Francisco Gomes Teixeira: o homem, o cientista, o pedagogo

Tese de doutoramento em Matemática, na especialidade de História da MatemáticaO objectivo desta tese é estudar a personalidade de Francisco Gomes Teixeira, sob três aspectos principais: o homem, o cientista e o pedagogo. O trabalho está dividido em três Partes. Na Primeira Parte, tentamos delinear o perfil de Gomes Teixeira, como aluno, como chefe de família, como cidadão, como político, como mestre, como prestigiado matemático internacional, como historiador. Também, aí, apresentamos os resultados da pesquisa, que incidiu sobre o Jornal de Sciencias Mathematicas e Astronomicas e sobre os Annaes Scientificos da Academia Polytechnica do Porto. Finalmente, nesta mesma Parte, damos, uma visão global das actividades científicas de Gomes Teixeira, como analista, geómetra e historiador. A Segunda Parte, refere alguns temas matemáticos do livro, bem conhecido, Curso de Analyse Infinitesimal – Calculo Differencial, de Francisco Gomes Teixeira, numa perspectiva científica, pedagógica e histórica. Apresentamos, também, nesta Segunda Parte, a análise de duas bases de dados, uma relativa ao Espólio, reunido por Gomes Teixeira, durante a sua carreira académica, e uma segunda base de dados relativa às referências bibliográficas, inseridas no Traité des courbes spéciales remarquables planes et gauches. Na Terceira Parte, apresentamos as conclusões da nossa pesquisa. O trabalho integra quatro anexos, a que chamámos anexos A, B, C e D, que ilustram e documentam muitas das nossas afirmações.The aim of this thesis is to study the personality of Francisco Gomes Teixeira as it emerged during our research, namely: the man, the scientist and the pedagogue. The work contains three Parts, each of them divided into several chapters. In the first part, we attempt a characterization of Gomes Teixeira’s profile: as a student, within his family life, as a citizen, as a politician, as a master, as a celebrated international mathematician and as a historian. In this part, we also present the results of our research about the Jornal de Sciencias Mathematicas e Astronomicas and about the Annaes Scientificos da Academia Polytechnica. Finally, in this part, we give a global view of the scientific activities of Gomes Teixeira, as an analyst, as a geometer and as a historian. The second part of this work refers to some mathematical subjects of Gomes Teixeira well known textbook Curso de Analyse Infinitesimal – Calculo Differencial, in a scientific, pedagogical and historical approach. In this part, we also include one database built from the scientific remains (Spolium) gathered by Gomes Teixeira during his academic career and a second database referring to the Traité des courbes spéciales remarquables planes et gauches. In the third part we present the conclusions of our research. The thesis integrates four annexes, which we named A, B, C and D. These annexes give some illustrations and some documentation for many of the statements we make in the thesis

Cytokines and angiogenesis in the corpus luteum

Articles in International JournalsIn adults, physiological angiogenesis is a rare event, with few exceptions as the vasculogenesis needed for tissue growth and function in female reproductive organs. Particularly in the corpus luteum(CL), regulation of angiogenic process seems to be tightly controlled by opposite actions resultant fromthe balance between pro- and antiangiogenic factors. It is the extremely rapid sequence of events that determines the dramatic changes on vascular and nonvascular structures, qualifying the CL as a great model for angiogenesis studies. Using the mare CL as a model, reports on locally produced cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF), interferon gamma (IFNG), or Fas ligand (FASL), pointed out their role on angiogenic activity modulation throughout the luteal phase.Thus, the main purpose of this review is to highlight the interaction between immune, endothelial, and luteal steroidogenic cells, regarding vascular dynamics/changes during establishment and regression of the equine CL

Evolution of the Concepts of Endometrosis, Post Breeding Endometritis, and Susceptibility of Mares

In this paper, the evolution of our understanding about post breeding endometritis (PBE), the susceptibility of mares, and events leading to endometrosis are reviewed. When sperm arrive in the uterus, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are released. They attract neutrophils and induce modulatory cytokines which control inflammation. In susceptible mares, this physiological defense can be prolonged since the pattern of cytokine release differs from that of resistant mares being delayed and weaker for anti-inflammatory cytokines. Delayed uterine clearance due to conformational defects, deficient myometrial contractions, and failure of the cervix to relax is detected by intrauterine fluid accumulation and is an important reason for susceptibility to endometritis. Multiparous aged mares are more likely to be susceptible. Untreated prolonged PBE can lead to bacterial or fungal endometritis called persistent or chronic endometritis. Exuberant or prolonged neutrophilia and cytokine release can have deleterious and permanent effects in inducing endometrosis. Interactions of neutrophils, cytokines, and prostaglandins in the formation of collagen and extracellular matrix in the pathogenesis of fibrosis are discussed. Endometritis and endometrosis are interconnected, influencing each other. It is suggested that they represent epigenetic changes induced by age and hostile uterine environment

