Optimization of filling systems for low pressure by Flow 3D

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Mecânica

Acetylated bacterial cellulose coated with urinary bladder matrix as a substrate for retinal pigment epithelium

This work evaluated the effect of acetylated bacterial cellulose (ABC) substrates coated with urinary bladder matrix (UBM) on the behavior of Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE), as assessed by cell adhesion, proliferation and development of cell polarity exhibiting transepithelial resistance and polygonal shaped-cells with microvilli. Acetylation of bacterial cellulose (BC) generated a moderate hydrophobic surface (around 65°) while the adsorption of UBM onto these acetylated substrates did not affect significantly the surface hydrophobicity. The ABS substrates coated with UBM enabled the development of a cell phenotype closer to that of native RPE cells. These cells were able to express proteins essential for their cytoskeletal organization and metabolic function (ZO-1 and RPE65), while showing a polygonal shaped morphology with microvilli and a monolayer configuration. The coated ABC substrates were also characterized, exhibiting low swelling effect (between 1.52.0 swelling/mm3), high mechanical strength (2048 MPa) and non-pyrogenicity (2.12 EU/L). Therefore, the ABC substrates coated with UBM exhibit interesting features as potential cell carriers in RPE transplantation that ought to be further explored.

Preparação de suspensões aquosas de nanopartículas de carbono para deposição em superfícies

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia de Materiais

Desenvolvimento de acessórios de máquinas de movimentação de terras recorrendo a soluções avançadas em aço de alta resistência

Dissertação de mestrado em Tecnologias de Manufatura

Blogs: atores sociais na disseminação da cultura de moda

Dissertação de mestrado em Design de Comunicação de Moda

High-aspect-ratio tridimensional electrode arrays for neural applications

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Biomédica.

Identificação de fendilhamento de pavimentos e propriedades volumétricas das misturas betuminosas utilizando um Georadar

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Civil

A bio-inspired computational model for motion detection

Tese de Doutoramento (Programa Doutoral em Engenharia Biomédica)

Sustainability assessment of envelope wall solutions using MAXergy methodology

Projeto de investigação integrado de International Master in Sustainable Built Environment

Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria: from bioremediation to bioenergy feedstock

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Química e Biológica.

Analysis of physicochemical interaction between the components of asphalt mixtures with rubber

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Civil

Protein-based nanodevices for therapeutic applications

Tese de Doutoramento em Biologia Molecular e Ambiental (área de especialização em Biologia Celular e Saúde).

Novas funcionalidades para dispositivos médicos invasivos com imagem

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Eletrónica e de Computadores.

Improved burn wound healing using a bioactive peptide

[Excerpt] Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are good candidates to treat burn wounds, a major cause of morbidity, impaired life quality and resources consumption in developed countries. We took advantage of a commercially available hydrogel, Carbopol, a vehicle for topical administration that maintains a moist environment within the wound site. We hypothesized that the incorporation of LLKKK18 conjugated to dextrin would improve the healing process in rat burns. Whereas the hydrogel improves healing, LLKKK18 released from the dextrin conjugates further accelerates wound closure, and simultaneously improving the quality of healing. Indeed, the release of LLKKK18 reduces oxidative stress and inflammation (low neutrophil and macrophage infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels). Importantly, it induced a faster resolution of the inflammatory stage through early M2 macrophage recruitment. In addition, LLKKK18 stimulates angiogenesis (increased VEGF and microvessel development in vivo), potentially contributing to more effective transport of nutrients and cytokines. Moreover, collagen staining evaluated by Masson’s Trichrome was visually much more intense after treatment with LLKKK18, suggesting higher collagen deposition. (...)

The role of IFNγ in higher brain function: in health and under chronic stress

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências da Saúde