Faculdade de Tecnologia e Ciências

The first examples of Ru(II) η⁶‐arene (benzene and p‐cymene) complexes containing a bidentate triazolylidene‐triazolide ligand have been prepared and fully characterized. Their antiproliferative effect has been investigated against tumour cells A2780 (ovarian carcinoma), HCT116 (colorectal carcinoma), and HCT116dox (colorectal carcinoma resistant to doxorubicin), and in human dermal fibroblasts. The Ru complex bearing the p‐cymene arene group exhibited a stronger antiproliferative effect across all tested cell lines, while the benzene‐containing complex displayed higher selectivity toward tumor cells. Both complexes induced apoptosis, likely through ROS production (in the benzene complex), and inhibited tumorigenic processes, including cell migration and angiogenesis. In zebrafish models, they showed strong selectivity for cancer cells with minimal toxicity to healthy cells, effectively reducing the proliferation of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. This study provides the first in vivo evidence of the anticancer potential of Ru triazolylidenes in zebrafish models.

This study aimed to identify splicing quantitative trait loci (cis-sQTL) in Nelore cattle muscle tissue and explore the involvement of spliced genes (sGenes) in immune system-related biological processes. Genotypic data from 80 intact male Nelore cattle were obtained using SNP-Chip technology, while RNA-Seq analysis was performed to measure gene expression levels, enabling the integration of genomic and transcriptomic datasets. The normalized expression levels of spliced transcripts were associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through an analysis of variance using an additive linear model with the MatrixEQTL package. A permutation analysis then assessed the significance of the best SNPs for each spliced transcript. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on the sGenes to investigate their roles in the immune system. In total, 3,187 variants were linked to 3,202 spliced transcripts, with 83 sGenes involved in immune system processes. Of these, 31 sGenes were enriched for five transcription factors. Most cis-sQTL effects were found in intronic regions, with 27 sQTL variants associated with disease susceptibility and resistance in cattle. Key sGenes identified, such as GSDMA, NLRP6, CASP6, GZMA, CASP4, CASP1, TREM2, NLRP1, and NAIP, were related to inflammasome formation and pyroptosis. Additionally, genes like PIDD1, OPTN, NFKBIB, STAT1, TNIP3, and TREM2 were involved in regulating the NF-kB pathway. These findings lay the groundwork for breeding disease-resistant cattle and enhance our understanding of genetic mechanisms in immune responses.

Introduction Organizational Citizenship Behavior has evolved as a pivotal concept in organizational behavior because of its importance on fostering the success of organizations. Despite its recognized benefits, OCB’s dimensions are not consensual in literature. The goal of this paper was to adapt and validated to be used in a broader work context an OCB scale (CCOE-R) initially developed for the Portuguese specific professional context, schools and the education sector. Methods The sample of this study is composed of 740 participants. To validate the scale, an exploratory and a confirmatory factor analysis and scale invariance test were performed. Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a 10-item unidimensional structure, with excellent reliability indices, and goodness of fit, besides invariance for group status (managerial and non-managerial positions). Discussion The OCB-G (Global OCB) emerges as a reliable and valid instrument that is based on a conception of OCB as a unidimensional construct. Because the items are group referenced items, it is possible to obtain a global value of OCB that represents group perceptions on OCB, allowing research to be carried out at the group/organizational level. The (CCOE-R) is an essential contribution to the study of organizational behavior, serving as a practical tool for assessing OCB-G as it plays a prominent role in organizations.

Depression seriously affects the overall well-being of patients, and it causes great suffering and pain. Around 5 to 10 percent of the population globally experience depression. Within this population, the prevalence of depression in women is approximately 1.5 to 2 times higher than men and about 50% of older adults above 65 years old suffer from depression than young adults. A creative form of psychotherapy art therapy, specifically drawing and painting therapy, allows depressive patients to gain insights about their feelings, promoting healing in a harmless way. This article reviewed the benefits of art therapy in treating depressive patients based on past research. The review divides the patients into different age groups and sexes: elderly, children, adults, male, and female. It indicates that art therapy can be performed successfully across different age groups and sexes, bringing varieties of personalized benefits, especially for children, women, and elders. Some common benefits include increased self-esteem, change of perspective, and growth in mentalities.

A field trial with artificial infection was designed and performed to verify the potential effect of the application, as a pruning wound protectant for grapevine trunk diseases immediately after pruning, of a commercial product containing the biological control agent Trichoderma atroviride (I-1237), on later symptom expression of Phomopsis cane and leaf spot (PCLS) caused by Diaporthe spp.. The trial comprised four modalities: “Witness”, that remained in natural conditions without artificial infection and was sprayed with distilled water during the treatments; “Infected Witness”, with artificial infection and was sprayed with distilled water during the treatments.; “Reference Product”, with artificial infection and reference fungicide application at bud burst (BBCH 09), and “Test Product” in which the T. atroviride commercial formulation was applied as per the label, during dormancy (BBCH 00) immediately after pruning, and subject to artificial infection. The trial consisted of six replicates per modality with three plants per replicate. Incidence and severity of PCLS were assessed on the first four internodes in all the canes of all trial plants during development stages “fruit set” to “berries groat sized” (BBCH 71 to 73). The effectiveness of the artificial inoculation stands out; all the modalities showed lower incidence and severity than those of the “infected witness”, and the reduction in incidence, compared to the “infected witness”, was statistically significant for all modalities. Due to its short duration, the test did not allow the initial premise to be validated, but it validated the methodology used and its reproducibility. The suggestion that the pruning application of the T. atroviride formulation influences the subsequent manifestation of PCLS will need further testing in the following years to gauge these preliminary results.

BACKGROUND Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the most important commodities today, with a high economic value worldwide. Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix Berk. et Br.) has been showing a high impact on Brazilian coffee trees among the various diseases that attack coffee. The climate has a great influence on the development of diseases, especially when fungi are the causal agents. This study aimed to carry out the zoning of climate favorability for coffee leaf rust in the traditional and main coffee‐producing regions of Brazil. The study was conducted in 13 locations in the states of Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Goiás and Bahia. Air temperature and daily precipitation data for the current scenario were collected using the WorldClim version 2.1 platform for the last climatological normal and future climate change data. The ideal climate conditions for coffee leaf rust consist of a mean air temperature ranging from 21 to 25 °C and precipitation >30 mm per month. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects scenarios associated with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports consisted of the Shared Socio‐Economic Pathways SSP‐1 2.6, SSP‐2 4.5, SSP‐3 7.0 and SSP‐5 8.5, the latter being considered one of the most catastrophic. All steps to carry out the suitability zoning were performed in a tool using the QGIS geographic information system software. RESULTS Zoning for coffee leaf rust had three classes: favorable, relatively favorable and unfavorable. Currently, the largest coffee‐producing region in Brazil has 49.1% of its analyzed area classified as favorable, 39.2% as relatively favorable and 11.7% as unfavorable. In the current scenario, Patrocínio and Três Pontas are locations with high coffee production in which the favorable class is predominant. The state of Minas Gerais has an annual mean of 55.3% of its entire territory apt for the disease, with the highest occurrence between September and March. CONCLUSIONS Climate change has a negative impact on the development of coffee leaf rust, mainly in the long term, as in the period of 2081–2100, in which the SSP‐5 8.5 scenario led to a decrease in the favorable and unfavorable areas and an increase in the relatively favorable areas of 9.8%, 18.6% and 71.5% for the Brazilian territory, respectively. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Introduction Vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS, which occurs from mother to child, is the main means of infecting children with the disease, being the cause of 90% of HIV cases in children under 13 years of age. In the period from 2000 to 2023, 158,429 pregnant/parturient/postpartum women infected with HIV were reported in Brazil. Around 15 to 30% of children born to HIV-positive mothers acquire the virus during pregnancy, during labor or birth or while breastfeeding. Objective Check what is in the literature about vertical transmission in Brazil and other countries, and its outcomes. Methods This is an integrative review, where research was carried out in the following databases: Pubmed, Scielo and Virtual Health Library, as well as Ministry of Health and similar websites, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Results From 2015 to June 2023, 67,850 children with HIV were reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan) in Brazil. In 2022, 7,943 Brazilian pregnant women living with HIV were reported, with 4,666 live births, however, there were reports of 7,951 exposed children in the same year. Still in 2022, 60% of women knew they were HIV positive before pregnancy, and around 90% of women received prenatal care, however, the use of the retroviral ART was reported in only 66.8% of cases. The percentage of pregnant/parturient/postpartum women not using ART was 13.5% and in 19.7% of cases information about the use of therapy was ignored in 2022. In the same year, there were around 395 unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, with 84 stillborn and 311 miscarriages, accounting for 7.3% of the total cases of known pregnancy outcome. African countries have demonstrated high rates of vertical transmission of the disease, accompanied by many stigmas, problems with access to healthcare and adequate information, pregnant women without basic infrastructure and low use of retrovirals. On the other hand, Oman managed to eliminate the vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis, which was certified by the WHO in 2022. To achieve this, the country relied on strong political leadership, long-term planning and massive investments in maternal and child health services, as well as campaigns and other means of popular education about sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion Vertical transmission rates still remain high, mainly due to insufficient use of retrovirals. However, some countries have already managed to eliminate the problem, serving as hope and inspiration so that other countries can also reach this level.

Introduction Many women and people who menstruate in Brazil and around the world live in precarious living situations, where the basics of nutrition and hygiene are lacking, even affecting the ability of these people to have access to sanitary pads or other means to contain menstruation, the so-called menstrual poverty. This situation affects both the physical and mental health of women, so the objective of this study was to verify what is available in the literature on menstrual poverty and its repercussions. Methods This is an integrative review, with research in the following databases: Pubmed, Scielo, Tripdatabase and Virtual Health Library (VHL), Google Scholar, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, and on Federal Government websites, IBGE and similar, from November 2023 to February 2024. Results According to a study carried out in Brazil, adolescents miss, on average, around 45 days of school per school year due to a lack of menstrual resources. Another article demonstrated that more than 4 million Brazilian students study in places without sufficient hygiene infrastructure. Of this number, almost 200 thousand do not have any basic hygiene items at school. The same study also points out that 713 thousand girls do not have access to any bathroom in their homes, and another 632 thousand live in places without any common bathroom on the land or property. The main problems related to inadequate management of menstruation were: allergy and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, urogenital infections such as cystitis and candidiasis and Toxic Touch Syndrome. Among the emotional damages, discomfort, insecurity, stress and increased discrimination against girls and women were most cited, with a decline in well-being, development and opportunities, and withdrawal from leisure activities, physical activity and others. Conclusion Menstrual poverty has been the reason for several physical and emotional problems in the lives of women and people who menstruate, which leads to losses in their lives and greater demand on health services. In Brazil, the promulgation of Law 14,214/2021 is being processed in the Federal Senate, which creates the Menstrual Health Protection and Promotion Program, aiming at the free distribution of sanitary pads in places such as schools and health services, with an ongoing public consultation. Therefore, it is necessary for the topic to be increasingly discussed and analyzed, seeking to create strategies and projects that help this population to have their dignity and health preserved.

Aging involves complex biological processes leading to the decline of living organisms. As population lifespan increases worldwide, the importance of identifying factors underlying healthy aging has become critical. Integration of multi-modal datasets is a powerful approach for the analysis of complex biological systems, with the potential to uncover novel aging biomarkers. In this study, we leveraged publicly available epigenomic, transcriptomic and telomere length data along with histological images from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project to build tissue-specific regression models for age prediction. Using data from two tissues, lung and ovary, we aimed to compare model performance across data modalities, as well as to assess the improvement resulting from integrating multiple data types. Our results demostrate that methylation outperformed the other data modalities, with a mean absolute error of 3.36 and 4.36 in the test sets for lung and ovary, respectively. These models achieved lower error rates when compared with established state-of-the-art tissue-agnostic methylation models, emphasizing the importance of a tissue-specific approach. Additionally, this work has shown how the application of Hierarchical Image Pyramid Transformers for feature extraction significantly enhances age modeling using histological images. Finally, we evaluated the benefits of integrating multiple data modalities into a single model. Combining methylation data with other data modalities only marginally improved performance likely due to the limited number of available samples. Combining gene expression with histological features yielded more accurate age predictions compared with the individual performance of these data types. Given these results, this study shows how machine learning applications can be extended to/in multi-modal aging research. Code used is available at https://github.com/zroger49/multi_modal_age_prediction.

