Nitric Oxide Regulates Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus following Seizures

Hippocampal neurogenesis is changed by brain injury. When neuroinflammation accompanies injury, activation of resident microglial cells promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species like nitric oxide (NO). In these conditions, NO promotes proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC) in the hippocampus. However, little is known about the role of NO in the survival and differentiation of newborn cells in the injured dentate gyrus. Here we investigated the role of NO following seizures in the regulation of proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival of NSC in the hippocampus using the kainic acid (KA) induced seizuremouse model. We show that NO increased the proliferation of NSC and the number of neuroblasts following seizures but was detrimental to the survival of newborn neurons. NO was also required for the maintenance of long-term neuroinflammation. Taken together, our data show that NO positively contributes to the initial stages of neurogenesis following seizures but compromises survival of newborn neurons.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal); COMPETE; FEDER [PTDC/SAU-NEU/102612/2008, PTDC/NEU-OSD/0473/2012, PEst-C/SAU/LA0001/2013-2014, PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013-2014]; FCT, Portugal [SFRH/BPD/78901/2011, SFRH/BD/77903/2011

Polyphenol metabolite pyrogallol-o-sulfate decreases microglial activation and vegf in retinal pigment epithelium cells and diabetic mouse retina

Funding Information: The authors acknowledge Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for funding (PD/BD/114251/2016 scholarship to D.F. Santos; EXPL-BIM-MEC-1433-2013; PTDC/BTM/ORG/28121/2017 grants to G.A.Silva) and iNOVA4Health ? UIDB/Multi/04462/2020, a program financially supported by Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e Tecnologia/Ministerio da Educacao e Ciencia through national funds and co-funded by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement, is also acknowledged. C.N.S. also acknowledges the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union?s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 804229. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.(Poly)phenol-derived metabolites are small molecules resulting from (poly)phenol metab-olization after ingestion that can be found in circulation. In the last decade, studies on the impact of (poly)phenol properties in health and cellular metabolism accumulated evidence that (poly)phenols are beneficial against human diseases. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by inflammation and neovascularization and targeting these is of therapeutic interest. We aimed to study the effect of pyrogallol-O-sulfate (Pyr-s) metabolite in the expression of proteins involved in retinal glial acti-vation, neovascularization, and glucose transport. The expression of PEDF, VEGF, and GLUT-1 were analyzed upon pyrogallol-O-sulfate treatment in RPE cells under high glucose and hypoxia. To test its effect on a diabetic mouse model, Ins2Akita mice were subjected to a single intraocular injection of the metabolite and the expression of PEDF, VEGF, GLUT-1, Iba1, or GFAP measured in the neural retina and/or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), two weeks after treatment. We observed a significant decrease in the expression of pro-angiogenic VEGF in RPE cells. Moreover, pyrogallol-O-sulfate significantly decreased the expression of microglial marker Iba1 in the diabetic retina at different stages of disease progression. These results highlight the potential pyrogallol-O-sulfate metabolite as a preventive approach towards DR progression, targeting molecules involved in both inflammation and neovascularization.publishersversionpublishe

An assessment of geotubes performance in coastal protection

The Ofir spit is located at the estuary of Cavado River (NW coast of Portugal), and is the natural protection of Esposende city, ensuring also the navigability of the river and preventing from the maritime invasion of its estuary or the flooding of the riverine part of that city. It has been subjected to the actions of nature, especially from the Atlantic Ocean, known for its energetic regime and, more recently, those of human activities. Considering that, in Portugal, the use of geosynthetics on coastal protection is not yet a usual solution, it is relevant to investigate it, especially in this case of high-energy wave agitation. The paper presents a summary on the interventions conducted to the sandbank along time, it refers also the solution implemented as well as the monitoring campaign conducted after December 2015, discussing its results and the viability of the structure itself as a permanent solution.publishersversionpublishe

La concepción de los cuidados de enfermería dirigida a los prestadores de cuidados se refleja en la documentación

