Potential utility of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and propolis in enhancing the leishmanicidal activity of glucantime

In this study we investigated the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, alone or combined with the pentavalent antimonial glucantime on Leishmania amazonensis infection. In parallel, the effect of Brazilian red propolis gel (propain) alone or combined with glucantime on L. amazonensis infection was evaluated. The inhibition of the infection in macrophages treated with glucantime in combination with HBO exposition was greater than that of macrophages treated with glucantime alone or HBO alone. The susceptible mouse strain BALB/c infected in the shaved rump with L. amazonensis treated with glucantime and exposed to HBO showed: time points in the course of the disease in which lesions were smaller than those of mice treated with glucantime alone and revascularization of the skin in the lesion site; interferon-gamma (IFN-g) levels were not elevated in lymph node cells from these animals. Propain alone was not efficient against lesions, although less exudative lesions were observed in animals treated with propain alone or combined with glucantime. These results reveal the potential value of HBO and red propolis in combination with glucantime for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis and encourage further studies on the effect of more aggressive HBO, propolis and glucantime therapies on different mouse models of leishmaniasis.

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy Under Conscious Sedation with Inhaled 50% Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Mixture

Anogenital lichen sclerosus is a chronic, inflammatory, mucocutaneous disorder of significant morbidity. Common symptoms include pruritus, pain, dysuria, and dyspareunia, frequently of difficult control. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be an effective therapeutic option in selected cases refractory to first--‐line treatment options. However, procedure--‐related pain is a limiting factor in patient adherence to treatment. Conscious sedation and analgesia with a ready--‐to--‐use gas mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is useful in short--‐term procedures. It provides a rapid, effective, and short--‐lived effect, without the need for anesthesiology support. A 75--‐year--‐old woman presented with a highly symptomatic, histologically confirmed vulvar lichen sclerosus, with at least 15 years of evolution. Pain, pruritus, and dysuria were intense and disabling. Treatment with ultrapotent topical corticosteroids proved to be ineffective despite patient compliance. She was then referred for PDT. A total of 3 sessions were performed, held at a mean interval of 9 weeks, and under the analgesic and sedative effect of nitrous oxide/oxygen gas. Response to treatment was evaluated through a daily, self--‐reported pain rating scale. Dysuria remitted completely after the first PDT session. An 80% reduction in pruritus and pain was observed after the third session, and has been sustained for the past six months without further need for topical corticotherapy. Treatment sessions were well tolerated and pain-- free, with no side effects to report. PDT appears to be effective in the symptomatic treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first case reporting the use of inhaled nitrous oxide/oxygen gas mixture during PDT performed in the genital area. Its analgesic and sedative effects may increase patients’ adherence to this painful procedure. Furthermore, given its safety, it can be easily managed in outpatient clinics by trained dermatologists.

Evaluation of thermometers for ear temperature measurement at the wards in a university hospital

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Biomédica

Conscious Sedation with Inhaled 50% Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Premix in Photodynamic Therapy Sessions for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus Treatment

Photodynamic therapy has been described as an effective therapeutic option in selected cases of anogenital lichen sclerosus that are refractory to first-line treatments. However, procedure-related pain is a limiting factor in patient adherence to treatment. The authors report the case of a 75-year-old woman with highly symptomatic vulvar lichen sclerosus, successfully treated with photodynamic therapy. An inhaled 50% nitrous oxide/oxygen premix was administered during sessions, producing a pain-relieving, anxiolytic, and sedative effect without loss of consciousness. This ready-to-use gas mixture may be a well-tolerated and accepted alternative to classical anesthetics in Photodynamic therapy, facilitating patients' adherence to illumination of pain-prone areas.

Reductive scavenging of reactive oxygen species in prokaryotes

Dissertação para a obtenção de grau de doutor em Bioquímica pelo Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica. Universidade Nova de Lisboa.

The impact of the measurement unit of unit price on consumer preference and choice

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Atomic force microscopy assisted with electron and ion beam microscopy for the direct measurement of biostructures and DNA samples

Dissertation to obtain a Master degree in Biotechnology

Fair value measurement: Is the debate around level II and level III assets and liabilities relevant

Double Degree. A Work Project presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Finance from the NOVA- School of Business and Economics and a Masters Degree in Business Engineering from Louvain school of Management

Designing and implementing a performance measurement system in Auto Ribeiro, Lda.

