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Transcriptomic profiling of zebrafish mutant for cdkl5 reveals dysregulated gene expression associated with neuronal, muscle, visual and skeletal development
No full textZebrafish is a well-recognized model for studying human genetic disorders. Recently, we proposed the homozygous cdkl5sa21938 mutant zebrafish as a model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a developmental epileptic encephalopathy with diverse symptoms. This study aimed to explore Cdkl5-associated molecular mechanisms in zebrafish and assess their similarity to those in mammals. We conducted RNA sequencing on whole cdkl5−/− zebrafish and wild-type siblings at 5- and 35-days post-fertilization (dpf) to compare their gene expression profiles. Most significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to muscle, neuronal, and visual systems which are affected in CDD. Gene Ontology analysis revealed downregulated DEGs enriched in muscle development, extracellular matrix, and actin cytoskeleton functions at both stages, while upregulated DEGs were enriched in eye development functions at 35 dpf. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed enrichment of downregulated DEGs in focal adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathways at both stages. Neuronal development DEGs were mainly downregulated at both stages, while synaptic signaling DEGs were upregulated at 35 dpf. Crossing cdkl5−/− mutants with the Hb9:GFP transgenic line showed fewer motor neuron cells with shorter axons compared to the wild type, which may explain the impaired motor phenotype observed in zebrafish and CDD patients. Moreover, we identified key downregulated DEGs related to cartilage development at both stages and bone development at 35 dpf, potentially explaining the skeletal defects seen in zebrafish and CDD individuals. In conclusion, Cdkl5 loss in zebrafish leads to dysregulation of genes involved in CDKL5-associated functions in mammals, providing new insights into its less studied functions and phenotypes
Pulmonaria mollis: rediscovering a forgotten edible plant through phytochemical profiling and bioactivity assessment
No full textPulmonaria species were historically valued as traditional remedies for respiratory ailments and as wild food, yet their culinary and medicinal applications have largely been forgotten. Among them, Pulmonaria mollis remains underinvestigated, with scarce phytochemical and pharmacological data. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the phenolic composition and biological activities of methanol extracts from the aerial parts (PMA) and roots (PMR) of P. mollis. UHPLC–MS4 Orbitrap analysis identified 59 compounds, mostly phenolic acids. Quantitative profiling by UHPLC/DAD/(− )HESI-MS/MS showed PMA was rich in rosmarinic acid (4508.27 μg/ g), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (605.70 μg/g), and caffeic acid (325.42 μg/g), whereas PMR contained higher levels of salvianolic acids A (2311.09 μg/g) and B (4697.98 μg/g). Along with significant antioxidant activity confirmed by standard spectrophotometric assays, where PMR showed slightly stronger radical scavenging capacity, both extracts effectively protected DNA from hydroxyl- and peroxyl-induced oxidative damage. In enzyme inhibition assays, both extracts demonstrated α-amylase inhibitory effects, while PMR showed particularly potent α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 = 14.00 μg/mL), outperforming acarbose. Moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities were also observed, with PMR generally more effective, whereas cytotoxicity testing indicated selective activity against A431 (IC50 values of 178 ± 11 μg/mL and 64 ± 3 μg/mL for PMA and PMR, respectively) cells without affecting normal cells. Overall, the findings highlight P. mollis as a promising candidate for development into functional foods and nutraceuticals aimed at chronic disease prevention, providing valuable phenolic compounds and biological properties that support its potential use as an alternative to the commonly used Pulmonaria officinalis.451–03-136/2025–03/200122; 451-03-137/2025-03/200122; 451-03-136/2025-03/200378; 451-03-136/2025-03/20000
Impact of yoga training on heart rate variability and pilot performance: a randomized controlled trial
No full textBackground Piloting military aircraft demands precise execution of maneuvers under high-stress conditions. Yoga has been proposed as a potential intervention to enhance stress management, operational performance, and flight safety in pilots. However, its effects on stress resilience and performance metrics need further investigation. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 18 pilots were randomly assigned to either a Yoga intervention group (n=10) or a control group (n=8). Heart rate variability (HRV) measures were analyzed to evaluate physiological stress responses. Performance variables, including completion times for flight maneuvers and number of errors during emergency protocol, were also assessed before and after a 12-week intervention period. Results HRV analysis showed improvements in stress resilience, indicated by changes in heart rate variability (HRV) parameters such as standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency (LF), and high frequency (HF). The Wilcoxon rank test revealed significant results regarding performance variables within the Yoga group, particularly for the Touch & Go maneuver (p=0.016) and the emergency maneuver (p=0.039), with large effect sizes (0.9444 and 0.8333, respectively). While completion times were longer for the Yoga group, indicating a more careful approach, the number of errors significantly decreased (p=0.025, effect size=0.917), with a notable reduction observed in the Yoga group compared to controls. Conclusion Incorporating yoga into pilot training protocols holds promise for better executive/cognitive functions, enhancing stress management and operational performance, reducing the number of errors, and leading to increased flight safety. While yoga may lead to longer completion times for maneuvers, the significant reduction in errors and improvements in stress resilience highlight its potential benefits. However, careful consideration is needed to balance improved precision with operational efficiency