Abstract Background: Caregivers must acquire knowledge and develop skills that ensure the safety of the care delivered and guarantee their own self-care. Nurses take on the role of facilitators in this transition process, with nursing information systems being used as tools to safeguard the continuity and quality of care. Objective: To understand nursing care design for caregivers. Methodology: This is a mixed method study with a descriptive exploratory research design, analyzing 163 files of caregiver documentation and using a questionnaire (N = 72). Results: It was possible to identify the underreporting of caregivers. Caregivers were predominantly elderly women with moderate burden who reported difficulties in instrumental activities and needed support from an additional caregiver or a formal support network. Conclusion: Identifying the needs and difficulties of caregivers combined with the observed underreporting strengthens the need for bringing the models in use closer to the models presented, thus translating this process into an improvement of quality standards in nursing care for caregivers.Enquadramento: A assunção do papel de cuidador exige a aquisição de conhecimentos e habilidades, garantindo a segurança dos cuidados à pessoa cuidada e assegurar o seu próprio autocuidado. O enfermeiro assume o papel de facilitador neste processo de transição, sendo os sistemas de informação em enfermagem uma ferramenta que garante a continuidade e qualidade dos cuidados. Objetivo: Compreender a conceção de cuidados de enfermagem relativa ao prestador de cuidados. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo exploratório com abordagem mista, através da análise da documentação do prestador de cuidados em 163 processos e aplicação de um questionário (N = 72). Resultados: Identificou-se subnotificação no prestador de cuidados. Estes eram predominantemente mulheres, com idade avançada e sobrecarga moderada. Expressaram dificuldades nas atividades instrumentais e necessidade de apoio de outro cuidador/redes formais. Conclusão: A identificação das necessidades e dificuldades do prestador de cuidados em confronto com a subnotificação observada reforça a necessidade de uma aproximação dos modelos em uso aos modelos expostos, traduzindo este processo numa melhoria dos padrões de qualidade em enfermagem dirigida aos prestadores de cuidadosMarco contextual: La asunción del papel de cuidador requiere la adquisición de conocimientos y habilidades, lo que garantiza la seguridad de los cuidados a la persona cuidada y asegura su propio autocuidado. El enfermero asume el papel de facilitador en este proceso de transición, y los sistemas de información de enfermería son una herramienta que garantiza la continuidad y la calidad de los cuidados. Objetivo: Comprender la concepción de los cuidados de enfermería en relación con el cuidador. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo exploratorio con un enfoque mixto, para el cual se analizó la documentación del proveedor de cuidados en 163 procesos y se aplicó un cuestionario (N = 72). Resultados: Se identificó un subregistro en el cuidador. Eran predominantemente mujeres, con una edad avanzada y una sobrecarga moderada. Manifestaron dificultades en las actividades instrumentales y necesidad de apoyo de otro cuidador/redes formales. Conclusión: La identificación de las necesidades y dificultades del cuidador frente al subregistro observado refuerza la necesidad de una aproximación de los modelos en uso a los modelos expuestos, lo que traduce este proceso en una mejora de los estándares de calidad en enfermería dirigidos a los cuidadoresinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

La coconstrucción de un modelo de apoyo a los familiares cuidadores

Background: The approach to informal caregivers poses new challenges to nursing, supporting the conception of care based on the best available scientific evidence. Care documentation in information systems should create indicators that reflect the nurses’ role as facilitators of a healthy transition. Objective: To redefine the conception of care to the family caregiver though the analysis of records that mirrors the nurses’ activity with caregivers. Methodology: Qualitative study based on the assumptions of participatory action research in health with 16 nurses from primary health care units. Field notes were taken and Bardin’s content analysis method was used. Results: Three categories emerged: work organization, limitations to nursing documentation, and standardization of records. A family caregiver support model was developed in collaboration with the participants. Conclusion: The assumptions of participatory action research in health facilitated the redefinition of the care model to improve the quality of care and documentation process in nursing information systems.Enquadramento: A abordagem aos cuidadores informais coloca novos desafios à enfermagem, que deve sustentar a conceção de cuidados na melhor evidência científica. A documentação dos sistemas de informação deve gerar indicadores que espelhem o papel dos enfermeiros como facilitadores de uma transição saudável. Objetivo: Redefinir a conceção de cuidados ao familiar cuidador a partir da análise dos registos que espelha a atividade dos enfermeiros com os cuidadores. Metodologia: Estudo com abordagem qualitativa assente na pesquisa ação participativa em saúde, desenvolvido com uma amostra de 16 enfermeiros em atividade de cuidados de saúde primários. Recorreu-se às notas de campo e considerou-se os pressupostos defendidos por Bardin para a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Emergiram três categorias, organização do trabalho dos enfermeiros, limitações à documentação em enfermagem e uniformização dos registos. Em conjunto com os participantes desenvolveu-se um modelo de acompanhamento aos familiares cuidadores. Conclusão: Os pressupostos da pesquisa-ação participativa em saúde facilitaram a redefinição do modelo assistencial conducente a melhoria na qualidade de cuidados e documentação nos sistemas de informação em enfermagem.Marco contextual: El enfoque hacia los cuidadores informales plantea nuevos retos a la enfermería, que debe apoyar el diseño de cuidados basados en la mejor evidencia científica. La documentación de los sistemas de información debe generar indicadores que reflejen el papel de los enfermeros como facilitadoras de una transición saludable. Objetivo: Redefinir el concepto de cuidados al familiar cuidador a partir del análisis de los registros que reflejan la actividad de los enfermeros con los cuidadores. Metodología: Estudio con enfoque cualitativo basado en la investigación-acción participativa en salud, desarrollado con una muestra de 16 enfermeros que trabajan en atención primaria. Se utilizaron notas de campo y se tuvieron en cuenta los supuestos defendidos por Bardin para el análisis de contenido. Resultados: Surgieron tres categorías, organización del trabajo de los enfermeros, limitaciones a la documentación en enfermería y normalización de los registros. En conjunto con los participantes, se elaboró un modelo de apoyo a los familiares cuidadores. Conclusión: Las premisas de la investigación-acción participativa en salud facilitaron la redefinición del modelo de atención que condujo a la mejora de la calidad de los cuidados y la documentación en los sistemas de información de enfermería.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of opacifiers on dimensional stability and detail reproduction of maxillofacial silicone elastomer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We evaluated the influence of chemical disinfection and accelerated aging on the dimensional stability and detail reproduction of a silicone elastomer containing one of two opacifiers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 90 samples were fabricated from Silastic MDX 4-4210 silicone and divided into groups (n = 10) according to opacifier content (barium sulfate or titanium dioxide) and disinfectant solution (neutral soap, Efferdent, or 4% chlorhexidine). The specimens were disinfected 3 times per week during 60 days and then subjected to accelerated aging for 1008 hours. Dimensional stability and detail reproduction tests were performed after specimens' fabrication (baseline), chemical disinfection and periodically during accelerated aging (252, 504, and 1008 hours). The results were analyzed using 3-way repeated-measures ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All groups exhibited dimensional changes over time. The opacifier (p = .314), period (p < .0001) and their interactions (p = .0041) affected the dimensional stability of the silicone. Statistical significant dimensional differences occurred between groups with (0.071) and without opacifiers (0.053). Accelerated aging influenced the dimensional stability of the samples. All groups scored 2 in the detail reproduction tests, which represents the fully reproducing of three test grooves with accurate angles.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Incorporation of opacifiers alters the dimensional stability of silicones used in facial prosthetics, but seems to have no influence on detail reproduction. Accelerated aging is responsible for most of the dimensional changes in Silastic MDX4 4210, but all dimensional changes measured in this study remained within the limits of stability necessary for this application.</p

Lesão intracraniana que respondeu ao tratamento anti-tuberculoso em paciente infectado pelo HIV

