Anaerobic granular sludge as a biocatalyst for 1,3-propanediol production from glycerol in continuous bioreactors

1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) was produced from glycerol in three parallel Expanded Granular Sludge Blanket (EGSB) reactors inoculated with granular sludge (control reactor-R1), heat-treated granular sludge (R2) and disrupted granular sludge (R3) at Hydraulic Retention Times (HRT) between 3 and 24 h. Maximum 1,3-PDO yield (0.52 mol mol-1) and productivity (57 g L-1 d-1) were achieved in R1 at HRTs of 12 h and 3 h, respectively. DGGE profiling of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments showed that variations in the HRT had a critical impact in the dominant community of microorganisms. However, no appreciable differences in the bacterial population were observed between R2 and R3 at low HRTs. Production of H2 was observed at the beginning of the operation, but no methane production was observed. This study proves the feasibility of 1,3-PDO production in EGSB reactors and represents a novel strategy to valorise glycerol generated in the biodiesel industry

Production of 1,3-propanediol in EGSB reactors by open mixed cultures using glycerol as the carbon source

Two pre-treatments (granules disruption and heat) were applied to granular sludge to favour the production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) from glycerol by non-methanogenic bacteria in expanded granular sludge blanket (EGSB) reactors. Different hydraulic retention times (HRT) were tested to achieve a maximum yield of 0.59 mol of 1,3-PDO/mol of glycerol in the control (no treatment) reactor at an HRT of 12 h. Molecular biology tools were used to evaluate the microbial community present in the inoculum and biomass for each HRT studied. Variations in the HRT had a critical impact in the dominant community of microorganisms. No appreciable differences in microbial population were observed between the reactors operated with heat–treated and disrupted granules at low HRTs. Additionally, the production of H2 was observed at the beginning of the operation, however this was associated with low production of 1,3-PDO. In turn, no methane production was observed. This study proves the feasibility of 1,3-PDO production in EGSB reactors, which have the advantage of being operated under non-sterile conditions and represent a novel strategy to valorise glycerol being generated as by-product in the biodiesel industry

Pequeno manual sobre fungos entomopatogênicos.

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Untangling coastal diversity: how habitat complexity shapes demersal and benthopelagic assemblages in NW Iberia

Understanding species–habitat relationships is essential for ecosystem-based conservation. This study explores the significance of habitat characteristics and complexity for demersal and benthopelagic communities within a patchwork of coastal habitats, including rocky seabed, macroalgae formations, sandy bottoms, and a combination of rock and sand areas. Species and habitats were surveyed along the north-west (NW) Iberian continental shelf area of Viana do Castelo using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS). We found significant differences (p < 0.05) in species assemblages across habitats, with rocky substrates showing the highest diversity and abundance. Sand habitats showed the lowest species richness and abundance, underscoring the importance of habitat complexity to support marine life. Our study also emphasises the role of specific species in shaping the communities, identifying key species such as Trisopterus luscus, Diplodus vulgaris, and Ctenolabrus rupestris as the three most abundant in the region and significant contributors to the observed dissimilarities between habitats. By elucidating the impact of habitat complexity on marine life, our results offer essential baseline data, which serve as a kick-start point to inform sustainable management and conservation strategies for the long-term health and productivity of these vital ecological systems in the North-East Atlantic.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDB/04050/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. LA/P/0069/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. PD/BD/143088/2018Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. COVID/BD/153031/2022Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. PD/BD/150365/201