A elaboração de um léxico-gramática para os adjetivos do Português Brasileiro
No full textEste artigo descreve uma classificação e descrição em larga escala, ainda em andamento, dos adjetivos do português brasileiro. Classificamos em predicativo ou n ̃ao predicativo os 3.367 lemas mais frequentes de adjetivo em um corpus de referência, o que corresponde a 92.09% das ocorrências de adjetivos nesse corpus. Os adjetivos predicativos receberam classificações adicionais com base no número (um ou dois) e tipo de argumentos (grupo nominal ou ora ̧c ̃ao), o que levou a seis classes diferentes de adjetivo predicativo, acrescidos de outras duas subclasses. Também descrevemos as propriedades distribucionais de cada adjetivo predicativo: sujeito e complemento humano ou n ̃ao humano, modo dos argumentos oracionais, verbos copulativos e preposições. A classe mais representativa foi a dos adjetivos não predicativos, seguida pelos adjetivos intransitivos com grupo nominal e com sujeito oracional, respetivamente. Os adjetivos tendem a se construir com verbo copulativo ser, selecionar mais argumentos não humanos e, quando estes são orações, só mais comumente reduzidas de infinitivo ou orações modo subjuntivo. As preposições mais comumente aceitas foram para de e a
Aprender com os conhecimentos e as experiências das crianças
No full textCerta vez, perguntei a uma criança: "Qual é a forma da Terra?" Ela respondeu: "Na sala de aula, por causa da professora, digo que a Terra é redonda. Mas quando vou de viagem, o carro nunca faz uma curva para cima e para baixo!" Este aparente paradoxo foi o ponto de partida para a elaboração deste livro, intitulado «Aprender com os conhecimentos e as experiências das crianças». A resposta espontânea da criança revela uma realidade com a qual nos deparamos frequentemente: a convivência simultânea de duas conceções distintas no pensamento infantil — uma de natureza escolarizada e outra de base experiencial. A conceção escolarizada surge do que é ensinado formalmente na escola — o conhecimento “correto” do ponto de vista científico-escolar. Já a conceção experiencial está enraizada nas observações e vivências do quotidiano. Assim, uma criança pode afirmar, em contexto escolar, que a Terra é redonda, mas, fora desse ambiente, perceber o mundo como plano, com base na experiência concreta de se deslocar de carro, sem "curvas para cima ou para baixo". Esse tipo de raciocínio evidencia a importância de reconhecer, escutar e compreender o conhecimento que as crianças já possuem, antes mesmo da intervenção educativa. Como futuras professoras e educadoras, defendemos que é essencial antecipar essas ideias prévias e orientar as crianças no processo de (re)construção do conhecimento, de forma significativa e integrada com as suas experiências diáriasinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Successive harvesting interval and salinity level modulate biomass production and nutritional value in sarcocornia fruticosa and arthrocaulon macrostachyum
No full textHalophyte bio-saline agriculture can supplement conventional farm methods in salinized soils and salty water. The current study compares the yield and nutritional value of new Sarcocornia fruticosa ecotypes (Shikmona, Megadim, Naaman, and Ruhama) to those of the current ecotype (VM). Additionally, Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, phenotypically similar to Sarcocornia, was compared to Sarcocornia ecotypes, and the effects of the harvesting regime and irrigation water salinity on yield and nutritional value were studied. At both salinity levels (50 and 150 mM NaCl), 30-day harvesting intervals over a 210-day growth period increased plant yield compared to a 21-day regime. It also tended to improve electrical conductivity (EC) and total soluble sugars (TSS), lower malondialdehyde levels (a marker of toxic stress), and enhance radical inhibition activity in most ecotypes. Compared to VM, the Sarcocornia ecotypes Ruh and Naa exhibited much higher biomass with similar radical inhibition activity but lower total protein content. Higher salinity improved fresh biomass, shoot diameter, relative water content, chlorophyll level, TSS, and EC and tended to increase anthocyanin and carotenoid levels. In contrast, lower salinity tended to increase total flavonoids, polyphenols, and radical inhibition activity. In the 30-day harvest regime, A. macrostachyum exhibited the highest and second-highest yields at high and low salinity, respectively; the highest shoot diameter, total flavonoids, and radical inhibition activity; and one of the lowest malondialdehyde levels. The current study highlights the importance of optimizing harvest frequency and the advantages of employing A. macrostachyum and the Sarcocornia ecotypes Ruhama, Naaman, and Megadim with a 30-day harvesting regime under higher-salinity conditions.PT-IL/0003/2019
Major data gaps and recommendations in monitoring regulations of activities in EU marine protected areas
