Search

The use of gamma-rays, ions, X-rays, electrons, or neutrons is very common for imaging, characterization, and the preservation of cultural heritage materials. Their use provides, for example, knowledge about their composition, they are used as a biocide of organic materials, or for the consolidation of materials. Concerns about the eventual side-effects (immediate and future) induced by radiation in some of these materials are growing among the different communities involved. It is very important to join the expertise, knowledge, and concerns of each radiation group together with conservators to clearly study the eventual cause (mainly due to physico-chemical mechanisms) of these side effects, which can provoke the loss of critical analytical information. Quite often objects are made of heterogeneous or composite materials, so consequences of radiation on a very well-known material can change when other materials are involved. Also important is the documentation of the radiation procedures performed on the objects, including any potential visual side-effect. Such information can be crucial for future radiation experiments or to monitor changes along time. The known side-effects observed in a wide range of materials shows the importance of investing in more research and interdisciplinary work. Some examples are: - Colour changes in transparent materials due to trapping of electrons in the vicinity of impurities ; - Overdoses of radiation can break bonds, induce cross-linking or temperature effects which can modify important properties of materials and in extreme cases affect their mechanical integrity ; - Formation of radicals, which can trigger undesirable chemical changes, such as oxidation, leading to colour changes or surface erosion. - Radiation dosages for fungicidal treatments (typically 5 to 10 kGy) can generate side-effects in sensitive materials like paper. To avoid over-exposure, the main parameters (the radiation dose and the dose rate) must be carefully controlled during radiation and optimized following the ALARA approach. Also important is to control and register the environmental parameters and experimental conditions (inert gas, vacuum, low temperature, low moisture, etc.) that can effectively mitigate some adverse effects. For documentation purposes, it will be also important to unify and clarify concepts used within different communities. For example, a dose of 1 kGy could be considered high for the “ion beam community” but not high enough for the “gamma-ray community”, and more importantly, their effects on the materials under study can be totally different. In this work, examples of visible side effects induced by different types of radiation will be shown. Possible responsible mechanisms and ways of mitigation will be discussed, also focusing on non-visible side effects and suitable approaches to detect and record them for future analysis. All researchers involved in cultural heritage materials using radiation techniques should be aware of the possible side effects that such materials may suffer from radiation and the consequences for their (future) behaviour. Only by understanding the origin of such effects, it will be possible to create strategies, protocols, and risk analysis prior to exposure. Research programs involving different communities and training programs are needed to raise our understanding and transmit knowledge.

A series of nine tetrakis lanthanide β-diketonate complexes of the type [C2mim][Ln(fod)4] (C2mim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, fod = 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionate) were prepared, with yields above 80%, and their thermochemical, photophysical and magnetic susceptibilities were evaluated. Thermochemical studies presented a rare and reversible conversion between two solid phases (polymorphism), characteristic of the [Ln(fod)4]− anion. Photophysical and magnetic studies revealed that Dy and Er presented the multifunctionality of being simultaneously SMMs and visible (Dy) or near infra-red (Er) emitters. The Nd, Ho and Tm analogues present characteristic emission bands in the NIR region (800–1200 nm), while Sm, Eu, Tb and Dy present emissions in the visible range. Magnetic susceptibility of Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm salts were measured in the temperature range of 2–300 K, showing paramagnetic behaviour, although with different regimes, with AC susceptibility measurements, at different frequencies in the range of 10–10 000 Hz, providing evidence of slow magnetic relaxation processes for Gd, Dy and Er analogues with SMM behavior. published

