4-MUF-NAG for fungal biomass determination: Scope and limitations in the context of biodeterioration studies - Sequeira, SO; Coutinho, M. L.; J. C. Lima; Phillips, A. J. L.; Macedo, MF; E. J. Cabrita (Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2016)
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Times Cited: 0Sequeira, Silvia Oliveira Coutinho, Mathilda L. Lima, Joao C. Phillips, Alan J. L. Macedo, Maria F. Cabrita, Eurico J. Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Cabrita, Eurico/E-8053-2011 Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Cabrita, Eurico/0000-0002-0720-2751; Phillips, Alan/0000-0001-6367-9784 1778-3674

An affinity triggered MRI nanoprobe for pH-dependent cell labeling - Susana I C J Palma; Alexandra R. Fernandes; Roque, Ana C A (RSC Advances, 2016)
The pH-sensitive affinity pair composed by neutravidin and iminobiotin was used to develop a multilayered Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) nanoprobe responsive to the acidic pH of tumor microenvironment. The multilayer system was assembled on meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), which convey negative MRI contrast enhancement properties to the nanoprobe. The outer stealth PEG-layer is altered in acidic media due to the disruption of interactions between neutravidin-iminobiotin. As a consequence, the positively charged inner layer is exposed and enhances interactions with cells. The nanoprobe uptake by HCT116 cells cultured in vitro under acidic conditions had a 2-fold increase compared to the uptake at physiological pH. The uptake difference is particularly clear in T2-weighted MRI phantoms of cells incubated with the nanoprobes at both pH conditions. This work sets the proof-of-concept of a MNP-based MRI nanoprobe targeting acidic tumor microenvironment through the use of a specific bio-recognition interaction that is pH-sensitive. This tumor targeting strategy is potentially applicable to the generality of tumors since the typical hypoxic conditions and high glycolysis rate in cancer cells create an acidic environment common to the majority of cancer types.
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Beatus manuscripts under the microscope: the Alcobaca Beatus and the Iberian Cistercian tradition revisited - Cavero, A. M.; Melo, MJ; Miranda, M. A.; Castro, R.; Casanova, C. (Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 2016)
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Times Cited: 0Cavero, Alicia Miguelez Melo, Maria Joao Miranda, Maria Adelaide Castro, Rita Casanova, Conceicao Melo, Maria Joao/C-8594-2011 Melo, Maria Joao/0000-0001-7393-6801; Castro, Rita/0000-0002-9986-6028 1754-6567

BioCode gold-nanobeacon for the detection of fusion transcripts causing chronic myeloid leukemia - M Cordeiro; Giestas, L; J. C. Lima; Baptista, P. M. V. (Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2016)
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Times Cited: 1Cordeiro, M. Giestas, L. Lima, J. C. Baptista, P. M. V. Baptista, Pedro/A-1237-2009; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010 Baptista, Pedro/0000-0001-5255-7095; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967

A blue 4 ',7-diaminoflavylium cation showing an extended pH range stability - Tron, A.; Gago, S.; McClenaghan, N. D.; A. J. Parola; Pina, F (Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2016)
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Times Cited: 3Tron, A. Gago, S. McClenaghan, N. D. Parola, A. J. Pina, F. Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Gago, Sandra/H-5413-2012; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010; Tron, Arnaud/G-1172-2017 Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Gago, Sandra/0000-0003-0221-8508; Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; Tron, Arnaud/0000-0002-4117-2306 1463-9084

Boosting visible light conversion in the confined pore space of nanoporous carbons - Gomis-Berenguer, A.; Iniesta, J.; Moro, A.; Maurino, V.; J. C. Lima; Ania, C. O. (Carbon, 2016)
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Times Cited: 7Gomis-Berenguer, Alicia Iniesta, Jesus Moro, Artur Maurino, Valter Lima, Joao C. Ania, Conchi O. Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Iniesta, Jesus/L-2203-2014; Moro, Artur/C-6689-2013 Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Iniesta, Jesus/0000-0003-4350-2169; Moro, Artur/0000-0003-3285-4919; Gomis-Berenguer, Alicia/0000-0002-5893-1508 1873-3891

Boosting visible light conversion in the confined pore space of nanoporous carbons (vol 96, pg 98, 2015) - Gomis-Berenguer, A.; Iniesta, J.; Moro, A.; Maurino, V.; J. C. Lima; Ania, C. O. (Carbon, 2016)
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Times Cited: 0Gomis-Berenguer, Alicia Iniesta, Jesus Moro, Artur Maurino, Valter Lima, Joao C. Ania, Conchi O. Iniesta, Jesus/L-2203-2014; Moro, Artur/C-6689-2013; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010 Iniesta, Jesus/0000-0003-4350-2169; Moro, Artur/0000-0003-3285-4919; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Gomis-Berenguer, Alicia/0000-0002-5893-1508 1873-3891

Colour degradation in medieval manuscripts - Melo, MJ; Araujo, R.; Castro, R.; Casanova, C. (Microchemical Journal, 2016)
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Times Cited: 5Melo, Maria Joao Araujo, Rita Castro, Rita Casanova, Conceicao Melo, Maria Joao/C-8594-2011 Melo, Maria Joao/0000-0001-7393-6801; Castro, Rita/0000-0002-9986-6028 1095-9149

Competitive counterion complexation allows the true host : guest binding constants from a single titration by ionic receptors - Pessego, M.; Basilio, N.; Muniz, M. C.; Garcia-Rio, L. (Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 2016)
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Times Cited: 3Pessego, Marcia Basilio, Nuno Carmen Muniz, M. Garcia-Rio, Luis Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012; Garcia-Rio, Luis/L-5882-2014; Pessego, Marcia/E-1790-2012 Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695; Garcia-Rio, Luis/0000-0003-2802-8921; Pessego, Marcia/0000-0001-7292-0568 1477-0539

Counterion-Controlled Self-Sorting in an Amphiphilic Calixarene Micellar System - Fernandez-Abad, S.; Pessego, M.; Basilio, N.; Garcia-Rio, L. (Chemistry-a European Journal, 2016)
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Times Cited: 6Fernandez-Abad, Silvia Pessego, Marcia Basilio, Nuno Garcia-Rio, Luis Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012; Garcia-Rio, Luis/L-5882-2014; Pessego, Marcia/E-1790-2012 Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695; Garcia-Rio, Luis/0000-0003-2802-8921; Pessego, Marcia/0000-0001-7292-0568 1521-3765

Development of oxygen and temperature sensitive membranes using molecular probes as ratiometric sensor - Santoro, S.; Moro, A. J.; Portugal, C. A. M.; Crespo, J. G.; Coelhoso, I. M.; J. C. Lima (Journal of Membrane Science, 2016)
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Times Cited: 5Santoro, S. Moro, A. J. Portugal, C. A. M. Crespo, J. G. Coelhoso, I. M. Lima, J. C. Moro, Artur/C-6689-2013; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Portugal, Carla /C-8912-2013; Crespo, Joao/D-8719-2013 Moro, Artur/0000-0003-3285-4919; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Crespo, Joao/0000-0001-8714-3781; Coelhoso, Isabel/0000-0001-7032-3436 1873-3123

Drug Delivery by Controlling a Supramolecular Host-Guest Assembly with a Reversible Photoswitch - Basilio, N.; Pischel, U. (Chemistry-a European Journal, 2016)
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Times Cited: 7Basilio, Nuno Pischel, Uwe Pischel, Uwe/K-8314-2012; Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012 Pischel, Uwe/0000-0001-8893-9829; Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695 1521-3765

Effect of Methyl, Hydroxyl, and Chloro Substituents in Position 3 of 3,4,7-Trihydroxyflavylium: Stability, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics - Alejo-Armijo, A.; Salido, S.; Altarejos, J.; A. J. Parola; Gago, S.; Basilio, N.; Cabrita, L.; Pina, F (Chemistry-a European Journal, 2016)
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Times Cited: 0Alejo-Armijo, Alfonso Salido, Sofia Altarejos, Joaquin Parola, A. Jorge Gago, Sandra Basilio, Nuno Cabrita, Luis Pina, Fernando Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Gago, Sandra/H-5413-2012; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010 Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Gago, Sandra/0000-0003-0221-8508; Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; Alejo Armijo, Alfonso/0000-0001-8691-4628 1521-3765

Effect of solvent polarity on the spectroscopic properties of an alkynyl gold(I) gelator. The particular case of water - Gavara, R.; J. C. Lima; Rodriguez, L (Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 2016)
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Times Cited: 5Gavara, Raquel Lima, Joao Carlos Rodriguez, Laura Rodriguez, Laura/A-4169-2011; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Gavara, Raquel/C-6669-2013 Rodriguez, Laura/0000-0003-1289-1587; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Gavara, Raquel/0000-0002-7198-9392 1474-9092

Evidence against the Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer (TICT) model in 7-aminoflavylium derivatives - Avo, J.; Petrov, V.; Basilio, N.; A. J. Parola; Pina, F (Dyes and Pigments, 2016)
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Times Cited: 2Avo, Joao Petrov, Vesselin Basilio, Nuno Jorge Parola, A. Pina, Fernando 2nd International Caparica Congress on Chromogenic and Emissive Materials (IC3EM) - Light of Colours, the Colours of Light Sep, 2016 Caparica, PORTUGAL Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010 Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; Avo, Joao/0000-0002-3380-748X; Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695 1873-3743

Extending the Study of the 6,8 Rearrangement in Flavylium Compounds to Higher pH Values: Interconversion between 6-Bromo and 8-Bromo-apigeninidin - Cruz, L. M.; Basilio, N. M.; de Freitas, V. A.; J. C. Lima; Pina, F. J. (Chemistryopen, 2016)
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Times Cited: 3Cruz, Luis M. Basilio, Nuno M. de Freitas, Victor A. Lima, Joao C. Pina, Fernando J. Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Cruz, Luis/J-4413-2013 Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Freitas, Victor/0000-0003-0586-2278; Cruz, Luis/0000-0003-2226-0404

Features combination for art authentication studies: brushstroke and materials analysis of Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso - Montagner, C.; Jesus, R.; N. Correia; Vilarigues, M.; Macedo, R.; Melo, MJ (Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2016)
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Times Cited: 1Montagner, Cristina Jesus, Rui Correia, Nuno Vilarigues, Marcia Macedo, Rita Melo, Maria Joao Melo, Maria Joao/C-8594-2011; Vilarigues, Marcia/K-8709-2015; Correia, Nuno/D-2298-2010 Melo, Maria Joao/0000-0001-7393-6801; Vilarigues, Marcia/0000-0003-4134-2819; Correia, Nuno/0000-0002-8704-6698; Montagner, Cristina/0000-0003-4381-1244 1573-7721

Heteroleptic mononuclear compounds of ruthenium(ii): synthesis, structural analyses, in vitro antitumor activity and in vivo toxicity on zebrafish embryos - Lenis-Rojas, O. A.; Fernandes, A. R.; Roma-Rodrigues, C.; P.V. Baptista; Marques, F.; Perez-Fernandez, D.; Guerra-Varela, J.; Sanchez, L.; Vazquez-Garcia, D.; Torres, M. Lopez; Fernandez, A.; Fernandez, J. J. (Dalton Transactions, 2016)
The limitations of platinum complexes in cancer treatment have motivated the extensive investigation into other metal complexes such as ruthenium. We herein present the synthesis and characterization of a new family of ruthenium compounds 1a-5a with the general formula [Ru(bipy)2L][CF3SO3]2 (bipy = 2,2[prime or minute]-bipyridine; L = bidentate ligand: N,N; N,P; P,P; P,As) which have been characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS, 1H and 31P-{1H} NMR, FTIR and conductivity measurements. The molecular structures of four Ru(ii) complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds displayed moderate cytotoxic activity in vitro against human A2780 ovarian, MCF7 breast and HCT116 colorectal tumor cells. Compound 5a was the most cytotoxic compound against A2780 and MCF7 tumor cells with an IC50 of 4.75 +/- 2.82 [small mu ]M and 20.02 +/- 1.46 [small mu ]M, respectively. The compounds showed no cytotoxic effect on normal human primary fibroblasts but rather considerable selectivity for A2780, MCF7 and HCT116 tumor cells. All compounds induce apoptosis and autophagy in A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells and some nuclear DNA fragmentation. All compounds interact with CT-DNA with intrinsic binding constants in the order 1a > 4a > 2a > 3a > 5a. The observed hyperchromic effect may be due to the electrostatic interaction between positively charged cations and the negatively charged phosphate backbone at the periphery of the double helix-CT-DNA. Interestingly, compound 1a shows a concentration dependent DNA double strand cleavage. In addition in vivo toxicity has been evaluated on zebrafish embryos unveiling the differential toxicity between the compounds, with LC50 ranging from 8.67 mg L-1 for compound 1a to 170.30 mg L-1 for compound 2a.
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Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methane by Ruthenium Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquid - Melo, C. I.; Szczepanska, A.; Bogel-Lukasik, E.; da Ponte, M. N.; Branco, L. C. (Chemsuschem, 2016)
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Times Cited: 3Melo, Catarina I. Szczepanska, Anna Bogel-Lukasik, Ewa da Ponte, Manuel Nunes Branco, Luis C. da Ponte, Manuel/B-3620-2010; Bogel-Lukasik, Ewa/D-3849-2012; Melo, Catarina/E-3073-2012; Branco, Luis/C-6426-2013 da Ponte, Manuel/0000-0003-4499-4521; Bogel-Lukasik, Ewa/0000-0001-9264-6404; Melo, Catarina/0000-0002-5135-7339; Branco, Luis/0000-0003-2520-1151 1864-564x

Molecular Weight Determination by Luminescent Chemo-enzymatics - R.F. Pires; Moro, A.; Lourenco, A.; J. C. Lima; T. Casimiro; Bonifacio, V. D. B. (Chemistryselect, 2016)
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Times Cited: 0Pires, Rita F. Moro, Artur Lourenco, Anita Lima, Joao C. Casimiro, Teresa Bonifacio, Vasco D. B. Moro, Artur/C-6689-2013; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Casimiro, Teresa/D-2365-2013; Bonifacio, Vasco/A-8653-2008 Moro, Artur/0000-0003-3285-4919; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Casimiro, Teresa/0000-0001-9405-6221; Bonifacio, Vasco/0000-0003-2349-8473

Monitoring oxygen permeation through polymeric packaging films using a ratiometric luminescent sensor - Santoro, S.; Moro, A. J.; Portugal, C.; Crespo, J. G.; J. C. Lima; Coelhoso, I. M. (Journal of Food Engineering, 2016)
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Times Cited: 3Santoro, S. Moro, A. J. Portugal, C. Crespo, J. G. Lima, J. C. Coelhoso, I. M. Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Moro, Artur/C-6689-2013; Portugal, Carla /C-8912-2013 Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Moro, Artur/0000-0003-3285-4919; Coelhoso, Isabel/0000-0001-7032-3436 1873-5770

Mononuclear copper(II) complexes of an arylhydrazone of 1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione as catalysts for the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol in ionic liquid medium - Tiago, G. A. O.; Ribeiro, A. P. C.; Mahmudov, K. T.; da Silva, M. F. C. G.; Branco, L. C.; Pombeiro, A. J. L. (Rsc Advances, 2016)
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Times Cited: 3Tiago, Gonalo A. O. Ribeiro, Ana P. C. Mahmudov, Kamran T. Guedes da Silva, M. Fatima C. Branco, Luis C. Pombeiro, Armando J. L. Branco, Luis/C-6426-2013 Branco, Luis/0000-0003-2520-1151; Tiago, Goncalo/0000-0002-4742-7840; Pombeiro, Armando/0000-0001-8323-888X; Guedes da Silva, M. Fatima C./0000-0003-4836-2409

A multiproxy approach to evaluate biocidal treatments on biodeteriorated majolica glazed tiles - Coutinho, M. L.; Miller, A.Z.; Martin-Sanchez, P.M.; Mirão, J.; Gomez-Bolea, A.; Machado-Moreira, B.; Cerqueira-Alves, L.; Jurado, V.; Saiz-Jimenez, C.; Lima, A.; Phillips, A. J. L.; Pina, F; et al. (Environmental Microbiology, 2016)
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Cited By :5Export Date: 5 June 2018

A Multistate Molecular Switch Based on the 6,8-Rearrangement in Bromo-apigeninidin Operated with pH and Host- Guest Inputs - Basilio, N.; Cruz, L.; de Freitas, V.; Pina, F (Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2016)
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Times Cited: 3Basilio, Nuno Cruz, Luis de Freitas, Victor Pina, Fernando Cruz, Luis/J-4413-2013; Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Cruz, Luis/0000-0003-2226-0404; Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Freitas, Victor/0000-0003-0586-2278

New insights into brazilwood lake pigments manufacture through the use of historically accurate reconstructions - Vitorino, T.; Melo, MJ; Carlyle, L.; Otero, V. (Studies in Conservation, 2016)
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Times Cited: 5Vitorino, Tatiana Melo, Maria Joao Carlyle, Leslie Otero, Vanessa Melo, Maria Joao/C-8594-2011; Otero, Vanessa/M-1934-2017 Melo, Maria Joao/0000-0001-7393-6801; Otero, Vanessa/0000-0003-2336-0773 2047-0584

A novel red emitting material based on polyoxometalate@periodic mesoporous organosilica - Granadeiro, C. M.; Ribeiro, S. O.; Kaczmarek, A. M.; Cunha-Silva, L.; P. L. Almeida; Gago, S.; Van Deun, R.; de Castro, B.; Balula, S. S. (Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2016)
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Times Cited: 1Granadeiro, Carlos M. Ribeiro, Susana O. Kaczmarek, Anna M. Cunha-Silva, Luis Almeida, Pedro L. Gago, Sandra Van Deun, Rik de Castro, Baltazar Balula, Salete S. ; Gago, Sandra/H-5413-2012; Balula, Salete/B-7508-2012; Granadeiro, Carlos/D-6302-2013; Physics Department, ISEL/F-6664-2010; Kaczmarek, Anna/O-1803-2017 Ribeiro, Susana/0000-0002-7402-9004; Gago, Sandra/0000-0003-0221-8508; Balula, Salete/0000-0002-8984-0473; Cunha-Silva, Luis/0000-0001-9229-1412; Granadeiro, Carlos/0000-0002-0986-6607; Kaczmarek, Anna/0000-0001-5254-8762; Almeida, Pedro/0000-0001-7356-8455 1873-3093

Peptide-coated gold nanoparticles for modulation of angiogenesis in vivo - Roma-Rodrigues, C.; A. Heuer-Jungemann; Fernandes, A. R.; A. G. Kanaras; P.V. Baptista (2016)
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Photoluminescent Nanocrystals in a Multicomponent Aluminoborosilicate Glass - Ruivo, A.; Ferro, M.; Andrade, S. M.; Rocha, J.; Pina, F; Laia, C. A. T. (Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2016)
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Times Cited: 0Ruivo, Andreia Ferro, Marta Andrade, Suzana M. Rocha, Joao Pina, Fernando Laia, Cesar A. T. Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Rocha, Joao/A-2486-2010 Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Rocha, Joao/0000-0002-0417-9402

Singing with light: an interdisciplinary study on the medieval Ajuda Songbook - Nabais, P.; Castro, R.; Lopes, G. V.; de Sousa, L. C.; Melo, MJ (Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 2016)
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Times Cited: 0Nabais, Paula Castro, Rita Lopes, Graca Videira de Sousa, Luis Correia Melo, Maria Joao Melo, Maria Joao/C-8594-2011; Nabais, Paula/N-8067-2017 Melo, Maria Joao/0000-0001-7393-6801; Nabais, Paula/0000-0002-7646-7470; Castro, Rita/0000-0002-9986-6028; lopes, graca/0000-0002-9213-2910 1754-6567

Sulfur-mediated photochemical energy harvesting in nanoporous carbons - Gomis-Berenguer, A.; Seredych, M.; Iniesta, J.; J. C. Lima; Bandosz, T. J.; Ania, C. O. (Carbon, 2016)
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Times Cited: 5Gomis-Berenguer, Alicia Seredych, Mykola Iniesta, Jesus Lima, Joao C. Bandosz, Teresa J. Ania, Conchi O. Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Iniesta, Jesus/L-2203-2014 Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Iniesta, Jesus/0000-0003-4350-2169; Gomis-Berenguer, Alicia/0000-0002-5893-1508 1873-3891

Synthesis and multistate characterization of bis-flavylium dications - symmetric resorcinol- and phloroglucinol-type derivatives as stochastic systems - Basilio, N.; Garnier, T.; Avo, J.; Danel, M.; Chassaing, S.; Pina, F (Rsc Advances, 2016)
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Times Cited: 0Basilio, N. Garnier, T. Avo, J. Danel, M. Chassaing, S. Pina, F. Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Avo, Joao/0000-0002-3380-748X; Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695

