Plant extracts: isolation, characterization, nanoencapsulation in lipids, cytotoxicity in AGS cells and synthesis of analogues

Dissertação de mestrado em Química MedicinalThere is growing interest in plants as a potential source of bioactive molecules with application in different areas, from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, as well as in the food industry. It is possible to extract phytochemicals by different extraction techniques, as well as to isolate and determine their composition using characterization techniques. Despite their high interest, many of the phytochemicals have some limitations on their potential use due to high volatility and/or easy degradation when exposed to air. In this perspective, nanoencapsulation of these compounds allows their preservation and controlled release in the body are currently of interest. In this work three different species, Ginkgo biloba, Foeniculum Vulgare and Chelidonia majus. were subjected to Soxhlet extraction and the extracts obtained were purified and characterized. Ginkgolic acid, estragole and coptisine have been identified in Ginkgo Biloba, F. Vulgare and Chelidonia majus, respectively. In order to obtain derivatives of the isolated compounds reactivity studies were performed using ginkgolic acid and estragole. Methylated ginkgolic acid and dioxinone, as well as epoxide derivatives were obtained from ginkgolic acid and estragole, respectively. Characterization of the synthesized compounds was carried out using NMR ( 1H and 13C), and IR spectroscopies, HPLC-DAD and mass spectrometry. Extracts from F. vulgare and C. majus as well as estragole and coptisine were subjected to encapsulation assays using soybean lecithin by ethanolic injection method. Furthermore biological activity studies have been performed to assess the toxicity of the extracts/compounds obtained using AGS cell line through MTT and LDH assays.É cada vez maior o interesse nas plantas como potencial fonte de moléculas bioativas com aplicação em diferentes áreas, desde a cosmética aos fármacos, bem como na indústria alimentar. É possível extrair fitoquímicos por diferentestécnicas de extração, bem como isolar e determinar a sua composição recorrendo a técnicas de caracterização. Apesar do seu elevado interesse, muitos dos fitoquímicos apresentam algumas limitações quanto ao seu potencial, devido à elevada volatilidade, assim como à fácil degradação quando expostos ao ar. Nesta perspetiva, técnicas de nanoencapsulamento deste tipo de compostos que permitam a sua preservação e libertação controlada no organismo são atualmente alvo de interesse. Neste trabalho, três espécies diferentes, Ginkgo biloba, Foeniculum vulgare e Chelidonia majus foram submetidas à extração por Soxhlet e os extratos obtidos foram purificados e caracterizados. O ácido ginkgólico, o estragole e a coptisina foram identificados nos extratos de Ginkgo Biloba, F. vulgare e Chelidonia majus, respetivamente. De modo a obter derivados dos compostos isolados, realizaram-se estudos de reatividade utilizando o ácido ginkgolico e o estragole. O ácido ginkgólico metilado e a dioxinona, assim como o epóxido foram obtidos a partir do ácido ginkgólico e do estragole, respectivamente. A caracterização dos compostos sintetizados foi realizada utilizando as espectroscopias de RMN ( 1H e 13C), IV, HPLC-DAD e espectrometria de massa. Extratos de F. vulgare e C. majus, bem como estragol e coptisina, foram submetidos a ensaios de encapsulamento utilizando lecitina de soja por injeção etanólica. Foram ainda realizados estudos de atividade biológica para avaliar a toxicidade dos extratos/compostos obtidos utilizando a linha celular AGS através de ensaios de MTT e LDH.I would also like to thank the entire Department of Chemistry/Chemistry Centre of the University of Minho, which provided me with all the means for such experiments, and also the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy of the Department of Chemical Sciences of the Faculty of Pharmacy/REQUIMTE of the University of Porto and the Department of Physics/Physics Centre of the University of Minho.Thanks are also due to Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT Portugal) and FEDER through the project PTDC/ASP-AGR/30154/2017

Temporal control principles in cell cycle regulation

Cell division is characterized by a sequence of events by which a cell gives rise to two daughter cells. In order to maintain the integrity of the genome, cell growth, chromosome duplication and chromosome segregation must be coordinated in a manner that ensures the faithful transmission of hereditary information from one generation to the next. Mis- segregation of chromosomes, chromosomal abnormalities and de-regulation of cell division timing are well known hallmarks of cancer. Even though the molecular machinery that drives cell division is the same in all tissues cell cycle duration in mammalian cells varies for different cell types: embryonic cells divide faster than differentiated cells, for example. In addition, classical experiments have highlighted a high level of variability in cell cycle duration even within the same cell type. Understanding temporal control of cell division and, in particular, how the same cell cycle regulators control differences in cell cycle length is a fundamental question in cell and developmental biology. To address this question, a multidisciplinary approach combining live cell imaging of human cells and mathematical modelling was used. It was found that duration of mitosis is strictly dependent on feedback regulation networks that control mitotic entry. Positive feedback within these networks ensures that mitosis is short and temporally insulated from upstream cell cycle events. Modulation of regulatory feedbacks was also found to allow fine-tuning of cell division frequency, showing once more the importance of feedback control in temporal regulation of cell division. The work presented in this thesis suggests that understanding cell cycle dynamics at a single cell level provides a powerful way to derive control principles in cell cycle regulation. Moreover, combining experimental approaches with computational analysis allows a quantitative understanding of temporal control in cell division at a single cell level. This is likely to lead to transformative insights into cell cycle in health and disease states.Open Acces

Pestana CR7: brand concept case study

Tourism is an attractive market segment in expansion and continues to show diversity, turning out one of the largest fastest-growing economic sectors in the world. On the other hand, travel behaviors, factors that influence accommodation booking, the hotel services and features that guests value the most about are evolving which creates new opportunity to be explored. Pestana Group, major international Portuguese hotel chain, enlarged its portfolio and announced in 2016 the launch of its new brand: Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotels. A universe in which hotel units are based on a contemporary boutique lifestyle concept where the purpose is the affirmation of these new units as trendsetters in their prestigious locations to appeal to the modern-day Millennial traveler. A JointVenture between Pestana Group and Cristiano Ronaldo which developed as associates the brand concept inspired by the set of values and personality of Cristiano Ronaldo aligned with Pestana Group service experience. The case study provides an overview of Pestana CR7 brand identity and positioning as well as the spectrum of the tourism and hospitality sector in order to apply academic knowledge to a real practical case study for future academic interest. In this case, the project aims to provide concepts of Marketing and Branding specifically applied to the tourism field, mainly to a hotel brand concept. More precisely, it will amplify the knowledge about Pestana Hotel Group and CR7 brand, while it introduces the environment in which Pestana CR7 is perceived. The main goal was collect insights, reactions, and expectations from Millennials about the implementation of a Lifestyle Hotel concept and understand the unique value proposition of the brand Pestana CR7 in order to analyze the essence of the brand and test concept and target compatibility.O turismo é um segmento de mercado atrativo em expansão e que continua a mostrar diversidade, tornando-se um dos maiores setores econômicos e de mais rápido crescimento do mundo. Por outro lado, os comportamentos das pessoas numa viagem, os respetivos fatores que influenciam a reserva da sua estadia, e os serviços e características dos hotéis que os clientes mais valorizam estão em evolução, criando novas oportunidades a serem exploradas. O Grupo Pestana, principal cadeia hoteleira portuguesa a nível internacional, ampliou o seu portfólio e anunciou em 2016 o lançamento da sua nova marca: Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotels. Um universo cujas unidades hoteleiras são baseadas num conceito de boutique e num estilo de vida contemporâneo onde o objetivo é a afirmação dessas unidades como trendsetters nas localizações de prestígio onde se encontram, para atrair o viajante moderno Millennial. É uma JointVenture entre o Grupo Pestana e Cristiano Ronaldo, que em parceria desenvolveram o conceito da marca inspirado no conjunto de valores e personalidade de Cristiano Ronaldo alinhados à experiência de serviço do Grupo Pestana. O caso de estudo proporciona uma visão geral da identidade e posicionamento da marca Pestana CR7, bem como o espectro do setor do turismo e hotelaria. Neste caso, o projeto visa aprofundar conceitos de Marketing e Branding especificamente aplicados ao campo do turismo sobre um conceito de marca hoteleira. Mais precisamente, ampliará o conhecimento sobre o Grupo Pestana e a marca CR7, enquanto introduz o meio envolvente onde a marca Pestana CR7 está inserida, a fim de aplicar conhecimento acadêmico num verdadeiro caso prático para futuro interesse acadêmico

Sampling and analytical methods for the geochemical study of the sediment of reservoirs in the Dominican Republic: preliminary results

This paper characterizes the geochemical profile of the sediments of two dam reservoirs from the Dominican Republic focusing on the sedimentary processes involved and on determining the main sources of the deposited material. Surface and deep sediments were sampled as well as rocks of the drainage basins in order to compare geochemical signatures of the parent rock and of the materials deposited at the bottom of the two dams. This study comprises a geochemical analysis of major, minor, trace and rare earth elements. A petrographic analysis of the different lithotypes was carried out. The preliminary geochemical analysis of sediments showed high Ca and Mg content levels, demonstrating the important influence of the carbonate rocks, present on the basin, to the sedimentation processes

GEOQUÍMICA DE ELEMENTOS MAIORES EM SEDIMENTOS DE BARRAGENS DOMINICANAS: ANÁLISE DA SUA PROVENIÊNCIA

The climatic conditions of Dominican Republic are conducive to the existence of high erosion rates, which may represent high sedimentation rates, that can make the dams silted. It is intended to do a geochemical characterization of the dam’s sediments, in order to study the sedimentary processes of the drainage basins. Through the analysis of the sediments of the bottom of two dam reservoirs (Tavera and Sabana Yegua) and the soils from the drainage basins, we intend to make a comparative geochemical analysis to identify the main sources of the sedimentary material of each dam. This study corresponds to a preliminary approach, which consists of the analysis of major elements by ICP-OES, in an attempt of identifying the sediments provenance

A construção da significação através da emoção

Os media, enquanto extensões dos sentidos humanos, exacerbam as emoções e contribuem para que estas se tornem experiências coletivas. É através dos media que nos concedemos ao outro, pondo a nu o nosso sofrimento e observando a dor alheia. Procuramos esta exteriorização dos sentimentos como forma de evasão do mundo real, mas também porque é pela socialização que o sentir se torna efetivo. A cultura da simulação (Baudrillard, 1992) proporcionada pelos media permite um alheamento de si mesmo, que surge como uma necessidade e contribui para a noção de sociedade como uma junção de emoções. Recorremos à desgraça alheia e é apenas neste olhar sobre o sofrimento dos outros que nos reconhecemos como semelhantes, na inevitabilidade da condição humana que é a morte. Neste artigo, vamos olhar para as notícias de saúde publicadas durante o mês de Novembro de 2012 no Jornal de Notícias e que usam o cidadão comum ou paciente como fonte de informação. É este o mote para um debate sobre a construção de significação através da emoção, representada através do olhar sobre o sofrimento dos outros.Being extensions of the human senses, the media exaggerate emotions and contribute to those becoming group experiences. We give ourselves to the other through the media, exposing our suffering and looking at other people’s pain. We seek this exteriorization of feelings as a way of evading from the real world, but also because feelings become real through socialization. The media’s simulation culture (Baudrillard, 1992) allows us to evade, which is a need and contributes to the concept of society as a reunion of emotions. We look for other people’s pain and this reality makes us see ourselves as equals, united by the inevitability of the human condition: death. In this article we are going to look into health news published in November 2012 by the daily newspaper Jornal de Notícias and in which the common citizen or patient are news sources. This is the start for a debate on the construction of meaning through emotion, represented by the look over other people’s suffering

A Comunicação Estratégica na Saúde: a relação de poder entre a assessoria de imprensa e o jornalismo

O uso da Comunicação Estratégica na saúde é um fenómeno recente, mas em crescimento. Procura-se partilhar informação, conseguir apoio para causas sectoriais, promover a reputação ou responder a pedidos de informação do espaço público, através do uso de técnicas e enunciados estratégicos. De entre esses instrumentos de relação com os públicos da saúde, destacamos a assessoria de imprensa, técnica de Relações Públicas – em si um campo profissional da Comunicação Estratégica – que procura promover a relação das organizações com os media. Ora, porque a assessoria de imprensa em saúde apresenta especificidades que a tornam um estudo de caso relevante no campo da comunicação aplicada (no âmbito da Comunicação Estratégica e no do Jornalismo), apresentaremos uma revisão teórica sobre a temática. Pretendemos pensar as relações entre a Comunicação Estratégica e o Jornalismo, nomeadamente na área da saúde.Este estudo insere-se num projeto de Doutoramento financiado pela FCT (SFRH/BD/86634/2012)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Distribuição e biodisponibilidade de nutrientes em albufeiras na República Dominicana e seu papel na recuperação de solos erodidos por eventos climáticos extremos

The sustainable concept of use of dam reservoir sediments to improve the soil quality is particularly suitable for reservoirs in the Dominican Republic, characterized by high sedimentation rates due to the over erosion of drainage basins, some of them in steep slopes areas and with low soil cover, intensified by periods of extreme hydrometeorological events occurring almost every year. Studies of nutrient determination in two Dominican reservoirs, situated under different climatic conditions, revealed that, although there isn’t a marked increase of nutrients in inorganic and organic forms, in sediments when compared with parental soils, the most available fractions, namely Ca and Mg in solution and exchangeable complex, N in the nitrate form, and available P and K, have significantly higher values than those of the nearby soils, as a consequence of the selective erosion of the finer and lower density particles of the soils and of the greater biological activity in the lakes. Extraction and use of these sedimentary materials in subsistence agriculture, in addition to improving soil quality and the living conditions of small farmers, could improve the water quality and increase the lifespan of the reservoirs

Silent margins in health news: looking at the nurses case

Enquanto construção social da realidade, as notícias reproduzem estruturas de poder e promovem zonas de visibilidade e de sombra. Quisemos, neste trabalho, situar a (in)visibilidade dos enfermeiros no espaço público mediático que a imprensa portuguesa estrutura na mediatização que faz do campo da saúde. Para isso, analisámos quase 7000 notícias de saúde publicadas entre 2012 e 2013 em seis jornais nacionais, sobressaindo das nossas conclusões o facto de os enfermeiros raramente se constituírem como fonte de saúde. Contrariamente, os médicos são os especialistas mais procurados, sendo que as escolhas dos jornalistas não refletem a realidade nacional – onde o grupo dos enfermeiros é bastante maior do que o dos médicos.Being a social construction of reality, news reproduce power structures and promote both visibility and shadow areas. In this study, we proposed to look into the nurses’ (in)visibility within the media public space promoted by the Portuguese press in their health news. Hence, we analyzed almost 7000 health news published in 2012 and 2013 in six National newspapers. We noticed that nurses rarely become health news sources, while doctors are the most wanted specialists. Journalists’ choices do not reflect the country’s reality, since nurses are a bigger professional group than doctors.(undefined