Improvement of the inhibitory effect of xanthones on NO production by encapsulation in PLGA nanocapsules

For the first time the inhibitory effect of xanthone and 3-methoxyxanthone on nitric oxide (NO) production by IFN-gamma/LPS activated J774 macrophage cell line is reported. A remarkable improvement of this effect promoted by encapsulation of these compounds in nanocapsules of Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is also demonstrated. A weak inhibitory effect of 3.6% on NO production by activated macrophages was observed for xanthone at the highest studied concentration (100 mu M). This effect was slightly higher for 3-methoxyxanthone at the same concentration, producing a reduction of 16.5% on NO production. In contrast, equivalent concentrations of xanthone and 3-methoxyxanthone incorporated in nanocapsules produced a significant decrease on NO production of 91.8 and 80.0%, respectively. Empty nanocapsules also exhibited a slight NO inhibitory activity, which may be due to the presence of soybean lecithin in the composition of the nanosystems. The viability of the macrophages was not affected either by free or nanoencapsulated xanthones. Fluorescence microscopy analysis confirmed that a phagocytic process was involved in the macrophage uptake of xanthone- and 3-methoxyxanthone-loaded PLGA nanocapsules. Phagocytosis might be the main mechanism responsible for the enhancement of the intracellular delivery of both compounds and consequently for the improvement of their biological effect

Ecotoxicity Thresholds for Ametryn, Diuron, Hexazinone and Simazine in Fresh and Marine Waters

Triazine and urea herbicides are two groups of photosystem II inhibiting herbicides frequently detected in surface, ground and marine waters. Yet, there are few water quality guidelines for herbicides. Ecotoxicity thresholds (ETs) for ametryn, hexazinone and simazine (triazine herbicides) and diuron (a urea herbicide) were calculated using the Australian and New Zealand method for deriving guideline values to protect fresh and marine ecosystems. Four ETs were derived for each chemical and ecosystem that should theoretically protect 99, 95, 90 and 80% of species (i.e. PC99, PC95, PC90 and PC80, respectively). For all four herbicides, the phototrophic species were significantly more sensitive than non-phototrophic species, and therefore, only the former data were used to calculate the ETs. Comparison of the ET values to measured concentrations in 2606 samples from 15 waterways that discharge to the Great Barrier Reef (2011–2015) found three exceedances of the simazine PC99, regular exceedances (up to 30%) of the PC99 in a limited number of rivers for ametryn and hexazinone and frequent (> 40%) exceedances of the PC99 and PC95 ETs in at least four waterways for diuron. There were no exceedances of the marine ETs in inshore reef areas. Further, ecotoxicity data are required for ametryn and hexazinone to fresh and marine phototrophic species, for simazine to marine phototrophic species, for tropical phototrophic species, repeated pulse exposures and long-term (2 to 12 months) exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations.Griffith Sciences, Griffith Institute for Drug DiscoveryNo Full Tex

Prototype system development for wireless vehicle speed monitoring

Vehicle speed monitoring and management of the associated data in an intelligent and efficient way is an important issue in modern transportation system in order to reduce road accidents. The aim of this work is to develop an automatic wireless system for monitoring vehicle speed on the road, identify a speeding vehicle and imposing penalty for the speeding offenders. In this work, a prototype system has been developed in a laboratory environment to generate random speed data using a mechanical wheel, measure the speed data with a Shimmer wireless sensor and transfer the data wirelessly to a client computer for further analysis. Software has been developed using a Java based socket programming technique to monitor the vehicle speed in a server computer and to send the data associated with a speeding vehicle to a remotely placed client computer. The graphical user interface (GUI) can visually display the speed of a vehicle at any particular time. The functionality of the software has been tested by simulating different traffic scenarios with low and high speed limits (40 and 60 km/hr respectively). To do that a high or low speed limit can be set in the GUI. The mechanical wheel is run at different speeds and the GUI continuously displays the speed. If the vehicle speed is higher than the set speed limit for the road, the system automatically detects it and generates a report with the time of speeding, vehicle number, vehicle speed etc. to be saved in the client computer in order to take further necessary actions for the speeding offender

Systematic Review of Hepatitis E Virus in Brazil: A One-Health Approach of the Human-Animal-Environment Triad

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world with diverse socioeconomic and sanitary conditions, also being the fourth largest pig producer in the world. The aim of the present systematic review was to collect and summarize all HEV published data from Brazil (from 1995 to October 2020) performed in humans, animals, and the environment, in a One Health perspective. A total of 2173 papers were retrieved from five search databases (LILACs, Mendeley, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) resulting in 71 eligible papers after application of exclusion/inclusion criteria. Data shows that HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) was the only retrieved genotype in humans, animals, and environment in Brazil. The South region showed the highest human seroprevalence and also the highest pig density and industry, suggesting a zoonotic link. HEV-1 and 2 were not detected in Brazil, despite the low sanitary conditions of some regions. From the present review we infer that HEV epidemiology in Brazil is similar to that of industrialized countries (only HEV-3, swine reservoirs, no waterborne transmission, no association with low sanitary conditions). Hence, we alert for the implementation of HEV surveillance systems in swine and for the consideration of HEV in the diagnostic routine of acute and chronic hepatitis in humans.This research received no external funding

SARS-CoV-2 in outdoor air following the third wave lockdown release, Portugal, 2021

Aiming to contribute with more data on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) in outdoor environments, we performed air sampling in outdoor terraces from restaurants in three major cities of Portugal in April 2021, following the third wave lockdown release in the country. Air samples (n=19) were collected in 19 restaurant terraces during lunch time. Each air sample was collected using a Coriolis Compact air sampler, followed by RNA extraction and real-time quantitative PCR for the detection of viral RNA. Viral viability was also assessed through RNAse pre-treatment of samples. Only one of the 19 air samples was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, with 7337 gene copies m–3 for the genomic region N2, with no viable virus in this sample. The low number of positive samples found in this study is not surprising, as sampling took place in outdoor settings where air circulation is optimal, and aerosols are rapidly dispersed by the air currents. These results are consistent with previous reports stating that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in outdoor spaces is low, although current evidence shows an association of exposures in settings where drinking and eating is possible on-site with an increased risk in acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the minimal infectious dose for SARS-CoV-2 still needs to be determined so that the real risk of infection in different environments can be accurately established.This work was supported by national funds, through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), under projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020, and by LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE) and UIDB/00511/2020 – UIDP/00511/2020 (LEPABE) funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). This work was also supported by the AIRCOVID initiative and is financed by the EEA Grants Bilateral Relations Fund through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEE), Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, which are partners in the internal market with the States-Members of the European Union. As a way of promoting a continuous and balanced strengthening of economic and trade relations, the parties to the EEA Agreement established a multi-annual Financial Mechanism, known as EEA Grants. The EEA Grants aim to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and strengthen bilateral relations between these three countries and the beneficiary countries. For the period 2014–2021, a total contribution of €2.8 billion has been agreed to 15 beneficiary countries. Portugal will benefit from an allocation ofThis work was supported by national funds, through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), under projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020, and by LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE) and UIDB/00511/2020 – UIDP/00511/2020 (LEPABE) funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). This work was also supported by the AIRCOVID initiative and is financed by the EEA Grants Bilateral Relations Fund through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEE), Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, which are partners in the internal market with the States-Members of the European Union. As a way of promoting a continuous and balanced strengthening of economic and trade relations, the parties to the EEA Agreement established a multi-annual Financial Mechanism, known as EEA Grants. The EEA Grants aim to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and strengthen bilateral relations between these three countries and the beneficiary countries. For the period 2014–2021, a total contribution of €2.8 billion has been agreed to 15 beneficiary countries. Portugal will benefit from an allocation of 102.7 million euros. Learn more at eeagrants.gov.pt. Priscilla Gomes da Silva thanks FCT for the financial support of her PhD work (2020.07806.BD, CRM: 0026504) contract through the DOCTORATES 4 COVID-19 program

Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Shellfish Harvesting Areas from Galicia (Northwestern Spain)

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) affects almost 20 million individuals annually, causing approximately 3.3 million acute liver injuries, 56,600 deaths, and huge healthcare-associated economic losses. Shellfish produced close to urban and livestock areas can bioaccumulate this virus and transmit it to the human population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HEV in molluscan shellfish, in order to deepen the knowledge about HEV prevalence in Galicia (northwestern Spain), and to investigate this as a possible route of HEV transmission to humans. A total of 168 shellfish samples was obtained from two different Galician rías (Ría de Ares-Betanzos and Ría de Vigo). The samples were analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RT-nested PCR and sequencing were used for further genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of positive samples. HEV was detected in 41 (24.4%) samples, at quantification levels ranging from non-quantifiable (<102 copies of the RNA genome (RNAc)/g tissue) to 1.1 × 105 RNAc/g tissue. Phylogenetic analysis based on the open reading frame (ORF)2 region showed that all sequenced isolates belonged to genotype 3, and were closely related to strains of sub-genotype e, which is of swine origin. The obtained results demonstrate a significant prevalence of HEV in bivalve molluscs from Galician rías, reinforcing the hypothesis that shellfish may be a potential route for HEV transmission to humans.The authors gratefully acknowledge Ms. Cristina Álvarez from the INTECMAR (Galicia, Spain) for her help in obtaining the samples included in the analysis. E.R. acknowledges the IACOBUS Program from the European Strategic Group of Territorial Cooperation Galicia/North of Portugal for a research fellowship

Numbering The Ladies Waldegrave: Questions of Status and Display

At first glance, it appears as though Sir Joshua Reynolds’s The Ladies Waldegrave (1780) is in two places at once: Strawberry Hill House and the National Gallery, Edinburgh. Despite their visual indistinguishability, however, the former is a copy of the latter created by Factum Foundation in 2018. In this article, I discuss the ontological relation between paintings and their visually indistinguishable facsimiles, along with certain consequences that relation has for display practices. Traditionally, paintings are understood to be ontologically singular; no copy, however faithful, can ever stand in as the work itself. Using The Ladies Waldegrave, I defend ontological singularity while maintaining that these visually indistinguishable facsimiles can be used to promote engagement with, and a better understanding of, originals. Drawing on the philosophical idea that objects have temporal parts, I suggest that what I call suitable facsimiles – copies that are visually indistinguishable from originals – are representations of particular temporal parts of those originals. My proposal allows paintings to maintain their singularity while acknowledging that some copies share a special relationship with the originals such that the former can stand in for the latter. I conclude by considering issues concerning the display of both originals and suitable facsimiles

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the Indoor and Outdoor Areas of Urban Public Transport Systems of Three Major Cities of Portugal in 2021

Airborne transmission is mainly associated with poorly ventilated and crowded indoor environments where people stay for long periods of time. As such, public transport is often perceived as having a high risk for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Considering that data on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in public transport systems are scarce, we performed air sampling for SARS-CoV-2 in indoor and outdoor spaces of public transport systems in Portugal. Air (n = 31) and surface (n = 70) samples were collected using a Coriolis® Compact microbial air sampler and sterile flocked plastic swabs, respectively. Samples were extracted and analyzed through RT-qPCR. Only two air samples from an outdoor and a partially open space were found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. No positive surface samples were detected. These results indicate that the viral concentration in ambient air in public transport systems is linked to the number of people present in that environment and whether they are wearing properly fitting masks. Considering the current lifting of COVID-19 restrictions around the world, it is essential that people continue to wear masks in both indoor and outdoor environments, especially in crowded spaces. More studies on this topic are needed to fully elucidate the real risk of infection in outdoor spaces. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Funding text 1: Funding: This work was financially supported by LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/00511/2020 and UIDP/00511/2020 (LEPABE), funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).; Funding text 2: Acknowledgments: Priscilla Gomes da Silva thanks the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT for the financial support of her Ph.D. work (2020.07806.BD, CRM: 0026504) contract through the DOCTORATES 4 COVID-19 program

