Sexual dimorphism in heart rate recovery from peak exercise

Purpose: Delayed heart rate recovery (HRR) after peak exercise is associated with decreased vagal reactivation and represents a prognostic marker of cardiovascular disease. There is a lack of consensus on whether heart rate recovery (HRR) post-peak exercise follows a sexually dimorphic pattern. We hypothesized that two groups of men and women paired-matched for age and level of cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake - VO2peak percentile) would exhibit similar HRR from peak exercise intensities. Methods: Forty healthy individuals (23 men and 17 women), aged 18 to 28 years, with above average cardiovascular fitness (VO2peak > 50th percentile), performed a peak cycle-ergometer tests with cardiorpulmonary measurements. HRR was obtained at the 1st (HRR1min) and 2nd min (HRR2min) of passive recovery. Student t tests were computed to explore possible differences between men and women for anthropometric and cardiopulmonary data obtained at rest, during exercise and recovery. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine whether the relationship between VO2peak and HRR differed between sexes. We used HRR1min and HRR2min as dependent variables and VO2peak, sex and the interaction between sex and VO2peak as independent variables. Results: There were no between-group differences for the VO2peak percentile, RER or peak heart rate (p > 0.05). In contrast, men attained higher peak values for VO2 and work rate (p 0.05). In multiple linear models, VO2peak explained 11.2% of HRR1min variance. As importantly, sex, VO2peak and their interaction were all significant predictors of HRR2min (explained variance: 29.2%) (p < 0.05). When the differences between sexes in VO2peak were controlled for, HRR remained similar between sexes both at 1 and 2 min of recovery. Conclusion: This study shows that, for a given VO2peak percentile (VO2peak percentile > 50th percentile), HRR is similar between men and women. For this reason, we conclude vagal reactivation post-peak exercise does not follow a sexually dimorphic pattern.Objetivos: O atraso na recuperação da frequência cardíaca (RFC) após o esforço associa-se a uma pobre reativação vagal e representa um marcador prognóstico de patologia cardiovascular. Atualmente, não existe consenso sobre se a RFC pós-exercício de pico segue um padrão de dimorfismo sexual. Colocou-se a hipótese de que dois grupos de homens e mulheres, emparelhados por idade e nível de aptidão cardiorrespiratória (percentil de VO2pico), apresentariam valores semelhantes de RFC. Métodos: 40 participantes saudáveis (23 homens e 17 mulheres), com idades entre 18 e 28 anos, com aptidão cardiovascular acima da média (VO2pico > percentil 50), realizaram uma prova de esforço de pico em ciclo-ergómetro com medidas cardiorrespiratórias. A RFC foi obtida ao 1º e 2º minuto de recuperação passiva. Recorreu-se ao teste t Student para explorar possíveis diferenças entre homens e mulheres para dados antropométricos e cardiorrespiratórios obtidos em repouso, durante e depois do exercício de pico. Procedeu-se ainda à análise da regressão linear múltipla para determinar eventuais diferenças sexuais na relação entre VO2pico e a RFC. Definiram-se como variáveis dependentes a RFC ao primeiro e segundo minuto (RFC1min e RFC2min, respetivamente). Já o VO2pico, o sexo e a interação entre sexo e VO2pico foram definidos como variáveis independentes. Resultados: Não houve diferenças entre os dois grupos para o percentil de VO2pico, quociente de trocas respiratórias de pico ou pico de frequência cardíaca (p> 0.05). No entanto, os homens obtiveram valores superiores do que as mulheres para o pico de VO2 e taxa de trabalho (p 0.05). Nos modelos lineares múltiplos, o VO2pico explicou 11.2% da variância da RFC. Já no que se refere à RFC2min, verificou-se que um modelo composto pelas variáveis sexo, VO2pico, e sua interação alcançou um poder explicativo equivalente a 29.2% da variância da RFC (p < 0.05). Quando as diferenças entre os sexos foram controladas com recurso à análise de covariância, a RFC subsistiu como semelhante entre sexos quer ao 1º como 2º min de recuperação. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstra que, para um dado percentil de VO2pico (> percentil 50), não há dimorfismo sexual na frequência cardíaca de recuperação obtido ao 1º e 2º minuto de recuperação. Por este motivo, conclui-se que o perfil de reativação vagal pós-esforço de pico não se rege por um padrão de dimorfismo sexual

