Chemical characterization of atmospheric particulate matter and source apportionment in an urban-industrial area of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (Portugal)

Trabalho apresentado em 11th International Aerosol Conference (IAC2022), 4-9 de setembro 2022, Atenas, GréciaN/

Source apportionment of PM2.5 in the pre-pandemic versus pandemic period in an area near Lisbon: lessons for air quality management

Trabalho apresentado em European Aerosol Conference - EAC2023, 3-8 setembro 2023, Málaga, EspanhaN/

Cytocompatible cellulose nanofibers from invasive plant species Agave americana L. and Ricinus communis L.: a renewable green source of highly crystalline nanocellulose

: In this study, the fibers of invasive species Agave americana L. and Ricinus communis L. were successfully used for the first time as new sources to produce cytocompatible and highly crystalline cellulose nanofibers. Cellulose nanofibers were obtained by two methods, based on either alkaline or acid hydrolysis. The morphology, chemical composition, and crystallinity of the obtained materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The crystallinity indexes (CIs) of the cellulose nanofibers extracted from A. americana and R. communis were very high (94.1% and 92.7%, respectively). Biological studies evaluating the cytotoxic effects of the prepared cellulose nanofibers on human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells were also performed. The nanofibers obtained using the two different extraction methods were all shown to be cytocompatible in the concentration range assayed (i.e., 0‒500 µg/mL). Our results showed that the nanocellulose extracted from A. americana and R. communis fibers has high potential as a new renewable green source of highly crystalline cellulose-based cytocompatible nanomaterials for biomedical applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of glycosaminoglycan supplementation in the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow- and synovial- derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells on 3D-extruded poly (ε-caprolactone) scaffolds

The lack of effective and long-term treatments for articular cartilage defects has increased the interest for innovative tissue engineering strategies. Such approaches, combining cells, biomaterial matrices and external biochemical/physical cues, hold promise for generating fully functional cartilage tissue. Herein, this study aims at exploring the use of the major cartilage glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), chondroitin sulfate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA), as external biochemical cues to promote the chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow- and synovium-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hBMSC/hSMSC) on custom-made 3 D porous poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds. The culture conditions, namely the chondrogenic medium and hypoxic environment (5% O2 tension), were firstly optimized by culturing hBMSCs on PCL scaffolds without GAG supplementation. For both MSC sources, GAG supplemented media, particularly with HA, promoted significantly cartilage-like extracellular matrix (ECM) production (higher sulfated GAG amounts) and chondrogenic gene expression. Remarkably, in contrast to tissues generated using hBMSCs, the hSMSC-based constructs showed decreased expression of hypertrophic marker COL X. Histological, immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed the presence of typical articular cartilage ECM components (GAGs, aggrecan, collagen fibers) in all the tissue constructs produced. Overall, our results highlight the potential of integrating GAG supplementation, hSMSCs and customizable 3 D scaffolds toward the fabrication of bioengineered cartilage tissue substitutes with reduced hypertrophy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lovage (Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch) roots: a source of bioactive compounds towards a circular economy

Lovage (Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch) is an aromatic plant from the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family used as a condiment in several regions of Europe and also described to have medicinal properties. While the aerial parts are used as foods, the roots are generally discarded. In the past, lovage roots were used in folk medicine for their diuretic, carminative, and spasmolytic properties. Therefore, the exploitation of this undervalued part of the plant can be a source of valuable bioactive compounds for food and/or pharmaceutical industries. Thus, in this study, extracts of different polarity were prepared and studied regarding their chemical composition and bioactive properties. To the best of our knowledge, the composition in phenolic compounds and the volatile profile of the n-hexane extract are reported for the first time. A total of 24 compounds were identified by GC-MS in the n-hexane extract, evidencing a high relative abundance of phthalides. A total of eight phenolic compounds were identified in lovage root extracts (decoction and hydroethanolic extract), with vanillic acid being the major compound. Regarding antioxidant activity, also reported for the first time, decoction and hydroethanolic extract exhibited a high antioxidant capacity in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (179 ± 11 μg/mL) and in oxidative hemolysis (OxHLIA) assays (510 ± 6 μg/mL), respectively. n-Hexane extract showed relevant anti-proliferative activity against all tumor cell lines tested (GI50, 48-69 μg/mL), despite inhibiting also the growth of a non-tumoral hepatocyte cell line, however, presenting a significantly higher GI50 value (147 μg/mL). This study revealed that lovage root, an agri-food residue, can be a source of valuable bioactive compounds also presenting biological properties that deserve being explored, which could lead to a circular economy for food and/or the pharmaceutical industry.National funding by Foundation for Science and Technology, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for A. Fernandes, L. Barros, and R. C. Calhelha contracts and C. Pereira contract though the celebration of program-contract foreseen in No. 4, 5, and 6 of article 23º of Decree-Law No. 57/2016, of 29th August, amended by Law No. 57/2017, of 19th July. This work was also funded by FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E and TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical and bioactive characterization of the aromatic plant Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch: a comprehensive study

Aromatic plants have been used since antiquity as seasoning ingredients to impart unique flavours to foods, and also as folk medicines, and are currently used as a source of several compounds of interest for different industries. Lovage (Levisticum officinale W.J.D. Koch) is an aromatic plant from the Apiaceae family with a strong flavour that has long been used in culinary products, in traditional medicine and by the food industry. Despite its significance and relevance, apart from its composition in volatile compounds, there is a scarcity of information about this plant species. To the best of our knowledge, this study documents for the first time the nutritional value and composition in fatty acids, organic acids and tocopherols of the edible aerial part of lovage, evidencing a low caloric value, a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly α-linolenic acid, oxalic acid as the most abundant organic acid and α-tocopherol as the most abundant vitamin E isoform. The essential oil was mainly characterised by the presence of monoterpenes, showing also a high abundance of phthalides. In addition, a total of 7 phenolic compounds were identified in the decoction and hydroethanolic extracts, which showed interesting antioxidant properties and bacteriostatic activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. Only the decoction showed cytotoxicity against a tumoral cell line (HepG2).The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019). A. Fernandes, L. Barros and R. C. Calhelha contracts were provided by National funding by FCT, P. I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract and C. Pereira contract through the celebration of program-contract foreseen in No. 4, 5 and 6 of article 23° of Decree-Law No. 57/ 2016, of 29th August, amended by Law No. 57/2017, of 19th July. This work was also funded by the FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Objective assessment of the cryoprotective effects of dimethylformamide for freezing goat semen

AbstractThe aim of this work was to assess the cryoprotective effects of dimethylformamide (DMF) for freezing goat semen, using an objective analysis by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Twenty-one ejaculates (seven per animal) were collected from three stud bucks with the aid of an artificial vagina and immediately evaluated for gross and microscopic characteristics. The semen was diluted in two steps with a Tris–egg yolk extender containing 6% glycerol or 6% DMF, frozen in 0.50-mL straws, and stored in liquid nitrogen. Samples were accessed for sperm morphology, sperm membrane structural and functional integrity, and by CASA, immediately after thawing. There were differences (P<0.05) between glycerol and DMF with regard to subjective progressive motility (23.9±2.2% vs. 16.6±2.0%), objective progressive motility (3.5±0.4% vs. 1.8±0.3%), linearity (53.9±1.6% vs. 48.1±1.4%) and amplitude of lateral head (2.3±0.1 vs. 2.9±0.1mm), which confirmed the efficiency of glycerol. In conclusion, dimethylformamide could be used as an alternative cryoprotectant for goat semen freezing. However it was showed that no benefits were derived by using dimethylformamide to replace glycerol at an equal 6% concentration

Bayesian spatio-temporal models for mapping TB mortality risk and its relationship with social inequities in a region from Brazilian Legal Amazon

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TRAUMA, REABILITAÇÃO E QUALIDADE DE VIDA

This article presents a review of the literature, based on articles published from July, 2002 until May, 2007. It aims to analyze questions related to different types of traumas and their relationships with the rehabilitation programs and quality of life. This review was realized through a search into the international databases Medline,Scielo and Lilacs.The selected articleswere divided in four categories, in two different axis of analysis, based in the International Classification of Functionality: 1. structures and functions of the body (medical-surgical and functional aspects, and validation of protocols) and 2. Activities and social participation (psychosocial aspects). Finally, ahead of the changes related with trauma and based in the results and discussion that the articles presented, we emphasize the importance of the multidisciplinary work of the rehabilitation team, in particular the contribution of the occupational therapy, and the necessity of quality of life promotion of these populations in the physical aspects, as well in emotional, social and familiar.Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão da literatura, baseada em artigos publicados no período de julho de 2002 a maio de 2007. Procuramos analisar questões referentes a diversos tipos de traumas e suas relações com os programas de reabilitação e qualidade de vida. A revisão foi realizada a partir da consulta às bases de dados internacionais Medline, Scielo e Lilacs e os artigos selecionados foram divididos em quatro categorias, dentro de dois eixos de análise, baseados na Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade . 1. estruturas e funções do corpo, (aspectos clínico-cirúrgicos e funcionais e validação de protocolos) e 2. atividades e participação social (aspectos psicossociais). Por fim, diante das mudanças decorrentes do trauma e baseados nos resultados e discussões que os artigos apresentam, enfatizamos a importância do trabalho multidisciplinar da equipe de reabilitação, em particular a contribuição da Terapia Ocupacional, e a necessidade de promoção da qualidade de vida destas populações, tanto nos aspectos físicos, como emocionais e sócio-familiar

The lncRNA HOTAIR transcription is controlled by HNF4α-induced chromatin topology modulation

The expression of the long noncoding RNA HOTAIR (HOX Transcript Antisense Intergenic RNA) is largely deregulated in epithelial cancers and positively correlates with poor prognosis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, functional studies revealed a pivotal role for HOTAIR in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, as this RNA is causal for the repressive activity of the master factor SNAIL on epithelial genes. Despite the proven oncogenic role of HOTAIR, its transcriptional regulation is still poorly understood. Here hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-α (HNF4α), as inducer of epithelial differentiation, was demonstrated to directly repress HOTAIR transcription in the mesenchymal-to epithelial transition. Mechanistically, HNF4α was found to cause the release of a chromatin loop on HOTAIR regulatory elements thus exerting an enhancer-blocking activity