The açaí seed corresponds to approximately 85% of the fruit's weight and represents ~1.1 million metric tons of residue yearly accumulated in the Amazon region, resulting in an acute environmental ...and urban problem. To extract the highest value from this residue, this study aimed to evaluate its chemical composition to determine the appropriate applications and to develop conversion methods. First, mannan was confirmed as the major component of mature seeds, corresponding to 80% of the seed's total carbohydrates and about 50% of its dry weight. To convert this high mannan content into mannose, a sequential process of dilute-acid and enzymatic hydrolysis was evaluated. Among different dilute-H
SO
hydrolysis conditions, 3%-acid for 60-min at 121 °C resulted in a 30% mannan hydrolysis yield and 41.7 g/L of mannose. Because ~70% mannan remained in the seed, a mannanase-catalyzed hydrolysis was sequentially performed with 2-20% seed concentration, reaching 146.3 g/L of mannose and a 96.8% yield with 20% solids. As far as we know, this is the highest reported concentration of mannose produced from a residue. Thus, this work provides fundamental data for achieving high concentrations and yields of mannose from açaí seeds, which could add commercial value to the seeds and improve the whole açaí productive chain.
Future climate for the Mediterranean climatic region is expected to bring an increase in temperatures, decrease in the precipitation quantity and shifts in the seasonal precipitation pattern. ...Although the impacts of climate change on water resources have been relatively well explored for the Mediterranean climatic region, the specific consequences for reservoirs and, in particular, water availability and irrigation issues have been less studied. The objective of this work is two-fold: (i) to assess the impacts of future climate changes on water resources availability, quality (focusing on phosphorus loads as this is the limiting nutrient for eutrophication) and irrigation needs for two multipurpose reservoirs in southern Portugal; (ii) to suggest climate change adaptation strategies, especially for the agricultural sector. To this end, the SWAT model was first calibrated against existing data on reservoir inflows as well as phosphorus loads. Then, SWAT was run with climate derived EURO-CORDEX models (RCA4/RACMO22E) for four periods (1970–2000, 2010–2040, 2040–2070 and 2070–2100). Water availability was analysed using the Water Exploitation Index (WEI) that was calculated for both reservoirs combining changes of inflows and irrigation requirements. The results indicated that climate change will negatively impact water availability in both reservoirs, especially under RCP8.5. In the case of the Monte Novo reservoir, future domestic water supply could be constrained by water quality problems related with phosphorus loads. For Vigia reservoir, the high water exploitation will lead to water scarcity problems, mainly as this reservoir on present-day conditions is restrictive on irrigation requirements. Adaptation strategies such as the implementation of high end technology (e.g. soil moisture and plant water stress probes, satellite imagery and drones to evaluate water stress – NDVI) as well as the renewal of the irrigation network and adequate crop selection can help attenuating the effects of climate change on the water resources in this region.
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•SWAT was applied to two multipurpose reservoirs in Alentejo (Portugal).•Reservoir water availability and irrigation needs were assessed under different climate scenarios.•Climate change will negatively impact water quantity and quality in reservoirs.•The water exploitation index will increase under climate change.
Kaempferol (KPF) is a flavonoid antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables. Many studies have described the beneficial effects of dietary KPF in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, especially ...cancer. Nevertheless, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying KPF actions in the central nervous system (CNS). Also, the relationship between KPF structural properties and their glycosylation and the biological benefits of these compounds is unclear. The aim of this study was to review studies published in the PubMed database during the last 10 years (2010-2020), considering only experimental articles that addressed the isolated cell effect of KPF (C
H
O
) and its derivatives in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson, ischemia stroke, epilepsy, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, neuropathic pain, and glioblastoma. 27 publications were included in the present review, which presented recent advances in the effects of KPF on the nervous system. KPF has presented a multipotential neuroprotective action through the modulation of several proinflammatory signaling pathways such as the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), and β-catenin cascade. In addition, there are different biological benefits and pharmacokinetic behaviors between KPF aglycone and its glycosides. The antioxidant nature of KPF was observed in all neurological diseases through MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 metalloproteinase inhibition; reactive oxygen species generation inhibition; endogenous antioxidants modulation as superoxide dismutase and glutathione; formation and aggregation of beta-amyloid (β-A) protein inhibition; and brain protective action through the modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), important for neural plasticity. In conclusion, we suggest that KPF and some glycosylated derivatives (KPF-3-O-rhamnoside, KPF-3-O-glucoside, KPF-7-O-rutinoside, and KPF-4'-methyl ether) have a multipotential neuroprotective action in CNS diseases, and further studies may make the KPF effect mechanisms in those pathologies clearer. Future
studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of KPF action in CNS diseases as well as the impact of glycosylation on KPF bioactivity.
Oxidative stress and abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential role in the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Oxidation‐responsive ...nanoparticles (NPs) are formulated from a phenylboronic esters‐modified dextran (OxiDEX) that degrades selectively in response to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). OxiDEX NPs are coated with chitosan and encapsulated in a pH‐sensitive polymer to produce nano‐in‐micro composites. The microparticles are spherical with homogeneous particle size (53 ± 3 µm) and maintain integrity at acidic pH, preventing the premature release of the NPs in gastric conditions. The degradation of NPs is highly responsive to the level of H2O2, and the release of the drug is sustained in the presence of physiologically relevant H2O2 concentrations. The presence of chitosan on the particles surface significantly enhances NPs stability in intestinal pH and their adhesion on the intestinal mucosa. Compared to a traditional enteric formulation, this formulation shows tenfold decreased drug permeability across C2BBe1/HT29‐MTX cell monolayer, implying that lower amount of drug would be absorbed to the blood stream and, therefore, limiting the undesired systemic side effects. Based on these results, a successful nano‐in‐micro composite for targeted therapy of IBD is obtained by combination of the responsiveness to pH and ROS.
An advanced nano‐in‐micro composite is successfully prepared with a phenylboronic esters‐modified dextran (OxiDEX) to achieve an oxidation‐responsive drug delivery for the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease. H2O2‐selective OxiDEX degradation and consequent drug release are demonstrated. The composite limits the drug permeation through intestinal epithelium providing a promising approach to limit unspecific absorption and systemic side effects.
Albumin as a blood buffer: a new paradigm? Assis Moreira, João Pedro; Saborosa, Guilherme Pereira; Teodoro, Rafael Correa ...
Journal of applied physiology (1985),
2023-Jul-01, 2023-07-01, 20230701, Letnik:
135, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Visual assessment of the percentage diameter stenosis (%DS
) of lesions is essential in coronary angiography (CAG) interpretation. We have previously developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model ...capable of accurate CAG segmentation. We aim to compare operators' %DS
in angiography versus AI-segmented images.
Quantitative coronary analysis (QCA) %DS (%DS
) was previously performed in our published validation dataset. Operators were asked to estimate %DS
of lesions in angiography versus AI-segmented images in separate sessions and differences were assessed using angiography %DS
as reference.
A total of 123 lesions were included. %DS
was significantly higher in both the angiography (77% ± 20% vs. 56% ± 13%, p < 0.001) and segmentation groups (59% ± 20% vs. 56% ± 13%, p < 0.001), with a much smaller absolute %DS difference in the latter. For lesions with %DS
of 50%-70% (60% ± 5%), an even higher discrepancy was found (angiography: 83% ± 13% vs. 60% ± 5%, p < 0.001; segmentation: 63% ± 15% vs. 60% ± 5%, p < 0.001). Similar, less pronounced, findings were observed for %DS
< 50% lesions, but not %DS
> 70% lesions. Agreement between %DS
/%DS
across %DS
strata (<50%, 50%-70%, >70%) was approximately twice in the segmentation group (60.4% vs. 30.1%; p < 0.001). %DS
inter-operator differences were smaller with segmentation.
%DS
was much less discrepant with segmentation versus angiography. Overestimation of %DS
< 70% lesions with angiography was especially common. Segmentation may reduce %DS
overestimation and thus unwarranted revascularization.
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a group of rare degenerative disorders of the retina that can lead to blindness from birth to late middle age. Knowing the target population and its resources is ...essential to better plan support measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the socioeconomic characteristics of regions in Portugal where IRD patients reside to inform the planning of vision aid and rehabilitation intervention measures.
This study included 1082 patients from 973 families, aged 3 to 92 years, with a mean age of 44.8 ± 18.1 years. Patients living with an IRD were identified in 190 of the 308 municipalities. According to this study, the estimated IRD prevalence in Portugal was 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, and by municipalities, it ranged from 0 to 131.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. Overall, regions with a higher prevalence of IRD have a lower population density (r=-0.371, p < 0.001), a higher illiteracy rate (r = 0.404, p < 0.001) and an overall older population (r = 0.475, p < 0.001). Additionally, there is a lower proportion of doctor per capita (r = 0.350, p < 0.001), higher social security pensions beneficiaries (r = 0.439, p < 0.001), worse water quality for human consumption (r=-0.194, p = 0.008), fewer audiences at the cinema (r=-0.315, p < 0.001) and lower proportion of foreign guests in tourist accommodations (r=-0.287, p < 0.001).
