NonDestructive Techniques for the Assessment and Preservation of Historic Structures

The preservation of the built heritage has long been a public concern, mainly due to fears about the loss of identity, history and heritage of populations. The main concerns are the conservation and restoration of monuments that usually represent important events in the history of a city or a country. More recently, urban residents and policymakers have become aware of the abandonment or degradation of old city cores, leading to mischaracterisation of the buildings and ways of living. To preserve history and promote building and urban renewal, considering the basic principles of the preservation process, it is important to introduce the least possible disturbance. To start with, the diagnostic process is a key aspect, especially to investigate the construction characteristics and the damage to materials, and to find structural and nonstructural problems. To start any process, a visual inspection, a study and knowledge of the original construction methods and materials and historical repair techniques can help but may not be sufficient, and the use of conventional techniques to complement the information needed can result in an insufficient understanding or in extensive and unnecessary intrusions in the construction. In recent years, the rapid growth of science and research, combined with the industry and the need to gather more and accurate information, have led to the fast development of nondestructive testing methodologies that allow the architectural archaeology to be studied, the structural assessment to be supported and information to be given about the material properties. Each technique can be used for a specific purpose, but, in some cases, only a combination of techniques is reliable and gives an accurate interpretation of the data acquired. The fundamental contribution and aim of this book is to give a full overview of several case studies where different nondestructive techniques have been applied, in several cases using multidisciplinary approaches, which aim to highlight the importance of the information acquired and encourage the use of these techniques in future studies. The book brings together 16 chapters focused on nondestructive testing techniques applied at the urban building level and also applied to monumental buildings, archaeology and cultural heritage, bringing together more than 40 international researchers and experts in the field, who are the source of practical case studies supported by a theoretical background.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

LEVANTAMENTO E CARACTERIZAÇÃO DAS PATOLOGIAS DA CAPELA DO FUNDADOR DO MOSTEIRO DA BATALHA.

O Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, conhecido como Mosteiro da Batalha, é um dos mais belos exemplos de arquitetura em Portugal e na Europa, fazendo parte da lista do Património Mundial da UNESCO. A sua construção desenvolveu-se durante 150 anos, ao longo de diversas fases e composto por vários estilos: gótico, manuelino e renascentista. Foram feitas algumas alterações ao projeto inicial, resultando num grandioso e complexo Monástico que hoje inclui uma igreja, dois claustros com divisões anexas e dois panteões reais, a capela do fundador e as capelas imperfeitas.O património construído reúne patologias e defeitos derivados da deterioração dos materiais, cargas repetidas, falta de manutenção e eventos excecionais. Dentro deste processo, as técnicas de inspeção e diagnóstico desempenham um papel importante, fornecendo informações e permitindo a definição de medidas de reparação adequadas.Para iniciar este levantamento e caracterização das patologias foi realizado um estudo piloto sobre a Capela do Fundador, onde foi realizada uma inspeção visual detalhada e um conjunto de ensaios não destrutivos, recorrendo a termografia, ultrassons, esclerómetro e varrimento laser scanning

Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) activities of Monoterpene Hydroxy Lactones isolated from the Marine Microalga Tisochrysis Lutea

Tisochrysis lutea is a marine haptophyte rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) and carotenoids (e.g., fucoxanthin). Because of the nutraceutical applications of these compounds, this microalga is being used in aquaculture to feed oyster and shrimp larvae. In our earlier report, T. lutea organic crude extracts exhibited in vitro cytotoxic activity against human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. However, so far, the compound(s) accountable for the observed bioactivity have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate and identify the chemical component(s) responsible for the bioactivity observed. Bioassay-guided fractionation through a combination of silica-gel column chromatography, followed by preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC), led to the isolation of two diastereomers of a monoterpenoid lactone, namely, loliolide (1) and epi-loliolide (2), isolated for the first time in this species. The structural elucidation of both compounds was carried out by GC-MS and 1D (1H and 13C APT) and 2D (COSY, HMBC, HSQC-ed, and NOESY) NMR analysis. Both compounds significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells and were considerably less toxic towards a non-tumoral murine stromal (S17) cell line, although epi-loliolide was found to be more active than loliolide.FCT, Portugal: UID/Multi/04326/2019, UID/MAR/04292/2020 (MARE), UID/Multi/04046/2020 (BioISI) and from the grant of 0055 ALGARED +5E—INTERREG V-A; SFRH/BD/116604/2016; SFRH/BD/105541/2014info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Maternal Glutaric aciduria type I and newborn screening

Introduction: Expanded Newborn Screening (NBS) programs based on MS/MS, result in a massive increase of screened metabolic disorders and detected patients. Alongside with the detection of classical forms of screened metabolic disorders, milder forms (many whose existence was unknown until now) are being detected, representing major challenges in respect to follow up protocols. Disease spectrum of screened disorders is being stretched, through the detection of undiagnosed mothers through their son’s newborn screening results. In these cases, abnormal screening results are due to maternal rather to neonatal disease. The most common examples are newborns from mothers 3-mthylcroyonyl-CoA-carboxylase deficiency (with newborns usually presenting elevated 3-hydroxy-isovalerylcarnitine and/or low free carnitine) and from mothers with Primary Carnitine Deficiency (with newborns usually presenting low free carnitine). More rarely low free carnitne values in the newborns have been associated to other maternal conditions, namely glutaric aciduria type I. Glutaric aciduria type I (GAI) (MIM# 231670) is an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic caused by a defect of the enzyme glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase. Clinically GAI, a neurometabolic disorder firstly described by Goodman is characterised by a progressive neurodegeneration that typically manifests acutely in infants during a intercorrent illness. The well known phenotypic presentations are fronto-temporal brain atrophy with macrocephaly and acute encephalopathic episodes with striatal necrosis followed by dystonic-dyskinetic movement disorder.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

EBCOG position statement on Inequalities in screening for cervical and breast cancer

Gynaecological cancers, namely breast and cervical cancer represent a high burden in women’s health. It is well established that cervical and breast cancer screening programmes are effective in reducing morbidity and mortality. It is of the most importance to define strategies to provide a universal access to screening. In European countries, significant progress has been made over the past years concerning screening strategies, namely the choice of screening test, its frequency as well as the age to start and stop the screening. Introduction of Human Papillomavirus vaccination programmes is also making a measurable impact to reduce cervical cancer prevalence and mortality. Our survey has shown a variation among European countries in delivery of cervical and breast cancer screening programmes. These variations can be due to organizational, economic or cultural reasons. The European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology calls for an implementation of a unified policy of prevention, screening and early detection of cervical and breast cancer across Europe to optimize clinical outcomes and reduce variations.peer-reviewe

Proof-of-Concept Study of Multifunctional Hybrid Nanoparticle System Combined with NIR Laser Irradiation for the Treatment of Melanoma

Supplementary Materials - available online at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/biom11040511/s1The global impact of cancer emphasizes the importance of developing innovative, effective and minimally invasive therapies. In the context of superficial cancers, the development of a multifunctional nanoparticle-based system and its in vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy characterization are, herein, proposed as a proof-of-concept. This multifunctional system consists of gold nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic and oleic acids, and functionalized with epidermal growth factor for greater specificity towards cutaneous melanoma cells. This nanoparticle system is activated by a near-infrared laser. The characterization of this nanoparticle system included several phases, with in vitro assays being firstly performed to assess the safety of gold nanoparticles without laser irradiation. Then, hairless immunocompromised mice were selected for a xenograft model upon inoculation of A375 human melanoma cells. Treatment with near-infrared laser irradiation for five minutes combined with in situ administration of the nanoparticles showed a tumor volume reduction of approximately 80% and, in some cases, led to the formation of several necrotic foci, observed histologically. No significant skin erythema at the irradiation zone was verified, nor other harmful effects on the excised organs. In conclusion, these assays suggest that this system is safe and shows promising results for the treatment of superficial melanoma.The authors would like to thank to Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for the essential financial support under the project’s references PTDC/BBB-BMC/0611/2012, UIDB/00645/2020, UIDB/04138/2020 and UIDP/04138/2020 as well as for the PhD fellowships SFRH/BD/148044/2019 and SFRH/BD/147306/2019.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Proof-of-Concept Study of Multifunctional Hybrid Nanoparticle System Combined with NIR Laser Irradiation for the Treatment of Melanoma

Abstract: The global impact of cancer emphasizes the importance of developing innovative, effective and minimally invasive therapies. In the context of superficial cancers, the development of a multifunctional nanoparticle-based system and its in vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy characterization are, herein, proposed as a proof-of-concept. This multifunctional system consists of gold nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic and oleic acids, and functionalized with epidermal growth factor for greater specificity towards cutaneous melanoma cells. This nanoparticle system is activated by a near-infrared laser. The characterization of this nanoparticle system included several phases, with in vitro assays being firstly performed to assess the safety of gold nanoparticles without laser irradiation. Then, hairless immunocompromised mice were selected for a xenograft model upon inoculation of A375 human melanoma cells. Treatment with near-infrared laser irradiation for five minutes combined with in situ administration of the nanoparticles showed a tumor volume reduction of approximately 80% and, in some cases, led to the formation of several necrotic foci, observed histologically. No significant skin erythema at the irradiation zone was verified, nor other harmful effects on the excised organs. In conclusion, these assays suggest that this system is safe and shows promising results for the treatment of superficial melanoma

Bases moleculares de los defectos en el complejo mitocondrial ETF/ETF-QO

Defectos en el complejo mitocondrial ETF/ETF-QO (ETF - flavoproteína transferidora de electrones; ETFQO - flavoproteína transferidora de electrones ubiquinona oxidorreductasa), resultan en la disfunción secundaria de 11 deshidrogenasas que utilizan este complejo para transferir los electrones a la cadena de transporte electrónico, bloqueando la β-oxidación de los ácidos grasos, de aminoácidos y de la colina. Defectos en el funcionamiento del complejo resultan en una deficiencia multiple de acil-CoA deshidrogenasas (MADD; aciduria glutárica tipo II; OMIM 231680) que representa un grupo muy heterogéneo de enfermedades metabólicas tanto desde el punto de vista clínico como molecular. Pueden tener como causa mutaciones en los genes que codifican para las subunidades del complejo (ETFA, ETFB y ETFDH), genes que codifican los transportadores de riboflavina, del transporte ó de la síntesis del FAD. Bioquímicamente, las MADD se caracterizan por la acumulación de acilcarnitinas de cadena corta, media y larga, siendo su detección la abordaje primaria al diagnóstico, incluso en cribado neonatal. La multiplicidad de defectos genéticos que pueden cursar por una disfunción del complejo ETF/ETF-QO (creyéndose que siguen sin estar identificados todos), el hecho de que no siempre están presentes los marcadores bioquímicos evidentes (acumulación de las acilcarnitinas características) y la grande variabilidad clínica son factores que conducen a una dificultad aumentada en de diagnóstico de este grupo de errores congénitos del metabolismo. En este panorama el conocimiento de la epidemiologia molecular es fundamental. Los autores presentaran las bases moleculares de los trastornos en el funcionamiento del complejo ETF/ETF-QO en Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio