The effects of emotional awareness training on teachers' ability to manage the emotions of preschool children: an experimental study

This article describes the process and results of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) on teachers' ability to manage the emotions of preschool children during a constrained play activity. Thirty early childhood education teachers participated in the study. Half of the participants were taught strategies to enhance their own emotional competence. The control group was provided with standard information on child development. The experimental group was trained in active strategies on emotion coaching, emotional schemas, reflective practice focused on emotions, and mindfulness training. The teachers' outcomes were assessed in situ during a pretend play session with small groups of preschoolers. The dependent variables were observed occurrences of different components of emotional competence in teachers. Significant statistical differences were found between the two groups across the three different emotional competence skills (regulation, expression, and knowledge) demonstrated by the early childhood teachers during a game situation. This experimental study highlights the processes through which teachers support the emotional competence of young children, and the importance of the role of early childhood teachers' own emotional competence on the socialisation of children's emotions. Most importantly, it provides evidence, based on the influence of emotion-focused teacher-training and reflective practices, that teachers' emotional skills should be supported such that they can optimally meet the emotional needs of young children.

Stimulation of bacterial exoproteolytic activity by fish farming in coastal marine ponds: Effect on dissolved protein cycling

The effect of fish farming on dissolved amino acid concentrations, bacterioplankton abundance and exoproteolytic activity was assessed in 3 experimental marine ponds. Different standing stocks of fish were introduced (semi-intensive pond: 250 g.m(-2); semi-extensive pond: 50 g.m(-2) control pond: 0). Sea bass farming increased dissolved combined amino acid (DCAA) concentrations only in the semi-intensive pond. Bacterial standing stock was unaffected by fish food supply. However, bacterial exoproteolytic activity was strongly stimulated by aquaculture intensification; the average maximal rate of dissolved protein hydrolysis (V-m) increased with intensity (control pond: 1 500 nM.h(-1); semi-extensive pond: 2 600 nM.h(-1) semi-intensive pond: 5 100 nM.h(-1)). DCAA fluxes through bacterial exoproteolytic activity ranged between 16 (semi-extensive) and 11% (semi-intensive) of the daily nitrogen input by fish food. Bacterial exoproteolytic activity allowed a substantial part of the increased supply of dissolved amino nitrogen to be incorporated into bacterial biomass, then available for transfer to higher trophic levels within the ponds. It also significantly decreased dissolved organic nitrogen export from the ponds to the surrounding environment.

Avaliação do potencial anti-inflamatório de composto tipo heparina (cCTH) extraído do caranguejo Goniopsis cruentata em modelo experimental de peritonite

Heparin, a sulfated polysaccharide, was the first compound used as an anticoagulant and antithrombotic agent. Due to their structural characteristics, also has great potential anti-inflammatory, though such use is limited in inflammation because of their marked effects on coagulation. The occurrence of heparin-like compounds that exhibit anticoagulant activity decreased in aquatic invertebrates, such as crab Goniopsis cruentata, sparked interest for the study of such compounds as anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential modulator of heparin-like compound extracted from Goniopsis cruentata in inflammatory events, coagulation, and to evaluate some aspects of its structure. The heparin-type compound had a high degree of N-sulphation in its structure, being able to reduce leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity at lower doses compared to heparin and diclofenac sodium (anti-inflammatory commercial). Furthermore, it was also able to inhibit the production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor alpha by activated macrophages, inhibited the activation of the enzyme neutrophil elastase in low concentrations and showed a lower anticoagulant effect in high doses as compared to porcine mucosal heparin. Because of these observations, the compound extracted from crab Goniopsis cruentata can be used as a structural model for future anti-inflammatory agents

Efeito do Fucoidam de Fucus vesiculosus em um modelo experimental de artrite reumatóide

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is systemic auto imune disorder. It is caracterized by chronic inflammation of joints leading to progressive erosion of cartilage and bone. We investigated the effect of the administration of fucoidan, sulfated polysaccharides, from algae Fucus vesiculosus in the acute (6h) in zymosan-induced arthritis (AZy). Wistar rats (180-230 g) were used for all groups experimental. Non-treated animals received just intraarticular injection of 1 mg the zymosan, control group received intraarticular injection of 50 µL the saline, groups received either fucoidan of Fucus vesiculosus (15, 30, 50 or 70 mg/Kg) or parecoxib (1 mg/Kg) 1 hour after injection of zymosan. After 6 h, the articular exudates were collected for evaluation of the cell influx and nitrite (Griess reaction) release. The sinovial membranes and articular cartilages were excised for histopathological analysis and by determination of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG), respectively. ZyA led to increased NO and cell influx into the joints. Therapeutic administration of the fucoidan or parecoxib did significantly inhibited the cell influx and the synovitis, as compared to non-treated rats (p<0,05), though being able to reduced NO release. Representative agarose gel electrophoresis of the GAGs, the content of condroitin-sulphate was observed during the process. These findings suggest that the fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus has potential anti-inflammatory activity

Optimization of growth and bacteriocin activity of the food bioprotective Carnobacterium divergens V41 in an animal origin protein free medium

Optimization of Carnobacterium divergens V41 growth and bacteriocin activity in a culture medium deprived of animal protein, needs for food bioprotection, was performed by using a statistical approach. In a screening experiment, twelve factors (pH, temperature, carbohydrates, NaCl, yeast extract, soy peptone, sodium acetate, ammonium citrate, magnesium sulphate, manganese sulphate, ascorbic acid and thiamine) were tested for their influence on the maximal growth and bacteriocin activity using a two-level incomplete factorial design with 192 experiments performed in microtiter plate wells. Based on results, a basic medium was developed and three variables (pH, temperature and carbohydrates concentration) were selected for a scale-up study in bioreactor. A 23 complete factorial design was performed, allowing the estimation of linear effects of factors and all the first order interactions. The best conditions for the cell production were obtained with a temperature of 15°C and a carbohydrates concentration of 20 g/l whatever the pH (in the range 6.5-8), and the best conditions for bacteriocin activity were obtained at 15°C and pH 6.5 whatever the carbohydrates concentration (in the range 2-20 g/l). The predicted final count of C. divergens V41 and the bacteriocin activity under the optimized conditions (15°C, pH 6.5, 20 g/l carbohydrates) were 2.4 x 1010 CFU/ml and 819200 AU/ml respectively. C. divergens V41 cells cultivated in the optimized conditions were able to grow in cold-smoked salmon and totally inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes (< 50 CFU g-1) during five weeks of vacuum storage at 4° and 8°C.

Protoporphyrin treatment modulates susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in miR-155-deficient mice

We previously identified heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) as a specific target of miR-155, and inhibition of HO-1 activity restored the capacity of miR-155-/- CD4+ T cells to promote antigendriven inflammation after adoptive transfer in antigen-expressing recipients. Protoporphyrins are molecules recognized for their modulatory effect on HO-1 expression and function. In the present study, we investigated the effect of protoporphyrin treatment on the development of autoimmunity in miR-155-deficient mice. MiR-155-mediated control of HO-1 expression in promoting T cell-driven chronic autoimmunity was confirmed since HO-1 inhibition restored susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in miR-155- deficient mice. The increased severity of the disease was accompanied by an enhanced T cell infiltration into the brain. Taken together, these results underline the importance of miR- 155-mediated control of HO-1 expression in regulating the function of chronically-stimulated T cells in EAE.

Probing the interactions between ionic liquids and water: experimental and quantum chemical approach

For an adequate choice or design of ionic liquids, the knowledge of their interaction with other solutes and solvents is an essential feature for predicting the reactivity and selectivity of systems involving these compounds. In this work, the activity coefficient of water in several imidazolium-based ionic liquids with the common cation 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium was measured at 298.2 K. To contribute to a deeper insight into the interaction between ionic liquids and water, COSMO-RS was used to predict the activity coefficient of water in the studied ionic liquids along with the excess enthalpies. The results showed good agreement between experimental and predicted activity coefficient of water in ionic liquids and that the interaction of water and ionic liquids was strongly influenced by the hydrogen bonding of the anion with water. Accordingly, the intensity of interaction of the anions with water can be ranked as the following: [CF3SO3](-) < [SCN](-) < [TFA](-) < Br(-) < [TOS](-) < Cl(-) < [CH3SO3](-) [DMP](-) < [Ac](-). In addition, fluorination and aromatization of anions are shown to reduce their interaction with water. The effect of temperature on the activity coefficient of water at infinite dilution was measured by inverse gas chromatography and predicted by COSMO-RS. Further analysis based on COSMO-RS provided information on the nature of hydrogen bonding between water and anion as well as the possibility of anion-water complex formation.

Water activity in aqueous amino acid solutions containing ammonium sulfate at 298.2 K

Water activity in aqueous solutions of DL-alanine, glycine, or L-serine, with ammonium sulfate, molality ranging from 0.5 to 5.0, have been measured at 298.2 K. The new experimental data was correlated using three different theoretical schemes such as Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson, its extension, or the Clegg-Seinfeld-Brimblecombe approach, with global average absolute deviations in the calculation of the osmotic coefficient of 3.46 %, 0.93 % and 1.95 %, respectively. The extended Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson method also enabled the prediction of unsymmetric molal activity coefficients of the electrolyte, in fair agreement with the experimental values found from literature measured by an electrochemical method. It is evidenced the usefulness of the experimental ternary data measured to extend the capabilities of thermodynamic models to higher salt and amino acid concentrations.

Evaluation of the conductor-like screening model for real solvents for the prediction of the water activity coefficient at infinite dilution in ionic liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted great attention, from both industry and academia, as alternative fluids for very different types of applications. The large number of cations and anions allow a wide range of physical and chemical characteristics to be designed. However, the exhaustive measurement of all these systems is impractical, thus requiring the use of a predictive model for their study. In this work, the predictive capability of the conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS), a model based on unimolecular quantum chemistry calculations, was evaluated for the prediction water activity coefficient at infinite dilution, gamma(infinity)(w), in several classes of ILs. A critical evaluation of the experimental and predicted data using COSMO-RS was carried out. The global average relative deviation was found to be 27.2%, indicating that the model presents a satisfactory prediction ability to estimate gamma(infinity)(w) in a broad range of ILs. The results also showed that the basicity of the ILs anions plays an important role in their interaction with water, and it considerably determines the enthalpic behavior of the binary mixtures composed by Its and water. Concerning the cation effect, it is possible to state that generally gamma(infinity)(w) increases with the cation size, but it is shown that the cation-anion interaction strength is also important and is strongly correlated to the anion ability to interact with water. The results here reported are relevant in the understanding of ILs-water interactions and the impact of the various structural features of its on the gamma(infinity)(w) as these allow the development of guidelines for the choice of the most suitable lLs with enhanced interaction with water.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in experimental stroke and its effects on infarct size and functional outcome: a systematic review

Background Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) shows promise as a treatment for stroke. This systematic review assesses G-CSF in experimental ischaemic stroke. Methods Relevant studies were identified with searches of Medline, Embase and PubMed. Data were extracted on stroke lesion size, neurological outcome and quality, and analysed using Cochrane Review Manager using random effects models; results are expressed as standardised mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR). Results Data were included from 19 publications incorporating 666 animals. G-CSF reduced lesion size significantly in transient (SMD -1.63, p<0.00001) but not permanent (SMD -1.56, p=0.11) focal models of ischaemia. Lesion size was reduced at all doses and with treatment commenced within 4 hours of transient ischaemia. Neurological deficit (SMD -1.37, p=0.0004) and limb placement (SMD -1.88, p=0.003) improved with G-CSF; however, locomotor activity (>4 weeks post ischaemia) was not (SMD 0.76, p=0.35). Death (OR 0.27, p<0.0001) was reduced with G-CSF. Median study quality was 4 (range 0-7/8); Egger’s test suggested significant publication bias (p=0.001). Conclusions G-CSF significantly reduced lesion size in transient but not permanent models of ischaemic stroke. Motor impairment and death were also reduced. Further studies assessing dose-response, administration time, length of ischaemia and long-term functional recovery are needed.

Computational and experimental study of the behavior of cyano-based ionic liquids in aqueous solution

The solvation of cyano- (CN-) based ionic liquids (ILs) and their capacity to establish hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) with water was studied by means of experimental and computational approaches. Experimentally, water activity data were measured for aqueous solutions of ILs based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([BMIM](+)) cation combined with one of the following anions: thiocyanate ([SCN](-)), dicyanamide ([DCA](-)), or tricyanomethanide ([TCM](-)), and of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate ([EMIM][TCB]). From the latter data, water activity coefficients were estimated showing that [BMIM][SCN] and [BMIM][DCA], unlike [BMIM][TCM] and [EMIM][TCB], are able to establish favorable interactions with water. Computationally, the conductor like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) was used to estimate the water activity coefficients which compare well with the experimental ones. From the COSMO-RS results, it is suggested that the polarity of each ion composing the ILs has a strong effect on the solvation phenomena. Furthermore, classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for obtaining an atomic level picture of the local molecular neighborhood of the different species. From the experimental and computational data it is showed that increasing the number of CN groups in the ILs' anions does not enhance their ability to establish H-bonds with water but decreases their polarities, being [BMIM][DCA] and [BMIM][SCN] the ones presenting higher propensity to interact.

Measurements of activity coefficients at infinite dilution of organic solutes and water on polar imidazolium-based ionic liquids

The activity coefficients at infinite dilution, gamma(infinity)(13), of 55 organic solutes and water in three ionic liquids with the common cation 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and the polar anions Cl--,Cl- [CH3SO3](-) and [(CH3)(2)PO4](-), were determined by (gas + liquid) chromatography at four temperatures in the range (358.15 to 388.15) K for alcohols and water, and T = (398.15 to 428.15) K for the other organic solutes including alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, cycloalkenes, alkynes, ketones, ethers, cyclic ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, butyraldehyde, acetonitrile, pyridine, 1-nitropropane and thiophene. From the experimental gamma(infinity)(13) values, the partial molar excess Gibbs free energy, (G) over bar (E infinity)(m), enthalpy (H) over bar (E infinity)(m), and entropy (S) over bar (E infinity)(m), at infinite dilution, were estimated in order to provide more information about the interactions between the solutes and the ILs. Moreover, densities were measured and (gas + liquid) partition coefficients (KL) calculated. Selectivities at infinite dilution for some separation problems such as octane/benzene, cyclohexane/benzene and cyclohexane/thiophene were calculated using the measured gamma(infinity)(13), and compared with literature values for N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), sulfolane, and other ionic liquids with a common cation or anion of the ILs here studied. From the obtained infinite dilution selectivities and capacities, it can be concluded that the ILs studied may replace conventional entrainers applied for the separation processes of aliphatic/aromatic hydrocarbons.

In vivo antileishmanial activity and chemical profile of polar extract from Selaginella sellowii

The polar hydroethanolic extract from Selaginella sellowii (SSPHE) has been previously proven active on intracellular amastigotes (in vitro test) and now was tested on hamsters infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (in vivo test). SSPHE suppressed a 100% of the parasite load in the infection site and draining lymph nodes at an intralesional dose of 50 mg/kg/day × 5, which was similar to the results observed in hamsters treated with N-methylglucamine antimonate (Sb) (28 mg/Kg/day × 5). When orally administered, SSPHE (50 mg/kg/day × 20) suppressed 99.2% of the parasite load in infected footpads, while Sb suppressed 98.5%. SSPHE also enhanced the release of nitric oxide through the intralesional route in comparison to Sb. The chemical fingerprint of SSPHE by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and tandem mass spectrometry showed the presence of biflavonoids and high molecular weight phenylpropanoid glycosides. These compounds may have a synergistic action in vivo. Histopathological study revealed that the intralesional treatment with SSPHE induced an intense inflammatory infiltrate, composed mainly of mononuclear cells. The present findings reinforce the potential of this natural product as a source of future drug candidates for American cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Biological activity of Pyrrole-Imidazole polyamides in vivo