No full textMarine Protected Areas (MPAs) play a central role in maritime policies, but there are no comprehensive analyses of regulations in EU MPAs. Using publicly available data on EU MPAs' regulations for nine activities, we first show that MPA and MSP databases display significant gaps in data comprehensiveness. The regulation of each activity was known in 40% or less of the MPA area (whether allowed, prohibited, or restricted), except for fishing activities (70% of MPA area), albeit with limited detail. Fishing, mining, or dredging/dumping activities were allowed in half of MPA area. Only mining was reported as prohibited in at least 10% of the MPA area. We discuss gaps in MPA regulatory data in light of existing reporting requirements, insufficient connection between various actors and data sources, and challenges in translating legal information into actionable indicators. We provide recommendations for future initiatives to improve the collection and standardization for environmental policies.2021.06858.BD, DL57/2016/CP1361/CT0038, DivProtect/0009/2021, CL6-2023-Biodiv 2024-2027, Grant agreement no.: 101135307, project PN-III-P4-PCE-2021- 1450, project no. 760054—JUST4MPA within PNRR-III-C9-2022-I8 and project no. 760010—ResPonSE, within PNRR-III-C9-2022-I
Microbial and sensory evaluation of Halophytes cultivated in a soilless system under different salinities
No full textThe increasing interest in halophytes as sustainable crops and their potential functional properties highlights the need to understand how cultivation conditions affect their quality for human consumption. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of salinity on the microbial quality of the halophytes Disphyma crassifolium, Inula crithmoides, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, and Suaeda maritima, cultivated using a soilless system under different salinities. The sensorial quality of D. crassifolium and S. maritima was also assessed by an experienced panel of culinary chefs. The microbial quality was measured by counting aerobic microorganisms (30 °C and 6.5 °C), fungi, Escherichia coli, and coagulase-positive staphylococci. Salinity increase caused a concentration-dependent salt accumulation in the plants, triggering a rise in the microbial populations, namely aerobic and filamentous fungi on D. crassifolium and I. crithmoides and psychrotrophic microorganisms on S. maritima (p < 0.05). Except for M. nodiflorum, plants cultivated at the highest salinity (465 mM) had levels of filamentous fungi higher than 3 Log CFU/g. Concerning aerobes, plants presented a satisfactory microbiological quality (<6 Log CFU/g) even when cultivated at high salinity (465 mM), and yeasts, E. coli, and staphylococci were never detected. D. crassifolium and S. maritima cultivated at intermediate salinities were preferred by the sensory evaluation panel. In conclusion, soilless system cultivation produces plants adequate for consumption, considering their microbial and sensorial quality.ALG-01-0247-FEDER-01767
Psychological profile of adolescents living in residential care: implications for evidence-based interventions
No full textPsychological adjustment in adolescents living in residential care settings is a multidetermined process. This study explores the psychological adjustment of adolescents living in residential care, aiming to identify distinct psychosocial profiles. The sample comprised 433 adolescents (196 boys and 237 girls), aged 12 to 18 years, from 46 Portuguese institutions. Participants self-reported on key variables, including social support, coping strategies, emotion regulation, Dark Triad traits, attachment, and institutional integration. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three theoretically coherent profiles, differentiated by number of close friends, duration of institutionalization, substance use, and psychiatric medication. These profiles reflect varying levels of psychological, emotional, behavioral, and social adjustment and align with international literature. This study offers a novel contribution by identifying specific adjustment patterns among adolescents in care, providing valuable insights to inform more tailored intervention and prevention strategies aimed at fostering healthier development and well-being in this vulnerable group.UID/06317/202
Seasonal biochemical variations in mediterranean halophytes and salt-tolerant plants: targeting sustainable innovations in ruminant health
No full textClimate change intensifies water scarcity and soil salinization, threatening agriculture and livestock systems, especially in arid Mediterranean regions. Halophytes and salt-tolerant plants offer sustainable alternatives to support ruminant health and productivity where traditional crops fail, helping mitigate climate impacts. This work evaluated seasonality effects on the biochemical properties, including proximate composition, minerals, antioxidant properties, and the phenolic composition of the aerial organs of halophytes and salt-tolerant species, aiming at their future exploitation in ruminant production as novel nutraceutical or phytotherapeutic products. Target species included four halophytic species according to the eHaloph database (Calystegia soldanella (L.) R. Br. 1810, Medicago marina L. 1753, Plantago coronopus L. 1753, and Limoniastrum monopetalum (L.) Boiss. 1848) and five salt-tolerant plants (Pistacia lentiscus L. 1753, Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl 1809, Inula crithmoides L. (syn. Limbarda crithmoides Dumort. 1827), Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii (Boiss. & Reut.) Franco 1984, and Crucianella maritima L. 1753). H. italicum, M. marina, and C. soldanella appear well-suited for nutraceutical applications, while P. lentiscus, L. monopetalum, and C. mariscus hold promise for the development of, for example, phytotherapeutic products. This research underscores the significance of seasonal and species-specific variations in nutrient and phytochemical composition, displaying a range of opportunities for novel, sustainable, and tailored solutions to ruminant production systems in arid environments.CEECIND/00425/2017; ALG-01-0145-FEDER-028876, PRIMA/0002/2019