Sea Cucumber of north Atlantic: Approach to the potential of new sea resource

Sea cucumber is a marine resource that is little or not used in portuguese and European diet, in contrast to what happens in asia, where these animals play an important role as a food resource (high nutritional value) and also in traditional medicine (as a nutraceutical important source). So, sea cucumbers have been subjected to more extensive research all over the world. The value of the sea cucumber as a potential marine resource in Portugal and Europe, was the main goal of this thesis, as a contribution to generate initial data on the nutritional and nutra- ceutical quality of the species present on the portuguese coast. It is repported four species with commercial value existing in Portugal, namely Holothuria arguinensis, Holothutia forskali, Ho- lothuria mammata and Parastichopus regalis. This thesis evaluated all of them distributed along Sesimbra coast (blue coast) using scuba diving to collect the samples. In general, the results showed relevant data similar to the Asian species. The level of protein, carbohydrate, ash, mi- nerals and total lipids showed an important source of proteins, high mineral content (high amount of ash) and with a low lipid content (prevailing PUFA) both in summer and winter seasons. Bioaccessibility of mineral nutrients and contaminants was carried out using an in vitro simulation of human digestion. This was carried out summer and winter to verify whet- her the absorption is influenced by seasonality. The first step to evaluate bioactive compounds (antioxidant and anti-inflammatorycompounds with special focus on polyphenolic substan- ces) was to analyze the best extraction method using different types of solvents. The second step was to compare the bioactive activity of sea cucumbers with another group of animals (tunicates). The third step was to test the same extracts for their ability to promote bone for- mation and mineralization in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Once the best method of extraction and the bioactive compounds present had been identified, the fourth and final step was to assess whether there is variation in these compounds across different types of tissue (muscle band, body wall, respiratory tree, intestine and gonads). As for the risks associated with the consumption of sea cucumber, the content of contaminating elements present in each species in the different types of tissue and throughout the year (spring, summer, autumn and winter) was evaluated. The results of the different chapters provide a significant contribution to the nutrition and nutraceutical value of these four Portuguese sea cucumbers as a future functio- nal food for the Portuguese population in a sustainable way.O pepino-do-mar é um recurso marinho pouco ou nada utilizado na alimentação por- tuguesa e europeia, ao contrário do que acontece na Ásia, onde estes animais desempenham um papel importante como recurso alimentar (alto valor nutritivo) e também na medicina tra- dicional (como importante fonte nutracêutica). Assim, os pepinos-do-mar foram submetidos a pesquisas mais extensas em todo o mundo. A valorização do pepino-do-mar como potencial recurso marinho em Portugal e na Europa, foi o principal objetivo desta tese, como contributo para a geração de dados iniciais sobre a qualidade nutricional e nutracêutica das espécies pre- sentes na costa portuguesa. São reportadas quatro espécies com valor comercial existentes em Portugal, nomeadamente Holothuria arguinensis, Holothutia forskali, Holothuria mammata e Pa- rastichopus regalis. Esta tese avaliou todas essas espécies distribuídas ao longo da costa de Se- simbra (blue coast) utilizando mergulho para recolher as amostras. Em geral, os resultados mostraram dados relevantes semelhantes às espécies asiáticas. Todas as espécies analisadas são importantes fontes de proteínas, possuem elevado teor de minerais (elevada quantidade de cinzas) e baixo teor de lipídios (PUFA predominante) tanto no verão quanto no inverno. A bioacessibilidade de nutrientes minerais e contaminantes foi realizada usando uma simulação in vitro da digestão humana. Essa etapa foi realizada no verão e inverno para verificar se a absorção é influenciada pela sazonalidade. O primeiro passo para avaliar compostos bioativos (compostos antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórios com foco especial em substâncias polifenólicas) foi analisar o melhor método de extração usando diferentes tipos de solventes. O segundo passo foi comparar a atividade bioativa dos pepinos-do-mar com outro grupo de animais (tu- nicados). A terceira etapa foi testar os mesmos extratos quanto à sua capacidade de promover a formação e mineralização óssea em zebrafish (Danio rerio). Uma vez identificado o melhor método de extração e os compostos bioativos presentes, a quarta e última etapa foi avaliar se há variação desses compostos em diferentes tipos de tecidos (banda muscular, parede corporal, árvore respiratória, intestino e gônadas). Quanto aos riscos associados ao consumo de pepino-do-mar, o teor de elementos contaminantes presentes em cada espécie nos diferen- tes tipos de tecido e ao longo do ano (primavera, verão, outono e inverno) foi avaliado. Os resultados dos diferentes capítulos fornecem um contributo significativo para a nutrição e va- lor nutracêutico destas quatro espécies de pepinos-do-mar como futuro alimento funcional para a população portuguesa de forma sustentável

