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Large language models powered aspect-based sentiment analysis for enhanced customer insights
No full textIn the age of social networks, user-generated content has become vital for organizations in tourism and hospitality. Traditional sentiment analysis methods often struggle to process large volumes of data and capture implicit sentiments. This study examines the potential of Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA) using Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance sentiment analysis. By employing GPT-4o via ChatGPT, we benchmark three approaches: a fuzzy logic-based method, manual human analysis, and a new ChatGPT-based analysis. We analyze a dataset of 500 all-inclusive hotel reviews, comparing these methods to assess ChatGPT's effectiveness in identifying nuanced language and handling subjectivity. The findings reveal a high similarity between ChatGPT and human analysis, showcasing ChatGPT's ability to interpret complex sentiments and automate sentiment classification tasks. This study highlights the potential of LLMs in transforming customer feedback analysis, providing deeper insights, and improving responsiveness in the hospitality industry. These results contribute to academia by presenting a framework for using LLMs in ABSA and guiding future applications and development
Innate feeding plasticity and animal prey support invasiveness of aquatic species in a southwestern European estuary
No full textNon-indigenous species often rely on trophic plasticity to adjust to available food sources and even to avoid interspecific competition while overcoming environmental constraints during the establishment phase and, eventually, as they become invasive. The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 is expanding quickly in southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa, raising concerns about its impacts. Its feeding ecology in non-native areas is poorly understood, so this study aimed to 1) unveil the diet and feeding strategy used by the Atlantic blue crab in a highly invaded European estuary, 2) evaluate if their invasiveness was facilitated by an invasion meltdown process concerning trophic facilitation, and 3) determine its trophic position. Metagenomic analyses of gut content and stable isotopes showed that the species relied on opportunistic and carnivorous feeding traits and preyed mainly on native animal species, such as fish, shrimps, and oysters. We did not observe evidence of a widespread invasion meltdown process through trophic facilitation mediated by other invaders. The Atlantic blue crab’s trophic niche overlapped with two native crab species, particularly the European green crab Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758), while it’s high trophic position (4.3 ± 0.5) reflected the reliance on animal prey. These evidence suggests that trophic plasticity likely contributed to the invasiveness of the Atlantic blue crab because of its ability to exploit readily available prey. The Atlantic blue crab metapopulation is expanding and increasing over a vast region, and unfortunately a series of cascading effects throughout the food web can still be expected, as observed elsewhere.ATLAZUL project (Poctep/Interreg 0755_ATLAZUL_6_E – Impulso da aliança litoral atlântica para o crescimento azul); COVID/BD/153280/2023; DL57/2016/CP1344/CT0021)info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Molecular responses in the intestine of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) following light and diet stimulation of smoltification: Potential molecular markers for a seawater-ready smolt
No full textThe transfer to seawater (SW) represents a critical stage in the production of Atlantic salmon. The success of the transfer links with the optimal development of hypo-osmoregulatory capacities during smoltification. While various strategies are adopted in aquaculture to stimulate smoltification, considerable fish loss still occurs after transfer to sea cages. Therefore, we investigated the molecular responses in the anterior and posterior intestine of Atlantic salmon, following 1) a photoperiod treatment (24 h light (L):0 h dark (D) → 24 L:0D vs. 7 L:17D → 24 L:0D) and 2) dietary treatment (regular feed or feed enriched with a salt mix/tryptophan), combined with, or without a photoperiodic treatment in freshwater (FW), to evaluate how intestinal osmoregulatory mechanisms are modulated by these treatments, and to identify potential intestinal markers indicative of a SW-ready smolt. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), we investigated transcript levels of transporters and channels involved in ion movements through the enterocytes, tight junction components, and receptors (i.e., calcium-sensing re ceptor and prolactin receptor). The two intestinal regions showed different gene profiles and responsiveness towards the experimental treatments. In the anterior intestine, the exposure to short photoperiod (7 L:17D) upregulated Na+/K+ − ATPase subunit alpha 1c (nkaα1c), Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter 1 (nkcc1), Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter 2 (nkcc2), Cl− /HCO− 3 exchanger Slc26a6 (slc26a6), and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator I (cftrI), in FW and SW. Also, Na+/K+ − ATPase subunit alpha 1b (nkaα1b), occludin (ocln), and prolactin receptor (prlr) were upregulated in FW and claudin 15 (cldn15) in SW groups exposed to this photo period. The posterior intestine was less responsive to the experimental treatments, although upregulation of nkcc1, nkcc2, slc26a6, and cftrI was observed in FW in the short photoperiod groups. Hence, our findings show that exposure to a winter signal in FW more effectively activates hypo-osmoregulatory mechanisms in the in testine of Atlantic salmon, where a coordinated and complementary role of the anterior and posterior intestine ensures optimal SW processing. Dietary treatment had a positive but more marginal effect on the regulation of the genes investigated, mainly enhancing the impact of short photoperiod when the two treatments were combined. Overall, we propose the apical Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter, nkcc2, and the apical Cl− / HCO− 3 exchanger, slc26a6, as potential FW molecular markers in the anterior intestine to assess “SW-readiness” in Atlantic salmon smolts
Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918) and the Interaction with its hosts: A Review
No full textThe cultivation of citrus in the Mediterranean region is of considerable economic importance. The viability of this industry is contingent upon a number of factors, with adequate phytosanitary management being of particular significance. During the last decade, the geographical range of the invasive psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918), has expanded to the mainland territories of Portugal and Spain. Trioza erytreae acts as a vector for the Huanglongbing disease (HLB). This review presents the current knowledge about the hosts of the psyllid and their attractiveness and suitability. A classification of the hosts according to their suitability, as assessed in the literature, is provided. The attributes of the hosts and the methods used to assess their suitability are described, as well as the climatic factors that affect the psyllid–host interaction. The review emphasises the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of the interactions between the psyllids and their hosts to develop and implement more effective strategies for controlling T. erytreae.H2020-SFS-2018-2; 817526;N/
Digital health in the context of healthcare workers' education and training
No full textDigital technologies are reshaping healthcare practices, influencing patient information-seeking behavior, and impacting ethical considerations. The emergence of eHealth, mHealth, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics hold promise for improving healthcare quality. However, in Portugal, digital health literacy is underexplored, particularly in healthcare education. This chapter scrutinizes curricula at higher education health schools, revealing that while health technologies are integrated, digital health is often confined to specific modules. Portuguese institutions must reconsider curricula to equip healthcare professionals with essential digital skills. The significance of this chapter lies in its critical analysis and recommendations for reform. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive integration of digital health in healthcare education, highlighting the gap in current curricula and advocating for a more comprehensive approach. Recommendations include implementing ongoing training to enhance digital health literacy.N/
Engineering immunotherapies for thyroid cancer
No full textThyroid cancer affects millions of people worldwide, particularly women. While most thyroid cancer patients have a good long-term prognosis, advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer is one of the most aggressive human malignancies. For most patients suffering from anaplastic thyroid cancer, treatment options are severely limited as tumors are resistant to conventional treatments.
Anaplastic thyroid cancers typically have a highly immunosuppressive, pro-tumorigenic phenotype, characterized by high levels of immune checkpoint expression and the accumulation of tumor-associated macrophages that can account for more than 50% of the tumor volume. These immune-mediated mechanisms that facilitate rapid tumor growth represent attractive new treatment opportunities, particularly combinations of immunotherapies targeting T-cells and macrophages.
The concept of innate immune memory, also known as trained immunity, has recently gained significant attention in the study of the innate immune system. It has also been shown that the induction of trained immunity can help overcome immunosuppression and can be beneficial in the context of cancer. Given this fact, we proposed trained immunity as a therapy target to overcome the characteristic immunosuppressive environment of anaplastic thyroid cancer. The research was conducted to determine the best conditions for inducing trained immunity in bone marrow-derived macrophages. We focused on commonly used primary stimuli such as β-glucan, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, and MDP and secondary bacterial stimuli. Furthermore, tumor culture medium was used as a secondary stimulus.
Through measurements of cytokine production, we detected the induction of trained immunity in bone marrow-derived macrophages trained with BCG and we observed that factors released by tumor cells can have a comparable effect as bacterial stimuli.
We also examined the effect of a tumor on the immune system, looking at the cytokine production of splenocytes and bone marrow-derived macrophages of tumor-bearing mice. At the same time, we analyzed immune cell populations of tumor-bearing mice using flow cytometry, focusing on myeloid, lymphoid, and progenitor cell populations.
