Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2022-11-24"
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- Effects of high-pressure processing (HPP) on the structure and potential of allergenicity of β-Parvalbumin from the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax)Publication . Russo, Guilherme Alexandre Alves; Power, Deborah; Anjos, LilianaFish allergy is an adverse immune response which affects 3% of the world population and is currently without cure. Parvalbumin (PARV) is the major allergen of fish allergies, eliciting IgE-mediated immune responses. It is a conserved protein in finfish species and highly abundant in the muscle, the largest portion of the food in fish. Two main PARV family clusters have the designations α and β, but only the β is a proven allergen. -PARV is considered a pan-allergen because as it has a vital function, it is widely distributed in wide range of bony fish species and other animals. Attempts to neutralize the allergenicity of proteins in food have been taken, by testing innovative processing methods, such as the High Hydrostatic Pressure (HP). An eco-friendly technology able to preserve the freshness and nutritional benefits of food products, while prolonging their shelf-life. Although HP processing of fish has a relatively small effect on sensory parameters, evidence shows modifications in the proteome and protein solubility of HP treated sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, dl) fillets, but the potential influences on human health, regarding the allergenicity is poorly clarified. In this thesis, the effect of HP and/or storage time in the allergenicity potential of -PARV from sea bass fillets was investigated. -PARV was successfully purified from the sarcoplasmic protein fractions of HP (600Mpa and 5 min.) and control fish after isothermal storage for 1 and 11 days and was analyzed by biochemical and biophysical techniques and in silico analysis to predict potential changes in the structural conformation. The results show a prevalence of α-helix in dl-PARV isolated from unprocessed fish fillets and those exposed to HP and time of storage modified the secondary and tertiary protein structure. dl-PARV epitope reactive to IgE/IgE shared a significant portion of residues in a position predicted to be of α-helix. The results suggest that the structural changes caused by HP may alter the allergenicity potential of dl-PARV, since the allergenic epitope seems to depend on protein conformation.
- Óleos essenciais de Melaleuca alternifolia e o seu interesse em cosméticaPublication . Simões, Ricardo Jorge Gonçalves; Miguel, Maria GraçaOs óleos essenciais (OEs) possuem um grande interesse na indústria cosmética, estando presentes em vários produtos cosméticos e cosmecêuticos devido às suas propriedades aromáticas e conservantes. Para além disso estes também são apelativos para o consumidor pelo facto de serem ingredientes de origem natural, o que faz com que estes sejam percecionados como ingredientes seguros. Um dos OEs mais utilizados neste contexto é o Tea Tree Oil (TTO), o qual é obtido a partir da destilação por arrastamento de vapor de folhas e ramos terminais de plantas do género Melaleuca, nomeadamente a partir da espécie Melaleuca alternifolia nativa do território australiano. O TTO é bastante conhecido pelas suas propriedades biológicas como a sua atividade antimicrobiana, anti-inflamatória e antioxidante, as quais são principalmente atribuídas ao seu componente maioritário, o terpinen-4-ol. À conta destas características o TTO tem sido alvo de vários estudos com o intuito de averiguar o seu interesse e sua aplicabilidade na acne, dermatite seborreica, envelhecimento cutâneo, saúde oral, onicomicose e higiene das mãos. Contudo, ao mesmo tempo o TTO pode estar associado a algumas reações adversas como as dermatites de contacto e reações de hipersensibilidade. Assim o objetivo desta dissertação é descrever o uso do TTO em produtos cosméticos e cosmecêuticos, a sua composição e propriedades biológicas, bem como as principais reações adversas associadas à sua utilização. Serão também abordados aspetos relacionados com a produção do TTO e a legislação dos produtos cosméticos e cosmecêuticos.
- Inhalable mannitol microparticles as antigen carriersPublication . Silva, Joana Cruz Henriques; Grenha, AnaEven with scientific advances, lower respiratory tract infections pose a serious danger to human life worldwide. Lower respiratory tract infections remained the deadliest infectious disease in 2019 and were the fourth most prevalent cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization. Different bacteria and viruses, such as S. pneumoniae or SARS-CoV-2, can cause respiratory infections. Thus, prevention is crucial in the management of lower respiratory tract infections. Immunisation strategies regarding the prevention of lower respiratory infections include parenteral immunisation or even oral antigen delivery. In any case, it seems that lung protection is insufficient because lung infection often develops. A pulmonary immunisation technique seems promising because the lung is the primary site of infection. The use of the pulmonary route ensures that a local immune response is produced along with systemic immunisation, while avoiding adverse effects, such as liver metabolism, or protein degradation associated with the oral route. Appropriate drug delivery systems, such as microparticles, might be the adequate means to comply with the aerodynamic requisites needed for successful lung delivery. Spray-dried microparticles comprising mannitol and a commercial formulation of bacterial lysates, produced by spray drying, are proposed for lung immunisation. Varying the mannitol/bacterial lysates mass ratio, several formulations of bacterial lysates-loaded microparticles were successfully produced. The association efficacy of the bacterial lysates was confirmed, reaching values of 50% and 65%. Aerodynamic evaluation was performed by cascade impaction using a methodology of gravimetry or the direct drug determination by Bradford method. The microparticles showed mass mean aerodynamic diameters between 5.9 and 7.3 μm, with the potential to reach the lung, mainly its upper part.
