RNA-FISH Technique: Probe Cocktails vs Single Probes

RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (RNA-FISH) enables to analyze and visualize the microorganisms of interest within microbial communities in their natural environments by fluorescent labelling of specific RNA sequences. Poor accessibility or low content of the RNA target region can cause false positives/negatives due to low fluorescence of the cells. To reduce the chances of this occurring, probe cocktails – i.e. mixture of several probes that hybridize to different regions of the target RNA- has been proposed as an alternative to single probes use for increasing the Fluorescence Intensities (FI). However, is this really a good solution? The key finding of this work was that the use of probe cocktails is not always a good solution for maximizing the FI as at high concentrations the single probe EUK516-6 FAM yielded higher FI than the probe cocktails.

Novos desenvolvimentos para a deteção de leveduras e bactérias presentes em argamassas

The development of simple and rapid new approaches for analysing microbial communities colonising Cultural Heritage materials is pivotal for its safeguard. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation technique using ribosomal RNA directed probes (RNA-FISH) has demonstrated a great potential for this purpose. A protocol for analysing filamentous fungi in mortars has been already developed in previous studies. In this work this protocol has been adapted for detecting bacteria and yeasts. Good results have been obtained for the analysis of suspensions of isolates. In this way, the optimized protocol was applied in microsamples from synthetic mortar artificially inoculated with yeast and bacterial isolates. Promising results have been obtained for the ex situ analysis of yeast and bacteria thriving in mortar microsamples.

Tecnologia GNSS de baixo custo na monitorização de ovinos em pastoreio

Extensive livestock production is supported by natural and biodiverse pastures, characterized by marked seasonal variation of biomass, plant species and growth stage. The use of the food resources and the occupation of grazing space can be very heterogeneous in such conditions due to ruminants grazing behaviour. Successful grazing and pasture management requires an understanding of the adjustment mechanisms behind the grazing behaviour that enables adaptation to grazing conditions. Use of GNSS technology allows a quick and effective grazing data collection which is, however expensive, limiting its application to research purposes. This paper reviews the principles for the application of GNSS technology and evaluates the use of inexpensive commercial GNSS receivers (commercial of the shelf - COTS: CatTrackTM”). Six receivers were used for six data collection period over two months of continuous grazing on a natural pasture. The measured static and dynamic accuracy of the receivers is 14m and 40m, respectively. The precision was 3m and the reliability 80%. The tested equipment allows the differentiation between animal activities (grazing, resting and transit). It also determines sheep locations, allowing the characterization of patterns, pathways and preferred areas. It is concluded that the COTS equipment has a high quality / price ratio, so it can become an important support decision tool essential to a more precise pasture management.