Synthesis and evaluation of chiral phosphine and NHC-Ligands or heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis

No âmbito deste trabalho, foram estudadas as reacções de arilação catalítica assimétrica em vários substratos, utilizando novos e já conhecidos catalisadores quirais, possuindo metais de transição. Esta metodologia levou à formação de novas ligações C-C, fornecendo uma panóplia de interessantes compostos, podendo-se revelar intermediários extremamente úteis na síntese de compostos biologicamente activos. Deve-se salientar a síntese de aminas quirais, α-hidroxiésteres, α-amino-ácidos e α-aminoésteres e também bi-arildiarilaminas, utilizando catalisadores de metais de transição, baseados em Pd, Rh e Ru. Reagentes organoboronados foram aplicados com sucesso neste estudo. Uma nova família de carbenos N-heterocíclicos (NHCs) foi obtida com bons rendimentos e aplicada, com sucesso, nas reacções catalíticas acima referidas. Um novo método de catálise homogénea sequencial (arilação/Suzuki-Miyaura) foi desenvolvido na síntese de bi-arilarilmetilaminas. Este método foi transformado eficientemente numa versão heterogénea utilizando Catálise com uma Fase líquida Iónica Suportada (SILPC), aplicado pela primeira vez neste tipo de catálise sequencial; ABSTRACT: The study of catalytic asymmetric arylations of appropriate substrates, using both known and novel chiral transition metal based catalysts was the focus of this thesis. This methodology leads to formation of C-C bonds, leading to the synthesis of interesting biologically active compounds. Chiral amines, α-hydroxyesters, α-amino esters and acids, and biaryldiarylamines were synthesized using a variety of different substrates and transition metal catalysts, based on Pd, Rh and Ru. Organoboron reagents were used successfully in all of these studies. A novel family of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors were synthesized in good yields, and applied successfully in these catalytic reactions. A novel homogeneous one-pot catalytic arylation/Suzuki-Miyaura sequence was developed to access bi-arylarylmethylamines. This was later transformed into an efficient heterogeneous variant, based on the Supported Ionic Liquid Phase Catalysis (SILPC) approach, which to date has never been used in such one pot procedures

Ethyl 2,2-bis(4-methylphenylsulfonamido)acetate to aromatic alpha-amino acids: stable substrates for catalytic arylation reactions

This paper reports the development of a novel methodology for the catalytic synthesis of aromatic alpha-amino acids, which involves the addition of aryl-organoboron reagents to alpha,alpha-ditosylamino esters derived from ethyl glyoxylate, using transition metal catalysts, like Rh and Pd. A library of alpha-amino esters (12 with Pd and 8 with Rh), was synthesized with moderate to excellent yields. A highest enantioselectivity of 30% ee was obtained using Hayashi's ligand. This method was applied to the synthesis of phenylglycine

A green approach to the debittering of Lupinus Albus L.

