Electrochemical Biosensing in Cancer Diagnostics and Follow-up

In cancer, screening and early detection are critical for the success of the patient's treatment and to increase the survival rate. The development of analytical tools for non‐invasive detection, through the analysis of cancer biomarkers, is imperative for disease diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up. Tumour biomarkers refer to substances or processes that, in clinical settings, are indicative of the presence of cancer in the body. These biomarkers can be detected using biosensors, that, because of their fast, accurate and point of care applicability, are prominent alternatives to the traditional methods. Moreover, the constant innovations in the biosensing field improve the determination of normal and/or elevated levels of tumour biomarkers in patients’ biological fluids (such as serum, plasma, whole blood, urine, etc.). Although several biomarkers (DNA, RNA, proteins, cells) are known, the detection of proteins and circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are the most commonly reported due to their approval as tumour biomarkers by the specialized entities and commonly accepted for diagnosis by medical and clinical teams. Therefore, electrochemical immunosensors and cytosensors are vastly described in this review, because of their fast, simple and accurate detection, the low sample volumes required, and the excellent limits of detection obtained. The biosensing strategies reported for the six most commonly diagnosed cancers (lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, liver and stomach) are summarized and the distinct phases of the sensors’ constructions (surface modification, antibody immobilization, immunochemical interactions, detection approach) and applications are discussed.Maria Freitas is grateful to FCT‐Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for her PhD grant (SFRH/BD/111942/2015), financed by POPH‐QREN‐Tipologia 4.1‐Formaçãpo Avançada, subsidized by Fundo Social Europeu and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior. This work received financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE) and National Funds (FCT) through project UID/QUI/50006/2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Select and accept

The aim of this paper is to present how to solve the problem of selecting a candidate up to his or her acceptance trough game theory. The originality this paper proposes is how this problem will be approached. It will be treated as a single game which is made up of two parts, going as far as to state that the payoffs in the first part of the game will be the mediators of the second part of the game. In order to represent the problem described above, a new form of game representation will be used – code form – consisting of a table which contains all of the information, without any suppression or “adulteration” with regards to the game

Um contributo para a sociologia económica : diferenciação e criação nas práticas de consumo

Mestrado em Sistemas Sócio-Organizacionais da Actividade EconómicaO afastamento entre a Economia e a Sociologia obscurece as suas interdependências e a necessidade de conceber complementarmente as suas análises. Em particular, no estudo do consumo, impõe-se, a par com a racionalidade utilitarista-hedonista, uma dimensão sócio-cultural, que estabelece limites e define utilidades. Como tal, as práticas de consumo devem ser objecto de estudo da Sociologia Económica. Explorando uma vertente de tal análise, percorrem-se alguns contributos teóricos que elucidam sobre as consequências para as práticas de consumo do posicionamento social do consumidor, e as expectativas quanto à sua evolução, num contexto de imitação e criação. Este contributo teórico esclarece, portanto, sobre a forma como as configurações do espaço social estruturam e transfiguram as práticas de consumo, advogando que a diferenciação serve tanto necessidades sociais como individuais. Nesse sentido, observa-se, com especial interesse, a sociedade actual e, em particular, os resultados dos processos de "terciarização".The interdependence and complementarity of economics and sociology is hiden by their mutual dismissal. Particulary, in whal concems consumption, we must account for a socio-cultural dimension (besides the utilitarist-hedonist rationality) wich establishes limits as well as defines Utilities. And, therefore, consumption pratices should be regarded as one ofeconomic sociology^ study objects. Guided by this framework, a theoretical contribute is made to clarify how social space confígurations structure and transform consumption pratices, pleading that differentiation favours both social and individual needs. An extensive study is made to enlight how the consumeis social positioning and expectations shape its practices, in a dialetical context of creation and imitation. In so doing, a special regard is drawn on nowadays society and, particularly, the outcome of the "terciarization" processes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Immunohistochemistry as an Important Tool in Biomarkers Detection and Clinical Practice

The immunohistochemistry technique is used in the search for cell or tissue antigens that range from amino acids and proteins to infectious agents and specific cellular populations. The technique comprises two phases: (1) slides preparation and stages involved for the reaction; (2) interpretation and quantification of the obtained expression. Immunohistochemistry is an important tool for scientific research and also a complementary technique for the elucidation of differential diagnoses which are not determinable by conventional analysis with hematoxylin and eosin. In the last couple of decades there has been an exponential increase in publications on immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry techniques. This review covers the immunohistochemistry technique; its history, applications, importance, limitations, difficulties, problems and some aspects related to results interpretation and quantification. Future developments on the immunohistochemistry technique and its expression quantification should not be disseminated in two languages—that of the pathologist and another of clinician or surgeon. The scientific, diagnostic and prognostic applications of this methodology must be explored in a bid to benefit of patient. In order to achieve this goal a collaboration and pooling of knowledge from both of these valuable medical areas is vita