Airborne spread of infectious SARS-CoV-2: Moving forward using lessons from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV

Background: Although an increasing body of data reports the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air, this does not correlate to the presence of infectious viruses, thus not evaluating the risk for airborne COVID-19. Hence there is a marked knowledge gap that requires urgent attention. Therefore, in this systematic review, viability/stability of airborne SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV viruses is discussed. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus to assess the stability and viability of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 on air samples. Results and discussion: The initial search identified 27 articles. Following screening of titles and abstracts and removing duplicates, 11 articles were considered relevant. Temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 25 °C and relative humidity ranging from 40% to 50% were reported to have a protective effect on viral viability for airborne SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. As no data is yet available on the conditions influencing viability for airborne SARS-CoV-2, and given the genetic similarity to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, one could extrapolate that the same conditions would apply. Nonetheless, the effect of these conditions seems to be residual considering the increasing number of cases in the south of USA, Brazil and India, where high temperatures and humidities have been observed. Conclusion: Higher temperatures and high relative humidity can have a modest effect on SARS-CoV-2 viability in the environment, as reported in previous studies to this date. However, these studies are experimental, and do not support the fact that the virus has efficiently spread in the tropical regions of the globe, with other transmission routes such as the contact and droplet ones probably being responsible for the majority of cases reported in these regions, along with other factors such as human mobility patterns and contact rates. Further studies are needed to investigate the extent of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as this would have important implications for public health and infection-control policies.This work was financially supported by Base Funding - UIDB/00511/2020 of the Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy – LEPABE - funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). This work was also financed by RESEARCH4COVID program under projects SARSBLOODsafe (ref 021), Cdots Biosensing COVID19 (ref 041) and fta4COVID19 (ref 598) funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT); Sofia I.V. Sousa thanks FCT for the financial support of her work contract through the Scientific Employment Stimulus - Individual Call - CEECIND/02477/2017; Priscilla Gomes da Silva thanks FCT for the financial support of her PhD work (2020.07806.BD) contract through the DOCTORATES 4 COVID-19 program

Influence of leaf trichome type, and density on the host plant selection by the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Host selection by adult greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) was assessed on two pelargonium plant cultivars, Pelargonium x domesticum (regal) and P. x hortorum (zonal) using Petri dish bioassay chambers in choice and no-choice tests. Plant characteristics which could influence the oviposition preference of the whitely i.e., type and density of trichomes on the abaxial leaf surface was determined. A strong host preference was observed for the regal compared to the zonal pelargonium by the adult whiteflies. In no-choice tests, adults laid a significantly higher number of eggs on regal than on zonal leaves both at 24 and 48 hours post-exposure, respectively. After exposure to the adult whitefly, the number of 42 eggs in choice tests were similar between cultivars at 24 hours, but were higher for regal at 48 and 72 hours. The total number of trichomes (sng: straight non-glandular + sg: straight glandular) per 0.50 cm2 44 was significantly less on regal (Mean ± SE sng + sg; 43.1 ± 1.5) than on zonal leaves (60.5 ± 1.2); however, the sng trichomes were significantly higher on the zonal (49.4 ± 0.96) than the regal leaves (28.6 ± 1.00). Also, the number of sg trichomes was slightly higher for the regal cultivar leaves compared to the zonal, being 14.4 ± 1.2 and 11.2 ± 0.5, respectively. Results suggest that the trichome density, type and the ability to express glandular exudates can affect adult whitefly Pelargonium cultivar preference and plays an important role in their host plant selection for oviposition