Portable sensor for impedance analysis in fruit

Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a relatively new method applied to food quality assessment. It has been demonstrated that impedance measurement is capable of reflecting rapid changes when the food has any physical damage, such as chilling and bruising. Numerous studies have been made to devise accurate food quality measuring techniques. However, some of the new techniques, such as infra-red spectroscopy, or gas chromatography have expensive equipment and strict experimental environment requirements. In contrast, EIS allows relatively (1 order of magnitude) inexpensive assessment, is fast, easy to operate and non-invasive. It has been adopted for investigation of fundamental electrical properties of fruits. However, the sensors applied are laboratory equipment without viability in an industrial context or in the field. The applications of EIS for fruit analysis have been reported previously, the analytically relationships between electrical impedance properties and metabolic properties of the fruit have not yet been fully developed and more importantly the ability to classify fruits during the ripping process was not yet fully explored. This dissertation aims to investigate the electrical impedance properties of fruits and vegetables, and explore the relationship between impedance and quality criteria. It gives a description of a prototype impedance system based on the integrate system AD5933, which operates from a PC, with a software from “Analog Devices”. In particular, the present dissertation outlines experimental research conducted the impedance changes observed during ripening process. With the correct system calibration measurements on different fruits have been performed with results which clearly demonstrate the high potential of the technique for future applications on the field. The research was also devoted on the sensor calibration as well as system reliability. Statistical processing of the results using both, analise of variance (ANOVA) and signal processing techniques using multivariate data analysis, enable the differentiating types of fruits and stages of maturation. The results demonstrate that this system is a very promising technique, with exciting viability for further development to mobile devices suited to at line monitor the fruit quality has a great potential in assessing fruit ripening.A espectroscopia de impedância elétrica (EIS) é um método cuja aplicação na área da qualidade dos alimentos tem vindo a desenvolver-se. Diversos estudos demonstram que medições de impedância elétrica refletem alterações físicas nos alimentos. Nos últimos anos tem sido crescente a procura de novas técnicas para medição da qualidade dos alimentos. Contudo, algumas destas técnicas, tal como a espectroscopia de infravermelho, ou cromatografia gasosa, necessitam de equipamentos muito caros e de condições de medições especificas (laboratórios). A EIS utiliza equipamentos mais económicos, as medições podem ser realizadas em qualquer lugar (equipamentos portáteis), e são não invasivas. Na literatura é possível encontrar trabalhos com a aplicação do EIS em frutos, no entanto, a relação entre as propriedades dielétricas dos fruitos e o seu perfil metabólico ainda não foi totalmente explorado. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo investigar as propriedades elétricas dos frutos e relacionar com critérios de qualidade. Foi utilizado um sistema integrado de EIS, EVAL-AD5933, que opera a partir de um computador com o software da Analog Devices. A presente dissertação descreve medições de impedância em frutos, realizados durante o processo de amadurecimento. Os resultados deste trabalho indicam o elevado potencial da EIS para futuras aplicações no campo. Foi realizada a calibração do sensor e estudos de fiabilidade do sistema. Procedeu-se a um pré-processamento aos espectros de impedância através do software Unscrambler, incluindo técnicas de análise multivariada, que permitiram a redução do elevado volume de dados a um conjunto de variáveis que descrevem a variabilidade das amostras. Para validar os resultados obtidos foi construído um modelo que relaciona os valores de impedância das uvas com o respetivo brixº através de um PLS (Partial Least Square). Durante os testes realizados com o sensor foi possível concluir que as propriedades electricas dos fruitos permitem a sua caracterização tanto ao nível da espécie de fruto como do seu estado de maturação. Também foi possível criar um modelo de previsão de Brixº nas uvas a partir dos espectros de impedância. Os resultados demonstram que este sistema é promissor, com viabilidade para o desenvolvimento de futuros dispositivos com grande potencial para monitorizar o relógio metabólico dos frutos

Toxicity in vitro and in zebrafish embryonic development of gold nanoparticles biosynthesized using cystoseira macroalgae extracts

Introduction: Research on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) occupies a prominent place in the field of biomedicine nowadays, being their putative toxicity and bioactivity areas of major concern. The green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using extracts from marine organisms allows the avoidance of hazardous production steps while maintaining features of interest, thus enabling the exploitation of their promising bioactivity. Objective: To synthesize and characterize AuNPs using, for the first time, macroalga Cystoseira tamariscifolia aqueous extract (Au@CT). Methods: Algal aqueous extracts were used for the synthesis of AuNPs, which were characterized using a wide panel of physicochemical techniques and biological assays. Results: The characterization by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Z-potential and infrared spectroscopy confirmed that Au@CT were stable, spherical and polycrystalline, with a mean diameter of 7.6 ± 2.2 nm. The antioxidant capacity of the extract, prior to and after synthesis, was analyzed in vitro, showing that the high antioxidant potential was not lost during the synthesis. Subsequently, in vitro and in vivo toxicity was screened, by comparing two species of the genus Cystoseira (C. tamariscifolia and C. baccata) and the corresponding biosynthesized gold nanoparticles (Au@CT and Au@CB). Cytotoxicity was tested in mouse (L929) and human (BJ5ta) fibroblast cell lines. In both cases, only the highest (nominal) test concentration of both extracts (31.25 mg/mL) or Au@CB (12.5 mM) significantly affected cell viability, as measured by the MTT assay. These results were corroborated by a Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity (FET) test. Briefly, it was shown that, at the highest (nominal) tested concentration (31.25 mg/mL), CT extract induced significantly higher cytotoxicity and embryotoxicity than CB extract. However, it was demonstrated that Au@CT, but not Au@CB, were generally non-toxic. At sub-lethal (nominal) test concentrations (1.25 and 2.5 mM), Au@CT affected zebrafish embryonic development to a much lesser extent than Au@CB. In vitro wound healing assays also revealed that, while other experimental conditions did not impact cell migration, CT and Au@CT displayed a moderate positive effect. Conclusion: Au@CT and Au@CB display promising features, desirable for biomedical applications, as wound healing.This work was supported by the strategic program UID/BIA/04050/2020, funded by national funds through the FCT, IP, and the project "FUN2CYT: Harnessing the Potential for Biomedical Applications of Pleiotropic Cytokines LIF and Oncostatin M" (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030568), supported by Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (FEDER) and FCT, IP. This work was further supported by Xunta de Galicia ED431C 2018/54-GRC. A. Goncalves holds a fellowship from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia I.P. (FCT, IP) (SFRH/BD/146807/2019). We are extremely grateful to Dr. Andre da Costa for critical revision of the manuscript

Otimização da abordagem do risco na hemorragia digestiva alta: comparação de cinco scores na predição de sete outcomes

Although different scores have been suggested to predict outcomes in the setting of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), few comparative studies between simplified versions of older scores and recent scores have been published. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of pre- (PreRS) and postendoscopic Rockall scores (PostRS), the Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS) and its simplified version (sGBS), as well as the AIMS65 score in predicting different clinical outcomes.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Salvamento de Bracara Augusta. Reconstrução e ampliação de edifício, Praça da República, nº 1, Braga

O edifício da Praça da República, nº 1, União de Freguesias de São José de São Lázaro e São João do Souto, Braga, situa-se numa área com condicionantes arqueológicas por se localizar na zona de proteção da Torre de Menagem do castelo de Braga, estrutura classificada como Monumento Nacional (Portaria DG, 2ª série, nº 58 de 09 de março de 1962). Essa circunstância e a proximidade da passagem da Via XVIII que ligava Bracara Augusta a Asturica Augusta, também conhecida por Via Nova ou Jeira, sendo portanto uma zona onde poderiam surgir vestígios de necrópole, já havia identificada em anteriores trabalhos arqueológicos na Praça da República, justificou a realização de trabalhos arqueológicos para avaliação dos possíveis impactos da obra sobre eventuais vestígios arqueológicos, em conformidade com a legislação em vigor, Lei 107/01, D.R. – Série I-A, N.º 209, de 8 de Setembro de 2001, Decreto-Lei n.º 270/99, de 15 de Julho e Carta de Condicionantes do PDM de Braga em vigor - cf. Ofício n.º S/427/DMUOPSA/2015 (Ref.10983/2015), de 19/06/2015, no qual se estabelece a necessidade de realizar trabalhos arqueológicos de acompanhamento da obra

Salvamento de Bracara Augusta. Projeto de remodelação e ampliação de edifício. Rua do Alcaide, nº 18-20, Braga

O edifício da rua do Alcaide nºs 18/20, em Braga, encontra-se numa zona com condicionantes arqueológicas, uma vez que se localiza no interior da cidade romana de Bracara Augusta e tem como limite norte o traçado da muralha medieval. Essa circunstância justificou a realização de trabalhos arqueológicos de sondagens para avaliação dos possíveis impactes da obra sobre eventuais vestígios arqueológicos, em conformidade com a legislação em vigor, Lei 107/01, D.R. – Série I-A, N.º 209, de 8 de Setembro de 2001, Decreto-Lei n.º 270/99, de 15 de Julho e Carta de condicionantes do PDM de Braga em vigor - cf. Ofício n.º S/427/DMUOPSA/2015 (Ref.10983/2015), de 19/06/2015, no qual se estabelece a necessidade de realizar trabalhos arqueológicos de acompanhamento da obra

Effect of PEDOT:PSS with secondary dopants and DBD plasma treatment on the conductive properties of polyester fabrics

[Excerpt] Introduction Smart textiles have the capability to interact with the surrounding environment and react in different ways, namely in electrical conduction. The conductive properties of these materials are useful in medical, healthcare, and protective clothing.This research was funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Competitiveness Program– COMPETE, under the projects POCI-01-0247-FEDER-068924, and by National Funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), under the project UID/CTM/00264/2020. Ana Isabel Ribeiro and Cátia Alves acknowledge FCT, MCTES, FSE, and UE PhD grant SFRH/BD/145269/2019 and 2022.10454.BD

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Developmental neurotoxic effect of nanoparticles: towards real-time assessment using zebrafish embryos as vertebrate model

Exposure to neurotoxic agents during embryonic development can cause irreparable short- and long-term damage to vertebrates, including for humans, as it may affect the central nervous system (CNS) and the blood brain barrier (BBB)[1]. The reported CNS susceptibility during embryogenesis suggests that there may be a critical window of exposure during brain development. Nowadays, therapies using nanoparticles are an important alternative for most of the diseases, since they allow, for example, more effective and localized delivery of drugs and higher success in treatments [2]. However, the exposure to them at an embryonic stage can cause neurotoxic damages. In this study, the putative toxicity of two different nanoparticle formulations was evaluated, namely gold nanoparticles, which were produced by Green synthesis, and liposomal nanoparticles. Both have known and interesting bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial[3][4]. Thus the capacity of the neuroprotective effect of the nanoparticles in contact with toxins was tested, the evaluation was done through the ZET assay. with the endpoits shown in the figure and following parameters, mortality, epiboly, malformation, heart beat, spotaneus movements, hedd-trunk angle, hatching and free-swimming. 2D cell models are easy to reproduce, however they fail to mimic real conditions. Animal models are better than 2D models, however many ethical problems are involved. Zebrafish embryos compose a low-cost and highly informative non- animal alternative to evaluate early developmental responses associated with neurotoxicity[5][6]. As model has multiple advantages for its use in toxicity tests including ex-utero fertilization, transparency of the embryos which allow observations at real time, rapid development and high fecundity[5][6]. Zebrafish embryos possess neural development characteristics similar to the vertebrate ones, which makes them ideal to assess embryo neurotoxicity in vivo. Obtained results show that zebrafish is a profitable and reliable model organism for neurotoxicity tests. Nevertheless, there is a need to continue these neurotoxic tests in more complex models so that these nanoparticles can become an alternative therapy.This work was supported by the strategic programme UID/BIA/04050/2019, funded by national funds through the FCT IP, and project FUN2CYT: Harnessing the potential for biomedical applications of pleiotropic cytokines LIF and oncostatin M (PTDC/BTM-MAT/30568/2017, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030568) supported by POCI through FEDER and FCT IP