Star-Shaped Gold Nanoparticles as Friendly Interfaces for Protein Electrochemistry: the Case Study of Cytochrome c

UID/QUI/50006/2019 POCI‐01‐0145‐FEDER‐007265 UID/Multi/04378/2019 POCI‐01‐0145‐FEDER‐007728 PTDC/NAN‐MAT/30589/2017 grant NORTE‐01‐0145‐FEDER‐000011 SFRH/BD/132057/2017Gold nanostars with an average tip-to-tip length of 52±6 nm were functionalized with different capping agents and used as electrode modification materials for protein electrochemistry. Direct electron transfer between cytochrome c and nanostar-coated pyrolytic graphite electrodes was observed with the protein in solution. The electrochemical response was improved at nanostars functionalized with a 1 : 1 mixture of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid in comparison with gold nanospheres coated with a similar functionalization. Further immobilization of cytochrome c on pyrolytic graphite while conjugated with the same nanostars guaranteed the maintenance of the protein's native properties, whereas direct adsorption on the bare or nanostar-modified electrodes resulted in an altered conformational state. The pseudo-peroxidase activity of the altered cytochrome c was enhanced in the presence of the nanostars.publishe

Establishment and characterization of human pluripotent stem cells-derived brain organoids to model cerebellar diseases

Supplementary Information Te online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/ 10.1038/s41598-022-16369-y.The establishment of robust human brain organoids to model cerebellar diseases is essential to study new therapeutic strategies for cerebellum-associated disorders. Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a cerebellar hereditary neurodegenerative disease, without therapeutic options able to prevent the disease progression. In the present work, control and MJD induced-pluripotent stem cells were used to establish human brain organoids. These organoids were characterized regarding brain development, cell type composition, and MJD-associated neuropathology markers, to evaluate their value for cerebellar diseases modeling. Our data indicate that the organoids recapitulated, to some extent, aspects of brain development, such as astroglia emerging after neurons and the presence of ventricular-like zones surrounded by glia and neurons that are found only in primate brains. Moreover, the brain organoids presented markers of neural progenitors proliferation, neuronal differentiation, inhibitory and excitatory synapses, and firing neurons. The established brain organoids also exhibited markers of cerebellar neurons progenitors and mature cerebellar neurons. Finally, MJD brain organoids showed higher ventricular-like zone numbers, an indication of lower maturation, and an increased number of ataxin-3-positive aggregates, compared with control organoids. Altogether, our data indicate that the established organoids recapitulate important characteristics of human brain development and exhibit cerebellar features, constituting a resourceful tool for testing therapeutic approaches for cerebellar diseases.This work was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Centro 2020 Regional Operational Programme under BrainHealth2020 projects (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000008), through the COMPETE 2020—Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization and Portuguese national funds via FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, under projects — UIDB/04539/2020 and UIDP/04539/2020, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030737 (NeuroStemForMJD, PTDC/BTM-ORG/30737/2017), CEEC-IND/04242/2017, PhD Scholarships 2020.04751.BD and 2020.07385.BD. It was also funded by the National Ataxia Foundation, the French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM-Téléthon) Trampoline Grant #20126, EU Joint Programme—Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) Project JPCO FUND/0005/2015-ModelPolyQ), and the Richard Chin and Lily Lock Machado-Joseph Disease Research Fund.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification and analysis of seven effector protein families with different adaptive and evolutionary histories in plant-associated members of the Xanthomonadaceae.

The Xanthomonadaceae family consists of species of non-pathogenic and pathogenic γ-proteobacteria that infect different hosts, including humans and plants. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis using 69 fully sequenced genomes belonging to this family, with a focus on identifying proteins enriched in phytopathogens that could explain the lifestyle and the ability to infect plants. Using a computational approach, we identified seven phytopathogen-enriched protein families putatively secreted by type II secretory system: PheA (CM-sec), LipA/LesA, VirK, and four families involved in N-glycan degradation, NixE, NixF, NixL, and FucA1. In silico and phylogenetic analyses of these protein families revealed they all have orthologs in other phytopathogenic or symbiotic bacteria, and are involved in the modulation and evasion of the immune system. As a proof of concept, we performed a biochemical characterization of LipA from Xac306 and verified that the mutant strain lost most of its lipase and esterase activities and displayed reduced virulence in citrus. Since this study includes closely related organisms with distinct lifestyles and highlights proteins directly related to adaptation inside plant tissues, novel approaches might use these proteins as biotechnological targets for disease control, and contribute to our understanding of the coevolution of plant-associated bacteria

Necessidades de cuidado no âmbito hospitalar do cuidador de pessoas com câncer

Introduction: Having a patient with cancer in the family entails challenges leading to a need to reorganize family dynamics to provide care, which may result in neglecting caregiver’s self-care and their needs at the hospital during inpatient stay. Objective: To understand how family caregivers would like to be cared for during hospital stay. Materials and Methods: A qualitative research was conducted with 14 family members in a Brazilian oncology hospital in 2019. Interviews were ended upon data saturation and later analyzed using the Content analysis method. Ethical aspects were considered in this research. Results: The first category showed that welcoming, attitudinal competencies of the healthcare team, psychological support and home support are considered important measures that healthcare centers can provide caregivers. The second category identified how family members would like to be cared for through interviews, revealing care transference from oneself to the care of another, as well as physical, spiritual and psychological care demands. Discussion: Our understanding is that care expectations of caregivers in the above healthcare center are close to the actual assistance offered to them. Conclusions: A need for planning support strategies for family caregivers during inpatient stay has been pointed out in this study, in addition to the importance of interdisciplinary support groups and continuous psychological support that cover family members as part of these care programs. How to cite this article: Lins, Ana Luiza Rodrigues; Mendonça, Erica Toledo de; Moreira, Tiago Ricardo; Matos, Renata Almeida de; Andrade, João Vitor; Martins, Thalyta Cássia de Freitas; Carmo, Monica Maria Lopes do. Necesidades de cuidado dentro del hospital del cuidador de personas con cancer. Revista Cuidarte. 2021;12(2):e1231. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1231    Introducción: La existencia de un paciente con cáncer en el seno de la familia implica desafíos y lleva a una necesidad de reorganización de la dinámica familiar para la prestación de cuidados, lo que puede provocar la negligencia de los auto-cuidados del cuidador, además de las necesidades de segundarización dentro del hospital, durante la hospitalización del ente enfermo. Objetivo: comprender qué cuidados los familiares cuidadores de personas con cáncer gustarían recibir en el hospital. Materiales y Métodos: estudio cualitativo, realizado en un hospital de cáncer de Brasil, con 14 familiares, en 2019. Las entrevistas fueron cerradas en el momento en que existía la saturación de datos y analizadas por la técnica de Análisis de Contenido. La investigación cumple con los aspectos éticos. Resultados: la primera categoría reveló el acogimiento, las competencias de actitud del equipo, la asistencia psicológica y la casa de apoyo como medidas importantes que la institución ofrece a los cuidadores. La segunda categoría mostró qué cuidados los familiares gustarían recibir, y los testimonios revelaron la transferencia del cuidado de sí mismo a los demás, y aún las demandas de cuidado físico, espiritual y psicológico. Discusión: es evidente que existe un acercamiento entre lo que el cuidador espera de la institución estudiada como cuidado de sí mismo, con la asistencia ofrecida. Conclusiones: el estudio señala la necesidad de planificar estrategias de apoyo a los familiares cuidadores en el entorno hospitalario, además de grupos de apoyo interdisciplinario y apoyo psicológico continuo. Como citar este artículo: Lins, Ana Luiza Rodrigues; Mendonça, Erica Toledo de; Moreira, Tiago Ricardo; Matos, Renata Almeida de; Andrade, João Vitor; Martins, Thalyta Cássia de Freitas; Carmo, Monica Maria Lopes do. Necesidades de cuidado dentro del hospital del cuidador de personas con cancer. Revista Cuidarte. 2021;12(2):e1231. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1231    Introdução: A existência de um doente com câncer no seio familiar implica em desafios e conduz a uma necessidade de reorganização da dinâmica familiar para prestação de cuidados, o que pode ocasionar, na negligência do autocuidado do cuidador, além da secundarização das necessidades deste no âmbito hospitalar, durante internação do ente adoecido. O objetivo é compreender como os familiares cuidadores de pessoas com câncer gostariam de ser cuidados no cenário hospitalar. Materiais e Métodos: pesquisa qualitativa, realizada em um hospital oncológico brasileiro, com 14 familiares, em 2019. As entrevistas foram encerradas no momento em que houve saturação de dados, e analisadas pela técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. A pesquisa respeitou os aspectos éticos. Resultados: a primeira categoria revelou que o acolhimento, competências atitudinais da equipe, acompanhamento psicológico e a casa de apoio como medidas importantes que a instituição oferece aos cuidadores. A segunda categoria apresentou como os familiares gostariam de ser cuidados, e os depoimentos revelaram a transferência do cuidado de si para o outro, e ainda demandas de cuidado no âmbito físico, espiritual e psicológico. Discussão: depreende-se que existe uma aproximação entre o que o cuidador espera da instituição estudada como cuidado para si, com a assistência que lhe é oferecida. Conclusões: O estudo apontou para a necessidade de planejamento de estratégias de apoio aos familiares cuidadores no âmbito hospitalar, além de grupos de apoio interdisciplinares e suporte psicológico contínuo, incluindo os familiares no plano de cuidados Como citar este artigo: Lins, Ana Luiza Rodrigues; Mendonça, Erica Toledo de; Moreira, Tiago Ricardo; Matos, Renata Almeida de; Andrade, João Vitor; Martins, Thalyta Cássia de Freitas; Carmo, Monica Maria Lopes do. Necesidades de cuidado dentro del hospital del cuidador de personas con cancer. Revista Cuidarte. 2021;12(2):e1231. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1231   &nbsp

