Exossomas como ferramentas para a descoberta de biomarcadores

Mestrado em Biomedicina MolecularOs exossomas são pequenas vesículas extracelulares envolvidas em vários processos fisiológicos e patológicos. O potencial dos exosomas como fontes de biomarcadores para o diagnóstico, prognóstico e mesmo para a terapêutica tem intensificado a investigação nesta área, apoiando o potencial dos exosomas na descoberta de biomarcadores. A centrifugação diferencial é o método mais usado, mas é demorado, requer grandes volumes de amostra e as altas velocidades de centrifugação podem comprometer a integridade dos exossomas. Apesar das várias opções disponíveis, nenhum consenso foi atingido quanto à melhor metodologia para isolar exossomas. Neste estudo, dois métodos baseados em precipitação e um método baseado em colunas foram comparados para a isolação de exosomas a partir de soro, plasma e líquido cefalorraquidiano humano (LCR). Foi realizada uma completa caracterização dos exosomas isolados, incluindo a análise do tamanho e estabilidade das partículas, análise da morfologia por microscopia eletrónica de transmissão, incluindo métodos de quantificação de partículas e proteína. Todos os métodos isolaram exosomas a partir dos três biofluidos, contudo apresentaram performances diferentes em termos de rendimento exossomal. Estes dados apoiam a hipótese de que para além da ultracentrifugação outros métodos podem ser aplicados para isolar exosomas no contexto da investigação clínica e translacional. Neste estudo foi também explorado o potencial dos exosomas derivados do soro humano como transportadores de biomarcadores candidatos para a Doença de Alzheimer (DA). Estes podem representar métodos menos invasivos do que o atual diagnóstico neuroquímico para a DA, baseado no LCR. Neste caso, foi monitorizado o potencial de sAPPα e sAPPβ nos exosomas extraídos de soro de indivíduos com demência moderada, severa e casos de DA diagnosticados. Foi observada uma diminuição nas médias de sAPPα e sAPPβ dos exosomas neuronais derivados do soro, suportando o potencial dos exosomas na descoberta de biomarcadores para a DA.Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles involved in various physiological and pathological processes. The potential of exosomes as biomarker resources for diagnostics, prognostics and even for therapeutics has intensified research in the field supporting the potential of exosomes in AD biomarker discovery. Differential centrifugation is the most used method but is time-consuming, requires larger volumes of sample, and the high centrifuge speed compromise exosome integrity. Despite the various approaches available, no consensus on which is the best methodology to isolate exosomes have been reached thus far. Thus, in this study, two precipitation-based methods and one column-based method were compared for exosome isolation from human serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. A complete exosome characterization was carried out, including size and particle stability analysis, morphological assessment by transmission electron microscopy and yield quantification methods. All methods isolated exosomes from the three biofluids although in terms of exosome yield they performed differently. These data support the notion that other methods than ultracentrifugation can be successfully applied to isolate exosomes, that can be further used in the context of translational and clinical research. It was also explored the value of serum-derived exosomes as carriers of candidate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers. These may represent less invasive approaches than CSF-based neurodegenerative diagnostic currently used for AD. In this case, the potential of serum-derived exosome sAPPα and sAPPβ was monitored, in cognitive demented individuals including AD diagnosed cases. A decrease in sAPPα and sAPPβ levels of serum-derived neuronal exosomes was obtained in individuals with moderate, severe dementia and AD confirmed from respective controls, supporting the potential of exosome in AD biomarker discovery

Interpretação teórico-política da gestão democrática universitária no contexto das políticas neoliberais

The article analyzes the university democratic management from a theoretical-political reflection on the contradictions of the capitalist State as an instance of domination and bourgeois power in the context of neoliberal policies. The theoretical reference is Florestan Fernandes´ conception of democracy and bourgeois- autocracy in countries with dependent and underdeveloped capitalism. The procedures are a theoretical study based on references to the concepts of democracy, education management, university autonomy and neoliberal policies. The limitation of the constitutional principle of university autonomy resulted in a restriction of democratic management by the managerial model and by the neoliberal project.El artículo analiza la gestión democrática universitaria desde una reflexión teórico-política de las contradicciones del Estado capitalista como instancia de dominación y poder burgués en el contexto de las políticas neoliberales. El referencial teórico es la concepción de Florestan Fernandes de la democracia y la autocracia burguesa en países con capitalismo dependiente y subdesarrollado. Los procedimientos son un estudio teórico que tiene como referencia los conceptos de democracia, gestión educativa, autonomía universitaria y políticas neoliberales. La limitación del principio constitucional de autonomía universitaria produjo una restricción a la gestión democrática por el modelo de gestión gerencial y por el proyecto neoliberal.O artigo analisa a gestão democrática universitária a partir de uma reflexão teórico-política das contradições do Estado capitalista como instância de dominação e poder burguês no contexto das políticas neoliberais. O referencial teórico é a concepção de Florestan Fernandes de democracia e autocracia-burguesa em países de capitalismo dependente e subdesenvolvido. Os procedimentos são um estudo teórico que faz referências aos conceitos de democracia, gestão da educação, autonomia universitária e as políticas neoliberais. A limitação do princípio constitucional de autonomia universitária produziu uma restrição da gestão democrática pelo modelo de gestão gerencial e pelo projeto neoliberal

