Correction to: The first Paenibacillus larvae bacteriophage endolysin (PlyPl23) with high potential to control American foulbrood

The Data Availability statement for this paper is incorrect. The correct statement is: All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files, except the aminoacidic sequence of the endolysin, which is available in RefSeq, accession number YP_008320357.1

New bacterial biorecognition elements from phage origin

Book of Abstracts of CEB Annual Meeting 2017info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing photocatalytic asphalt mixtures: practical and laboratory methods for measuring air quality

Air pollution in urban areas has become a major global concern, leading to a series of programs and regulations to be implemented to reduce it. Among the various pollutants that affect air quality is nitrogen monoxide (NO), which, once in the atmosphere, oxidizes into nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The combination of NO and NO2 refer to the nitrogen oxides (NOx), which, besides being harmful to health, have a negative impact on the environment with acid rain and intensify the greenhouse effect. This issue is exacerbated in large cities due to the high concentration of pollutant-emitting vehicles. To mitigate this problem by cleaning the air, researchers are investing in photocatalytic capability that can be applied to the surface of various substrates. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a highly utilized material, especially when aiming to attain both photocatalytic and self-cleaning abilities. The application of TiO2 over asphalt pavements has become an important topic in Transportation Engineering as a way of functionalized conventional pavement into a substrate where it becomes feasible to alleviate the environmental damage related to pollutant emissions, mainly NOx. The application of photocatalytic materials on asphalt pavements has the necessary conditions to increase the success of reducing pollutant levels. Pavements present a large area and are closer to vehicle exhausts. In addition, a major part of asphalt pavements is exposed to sunlight, which can activate the photocatalytic reaction. Due to these benefits, researchers have conducted studies that evaluate photocatalytic efficiency on surfaces of asphalt pavements.When evaluating photocatalytic efficiency, the literature describes a series of methods based on laboratory and field tests. In the laboratory, efficiency can be evaluated by degrading different organic dyes and degradation gas tests. For the first method, some dyes are widely used, such as methylene orange (MO), methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB). For testing, samples of asphalt mixtures are immersed in an initial dye solution and exposed to light irradiation. Over time, changes in the solution absorbance (and, consequently, concentration) are monitored using spectrophotometry. The photocatalytic efficiency is calculated as a function of the maximum absorbance of the dye and the time. The second test follows the ISO 22197-1 standard, which specifies a test method for determining the air purification performance of materials with photocatalysis on the surface. To simulate and ensure the photocatalytic reactions occur, the experimental setup must contain an air compressor, pollutant source, humidifier, photoreactor, light source and pollutant analyzer. The photocatalytic asphalt mixture sample is placed inside the photoreactor and exposed to a controlled amount of pollutants, light and humidity. The gas flow is continuously injected into the photoreactor and subjected to light irradiation, and gas concentration is monitored over a period of time. The photocatalytic efficiency can be assessed by the net amount of pollutants that the sample removes.In field applications, one method that can be used to evaluate the efficiency is the air quality monitoring stations by conducting a comparative analysis of pollutant concentrations in a specific area before and after installing photocatalytic asphalt pavements. Those stations have sensors that collect outdoor air and distribute it through analyzers. These analyzers continuously and automatically measure various atmospheric pollutants, determining their concentrations in the ambient air "in real-time". Typically, they are fixed at strategic points in large cities, limiting assessment in more remote locations. Usually, these stations can measure several types of pollutants, such as NOx, SO2, CO2, particulate matter, among others, and the meteorological conditions, for example temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction , etc. Another method to evaluate the performance in field studies is to use passive sampling. The passive sampling approach is a low-cost, non-electrical, and simplified solution for the distribution of samples. The principle of the passive sampler involves gas collection through the diffusion of atmospheric air, which enters the device through one of its ends, travels through the body of the sampler (in the form of a tube) until it reaches its other end, which is sealed and contains a filter paper previously impregnated with a specific absorbent solution designed to react with the targeted pollutant to be collected. Measurement of photocatalytic efficiency is crucial in determining the performance of photocatalytic pavements and their impact on air quality. Thus, this study aims to provide a comprehensive elucidation of how to evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency of photocatalytic asphalt pavements functionalized with TiO2 nanoparticles through various methods, encompassing laboratory approaches and field studies.This research was funded by FCT: NanoAir PTDC/FISMAC/6606/2020, MicroCoolPav EXPL/EQU-EQU/1110/2021, UIDB/04650/2020, UIDB/04029/2020, 2022.00763.CEECIND and 2023.02795.BD. Also, it was funded by FUNCAP: MLC-0191-00144.01.00/22 and CNPq: 404978/2021-5 – Chamada CNPq/MCTI/FNDCT Nº 18/2021.

