Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2021-05"
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- Development of an electrochemical biosensor for Galectin-3 detection in point-of-carePublication . Cerqueira, Sofia M. V; Fernandes, Rúben; Moreira, Felismina T. C.; Sales, M. Goreti F.This research work aims the development and optimization of an electrochemical biosensor based on molecularly-imprinted polymers [MIPs], for monitoring a melanoma biomarker, Galectin-3 (Gal-3). As it is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in different types of tumors including melanoma, and has shown good results as a potential biomarker in several areas, the construction of a biosensor for the detection of this protein would be a simple and quick strategy to support the treatment of this type of pathology.
- Remote Learning and Assessment: Challenges and OpportunitiesPublication . Lima, NatérciaThe 2020 civil year will go down in history as the year in which the global pandemic caused an unpre- cedented global crisis in all areas of activity, leading to transformations hard to imagine. In the case of education, more than 1,500 million students have been unable to attend face-to-face classes, leading to re-thinking traditional teaching and learning. This work describes a didactical implementation that took place in the 2020/21 academic year in a first year Physics course, in (forced) blended learning. It was used active and collaborative learning methodo- logies through the proposal of several engaging and challenging learning/assessment tasks: online tasks (at the end of the theoretical classes), a project (com- posed of 4 tasks, and a final written and oral presen- tation) and some lab assignments. [...]
- Lead levels in non-occupationally exposed women with preeclampsiaPublication . Gajewska, Katarzyna; Laskowska, Marzena; Almeida, Agostinho; Pinto, Edgar; Skórzyńska-Dziduszko, Katarzyna; Błażewicz, AnnaThere are many controversies regarding the relationship between lead exposure andcomplications in pregnancy. Preeclampsia (PE) is a maternal hypertensive disorder which is one of the main causes of maternal and foetal mortality. The aim of our study was to assess blood lead level (BLL) in Polish women with PE (PE group, n = 66) compared with healthy, non-pregnant women (CNP group, n = 40) and healthy pregnant women (CP group, n = 40). BLL was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and BLL in the CP group were significantly lower than in the PE group (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses of BLL showed a significant positive relationship with the presence of PE. Furthermore, both the SBP and DBP values were positively associated with BLL. This study indicates that preeclamptic women tend to present with significantly higher BLL compared to healthy pregnant women. There were no differences in the BLL between the CP and CNP groups.
- Análise da rotulagem de suplementos alimentares utilizados no Sistema Nervoso CentralPublication . Ferreira, Liliana; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Pinho, CláudiaOs suplementos alimentares (SA) têm um papel importante na manutenção da saúde da população e diversos benefícios demonstrados (Silveira, Bandeira, & Arrais, 2008). No entanto, a crença errónea por parte dos consumidores de que estes são isentos de risco e as escassas obrigações legais requeridas para a sua entrada no mercado têm servido de alerta para a necessidade de mais investigação (Axon, Vanova, Edel, & Slack, 2017). Analisar, do ponto de vista legal e científico, a informação disponibilizada na rotulagem dos SA à base de plantas utilizados para alguns dos principais problemas associados ao sistema nervoso central (insónia, ansiedade, nervosismo e depressão), comercializados em Portugal em Farmácias Comunitárias e Ervanárias/Lojas Dietéticas.
- Atividade antioxidante de espécies de EuphorbiaPublication . Ribeiro, Alexandre; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Pinho, CláudiaAs plantas constituem importantes fontes de compostos bioativos, com uma grande variedade de atividades biológicas. Quando sujeitas a stress, as células produzem espécies reativas de oxigénio que podem causar danos para a saúde humana, estando associadas a doenças cardiovasculares, neurodegenerativas e cancro. Destacam-se atualmente os compostos com potencial antioxidante, associados ao tratamento e prevenção de doenças. Muitas espécies da família das Euphorbiaceae têm sido utilizadas como medicina tradicional nos países do mediterrâneo, incluindo Portugal. O trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a capacidade antioxidante de dois extratos metanólicos de espécies do género Euphorbia (E. paralias e E. hirsuta).