Task-specific Ionic Liquids Based on Sulfur for Tribological Applications - Cosme, J.; Bastos, P. D. A.; Catela, I.; Silva, D.; Colaco, R.; Branco, L. C.; Saramago, B. (Chemistryselect, 2016)
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Times Cited: 3Cosme, Joao Bastos, Pedro D. A. Catela, Isabelle Silva, Diana Colaco, Rogerio Branco, Luis C. Saramago, Benilde Branco, Luis/C-6426-2013 Branco, Luis/0000-0003-2520-1151; Catela, Isabelle/0000-0001-6571-6753; Saramago, Benilde/0000-0002-8968-4781

Through the eyes of science and art: a fourteenth-century winter breviary from Alcobaca scriptorium - Barreira, C. F.; Melo, MJ; Araujo, R.; Casanova, C. (Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 2016)
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Times Cited: 2Barreira, Catarina Fernandes Melo, Maria Joao Araujo, Rita Casanova, Conceicao Melo, Maria Joao/C-8594-2011 Melo, Maria Joao/0000-0001-7393-6801; Barreira, Catarina/0000-0002-0174-1025 1754-6567

Tuning supramolecular aurophilic structures: the effect of counterion, positive charge and solvent - Aguilo, E.; Gavara, R.; Baucells, C.; Guitart, M.; J. C. Lima; Llorca, J.; Rodriguez, L (Dalton Transactions, 2016)
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Times Cited: 5Aguilo, Elisabet Gavara, Raquel Baucells, Clara Guitart, Marta Lima, Joao Carlos Llorca, Jordi Rodriguez, Laura Rodriguez, Laura/A-4169-2011; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Gavara, Raquel/C-6669-2013 Rodriguez, Laura/0000-0003-1289-1587; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Gavara, Raquel/0000-0002-7198-9392; Aguilo, Elisabet/0000-0002-7171-3812; Llorca, Jordi/0000-0002-7447-9582 1477-9234

TransFlexTeg: Large area transparent thin film thermoelectric devices for smart window and flexible applications - M. Bari; Loureiro, J.; M. Pudas; K. Tappura; K. Jaakola; M. Ruoho; I. Tittonen; S. Volz; C. Pavan; K. Costabello; D. Bollen; M. Haslam; et al. (14th European Conference on Thermoelectrics, ECT 2016, 2016)
The main objective of TransFlexTeg is to develop an innovative large area distributed sensor network integrating transparent thin film thermoelectric devices and sensors for multifunctional smart windows and flexible high impact volume applications. Different breakthrough concepts will be developed: 1) large area high performance transparent thermoelectric thin films deposited on flexible substrates for thermal energy harvesting; 2) low cost high throughput thin film thermal sensors for thermal mapping and gesture sensing; 3) flexible smart windows and walls with energy harvesting, environmental sensing and wireless communication functionalities. This technology aims to demonstrate the functionalities of a smart window able to measure air quality and environmental parameters such as temperature, sun radiation and humidity. The data is automatically collected and can be utilized for controlling heating, cooling and ventilation systems of indoors. Active radio interface enables long range communication and long term data collection with WiFi or a similar base station. The proposed concept of smart windows replaces several conventional sensors with a distributed sensor network that is integrated invisibly into windows. In addition to the power generated from the thermal energy harvesting, the thermoelectric elements (TE) are also used as temperature sensors that, while being distributed over large area, enable thermal mapping of the area instead of just one or a few values measured from particular points. This smart window can be produced on glass. The active layer itself can be flexible glass layer or polymer sheet, which will significantly broaden the field of applications and improve business opportunities. Both can be manufactured in batch, or in Roll to Roll Atomic Layer Deposition (R2R ALD) process. High environmental impact is expected with savings of more than 25% of the electrical usage of residential homes and office buildings.

Intertwining sectoral electricity consumption profiles at city level - Gouveia, J. P.; Seixas, J.; Mestre, A.; Miguel, L. (39th International Association for Energy Economics, 2016)

INSMART - Simões, S.; Dias, L.; Seixas, J.; Gouveia, J. P. (UERA Workshop on “Sustainable Smart Cities”, 2016)

Integrative Smart City Planning – Energy system modelling at city scale - Dias, L.; Seixas, J.; Gouveia, J. P.; Simões, S. (22nd Annual International Sustainable Development Research Society Conference, 2016)

The sustainability of future scenarios of the Portuguese power system - Fortes, P.; Dias, L.; Seixas, J. (22nd Annual International Sustainable Development Research Society Conference, 2016)

Solar Power Deployment In Brazil – Testing Electric Vehicles As The Wheel To Promote Solar Power - Barbosa, J.P.; Dias, L. (11th ISES EuroSun Conference, 2016)

Natural Gas Outlook for the Southern Cone: outcomes from an hourly basis TIMES natural gas & power model - Chávez-Rodríguez, M.; Dias, L.; Simoes, S.; Seixas, J.; Szklo, A.; Lucena, F.P.A.; Hawkes, A. (35th International Energy Workshop, 2016)

New methodological approach for planning cities sustainable and resilient energy futures – the case of the InSMART project - De Miglio, R; A. Chiodi; Simoes, S.; Long, G.; Pollard, M.; Gouveia, J. P.; Gargiulo, M.; Giannakidis, G. (International Energy Workshop, 2016)

Assessing the impacts of technology improvements on the deployment of marine energy in Europe with an energy system perspective. - Sgobbi, Alessandra; Simões, Sofia; Davide Magagna; Nijs, Wouter (Renewable Energy, 2016)

Immortalization and characterization of a new canine mammary tumor cell line FR37-CMT - Luís R. Raposo; Catarina Roma-Rodrigues; Pedro Faísca; Margarida Alves; Henriques, Joaquim; Manuela C. Carvalheiro; Corvo, M. Luisa; Pedro V. Baptista; Armando J. L. Pombeiro; Alexandra R. Fernandes (J. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, 2016)
Here we describe the establishment of a new canine mammary tumour (CMT) cell line, FR37-CMT that does not show dependence on female hormonal signaling to induce tumour xenografts in NOD-SCID mice. FR37-CMT cell line has a stellate or fusiform shape, displays the ability to reorganize the collagen matrix, expresses vimentin, CD44 and shows the loss of E-cadherin which is considered a fundamental event in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The up-regulation of ZEB1, the detection of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and the downregulation of DICER1 and miR-200c are also in accordance with the mesenchymal characteristics of FR37-CMT cell line. FR37-CMT shows a higher resistance to cisplatin (IC50>50 µM) and to doxorubicin (IC50>5.3 µM) compared with other CMT cell lines. These results support the use of FR37-CMT as a new CMT model that may assist the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying EMT, CMT drug resistance, fostering the development of novel therapies targeting CMT.

In vitro and in vivo biological characterization of the anti-proliferative potential of a cyclic trinuclear organotin(IV) complex - Marta Martins; Pedro V. Baptista; Ana Soraia Mendo; Claudia Correia; Paula Videira; António S. Rodrigues; J Muthukumaran; Santos-Silva, Teresa; Silva, Ana; M. Fátima C. Guedes da Silva; Joana Gigante; António Duarte; et al. (Molecular BioSystems, 2016)
Identification of novel molecules that can selectively inhibit the growth of tumor cells, avoid causing side effects to patients and/or intrinsic or acquired resistance, usually associated with common chemotherapeutic agents, is of utmost importance. Organometallic compounds have gained importance in oncologic chemotherapy, such as organotin(IV) complexes. In this study, we assessed the anti-tumor activity of the cyclic trinuclear organotin(IV) complex with an aromatic oximehydroxamic acid group [nBu2Sn(L)]3(H2L = N,2-dihydroxy-5-[N-hydroxyethanimidoyl]benzamide) – MG85 – and provided further characterization of its biological targets. We have previously shown the high anti-proliferative activity of this complex against human colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and lower cytotoxicity in neonatal non-tumor fibroblasts. MG85 induces tumor cell apoptosis and down-regulation of proteins related to tubulin dynamics (TCTP and COF1). Further characterization included the: (i) evaluation of interference in the cell cycle progression, including the expression of critical genes; (ii) affinity to DNA and the corresponding mode of binding; (iii) genotoxic potential in cells with deficient DNA repair pathways; and (iv) in vivo tumor reduction efficiency using mouse colorectal carcinoma xenografts.

Accessing the Physical State and Molecular Mobility of Naproxen Confined to Nanoporous Silica Matrixes - T. Cordeiro; A. F. M. Santos; G. Nunes; G. Cunha; J. C. Sotomayor; I. M. Fonseca; F. Danède,; C. J. Dias; M. M. Cardoso; N. T. Correia,; M. T. Viciosa; M. Dionísio (The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2016)

An affinity triggered MRI nanoprobe for pH-dependent cell labeling - Susana I C J Palma; Alexandra R. Fernandes; Roque, Ana C A (RSC Adv., 2016)
The pH-sensitive affinity pair composed by neutravidin and iminobiotin was used to develop a multilayered Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) nanoprobe responsive to the acidic pH of tumor microenvironment. The multilayer system was assembled on meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), which convey negative MRI contrast enhancement properties to the nanoprobe. The outer stealth PEG-layer is altered in acidic media due to the disruption of interactions between neutravidin–iminobiotin. As a consequence, the positively charged inner layer is exposed and enhances interactions with cells. The nanoprobe uptake by HCT116 cells cultured in vitro under acidic conditions had a 2-fold increase compared to the uptake at physiological pH. The uptake difference is particularly clear in T2-weighted MRI phantoms of cells incubated with the nanoprobes at both pH conditions. This work sets the proof-of-concept of a MNP-based MRI nanoprobe targeting acidic tumor microenvironment through the use of a specific bio-recognition interaction that is pH-sensitive. This tumor targeting strategy is potentially applicable to the generality of tumors since the typical hypoxic conditions and high glycolysis rate in cancer cells create an acidic environment common to the majority of cancer types.
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Affitins for protein purification by affinity magnetic fishing - Cláudia S M Fernandes; Raquel dos Santos; Stella Ottengy; Aline Canani Viecinski; Ghislaine Béhar; Barbara Mouratou; Frédéric Pecorari; Roque, Ana Cecília A (Journal of Chromatography A, 2016)
Currently most economical and technological bottlenecks in protein production are placed in the down-stream processes. With the aim of increasing the efficiency and reducing the associated costs, variousaffinity ligands have been developed. Affitins are small, yet robust and easy to produce, proteins derivedfrom the archaeal extremophilic “7 kDa DNA-binding” protein family. By means of combinatorial pro-tein engineering and ribosome display selection techniques, Affitins have shown to bind a diversity oftargets. In this work, two previously developed Affitins (anti-lysozyme and anti-IgG) were immobilizedonto magnetic particles to assess their potential for protein purification by magnetic fishing. The opti-mal lysozyme and human IgG binding conditions yielded 58 mg lysozyme/g support and 165 mg IgG/gsupport, respectively. The recovery of proteins was possible in high yield (≥95{%}) and with high purity,namely ≥95{%} and 81{%}, when recovering lysozyme from Escherichia coli supernatant and IgG from humanplasma, respectively. Static binding studies indicated affinity constants of 5.0 × 104M−1and 9.3 × 105M−1for the anti-lysozyme and anti-IgG magnetic supports. This work demonstrated that Affitins, which canbe virtually evolved for any protein of interest, can be coupled onto magnetic particles creating novelaffinity adsorbents for purification by magnetic fishing.
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Keywords: Affinity purification; Affitin; Antibodies; Lysozyme; Magnetic fishing; magnetic particles

Analysis of cell wall teichoic acids in Staphylococcus aureus - F. Vaz; G. Covas; M. G. Pinho; S. R. Filipe (Methods Mol. Biol, 2016)

Apresentação - Sessão participativa do recreio (8Nov) (2016)

Apresentação Mapeamento Participativo (2016)

Apresentação Mapeamento Polinização (2016)

Apresentação Mapeamento Recreio (2016)

Apresentação Mapeamento SE Culturais (2016)

Apresentação Mapeamento SE Marinhos (2016)

Beyond Visions: Survey to the High-speed Train Industry - Susana Moretto; Douglas Robinson; Schippl, Jens; António Brandão Moniz (6th Transport Research Arena, 2016)
In Europe, the technology development of high-speed trains is increasingly exposed to societal needs, driven by ICT advancements, external to traditional design. Together with the liberalisation of the rail markets and increase pressures from other transport modes leads to an unprecedented situation where planers, operators and suppliers of high-speed have to take decision in this complex and competitive environment. In such broadening of elements influencing design and, thus, product development process, from the survey here to be presented, it was not observed technology options assessment or strategic agenda setting from visions shifting in the same way. For the high-speed train industry this new trend requires going beyond the visions of the past 15 to 20 years’ practices of “sector endogenous” and structurally closed strategic methods approaches to a broader interaction with the widening of societal actors now capable of being active contributors to innovation from digitalization. This way to understand the European industry readiness for undertaking such supra systemic challenge, this paper presents the results from a survey conducted by the authors to 74 representatives of the high-speed train innovation chain regarding to which extent societal embedding is considered in the drafting of their visions and technology development projects. This work becomes even more pertinent if considered that the debate is now open in the railway industry (not exclusive to high-speed trains) as they are launching the joint initiative SHIFT2RAIL, revise ERRAC (the European Rail Research Advisory Council) mandate and enter in a new research cycle with the European research framework Horizon 2020.

Beyond Visions: Survey to the High-speed Train Industry - Susana Moretto; Douglas Robinson; Schippl, Jens; António Brandão Moniz (Transportation Research Procedia, 2016)
In Europe, the technology development of high-speed trains is increasingly exposed to societal needs, driven by ICT advancements, external to traditional design. Together with the liberalisation of the rail markets and increase pressures from other transport modes leads to an unprecedented situation where planers, operators and suppliers of high-speed have to take decision in this complex and competitive environment. In such broadening of elements influencing design and, thus, product development process, from the survey here to be presented, it was not observed technology options assessment or strategic agenda setting from visions shifting in the same way. For the high-speed train industry this new trend requires going beyond the visions of the past 15 to 20 years’ practices of “sector endogenous” and structurally closed strategic methods approaches to a broader interaction with the widening of societal actors now capable of being active contributors to innovation from digitalization. This way to understand the European industry readiness for undertaking such supra systemic challenge, this paper presents the results from a survey conducted by the authors to 74 representatives of the high-speed train innovation chain regarding to which extent societal embedding is considered in the drafting of their visions and technology development projects. This work becomes even more pertinent if considered that the debate is now open in the railway industry (not exclusive to high-speed trains) as they are launching the joint initiative SHIFT2RAIL, revise ERRAC (the European Rail Research Advisory Council) mandate and enter in a new research cycle with the European research framework Horizon 2020.

Chapter 11 - Optoelectronic Devices from Bacterial NanoCellulose - Fortunato; Gaspar, Diana,; Duarte, Candido,; Pereira; Águas, Hugo,; Vicente, António,; Dourado, Fernando,; Gama, F. M.,; Rodrigo Martins (Bacterial Nanocellulose, 2016)

Charged pullulan derivatives for the development of nanocarriers by polyelectrolyte complexation - M. Dionísio; Braz, L; Corvo, M.; Lourenço, JP; Grenha, Ana; da Costa, AM Rosa (International journal of biological macromolecules, 2016)
Pullulan, a neutral polysaccharide, was chemically modified in order to obtain two charged derivatives: reaction with SO3.DMF complex afforded a sulfate derivative (SP), while reaction with glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride gave a quaternary ammonium salt (AP). The presence of the charged groups was confirmed by FTIR. Assessment of the positions where the reaction took place was based on 1H- and 13C NMR (COSY, HSQC-TOCSY, HSQC-DEPT, and HMBC) experiments. Estimation of the degree of substitution (DS) was made from elemental analysis data, and further confirmed by NMR peak areas in the case of AP. These new derivatives showed the capability to condense with each other, forming nanoparticles with the ability to associate a model protein (BSA) and displaying adequate size for drug delivery applications, therefore making them good candidates for the production of pullulan-based nanocarriers by polyelectrolyte complexation.
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Chitosan-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for doxorubicin: optimization and modelling - Paula I P Soares; Sousa, Ana Isabel; Silva, Jorge Carvalho; Ferreira, Isabel; Novo, Carlos; Borges, João Paulo (Carbohydrate polymers, 2016)
In the present work, two drug delivery systems were produced by encapsulating doxorubicin into chitosan and O-HTCC (ammonium-quaternary derivative of chitosan) nanoparticles. The results show that doxorubicin release is independent of the molecular weight and is higher at acidic pH (4.5) than at physiological pH. NPs with an average hydrodynamic diameter bellow 200 nm are able to encapsulate up to 70% and 50% of doxorubicin in the case of chitosan and O-HTCC nanoparticles, respectively. O-HTCC nanoparticles led to a higher amount of doxorubicin released than chitosan nanoparticles, for the same experimental conditions, although the release mechanism was not altered. A burst effect occurs within the first hours of release, reaching a plateau after 24 h. Fitting mathematical models to the experimental data led to a concordant release mechanism between most samples, indicating an anomalous or mixed release, which is in agreement with the swelling behavior of chitosan described in the literature.
Keywords: Chitosan; Doxorubicin; Drug delivery; Mathematical modelling; O-HTCC

Chitosan-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for doxorubicin: Optimization and modelling - Soares, PIP; A. I. Sousa; Silva, J.C.; Ferreira, IMM; Novo, CMM; Borges, J. P. (Carbohydr Polym, 2016)
In the present work, two drug delivery systems were produced by encapsulating doxorubicin into chitosan and O-HTCC (ammonium-quaternary derivative of chitosan) nanoparticles. The results show that doxorubicin release is independent of the molecular weight and is higher at acidic pH (4.5) than at physiological pH. NPs with an average hydrodynamic diameter bellow 200 nm are able to encapsulate up to 70% and 50% of doxorubicin in the case of chitosan and O-HTCC nanoparticles, respectively. O-HTCC nanoparticles led to a higher amount of doxorubicin released than chitosan nanoparticles, for the same experimental conditions, although the release mechanism was not altered. A burst effect occurs within the first hours of release, reaching a plateau after 24 h. Fitting mathematical models to the experimental data led to a concordant release mechanism between most samples, indicating an anomalous or mixed release, which is in agreement with the swelling behavior of chitosan described in the literature.

Cobalt blue - Reproduction and characterization of blue enamel recipes from The Handmaid to the Arts by Robert Dossie - Andreia Machado; Vilarigues, Márcia (Glass Technol.: Eur. J. Glass Sci. Technol. A, 2016)

Colorimetric assessment of BCR-ABL1 transcripts in clinical samples via gold nanoprobes - Raquel Vinhas; Cláudia Correia; Patricia Ribeiro; Alexandra Lourenço; Aida Botelho de Sousa; Alexandra R. Fernandes; Pedro V. Baptista (Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2016)
Gold nanoparticles functionalized with thiolated oligonucleotides (Au-nanoprobes) have been used in a range of applications for the detection of bioanalytes of interest, from ions to proteins and DNA targets. These detection strategies are based on the unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles, in particular, the intense color that is subject to modulation by modification of the medium dieletric. Au-nanoprobes have been applied for the detection and characterization of specific DNA sequences of interest, namely pathogens and disease biomarkers. Nevertheless, despite its relevance, only a few reports exist on the detection of RNA targets. Among these strategies, the colorimetric detection of DNA has been proven to work for several different targets in controlled samples but demonstration in real clinical bioanalysis has been elusive. Here, we used a colorimetric method based on Au-nanoprobes for the direct detection of the e14a2 BCR-ABL fusion transcript in myeloid leukemia patient samples without the need for retro-transcription. Au-nanoprobes directly assessed total RNA from 38 clinical samples, and results were validated against reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The colorimetric Au-nanoprobe assay is a simple yet reliable strategy to scrutinize myeloid leukemia patients at diagnosis and evaluate progression, with obvious advantages in terms of time and cost, particularly in low- to medium-income countries where molecular screening is not routinely feasible.

Confinement of thermoresponsive microgels into fibres via colloidal electrospinning: experimental and statistical analysis - Marques, Susana; Paula I P Soares; Coro Echeverria; Godinho, Maria Helena; Borges, João Paulo (RSC Advances, 2016)
The strategy of confining stimuli-responsive microgels in electrospun fibres would allow the fabrication of polymeric networks that combine the microgels swelling ability and properties with the interest features of the electrospun fibres. Colloidal electrospinning is an emerging method in which fibres containing microgels can be produced by a single-nozzle and designed through the solution carrier materials. The incorporation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) and PNIPAAM-chitosan (PNIPAAM-CS) in poly(ethyleneoxyde) (PEO) fibres via colloidal electrospinning producing composite fibres was the main purpose of the present work{,} which was confirmed by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Dynamic light scattering was used to analyse the microgels hydrodynamic diameter ranging up to 900 nm depending on the composition and temperature of the surrounding medium. By performing a statistical analysis the relationship of the processing variables over the fibre size was evaluated following the response surface methodology (RSM). From the set of parameters aimed to minimize the fibre diameter{,} composite fibres with an average diameter of 63 nm were produced. Only the as-prepared microgels with higher monodispersity provided {"}bead-on-a-string{"} morphologies.

