Factores que influenciam o cumprimento das recomenda����es da C.M.V.M. sobre o governo das sociedades cotadas em Portugal

Orientadora: Prof.�� Mestre Alcina Augusta Sena Portugal Dias

N.C.R.F. 3: adop����o pela primeira vez das Normas Contabil��sticas e de Relato Financeiro

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Auditoria

Identifica����o de compostos que modulam a patog��nese da doen��a de Machado-Joseph em C.elegans: autofagia como alvo terap��utico: identification of small compounds that modulate pathogenesis of Machado-Joseph disease in a C.elegans model: targeting autophagy

A doen��a de Machado-Joseph (DMJ) ou ataxia espinocerebelosa do tipo 3 (SCA3), conhecida por ser a mais comum das ataxias heredit��rias dominantes em todo o mundo, �� uma doen��a neurodegenerativa autoss��mica dominante que leva a uma grande incapacidade motora, embora sem alterar o intelecto, culminando com a morte do doente. Atualmente n��o existe nenhum tratamento eficaz para esta doen��a. A DMJ �� resultado de uma altera����o gen��tica causada pela expans��o de uma sequ��ncia poliglutam��nica (poliQ), na regi��o C-terminal do gene que codifica a prote��na ataxina-3 (ATXN3). Os mecanismos celulares das doen��as de poliglutaminas que provocam toxicidade, bem como a fun����o da ATXN3, n��o s��o ainda totalmente conhecidos. Neste trabalho, usamos, pela sua simplicidade e potencial gen��tico, um pequeno animal invertebrado, o nem��tode C. elegans, com o objetivo de identificar f��rmacos eficazes para o combate contra a patog��nese da DMJ, analisando simultaneamente o seu efeito na agrega����o da ATXN3 mutante nas c��lulas neuronais in vivo e o seu impacto no comportamento motor dos animais. Este pequeno invertebrado proporciona grandes vantagens no estudo dos efeitos t��xicos de prote��nas poliQ nos neur��nios, uma vez que a transpar��ncia das suas 959 c��lulas (das quais 302 s��o neur��nios) facilita a dete����o de prote��nas fluorescentes in vivo. Para al��m disso, esta esp��cie tem um ciclo de vida curto, �� econ��mica e de f��cil manuten����o. Neste trabalho test��mos no nosso modelo transg��nico da DMJ com 130Qs em C.elegans dois compostos potencialmente moduladores da agrega����o da ATXN3 mutante e da resultante disfun����o neurol��gica, atuando pela via da autofagia. De modo a validar a poss��vel import��ncia terap��utica da ativa����o da autofagia os compostos candidatos escolhidos foram o Lit��o e o an��logo da Rapamicina CCI-779, testados independentemente e em combina����o. A neuroprote����o conferida pelo Lit��o e pelo CCI-779 independentemente sugere que o uso destes f��rmacos possa ser considerado uma boa estrat��gia como terapia para a DMJ, a testar em organismos evolutivamente mais pr��ximos do humano. A manipula����o da autofagia, segundo v��rios autores, parece ser ben��fica e pode ser a chave para o desenvolvimento de novos tratamentos para v��rias doen��as relacionadas com a agrega����o proteica e o envelhecimento.

Compara����o entre os valores de Procalcitonina e Prote��na C reactiva em adultos com doen��a hemato-oncol��gica

Os pacientes com doen��a hemato-oncol��gica submetidos a quimioterapia possuem maior propens��o para infec����es bacterianas. O seu diagn��stico pode ser efectuado recorrendo-se aos marcadores biol��gicos: procalcitonina (PCT) e prote��na C reactiva (PCR). Neste estudo, observaram-se diferen��as estatisticamente significativas na concentra����o de PCT nos diferentes grupos de infec����o, o que n��o se verificou na concentra����o de PCR. Observou-se ainda uma fraca correla����o entre estes marcadores nos grupos de infec����o. Apenas os valores de PCT est��o directamente relacionados com a gravidade da infec����o, evidenciando-o como um bom marcador de diagn��stico, mais eficaz do que a PCR.

A promo����o/progress��o em 2008 de Assistente do 1�� tri��nio a Assistente do 2�� tri��nio (ECPDESP) e a aplicabilidade ou n��o das Leis n��s 43/2005, de 29.08 e 53-C/2006, de 29.12

Trabalho de natureza profissional para a atribui����o do T��tulo de Especialista do Instituto Polit��cnico do Porto, na ��rea de Direito, defendido a 11-01-2013.