Etiologia, Tratamento e Prognóstico da Pericardite Aguda

Introduction: Acute pericarditis is a common inflammatory condition of the pericardium usually assumed to be viral or idiopathic. Despite recent treatment improvements, information is scarce regarding etiology and prognosis. Our aim was to determine the incidence of pericarditis with a known etiology and assess clinical prognostic predictors. Material and Methods: A clinical retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients with acute pericarditis was conducted from 2012 to 2016. Population was characterized according to etiology, clinical presentation, treatment and prognosis. Outcomes of interest, evaluated at one year after hospital discharge, were pericarditis recurrence, hospitalization, constriction and overall mortality. Results: A total of 94 patients were enrolled, median age 46 years (inter-quartile range 32-61), 65% were male. Idiopathic etiology was responsible for 68% of cases. A specific etiology was found in the remaining 32% of patients, being the most frequent autoimmune disease (12%) and malignancy (5%). Idiopathic pericarditis was associated with myopericarditis (p = 0.049) and a known etiology with pericardial effusion (p = 0.001) and cardiac tamponade (p = 0.027). Recurrence of pericarditis was found in 13% of patients. Corticosteroid treatment in patients with an identified etiology was not associated with an increase in recurrence (p = 0.220). Overall 1-year mortality was 9%. A defined etiology was the only independent predictor of mortality at multivariate analysis (OR 40.3; 95% CI 1.9 – 137.2; p = 0.016). Conclusion: Up to one third of hospitalized patients with acute pericarditis have an identified cause of pericarditis and these patients are at increased risk of mortality.Introdução: A pericardite aguda é uma síndrome frequente caracterizada pela inflamação do pericárdio e usualmente atribuído a etiologia viral/idiopática. Apesar dos avanços no tratamento, existe informação limitada em relação a etiologia e prognóstico. O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi identificar a prevalência de pericardite aguda com etiologia especifica e avaliar marcadores clínicos de prognóstico. Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospetivo de doentes hospitalizados por pericardite aguda entre 2012-2016. A população foi caracterizada quanto a etiologia, apresentação clínica, tratamento e prognóstico. Para avaliação de prognóstico foram avaliadas recorrência de pericardite, pericardite constritiva e mortalidade global um ano após alta hospitalar. Resultados: Foram incluídos 94 doentes com idade mediana 46 anos (IIQ 32-61), 65% eram do sexo masculino. A etiologia idiopática foi responsável por 68% dos casos. Etiologia especifica foi identificada em 32% dos doentes, sendo mais frequente doença autoimune (12%) e neoplasia (5%). A pericardite idiopática foi mais associada a miopericardite (p = 0,049), enquanto a etiologia específica se associou a derrame pericárdico (p = 0,001) e a tamponamento pericárdico (p = 0,027). A recorrência de pericardite ocorreu em 13% dos doentes. O tratamento com corticosteroides em doentes com etiologia definida não se associou com aumento de recorrência (p = 0,220). A mortalidade global a um ano foi de 9%. A etiologia definida de pericardite aguda revelou-se o único preditor independente de mortalidade na análise multivariada (OR 40,3; 95% CI 1,9 – 137,2; p = 0,016). Conclusão: Cerca de um terço dos doentes hospitalizados por pericardite aguda têm uma causa específica identificável de pericardite e estes doentes apresentam risco aumentado de mortalidadeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

DSRNA deep sequencing reveals five viral species in common beans.

To investigate which viruses were present in these plants, we performed highthroughput sequencing from preparations enriched for viral dsRNA. Leaves from transgenic BGMV resistant common bean breeding line CNFCT16207 showing severe crinkling were collected in Goiás, Brazil

Estudo palinostratigráfico do setor Malhadinha, região NE Alvares, concelho de Mértola, Faixa Piritosa Ibérica

Cartografia geológica realizada pelo Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia (LNEG) acompanhada por estudos palinostratigráficos na região de Malhadinha, NE de Alvares, localizada no setor WNW da Faixa Piritosa Ibérica (FPI), concelho de Mértola, possibilitaram o conhecimento de detalhe da estratigrafia local. Apresentam-se as idades obtidas por palinologia para as formações Barranco do Homem e Filito-Quartzítica, ambas de idade do Famenniano superior, e Freixial, de idade do Viseano superior, correlacionando-se os dados obtidos com a geologia regional da FPI. Os dados obtidos confirmam o predomínio de estruturas alóctones no setor norte da Faixa Piritosa, entre Alvares e a fronteira espanhola.Geological mapping performed by the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG) and palynostratigraphic studies carried out in Malhadinha region, NE of Alvares village, located in the northern sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), WNW of Mértola, allowed to obtain a detailed knowledge of the local stratigraphy. Age data obtained by palynology to the Barranco do Homem (upper Famennian age), Phyllite-Quartzite (upper Famennian age), and Freixial (Visean age), formations are presented and discussed according to the IPB regional geological setting. The age data confirm the predominance of alloctonous tectonic structures in the studied region, in line with previous structural interpretations for the North Sector of the Portuguese part of the Iberian Pyrite Belt.(undefined

Leveraging vectored vaccine candidates manufacturing to GMP compatible bioprocesse

Background Vectored vaccines are very efficient in the in vivo delivery of antigens either in the form of antigen protein and peptides or genetic material. The bioprocess of vectored vaccines poses however several challenge since the viral particles to be effective must maintain their infectivity. Lentiviral and adenoviral vectors are among the particles more used in the treatment of cancer diseases modulating the immune system. Both viral vectors are currently produced in transient upstream process. While the adenoviral vectors are produced at high titers the lentiviral vector upstream process still requires further improvement. The non-lytic nature of lentivirus enables the design of stable cell lines which may improve its yields through perfusion and longer term productions, reducing costs. The application of novel methods for the downstream processing such as continuous purification will contribute to increase the yield and lower the overall cost of the manufacturing processes. Experimental approach At the upstream process, many of the challenges lentiviral bioproducts present in its manufacturing are related to the apoptosis-leading cytotoxicity of some of the vector components. Supported on our long track experience and enabling tools developed for gammaretrovirus manufacturing, we undertook the challenge of establishing a constitutive stable lentiviral producer cell line. To address this challenge we proposed to eliminate or reduce the cytotoxicity of the lentiviral vector expression components. At the downstream process lentiviral vectors face the challenges common to retroviridae family of vectors namely short half-lives at room temperature, sensitivity to pH variations and salt concentrations, and shear stress. The purification strategy developed was designed to be based on disposable and easily scalable technologies. A final concentration achieving 108 TU mL-1 was targeted since the concentration step itself allows to reduce the burden on process and improve the transduction efficiency. To address the high doses requirements we will report an improved oncolytic adenovirus purification process for phase I and II clinical trials and present a case on the use of Polysorb 20 as a replacement for Triton X-100 during cell lysis. Product recovery, potency, purity and the effect of manufacturing holding points will be discussed. Results and discussion A lentiviral producer cell line constitutively producing titers above 106 TU.mL-1.day-1 was established. The cell line showed to be stable, consistently maintaining vector productivity over one month in the absence of antibiotics. At the bioreaction process it was possible to maintain the cells continuously producing over 10 days. At downstream we implemented scalable protocols for lentiviral and adenoviral vectors that is easy to transfer to GMP environment, combining microfiltration, anion-exchange, and ultrafiltration membranes technologies toward maximization of infectious virus recovery, allowing generation of clinical-grade viral vectors without the need for cleaning validation in a cost-effective manner. Herein we will present and discuss the challenges on the biomanufacturing of lentiviral as well as adenoviral virus, the strategies and novel technologies to be adopted in order to enable a faster development of novel vectored vaccine candidates focusing on several case studies, supported by process technology innovation

A study on the production of thin-walled Ti6Al4V parts by selective laser melting

Acknowledgements: This work is supported by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia through the grant FRH/BPD/112111/2015 and the projects PTDC/EMS-TEC/5422/2014 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER- 000018-HAMaBICo. Additionally, this work is supported by FCT with the reference project UID/EEA/04436/2013, by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) with the reference project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006941.Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is an extremely versatile technology especially suited for the manufacturing of thin-walled parts. Micro-sized parts are highly influenced and dependent on the SLM processing parameters; thus being indispensable to assess the influence of processing parameters on SLM fabrication, as isolated parameters but also their interactions. In this study, the influence of SLM laser power and scanning speed on Ti6Al4V micropillars and micro-plates thickness was assessed by applying response surface methodology (RSM). These analyses resulted in four models that exhibit complex correlations of SLM process parameters, with non-linear equations, having coefficients of determination that assess the quality of the models. These developed models are accurate tools that can be used to optimize the micro manufacture of Ti6Al4V thin-walled parts by SLM.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Metodologia de aplicação do fungo Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum para o controle do gafanhoto Rhammatocerus schistocercoides em campo.

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