The number of identified patients with IRD varied between regions. Using data from national statistics (PORDATA), we observed differences in socioeconomic characteristics between regions. Multiple targeted aid strategies can be developed to ensure that all IRD patients are granted full clinical and socioeconomic support.
Reservoirs often play an important role in mitigating water supply problems. However, the implications of climate change are not always considered in reservoir planning and management. This study ...aimed to address this challenge in the Alto Sabor watershed, northeast Portugal. The study analysed whether or not the shortage of water supply can be effectively addressed through the construction of a new reservoir (two-reservoir system) by considering future climate projections. The hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was calibrated and validated against daily-observed discharge and reservoir volume, with a good agreement between model predictions and observations. Outputs from four General Circulation Models (GCM) for two scenarios (RCP 4.5 and 8.5) were statistically downscaled and bias-corrected with ground observations. A general increase in temperature is expected in the future while the change in precipitation is more uncertain as per the differences among climatic models. In general, annual precipitation would slightly decrease while seasonal changes would be more significant, with more precipitation in winter and much less in spring and summer. SWAT simulations suggest that the existence of two-reservoir will better solve the water supply problems under current climate conditions compared to a single-reservoir system. However in the future, the reliability of this solution will decrease, especially due to the variability of projections from the different climatic models. The solution to water supply problems in this region, adopted taking only present-day climate into account, will likely be inefficient for water supply management under future climate conditions.
Background
There is no established protocol for the low doses of cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) acquisition and filter application on the diagnosis of condylar morphological alterations.
...Objectives
The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of voxel size and filter application on the diagnosis of condylar morphological alterations in CBCT using an ex vivo model.
Methods
CBCT scans of 36 temporomandibular joints were acquired using OP300 Maxio with voxel sizes of 0.085, 0.125 and 0.280 mm. Three radiologists evaluated the condyles in the CBCT volumes under three filter modes: no filter, ‘1x’ sharpen filter and ‘2x’ sharpen filter. The area under the ROC curve, sensitivity and specificity were calculated by comparing the evaluators' responses with the reference standard and compared among experimental groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA) (α = 5%).
Results
The area under the ROC curve, sensitivity and specificity were not affected by voxel size and filter application (p > .05). For osteophyte and flattening, there were more true‐positive responses in smaller voxel size. For erosion, the increase of true‐ and false‐positive responses occurred with a larger voxel size. Overall, there was a tendency to decrease true positives for osteophyte and erosion and increase false positives for flattening with the ‘2x’ sharpen filter.
Conclusions
The diagnosis of condylar morphological alterations assessed in this ex vivo analysis is not influenced by the voxel size and the application of the filters. However, attention is needed with the occurrence of false‐positive diagnosis with a larger voxel size for erosion and ‘2x’ sharpen filter for flattening.
Graphical summary of the study's main results.
In vitro cell-based characterization methods of nanoparticles are generally static and require the use of secondary analysis techniques and labeling agents. In this study, bare niosomes and ...chitosan-coated niosomes (chitosomes) and their interactions with intestinal cells are studied under dynamic conditions and without fluorescent probes, using surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based cell sensing. Niosomes and chitosomes were synthesized by using Tween 20 and cholesterol in a 15 mM:15 mM ratio and then characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS). DLS analysis demonstrated that bare niosomes had average sizes of ∼125 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.2, and a negative zeta (ζ)-potential of −35.6 mV. In turn, chitosomes had increased sizes up to ∼180 nm, with a PDI of 0.2–0.3 and a highly positive ζ-potential of +57.9 mV. The viability of HT29-MTX, Caco-2, and Caco-2/HT29-MTX cocultured cells showed that both niosomes and chitosomes are cytocompatible up to concentrations of 31.6 μg/mL for at least 240 min. SPR analysis demonstrated that chitosomes interact more efficiently with HT29-MTX, Caco-2, and Caco-2/HT29-MTX cocultures compared to bare niosomes. The resulting SPR measurements were further supported by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry studies, which demonstrated that this method is a useful complementary or even alternative tool to directly characterize the interactions between niosomes and in vitro cell models in label-free and real-time conditions.
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