synthesis shutoff and restore pathogenicity of NSs deletion mutants in mice

Serial passage of viruses in cell culture has been traditionally used to attenuate virulence and identify determinants of viral pathogenesis. In a previous study, we found that a strain of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) serially passaged in tissue culture (termed SBVp32) unexpectedly displayed increased pathogenicity in suckling mice compared to wild type SBV. In this study, we mapped the determinants of SBVp32 virulence to the viral genome M segment. SBVp32 virulence is associated with the capacity of this virus to reach higher titers in the brains of experimentally infected suckling mice. We also found that the Gc glycoprotein, encoded by the M segment of SBVp32, facilitates host cell protein shutoff in vitro. Interestingly, while the M segment of SBVp32 is a virulence factor, we found that the S segment of the same virus confers by itself an attenuated phenotype to wild type SBV as has lost the ability to block the innate immune system of the host. Single mutations present in the Gc glycoprotein of SBVp32 are sufficient to compensate both the attenuated phenotype of the SBVp32 S segment and the attenuated phenotype of NSs deletion mutants. Our data also indicate that the SBVp32 M segment does not act as an IFN antagonist. Therefore SBV mutants can retain pathogenicity even when they are unable to fully control the production of IFN by the infected cells. Overall, this study suggests that the viral glycoprotein of orthobunyaviruses can compensate, at least in part, the function of NSs. In addition, we also provide evidence that the induction of total cellular protein shutoff by SBV is determined by multiple viral proteins while the ability to control the production of IFN maps to the NSs protein. Importance The identification of viral determinants of pathogenesis is key to the development of prophylactic and interventions measures. In this study we found that the bunyavirus Gc glycoprotein is a virulence factor. Importantly, we show that mutations in the Gc glycoprotein can restore pathogenicity of attenuated mutants resulting from deletions or mutations in the non-structural protein NSs. Our findings highlight the fact that careful consideration should be taken when designing live attenuated vaccines based on deletions of non-structural proteins since single mutations in the viral glycoproteins appear to revert attenuated mutants to virulent phenotypes

Clinical Screening Prediction in the Portuguese National Health Service: Data Analysis, Machine Learning Models, Explainability and Meta-Evaluation

This paper presents an analysis of the calls made to the Portuguese National Health Contact Center (SNS24) during a three years period. The final goal was to develop a system to help nurse attendants select the appropriate clinical pathway (from 59 options) for each call. It examines several aspects of the calls distribution like age and gender of the user, date and time of the call and final referral, among others and presents comparative results for alternative classification models (SVM and CNN) and different data samples (three months, one and two years data models). For the task of selecting the appropriate pathway, the models, learned on the basis of the available data, achieved F1 values that range between 0.642 (3 months CNN model) and 0.783 (2 years CNN model), with SVM having a more stable performance (between 0.743 and 0.768 for the corresponding data samples). These results are discussed regarding error analysis and possibilities for explaining the system decisions. A final meta evaluation, based on a clinical expert overview, compares the different choices: the nurse attendants (reference ground truth), the expert and the automatic decisions (2 models), revealing a higher agreement between the ML models, followed by their agreement with the clinical expert, and minor agreement with the reference.This research work was funded by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P, within the project SNS24.Scout.IA—Aplicação de Metodologias de Inteligência Artificial e Processamento de Linguagem Natural no Serviço de Triagem, Aconselhamento e Encaminhamento do SNS24 (ref. DSAIPA/AI/0040/2019)

Os direitos humanos no mundo lusófono: o estado da arte

Este livro constitui a primeira publicação do Observatório Lusófono dos Direitos Humanos da Universidade do Minho (OLDHUM), uma associação sem fins lucrativos, criada em 23 de outubro de 2009, que tem vindo a desenvolver várias iniciativas dirigidas à divulgação da temática dos direitos humanos nos países lusófonos e à formação no domínio dos direitos humanos. Numa destas iniciativas, foi proposto a um conjunto de alunos de mestrado e de doutoramento colaboradores do Observatório que fizessem um ponto de situação do estado da proteção dos direitos humanos em cada um dos Estados membros da Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP), ao tempo ainda sem a Guiné Equatorial, a partir do levantamento e da análise crítica dos relatórios elaborados por observatórios nacionais e internacionais de direitos humanos sobre esses países no período compreendido entre 2008 e 2013. Os resultados desta investigação foram apresentados publicamente numa conferência intitulada Os Direitos Humanos nos Países Lusófonos: O que nos dizem os Observatórios?, realizada na Escola de Direito da Universidade do Minho, no dia 31 de outubro de 2013, e, em versões desenvolvidas e actualizadas, são agora reunidos neste livro