- Cylindrospermopsin and glyphosate accumulation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) simultaneously exposed to both toxicants in hydroponic and soil systemsPublication . Sengupta, S.; Freitas, Marisa; Pinto, Edgar; Ferreira, I.; Oliveira, F.; Azevedo, J.; Prieto, A.; Diez-Quijada, L.; Jos, A.; Cameán, A.M.; Campos, A.; Vasconcelos, V.In nature, the simultaneous occurrence of multiple emergent contaminants such as cyanotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin (CYN)) and herbicides (e.g., glyphosate (GLY)), is highly expectable and it can be anticipated, mainly in the aquatic and terrestrial environments. The use of contaminated water for irrigation can be hazardous to the agricultural sector and some studies have reported that, individually, these contaminants can be accumulated in the edible tissues exerting a negative influence on crop plants safety and ultimately in human health. Furthermore, recent studies have suggested that some cyanotoxins (e.g., microcystins) can change the membrane permeability of roots, resulting in changes in the accumulation rates of other contaminants in plants. Since edible plants are exposed to a wide variety of substances through irrigation water, there is increasing concern in the potential adverse effects of the interactions between those substances when present simultaneously, especially when this can have potential public health consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the accumulation of CYN in Lactuca sativa simultaneously exposed to GLY at environmentally relevant concentrations. Lettuce plants were exposed for 15 days to 50 μg/L or kg of CYN-containing crude extract (Chrysosporum ovalisporum culture - LEGE X001) and 750 μg/L or kg of GLY, in hydroponic and soil systems, respectively. The resins (HP20, SP700, and XAD18) were evaluated for MC-LR uptake kinetics, capacities, and extraction efficiencies and simple procedures were developed for determining MC-LR concentration in binding disc extracts by Adda-ELISA (U.S. EPA Method 546). The XAD18-DGT/Adda-ELISA method had a 7-d deployment time detection limit of ≈0.05 μg/L and capacity of > 250 μg/L of MC-LR in water samples which encompass U.S. EPA and WHO advisory concentrations for drinking and recreational waters. The XAD18DGT/Adda-ELISA method determined timeaveraged MC-LR concentrations in waters with wide ranging pH (4.9–8.3) and ionic strength (0.04–0.8 M) under well-stirred and quiescent conditions with 90–101% accuracy. In addition to high sensitivity and accuracy, the method is simple, inexpensive, and applicable for determining MC-LR and related MCs concentrations in waterbodies with wide ranging chemical characteristics and hydrodynamic conditions. 4.11.07 Cylindrospermopsin and Glyphosate Accumulation in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Simultaneously Exposed to Both Toxicants in Hydroponic and Soil Systems S. Sengupta, School of Bio Sciences and Technology Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore - 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India; M.M. Freitas, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto; E. Pinto, I. Ferreira, LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departament of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050313 Porto, Portugal; F. Oliveira, J. Azevedo, CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450–208 Porto; A. Prieto, L. Diez-Quijada, A. Jos, A.M. Cameán, Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain / Toxicology; A. Campos, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Sciences, CIIMAR; V. Vasconcelos, CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450–208 Porto In nature, the simultaneous occurrence of multiple emergent contaminants such as cyanotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin (CYN)) and herbicides (e.g., glyphosate (GLY)), is highly expectable and it can be anticipated, mainly in the aquatic and terrestrial environments. The use of contaminated water for irrigation can be hazardous to the agricultural sector and some studies have reported that, individually, these contaminants can be accumulated in the edible tissues exerting a negative influence on crop plants safety and ultimately in human health. Furthermore, recent studies have suggested that some cyanotoxins (e.g., microcystins) can change the membrane permeability of roots, resulting in changes in the accumulation rates of other contaminants in plants. Since edible plants are exposed to a wide variety of substances through irrigation water, there is increasing concern in the potential adverse effects of the interactions between those substances when present simultaneously, especially when this can have potential public health consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of CYN and GLY in lettuce plants (roots and leaves) was determined by LC/MSMS. The results show that, at the described conditions, CYN was accumulated in roots (0.06-7.62 μg CYN/g Dw) and leaves (0.13-1.1 μg CYN/g Dw) of lettuce, especially when plants were exposed in hydroponic system. However, interestingly, when lettuce plants were exposed simultaneously to both toxicants the concentration of CYN assimilated by lettuce plants (roots and leaves) was respectively, 1.5fold and 1-3-2.2-fold lower than in the exposure to isolated CYN. Conversely, the plants exposed to the mixture in soil system, showed that the concentration of GLY incorporated by lettuce (roots and leaves) was higher than in the exposure to the isolated compound (0.04 - 0.21 µg GLY/g and < LOQ - 0.84 µg GLY/g, respectively). This finding highlights the potential for the enhancement of GLY accumulation in lettuce plants due to their cooccurrence with CYN, and it underlines the importance of further research regarding the mechanism involved.