Overweight/Obesity and HIV Disease Progression in HIV+ Adults in Botswana

Studies indicate that overweight and obesity protect against HIV-disease progression in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve patients. We examined retrospectively the relationship of overweight/obesity with HIV-disease progression in ART-naïve HIV+ adults in Botswana in a case-control study with 18-month follow-up, which included 217 participants, 139 with BMI 18.0-24.9 kg/m2 and 78 with BMI ≥25 kg/m2. Archived plasma samples were used to determine inflammatory markers: leptin and bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Fat Mass and Obesity Associated Gene (FTO). At baseline, BMI was inversely associated with risk for AIDS-defining conditions (HR=0.218; 95%CI=0.068, 0.701, P=0.011), and higher fat mass was associated with reduced risk of the combined outcome of CD4+cell count ≤250/µL and AIDS-defining conditions, whichever occurred earlier (HR=0.918; 95%CI=0.847, 0.994, P=0.036) over 18 months, adjusting for age, gender, marriage, children, and baseline CD4+cell count and HIV-viral load. FTO-SNP rs17817449 was associated with BMI (OR=1.082; 95%CI=1.001, 1.169; P=0.047). Fat mass was associated with the risk alleles of rs1121980 (OR=1.065; 95%CI=1.009, 1.125, P=0.021), rs8050136 (OR=1.078; 95%CI=1.021, 1.140; P=0.007), and rs17817449 (OR=1.086; 95%CI=1.031, 1.145; P=0.002), controlling for age, gender, tribe, total energy intake, and activity. There were no associations of SNPs with markers of disease progression. Leptin levels were positively associated with BMI (β=1.764; 95%CI=0.788, 2.739; P=0.022) and fat mass (β=0.112; 95%CI=0.090, 0.135; P\u3c0.001), but inversely with viral load (β=-0.305; 95%CI=-0.579, -.031; P=0.030). LPS levels were inversely associated with BMI (OR=0.790, 95%CI=0.630, 0.990; P=0.041), and fat mass (OR=0.852, 95%CI=0.757, 0.958; P=0.007) and directly with viral load (OR=2.608, 95%CI=1.111, 6.124; P=0.028), adjusting for age, gender, smoking and %fat mass. In this cohort, overweight/obesity predicted slower HIV-disease progression. Obesity may confer an advantage in maintaining fat stores to support the overactive immune system. FTO-SNPs may contribute to the variation in fat mass; however, they were not associated with HIV-disease progression. Our findings suggest that the obesity paradox may be explained by the association of increased LPS with lower BMI and higher viral load; while viral load decreased with increasing leptin levels. Studies in African populations are needed to clarify whether genetic variation and inflammation mediate the obesity paradox in HIV-disease progression