Fighting methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus with targeted nanoparticles

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the greatest threats to global health. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains at the core of this threat, accounting for about 90% of S. aureus infections widespread in the community and hospital settings. In recent years, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) has emerged as a promising strategy to treat MRSA infections. NPs can act directly as antibacterial agents via antibiotic-independent activity and/or serve as drug delivery systems (DDSs), releasing loaded antibiotics. Nonetheless, directing NPs to the infection site is fundamental for effective MRSA treatment so that highly concentrated therapeutic agents are delivered to the infection site while directly reducing the toxicity to healthy human cells. This leads to decreased AMR emergence and less disturbance of the individual’s healthy microbiota. Hence, this review compiles and discusses the scientific evidence related to targeted NPs developed for MRSA treatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Desenvolvimento de software para produção de biodiesel a partir do óleo residual

CIES2020 - XVII Congresso Ibérico e XIII Congresso Ibero-americano de Energia SolarRESUMO: A demanda por energia cresce mais a cada ano e com isso aumenta a poluição. O biodiesel existe como uma alternativa ao diesel derivado do petróleo. Biodiesel é obtido por uma reação de transesterificação entre um óleo vegetal ou gordura animal e um álcool de cadeia curta. O óleo de soja residual é uma alternativa de utilização de um resíduo para produção desse biocombustível. O presente estudo traz o desenvolvimento de um software que vem a ser apoio na produção de biodiesel a partir do óleo residual. Foram feitas reações para produção de biodiesel a partir do óleo de soja residual alterando as variáveis: tipo de catalisador (KOH e NaOH), razão molar óleo:metanol (1:5 e 1:7) e tempo de reação de reação (40 min e 1h). O maior rendimento de óleo em biodiesel de 97,30% foi obtido na reação utilizando a razão molar óleo:metanol de 1:7, KOH como catalisador na temperatura de 50ºC por 1h. O software coleta do usuário a massa do óleo, dispondo com isto o catalisador a ser utilizado, quantidade de massa do catalisador e álcool, tempo reacional, temperatura e porção necessária ou não de HCl para posterior purificação.ABSTRACT: The demand for energy grows more each year and with it increases pollution. Biodiesel exists as an alternative to diesel derived from petroleum. Biodiesel is obtained by a transesterification reaction between a vegetable oil or animal fat and a short-chain alcohol. Residual soybean oil is an alternative to using a residue to produce this biofuel. The present study brings the development of software that comes to support the production of biodiesel from residual oil. Reactions were made for the production of biodiesel from residual soy oil by changing the variables: type of catalyst (KOH and NaOH), molar ratio oil: methanol (1: 5 and 1: 7) and reaction time of reaction (40 min and 1h). The highest oil yield in biodiesel of 97.30% was obtained in the reaction using the oil: methanol molar ratio of 1: 7, KOH as a catalyst at a temperature of 50ºC for 1h. The software collects the mass of the oil from the user, thereby providing the catalyst to be used, the amount of mass of the catalyst and alcohol, reaction time, temperature and the necessary portion or not of HCl for further purification.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein level: results from the Portuguese register

Our aims were to evaluate the correlation between Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27-joint reduced count (JADAS27) with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and JADAS27 with C-reactive protein (CRP) scores and to test the agreement of both scores on classifying each disease activity state. We also aimed at verifying the correlation of the 2 scores across juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) categories and to check the correlation between JADAS27-ESR and clinical JADAS27 (JADAS27 without ESR)

OC 8535 An overview of research ethics committees operating in lusophone african countries

Background: In 2017, a North-South partnership was created, to strengthen Bioethics Committees in African Lusophone African countries (LAC), by joining the forces of National and Institutional Research Ethics Committees (REC) and Universities in Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Portugal. This study is part of an EDCTP2-funded project and aims to describe key RECs operating in LAC, its establishment dates and further characteristics. Methods: Document analysis and interviews with REC representatives of five LAC were conducted in April 2018. Legal documents were obtained through official national sources. Results: We identified four National Ethics Committees, created between 2000 and 2008 by ministerial or governmental decree; only S. Tomé e Principe does not have an established REC. In Angola, the National REC was created in 2000, and since 2007, seven Institutional Committees were implemented at faculty level. National REC in Cape Verde and Guinee-Bissau (CNES) are unique and were founded in 2007 and 2009 respectively. In Mozambique, National REC (CNBS) dates to 2002, and since 2011, 8 Institutional Committees were formed; they functioned as a network under the umbrella of CNBS. Most National REC have representatives from health professional associations, lawyers, civil society and religious communities and have regular meetings (usually monthly). The number of members ranges between 6 (CNES) and 13 (CNBS). In 2007, around 200 protocols were reviewed by CNBS and 29 by CNES. Most of the National REC members attended training activities in bioethics but at different levels. Conclusion: Few publications described REC operating in LAC; this study fills this gap by reporting historical and functional characteristics of RECs in five Lusophone African countries. Additional tools based on quantitative and qualitative approaches are being developed to assess more in-depth REC operational characteristics and to identify their needs in order to target training and capacity building initiatives underlying our project.publishersversionpublishe

Passive sampling for air quality assessment: proposal of an in-situ method to measure the efficiency of photocatalytic pavements

Currently, air pollution is a matter of great relevance due to its significant impact on human health. Semiconductor photocatalysis technology, known for its high efficiency and low environmental degradation, is considered a highly promising means to improve air quality. Asphalt pavements are commonly used in urban areas with high population concentrations. During the production cycle of these pavements, various air pollutants are emitted, primarily due to the high temperatures required for asphalt pavement. Photocatalysis using the semiconductor TiO2 has the capacity to degrade atmospheric NO under sunlight, which has sparked significant interest in photocatalysis technology and its applications.The bandgap, enduring physicochemical properties of the element, and its nontoxicity, along with its NO degradation capabilities, make TiO2 a highly viable option for photocatalysis. This study aims to elucidate how air quality is controlled through passive sampling for the quantification of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the atmosphere. Through this technique, it is possible to quantify the level of pollutants, in this case, NO2, present in the atmosphere at a selected location over a certain period of time.MicroCoolPav EXPL/EQU-EQU/1110/2021, UIDB/04650/2020, UIDB/04029/2020, 2022.00763.CEECIND and 2023.02795.BD. Also, it was funded by FUNCAP: MLC-0191-00144.01.00/22 and CNPq: 404978/2021-5 – Chamada CNPq/MCTI/FNDCT Nº 18/2021

Results from the portuguese register

Objective Our aims were to evaluate the correlation between Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27-joint reduced count (JADAS27) with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and JADAS27 with C-reactive protein (CRP) scores and to test the agreement of both scores on classifying each disease activity state. We also aimed at verifying the correlation of the 2 scores across juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) categories and to check the correlation between JADAS27-ESR and clinical JADAS27 (JADAS27 without ESR). Methods A nationwide cohort of patients with JIA registered in the Portuguese Register, Reuma.pt, was studied. JADAS27-CRP was adapted by replacing ESR with CRP level as the inflammatory marker. JADAS27-CRP was calculated similarly to JADAS27-ESR as the simple linear sum of its 4 components. Pearson's correlations and K statistics were used in the analyses. Results A total of 358 children had full data to calculate JADAS27; 65.4% were female and the mean ± SD disease duration was 11.8 ± 9.1 years. The correlation coefficient between JADAS27-ESR and JADAS27-CRP was 0.967 (P < 0.0001), although the correlation coefficient between ESR and CRP level was 0.335 (P < 0.0001). The strong correlation between JADAS27-ESR and JADAS27-CRP was maintained when compared within each JIA category. The agreement between JADAS27-ESR and JADAS27-CRP across the 4 activity states was very good, showing 91.1% of the observations in agreement; K = 0.867 (95% confidence interval 0.824-0.91). The correlation between JADAS27 with ESR and JADAS27 without ESR was high (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001). Conclusion JADAS27 based on CRP level correlated closely with JADAS27-ESR across all disease activity states and JIA categories, indicating that both measures can be used in clinical practice. Moreover, the correlation of JADAS27 with and without ESR was also high, suggesting that this tool might be useful even in the absence of laboratorial measures.publishersversionpublishe