1st Natural Products Application: health, cosmetic and food - International online conference, 4-5 February 2021, The number of nutraceuticals and functional foodsfrom marine origin is increasing in the worldwide market. Specifically, the red seaweeds Grareloupia turuturu and Porphyra umbilicalis have shown their potential considering relevant bioactive compounds and nutritional value [1,2]. Nevertheless, it is pertinent to explore knowledge gaps regarding their nutritional/chemical composition and bioactivities. Hence firstly G. turuturu and P. umbilicalis proximate composition and lipid classes were determined; secondly, after preparing hydroethanolic and aqueous infusion and decoction) seaweed extracts, mycosporine-like ami no acids (MAAs) and carbohydrates were quantified. and the immunomodulatory potential was assessed using RAW 264.7 cell line. Results show that dietary fibre was the most abundant nutritional parameter for both seaweed species, followed by relevant ash and protein contents. Free fatty acids were the main lipid class in both seaweed species, whereas tocopherols exhibited residual contentsby RP-HPLC-FLD. For hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts, several MAAs were quantified by RP-HPLC-DAD and LC-DAD ESI-MS. P. umbilicalis extracts demonstrated greater MAAs content than G. turuturu, and porphyra-334 was the main MAA. The aqueous extracts of both seaweeds showed higher carbohydrate contents than the hydroethanolic, with P. umbilicalis decoction exhibiting the highest level. Concerning the immunomodulatory activity, for 0.02 mg/mL, the exposure to P. umbilicalis aqueous extracts resulted in the most accentuated 'NO production by RAW 264.7 cells, showing immunostimulatory potential. MAAs and carbohydrates are believed to be responsible for the immunostimulatory activity [3,4]. G. turuturu and P. umbilicalis potential as functional food and nutraceuticals, relying on their relevance as sources of bioactive compounds to the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, is thus reinforced, This work was financed by European Funds FEDER/COMPETE/POCI under project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006958 (CITAB), and by FCT to CECAV (UIDB/CVT/00772/2020), CITAB (UlDB/04033/2020) and CESAM (UIDP/5001712020+UIDB/50017/2020). FCT is also acknowledged for a doctoral grant to Joao Ferreira (SFRH/BD/144882/2019)

RESUMEN: Introducción: La angioplastia coronaria en octogenarios aumenta, pero esta población está poco representada en los estudios aleatorizados por su alto riesgo. Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados de angioplastia coronaria de pacientes octogenarios e identificar predictores independientes de mala evolución en el seguimiento. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, pacientes consecutivos con angioplastia coronaria junio 2011 a Septiembre 2013 en un Hospital Polivalente. Se compararon octogenarios (edad ≥ 80 años) con el resto. Se evaluaron las características basales y del procedimiento. Se evaluó la mortalidad y los eventos cardiovasculares mayores (MACE, muerte, infarto o stroke) a 30 días, 1 y 3 años. Se realizó un análisis univariado y multivariado para predictores de mala evolución. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1030 pacientes, 20,2% octogenarios. La edad promedio de los octogenarios era de 83 años (RIC 81-86). Estos presentaron más factores de riesgo y comorbilidades. La tasa de éxito y la cantidad de stents fue similar entre los grupos. La tasa de MACE fue mayor en octogenarios a 30 días (14,4% vs. 4,9%; p < 0,001), 1 año (23,9% vs. 8,5%; p < 0,001) y a 3 años (p < 0,0001), a expensas de mortalidad sin diferencias en el infarto (4,8% vs. 3,8%), el stroke (1,7% vs. 1,6%), ni en complicaciones del procedimiento. Los predictores independientes de muerte en octogenarios incluyen IRC, EPOC y deterioro de la función ventricular. La edad ≥ 80 años fue un predictor independiente de MACE en la población general. Conclusiones: Observamos una aceptable tasa de éxito de angioplastia coronaria en pacientes octogenarios, asociada con un aumento de la mortalidad inmediata y alejada que no parece relacionada con el procedimiento. La IRC, el EPOC y el deterioro de la función ventricular son predictores independientes de mal pronóstico en estos pacientes.

