Chitosan/alginate based multilayers to control drug release fromophthalmic lens

In this study we investigated the possibility of using layer-by-layer deposition, based in natural polymers (chitosan and alginate), to control the release of different ophthalmic drugs from three types of lens materials: a silicone-based hydrogel recently proposed by our group as drug releasing soft contact lens (SCL) material and two commercially available materials: CI26Y for intraocular lens (IOLs) and Definitive 50 for SCLs. The optimised coating, consisting in one double layer of (alginate – CaCl2)/(chitosan + glyoxal) topped with a final alginate-CaCl2 layer to avoid chitosan degradation by tear fluid proteins, proved to have excellent features to control the release of the anti-inflammatory, diclofenac, while keeping or improving the physical properties of the lenses. The coating leads to a controlled release of diclofenac from SCL and IOL materials for, at least, one week. Due to its high hydrophilicity (water contact angle ≈ 0) and biocompatibility, it should avoid the use of further surface treatments to enhance the useŕs comfort. However, the barrier effect of this coating is specific for diclofenac, giving evidence to the need of optimizing the chemical composition of the layers in view of the desired drug.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Modeling of Circadian Rhythm under influence of Pain: an approach based on Multi-agent Simulation

The human body has endogenous biological rhythms. One of those rhythms is the circadian rhythm, with a cycle of approximate 24 hours, that is responsible for regulating many important functions of human body. In this contribution, we propose a nonlinear coupled differential equation for modelling some agents responsible for the circadian rhythm under the influence of pain. We show results concerning the well-posedness of a solution as well as an analysis on the synchronization for each agents. We use a multi-agent simulation strategy of an corresponding model as an alternative interpretation of the pain influences in the behavior of the circadian rhythm

Relative Losses of Pioneiro Grass (\u3cem\u3ePennisetum purpureum\u3c/em\u3e Schumach) Silage with Addition of Whole Plant Maize or Maize Grain during Fermentation

Among the forages with potential to be ensiled, tropical forages stand out because of their high yield capacity, being able to produce three times more dry matter than for maize under tropical conditions. Although tropical forages are an interesting alternative for ensilage, their high moisture content may impair the fermentation process, reducing the silage quality. The addition of whole plant maize and maize grain to other grass silages can be an efficient way to reduce the losses involved during the process, specially due to the improvement of the fermentative profile of the silages (Stefanie et al. 2000; Anaya-Ortega et al. 2009). This study aimed to analyze the relative losses from the fermentation of Pioneiro grass silages added or not with whole plant maize and grain maize besides the whole plant maize silage

Mitochondria at the Base of Neuronal Innate Immunity in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

Mitochondria are exceptionally primed to play a key role in neuronal cell survival since they are involved in energy production and function as the metabolic center of cells. Several findings provide evidence for the role of mitochondria in neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (AD and PD). Recent data highlight the role of mitochondrial proteins and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in the intracellular signaling that regulates innate immunity and inflammation. In this chapter, we will discuss the relevance of the interplay between mitochondria and innate immunity, focusing on mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and how they can activate innate immunity and elicit AD and PD neurodegenerative process

Changes to the Fermentative Profiles of Pioneiro Grass (\u3cem\u3ePennisetum purpureum\u3c/em\u3e Schumach) and Maize Silages in Different Mixtures after Aerobic Stability

Silages arte widely used in animal production systems to overcome the seasonality of forage production around the world. The preservation of nutritional value of silages depends on the maintenance of an anaerobic environment during the fermentation and storage phases, as well from aerobic stability during the feed out stage (Nussio, 2005). Aerobic exposure usually promotes intense activity of fungi, yeast and aerobic bacteria. If the time of aerobic exposure is long enough, huge changes can happen in the chemical composition of the silages affecting negatively their nutritional value. These changes can be followed by decreasing lactic acid concentration and increasing pH, temperature and ammonia nitrogen (Addah et al. 2011). The present work was carried out to evaluate the levels of ammonia nitrogen, pH, buffer capacity and electric conductivity in silages of Pioneiro grass and maize in different mixtures at silo opening and during the first 7 and 14 days of aerobic exposure

Evaluation of Microbial Biomass in Agroforestry Systems Using Forage Cactus and \u3ci\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eGliricidia sepium\u3c/i\u3e

Vegetation type can affect soil microbiology in agroforestry systems. Plants release different organic exudates in the rhizosphere, affecting microbial growth. This study evaluated the effect of forage cactus intercropped with different tree legumes on soil microbial biomass. The research was performed in a tropical semiarid Regosol at Caruaru Experimental Station, Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. Treatments included: i) Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud and forage cactus IPA-Sertânia (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck); and ii) Leucaena leucocephala [Lam.] de Wit.) and forage cactus IPA-Sertânia. Treatments were allocated in a randomized complete block design in a split-split-plot scheme, with four replications. Main plots consisted of agroforestry system, split-plot was the distance from tree rows, and split-split-plot soil depths. Organic fertilization with cattle manure was applied aiming a rate of 200 kg N ha-1. Tree legumes were planted in double rows spaced 9 x 1 x 0.5 m and cactus planted between double rows spaced by 1 x 0.25 m. Plot size measured 960 m2. Soil collection occurred in the rainy period (April 2019). Samples were collected at depths of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm at 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 m away from legume rows. Response variables included soil basal respiration (SBR), microbial biomass C (C-mic), and metabolic quotient (qCO2). Data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS. Means were compared by Tukey test at 5% significance. No significant difference was observed for SBR, MBC, and qCO2, with average values of 9.36, 202.98, and 0.05, and standard error 1.16, 10.90 and 0.01, respectively, in the different distances away from tree legumes. Introduction of arboreal legumes did not cause changes in microbial biomass. Microbial activity was similar in soils under forage cactus intercropped with Leucaena or Gliricidia

The importance of lipid conjugation on anti-fusion peptides against Nipah virus

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Nipah virus (NiV) is a recently emerging zoonotic virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and the Henipavirus genus. It causes a range of conditions, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The high mortality rate of 40 to 90% ranks these viruses among the deadliest viruses known to infect humans. Currently, there is no antiviral drug available for Nipah virus disease and treatment is only supportive. Thus, there is an urgent demand for efficient antiviral therapies. NiV F protein, which catalyzes fusion between the viral and host membranes, is a potential target for antiviral drugs, as it is a key protein in the initial stages of infection. Fusion inhibitor peptides derived from the HRC-domain of the F protein are known to bind to their complementary domain in the protein's transient intermediate state, preventing the formation of a six-helix bundle (6HB) thought to be responsible for driving the fusion of the viral and cell membranes. Here, we evaluated the biophysical and structural properties of four different C-terminal lipid-tagged peptides. Different compositions of the lipid tags were tested to search for properties that might promote efficacy and broad-spectrum activity. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to study the interaction of the peptides with biomembrane model systems and human blood cells. In order to understand the structural properties of the peptides, circular dichroism measurements and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. Our results indicate a peptide preference for cholesterol-enriched membranes and a lipid conjugation-driven stabilization of the peptide α-helical secondary structure. This work may contribute for the development of highly effective viral fusion against NiV inhibitors.This work was financially supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia—Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (FCT-MCTES, Portugal), through projects PTDC/BBB-BQB/3494/2014, PTDC/QUI-BIQ/114774/2009, PTDC/CCI-BIO/28200/2017 and Pest-OE/EQB/LA0004/2011, and by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), project R01AI114736, lead by Anne Moscona (Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA). This work was also financially supported by Project LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007660 (Microbiologia Molecular, Estrutural e Celular) funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds through FCT-MCTES. MCM, PMS and DL were supported by FCT-MCTES fellowships SFRH/BPD/118731/2016, SFRH/BD/118413/2016 and SFRH/BPD/92537/2013, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

POPs’ effect on cardiometabolic and inflammatory profile in a sample of women with obesity and hypertension

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are man-made compounds with metabolic disruption impact. We investigated the effect of POP exposure in the cardiometabolic and inflammatory profile in a population of women with obesity and hypertension. In 43 premenopausal women (22 treated vs. 21 nontreated) undergoing bariatric surgery, blood and adipose tissue samples (visceral (vAT) and abdominal subcutaneous (scAT)) were collected. Median concentrations of ∑HCH and ∑POPs in vAT were significantly higher in treated women. VAT ∑HCH and scAT ∑HCH and ∑POPs concentrations were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure in the non-treated group. Our findings suggest that exposure to POPs and its accumulation in vAT and circulating in plasma may be associated to a higher cardiovascular risk in women with obesity and hypertension, with or without antihypertensive treatment.This work was supported by FCT (Fundo Social Europeu, Programa Operacional Potencial Humano da EU (POPH); PEst-OE/SAU/UI0038/2011; SFRH/BD/46640/2008, SFRH/BD/64691/2009), and Projetos de Investigação na Pré-graduação 2011, Universidade do Porto.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) by-products valorization: Novel bio ingredients for functional foods

Pineapple is consumed on a large scale around the world due to its appreciated sensorial characteristics. The industry of minimally processed pineapple produces enormous quantities of by-products (3050%) which are generally undervalued. The end-of-life of pineapple by-products (PBP) can be replaced by reuse and renewal flows in an integrated process to promote economic growth by reducing consumption of natural resources and diminishing food waste. In our study, pineapple shell (PS) and pineapple core (PC), vacuum-packed separately, were subjected to moderate hydrostatic pressure (225 MPa, 8.5 min) (MHP) as abiotic stress to increase bromelain activity and antioxidant capacity. Pressurized and raw PBP were lyophilized to produce a stable powder. The dehydrated samples were characterized by the following methodologies: chemical and physical characterization, total phenolic compounds (TPC), antioxidant capacity, bromelain activity, microbiology, and mycotoxins. Results demonstrated that PBP are naturally rich in carbohydrates (6688%), insoluble (1628%) and soluble (24%) fiber, and minerals (45%). MHP was demonstrated to be beneficial in improving TPC (24%), antioxidant activity (26%), and bromelain activity (632%) without affecting the nutritional value. Furthermore, microbial and mycotoxical analysis demonstrated that powdered PC is a safe by-product. PS application is possible but requires previous decontamination to reduce the microbiological load.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal, through a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/109124/2015) and for financing the PhD grant of Renata A. Amaral (SFRH/BD/146009/2019). This work was supported by the national funding of FCT, under the scope of the strategic funding to the research units LEAF (UIDB/04129/2020), LAQV-REQUIMTE Associate Laboratory (UIDB/50006/2020) and CEB (UIDP/04469/2020) through national funds and where applicable co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement, and PDR2020-101-031856 ProEnergy—New food products and bioenergy from fruits of low commercial value and agro industrial wastesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Unmet needs in the management of cardiovascular risk in inflammatory joint diseases

Introduction: Increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality is observed in inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs) such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. However, the management of CV disease in these conditions is far from being well established.Areas covered: This review summarizes the main epidemiologic, pathophysiological, and clinical risk factors of CV disease associated with IJDs. Less common aspects on early diagnosis and risk stratification of the CV disease in these conditions are also discussed. In Europe, the most commonly used risk algorithm in patients with IJDs is the modified SCORE index based on the revised recommendations proposed by the EULAR task force in 2017.Expert opinion: Early identification of IJD patients at high risk of CV disease is essential. It should include the use of complementary noninvasive imaging techniques. A multidisciplinary approach aimed to improve heart-healthy habits, including strict control of classic CV risk factors is crucial. Adequate management of the underlying IJD is also of main importance since the reduction of disease activity decreases the risk of CV events. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have a lesser harmful effect in IJD than in the general population, due to their anti-inflammatory effects along with other potential beneficial effects.MA González-Gay’s research has been supported by grants from “Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias” PI06/0024, PS09/00748, PI12/00060, PI15/00525,PI18/00043, and RD12/0009/0013 and RD16/0012 (RIER) from “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” (ISCIII) (Spain), co-funded by FEDER funds