1,081 research outputs found
Determinação quantitativa e qualitativa da pastagem de propriedades familiares do Nordeste paraense.
Prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy by natural antioxidant containing in chitosan-based nanomedicines
Oxidative processes are critical factors in ocular conditions that may lead to pathologies such as Diabetic Retinopahty due to structural and functional modification of the tissues, apoptosis of capillary cells and retinal microvascular changes, making the loss of vision inevitable. Application of antioxidants may reduce apoptosis and restores partially functional tissues. Considering the multiple benefits of antioxidants in DR and that conjunctival drug permeability improvement is one of the major challenges in ocular drug delivery, the major topic of this work is to study the absorption capacity and consequent bioavailability of natural antioxidants incorporated in chitosan-based nanoparticles to prevent and treat DR. In this regards, it is proposed to characterize, quantify and compare the antioxidant potential of Salvia sp. and Satureja montana extracts and their main pure antioxidants: rutin, caffeic and clorogenic acid. Then, antioxidant compounds are encapsulated into different chitosan-based nanoparticles, nanoparticles and release profile characterized and ocular permeation evaluated using in vitro cell models. Finally, the effect of antioxidant nanomedicines across human ocular is evaluated in diabetic animal after topical administration in vivo.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Antagonizing the spindle assembly checkpoint silencing enhances paclitaxel and Navitoclax-mediated apoptosis with distinct mechanistic
Antimitotic drugs arrest cells in mitosis through chronic activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), leading to cell death. However, drug-treated cancer cells can escape death by undergoing mitotic slippage, due to premature mitotic exit. Therefore, overcoming slippage issue is a promising chemotherapeutic strategy to improve the effectiveness of antimitotics. Here, we antagonized SAC silencing by knocking down the MAD2-binding protein p31comet, to delay mitotic slippage, and tracked cancer cells treated with the antimitotic drug paclitaxel, over 3 days live-cell time-lapse analysis. We found that in the absence of p31comet, the duration of mitotic block was increased in cells challenged with nanomolar concentrations of paclitaxel, leading to an additive effects in terms of cell death which was predominantly anticipated during the first mitosis. As accumulation of an apoptotic signal was suggested to prevent mitotic slippage, when we challenged p31comet-depleted mitotic-arrested cells with the apoptosis potentiator Navitoclax (previously called ABT-263), cell fate was shifted to accelerated post-mitotic death. We conclude that inhibition of SAC silencing is critical for enhancing the lethality of antimitotic drugs as well as that of therapeutic apoptosis-inducing small molecules, with distinct mechanisms. The study highlights the potential of p31comet as a target for antimitotic therapies.The authors gratefully acknowledge CESPU—Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário, which financed this work under the projects “ComeTarget_CESPU_2017” and “ComeTax”. Ana C. Henriques acknowledge FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for financial support (Grant SFRH/BD/116167/2016)
The roles of vitamin d and cathelicidin in type 1 diabetes susceptibility
Type 1 diabetes has an increasingly greater incidence and prevalence with no cure available. Vitamin D supplementation is well documented to reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Being involved in the modulation of cathelicidin expression, the question whether cathelicidin may be one of the underlying cause arises. Cathelicidin has been implicated in both the development and the protection against type 1 diabetes by mediating the interplay between the gut microbiome, the immune system and ß cell function. While its potential on type 1 diabetes treatment seems high, the understanding of its effects is still limited. This review aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the potential of vitamin D and cathelicidin as adjuvants in type 1 diabetes therapy.This work was financed by FEDER – Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020 – Operacional Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior in the framework of the project PTDC/MED-OUT/30466/2017 and ‘Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences’ (FCT – UID/BIM/04293/2019). Cecília Cristelo and Alexandra Machado would like to thank to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal for financial support (SFRH/BD/139402/2018 and SFRH/BD132000/2017, respectively)
Selection of low swelling materials for protein adsorption from white wines
The protein adsorption capacity of different materials was evaluated to assess their
potential efficacy as alternative adsorbents for the removal of proteins from wines, with
the purpose of finding suitable low-swelling materials that could be used in a percolated
bed. The adsorbents tested were thermally treated sodium bentonite, low-swelling
adsorbing clays, ion exchange resins and other protein adsorbents (silica gel, hydroxyapatite
and alumina). The materials were evaluated by analysing both the capacity to
stabilize untreated white wines, according to a heat test, and by characterizing the
adsorption isotherms of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a model wine (water, ethanol
and K-bitartrate). Breakthrough curves in a packed bed were determined experimentally
for some materials, showing the influence of the adsorption isotherm shape. Some ionexchange
resins showed a favourable behaviour and have good potential as alternative
adsorbents
The voices and actions of child activists against the climate crisis
Aim. The work has as main objective to present some of the actions of children considered
activists to face the climate crisis through social media. Technologies and social media
allow them a new form of existence and action through their posts, whether is in video,
photo or text format, promoting interactions and discussions that captivate hundreds or
thousands of followers.
Methods. Data collection was carried out from a digital ethnography, analysing the
social media and linked news in the media of 13 children from different countries (Australia,
United States, India, Holland, England, Indonesia, South Africa, Uganda and Sweden) over
an 18-month period.
Results. To understand the data, digital ethnography was used as a strategy to follow
the main interactions and online mobilisations through different social media (Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter), as well as linked news in the media about those children, and
articulation of them with governmental, non-governmental organizations and private companies.
In relation to the selection of participants, the pro le of a child activist was added
and through the algorithms of these platforms other activists with similar pro les were
found that promote content about climate justice. Conclusions. It was possible to identify that the Internet has enabled the visibility and
articulation of children’s actions on the theme, and how this engagement has promoted
awareness and changes to ght against the climate crisis. It is worth emphasising the
importance of digital literacy so that access to these spaces is carried out safely and responsibly
for this social group.This work was financially supported by Portuguese national funds through the FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) within the framework of the CIEC (Research Center for Child Studies of the University of Minho) projects under the references UIDB/00317/2020 and UIDP/00317/2020
Avaliação quantitativa e qualitativa da pastagem em propriedades familiares do nordeste paraense.
A crise social desenhada pelas crianças: imaginação e conhecimento social
A crise social e económica que tem atingido o mundo desde 2008, com efeitos especialmente sentidos nos países do Sul da Europa, causou impactos fortes e visíveis na infância, como o aumento das taxas efetivas e de risco de pobreza e a vulnerabilidade e a exposição a fatores de risco social e de perda consistente de direitos. A análise dessas incidências tem vindo a ser trabalhada num conjunto de relatórios nacionais e internacionais, de ONG’s e estudos académicos. No entanto, poucos estudos têm dedicado atenção ao modo como a interpretação das representações das crianças sobre a crise é feita e sobre as expressões específicas que estas assumem na sua vida quotidiana. As crianças são capazes de observar os modos como a crise impacta o seu próprio grupo geracional, bem como os adultos que mais lhe são próximos. Da mesma forma, promovem interpretações económicas sobre os fenómenos, sejam elas mais “ingénuas” ou mais complexas. Este artigo incide sobre as representações das crianças sobre a crise social e económica em Portugal. São especialmente analisadas narrativas gráficas produzidas por crianças oriundas de classes trabalhadoras, com idades compreendidas entre os 6 e os 10 anos de idade. Por meio dessas narrativas, as crianças constroem formas visuais a partir da sua imaginação sobre a sua condição. Assim, a imaginação das crianças é um modo de acesso ao conhecimento na sociedade onde se inserem e aos seus modos próprios de compreensão de realidades complexas.The social and economic crisis that has hit the world since 2008, with effects
strongly felt in the countries of Southern Europe, has had fierce and
visible impacts in childhood with the increase of the effective rates, the risk
of poverty and vulnerability, and the exposure to factors of social risk and
consistent loss of rights. The analysis of these incidents has been worked on
in a series of national and international reports from NGOs and academic
studies. However, few studies have devoted attention to the way in which
the interpretation of the representations of children about the crisis is made
and the specific expressions that they assume in their daily lives. Children
are able to observe the ways in which the crisis affects their own generational
group as well as the adults closest to them. In the same way, they promote
economic interpretations of phenomena, whether “naïve” or more complex.
This article focuses on the representations of children about the social and
economic crisis in Portugal. Graphical narratives produced by children from
working classes, aged between 6 and 10 years old, are given focus. From
these narratives, children construct visual forms from their imagination about
their social condition. Thus, the child’s imagination is a way of accessing
knowledge in the society they belong to and their own way of understanding
complex realities.CIEC - Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança, IE, UMinho (UI 317 da FCT), Portugalinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Chronic meningococcemia
The spectrum of Neisseria meningitidis-associated clinical entities involves mild forms of disease, without neurological involvement or sepsis, and asymptomatic carrier states. Rarely, N. meningitidis bacteremia can be associated with a prolonged fever with or without arthritis, which we designate as chronic meningococcemia. Chronic meningococcemia is an uncommon entity, usually associated to serogroup B N. meningitidis. Diagnosis is frequently delayed as blood cultures collected outside febrile periods can be negative. We present a case of chronic meningococcemia in a 22-year-old woman with no relevant clinical background, presenting with fever, arthralgia and exanthem. Due to the potential for progression to more severe disease and the risk of N. meningitidis transmission and development of secondary cases, a high degree of clinical suspicion is required to ensure prompt recognition and adequate treatment. Our patient had a favorable outcome probably due to early recognition and adequate treatment, which is critical for the resolution of the disease without complications
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