In summary, this study provides fundamental new knowledge on how to target the bone marrow and induce trained immunity as a new treatment paradigm for anaplastic thyroid cancer.O cancro da tiroide afeta milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo, especialmente mulheres. Embora a maioria dos doentes com cancro da tiroide tenha um prognóstico favorável a longo prazo, o cancro anaplásico avançado da tiroide é um dos cancros mais agressivo, tendo um prognóstico negativo. O tratamento convencionalmente utilizado é a cirurgia seguida do uso de iodo radioativo para eliminação do restante tumor. No entanto, para a maioria dos doentes com cancro anaplásico da tiroide, as opções de tratamento são severamente limitadas, uma vez que os tumores são resistentes ao iodo radioativo. Este tipo de cancro da tiroide desenvolve tumores rapidamente e de tamanhos exacerbados, levando, em muitos casos, a morte por asfixia.
Os cancros anaplásicos da tiroide têm tipicamente um fenótipo altamente imunossupressor e pró-tumorigénico. Este é caracterizado por mutações - BRAF, TP53, RAS, TERT- responsáveis pela agressividade do tumor, e níveis elevados de recrutamento de macrófagos associados a tumores (TAMs), que podem representar mais de 50 % do volume tumoral. Estes mecanismos mediados imunologicamente que facilitam o crescimento rápido do tumor representam oportunidades atrativas para novos tratamentos, particularmente combinações de imunoterapias direcionadas a células T e macrófagos.
O conceito de memória imunitária inata, também conhecida como imunidade treinada, tem ganho recentemente uma atenção significativa para o estudo do sistema imunitário inato. Este conceito é caracterizado pela capacidade do sistema imunitário inato de responder de forma mais eficaz a um patógeno ou estímulo após um encontro anterior com diferentes patógenos ou estímulos. Esta resposta imune é caracterizada por alterações epigenéticas persistentes nas células imunes, acompanhadas de uma maior produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias.
Ao contrário da imunidade adaptativa, que é mediada por linfócitos B e T e requer exposição prévia ao antígeno específico, a imunidade treinada é uma resposta imune inata, que envolve principalmente células como macrófagos e células natural killer (NK). Esta resposta imune pode ser regulada pelo uso de nanomateriais fabricados para inibir ou induzir imunidade treinada, dependendo do contexto da doença.
Tem sido demonstrado que a indução da imunidade treinada pode ajudar a superar a imunossupressão característica do microambiente tumoral e pode ser benéfica no contexto do cancro. Com base nesse facto, propusemos a imunidade treinada como alvo terapêutico para superar o ambiente imunossupressor característico do cancro anaplásico da tiroide. O presente projeto teve como principais objetivos i) a otimização de condições indutoras de imunidade treinada em macrófagos derivados da medula óssea (BMDMs) de murganhos; ii) avaliar como estes BMDMs treinados reagiriam num contexto tumoral; iii) estabelecer o efeito de um tumor nas células imunes inatas e nos seus progenitores. Depois de concretizados estes primeiros objetivos, o projeto obtém linhas bases de conhecimento para avançar para o fabrico de nanomateriais direcionados à medula óssea. Estes terão como finalidade induzir imunidade treinada em macrófagos e será possível o seu teste em modelos animais de murganhos com cancro anaplásico da tiroide.
Metodologicamente, foram feitos variados ensaios de imunidade treinada focados em estímulos primários comumente utilizados, como o β-glucano, a vacina bacilo Calmette-Guérin (BCG) e o dipeptídio muramil (MDP), e estímulos secundários bacterianos como o lipopolissacarídeo (LPS). Para avaliar a resposta das células treinadas a fatores tumorais, ensaios de imunidade treinada foram realizados usando como estímulo secundário meio de cultura tumoral. Este meio de cultura contém fatores libertados por células de melanoma B16F10 (linha celular de melanoma de murganhos C57BL/6J).
Para verificar a indução de imunidade treinada nestes BMDMs depois dos diferentes estímulos, sobrenadantes foram recolhidos e realizamos medições da produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (TNF e IL-6), através de ELISA. Detetamos a indução da imunidade treinada em BMDMs treinados com BCG depois de reestimulados com LPS. Observamos também que fatores libertados pelas células tumorais podem ter um efeito comparável aos estímulos bacterianos. Portanto, BMDMs treinadas com BCG conseguem reagir num ambiente tumoral de uma forma pró-inflamatória, superando a imunossupressão do microambiente tumoral.
Em experiências complementares foram avaliados outros estímulos usados comumente em monócitos, como Heat Killed Candida Albicans e Pam-3-cys. Foi-nos possível avaliar a incapacidade de usar Pam-3-cys devido à sua agressividade e capacidade de induzir alta inflamação neste tipo de macrófagos. Para além disso, testes usando imagem por ressonância magnética (MRI) foram realizados de maneira a avaliar a capacidade de visualizar e medir a tiroide e possíveis tumores nestes murganhos. Estes testes são fundamentais para verificar a viabilidade dos próximos passos do projeto.
Com o intuito de perceber o efeito de um tumor no sistema imunitário inato, um modelo de melanoma em murganhos foi usado. Devido a limitações de tempo características do projeto não foi possível estabelecer um modelo de cancro anaplásico da tiroide, portanto um modelo de melanoma já estabelecido foi usado.
Metodologicamente, células de melanoma foram inoculadas em murganhos por uma ou duas semanas antes do momento de eutanásia. Analisamos o estado de treino em esplenócitos e macrófagos derivados da medula óssea de murganhos portadores de tumor. Para isso estas células foram estimuladas com LPS e medimos a produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias através de ELISA. Ao mesmo tempo, analisamos as populações de células imunitárias utilizando citometria de fluxo e focando-nos em populações de células mieloides, linfoides e progenitores.
Em resumo, este estudo fornece novos conhecimentos fundamentais sobre como atingir a medula óssea e induzir a imunidade treinada como um novo paradigma de tratamento para o cancro anaplásico da tiroide. Estes resultados contribuem para um crescente corpo de conhecimento destinado a superar os desafios apresentados pelo microambiente imunossupressor desta forma agressiva de cancro. Para além disso, estabelecemos uma linha base de conhecimento acerca do efeito de um tumor no sistema imunitário inato, que será utilizado para avaliar a eficácia de possíveis nanomateriais usados para terapia deste cancro anaplásico da tiroide.
Ao aproveitar o potencial da imunidade treinada e explorar abordagens inovadoras de imunoterapia, pretendemos melhorar os resultados do tratamento e, em última análise, aprimorar a qualidade de vida das pessoas que lutam contra o cancro anaplásico da tiroide
Sea turtles in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, a step towards understanding bycatch and management of these species in tuna fisheries
No full textKnowledge of the spatiotemporal behavior and interactions with fishing gear of bycatch species is essential to improve conservation and fisheries management strategies. We analyze fine-scale data from onboard observers, covering 25 fishing fleets from 2002 through 2018, to assess temporal trends and spatial variation in sea turtle bycatch in longline and purse seine tuna fisheries in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. For the spatial analysis, we used the latest Regional Management Units for Sea Turtles (RMUs). In 117,381 fishing sets (51,431 in longlines and 65,950 in purse seine), a total of 26,050 sea turtles were incidentally caught. Bycatch was significantly higher in the Atlantic than in the Indian Ocean. Some bycatch trends were observed in longline fisheries but should be interpreted with caution due to low observer coverage and uneven sampling. In purse seine fisheries, where observer coverage was higher, an increasing trend over time was found in the bycatch rate of the three most caught species during the study period. This could be related to an increase in population size as suggested in other regional-scale analyses. We identified RMUs that should receive further attention from the perspective of increased capture rates over time. Our large-scale analysis confirms that surface longline sets capture significantly more turtles than deep longline sets. Purse seine sets on fish aggregating objects (FOB) captured more turtles than sets made on free schools of fish. These results are of relevance for the management and protection of these threatened species and the development of management measures.Grant Agreement no. SI2.839159
Yeast extract elicitation enhances growth and metabolite production in Limonium algarvense callus cultures
No full textLimonium algarvense Erben, a medicinal halophyte, holds significant pharmacological promise due to its rich bioactive compound repertoire. This study aimed to establish robust callus cultures as a sustainable, in vitro model for studying the plant's metabolic responses, particularly focusing on synthesising and accumulating primary and secondary metabolites under various elicitation treatments. Callus cultures were initiated from leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 1 mg/L picloram for 4 weeks. Afterwards, callus cultures were subjected to two elicitor treatments, including salicylic acid-SA and yeast extract-YE at 50 and 100 mg/L for four weeks. Water extracts were assessed for their shifts in primary (total soluble sugars and proteins, and proline), and secondary metabolism (total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins). In addition, a detailed metabolic profiling was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Elicitation induced significant shifts in the metabolite synthesis of elicited cultures compared to controls. While YE50 markedly increased the callus yield, the total levels of phenolics, flavonoids condensed tannins and total soluble proteins, the SA50 led to the highest increase in proline content. Metabolomic analysis identified 10 metabolites, including 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, riboflavin (Vitamin B2), and dihydroferulic acid methyl ester 4-O-sulfate, that were increased in the YE50 elicitation treatment. This suggests that elicitation can effectively enhance the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites in L. algarvense callus cultures, offering great potential for nutritional and medicinal applications