Contributo do mapeamento do serviço de polinização para a tomada de decisão de atores locais: o caso do Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina - João Fernandes (2016)

Current trends in molecular diagnostics of chronic myeloid leukemia - Raquel Vinhas; Cordeiro, Milton; Pedro Pedrosa; Alexandra R. Fernandes; Pedro V. Baptista (Leukemia & Lymphoma, 2016)
Nearly 1.5 million people worldwide suffer from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), characterized by the genetic translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), involving the fusion of the Abelson oncogene (ABL1) with the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene. Early onset diagnosis coupled to current therapeutics allow for a treatment success rate of 90, which has focused research on the development of novel diagnostics approaches. In this review, we present a critical perspective on current strategies for CML diagnostics, comparing to gold standard methodologies and with an eye on the future trends on nanotheranostics.

Design of optimized wave-optical spheroidal nanostructures for photonic-enhanced solar cells - M. J. Mendes; A. Araújo; A. Vicente; Águas, H.; Ferreira, I.; E. Fortunato; R. Martins (Nano Energy, 2016)
The interaction of light with wavelength-sized photonic nanostructures is highly promising for light management applied to thin-film photovoltaics. Several light trapping effects come into play in the wave optics regime of such structures that crucially depend on the parameters of the photonic and absorbing elements. Thus, multi-parameter optimizations employing exact numerical models, as performed in this work, are essential to determine the maximum photocurrent enhancement that can be produced in solar cells. Generalized spheroidal geometries and high-index dielectric materials are considered here to model the design of the optical elements providing broadband absorption enhancement in planar silicon solar cells. The physical mechanisms responsible for such enhancement are schematized in a spectral diagram, providing a deeper understanding of the advantageous characteristics of the optimized geometries. The best structures, composed of TiO2 half-spheroids patterned on the cells' top surface, yield two times higher photocurrent (up to 32.5 mA/cm2 in 1.5 µm thick silicon layer) than the same devices without photonic schemes. These results set the state-of-the-art closer to the theoretical Lambertian limit. In addition, the considered light trapping designs are not affected by the traditional compromise between absorption enhancement versus current degradation by recombination, which is a key technological advantage.

Detection of nitric oxide by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy: spin-trapping with iron-dithiocarbamates - Maia, L. B.; Moura, J. J. G. (Methods Mol Biol, 2016)

Developments in micro- and nano-defects detection using bacterial cells - Telmo G. Santos; Miranda, R.M.; M. Teresa Vieira; A. Rita Farinha; Telma J. Ferreira; Luísa Quintino; Pedro Vilaça; Carla C.C.R. de Carvalho (NDT & E International, 2016)
This paper describes improvements to the Nondestructive Testing (NDT) technique recently proposed, based on the use of bacterial cell suspensions to identify micro- and nano-surface defects. New bacterial strains were used with magnetic fields to improve bacteria mobility. Different materials and defect morphologies were tested, including nanoindentation defects, micro-powder injection moulding components and micro-laser welding. Nanoindentations with 0.6 µm depth and 5.3 µm side length were successfully detected. Bacterial cells allow identifying different topographic attributes of the surfaces, such as roughness. Cracks of about 0.5 µm wide and 10 µm depth in a reference test block Type 1 were successfully detected.

Dissolution enhancement of active pharmaceutical ingredients by therapeutic deep eutectic systems - I. M. Aroso; Silva, J.C.; F. Mano; A. S. D. Ferreira; M. Dionísio; I. Sá-Nogueira; S. Barreiros; R. L. Reis; A. Paiva; A. R. C. Duarte (European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016)

Effect of cellulose nanocrystals in a cellulosic liquid crystal behaviour under low shear (regime I): Structure and molecular dynamics - Coro Echeverria; Fernandes, Susete N.; Almeida, Pedro L; Godinho, Maria H (European Polymer Journal, 2016)
In the field of cellulosic liquid crystals, attempts to establish the relationship between structure/properties have been developed. Above a critical concentration in an aqueous solution, hydroxypropylcellulose self-assembles in order to form cholesteric liquid crystal phases (LC-HPC). In this work we aim to understand how the incorporation of a low content of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) within LC-HPC/H2O (50 wt%), could influence the behaviour of the system when subjected to low shear rates, where the cholesteric phase still persists. The analysis of the deuterium spectrum and the T2 (transversal relaxation) values confirm that the mobility of LC-HPC at low shear rates is restricted due to CNC, and consequently so is the flow of the cholesteric polydomains. These effects are more evident in the LC-HPC sample containing 2 wt% of CNC; besides needing more strain units to induce some degree of order, the achieved degree of order is recovered faster when compared to the reference sample.

Electron transfer and docking between cytochrome cd1 nitrite reductase and different redox partners - A comparative study - Pedroso, H.A.; Silveira, C. M.; Almeida, R. M.; Almeida, A.; Besson, S.; Moura, I.; Moura, J. J. G.; Almeida, M. G. (Biochim Biophys Acta, 2016)

Enabling a mobile and independent way of life for people with dementia - Needs-oriented technology development - Bettina-Johanna Krings; Nora Weinberger; Michael Decker (Ageing and technology. Perspectives from the social sciences, 2016)

Estudo de Produção de Grisalhas Históricas - Carla Machado (FCT-UNL, 2016)

First results on radiometric dating of metals by alpha spectrometry - J. Cruz; E. Figueiredo; V. Corregidor; P.I. Girginova; L.C. Alves; C. Cruz; Silva, R.J.C.; I. Liritzis (2016)

Folhetos OpenNESS (2016)

Gold Nanoparticles for Diagnostics: Advances towards Points of Care - Mílton Cordeiro; Fábio Ferreira Carlos; Pedro Pedrosa; António Lopez; Pedro Viana Baptista (Diagnostics, 2016)
The remarkable physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have prompted developments in the exploration of biomolecular interactions with AuNP-containing systems, in particular for biomedical applications in diagnostics. These systems show great promise in improving sensitivity, ease of operation and portability. Despite this endeavor, most platforms have yet to reach maturity and make their way into clinics or points of care (POC). Here, we present an overview of emerging and available molecular diagnostics using AuNPs for biomedical sensing that are currently being translated to the clinical setting.

https://vtt.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/transflexteg-large-area-transparent-thin-film-thermoelectric-devi - João, CFC; Baptista, A. C.; Ferreira, IMM; Silva, J.C.; Borges, J. P. (Fibrous and textile materials for composite applications, 2016)
Cellulose and chitin are the two most abundant natural polysaccharides. Both have a semicrystalline microfibrillar structure from which nanofibres can be extracted. These nanofibres are rod-like microcrystals that can be used as nanoscale reinforcements in composites due to their outstanding mechanical properties. This chapter starts by reviewing the sources, extraction methods and properties of cellulose and chitin nanofibres. Then, their use in the fabrication of structural and functional nanocomposites and the applications that have been investigated are reviewed. Nanocomposites are materials with internal nano-sized structures. They benefit from the properties of the nanofillers: low density, nonabrasive, nontoxic, low cost, susceptibility to chemical modifications and biodegradability. Diverse manufacturing technologies have been used to produce films, fibres, foams, sponges, aerogels, etc. Given their natural origin and high stiffness, these polymers have attracted a lot of attention not only in the biomedical and tissue engineering fields but also in areas such as pharmaceutics, cosmetics, agriculture, biosensors and water treatment.

The impact of the EU car CO2 regulation on the energy system and the role of electro-mobility to achieve transport decarbonisation - Thiel, Christian; Nijs, Wouter; Simões, Sofia; Johannes Schmidt; Arnold van Zyl; Erwin Schmid (Energy Policy Journal, 2016)

Intersecções entre os campos da Arte e da Ciência - Regina Lara Silveira Mello; Teresa Almeida (2016)

The invertebrate lysozyme effector ILYS-3 is systemically activated in response to danger signals and confers antimicrobial protection in C. elegans - M. J. Gravato-Nobre; F. Vaz; S. Filipe; R. Chalmers; J. Hodgkin (PLoS Pathogens, 2016)

Iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized with a bilayer of oleic acid for magnetic hyperthermia and MRI applications - Paula I P Soares; Laia, César; Alexandra Carvalho; Laura Pereira; Coutinho, Joana; Ferreira, Isabel; Novo, Carlos; Borges, João Paulo (Applied Surface Science, 2016)
Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4, IONPs) are promising candidates for several biomedical applications such as magnetic hyperthermia and as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, their colloidal stability in physiological conditions hinders their application requiring the use of biocompatible surfactant agents. The present investigation focuses on obtaining highly stable IONPs, stabilized by the presence of an oleic acid bilayer. Critical aspects such as oleic acid concentration and pH were optimized to ensure maximum stability. NPs composed of an iron oxide core with an average diameter of 9 nm measured using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) form agglomerates with an hydrodynamic diameter of around 170 nm when dispersed in water in the presence of an oleic acid bilayer, remaining stable (zeta potential of −120 mV). Magnetic hyperthermia and the relaxivities measurements show high efficiency at neutral pH which enables their use for both magnetic hyperthermia and MRI.

Iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized with a bilayer of oleic acid for magnetic hyperthermia and MRI applications - Soares, PIP; Laia, C. A. T.; Carvalho, A.; L. C. J. Pereira; J. T. Coutinho; Ferreira, IMM; Novo, CMM; Borges, J. P. (Appl Surf Sci, 2016)
Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4, IONPs) are promising candidates for several biomedical applications such as magnetic hyperthermia and as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, their colloidal stability in physiological conditions hinders their application requiring the use of biocompatible surfactant agents. The present investigation focuses on obtaining highly stable IONPs, stabilized by the presence of an oleic acid bilayer. Critical aspects such as oleic acid concentration and pH were optimized to ensure maximum stability. NPs composed of an iron oxide core with an average diameter of 9 nm measured using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) form agglomerates with an hydrodynamic diameter of around 170 nm when dispersed in water in the presence of an oleic acid bilayer, remaining stable (zeta potential of −120 mV). Magnetic hyperthermia and the relaxivities measurements show high efficiency at neutral pH which enables their use for both magnetic hyperthermia and MRI.

L-tryptophan and dipeptide derivatives for supercoiled plasmid DNA purification - Santos, Tiago; Carvalho, Josué; Corvo, Marta C.; Cabrita, Eurico J.; Queiroz, J. A.; C. Cruz (International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2016)
The present study focus on the preparation of chromatography supports for affinity-based chromatography of supercoiled plasmid purification. Three l-tryptophan based supports are prepared through immobilization on epoxy-activated Sepharose and characterized by HR-MAS NMR. The SPR is employed for a fast screening of l-tryptophan derivatives, as potential ligands for the biorecognition of supercoiled isoform, as well as, to establish the suitable experimental conditions for the chromatography. The results reveal that the overall affinity is high (KD = 10−9 and 10−8 M) and the conditions tested show that the use of HEPES 100 mM enables the separation and purification of supercoiled at T = 10 °C. The STD-NMR is performed to accomplish the epitope mapping of the 5′-mononucleotides bound to l-tryptophan derivatives supports. The data shows that the interactions between the three supports and the 5′-mononucleotides are mainly hydrophobic and π–π stacking. The chromatography experiments are performed with l-tryptophan support and plasmids pVAX-LacZ and pPH600. The supercoiled isoform separation is achieved at T = 10 °C by decreasing the concentration of (NH4)2SO4 from 2.7 to 0 M in HEPES for pVAX-LacZ and 2.65 M to 0 M in HEPES for pPH600. Overall, l-tryptophan derivatives can be a promising strategy to purify supercoiled for pharmaceutical applications.
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Liposomes as delivery system of a Sn(IV) compound for cancer therapy - Luisa Corvo; Ana Soraia Mendo; Sara Figueiredo; Miguel Larguinho; Rogério Gaspar; Pedro V. Baptista; Alexandra R. Fernandes (Pharmaceutical Research, 2016)
PROPOSE: Tin complexes demonstrate antiproliferative activities in some case higher than cisplatin, with IC50 at the low micromolar range. We have previously showed that the cyclic trinuclear complex of Sn(IV) bearing an aromatic oximehydroxamic acid group [nBu2Sn(L)]3 (L=N,2-dihydroxy-5-[N-hydroxyethanimidoyl]benzamide) (MG85) shows high anti-proliferative activity, induces apoptosis and oxidative stress, and causes destabilization of tubulin microtubules, particularly in colorectal carcinoma cells. Despite the great efficacy towards cancer cells, this complex still shows some cytotoxicity to healthy cells. Targeted delivery of this complex specifically towards cancer cells might foster cancer treatment. METHODS: MG85 complex was encapsulated into liposomal formulation with and without an active targeting moiety and cancer and healthy cells cytotoxicity was evaluated. RESULTS: Encapsulation of MG85 complex in targeting PEGylated liposomes enhanced colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cancer cell death when compared to free complex, whilst decreasing cytotoxicity in non-tumor cells. Labeling of liposomes with Rhodamine allowed assessing internalization in cells, which showed significant cell uptake after 6 h of incubation. Cetuximab was used as targeting moiety in the PEGylated liposomes that displayed higher internalization rate in HCT116 cells when compared with non-targeted liposomes, which seems to internalize via active binding of Cetuximab to cells. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed formulation open new avenues in the design of innovative transition metal-based vectorization systems that may be further extended to other novel metal complexes towards the improvement of their anti-cancer efficacy, which is usually hampered by solubility issues and/or toxicity to healthy tissues.

Mapping fuel poverty in Portugal - Sofia G. Simoes; Vera Gregório; Júlia Seixas (Energy Procedia, 2016)

Mimicking nature: Phosphopeptide enrichment using combinatorial libraries of affinity ligands - Batalha, Iris L; Houjiang Zhou; Kathryn Lilley; Lowe, Christopher R.; Roque, Ana C A (Journal of Chromatography A, 2016)
Phosphorylation is a reversible post-translational modification of proteins that controls a plethora of cellular processes and triggers specific physiological responses, for which there is a need to develop tools to characterize phosphorylated targets efficiently. Here, a combinatorial library of triazine-based synthetic ligands comprising 64 small molecules has been rationally designed, synthesized and screened for the enrichment of phosphorylated peptides. The lead candidate (coined A8A3), composed of histidine and phenylalanine mimetic components, showed high binding capacity and selectivity for binding mono- and multi-phosphorylated peptides at pH 3. Ligand A8A3 was coupled onto both cross-linked agarose and magnetic nanoparticles, presenting higher binding capacities (100-fold higher) when immobilized on the magnetic support. The magnetic adsorbent was further screened against a tryptic digest of two phosphorylated proteins ($α$- and $β$-caseins) and one non-phosphorylated protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA). The MALDI-TOF mass spectra of the eluted peptides allowed the identification of nine phosphopeptides, comprising both mono- and multi-phosphorylated peptides.
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Keywords: Affinity; iron oxide; Magnetic nanoparticles; Phosphopeptide enrichment; Phosphoproteomics; Synthetic ligands

A Multichannel Time-Frequency and Multi-Wavelet Toolbox for Uterine Electromyography Processing and Visualisation - Batista, A.G.; S. Najdi; D. M. Godinho; F. Serrano; Ortigueira, M.D.; Rato, R.T. (2016)

Multiheme Cytochromes - Salgueiro, , Carlos A.; Joana M Dantas (Multiheme Cytochromes, 2016)
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Natural Nanofibres for Composite Applications - João, Carlos; Baptista, Ana Catarina; Ferreira, Isabel; Silva, Jorge Carvalho; Borges, João Paulo (Fibrous and Textile Materials for Composite Applications, 2016)
Cellulose and chitin are the two most abundant natural polysaccharides. Both have a semicrystalline microfibrillar structure from which nanofibres can be extracted. These nanofibres are rod-like microcrystals that can be used as nanoscale reinforcements in composites due to their outstanding mechanical properties. This chapter starts by reviewing the sources, extraction methods and properties of cellulose and chitin nanofibres. Then, their use in the fabrication of structural and functional nanocomposites and the applications that have been investigated are reviewed. Nanocomposites are materials with internal nano-sized structures. They benefit from the properties of the nanofillers: low density, nonabrasive, nontoxic, low cost, susceptibility to chemical modifications and biodegradability. Diverse manufacturing technologies have been used to produce films, fibres, foams, sponges, aerogels, etc. Given their natural origin and high stiffness, these polymers have attracted a lot of attention not only in the biomedical and tissue engineering fields but also in areas such as pharmaceutics, cosmetics, agriculture, biosensors and water treatment.

NMR water transverse relaxation time approach to understand storage stability of fresh-cut ‘Rocha’pear - Fundo, Joana F.; Andrea Galvis-Sanchez; Madureira, Ana Raquel; Alexandra Carvalho; Feio, Gabriel; Silva, Cristina L. M.; Quintas, Mafalda A. C. (LWT-Food Science and Technology, 2016)
Fresh-cut fruit is an important segment in fruit market due to the increasing demand for healthy/convenient foods. However, processing promotes a decrease in fruits stability with faster physiological and microbiological deteriorations. Food stability is strongly attributed to its molecular dynamics and “water availability”. Understanding changes in water location/mobility is of utmost importance, since water dynamics profoundly influences physic-chemical and microbiological quality of foods. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is a methodology used to study the food constituents' molecular dynamics. The aim of this study is to use NMR to evaluate changes in water mobility that occurred in fresh-cut pear tissues during storage, by measuring the transverse relaxation time (T2) parameter. Results showed the existence of three water classes in the cells after processing, with T2 values of 10 ms, 187 ms and 3s for cellular wall, cytoplasm and vacuole, respectively. Also, the obtained results demonstrated that T2 was affected by processing and storage. Moreover, a relationship between T2, microstructure and the quality parameters was established. T2, maximum value increased with pear hardness as well as water activity. On the contrary, a decrease in total colour difference (TCD) was found with T2. Results demonstrate the usefulness of the application of NMR relaxometry in food studies.

Non-small lung cancer biomarkers and targeted therapy - two faces of the same coin fostered by Nanotechnology - Rita Mendes; Bárbara Carreira; Pedro V. Baptista; Alexandra R. Fernandes (Expert Review of Precision Medicine and Drug Development, 2016)
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world, non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most frequent subtype (85% of the cases). Within this subtype, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most frequent. New therapeutic strategies based on targeted delivery of drugs have relied on the use of biomarkers derived from the patients’ molecular profiling. Several biomarkers have been found to be useful for use as targets for precision therapy in NSCLC, such as mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor, v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog, anaplastic lymphoma kinase, mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor receptor tyrosine kinase, BRAF, c-ros oncogene 1, P53 and phosphatase with tensin homology. Current developments in Nanomedicine have allowed for multifunctional systems capable of delivering therapeutics with increased precision to the target site/tissue, while simultaneously assisting in diagnosis. Here, we review the use of biomarkers in nanotechnology translation in NSCLC management.

A novel red emitting material based on polyoxometalate@ periodic mesoporous organosilica - Granadeiro, Carlos M.; Ribeiro, Susana O.; Kaczmarek, Anna M.; Luís Cunha-Silva; Almeida, Pedro L; Gago, Sandra; Van Deun, Rik; Baltazar de Castro; Balula, Salete S. (Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2016)
The first lanthanopolyoxometalate-supported bifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica (BPMO) composite is here reported. The incorporation of decatunsgstoeuropate anions ([Eu(W5O18)2]9−) within the porous channels of an ethylene-bridged TMAPS-functionalized BPMO produced a luminescent material exhibiting a strong red emission under UV irradiation. Photoluminescence studies showed an efficient energy transfer process to the lanthanide emitting center in the material (antenna effect). A significant change in the coordination environment of Eu3+ ions was observed after its incorporation into the TMAPS-functionalized material. The possible reason for this is discussed within the paper.

Orange protein from Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20: insights into the Mo-Cu cluster protein-assisted synthesis - Carepo, M. S.; Carreira, C.; Grazina, R.; M.E. Zakrzewska; Dolla, A.; Aubert, C.; Pauleta, S. R.; Moura, J. J. G.; Moura, I. (J Biol Inorg Chem, 2016)

A pan-cancer analysis of MYC-PVT1 reveals CNV-unmediated deregulation and poor prognosis in renal carcinoma - Posa, Ioana; Carvalho, Silvia; Tavares, Joana; Ana Rita Grosso (Oncotarget, 2016)
The PVT1 lncRNA has recently been involved in tumorigenesis by affecting the protein stability of the MYC proto-oncogene. Both MYC and PVT1 reside in a well-known cancer-risk locus and enhanced levels of their products have been reported in different human cancers. Nonetheless, the extension and relevance of the MYC-PVT1 deregulation in tumorigenesis has not yet been systematically addressed.Here we performed a pan-cancer analysis of matched copy number, transcriptomic, methylation, proteomic and clinicopathological profiles for almost 7000 patients from 17 different cancers represented in the TCGA cohorts. Among all cancers types, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) showed the strongest upregulation of PVT1 and increased levels of both MYC and PVT1 correlated with the clinical outcome. PVT1 misregulation in KIRC is mostly associated to promoter hypomethylation rather than locus amplification. Furthermore, we found an association between MYC levels and PVT1 expression, which impacted on MYC-target genes.Collectively, our study discloses the role of PVT1 as a novel prognostic factor and as a molecular target for novel therapeutic interventions in renal carcinoma.
Keywords: 2015 accepted; 2016; 2016 published; april 28; kirc; may 19; myc; november 17; pan-cancer; pvt1; received

The past and the present: Commercial grisailles from Debitus - Carla Machado; Andreia Machado; Luis C. Alves; Vilarigues, Márcia (Proceedings of the 5th International Conference Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage – YOCOCU, 2016)

Peptide coated gold nanoparticles for in vivo targeting of angiogenesis - Roma-Rodrigues, C.; A. Heuer-Jungemann; Fernandes, A. R.; A. G. Kanaras; P.V. Baptista (International J. Nanomedicine, 2016)
In this work, peptides designed to selectively interact with cellular receptors involved in the regulation of angiogenesis were anchored to oligo-ethylene glycol-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and used to evaluate the modulation of vascular development using an ex ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. These nanoparticles alter the balance between naturally secreted pro- and antiangiogenic factors, under various biological conditions, without causing toxicity. Exposure of chorioallantoic membranes to AuNP–peptide activators of angiogenesis accelerated the formation of new arterioles when compared to scrambled peptide-coated nanoparticles. On the other hand, antiangiogenic AuNP–peptide conjugates were able to selectively inhibit angiogenesis in vivo. We demonstrated that AuNP vectorization is crucial for enhancing the effect of active peptides. Our data showed for the first time the effective control of activation or inhibition of blood vessel formation in chick embryo via AuNP-based formulations suitable for the selective modulation of angiogenesis, which is of paramount importance in applications where promotion of vascular growth is desirable (eg, wound healing) or ought to be contravened, as in cancer development.

Petasis-Ugi ligands: New affinity tools for the enrichment of phosphorylated peptides - Batalha, Íris L.; Roque, Ana C A (Journal of Chromatography B: Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences, 2016)
Affinity chromatography is a widespread technique for the enrichment and isolation of biologics, which relies on the selective and reversible interaction between affinity ligands and target molecules. Small synthetic affinity ligands are valuable alternatives due to their robustness, low cost and fast ligand development. This work reports, for the first time, the use of a sequential Petasis-Ugi multicomponent reaction to generate rationally designed solid-phase combinatorial libraries of small synthetic ligands, which can be screened for the selection of new affinity adsorbents towards biological targets. As a proof of concept, the Petasis-Ugi reaction was here employed in the discovery of affinity ligands suitable for phosphopeptide enrichment. A combinatorial library of 84 ligands was designed, synthesized on a chromatographic solid support and screened in situ for the specific binding of phosphopeptides binding human BRCA1C-terminal domains. The success of the reaction on the chromatographic matrix was confirmed by both inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Three lead ligands were identified due to their superior performance in terms of binding capacity and selectivity towards the phosphorylated moiety on peptides, which showed the feasibility of the Petasis-Ugi reaction for affinity ligand development.
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Keywords: Affinity chromatography; Petasis; Phosphopeptide enrichment; Ugi

Phosphopeptide Enrichment Using Various Magnetic Nanocomposites: An Overview - Batalha, Íris L.; Roque, Ana Cecília A (Phospho-Proteomics, 2016)
Magnetic nanocomposites are hybrid structures consisting of an iron oxide (Fe3O4 /$γ$-Fe2O3 ) superparamagnetic core and a coating shell which presents affi nity for a specifi c target molecule. Within the scope of phosphopeptide enrichment, the magnetic core is usually fi rst functionalized with an intermediate layer of silica or carbon to improve dispersibility and increase specifi c area, and then with an outer layer of a phosphate-affi nity material. Fe3O4 -coating materials include metal oxides, rare earth metal-based compounds, immobilized-metal ions, polymers, and many others. This chapter provides a generic overview of the different materials that can be found in literature and their advantages and drawbacks.
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Keywords: Affinity; Hybrid materials; Magnetic nanocomposites; Phosphopeptide enrichment

Photoluminescent Nanocrystals in a Multicomponent Aluminoborosilicate Glass - Ruivo, A.; Andrade, S.; Ferro, M.; Rocha, J.; C. Laia; Pina, F (Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2016)

Predicting Protein-Protein Interactions Using BiGGER: Case Studies - Almeida, R. M.; Dell'Acqua, S.; Krippahl, L.; Moura, J. J. G.; Pauleta, S. R. (Molecules, 2016)

Properties and thermal behavior of natural deep eutectic solvents - R. Craveiro; I. Aroso; V. Flammia; T. Carvalho; M. T. Viciosa; M. Dionísio; S. Barreiros; R. L. Reis; A. R. C. Duarte; A. Paiva (Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2016)

Própolis - o desafio da normalização - XIIEQA (2016)

Proteins dominate in the surface layers formed on materials exposed to extracellular polymeric substances from bacterial cultures - Yang, Y.; Wikieł, A.J.; Dall'agnol, L.T.; Eloy, P.; Genet, M.J.; Moura, J. J. G.; Sand, W.; Dupont-Gillain, C.C.; Rouxhet, P.G. (Biofouling, 2016)

Reduction of carbon dioxide by a molybdenum-containing formate dehydrogenase: a kinetic and mechanistic study - Maia, L. B.; Fonseca, L.; Moura, I.; Moura, J. J. G. (J Am Chem Soc, 2016)

Retroviral particles are effectively purified on an affinity matrix containing peptides selected by phage-display - Cláudia S M Fernandes; Barbosa, Inês; Rute Castro; Pina, Ana Sofia; Ana Sofia Coroadinha; Barbas, Ana; Roque, Ana C A (Biotechnology Journal, 2016)
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Keywords: Affinity Ligands; Peptides; Phage display; Virus-like particles; VLP purification

Robots Working with Humans or Humans Working with Robots? Searching for Social Dimensions in New Human-Robot Interaction in Industry - António Brandão Moniz; Bettina-Johanna Krings (Societies, 2016)
The focus of the following article is on the use of new robotic systems in the manufacturing industry with respect to the social dimension. Since “intuitive” human–machine interaction (HMI) in robotic systems becomes a significant objective of technical progress, new models of work organization are needed. This hypothesis will be investigated through the following two aims: The first aim is to identify relevant research questions related to the potential use of robotic systems in different systems of work organization at the manufacturing shop-floor level. The second aim is to discuss the conceptualization of (old) organizational problems of human–robot interaction (HRI). In this context, the article reflects on the limits of cognitive and perceptual workload for robot operators in complex working systems. This will be particularly relevant whenever more robots with different “roles” are to be increasingly used in the manufacturing industry. The integration of such complex socio-technical systems needs further empirical and conceptual research with regard to “social” aspects of the technical dimension. Future research should, therefore, also integrate economic and societal issues to understand the full dimensions of new human–robot interaction in industry today.

Robots Working with Humans or Humans Working with Robots? Searching for Social Dimensions in New Human-Robot Interaction in Industry - Moniz, António B.; Krings, Bettina (Societies, 2016)

Sandwich-Type Enzymatic Fuel Cell Based on a New Electro-Conductive Material - Ion Jelly - Carvalho, R.; Almeida, R; Moura, J. J. G.; Lourenço, N.; Fonseca, L.; Cordas, C. M. (Chemistry Select, 2016)

Scientific knowledge and the transgression of boundaries - Bettina-Johanna Krings; Hannot Rodriguez; Anna Schleisiek (Springer VS, 2016)
The aim of this book is to understand and critically appraise science-based transgression dynamics in their whole complexity. It includes contributions from experts with different disciplinary backgrounds, such as philosophy, history and sociology. Thus, it is in itself an example of boundary transgession. Scientific disciplines and their objects have tended to be seen as permanent and distinct. However, science is better conceived as an activity that constantly surpasses, erases and rebuilds all kinds of boundaries, either disciplinary, socio-ethical or ecological. This transgressive capacity, a characteristic trait of science and its applications, defines us as "knowledge societies." However, scientific and technological developments are also sources of serious environmental and social concerns.

Sialic acid removal from dendritic cells improves antigen cross-presentation and boosts anti-tumor immune responses - Mariana Silva; Zélia Silva; Graça Marques; Tiago Ferro; Márcia Gonçalves; Mauro Monteiro; Sandra J. van Vliet; Elodie Mohr; Andreia C. Lino; Alexandra R. Fernandes; Flávia A. Lima; Yvette van Kooyk; et al. (Oncotarget, 2016)
Dendritic cells (DCs) hold promise for anti-cancer immunotherapy. However, clinically, their efficiency is limited and novel strategies to improve DC-mediated anti-tumor responses are needed. Human DCs display high content of sialic acids, which inhibits their maturation and co-stimulation capacity. Here, we aimed to understand whether exogenous desialylation of DCs improves their anti-tumor immunity. Compared to fully sialylated DCs, desialylated human DCs loaded with tumor-antigens showed enhanced ability to induce autologous T cells to proliferate, to secrete Th1 cytokines, and to specifically induce tumor cell apoptosis. Desialylated DCs showed an increased expression of MHC-I and -II, co-stimulatory molecules and an augmented secretion of IL-12. Desialylated HLA-A*02:01 DCs pulsed with gp100 peptides displayed enhanced peptide presentation through MHC-I, resulting in higher activation ofgp100280–288 specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Desialylated murine DCs also exhibited increased MHC and co-stimulatory molecules and higher antigen cross-presentation via MHC-I. These DCs showed higher ability to activate antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and to specifically induce tumor cell apoptosis. Collectively, our data demonstrates that desialylation improves DCs’ ability to elicit T cell-mediated anti-tumor activity, due to increased MHC-I expression and higher antigen presentation via MHC-I. Sialidase treatment of DCs may represent a technology to improve the efficacy of antigen loaded-DC-based vaccines for anti-cancer immunotherapy.

A simple sol-gel route to the construction of hydroxyapatite inverted colloidal crystals for bone tissue engineering - João, Carlos; Almeida, Rute; Silva, Jorge Carvalho; Borges, João Paulo (Materials Letters, 2016)
Hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds with uniform pore size and interconnected pore network were constructed based on the inverted colloidal crystal (ICC) geometry and a simple sol-gel formulation. Monodisperse polystyrene microspheres were self-assembled and annealed into a hexagonal close packed structure. HAp sol-gel was infiltrated in this template followed by thermal treatment for simultaneous HAp matrix sintering and polymeric colloidal crystal calcination. The resultant ICC scaffolds exhibit an ordered architecture that was able to offer a favorable environment for human osteoblasts adhesion and proliferation, an essential feature for bone ingrowth in tissue engineering applications.

The small iron-sulfur protein from the ORP operon binds a [2Fe-2S] cluster - B.K. Maiti; Moura, I.; Moura, J. J. G.; Pauleta, S. R. (Biochim Biophys Acta, 2016)

Small synthetic ligands for the enrichment of viral particles pseudotyped with amphotropic murine leukemia virus envelope - Cláudia S M Fernandes; Rute Castro; Ana Sofia Coroadinha; Roque, Ana C A (Journal of Chromatography A, 2016)
Retroviral vectors gained popularity toward other viral vectors as they integrate their genome into hosts' genome, a characteristic required for the modification of stem cells. However, the production of viable particles for gene therapy is hampered by the low ratio of infectious to non-infectious viral particles after purification, low titers and limited number of competent viral receptors. We have developed de novo two fully synthetic triazine-based ligands that can selectively bind retroviral particles pseudotyped with amphotropic murine leukemia virus envelope (AMPHO4070A). A 78-membered library of triazine-based ligands was designed in silico and was virtually screened against the modeled structure of the AMPHO4070A protein. Ligands displaying the highest energy of binding were synthesized on cross-linked agarose and experimentally tested. Adsorbents containing ligands A5A10 and A10A11 showed selectivity toward viral particles containing the target protein (VLP-AMPHO), binding 19 ± 5 $μ$g/g support and 47 ± 13 $μ$g/g support, respectively. The elution conditions for both ligands were mild and with high recovery yields (80-100{%}), in comparison with common purification practices. These results were based on a lab-scale experimental setting with VLP integrity being confirmed through TEM. In particular, the elution buffer containing 12 mM imidazole allowed the recovery of intact amphotropic viral particles.
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Keywords: Purification; Triazine scaffold; Viral particles; virtual screening

Special issue on robots and the work environment - António Brandão Moniz; Bettina-Johanna Krings (Societies, 2016)

Strategien der Individualisierung. Neue Konzepte und Befunde zur soziologischen Individualisierungsthese - Bettina-Johanna Krings (transcript, 2016)
Der Begriff der Individualisierung trägt in der Regel negative Konnotationen: sei es im Hinblick auf eine zunehmende Vereinzelung und Vereinsamung von Individuen oder hinsichtlich der Zunahme egoistisch anmutender Handlungen von Menschen, die das Gemeinwohl aus dem Blick verlieren. Prozesse der Individualisierung werden daher häufig als Bedrohung für die Konstituierung moderner Gesellschaften diskutiert. Diese Studie hingegen präsentiert eine neue Lesart der Individualisierung. Orientiert an Niklas Luhmanns Arbeiten und gestützt auf Ergebnisse einer empirischen Studie legt Bettina-Johanna Krings eine soziologische Betrachtung vor, die die Aufforderung zur Individualisierung als eine notwendige Herausforderung in modernen Gesellschaften interpretiert.

Synthesis of WO3 nanoparticles for biosensing applications - L. Santos; Silveira, C. M.; E. Elangovan; Neto, J. P.; Nunes, D.; L. Pereira; R. Martins; Viegas, J.; Moura, J. J. G.; Todorovic, S.; Almeida, M. G.; Fortunato, E. M. (Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2016)

Synthesis, Characterization, Thermal Properties and Antiproliferative Potential of Copper(II) 4′-phenyl-terpyridine Compounds - Zhen Ma; Bian Zhang; M. Fátima C. Guedes da Silva; Ana Soraia Mendo; Joana Silva; Pedro V. Baptista; Alexandra R. Fernandes; Armando J. L. Pombeiro (Dalton Transations, 2016)
Reactions between 4′-phenyl-terpyridine (L) and several Cu(II) salts (p-toluenesulfonate, benzoate and o-, m- or p-hydroxybenzoate) led to the formation of [Cu(p-SO3C6H4CH3)L(H2O)2](p-SO3C6H4CH3) (1), [Cu(OCOPh)2L] (2), [Cu(o-OCOC6H4OH)2L] (3), [Cu(m-OCOC6H4OH)2L]·MeOH (4·MeOH) and [Cu(p-OCOC6H4OH)2L]·2H2O (5·2H2O), which were characterized by elemental and TG-DTA analyses, ESI-MS, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as by conductivimetry. In all structures the Cu atoms present N3O3 octahedral coordination geometries, which, in 2–5, are highly distorted as a result of the chelating-bidentate mode of one of the carboxylate ligands. Intermolecular π⋯π stacking interactions could also be found in 2–5 (in the 3.569–3.651 Å range and involving solely the pyridyl rings). Medium–strong hydrogen bond interactions lead to infinite 1D chains (in 1 and 4) and to an infinite 2D network (in 5). Compounds 1 and 4 show high in vitro cytotoxicity towards HCT116 colorectal carcinoma and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. The antiproliferative potential of compound 1 is due to an increase of the apoptotic process that was confirmed by Hoechst staining, flow cytometry and RT-qPCR. All compounds able to non-covalently intercalate the DNA helix and induce in vitro pDNA double-strand breaks in the absence of H2O2. Concerning compound 1, the hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen do not appear to be involved in the pDNA cleavage process and the fact that this cleavage also occurs in the absence of molecular oxygen points to a hydrolytic mechanism of cleavage.

TCR signal strength controls thymic differentiation of discrete proinflammatory γδT cell subsets - Muñoz-ruiz, Miguel; Ribot, Julie C; Grosso, Ana R; Gonçalves-sousa, Natacha; Pamplona, Ana; Pennington, Daniel J; Regueiro, José R; Fernández-malavé, Edgar; Silva-santos, Bruno (Nature immunology, 2016)
The mouse thymus produces discrete γδ T cell subsets that make either interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or interleukin 17 (IL-17), but the role of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) in this developmental process remains controversial. Here we show that Cd3g(+/-) Cd3d(+/-) (CD3 double-haploinsufficient (CD3DH)) mice have reduced TCR expression and signaling strength on γδ T cells. CD3DH mice had normal numbers and phenotypes of αβ thymocyte subsets, but impaired differentiation of fetal Vγ6(+) (but not Vγ4(+)) IL-17-producing γδ T cells and a marked depletion of IFN-γ-producing CD122(+) NK1.1(+) γδ T cells throughout ontogeny. Adult CD3DH mice showed reduced peripheral IFN-γ(+) γδ T cells and were resistant to experimental cerebral malaria. Thus, TCR signal strength within specific thymic developmental windows is a major determinant of the generation of proinflammatory γδ T cell subsets and their impact on pathophysiology.

Technology and the creative disruption of health care - Maia, Maria João (Technikfolgenabschätzung - Theorie und Praxis, 2016)

Technology Assessment in Japan and Europe - Moniz, António B.; Kumi Okuwada (KIT Scientific Publishing, 2016)
The goal of technology assessment (TA) is to lend support to society and policy making by promoting understanding of the problems related to the grand sociotechnical challenges of our time, as well as to assess the available options for managing them. Researchers from Japan and Europe reflected together in this book on country-specific developments to identify the conditions that must be present to anchor TA in science, politics, and society. This book helps us to learn about different cultures.

Technology Assessment in Japan and Europe - António Brandão Moniz; Kumi Okuwada (KIT Scientific Publishing, 2016)
The goal of technology assessment (TA) is to lend support to society and policy making by promoting understanding of the problems related to the grand sociotechnical challenges of our time, as well as to assess the available options for managing them. Researchers from Japan and Europe reflected together in this book on country-specific developments to identify the conditions that must be present to anchor TA in science, politics, and society. This book helps us to learn about different cultures.

Technology Assessment in Non-PTA Countries: An Overview of Recent Developments in Europe - Nuno Filipe França Gouveia Boavida; António Brandão Moniz (Technology Assessment in Japan and Europe, 2016)

Technology Assessment in Non-PTA Countries: An Overview of Recent Developments in Europe - Nuno Boavida; António Brandão Moniz (Technology Assessment in Japan and Europe, 2016)

Thermal and magnetic properties of chitosan-iron oxide nanoparticles - Paula I P Soares; Diana Machado; Laia, César; Laura Pereira; Coutinho, Joana; Ferreira, Isabel; Novo, Carlos; Borges, João Paulo (Carbohydrate polymers, 2016)
Chitosan is a biopolymer widely used for biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Chitosan can be used as coating for other types of materials such as iron oxide nanoparticles, improving its biocompatibility while extending its range of applications. In this work iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) produced by chemical precipitation and thermal decomposition and coated with chitosan with different molecular weights were studied. Basic characterization on bare and chitosan-Fe3O4 NPs was performed demonstrating that chitosan does not affect the crystallinity, chemical composition, and superparamagnetic properties of the Fe3O4 NPs, and also the incorporation of Fe3O4 NPs into chitosan nanoparticles increases the later hydrodynamic diameter without compromising its physical and chemical properties. The nano-composite was tested for magnetic hyperthermia by applying an alternating current magnetic field to the samples demonstrating that the heating ability of the Fe3O4 NPs was not significantly affected by chitosan.
Keywords: Chitosan; Iron oxide nanoparticles; Magnetic hyperthermia; Magnetite

Thermal and magnetic properties of chitosan-iron oxide nanoparticles - Soares, PIP; D. Machado; C. Laia; L. C. J. Pereira; J. T. Coutinho; Ferreira, IMM; Novo, CMM; Borges, J. P. (Carbohydr Polym, 2016)
Chitosan is a biopolymer widely used for biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Chitosan can be used as coating for other types of materials such as iron oxide nanoparticles, improving its biocompatibility while extending its range of applications. In this work iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) produced by chemical precipitation and thermal decomposition and coated with chitosan with different molecular weights were studied. Basic characterization on bare and chitosan-Fe3O4 NPs was performed demonstrating that chitosan does not affect the crystallinity, chemical composition, and superparamagnetic properties of the Fe3O4 NPs, and also the incorporation of Fe3O4 NPs into chitosan nanoparticles increases the later hydrodynamic diameter without compromising its physical and chemical properties. The nano-composite was tested for magnetic hyperthermia by applying an alternating current magnetic field to the samples demonstrating that the heating ability of the Fe3O4 NPs was not significantly affected by chitosan.

Towards the development of multifunctional chitosan-based iron oxide nanoparticles: Optimization and modelling of doxorubicin release - Paula I P Soares; Sousa, Ana Isabel; Ferreira, Isabel; Novo, Carlos; Borges, João Borges (Carbohydrate Polymers, 2016)
In the present work composite nanoparticles with a magnetic core and a chitosan-based shell were produced as drug delivery systems for doxorubicin (DOX). The results show that composite nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic diameter within the nanometric range are able to encapsulate more DOX than polymeric nanoparticles alone corresponding also to a higher drug release. Moreover the synthesis method of the iron oxide nanoparticles influences the total amount of DOX released and a high content of iron oxide nanoparticles inhibits DOX release. The modelling of the experimental results revealed a release mechanism dominated by Fickian diffusion.

Towards the development of multifunctional chitosan-based iron oxide nanoparticles: Optimization and modelling of doxorubicin release - Soares, PIP; A. I. Sousa; Ferreira, IMM; Novo, CMM; Borges, J. P. (Carbohydr Polym, 2016)
In the present work composite nanoparticles with a magnetic core and a chitosan-based shell were produced as drug delivery systems for doxorubicin (DOX). The results show that composite nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic diameter within the nanometric range are able to encapsulate more DOX than polymeric nanoparticles alone corresponding also to a higher drug release. Moreover the synthesis method of the iron oxide nanoparticles influences the total amount of DOX released and a high content of iron oxide nanoparticles inhibits DOX release. The modelling of the experimental results revealed a release mechanism dominated by Fickian diffusion.

Transcriptome profiling of two Iberian freshwater fish exposed to thermal stress - Jesus, Tiago Filipe; Ana Rita Grosso; Almeida-Val, Vera Maria Fonseca; Coelho, Maria Manuela (Journal of Thermal Biology, 2016)
The congeneric freshwater fish Squalius carolitertii and S. torgalensis inhabit different Iberian regions with distinct climates; Atlantic in the North and Mediterranean in the South, respectively. While northern regions present mild temperatures, fish in southern regions often experience harsh temperatures and droughts. Previous work with two hsp70 genes suggested that S. torgalensis is better adapted to harsher thermal conditions than S. carolitertii as a result of the different environmental conditions. We present a transcriptomic characterisation of these species' thermal stress responses. Through differential gene expression analysis of the recently available transcriptomes of these two endemic fish species, comprising 12 RNA-seq libraries from three tissues (skeletal muscle, liver and fins) of fish exposed to control (18 °C) and test (30 °C) conditions, we intend to lay the foundations for further studies on the effects of temperature given predicted climate changes. Results showed that S. carolitertii had more upregulated genes, many of which are involved in transcription regulation, whereas S. torgalensis had more downregulated genes, particularly those responsible for cell division and growth. However, both species displayed increased gene expression of many hsps genes, suggesting that they are able to deal with protein damage caused by heat, though with a greater response in S. torgalensis. Together, our results suggest that S. torgalensis may have an energy saving strategy during short periods of high temperatures, re-allocating resources from growth to stress response mechanisms. In contrast, S. carolitertii regulates its metabolism by increasing the expression of genes involved in transcription and promoting the stress response, probably to maintain homoeostasis. Additionally, we indicate a set of potential target genes for further studies that may be particularly suited to monitoring the responses of Cyprinidae to changing temperatures, particularly for species living in similar conditions in the Mediterranean Peninsulas.
Keywords: Cyprinidae; Gene Expression; RNA-seq; Squalius; Temperature

Tryptophan tags and de novo designed complementary affinity ligands for the expression and purification of recombinant proteins - Pina, Ana Sofia; Carvalho, Sara; Dias, Ana Margarida G.C.; Guilherme, Márcia; Pereira, Alice S.; Caraça, Luciana T.; Ana Sofia Coroadinha; Lowe, Christopher R.; Roque, Ana Cecília A (Journal of Chromatography A, 2016)
A common strategy for the production and purification of recombinant proteins is to fuse a tag to the protein terminal residues and employ a “tag-specific” ligand for fusion protein capture and purification. In this work, we explored the effect of two tryptophan-based tags, NWNWNW and WFWFWF, on the expression and purification of Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) used as a model fusion protein. The titers obtained with the expression of these fusion proteins in soluble form were 0.11 mg ml−1 and 0.48 mg ml−1 for WFWFWF and NWNWNW, respectively. A combinatorial library comprising 64 ligands based on the Ugi reaction was prepared and screened for binding GFP-tagged and non-tagged proteins. Complementary ligands A2C2 and A3C1 were selected for the effective capture of NWNWNW and WFWFWF tagged proteins, respectively, in soluble forms. These affinity pairs displayed 106 M−1 affinity constants and Qmax values of 19.11 ± 2.60 ug g−1 and 79.39 ug g−1 for the systems WFWFWF AND NWNWNW, respectively. GFP fused to the WFWFWF affinity tag was also produced as inclusion bodies, and a refolding-on column strategy was explored using the ligand A4C8, selected from the combinatorial library of ligands but in presence of denaturant agents.
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Keywords: Affinity chromatography; Affinity ligand; Affinity tag; Combinatorial Chemistry; Green fluorescen t protein; Recombinant Proteins; Ugi reaction

Unraveling electricity consumption profiles in households through clusters: Combining smart meters and door-to-door surveys - Gouveia, João Pedro; Júlia Seixas (Energy and Buildings, 2016)
Improvements of energy efficiency and reduction of Electricity Consumption (EC) could be pushed by increased knowledge on consumption profiles. This paper contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the EC profiles in a Southwest European city through the combination of high-resolution data from smart meters (daily electricity consumption) with door-to-door 110-question surveys for a sample of 265 households in the city of Évora, in Portugal. This analysis allowed to define ten power consumption clusters using Ward's method hierarchical clustering, corresponding to four distinct types of annual consumption profiles: U shape (sharp and soft), W shape and Flat. U shape pattern is the most common one, covering 77% of the sampled households. The results show that three major groups of determinants characterize the electricity consumption segmentation: physical characteristics of a dwelling, especially year of construction and floor area; HVAC equipment and fireplaces ownership and use; and occupants’ profiles (mainly number and monthly income). The combination of the daily EC data with qualitative door-to-door survey-based data proved to be a powerful data nutshell to distinguish groups of power consumers, allowing to derive insights to support DSOs, ESCOs, and retailers to design measures and instruments targeted to effective energy reduction (e.g. peak shaving, energy efficiency).

Unraveling the electron transfer processes of a nanowire protein from Geobacter sulfurreducens - Alves, MN; Fernandes, A. P.; Salgueiro, C.A.; Paquete, C.M. (BBA - Bioenergetics, 2016)
The extracellular electron transfer metabolism of Geobacter sulfurreducens is sustained by several multiheme c-type cytochromes. One of these is the dodecaheme cytochrome GSU1996 that belongs to a new sub-class of c-type cytochromes. GSU1996 is composed by four similar triheme domains (A-D). The C-terminal half of the molecule encompasses the domains C and D, which are connected by a small linker and the N-terminal half of the protein contains two domains (A and B) that form one structural unit. It was proposed that this protein works as an electrically conductive device in Geobacter sulfurreducens, transferring electrons within the periplasm or to outer-membrane cytochromes. In this work, a novel strategy was applied to characterize in detail the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the hexaheme fragment CD of GSU1996. This characterization revealed the electron transfer process of GSU1996 for the first time, showing that a heme at the edge of the C-terminal of the protein is thermodynamic and kinetically competent to receive electrons from physiological redox partners. This information contributes towards understanding how this new sub-class of cytochromes functions as nanowires, and also increases the current knowledge of the extracellular electron transfer mechanisms in Geobacter sulfurreducens.

V2O5 Thin Films for Flexible and High Sensitivity Transparent Temperature Sensor - Bianchi, C.; Loureiro, J.; Duarte, P; Marques, J.; J. Figueira; I. Ropio; Ferreira, I. (Advanced Materials Technologies, 2016)
This work reports the optimization of V2O5 Seebeck coefficient to obtain high sensitivity and transparent temperature sensors. It is observed that the film thickness plays a major role on the thermoelectric properties, together with the annealing step, obtaining a Seebeck coefficient of −690 μV K−1, for 75 nm thick V2O5 films deposited on glass, after an annealing step of 1 h at 773 K, in air. The V2O5 films are also deposited and optimized on polyimide substrates, but lower annealing temperature is required, 573 K for 3 h, to maintain the flexibility of the substrate and simultaneously high Seebeck coefficient, −591 μV K−1. These films are used in a simple design sensor and tested on the surface of a microfluidic channel (500 μm) made of polydimethylsiloxane, while having hot water flowing through it. The response time is below 1 s and the recovery time around 5 s.

Valorization of fatty acids-containing wastes and byproducts into short- and medium-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates - M. V. Cruz; Freitas, F; A. Paiva; F. Mano; M. Dionísio; A. M. Ramos; Reis, M. A. (New Biotechnology, 2016)
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2015.05.005

Vanadium Pentoxide Alloyed with Graphite for Thin-Film Thermal Sensors - Bianchi, C.; Ferreira, LM; Loureiro, J.; Rodrigues, A.; Duarte, P; Baptista, A. C.; Ferreira, I. M. (J. Electron. Mater., 2016)
The thermoelectric (TE) properties of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) alloyed with graphite (G) were studied as a function of its incorporation percentage. Variable weight percentages of graphite powder (0–50%) were added to V2O5 powder and their mixtures were evaporated by a thermal evaporation technique to form thin films with a thickness in the range of 30–80 nm. In the infrared wavelength region, the transmittance of the obtained films increased as the G percentage was increased, while in the visible range, it decreased with G up to 10%. The TE properties were improved when G was in the range of 10–30%, while it decreased for the other percentages: Seebeck coefficient (S) changed from 0.6 mV/K to 0.9 mV/K and was zero with a G of 50%; the electrical conductivity varied slightly from 5 (Ωm)−1 to 0.7 (Ωm)−1 while the mobility improved from 0.07 cm2/V s to 1.5 cm2/V s and the respective carrier concentration was reduced, from 1 × 1018 cm−3 to 4 × 1016 cm−3. These films were applied as temperature sensors evaluating the thermovoltage as a function of thermal gradient between two electrodes, in which one was maintained at room temperature.

Variabilidad de la composición química y propiedades funcionales del própolis, pólen e mel (2016)

Water soluble heterometallic potassium-dioxidovanadium(V) (K+/VO3+) complexes as potential antiproliferative agents - Manas Sutradhar; Alexandra R. Fernandes; Joana Silva; Kamran T Mahmudov; M. Fátima C. Guedes da Silva; Armando J. L. Pombeiro (J Inorg Biochem, 2016)
Two water soluble heterometallic potassium–dioxidovanadium polymers, [KVO2(L1)]n (1) and [KVO2(L2)(H2O)]n (2) [H2L1= (2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)-2-hydroxybenzohydrazide and H2L2=(2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide], have been synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The antiproliferative potentials of 1 and 2 were examined towards human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), and lung (A549) and breast (MCF7) adenocarcinoma cell lines. 1 exhibits a high cytotoxic activity against colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116), with IC50 lower than those for cisplatin.

2D fluorescence spectroscopy for monitoring ion-exchange membrane based technologies – Reverse electrodialysis (RED) - Sylwin Pawlowski; Claudia F. Galinha; João G. Crespo; Velizarov, Svetlozar (Water Research, 2016)
Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is one of the emerging, membrane-based technologies for harvesting salinity gradient energy. In RED process, fouling is an undesirable operation constraint since it leads to a decrease of the obtainable net power density due to increasing stack electric resistance and pressure drop. Therefore, early fouling detection is one of the main challenges for successful RED technology implementation. In the present study, two-dimensional (2D) fluorescence spectroscopy was used, for the first time, as a tool for fouling monitoring in RED. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) of ion-exchange membrane surfaces and of natural aqueous streams were acquired during one month of a RED stack operation. Fouling evolvement on the ion-exchange membrane surfaces was successfully followed by 2D fluorescence spectroscopy and quantified using principal components analysis (PCA). Additionally, the efficiency of cleaning strategy was assessed by measuring the membrane fluorescence emission intensity before and after cleaning. The anion-exchange membrane (AEM) surface in contact with river water showed to be significantly affected due to fouling by humic compounds, which were found to cross through the membrane from the lower salinity (river water) to higher salinity (sea water) stream. The results obtained show that the combined approach of using 2D fluorescence spectroscopy and PCA has a high potential for studying fouling development and membrane cleaning efficiency in ion exchange membrane processes.
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Keywords: 2D fluorescence spectroscopy; Ion-exchange membranes; Monitoring of membrane fouling; Principal components analysis (PCA); Reverse electrodialysis (RED)

Accessing the Physical State and Molecular Mobility of Naproxen Confined to Nanoporous Silica Matrixes - Cordeiro, Teresa; Santos, Andreia F. M.; Nunes, Guilherme; Cunha, Guilherme; Sotomayor, João C.; Fonseca, Isabel M.; Florence Danède,; C. J. Dias; Cardoso, M Margarida; Natália T. Correia; M. Teresa Viciosa; Madalena Dionísio (The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2016)
The pharmaceutical drug naproxen was loaded in three different silica hosts with pore diameters of 2.4 (MCM), 3.2 (MCM), and 5.9 nm (SBA), respectively: napMCM_2.4 nm, napMCM_3.2 nm, and napSBA_5.9 nm. To access the guest physical state in the prepared composites, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used. The different techniques provided complementary information on a molecular population that was revealed to be distributed among different environments, namely the pore core, the inner pore wall, and the outer surface. It was found that naproxen is semicrystalline in the higher pore size matrix being able to crystallize inside pores; after melting it undergoes full amorphization. In the case of the lower pore size matrix, naproxen crystallizes outside pores due to an excess of filling while most of the remaining fraction is incorporated inside the pores as amorphous. Crystallinity in these two composites was observed by the emergence of the Bragg peaks in the XRD analysis, whereas for napMCM_3.2 nm only the amorphous halo was detected. The latter only exhibits the step due to the glass transition by DSC remaining stable as amorphous at least for 12 months. The glass transition in the three composites is abnormally broad, shifting to higher temperatures as the pore size decreases, coherent with the slowing down of molecular mobility as probed by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. For napSBA_5.9 nm the dielectric response was deconvoluted in two processes: a hindered surface (S-) process due to molecules interacting with the inner pore wall and a faster α-relaxation associated with the dynamic glass transition due to molecules relaxing in the pore core, which seems a manifestation of true confinement effects. The drug incorporation inside a nanoporous matrix, mainly in 3.2 nm pores, was revealed to be a suitable strategy to stabilize the highly crystallizable drug naproxen in the amorphous/supercooled state and to control its release from the silica matrix, allowing full delivery after 90 min in basic media.
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Affinity adsorbents for proline-rich peptide sequences: a new role for WW domains - Dias, A M G C; Santos, R. dos; Iranzo, O.; Roque, A. C. A. (RSC Adv., 2016)
The WW domain derived from human Yes-associated protein (hYAP65_WW) recognizes proline-rich peptides. The structural and chemical robustness of WW domains makes them appealing candidates to target and capture these peptides in affinity purification processes. In this work{,} the chemical synthesis of the hYAP65_WW domain containing a terminal cysteine for oriented coupling onto the chromatographic matrix was successfully achieved by a fragment solution condensation reaction and by incorporation of pseudoproline dipeptide units. Both strategies yielded a hYAP65_WW protein with the characteristic WW domain folding. The purified hYAP65_WW domain was immobilized in a chromatographic matrix and tested for binding to a proline-rich peptide. The adsorbent bound 92 ng of peptide per mg of support and the elution was particularly efficient when employing a low pH or an increase in salt concentration. This work sets the ground for the application of WW domains as affinity reagents towards the capture and elution of peptides and proteins rich in proline sequences.
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Biodiesel production waste as promising biomass precursor of reusable activated carbons for caffeine removal - Batista, Mary K. S.; Ana S. Mestre; Matos, Ines; Fonseca, Isabel M.; Ana P. Carvalho (RSC Adv., 2016)
Biodiesel production generates low particle size rapeseed waste (recovered from warehouse air filtration systems) that was herein explored as promising biomass precursor of chemically activated carbons. The influence of several experimental parameters on the porosity development was investigated. No benefit was observed when solution impregnation was made nor a significant dependence of the biomass : K2CO3 ratio was observed and{,} as expected{,} high porosity development was obtained only for treatments at 700 [degree]C. Microporous materials with apparent surface area around 1000 m2 g-1 were obtained comparing favorably with literature data regarding activated carbons from rapeseed processing by-products. A selected lab-made sample and two commercial carbons were tested as adsorbents of caffeine from aqueous solution. Although commercial materials present a quicker adsorption rate{,} regarding adsorption capacity the lab-made sample reaches the same value attained by a benchmark material. The regeneration tests made over the rapeseed derived carbon through heat treatments at 600 [degree]C for 1 hour under N2 flow proved that at least two exhaustion-regeneration cycles can be made since the material retains a caffeine adsorption capacity similar to that of the fresh carbon. Therefore{,} a waste management problem of biodiesel industry - rapeseed residue - can be transformed in a valuable material with promising properties for environmental remediation processes.
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Biomass derived solid acids as effective hydrolysis catalysts - Adriano do Couto Fraga; Cristina Pontes Bittencourt Quitete; Vitor Loureiro Ximenes; Eduardo Falabella Sousa-Aguiar; Fonseca, Isabel M.; Ana M.Botelho Rego (Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, 2016)
The conversion of cellulose into products with higher added value often includes a depolymerization step to obtain glucose, its fundamental unity. The depolymerization reaction is carried out via hydrolysis of the β-1,4-glycosidic bond. The search for a solid acid catalyst capable of breaking these bonds is gaining increasing prominence in the literature. In this regard, sulfonated carbons have shown promising results. This work evaluated the use of a residue from the extraction of palm oil as raw material for the production of sulfonated carbons. The raw material was carbonized and sulfonated. The obtained solid acids were tested in the hydrolysis of cellobiose, a dimer of glucose often used as a model compound for cellulose. The hydrolysis reaction is the first step in converting renewable carbon sources into chemical products and biofuels. Some aspects were investigated, as the effect of carbonization temperature on the concentration of sulfonic groups, the results showing that the content thereof reached a maximum value at 300°C. Regarding the hydrolysis of cellobiose, it has been identified that there is a relationship between the concentration of sulfonic acid groups and the activity of these catalysts. However, there is a drop in the turnover number as the amount of sulfonic acid sites increases. This was related to a preferred position sulfonation mechanism. Furthermore, sulfonated carbons showed higher activity than the commercial acid resins, indicating that this material may be a good option for the generation of solid acid catalysts.
Contributions of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis in Biorefining: Special Issue in Honor of Prof. Ulf Schuchardt
Keywords: Biomass; Hydrolysis; Oligomers; Solid acids

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) assisted analysis of profiled membranes performance in reverse electrodialysis - Sylwin Pawlowski; Vítor Geraldes; João G. Crespo; Velizarov, Svetlozar (Journal of Membrane Science, 2016)
Implementation of reverse electrodialysis (RED) is economically limited by the relatively high ion-exchange membranes price. Additionally, the shadow effect of non-conductive spacers reduces the membrane area available for counter-ion transport and increases the stack electric resistance. A promising alternative could be utilization of profiled membranes, since the reliefs formed on their surface keeps the membranes separated and provides channels for solutions flow. Herein, we have simulated, through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, fluid behavior in channels formed by various profiled membranes. The highest net power density values were obtained for corrugations shape and arrangement in a form of chevrons due to the increase of the available membrane area and an excellent balance between enhancement of mass transfer and the increase of the pressure drop in the channel. When properly designed, corrugated membranes may offer a better performance even compared to the case of conductive spacers. The proposed membrane corrugation design in not limited to the RED application, and could be also extended to other electromembrane processes, such as electrodialysis and Donnan dialysis, in which high ionic mass transport rates are desirable at as low as possible energy costs.
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Keywords: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD); Net power density; Profiled membranes; Reverse electrodialysis (RED); Salinity gradient energy