Sintese de derivados 3 - substituídos de coumarinas

Este trabalho descreve a síntese de novos derivados de coumarinas 3-substituídas por grupos arilo, etenilarilo e etenil-organometálicos, através de novas metodologias via reacções de Heck e de metátese (Grubbs), com controlo da regioquímica e com significativos rendimentos reaccionais. A aplicação destas metodologias permitiu a síntese dos derivados, 3-fenilcoumarina (131), 3-(4-bromofenil)coumarina, (132), 3-(4-iodofenil)­coumarina (134), 3-(4-nitrofenil)coumarina (136), 3-(4-etilfenil)coumarina (133), 4-(coumarin-3-il)benzaldeído (135), 3-(4-metoxifenil)coumarina (137), (E)-3-acrilato-[4-(coumarin-3-il)fenil] de metilo (138), 6,7-metileno­dioxi-[3-(E)-2'-feniletenil]coumarina (145), 6,7-dimetoxi-[-(E)-2'-fenil­etenil]coumarina (146), 6,7-dimetoxi-[3-(E)-2'-(6'-nitrofenil)etenil]coumarina (147), 4-[2-(E)-(6,7-dimetoxicoumarin-3-il)etenil]benzaldeído (148) e 6,7-dimetoxi-[3-(E)-2'-ferroceniletenil]coumarina (149), dos quais os últimos nove, são compostos novos, identificados e caracterizados pela primeira vez. A deslocalização do sistema de electrões  conjugados, induzida pelos diversos substituintes das coumarinas, foi igualmente avaliada através da espectroscopia de UV/Vis. De referir que parte deste trabalho foi publicado como: "New Methodology for the Synthesis of 3-Substituted Coumarins via Pd-Catalyzed Site-Se/ective Cross-Coupling Reactions”, Sérgio Martins, Paula S. Branco, María C. de la Torre, Miguel A. Sierra e António Pereira, Synlett, 2010 (https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/ synlett/doi/1 O.1 OS5/s-0030-1259014). ABSTRACT: This work describes the synthesis of new 3-aryl, ethenylaryl and ethenyl-organometallics coumarin derivatives, using a new methodology via Heck and metathesis (Grubbs) reactions, with regiochemistry control and significant reaction yields. The application of these methodologies allowed the synthesis of derivatives, 3-phenylcoumarin (131), 3-(4-bromophenyl)coumarin (132), 3-(4-iodophenyl)coumarin (134), 3-(4-nitrophenyl)coumarin (136), 3-(4-ethylphenyl)coumarin {133), 4-(coumarin-3-yl)benzaldehyde {135), 3-(4-methoxiphenyl)coumarin (137), (E)-ethyl 3-[4(coumarin-3-yl)phenyl]­acrylate (138), 6,7-methylenedioxy-[3-(E)-2'-phenylethenyl]coumarin (145), 6,7-dimethoxy-[-(E)-2'-phenylethenyl]coumarin (146), 6,7-dimethoxy-[3-(E)­-2'-(6'-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]coumarin (147), 4-[2-(E)-(6,7-dimethoxy­coumarin-3-yl)ethenyl]benzaldehyde {148) e 6,7-dimethoxy-[3-(E)-2'-(ferro­ cene)ethenyl]coumarin (149), the last nine of these are new compounds, identified and characterized for the first time. The delocalization of conjugated -electron system, induced by different substituents of coumarins, was also assessed by spectroscopy UV/Vis. Part of this work was published at: "New Methodology for the Synthesis of 3-Substituted Coumarins via Pd-Catalyzed Site-Selective Cross-Coupling Reactions", Sérgio Martins, Paula S. Branco, María C. de la Torre, Miguel A. Sierra e António Pereira, Synlett, 2010 (https://www.thieme­connect.com/ejournaIs/abstract/synlett/doi/1O.1 055/s-0030-1259014).

Tortoiseshell or Polymer? Spectroscopic Analysis to Redefine a Purported Tortoiseshell Box with Gold Decorations as a Plastic Box with Brass

The study and preservation of museum collections requires complete knowledge and understanding of constituent materials that can be natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic polymers. In former times, objects were incorporated in museum collections and classified solely by their appearance. New studies, prompted by severe degradation processes or conservation-restoration actions, help shed light on the materiality of objects that can contradict the original information or assumptions. The selected case study presented here is of a box dating from the beginning of the 20th century that belongs to the Portuguese National Ancient Art Museum. Museum curators classified it as a tortoiseshell box decorated with gold applications solely on the basis of visual inspection and the information provided by the donor. This box has visible signs of degradation with white veils, initially assumed to be the result of biological degradation of a proteinaceous matrix. This paper presents the methodological rationale behind this study and proposes a totally non-invasive methodology for the identification of polymeric materials in museum artifacts. The analysis of surface leachates using 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) complemented by in situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) allowed for full characterization of the object s substratum. The NMR technique unequivocally identified a great number of additives and ATR FT-IR provided information about the polymer structure and while also confirming the presence of additives. The pressure applied during ATR FT-IR spectroscopy did not cause any physical change in the structure of the material at the level of the surface (e.g., color, texture, brightness, etc.). In this study, variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VP-SEM-EDS) was also used to obtain the elemental composition of the metallic decorations. Additionally, microbiologic and enzymatic assays were performed in order to identify the possible biofilm composition and understand the role of microorganisms in the biodeterioration process. Using these methodologies, the box was correctly identified as being made of cellulose acetate plastic with brass decorations and the white film was identified as being composed mainly of polymer exudates, namely sulphonamides and triphenyl phosphate.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of Lavandula spp.

Lavenders have been used in folk medicine as disinfectant, expectorant, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, laxative and stimulant. Some species are endemic of Iberian Peninsula and often found in the Portuguese montado, including Lavandula stoechas subsp. luisieri and Lavandula pedunculata. The investigation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the Portuguese montado flora is very poor and restricted to a few botanical families, and their biological activities are mainly attributed to the essential oils. So, it is crucial to know the properties of Lavandula EOs, contributing for animal health and the valorisation of Portuguese montado flora. The aim of this study was to evaluate chemical composition, antioxidant properties and screening anti-inflammatory potential of EOs and extracts of Lavandula stoechas L. subsps. luisieri Rozeira, Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. subsp. pedunculata and Lavandula viridis L’Hér, wild grown in the south of Portugal.