120 research outputs found
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 AromĂĄticas e MedicinaisParkinsonâs (PD) and Huntingtonâs (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 Parkinsonâs disease.A doença de Parkinson (DP) e a doença de Huntington (DH) sĂŁo desordens neurodegenerativas com
bastante prevalĂȘncia. Diversos estudos associam a acumulação de proteĂnas disfuncionais,
fosforilação de proteĂnas, disfunção mitocondrial e stress oxidativo Ă patogĂ©nese da DP e da DH. Os
compostos fenĂłlicos sĂŁo normalmente encontrados em plantas comestĂveis e em plantas medicinais
e tĂȘm sido estudados devido aos seus mĂșltiplos efeitos biolĂłgicos, incluindo a actividade
antioxidante. A levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae tem sido usada como modelo de estudo de
toxicidade e das funçÔes biolĂłgicas das proteĂnas α-sinucleĂna e huntingtina inplicadas na DP e na
DH, respectivamente. A expressĂŁo heterĂłloga das formas tĂłxicas da proteĂna α-sinucleĂna (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 possĂveis efeitos
protetores de compostos fenĂłlicos (quercetina, kaempferol e biapigenina), presentes na planta
Hypericum perforatum, na toxicidade induzida pela expressĂŁo heterĂłloga das proteĂnas, α-sinucleĂna
e huntingtina, usando para tal a levedura S. cerevisiae como modelo. Resultados preliminares
demonstraram que a presença dos compostos fenĂłlicos diminuiu a toxicidade da α-sinucleĂna. 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-sinucleĂna.
Misturas desses compostos inibiram a formação de âfociâ 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
Parkinsonâs 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 Parkinsonâs disease.Fundação para a CiĂȘncia e a Tecnologia (FCT
Hypericum perforatum phenolics compounds: protective role in the toxicity induced by heterologous expression of α-synuclein
Parkinsonâs 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 Parkinsonâs disease.Fundação para a CiĂȘncia 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 ubĂqua, a prĂĄtica de cateterização venosa perifĂ©rica nĂŁo Ă© homogĂ©nea entre contextos clĂnicos internacionais. Em Portugal, a informação referente Ă prĂĄtica de
cateterismo venoso periférico encontra-se dispersa na literatura, impossibilitando uma anålise suficientemente compreensiva e abrangente da sua natureza e implicaçÔes.
Objetivos: Mapear os estudos realizados em Portugal no ùmbito do cateterismo venoso periférico.
MĂ©todo de revisĂŁo: 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 critĂ©rios delineados. O processo de anĂĄlise da relevĂąncia, extração e sĂntese dos dados serĂĄ desenvolvido por revisores independentes.
Apresentação e interpretação dos resultados: O mapeamento dos estudos realizados em Portugal
neste ùmbito contribuirå 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 intervençÔes e revisÔes sistemåticas
futuras que potenciem a eficĂĄcia/segurança dos cuidados prestados ao doente com cateter perifĂ©rico.Contexto: Apesar de su naturaleza ubicua, la prĂĄctica del cateterismo venoso perifĂ©rico no es homogĂ©nea en contextos clĂnicos internacionales. En Portugal, la informaciĂłn sobre la prĂĄctica del cateterismo venoso perifĂ©rico estĂĄ dispersa en la literatura, haciĂ©ndolo imposible un anĂĄlisis lo suficientemente completo de su naturaleza e implicaciones.
Objetivos: Mapear los estudios realizados en Portugal en el åmbito del cateterismo venoso periférico.
MĂ©todo de revisiĂłn: MetodologĂa de scoping review propuesta por Joanna Briggs Institute. Se definiĂł
un protocolo adecuado a cada base/repositorio para identificar estudios que respondan a los criterios
delineados. El proceso de anĂĄlisis da relevancia, extracciĂłn y sĂntesis de los datos serĂĄ desarrollado por
revisores independientes.
PresentaciĂłn e interpretaciĂłn de los resultados: El mapeo de los estudios realizados en Portugal en
esta ĂĄrea contribuirĂĄ a la identificaciĂłn de los principales indicadores de estructura, proceso y resultado descritos en estudios nacionales.
ConclusiĂłn: Se espera que esta revisiĂłn contribuya al desarrollo de futuras intervenciones y revisiones
sistemåticas 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 veterinĂĄria em universidades pĂșblicas da regiĂŁo 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 instituiçÔes de ensino pĂșblicas e privadas do Brasil, como uma das medidas preventivas decorrente do novo cenĂĄrio pandĂȘmico mundial imposto pelo novo CoronavĂrus. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as dificuldades enfrentadas em cursos de Medicina VeterinĂĄria de universidades pĂșblicas do Sudeste do Brasil diante desse novo molde educacional, segundo a opiniĂŁo de discentes e docentes. A obtenção desses dados foi por meio de dois questionĂĄrios elaborados na plataforma âGoogle Formsâ 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 pĂșblicas. O questionĂĄrio direcionado aos discentes buscou obter informaçÔes sobre identificação e impacto da pandemia na graduação, desempenho acadĂȘmico, acessibilidade e apoio tecnolĂłgico, vida pessoal e saĂșde mental. JĂĄ o formulĂĄrio direcionado aos coordenadores objetivou coletar informaçÔes sobre identificação e o impacto da pandemia na graduação, acessibilidade e apoio tecnolĂłgico e experiĂȘncia como profissional. Os resultados demonstram que, na opiniĂŁo do pĂșblico-alvo, a pandemia afetou de forma negativa o ensino e vida pessoal, impactando ĂĄreas como aproveitamento acadĂȘmico e saĂșde mental. Consequentemente, mesmo que os entrevistados tenham apontado obter melhores notas e mĂ©dias ponderadas durante o ensino remoto, os mesmos julgaram que seu conhecimento e aprendizado decaĂram e que houve preocupação com o prejuĂzo 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 CiĂȘncia e Tecnologia
and AgĂȘncia de Investigação ClĂnica e Inovação BiomĂ©dica (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 CiĂȘncia 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,5â7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8â11 In
the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the worldâs 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.13â15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazonâs 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 regionâs vulnerability to environmental change. 15%â18% 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 & NemĂ©sio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; NemĂ©sio 2009aâb; 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
- âŠ