Tracking Arachis hypogaea Allergen in Pre-Packaged Foodstuff: A Nanodiamond-Based Electrochemical Biosensing Approach

The present work reports a nanodiamond-based voltammetric immunosensing platform for the analysis of a food allergen (Ara h 1) present in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea). The possibility of the usage of nanodiamonds (d = 11.2 ± 0.9 nm) on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE/ND) in a single-use two-monoclonal antibody sandwich assay was studied. An enhanced electroactive area (~18%) was obtained and the biomolecule binding ability was improved when the 3D carbon-based nanomaterial was used. The antibody-antigen interaction was recognized through the combination of alkaline phosphatase with 3-indoxyl phosphate and silver ions. Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) was applied for fast signal acquisition and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) support the voltammetric approach and confirm the presence of silver particles on the electrode surface. The proposed immunosensor provided a low limit of detection (0.78 ng·mL−1) and highly precise (RSD < 7.5%) and accurate results. Quantification of Ara h 1 in commercial foodstuffs (e.g., crackers, cookies, protein bars) that refer to the presence of peanuts (even traces) on the product label was successfully achieved. The obtained data were in accordance with recovery results (peanut addition, %) and the foodstuff label. Products with the preventive indication “may contain traces” revealed the presence of peanuts lower than 0.1% (m/m). The method’s results were validated by comparison with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This allows confident information about the presence of allergens (even at trace levels) that leads to profitable conditions for both industry and consumers.This research received financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030735) and National Funds (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)) through the project PTDC/QUI-QAN/30735/2017—TracAllerSens—Electrochemical sensors for the detection and quantification of trace amounts of allergens in food products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Using geotechnologies for mapping water storage changes in the pampeana region from grace data

El campo gravitatorio terrestre no permanece constante, sino que varía en el tiempo debido a diversos factores como la redistribución de masas durante el ciclo hidrológico. La misión satelital GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment), provee datos acerca de la variación temporal del campo gravitatorio terrestre con una resolución espacial de aproximadamente 400 km. Debido a la relación directa entre gravedad y masa, es posible obtener las variaciones del almacenamiento de agua a partir del espesor equivalente de agua (EWH por sus siglas en inglés: Equivalent Water Height). El objetivo de este trabajo es el análisis regional de la variación del almacenamiento de agua a partir de la representación de los cambios espaciales y temporales del EWH derivados de GRACE, para el período 2003-2010 en la cuenca del río Salado, ubicada en la Región Pampeana. Para esta representación se utilizó el software GMT (Generic Mapping Tools) de código abierto, el cual permitió simplificar y automatizar el proceso cartográfico mediante scripts, creando todos los mapas en una sola aplicación. Los resultados de GRACE fueron validados con datos de precipitaciones del GPCP (Global Precipitation Climatology Project), humedad del suelo del GLDAS (Global Land Data Assimilation System) y mediciones de la cota hidrométrica en la Laguna La Picasa, ubicada en la cuenca del río Salado. GRACE detectó significativas variaciones del espesor equivalente de agua en el período bajo estudio, las que pueden asociarse a precipitaciones máximas y mínimas ocurridas en la región. Las señales de EWH y cota hidrométrica presentaron un comportamiento similar y una tendencia negativa en el período 2002-2009. La correlación entre ambas señales resultó ser mayor al 75%, indicando un buen ajuste entre variables geofísicas diferentesThe Earth’s gravity field does not remain constant but changes over time depending on several factors such as redistribution of the masses due to hydrological cycles. The GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite mission provides time-variable readings of variations in the Earth’s gravity field at a spatial resolution of ~400 km. Because of the direct relationship between mass and gravity, it is possible to obtain the related changes in water storage from the Equivalent Water Height (EWH). The aim of this work is to analyze the regional changes in water storage from a representation of the spatio-temporal EWH variations obtained from GRACE solutions for the period 2003-2010 in the Salado river basin, located in the Pampeana Region of Argentina. The GMT (Generic Mapping Tools) open-source software was used for this representation, as it allows for simplification and automation of the mapping process using scripts to create maps all within a single application. Afterwards, GRACE results were validated by comparison with GPCP (Global Precipitation Climatology Project) rainfall data as well as GLDAS (Global Land Data Assimilation System) soil moisture and hydrometric heights of the Picasa Lagoon in the Salado River basin. This mission detected significant EWH variations in the period under study, which could be associated with maximum and minimum precipitations that occurred in the region. The EWH and hydrometric height signals both showed a similar behavior and a negative trend within the period 2002-2009. The correlation between both signals was greater than 75%, showing a good adjustment between different geophysical variablesFil: Pereira, Ayelen. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Ingeniería y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cornero, Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Ingeniería y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pacino, Maria Cristina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Ingeniería y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Oliveira Cancoro de Matos, Ana Cristina. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Os Repositórios da Dados Científicos: Estado da Arte

O presente estudo está enquadrado nas actividades de 2010 do projecto Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP) e assinala o início da sua intervenção no domínio da curadoria dos dados resultantes das actividades de investigação, da sua organização em repositórios de dados científicos e do seu acesso. Para além de recolher informação actualizada sobre o tema e as iniciativas mais relevantes relacionadas com a gestão e acesso aos dados científicos através de repositórios, o objectivo deste documento é também o de informar e orientar o desenvolvimento de um projecto-piloto de repositório de dados científicos que está também previsto no plano de trabalho do projecto RCAAP para 2010

Innovative resources and models for learning e-skills for young people with disabilities

The present study focuses on the analysis of a series of resources and innovative models created within an European project called #TV T21 Community# e-Skills, social inclusion and employability” with the objective of understanding their use in learning contexts for young people with disabilities. An analytic description of the different elements developed such as: guides, games, mobile applications, practical models and even workshops will be given. In addition to the research that has been carried out, and its theoretical basis, questionnaires, group dynamics and observation were also implemented. At the end of the research, we can conclude that the present project, known as a strategic partnership for youth, meets the fundamental requirements to apply a set of innovative and necessary resources to meet the criteria of inclusion, equality and digital employability. These aspects are outlined as priorities by the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and the World Report on Disability

Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis in a City without Fluoridation in its Water Supply: Effect of Sampling

Objective: To determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis in a population not exposed to fluoridated water and to evaluate the effect of the sampling technique on this measurement. Material and Methods: This observational, cross-sectional and quantitative study was conducted in the city of Mariana, Brazil. The participants were selected based on age, so that they had access to fluoridated dentifrice during the formation of the permanent upper teeth. Based on a nominal survey of schoolchildren aged 14 to 19, a probabilistic sample of 304 such children was clinically examined. Dental fluorosis was measured by the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index. The prevalence of fluorosis identified in a previous study, conducted in 2011 in the same city, using the same methodology but employing convenience sampling, was used as a control to compare the effect of the two sampling techniques. Results: The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 3% based on the probabilistic sampling of the subjects. In the previous study, the prevalence of fluorosis was 7% (p&lt;0.05) based on convenience sampling of the same age group. Both studies detected a Thylstrup-Fejerskov fluorosis index value of 1, corresponding to only a mild degree of dental fluorosis. Conclusion: The convenience sampling technique seems to have affected the prevalence of dental fluorosis identified, with a 4% difference between the two studies. The prevalence of dental fluorosis attributed to the use of fluoridated dentifrice in a population not exposed to fluoridation of the water supply was considered low

Environmental Particulate Matter Levels during 2017 Large Forest Fires and Megafires in the Center Region of Portugal: A Public Health Concern?

This work characterizes the dimension and the exceptionality of 2017 large- and mega-fires that occurred in the center region of Portugal through the assessment of their impact on the ambient levels of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), retrieved from local monitoring stations, and the associated public health risks. PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were increased during the occurrence of large fires and megafires, with daily concentrations exceeding the European/national guidelines in 7–14 and 1–12 days of 2017 (up to 704 µg/m3 for PM10 and 46 µg/m3 for PM2.5), respectively. PM10 concentrations were correlated with total burned area (0.500 0.05) and with monthly total burned area/distance2 (0.500 0.05). The forest fires of 2017 took the life of 112 citizens. A total of 474 cases of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular diseases and 3524 cases of asthma incidence symptoms per 100,000 individuals at risk were assessed due to exposure to 2017 forest fires. Real-time and in situ PM methodologies should be combined with protection action plans to reduce public health risks. Portuguese rural stations should monitor other health-relevant pollutants (e.g., carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds) released from wildfires to allow performing more robust and comprehensive measurements that will allow a better assessment of the potential health risks for the exposed populations.This work was financially supported by European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE) and National Funds (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) [projects UIDB/50006/2020, UID/EQU/00511/2013-LEPABE], by the FCT/MEC with national funds and cofounded by FEDER in the scope of the P2020 Partnership Agreement. This study was also supported by the project “PCIF/SSO/0017/2018- A panel of (bio)markers for the surveillance of firefighter’s health and safety”, funded by Portuguese National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. M. Oliveira thanks to FCT/MCTES for the CEEC-Individual 2017 Program Contract [CEECIND/03666/2017].info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio