Increased oxidative damage in carriers of the germline TP53 p.R337H mutation

Germline mutations in TP53 are the underlying defect of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) and Li-Fraumeni-like (LFL) Syndrome, autosomal dominant disorders characterized by predisposition to multiple early onset cancers. In Brazil, a variant form of LFS/LFL is commonly detected because of the high prevalence of a founder mutation at codon 337 in TP53 (p.R337H). The p53 protein exerts multiple roles in the regulation of oxidative metabolism and cellular anti-oxidant defense systems. Herein, we analyzed the redox parameters in blood samples from p.R337H mutation carriers (C, n = 17) and non-carriers (NC, n = 17). We identified a significant increase in erythrocyte GPx activity and in plasma carbonyl content,an indicator of protein oxidative damage, in mutation carriers compared to non-carriers (P = 0.048 and P = 0.035, respectively). Mutation carriers also showed a four-fold increase in plasma malondialdehyde levels, indicating increased lipid peroxidation (NC = 40.2060.71, C = 160.560.88, P,0.0001). Finally, carriers showed increased total antioxidant status but a decrease in plasma ascorbic acid content. The observed imbalance could be associated with deregulated cell bioenergetics and/or with increased inflammatory stress, two effects that may result from loss of wild-type p53 function. These findings provide the first evidence that oxidative damage occurs in carriers of a germline TP53 mutation, and these may have important implications regarding our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for germline TP53 p.R337H mutation-associated carcinogenesis

Bootcamp de Algoritmos: hands-on de programac¸ao

Bootcamps are, in general, an intensive study of certain content, with the aim of absorbing it, this approach having great appeal for its optimization of study time. This article aims to describe the “Algorithm Bootcamp” extension project conducted by the PET X group. This project aimed to improve the teaching of second-year Computer Science students, who had difficulties in absorbing Algorithm content during the period of remote classes, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project obtained positive feedback, evidenced by indicators from forms and questionnaires applied for evaluation and diagnostic purposes.Bootcamps são, em geral, um estudo intenso sobre determinado conteúdo, com o intuito de absorvê-lo, sendo tal didática altamente atrativa ao otimizar o tempo de estudo. O presente artigo tem como objetivo descrever o projeto de extensão "Bootcamp de Algoritmos'' realizado pelo grupo PET X. Este projeto teve como objetivo condicionar um melhor ensino aos alunos do segundo ano de Ciência da Computação, que apresentaram dificuldades em absorver o conteúdo de Algoritmos durante o período de aulas remotas, ocasionada pela pandemia do COVID-19. O projeto obteve feedbacks positivos, evidenciado por indicadores vindos de formulários e questionários aplicados com fins avaliativos e diagnósticos

Increased oxidative damage in carriers of the germline TP53 p.R337H mutation

Germline mutations in TP53 are the underlying defect of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) and Li-Fraumeni-like (LFL) Syndrome, autosomal dominant disorders characterized by predisposition to multiple early onset cancers. In Brazil, a variant form of LFS/LFL is commonly detected because of the high prevalence of a founder mutation at codon 337 in TP53 (p.R337H). The p53 protein exerts multiple roles in the regulation of oxidative metabolism and cellular anti-oxidant defense systems. Herein, we analyzed the redox parameters in blood samples from p.R337H mutation carriers (C, n = 17) and non-carriers (NC, n = 17). We identified a significant increase in erythrocyte GPx activity and in plasma carbonyl content,an indicator of protein oxidative damage, in mutation carriers compared to non-carriers (P = 0.048 and P = 0.035, respectively). Mutation carriers also showed a four-fold increase in plasma malondialdehyde levels, indicating increased lipid peroxidation (NC = 40.2060.71, C = 160.560.88, P,0.0001). Finally, carriers showed increased total antioxidant status but a decrease in plasma ascorbic acid content. The observed imbalance could be associated with deregulated cell bioenergetics and/or with increased inflammatory stress, two effects that may result from loss of wild-type p53 function. These findings provide the first evidence that oxidative damage occurs in carriers of a germline TP53 mutation, and these may have important implications regarding our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for germline TP53 p.R337H mutation-associated carcinogenesis

Classificação por matérias das questões do Enade e POSCOMP

The assessment process of undergraduate courses adopted by the Ministry of Education is the National Student Performance Exam (Enade). The National Graduate Exam for Computer Science (POSCOMP), organized by the Brazilian Computer Society, supports the admission process of students in Master’s and Doctor’s Degree courses. This project seeks to analyze the questions of Enade (the years of 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017), and POSCOMP (the years of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018), and to classify the scope and determine which subjects are found in the questions. This project was developed aiming to achieve one of the objectives proposed in the Tutorial Education Program (PET), which is to contribute to the improvement of undergraduate courses and students. It is worth mentioning that the project does not intend to adapt the authors’ Computer Science BSc to the tests, but to provide information to the course coordinator for future improvements.O processo de avaliação de cursos de graduação adotado pelo Ministério da Educação é o Exame Nacional de Desempenho dos Estudantes (Enade). O Exame Nacional para Ingresso na Pós-Graduação em Computação (POSCOMP), organizado pela Sociedade Brasileira de Computação (SBC), tem como objetivo possibilitar a participação em processos seletivos de cursos de mestrado e doutorado, sem a necessidade de deslocamento. Este projeto tem como objetivo analisar as questões das provas do Enade (anos de 2008, 2011, 2014 e 2017) e POSCOMP (anos de 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 e 2018), visando determinar quais matérias são exigidas nas questões. Este projeto foi desenvolvido visando atingir um dos objetivos do Programa de Educação Tutorial, contribuindo para a elevação da qualidade da formação acadêmica dos alunos de graduação. É importante ressaltar que o trabalho proposto não tem como objetivo tentar moldar o Bacharelado em Ciência da Computação no qual o grupo PET atua ou mesmo as disciplinas para preparar os alunos para esses exames, mas tem caráter informativo e serve como ferramenta de auxílio para a coordenação do curso

A&B Game Jam - Projeto extensionista de estímulo ao desenvolvimento de jogos

A&B Game Jam is a short-time game development marathon that aims to foster the game development scene in the region of Cascavel, Paraná. The focus of A&B is not on competition, but rather on learning, socialization and fun. Organized since its third edition by the Computer Science PET group from Western Paraná State University, the marathon had its third edition held on- site at the university in 2019 and its fourth edition held online in 2020. The event has already attracted dozens of participants from the external community, stimulating them to develop their first game in a cooperative and learning environment, always being well evaluated by them. This work discusses the idea behind A&B, all the activities related to the organization of the third and fourth editions, as well as their goals and the lessons learned by the organization.A A&B Game Jam consiste em uma maratona de desenvolvimento de jogos em um curto período de tempo e tem por objetivo estimular o cenário de desenvolvimento de jogos na região de Cascavel, Paraná. O foco da A&B não é a competição, mas sim o aprendizado, a socialização e a diversão. Organizada desde sua terceira edição pelo grupo PET da Universidade X¹, a maratona teve sua terceira edição realizada presencialmente na universidade em 2019 e a quarta edição realizada online em 2020. O presente trabalho discute a proposta da A&B e todas as atividades referentes à organização da terceira e da quarta edições, bem como seus resultados e os aprendizados adquiridos pela organização