Los aneurismas del cayado aórtico representan un desafío, ya que el involucramiento de sus grandes ramas exige una técnica quirúrgica compleja. A partir de la aparición del tratamiento endovascular, una alternativa desarrollada en los últimos años para abordar el cayado aórtico consistió en el tratamiento híbrido de esta patología, mediante la derivación quirúrgica de los vasos del cuello y la posterior exclusión del aneurisma con una endoprótesis. Este método híbrido es conocido con el nombre de debranching, y en forma simplificada consiste en realizar, sin circulación extracorpórea, una serie de puentes entre la aorta ascendente y el tronco braquiocefálico, la arteria carótida izquierda y eventualmente la arteria subclavia izquierda, para permitir avanzar una endoprótesis que cubra toda la luz del aneurisma. Se describe la técnica quirúrgica del debranching híbrido tipo I, sin el auxilio de la circulación extracorpórea e implante anterógrado de la endoprótesis, para los aneurismas del cayado aórtico. Aortic arch aneurysms represent a major challenge as the involvement of the supra-aortic vessels demands a complex surgical technique. Since the advent of endovascular aortic repair, hybrid treatment of aortic arch disease has emerged in recent years. The procedure consists of surgical bypass of the supra-aortic vessels followed by exclusion of the aneurysm with an endograft. This hybrid method is known as debranching and, briefly, consists in performing bypasses between the ascending aorta and the brachiocephalic artery, the left carotid artery and possibly the left subclavian artery without cardiopulmonary bypass, in order to advance an endograft to cover the entire lumen of the aneurysm. The aim of this paper is to describe the surgical technique of type I hybrid debranching without cardiopulmonary bypass and antegrade endograft delivery to treat aortic arch aneurysms.

The complexity of the Ruminococcus flavefaciens cellulosome reflects an expansion in glycan recognition. Annual Meeting of the Society for Glycobiology

Póster presentado al XI International Conference on Goats (Gran Canaria, Spain, 23-27 Sept. 2012)., Some bioactive plants such as tannin-containing heather can reduce parasitic infections by gastrointestinal nematodes, enhancing goat performance. Thus, goats could select to feed on heather despite its low nutritive value to maintain a better health status. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of heather supplementation on diet selection, nutrient intake, and gastrointestinal nematode infections in grazing goats. Four 0.5 ha-paddocks with Agrostis capillaris-dominated grasslands were established in western Asturias (northern Spain). Twelve Cashmere goats with their kids were allocated in each paddock from April to November. In two of the paddocks, goats were offered freshly cut heather (mostly Calluna vulgaris) every 3 days, whereas no heather was supplied in the other two. Diet selection (pasture-heather) and daily dry matter intake (DMI) of goats were estimated in two periods (June and October) using alkane markers. Samples of pasture and heather were analysed for crude protein (CP), neutral and acid detergent fibre (NDF, ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL), and their daily intakes calculated. Faecal samples were collected monthly for faecal nematode egg count (FEC). In June, mean heather percentage in the diet of supplemented goats was 21%. Total DMI per metabolic body weight was not affected by heather supplementation (mean 64 g DM kg BW−0.75 d−1), indicating a total replacement of pasture by heather. As a consequence, CP intake was lower while ADF and ADL intakes were higher (P < 0.05) in supplemented than in pasture-fed goats. In October, heather percentage in the diet of supplemented goats was 35%, and total DMI was lower than in June in both supplemented and non-supplemented goats (31 and 27 g DM kg BW−0.75 d−1, respectively). Thus, goats again substituted pasture for heather to a large extent (68%). ADF and ADL intakes were higher (P < 0.01) in supplemented goats, with no differences for CP intake, partly due to the lower CP contents in the autumn pasture. FEC increased less (P < 0.05) across the grazing season in supplemented goats (46% reduction level in relation to non-supplemented goats). In spite of the nutritionally poorer intake, heathersupplemented goats showed more favourable BW changes. In conclusion, goats chose to feed on tannin-containing heather instead of grazing only on more nutritious pasture. Goats sacrificed nutrient intake in the interests of health, which ultimately improved their productive responses.