Toxicity and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of α, β-dehydroamino acids against human cancer cell lines

A library of N-protected dehydroamino acids, namely dehydroalanine, dehydroaminobutyric acid and dehydrophenylalanine derivatives, was screened in three human cancer cell lines [(lung (A549), gastric (AGS) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y)] in order to characterize their toxicological profile and identify new molecules with potential anticancer activity. Results showed N-protected dehydrophenylalanine and dehydroaminobutyric acid derivatives have no or low toxicity for all tested cell lines. The N-protected dehydroalanines exhibit significant toxic effects and the AGS and SH-SY5Y cells were significantly more vulnerable than A549 cells. Four α,β- dehydroalanine derivatives, with IC50 < 62.5 μM, were selected to investigate the pathways by which these compounds promote cell death. All compounds, at their IC50 concentrations, were able to induce apoptosis in both AGS and SH-SY5Y cell lines. In both cell lines, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was found and caspase activity was increased, namely endoplasmic reticulum-resident caspase-4 in AGS cells and caspase-3/7 in SH-SY5Y cells. When evaluated in a non-cancer cell line, the molecules displayed no to low toxicity, thus suggesting some degree of selectivity for cancer cells. The results indicate that α,β-dehydroalanine derivatives can be considered a future resource of compounds able to work as anticancer drugs.This work received financial support from National Funds (FCT/MEC) through Project UID/QUI/50006/2013, co-financed by European Union (FEDER under the Partnership Agreement PT2020); and from Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER 000024).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Variaciones del índice de cono en suelo movilizado posterior al tráfico de un tractor equipado con dos tipos de neumáticos y a cuatro velocidades de desplazamiento

The tractor is one of the machines that more traffics over the soil during the processes involving agricultural production. The interaction tractor/soil is made by the tires which, in most of the cases, are pneumatic. The tire type and the tractor travel speed, interfere directly on the pressure over the soil. One of the techniques employed to evaluate the alterations that tractor traffic causes in the soil is to measure its Cone Index. The aim of this research was to evaluate the same Cone Index alterations caused by an agricultural tractor equipped with both radial tires and bias ply tires, trafficking mobilized soil in four different travel speeds. The experiment was performed in a LATOSSOLO VERMELHO, located 22°51' S, 48°25'W and 770 m of altitude, in Botucatu-SP, Brazil. The soil mobilization was performed with a chisel plow and a disc arrow. The traction was accomplished with a John Deere tractor, model 6600, with 88 kW of power and 6,723 kg. Equipment requiring a force of 25kN was traced by the tractor draw bar. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with 4 × 2 factorial arrangements, with two distinct treatments corresponding to the types of tires (bias and radial) and the four travel speeds, with six replications. There were selected the following speeds: 3.5, 3.9, 5.1 and 5.9 km h-1. To determine the soil resistance, there was utilized MSSU - Mobile Soil Sampling Unit, with which the Cone Index was obtained in layers from 0-100, 100-200, 200-300, 300-400, 400-500 and over 500 mm deep. The Cone Index where evaluated in areas with non contact between tire and soil (ICn) and in the tire footprint track (ICp). There were calculated the Cone Index increments caused by the tractor tire (AIC) and the results showed that as the tractor travel speed increased, there were observed decrements in the medium values of cone index. The radial tire provided smaller values of the Cone Index in the superficial layer of the soil (0 to 100 mm) in relation to the bias ply tire, when the speed was approximately 6 km h-1. The increment in the Cone Index, promoted by the tractor, was more intense in the first 200 mm depth, but it also reached the layer from 200 to 300 mm

Elemental composition, total fatty acids, soluble sugar content and essential oils of flowers and leaves of Moringa oleifera cultivated in Southern Portugal

LA/P/0094/2020. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The AuthorsThe evaluation of the elemental content of moringa leaves and flowers by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry revealed that the leaves are a good source of some macro (Ca and K) and micronutrients (Mn) beyond the presence of important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), essential in human nutrition. Total soluble sugars prevail in the flowers which may be linked to insect attraction and the pollination process. M. oleifera leaves, flowers and seeds essential oils (EOs) were isolated by hydrodistillation. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) showed EOs dominated by alkanes and fatty acids in diverse ratios in the analyzed plant parts. The nutritional characterization of M. oleifera cultivated in Portugal showed some important nutrients to human physiology. Further studies will allow determining if its consumption may overcome the nutritional imbalances of daily modern households, preventing the emergence of hypertension and diabetes.publishersversionpublishe