Role of Selenium in Viral Infections with a Major Focus on SARS-CoV-2

Viral infections have afflicted human health and despite great advancements in scientific knowledge and technologies, continue to affect our society today. The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put a spotlight on the need to review the evidence on the impact of nutritional strategies to maintain a healthy immune system, particularly in instances where there are limited therapeutic treatments. Selenium, an essential trace element in humans, has a long history of lowering the occurrence and severity of viral infections. Much of the benefits derived from selenium are due to its incorporation into selenocysteine, an important component of proteins known as selenoproteins. Viral infections are associated with an increase in reactive oxygen species and may result in oxidative stress. Studies suggest that selenium deficiency alters immune response and viral infection by increasing oxidative stress and the rate of mutations in the viral genome, leading to an increase in pathogenicity and damage to the host. This review examines viral infections, including the novel SARS-CoV-2, in the context of selenium, in order to inform potential nutritional strategies to maintain a healthy immune system

Determinação do efeito do regime hidrológico e da regularização do caudal na ecologia trófica do barbo do norte (luciobarbus bocagei steindachner 1864)

Este trabalho avalia o efeito da regularização do caudal pela presença de barragens na disponibilidade alimentar do meio aquático e consequentemente na dieta e actividade alimentar do barbo do Norte. Exemplares adultos foram capturados em rios com características hidrológicas distintas. Barbos do sistema permanente apresentaram uma dieta mais diversificada, principalmente nos períodos de aumento do caudal. Barbos dos rios temporários tiveram uma dieta mais uniforme, sobretudo nos períodos secos do ano. A regularização do caudal afeta de modo diferente os componentes do rio em ambos os sistemas, porém os efeitos sobre os recursos alimentares e sobre a dieta foram semelhantes. A mudança na dieta e atividade alimentar em ambos os sistemas está fortemente associada à variabilidade sazonal dos componentes de caudal e à redução da variabilidade do fluxo causada pela regulação da barragem. Os resultados obtidos podem orientar a implementação de programas de minimização da alteração antropogénica do caudal; Abstract: Determination of the effect of hydrological regime and the regulation of flow in the trophic ecology of the northern Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei Steindachner 1864) This study evaluates the effect of flow regulation by the presence of dams in food availability in the aquatic environment and consequently in diet and feeding activity of barbel North. Adult specimens were caught in rivers with different hydrological characteristics. Barbels from the permanent system showed a more diverse diet, especially during periods of increased flow. Barbels from temporary rivers had a more uniform diet, especially during dry periods of the year. Flow regulation affects different the components of the river on both systems, but the effects on food resources and fish diet were similar. A change in diet and feeding activity in both systems is strongly associated with seasonal variability of flow components, and reduced flow variability caused by dam regulation. The results can guide the implementation of programs to minimize the anthropogenic alteration of the flow

PRODUCTIVE FOREST RECOVERY IN LEGAL RESERVE AREA: A CASE STUDY IN EASTERN AMAZON

This study aimed to evaluate a model for Legal Reserve (LR) recovery based on a mixed timber production system (planting + natural regeneration) in the eastern Amazon, state of Pará. For data collection, seven plots of 50 m x 20 m were established, and all individuals with DBH (diameter at breast height) ≥ 5 cm were inventoried. Species diversity, horizontal structure, and commercial wood production were assessed at 13 years of age. A total of 103 species were found, distributed among 69 genera and 33 families. The population density was 1,425 individuals per hectare, and dominance corresponded to 19.45 m².ha-1. The total wood volume was 121.4 m³.ha-1, with 63.3 m³.ha-1 coming from the planted species (S. parahyba var. amazonicum) and 58.1 m³.ha-1 from natural regeneration. Among the regenerating species, Cecropia distachya showed the highest values for the evaluated parameters. The adopted model showed potential for use in LR environmental recovery, reconciling this action with revenue generation through silvicultural interventions that can be applied to the stand, aiming for wood production. To achieve this, adjustments to the regulations governing the forest management of recovering areas are necessary

Effect of GSTM1-Polymorphism on Disease Progression and Oxidative Stress in HIV Infection: Modulation by HIV/HCV Co- Infection and Alcohol Consumption

