Disphyma crassifolium, commonly known as sea fingers, is a halophyte plant recently introduced in gourmet cuisine. The present study aims to extract the bioactive compounds of D. crassifolium using ultrasound-assisted extraction and employing green solvents (water and ethanol). The antioxidant/antiradical activities, scavenging capacity against reactive species, phenolic profile, and intestinal effects were evaluated. The highest total phenolic (53.13 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g on dry weight (dw)) and flavonoid contents (18.98 mg of catechin equivalent (CE)/g dw) as well as antioxidant (149.69 µmol of ferrous sulphate equivalent (FSE)/g dw) and antiradical capacities (9.37 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g dw) were achieved for the alcoholic extract. Moreover, the alcoholic extract exhibited an efficient uptake of HOCl (IC50 = 1.97 µg/mL) and ROO• (0.34 µmol of Trolox equivalent (TE)/mg dw). A total of 34 phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts, with flavonols (isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, and myricetin), flavanols (catechin), and phenolic acids (gallic and ellagic acids) being the principal classes. The intestinal cell viability assays attested that the alcoholic extract presented the lowest IC50 values (289.82 and 35.77 µg/mL for HT29-MTX and Caco-2), showing probable anticancer activity. These results emphasize the potential of D. crassifolium as a nutraceutical ingredient.
JCR: 5.2
Referência bibliográfica: Silva, A. M., Moreira, M. M., Teixeira, F., Ferraz, R., Salazar, M., Delerue-Matos, C., & Rodrigues, F. (2024). Insights into the bioactive composition, antioxidant properties and in vitro cell effects of Disphyma crassifolium. Foods, 13(8), Artigo 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13081219
Lycium barbarum L. berries have a remarkable chemical composition and extensive biological activities, being a valuable component of health and nutraceutical practices. Nevertheless, a deep insight on the intestinal permeation of the pro-healthy bioactive compounds is urgently needed to predict the real effects on human body. This study attempted, for the first time, to optimize the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of goji berries using a Response Surface Methodology approach and establish the intestinal permeation of the principal pro-healthy compounds. The optimal extraction conditions were a solid:liquid ratio of 8.75 % for 56.21 min, using an intensity of 59.05 W/m2. The optimal extract displayed a remarkable antioxidant capacity, with LC/DAD-ESI-MS analysis unveiled a diverse phytochemical profile, encompassing different compounds (e.g. glu-lycibarbarspermidine F, 2-glu-kukoamine, rutin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid). The intestinal co-culture model demonstrated that glu-lycibarbarspermidine F (isomer 2) (73.70 %), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (52.66 %), and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (49.31 %) traversed the intestinal cell layer, exerting beneficial health-promoting effects.
JCR: 8.1
Referência bibliográfica: Teixeira, F., Silva, A. M., Sut, S., Dall’Acqua, S., Ramos, O. L., Ribeiro, A. B., Ferraz, R., Delerue-Matos, C., & Rodrigues, F. (2024). Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from goji berries: Optimization, bioactivity, and intestinal permeability assessment. Food Research International, 188, 114502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114502
Complement C5 is the target of the monoclonal antibody eculizumab, used in complement dysregulating disorders, like the rare disease Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). PNH is an acquired hematopoietic stem cell condition characterized by aberrant destruction of erythrocytes, chronic hemolytic anemia, and thromboembolism propensity. C5 is a protein component of the complement system which is part of the immune system of the body and plays a prominent role in the destruction of red blood cells, misidentifying them as a threat. This work describes the application of molecular dynamics simulations to the study of the underlying interactions between complement C5 and eculizumab. This study also reveals the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms on C5 protein concerning the effective inhibition of the mAB, involving the mechanistic events taking place at the interface spots of the complex. The predicted conformational change in the C5 Arg885/His/Cys mutation has implications on the protein’s interaction with eculizumab, compromising their compatibility. The acquired insights into the conformational changes, dynamics, flexibility, and interactions shed light on the knowledge of the function of this biomolecule providing answers about the poor response to the treatment in PNH patient carriers of the mutations. By investigating the intricate dynamics, significant connections between C5 and eculizumab can be uncovered. Such insights may aid in the creation of novel compounds or lead to the enhancement of eculizumab’s efficacy.
JCR: 4.4
Referência bibliográfica: Peixoto, V. P., Prudêncio, C., Vieira, M., & Sousa, S. F. (2024). Evaluation of the impact of two C5 genetic variants on C5-eculizumab complex stability at the molecular level. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 0(0), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2024.2331091
Differences in short and long-latency Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) can help us infer abnormalities in brain processing, considering early and later stages of stimuli processing across tasks and conditions. In autism research, the adult population remains largely understudied compared to samples at early stages of development. In this context, this scoping review briefly summarises what has been described in community and subclinical adult samples of autism. The current scoping review and meta-analysis includes 50 records (N = 1652) and comprehensively explores short and long-latency ERP amplitudes and their relationship with autistic traits in adult community samples. This meta-analysis identified, with small to medium effect sizes, distinctive patterns in late ERP amplitudes, indicating enhanced responses to visual stimuli and the opposite patterns to auditory tasks in the included sample. Additionally, a pattern of higher amplitudes was also found for the component P3b in autistic traits. Differential effects in visual and auditory domains are explored in light of the predictive processing framework for Autism. It remains possible that different brain mechanisms operate to explain symptoms related with different sensory modalities. P3b is discussed as a possible component of interest in future studies as it revealed a more robust effect for differentiating severity in the expression of autistic traits in adulthood.
JCR: 2.6
Referência bibliográfica: Mazer, P., Garcez, H., Macedo, I., Pasion, R., Silveira, C., Sempf, F., & Ferreira-Santos, F. (2024). Autistic traits and event-related potentials in the general population: A scoping review and meta-analysis. Biological Psychology, 186, 108758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108758
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as negative regulators for protein-coding gene expression impacting cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. These miRNAs are frequently dysregulated in cancer and constitute classes of blood-based biomarkers useful for cancer detection and prognosis definition. In thyroid cancer (TC), the miRNA biogenesis pathway plays a pivotal role in thyroid gland formation, ensuring proper follicle development and hormone production. Several alterations in the miRNA biogenesis genes are reported as a causality for miRNA dysregulation. Mutations in microprocessor component genes are linked to an increased risk of developing TC; in particular, a recurrent mutation affecting DGCR8, the E518K. In this review, we explore these novel findings and resume the current state-of-the-art in miRNAs in thyroid carcinomas.
Título: Unraveling the Significance of DGCR8 and miRNAs in Thyroid Carcinoma
JCR: 6
Referência bibliográfica: Rodrigues, L., Da Cruz Paula, A., Soares, P., & Vinagre, J. (2024). Unraveling the significance of DGCR8 and miRNAs in Thyroid Carcinoma. Cells, 13(7), Artigo 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13070561
P-glycoprotein (P-GP) is a transporter molecule expressed on the apical surface of capillary endothelial cells of the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB), whose activity heavily influences drug distribution, including antidepressants. This transporter is encoded by ABCB1 gene, and genetic variations within ABCB1 gene have been proposed to affect drug efflux and have been previously associated with depression. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the role of C1236T, G2677TA and C3435T ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms in antidepressant treatment phenotypes from a cohort of patients harboring Major Depressive Disorder. Patients enrolled in the study consisted of 80 individuals with Major Depressive Disorder, who took part in a 27-month follow-up study at HML, Portugal. To investigate the correlation between ABCB1 polymorphisms and antidepressant response phenotypes, DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and C1236T, C3435T and G2677TA polymorphisms were genotyped with TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays. Despite the fact that the evaluated polymorphisms (C1236T, C3435T and G2677TA) were not associated with treatment resistant depression, or relapse, we observed that patients carrying TT genotype of the C3435T polymorphism remit earlier than the ones carrying CC or CT genotypes (10.2 weeks vs. 14.9 and 21.3, respectively, p = 0.028, Log-rank test). Since we found an association with C3435T and time to remission, and not to the absence of remission, we suggest that this polymorphism could have an impact on antidepressant drug distribution, and thus influence on the time to remission will occur, without influencing the risk of remission itself.
Título: “ABCB1 C1236T, G2677TA and C3435T genetic polymorphisms and antidepressant response phenotypes: results from a portuguese major depressive disorder cohort”
JCR: 5.6
Referência bibliográfica: Santos, M., Lima, L., Carvalho, S., Brandão, A., Barroso, F., Cruz, A., & Medeiros, R. (2024). ABCB1 C1236T, G2677TA and C3435T genetic polymorphisms and antidepressant response phenotypes: Results from a portuguese major depressive disorder cohort. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(10), Artigo 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105112