This thesis focuses on biological activity of pyrrole-imidazole polyamides in vivo. The work presented includes experiments underlining sequence selectivity of these compounds in living cells and potential methods to improve it. A large fraction of this thesis is devoted to activity of Py-Im in murine models of cancer. We investigated the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of two compounds – targeted to 5'-WGGWCW-3' and 5'-WTWCGW-3' sequences – and characterized their activity by measuring their effects on tumor growth, gene expression in vivo and in tissue culture, and their effects on physiology of tumors. The initial theoretical studies suggested that a large fraction of genomic sites are bound by Py-Im polyamides non-specifically and experimental data shows that the programmed binding sequence is not a sole determinant of the patterns of gene regulation. Despite the likely presence of non-specific effects of Py-Im polyamides in living cells, in vivo administration of Py-Im polyamides resulted in tolerable host toxicity and anti-tumor activity. Py-Im polyamide targeted to Estrogen Receptor Response Element showed downregulation of ER-driven gene expression in tumor cells, while the compound targeted to hypoxia response element reduced vascularization of tumors and their growth rate, induced apoptosis of cells in hypoxic areas and reduced expression of proangiogenic and prometastatic factors. Further studies, showed that polyamides distributed to many of the tested tissues and their FITC-conjugates showed nuclear uptake. The gene expression effects were also present in murine tissues, such as liver and kidneys, indicating a potential for use for Py-Im polyamides in non-cancerous diseases.

Natural recovery of the benthic nematode assemblages associated to Zostera noltii seagrass beds after physical disturbance caused by digging harvest activity

Seagrass beds are productive ecosystems that maintain high levels of biodiversity, making them susceptible to anthropogenic pressures such as bivalve harvesting. Nematodes are considered great ecological indicators as changes in their density, diversity and structure may represent changes in the environment. This experimental fieldwork aimed to assess the impact of the bivalve harvesting on the nematodes assemblage of a seagrass bed in the Mira estuary by simulating the digging activity. Two plots were subjected to the digging (D1 and D19) and two plots were control (C11 and C18). The sampling took place in five occasions: T0 – before digging; T1 – 14 days; T2 – 45 days; T3 – 75 days; and T4 – 165 days after digging. The results showed no significant difference in the nematode assemblages’ density, diversity and trophic composition between treatments and sampling times, evidencing their high tolerance for naturally stressed environments and to the level of digging they were exposed; Recuperação natural das comunidades de nematodes bentónicos associados aos povoamentos de Zostera noltii após atividade de marisqueio Resumo: As pradarias marinhas são ecossistemas produtivos que suportam elevados níveis de biodiversidade, pelo que estão sujeitos a pressões antropogénicas. Os nematodes são bons indicadores ecológicos pois respondem rapidamente a qualquer perturbação por alterações na densidade, diversidade e estrutura. Este trabalho experimental teve como finalidade o estudo da recuperação natural das comunidades de nematodes associados aos povoamentos de Zostera noltii pela simulação da atividade de marisqueio. Dois plots foram sujeitos a revolvimento (D1 e D19) e dois plots serviram como controlo (C11 e C18) e foram efetuadas amostragens em cinco ocasiões: T0 – antes do revolvimento; T1 – 14 dias; T2 – 45 dias; T3 – 75 dias; e T4 – 165 dias após revolvimento. Os resultados obtidos não mostraram diferenças significativas na diversidade, densidade e composição trófica das comunidades de nematodes entre tratamentos e tempos de amostragem, evidenciando a sua elevada tolerância a ambientes naturalmente dinâmicos e ao nível de revolvimento a que foram expostas.