Browsing by Author "Lopes, P."
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- Incorporation of tocopherol acetate-containing particles in acrylic bone cementPublication . Bettencourt, A.; Florindo, H. F.; Ferreira, I. F. S.; Matos, A.; Monteiro, J.; Neves, C.; Lopes, P.; Castro, M.; Almeida, A. J.Acrylic bone cement (BC) is used in orthopaedic surgery to anchor cemented prostheses to bone. Association of antioxidant molecules to BC may suppress reactive species injury which contributes to implant failure. Tocopherol acetate (ATA)-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles (ATA(PMMA)) were prepared by single emulsion solvent evaporation technique and were incorporated into BC. An encapsulation efficiency of 84% (w/w) was obtained and drug release studies showed distinct ATA release profiles and mechanisms before and after particle incorporation into BC. Experimental data, analysed using first-order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models revealed that ATA was released from particles by a Fickian diffusion mechanism while a non-Fickian transport was observed upon particle incorporation in BC. There were no changes in the mechanical properties of BC specimens containing ATA(PMMA) particles, in contrast to what was observed when ATA was loaded directly into BC. Overall, ATA(PMMA) particles are potential carriers for the incorporation of an antioxidant drug into BC.
- Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of municipal veterinary practitioners towards echinococcosisPublication . Lopes, P.; Gomes, Jacinto; Cunha, Mónica V.Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are among the most relevant zoonoses in Europe. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato causing CE is the most significant foodborne parasite in South-Western Europe, followed by Echinococcus multilocularis, the etiological agent of AE. Among the challenges and opportunities highlighted in the literature to combat these diseases are the need to evaluate and increase awareness of stakeholders. In Portugal, Municipal Veterinary Practitioners (MVP) are the animal health authority at the municipality level, playing a crucial role in diagnosis, prevention and control of infectious diseases in animals, helping to mitigate transmission to humans. However, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards CE, as well as awareness of AE expansion across Europe, remain overlooked. In this work, a cross-sectional study was conducted for the first time in Portugal to bridge knowledge gaps concerning CE and AE, using an online self-administered questionnaire collecting information on the municipal kennel, KAP towards CE, and understanding of AE epidemiology. Eighty-three MVP from mainland and islands completed the questionnaire, with highest representability from the central-northern region. MVP had, on average, a medium to high level of knowledge of CE but acquaintance with AE was insufficient, although echinococcosis was frequently mentioned as target of health education sessions (77.0%). A high rate (60%) of reported entries into municipal kennels of stray dogs originating from countries with AE endemic areas was registered, suggesting that the presence of these potentially AE-infected stray dogs pose public health risks. Most kennels did not perform routine coprological analysis or faecal matter disinfection after dog internal deworming. The lack of proper training and well-conceived written plans of infection control and prevention were evidenced in several kennels. Altogether, our findings highlight the need to update knowledge and practice of MVP under the One Health approach, through reinforced education, training and communication involving all stakeholders.
- Tackling the cell wall of the grape berryPublication . Goulão, L.F.; Fernandes, J.C.; Lopes, P.; Amâncio, SaraAbstract: The cell wall (CW) is the dynamic border of plant cells. In grape berries, the CW decisively accounts for the difference between the pulp and skin cells, with direct consequences on the grape characteristics, wine quality and wine-making methods. The softening of mature berries results from the depolymerisation and solubilisation of CW polymers. Modifications of grape pulp and skin CW provide the flexibility for cell expansion during fruit growth and to modulate the final texture. Wine making and berry processing methods are directly related with the absence, in white wines, or the presence, in red wines, of skin CW in the fermenting must. Anthocyanin extraction depends directly on skin yielding of the pigment upon CW degradation. During fruit growth and ripening, the cooperative action between different enzyme families is capital in CW metabolism. The sequencing and public availability of the Vitis genome allowed us to focus on individual pathways, to profile the expression pattern of isoforms associated with each tissue, developmental phase or stress response, anticipating the effects on berry (and wine) production and quality. Retrieving the sequences of genomic coding regions and the predicted enzymes that act on the Vitis, CW allows us for the first time to tackle the grape berry Cell Wallome
- Tackling the cell wall of the grape berryPublication . Goulão, L.F.; Fernandes, J.C.; Lopes, P.; Amâncio, SaraThe cell wall (CW) is the dynamic border of plant cells. In grape berries, the CW decisively accounts for the difference between the pulp and skin cells, with direct consequences on the grape characteristics, wine quality and wine-making methods. The softening of mature berries results from the depolymerisation and solubilisation of CW polymers. Modifications of grape pulp and skin CW provide the flexibility for cell expansion during fruit growth and to modulate the final texture. Wine making and berry processing methods are directly related with the absence, in white wines, or the presence, in red wines, of skin CW in the fermenting must. Anthocyanin extraction depends directly on skin yielding of the pigment upon CW degradation. During fruit growth and ripening, the cooperative action between different enzyme families is capital in CW metabolism. The sequencing and public availability of the Vitis genome allowed us to focus on individual pathways, to profile the expression pattern of isoforms associated with each tissue, developmental phase or stress response, anticipating the effects on berry (and wine) production and quality. Retrieving the sequences of genomic coding regions and the predicted enzymes that act on the Vitis, CW allows us for the first time to tackle the grape berry Cell Wallome