Portuguese websites obesity information

The internet is widely used by everyone as a source of health information,namely in obesity and weight lost. However, the easy production and edition of documents on the Internet enables any user to be an author and write the information according to their will, not ensuring the veracity of it. In this context the internet may be seen as a threat to one’s health. Thus, the aim of the study was to characterize and evaluate Portuguese websites obesity information and verify if the technical and scientifi c background of the author was related to the obesity information score of the websites. Portuguese 127 websites were evaluated with regard to obesity information, according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Management of Obesity a national clinical guideline. The average score for information on obesity was 6.38 in 26 possible on websites aimed at children/young people and 3.51 in the 24 possible directed at adults. Of the websites examined 67% did not mention the technical training of the author and only 11% were authored by a Dietitian. This study shows that the score of obesity information was signifi cantly higher in the sub-sample of the Dietitian or multidisciplinary team author. These results demonstrate the need to regulate the Internet as a source of health information, requiring the presence of a professional with technical training in healthcare

The quality of portuguese obesity websites

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of Portuguese obesity websites. A cross-sectional, quantitative and observational study was designed. The evaluation of 127 sites found using the Google in “Advanced Search” option “pages in Portuguese”, country “Portugal” was performed. The quality criteria used in this study resulted from the merger/adaptation from several authors previously published. The information on obesity was evaluated according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network: Management of Obesity, a National Clinical Guideline, 2010. The quality criteria most mentioned in the websites, were the purpose (80.3%) and authority (73.2%). On the other hand, the editorial review (7.9%) and references (15.7%) were mentioned in the narrowest websites. The websites analyzed had a mean quality score of 5.2 points (± 2.1) out of 11. A significant correlation was found between the score of information on obesity and quality score for adults group (0.282) and both ages group (0.437). In Portugal, the websites that provide information on obesity had, generally, a low quality score

Exosomal aβ-binding proteins identified by “in silico” analysis represent putative blood-derived biomarker candidates for alzheimer´s disease

The potential of exosomes as biomarker resources for diagnostics and even for therapeutics has intensified research in the field, including in the context of Alzheimer´s disease (AD). The search for disease biomarkers in peripheral biofluids is advancing mainly due to the easy access it offers. In the study presented here, emphasis was given to the bioinformatic identification of putative exosomal candidates for AD. The exosomal proteomes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum and plasma, were obtained from three databases (ExoCarta, EVpedia and Vesiclepedia), and complemented with additional exosomal proteins already associated with AD but not found in the databases. The final biofluids’ proteomes were submitted to gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and the exosomal Aβ-binding proteins that can constitute putative candidates were identified. Among these candidates, gelsolin, a protein known to be involved in inhibiting Abeta fibril formation, was identified, and it was tested in human samples. The levels of this Aβ-binding protein, with anti-amyloidogenic properties, were assessed in serum-derived exosomes isolated from controls and individuals with dementia, including AD cases, and revealed altered expression patterns. Identification of potential peripheral biomarker candidates for AD may be useful, not only for early disease diagnosis but also in drug trials and to monitor disease progression, allowing for a timely therapeutic intervention, which will positively impact the patient’s quality of life.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cachaça Classification Using Chemical Features and Computer Vision

Cacha¸ca is a type of distilled drink from sugarcane with great economic importance. Its classification includes three types: aged, premium and extra premium. These three classifications are related to the aging time of the drink in wooden casks. Besides the aging time, it is important to know what the wood used in the barrel storage in order the properties of each drink are properly informed consumer. This paper shows a method for automatic recognition of the type of wood and the aging time using information from a computer vision system and chemical information. Two algorithms for pattern recognition are used: artificial neural networks and k-NN (k-Nearest Neighbor). In the case study, 144 cacha¸ca samples were used. The results showed 97% accuracy for the problem of the aging time classification and 100% for the problem of woods classification.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Qualidade de vida no idoso, um olhar sobre a África Subsaariana

Com base na pesquisa efetuada, existem vários fatores que foram associados à qualidade de vida, incluindo a saúde física, psicológica, social e ambiental, sendo de evidenciar que a qualidade de vida foi mais elevada nos idosos da ASS do género masculino; casados; com idades menos avançadas; que apresentavam maiores níveis de escolaridade; habitavam em zonas urbanas e zonas que não vivenciaram períodos de guerra; viviam em alojamentos menos precários (protegidos de vetores comuns de doença); tinham acesso a fontes de água e saneamento; tinham acesso a meios de informação, como o rádio; os bens eram controlados pelos conjugues e não por outros elementos da família; tinham uma fonte de rendimento (como ser beneficiário de algum tipo de subsidio, ou ter um negócio) e estavam satisfeitos com o rendimento; conseguiam uma alimentação mais rica, nomeadamente com acesso a fruta e legumes. A existência de depressão e incapacidade física mostrou-se comum nos idosos da ASS, no entanto não os impossibilitava de manter uma quali- dade de vida boa