Cerebral tuberculomas constitute a major differential diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in developing countries. We report the case of a 34-year old woman co-infected with HIV and possible disseminated tuberculosis (hepatitis, lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion) who presented a large and solitary intracranial mass lesion. Despite extensive diagnostic efforts, including brain, ganglionar, and liver biopsies, no definitive diagnosis was reached. However, a trial with first-line antituberculous drugs led to a significant clinical and radiological improvement. Atypical presentations of cerebral tuberculomas should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial mass lesions in HIV-infected patients and a trial with antituberculous drugs is a valuable strategy to infer the diagnosis in a subset of patients.Os tuberculomas cerebrais constituem diagnóstico diferencial importante da toxoplasmose cerebral em pacientes infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) de países em desenvolvimento. Os autores relatam o caso de uma mulher HIV positiva de 34 anos de idade, que apresentou provável tuberculose disseminada (hepatite, adenomegalia, e derrame pleural) associada à lesão expansiva cerebral única e gigante. Apesar dos esforços diagnósticos realizados, incluindo biópsia cerebral, ganglionar e hepática, o diagnóstico etiológico não foi confirmado. Porém, a resposta clínico-radiológica ao tratamento tuberculostático permitiu definir o diagnóstico de tuberculoma cerebral e a paciente teve alta hospitalar. Apresentações atípicas de tuberculomas cerebrais devem ser sempre consideradas no diagnóstico diferencial das lesões expansivas cerebrais em pacientes infectados pelo HIV e o uso do tratamento tuberculostático constitui ferramenta útil na definição diagnóstica em um sub-grupo de paciente

Potential of injectable dextrin-based hydrogel for biomedical applications

Bone tissue engineering is a very challenging and promising field, which handles with the limitations of bone regenerative capacity and the failure of current orthopedic implants [1]. This work describes the preparation and characterization of an injectable dextrinbased hydrogel (oDex) through dextrin oxidation followed by cross-linking with a dihydrazide [2]. In vitro and in vivo experiments allowed to conclude that this system can carry and stabilize cells, nanogels, Bonelike® granules [3] and other biomolecules. This is a promising biomaterial due to its biocompatibility, and potential to promote an adequate environment for bone regeneration, which was increased by the combined bioactive molecules. Its injectability allows a minimal invasive surgical procedure with decreased patient morbidity, lower infection risk and reduced scar formation. Furthermore, an adequate sterilization protocol for this kind of material was established. The tight collaboration between University of Minho and Bioskin S.A. company, envisioning technology transfer and product valorization, has resulted in a published international patent of the product (WO2011070529A2) [4]. Currently, the submission of a request for the authorization for the clinical trials is being planned

Age and growth of the smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena, in the Atlantic Ocean: comparison with other hammerhead species

The smooth hammerhead Sphyrna zygaena (Sphyrnidae) is a pelagic shark occasionally caught as bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries, but is one of the least studied of all pelagic sharks. Age and growth of S. zygaena was studied along a wide Atlantic region covering both the northern and southern hemispheres. Data from 304 specimens, caught between October 2009 and September 2014, ranging in size from 126 to 253 cm fork length (FL), were analysed. Growth models were fitted using the three-parameter von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) re-parameterized to calculate L0 (size at birth). Growth models were fitted to the sample data and data from several back-calculation models. The model fit to the quadratic modified Dahl-Lea back-calculated data seems to be the most appropriate to describe growth in this species, with resulting growth parameters of Linf = 285 cm FL, k = 0.09 year−1 for males and Linf = 293 cm FL, k = 0.09 year−1 for females. Compared with other species of the same genus, estimated growth coefficients for S. zygaena seem to fall in the low to middle range. Although further work is still needed, this study adds to knowledge of the vital life-history parameters of smooth hammerheads in the Atlantic Ocean, which can be used in the management and conservation of this species.Programa Operacional Potencial Humano: IF/00253/2014info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

HIV-1-induced nuclear invaginations mediated by VAP-A, ORP3, and Rab7 complex explain infection of activated T cells

The mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) nuclear entry, required for productive infection, is not fully understood. Here, we report that in HeLa cells and activated CD4+ T cells infected with HIV-1 pseudotyped with VSV-G and native Env protein, respectively, Rab7+ late endosomes containing endocytosed HIV-1 promote the formation of nuclear envelope invaginations (NEIs) by a molecular mechanism involving the VOR complex, composed of the outer nuclear membrane protein VAP-A, hyperphosphorylated ORP3 and Rab7. Silencing VAP-A or ORP3 and drug-mediated impairment of Rab7 binding to ORP3-VAP-A inhibited the nuclear transfer of the HIV-1 components and productive infection. In HIV-1-resistant quiescent CD4+ T cells, ORP3 was not hyperphosphorylated and neither VOR complex nor NEIs were formed. This new cellular pathway and its molecular players are potential therapeutic targets, perhaps shared by other viruses that require nuclear entry to complete their life cycle