The main aim of this study was to validate and adapt the Centrality of Religiosity Scale to the Portuguese population. A total of 1018 subjects participated in this study. The metric qualities demonstrated in the analyses suggested that the factor structure was based on five dimensions identical to those proposed by its authors. After analysing its psychometric qualities, we concluded that this instrument can be applied to the Portuguese population and is a valuable tool in studies related to the psychology of religion and spirituality.

Given the high prevalence of lung cancer, an accurate diagnosis is crucial. In the diagnosis process, radiologists play an important role by examining numerous radiology exams to identify different types of nodules. To aid the clinicians’ analytical efforts, computer-aided diagnosis can streamline the process of identifying pulmonary nodules. For this purpose, medical reports can serve as valuable sources for automatically retrieving image annotations. Our study focused on converting medical reports into nodule annotations, matching textual information with manually annotated data from the Lung Nodule Database (LNDb)—a comprehensive repository of lung scans and nodule annotations. As a result of this study, we have released a tabular data file containing information from 292 medical reports in the LNDb, along with files detailing nodule characteristics and corresponding matches to the manually annotated data. The objective is to enable further research studies in lung cancer by bridging the gap between existing reports and additional manual annotations that may be collected, thereby fostering discussions about the advantages and disadvantages between these two data types.

Introduction Chagas disease is a neglected parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. While most patients are asymptomatic, around 30% develop Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy (CCC). Methods Here, we employed high-dimensional flow cytometry to analyze CD4⁺ T and B cell compartments in patients during the chronic phase of Chagas disease, presenting the asymptomatic and mild or moderate/severe cardiac clinical forms. Results Effector CD27⁻CD4⁺ T cells were expanded in both CCC groups, and only mild CCC patients showed higher frequencies of effector memory and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells than healthy donors (CTL) and asymptomatic patients. Unsupervised analysis confirmed these findings and further revealed the expansion of a specific subpopulation composed of Tfh, transitional, and central memory CD4⁺ T cells bearing a phenotype associated with strong activation, differentiation, and exhaustion in patients with mild but not moderate/severe CCC. In contrast, patients with mild and moderate/severe CCC had lower frequencies of CD4⁺ T cells expressing lower levels of activation markers, suggesting resting status, than CTL. Regarding the B cell compartment, no alterations were found in naïve CD21⁻, memory cells expressing IgM or IgD, marginal zone, and plasma cells in patients with Chagas disease. However, expansion of class-switched activated and atypical memory B cells was observed in all clinical forms, and more substantially in mild CCC patients. Discussion Taken together, our results showed that T. cruzi infection triggers changes in CD4⁺ T and B cell compartments that are more pronounced in the mild CCC clinical form, suggesting an orchestrated cellular communication during Chagas disease. Conclusion Overall, these findings reinforce the heterogeneity and complexity of the immune response in patients with chronic Chagas disease and may provide new insights into disease pathology and potential markers to guide clinical decisions.

This work addresses the historical development of techniques and methodologies oriented to the measurement of the internal diameter of transparent tubes since the original contributions of Anderson and Barr published in 1923 in the first issue of Measurement Science and Technology. The progresses on this field are summarized and highlighted the emergence and significance of the measurement approches supported by the optical fiber.

Arceuthobium azoricum Wiens & Hawksw. is a rare Azorean endemic epiphytic hemiparasite (mistletoe), that typically parasitizes branches of the gymnosperm Juniperus brevifolia (Hochst. ex Seub.) Antoine (Cupressaceae), also an Azorean endemic. Here we describe one population of A. azoricum, on Pico Island, parasitizing Erica azorica Hochst. ex Seub (Ericaceae) also an Azores endemic. Our molecular analysis (using nuclear ribosomal ITS) showed no differences between individuals parasitizing Erica and Juniperus. Moreover, a preliminary analysis showed no differences in morphological characters between accessions sampled from the different hosts. Given that this is the first bona fide record of Arceuthobium parasitizing an angiosperm, this population represents a unique host shifting event and its conservation is important because it may allow new insights into host recognition mechanisms in mistletoes. Immediate attention should be given to characterize this Pico Island population using appropriate molecular methods and additional morphological analyses.