Endophytic bacteria from aromatic plants and their potential for bioinoculation on Green Roofs vegetation

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Study of prevalence, severity and risk factors of periodontal disease in a Portuguese population

Periodontal disease is a common worldwide oral inflammation/infection affecting tissues that surround and support teeth. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence, extent and severity of periodontal diseases and its risk factors, according to the most recent periodontal classification, in an adult population of Northern Portugal. This observational study collected data from clinical records of patients who attended the University Clinic of Gandra between April 2021 and April 2022. Of a total of 941 patients included, 457 (48.6%) had periodontitis, 253 (26.9%) had gingivitis and the remaining 231 (24.5%) were healthy patients. The prevalence of stage III severe periodontitis was 51.2%, more prevalent in males, and in the age group of 61–70 years. Gingivitis was more prevalent in females, and in the age group of 31–40 years; in both diseases, the most prevalent extension was the generalized one. Using a binary logistic regression, we observe a significant relation of the risk of periodontitis with age (p = 0.019; OR 1.033; 95% CI 1.005–1.062), tooth brushing (p = 0.002; OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.105–0.599) and dental flossing (p = 0.015; OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.09–0.768). This study revealed a high prevalence of periodontitis. Increased age, lack of tooth brushing and flossing were identified as potential risk factors for periodontitis in the investigated Portuguese population.This research was funded by Instituto Universitário de Ciencias da Saúde (CESPU) and by CESPU Diagnóstico. The participation of Marta Relvas was funded by the project grant AMDNCPD_PI2RL_IINFACTS_2021 and Luis Monteiro by the project grant IPO2021_PI2RL_IINFACTS_2021 from CESPU University

Raiva em herbívoros no estado do Pará, Brasil: estudo descritivo (2004 a 2013)

PARC/PROPESP and PAPQ/ PROPESPUniversidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Medicina Veterinária. Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brazil.Instituto Federal de Educação do Tocantins. Palmas, TO, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Medicina Veterinária. Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Graduate Program in Health Sciences. Sinop, MT, Brazil.Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi - Campus de Pesquisa. Programa de Capacitação Institucional. Coordenação Ciências da Terra e Ecologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Agência de Defesa Agropecuária do Pará. Belém, PA, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laboratório de Geoprocessamento. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Medicina Veterinária. Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brazil.Rabies is an important zoonosis to public health associated with lethal encephalitis and economic losses. Analysis of its spatial distribution is a meaningful tool in understanding its dispersion, which may contribute to the control and prophylaxis of the disease. This study analyzed the spatial-temporal distribution of rabies outbreaks in livestock in Pará state, Brazil, from 2004 to 2013. We used records of neurological syndromes obtained from the state’s livestock authority (Adepará). The analysis recorded 711 neurological syndromes reports in livestock, of which 32.8% were positive for rabies. In 8% of the neurological syndromes (n=57) was not possible to perform the analysis because of bad-packaging conditions of the samples sent. Outbreaks involved at least 1,179 animals and cattle were the most affected animal species (76.8%). The numbers of reported neurological syndromes and of rabies outbreak shad strong positive correlation and exhibited decreasing linear trend. Spatially, most outbreaks occurred in two mesoregions in Pará (Northeast and Southeast). One of the justifications for this spatial distribution may be related with the distribution of the animals in the state, since these mesoregions are the largest cattle producers in Pará and have most of their territory deforested for pasture implementation

A comparative genomics approach for identifying host-range determinants in <i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i> bacteriophages

The authors would like to thank: Mimi Birkelund, Ditte E. Christiansen, Goncalo Covas, and Denise Coutinho for their help in collecting data; Ana Rute Neves for valuable discussions; Witold Kot and Lars H. Hansen for sequencing of phage genomes at Aarhus University (Roskilde, Denmark). This work is part of an Industrial PhD Project funded by Innovation Fund Denmark and Chr. Hansen A/S, grant no. 4135-00104B.Comparative genomics has proven useful in exploring the biodiversity of phages and understanding phage-host interactions. This knowledge is particularly useful for phages infecting Streptococcus thermophilus, as they constitute a constant threat during dairy fermentations. Here, we explore the genetic diversity of S. thermophilus phages to identify genetic determinants with a signature for host specificity, which could be linked to the bacterial receptor genotype. A comparative genomic analysis was performed on 142 S. thermophilus phage genomes, 55 of which were sequenced in this study. Effectively, 94 phages were assigned to the group cos (DT1), 36 to the group pac (O1205), six to the group 5093, and six to the group 987. The core genome-based phylogeny of phages from the two dominating groups and their receptor binding protein (RBP) phylogeny corresponded to the phage host-range. A role of RBP in host recognition was confirmed by constructing a fluorescent derivative of the RBP of phage CHPC951, followed by studying the binding of the protein to the host strain. Furthermore, the RBP phylogeny of the cos group was found to correlate with the host genotype of the exocellular polysaccharide-encoding operon. These findings provide novel insights towards developing strategies to combat phage infections in dairies.publishersversionpublishe