In any business it is very important to measure the performance and it helps to select key information to make better decisions on time. This research focuses on the design and implementation of a performance measurement system in a Portuguese medium size firm operating in the specialized health care transformation vehicles industry. From the evidence that outputs from Auto Ribeiro’s current information system is misaligned with the company’s objectives and strategy, this research tries to solve this business problem through the development of a Balanced Scorecard analysis, although there are some issues, which deserve further development.

Cylindrical spinning rotor gauge — A new approach for vacuum measurement

The spinning rotor gauge (SRG) is one of the most interesting vacuum gauges ever made, covering a pressure range of over seven orders of magnitude, with minimal gas interference (no pumping, ionization or heating of the measured gas), and a great stability of less than 1% drift per year. But despite its remarkable properties, apparently the SRG has not been further developed since the eighties, when it gained commercial interest. In this context, this dissertation aims at providing a starting point for a new line of investigation regarding this instrument, focused on the rotor itself. A brief study of different rotor geometries is provided, including a comparison between a cylindrical rotor and a spherical one. A cylindrical spinning rotor gauge (CSRG) is then proposed, based on the original SRG, but requiring a completely new lateral damping system. A prototype was built and tested against a non calibrated reference gauge.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the regeneration of experimental crush injuries of nerves

Hyperbaric oxygen has been successfully used on treatment of acute ischemic injuries involving soft tissues and chronic injuries. In nerve crush injuries, the mechanisms involved are very similar to those found in ischemic injuries. Consequently, it is logical to hypothesize that hyperbaric oxygen should improve nerve repair, which is a critical step on functional recovery. In the present study, we created standard nerve crush injuries on sciatic nerves of rats, which underwent treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Results were assessed by functional evaluation using walking-track analysis. The functional recovery indexes observed did not differ from control group. We concluded that hyperbaric oxygen therapy, in the schedule used, had no influence on functional recovery after nerve crush injuries.

Comparison of the fluorescent polarization (TDx) and the enzymatic competitive (EMIT 2000) immune assays for the measurement of cyclosporin A blood concentration

Evaluation of Cyclosporin A (CyA) blood concentration is imperative in solid organ transplantation in order to achieve maximal immunosuppression with the least side effects. We compared the results of whole blood concentrations of CyA in 50 blood samples simultaneously evaluated by the fluorescent polarization immune assay (TDx) and the enzymatic competitive immune assay (EMIT 2000). There was a strong correlation between both kits for any range of CyA blood concentration (R=0.99, p<0.001). The within-run and between-days coefficient of variation were less than 4% for both assays. The cost for each CyA measurement was 50% lower for the EMIT assay when compared to the TDx assay. We concluded that the EMIT is as accurate as the TDx in measuring CyA blood concentration and has the advantage of a lower cost, as well as the possibility of widespread access to the EMIT methodology in contrast to the TDx equipment, allowing the laboratory to perform several routines within a working day.

A behavioral perspective on the effects of using performance measurement systems in the companies: Evidence from a case study

The effects of PMSs on the people’s behaviour represent a high degree of relevance in the context of an organization performance and success. Thus, motivational and behavioural consequences of performance measurements are far from being totally understood (Franco-Santos et al., 2012). This work project (WP) purposes going further regarding the consequences/effects on people’s behaviour of using PMSs in organizations. The researcher conducted 11 interviews to managers during a nine-month internship as a controller in a Portuguese multi-national company. The evidence from this WP suggests that the way how managers understand a PMS determines a lot the way how they behave. Data also supports that PMSs influences in several ways motivation, perceptions, participation and job-related stress of managers.

Toxicity measurement techniques for building materials with wastes

The innovative Horizon 2020 program sponsored by the European Union (EU) aims to promote and develop processes of waste integration in construction materials. However, several potential health hazards caused by building materials have been identified and, there-fore, there is an ongoing need to develop new recycling methods for hazardous wastes and effi-cient barriers in order to prevent toxic releases from the new construction solutions with wastes. This paper presents an overview that focus on two main aspects: the identification of the health risks related to radioactivity and heavy metals present in building materials and identification of these toxic substances in new construction solutions that contain recycled wastes. Different waste materials were selected and distinct methodologies of toxicity evaluation are presented to analyse the potential hazardous, the feasibility of using those wastes and the achievement of op-timal construction solutions involving wastes.