Objective—To examine the effects of GSTM1 null-allele polymorphism on oxidative stress and disease progression in HIV infected and HIV/hepatitis C (HCV) co-infected adults. Methods—HIV-infected and HIV/HCV co-infected participants aged 40–60 years old with CD4 cell count \u3e350 cells/ μl, were recruited. GSTM1 genotype was determined by quantitative PCR. Oxidative stress (mitochondrial 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine [8-oxo-dG], malondialdehyde [MDA], oxidized glutathione and Complexes I and IV), apoptosis and HIV disease (CD4 count and viral load) markers were measured. Gene copies were not quantified, thus the Hardy-Weinberg formula was not applicable. Results—Of the 129 HIV-infected participants, 58 were HIV/HCV co-infected. GSTM1 occurred in 66% (62/94) in those of African descent, and 33% (11/33) of the Caucasians. Those with GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme Glutathione S-transferase (GST), had higher CD4 cell count (β=3.48, p=0.034), lower HIV viral load (β=−0.536, p=0.018), and lower mitochondrial 8-oxo-dG (β=−0.28, p=0.03). ART reduced oxidative stress in the participants with the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme. HIV/HCV co-infected participants with the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme also had lower HIV viral load, lower 8- oxo-dG and lower rate of apoptosis, but also higher oxidized glutathione. Alcohol consumption was associated with lower HIV viral load but higher oxidized glutathione in those with the GSTM1 genotype coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme. Conclusion—The GSTM1 genotype coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme is associated with lower HIV disease severity, and with lower oxidative stress, compared to GSTM1 null-allele polymorphism. HCV co-infection and alcohol use may be associated with increased oxidative stress even in the presence of the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme. The nullgene, on the contrary, appears to have a detrimental effect on immune function, viral load control, and antioxidant status, suggesting a potential benefit from antioxidants in HIV infected patients with the defective gene

Regulation of cell cycle progression by cell-cell and cell-matrix forces

It has long been proposed that the cell cycle is regulated by physical forces at the cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interfaces. However, the evolution of these forces during the cycle has never been measured in a tissue, and whether this evolution affects cell cycle progression is unknown. Here, we quantified cell-cell tension and cell-ECM traction throughout the complete cycle of a large cell population in a growing epithelium. These measurements unveil temporal mechanical patterns that span the entire cell cycle and regulate its duration, the G1-S transition and mitotic rounding. Cells subjected to higher intercellular tension exhibit a higher probability to transition from G1 to S, as well as shorter G1 and S-G2-M phases. Moreover, we show that tension and mechanical energy are better predictors of the duration of G1 than measured geometric properties. Tension increases during the cell cycle but decreases 3 hours before mitosis. Using optogenetic control of contractility, we show that this tension drop favours mitotic rounding. Our results establish that cell cycle progression is regulated cooperatively by forces between the dividing cell and its neighbours

Gestão democrática: desafios e perspectivas do gestor

The present article is dedicated to the management of democracy and the analysis of the social capital of the SC, since in the decision-making process, the subjects are important. The classroom emphasizing how the school is a space that is beyond the room of school, and how managers organize this democratic process. As this research instrument was applied with subjective questions so that the results are as close to reality as possible, while the main responsibilities are more relevant to the study of the following questions: What are the main responsibilities of the manager? How to choose the school manager? Who participates in the school meeting? What is teacher training to be a successful manager? Are the parents / Mothers of children are involved in school projects? The results indicate that the lack of interaction with parents and teachers has been causing conflicts in the school environment and that democratic processes are compromised. The administration of the school process is not easy to develop, it is not important on the part of the managers, but it is necessary and must to find for a truly democratic environment and that looks for innovation for a good management.O presente artigo trata da gestão democrática e tem por objetivo analisar a atuação do gestor, considerando a determinação legal, de implementação da gestão democrática de sete escolas públicas do meio oeste de SC, uma vez que, em nosso processo de formação esses aspectos são importantes para dar a dimensão de que a escola é um espaço que está além da sala de aula, ressaltando como ocorre a gestão democrática nas escolas e como os gestores organizam esse processo democrático. Como instrumento de pesquisa foram efetuados questionários com questões subjetivas para que fossem obtidos resultados o mais próximo da realidade possível, dentre as quais destacamos como mais relevantes para o nosso estudo as seguintes: Quais são as principais responsabilidades do gestor? Como acontece a escolha do gestor escolar? Quem participa das reuniões escolares? Qual a formação que um professor deve ter para ser um gestor bem-sucedido? Os pais/familiares dos alunos são envolvidos em projetos da escola? entre outras. Os resultados apontam que a falta de interação com os pais e docentes vem sendo causador de conflitos no ambiente escolar e que os processos democráticos estão comprometidos. A administração do processo democrático escolar não é fácil de construir, portanto são muitos desafios encontrados por parte dos gestores, mas é dever e obrigação procurar estabelecer um ambiente verdadeiramente democrático e que busque inovação para uma boa gestão