- As redes sociais ao serviço da farmácia comunitáriaPublication . Viegas, Beatriz Maria Bandarra; Espírito Santo, Margarida de Fátima NetoA comunicação é essencial para uma boa relação entre o farmacêutico-utente-farmácia, podendo contribuir para a promoção da saúde e prevenção de doenças na comunidade. As redes sociais são um meio de comunicação muito rápido e eficaz, que permitem disseminar mensagens de forma imediata e acessível a um grande número de pessoas, já utilizadas em diversas áreas empresariais. Tendo em vista a sustentabilidade financeira das farmácias, é necessário que estas tenham capacidade de adaptação a novas formas de marketing e comunicação. Neste sentido, este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o modo de utilização das redes sociais pelas farmácias comunitárias Portuguesas, bem como o tipo de conteúdos que são divulgados por esses canais. Foram incluídas 342 farmácias, selecionadas de modo aleatório e espelhando uma amostra representativa do número de farmácias e da população residente em cada região (distrito) do país. A análise foi realizada para as redes Facebook (FB) e Instagram (INST). Da análise efetuada conclui-se as farmácias Portuguesas têm maioritariamente conta pública numa das redes sociais, sendo que a utilização é mais frequente na rede social FB (82,5%; n=282) do que na rede INST (58,0%; n=163). Apenas cerca de um quarto das farmácias tinha site disponível online. É de salientar que, no geral, o teor das publicações nas redes é semelhante nas duas redes sociais, com maior divulgação de conteúdos relativos a produtos de dermofarmácia e cosmética. A presença nas redes sociais (FB e INST) já é uma realidade para a maioria das farmácias comunitárias Portuguesas, apesar de nos conteúdos divulgados ainda existir espaço para melhoria, nomeadamente na divulgação dos serviços farmacêuticos disponibilizados. No futuro, esta deverá ser uma área a investir, passando pela análise das necessidades dos utilizadores e pela criação de conteúdos adaptados, possibilitando a expansão dos serviços disponibilizados pelas farmácias comunitárias e o modo como são prestados.
- Water circularity and eco-efficiency in Culatra IslandPublication . Torres, María Andrés; Silva, Manuela Moreira; Sequeira, Cláudia DiasIslands are remote areas surrounded by water far away from the continent. They present challenges (e.g., water/wastewater management and energy dependency on the mainland) aggravated by climate change, demographic trends and unsustainable consumption. To fight against these obstacles, islands are developing innovative, environmental-friendly and sustainable solutions, becoming ideal examples for other islands. Culatra Island is a small island located in the south region of Portugal: the Algarve. To resolve the above-mentioned challenges, Culatra has developed solutions to overcome energy and water dependency on the mainland through the “Culatra2030 - Sustainable Energy Community” initiative, creating measures to adapt to climate change, promote circularity and enhance sustainability. This work will try to ameliorate water management sustainability on the island, improve and optimise its efficient use and its circularity and address different alternative sources of water for non-potable uses. Two reference buildings (the Social Centre and the Primary School) were selected to work with the community towards the efficient use of water treated for human consumption, using an educational approach and installing water flow reducers in the mentioned buildings. Later on, the nexus water treated/energy/carbon emissions were studied to understand the environmental impact. Furthermore, the needed actions to modify the non-potable uses of water utilizing groundwater abstraction, rainwater harvesting, seawater desalination and reuse of water were assessed. Eventually, in a way to answer people’s needs, a questionnaire was written in collaboration with the Associação de Moradores da Ilha da Culatra. Results show that by installing water flow reducers, water efficiency is improved and, therefore, indirectly it is as well the use of energy and its associated carbon emissions. The four alternative water sources studied proved to be great options to modify non-potable usage of water. Finally, Culatra’s community participation was essential to understand their position on water sustainability, efficiency and circularity.