Novel potentiometric sensors of molecular imprinted polymers for specific binding of chlormequat

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) were used as potentiometric sensors for the selective recognition and determination of chlormequat (CMQ). They were produced after radical polymerization of 4-vinyl pyridine (4-VP) or methacrylic acid (MAA) monomers in the presence of a cross-linker. CMQwas used as template. Similar nonimprinted (NI) polymers (NIP) were produced by removing the template from reaction media. The effect of kind and amount of MIP or NIP sensors on the potentiometric behavior was investigated. Main analytical features were evaluated in steady and flow modes of operation. The sensor MIP/4-VP exhibited the best performance, presenting fast near-Nernstian response for CMQover the concentration range 6.2��10-6 ��� 1.0��10-2 mol L-1 with detection limits of 4.1��10-6 mol L-1. The sensor was independent from the pH of test solutions in the range 5 ��� 10. Potentiometric selectivity coefficients of the proposed sensors were evaluated over several inorganic and organic cations. Results pointed out a good selectivity to CMQ. The sensor was applied to the potentiometric determination of CMQin commercial phytopharmaceuticals and spiked water samples. Recoveries ranged 96 to 108.5%.

Facile synthesis of freestanding Si nanowire arrays by one-step template-free electro-deoxidation of SiO2 in molten salt

This communication presents a novel kind of silicon nanomaterial: freestanding Si nanowire arrays (Si NWAs), which are synthesized facilely by one-step template-free electro-deoxidation of SiO2 in molten CaCl2. The self-assembling growth process of this material is also investigated preliminarily.

Pose Estimation using a C-Arm Fluoroscope

Os m��todos cl��nicos que s��o realizados com recurso a tecnologias de imagiologia t��m registado um aumento de popularidade nas ��ltimas duas d��cadas. Os procedimentos tradicionais usados em cirurgia t��m sido substitu��dos por m��todos minimamente invasivos de forma a conseguir diminuir os custos associados e aperfei��oar factores relacionados com a produtividade. Procedimentos cl��nicos modernos como a broncoscopia e a cardiologia s��o caracterizados por se focarem na minimiza����o de ac����es invasivas, com os arcos em ���C��� a adoptarem um papel relevante nesta ��rea. Apesar de o arco em ���C��� ser uma tecnologia amplamente utilizada no aux��lio da navega����o em interven����es minimamente invasivas, este falha na qualidade da informa����o fornecida ao cirurgi��o. A informa����o obtida em duas dimens��es n��o �� suficiente para proporcionar uma compreens��o total da localiza����o tridimensional da regi��o de interesse, revelando-se como uma tarefa essencial o estabelecimento de um m��todo que permita a aquisi����o de informa����o tridimensional. O primeiro passo para alcan��ar este objectivo foi dado ao definir um m��todo que permite a estimativa da posi����o e orienta����o de um objecto em rela����o ao arco em ���C���. De forma a realizar os testes com o arco em ���C���, a geometria deste teve que ser inicialmente definida e a calibra����o do sistema feita. O trabalho desenvolvido e apresentado nesta tese foca-se num m��todo que provou ser suficientemente sustent��vel e eficiente para se estabelecer como um ponto de partida no caminho para alcan��ar o objectivo principal: o desenvolvimento de uma t��cnica que permita o aperfei��oamento da qualidade da informa����o adquirida com o arco em ���C��� durante uma interven����o cl��nica.

Une langue ��trag��re, un ordinateur, une image: c'est simple comme bonjour!

Este artigo surgiu na sequ��ncia de um atelier ���Une langue ��trang��re, un ordinateur, une image: c���est simple comme bonjour!���, desenvolvido no ��mbito do XXI Congresso da Associa����o Portuguesa dos Professores de Franc��s, Images et imaginaires pour agir. Teve como prop��sito divulgar, experimentar e refletir sobre recursos digitais que podem dar um bom contributo ao processo de ensino e aprendizagem do Franc��s L��ngua Estrangeira (FLE). Evidencia-se o poder da imagem na constru����o do conhecimento, desafiando a criatividade e novos modos de ensinar a aprender. Verificou-se que os professores se interessaram pelas ferramentas digitais e evidenciaram a sua import��ncia e a sua aplicabilidade nos contextos educativos. Neste sentido, o artigo divulga ferramentas inform��ticas focadas no desenvolvimento da oralidade/leitura/escrita do franc��s l��ngua estrangeira, refere boas pr��ticas de utiliza����o em contexto de sala de aula, constituindo uma contribui����o para a renova����o da escola.

Est��gio na empresa ��ngelo Coimbra & C.A.,Lda.