Lupinus Albus L. has been widely used for human and animal consumption around the Mediterranean and Middle East, due to its interesting nutritional value, especially the high content of protein and carbohydrates. However, white lupin seeds cannot be consumed directly due to the high content of alkaloids, compounds that are toxic and confer a bitter taste. The traditional way to avoid this is successive rinsing and boiling with water, which uses a lot of water that becomes wastewater. The aim of this work is to propose an alternative method to extract the alkaloids from the seeds. Two methodologies were studied: extraction with water below its boiling temperature, and extraction with subcritical water, both under batch conditions. The main focus of this thesis was testing a set of extraction parameters: temperature, solventto-solid ratio, residence time, and successive extractions. White lupin seeds were first characterized, revealing a high content of protein (37%), carbohydrates (42%), and lipids (13%). The extraction study revealed a notable influence of temperature and solvent-to-solid ratio on the alkaloid yield. The best result achieved with waterbelow its normal point was at 80 °C, for 30 minutes and a 40:1 (water:lupin) ratio: 35.5% of the total amount of alkaloids present in the matrix were extracted. The best extraction result achieved with subcritical water was at 100 °C, for 60 minutes and a 40:1 (water:lupin) ratio: 77.4% of the total amount of alkaloids present in the matrix were extracted. At those conditions, other components were co-extracted, namely about 8 g/100 g lupin of carbohydrates, 7 g/100 g lupin of protein, and 4 g/100 g lupin of lipids. A second extraction assay, performed at the same experimental conditions as assay 1, using the lupin matrix obtained as solid residue in assay 1 but with fresh water, led to a negligible, further removal of alkaloids, both in experiments with water below its boiling temperature, and with subcritical wate

3D printing of medicines: current challenges

Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2021, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.A impressão tridimensional tem vindo a ganhar relevância no desenvolvimento científico e, inevitavelmente, na área farmacêutica. Esta tecnologia permite o desenvolvimento de formulações individualizadas, ajustadas às necessidades do doente e, por isso, pode vir a tornar-se uma ajuda valiosa na área dos medicamentos órfãos. Para além disto, também permite o desenvolvimento de formas farmacêuticas com várias substâncias ativas e/ou diferentes perfis de libertação de fármaco, que poderá vir a permitir um aumento da adesão à terapêutica por parte dos doentes polimedicados. Apesar de atualmente já haver um fármaco impresso aprovado pela FDA desde 2015, o Spritam®, ainda há várias limitações associadas a esta tecnologia, nomeadamente a regulamentação, matérias-primas, controlo do processo e validação do mesmo, controlo de qualidade, estabilidade e a localização na cadeia de fabrico. Quanto à regulamentação, não havendo diretivas regulamentares específicas para esta tecnologia na área farmacêutica, acaba por se adaptar a regulamentação existente. A escolha das matérias-primas é limitada pela capacidade de impressão e a estabilidade físico-química, reduzindo a panóplia de materiais adequados para esta técnica. Para o controlo do processo seria benéfico adaptar um controlo em tempo real optando, preferencialmente, por métodos não destrutivos, pois não sendo esta tecnologia a ideal para produção em larga escala, a perda de qualquer unidade teria um peso negativo significativo no balanço geral do processo. A validação do processo deve ser elaborada de forma a garantir a qualidade, segurança e eficácia do medicamento. Para isso, é necessário validar não só o software, como todo o processo. No controlo de qualidade, mais uma vez, deve-se optar por métodos não destrutivos e selecionar, pelo menos, um para avaliar o sucesso da impressão, sendo que pode ser utilizada o Quality by Design como uma ferramenta para otimizar o processo. A estabilidade, tal como nos outros processos, também deve ser testada e a localização da impressão tridimensional no ciclo do medicamento é outra questão levantada, uma vez que tanto poderá ter um papel na farmácia hospitalar ou comunitária, como na indústria farmacêutica ou, já numa hipótese remota, na casa do doente.Three-dimensional printing is a technique that has been drawing attention recently in the scientific community and, inevitably, in the pharmaceutical field. As allows the development of personalized medicine, adapted to the patient’s needs, it can be a valuable tool for orphan drugs. On the other hand, it also allows the development of dosage forms with various active pharmaceutical ingredients and/or with different drug release profiles, which can improve patient compliance. Although there is a printed medicine approved by FDA since 2015, Spritam®, there are still a few limitations in this methodology, as regulation, raw materials, process controls and validation, quality control, stability, and even location. In terms of regulation, there are no specific regulatory guidelines regarding this technology in the pharmaceutical area, however, a 3D printed drug product should be produced following the existing guidelines that can be adapted. In terms of raw materials, the range available is limited by printability and physicochemical stability, reducing the suitable materials. For process control, it would be advantageous to adopt a real-time control and, favour non-destructive techniques, as the loss of any unit would harm the overall balance of the process. Process validation should be designed to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of the drug product. Taking this into account is necessary to validate the software to the process itself. In terms of quality control, should go for non-destructive methods, once again, and is going to be needed to assess the success of the print. Quality by design can be used as a tool to optimize the process. As in other methodologies, stability test must be conducted and the location of the three-dimensional impression on the drug cycle is another issue that arises, as it may play a role in the hospital or community pharmacies, as in the pharmaceutical industry or, in a more remote hypothesis, at the patient’s home

Project for an online art gallery as social cooperative

Classificações: Z00, M00Até agora, todo o negócio da comercialização de arte foi quase maioritariamente dominado por galerias de arte que cobram a artistas uma quantia considerável de comissão pela venda das suas peças, normalmente por volta de 40%, e que trabalham apenas com artistas já minimamente conhecidos. Este projeto é o planeamento da abertura de uma galeria de arte online, pelo nome de MEcenas, que tem como objetivo ajudar novos artistas a conquistarem o seu espaço no mercado e conseguirem alguma notoriedade, ao mesmo tempo que são disponibilizadas peças de arte a uma fatia da sociedade cada vez maior que escolhe ter na sua vida quotidiana todos os benefícios do convívio com a arte. Este projeto possibilita também uma fonte de rendimento para estes estudantes, que muitas vezes não têm acesso a trabalho relacionado com a sua área de formação, e gera uma possibilidade de promoção para as escolas de arte conquistarem notoriedade através dos trabalhos dos seus alunos.So far the business behind the commercialization of art work has been mainly in the hands of physical art galleries that charge the artists a considerable amount of commission, usually around 40%, and work only with already known artists. This project is the planning of an online art gallery, by the name of MEcenas, that aims to help young artists that are still in school to achieve some levels of projection in the market while, at the same time, making art and culture available at a reasonable price so that an increasing portion of society may introduce its benefits into their daily lives. This project creates also the possibility for the art students to gain some income, that is often scarce, as well as it creates the opportunity for several art schools to be promoted through the work done by their students

Cross-border acqusitions and firm internationalisation : the case of Sogrape and Cotesi

In a globalised world like today, new challenges are imposed on national companies and products. Internationalisation emerges as an imperative for the survival of organizations. There is rich literature in the field of the cross-border acquisitions. However, it is focused on its pre- and post-acquisition process, taking a financial, accounting and human resource’s perspectives. There is a gap in the study of cross-border acquisitions in an international business perspective. Therefore, this multiple case study research will analyse the effect of cross-border acquisitions in the firm internationalisation of two Portuguese multinational firms, which have several years of existence. In this way, the aim of this study is to realise how did these companies grew in the international arena through cycles of cross-border acquisitions, their organisational background, strategies adopted to the expansion of the brand and product to foreign markets and what was the role of the business networks. In the end, it is possible to understand the effect of cross-border acquisitions in their internationalisation process and how did they strengthened their positions within their business networks, becoming world leading companies

Keeping city capital hotels competitive under new competition and changing demand behaviour: a Roi analysis approach to dom Pedro Palace renovation process

The purpose of this work project is to understand how can city capital hotels remain competitive throughout time and apply that knowledge to a specific hotel: Dom Pedro Palace. To build the competitive framework was done a literature review regarding demand and supply key characteristics. After analysing the Lisbon market and Dom Pedro Palace characteristics, it was concluded that the main competitive weaknesses were the physical environment/ambiance and its facilities quality. To overcome that, three renovation options were proposed. The hypothesis was selected based on a ROI approach