- Influence of an exercise program in low back pain in ambulance driversPublication . Pacheco, Débora; Lopes, SofiaOccupational health aims to prevent occupational hazards, promote and protect the health of workers. Given the high prevalence of low back pain associated with work-related musculoskeletal injuries, it is important to study this topic. The functional incapacity in these individuals, drivers, comes from low back pain as a consequence of risk factors inherent to work activity. Exercise has been found to be beneficial when directed at lower back pain. To verify the effect of an exercise program on reducing the functional disability of low back pain in ambulance transport drivers.
- Carrying backpack: motor tasks and kinematic assessment tools on schoolchildren - scope reviewPublication . Lima, Joana; Rodrigues, Cláudia; Campinho, Kátia; Pinho, Francisco; Pinho, Liliana; Silva, SandraThe schoolbag with two straps, usually known as backpack represents the most used and well-known method of carrying school material among children and most young people. The amount and weight of load they carry has become an increasing concern for parents, teachers and researchers, once students spend a significant part of their day carrying this overweight on their backs.
- Plantas africanas com atividade citotóxicaPublication . Santos, Roberta; Veiga, Inês; Cruz, Agostinho; Ferraz Oliveira, Rita; Pinho, Cláudia; Oliveira, Ana IsabelO cancro é a segunda causa de morte, globalmente, atingindo uma em cada seis pessoas, em 2018. Os tipos de cancros mais prevalentes são o cancro da mama, próstata, colorretal, pulmão, colo do útero e estômago. O continente africano possui um amplo património de plantas, muitas ainda por explorar, e outras que têm demonstrado atividades diversas como, antioxidante, anti-inflamatória, antimicrobiana e/ou anticancerígena. Além disso, muitos pacientes apenas têm acesso a medicina tradicional o que inclui o uso de plantas medicinais, face a problemas económicos. Desta forma, a procura de evidências acerca das plantas com potencial atividade anticancerígena é importante. Compilar informação sobre atividade anticancerígena de plantas existentes no continente africano.
- Effects of cylindrospermopsin and glyphosate at environmentally relevant concentrations on growth and mineral content of beetroot plants (Beta vulgaris)Publication . Priya, V.; Freitas, Marisa; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, A.; Oliveira, F.; Azevedo, J.; Campos, A.; Sudhakaran, R.; Vasconcelos, V.Natural toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria, such as cylindrospermopsin (CYN), have been regarded as an emergent environmental threat. Cyanotoxins can be applied directly to soil by using contaminated water for agricultural irrigation. Despite the risks for food safety, the impact of cyanotoxins in agriculture is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, in soil-plant system the simultaneous occurrence of cyanotoxins and pesticides can be highly expectable. Pesticides, especially residues of glyphosate (GLY), have been frequently detected in soils and have been recognized to contribute to soil toxicity. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) are root vegetables, extensively consumed worldwide with great importance for human nourishment and economy. It is, therefore, important to evaluate the effects of using water contaminated with CYN and GLY on beetroot cultivation. This study aimed to assess the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of CYN, GLY and a mixture of both on growth and mineral content of beetroot (roots and leaves) cultivated in soil system. Plants were exposed in controlled conditions to CYN-crude extracts (50μg/kg) (Chrysosporum ovalisporum culture - LEGE X-001), isolated and in mixture with GLY (750 μg/kg) for 4 months. Beetroot growth was assessed by determining its fresh (Fw) and dry weight (Dw). The determination of mineral content was made by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), after sample mineralization by microwaveassisted acid digestion. The results denote that Fw and Dw of beetroot (leaves and roots, respectively) were significantly changed (P