USO DE PRODUTOS FLORESTAIS NÃO MADEIREIROS COMO FÁRMACOS EM COMUNIDADES RURAIS NO MUNICÍPIO DE SANTARÉM-PA

The objective of the of the present study is to know the use of non - timber forest products as drugs by community members of the Ituquí Settlement, in the Lírio dos Vales and Poço Branco communities, aiming to contribute to future non - timber community forest management actions. The information was obtained through the application of a socio-economic questionnaire of a semi-structured nature. The results showed a high preference of the community to the use of natural resources produced in an artisan way. Twenty-six species were mentioned in the data collection, being 21 of vegetal origin and 5 species of animal origin. The species Hymenaea courbaril L. represents the greatest relation of importance for the community. The species Carapa guianensis and Copaifera langsdorffii were the most frequently mentioned by the community, representing the species most frequently used. The level of knowledge about plants for medicinal purposes showed that this type of product is part of the daily life of the community. The use of natural products presents itself as a viable solution and alternative to health problems.Keywords: Ethnobotanical; Community policies; Pharmacological potential.O objetivo do presente estudo é conhecer o uso de produtos florestais não madeireiros, como fármacos, por comunitários do Assentamento do Ituquí, nas comunidades Lírio dos Vales e Poço Branco, visando contribuir para futuras ações de manejo florestal comunitário não madeireiro. As informações foram obtidas através da aplicação de questionário socioeconômico de caráter semiestruturado. Os resultados obtidos mostraram grande preferência dos comunitários ao uso de recursos naturais produzidos de forma artesanal. Foram citadas 26 espécies na coleta de dados, sendo 21 de origem vegetal e cinco espécies de origem animal. A espécie Hymenaea courbaril L. representa a maior relação de importância para os comunitários. As espécies Carapa guianensis e Copaifera langsdorffii foram as mais citadas pelos comunitários, representando as espécies de uso mais frequente. O nível de conhecimento sobre plantas para fins medicinais mostrou que esse tipo de produto faz parte do cotidiano dos comunitários. O uso de produtos naturais se apresenta como uma solução e alternativa viável aos problemas de saúde.Palavras-chave: Etnobotânico, comunitários, potencial farmacológico

Engineering Zymomonas mobilis for the production of xylonic acid from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate

Sugarcane bagasse is an agricultural residue rich in xylose, which may be used as a feedstock for the production of high-value-added chemicals, such as xylonic acid, an organic acid listed as one of the top 30 value-added chemicals on a NREL report. Here, Zymomonas mobilis was engineered for the first time to produce xylonic acid from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate. Seven coding genes for xylose dehydrogenase (XDH) were tested. The expression of XDH gene from Paraburkholderia xenovorans allowed the highest production of xylonic acid (26.17 ± 0.58 g L−1) from 50 g L−1 xylose in shake flasks, with a productivity of 1.85 ± 0.06 g L−1 h −1 and a yield of 1.04 ± 0.04 gAX/gX. Deletion of the xylose reductase gene further increased the production of xylonic acid to 56.44 ± 1.93 g L−1 from 54.27 ± 0.26 g L−1 xylose in a bioreactor. Strain performance was also evaluated in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate as a cheap feedstock, which resulted in the production of 11.13 g L−1 xylonic acid from 10 g L−1 xylose. The results show that Z. mobilis may be regarded as a potential platform for the production of organic acids from cheap lignocellulosic biomass in the context of biorefineries

III Diretriz Brasileira de Insuficiência Cardíaca Crônica

Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina Hospital das ClínicasUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Hospital de Clínicas de Porto AlegreUniversidade de Pernambuco Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de PernambucoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Faculdade de MedicinaFaculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio PretoFundação Universitária de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul Instituto de CardiologiaRede Labs D'OrUniversidade Federal FluminenseUniversidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Faculdade de Ciencias MédicasInstituto Dante Pazzanese de CardiologiaSanta Casa de MisericórdiaUniversidade de Pernambuco Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de PernambucoHospital Pró CardíacoHospital de MessejanaPontifícia Universidade Católica do ParanáUniversidade Federal de Goiás Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão PretoReal e Benemerita Sociedade de Beneficência PortuguesaFaculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas GeraisUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

II Diretriz Brasileira de Transplante Cardíaco

Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina Hospital das ClínicasIIHospital de Messejana Dr. Carlos Alberto Studart GomesUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaInstituto Dante Pazzanese de CardiologiaUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Hospital das ClínicasFaculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio PretoPontifícia Universidade Católica do ParanáIHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinInstituto Nacional de Cardiologia, Fundação Universitária do Rio Grande do Sul Instituto de CardiologiaReal e Benemérita Sociedade de Beneficência Portuguesa, São PauloHospital Pró-Cardíaco do Rio de JaneiroSanta Casa do Rio de JaneiroUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Portuguese propolis: a source of valuable bioactivities

To FEDER/COMPETE/POCI– Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme, under Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006958 and FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/AGR/04033/2013