LINGUAGEM COMO PRÁTICA SOCIAL: O BLOG COMO ESPAÇO DE INTERAÇÃO E COLABORAÇÃO

The language - sign system (verbal and nonverbal) - was constituted as a means of social interaction. In the position of teachers and researchers of Education, we understand the Portuguese language teaching as a innovative teaching practices, in which the student is an active social person, is constituted by interacting with each other. The integration of network technologies in this context of innovation, is an action planned in public policy for the Portuguese language teaching in basic education. In this direction, we develop action research with students from 4th year of elementary municipal public school, where we planned textual production practices – tale gender - by integrating network. technology called Blog. The result, from the cycles of action research, analyzed based on the collaborative interaction category allows to conclude that the integration of the Blog is a proposal for innovation in teaching practices - effective and meaningful - in Portuguese language. Therefore, we argue that the textual production can enhance the interaction through a specific communication situation: the production of short stories and sharing it through the Blog.El lenguaje – sistema de signos (verbales y no verbales) – constituye un medio de interacción social. Como maestros e investigadores de la Educación, comprendemos la enseñanza de la lengua portuguesa como prácticas pedagógicas innovadoras, en las cuales el sujeto social activo se constituye al interactuar con el otro. En ese contexto de innovación, la integración de las tecnologías en red es una acción prevista en las políticas públicas para la enseñanza de la lengua portuguesa en la Educación Básica. En ese sentido desarrollamos una investigación acción con alumnos del 4 curso de la Educación Básica en una escuela pública del municipio, planeando prácticas de producción textual - genero cuento - integrando la tecnología en red Blog. Los resultados, originados de los movimientos cíclicos de la investigación acción, analizados a la luz de la categoría de interacción colaborativa, permiten deducir que la integración del Blog es una propuesta de innovación en las prácticas de enseñanza – efectiva y significativa – de la lengua portuguesa. De esa manera, argumentamos que la producción textual puede potencializar la interacción a través de una situación específica de comunicación: la producción de cuentos y su promoción a través del Blog.A linguagem - sistema de signos (verbais e não verbais) - constitui-se como meio de interação social. Enquanto professoras e pesquisadoras da Educação, compreendemos o ensino de língua portuguesa como práticas pedagógicas inovadoras, nas quais o estudante, sujeito social ativo, constitui-se ao interagir com o outro. A integração das tecnologias em rede, nesse contexto de inovação, é ação prevista nas políticas públicas para o ensino de língua portuguesa na Educação Básica. Nesse sentido, desenvolvemos pesquisa-ação com estudantes do 4º ano do Ensino Fundamental público municipal, planejando práticas de produção textual - gênero conto - integrando a tecnologia em rede Blog. Os resultados, advindos do movimento cíclico da pesquisa-ação, analisados à luz da categoria interação colaborativa, permitem inferir que a integração do Blog é uma proposta de inovação nas práticas de ensino - efetivo e significativo - de língua portuguesa. Assim, argumentamos que a produção textual pode potencializar a interação através de uma situação específica de comunicação: a produção de contos e o seu compartilhamento por meio do Blog. Palavras chaves: Linguagem como prática social; Gênero conto; Blog; Interação colaborativa