Project-based learning: video game development as a tool to integrate ecology, genetics, evolution and informatics

Introduction: Active, student-centered learning encourages the development of 21st century skills and competences. Many of them encourage, in addition to autonomy, interdisciplinarity. Therefore, the participation of students in the creation and not only the stimulation of the use of technologies is extremely relevant. Considering the importance of multidisciplinarity that must envolve the learning process, new approaches such as Project Based-Learning have been developed, seeking greater involvement of the students in learning-related decisions. Objective: Aiming the interdisciplinarity that the integrated educational system requires, the purpose of this study was to analyze the development of games as an integration tool, between biology and computing area. The games have been developed along with the subjects of Entrepreneurship and Practical Projects III. Methods: Classes have been held so that high school students could grasp the contents of Evolution, Genetics and Ecology, which would be the central themes of the games. Results: Groups who have chosen Evolution to work with had greater difficulty in understanding the contente whereas those who have worked with Ecology and Genetics outdid the formers. The Game Maker program stood out being the most used tool for the game’s making process. Conclusion: The acceptance of the project by the students leads to the conclusion that innovative methodologies such as project-based learning is a great tool in education, so that the groups could be more involved in class and the subjects could be linked together

Tunable Energy-Transfer Process in Heterometallic MOF Materials Based on 2,6-Naphthalenedicarboxylate: Solid-State Lighting and Near-Infrared Luminescence Thermometry

Trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln3+) are used to prepare a plethora of coordination compounds, with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) being among the most sought-after in recent years. The porosity of Ln-MOFs is often complemented by the luminescence imparted by the metal centers, making them attractive multifunctional materials. Here, we report a class of three-dimensional (3D) MOFs obtained from a solvothermal reaction between 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H2NDC) and lanthanide chlorides, yielding three types of compounds depending on the chosen lanthanide: [LnCl(NDC)(DMF)] for Ln3+ = La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+ (type 1), [Eu(NDC)1.5(DMF)]·0.5DMF (type 2), and [Ln2(NDC)3(DMF)2] for Ln3+ = Tb3+, Dy3+, Y3+, Er3+, Yb3+ (type 3). Photoluminescent properties of selected phases were explored at room temperature. The luminescence thermometry capability of Yb3+-doped Nd-MOF was fully investigated in the 15-300 K temperature range under 365 and 808 nm excitation. To describe the optical behavior of the isolated MOFs, we introduce the total energy-transfer balance model. Therein, the sum of energy-transfer rates is considered along with its dependence on the temperature - the sign, magnitude, and variation of this parameter - permitting to afford a thorough interpretation of the observed behavior of the luminescent species of all materials presented here. The combination of novel theoretical and experimental studies presented herein to describe energy-transfer processes in luminescent materials can pave the way toward the design of MOF-based chemical and physical sensors working in an optical range of interest for biomedical applications.Fil: Gomez, Germán Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Marin, Riccardo. University of Ottawa; CanadáFil: Carneiro Neto, Albano N.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Botas, Alexandre M. P.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Ovens, Jeffrey. University of Ottawa; CanadáFil: Kitos, Alexandros A.. University of Ottawa; CanadáFil: Bernini, Maria Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Carlos, Luís D.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Soler Illia, Galo Juan de Avila Arturo. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto de Nanosistemas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Murugesu, Muralee. University of Ottawa; Canad

NMR Studies on Structure and Dynamics of the Monomeric Derivative of BS-RNase: New Insights for 3D Domain Swapping

Three-dimensional domain swapping is a common phenomenon in pancreatic-like ribonucleases. In the aggregated state, these proteins acquire new biological functions, including selective cytotoxicity against tumour cells. RNase A is able to dislocate both N- and C-termini, but usually this process requires denaturing conditions. In contrast, bovine seminal ribonuclease (BS-RNase), which is a homo-dimeric protein sharing 80% of sequence identity with RNase A, occurs natively as a mixture of swapped and unswapped isoforms. The presence of two disulfides bridging the subunits, indeed, ensures a dimeric structure also to the unswapped molecule. In vitro, the two BS-RNase isoforms interconvert under physiological conditions. Since the tendency to swap is often related to the instability of the monomeric proteins, in these paper we have analysed in detail the stability in solution of the monomeric derivative of BS-RNase (mBS) by a combination of NMR studies and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. The refinement of NMR structure and relaxation data indicate a close similarity with RNase A, without any evidence of aggregation or partial opening. The high compactness of mBS structure is confirmed also by H/D exchange, urea denaturation, and TEMPOL mapping of the protein surface. The present extensive structural and dynamic investigation of (monomeric) mBS did not show any experimental evidence that could explain the known differences in swapping between BS-RNase and RNase A. Hence, we conclude that the swapping in BS-RNase must be influenced by the distinct features of the dimers, suggesting a prominent role for the interchain disulfide bridges

Metabolic synergies in the biotransformation of organic and metallic toxic compounds by a saprotrophic soil fungus

The saprotrophic fungus Penicillium griseofulvum was chosen as model organism to study responses to a mixture of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH) and of potentially toxic metals (vanadium, lead) in solid and liquid media. The P. griseofulvum FBL 500 strain was isolated from polluted soil containing high concentrations of HCH isomers and potentially toxic elements (Pb, V). Experiments were performed in order to analyse the tolerance/resistance of this fungus to xenobiotics, and to shed further light on fungal potential in inorganic and organic biotransformations. The aim was to examine the ecological and bioremedial potential of this fungus verifying the presence of mechanisms that allow it to transform HCH isomers and metals under different, extreme, test conditions. To our knowledge, this work is the first to provide evidence on the biotransformation of HCH mixtures, in combination with toxic metals, by a saprotrophic non-white-rot fungus and on the metabolic synergies involved

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

Sensing properties, energy transfer mechanism and tuneable particle size processing of luminescent two-dimensional rare earth coordination networks

A new isostructural family of layered coordination networks (CNs) based on rare earth elements and mixed ligands was hydrothermally synthesized and fully characterized. The set of compounds with the general formula [REE(Salicylate)(Succinate)0.5(H2O)] (with REE = Ho or Y) belong to the monoclinic P21/c space group. Top-down methods were implemented in order to obtain nano-sized CN particles for potential application in thin film fabrication. The solid state photoluminescence (SSPL) of the Eu, Tb and Eu/Tb doped samples was explored in terms of excitation/emission spectra, lifetime values and quantification of light emission by the CIE chromaticity calculation. Measurement of the triplet state energy of the ligand at low temperature was carried out by analysing the SSPL of the Y-based compound; energy transfer pathways were studied. According to the high performance of the Tb-doped compound as a green emitter, thermal and chemical sensing assays were carried out.Fil: Godoy, Agustín Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Germán Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Kaczmarek, Anna M.. University of Ghent; BélgicaFil: Van Deun, Rik. University of Ghent; BélgicaFil: Furlong, Octavio Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: Gándara, Felipe. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; EspañaFil: Monge, María A.. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; EspañaFil: Bernini, Maria Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Narda, Griselda Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; Argentin

On the structural stability of a small bioactive peptide of potential unse in Biotechnology

8PubMed: J Biomol Struct Dyn. 1999 Apr;16(5):1053-9.nonenoneDI MARO D.; SCARSELLI M.; BERNINI A.; CRESTI S.; ROSSOLINI G.M.; L. LOZZI; NERI P.; NICCOLAI N.DI MARO, D.; Scarselli, M.; Bernini, A.; Cresti, S.; Rossolini, GIAN MARIA; Lozzi, Luisa; Neri, Paolo; Niccolai, Ner