The interaction between Nodal, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Alpha, and Thrombospondin 1 Promotes Luteolysis in Equine Corpus Luteum

Research Areas: Endocrinology & MetabolismThe regulation of corpus luteus (CL) luteolysis is a complex process involving a myriad of factors. Previously, we have shown the involvement of Nodal in functional luteolysis in mares. Presently, we ask the extent of which Nodal mediation of luteolysis is done through regulation of angioregression. We demonstrated the interaction between Nodal and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 a (HIF1a) and thrombospondin 1/thrombospondin receptor (TSP1/CD36) systems, could mediate angioregression during luteolysis. First, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of Nodal on the vascularmarker platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (CD31). Also, treatment of mid CL explants with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) showed a trend on activin-like kinase 7 (Alk7) protein inhibition. Next, Nodal was also shown to activate HIF1a and in vitro culture of mid CL explants under decreased oxygen level promoted Nodal expression and SMAD familymember 3 (Smad3) phosphorylation. In another experiment, the crosstalk between Nodal and TSP1/CD36 was investigated. Indeed, Nodal increased the expression of the anti-angiogenic TSP1 and its receptor CD36 in mid CL explants. Finally, the supportive effect of prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) on TSP1/CD36 was blocked by SB431542 (SB), a pharmacological inhibitor of Nodal signaling. Thus, we evidenced for the first time the in vitro interaction between Nodal and both HIF1a and TSP1 systems, two conserved pathways previously shown to be involved in vascular regression during luteolysis. Considering the given increased expression of Nodal in mid CL and its role on functional luteolysis, the current results suggest the additional involvement of Nodal in angioregression during luteolysis in the mare, particularly in the activation of HIF1a and TSP1/CD36.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bio-guided fractionation of extracts of Geranium robertianum L.: Relationship between phenolic profile and biological activity

Geranium robertianum L. is used in folk medicine and herbalism practice for the treatment of a variety of ailments. Recently, we studied the bioactivity of several aqueous and organic extracts of this plant. In this work, the more active extracts were fractionated and the fractions evaluated for their antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines and non-tumor porcine liver primary cells. Some of the fractions from the acetone extract consistently displayed low EC 50 and GI 50 values and presented the higher contents of total phenolic compounds in comparison to other fractions. The phenolic compounds profile of the fractions was determined. The bio-guided fractionation of the extracts resulted in several fractions with improved bioactivity relative to the corresponding extracts. Their lower compositional complexity allowed the identification of more than two dozen compounds, to the best of our knowledge, so far not reported in G. robertianum.This work was supported by European Investment Funds by FEDER/COMPETE/POCI- Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme, under Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT − Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the projects UID/AGR/04033, UID/AGR/00690/2013 (CIMO) and UID/QUI/00616/2013 (CQ-VR). V.C. Graça, M.I. Dias and L. Barros thank FCT for SFRH/BD/52542/2014, SFRH/BD/84485/2012, and SFRH/BPD/107855/2015 grants, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The occidental otaku: Portuguese audience motivations for viewing anime

Japanese animation, widely known as anime, has a global reach. It is simultaneously broadcasted by traditional media and easily distributed and discussed among fans in the digital and online realms. However, non-Japanese audiences’ motivations for watching this kind of content remain almost unstudied in some countries, with Portugal being one of them. This article presents and discusses the outcomes of an online survey completed by 568 respondents, most of them young and regular watchers of anime. A scale by Rubin and Perse (1987), originally used in regard to the audiences of soap operas, was adapted in the scope of this article. Five main motivations were found for anime viewing, with entertainment being the strongest. Age and gender are relevant predictors for the sample’s motivations and also influence audience preferences regarding genres. The survey’s outcomes are complemented by nine in-depth interviews conducted during an anime convention, further exploring the motivations derived from the survey

Equine endometrosis pathological features: are they dependent on NF-κB signaling pathway?