Isolation of Chitinolytic Bacteria from European Sea Bass Gut Microbiota Fed Diets with Distinct Insect Meals

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The ever-growing human population is increasingly demanding more fish. As a response, aquaculture has become the fastest growing industry in its sector. Alternatives to fish meal, an unsustainable commodity used as the main protein source for carnivorous species, are urgently needed in aquafeeds. Recently, in Europe, seven insect species have been approved as potential ingredients for animal feeds, including fish feed. However, chitin, one of the components of an insect’s exoskeleton, is indigestible for several economically valuable fish species, decreasing fish performance upon inclusion. This work aimed to isolate, from the European sea bass gastrointestinal tract, probiotic bacteria capable of producing chitinases to improve the use of diets containing high levels of insect meal. Based on the enhanced adaptability of gut microbial communities and the selective pressure of chitin-enriched diets on fish gut microbiota, bacteria were first isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of European sea bass fed chitin-enriched diets. Isolates were then comprehensively screened in vitro for important traits such as their ability to utilize chitin, gut-survival aptitude, and biosafety-related issues required to be considered eligible as probiotics by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). ABSTRACT: Insect meal (IM), recently authorized for use in aquafeeds, positions itself as a promising commodity for aquafeed inclusion. However, insects are also rich in chitin, a structural polysaccharide present in the exoskeleton, which is not digested by fish, resulting in lower fish performance. Through the application of a dietary pressure, this study aimed to modulate European sea bass gut microbiota towards the enrichment of chitinolytic bacteria to allow the isolation of novel probiotics capable of improving the use of IM-containing diets, overcoming chitin drawbacks. Five isoproteic (44%) and isolipidic (18%) diets were used: a fish meal (FM)-based diet (diet CTR), a chitin-supplemented diet (diet CHIT5), and three diets with either 25% of Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor larvae meals (HM25 and TM25, respectively) or H. illucens exuviae meal (diet HEM25) as partial FM substitutes. After an 8-week feeding trial, the results showed a clear modulatory effect towards spore-forming bacteria by HM25 and HEM25 diets, with the latter being responsible for the majority of the chitinolytic fish isolates (FIs) obtained. Sequential evaluation of the FI hemolytic activity, antibiotic resistance, total chitinolytic activity, sporulation, and survival in gastrointestinal-like conditions identified FI645 and FI658 as the most promising chitinolytic probiotics for in vivo application

Sculpturing squeezed states to get highly excited fock states

We study two experimental schemes generating highly excited number states starting from an initial squeezed state. One of the schemes works for stationary fields, the other for traveling ones

Calcifying odontogenic cyst : a 26-year retrospective clinicopathological analysis and immunohistochemical study

Background: To identify the prevalence and clinicopathological profile of calcifying odontogenic cysts (COC) stored at an oral pathology service, and to analyze the immunoexpression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and cyclin D1 (CD1) in these cysts. Material and Methods: After a retrospective analysis (1990-2016) carried out to identify cases of COC, a sample of 12 cases was selected for immunohistochemical analysis of COX-2 and CD1 by the immunoperoxidase technique. Protein expression was evaluated semiquantitatively by attributing a score of 0 to 3 (0 = no staining; 1 = 1-25%; 2 = 26-50%, and 3 = >51% immunopositive cells). Results: Twenty cases of COC were diagnosed over the study period. These cysts were more common in the posterior mandible and in men (male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1), with a mean age of 29.9 years. Among the 12 cases analyzed, immunoexpression of COX-2 was observed only in the inflammatory infiltrate in 50% of the cysts (n = 6). Protein CD1 was detected (score 1) in 66.6% of cases (n = 8), and COX-2 was negative in 50% (n = 6). Conclusions: The prevalence of COC among all odontogenic cysts was 3.5%, representing an uncommon lesion. Immunohistochemical analysis suggested that COX-2 does not participate in lesion progression. The cell proliferation index of COC was low, as demonstrated by the expression of CD1, suggesting a proliferative profile compatible with more indolent lesion