Gender effects of nanoplastics and emerging contaminants mixtures in Mytilus galloprovincialis
No full textThe reproduction of mussels occurs within the water column, and if gametogenesis is successful, gametes are exposed to the surrounding contaminants. Nanoplastics and other emerging contaminants have been gaining vast attention; however, their effects on the reproductive tissues of mussels with sex differentiation are scarce. Here, the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (50 nm; 10 mu g/L), the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil (10 ng/L), and a mixture of the two were evaluated in the gonads of Mytilus galloprovincialis after a 21-day exposure for a multibiomarker assessment, and after 28 days for the accumulation of nanoplastics. The effects on the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and lipid peroxidation were evaluated. Moreover, synergistic and antagonistic interactions in the mixture were calculated. A weight of evidence model was also used to elaborate on the hazardous level of biomarker results relative to polystyrene nanoparticles alone and in the mixture. The accumulation of nanoplastics appeared gender and time-specific, with females mostly compromised. According to the data set, a synergistic interaction between the cytotoxic drug and the nano- plastics makes the combination far more dangerous than individual stressors. The Weight Of Evidence model also confirms that females are more compromised at chronic exposure times than males. This study shows that the uptake, fate, and impact of emerging contaminants of concern can be significantly influenced by sex.JPIOCEANS/0005/2020; ALG-01–0145-FEDER-030922; UID/00350/202
Comparative study of Ruditapes philippinarum and Ruditapes decussatus in Ria de Aveiro, Portugal: Invasive species management and marine resource conservation
No full textResearch on the biological traits of commercial bivalves is essential for developing effective management strategies and ensuring their sustainable exploitation. This study offers a comparative analysis of the invasive Manila clam R. philippinarum and the native grooved carpet clam R. decussatus in the Ria de Aveiro, Portugal, focusing on shell morphometry, growth, reproductive cycle, condition index, and length at 50% maturity (L50). Analysis of internal shell microgrowth bands revealed that R. philippinarum exhibits a higher growth coefficient (K) than R. decussatus, with von Bertalanffy growth equations of Lt = 59.49 [1 - e -0.78 (t-0.55)1 and Lt = 75.09 [1 - e -0.33 (t0.10)1, respectively. Notably, the K value for R. philippinarum is among the highest recorded for this species, indicating exceptional growth performance in the Ria de Aveiro. The reproductive cycle analysis showed that R. philippinarum has a longer and more intense spawning period, extending from April to October 2013 and from April to September 2014, with peaks in August and September. In contrast, R. decussatus exhibited a shorter spawning season, from May to October 2013 and from June to September 2014, peaking in August. Seasonal variations in the condition index, likely linked to food availability and reproductive cycle, showed R. philippinarum in better condition during the early stages of gonadal development, indicating more efficient energy allocation towards reproduction. Rapid growth and fast sexual maturity during the first year of benthic life enable recruits of both species to spawn during the following year's spawning season. R. philippinarum reaches sexual maturity slightly faster than R. decussatus (L50 = 20.0 mm SL vs. L50 = 22.1 mm SL), maturing at around 1.08 years compared to 1.15 years. Although this difference is minor, it enables R. philippinarum recruits to begin reproduction approximately one month earlier in the year. Improved growth rates of R. philippinarum during its second and third years likely enhance reproductive capacity, as larger individuals typically produce more offspring. These results suggest that R. philippinarum has a competitive advantage over R. decussatus due to its faster growth and greater reproductive potential. However, these factors do not conclusively explain the rapid proliferation and establishment of R. philippinarum in the Ria de Aveiro, nor the sudden decline in R. decussatus populations following the introduction of the invasive species. Fishery management strategies are proposed based on two distinct scenarios