Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-02-27"
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- Novel field experiment on alkalinity enhancement in intertidal environments—a trailblazer for natural climate solutionsPublication . Mendes, Isabel Maria de Paiva Pinto; Lübbers, J.; Schönfeld, J.; Baldermann, A.; Carrasco, A. Rita; Cravo, Alexandra; Gomes, Ana; Grasse, P.; Stamm, F. M.One recently proposed approach to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations is marine alkalinity enhancement. This technique increases the CO2 uptake capacity of seawater through weathering of fine-grained (mafic) rocks and minerals in marine environments. The weathering process has been extensively tested in laboratory studies and verified by numerical models. Field experiments scaling the CO2 uptake under natural conditions are still lacking. In a methodological approach, a novel in situ experiment was designed and installed in a salt marsh at Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, southern Portugal. The experiment comprised deployments of different sizes of olivine and basalt substrates, and a control site, which were tidally submerged twice a day. A monthly monitoring scheme of supernatant and porewater properties from each deployment and control site was established, and procedures for temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, total alkalinity, nutrient, and trace metal analyses were defined. This paper is devoted to the methods and describes the design, a protocol for the analyses, and an evaluation of experimental performance and reliability. Data from the first 6 months are presented for validation of the experiment. They demonstrated elevated total alkalinity in water samples, mostly in porewater after the deployments, while salinity, oxygen, and pH reflect the control conditions. Significant alkalinity differences were observed between the treatments and the natural background conditions monitored at the control site, during the 6 months of the experiment. The methodological approach is presented with strengths, limitations, and recommendations for an upscaling as CO2 removal measure, servicing, and subsequent investigations.
- Epigenetic regulation of ZNF687 by miR-142a-3p and DNA methylation during osteoblast differentiation and mice bone development and agingPublication . Domingos Varela, Débora Cristina; Domingos Varela, Tatiana da Conceição; Conceição, Natércia; Cancela, M. LeonorZinc finger protein 687 (ZNF687), a transcription factor implicated in osteoblast/osteoclast differentiation and linked to Paget's disease of bone, has unclear mechanisms in bone metabolism. Epigenetic disruptions can affect bone cell activity and contribute to bone-related diseases. This work aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of epigenetics in modulating Zfp687 expression throughout osteoblast differentiation and bone growth/aging in mice. Differentiation of the mouse-derived osteoblast precursor cell line (MC3T3-E1) showed increased expression of osteogenic markers and decreased Zfp687 expression. In the hindlimb bones of C57BL/6J mice, the expression of most bone-forming genes decreased from youth to adulthood, while Zfp687 and Runx2 expression was maintained, being only significantly reduced in old mice in comparison to young mice. Bisulfite sequencing revealed hypomethylation of the Zfp687 promoter during MC3T3-E1 differentiation and bone growth/aging. Bioinformatics predicted miR-142a-3p, miR-122b-5p, and miR-124-3p binding sites in Zfp687 3 ' UTR, and RT-qPCR analysis showed higher expression of these miRNAs in mature osteoblasts. Transfection of a miR-142-3p mimic reduced luciferase activity in the wildtype Zfp687 3 ' UTR but not the mutant 3 ' UTR and downregulated the Zfp687 gene and protein levels. In conclusion, miR-142a-3p directly targets the Zfp687 3 ' UTR, promoting its downregulation during osteoblastogenesis. Furthermore, DNA methylation does not appear to regulate Zfp687 during osteoblast differentiation or bone development in mice.
- Exploring vulnerability to stress and its correlation with bullying in the nurse’s workplacePublication . João, Ana Lúcia; Coelho, Anabela; Branco, Nuno Sérgio; Portelada, AntónioBackground: Vulnerability to stress is associated with susceptibility to react to certain events, taking into account individual factors, beliefs, and available resources. Workplace bullying increases stress, absenteeism, and turnover among nurses, creating a toxic environment. This negatively impacts their well-being and compromises the quality of nursing care. As a result, patient safety and healthcare outcomes may be affected. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of vulnerability to stress in Portuguese nurses and its relationship with the experience of workplace bullying. Methodology: This study used a descriptive-correlational approach with a cross-sectional design. The data collection instrument used was a questionnaire consisting of a sociodemographic component and a scale assessing vulnerability to stress (QVS-23) and workplace bullying (NAQ-R). The total sample consisted of 2015 nurses working in healthcare institutions. Results: Nurses who perceived themselves as victims of workplace bullying were shown to be more vulnerable to stress, with a higher mean value for perfectionism and dramatization of existence, inhibition and functional dependence, lack of support and deprivation of affection, intolerance of frustration and rejection, and adverse living conditions. Conclusions: Organizations must create a healthy, respectful, and productive working environment by identifying the various factors that make them vulnerable to stress in the workplace. They must also act to prevent workplace bullying, thus protecting the health of nurses and promoting positive relationships and a harmonious work culture.
- Valorization of arbutus unedo L. Pomace: exploring the recovery of bioactive phenolic compounds from distillation By-productsPublication . Lorenzo, Ritamaria Di; Ferraro, Maria Grazia; Carrera, Ceferino; Iazzetti, Federica; Chinchilla, Nuria; Maisto, Maria; Aliaño González, María José; Piccolo, Vincenzo; Ricci, Lucia; Medronho, Bruno; Marzocchi, Adua; Piccolo, Marialuisa; Romano, Anabela; Tenore, Gian Carlo; Irace, Carlo; Laneri, SoniaThis study explores the potential of Arbutus unedo L. pomace, a by-product of the food industry, as a natural ingredient for skincare applications. In Portugal, A. unedo L. fruits are traditionally used to produce "Aguardente de Medronho", a spirit with a protected geographical indication. The distillation process generates pomace, comprising skins, pulp remnants, seeds, and residual alcohol rich in phenolic compounds, whose levels are significantly increased during distillation. In addition to their documented high antioxidant content, these residues also display notable antimicrobial properties. However, their potential benefits for skin health have not yet been explored. The methodology entailed the preparation of the pomace extract and a comprehensive analysis of its polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity under laboratory conditions and in preclinical cellular models. The by-products demonstrated a high polyphenol content and potent antioxidant activity, comparable to vitamin C. Bioscreening on human skin models (i.e., dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes) revealed their ability to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation under oxidative stress in skin cells, highlighting their potential to mitigate skin aging and damage caused by environmental pollutants. Moreover, bioscreens in vitro revealed a high safety profile, without any interference with cell viability at concentrations up to 100 mu g/mL. These findings support the use of A. unedo L. pomace extract as a sustainable ingredient for the development of antioxidant-rich and eco-friendly cosmetic or dermatologic products.