Research Areas: Agriculture ; Veterinary Sciences ; ZoologyEndometrosis is an important mares’ disease which considerably decreases their fertility. As classic endometrial classification methods might be insufficient for tissue pathological evaluation, further categorization into active/inactive and destructive/non-destructive types was developed by Hoffmann and others. This study aimed to compare NF-κB pathway genes transcription among histopathological types of endometrosis, following Hoffmann and co-authors’ classification. Endometrial samples, collected postmortem from cyclic mares (n = 100) in estrus or diestrus, were classified histologically and used for gene transcription assessment. Gene transcription of NF-κB subunits (RelA, NF-κB1, NF-κB2), pro-inflammatory molecules (MCP-1, IL-6), and hyaluronan synthases (HAS 1, HAS 2, HAS 3) was compared among endometrosis types (active, non-active, destructive, non-destructive). Most individual mRNA samples showed high expression of RelA, NF-κB1, and MCP-1 gene transcripts and the destructive type of endometrosis, simultaneously. The expression of RelA and NF-κB1 genes was higher in active destructive group than in the other groups only in the follicular phase, as well as being higher in the inactive destructive group than in the others, only in the mid-luteal phase. The increase in gene transcription of the NF-κB canonical activation pathway in destructive endometrosis may suggest the highest changes in extracellular matrix deposition. Moreover, the estrous cycle phase might influence fibrosis pathogenesis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evolution during three ripening stages of Évora cheese

ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-023356 UIDP/04035/2020 UIDB/05064/2020The variability and heterogeneity found in Évora cheeses, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), can affect consumers’ choices. Assessing the ripening conditions and their effect can be helpful. To study the effect of ripening duration in Évora cheese PDO, sensory and chemical analyses were performed in cheese samples subjected to 30, 60, and 120 days of ripening under controlled conditions (temperature 14 to 15 ◦C and humidity 65 to 70%). Sensory analysis was conducted with a homogenous panel previously familiarized with the product after a short training period, and chemical analyses including pH, moisture, NaCl content, aw, and salt-in-moisture were determined. Panelists were able to distinguish the differences in the organoleptic characteristics of the three cheese stages, and chemical determinations showed significant differences between stages. Interrater agreement was higher in the sensory evaluation of cheeses with a longer maturation period. As expected, cheeses in the 120 days ripening period presented lower pH, moisture, and water activity and had higher salt-in-moisture content. This stage received the highest scores in hardness and color of the crust, intensity, pungency of the aroma, intensity of taste and piquancy, and firmness and granular characteristics of texture. Overall acceptance of cheese samples was positive, regardless of the ripening stage, which probably reflects both the homogeneity of taster profiles and the previous knowledge of this particular product. The degree of ripeness influences the physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics but does not affect the acceptance of this product by the consumer.publishersversionpublishe

Cytokines and neutrophil extracellular traps in the equine endometrium: friends or foes?

Articles in International JournalsCytokines may play a dual role in the reproductive tract – either involved in physiologic processes or mediating inflammation and other pathologic processes. Physiologic secretory and angiogenic function in the equine endometrium appears to be regulated by cytokines TNFa, FasL, IFNg through their receptors. These receptors are present in glandular epithelium, and stroma cells and their mRNA expression changes throughout the estrous cycle. Besides, interleukins (IL-1a and IL-1b) and their receptors mRNA expression vary according to various degrees of endometrium inflammation (endometritis) and fibrosis (endometrosis). A novel paradigm in innate immunity and neutrophils (PMN) hyperactivation is PMN ability to cast out their DNA in response to infectious stimuli. These PMN extracellular traps (NETs) bind and kill pathogens, at the infection site. The intriguing dilemma is that even though NETs may function as a first line of defense, they also release molecules that may contribute to tissue damage. Thus, we postulate that PMN present in the endometrium at estrus, mating or infection, might form NETs, and release nucleic and cytoplasmic proteins with immunomodulatory properties. Equine PMN stimulated in vitro showed NETs formation capacity when in contact with some bacteria strains obtained from mares with endometritis, such as Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Escherichia coli and Staphylococus capitis. In this regard, even though NETs and cytokines function as an effective antimicrobial first line of defense or modulate physiologic endometrial function, respectively (friends), they may also be involved in endometrial fibrosis pathogenesis and endometrial secretory function impairment, due to enhanced NETs formation and/or a decrease on NETs degradation (foes)