Hypericum perforatum phenolic compounds : protective role in the toxicity induced by heterologous expression of α-synuclein and huntingtin in yeast cells

Dissertação de mestrado em Biotecnologia e Bioempreendedorismo de Plantas Aromáticas e MedicinaisParkinson’s (PD) and Huntington’s (HD) diseases are neurodegenerative disorders with high prevalence. Several studies implicate abnormal protein accumulation, protein phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress as common pathways implicated in PD and HD pathogenesis. Polyphenolic compounds are commonly found in both edible and medicinal plants, and they have been reported to have multiple biological effects, including antioxidant activity. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used as a model to study the toxicity and the biological functions of α-synuclein in PD and huntingtin in HD. The heterologous expression of wildtype and A53T mutant form of α-synuclein and huntingtin 103Q mutant form in yeast model to PD and HD, respectively, causes toxicity and death of yeast cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Hypericum perforatum phenolic compounds (quercetin, kaempferol and biapigenin) in the toxicity induced by the heterologous expression of α-synuclein and huntingtin, in S. cerevisiae. Preliminary results indicate that the presence of these phenolic compounds decreased the α-synuclein toxicity. Our results showed a possible synergistic effect between the phenolic compounds, and biapigenin was the compound with higher protective effects in the α-synuclein-induced toxicity. Mixtures of these compounds inhibited the foci formation, and kaempferol increased the aggresome formation. Relatively to the expression of huntingtin 103Q mutant form, our results showed that the presence of phenolic compounds did not interfere in the huntingtin-induced toxicity. We concluded that these phenolic compounds apparently show beneficial biological properties that consequently could have a potential use in preventing Parkinson’s disease.A doença de Parkinson (DP) e a doença de Huntington (DH) são desordens neurodegenerativas com bastante prevalência. Diversos estudos associam a acumulação de proteínas disfuncionais, fosforilação de proteínas, disfunção mitocondrial e stress oxidativo à patogénese da DP e da DH. Os compostos fenólicos são normalmente encontrados em plantas comestíveis e em plantas medicinais e têm sido estudados devido aos seus múltiplos efeitos biológicos, incluindo a actividade antioxidante. A levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae tem sido usada como modelo de estudo de toxicidade e das funções biológicas das proteínas α-sinucleína e huntingtina inplicadas na DP e na DH, respectivamente. A expressão heteróloga das formas tóxicas da proteína α-sinucleína (normal e da forma mutante A53T) e da forma patogénica (103Q) da huntingtina, em leveduras, causa toxicidade e morte celular. Assim, o objectivo deste trabalho foi a avaliação de possíveis efeitos protetores de compostos fenólicos (quercetina, kaempferol e biapigenina), presentes na planta Hypericum perforatum, na toxicidade induzida pela expressão heteróloga das proteínas, α-sinucleína e huntingtina, usando para tal a levedura S. cerevisiae como modelo. Resultados preliminares demonstraram que a presença dos compostos fenólicos diminuiu a toxicidade da α-sinucleína. Os resultados mostraram ainda a possibilidade de efeitos sinergéticos entre os compostos fenólicos e que a biapigenina foi o composto com maior efeito protetor na toxicidade induzida pela α-sinucleína. Misturas desses compostos inibiram a formação de “foci” e o kaempferol aumentou a formação de agressomas. Os resultados mostraram ainda que a presença dos compostos fenólicos não interferiu na toxicidade induzida pela expressão da forma patogénica da huntingtina. Conclui-se assim que os compostos fenólicos utilizados aparentam ter propriedades biológicas benéficas e consequentemente poderão ter um potencial uso na prevenção da DP

Evaluation of the protective effect of Hypericum perforatum phenolics compounds, in the toxicity induced by heterologous expression of α-synuclein

Parkinson’s disease (PD), first described by James Parkinson in 1817, is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The pathologic hallmark is a deterioration of the substantia nigra of yet unknown causes, resulting in a deficiency of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter for the basal ganglia circuit and the presence of cytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions named Lewy bodies, in which α-synuclein is the major constituent. Recent work implicates abnormal protein accumulation, protein phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress as common pathways implicated in PD pathogenesis. Polyphenolic compounds are commonly found in both edible and medicinal plants, and they have been reported to have multiple biological effects, including antioxidant activity. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used as a model to study several neurodegenerative diseases, including biological function of α-synuclein, as well as its toxicity. The heterologous expression of wild-type and A53T mutant form of α-synuclein causes toxicity in cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Hypericum perforatum phenolic compounds (quercetin, kaempferol and biapigenine), in the toxicity induced by the heterologous expression of α-synuclein, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model. Preliminary results indicate that the presence of these phenolic compounds decrease the protein accumulation in cells expressing α-synuclein. We concluded that these phenolic compounds apparently have beneficial biological properties that consequently could have a potential use in preventing Parkinson’s disease.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Hypericum perforatum phenolics compounds: protective role in the toxicity induced by heterologous expression of α-synuclein

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with high prevalence and is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the presence of cytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions named Lewy bodies, in which α-synuclein is the major constituent. Several studies implicate abnormal protein accumulation, protein phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress as common pathways implicated in PD pathogenesis. Polyphenolic compounds are commonly found in both edible and medicinal plants, and they have been reported to have multiple biological effects, including antioxidant activity. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used as a model to study several neurodegenerative diseases, including biological function of α-synuclein, as well as its toxicity. The heterologous expression of wild-type and A53T mutant form of α-synuclein causes toxicity in cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Hypericum perforatum phenolic compounds (quercetin, kaempferol and biapigenine), in the toxicity induced by the heterologous expression of α-synuclein, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model. Preliminary results indicate that the presence of these phenolic compounds decrease the toxicity observed in cells expressing α-synuclein without the presence of the compounds. We concluded that these phenolic compounds apparently have beneficial biological properties that consequently could have a potential use in preventing Parkinson’s disease.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - (PTDC/BIA-MIC/114116/2009) e (SFRH/BD/41674/2007

Estudios realizados en Portugal en el campo de cateterización venosa periférica: protocolo de scoping review

Background: Despite its ubiquitous nature, the practice of peripheral venous catheterization is not homogeneous among international clinical contexts. In Portugal, the information regarding the practice of peripheral venous catheterization is scattered in the literature, hindering efforts of a comprehensive analysis of its nature and implications. Objective: To map the studies developed in Portugal in the field of peripheral venous catheterization. Review method: Scoping review methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. An adequate protocol was established for each base/repository to identify studies that meet the criteria outlined. The analysis of data relevance, extraction, and synthesis will be performed by independent reviewers. Presentation and interpretation of results: The mapping of the studies carried out in Portugal in this area will contribute to the identification of the main structure, process, and outcome indicators described in national studies. Conclusion: It is expected that this review will support the development of future interventions and systematic reviews that enhance the efficacy/safety of the care provided to patients with a peripheral catheter.Contexto: Apesar da sua natureza ubíqua, a prática de cateterização venosa periférica não é homogénea entre contextos clínicos internacionais. Em Portugal, a informação referente à prática de cateterismo venoso periférico encontra-se dispersa na literatura, impossibilitando uma análise suficientemente compreensiva e abrangente da sua natureza e implicações. Objetivos: Mapear os estudos realizados em Portugal no âmbito do cateterismo venoso periférico. Método de revisão: Metodologia de scoping review proposta pelo Joanna Briggs Institute. Foi definido um protocolo adequado a cada base/repositório, que visa a identificação de estudos que respondam aos critérios delineados. O processo de análise da relevância, extração e síntese dos dados será desenvolvido por revisores independentes. Apresentação e interpretação dos resultados: O mapeamento dos estudos realizados em Portugal neste âmbito contribuirá para a identificação dos principais indicadores de estrutura, processo e resultado descritos em estudos nacionais. Conclusão: Espera-se que esta revisão sustente o desenvolvimento de intervenções e revisões sistemáticas futuras que potenciem a eficácia/segurança dos cuidados prestados ao doente com cateter periférico.Contexto: Apesar de su naturaleza ubicua, la práctica del cateterismo venoso periférico no es homogénea en contextos clínicos internacionales. En Portugal, la información sobre la práctica del cateterismo venoso periférico está dispersa en la literatura, haciéndolo imposible un análisis lo suficientemente completo de su naturaleza e implicaciones. Objetivos: Mapear los estudios realizados en Portugal en el ámbito del cateterismo venoso periférico. Método de revisión: Metodología de scoping review propuesta por Joanna Briggs Institute. Se definió un protocolo adecuado a cada base/repositorio para identificar estudios que respondan a los criterios delineados. El proceso de análisis da relevancia, extracción y síntesis de los datos será desarrollado por revisores independientes. Presentación e interpretación de los resultados: El mapeo de los estudios realizados en Portugal en esta área contribuirá a la identificación de los principales indicadores de estructura, proceso y resultado descritos en estudios nacionales. Conclusión: Se espera que esta revisión contribuya al desarrollo de futuras intervenciones y revisiones sistemáticas que mejoren la eficacia/seguridad de la atención del paciente con catéter periférico.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 no ensino de medicina veterinária em universidades públicas da região sudeste do Brasil: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on veterinary medicine teaching in public universities in the southeast region of Brazil

O ensino remoto tornou-se realidade nas instituições de ensino públicas e privadas do Brasil, como uma das medidas preventivas decorrente do novo cenário pandêmico mundial imposto pelo novo Coronavírus. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as dificuldades enfrentadas em cursos de Medicina Veterinária de universidades públicas do Sudeste do Brasil diante desse novo molde educacional, segundo a opinião de discentes e docentes. A obtenção desses dados foi por meio de dois questionários elaborados na plataforma “Google Forms” e compartilhados por plataformas digitais (E-mail, Instagram, Facebook e WhatsApp), sendo que, ao final, foram coletadas 209 respostas (98,5% discentes e 1,5% coordenadores) de 16 universidades públicas. O questionário direcionado aos discentes buscou obter informações sobre identificação e impacto da pandemia na graduação, desempenho acadêmico, acessibilidade e apoio tecnológico, vida pessoal e saúde mental. Já o formulário direcionado aos coordenadores objetivou coletar informações sobre identificação e o impacto da pandemia na graduação, acessibilidade e apoio tecnológico e experiência como profissional. Os resultados demonstram que, na opinião do público-alvo, a pandemia afetou de forma negativa o ensino e vida pessoal, impactando áreas como aproveitamento acadêmico e saúde mental. Consequentemente, mesmo que os entrevistados tenham apontado obter melhores notas e médias ponderadas durante o ensino remoto, os mesmos julgaram que seu conhecimento e aprendizado decaíram e que houve preocupação com o prejuízo social e educacional em sua formação e futuro

SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARSCoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.We gratefully acknowledge to Sara Hill and Nuno Faria (University of Oxford) and Joshua Quick and Nick Loman (University of Birmingham) for kindly providing us with the initial sets of Artic Network primers for NGS; Rafael Mamede (MRamirez team, IMM, Lisbon) for developing and sharing a bioinformatics script for sequence curation (https://github.com/rfm-targa/BioinfUtils); Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven) for providing guidance on the implementation of the phylodynamic models; Joshua L. Cherry (National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) for providing guidance with the subsampling strategies; and all authors, originating and submitting laboratories who have contributed genome data on GISAID (https://www.gisaid.org/) on which part of this research is based. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. This study is co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016