Enhanced clofibric acid removal by activated carbons: Water hardness as a key parameter - Ana S. Mestre; André Nabiço; Patrick L. Figueiredo; Moisés L. Pinto; M. Soledade C.S. Santos; Fonseca, Isabel M. (Chemical Engineering Journal, 2016)
Clofibric acid is the metabolite and active principle of blood lipid regulators, it represents the class of acidic pharmaceuticals, and is one of the most persistent drug residues detected in the aquatic environment worldwide. This interdisciplinary work evaluates the effect of solution pH and water hardness in clofibric acid adsorption onto commercial activated carbons. Kinetic and equilibrium assays revealed that the highest clofibric acid removal efficiencies (>70%) were attained at pH 3, and that at pH 8 water hardness degree plays a fundamental role in the adsorption process. In hard water at pH 8 the removal efficiency values increased by 22 or 46% points depending on the carbon sample. Adsorbents’ textural properties also affect the adsorption process since for the microporous sample (CP) the increase of water hardness has a great influence in kinetic and equilibrium data, while for the micro+mesoporous carbon (VP) the variation of the water hardness promoted less significant changes. At pH 3 the increase of water hardness leads to changes in the adsorption mechanism of clofibric acid onto CP carbon signaled by a transition from an S-type to an L-type curve. At pH 8 the change from deionized water to hard water doubles the maximum adsorption capacity of sample CP (101.7mgg−1 vs 211.9mgg−1, respectively). The adsorption enhancement, with water hardness under alkaline conditions, was reasoned in terms of calcium complexation with clofibrate anion exposed by molecular modeling and conductivity studies. Ca2+ complexation by other acidic organic compounds may also occur, and should be considered, since it can play a fundamental role in improved design of water treatment processes employing activated carbons.
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Keywords: Adsorption mechanism; Clofibric acid; Kinetic and equilibrium studies; Molecular modeling; Solution pH; water hardness

In vitro and in vivo biological characterization of the anti-proliferative potential of a cyclic trinuclear organotin(IV) complex - Marta Martins; P.V. Baptista; Mendo, Ana Soraia; Correia, C.; Paula Videira; Rodrigues, A. S.; Muthukumaran, Jayaraman; Santos-Silva, Teresa; Silva, Ana; Guedes da Silva, M. Fatima C.; Joana Gigante; Antonio Duarte; et al. (Molecular Biosystems, 2016)
Identification of novel molecules that can selectively inhibit the growth of tumor cells, avoid causing side effects to patients and/or intrinsic or acquired resistance, usually associated with common chemotherapeutic agents, is of utmost importance. Organometallic compounds have gained importance in oncologic chemotherapy, such as organotin(IV) complexes. In this study, we assessed the anti-tumor activity of the cyclic trinuclear organotin(IV) complex with an aromatic oximehydroxamic acid group [nBu(2)Sn(L)](3)(H2L = N,2-dihydroxy-5-[N-hydroxyethanimidoyl]benzamide) - MG85 - and provided further characterization of its biological targets. We have previously shown the high anti-proliferative activity of this complex against human colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and lower cytotoxicity in neonatal non-tumor fibroblasts. MG85 induces tumor cell apoptosis and down-regulation of proteins related to tubulin dynamics (TCTP and COF1). Further characterization included the: (i) evaluation of interference in the cell cycle progression, including the expression of critical genes; (ii) affinity to DNA and the corresponding mode of binding; (iii) genotoxic potential in cells with deficient DNA repair pathways; and (iv) in vivo tumor reduction efficiency using mouse colorectal carcinoma xenografts.
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Keywords: AGENTS; ANTITUMOR-ACTIVITY; BINDING; CELL-CYCLE; DERIVATIVES; DNA-DAMAGE; INDUCED ENDOREDUPLICATION; METAL-COMPLEXES; P21; PROTEIN-INTERACTION

The Kinetic Parameters Evaluation for the Adsorption Processes at ``Liquid–Solid'' Interface - Lyubchik, Svetlana; Lygina, Elena; Lyubchyk, Andriy; Lyubchik, Sergiy; Loureiro, José M.; Fonseca, Isabel M.; Ribeiro, Alexandra B.; Pinto, Margarida M.; Figueiredo, Agnes M. Sá (Electrokinetics Across Disciplines and Continents: New Strategies for Sustainable Development, 2016)
The kinetic parameters of the adsorption process at ``liquid–solid'' interface have been evaluated through the sets of time-based experiments of the Cr(III) adsorption under varying temperature, initial metal concentration, and carbon loading for two sets of the commercially available activated carbons and their post-oxidized forms with different texture and surface functionality.
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L-tryptophan and dipeptide derivatives for supercoiled plasmid DNA purification - Santos, Tiago; Carvalho, Josué; Corvo, Marta C.; Cabrita, Eurico J.; Queiroz, J. A.; C. Cruz (International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2016)
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Molecularly imprinted polymer strategies for removal of a genotoxic impurity, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, from an active pharmaceutical ingredient post-reaction stream - Teresa Esteves; Raquel Viveiros; João Bandarra; William Heggie; Casimiro, Teresa; Ferreira, Frederico Castelo (Separation and Purification Technology, 2016)
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Keywords: 4-Dimethylaminopyridine; Active pharmaceutical ingredient purification; Genotoxic impurity; Molecularly imprinted polymer; Mometasone furoate

Optimization of the Expression of Human Aldehyde Oxidase for Investigations of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms - Foti, Alessandro; Hartmann, Tobias; Coelho, Catarina; Santos-Silva, Teresa; Romão, Maria João; Leimkühler, Silke (Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 2016)
Aldehyde oxidase (AOX1) is an enzyme with broad substrate specificity, catalyzing the oxidation of a wide range of endogenous and exogenous aldehydes as well as N-heterocyclic aromatic compounds. In humans, the enzyme’s role in phase I drug metabolism has been established and its importance is now emerging. However, the true physiologic function of AOX1 in mammals is still unknown. Further, numerous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in human AOX1. SNPs are a major source of interindividual variability in the human population, and SNP-based amino acid exchanges in AOX1 reportedly modulate the catalytic function of the enzyme in either a positive or negative fashion. For the reliable analysis of the effect of amino acid exchanges in human proteins, the existence of reproducible expression systems for the production of active protein in ample amounts for kinetic, spectroscopic, and crystallographic studies is required. In our study we report an optimized expression system for hAOX1 in Escherichia coli using a codon-optimized construct. The codon-optimization resulted in an up to 15-fold increase of protein production and a simplified purification procedure. The optimized expression system was used to study three SNPs that result in amino acid changes C44W, G1269R, and S1271L. In addition, the crystal structure of the S1271L SNP was solved. We demonstrate that the recombinant enzyme can be used for future studies to exploit the role of AOX in drug metabolism, and for the identification and synthesis of new drugs targeting AOX when combined with crystallographic and modeling studies.
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Peptide-coated gold nanoparticles for modulation of angiogenesis in vivo - Catarina Roma-Rodrigues; Amelie Heuer-Jungemann; Fernandes, Maria Alexandra Núncio de Carvalho Ramos; Kanaras, Antonios G.; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana (International journal of nanomedicine, 2016)
In this work, peptides designed to selectively interact with cellular receptors involved in the regulation of angiogenesis were anchored to oligo-ethylene glycol-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and used to evaluate the modulation of vascular development using an ex ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. These nanoparticles alter the balance between naturally secreted pro- and antiangiogenic factors, under various biological conditions, without causing toxicity. Exposure of chorioallantoic membranes to AuNP-peptide activators of angiogenesis accelerated the formation of new arterioles when compared to scrambled peptide-coated nanoparticles. On the other hand, antiangiogenic AuNP-peptide conjugates were able to selectively inhibit angiogenesis in vivo. We demonstrated that AuNP vectorization is crucial for enhancing the effect of active peptides. Our data showed for the first time the effective control of activation or inhibition of blood vessel formation in chick embryo via AuNP-based formulations suitable for the selective modulation of angiogenesis, which is of paramount importance in applications where promotion of vascular growth is desirable (eg, wound healing) or ought to be contravened, as in cancer development.
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/5876/147258/PT#
Keywords: angiogenesis activators; antiangiogenic; CAM assay; CELL-PENETRATING PEPTIDES; DELIVERY; EXOCYTOSIS; Gold nanoparticles; growth; LIGAND; peptide-coated gold nanoparticles; TARGETING ANGIOGENESIS; vascular development; VITRO

Restoring medieval stained-glass transparency: use of new task specific luminescent ionic liquids for corrosion crusts removal - Delgado, Joana Maria Lopes (2016)
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Structure and function of mammalian aldehyde oxidases - Terao, Mineko; Romão, Maria João; Leimkühler, Silke; Bolis, Marco; Fratelli, Maddalena; Coelho, Catarina; Santos-Silva, Teresa; Garattini, Enrico (Archives of Toxicology, 2016)
Mammalian aldehyde oxidases (AOXs; EC1.2.3.1) are a group of conserved proteins belonging to the family of molybdo-flavoenzymes along with the structurally related xanthine dehydrogenase enzyme. AOXs are characterized by broad substrate specificity, oxidizing not only aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes into the corresponding carboxylic acids, but also hydroxylating a series of heteroaromatic rings. The number of AOX isoenzymes expressed in different vertebrate species is variable. The two extremes are represented by humans, which express a single enzyme (AOX1) in many organs and mice or rats which are characterized by tissue-specific expression of four isoforms (AOX1, AOX2, AOX3, and AOX4). In vertebrates each AOX isoenzyme is the product of a distinct gene consisting of 35 highly conserved exons. The extant species-specific complement of AOX isoenzymes is the result of a complex evolutionary process consisting of a first phase characterized by a series of asynchronous gene duplications and a second phase where the pseudogenization and gene deletion events prevail. In the last few years remarkable advances in the elucidation of the structural characteristics and the catalytic mechanisms of mammalian AOXs have been made thanks to the successful crystallization of human AOX1 and mouse AOX3. Much less is known about the physiological function and physiological substrates of human AOX1 and other mammalian AOX isoenzymes, although the importance of these proteins in xenobiotic metabolism is fairly well established and their relevance in drug development is increasing. This review article provides an overview and a discussion of the current knowledge on mammalian AOX.
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Synthesis, characterization, thermal properties and antiproliferative potential of copper(II) 4 '-phenylterpyridine compounds - Zhen Ma; Bian Zhang; Guedes da Silva, M. Fátima C.; Joana Silva; Mendo, Ana Soraia; Baptista, Pedro Viana; Fernandes, Alexandra R; Pombeiro, Armando J. L. (Dalton Transactions, 2016)
Reactions between 4'-phenyl-terpyridine (L) and several Cu(II) salts (p-toluenesulfonate, benzoate and o-, m-or p-hydroxybenzoate) led to the formation of [Cu(p-SO3C6H4CH3)L(H2O)(2)](p-SO3C6H4CH3) (1), [Cu(OCOPh)(2)L] (2), [Cu(o-OCOC6H4OH)(2)L] (3), [Cu(m-OCOC6H4OH)(2)L]center dot MeOH (4 center dot MeOH) and [Cu(pOCOC(6)H(4)OH)(2)L]center dot 2H(2)O (5 center dot 2H2O), which were characterized by elemental and TG-DTA analyses, ESI-MS, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as by conductivimetry. In all structures the Cu atoms present N3O3 octahedral coordination geometries, which, in 2-5, are highly distorted as a result of the chelating-bidentate mode of one of the carboxylate ligands. Intermolecular pi...pi stacking interactions could also be found in 2-5 (in the 3.569-3.651 angstrom range and involving solely the pyridyl rings). Mediumstrong hydrogen bond interactions lead to infinite 1D chains (in 1 and 4) and to an infinite 2D network (in 5). Compounds 1 and 4 show high in vitro cytotoxicity towards HCT116 colorectal carcinoma and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. The antiproliferative potential of compound 1 is due to an increase of the apoptotic process that was confirmed by Hoechst staining, flow cytometry and RT-qPCR. All compounds able to non-covalently intercalate the DNA helix and induce in vitro pDNA double-strand breaks in the absence of H2O2. Concerning compound 1, the hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen do not appear to be involved in the pDNA cleavage process and the fact that this cleavage also occurs in the absence of molecular oxygen points to a hydrolytic mechanism of cleavage.
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/SFRH/SFRH%2FBPD%2F24691%2F2005/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/127178/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/5876/147216/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/5876/147258/PT# Science Foundation of China (21261002)
Keywords: anticancer activity; CANCER-THERAPY; CELL-DEATH; COORDINATION CHEMISTRY; DNA-BINDING; METAL-COMPLEXES; Molecular recognition; SOLID-STATE PHOTOLUMINESCENCE; STRUCTURAL-CHARACTERIZATION; ZINC(II) 4'-PHENYL-TERPYRIDINE COMPOUNDS

Triclosan as model system for the adsorption on recycled adsorbent materials - Altynay A. Sharipova; Saule B. Aidarova; Neila E. Bekturganova; Aiym Tleuova; Matthias Schenderlein; Olena Lygina; Svitlana Lyubchik; Reinhard Miller (Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2016)
The adsorption of triclosan as model system was studied to qualify activated carbon sorbents recycled from gas masks (civilian gas mask GP5). The triclosan equilibrium concentration was measured spectrophotometrically, the morphology of the activated carbon characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the amount of the adsorbed triclosan on the activated carbon quantified by a mass balance method. Experimental isotherms were fitted by Langmuir, Freundlich and Sips adsorption models. It was obtained that the contact time is a crucial sorption parameter that provides information on the optimum adsorption efficiency. It was shown that the maximum efficiency of GP5 (88%) is obtained after 10days of adsorption at a maximal concentration of triclosan and carbon loading 1mg/l. No significant adsorption efficiency differences were measured after 5 and 10days of adsorption. The non-linear Sips isotherm, a combined Freundlich–Langmuir model, provides suitable fitting results. The observed remarkable adsorption capacity of activated carbon (GP5) towards triclosan adsorption (∼85mg/g) makes it a viable solution for wastewater treatment.
6th International Workshop on Bubble and Drop Interfaces
Keywords: activated carbons; Adsorption; Harmful disinfection by-products; Triclosan

Unveiling the Structural Basis That Regulates the Energy Transduction Properties within a Family of Triheme Cytochromes from Geobacter sulfurreducens - Joana M Dantas; Telma Simões; Leonor Morgado; Caciones, Clara; Fernandes, Ana P.; Silva, , Marta A.; Bruix, Marta; P Raj Pokkuluri; Salgueiro, , Carlos A. (The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2016)
A family of triheme cytochromes from Geobacter sulfurreducens plays an important role in extracellular electron transfer. In addition to their role in electron transfer pathways, two members of this family (PpcA and PpcD) were also found to be able to couple e–/H+ transfer through the redox Bohr effect observed in the physiological pH range, a feature not observed for cytochromes PpcB and PpcE. In attempting to understand the molecular control of the redox Bohr effect in this family of cytochromes, which is highly homologous both in amino acid sequence and structures, it was observed that residue 6 is a conserved leucine in PpcA and PpcD, whereas in the other two characterized members (PpcB and PpcE) the equivalent residue is a phenylalanine. To determine the role of this residue located close to the redox Bohr center, we replaced Leu6 in PpcA with Phe and determined the redox properties of the mutant, as well as its solution structure in the fully reduced state. In contrast with the native form, the mutant PpcAL6F is not able to couple the e–/H+ pathway. We carried out the reverse mutation in PpcB and PpcE (i.e., replacing Phe6 in these two proteins by leucine) and the mutated proteins showed an increased redox Bohr effect. The results clearly establish the role of residue 6 in the control of the redox Bohr effect in this family of cytochromes, a feature that could enable the rational design of G. sulfurreducens strains that carry mutant cytochromes with an optimal redox Bohr effect that would be suitable for various biotechnological applications.
PMID: 27603556

{Improving positive and negative bias illumination stress stability in parylene passivated IGZO transistors} - Kiazadeh, Asal; Gomes, Henrique L; Barquinha, Pedro; Martins, Jorge; Rovisco, Ana; Joana V. Pinto; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 2016)
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{InGaZnO TFT behavioral model for IC design} - Bahubalindrun, Pydi; Tavares, Vítor; Barquinha, Pedro; de Oliveira, Pedro Guedes; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing, 2016)
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Keywords: circuits; equivalent circuit approach á; modeling á a-igzo tft; neural models á; verilog-a á a-igzo tft

{InGaZnO Thin Film Transistor Based Four-Quadrant High-Gain Analog Multiplier on Glass} - Bahubalindruni, Pydi; Tavares, Vitor; Borme, Jerome; Barquinha, Pedro; Oliveira, Pedro; Elvira Fortunato; Rodrigo Martins (IEEE Electron Device Letters, 2016)
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Keywords: a-IGZO TFT; active load; analogue multipliers; capacitance 4 pF; data communication; diode-connected load; four quadrant high gain analog multiplier; Frequency response; Gain; gain 7.2 dB; gallium compounds; Gilbert cell; Glass; harmonic distortion; indium compounds; InGaZnO; Linearity; Logic gates; Multipliers; positive feedback; readout systems; signal processing building block; temperature 200 degC; thin film transistor; Thin film transistors; total harmonic distortion; voltage 15 V; zinc compounds

{Microwave Synthesized ZnO Nanorod Arrays for UV Sensors: A Seed Layer Annealing Temperature Study} - Ana Pimentel; Ferreira, Sofia; Nunes, Daniela; Calmeiro, Tomas; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (Materials, 2016)
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Keywords: Hydrothermal synthesis; microwave; spin-coating; UV sensors; ZnO nanostructures

{Stress Induced Mechano-electrical Writing-Reading of Polymer Film Powered by Contact Electrification Mechanism} - Goswami, Sumita; Nandy, Suman; Calmeiro, Tomás R; Rui Igreja; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (Scientific Reports, 2016)
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{Substrate reactivity as the origin of Fermi level pinning at the Cu2O/ALD-Al2O3 interface} - Deuermeier, Jonas; Bayer, Thorsten J M; Yanagi, Hiroshi; Kiazadeh, Asal; Rodrigo Martins; Klein, Andreas; Elvira Fortunato (MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS, 2016)
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{Transparent field-effect transistors based on AlN-gate dielectric and IGZO-channel semiconductor} - Besleaga, C; Stan, G E; Pintilie, I; P. Barquinha; E. Fortunato; R. Martins (Applied Surface Science, 2016)
The degradation of thin-film transistors (TFTs) caused by the self-heating effect constitutes a problem to be solved for the next generation of displays. Aluminum nitride (AlN) is a viable alternative for gate dielectric of TFTs due to its good thermal conductivity, matching coefficient of thermal expansion to indium–gallium–zinc-oxide, and excellent stability at high temperatures. Here, AlN thin films of different thicknesses were fabricated by a low temperature reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering process, using a low cost, metallic Al target. Their electrical properties have been thoroughly assessed. Furthermore, the 200 nm and 500 nm thick AlN layers have been integrated as gate-dielectric in transparent TFTs with indium–gallium–zinc-oxide as channel semiconductor. Our study emphasizes the potential of AlN thin films for transparent electronics, whilst the functionality of the fabricated field-effect transistors is explored and discussed.
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Keywords: Aluminum nitride; Field-effect transistors; Indium–gallium–zinc-oxide; Transparent electronics

Type-II NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from Staphylococcus aureus has two distinct binding sites and is rate limited by quinone reduction - Sena, Filipa V.; Batista, Ana P.; Catarino, Teresa; Brito, Jose A.; Archer, Margarida; Viertler, Martin; Madl, Tobias; Cabrita, Eurico J.; Pereira, Manuela M. (Molecular Microbiology, 2015)
A prerequisite for any rational drug design strategy is understanding the mode of protein-ligand interaction. This motivated us to explore protein-substrate interaction in Type-II NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-2) from Staphylococcus aureus, a worldwide problem in clinical medicine due to its multiple drug resistant forms. NDHs-2 are involved in respiratory chains and recognized as suitable targets for novel antimicrobial therapies, as these are the only enzymes with NADH:quinone oxidoreductase activity expressed in many pathogenic organisms. We obtained crystal and solution structures of NDH-2 from S. aureus, showing that it is a dimer in solution. We report fast kinetic analyses of the protein and detected a charge-transfer complex formed between NAD(+) and the reduced flavin, which is dissociated by the quinone. We observed that the quinone reduction is the rate limiting step and also the only half-reaction affected by the presence of HQNO, an inhibitor. We analyzed protein-substrate interactions by fluorescence and STD-NMR spectroscopies, which indicate that NADH and the quinone bind to different sites. In summary, our combined results show the presence of distinct binding sites for the two substrates, identified quinone reduction as the rate limiting step and indicate the establishment of a NAD(+)-protein complex, which is released by the quinone.

The Quest for Anticancer Vaccines: Deciphering the Fine-Epitope Specificity of Cancer-Related Monoclonal Antibodies by Combining Microarray Screening and Saturation Transfer Difference NMR - Helena Coelho; Matsushita, Talcahiko; Gerard Artigas; Hiroshi Hinou; Javier Canada, F.; Richard Lo-Man; Claude Leclerc; Cabrita, Eurico J.; Jesus Jimenez-Barbero; Shin-Ichiro Nishimura; Fayna Garcia-Martin; Marcelo, Filipa (Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2015)
The identification of MUC1 tumor-associated Tn antigen (alpha GalpNAc1-O-Ser/Thr) has boosted the development of anticancer vaccines. Combining microarrays and saturation transfer difference NMR, we have characterized the fine-epitope mapping of a MUC1 chemical library (naked and Tn-glycosylated) toward two families of cancer-related monoclonal antibodies (anti-MUC1 and anti-Tn mAbs). Anti-MUC1 mAbs clone VU-3C6 and VU-11E2 recognize naked MUC1-derived peptides and bind GalNAc in a peptide-sequence-dependent manner. In contrast, anti-Tn mAbs clone 8D4 and 14D6 mostly recognize the GalNAc and do not bind naked MUC1-derived peptides. These anti-Tn mAbs show a clear preference for glycopeptides containing the Tn-Ser antigen rather than the Tn-Thr analogue, stressing the role of the underlying amino acid (serine or threonine) in the binding process. The reported strategy can be employed, in general, to unveil the key minimal structural features that modulate antigen-antibody recognition, with particular relevance for the development of Tn-MUC1-based anticancer vaccines.
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{A Rational Approach to CO2 Capture by Imidazolium Ionic Liquids: Tuning CO2 Solubility by Cation Alkyl Branching} - Corvo, Marta C.; Sardinha, Joao; Casimiro, Teresa; Marin, Graciane; Seferin, Marcus; Einloft, Sandra; Menezes, Sonia C.; Dupont, Jairton; Cabrita, Eurico J. (ChemSusChem, 2015)
Branching at the alkyl side chain of the imidazolium cation in ionic liquids (ILs) was evaluated towards its effect on carbon dioxide (CO2) solubilization at 10 and 80bar (1bar=1x10(5)Pa). By combining high-pressure NMR spectroscopy measurements with molecular dynamics simulations, a full description of the molecular interactions that take place in the IL-CO2 mixtures can be obtained. The introduction of a methyl group has a significant effect on CO2 solubility in comparison with linear or fluorinated analogues. The differences in CO2 solubility arise from differences in liquid organization caused by structural changes in the cation. ILs with branched cations have similar short-range cation-anion orientations as those in ILs with linear side chains, but present differences in the long-range order. The introduction of CO2 does not cause perturbations in the former and benefits from the differences in the latter. Branching at the cation results in sponge-like ILs with enhanced capabilities for CO2 capture.
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Visions on high-speed trains: a methodological analysis - Susana Martins Moretto; António Brandão Moniz; Douglas Robinson (IET Working Papers Series, 2015)
Future Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA) has been visible in railway planning since 2001. Over a dozen reports have been produced in the past thirteen years, the majority being descriptive endogenous technocentric visions. They have played a role in the revitalization of the sector, predominantly relating to collective alignments and interdependencies in choice and form of the technological path the various stakeholders’ follow to achieve policy goals. A striking example is the case of ERRAC visions, where strategic agendas and roadmaps greatly impacted the high-speed train technology transition from the second to the third generation of vehicles. However, today’s socio-economic events have revealed the limitations of previously applied FTA fall short for railways. In particular, there is an inability to bridge technocentric visions with the societal challenges that are becoming increasingly prominent on the policy agenda. To fill this FTA-need in railways it is here proposed a role for constructive technology assessment as bridging function towards achieving success in the transition to a next generation of high-speed trains. The findings here presented result from the analysis of reports and interviews with their commissioning institutions and drafters.

A reindustrialização de Portugal num contexto de crise e hegemonia industrial dos países emergentes - Nuno Araújo (IET Working Papers Series, 2015)
This working paper aimed to understand the importance and the role of Industry for the Portuguese' economic recovery, integrated in a context of progressive deindustrialisation over the last few years, and simultaneously an impressive growth and domain over some production sectors by emergent countries, associated with the 2008 crisis. We intended to analyse this problematic in both national and European levels, bringing into context the national industry, identifying the causes for the progressive abandon of the industry and its consequences. To identify the main stakeholders and their role on the reindustrialization process. To identify policies and instruments contributing to the promotion of this reindustrialisation and main conclusions.

Characterization of antiproliferative potential and biological targets of a copper compound containing 4'-phenyl terpyridine - Mendo, Ana Soraia; Sara Figueiredo; Catarina Roma-Rodrigues; Videira, Paula A.; Zhen Ma; Diniz, Mario; Miguel Larguinho; Costa, P. M.; Lima, Joao C.; Pombeiro, Armando J. L.; Baptista, Pedro V; Fernandes, Alexandra R (JBIC Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 2015)
Several copper complexes have been assessed as anti-tumor agents against cancer cells. In this work, a copper compound [Cu(H2O){OS(CH3)(2)}L](NO3)(2) incorporating the ligand 4'-phenyl-terpyridine antiproliferative activity against human colorectal, hepatocellular carcinomas and breast adenocarcinoma cell lines was determined, demonstrating high cytotoxicity. The compound is able to induce apoptosis and a slight delay in cancer cell cycle progression, probably by its interaction with DNA and induction of double-strand pDNA cleavage, which is enhanced by oxidative mechanisms. Moreover, proteomic studies indicate that the compound induces alterations in proteins involved in cytoskeleton maintenance, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, corroborating its antiproliferative potential.
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Keywords: anticancer activity; Anticancer drug; Apoptosis; Biomedicine; BOVINE SERUM-ALBUMIN; CANCER-CELLS; CELL-CYCLE; COMET ASSAY; DNA CLEAVAGE; DNA damage; ENDOPLASMIC-RETICULUM; HEAT-SHOCK PROTEINS; LIGANDS SYNTHESIS; Nucleic acid; PROSTATE-CANCER

Gold nanoparticles for DNA/RNA-based diagnostics - Ricardo Franco; Pedro Pedrosa; Carlos, Fábio Ferreira; Bruno Veigas; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana (Handbook of Nanoparticles, 2015)
The remarkable physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have prompted development in exploring biomolecular interactions with AuNPscontaining systems, pursuing biomedical applications in diagnostics. Among these applications, AuNPs have been remarkably useful for the development of DNA/RNA detection and characterization systems for diagnostics, including systems suitable for point of need. Here, emphasis will be on available molecular detection schemes of relevant pathogens and their molecular characterization, genomic sequences associated with medical conditions (including cancer), mutation and polymorphism identification, and the quantification of gene expression.
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Keywords: Au-nanobeacons; Au-nanoprobes; LSPR; Nucleic acid; Pathogen; Point of care; SNP

Heterocyclic anticancer compounds: Recent advances and the paradigm shift towards the use of nanomedicine's tool Box - Pedro Martins; Jesus, Joao; Sofia Santos; Raposo, Luis R.; Catarina Roma-Rodrigues; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana; Fernandes, Maria Alexandra Núncio de Carvalho Ramos (Molecules, 2015)
The majority of heterocycle compounds and typically common heterocycle fragments present in most pharmaceuticals currently marketed, alongside with their intrinsic versatility and unique physicochemical properties, have poised them as true cornerstones of medicinal chemistry. Apart from the already marketed drugs, there are many other being investigated for their promising activity against several malignancies. In particular, anticancer research has been capitalizing on the intrinsic versatility and dynamic core scaffold of these compounds. Nevertheless, as for any other promising anticancer drugs, heterocyclic compounds do not come without shortcomings. In this review, we provide for a concise overview of heterocyclic active compounds and families and their main applications in medicine. We shall focus on those suitable for cancer therapy while simultaneously addressing main biochemical modes of action, biological targets, structure-activity relationships as well as intrinsic limitation issues in the use of these compounds. Finally, considering the advent of nanotechnology for effective selective targeting of drugs, we shall discuss fundamental aspects and considerations on nanovectorization of such compounds that may improve pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of heterocycles.
FCT/MEC SFRH/BD/70202/2010 # FCT/MEC PTDC/BBB-NAN/1812/2012 # FCT/MECPEst-OE/QUI/UI0100/2013# FCT/MEC UID/Multi/04378/2013 #
Keywords: Antiproliferative activity; cancer therapy; CELLULAR UPTAKE; Drug delivery; DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEMS; Gold nanoparticles; heterocyclic compounds; IN-VITRO; LIPOSOMAL DOXORUBICIN; METASTATIC BREAST-CANCER; Nanomedicine; OVARIAN-CANCER; oxygen and nitrogen-based heterocycles; THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS; TRIAZOLO-THIADIAZOLES

Nanoparticles for mass spectrometry applications - Miguel Larguinho; Capelo, José Luís; Baptista, Pedro V (Handbook of Nanoparticles, 2015)
Nanotechnology has led to the development of new and improved materials, and particular emphasis has been directed toward nanoparticles and their multiple bio-applications. Nanoparticles exhibit size-, shape-, and compositiondependent properties, e.g., surface plasmon resonance and photothermal properties, which may potentially enhance laser desorption/ionization systems for mass spectrometry-based analysis of biomolecules. Also, nanoparticles possess high surface to volume ratio that can be easily derivatized with a wide range of ligands with different functional groups. Surface modification makes nanoparticles advantageous for sample preparation procedures prior to detection by mass spectrometry. Moreover, it allows the synthesis of affinity probes, which promotes interactions between nanoparticles and analytes, greatly enhancing the ionization efficiency. This chapter provides a comprehensive discussion on the use of nanoparticles for mass spectrometry-related applications, from sample preparation methodologies to ionization surfaces. Applications will focus on nanoparticle size, composition, and functionalization, as a comparative point of view on optimal characteristics toward maximization of bioassay efficiency.
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Keywords: Affinity probes; Mass Spectrometry; nanoparticles; SALDI; surface functionalization

Ligand Binding to Chlorite Dismutase from Magnetospirillum sp - De Schutter, Amy; Correia, Hugo D.; Freire, Diana M; Rivas, María G; Rizzi, Alberto; Santos-Silva, Teresa; González, Pablo J; Van Doorslaer, Sabine (The journal of physical chemistry. B, 2015)
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Chiroptical Properties of Streptorubin B: The Synergy Between Theory and Experiment - Andrade, Marta S.; Silva, Vanessa S.; Lourenco, Ana M.; Lobo, Ana M; Rzepa, Henry S. (CHIRALITY, 2015)
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Gold nanoprobe-based non-crosslinking hybridization for molecular diagnostics - Miguel Larguinho; Rafaela Canto; Cordeiro, Milton; Pedro Pedrosa; Andreia Fortuna; Raquel Vinhas; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana (Expert Review Of Molecular Diagnostics, 2015)
Non-crosslinking (NCL) approaches using DNA-modified gold nanoparticles for molecular detection constitute powerful tools with potential implications in clinical diagnostics and tailored medicine. From detection of pathogenic agents to identification of specific point mutations associated with health conditions, these methods have shown remarkable versatility and simplicity. Herein, the NCL hybridization assay is broken down to the fundamentals behind its assembly and detection principle. Gold nanoparticle synthesis and derivatization is addressed, emphasizing optimal size homogeneity and conditions for maximum surface coverage, with direct implications in downstream detection. The detection principle is discussed and the advantages and drawbacks of different NCL approaches are discussed. Finally, NCL-based applications for molecular detection of clinically relevant loci and potential integration into more complex biosensing platforms, projecting miniaturization and portability are addressed.
Sem PDF. This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-MEC), grant numbers PTDC/BBB-NAN/1812/2012 and SFRH/BD/87836/2012 to M Cordeiro; and SFRH/BD/52211/2013 to R Vinhas. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
Keywords: biodetection; DNA; Gold nanoparticles; Molecular diagnostics; Nanodiagnostics; Nanoprobes; non-crosslinking; SNPs

Scalable approach for the production of functional DNA based gold nanoprobes - Bruno Veigas; Carla Portugal; Rita Valério; Elvira Fortunato; Crespo, João G.; Pedro Baptista (Journal of Membrane Science, 2015)
Nanoparticle based systems, in particular gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), provide for simple calorimetric detection of molecular biomarkers, such as DNA, RNA. These systems rely on the functionalization of AuNPs with ssDNA oligonucleotides requiring strenuous laboratory centrifugation steps not compatible with industrial scale up. Here, we demonstrate the potential of dia-ultrafiltration for purification of Au-nanoprobes. We show that dia-ultrafiltration can be regarded as better alternative to centrifugation, allowing for a less intensive sample manipulation, easier transposable to the industrial scale. The purification of AuNPs was performed by dia-ultrafiltration using membranes of regenerated cellulose with a nominal molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of 10 kDa and a processing strategy which combined subsequent AuNPs cleaning and concentration steps. instead of the permeation flux decline typically found in ultrafiltration processes operated under concentration modes, purification of Au-nanoprobes by dia-ultrafiltration was followed by a subtle increase of the permeation fluxes. This effect was ascribed to improved external mass transfer conditions near the membrane surface, prompted by the decrease of the overall solute concentration in the retentate over the process Lime. This strategy allowed for the total retention of the AuNPS, yielding nanoprobes capable of higher signal to noise ratios. Proof-of-concept was directed at the synthesis of Au-nanoprobes for identification of members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex that cause tuberculosis in humans. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Keywords: AUNPS; Dia-ultrafiltration; DIAFILTRATION; diagnostics; Gold nanoparticles; Membrane processes; MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS; nanoparticles; Purification; RESISTANCE; SIZE; STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS; Tuberculosis

Significance of the balance between intracellular glutathione and polyethylene glycol for successful release of small interfering RNA from gold nanoparticles - Mark McCully; Yulan Hernandez; João Conde; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana; {de la Fuente}, Jesus M.; Andrew Hursthouse; Stirling, David; Berry, Catherine C. (Nano Research, 2015)
The therapeutic promise of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for specific gene silencing is dependent on the successful delivery of functional siRNAs to the cytoplasm. Their conjugation to an established delivery platform, such as gold nanoparticles, offers tremendous potential for treating diseases and advancing our understanding of cellular processes. Their success or failure is dependent on both the uptake of the nanoparticles into the cells and subsequent intracellular release of the functional siRNA. In this study, utilizing gold nanoparticle siRNA-mediated delivery against C-MYC, we aimed to determine if we could achieve knockdown in a cancer cell line with low levels of intracellular glutathione, and determine the influence, if any, of polyethylene glycol (PEG) ligand density on knockdown, with a view to determining the optimal nanoparticle design to achieve C-MYC knockdown. We demonstrate that, regardless of the PEG density, knockdown in cells with relatively low glutathione levels can be achieved, as well as the possible effect of steric hindrance of PEG on the availability of the siRNA for cleavage in the intracellular environment. Gold nanoparticle uptake was demonstrated via transmission electron microscopy and mass spectroscopy, while knockdown was determined at the protein and physiological levels (cells in S-phase) by in-cell westerns and BrdU incorporation, respectively.
BBSRC)(BB/L008661/1 EPSRC)(EP/H006885/1 Sem PDF conforme despacho.
Keywords: DELIVERY; Density; Drug delivery; glutathione; Gold; IN-VITRO; METABOLISM; nanoparticles; PEG; POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL); Quantum dots; RESISTANCE; siRNA; SIZE; STABILITY

Field Effect Sensors for Nucleic Acid Detection: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives - Bruno Veigas; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana; Elvira Fortunato (Sensors, 2015)
In the last decade the use of field-effect-based devices has become a basic structural element in a new generation of biosensors that allow label-free DNA analysis. In particular, ion sensitive field effect transistors (FET) are the basis for the development of radical new approaches for the specific detection and characterization of DNA due to FETs' greater signal-to-noise ratio, fast measurement capabilities, and possibility to be included in portable instrumentation. Reliable molecular characterization of DNA and/or RNA is vital for disease diagnostics and to follow up alterations in gene expression profiles. FET biosensors may become a relevant tool for molecular diagnostics and at point-of-care. The development of these devices and strategies should be carefully designed, as biomolecular recognition and detection events must occur within the Debye length. This limitation is sometimes considered to be fundamental for FET devices and considerable efforts have been made to develop better architectures. Herein we review the use of field effect sensors for nucleic acid detection strategiesfrom production and functionalization to integration in molecular diagnostics platforms, with special focus on those that have made their way into the diagnostics lab.
Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT-MEC) PEst-OE/SAU/UI0009/2013-14 PTDC/BBB-NAN/1812/2012 SFRH/BD/78970/2011 UID/CTM/500025/2013 EXCL/CTM-NAN/0201/2012
Keywords: ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION; CHARGE SENSOR; CHEMICAL-VAPOR-DEPOSITION; DNA; DNA HYBRIDIZATION DETECTION; EFFECT DEVICES; EIS; ELECTROLYTE-INSULATOR-SEMICONDUCTOR; field effect; ISFET; label free; LABEL-FREE DETECTION; LAMP; OPTICAL-PROPERTIES; qRT-PCR; SILICON NANOWIRE; SiNW; TFT; THIN-FILM TRANSISTORS

Gold and Silver Nanoparticles for Diagnostics of Infection - Pedro Pedrosa; Baptista, Pedro V (Nanotechnology in Diagnosis, Treatment and Prophylaxis of Infectious Diseases, 2015)
The use of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs), particularly gold and silver, in biomolecular applications has surged, ranging from innovative strategies for molecular diagnostics to radical new ways of treatment. Taking advantage of the particular optical-chemical characteristics of these metal NPs, every year new methods of molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases are reported providing higher analytical capability, sensitivity, and throughput at lower costs and with the possibility to be used where needed. Gold and silver NPs, or a combination of both, possess amazing optical/spectral properties, such as the intense localized surface plasmon resonance that, together with the ease of surface modification and functionalization with biomolecules capable of specific molecular recognition, have provided new strategies for molecular analysis, extending the detection limit of current nucleic acid and protein-based assays.This chapter focuses on the methods used for diagnostic of infectious diseases that take advantage of noble metal NPs. It discusses their use in biomolecular recognition and their most promising approaches, and it compares their advantages and disadvantages.
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Keywords: Antibodies; Aptamers; Infection; Molecular diagnostic; nanotechnology; Noble metal nanoparticles; Nucleic acids

Gold nanoparticle-based theranostics: disease diagnostics and treatment using a single nanomaterial - Raquel Vinhas; Cordeiro, Milton; Carlos, Fábio Ferreira; Soraia Mendo; Fernandes, Alexandra R; Sara Figueiredo; Baptista, Pedro V (Nanobiosensors in Disease Diagnosis, 2015)
Nanotheranostics takes advantage of nanotechnology-based systems in order to diagnose and treat a specific disease. This approach is particularly relevant for personalized medicine, allowing the detection of a disease at an early stage, to direct a suitable therapy toward the target tissue based on the molecular profile of the altered phenotype, subsequently facilitating disease monitoring and following treatment. A tailored strategy also enables to reduce the off-target effects associated with universal treatments and improve the safety profile of a given treatment. The unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles, their ease of surface modification, and high surface-to-volume ratio have made them central players in this area. By combining imaging, targeting, and therapeutic agents in a single vehicle, these nanoconjugates are (ought to be) an important tool in the clinics. In this review, the multifunctionality of gold nanoparticles as theranostics agents will be highlighted, as well as the requirements before the translation of these nanoplatforms into routine clinical practice.
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/PEst-OE%2FSAU%2FUI0009%2F2011/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico - 2012/PTDC%2FBBB-NAN%2F1812%2F2012/PT#
Keywords: Cancer; gold nanoparticle; Nanomaterials; Nanomedicine; nanotheranostics; Theranostics

{Flexible and Transparent WO 3 Transistor with Electrical and Optical Modulation} - Barquinha, Pedro; Pereira, Sónia; Pereira, LuÍs; Wojcik, Pawel; Grey, Paul; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (Advanced Electronic Materials, 2015)
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{One-step synthesis of ZnO decorated CNT buckypaper composites and their optical and electrical properties} - Rodrigues, J.; Mata, D.; Pimentel, A.; Nunes, D.; R. Martins; E. Fortunato; Neves, A.J.; Monteiro, T.; Costa, F.M. (Materials Science and Engineering: B, 2015)
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection Using Gold Nanoprobes and Bio-Microfluidic Platform With Embedded Microlenses - Iwona Bernacka-Wojcik; Hugo Águas; Carlos, Fabio Ferreira; Paulo Lopes; Wojcik, Pawel Jerzy; Costa, Mafalda Nascimento; Bruno Veigas; Rui Igreja; Elvira Fortunato; Pedro Baptista; Rodrigo Martins (Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2015)
The use of microfluidics platforms combined with the optimal optical properties of gold nanopartides has found plenty of application in molecular biosensing. This paper describes a biotnicrofluidic platform coupled to a non-cross-linking colorimetric gold nanoprobe assay to detect a single nucleotide polymorphism associated with increased risk of obesity fat-mass and obesity-associated (FTO) rs9939609 (Carlos et al., 2014). The system enabled significant discrimination between positive and negative assays using a target DNA concentration of 5 ng/mu l below the limit of detection of the conventionally used microplate reader (i.e., 15 ng/mu l) with 10 times lower solution volume (i.e., 3 mu l.). A set of optimization of our previously reported bio-microfluidic platform (Bemacka-Wojcik et al., 2013) resulted in a 160% improvement of colorimetric analysis results. Incorporation of planar microlenses increased 6 times signal-to-loss ratio reaching the output optical fiber improving by 34% the colorimetric analysis of gold nanopartides, while the implementation of an optoelectronic acquisition system yielded increased accuracy and reduced noise. The microfluidic chip was also integrated with a miniature fiber spectrometer to analyze the assays' cobrimetric changes and also the LEDs transmission spectra when illuminating through various solutions. Furthermore, by coupling an optical micmscope to a digital camera with a long exposure time (30s), we could visualise the different scatter intensities of gold nanoparticles within channels following salt addition. These intensities correlate well to the expected difference in aggregation between FTO positive (none to small aggregates) and negative samples (large aggregates). (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Keywords: AMPLIFICATION; BIOCHIP; CHIP; DEVICES; diagnostics; DNA; fiberoptics; Gold nanoparticles; microfluidics; MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS; nanoparticles; PCR; Silver; single nucleotide polymorphism

{Operational stability of solution based zinc tin oxide/SiO2 thin film transistors under gate bias stress} - Kiazadeh, Asal; Salgueiro, Daniela; Rita Branquinho; Pinto, Joana; Gomes, Henrique L; Barquinha, Pedro; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (APL Materials, 2015)
In this study, we report solution-processed amorphous zinc tin oxide transistors exhibiting high operational stability under positive gate bias stress, translated by a recoverable threshold voltage shift of about 20{%} of total applied stress voltage. Under vacuum condition, the threshold voltage shift saturates showing that the gate-bias stress is limited by trap exhaustion or balance between trap filling and emptying mechanism. In ambient atmosphere, the threshold voltage shift no longer saturates, stability is degraded and the recovering process is impeded. We suggest that the trapping time during the stress and detrapping time in recovering are affected by oxygen adsorption/desorption processes. The time constants extracted from stretched exponential fitting curves are ≈106 s and 105 s in vacuum and air, respectively.
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{Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection Using Gold Nanoprobes and Bio-Microfluidic Platform With Embedded Micro lenses} - Iwona Bernacka-Wojcik; Hugo Aguas; Fabio Ferreira Carlos; Paulo Lopes; Pawel Jerzy Wojcik; Mafalda Nascimento Costa; Bruno Veigas; Rui Igreja; Elvira Fortunato; Pedro Viana Baptista; Rodrigo Martins (BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING, 2015)
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{Study of the optical, electrical and corrosion resistance properties of AZO layers deposited by DC pulsed magnetron sputtering} - G-Berasategui, E.; Zubizarreta, C.; Bayón, R.; Barriga, J.; R. Barros; R. Martins; E. Fortunato (Surface and Coatings Technology, 2015)
Aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) is a common material used as a front contact layer on chalcopyrite CuInGaSe2 (CIGS)-based thin-film solar cells since it combines optimum optical and electrical properties with low cost and abundant elemental availability. Low-resistivity and high-transmission front contacts are required to develop high-performance CIGS solar cells. However, the durability of the cells is highly influenced by the corrosion resistance behaviour of the AZO layers. In this work, an exhaustive study of the aluminium-doped zinc oxide layers (AZO) deposited by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering (MS) has been performed. The optical, electrical and electrochemical corrosion resistance properties of the AZO layers have been evaluated as a function of the deposition pressure. The results show that adjusting the deposition pressure could develop AZO layers with very high electrochemical corrosion resistance in chlorinated aqueous media combined with optimum electrical and optical properties. Layers grown at 3×10−3mbar pressure present very high corrosion resistance values (in the order of 106 {\$}Ømega{\$}) and very high electrochemical stability, indicating no tendency for electrochemical corrosion degradation. Besides, these layers are highly transparent with an average transmittance in the visible range above 90{%} and with a low resistivity of 6.8×10−4 {\$}Ømega{\$}cm for a 1000nm films thickness, making them optimum candidate front contact for high-performance and high durability CIGS solar cells.
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Keywords: AZO layers; Corrosion properties; DC magnetron sputtering; Electrical properties; Optical properties; Transparent conductive films

{Thin Film Silicon Photovoltaic Cells on Paper for Flexible Indoor Applications} - Hugo Aguas; Mateus, Tiago; Vicente, Antonio; Gaspar, Diana; Mendes, Manuel J.; Schmidt, Wolfgang A; Pereira, Luis; Elvira Fortunato; Rodrigo Martins (ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, 2015)
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Assessing Technologies: Global Patterns of Trust and Distrust. Report on one session at the XVIII World Congress of Sociology - António Moniz (Technikfolgenabschätzung –{} Theorie und Praxis, 2015)
Technology assessment (TA) had never been treated as a relevant topic within the International Sociological Association (ISA) before. The first steps towards establishing this association were taken in 1948, at the initiative of the Social Science Department of UNESCO. Its formal foundation was in 1949. The World Congress of Sociology in Japan was hopefully the beginning of continuous integration of TA into the thematic sessions within the ISA.
http://www.tatup-journal.de/english/tatup151_moni15a.php
Keywords: 330; ISA; O33; STS; Technology Assessment; Trust; UNESCO; Y80

Mobile based gold nanoprobe TB diagnostics for point-of-need - B. Veigas; E. Fortunato; Baptista, P. V. (Mobile Health Technologies: Methods and Protocols, 2015)
Nanotechnology based diagnostics has provided improved tools for pathogen detection and sensitive and specific characterization of antibiotic resistance signatures. Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) and, according to the World Health Organization, is one of the most serious infectious diseases in the world. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics of TB have improved both the detection time and sensitivity but they still require specialized technical personnel and cumbersome laboratory equipment. Diagnostics at point-of-need is crucial to TB control as it may provide rapid identification of pathogen together with the resistance profile of TB strains, originated from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in different loci , allowing for a more accurate indication of the adequate therapy.Gold nanoparticles have been widely used in molecular diagnostics platforms. Here, we describe the use of gold nanoprobes (oligonucleotide functionalized gold nanoparticles) to be used in a non-crosslinking colorimetric method for the direct detection of specific DNA targets. Due to the remarkable optical properties of gold nanoparticles, this detection system provides colorimetric detection of the pathogen together with the potential of identification of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in TB resistance to antibiotics. For point-of-need use, we adapted this strategy to a low-cost mobile scheme using a paper based revelation platform and where the spectral signature is transposed to RGB data via a smartphone device. This way, identification of pathogen and characterization of resistance signatures is achieved at point-of-need.
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Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Colorimetric method; Gold nanoparticles; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Nanoprobes; Paper-based diagnostics; Point-of-need detection

{Field Effect Sensors for Nucleic Acid Detection: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives} - Bruno Veigas; Elvira Fortunato; Pedro V. Baptista (Sensors, 2015)
In the last decade the use of field-effect-based devices has become a basic structural element in a new generation of biosensors that allow label-free DNA analysis. In particular, ion sensitive field effect transistors (FET) are the basis for the development of radical new approaches for the specific detection and characterization of DNA due to FETs' greater signal-to-noise ratio, fast measurement capabilities, and possibility to be included in portable instrumentation. Reliable molecular characterization of DNA and/or RNA is vital for disease diagnostics and to follow up alterations in gene expression profiles. FET biosensors may become a relevant tool for molecular diagnostics and at point-of-care. The development of these devices and strategies should be carefully designed, as biomolecular recognition and detection events must occur within the Debye length. This limitation is sometimes considered to be fundamental for FET devices and considerable efforts have been made to develop better architectures. Herein we review the use of field effect sensors for nucleic acid detection strategies—from production and functionalization to integration in molecular diagnostics platforms, with special focus on those that have made their way into the diagnostics lab.
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Keywords: Biosensing Techniques; Biosensing Techniques: methods; DNA; DNA: analysis; EIS; Electronic; field effect; ISFET; label free; LAMP; Nanowires; qRT-PCR; RNA; RNA: analysis; SiNW; TFT; Transistors

{Office paper platform for bioelectrochromic detection of electrochemically active bacteria using tungsten trioxide nanoprobes.} - Marques, AC; L. Santos; M. N. Costa; Dantas, J.M.; Duarte, P; Gonçalves, A; R. Martins; Salgueiro, C.A.; E. Fortunato (Scientific reports, 2015)
Electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) have the capability to transfer electrons to cell exterior, a feature that is currently explored for important applications in bioremediation and biotechnology fields. However, the number of isolated and characterized EAB species is still very limited regarding their abundance in nature. Colorimetric detection has emerged recently as an attractive mean for fast identification and characterization of analytes based on the use of electrochromic materials. In this work, WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis and used to impregnate non-treated regular office paper substrates. This allowed the production of a paper-based colorimetric sensor able to detect EAB in a simple, rapid, reliable, inexpensive and eco-friendly method. The developed platform was then tested with Geobacter sulfurreducens, as a proof of concept. G. sulfurreducens cells were detected at latent phase with an RGB ratio of 1.10 ± 0.04, and a response time of two hours.
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{Solvothermal synthesis of gallium-indium-zinc-oxide nanoparticles for electrolyte-gated transistors.} - Santos,Lídia; Nunes, Daniela; Calmeiro, Tomás; Rita Branquinho; Salgueiro, Daniela; Barquinha, Pedro; Pereira, LuÍs; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (ACS applied materials {&} interfaces, 2015)
Solution-processed field-effect transistors are strategic building blocks when considering low-cost sustainable flexible electronics. Nevertheless, some challenges (e.g., processing temperature, reliability, reproducibility in large areas, and cost effectiveness) are requirements that must be surpassed in order to achieve high-performance transistors. The present work reports electrolyte-gated transistors using as channel layer gallium-indium-zinc-oxide nanoparticles produced by solvothermal synthesis combined with a solid-state electrolyte based on aqueous dispersions of vinyl acetate stabilized with cellulose derivatives, acrylic acid ester in styrene and lithium perchlorate. The devices fabricated using this approach display a ION/IOFF up to 1 × 10(6), threshold voltage (VTh) of 0.3-1.9 V, and mobility up to 1 cm(2)/(V s), as a function of gallium-indium-zinc-oxide ink formulation and two different annealing temperatures. These results validates the usage of electrolyte-gated transistors as a viable and promising alternative for nanoparticle based semiconductor devices as the electrolyte improves the interface and promotes a more efficient step coverage of the channel layer, reducing the operating voltage when compared with conventional dielectrics gating. Moreover, it is shown that by controlling the applied gate potential, the operation mechanism of the electrolyte-gated transistors can be modified from electric double layer to electrochemical doping.
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{TiO2/Cu2O all-oxide heterojunction solar cells produced by spray pyrolysis} - Pavan, Michele; Rühle, Sven; Ginsburg, Adam; Keller, David A.; Barad, Hannah-Noa; Sberna, Paolo M.; Nunes, Daniela; Rodrigo Martins; Anderson, Assaf Y.; Zaban, Arie; Elvira Fortunato (Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2015)
Here we present for the first time a TiO2/Cu2O all-oxide heterojunction solar cell entirely produced by spray pyrolysis onto fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) covered glass substrates, using silver as a back contact. A combinatorial approach was chosen to investigate the impact of the TiO2 window layer and the Cu2O light absorber thicknesses. We observe an open circuit voltage up to 350mV and a short circuit current density which is strongly dependent of the Cu2O thickness, reaching a maximum of {\~{}}0.4mA/cm2. Optical investigation reveals that a thickness of 300nm spray pyrolysis deposited Cu2O is sufficient to absorb most photons with an energy above the symmetry allowed optical transition of 2.5eV, indicating that the low current densities are caused by strong recombination in the absorber that consists of small Cu2O grains.
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Keywords: All-oxide-photovoltaics; High throughput characterization; Spray pyrolysis; TiO2/Cu2O heterojunction

{Room temperature synthesis of Cu₂O nanospheres: optical properties and thermal behavior.} - Nunes, Daniela; Santos,Lídia; Paulo Duarte; Ana Pimentel; Joana V. Pinto; Barquinha, Pedro; Patrícia A. Carvalho; Elvira Fortunato; Rodrigo Martins (Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada, 2015)
The present work reports a simple and easy wet chemistry synthesis of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanospheres at room temperature without surfactants and using different precursors. Structural characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with focused ion beam and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The optical band gaps were determined from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photoluminescence behavior of the as-synthesized nanospheres showed significant differences depending on the precursors used. The Cu2O nanospheres were constituted by aggregates of nanocrystals, in which an on/off emission behavior of each individual nanocrystal was identified during transmission electron microscopy observations. The thermal behavior of the Cu2O nanospheres was investigated with in situ X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry experiments. Remarkable structural differences were observed for the nanospheres annealed in air, which turned into hollow spherical structures surrounded by outsized nanocrystals.
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{Structure and Morphologic Influence of WO 3 Nanoparticles on the Electrochromic Performance of Dual-Phase a -WO 3 /WO 3 Inkjet Printed Films} - Santos,Lídia; Wojcik, Pawel; Joana V. Pinto; Elangovan, Elamurugu; Viegas, Jaime; Pereira, LuÍs; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (Advanced Electronic Materials, 2015)
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Gold Nanotheranostics: Proof-of-Concept or Clinical Tool? - Pedro Pedrosa; Raquel Vinhas; Fernandes, Maria Alexandra Núncio de Carvalho Ramos; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana (Nanomaterials, 2015)
Nanoparticles have been making their way in biomedical applications and personalized medicine, allowing for the coupling of diagnostics and therapeutics into a single nanomaterial-nanotheranostics. Gold nanoparticles, in particular, have unique features that make them excellent nanomaterials for theranostics, enabling the integration of targeting, imaging and therapeutics in a single platform, with proven applicability in the management of heterogeneous diseases, such as cancer. In this review, we focus on gold nanoparticle-based theranostics at the lab bench, through pre-clinical and clinical stages. With few products facing clinical trials, much remains to be done to effectively assess the real benefits of nanotheranostics at the clinical level. Hence, we also discuss the efforts currently being made to translate nanotheranostics into the market, as well as their commercial impact.
Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT/MEC) (PTDC/BBB-NAN/1812/2012; UCIBIO UID/Multi/04378/2013) SFRH/BD/52211/2013 PD/BD/105734/2014
Keywords: BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS; BREAST-CANCER; Cancer; CANCER-CELLS; diagnostics; DRUG-DELIVERY; Gold nanoparticles; IN-VIVO; MULTIFUNCTIONAL NANOPARTICLES; nanotheranostics; NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT; PEGYLATED LIPOSOMAL DOXORUBICIN; photothermal therapy; precision medicine; targeted therapy; THERANOSTIC AGENTS; Theranostics

15 years on siRNA delivery: Beyond the State-of-the-Art on inorganic nanoparticles for RNAi therapeutics - João Conde; Alfredo Ambrosone; Yulan Hernandez; Furong Tian; Mark McCully; Berry, Catherine C.; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana; Tortiglione, Claudia; {de la Fuente}, Jesus M. (Nano today, 2015)
RNAi has always captivated scientists due to its tremendous power to modulate the phenotype of living organisms. This natural and powerful biological mechanism can now be harnessed to downregulate specific gene expression in diseased cells, opening up endless opportunities. Since most of the conventional siRNA delivery methods are limited by a narrow therapeutic index and significant side and off-target effects, we are now in the dawn of a new age in gene therapy driven by nanotechnology vehicles for RNAi therapeutics. Here, we outlook the {"}do's and dont's{"} of the inorganic RNAi nanomaterials developed in the last 15 years and the different strategies employed are compared and scrutinized, offering important suggestions for the next 15. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/239931/EU# FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, project no. 626386 SAF2014-54763-C2-2-R Sem PDF conforme despacho.
Keywords: COATED GOLD NANOPARTICLES; DOUBLE-STRANDED-RNA; IN-VIVO; Inorganic nanoparticles; IRON-OXIDE NANOPARTICLES; LEUKEMIA K562 CELLS; Mesoporous silica nanoparticles; Nanomedicine; Nanotoxicity; OVERCOME DRUG-RESISTANCE; Quantum dots; RNAi therapy; siRNA delivery; SMALL INTERFERING RNA; SUPPORTED LIPID-BILAYERS; Targeting

One nanoprobe, two pathogens: gold nanoprobes multiplexing for point-of-care - Bruno Veigas; Pedro Pedrosa; Carlos, Fábio F.; Liliana Mancio-Silva; Grosso, Ana Rita; Elvira Fortunato; Mota, Maria M.; Pedro Baptista (Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2015)
Background: Gold nanoparticles have been widely employed for biosensing purposes with remarkable efficacy for DNA detection. Amongst the proposed systems, colorimetric strategies based on the remarkable optical properties have provided for simple yet effective sequence discrimination with potential for molecular diagnostics at point of need. These systems may also been used for parallel detection of several targets to provide additional information on diagnostics of pathogens.Results: For the first time, we demonstrate that a single Au-nanoprobe may provide for detection of two distinct targets (pathogens) allowing colorimetric multi-target detection. We demonstrate this concept by using one single gold-nanoprobe capable to detect members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Plasmodium sp., the etiologic agents of tuberculosis and malaria, respectively. Following characterisation, the developed gold-nanoprobe allowed detection of either target in individual samples or in samples containing both DNA species with the same efficacy.Conclusions: Using one single probe via the non-cross-linking colorimetric methodology it is possible to identify multiple targets in one sample in one reaction. This proof-of-concept approach may easily be integrated into sensing platforms allowing for fast and simple multiplexing of Au-nanoprobe based detection at point-of-need.
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Keywords: Gold nanoparticles; IDENTIFICATION; Malaria; Molecular diagnostics; MTBC; MUTATIONS; Nanodiagnostics; Plasmodium; RESISTANCE; rpoB; Tuberculosis

POxylated Polyurea Dendrimers: Smart Core-Shell Vectors with IC50 Lowering Capacity - Restani, Rita B.; João Conde; Pires, Rita F.; Pedro Martins; Fernandes, Alexandra R; Baptista, Pedro V; Bonifacio, Vasco D. B.; Aguiar-Ricardo, Ana (Macromolecular Bioscience, 2015)
The design and preparation of highly efficient drug delivery platforms using green methodologies is at the forefront of nanotherapeutics research. POxylated polyurea dendrimers are efficiently synthesized using a supercritical-assisted polymerization in carbon dioxide. These fluorescent, pH-responsive and water-soluble core-shell smart nanocarriers show low toxicity in terms of cell viability and absence of glutathione depletion, two of the major side effect limitations of current vectors. The materials are also found to act as good transfection agents, through a mechanism involving an endosomal pathway, being able to reduce 100-fold the IC50 of paclitaxel.
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/99452/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/116097/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/127178/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/134527/PT# nfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/SFRH/SFRH%2FBD%2F66858%2F2009/PT# UId/QUI/5006/2013 PEst-OE/SAU/UI0009/2013 Sem PDF conforme despacho.
Keywords: Cancer; design; DRUG-DELIVERY; Endocytosis; Future; MECHANISMS; nanoparticles; oligo-oxazolines; Oligomers; paclitaxel; polyurea dendrimers; POxylation; STRATEGIES; Supercritical carbon dioxide; Therapeutics

DNA adduct identification using gold-aptamer nanoprobes - Miguel Larguinho; Sofia Santos; Almeida, Joao; Pedro Baptista (Iet Nanobiotechnology, 2015)
The optical and physico-chemical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have prompted new and improved approaches which have greatly evolved the fields of biosensing and molecular detection. In this study, the authors took advantage of AuNPs' ease of modification and functionalised it with selected DNA aptamers using a salt aging method to produce gold-aptamer nanoprobes. After characterisation, these nanoprobes were subsequently used for biomolecular detection of glycidamide (GA)-guanine (Gua) adducts generated in vitro. The results are based on differences in nanoprobe stabilisation against salt-induced aggregation, similar to the non-cross-linking method developed by Baptista for discrimination of specific sequences. Alkylated Guas were efficiently discriminated from deoxyguanosine and GA in solution. Despite this, a clear identification of DNA adducts derived from genomic DNA alkylation has proven to be a more challenging task.
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Keywords: ACRYLAMIDE; Cells; EXPOSURE; GENE-EXPRESSION; glutathione; GLYCIDAMIDE; Ligands; MASS-SPECTROMETRY; nanoparticles; Rats

GOLD NANOPROBES IN THE DIAGNOSTIC OF CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA: DETECTION OF THE E14A2 BCR-ABL TRANSCRIPT DIRECTLY IN RNA SAMPLES - Raquel Vinhas; Correia, C.; P Ribeiro; Lourenco, A.; Sousa, A.; A. Fernandes; P. Baptista (Leukemia research, 2015)
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13th International Symposium on Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) ; Conference date: 29-04-2015 Through 02-05-2015