Design of a biosynthetic pathway for curcumin production in Escherichia coli

Curcumin is the yellow pigment from turmeric, a well known culinary spice produced from the herb Curcuma longa. Research over the last years has shown that curcumin presents a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anticarcinogenic activity. Given its potential application in cancer treatment, there is an interest for industrial production of this natural compound. This work consists on a synthetic biology approach for the design of a heterologous pathway for curcumin synthesis in Escherichia coli, a widely used microbe in industrial biotechnology. Using pathway databases and literature research we have selected the best gene candidates for heterologous expression of a curcumin synthesis pathway in E. coli. The DNA sequences for these genes were retrieved from public databases and can be readily synthesized for insertion into the host using molecular biology techniques. The inclusion of this pathway in a recent genome-scale reconstruction of the metabolism of E. coli has enabled the in silico analysis of the production capabilities for this host. We have analysed the theoretical production yields and biomass growth under different experimental conditions. Using this model we have also searched for potential gene knockouts that partially redirect the metabolic flux to the heterologous pathway without compromising cellular growth. In overall, the methods used in this work allow the selection of the most suitable combination of experimental conditions and genetic manipulations for the design of an efficient biosynthetic pathway for curcumin production in E.coli

The Bronchiectasis Severity Index and FACED score for assessment of the severity of bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis (BC) is a multidimensional and etiologically diverse disease and, therefore, no single parameter can be used to determine its overall severity and prognosis. In this regard, two different validated scores are currently used to assess the severity of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB): the FACED score and the Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Proveniência da Titanite no Algarve (Sul de Portugal)

Com o objectivo de avaliar a proveniência da titanite existente nas praias e ribeiras do Algarve e avaliar o seu potencial para estudos de proveniência, foram estudadas diversas amostras recolhidas em afloramentos rochosos e em sedimentos detríticos de praias e ribeiras do Algarve (Sul de Portugal). A titanite, quando observada em grãos individuais com formas arredondadas pode ser facilmente confundida com a monazite. Nestes casos, recorreu-se à análise por difractometria de raios-X, tendo sido possível confirmar a identificação da titanite através de cálculos estequiométricos a partir dos elementos maiores. Nas amostras referentes aos sedimentos detríticos, a titanite foi observada em praticamente todas as amostras estudadas. Nas praias é abundante e arredondada. Nas ribeiras a titanite é igualmente abundante mas apresenta formas praticamente euédricas, em particular a sul do Maciço Ígneo de Monchique. As amostras dos afloramentos do Plio-Plistocénico também contêm titanite arredondada. As amostras correspondentes aos grauvaques do Paleozóico (Fm. Brejeira) são desprovidas de titanites. Nas amostras do Maciço Ígneo de Monchique foi observada uma grande quantidade de titanite muito angulosa e translúcida. Através das observações efectuadas foi possível concluir que a principal fonte de titanite para as ribeiras e praias do Algarve ocidental é o Maciço Ígneo de Monchique, revelando-se este mineral como um bom traçador sedimentar para estudos paleoambientais

Variability of detrital zircons from beaches and rivers in the western Algarve Region-South Portugal

Zircon is a common accessory mineral in most rocks and sediments, and although it is ubiquitous, it possesses a considerable petrologic interest. In the scope of CHYNA project, some samples of detrital sediments have been collected in rivers and beaches from Western Algarve region. The present work presents the results of the analyses undergone with the intent to document the existing zircons’ variability in these samples. The zircons from 22 samples have been analysed based on their shape, colour and inclusions. There is predominance of rounded and subrounded grains, generally colourless and without inclusions. Systematic differences between beaches and rivers are not observed, indicating that both environments have the same zircon sources.CHYNA project (POCTI/CTA/48375/2002), financed by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), with FEDER and OE supports

Variabilidade dos Zircões de ribeiras e praias do Algarve Ocidental - dados preliminares

O Zircão é um mineral acessório comum na maioria das rochas, possuindo um considerável interesse petrológico por ser extremamente resistente à meteorização química e de amplo uso em estudos radiométricos (Heimlich et al., 1975). Devido à sua extrema resistência à meteorização e ao transporte, o zircão possui um carácter ubíquo nos sedimentos

Utilização de CO2 como meio de contraste na angiografia

info:eu-repo/semantics/draf

Resposta ao risco de complicações associadas à biópsia trantorácica por tomografia computorizada

info:eu-repo/semantics/draf

ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF URBAN SOLID WASTE AND BIOMASS IN SOUTHERN SANTA CATARINA AIMING AT ENERGY RECOVERY

Alternative treatments to urban solid waste (USW) landfill and its integration with biomass can generate social, economic, and environmental benefits beyond contributing to the just energy transition in the Carboniferous Region of Santa Catarina State (Brazil). In this paper, were collected and analyzed data on generation, quantity processed, and current USW treatment practices, as well as rice and forest biomass, aiming to identify the potential for application in the development of USW-derived fuel and biomass that can be used in the energy and industrial markets. In 2020, 236,272.2 t of USW were produced by the forty municipalities considered, with 50% concentrated in just five of these. With only three landfill sites in this region, many municipalities dispose of their USW at a distant location, which increases the overall cost of waste management for the municipalities. The total forest biomass handled in 2019 was 2,135,704.31 tons, and rice husk and straw (2020/2021 harvest) were 999,750.00 tons. Based on this amount and the analysis of the points of concentration of these materials, alternative treatments are being studied with a focus on adding value to the waste chain and advances in the development of the waste management sector in Santa Catarina and in Brazil