Relat��rio de est��gio apresentado no Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administra����o do Porto para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Gest��o das Organiza����es, Ramo de Gest��o de Empresas Orientado por Prof. Doutor Eduardo Manuel Lopes de S�� e Silva Co-Orientado pelo Mestre Adalmiro ��lvaro Malheiro de Castro Andrade Pereira

Novel Prostate Specific Antigen plastic antibody designed withcharged binding sites for an improved protein binding and itsapplication in a biosensor of potentiometric transduction

This work shows that the synthesis of protein plastic antibodies tailored with selected charged monomersaround the binding site enhances protein binding. These charged receptor sites are placed over a neutralpolymeric matrix, thus inducing a suitable orientation the protein reception to its site. This is confirmed bypreparing control materials with neutral monomers and also with non-imprinted template. This concepthas been applied here to Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), the protein of choice for screening prostate can-cer throughout the population, with serum levels >10 ng/mL pointing out a high probability of associatedcancer.Protein Imprinted Materials with charged binding sites (C/PIM) have been produced by surfaceimprinting over graphene layers to which the protein was first covalently attached. Vinylben-zyl(trimethylammonium chloride) and vinyl benzoate were introduced as charged monomers labellingthe binding site and were allowed to self-organize around the protein. The subsequent polymerizationwas made by radical polymerization of vinylbenzene. Neutral PIM (N/PIM) prepared without orientedcharges and non imprinted materials (NIM) obtained without template were used as controls.These materials were used to develop simple and inexpensive potentiometric sensor for PSA. Theywere included as ionophores in plasticized PVC membranes, and tested over electrodes of solid or liq-uid conductive contacts, made of conductive carbon over a syringe or of inner reference solution overmicropipette tips. The electrodes with charged monomers showed a more stable and sensitive response,with an average slope of -44.2 mV/decade and a detection limit of 5.8 �� 10���11mol/L (2 ng/mL). The cor-responding non-imprinted sensors showed lower sensitivity, with average slopes of -24.8 mV/decade.The best sensors were successfully applied to the analysis of serum, with recoveries ranging from 96.9to 106.1% and relative errors of 6.8%.

Haemoglobin smart plastic antibody material tailored with charged binding sites on silica nanoparticles: its application as an ionophore in potentiometric transduction

This work uses surface imprinting to design a novel smart plastic antibodymaterial (SPAM) for Haemoglobin (Hb). Charged binding sites are described here for the first time to tailor plastic antibody nanostructures for a large size protein such as Hb. Its application to design small, portable and low cost potentiometric devices is presented. The SPAM material was obtained by linking Hb to silica nanoparticles and allowing its ionic interaction with charged vinyl monomers. A neutral polymeric matrix was created around these and the imprinted protein removed. Additional materials were designed in parallel acting as a control: a neutral imprinted material (NSPAM), obtained by removing the charged monomers from the procedure, and the Non-Imprinted (NI) versions of SPAM and NSPAM by removing the template. SEM analysis confirmed the surface modification of the silica nanoparticles. All materials were mixed with PVC/plasticizer and applied as selective membranes in potentiometric transduction. Electromotive force (emf) variations were detected only for selective membranes having a lipophilic anionic additive in the membrane. The presence of Hb inside these membranes was evident and confirmed by FTIR, optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The best performance was found for SPAM-based selective membranes with an anionic lipophilic additive, at pH 5. The limits of detection were 43.8 mg mL 1 and linear responses were obtained down to 83.8 mg mL 1, with an average cationic slope of +40 mV per decade. Good selectivity was also observed against other coexisting biomolecules. The analytical application was conducted successfully, showing accurate and precise results.

New molecularly-imprinted polymer for carnitine and its application as ionophore in potentiometric selective membranes

Carnitine (CRT) is a biological metabolite found in urine that contributes in assessingseveral disease conditions, including cancer. Novel quick screening procedures for CRT are therefore fundamental. This work proposes a novel potentiometric device where molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were used as ionophores. The host-tailored sites were imprinted on a polymeric network assembled by radical polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and trimethylpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM). Non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) were produced as control by removing the template from the reaction media. The selective membrane was prepared by dispersing MIP or NIP particles in plasticizer and poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, and casting this mixture over a solid contact support made of graphite. The composition of the selective membrane was investigated with regard to kind/amount of sensory material (MIP or NIP), and the need for a lipophilic additive. Overall, MIP sensors with additive exhibited the best performance, with near-Nernstian response down to ~ 1 �� 10��� 4 mol L��� 1, at pH 5, and a detection limitof ~ 8 �� 10��� 5 mol L��� 1. Suitable selectivity was found for all membranes, assessed by the matched potential method against some of the most common species in urine (urea, sodium, creatinine, sulfate, fructose and hemoglobin). CRT selective membranes including MIP materials were applied successfully to the potentiometric determination of CRT in urine samples.