Estilos de vida e felicidade subjetiva de estudantes de cursos de especialização em enfermagem, em Angola

Os estilos de vida revelam-se como formas de pensar, de agir e de interação com o ambiente que rodeia cada pessoa individualmente, aparentandoum efeito positivo sobre a felicidade dos estudantes e sobre a forma como avaliam a sua vida. Conclui-se que os estudantes, participantes deste estudo, cuidam da sua segurança, despertam muito vespertinamente, preocupam-se em manter uma satisfatória imagem corporal e a saúde física e psicológica, são dedicados, assíduos e pontuais. Apesar de se preocuparem em beber água não fazem o número de refeições recomendadas e não fazem vigilância da saúde oral nem da pressão arterial

A feasibility cachaca type recognition using computer vision and pattern recognition

Brazilian rum (also known as cachaça) is the third most commonly consumed distilled alcoholic drink in the world, with approximately 2.5 billion liters produced each year. It is a traditional drink with refined features and a delicate aroma that is produced mainly in Brazil but consumed in many countries. It can be aged in various types of wood for 1-3 years, which adds aroma and a distinctive flavor with different characteristics that affect the price. A research challenge is to develop a cheap automatic recognition system that inspects the finished product for the wood type and the aging time of its production. Some classical methods use chemical analysis, but this approach requires relatively expensive laboratory equipment. By contrast, the system proposed in this paper captures image signals from samples and uses an intelligent classification technique to recognize the wood type and the aging time. The classification system uses an ensemble of classifiers obtained from different wavelet decompositions. Each classifier is obtained with different wavelet transform settings. We compared the proposed approach with classical methods based on chemical features. We analyzed 105 samples that had been aged for 3 years and we showed that the proposed solution could automatically recognize wood types and the aging time with an accuracy up to 100.00% and 85.71% respectively, and our method is also cheaper.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Vector Surveillance Network - sandflies: the importance of the surveillance of a lesser-known vector

O programa REVIVE (Rede de Vigilância de Vetores) resulta de colaboração entre a Direção-Geral da Saúde, as Administrações Regionais de Saúde do Algarve, Alentejo, Centro, Lisboa e Vale do Tejo e Norte, a Direção Regional da Saúde da Madeira, a Direção Regional da Saúde dos Açores e o Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge. No âmbito do REVIVE é realizada a vigilância entomológica, a nível nacional, de mosquitos (Culicidae) desde 2008, carraças (Ixodidae) desde 2011 e flebótomos (Psychodidae) desde 2016. Para se determinar o risco de emergência de doenças transmitidas por flebótomos é indispensável desenvolver procedimentos para uma vigilância entomológica sistematizada. Desta forma, anualmente, de maio a outubro, técnicos colhem, com armadilhas luminosas CDC, flebótomos em todo o território de Portugal continental. Os insetos provenientes das colheitas são enviados para o Centro de Estudos de Vetores e Doenças Infeciosas do Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, para identificação de espécies e deteção de agentes patogénicos, nomeadamente flebovírus e Leishmania spp. Contrariamente ao que aconteceu com os culicídeos a partir de 2008 ou com os ixodídeos, a partir de 2011, a vigilância dos flebótomos tem vindo a ser implementada de uma forma gradual desde 2016. Verifica-se que a monitorização destes vetores, apesar de ter sofrido constrangimentos devido à pandemia, tem vindo a aumentar substancialmente nos últimos anos. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar, de uma forma sucinta, os resultados obtidos na vigilância de flebótomos em 2023, e no período que decorreu 2016 a 2022, em Portugal continental, realçando os principais riscos em saúde pública relacionados com este vector em Portugal.The REVIVE programme (Vector Surveillance Network) is the result of a collaboration between the General Directorate of Health, the Regional Health Administrations of the Algarve, Alentejo, Centro, Lisbon and Tagus Valley and Nor th, the Regional Health Directorate of Madeira, the Regional Health Directorate of the Azores and the National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge. Within the scope of REVIVE, entomological surveillance is carried out at national level for mosquitoes (Culicidae) since 2008, ticks (Ixodidae) since 2011 and sandflies (Psychodidae) since 2016. To determine the risk of emergence of diseases transmit ted by sandflies, it is essential to develop procedures for systematized entomological sur veillance. Therefore, ever y year, from May to October, technicians collect sandflies throughout mainland Por tugal using CDC light traps. The collected insects are sent to the Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, for species identification and detection of pathogens, namely phleboviruses and Leishmania spp. Contrar y to what happened with culicids or with ixodids, the sur veillance of sandflies has been implemented gradually, since 2016. It appears that the monitoring of these vectors, despite having suf fered constraints due to the pandemic, has been increasing substantially in recent years. The objective of this work is to succinctly present the results obtained in the sur veillance of sandflies in 2023, and in the period from 2016 to 2022, in mainland Por tugal, highlighting the main public health risks related to this vector in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio