IJUP08 - Universidade do Porto

IJUP08
First Meeting of
Young Researchers of U.Porto
20•22 Feb 2008
Faculdade de Arquitectura da
Universidade do Porto
RESUMOS / ABSTRACTS

Nota Introdutória
A Universidade do Porto inicia em 2008, sob o tema "Investigação Jovem na
Universidade do Porto (IJUP)", uma série de encontros científicos destinados aos seus
alunos (nacionais ou de Eramus) dos 1º e 2º ciclos.
O IJUP é um encontro científico, de cariz anual, onde os alunos da U. Porto são
convidados a apresentar trabalhos ou estudos por eles desenvolvidos ou em vias de
serem desenvolvidos, enquanto estudantes do 1º ou 2º ciclos.
São objectivos principais do IJUP fomentar a participação dos alunos da U. Porto em
eventos de índole científica, permitir que os seus trabalhos sejam divulgados junto da
comunidade científica da U. Porto e dos restantes alunos desta Universidade e
incentivar a discussão interdisciplinar entre as diferentes vertentes de investigação que
são desenvolvidas na U. Porto.
A comissão organizadora do IJUP é composta por elementos de todas as unidades
orgânicas da U. Porto e tem a coordenação do Vice-Reitor da U. Porto para ID&I.
No IJUP08, a vertente interdisciplinar será reforçada e francamente enriquecida pela
participação de várias instituições internacionais convidadas, como são o caso das
universidades brasileiras: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) e Universidade Estadual
Paulista (UNESP) e norte americanas: The University of Texas at Austin e da Rutgers,
The State University of New Jersey.
Contando com uma enorme diversidade de áreas do conhecimento, o IJUP08 tem
prevista a realização de duas sessões plenárias de comunicações orais
interdisciplinares que têm como objectivos promover o contacto e a comunicação entre
áreas tão diferentes como as ciências da saúde, a arquitectura, a psicologia, a
engenharia, a economia, entre outras.
Fazem também parte do programa do IJUP 08 várias sessões de comunicações orais
que ocorrerão em paralelo e que estão agrupadas consoante a área científica em que
se inserem, e ainda sessões de apresentação de posters em que se prevê, mais uma
vez, a discussão interdisciplinar promovida por pequenas comissões de moderadores
de diferentes áreas científicas.
Os objectivos científicos, pedagógicos e de divulgação interdisciplinar, do IJUP08
serão consolidados pela realização de um workshop que pretende a divulgação de
diversas oportunidades de financiamento disponibilizadas em Portugal e de um outro
que permitirá o contacto dos jovens investigadores com investigadores seniores da
U.Porto com carreira reconhecida, de diferentes áreas científicas e diferentes
gerações.
Pela afluência, diversidade e qualidade das participações, esperamos que o IJUP08
cumpra com sucesso todos os seus objectivos, motivando assim a comunidade
académica à continuação e incentivo da Investigação Jovem.
A Comissão Organizadora
i

Adrián Silva
Dinis Cayolla Ribeiro
Elisa Keating
Filipe Abrantes
Georgina Correia da Silva
Gonçalo Furtado
Helena Pereira Madureira
Hugo Valente
Jorge Gonçalves
Jorge Teixeira
José Rodrigues Lima
Laura Oliveira
Lígia Afonso
Luís Miguel Palma Madeira
Mª Paula Santos
Manuela Aguiar
Marcela Alves Segundo
Maria José Oliveira
Pedro Sousa Gomes
Sofia Rodrigues
Secretariado:
Helena Oliveira
Maria João Amaral
Comissão Organizadora / Comité Científico
ii

Índice
NOTA INTRODUTÓRIA ___________________________________________________I
COMISSÃO ORGANIZADORA / COMITÉ CIENTÍFICO__________________________ II
PROGRAMA GERAL_____________________________________________________ 1
INTERDISCIPLINARY ORAL SESSIONS - IOS1 _______________________________ 4
WHAT CAN A SIMULATION STUDY TELL US ABOUT THE RELEVANCE OF UTILITY
AND WEALTH INDICATORS FOR DECISION MAKING CONCERNING PRODUCTION
AND MARKET BEHAVIOUR _______________________________________________ 5
CONSTRUCTION OF A LEARNING UNIT IN A MOODLE PLATFORM: STUDYING
MITOSIS USING FRUIT FLY AS A MODEL ___________________________________ 6
THE KARIMOJONG PEOPLE FROM UGANDA: A HISTORY ASSESSED THROUGH
PATTERNS OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA _____________________________________ 7
ANGIOGENESIS MODULATION BY CATECHIN _______________________________ 8
NOVEL FUNCTIONALISED TEXTILES THROUGH NANOSTRUCUTURED CARBON
AND CLAY BASED MATERIALS (NANOTEXTUP) _____________________________ 9
ALFONSO X’S GENERAL ESTORIA AND THE PORTUGUESE CULTURE: AN
EXAMPLE OF CONTINUITY BETWEEN MIDDLE AGES AND MODERNITY ________ 10
INTERDISCIPLINARY ORAL SESSIONS – IOS2______________________________ 11
ALTERNATIVE USER INTERFACES FOR GAME CONTROL____________________ 12
TRADITIONAL TIMBER CONSTRUCTION BUILDINGS: THE EXAMPLE OF THE
PORTUGUESE CENTRAL LITTORAL PALHEIROS ___________________________ 13
TREATMENT OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS WITH CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS: ON
THE ROLE OF NICOTINIC AUTORECEPTORS CONTAINING Α3Β2 SUBUNITS ____ 14
MUSIC AND PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS________________________________ 15
AUTOMATIC EMOTION ASSESSMENT THROUGH BIOMETRIC INFORMATION ___ 16
DEVELOPMENT OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES FOR THE DETECTION OF
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS IN MAIZE FOOD PRODUCTS ___________ 17

PERMEABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE (HPC)
CONTAINING VARYING CONCENTRATIONS OF HYCRETE TESTED AND
COMPARED BY METHOD OF RAPID CHLORIDE PERMEABILITY TEST AND THE
NON-STEADY-STATE MIGRATION TEST (NORDTEST METHOD NT BUILD 492)___ 18
MARIO PEDROSA E A SUA ATUAÇÃO CRÍTICA NA PRESIDÊNCIA DA ABCA _____ 19
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS I – POS.I.1 ___________________________________ 20
YEAST AS A NEW APPROACH TO STUDY THE REGULATION OF P53-DEPENDENT
APOPTOSIS BY PROTEIN KINASE C DELTA________________________________ 21
ANTITUMOR AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF XANTHONIC DERIVATIVES,
POTENTIAL INHIBITORS OF STEROID SULFATASE _________________________ 22
E-CADHERIN SILENCING: MORE THAN INACTIVATING MUTATIONS ___________ 23
SYNTHESIS AND DETERMINATION OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF
XANTHONES _________________________________________________________ 24
DISSEMINATION OF BLATEM-52 AMONG ESCHERICHIA COLI AND KLEBSIELLA
PNEUMONIAE STRAINS IS CAUSED BY SPREAD OF PLASMIDS IN PORTUGAL __ 25
SYNERGISM BETWEEN ADENOSINE A2A AND TACHYKININ NK1 RECEPTORS
FACILITATE [3H]-ACH RELEASE FROM MYENTERIC NEURONS _______________ 26
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS I – POS.I.2 ___________________________________ 27
THE KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY AS A HEGEMONIC META-OBJECT OF URBAN
CENTRE RENEWAL POLICIES: THE CASE OF PORTO _______________________ 28
“MASSARELOS NETWORK”: SPACES AND TIMES OF INTER-INSTITUTIONAL
ARTICULATION, IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN “EDUCATING PARISH” __________ 29
THE SPACE OF INTERVALS. THE INNER SPACES OF URBAN BLOCKS: SPACE,
LANDSCAPE, CITY_____________________________________________________ 30
FORMS OF HOUSING AND WAYS OF LIVING IN PORTO’S CONTEMPORARY URBAN
TERRITORY __________________________________________________________ 31
INTERACTIVE APPLICATION FOR SPATIAL COMMUNICATION AND
REPRESENTATION ____________________________________________________ 32
ECONOMICAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF ASTRONOMY _____________________ 33
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS I – POS.I.3 ___________________________________ 34

ESTIMATION OF POSTMORTEM INTERVAL BASED ON THE DETERMINATION OF
POTASSIUM IN VITREOUS HUMOR BY AN AUTOMATIC SYSTEM ______________ 35
THE DYNAMICAL STATE OF GALAXIES: FROM 2D TO 6D ____________________ 36
DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATIC MULTI-PUMPING FLOW SYSTEM FOR THE
SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF TRIMIPRAMINE_______________ 37
ANTI-DE SITTER SPACE AND THE STABILITY OF SCALAR FIELD ______________ 38
ACCESSIBILITY AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION – NEW DIRECTIONS AND
GUIDELINES FOR MOODLE “ESTALEIRO DA CIÊNCIA”_______________________ 39
QUANTUM VACUUM ENERGY IN GENERAL RELATIVITY (THE CASIMIR EFFECT) 40
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS II – POS.II.1 __________________________________ 41
MICROPLATE HIGH-THROUGHPUT METHODOLOGY FOR DETERMINATION OF
FOLIN-CIOCALTEU INDEX ______________________________________________ 42
DETECTION OF AUTHORIZED GENETICALLY MODIFIED MAIZE EVENTS:
PARTICIPATION IN AN INTER-LABORATORIAL STUDY_______________________ 43
DETECTION OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED SOYBEAN IN FOODSTUFFS:
PARTICIPATION IN AN INTER-LABORATORIAL STUDY_______________________ 44
HPLC SEPARATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF CATECHINS IN GREEN TEA HOME
PREPARED: COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL SOFT DRINKS _______________ 45
PRODUCT ENGINEERING – APPLICATION OF VANILLIN IN ALIMENTARY FOOD
PASTE INDUSTRY _____________________________________________________ 46
DEVELOPMENT OF A COATING BARRIER FOR CORK STOPPERS FOR THEIR USE
IN SPIRITUOUS DRINKS ________________________________________________ 47
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS II – POS.II.2 __________________________________ 48
THE ARCHITECT’S HOUSE ______________________________________________ 49
ORGANIC LIVING | WEEKEND HOUSE IN CASTELO DE PAIVA ________________ 50
FROM RCR EXPERIENCE TO A PROJECT OF A SMALL HOUSE IN THE MOUNTAIN
_____________________________________________________________________ 51
CASA COMUM [COMMON/COLLECTIVE/COMMUNITARIAN HOUSE/HOME]
ARCHITECTURES FOR AN INTERMEDIARY SPACE _________________________ 52

THE COURTYARD AND SIZA’S HOUSES___________________________________ 53
THE SILENCE AND THE SKY: SECLUSION AND ARCHITECTURE. FOUR
COURTYARD-HOUSES _________________________________________________ 54
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS II – POS.II.3 __________________________________ 55
EFFECT OF METALS ON THE ATPREP1 PEPTIDASOME ACTIVITY _____________ 56
LIPOSOME-INCORPORATED ZANTHOXYLUM TINGOASSUIBA ESSENTIAL OIL:
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION_________________________________ 57
ANCHORING OF MACROCYCLE COMPOUNDS ONTO NANOSTRUCTURED CARBON
MATERIALS FOR CATALYTIC APPLICATIONS ______________________________ 58
CHARACTERIZING THE INTERMETALLIC FORMED DURING BALL ATTACH
PROCESS ____________________________________________________________ 59
FUNCTIONAL INSULIN QUANTIFICATION UPON ITS NANOENCAPSULATION ____ 60
TEMPERATURE AND COMPOSITION EFFECTS ON THE MICELLE FORMATION BY A
CATANIONIC SURFACTANT: A SURFACE TENSION AND CONDUCTIVITY STUDY 61
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS III – POS.III.1 _________________________________ 62
PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS, ORGANIC ACIDS AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF
RUMEX INDURATUS ___________________________________________________ 63
MUC1 OVEREXPRESSION IS ASSOCIATED WITH DISTANT METASTASES
DEVELOPMENT IN CANINE MAMMARY CARCINOMAS _______________________ 64
ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE MITOTIC CHECKPOINTS IN
GLIOBLASTOMA CELL LINES ____________________________________________ 65
PRENYLATED AND BROMOALKYLATED XANTHONES AS POTENTIAL ANTITUMOR
AGENTS: SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES ________________________ 66
P-CADHERIN: ROLE IN BREAST CANCER CELL MIGRATION AND INVASION ____ 67
IMPAIRMENT OF RETROGRADE SIGNALLING VIA ADENOSINE IN TOXIN-INDUCED
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: CROSS-TALK WITH MUSCARINIC AUTORECEPTORS ___ 68
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS III – POS.III.2 _________________________________ 69
CONTEMPORARY CONDITION: ‘NEW’ RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ARCHITECTURE
AND CITY ____________________________________________________________ 70

FORM AND MATTER IN THE WORK OF RAFAEL MONEO _____________________ 71
ARCHITECTURE AND CLIMATE. SITE GEOGRAPHY: LUANDA AND THE WORK OF
VASCO VIEIRA DA COSTA ______________________________________________ 72
CRISES E REFORMAS: O COLONIALISMO ILUSTRADO NA CAPITANIA DE SÃO
PAULOE OS ESFORÇOS DE MODERNIZAÇÃO DO GOVERNO MORGADO DE
MATEUS (1765-1755) ___________________________________________________ 73
INCORPORATION OF ORGANICS/INORGANICS NANOCOMPOSITES IN COATINGS
OF HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL AND MECHANICAL RESISTANCE_________________ 74
ZENITHAL ILLUMINATION – FROM ALVAR AALTO TO ÁLVARO SIZA’S WORK ____ 75
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS III – POS.III.3 _________________________________ 76
ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGES FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY ____________________ 77
EXHIBITING ARCHITECTURE IN PORTUGUESE. CURATORIAL ACTIVITY IN
PORTUGAL PRE- TRIENAL DE ARQUITECTURA DE LISBOA __________________ 78
THE “ECLIPSE” OF ARCHITECTURE ______________________________________ 79
PROMENADE TO CORBUSIER ___________________________________________ 80
ARCHITECTURE: STUDIES AND POSSIBILITIES OF TRANSVERSALITIES. SPACE OF
ENCOUNTER – HERZOG & DE MEURON, DILLER + SCOFIDIO, DAN GRAHAM,
LACATON & VASSAL, SANCHO Y MADRIDEJOS, VITO ACCONCI [1] ____________ 81
CONTACT POINTS_BETWEEN SWISS AND PORTUGUESE ARCHITECTURE_____ 82
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS IV – POS.IV.1 _________________________________ 83
LEVELS OF BUTYLTINS IN SEDIMENT AND SUITABILITY OF SALT MARCH PLANTS
FOR RHIZOREMEDIATION ______________________________________________ 84
IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOMATIC METHODOLOGIES FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS CONTAINING ALLOPURINOL BASED ON
BIOCATALYSTS _______________________________________________________ 85
AZO-DYE ORANGE II DEGRADATION BY FENTON-LIKE REACTION USING AS
CATALYSTS TRANSITION METALS IN CARBON SUPPORTS __________________ 86
MONITORING OF BIOLOGICAL REMEDIATION OF A SOIL POLLUTED WITH
PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS__________________________________________ 87
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF A NOVEL PLANCTOMYCETE BACTERIUM
RELATED TO ISOSPHAERA GROUP FROM A FRESHWATER AQUARIUM _______ 88

INTRACELLULAR GENE REGULATION VIA ENGINEERED NANOLIPOBLOCKERS
FOR INHIBITION OF CHOLESTEROL UPTAKE ______________________________ 89
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS IV – POS.IV.2 _________________________________ 90
THE RELATIVITY OF HAPPINESS: PORTUGAL AND THE EU __________________ 91
NATURAL RESOURCES COURSE ________________________________________ 92
PROCESSES OF CORRUPTION IN PORTUGAL: RESULTS OF AN EXPLORATORY
RESEARCH___________________________________________________________ 93
DESISTÊNCIA DO TRATAMENTO DE ENURESE: AVALIAÇÃO DOS MOTIVOS
ALEGADOS E DE VARIÁVEIS ASSOCIADAS ________________________________ 94
POPULAR CULTURE AND THE FORMATION OF THE WORKING CLASS_________ 95
A TROUBLED LEGACY. CHANGING STRATEGIES OF SOCIAL TRANSMISSION AND
PATTERNS OF IDENTITY PRODUCTION AMONG INDUSTRIAL WORKERS ______ 96
PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS IV – POS.IV.3 _________________________________ 97
SCREENING OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS WITH BIOACTIVITY IN PIERIS
BRASSICAE L. REARED ON BRASSICA RAPA VAR RAPA L. USING HPLC-DAD-
MS/MS-ESI ___________________________________________________________ 98
SPATIO-TEMPORAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
ENZYMES-FAAH AND COX-2 IN THE FETOPLACENTAL UNIT _________________ 99
DETERMINATION OF HYPOXANTHINE IN VITREOUS HUMOR BY A SEQUENTIAL
INJECTION ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE ESTIMATION OF
POSTMORTEM INTERVAL _____________________________________________ 100
A NEW METHOD TO EVALUATE SPONTANEOUS PAIN IN NEUROPATHIC PAIN
MODELS: A STUDY IN RATS WITH SPARED NERVE INJURY _________________ 101
COMPREHENSIBILITY OF PICTORIAL REPRESENTATIONS WITHIN HEALTH
EDUCATIONAL AND INSTRUCTIONAL ARTIFACTS – A CASE STUDY __________ 102
CALCIUM UPTAKE BY RAT HIPPOCAMPAL SYNAPTOSOMES: REGULATION BY
ENDOGENOUS ADENOSINE AND DIFFERENT DEPOLARIZING AGENTS _______ 103
NEW CONDITIONS FOR GREATER PURIFICATION YIELD OF PHOSPHORYLATED
PERIOD PROTEIN IN DROSOPHILA______________________________________ 104
POSTERS ___________________________________________________________ 105

HPLC-DAD-MS/MS ANALYSIS OF PHENOLICS IN VITRO SHOOTS OF BRASSICA
OLERACEA L. VAR. COSTATA DC _______________________________________ 111
THERMODYNAMIC AND THEORETICAL STUDY OF DIPHENYLPYRIDINES _____ 112
FORM AND STRUCTURE ON EDUARDO SOUTO DE MOURA’S ARCHITECTURE 113
POSSIBLE CORRELATION BETWEEN MORBID OBESITY AND INFLAMMATION: A
PERIPHERAL LEUKOCYTE STUDY ______________________________________ 114
IN VITRO AND IN VIVO STUDIES OF THE EXPRESSION OF CARBOHYDRATES IN A
CANINE MAMMARY CARCINOMA CELL LINE ______________________________ 115
DETERMINATION OF CADMIUM CONTENT IN SARDINE PILCHARDUS_________ 116
OPTIMIZATION STUDY FOR ARSENIC QUANTIFICATION IN FISH USING
MICROWAVE-ASSISTED DIGESTION AND GRAPHITE FURNACE ATOMIC
ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY ________________________________________ 117
OPTIMIZATION OF AN ENZYMATIC AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR
INORGANIC PYROPHOSPHATE BASED ON FIREFLY LUCIFERASE ___________ 118
SURVEY OF THE EFFECTS OF THE ANTIBIOTIC MINOCYCLINE ON FRESHWATER
CYANOBACTERIA ____________________________________________________ 119
LOW-COST MATERIALS AS ADSORBENTS FOR TEXTILE WASTEWATER
TREATMENT_________________________________________________________ 120
DETERMINATION OF PHYSICAL PARAMETERS IN PHARMACEUTICAL POWDERS
BY NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (NIR) ______________________________ 121
AN EXPEDITIOUS METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF RESIDUES OF
ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN SEDIMENTS AND ITS APPLICATION TO
PORTUGUESE ESTUARINE AREAS______________________________________ 122
KINETICS OF INHIBITION OF FIREFLY LUCIFERASE BY OXYLUCIFERIN AND
DEHYDROLUCIFERYL-ADENYLATE _____________________________________ 123
EFFECT OF PYROPHOSPHATE ON FIREFLY LUCIFERASE BIOLUMINESCENCE 124
MOLECULAR ENERGETICS OF HYDROXYBENZALDEHYDE ISOMERS_________ 125
TOURISTIC TOPOGRAPHIES : TRANSVERSALITY AND AUTHENTICITY IN AN
PORTUGUESE CONTEXT ______________________________________________ 126
SENSOR FOR AMPEROMETRIC DETERMINATION OF AMMONIA IN SEAWATER 127

COPPER(II)/CIPROFLOXACIN COMPLEXES: SYNTHESIS AND SOLUTION STUDIES
____________________________________________________________________ 128
THERMOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF TWO CYCLIC UREAS: IMIDAZOLINONE AND N,N'-
TRIMETHYLENEUREA _________________________________________________ 129
FEELING ARCHITECTURE. THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘THE OTHER’ SENSES IN THE
EXPERIENCE OF SPACE. ______________________________________________ 130
DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENTS: A NEW KIND OF IONIC LIQUIDS _______________ 131
AUTHENTICITY EVALUATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF
PORTUGUESE VARIETIES OF JUGLANS REGIA USING MICROSATELLITE
MARKERS___________________________________________________________ 132
UV PROTECTION OF GEOTEXTILES BY CHIMASSORB 944 __________________ 133
COMPUTATIONAL ANALISYS OF CYNARA CARDUNCULUS L. CARDOSINS
POMOTERS _________________________________________________________ 134
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE REVERSIBLE LUMINESCENCE SENSORS____________ 135
CHROMIUM REMEDIATION USING ZERO VALENT IRON - BATCH STUDIES ____ 136
DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTICOMMUTATED FLOW SYSTEM FOR
CHEMILUMINOMETRIC QUANTIFICATION OF GENTAMICIN _________________ 137
POTENTIOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF GENTAMICIN IN PHARMACEUTICAL
FORMULATIONS _____________________________________________________ 138
INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS ON PHYTOREMEDIATION OF COPPER BY
A SALT MARSH PLANT ________________________________________________ 139
DFT STUDY ON THE ABILITY OF CALIX[2]FURANO[2]PYRROLE TO FORM HOST-
GUEST COMPLEXES WITH DIFFERENT IONS _____________________________ 140
FIBER OPTIC PH SENSORS BASED ON CDTE QUANTUM DOTS ______________ 141
STEADY STATE AND LIFETIME CHEMICAL SENSORS BASED ON RUTHENIUM
COMPLEXES ________________________________________________________ 142
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PORTUGUESE PATIENTS WITH
MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS IIIC: TWO NOVEL MUTATIONS IN THE HGSNAT GENE
____________________________________________________________________ 143
SCOPOLETIN, A NATURAL COUMARIN ISOLATED FROM AGROSTISTACHYS
GAUDICHAUDII (EUPHORBIACEAE) _____________________________________ 144

5-(HYDROXYMETHYL)-2-FURFURAL, A NATURAL COMPOUND ISOLATED FROM
STROPHIOBLACHIA FIMBRICALYX BOERL. (EUPHORBIACEAE) ______________ 145
NEW APPROACHES FOR ESTIMATING THE POSTMORTEM INTERVAL BASED ON
VITREOUS HUMOR TRACE ELEMENT LEVELS ____________________________ 146
NEW APPROACHES TO THE DIAGNOSTIC OF DEATH BY DROWNING BASED ON
TRACE ELEMENT LEVELS IN BLOOD OF THE CARDIAC CAVITIES ____________ 147
FIRING DISTANCE ESTIMATION THROUGH THE ANALYSIS OF THE GUNSHOT
RESIDUES DEPOSIT PATTERN AROUND DE BULLET ENTRANCE HOLE _______ 148
IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF WHEY EDIBLE COATS WITH ANTIMICROBIAL
FEATURES AGAINST DIFFERENTS MICROBIAL STRAINS ___________________ 149
SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE ELUCIDATION AND EVALUATION OF XANTHONE
DERIVATIVES FOR DUAL ACTIVITY: ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY AND P-GLYCOPROTEIN
INHIBITION __________________________________________________________ 150
SYNTHESIS OF XANTHONE DERIVATES FOR IN VITRO AND IN VIVO BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITY STUDIES ___________________________________________________ 151
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISATION OF PIRELLULA SP. OJF20 ________ 152
MESOPOROUS CARBONS: SYNTHESIS AND FUNCTIONALIZATION___________ 153
PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND STRESS HORMONES __________________________ 154
SINGLE-STANDARD CALIBRATION APPLIED TO SIA ANALYTICAL SYSTEM WITH
POTENTIOMETRIC DETECTION_________________________________________ 155
PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN ANTIBIOTIC IN TIO2
AQUEOUS SUSPENSION ______________________________________________ 156
ANTI-ANGIOGENIC EFFECTS OF RANIBIZUMAB AND BEVACIZUMAB IN AGE-
RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: EFFECTS ON HUMAN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS
____________________________________________________________________ 157
GEOMETRY AND SPACE CONCEPTION THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROCESSES
OF REPRESENTATION TO ARCHITECTURE_______________________________ 158
WET PEROXIDE OXIDATION AND WET OXIDATION OF NITROPHENOLS IN
AQUEOUS STREAMS _________________________________________________ 159
FORMATION OF HETEROCYCLIC AROMATIC AMINES IN CHARCOAL GRILLED
SARDINES __________________________________________________________ 160

INFLUENCE OF BEER ANTIOXIDATIVE PROPERTIES ON THE FORMATION OF THE
HETEROCYCLIC AMINE PHIP IN GRILLED BEEF ___________________________ 161
THE STUDY OF DE FÂNZERES-GONDOMAR GRANITES: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY
APROACH___________________________________________________________ 162
EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL EDUCATION: AN INTERNSHIP IN FCM-
UNL DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL EDUCATION_____________________________ 163
QUARTZ CRYSTAL MICROBALANCE: A USEFUL TOOL AS SENSOR OF THIN FILMS
____________________________________________________________________ 164
JOÃO ANDRESEN’S FIFTIES HOUSES: PORTUGUESE DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
UP-TO-DATE_________________________________________________________ 165
SYNTHESIS OF XANTHONE DERIVATIVES BY MICROWAVE-ASSISTED METHODS
____________________________________________________________________ 166
LOCATION AND OWNERSHIP OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES IN IRAQ _______ 167
SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF
CHIRAL 1-AMINO-2-PROPANOL XANTHONE DERIVATIVES __________________ 168
CHIRAL ALANINOL XANTHONE DERIVATIVES: SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURAL
ELUCIDATION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES______________________________ 169
PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM: THE UNKNOWN WORLD OF SPORADIC
CASES AND THEIR GENETIC ALTERATIONS ______________________________ 170
FLOW CYTOMETRIC DETECTION OF P-GP MEDIATED DRUG EFFLUX: A METHOD
FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE ACTIVITY OF P-GP INHIBITORS _____________ 171
EFFECTS OF ETOPOSIDE, DOXORUBICIN AND CYTARABINE IN BURKITT
LYMPHOMA CELL LINES_______________________________________________ 172
AUTOMATIC FIA METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF IRON IN ENVIRONMENTAL
SAMPLES ___________________________________________________________ 173
CHARACTERIZATION OF EXOTIC WOOD SPECIES FOR FINISHING WITH WATER-
BORNE VARNISHES __________________________________________________ 174
MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE INTERACTION OF OUTER MEMBRANE
PROTEINS WITH ANTIBIOTICS__________________________________________ 175
INTERACTIONS OF SULINDAC AND ITS METABOLITES WITH PHOSPHOLIPID
MEMBRANES: AN EXPLANATION FOR THE PEROXIDATION PROTECTIVE EFFECT
OF THE BIOACTIVE METABOLITE _______________________________________ 176

EVALUATION OF PRIMER COATINGS ON STEEL SUBTRACTS BY A LOW-COST,
FAST ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNIQUE__________________________________ 177
THE JAPANESE INFLUENCE IN MODERN WESTERN ARCHITECTURE ─AN
INTRODUCTION─_____________________________________________________ 178
PURINERGIC SIGNALLING IN A MODEL OF OVERACTIVE URINARY BLADDER _ 179
CONDUCTION BLOCK IN ISOLATED RAT SCIATIC NERVE BY CHIRAL
AMINOALKANOLIC DERIVATIVES OF XANTHONES_________________________ 180
OSTEOCLASTIC RESORPTION OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE BASED BONE
SUBSTITUTES: IN VITRO STUDIES ______________________________________ 181
MONITORING PARTICULATE MATTER USING MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF TREE
LEAVES IN THE PORTO URBAN AREA AND CINFÃES AREA _________________ 182
ADENOSINE REGULATES ITS OWN RELEASE FROM MYENTERIC NEURONS VIA
A2A RECEPTORS COUPLED TO ADENYLATE CYCLASE / CAMP PATHWAY _____ 183
EDUCATION AND POVERTY: AN EMPOWERMENT APPROACH ______________ 184
SYNTHESIS OF VESICULATED POLYESTER PARTICLES AND ITS INCORPORATION
IN PAINTS ___________________________________________________________ 185
CHARACTERIZATION OF UREA-FORMALDEHYDE RESINS __________________ 186
CHARACTERISATION OF THE PLANCTOMYCETES PIRELLULA SP. OJF20 AND
PIRELLULA SP. OJF27 ISOLATED FROM THE SURFACE OF MACROALGAE ____ 187
INVESTIGATION OF THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PHOSPHOLIPIDS AND GOLD
NANOPARTICLES AT AIR/WATER INTERFACE ____________________________ 188
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A NEW MULTIRESIDUE METHOD FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF 17 POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZODIOXINS (DIOXINS) AND
POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS (FURANS) IN ENVIRONMENTAL MATRICES
BY SPME-GC-MS _____________________________________________________ 189
ADENOSINE REGULATES DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN OSTEOBLAST CELLS IN
CULTURE ___________________________________________________________ 190
THE POMBAIS (PIGEON HOUSES) IN THE NORTHEAST TRANSMONTANO
(NORTHEAST OF PORTUGAL) __________________________________________ 191
PRAVASTATIN QUANTIFICATION USING SQUARE-WAVE VOLTAMMETRY _____ 192
MICROBIAL COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION AND DYNAMICS IN A SHALLOW
RACEWAY-RECIRCULATING MARICULTURE SYSTEM ______________________ 193

INFORMATION SYSTEMS ABOUT MATERIALS FOR ARCHITECTURE__________ 194
OSTEOGENIC POTENTIAL OF ADIPOSE TISSUE-DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM
CELLS. EFFECT OF MEDIUM COMPOSITION AND CELL PASSAGE ___________ 195
POTENTIAL OF EQUISETUM ARVENSE HYDROMETHANOLIC EXTRACTS AS
OSTEOBLASTIC GROWTH PROMOTERS _________________________________ 196
COMPARISON OF THE IN VIVO BONE FORMING ACTIVITY OF OSTEOGENIC-
INDUCED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS DERIVED FROM ADIPOSE TISSUE AND
BONE MARROW______________________________________________________ 197
TAXONOMY FROM RURAL DIFFUSE TO URBAN INDUSTRIAL DIFFUSE________ 198
TETRACYCLINES MODULATION OF THE OSTEOGENIC DIFFERENTIATION – IN
VITRO EVALUATION __________________________________________________ 199
STUDY AND DESIGN OF PRECAST REINFORCED CONCRETE BOX-CULVERTS
UNDER HIGH EMBANKMENTS __________________________________________ 200
PROPERTIES OF NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS ________________________ 201
INFLUENCE OF EGG YOLK AND AROMATIZING COMPOUNDS ON THE VOLATILE
PROFILE AND ON SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF BAKERY CREAM ________ 202
EVALUATION OF GENETIC AND CHEMICAL DIVERSITY IN PORTUGUESE
POPULATIONS OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. _____________________________ 203
THE METAMORPHOSIS OF ALEIXO TOWERS _____________________________ 204
MODULATION OF CYTOCHROME P450 AND OXIDATIVE STRESS BY ROOIBOS
(ASPALATHUS LINEARIS) INFUSION INTAKE ______________________________ 205
SCREENING FOR NOVEL CDH1 INACTIVATING MECHANISMS IN FAMILIAL
GASTRIC CANCER____________________________________________________ 206
THE INFLUENCE OF INTERPERSONAL SIMILARITY IN SOCIAL CATEGORIZATION
____________________________________________________________________ 207
GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION BY SSR OF SIX OLEA EUROPAEA REGIONAL
VARIETIES FOR AUTHENTICITY EVALUATION OF OLIVE OILS _______________ 208
PROGRAMA SOCIAL __________________________________________________ 209
PLANTAS DO EDIFÍCIO DA FACULDADE DE ARQUITECTURA ________________ 210

PROGRAMA GERAL

8:30 8:45
8:45 9:00
9:00 9:15
9:15 9:30
FEB. 20, WEDNESDAY FEB. 21, THURSDAY FEB. 22, FRIDAY
Registration
Welcome Session (A1+A2)
Parallel Oral
9:30 9:45 II.1 - FOOD & HEALTH (A1) Sessions II - (POS.II)
9:45 10:00 II.2 - HOUSE & LIVING (A2)
10:00 10:15 Interdisciplinary Oral Session 1 - IOS1 (A1+A2) II.3 - NANO & SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY (A3)
10:15 10:30
10:30 10:45
10:45 11:00
11:00 11:15
11:15 11:30
11:30 11:45
Coffee Break
Coffee Break & Posters
11:45 12:00 Parallel Oral
12:00 12:15 III.1 - LIFE & HEALTH II (A1) Sessions III - (POS.III)
12:15 12:30 Interdisciplinary Oral Session 2 - IOS2 (A1+A2) III.2 - ENVIRONMENT & TECHNICAL ASPECTS (A2)
12:30 12:45 III.3 - ARCHITECTURAL PERSPECTIVES (A3)
12:45 13:00
13:00 13:15
13:15 13:30
13:30
14:30
Lunch Break
Lunch Break
Social Events
2

14:30 14:45
14:45 15:00
15:00 15:15
15:15 15:30
15:30 15:45
15:45 16:00
16:00 16:15
16:15 16:30
16:30 16:45
16:45 17:00
Workshop I (A1+A2) Workshop II (A1+A2)
Coffee Break & Posters
Coffee Break
17:00 17:15 Parallel Oral
17:15 17:30 Parallel Oral IV.1 - GREEN CHEMISTRY & ENVIRONMENT (A1) Sessions IV
17:30 17:45 I.1 - LIFE & HEALTH I (A1) Sessions I - (POS.I) IV.2 - LIFE & WORK & SOCIETY (A2) (POS.IV)
17:45 18:00 I.2 - TERRITORY & NETWORK (A2) IV.3 - LIFE & HEALTH III (A3)
18:00 18:15 I.3 - MODELLING & AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS (A3)
18:15 18:30 Closing Session of the Scientific Activities (A1+A2)
Social Events
18:30 Porto de Honra Auditoriums: A1-A2-A3
3

INTERDISCIPLINARY ORAL SESSIONS - IOS1
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20
Manuela Aguiar & Georgina Correia da Silva
What can a simulation study tell us about the relevance of utility and wealth indicators for decision
31
making concerning production and market behaviour
Frederico Teixeira, Pavel B. Brazdil
62 Construction of a learning unit in a Moodle platform: studying mitosis using fruit fly as a model
A. Barros, C. Melo, N. Regadas, J. Santos, S. Pereira
65 The Karimojong people from Uganda: a history assessed through patterns of mitochondrial DNA
V. Pereira, L. Gusmão, A. Amorim, M. J. Prata
85 Angiogenesis modulation by catechin
Duarte DD, Silva RP, Azevedo I, Soares R, Negrão R
Novel functionalised textiles through nanostrucutured carbon and clay based materials
89
(NANOTEXTUP)
I. Rocha, T. Galvão, A.G. Gonçalves, C. Pereira, F. Gonçalves, A. Ribeiro, A. Carneiro, M. F. R.
Pereira, C. Freire
Alfonso X's General Estoria and the Portuguese Culture: an example of continuity between Middle
114
Ages and Modernity
Mariana Soares da Cunha Leite

What can a simulation study tell us about the relevance of utility
and wealth indicators for decision making concerning production
and market behaviour
Frederico Teixeira 1 and Pavel B. Brazdil 1,2
1 Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Portugal
2 LIAAD – INESC Porto L.A., University of Porto, Portugal
In this article we discuss the importance of utility as a crucial parameter for economic
decisions, in addiction to the more common parameter wealth. The work presented can be
seen as belonging to the area of Computational Economics [1] and has been inspired by the
work of Wellman [2].
Our study involves a simulated world with several agents which interact through a market.
The agents have different quantities of different types of products, and its behaviour is
driven by the goal to maximize the utility measure. This is calculated in an usual way [2]
and takes into account the basket of goods detained by each agent. Wealth is calculated by
simply multiplying basket quantities by current prices. An auctioneer determines the
appropriate current price using several iterations, until equilibrium is established. In order
to achieve their goal, agents exchange goods at the end of each period, and initiate a new
period of production and consumption. Each agent produces only one type of product, but
consumes certain quantities of all products. Production can increase/decrease by a fixed or
proportional amount, while consumption is fixed.
Our goal was to examine the trend of wealth and utility over time under different
conditions, including, for instance, under-production of all goods. We have focused our
attention on wealth, as normally this parameter is suggested for the control of production.
We have verified that when fewer products are produced, the agents’ wealth remains more
or less the same. The agents own less quantities, but those achieve higher prices. Surely,
this is not a satisfactory situation for any of the agents and so we conclude that the
parameter wealth by itself does not provide sufficient information to control production in
a satisfactory manner. Furthermore, we carried out some experiments in which production
was varied in a random manner, and observed that was possible to increase both wealth
and utility. So, utility could help solving the problem.
We conclude that utility and wealth can have different behaviours in identical situations,
but that it is possible to increase both at a time, meaning that it is necessary to analyze
them together and create rules that efficiently describes the agents’ global situation. Our
future aim is to try different strategies that an agent could adopt regards production, using
machine learning or other adaptive techniques to develop such rules. We intend to evaluate
whether the information concerning the agents’ utility (i.e. not only wealth) is useful when
controlling production, leading to better results overall.
References
[1] Tesfatsion, Leigh, K.Judd: Handbook of Computational Economics, Agent-based
Computational Economics, Volume 2, North Holland, 2006.
[2] Wellman, M., J.Hu: Conjectural Equilibrium in Multiagent Learning, Machine Learning, 33-
2/3, 1998.
5

Construction of a learning unit in a Moodle platform: studying
mitosis using fruit fly as a model
A. Barros 1 , C. Melo 2 , N. Regadas 2 , J. Santos 2 , S. Pereira 1,2
1Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2Office for Science Communication, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University
of Porto, Portugal.
The project “Construction of a learning unit in a Moodle plataform: studying mitosis using
fruit fly as a model” funded by “Scientific Investigation in pre-graduation” of UP is a new
strategy to engage students in a learning process. The aim of this project is the construction
of a b-learning unit to be used in formal and non-formal education. It will be implemented
in a biology educational site named “Estaleiro da Ciência”, coordinated by IBMC in
collaboration with FCUP funded by Ciência Viva.
The development of this learning unit, requires expertise in different domains being
supported by an interdisciplinary team: a Pre-graduation student of Biology teaching, a
master of Biology teaching and a graduate of Journalism and Communication Science of
UP.
The construction of this tool relies on Scientific, Didactics and Multimedia know-how.
Biological material handling and experimental procedures were already defined and
tested 1 in the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of IBMC. Didactics basis relies on the
Teaching trough Research 2 approach. In order to be implemented this tool will be
organized in three stages: challenge, “hands-on” and results presentation. The first consists
in a presentation of the challenge to the public in a way to motivate research and the
engagement in the experimental activities. This will include various experimental reports
with photos and video images. The practical work is a “Hands-on” approach using selected
microscopy techniques. At last, results of experimental activities will be presented as a
scientific article and/or a poster, with subsequent discussion between participants or other
public on the web site. The multimedia component will conjugate different forms of
information: video, animations, photos. Several functionalities are also being defined with
the incorporation of this unit in the software Moodle, to promote the flexibility and the
interactivity between users 3 .
This unit, resulting of an articulation of the New Tecnologies of Information and
Communication with Didactics can be a new idea intertwining Research Laboratories and
Universities to improve Science Education and Scientific Outreach.
References:
[1] Barros, I. (2007). Drosophila melanogaster como Modelo Biológico no Ensino da Mitose.
Dissertação de Mestrado. Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto. Porto
[2] Cachapuz, F. et al (2000). Perspectivas de Ensino, Textos de Apoio n.º1, Formação de
Professores – Ciências. Centro de Estudos de Educação em Ciência. Porto.
[3] Melo, C. (2006). Promoção do Ensino Experimental das Ciências: Construção e Integração de
Material Didáctico num Software Educativo, na temática Reprodução sexuada. Dissertação de
Mestrado. Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto. Porto.
6

The Karimojong people from Uganda: a history assessed through
patterns of mitochondrial DNA
V. Pereira 1, 2 , L. Gusmão 2 , A. Amorim 1, 2 and M. J. Prata
1 Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP).
Patterns of genetic diversity in populations are influenced by demographic factors such as
fluctuation in population size and structure, admixture and migration. Many can be
reconstructed from mtDNA and Y chromosome analysis. One of the most complex
demographic events that shaped Africa’s history was the Bantu dispersal which started
around 5000 y.a. and was responsible for the introduction of agriculture in sub-Saharan
regions that were previously inhabited by tribes of hunter-gatherers. The Eastern branch of
the expansion is said to have reached Uganda near 1000 BC [1]. The impact of this people
movement on sub-Saharan populations was so strong that practically obscured other less
pronounced events. This was the case of the Nilotic migration that introduced cattleherding
techniques in many regions of Eastern Africa. The Karimojong are one of the
groups from this movement presently established in Northern Uganda.
In this study sequence data from mtDNA hypervariable segments were obtained for 55
Karimojong unrelated individuals. Diversity at HVS I, II and III from mtDNA was
determined through direct sequencing methods. The samples were classified into
haplogroups according to recommended nomenclature [2]. Further statistical analyses and
comparisons with other african populations were performed.
The results showed that Karimojong have a high diversity level as typically found in East
African populations. 91% of the samples belonged to macrohaplogroup L which is specific
of sub-Saharan regions. Some of the haplogroups detected occur commonly in Bantu
groups; others are shared by a number of Nilotic groups that supposedly have a common
origin.
The presence of rare haplogroups in frequencies higher than those usually found in East
Africa may be a sign of the genetic profile ancestral to the Nilotic populations.
References:
[1] Ehret, C. (2001), Bantu Expansions: Re-Envisioning a Central Problem of Early African
History, The International Journal of African Historical Studies 34:5-41.
[2] Bandelt, H-J. et al. (2006), Human Mitochondrial DNA and the evolution of Homo sapiens,
Springer, Heidelberg, Germany.
1, 2
7

Angiogenesis modulation by catechin
Duarte DD, Silva RP, Azevedo I, Soares R and Negrão R
Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is a process that
occurs in many physiological conditions, like wound healing and pregnancy, but also in
pathological situations such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Deficient angiogenesis
results in deficient blood flow as in coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction.
Recent Western diet is believed to contribute to an increased lifetime risk of cancer and
cardiovascular disorders. On the other hand, diets high in plant-derived foods offer a
protective effect. Recent studies indicate that the development of these pathologies is
inversely associated with the consumption of natural polyphenolic compounds, which are
known to affect angiogenesis. Identification and characterization of dietary phytochemicals
able to block, slow or reverse angiogenesis may, thus, constitute an important strategy for
prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Catechin is a bioactive phytochemical
abundant in some beverages like tea and wine and also in fruits and vegetables.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of catechin in angiogenesis, namely
evaluating its effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human
aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) viability, apoptosis, proliferation, migration,
invasion and also capillary-like structures formation.
Treatment of cells with 10-100 µM catechin resulted in a significant increase in both
HUVEC (165.34±31.12%) and HASMC (165.58±5.04%) viability assessed by MTT (3-
(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay and confirmed by
measuring lactate dehydrogenase activity released to the extracellular medium.
Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells determined by TUNEL (Terminal
deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling) assay
diminished slightly in HUVEC (to 46.55±12.88%), and drastically in HASMC (to
7.35±4.85%). Proliferation evaluation by measuring Brdu cellular incorporation as well as
determination of cell invasive capacity using Transwell BD-Matrigel basement membrane
matrix insert are still under analysis. Catechin treatment led to a slight reduction in
HASMC cell migration to injured areas (injury assay) but it seemed to increase HUVEC
migration in the same conditions. Incubation of HUVEC on growth factor reduced-
Matrigel-coated plates for 24 h with 10 µM catechin led to the formation of highly
ramified cord-like structures (174.07% ±14.93%).
The results obtained so far indicate that catechin decreased cell apoptosis and exerted
stimulatory effects on endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell’s viability and on
HUVEC migration and capillary-like structures formation, processes that are required for
the development of physiological and pathological angiogenesis.
Supported by ERAB (EA0641) and FCT (POCTI/SAU-BMA/55556/2004).
8

Novel functionalised textiles through nanostrucutured carbon
and clay based materials (NANOTEXTUP)
I. Rocha 1 , T. Galvão 1 ,A.G. Gonçalves, 2 C. Pereira 1 , F. Gonçalves, 2
A. Ribeiro, 3 A. Carneiro, 3 M. F. R. Pereira 2 C. Freire 1
1
REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-
007 Porto.
2
Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de
Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto.
3
Centro de Nanotecnologia e Materiais Técnicos, Funcionais, e Inteligentes, 4760-034 Vila Nova
de Famalicão
Textiles are probably the most popular of materials since they decorate and protect our
bodies while bringing comfort into our lives. Currently, the consumers are demanding for
textile products with higher performances. A significant product differentiation can be
achieved by incorporation of high performance properties, which are beyond the pure
aesthetic and decorative functions. They include not only a large range of properties, but
also multiple functions, leading to the so-called (multi)functional textiles. The
functionalisation of textiles have been made using nanotechnology as these endeavours are
mainly focused on using nanosized substances and generating nanostructures during
manufacturing and finishing processes. In this project we will attempt to produce cottonbased
functional textiles with improved stability against mechanical and thermal (fire)
destruction by functionalisation with clay nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and nanofibers.
+
Nanomaterials Textile substrate Functional textiles
The work has started with the functionalisation of nanomaterials to be grafted to cotton
fibers. CNTs were functionalised by oxidation in the liquid phase with HNO3 (introduction
of acid groups), oxidation in the gas phase with O2 (introduction of neutral and basic
groups), and heat treatments at different temperatures to selectively remove some of the
functional groups. Some of these carbon materials will be then functionalised with
organosilanes which will react with some of the functional groups that will be present in
the cotton substrates. These samples were characterised by TPD. The clays,
montmorillonite (natural clay) and laponite (synthetic clay), were functionalized with two
organosilanes with reactive bromide and chloride groups and these materials were made to
react with cotton substrates. In another approach, silica nanoparticles functionalised with
amine groups were grafted to cotton substrates by a one-step methodology. All the
materials were characterized by FTIR and SEM.
Acknowledgments: This work is funded by Proj. IPG63 de Investigação Científica na Pré-
Graduação 2007 (Universidade do Porto e Caixa Geral de Depósitos).
9

Alfonso X’s General Estoria and the Portuguese Culture: an
example of continuity between Middle Ages and Modernity
Mariana Soares da Cunha Leite 1
1 Master of Arts Student in Romanic Literatures, Department of Portuguese and Romanic Studies
of the Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
Researcher of the Medieval Seminar of Literature, Thought and Society, Instituto de Filosofia of
the Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto, Portugal
This paper aims to present a synthesis of the research work I have been conducting for the
past year in the field of medieval literature and medieval Iberian culture. It will culminate
in a Master’s degree thesis, due late this year.
Historiography is, beyond doubt, a privileged means of understanding cultures, world
visions and Men’s attitudes towards their past. Within Iberian vernacular historiographic
literature, Alfonso X’s 1252-88 General Estoria (of which only the two first chapters 1 and
fragments of the third 2 were edited – a circumstance that heavily hinders the study of the
text) occupies a particularly conspicuous place. His ambitious project of writing a history
of the world from its remote creation until the birth of Jesus capable of encompassing both
the Greek-Roman and the Judaic-Christian historical traditions, had an impact on
Portuguese culture whose profound consequences have not yet been fully studied. There
existed at least two translations: one into Portuguese 3 , fragmentary, and the other into
Galician 4 , comprising only the first two parts.
Due to the superficiality of the studies produced so far regarding these narratives, we still
ignore which parts of them were more decisive in influencing Portuguese culture – not
only in what concerns historiography, but literate culture in general. In view of this, and
bearing in mind the difficulties posed by the fragmentary nature of the General Estoria, I
will try to analyse the diffusion in Portugal of the Alfonsi text, taking as example an
unpublished manuscript kept at the Biblioteca Pública de Évora. The excerpt I will be
working upon is part of a larger edition of the manuscript, which will be included in my
thesis. In order to make my point more clearly, I will provide a document with the
transcription.
References:
[1] Solalinde, António G. [ed.] (1930), Alfonso X, General Estoria. Madrid, (s/n). See also:
Sánchez-Prieto Borja, Pedro [ed.] (2001), Alfonso X, General estoria.Madrid, Fundación José
Antonio de Castro.
[2] Sánchez-Prieto Borja, Pedro; Horcajada Diezma, Bautista [ed.] (1994), Alfonso X, General
estoria. Tercera parte. Madrid, Gredos. See also:
Fernández López, María del Carmen [ed.] (1998), Edición crítica del “Libro de Isaías” de la
Tercera Parte de la “General Estoria”. Alcalá de Henares, Servicio de Publicaciones de la
Universidad de Alcalá de Henares
[3] Costa, Avelino Jesus da (1949), Fragmentos preciosos de códices medievais, Braga, Bracara
Augusta.
[4] Martinez-Lopez, Ramón [ed.] (1963), Alfonso X, General Estoria : versión gallega del siglo
XIV : Ms. .I.I. del Escorial. Oviedo, Facultad de Filosofia y Letras, Universidad de Oviedo.
10

INTERDISCIPLINARY ORAL SESSIONS – IOS2
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20
Lígia Afonso & Luís Miguel Madeira
228 Alternative User Interfaces for Game Control
Sarah Imboden
119 Traditional Timber Construction Buildings: The example of the Portuguese Central Littoral Palheiros
D. Moutinho, J. Teixeira
Treatment of Myasthenia gravis with cholinesterase inhibitors: on the role of nicotinic autoreceptors
164
containing a3b2 subunits
Ana Sá-e-Sousa, Tiago Morais, Diogo Trigo, Maria Alexandrina Timóteo, Bernardo Matos, Laura
Oliveira, P. Correia-de-Sá
188 Music and Phonological Awareness
L. Saraiva, J. Machado-Vaz, S. Rodrigues, S. Monteiro
190 Automatic Emotion Assessment through Biometric Information
J. Teixeira, V. Vinhas
Development of molecular biology techniques for the detection of genetically modified organisms in
193
maize food products
S.C. Sousa, I. Mafra, C.S. Ferreira da Silva, J.A. Amaral, M.B.P.P. Oliveira
Permeability Characteristics of High Performance Concrete (HPC) Containing Varying
221 Concentrations of Hycrete Tested and Compared by Method of Rapid Chloride Permeability Test
and the Non-Steady-State Migration Test (nordtest method NT Build 492)
Michael Boxer, Hani Nassif
224 Mario Pedrosa e sua atuação crítica na Presidência da ABCA
Gabriela Borges Abraços

Alternative User Interfaces for Game Control
Sarah Imboden
University of Texas at Austin
12

Traditional Timber Construction Buildings: The example of the
Portuguese Central Littoral Palheiros
D. Moutinho 1 and J. Teixeira 2
1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The palheiros are traditional timber construction buildings on the Portuguese Central
Littoral. They were originally conceived to store the tools related with fishing activity and
to give shelter for the fishermen during the fishing season.
Located near the sea, they started to be also used as holiday homes. The owners with more
income built their own dwelling, mostly with a bourgeois look, more comfortable and
vigorous than the fisherman’s one.
Most of the existing information about these buildings is obsolete, based on the reality of
the middle 20 th century, mostly descripted on ethnographic publications [1]. Concerning
this fact, we found necessary to update and amplify the knowledge about this subject, on
the architectural and constructive point of view, regarding the found examples.
These buildings are the result of a continuous evolving process which ended on a variety of
forms and technical solutions, during the last few centuries.
However, the majority looks very wrecked and damaged by the application of industrial
materials and techniques, during the last century, breaking up with their ancient timber
technique.
Since we don’t know for how long these palheiros will remain, our concern is to make the
inventory of the exiting ones and to learn about their original construction system.
We found unique and ingenious solutions for everlasting architectural issues. Yet, among
the variety of cases, which are the result of each owner’s construction skills, we have
detected a huge number of resemblances, revealing a common starting point, a raison
d'être, a consistent technique, a tradition.
With this research, we give our contribute appealing to the documentation and analysis,
preservation and rehabilitation of these unique examples of Portuguese timber vernacular
architecture.
[1] Oliveira, E.V. and Galhano, F. (1964), Palheiros do Litoral Central Português, Instituto de Alta
Cultura, Lisboa.
13

Treatment of Myasthenia gravis with cholinesterase inhibitors: on
the role of nicotinic autoreceptors containing α3β2 subunits
Ana Sá-e-Sousa 1 , Tiago Morais 1 , Diogo Trigo 1 , Maria Alexandrina Timóteo 1 ,
Bernardo Matos 1 , Laura Oliveira 1 & P. Correia-de-Sá 1
1 Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia, Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação
Biomédica (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar – Universidade do Porto
(ICBAS-UP), Portugal.
Failure of neuromuscular transmission is rare due to excess of acetylcholine (ACh) release
to levels higher than those required to trigger an action potential at the muscular fiber (i.e.
high safety factor). Transmission safety factor may be limited in several pathological
conditions, namely in Myasthenia gravis. So far, most attempts to improve muscle
weakness that characterize this disorder have been to prevent ACh breakdown by blocking
cholinesterase activity. Recently, we demonstrated that the neuromuscular junction is
equipped with α3β2-containing nicotinic autoreceptors (nAChRs) mediating facilitation of
ACh release, which might also contribute to the therapeutic action of cholinesterase
inhibitors [1]. This prompted us to investigate the effect of neostigmine (Neo, a commonly
used cholinesterase inhibitor) and dihydro-β-erythroidine (DH-β-E, a relatively weak
antagonist at muscle-type α1 nicotinic receptor as compared to the α3β2 subtype) on nerveevoked
contractions and [ 3 H]-ACh release from motor nerve terminals of rats with Toxin-
Induced Myasthenia gravis (TIMG).
Wistar rats (70-100 g) were injected once every 48h with saline (controls) or αbungarotoxin
(α-BTX, an irreversible muscle-type α1 nicotinic receptor antagonist)
(TIMG-model) for a period up to 6 weeks [2]. Dosage of α-BTX was adjusted by
monitoring myasthenic symptoms. [ 3 H]ACh release was evoked by phrenic nerve
stimulation with 50 Hz-bursts (5 bursts of 150 pulses, with a 20s interburst interval).
Fatigue tests were carried out using high frequency (50 Hz) intermittent (17 pulses per sec,
during 3 minutes) nerve stimulation.
Chronic injections of α-BTX decreased the amplitude of nerve-evoked diaphragm
contractions during the fatigue tests. Neo (500 nM) transiently (30s) increased diaphragm
contractile responses in both control and TIMG animals. Following the initial 30-sec
stimulation period, Neo (500 nM) significantly (P

Music and Phonological Awareness
L. Saraiva 1 , J. Machado-Vaz 1 , S. Rodrigues 1 , S. Monteiro 1
1 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Sciences of Education, University of
Porto, Portugal.
This work about Psychology of Language and Cognition refers to the development of an
interactive and multimedia instrument that analyses the acquired skills in the field of
phonological awareness. A cd-rom was prepared for pre-school children with the aim to
help them learn how to read and write. Nevertheless it is destined also to children with
phonological awareness deficits, whether or not as part of other kinds of problems (autism,
dislexia). The researched bibliography leads us to the conclusion that phonological
awareness is one of the main determinants of the reading and writing skills in children; the
ability to sort similarities and differences between sounds is closely related to musical
skills so, understanding the benefits of musical learning in the development of the skill to
distinguish phonemes, particularly through pitch differences, we created a little story with
songs made according to criteria of phonological likeness. The different sound categories
are presented in a musical media, and are subjected to tasks of sound categorization,
recognition and segmentation. The songs and lyrics that were created to each sound class
highlight certain sounds that need to be worked on through melody, rhythm and musical
structure. Due to the interactivity of the cd-rom, the child is able to participate directly in
the exercises, which consist in the correct association between a phoneme and its
grapheme.
In conclusion, this cd-rom develops the skill to understand that the written word is a way
of representing the sound properties of the spoken word, so that reading becomes more
amusing and interesting.
15

Automatic Emotion Assessment through Biometric Information
J. Teixeira 1 , V. Vinhas 1
1 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto,
Portugal.
LIACC – Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Laboratory
Porto, Portugal
{teixeira.jorge, vasco.vinhas}@fe.up.pt
While affective computing and the entertainment industry still maintain a substantial gap
between themselves, biosignals are subject of digital acquisition through low budget
technologic solutions at neglectable invasive levels preventing users from focusing their
awareness in the equipment. Having this macrocontextualization in mind, the presented
project has the main intention of using emotion assessment through biosignals to promote
both subconscious interaction and individual specific appropriate content delivery.
The proposed system constitutes a solid technologic framework that intends to enable
biological information acquisition in a controlled environment having as initial hypothesis
the existence of human physical expression of emotional states that can be objectively
measured by relatively inexpensive equipment. The integration of electroencephalography,
galvanic skin response and oximeter in a multichannel framework constitutes an effort in
the path to identify emotional states via biosignals expression [1]. The flexibility of this
system is one of the most important characteristics so that it enables the integration of a
diversity of biometric equipment in order to improve the quality of the emotions’
assessment. In order to guarantee the control of the induced emotional states and optimize
the biometric equipments available, the induction through visual stimuli [2] was the most
suitable method for this project, so that gender specific sessions stratified accordingly to its
valence value [3] were defined based on the International Affective Picture System [4].
The experimental conditions were performed in a controlled environment under very
restricted exclusion criteria [5]. An automatic emotions’ assessment toll is able to gather
the pre-processed and analyzed biometric information and identify the emotional states
triggered by the visual stimuli. The attained success levels concerning relating emotions to
biosignals are extremely encouraging not only to the continuation of this research topic but
also to the application of these results in domains such as multimedia entertainment,
advertising and medical treatments.
References:
[1] K. Ishino, M. H. (2003). A feeling estimation system using a simple electroencephalograph. In
Proceedings of 2003 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, pages
4204–4209.
[2] G. Chanel, J. Kronegg, D. G. (2005). Emotion assessment: Arousal evaluation using EEG’s
and peripheral physiological signals. In Technical Report.
[3] L. Aftanas, N. R. (2006). Neurophysiological correlates of induced discrete emotions in
humans: An individually oriented analysis. In Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, vol 36.
[4] P.J. Lang, M. Bradley, B. C. (2005). International affective picture system (IAPS): Affective
ratings of pictures and instruction manual. In Technical Report. University of Florida
[5] R. Paul, C. C. (2005). Age-dependent change in executive function and gamma 40 hz phase
synchrony. In Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, volume 4, pages 63–76.
16

Development of molecular biology techniques for the detection of
genetically modified organisms in maize food products
S.C. Sousa 1 , I. Mafra 1 , C.S. Ferreira da Silva 1 , J.A. Amaral 1 , M.B.P.P. Oliveira 1
1 REQUIMTE-Laboratory of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
In the last years, the increase in the cultivated area of genetically modified (GM) maize has
become a reality. GA21, MON810 and MON863 maize crops are some of the authorized
maize events for food and feed under the European Union (EU) regulations. These crops of
transgenic maize bring profit towards the conventional ones, as they confer resistance to
some plagues and/or herbicides [1]. Concerning the raise of production and consumption
of foodstuffs derived from genetically modified organisms (GMO), the EU has established
new demand levels, including the labeling requirements when the product has GMO in a
proportion higher than 0.9% (Regulation (EC) N.º 1829/2003).
The need to monitor and verify the presence of biotechnology-derived material in food
products demands analytical methods able to detect, to identify and to quantify either the
introduced DNA or the expressed protein(s). The DNA based methods, namely the
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) showed to be tools of great specifity and sensitivity in
the analytical control concerning the presence of GMO [1].
The goal of this work was to apply and develop PCR techniques for the detection of GM
maize in raw and processed foodstuffs. The first step was the DNA extraction of the
samples by two methods: CTAB and/or Wizard [2]. Yield and purity of DNA extracts were
assessed by spectrophotometry, while amplifiability was evaluated by PCR targeting the
invertase gene. The screening of GMO was performed by the detection of 35S promoter
from the cauliflower virus. The specific detection of GMO events, such as GA21 maize,
MON810 maize and MON863 maize was carried out by PCR techniques.
The results of DNA extraction showed that the CTAB method gave higher purity and DNA
amplifiability in some of the samples, meaning that those extracts were more suitable for
PCR amplification. However, despite the lower purity of extracts, the Wizard method gave
generally higher DNA yields. The results of 35S screening sequence by PCR did not show
any apparent positive sample. However, the PCR for 35S showed low sensitivity, although
attempts where done to improve it. In the detection of specific GMO events, there was one
positive result for the GA21 maize, three positive samples for the MON810 maize and no
positive result for MON863.
References:
[1] Mafra I., Oliveira M.B.P.P. (2005), Organismos Geneticamente Modificados e Alimentos
derivados: II. Métodos de Detecção e Quantificação, Alimentação Humana, 11(2), 71-86.
[2] Mafra, I., Silva, S.A., Moreira, E.J.M.O., Ferreira da Silva, C.S., Oliveira, M.B.P.P.
Comparative study of DNA extraction methods for soybean derived food products, Food Control
(submitted).
17

Permeability Characteristics of High Performance Concrete (HPC)
Containing Varying Concentrations of Hycrete Tested and
Compared by Method of Rapid Chloride Permeability Test and the
Non-Steady-State Migration Test (nordtest method NT Build 492)
Michael Boxer, Hani Nassif
Civil Engineering Department, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey
The durability of concrete structures has become a huge concern to the public with media
responses to multiple bridge collapses in recent times. Permeability of concrete causes
chlorides to penetrate the reinforcing steel causing the concrete to become weak and
ultimately failing. Through the use of the rapid chloride permeability test (ASTM C 1202-
05) and the nordtest (NT BUILD 492) the permeability of concrete can be determined. In
recent times, the reduction of the permeability of concrete has been done by adding
pozzolans and silica fume which are expensive additives to concrete. However, this study
is on the effectiveness of a chemical admixture, Hycrete, because it is an admixture which
is supposed to significantly reduce the permeability of concrete without having to use
expensive high performance concrete. Although this study found that the addition of
Hycrete did lower the permeability of concrete significantly in the high performance
concrete mix we tested, this chemical admixture may be more effective in a class A
concrete. Also this study used 3/8” coarse aggregate instead of the industry standard ¾’
for bridge decks. However, with the use of this chemical admixture, the durability of
concrete structures can be increased and in the long run save money on construction jobs in
harsh environmental conditions.
18

Mario Pedrosa e a sua atuação crítica na Presidência da ABCA
Gabriela Borges Abraços, Lisbeth Rebollo
Escola de Comunicação e Artes Universidade de S. Paulo, Brasil
19

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS I – POS.I.1
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20
I.1 - LIFE & HEALTH I Maria José Oliveira & Adrián M.T. Silva
Yeast as a new approach to study the regulation of p53-dependet apoptosis by protein kinase C
41
delta
E. Cavaleiro, I. Coutinho, G. Pereira, J. Gonçalves, M. Côrte-Real, L. Saraiva
105 Antitumor and antifungal activities of xanthonic derivatives, potential inhibitors of steroid sulfatase
E. Costa, E. Sousa, N. Nazareth, M. S. J. Nascimento, L. Vale-Silva, E. Pinto, M. Pinto
116 E-cadherin silencing: More than inactivating mutations
Hugo Pinheiro, Joana Carvalho, Patrícia Inácio, Sónia Sousa, Elia Stupka, David Huntsman,
Raquel Seruca, Carla Oliveira
128 Synthesis and Determination of Physicochemical Parameters of Xanthones
C. Azevedo, C. M. M. Afonso, M. M. M. Pinto, J. L. F. C. Lima, S. Reis
Dissemination of blaTEM-52 among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains is caused
159
by spread of plasmids in Portugal
A. Pedrosa, A. Novais, E. Machado, R. Cantón, T. M. Coque, L. Peixe
Synergism between adenosine A2A and tachykinin NK1 receptors facilitate [3H]-ACh release from
174
myenteric neurons
I. Silva, C. Vieira, M. Duarte-Araújo & P. Correia-de-Sá

Yeast as a new approach to study the regulation of p53dependent
apoptosis by protein kinase C delta
E. Cavaleiro 1 , I. Coutinho 1 , G. Pereira 1 , J. Gonçalves 1 ,
M. Côrte-Real 2 , L. Saraiva 1
1 REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Farmácia,
Universidade do Porto, Rua Aníbal Cunha, 4050-030 Porto
2 Centro de Biologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga,
Portugal
One promising approach to circumvent the apoptosis-resistance of tumour cells is through
modulation of p53 tumour suppressor protein or of key components of its signalling
pathway. In fact, p53 is considered the most relevant protein in apoptosis and, therefore, in
carcinogenesis [1]. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying p53- mediated apoptosis are
not well clarified [2]. Recent studies revealed that posttranslational modification, by
phosphorylation, of p53 constitutes an important mechanism of p53 regulation,
representing a novel targeted approach in cancer therapy [3]. These studies demonstrated
that isoform delta of protein kinase C (PKC-delta) phosphorylates and, consequently,
activates p53. Thus, agents that interfere with PKC-delta activity may modulate p53
responses and, therefore, can be used to increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs
targeting p53 [4].
In order to confirm a possible regulation of p53 by PKC-delta, mammalian wild-type p53
and PKC-delta were co-expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As reported [5],
we also confirmed that expression of p53 in yeast induces a marked growth inhibition,
without causing cell death. We also detected that PKC-delta significantly increases p53induced
yeast growth inhibition. The effect of PKC-delta on p53 activity was also analysed
in yeast treated with the apoptotic inducer H2O2. The results obtained showed that PKCdelta
significantly increases p53-stimulation of H2O2-induced cell death, an effect
accompanied by preservation of cell membrane integrity and by an increase on DNA
fragmentation, reactive oxygen species production and caspase activation. We also
confirmed that activators of PKC-delta, such as phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA),
can increase p53-induced apoptosis and that activation of p53-dependent apoptosis by the
chemotherapeutic agent etoposide involves a PKC-delta pathway.
References:
[1] Wang, W. Rastinejad, F. and El-Deiry, W.S. (2003), Restoring p53-dependent tumor
suppression. Cancer Biol Ther. 2(1), S55-63.
[2] Brown, J.M. and Wouters, B.G. (1999), Apoptosis, p53, and tumor cell sensitivity to anticancer
agents. Cancer Res. 59(7), 1391-9.
[3] Yoshida, K. Liu, H. and Miki, Y. (2006), Protein kinase C delta regulates Ser46
phosphorylation of p53 tumor suppressor in the apoptotic response to DNA damage. J. Biol. Chem.
281(9), 5734-40.
[4] Abbas, T. White, D. Hui, L. Yoshida, K. Foster, D.A. and Bargonetti, J. (2004), Inhibition of
human p53 basal transcription by down-regulation of protein kinase Cdelta. J. Biol. Chem.
279(11), 9970-7.
[5]Nigro, J.M. Sikorski, R. Reed, S.I. and Vogelstein, B. (1992), Human p53 and CDC2Hs genes
combine to inhibit the proliferation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mol Cell Biol. 12(3), 1357-65.
We thank to REQUIMTE/CEQUP and to Universidade do Porto for financial
support.
21

Antitumor and antifungal activities of xanthonic derivatives,
potential inhibitors of steroid sulfatase
E. Costa 1,3 , E. Sousa 1,3 , N. Nazareth 2,3 , M. S. J. Nascimento 2,3 , L. Vale-Silva 2,3 , E.
Pinto 2,3 and M. Pinto 1,3
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
The enzyme steroid sulfatase (STS) has received increasing attention as a drug target, due
to its role in the pathogenesis of several diseases, in particular estrogen-dependent tumors,
with STS inhibitors entering in preclinical phases [1].
This work includes the synthesis of rigid analogues of the potent inhibitor of STS,
BENZOMATE (1): xanthone-3,6-O,O-bis(sulfate) (7), 1-hydroxyxanthone-2-O-sulfate (8)
and xanthone-3,4-O,O-bis(sulfate) (9). Other two precursors/analogues were obtained, the
3,6-dihydroxyxanthone (2) and the 2,2’,4,4’-tetracethylbenzophenone (6). These five
derivatives (2, 6-9) as well as the raw material 5 were investigated for their antifungal
activity and capacity to inhibit the in vitro growth of human tumor cell lines.
O
H 2 NO 2 SO
O
1
O
OSO 2 NH 2
O
HO O
2
OH
O OH
O
O
3 4
HO OH AcO OAc -O SO O OSO -
3 3
OH OH
OAc OAc
O
O
5 6 7 8
9
O
The synthetic pathway from 2,2’,4,4’-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (5), through dry heating
in furnace (180ºC) afforded 3,6-dihydroxyxanthone (2) in a very good yield (85%).
Dihydroxyxanthones 2-4 were treated with sulfur trioxide-pyridine in dimethylacethamide
to furnish the xanthonic sulfate derivatives, 7, 8 and 9.
The effect of compounds 2-9 on the growth of MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), NCI-H460
(non-small cell lung cancer) and SF-268 (CNS carcinoma) cell lines was evaluated. 3,6-
Dihydroxyxanthone (2), 2,2’,4,4’-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (5) and 2,2’,4,4’tetracethylbenzophenone
(6) were shown to be active on all tumor cell lines (GI50‹150
μM). Regarding antifungal activity investigation, compounds 2, 5 and 6 showed a slight
inhibitory effect against Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes at 125
μg/ml.
References:
[1] Nussbaumer P. and Billich A. (2004), Steroid Sulfatase Inhibitors, Medicinal Research
Reviews, 24, 529-576.
Acknowledgments: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI for financial support.
OH
-
O OSO H
3
OSO 3
-
O
O
OH
OSO 3
OH
OSO 3
-
-
22

E-cadherin silencing: More than inactivating mutations
Hugo Pinheiro 1 , Joana Carvalho 1 , Patrícia Inácio 1 , Sónia Sousa 1 , Elia Stupka 2 , David
Huntsman 3 , Raquel Seruca 1,4 , Carla Oliveira 1,4
1IPATIMUP, Porto, Portugal; 2 CBM, Trieste, Italy; 3 British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver,
Canada; 4 Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
INTRODUCTION: E-cadherin is a cell-to-cell adhesion transmembrane glycoprotein and a
tumour suppressor. E-Cadherin (CDH1) inactivating germline and somatic mutations
occur in hereditary and sporadic forms of diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancers.
Independently of CDH1 mutations (somatic and germline), almost all diffuse-growing
cancers display mislocalized or absent E-cadherin immunoexpression. This similarity
suggests that still unidentified mechanisms may underlie E-cadherin expression
impairment in mutation negative cases. In order to clarify this hypothesis we aimed at: 1)
Developing a CDH1 allele-specific expression (ASE) method to determine allele specific
expression imbalance; 2) Determining the frequency of CDH1 germline promoter
methylation; 3) Addressing the existence of new transcribed portions in CDH1 and
characterize their expression; and 4) Testing the putative in vitro functional role of the
transcripts found.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood RNA was analysed for CDH1 ASE using a
polymorphic site from: 17 normal controls, 21 CDH1 negative gastric cancer (GC)
probands. Blood DNA from 68 GC probands was analysed for CDH1 germline promoter
methylation. The full CDH1 sequence was submitted to GENSCAN and putative
transcribed sequences within introns were predicted and its expression confirmed by RT-
PCR.
RESULTS: CDH1 ASE analysis showed: 1) in controls, equivalent expression of both
alleles (1.48 ± 0.22), and; 2) in CDH1 negative probands, monoallelic CDH1 expression or
allelic imbalance in 73% of the cases. Germline promoter hypermethylation was found in
1/68 (1.47 %) probands. Moreover, we found that CDH1 intron 2 contains expressed
putative regulatory regions.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: CDH1 allelic imbalance is highly frequent among CDH1
negative probands arguing towards the existence of unknown molecular mechanisms
leading to monoallelic downregulation in CDH1 expression. The epimutation described
seems to constitute a rare phenomenon and should not be considered to explain a
significant proportion of GC cases without molecular diagnostic. The two expressed
putative regulatory regions identified within CDH1 gene, outside of the currently known
coding regions, may constitute target sequences for epi/genetic control leading to CDH1
expression downregulation.
23

Synthesis and Determination of Physicochemical Parameters of
Xanthones
C. Azevedo 1,2 , C. M. M. Afonso 2 , M. M. M. Pinto 2 , J. L. F. C. Lima 1 and S. Reis 1
1 REQUIMTE – Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto
2 CEQOFFUP – Serviço de Química Orgânica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto.
Rua Aníbal Cunha 164, 4050-047 Porto, Portugal
Natural and synthetic xanthones have revealed a vast diversity of biological activities and
the xanthone nucleus has shown to be a good platform for the development of new
pharmacological active compounds [1]. To transform a biological active compound in a
successful drug it requires, among several other procedures, the synthesis of new
molecules and the understanding of both pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic
behaviours [2]. The objective of this work was to synthesize two series of xanthones and to
evaluate their physicochemical parameters in order to establish models of pharmaceutical
behaviour for xanthone compounds.
It was synthesized, by classic methodologies and with the aid of microwaves, series of
mono-hydroxylated and mono-methoxylated xanthones. The parameters studied were the
partition coefficients and the acidity constants. So, it was possible to study the influence of
two types of substituents in the xanthone nucleous: the hydroxyl (polar) and methoxyl (less
polar) groups.
The partition coefficient of the xanthones was studied in micelles of
hexadecylphosphocoline (HDPC), and determined by derivative spectroscopy [3]. In the
mono-hydroxylated series, the more lipophilic compound was 2-hydroxyxanthone and less
lipophilic compounds were 3-hydroxyxanthone and 4-hydroxyxanthone. In the
monomethoxylated series, the more lipophilic compounds were 2-methoxyxanthone and 3methoxyxanthone
and the less lipophilic compound was 1-methoxyxanthone.
The acidity constants, at 25 ºC and with ionic strength of 0,15 mol dm -3 (NaCl), of monohydroxylated
xanthones were determined by spetrophotometric titration, using the
Hyperquad 2006 software [4]. The results have shown that the more acidic xanthones were
3-hydroxyxanthone and 4-hydroxyxanthone, and the less acidic were 1-hydroxyxanthone
and 2-hydroxyxanthone.
Mechanistic and structure-physicochemical values relationships were rationalized and can
explain the obtained data for the different compounds in this study.
[1] Pinto, M.M.M., Sousa, M.E. and Nascimento, M.S.J. (2005), Xanthone derivatives: New
insights in biological activities, Current Medicinal Chemistry, 12 (21), 2517-2538.
[2] Kerns, E.H. and Di L. (2003), Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery, Drug Discovery
Today, 8 (7), 316-323.
[3] Castro, B., Gameiro, P., Lima, J.L.F.C., Matos, C. and Reis, S. (2001), Interaction of drugs with
hexadecylphosphocholine micelles. Derivative spectroscopy, acid-base and solubility studies,
Materials Science and Engineering: C, 18 (1-2), 71-78.
[4] Gans, P., Sabatini, A. and Vacca, A. (1996), Investigation of equilibria in solution.
Determination of equilibrium constants with the HYPERQUAD suite of programs, Talanta, 43
(10), 1739-1753.
24

Dissemination of blaTEM-52 among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella
pneumoniae strains is caused by spread of plasmids in Portugal
A. Pedrosa 1, 2 , A. Novais 2 , E. Machado 1,3 , R. Cantón 2 , T. M. Coque 2 *, L. Peixe 1
1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IMSALUD, Madrid, Spain
3 Faculty of Ciências da Saúde, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal
TEM-52 was firstly described in 1996 and since then it has been sporadically identified in
Europe, Korea and Canada among Enterobacteriaceae from both human and animals [1, 2].
Recently, an epidemic IncI1 plasmid containing blaTEM-52 was identified in France among
Salmonella enterica community strains[2]. We analyzed the diversity of TEM-52 producing
isolates from Portugal in order to understand the reasons for recent spread in our country.
Twenty one TEM-52-producing isolates recovered from Portugal (n=19 Escherichia coli; n=2
Klebsiella pneumoniae) between 2002 and 2005 were studied. The isolates were obtained from
hospitals (n=7), poultry (n=12) and sewage (n=2). Only one phenotype was included. Clonality
was established by PFGE and E. coli phylogenetic groups by PCR as reported [3, 4]. ESBL
identification was achieved by IEF, PCR and sequencing. Standard methods were used for
conjugation assays as well as antibiotic susceptibility testing. bla location was addressed by
hybridization of I-CeuI-digested DNA with an intragenic blaTEM-52 probe [5]. Plasmid
characterisation was accomplished by the Barton’s method, identification of plasmid
incompatibility groups by PCR, hybridization and sequencing, and analysis of RFLP patterns
[6, 7].
The isolates studied were highly diverse and 21 PFGE-types were identified [3]. Most E. coli
recovered from clinical isolates were assigned to phylogenetic group B1 [4]. E. coli recovered
from poultry and sewage were identified as phylogroups A (4 A0 and 3 A1), B1 (n=2) and D (3
D1 and 1 D2). Although chromosomal location was identified in one strain, blaTEM-52 gene was
mostly carried by two different plasmids of approximately 90kb and 30kb [1, 5]. The 90kb
plasmids belong to the incompatibility groups I1 but the 30kb could not be typed by the PCRtyping
method used. All the 30kb plasmids presented a unique RFLP pattern and most of the
90kb plasmids had the same RFLP pattern.
Wide and recent dissemination of blaTEM-52 among E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains from
Portugal seems to be associated with dissemination of particular plasmids of 30 and 90kb
among highly unrelated E. coli and K.pneunoniae strains.
[1] Weill, F., Demartin, M., Fabre, L. and Grimont, P.A.D. (2004), Extended-Spectrum-β-lactamase (TEM-
52)-Producing Strains of Salmonella enterica of Various Serotypes Isolated in France, Journal of Clinical
Microbiology, 42(7):3359-3362.
[2] Cloeckaert, A., Praud, K., Doublet, B., Bertini, A., Carattoli, A., Butaye, P., Imberechts, H., Bertrand, .,
Collard, J., Arlet, G. and Weill, F. (2007), Dissemination of an Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase blaTEM-52
Gene-Carrying IncI1 Plasmid in Various Salmonella enterica Serovars Isolated from Poultry and Humans in
Belgium and France between 2001 and 2005, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 51(5):1872-1875.
[3] Liu, S.-L., and Sanderson, K. E. (1992), A physical map of the Salmonella typhimurium LT2 genome
made by using XbaI analysis, Journal of Bacteriology, 174(5):1662-1672.
[4] Clemont, O., Bonacorsi, S. and Bingen, E. (2000), Rapid and Simple Determination of the Escherichia
coli Phylogenetic group, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 66(10):4555-4558.
[5] Liu, S.-L., Hessen, A. and Sanderson, K. E. (1993), Genomic mapping with I-Ceu I, an intron-encoded
endonuclease specific for genes for ribosomal RNA, in Samonella spp., Escherichia coli, and other bacteria,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:6874-6878.
[6] Barton, B., Harding, G. and Zuccarelli, A. J. (1995), A General Method for Detecting and Sizing
Plasmids, Analytical Biochemistry, 226:235-240.
[7] Carattoli, A., Bertini, A., Villa, L., Falbo, V., Hopkins, K. L. and Threlfall, J. (2005), Identification of
plasmids by PCR-based replicon typing, Journal of Microbiological Methods, 63:219-228.
25

Synergism between adenosine A2A and tachykinin NK1 receptors
facilitate [3H]-ACh release from myenteric neurons
I. Silva, C. Vieira, M. Duarte-Araújo & P. Correia-de-Sá
Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia, Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação
Biomédica (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar - Universidade do Porto
(ICBAS-UP), Portugal.
Endogenous tachykinins, such as substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), are expressed
in distinct neural pathways of the mammalian gut and have the potential to control both
nerve and muscle activity [1]. In addition to inhibitory adenosine A1 receptors expressed
on both cholinergic and tachykinergic myenteric neurons [2], activation of prejunctional
A2A receptors facilitate acetylcholine (ACh) release from myenteric neurons [3]. Therefore,
we decided to investigate the influence of endogenous adenosine on tachykinin-mediated
facilitation of [ 3 H]-ACh release from longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus (LM-MP)
preparations of the rat ileum.
The experiments were performed at 37ºC on LM-MP preparations from control subjects
(C) and from animals injected subcutaneously with capsaicin in the neonatal period (CAP).
Neonatal capsaicin causes degeneration of peptidergic nerve fibres with loss of sensation
and smooth muscle contractility. Procedures used for labeling the preparations and
measuring evoked [ 3 H]-ACh release were previously described [3].
Facilitation of [ 3 H]-ACh release caused by the selective A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680C
(3 nM, 53±10%, n=5) was significantly (P

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS I – POS.I.2
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20
I.2 - TERRITORY & NETWORK Elisa Keating & Laura Oliveira
201
The knowledge-based economy as a hegemonic meta-object of urban centre renewal policies: the
case of Porto
J. Queirós, V. Rodrigues
34
"Massarelos Network": Spaces and times of inter-institutional articulation, in the perspective of an
"Educating Parish"
Joana Lúcio
151 The Space of Intervals. The inner spaces of urban blocks: Space, Landscape, City
Andreia Monteiro da Costa
120 Forms of Housing and Ways of Living in Porto's Contemporary Urban Territory
André Mendes Faria
203 Interactive Application for Spatial Communication and Representation
A.Vieira
186 Economical and social benefits of Astronomy
André Filipe Soares Fernandes

The knowledge-based economy as a hegemonic meta-object of
urban centre renewal policies: the case of Porto
Abstract:
J. Queirós 1 and V. Rodrigues 2
1 Institute of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Institute of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Porto, Portugal.
Inherently cultural, cities have always been, throughout History, privileged spaces of
knowledge, creativeness, innovation and artistic effervescence. In the last few decades,
following the profound economic, social and political transformations that have been
characterizing cities, urban culture – considered here in its broadest sense – has gained
renewed importance, especially in developed countries, as a central element in interurban
competition.
Relying on the economic convertibility of symbolic capital, contemporary urban policies
choose knowledge and culture as two of their most important touchstones. The main goal is
to assure the abovementioned conversion, by attracting new residents and tourists –
especially the more affluent ones – and by reinforcing the urban centres’ attractiveness
towards all kinds of investment fluxes.
The complex strategies and discourses of urban centre renewal policies – and the way they
increasingly mobilise the knowledge-based economy as their meta-object – is what we wish
to explore with this paper. Focusing on the case of Porto, and having in mind the
theoretical assessments of cultural political economy, we analyse the major guidelines of
dominant tendencies in urban planning and management and reflect on the role of
knowledge and culture in local urban centre renewal policies.
By doing this, we will try to analyse how the international trend that takes the knowledgebased
economy as a hegemonic meta-object of urban centre renewal policies is locally
being reproduced.
28

“Massarelos Network”: Spaces and times of inter-institutional
articulation, in the perspective of an “Educating Parish”
Joana Lúcio 1
1 PhD Student of Education Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and of Education Sciences, University
of Porto, Portugal.
The investigation to which this report refers was developed in the context of the curricular
probation year of the Education Sciences’ degree of licenciate, of the Faculty of
Psychology and of Education Sciences of the University of Porto. One of our concerns was
to ponder about the importance of the Seminar in the development of an intervention
project. At the same time, we wanted to discuss the pertinence of the developed work and
of the intervention project, considering the major objectives of the formation in Education
Sciences and the role of the socio-educational and formation mediator (professional
designation for Education Sciences’ graduates).
In what concerns this last subject, we tried to discuss this socio-professional concept,
giving special attention to the socio-political and professional opportunity that it produces
and to the know-how, competencies and privileged targets of the mediator’s intervention.
Our main objective was to build and analyze an interview database. These interviews were
made to people responsible for local institutions, with the purpose of revealing various
possibilities of understanding the importance of the local (the city, the parish, the
neighborhood, the community) as a source of Education, giving that all aspects referring to
the community life’s organization have an (educative) influence on the citizens’ lives.
Theoretically speaking, we searched for the emergence of a structure similar to the
Integrated Formative System [1], that we believe to allow the development of “joint
spaces”: spatial-temporal contexts that mobilize the action of the people, the schools, the
local associations, the autarchic power instances and the corporate sector, towards the
prioritization of the public interests and needs.
The analysis of the supra-referred database allowed the unveiling of the need for a Local
Educative Project and a Local Education Council, both of which should orientate the local
intervention on aspects such as: the democratization of the access to cultural assets,
educating towards diversity, political and civic participation, and the assumption of public
spaces as educative/educating spaces.
References:
[1] Villar, M. B. C. (2001), A Cidade Educadora. Nova Perspectiva de Organização e Intervenção
Municipal, Instituto Piaget, Lisboa.
29

The Space of Intervals. The inner spaces of urban blocks: Space,
Landscape, City
Andreia Monteiro da Costa 1
Supervisor: Manuel Mendes, Architect
1
Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
This research starts with the eyes of the traveller. A look vacant of history and pre-conceptions,
which produces an act of seeing bringing together, in the same instant, the past and the present.
The city grows further beyond the boundaries of institutions or masterplans and is without time
restrictions. In the atemporality of the urban phenomenon, this work wanted to consider the
city as a whole.
The investigation uses Porto and the inner space of its urban blocks as the enquire territories
for the research. Crossing ideas of several authors, such as Solà-Morales, Boeri, Joseph,
Delgado or Lefebvre, the study made trough their ideas observations of the present. These
were not made only through analysis, but the process of synthesis included both the
involuntary memory of Proust and the atemporality of Sansot. The methodology also
incorporated several other references from films and contemporary art, which helped both in
the understanding and in the production of descriptive metaphors.
This study produced a synthetic thinking, which, aiming for another legibility of the
metropolitan form could be more similar to the more inclusive everyday experience of the city.
Therefore, its intimate monuments build numerous personal networks of legibility, a kind of
multiple ectoponymy, which contribute naturally to the hypertextuality of the urban
phenomenon.
In this differential of identities, Deleuze shifts the active figure from the point to the interval:
“the interval takes all, the interval is substance”. So, in the city, the voids between different
individual meanings become permanent constructors of new significances, and perpetuate the
open essence of the urban organism. This study uses this notion of the interval to develop an
idea of needed fluctuations and creative misunderstandings to show the poorness of a city’s
legibility when based only on a closed common identity.
In Porto, the inner spaces of the urban blocks appear as territories where the city escapes from
its own institutional plan. In these territories, where rules are loose, the sense of place is built
based on different degrees of formality and liberty through the appropriation of urban space.
These define different modes of production of space that characterise the place and its physical
and non physical relations with users. According to the openness of Heidegger: “Building,
Dwelling, Thinking”; the performance of the discourse participates in this production of urban
space by changing these relationships.
In response to the lack of identity in our present urban spaces, this work tries to explore the
creation of the possibility of permeability as done by contemporary art. This permeability
allows spaces to better connect with their users, resulting in a stronger link between individuals
and their city through an erotic process of possession.
As Solà-Morales, this study claims the need of indefinite and unproductive spaces in a city. As
other spaces in other cities, these inner spaces of the urban blocks might work as expressions
of a kind of indetermination that is a factor of inclusion. Through their absences and
possibilities, these spaces absorb memories, multiple narratives and performances, offering the
indetermination of intervals towards more open and individual constructions of the city.
30

Forms of Housing and Ways of Living in Porto’s Contemporary
Urban Territory
André Mendes Faria 1
1 Architect, qualified by the Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The following abstract refers to my architectural degree final dissertation. [1]
The main purpose of our research was to inquire and understand the actual state of
collective housing in Portugal. Within Porto’s market supply, for the social, cultural and
economical middle class standards demand, we have evaluated houses by their accuracy
responding to the needs and uses of modern society.
We have done a partial survey on Porto’s housing, commercialized between April and May
2005, corresponding to 16 complexes and nearly 1300 single apartments from where we
extract four case-studies. An analytical system was developed in order to evaluate potential
flexibility or limitations to the use of these domestic spaces, based on their geometry,
environmental characteristics and functional distribution.
Simultaneously, we attempted to identify some trends of contemporary life-styles that
impact the occupation and use made of living space. Such aspects include increasing
consumerism, cult of body, changes in gender roles and increasing leisure time.
The confrontation between this and the analysis of the case-studies reveled some curious
issues. Firstly, it shows that great majority of housing supply in Porto has the same
functional structure and space dimensions, which does not match with the variety of
lifestyles in contemporary society. Thus, we are limited to “a one size fit all” model.
Moreover, this same structure could be found in market supply before democratic
revolution in Portugal, meaning that 30 years of tremendous social evolution had little
effect on house conception.
Secondly, this research shows also that this stagnated functional structure used
homogeneously for several years is based in a very rigid and hierarchical system that does
not promote the flexibility, adaptability and durability a home should have.
Furthermore, it reflects an obsolete system of values, that sometimes can even be
contradictory, based on a traditional family with children where social life is assumed by
one of the parents while domestic issues are assumed by the other.
In addiction, we should mention the shallow technologic and constructive quality of
housing in general and its high prices; such state of affairs is widely reported on the
national media on a regular basis.
Strangely, whether we are urban or suburban dwellers, part of a traditional or a
monoparental family, are young or mature, conservative or liberal we all share one single
living model with specific and limited efficiencies, meanings and symbolism. Definitively
we are stuck with a one-size fit-all model.
References:
[1] FARIA, André Mendes, Caracterização do fogo na Habitação Plurifamiliar do Porto:
introdução a um processo de estudo, Architectural degree final dissertation, Faculty of
Architecture, University of Porto, 2005.
31

Interactive Application for Spatial Communication and
Representation
A.Vieira 1
1 CEAU, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
In the urban planning process, especially with the development of urban or architecture
design, it’s imperative to provide an effective communication platform between the
designers and the society. This bi-directional communication channel between the people
more responsible for the design proposals and society in general, has better results when
different types of representation and communication techniques are applied, since they
make comprehension of the design clearer and less technical. Without a proper
communication channel the participation of general society on the architectural design and
development phases is reduced leading to a lack of important information and feedback
from the users. In this context, the information technologies (IT), applied to the
representation and communication of architectural and urban design, can offer the required
tools to develop and provide an intuitive and easy-to-understand communication channel.
This research work had as main objective the critical analysis of a significant set of
different representation methods and technologies that can be applied to communicate and
represent urban design and architectural proposals. Differences and advantages of each
technique, either when used alone or in combination with others are compared.
During the course of this work, coordinated by Pedro Neto 1 a web application IASCR
(Interactive Application for Spatial Communication and Representation) was developed for
the investigation project CCRE (Spatial Communication and Representation Center) with
the main objective of making more clear and efficient representation and communication
of architectural and urban design projects. To test and gather the opinion and interaction of
users were used two case studies:
– E-Learning Café – an architectural project for the interior the interior space of a building
at U. Porto that comprises a dynamic program for all the academic community and where
university students, teachers and staff may exchange knowledge, share experiences and
carry out a wide range of activities;
– Corredor da Memória - an urban design renovation project that upgrades an important
historical area of the city of Porto, considered world heritage.
The paper presents first a concise literature review and computer visualization techniques
to communicate the design. It then proceeds to analyze the results of the questionnaire and
the qualitative provide some positive information about how people perceived and judged
both the content (proposed design) and the form (representations methods and techniques
used for communicate).
1 Pedro Leão Neto -FAUP
32

Economical and social benefits of Astronomy
André Filipe Soares Fernandes 1
1 Student of the department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto,
Portugal.
I'm taking the Master degree of the Faculty of Sciences in teaching of astronomy. My goal
for the master thesis will be to research the economic & social benefits of Astronomy.
Despite the obvious historical contributions of Astronomy to human civilization as well as
the current externalities of space activities, there is not much organized information about
them. This study intends to analyze the effects of Astronomy in our society.
At this point, the following question arises: which effects? The study may take into
account several perspectives. It may focus on the scientific and educational side of
Astronomy or on the positive externalities of this science (technology, employment,
growth, etc). Alternatively, one may think in Astronomy as the motivation to space
exploration. On this point of view, it would be useful to understand the economic impact of
space activities trough, for example, technology transfer or the services it generates and
feeds (ICT, Telecommunications, Environment monitoring, Security, Civil Protection,
Positioning, etc). Presently, the main challenge is to choose a perspective in order to focus
the research.
In the end, the study should be able to promote an objective discussion about the value of
Astronomy and Space activities.
If my application for IJUP 08 is successful, I will present a brief compilation of the facts
already found in my early research. The thesis is supervised by the teacher Catarina Lobo
from the Department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto,
Portugal.
33

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS I – POS.I.3
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20
I.3 - MODELLING & AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS Sofia Rodrigues & Filipe Abrantes
Estimation of postmortem interval based on the determination of potassium in vitreous humor by an
83
automatic system
Ana I. Pereira, Ana M. Santos, Marieta L.C. Passos, J. Rodrigo Santos, S. Frazão, Agostinho J.C.
Santos, M. Lúcia M.F.S. Saraiva and José L.F.C. Lima
111 The dynamical state of galaxies: from 2D to 6D
P. Mondim, J. Brinchmann
Development of an automatic multi-pumping flow system for the spectrophotometric determination
121
of trimipramine
D. Ribeiro, J. Prior, J. Santos, J. Lima
150 Anti-de Sitter space and the stability of scalar field
C. A. dos Santos Guedes
Accessibility and science communication – new directions and guidelines for Moodle “Estaleiro da
176
Ciência”
N.Regadas, J. Santos, B.Giesteira
192 Quantum Vacuum Energy in General Relativity (The Casimir Effect)
M. Barbosa

Estimation of postmortem interval based on the determination of
potassium in vitreous humor by an automatic system
Ana I. Pereira 1 , Ana M. Santos 1 , Marieta L. C. Passos 1 , J. Rodrigo Santos 1 , S.
Frazão 2 , Agostinho J.C. Santos 2 , M. Lúcia M. F. S. Saraiva 1 and José L. F. C. Lima 1
1 REQUIMTE, Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto,
Portugal.
2 Serviço de Medicina Legal, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Portugal. Serviço de
Patologia Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal, I.P. – Delegação Norte.
The estimation of the time since death known as postmortem interval (PMI) is a main issue
in the field of forensic science and legal medicine and one of the most difficult and
challenging problem for forensic pathologists [1, 2].
In the present work is then proposed the estimation of the PMI based on postmortem
potassium levels in vitreous humor. Vitreous humor has been regarded as the ideal
extracellular fluid to measure the postmortem release of intracellular potassium (mainly
from the retina) consequent to the energy breakdown and the related cessation of active
transport and selective membrane permeability [3].
The quantification of potassium levels in vitreous humor will be performed using an
automatic flow based method. Flow techniques are attractive automation tools as they
allow the implementation of low cost, fast, reliable and reproducible methodologies.
In this work a tubular potassium ion-selective electrode will be incorporated in the flow
manifold as detector. The tubular electrode consists of a sensing element made up by a
polyvinylchloride (PVC) membrane coating a tube of conductive material which serves
both as support for the PVC film and as electric contact [4]. The use of this kind of
detection provides a high sensitivity, low chemical and mechanical interferences, a short
response time and a high reproducibility.
This methodology will constitute a way of analyzing a huge number of samples rapidly in
order to get significant statistical results to establish a mathematical relation between this
parameter and the PMI.
References:
[1] McDowall, K. L., Lenihan, D. V., Busuttil, A. and Glasby, M. A. (1998), The use of absolute
refractory period in the estimation of early postmortem interval, Forensic Sci Int.,91 (3), 163-170.
[2] Henssge, C. and Madea, B. (2007), Estimation of the time since death, Forensic Sci Int.,165(2-
3), 182-184.
[3] Tagliaro, F., Manetto, G., Cittadini, F. Marchetti, D., Bortolotti, F. and Marigo, M. (1999)
Capillary zone electrophoresis of potassium in human vitreous humour: validation of a new
method, Journal of Chromatography B, 733, 273-279.
[4] Almeida, M. I. G. S., Segundo, M. A., Lima, J. L. F. C. and Rangel, A. O. S. S, (2006)
Potentiometric multi-syringe flow injection for determination of exchangeable potassium in soils
with in-line extraction, Microchemical Journal, 83, 75-80.
Acknowledgements: Marieta L. C. Passos thanks Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and FSE
(III Quadro Comunitário) for the Ph.D. grant (SFRH / BD / 22752 / 2005). Authors thanks Reitoria
da Universidade do Porto the Project Investigação Científica na Pré-Graduação (2007).
35

The dynamical state of galaxies: from 2D to 6D
P. Mondim 1 , J. Brinchmann 2
1 Department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
Centre for Astrophysics of University of Porto, Portugal
2 Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Centre for Astrophysics of University of Porto, Portugal
The goal of this work is to investigate the relationship between the dynamical state of a
galaxy (which belongs to a 6D phase-space, and can only be known with information
regarding the velocity and position of every galaxy's particles) and the information
available from observations: it's 2D velocity field.
This goal is pursued by numerically calculating the Tensor Virial Theorem [1] quantities to
study the phase-space structure of galaxies mergers' simulations and contrasting them with
synthetic observations of those galaxies.
An effective way of calculating the kinetic energy associated with movement that can be
regarded as “ordered” and the kinetic energy associated with movement that can be
regarded as “random” has been devised. Using this tool to study the phase-space structure
of merging galaxies, we were able to verify how ordered- and random-motion evolve
during the interaction of the galaxies. The ratio of ordered-motion to random-motion of the
system's particles has been found to peak early after the beginning of the interaction,
presenting a strong decrease thereafter and, finally, reaching a steady level, lower than the
initial value. Galaxies of different morphological types have been found to provide
somewhat different evolutions for the quantities that trace the ordered- and randommotion.
Work is now underway to create synthetic observations of those same mergers, in order to
make possible a comparison of the “observed” and “real” physical quantities. This may
lead, ultimately, to the establishment of innovative methods of non-parametric
classification of velocity fields. Such methods would be specially valuable for highredshift
galaxies, for which the known methods fail for requiring high signal-to-noise
ratios.
Thus, so far, the main conclusions for the current work are the establishment of typical
evolutions for the ordered- and random-motion of a galaxy's particles during a merger
event and the establishment of different trends for the evolution of those quantities in
galaxies of different morphological types. Further work is still underway.
References:
[1] Binney, J. and Tremaine, S. (1994), Galactic Dynamics, Princeton University Press.
36

Development of an automatic multi-pumping flow system for the
spectrophotometric determination of trimipramine
D. Ribeiro 1 , J. Prior 1 , J. Santos 1 and J. Lima 1
1 Requimte, Department of Physical-Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto,
Portugal.
Trimipramine maleate, is a tricyclic antidepressant agent, that belongs to the
dibenzoazepine class, with an anxiety-reducing sedative activity. The intensive
therapeutical utilisation of dibenzoazepine derivates increases the need to improve or
develop new methods for their determination in body fluids and in pharmaceutical
preparations [1].
In the present work, an automatic methodology of flow analysis exploiting the multipumping
[2] concept was developed for the spectrophotometric determination of
trimipramine in commercially available pharmaceutical formulations. The trimipramine
determination was based on the reaction of the drug with ammonium monovanadate
reagent in acidic medium yielding a coloured compound with a maximum of absorbance at
620 nm [3]. The improved flow mixing conditions during sample and reagents insertion
and transport, due to the chaotic movement of the solutions originated by the pulsed flow
characteristic of multi-pumping systems, assured a fast reaction zone homogenization in a
reduced residence time, which was particularly advantageous for carrying out analytical
determinations that involved highly viscous solutions, as is the case of the sulphuric acid
solution used in the determination of trimipramine, without impairing the sampling rate.
A linear working range for trimipramine concentrations of up to 50 mg L-1 (r = 0.9998; n
= 6) was obtained and the detection limit was about 1.15 mg L-1. The sampling rate was
approximately 50 determinations per hour. The obtained results were in agreement with
those furnished by the reference procedure [4], with relative deviations lower then 4.7%.
The proposed methodology allowed the rapid quantification of trimipramine, which could
represent an advantageous alternative for the pharmaceutical control at industrial level, and
additionally, required low quantities of reagents and produced reduced volumes of
residues.
References:
[1] Baldessarini, R.J. (2001), Drugs and the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Depression and
anxiety disorders, in Gilman, A.G., Hardman, J.G., and Limbird, L.E. (Eds.) The pharmacological
basis of therapeutics, 10th ed., New York: McGraw Hill Co., pp. 447-483.
[2] Lapa, R.A.S., Lima, J.L.F.C., Reis, B.F., Santos, J.L.M., Zagatto, E.A.G. (2002), Multipumping
in flow analysis: concepts, instrumentation, potentialities, Anal. Chim. Acta, 466, 125-
132.
[3] Misiuk, W. (2000), Spectrophotometry assay of imipramine and desipramine using ammonium
metavanadate and its application to pharmaceutical preparations, J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal., 22, 189-
196.
[4] Trimipramine Maleate monograph, tablets (2005), in British Pharmacopoeia, vol. III, London:
The Stationary Office, pp. 2853.
37

Anti-de Sitter space and the stability of scalar field
C. A. dos Santos Guedes 1
1 Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
This work grew up as an introduction to what I have been doing in my final undergraduate
thesis, a purely theoretical physics research based on what is called the AdS/CFT duality,
under the supervision of Dr. Miguel da Sousa Costa.
AdS stands for anti-de Sitter space which is a solution to Einstein’s field equations of
general relativity in empty space with negative cosmological constant. Being a maximally
symmetric space, it has been an excellent model to investigate questions of principle
related to the quantization of fields propagating on curved background, the interaction with
the gravitational field and the issues related to its lack of global hyperbolicity.
Firstly, I focused on the geometric properties of anti-de Sitter and understood how subtle
this space is, where time warps in itself and light reaches the spatial infinity in finite time.
Moreover the symmetries, or the group to which this space is invariant, induce a natural
behavior on its boundary that is conformally invariant. CFT above denotes conformal field
theory.
Afterwards, I delved into the propagation of scalar field. The scalar field corresponds in
real world to what we can think of spinless particles (spin is an intrinsic property of
particles like mass and charge). For us to have particles they must be stable to the extent
that we can manipulate them in a consistent way, i.e., be able to do quantum field theory.
This part was based on work done almost thirty years ago [1-3], which led to the
conclusion that the scalar field is stable in any dimension for an AdS fixed background.
Because the mathematical apparatus and concepts used are far from being trivial, and the
audience is a very general one, the main part of the presentation will be concerned with
very general ideas about what General Relativity, Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field
Theory is all about and why it is important to think of them from a unified point of view. If
time permits, further questions specific to this work could be addressed.
References:
[1] Breitenlohner, P. and Freedman, D. Z. (1982), Positive Energy in Anti-de Sitter Background
and Gauged Extended Supergravity, Phys. Lett. B 115.
[2] Breitenlohner, P. and Freedman, D. Z. (1982), Stability in Gauged Extended Supergravity, Ann.
Phys. 144.
[3] Mezincescu, L., and Townsend, P. K. (1985), Stability at a Local Maximum in Higher
Dimensional Anti-de Sitter Space and Applications to Supergravity, Ann. Phys. 160.
38

Accessibility and science communication – new directions and
guidelines for Moodle “Estaleiro da Ciência”
N.Regadas 1,2 , J. Santos 2 , B.Giesteira 3
1 Jornalismo e Ciências da Comunicação, Faculdade de Letras, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
2 IBMC (Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular – Universidade do Porto).
3 Faculdade de Belas Artes, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
Science communication on a web context raises several accessibility and usability questions
that us, as communicators, should recognize and exceed. Because Moodle has one of the
highest worldwide implementation ratings on e-learning and b-learning platforms, the adoption
of good web usability and accessibility practices, at all levels, becomes mandatory. “Estaleiro
da Ciência - Oficinas” has a different approach on science teaching and learning, aiming to be
a model for future b-learning applications. Having W3C guidelines for a starter and following
Nick Freear and Chetz Colwell [1] accessibility report on Moodle 1.6 version, as well as other
documents, we examined the 1.7 version to see if it was according to those guidelines. Our
main goal is to format the "Estaleiro da Ciência" Moodle, so that it is in total conformity with
the first accessibility level, proposed by WAI of the W3C.
The IBMC “Estaleiro da Ciência – Oficinas” cluster was subjected to automatic and manual
accessibility evaluations; for usability evaluations Lavery’s [2] modified structure of Nielsen’s
Heuristics was used among an empiric observation method with five users; the four months of
empiric experience working with the platform, and the discussions on Moodle forums were
also considered for this study case.
Our objective is to bring the programmer’s and the designer’s world closer together. Although
some changes are only possible if php programming is used, others can be done resorting to
CSS and internal HTML editors. Labels and HTML blocks are useful tools to develop and
improve accessibility features. Despite the good accessibility results of Moodle 1.7 version, in
compliance with WAI first level of priority, an additional effort is being made to make it
compliant with other W3C standards. Special attention was given to navigational elements as
they are one of the most important elements on a system like this. Our results revealed that
usability can be improved virtually without any programming involved. Tests revealed that too
many side blocks, links and options lead to user’s frustration. This variable is controllable if
changes are made to the course’s layout. Users must be fully concentrated on the contents,
instead of feeling lost with such a vast amount of information. Moodle’s standard version is
not very user friendly, even though it’s not very difficult to learn how to operate it. The main
idea is that technology has to adapt to our needs and not the other way.
Although this is a study case, all drawn conclusions and recommendations can be implemented
to similar structures. This project is still ongoing, and has a huge potential of applicability and
future work perspectives.
References:
[1] Freear, Nick and Colwell, Chetz., Improving the Accessibility of Moodle, Experiences,
guidelines and the road ahead, The Open University, 2006 [Acessed 25th March 2007]
Available:http://moodlemoot.org/file.php/3/presentation_materials/nick.f_chetz.c_OU/MoodleMoo
t_slides_ndf_cc_FINAL_2.pdf
[2] Heuristic Evaluation was originally proposed by Nielsen and Molich (Nielsen and Molich,
1990). The structure was, later on, modified by Nielsen (Nielsen, 1994).
39

Quantum Vacuum Energy in General Relativity (The Casimir
Effect)
M. Barbosa 1
1 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
My work is about the calculation of the zero-point energy (or vacuum energy) of a scalar
field in a curved space, which exists by a phenomena known as Casimir effect.
In 1948, Casimir showed that the fluctuations of the electromagnetic field in vacuum,
between to parallel conductive plates, is not zero and gives rise to an attractive force
between them. It’s a very weak force but perfectly measurable.
Applying Casimir’s calculation method to general relativity, we can verify that when we
have a scalar field (that can represent a particle, for example) in a curved space, if we
consider its small fluctuations, we will obtain a non-zero vacuum energy. A lot of research
work is being done to understand this non-zero vacuum energy and its relationship with the
deformation of the space-time.
This is a theoretical work, involving hard mathematical concepts. As we will have a very
general audience, I will not focus my presentation in the expressions and results I found.
Instead, I will try to give a basic point of view about what is a curved space, vacuum
energy, etc., and what kind of phenomena we can get with its connections. This will put the
audience closer to a big Physics’ topic - The General Relativity.
Resuming, I will try not to show just complicated equations that the most part of the
audience wouldn’t understand, but I will try to make them have a simple and intuitive idea
about the physical concepts used in my work.
References:
[1] L. H. Ford, Phys, Rev. D 11, 3370 (1975)
[2] L. H. Ford, Phys. Rev. D 14, 3305
[3] N. D. Birrell, P. C. W. Davies, Quantum fields in curved space, Cambridge University Press
(1999)
[4] K. A. Milton, The Casimir Effect, World Scientific (2001)
40

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS II – POS.II.1
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
II.1 - FOOD & HEALTH Maria Paula Santos & Jorge Teixeira
60 Microplate high-throughput methodology for determination of Folin-Ciocalteu index
F. Santos, L. M. Magalhães, M. A. Segundo, S. Reis, J. L. F. C. Lima
100 Detection of authorized genetically modified maize events: Participation in an inter-laboratorial study
J. Rocha, I. Mafra, M. Carvalho, J.A. Amaral, M.B.P.P. Oliveira
101 Detection of genetically modified soybean in foodstuffs: Participation in an inter-laboratorial study
M. Carvalho, I. Mafra, J. Rocha, M.B.P.P. Oliveira
HPLC separation and quantification of Catechins in green tea home prepared: comparison with
160
commercial soft drinks
C. Petisca, A. Melo, O. Pinho, I.M.P.L.V.O. Ferreira
182 Product Engineering - Application of vanillin in alimentary food paste industry
A. Vasconcelos, B. Moura, L. Almeida, S. Couto
200 Development of a coating barrier for cork stoppers for their use in spirituous drinks
F. Oliveira, S. Pontes, M. Cabral, A. Mendes

Microplate high-throughput methodology for determination of
Folin-Ciocalteu index
F. Santos, L. M. Magalhães, M. A. Segundo, S. Reis and J. L. F. C. Lima
REQUIMTE, Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto,
Rua Aníbal Cunha, 164, 4099-030, Porto, Portugal
Email: miguel.santos.2@gmail.com
The interest in antioxidant nutrients has increased due to their protective effects against
free radical-induced reactions [1]. In this context, the Folin-Ciocalteu assay [2] has been
proposed recently as a standard method for measurement of antioxidant capacity of food
products and dietary supplements in routine quality control [3]. Therefore, the main goal of
this work is the development of a simple, fast and reliable analytical methodology for the
determination of Folin-Ciocalteu index.
To achieve this objective, the conventional methodology was adapted to a 96-well
microplate format. The reaction volume was then reduced 100 times, from 20 mL to 0.2
mL. Furthermore, the reaction conditions were thoroughly studied, namely the pH of the
reaction media. It was observed that an increase of pH from 10 (usual value applied,
provided by a carbonate buffer) to values around 12-13 changed the reaction kinetics
dramatically. In fact it was possible to decrease the reaction time from 2 hours to 3-5
minutes.
The developed methodology was applied to the determination in several types of food
products, using gallic acid as standard compound. The Folin-Ciocalteu index values
obtained for wines, beers and juices were comparable to those obtained from the previous
batch method, with a significant improvement in the reagent consumption, effluent
produced per assay and determination throughput. These characteristics constitute a step
forward the implementation of greener procedures in the Analytical Chemistry area.
References:
[1] Halliwell, B., Murcia, M.A., Chirico, S., and Aruoma, O.I. (1995), Free-radicals and
antioxidants in food and in vivo –what they do and how they work, Critical Reviews in Food
Science and Nutrition, 35 (1-2), 7-20.
[2] Singleton, V.L., Orthofer, R., and Lamuela-Raventós, R.M. (1999), Analysis of total phenols
and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, Methods in
Enzymology, 299, 152-178.
[3] Prior, R.L., Wu, X., and Schaich, K. (2005), Standardized methods for the determination of
antioxidant capacity and phenolics in foods and dietary supplements, Journal of Agricultural and
Food Chemistry, 53 (10), 4290-4302.
42

Detection of authorized genetically modified maize events:
Participation in an inter-laboratorial study
J. Rocha 1,2 , I. Mafra 1 , M. Carvalho 1 , J.A. Amaral 1 , M.B.P.P. Oliveira 1
1 REQUIMTE-Laboratory of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
The soybean and maize are the most important genetically modified (GM) crops (57% and
25% of global biotechnological planted area, respectively) [1]. The need to monitor and
verify the presence of biotechnology-derived material in food products demands analytical
methods able to detect, to identify and to quantify either the introduced DNA or the
expressed protein(s). The interest of USDA/GIPSA Proficiency Program is to perform
accurate, reliable, and reproducible testing on biotechnology-derived events. The objective
of this Program is to detect and quantify GM maize and soybean flours by means of DNA
and/or protein based methods to verify the performance of several laboratories of
individual organizations.
The aim of the present work was the detection of GM maize events of six ground maize
samples supplied by the Proficiency Program in two periods. The samples were received
with the information of 11 specific GM events ranging from 0 to 5%. DNA molecules were
the target compounds for GMO detection due to the higher sensitivity of DNA-based
methods and to their higher stability compared to proteins. DNA was extracted by two
different methods [2]: CTAB and Wizard. Yield and purity of DNA extracts were assessed
by spectrophotometry, while amplifiability was evaluated by PCR targeting the invertase
gene. DNA extracts were amplified by two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques:
qualitative PCR and real-time quantitative PCR. Several qualitative PCR techniques were
performed to screen the 35S promoter sequence and to detect six GM events: Bt11,
MON810, E176, GA21, NK603 and MON863. A real-time PCR assay with TaqMan
probes was performed to quantify MON810. The results received by the first period of the
Program showed good performance of the Laboratory of Bromotology to screen GM
events by targeting the 35S promoter and by the detection of Bt11, E176 and MON810.
Concerning the second period of the Program, where the other events were tested for the
first time, the results are not yet available.
References:
[1] James, C. (2006), Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops:2006, ISSAA Brief No.
35, New York, Ithaca: ISSAA.
[2] Mafra, I., Silva, S.A., Moreira, E.J.M.O., Ferreira da Silva, C.S., Oliveira, M.B.P.P.
Comparative study of DNA extraction methods for soybean derived food products, Food Control
(submitted).
43

Detection of genetically modified soybean in foodstuffs:
Participation in an inter-laboratorial study
M. Carvalho 1 , I. Mafra 1 , J. Rocha 1,2 , M.B.P.P. Oliveira 1
1 REQUIMTE-Laboratory of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
In last ten years, the agriculture has been revolutionized by the introduction of genetically
modified organisms (GMO). The soybean is one of the most important genetically
modified crops, totalizing 83.8 milions of planted hectares, which correspond to 57% of
biotechnological planted area [1].The acceptance of GMO by consumers is controversial,
and concerns about their safety persist among public opinion. The EU legislations demand
the labelling of food products containing more than 0.9 % of GM material (Regulation
(EC) N.º 1829/2003).
The interest of USDA/GIPSA Proficiency Program is to perform accurate, reliable, and
reproducible testing on biotechnology-derived events. The objective of this Program is to
detect and quantify GM maize and soybean flours by means of DNA and/or protein based
methods to verify the performance of several laboratories of individual organizations.
The aim of the present work was the detection of GM soybean of three ground soybean
samples supplied by the Proficiency Program in two periods. The samples were received
with the information of one specific GM event ranging from 0 to 5%. The most accepted
techniques for GMO detection rely on DNA based methods, namely polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) or real-time quantitative PCR techniques due to their high specificity and
sensitivity. Thus, the PCR techniques were the choice for the present study. The isolation
of DNA from soybean flours was carried by using two methods: the CTAB and the Wizard
[2]. Yield and purity of DNA extracts were assessed by spectrophotometry, while
amplifiability was evaluated by PCR targeting the lectin gene. Two types of PCR assays
were developed and used: convetional PCR assays for detection of Roundup Ready (RR)
soybean and real-time PCR assays for quantitative purposes. The results received by the
first period of the Program showed good performance of the Laboratory of Bromotology to
screen GMO by targeting the 35S promoter and by the qualitative detection of RR
soybean. Concerning the second period of the Program, the results of the three samples
analysed by real-time PCR with TaqMan probes were: 0.8%, 2.5% and 0.2% of GMO. The
report for the second period is not yet available to conclude about the performance of the
present work.
References:
[1] James, C. (2006), Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops:2006, ISSAA Brief No.
35, New York, Ithaca: ISSAA.
[2] Mafra, I., Silva, S.A., Moreira, E.J.M.O., Ferreira da Silva, C.S., Oliveira, M.B.P.P.
Comparative study of DNA extraction methods for soybean derived food products, Food Control
(submitted).
44

HPLC separation and quantification of Catechins in green tea
home prepared: comparison with commercial soft drinks
C. Petisca1, A. Melo2, O. Pinho1,2, I.M.P.L.V.O. Ferreira 2
1 Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2 REQUIMTE – Departamento de Bromatologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto,
Portugal
Tea is produced from the leaves of the plant Camelia sinensis. Tea composition varies with
climate, season, horticultural practices, variety, type of soil and the age of the leaves [1].
The high concentration of catechins and theaflavins in tea, coupled with its broad
consumption, make tea a significant dietary source of these flavonoids. These compounds
are potent natural antioxidants. Epidemiological and experimental evidence have
highlighted potential therapeutic and health-protective activities of tea catechins and
related derivatives [2].
Green tea samples were prepared using an aqueous extraction procedure which simulated
usual brewing conditions for a cup of tea. A precisely known amount of green tea leaves
was steeped at different temperatures (100°C, 95°C, 90°C, 85°C, 80°C, 75°C and 70°C)
for 5 and 10 minutes respectively and compared with ideal conditions for catechins
extraction (80°C during 80min) to adquire maximum concentration of catechins. The
amount of catechins present in commercial soft drinks containing green tea was also
studied and the results were compared. Separation and quantification of catechins was
performed by reverse-phase HPLC with Diode array detection. The samples were filtered
through a 0,45μm polyester filter before analysis.
Evaluation of time/temperature relation in green tea samples prepared using home
conditions, showed that samples prepared at 100°C for 10minutes, contained more
catechins than the other time/temperature relations evaluated, but has about 10 times less
catechins than the ideal conditions for catechins extraction. Comparison with the levels of
catechins in comercial soft drinks revelead that “Lipton Linea” infusion contained higher
amounts of catechins. However, this infusion presented less galic acid when compared
with tea at 100°C for 10min. Cold “Lipton Linea” also contained high levels of catechins.
The others comercial soft drinks analized presented lower amounts of catechins.
In conclusion the ideal time/temperature to extract the highest amount of catechins is 80°C
for 80min, but , despite being the most accurate way, people at home don’t take so much
time to prepare tea. When comparing catechin content present in tea prepared at home
conditions, we concluded that some comercial soft drinks have more amount of catechins.
References:
[1] Yang, D.J., Hwang, L.S. and Lin, J.T. (2007), Effects of different steeping methods and storage
on caffeine, catechins and gallic acid in bag tea infusions, Journal of Chromatography, 1156 (1-2),
312-320.
[2] Neilson, A.P., Green, R.J., Wood K.V. and Ferruzzi, M.G. (2006), High-throughput analysis of
catechins and theaflavins by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection,
Journal of Chromatography, 1132 (1-2), 132-140.
45

Product Engineering – Application of vanillin in alimentary food
paste industry
A. Vasconcelos, B. Moura, L. Almeida and S. Couto
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
Vanillin is the chemical substance accountable for the vanilla aroma and it is also one of
the most used aromatic compounds in alimentary industry. This compound can be obtained
either by natural way or synthetically. In the sphere of Product Engineering an innovation
product has been developed in alimentary pastes industry - vermicelli vanilla cinnamon,
whose benchmark [1] would be the common vermicelli. The production at a pilot scale
showed that it would really be an attractive innovation and the economical plan revealed
that this would be practicable in economical terms.
The experiences were realized in a pilot scale, by means of mixing about 100g of semolina
of hard wheat [2] (which is the unique ingredient common to benchmark [1] ) and water, with
1 – 3g of cinnamon and different volumes of vanillin solution (between 1ml and 10ml).
The obtained paste was pressed and cut in an extrusion machine. At last, it was dried in a
stove at about 50°C.
Supposing that our product should be made in a well – known enterprise in the market, we
made an economical and marketing analysis. With the obtain results, it was made the
design of a package (Fig.1) that should arise the public interest in general.
After the experience in a pilot scale had been realized, we concluded that vermicelli with
about 3 – 5 ml of vanilla solution per 100g of semolina would be the tastiest. The market
study has showed that this new concept of vermicelli should be well accepted by the
public, and the economical analysis revealed that the innovation should be profitable [3] .
References:
[1] Milaneza, www.milaneza.pt, accessed in 28 th November 2007.
[2] www.ama-massas.com/massasfr.htm, accessed in 23 th November 2007.
[3] Vasconcelos A., Moura B., Almeida L., Couto S., Vanilina – da Inovação ao Design, internal
full report for the discipline of Product Engineering of the Integrated Master’s in Chemical
Engineering from FEUP, 2007.
46

Development of a coating barrier for cork stoppers for their use in
spirituous drinks
F. Oliveira 1 , S. Pontes 1 , M. Cabral 2 and A. Mendes 3
1 The Network for Competence in Polymers, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal
2 Amorim & Irmãos Company, Mozelos, Portugal
3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
Presently, spirituous drinks such as vodka are not bottled using cork stoppers, despite the
great appetence of the market for the noble product. The reason for that is the bleeding of
natural colorants present in the cork stoppers to the white drink, making it looks like old
conhaque. Two approaches could in principle be followed to make the cork stoppers
compatible with spirituous drinks. The first one is the extraction of these colorant
compounds leaving a colorant-less cork stopper. The other approach concerns the
development of a food approval and highly flexible transparent coating, impermeable to
the colorant compounds and chemically stable. At first glance none of these approaches
seem to be easy to accomplish. This is indeed true and there is presently no good solution
for this challenge.
The extraction of the natural colorants, namely tannins, from cork stoppers proved only to
delay the color bleeding, even when the extraction was applied to fine cork granules.
Different extracting solvents were employed as well as supercritical carbon dioxide. Some
authors proposed the use of polymers such as silicon [1, 2]. Despite the great permeability
of this polymer, it is food approval, elastic and chemically resistant. It also seems to retain,
sorb, the bleeding colorants from the cork stopper. However, silicon is also not able than
delay the bleeding of colorant to the beverage.
The authors tool advantage of the polarity of the cork stoppers colorants and developed a
coating system considering two layers. The first layer fences the colorants to leave, due to
its charge, while the second layer provides mechanical resistance to the coating. Both
polymers are commercially available and are applied by dip coating. The final coating
system is food approval, very elastic, chemically stable and gas permeable. Moreover, it is
tasteless, transparent and visually attractive. Presently, a new monomer is being
investigated that for developing a polymer that offers complete barrier properties with a
single layer.
References:
[1] WATKINS, S. (1997), Coated cork stopper, WO9711894;
[2] LUMIA, G., PERRE, C., ARACIL, J. (2001), Method for treating and extracting cork organic
compounds, with a dense fluid under pressure, WO0123155;
47

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS II – POS.II.2
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
II.2 - HOUSE & LIVING Gonçalo Furtado & Albino Lima
45 The Architect's House
Joana Ferraz
205 Organic living | Weekend house in Castelo de Paiva
P. Geraldes Santos, N. Brandão Costa
171 From RCR experience to a project of a small house in the mountain
F. Costa Leite, N. Brandão Costa
Casa Comum [common/collective/communitarian house/home] Architectures for an Intermediary
122
Space
Nuno Travasso
43 The Courtyard and Siza's Houses
H. Henriques
155 The silence and the sky: seclusion and architecture. Four courtyard-houses.
A. Silva Fernandes, C. Machado

The Architect’s House
Joana Ferraz 1
1 Architecture graduate, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The architect’s own house is a recurring subject in architecture publications. The works of
domestic architecture are analyzed by their characteristics, the presence of the author,
influences, design process, etc. But what happens when the relation client/architect is
altered? What happens when architect and client are one and the same person? Which are
the main differences between the current outputs and their own house? What to state when
the subject of study is “The Architect’s House"[1]?
My interest, in this particular subject, came from a casual reading of a Spanish book
regarding the same theme – La casa del arquitecto [2]. However, this study employs
bibliographical references associated which such distinctive areas as philosophy and
sociology: authors as Foucault or Heidegger, architecture historians as Joseph Rykwert, or
even writers, as T.S.Elliot, carried out active parts.
The investigation’s net is sewed, fundamentally, within the Portuguese 20th century,
unifying an assembly of apparently divergent works but after all with a common
background. Besides representing epochs and tangible architectonic tendencies, through
them one would be able to reproduce the historical line of domestic architecture in the past
century: they reproduce the architect’s personal history, reflecting ideals and choices,
architectonic principles and aspired lifestyle.
To understand the spirit and variables of the conception and execution of the architect’s
own house, preceding the case studies and subsequent national contextualization, some
chapters specifically explore themes such as the origin of the creative act, the architect’s
adaptation and proximity to the creative individual/author’s task, the performance of the
author’s role in society, and the confrontation and affinity of the individual with the
collective. Subsequently, articulations were established between such concepts as
architect/individual/author and house/residence/home and several of its possible
interpretations, as well as the different varieties of architect’s own houses including its
correlation with heterotopies.
In perspective this is a fertile field with countless ramifications that may be subject to
future inquiries such as establishing parallelisms between Portuguese cases and those of
foreign architects, or a more detailed approach on the variability between own houses and
remaining works of the same author. “The Architect’s House” is, ultimately, an
architectural object that permits others to perceive, with clarity, the heart and the
contradictions in the architecture of a specific author.
References:
[1] Ferraz, Joana, (2007), The Architect’s House, Graduation Thesis in Architecture, Faculty of
Architecture of Porto University [Ferraz, Joana, (2007), A Casa do Arquitecto, Prova Final de
Licenciatura em Arquitectura, Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto, Porto.]
[2] Zabalbeascoa, Anatxu, (2000), La casa del arquitecto; Gustavo Gili, Barcelona.
49

Organic living | Weekend house in Castelo de Paiva
P. Geraldes Santos 1 , N. Brandão Costa 2
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The present work appeared in the context of a bid of a project for a house in a rural area
near the river Douro, more precisely in the village of Castelo de Paiva, located in the north
of Portugal.
The opportunity of articulating the conception of a real project with a strong theoretical
background was unique in my academic experience, allowing practice and theory to
stimulate mutually and power a more solid development of the project.
As my goal was to idealize a house for a specific client in a specific place, the research
swung from the exploration of the essence of the phenomenology of the spaces and their
link to our mind, thus having studied authors like Gaston Bachelard [1] or Juhani
Pallasmaa [2], to the concern to create a mass that relates strongly with the landscape and
the surrounding buildings. Álvaro Siza and Alvar Aalto were very important references on
this last approach. All this process was supported by the execution of models that allowed
a progressive critical stand to the different solutions and a more mature development of the
proposal.
The results obtained are condensed in the specific form of the house (Fig. 1), in the way
how spaces connect or disconnect, how old and new cohabit in the same place and how our
body is induced to move through the different spaces.
Among countless aspects, the opportunity of articulating a practical work with a strong
theoretical support in one unique exercise made me realize that, in general, contemporary
architecture privileges the sense of the sight and disregards the intimate relation between
form and body. To establish more empathy between inhabitant and construction, it is
crucial that our body is regarded as the central mass in the conception of all the habitable
areas, assuming that the movement that we make between spaces is as important as the
experience of sitting or lying down. The dynamism of moving gives us the real perception
of the whole. In this way, senses play a central role because they allow us to feel the
different intensities of the textures, forms or light.
Fig. 1 – Model of the site with the proposal
References:
[1] Bachelard, Gaston (1998), A Poética do Espaço, Martins Fontes, São Paulo.
[2] Pallasmaa, Juhani (2006), Los Ojos de la Piel, Editorial Gustavo Gili, Barcelona.
50

From RCR experience to a project of a small house in the
mountain
F. Costa Leite 1 , N. Brandão Costa 2
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
This work, which was developed concerning my Final Thesis for the Degree in
Architecture of FAUP, consists in working up a house project for a farm keeper in the area
of Gerês, north Portugal. As the thesis occurs after the experience got during the curricular
training in RCR Arquitectes, it also includes a critical reflection on the works done by
these architects, which are mostly located in the natural volcanic park of Garrotxa, north
Catalonia.
The reflection of the first chapter focus particularly on the work method of RCR, on the
relation that their works establish with the landscape as a reference for their architecture,
and on the materiality present on their whole work. To develop the project presented on the
second chapter, an analysis of study cases was done, which enabled to understand the
diversity of possible solutions in solving the program in question; a particular attention was
also paid to the specific characteristics and problems of the site as being subjects and
coordinates common to the trial of every solution.
The project intends to solve an increasing need for a supporting structure in a farm on the
banks of river Cávado that could function as a shelter for a gardener, a farmer, a friend or a
relative. This way it came the opportunity of imagining a small retreat, suitable for a night
and at the same time comfortable for an entire life (Fig. 1). The protect strategy starts from
a study of the site, which precedes the design and which allowed to identify the main
problems of the entire property, having had a great influence on the selection of the
specific location, as well as on the solution principles.
To achieve the final draw of the house for a farm keeper it was important the reflection on
RCR Arquitectes’s work that reflects the lessons learned in that great laboratory, which
was and still is, the geographical area where they have always been living. It was also
important the organised and systematic research on architectural exercises with similar
characteristics to that one defined in this project. The chosen examples contributed
individually to the achievement of several hypotheses on the composition of the small
house, as well as different ways of interacting with the surrounded areas. The project could
then achieve its own mechanisms being the design the main tool and finding in the
program and in the site, its most important motivations.
Project Model_scale 1:50
1.
51

Casa Comum [common/collective/communitarian house/home]
Architectures for an Intermediary Space
Nuno Travasso
Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
This research pursuits an idea of collective dwelling. An idea which is not strictly related
to a type or a form or an image, but which concerns a way of living and the essence of the
space that provides lodging for it. Such as the main purpose of building a house is to create
a home, also the design of collective housing should have as main purpose the
materialization of an idea which is yet to be defined. “Casa Comum” (common home) is
one approach to this urgently needed idea.
This study is a domain with an identity of its own created by the constant interaction of
multiple external fragments. These fragments are here called informants. They are the
material elements that support this research and they can be divided in three types:
bibliography, facts (specific spatial situations) and personal experience.
In search of what is (or what could be) the role of collective dwelling in the construction of
the city and in the definition of the way we inhabit the world, the research started with an
analysis of the way man relates with the world and with the contemporary context. From
this analysis it was realized that man inhabits only what he is capable of understand and
control. It was also realized that each day it is harder for us to understand and control the
world we live in as it is presented to us: fractured, built by nomadic and ephemeral
fragments incapable of creating a coherent unity. A world that is the result of two opposed
but intensely related movements: individualization and globalization. The result of these
two movements is the gradual emptying of all intermediary scales: of all groups and
communities, of all spaces in between. Hence the necessity of the establishment of an
intermediary realm between the intimate and the global domains, as a way of creating the
idea of a continuous, articulated and understandable world. If each man sees his home as
the centre of his own world and if houses – and in specially, collective housing – are the
material of which cities are mainly built, so collective dwelling can and should have a main
role on the construction of this idea of world.
“Casa Comum” is therefore presented as an expansion of the idea of home beyond the
private realm. It proposes the creation of an inhabitable sphere intimately connected to the
idea of home on the common domain. In other words, the establishment of a space and a
community external but contiguous to the private space with which the inhabitant should
identify himself and to which he should feel to belong. In this way it is possible to define
the needed intermediary realm.
The idea of “Casa Comum” is built on four main concepts – meeting space, expanded
home, intermediary space and construction of the city – associated to four architectural
principals – atmosphere, definition, articulation and prosthesis – based on which several
design mechanisms are presented. In this way it is created a model which is, at the same
time, construction of the idea of “Casa Comum” and means for the materialization of
this idea. A model that establishes itself as an idea of architecture and as basis for a future
architectural practice.
52

The Courtyard and Siza’s Houses
H. Henriques 1
1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The aim of this study was to attend the issue of the courtyard housing. The houses of
Álvaro Siza serve as a motto for its deepening. From the analysis of these works it should
be possible to recognize the importance that the author gives to the courtyard, as a mean
for the settlement and link to the place.
From an overview about the important role that the courtyard represents in the history of
housing and of some of the recent research that has been over in the modern movement, we
begin with an individual analysis of each house. The confrontation and comparison with
other examples becomes necessary in order to understand the various means and ways of
use of the courtyard in the domestic space.
The six houses in this study are not in the same region, although a great part is placed in
the north of Portugal. They appear along the architectural production of Álvaro Siza.
Sometimes they reveal themselves as points of change or development in his language and
method - an evolution carried through the Portuguese constructive tradition, the influences
of some authors of the Modern Movement and the characteristics and cultural identity of
each place. The variance of elements and materials is produced facing a closed
composition, a sense of intimate environment of the house. The courtyard remains as an
archetype that shapes the space.
The study of the courtyard in the work of Siza is made with the desire to understand the
patio as his way of thinking and doing architecture, looking for to portray, in the study
cases, the features, expressions and feelings going through the project of interiorized
houses. With the impossibility of a complete analysis of the courtyard throughout all his
work, the chosen houses must be seen as examples that allow a particular approach to the
issue.
The study of those houses allows the observation of the formal and expressive mechanisms
that separate or approach the house to what involves it. The analysis will allow, perhaps, to
decipher the intentions and designs of Siza in choosing to turn the house on itself,
sometimes to hide it from the outside look, perhaps searching for a general harmony of the
space based on a relative or partial autonomy and an internal logic.
The patio allows the understanding of the house as an area of protection and refuge from
the outside world, but also as an area of representation - a static core where various
activities take place but also as a mean to divide and create hierarchies and gradations
between private and public, between the inside and outside.
The research of houses of a single author led us to a reflection on the predominance of the
courtyard in his work and, more particularly, about the continuity in his architecture. The
unquestionable quality and beauty of the examples led us to an experienced learning. At
the beginning of our work, the observation and visit of the houses showed the simplicity of
the occupation of the site and the naturalness with which each space is opened to inside - a
genuine synthesis of similar ways of life prevailed for the clear conception of the house as
interior space.
53

The silence and the sky: seclusion and architecture. Four
courtyard-houses
A. Silva Fernandes 1 , C. Machado 2
1 Lic. Architecture, MSc Student, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Assistant Professor, PhD., Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The work being reported, based on the essay “The silence and the sky”[1], aimed to
explore silence, in the context of architecture, as a void that completes the meaning of
words and as space for thought and meditation. The courtyard in the house, as a medium
for expressing the ability to establish a space for introspection and a connection between
sky and earth, in a representation of the sacred and aspiration to perfection that is present
throughout history, is used as a case-study.
Through four themes – light, limit, matter and memory – the work focuses on the courtyard
in cultural and historical references, using courtyards designed by Louis Kahn, Mies van
der Rohe, Luís Barragán and Álvaro Siza, but mentioning many others, as a pretext for
discussing architecture and poetry of space.
The courtyard establishes a physical and symbolic unification of sky and earth. It is, at the
same time, a recurrent and a versatile element, allowing adaptation to different conditions
and generations, in different cultures and geographical locations. Evolving from an
intuitive organization, calls upon primitive instincts, as the myth involved in the
delimitation of the territory: creates a space for protection, introversion, of the imaginary.
“It is so old that sensations inherited from man’s cave-dwelling days have been symbolized
in it. It symbolizes femininity in the house and home; it is a spatial symbol of
inwardness.”[2]
As Heidegger explains, and as it is defended in the essay, poetry is connected with the
human action of domination over the territory, of dwelling: “poetry opens the dwelling life
of man”[3]. In a way, poetry of space is a kind of sacralization: even though not really
connected with religion, gains a special meaning, even in a profane world, through
memory or dream, forming something sacred, not necessarily divine, but human and
personal. “Man, as man, has always measured himself with and against something
heavenly.”[4] It is the acknowledgment of the unexplainable and the immeasurable, and the
need for protection and seclusion, that is found in human nature, and thought to be
reflected in architecture, namely in the courtyard.
References:
[1] Fernandes, Ana Silva (2007), O silêncio e o céu. Reclusão e Arquitectura. Quatro Casas-Pátio,
Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto. This essay was written for the Award of the Degree in
Architecture, University of Porto, and was supervised by the second author.
[2] Blaser, W. (1985), Atrium – Lichthöfe Seit Fünf Jahrtausend – Five Thousand Years of Open
Courtyards, Wepf & Co. AG, Verlag, Basel, p. 7.
[3] Heidegger, M. (1971), Poetry, Language, Thought, Harper & Row, New York, Introduction,
p.xii.
[4] Heidegger, M. (1971), Poetry, Language, Thought, Harper & Row, New York, p.221.
54

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS II – POS.II.3
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
II.3 - NANO & SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY Marcela Segundo & Adrián M.T. Silva
35 Effect of metals on the AtPreP1 peptidasome activity
J. Pessoa, H.G. Bäckman, S. Bhushan, E. Glaser
38 Liposome-incorporated Zanthoxylum tingoassuiba essential oil: preparation and characterization
C. Detoni, B. Sarmento, D. Ferreira, E.C.M. Cabral-Albuquerque
90 Anchoring of macrocycle compounds onto nanostructured carbon materials for catalytic applications
Dalila Teixeira, Delfina Barros, Susana L. H. Rebelo, M. F. R. Pereira, J. J. M. Órfão, Cristina Freire
132 Characterizing the intermetallic formed during ball attach process
Paulo Pereira, Rúben Santos, Maria M. Barbosa, Cátia Almeida
134 Functional Insulin Quantification upon its Nanoencapsulation
M. J. Barbosa, J. Faria, O. Queirós, A. Ribeiro, R. Moreira
Temperature and composition effects on the micelle formation by a catanionic surfactant: a surface
142
tension and conductivity study
R. F. Fernandes, B. F. B. Silva, E. F. Marques

Effect of metals on the AtPreP1 peptidasome activity
J. Pessoa 1,2 , H.G. Bäckman 2 , S. Bhushan 2 and E. Glaser 2
1 Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Science, University of Stockholm,
Sweden.
In eukaryotic cells, proteins are targeted to their correct organelle by targeting peptides,
which are amino acid extensions located in the N-terminal portion of the precursor protein.
After the protein has reached its final intracellular destination, targeting peptides are
cleaved off, and because of their cell toxicity, they must be removed. A novel
metalloprotease that efficiently degrades targeting peptides in mitochondria and
chloroplasts was identified by our group, and named Presequence Protease, PreP [1]. In
Arabidopsis thaliana there are two isoforms of PreP (AtPreP1 and AtPreP2) that show an
86% homology at the amino acid sequence level [2].
AtPreP1 is composed of 995 amino acids, and contains a zinc-binding motif in its catalytic
site. It also contains two magnesium-binding sites, one located on the inner side of the
peptide binding cavity and another on the outer surface of the enzyme [3]. Magnesium (or
calcium) has been shown to be needed for catalysis. The aim of this project is to
understand the role of magnesium for the degradation activity.
For that, the activity of AtPreP1 variants (which are unable to bind magnesium) was
measured and compared to the wild-type. Three AtPreP1 variants, one in which both
magnesium-binding sites were changed, and two in which only one magnesium-binding
site was altered, were generated, overexpressed in bacteria and purified. Their activity was
tested using different concentrations of magnesium, calcium or zinc and different
substrates.
The optimal metal concentrations for catalysis were estimated. Both the single and double
AtPreP1 variants were inactive against a 54 amino acid residue peptide corresponding to
the ATPase F1β presequence. However, when the degradation was tested with five other
shorter peptides, the results showed that the activity was substrate-specific and that it may
depend on the substrate length.
References:
[1] Ståhl, A., Moberg, P., Ytterberg, J., Panfilov, O., Brockenhuus von Löwenhielm, H., Nilsson, F.
and Glaser, E. (2002), Isolation and Identification of a Novel Mitochondrial Metalloprotease
(PreP) that Degrades Targeting Presequences, J. Biol. Chem., 277 (44), 41931-41939.
[2] Ståhl, A., Nilsson, S., Lundberg, P., Bhushan, B., Biverståhl, H., Moberg, P., Morisset, M.,
Vener, A., Mäler, L., Langel, U., and Glaser, E. (2005), Two Novel Targeting Peptide Degrading
Proteases, PrePs, in Mitochondria and Chloroplasts, so Similar and Still Different, J. Mol. Biol.,
349, 847–860.
[3] Johnson, K.A., Bhushan, S., Ståhl, A., Hallberg, B.M., Frohn, A., Glaser, E. and Eneqvist, T.
(2006), The closed structure of presequence protease PreP forms a unique 10 000 Å 3 chamber for
proteolysis, EMBO J., 25 (9), 1977-1986.
56

Liposome-incorporated Zanthoxylum tingoassuiba essential oil:
preparation and characterization
C. Detoni 1,2 , B. Sarmento 2 , D. Ferreira 2 and E.C.M. Cabral-Albuquerque 1
1 Medical Subject Research Laboratory, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Bahia, Brasil.
2 Department of Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
Alfa-bisabolol and essential oils, such as Chamomilla recutita and Zanthoxylum tingoassuiba
oils, are of pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries interest for its known antimicrobial and
antiphlogistic actions[1,3]. Recent investigations also found a possible anticancer activity of
alfa-bisabolol on glioma cells[1,2]. Despite the known activities of Zanthoxylum tingoassuiba
essential oil as a promising non-toxic drug, it has presented low biological in vitro activity
because of its low solubility in water. One of the most recent strategies for overcoming this
drawback is a reversible association of the essential oil to liposomes[3,4]. The objective of this
research work was to prepare and characterize Zanthoxylum tingoassuiba essential oil-loaded
liposomes regarding further evaluation of liposomal inclusion on the antimicrobial activity of
this essence.
The essential oil was incorporated in multilamellar (MLV) and unilamellar (LUV) vesicles of
synthetic dipalmitoil-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) by the thin-lipid film hydration and high
pressure homogenization-extrusion methods respectively. The formulations were characterized
regarding the mean particle size by photon correlation spectroscopy, surface charge by laser
Doppler Anemometry, the morphology by transmission electron microscopy, alfa-bisabolol
incorporation efficiency and release by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with
UV detection.
The results obtained show that the produced liposomes have spherical shape. The mean size of
MLV´s was 10.6 μm and of LUV´s was 0.26 μm. The liposomes electric charge did not change
after oil incorporation, indicating that the oil was not adsorbed on the surface. The
incorporation efficiency varied with the preparation technique, being over 50% for MLV but
lower for LUV. The in vitro release profile presented a sustained and incomplete release of
MLV-incorporated EO for 24h, suggesting that EO-loaded liposomes will be useful in
pharmaceutical application to enhance essential oil targeting to cells that can not cross the
cytoplasmatic barrier.
Zanthoxylum tingoassuiba essential oil was successfully incorporated in liposomes and the
results confirm the potentiality of MLV formulations for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use.
References:
[1] Perbelin, L., Gottardo,R., Caprini, A., Bortolotti,F., Marioto, S. and Tagliaro, F. (2004),
Determination of alpha-bisabolol in human blood by micro-HPLC–ion trap MS and head space-
GC–MS methods, Journal of Chromatography, 812 , 373–377.
[2] Cavalieri, E., Marioto, S.,Fabrizi, C.,Prati, A.C.,Gottardo, R.,Leone, S., Berra, L.V.,Lauro, G.
M., Ciampa, A.R. and Suzuki H. (2004), α-Bisabolol, a nontoxic natural compound, strongly
induces apoptosis in glioma cells, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 315
(3), 589-594.
[3]Cabral-Albuquerque, E.C., Hohlemweger, S., Detoni, C., Matos, J., Sampaio,C., Barros, T.,
Veloso, E.(2007) Essential Oil from Zantoxyllum tingoassuiba Loaded into Multilamellar
Liposomes Useful as Antibiotic and Antimicrobial. In: 34th Controlled Release Annual Meeting &
Exposition,Long Beach/CA. CD-Rom transactions of the 34th Annual Meeting & Exposition -
Controlled Release Society.
57

Anchoring of macrocycle compounds onto nanostructured
carbon materials for catalytic applications
Dalila Teixeira, 1 Delfina Barros, 1 Susana L. H. Rebelo, 1
M. F. R. Pereira, 2 J. J. M. Órfão, 2 Cristina Freire 1
REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007
Porto.
The immobilisation of transition metal complexes with catalytic properties onto supports is
a theme of intense research, due to its importance towards the goals of Green Chemistry.
Porphyrins and salen-type metal complexes have been succeeded on homogeneous
catalytic oxidations. However, their catalytic properties (catalyst stability and recycling)
can be further improved by immobilisation onto solid supports. Carbon materials are
unique supports as they can provide a variety of oxygen surface groups at the edges/defects
of graphene sheets that can be tailored by adequate thermal/chemical treatments, besides
the inherent chemical/physical reactivity associated with the graphene sheets which are
hydrophobic and present low polarity and a rich -electron density. In this project we
endeavour to synthesise and immobilise porphyrins and salen-type metal complexes,
Figure 1, that exhibit catalytic properties in the oxidation of organic pollutants, onto
nanostructured carbon materials: multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), carbon
xerogels (CX) and templated carbons (CMK).
Ar
a) Cl
b)
N
Ar M Ar
N L N
Ar
N
M = 2H, Zn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II)
Au(III), Fe(III), Mn(III)
Ar =
Ar =
Figure 1: Molecular structures of a) porphyrins and b) salen-type metal complexes.
Cl
F
F
In this work we report the preparation and the characterisation of several porphyrins and
salen-type ligands and the corresponding metal complexes, M=Fe(III), Mn(III), Au(III),
Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II). These compounds will be grafted to the untreated carbon
materials (MWCNT, CX and CMKs) and fullerenes (reference material) by covalent
bonding. The covalent anchored procedure will be achieved by utilizing 1,3-dipolar
addition of azomethine ylides and cyclopropanation under Bingel reaction conditions.
Acknowledgments: This work is funded by Proj. IPG58 de Investigação Científica na Pré-
Graduação 2007 (Universidade do Porto e Caixa Geral de Depósitos).
F
F
F
HO
N N
Mn
O O
Cl
OH
58

Characterizing the intermetallic formed during ball attach process
Paulo Pereira a,* , Rúben Santos a , Maria M. Barbosa a , Cátia Almeida a
a** Dep. de Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do
Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
* pereira.paulo@fe.up.pt
Continuously miniaturization of electronic components requires the most advanced
technologies in which electrical response is a crucial factor to success.
In this study we characterize the interface of an attachment between the copper conductors
of a memory and a solder ball which allows further bonding to printed circuit modules, see
figure 1a). , This connection, made of diferent layers, has a capital importance to ensure a
good electrical and mechanical performance.
The attachment uses a 10 m thick intermediate layer of nickel deposited over a copper
pad and protected by a thin gold film. The solder, with a spherical shape and composition
of Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu, is placed on the gold film and the assemblage is heated up to the
brazing temperature.
At the interfacial zone, between the nickel and the solder ball, a continuous layer of an
intermetallic compound of Sn-Ni-Cu is formed. This intermetallic layer has 1 to 2 m
thickness as seen on figure 1b). Some particles of this compound are also observed at inner
zones of the solder ball (see arrow on figure 1b), indicating a preferential copper and nickel
diffusion path inside the ball.
By an AFM analysis it was possible to perform nanoindentation tests, shown on picture
1c). The indentation size variation between Sn braze alloy and intermetallic layer clearly
states the hardness increase at the interface.
Figure 1. a) SEM image of the ball attach bonding; b) SEM image of interface showing the intermetallic
compound formed between the Ni (darker layer) and the Sn braze alloy (lighter area); c) AFM image of the
indentations in the braze alloy and intermetallic compound.
Acknowledgement
The materials characterized in this work were kindly supplied by Qimonda S.A.
** The authors are undergraduate students of the 4th year of Master in Metallurgical and
Materials Engineering.
59

Functional Insulin Quantification upon its Nanoencapsulation
M. J. Barbosa 1,3 *, J. Faria 2,3 *, O. Queirós 3 , A. Ribeiro 3 and R. Moreira 3
1 Faculty of Science, University of Oporto and ICBAS, University of Oporto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Science, University of Oporto, Portugal.
3 Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde – Norte, Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde
(CICS), Grupo de Biologia Molecular e Celular, CESPU, Portugal.
* These authors contributed equally to this work.
Insulin is the most import drug used in the therapeutics of diabetes mellitus, a metabolic
disorder with increasing prevalence. Several alternative routes of administration, other than
the subcutaneous one, are currently under development, in order to improve patients’
quality of life [1]. Among them, insulin encapsulation within biodegradable polymer
particles regarding its oral administration constitutes a promising strategy [2].
In the present study, an in vitro methodology was developed to evaluate the preservation of
the hormone’s functionality following its submission to nanoencapsulation. The
methodology was optimized using commercially available insulin, through rat L6
myoblasts stimulation with different hormone concentrations and for distinct periods of
time. Detection of Akt phosphorylated form through Western blotting assays was used as
an indicator of an effective stimulation by insulin and, thus, of the retention of its active
conformation [3]. Akt/PKB, one of insulin signalling pathway phosphorylation products, is
a protein kinase involved in many of the hormone’s biological actions, including glucose
transport and modulation of gene expression.
Assays using insulin recovered from nanoparticles revealed that the emulsification/internal
gelation technique preserves part of insulin’s functionality. The methodology may be of
use as a rapid, ethical, specific and conclusive means of bioactivity screening in
pharmaceutical formulations containing the hormone.
References:
[1] Gerich, J.E. (2002), Novel insulins: expanding options in diabetes management, The American
Journal of Medicine, 113, 308-316.
[2] Silva, C.M., Ribeiro, A.J., Figueiredo, I.V., Gonçalves, A.R. and Veiga, F. (2006), Alginate
microspheres prepared by internal gelation: development and effect on insulin stability,
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 311, 1-10.
[3] Patel, N., Craddock, B.L., Staniforth, J.N., Tobyn, M.J. and Welham, M.J. (2001), Spray-dried
insulin particles retain biological activity in rapid in-vitro assay, Journal of Pharmacy and
Pharmacology, 53, 1415-1418.
60

Temperature and composition effects on the micelle formation by
a catanionic surfactant: a surface tension and conductivity study
R. F. Fernandes, B. F. B. Silva and E. F. Marques
Centro de Investigação em Química, Department of Chemistry, University of Porto, Portugal.
Surfactants are molecules with a polar headgroup, which favors contact with water
(hydrophilic part), and an apolar tail, which avoids contact with the solvent (hydrophobic
part). As a consequence, they have two important properties: they adsorb at polar/apolar
interfaces, reducing the interfacial tension; they self-assemble in water into different kinds
of aggregates, such as micelles and liquid crystals. The formation of micelles is a
spontaneous and cooperative process that occurs at a given concentration, the critical
micelle concentration (CMC), for constant temperature. For an ionic surfactant, the CMC
is influenced by factors such as temperature, ionic strength and pH. For anionic/cationic
surfactant mixtures, the mixing ratio is also a determinant parameter. Typically, there is a
significant decrease of the mixture CMC relative to the CMC of the individual surfactants
[1], a relevant property for practical applications (e.g. in detergent formulation).
In this work, we have used surface tension and electrical conductivity techniques in order
to investigate the micellization behavior of a newly synthesized surfactant,
hexadecyltrimethylammonium octylsulfonate (TASo). This surfactant belongs to the class
of catanionics and is obtained by the equimolar pairing of a long chain cationic molecule
and a short chain anionic one, followed by removal of the remaining counterions (sodium
bromide) [2]. TASo has several unusual and interesting properties, such as being watersoluble
at room temperature, to yield micelles as the first aggregate, followed by
spontaneous liposomes [3], a type of colloidal aggregates extremely useful in biomedical
applications, such as drug delivery and gene therapy.
We have investigated the effect of temperature, salt and composition (addition of excess
ionic surfactant) on the CMC and the degree of counterion dissociation of the micelles of
TASo. This allows the determination of the enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs function of
micellization. A comparative study of the ionic surfactant sodium octylsulfonate was also
carried out. It is observed that the CMC of TASo increases with temperature in a similar
way to non-ionic surfactants. However, in all other properties the surfactant behaves like
an ionic surfactant, e.g. the CMC decreases significantly with salt addition. This is
rationalized by the fact that TASo acts as a weakly dissociated molecule [3], due to the
much higher solubility of the shorter chain anionic component, leaving the micelles with a
residual electrostatic charge.
References:
[1] Khan, A., Marques, E. F. (1997), Catanionic Surfactants, in Specialist Surfactants, Blackie
Academic and Professional, London.
[2] Silva, B.F.B. and Marques, E.F. (2005) Thermotropic behavior of an asymmetric chain length
catanionic surfactant, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 290, 267-274.
[3] Silva, B.F.B, Marques, E.F. and Olsson U. (2007) Lamellar Miscibility Gap in a Binary
Catanionic Surfactant-Water System, J Phys. Chem B, 111, 13520-13526.
61

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS III – POS.III.1
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
III.1 - LIFE & HEALTH II Maria José Oliveira & Luís Miguel Madeira
26 Phenolic compounds, organic acids and antioxidant properties of Rumex induratus
L. Guerra, C. Pereira, R. Gonçalves, P. B. Andrade, R. M. Seabra, P. Valentão
MUC1 overexpression is associated with distant metastases development in canine mammary
37
carcinomas
de Oliveira JT, Pinho S, Matos AJ, Lopes C, Barros R, Hespanhol V, Reis C, Gärtner F
42 Analysis of the efficiency of the mitotic checkpoints in glioblastoma cell lines
A. Nascimento, E. Logarinho, O. Martins, R. M. Reis, H. Bousbaa
Prenylated and bromoalkylated xanthones as potential antitumor agents: synthesis and biological
104
activities
A. Paiva, E. Sousa, M. Pinto, A. Camões, N. Nazareth, M. S. J. Nascimento
157 P-cadherin: role in breast cancer cell migration and invasion
Ribeiro AS, Paredes J, Correia AL, Schmitt F
Impairment of retrograde signalling via adenosine in toxin-induced Myasthenia gravis: cross-talk
162
with muscarinic autoreceptors
Diogo Trigo, Ana Sá-e-Sousa, Tiago Morais, Maria Alexandrina Timóteo, Teresa Magalhães-
Cardoso, Laura Oliveira, Paulo Correia-de-Sá

Phenolic compounds, organic acids and antioxidant properties of
Rumex induratus
L. Guerra 1 , C. Pereira 1 , R. Gonçalves 1 , P. B. Andrade 1 , R. M. Seabra 1 , P. Valentão 1
1
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Oporto, R. Aníbal Cunha,
164, 4050-047 Oporto, Portugal.
Rumex induratus Boiss. & Reuter is an endemic Iberian herb, which fundamentally
develops in the thermo Mediterranean region. It grows spontaneously in Northeast Portugal
where its leaves are highly consumed. This species is very appreciated in salads and, to
attenuate its acidity, is dressed with olive oil and sometimes mixed with boiled potatoes.
The chemical composition of aqueous extract of R. induratus leaves, in terms of phenolic
compounds and organic acids, and its antioxidant activity against DPPH radical and a
Reactive Nitrogen Species, nitric oxide ( NO), were studied.
Minutes
Fig. 1. HPLC-DAD phenolic profile
of R. iduratus aqueous extract. (1)
caffeoyl-hexoside; (2) p-coumaroylhexoside;
(3) feruloyl-hexoside; (4)
sinapoyl-hexoside; (5) 6-C-hexosylquercetin;
(6) 8-C-hexosyl-luteolin;
(7) 6-C-hexosyl-luteolin; (8) 6-Chexosyl-apigenin;
(9) 3-O-hexosylquercetin;
(10) 3-O-rutinosylquercetin;
(11) 7-O-hexosyldiosmetin;
(12) 3-O-rutinosylisorhamnetin;
(a) and (b) unidentified
O-glycosil-C-glycosilflavones.
Twelve phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC/DAD, based on previous work [1]
(Fig. 1). Six organic acids were determined by HPLC-UV: oxalic, citric, malic, ascorbic
and shikimic acids.
Some variations in the phenolics and organic acids profiled are discussed, regarding the
influence of the origin, developmental stage and crop season of the samples.
R. induratus aqueous extract revealed scavenging activity against both radicals, in a
concentration dependent manner. 7-O-Glucosyl luteolin, a structurally related compound
and oxalic acid were also tested. The phenolic compound displayed a strong activity while
oxalic acid had no effect. Thus, the antioxidant capacity found for R. induratus extract can
be mainly ascribed to this class of compounds.
References:
[1] Ferreres, F., Ribeiro, V., Izquierdo, A.G., Rodrigues, M.A., Seabra, R.M., Andrade, P.B.,
Valentão, P., (2006) Rumex induratus Leaves: an Interesting Dietary Source of Potential Bioactive
Compounds. J Agric Food Chem, 54, 5782-5789.
63

MUC1 overexpression is associated with distant metastases
development in canine mammary carcinomas
de Oliveira JT 1,2 , Pinho S 1,2 , Matos AJ 2 , Lopes C 2 , Barros R 1,3 , Hespanhol V 3 , Reis
C 1,3 and Gärtner F 1,2
1Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua
Dr Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
2 Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Largo Prof. Abel
Salazar, 2, 4099-003 Porto, Portugal
3 Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Canine mammary tumours affect mainly older bitches and comprise approximately 25-
50% of all their tumours, 40-50% being malignant [1,2]. MUC1 is overexpressed in human
breast cancer and contributes to carcinoma progression [3,4]. High MUC1 expression is
linked to a poorer prognosis [5]. MUC1 expression had never been described in canine
mammary tumours (CMT) before.
The aims of this work where: to characterize MUC1 expression in CMT and to evaluate its
relationship with clinicopathological features such as tumour histological type, mode of
growth, tumour grading, lymph node metastases and distant metastases.
Fifty paraffin tumour sections were examined for MUC1 immunostaining patterns.
Immunohistochemistry technique, using antibody C-20, determined MUC1 expression.
Associations between clinicopathological features and MUC1 expression were analysed.
All tumours showed MUC1 immunostaining. In normal adjacent mammary gland tissue,
MUC1 was detected in the apical cell membrane. In the carcinomas MUC1 was detected in
the cytoplasm (52.0%), circumferential membrane (2.0%), or a mixture of both patterns
(46.0%). The follow up period was of 2 years, during which 10 distant metastases were
confirmed. We observed that a total of 20.4% of tumours gave rise to distant metastases,
among these and most importantly 100% showed significantly high (≥50% positive cells)
MUC1 expression (p= 0.03).
In the bitch, high MUC1 expression was significantly associated to higher metastatic
development. Our findings indicate, for the first time in CMT, that MUC1 may be an
important prognostic marker in these tumours as it is in human breast cancer.
References:
[1] Sorenmo, K. (2003), Canine mammary gland tumors, Vet Clin Small Anim, 33, 573-596.
[2] Owen, L.N. (1979), A comparative study of canine and human breast cancer, Invest Cell
Pathol, 2, 257-275.
[3] Baldus, S.E., Engelmann, K., Hanisch, F.G. (2004) MUC1 and the MUCs: a family of human
mucins with impact in cancer biology, Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci, 41, 189-231.
[4] Croce, M.V., Isla-Larrain, M.T., Rua, C.E., Rabassa, M.E., Gendler, S.J. (2003), Patterns of
MUC1 tissue expression defined by an anti-MUC1 cytoplasmic tail monoclonal antibody in breast
cancer, J Histochem Cytochem, 51, 781-788.
[5] Rakha, E.A., Boyce, R.W., El-Rehim, D.A., Kurien, T., Green, A.R., Paish, E.C. et al. (2005),
Expression of mucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC and MUC6) and their prognostic
significance in human breast cancer, Mod Pathol, 18, 1295-1304.
64

Analysis of the efficiency of the mitotic checkpoints in
glioblastoma cell lines
A. Nascimento 1,3 , E. Logarinho 2 , O. Martins 2 , R. M. Reis 2 and H. Bousbaa 3
1 Faculty of Science, University of Oporto and ICBAS, University of Oporto
2 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
3 Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde – Norte, Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde
(CICS), Grupo de Biologia Molecular e Celular, CESPU
The mitotic checkpoint modulates the timing of anaphase initiation in response to improper
alignment of chromosomes at the metaphase plate. The BUB and MAD gene families
encode proteins which are part of a large multi-protein complex which are believed to be
key components of the checkpoint regulatory pathway [1][1]. Failure of this surveillance
system can lead to genomic instability and could be responsible for the increased incidence
of aneuploidy and possible driving forces in, tumorigenesis [3]. Glioblastomas are the most
common and malignant form of primary adult brain tumors[4]. These tumors are
characterized by marked chromosomal instability, with gains and/or losses of
chromosomes, referred as aneuploidy [6]. In order to get insight to the mechanism that lead
to aneuploidy in glioblastomas, we assessed the efficiency of the mitotic checkpoints and
possible molecular alterations in two glioblastoma cell lines.
To evaluate mitotic arrest efficiency, mitotic index (percentage of viable cells arrested in
mitosis) was determined, in untreated as well as in cell cultures treated with the
microtubule-disrupting drug nocodazole for 16 hours, by cell-rounding under phase
contrast microscopy. The molecular alterations in checkpoint genes were evaluated at the
protein levels by Western blotting analysis. For that, total protein extracts were prepared
from glioblastoma cells and the protein amounts were determined by quantitative
immunoblotting using specific antisera. The protein expression levels were compared to
those in HeLa cells, using the alpha-tubulin levels as reference standards.
Concerning the efficiency of the mitotic checkpoint, glioblastomas showed a low mitotic
index, a lack of mitotic arrest when incubated with nocodazole together with an alteration
in the expression levels of the mitotic checkpoint proteins examined. These results confirm
our suspicion of a deficient mitotic checkpoint in glioblastoma cells which, through
premature onset of anaphase, lead to chromosome mis-segregation. Our finding might
provide an explanation for the chromosomal defects seen in glioblastoma.
[1] May, K. M. e Hardwick, K. G. (2006). The spindle checkpoint in Journal of Cell Science
119(Pt 20), 4139-42.
[2] McGowan, C. H. (2003). Regulation of the eukaryotic cell cycle in Progress in Cell Cycle
Research 5: 1-4.
[3] Cahill, D. P., et al. (1998).Mutations of mitotic checkpoint genes in human cancers in Nature,
392(6673), 300-3.
[4] Isaka, T., et al. (2003). Chromosomal variations within aneuploid cancer lines in Journal of
Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 51(10): 1343-53.
[5] Kleihues P, and Cavenee WK; The WHO classification of tumors of the nervous system,
International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2000.
[6] Draviam, V.M. et al., (2004) Chromosome segregation and genomic stability in Current
Opinion in Genetics and Development 2004 Apr;14(2), 20-5
65

Prenylated and bromoalkylated xanthones as potential antitumor
agents: synthesis and biological activities
A. Paiva 1,3 , E. Sousa 1,3 , M. Pinto 1,3 , A. Camões 2,3 , N. Nazareth 2,3 and M. S. J.
Nascimento 2,3
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
In order to improve the growth inhibitory effect of 3,4-dihydroxyxanthone (1) on human
tumor cell lines [1], the synthesis of new prenylated and bromoalkylated derivatives was
planned. Three prenylxanthones (2-4), as well as two bromohexyloxyxanthones, (5, 6)
were obtained by different synthetic pathways (Fig. 1). The structures of compounds 2-6
were established by spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR of 1 H and 13 C, HMBC and HSQC)
and mass spectrometry.
O
O
1
OH
BrCH 2 CHC(CH 3 ) 2
K 2CO 3 ,DMF,reflux
OH
Br CH 2 CHC(CH 3 ) 2
K 2 CO 3 ,DMF,r.t.
Br(CH 2) 6Br
(drop-to-drop)
K 2 CO 3 ,DMF,r.t.
O
O
O
2
OH
O
+
O O
O
3
O
4
Fig. (1). Synthesis of prenylated and bromoalkylated xanthones.
5
O
O
O
O
The effects of xanthones 2-6 on the in vitro growth of estrogen receptor positive (ER +)
MCF-7 and estrogen receptor negative (ER −) MDA-MB-231 cells were investigated.
Prenylated compounds 2-4 and monobromoalkylxanthone 6 were more potent than the
parent compound 1. Moreover, compounds 2-4 revealed selectivity against ER(+) MCF-7
cells. Compound 2, the most potent derivative (GI50 = 5 µM, MCF-7), showed an
antiproliferative effect either on complete and steroid-free RPMI medium suggesting not to
be dependent on estrogenic stimulation. The growth inhibitory action of the antiestrogen 4hydroxytamoxifen
in ER(+) MCF-7 cell line was strongly enhanced by compound 2. This
is the first report of interactions between xanthones and an antiestrogen.
References:
[1] Pedro M., Cerqueira, F., Sousa, M.E., Nacimento, M.S.J. and Pinto, M. (2002), Xanthones as
inhibitors of growth of human cancer cell lines and their effects on the proliferation of human
lymphocytes in vitro, Bioorganic Medicinal Chemistry, 10 (12), 3725-3730.
Acknowledgments: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI for financial support.
Br
O
Br
OH
+
O
O
O
6
OH
O
Br
66

P-cadherin: role in breast cancer cell migration and invasion
Ribeiro AS 1 , Paredes J 1,2 , Correia AL 2 , Schmitt F 1,2
1 IPATIMUP, Institute of pathology and molecular immunology from University of Porto;
2 School for Health and Sciences, Minho University
Cadherins are calcium-dependent glycoproteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion, presenting
a characteristic pattern of distribution in human tissues. In mammary gland, P-cadherin is
only expressed in myoepithelial cells; however, its expression has been reported in breast
carcinomas, where it is associated with high-grade histological tumours and with poor
patient survival [1-3].
In order to elucidate the role of P-cadherin in breast cancer progression, we aimed to
clarify the capabilities acquired by breast cancer cells, such as motility, migration and
invasion, using as a model a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7/AZ) which was retrovirally
transduced with human P-cadherin (MCF-7/AZ.Pcad).
Using a wound healing assay, we demonstrated that P-cadherin overexpression was able to
promote breast cancer cell migration, which was suppressed by a blocking antibody against
this protein. Also cell motility, measured by time-lapse microscopy, was increased, and it
was strongly associated with the formation of actin filopodia and lamellipodia, whereas its
siRNA-specific silencing reduced the presence of these membrane protrusions.
Besides our group has shown previously, that P-cadherin overexpression in breast cancer
cells promotes in vitro cell invasion [4], in the present study we proved that this effect is Pcadherin
specific, since invasion was decreased to basal levels upon the inhibition of this
molecule. We then considered that this effect could be due to proteases secretion to the
medium, and in fact MMP-1 and MMP-2 activity and expression showed to be increased in
MCF-7/AZ.Pcad cells, as well as a soluble P-cadherin fragment. Furthermore, when
parental cells where treated with the conditioned medium recovered from P-cadherin
overexpressing cells, cell invasion was promoted, implying that MCF-7/AZ.Pcad cells
secrete proteins to the medium that should be involved and facilitate cell invasion.
Taken together, this work presents, a possible cellular mechanism explaining why Pcadherin
expression is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and a poor patient
survival in breast carcinomas.
References
[1] Paredes J, Milanezi F, Viegas L, Amendoeira I, Schmitt FC (2002), P-cadherin expression
is associated with high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, Virchows Arch 440:
16-21, 2002
[2] Paredes J, Milanezi F, Viegas L, Amendoeira I, Schmitt FC (2002), P-cadherin expression
is associated with high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, Virchows Arch 440:
16-21, 2002
[3] Paredes J, Albergaria A, Oliveira JT, Jerónimo C, Milanezi F, Schmitt FC (2005), Pcadherin
overexpression is an indicator of clinical outcome in invasive breast carcinomas
and is associated with CDH3 promoter hypomethylation, Clin Cancer Res 11: 5869-5877,
2005
[4] Paredes J, Stove C, Stove V, Milanezi F, Van Marck V, Derycke L, Mareel M, Bracke M,
Schmitt F (2004), P-cadherin is upregulated by ICI 182,780 in breast cancer cells and
promotes invasion via its juxtamembrane domain, Cancer Res 64: 8309-8317, 2004.
67

Impairment of retrograde signalling via adenosine in toxininduced
Myasthenia gravis: cross-talk with muscarinic
autoreceptors
Diogo Trigo 1 , Ana Sá-e-Sousa 1 , Tiago Morais 1 , Maria Alexandrina Timóteo 1 , Teresa
Magalhães-Cardoso 1 , Laura Oliveira 1 & PauloCorreia-de-Sá 1
1 Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia, Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação
Biomédica (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar – Universidade do Porto
(ICBAS-UP), Portugal.
While adenosine acts predominantly as an inhibitory signal (via A1 receptors) under resting conditions,
amplification of neuromuscular transmission depends on facilitation of acetylcholine (ACh) release via
muscarinic M1 autoreceptors [1,2]. Upon increasing the stimulation frequency, predominant activation of
adenosine A2A receptors counteracts the M1 positive feedback mechanism causing a shift on muscarinic
neuromodulation towards the activation of inhibitory muscarinic M2 autoreceptors [2]. These complex
receptor-receptor interactions, involving distinct second messengers and effectors [3], may offer the potential
for regulating neurotransmitter exocytosis and, hence, minimization of transmission deficits observed in
myasthenic patients. This prompted us to evaluate the role of adenosine and muscarinic autoreceptors in a rat
model of toxin-induced Myasthenia gravis (TIMG).
Wistar rats (70-100 g) were injected once every 48h with saline (controls) or α-bungarotoxin (α-BTX, an
irreversible muscle-type α1 nicotinic receptor antagonist) (TIMG-model) for a period up to 6 weeks [4].
Dosage of α-BTX was adjusted by monitoring myasthenic symptoms. The procedures for measuring evoked
[ 3 H]-ACh release and diaphragm contractile responses were described previously. [ 3 H]-ACh release was
evoked by phrenic nerve stimulation with either 5 Hz-trains (750 pulses) or 50 Hz-bursts (5 bursts of 150
pulses, 20-s interburst interval). Fatigue tests were carried out using high frequency (50 Hz) intermittent (17
pulses per sec, during 3 minutes) nerve stimulation.
In contrast with that observed in control animals, inactivation of endogenous adenosine with adenosine
deaminase (ADA, 2.5 U/ml) and blockade of A1 receptors with 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentyl xanthine
(DPCPX, 10 nM) failed to increase [ 3 H]-ACh release evoked by 5 Hz-trains. ADA (2.5 U/ml) decreased (-
18±6%, n=6) evoked [ 3 H]-ACh release when the phrenic nerve of TIMG animals was stimulated with 50 Hzbursts,
but this effect was significantly (P

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS III – POS.III.2
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
III.2 - ENVIRONMENT & TECHNICAL ASPECTS Lígia Afonso & Sofia Rodrigues
149 Contemporary condition: 'new' relationships between architecture and city
Mariana Alves
126 Form and matter in the work of Rafael Moneo
Rui Gonçalves
172 Architecture and climate. Site geography: Luanda and the work of Vasco Vieira da Costa
M. Quintã, J. Quintão
Crises e Reformas: o colonialismo ilustrado na Capitania de São Paulo e os esforços de
222
modernização do Governo Morgado de Mateus (1765-1775)
Joana Salém Vasconcelos, Vera Lúcia Amaal Ferlini
Incorporation of organics/inorganics nanocomposites in coatings of high environmental and
168
mechanical resistance
J. Pimenta, C. Carneiro, A. Mendes, J. Moniz, F. Oliveira, F. Magalhães
152 Zenithal Illumination - from Alvar Aalto to Álvaro Siza's work
Mafalda Rangel Campos

Contemporary condition: ‘new’ relationships between
architecture and city
Mariana Alves 1
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The city is the real field of action of the architect. The architect of today doesn’t work on a
tabula rasa, but on a complex structure of voids and fulls. The architecture of the city has
always constituted a great challenge to the architects through the complexity that is directly
associated with. It has a primordial role in the construction, transformation and identity of
the cities.
The thesis is structured in six chapters organized by case study, author and theme. In each
chapter there is an approach of the architect projectual strategy, an analysis of the case
study that includes an introduction, a characterization of the urban space, the environment
context, the morphology and a critical synthesis of the author.
In the introduction some remarkable examples of History, remind us the power of the
architecture of the city in the development and construction of the urban space. The thesis
focuses the impact of iconographic buildings in the contemporary city. Guggenheim
Museum, in Bilbao, by Frank Gehry is an example of the catalyser effect of the
architecture. The intervention has started an important revitalization in the city, spreading
out a powerful energy through the titanic forms. Casa da Música, in Porto represents the
objectual strategy. The formal contrast and the scale rupture that characterize the building
make part of the conceptual approach of Rem Koolhaas – the architecture as a global
product for a mass culture and for a metropolitan territory in a constant mutation. The
Center Georges Pompidou, in Paris, is mainly an ideological building. Its complexity and
contradiction come out through different directions as far as the relationship with the urban
context and the architectural language concerns. On one hand, the approach to the city
through the square, having as reference the dynamic italian square; on the other hand the
technological language with references in Archigram’s projects. The impact of the tower
typology in the urban space is developed with Burgo Building, in Porto and Seagram
Building, in New York. The two towers mark the landscape through the abstract and
synthetic value of the architectural system. With Burgo Building, Souto de Moura wants to
build “a precise landscape”, a scenography and a specific abstract relationship with the
place. The Galician Center for Contemporary Art and Serralves Museum are two buildings
in which Siza reinforces the concept of architectural continuity. There are constant
references to the importance of the context and the place identity. The shape of Siza’s
buildings wants to participate in the shape of the city, wants to establish an order of
continuity. The Tate Modern, in London, is a building where are present Rossi’s teachings
about the permanence of the shape and the structuring value of the architecture of the city.
Herzog & de Meuron operate surgically in the pre-existence reanimating the old industrial
building as an important urban forum.
All the study cases identify a place, transform the urban landscape and try to give answers
to the complexity of the territory. They want to fix a time in the cities, to establish new
polarities, to essay through the architecture prospective and erudite answers; add sensuality
and intelligence to the urban space.
70

Form and matter in the work of Rafael Moneo
Rui Gonçalves*
*Architect graduate from Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
This investigation was undertaken in my final graduation thesis. It’s starting point is the
attempt to define critique instruments, essential for the understanding of architectural
practice as an articulate process of knowledge built on the relations between three crucial
moments: design, construction and critique.
From the observation of the problem of construction in architecture, the focus centers on
the concept of Art-of-building (from the german baukunst) to define a group of principles
for an interpretation of the work of Rafael Moneo (1937-). The main objective is to
understand the relationship between the generative principles of the architect's work and
the poetic speech that is inherent to the concept of tectonics, which refers to the artistic
origin of architectural forms.
Standing before Moneo's intellectual awareness (drawn and written) which defines itself by
architectonic continuity, I think it is possible to establish a relevant articulation between his
work and the concept of tectonics.
Both trajectories lead to the essence of built forms and architecture.
Moneo's understanding of construction as comprehension and, by consequence, as
explanation of architecture is present since his first works, taking as an example the Gomez
Acebo house (Madrid, 1966-68). Simultaneously, the expressly classical feeling of large
masses that his works evoque is concretized in a narrative composed by elements that
explore the ambiguous relation between construction and language, important for the
discussion about the generative principles of architectural form.
From his theoretical approach the text "Paradigms of XX century: the nineties, between
fragmentation and compacity" 1 (1999) stands out. It reclaims the compact in a continuity
perspective and presents the sketch of a project instrument of crucial importance.
The themes now identified find affinities with the ideas of Gottfried Semper (1803-1879),
Kenneth Frampton (1930- ), Aldo Rossi (1931-1997) amongst others.
Not worried about finding a direct connection between the architect and the various
interpretations of the term in the course of history, tectonics in the work of Moneo should
be understood as a critical matrix, as a different approach not only to the interpretation of
his work and the support of his speech but also as a new way of looking at contemporary
architecture.
The reflexion about his speech and his built work tries to clarify the connection between
architectonical forms and the concept of art-of-building, not in the sense of a direct
identification but towards the characterization of the limit that separates the concepts of
architecture and tectonics, trying to understand the interaction between spatial and formal
thought and the notion of matter in the architectonic narrative that he establishes.
ORAL
References:
[1] Moneo, R. (1999), "Paradigmas fin de siglo: los noventa, entre la fragmentación y la
compacidad", Arquitectura Viva, 66, 17-24.
[2] Gonçalves, Rui, Forma e matéria na obra de Rafael Moneo, Prova Final de Licenciatura em
Arquitecura, Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto, 2007
71

Architecture and climate. Site geography: Luanda and the work of
Vasco Vieira da Costa
M. Quintã 1 , J. Quintão 2
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal
2 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal
The present abstract refers to a Final Thesis for the Degree in Architecture of FAUP, which
intended to perform a study of architect Vasco Vieira da Costa’s work. The journey to
Luanda allowed to recognize the climate adaptation as a main principle in the work of this
architect inducing, this way, a first investigation about the climate components.
The first chapter intends, precisely, to prepare the investigation of the study case,
specifying gradually the subject of the thesis, and that’s why it firstly broaches in a wide
way the eternal confrontation between architecture and site, and then act particularly in the
architectural intervention on tropical climates.
After this first introduction, and also after the acknowledgment of the climate data of
Luanda, the observation of the works focus particularly on their climate adaptation, using,
above all, the information gathered during the journey. This way, a special attention is paid
to the precisely orientation of the buildings in order to evaluate the importance of the
shading and ventilation mechanisms used according to the sun and the main winds
behaviour. It was intended to evaluate the configuration and dimensions of the
architectural elements, inquiring their functional or poetic purpose.
It was repeatedly observed that the use of correspondence between the climatic conditions
of Luanda and the buildings of Vieira da Costa was constant along the architect’s work. To
each project, Vieira da Costa used his principles; only facing a specific circumstance each
solution was developed as a result of the program and the particular position in the
territory.
The unique person of Le Corbusier was decisive in the education period of Vieira da Costa,
and his influence in the Angolan architect’s work will always be distinctive and permanent.
And yet, the rational forms present in his works are not indifferent to the city where they
are settled. Furthermore, relationships of continuity between the buildings of Vieira da
Costa and the urban context are frequently established. Although the architect has defined
the “solução de compromisso” [1] as the ideal setting - the half way between the ideal
orientation to the sun and to the main winds - Vieira da Costa usually uses the city as a
starting point.
[1] Vieira da Costa, V. (1969), Breves Considerações sobre Urbanismo Tropical em Zonas Rurais,
in “Segundas Jornadas de Engenharia e Arquitectura do Ultramar”, Comunicações, vol.4, Luanda
72

Crises e Reformas: o colonialismo ilustrado na Capitania de São
Pauloe os esforços de modernização do Governo Morgado de
Mateus (1765-1755)
Joana Salém Vasconcelos, Vera Lúcia Amaal Ferlini
Universidade de S. Paulo, Brasil
73

Incorporation of organics/inorganics nanocomposites in coatings
of high environmental and mechanical resistance
J. Pimenta 1 , C. Carneiro 2 , A. Mendes 3 , J. Moniz 4 , F. Oliveira 2 , F. Magalhães 3
1 Rede de Competência em Polímeros, Porto, Portugal.
2 CIN – Corporação Industrial do Norte, S.A., Maia, Portugal
3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
4 Resiquímica – Resinas Químicas, S.A, Lisboa, Portugal
Inorganic fillers (metal oxides included) have been traditionally used in organic coatings,
conferring improved mechanical and physicochemical properties. In recent years, the
ability to produce inorganic fillers in nano-sized dispersible dimensions has attracted new
attention over an otherwise well established field. Indeed, the performance of the
inorganic-organic composites is optimized when the fillers are present in dimensions
below 100 nm (nano-size). However, this is only effective if the materials are uniformly
dispersed throughout the final coating film. When dealing with water based coatings,
obtained from polymeric emulsions, it is important to ensure that the inorganic
nanoparticles are well dispersed, either through encapsulation within the polymer particles
or dispersion in the aqueous phase. The first situation may be the most desirable, since it
should lead to a more uniform particle distribution in the coalesced film.
One of the main motivations for this research is the development of enhanced intumescent
paints (which expand when heated, creating a barrier to heat transmission and therefore
protecting the substract from the high temperatures occurring during a fire [1]).
Our work has been focused on incorporating nano-sized silica (SiO2) particles in vinylic
emulsions. The initial approach consisted is pre-dispersing powdered nanosilica in the
colloidal solution that is the starting point for the emulsion polymerization reaction. Two
types of nanosilica were selected: Sil-1 (with surface treatment) and Sil-2 (without surface
treatment).
For Sil-1, some methods of dispersion have been studied in order to avoid suprananometric
agglomeration in the aqueous phase: Cowles agitator, ultrasound and bead milling. The
later gave the best results. After polymerization of the vinylic monomers, TEM microscopy
indicated that there was silica present in the surrounding aqueous phase, probably
stabilized by the colloid, and encapsulation by the polymer could not be confirmed due to
the opacity of the polymeric particles.
Concerning Sil-2, TEM analysis indicated that these
nano particles tend to attach to the surface of the
polymeric particles and encapsulation is improbable in
this case (Fig. 1). Current work is dealing with
promoting the encapsulation of Sil-1 in the polymer, by
developing a colloid-free formulation, and the
encapsulation of Sil-2, by using a comonomer with
affinity to its surface.
References:
[1] – Nogueira J. L. (2006), Protecção passiva contra o fogo.
Figure 1 – polymer emulsion
particle surrounded by Sil-2
74

Zenithal Illumination – from Alvar Aalto to Álvaro Siza’s work
Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal, Mafalda Rangel Campos
This investigation tries to make an approach to the theme of Light Presence in Aalto’s and
Siza’s architecture. It faces daylight as one of the major aspects, which influences their
project’s process, in which light is a geographic variant. Which architectonic forms they
have chosen to interpose between Man and Sun, so that a certain space becomes a library
or a museum?
A previous analysis of their most important creation makes it possible to understand how
often the use of zenithal illumination is associated to public buildings. As a consequence,
this study explores its presence in libraries, museums and exhibition spots. The structure of
this investigation reflects its methodological process. It starts from the conceptual analysis
of light in architecture as a way to clarify fundamental aspects of the theme, progressing
towards the practical analysis of several public buildings. Chapters I and II explain the
conceptual and historical study of the zenithal illumination, tracing a constructive
evolution. Chapter III makes an approach to the trajectory of both architects and the
cultures they are bound to, also including evolution of their work and individual
exploitation of permanent concepts in their legacy. Chapter IV explores an analysis of
selected works, establishing direct and indirect relations between them, in order to
systemize space characters created by the zenithal illumination.
Chapter IV shows that both architects have invented, re-created and re-used different
daylight control systems, mostly using indirect and diffused lighting for libraries and
museums. It was possible to systematize and group buildings according to the use of the
same shape and therefore understand the chronological process the architects have gone
through.
It possible to conclude that the shapes chosen by Aalto and Siza to interpose between Man
and Sun are not only directly connected to the existing daylight conditions. In their
libraries and museums it is visible, that the process of shaping a roof is always a
compromise between the light conditions of the place and the individual formal research
that each architect has been developed.
Fig. 1 Viipuri Library- Reading room - Alvar Aalto
Fig. 2 IT Faculty Library- Main reading Room-Santiago de Compostela - Álvaro Siza
75

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS III – POS.III.3
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
II.3 - ARCHITECTURAL PERSPECTIVES Georgina Correia da Silva & Filipe Abrantes
195 Architectural Languages for the 21st Century
N. Vieira da Costa, J. Quintão
Exhibiting Architecture in Portuguese. Curatorial activity in Portugal pre- Trienal de Arquitectura de
189
Lisboa
Mariana Pestana
213 The "Eclipse" of architecture
D. Neves dos Santos, Prof. Manuel Mendes
124 Promenade to Corbusier
L. Ribeiro da Silva, M. Mendes
206 Architecture: Studies and possibilities of transversalities.
Space of Encounter – Herzog & de Meuron, Diller + Scofidio, Dan Graham, Lacaton & Vassal,
Sancho y Madridejos, Vito Acconci [1]
Ana Pedrosa
219 Contact Points_Between Swiss and Portuguese Architecture
Bruno M.V. Cardoso

Architectural Languages for the 21 st Century
N. Vieira da Costa 1 and J. Quintão 2
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
This study pretends to be a comprehension of the present situation in architecture. For that,
we proceeded to a distribution of the methods and languages present in contemporary
architecture, by groups and in a hierarchic disposition, based on their formal, technical
and conceptual similitude. This systematised classification corresponds to the taxonomic
scheme presented in the study and constitutes its essential synthesis.
The architectonic approaches explored in the study have been identified from the
observation of works conceived or built between 2001 and 2005 published in the
magazines L’ Architecture d’Aujourd’hui, The Architectural Review, Arq/a, Casabella and
Pasajes. It is important to refer that it is not our intention to classify the architects, only the
architectonic works in question.
The study persists on the idea of architectural language by identifying witch formal,
technical and conceptual rules are in the base of the diverse architectonic approaches. We
also try to clarify the genesis for each architectural posture; in the sense of knowing what
prevails, if the desire for tradition or that of reinvention. This method allowed us to
determine the origins behind concepts and theories and to establish differences and
similarities towards the dominant architectural concepts. Subsequently, the architectural
concepts proceeding, synthesizing or contesting the prevailing traditions were grouped in
several postures that maintain an internal coherence.
Along the study, theories coming from sciences and arts’ fields are also taken into
consideration. Consequently, here are described both the “meta-languages” (theories,
concepts, utopias, etc.) and the methods and languages applied to the architecture in
concrete. Therefore, this study doesn’t consist on a description of architectonic works; it
establishes a dialectical relation between the theoretical concepts and the concrete
languages.
Key words: methods and languages; contemporary architecture; systematised
classification; genesis; sciences; arts.
77

Exhibiting Architecture in Portuguese. Curatorial activity in
Portugal pre- Trienal de Arquitectura de Lisboa
Mariana Pestana 1
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
Despite the increase in architecture exhibitions over the last years, and the granted power
of architecture exhibitions as definers of concepts and movements, little research has been
done on this theme in Portugal.
It seemed to me then relevant to study architecture exhibiting in Portugal. Its
contemporaneousness, allied to the fact that it represents a “compilation” of architecture
exhibitions in Portuguese, made the first Trienal de Arquitectura de Lisboa my chosen case
study. Defining the role of the curator, the contribution of exhibitions to Architecture and
the communication for different audiences were the main questions raised. I interviewed
people related to this activity in Portugal, researched in archives and libraries, and worked
as a volunteer at the Trienal. With the gathered information I assembled an analysis board
where the Portuguese curatorial activity until Trienal was arranged.
The act of displaying is present in occidental society, associated with processes of identity
construction, historical narratives and collective memory. Within these exercises, the
curator’s importance stands out. And what about the architecture display in particular?
The curator presents a partial version of reality, situated in a specific time and space.
Architecture’s immobile nature means that its representation in exhibition is achieved with
its content absent. The curator’s performance, as mediator between public and content
plays, then, there, an especially determining role.
Exhibition, as part of Architecture, has had a fundamental role in its fashions’ and
tendencies’ conceptual clarification. From laboratory to critical activity stage, the role of
the exhibition may be experimentation, social intervention or education, among others.
Architecture is represented through a codified language. Public accessibility to its contents
becomes an inevitable question that raises questions about the pertinence of displaying
conventional representative elements. The approximation to reality is not necessarily an
objective. Architecture’s multiple dimensions - beyond mere built object, as a social
interface element, for example, as well as its everyday presence as component of life, do
give it countless directions in which to approach an exhibition.
Trienal de Arquitectura de Lisboa opened a regular space for architecture presentation
through different forms, among them exhibition. The 2007 event was organised starting
with a team of curators, who were given the responsibility of “putting Portugal on the
architectural map”. The curatorship of architecture’s does exist in Portugal. Therefore I
believe it must be debated and discussed. It is important to understand what its objectives
are, its specificities, and, of course, it must be practised - for and as Portuguese
architecture. To discuss exhibitions’ contribution to architecture and to analyse
communication with different audiences are questions that I will approach.
78

The “Eclipse” of architecture
D. Neves dos Santos 1 , Prof. Manuel Mendes (tutor) 2 .
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The concept of eclipse applied to architecture emerged in the course of a study of an
influent house –C. S. H. #8 (1945-1949), the only house designed by (and for) Charles and
Ray Eames, promoted by Arts&Architecture magazine within the Case Study House
Program. Marked by a doubt between two different solutions for the same site, were left
contradictory documents about the Eames idea of architecture. If on the one hand it says
that architecture could be a virtuous composition of forms legitimated by a style directly
imported from the authors of the modern movement; on the other hand, caused by
contingents (or taking the most out of them), one can see that Eames took a different
position in view of architecture because, on the built house, the most sublime moments of
architecture were recorded as a form’s eclipses and never as a form’s exhibition.
Motivated by this hesitation, we found space to question and propose a new statement in
view of most elementary matters underlying the architecture exercise: which is the
subject/purpose of our discipline? What kind of knowledge could inform the conception
according to those purposes? How can architecture, under that purpose, be represented?
How can architecture be materialized?
Nevertheless, the analysis’s field to which theses question are linked is not limited by dates
or geographic places where some historical incident has happened. The criteria that bound
the fields of our action is a criteria made by the “time” of daily life architecture. No one
more than Charles and Ray Eames left such a large influence by an unique collection made
by a million of fragmentary and causal records exposing the ordinary moments of their
architecture mixed with their everyday life. We are interested in facts that are out of the
famous moment of inauguration or when Julius Shulman was at Eames House to make the
famous photo that everybody recognizes as CSH #8. Looking at that house through images
of a time that is a time of living, we realise that architecture as an object was softly
disappearing from photos, drawings or other records of that house, as we can confirm on
House-after five Years of Living (1954) - the Eames`s most relevant document about the
house ). With the passing of time, the object of a house looses the leading role representing
architecture and it is replaced by “the things” that this object made possible, because for
Eames, architecture is something beyond it’s projects, it’s records and it’s objects.
Architecture is a “private landscape”.
Through an Eames eye, we describe the possibility: architecture could be an immaterial
product, more influenced by actions than proportion. Consequently, we found an apparent
contradiction on architectural representation: drawings, models, renders infer a
constructive description of landscape that is always on movement, evanescent…and made
of spatial story. So, the representation betrays the reality in the same way that
representation betrays architecture. This special attention given to architecture, beyond the
inauguration or “photo days”, has an apparent price: became invisible. Eclipsed. This
invisibility is not humble because the ambition is simultaneously unmeasured: to find
happiness through experiencing the space that we project or through observing water
draining into the school’s courtyard. Isn’t it Mr. and Mrs. Eames?
79

Promenade to Corbusier
L. Ribeiro da Silva 1 and M. Mendes 2
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
“Promenade to Corbusier” proposes to analyze the “quality of space” in the work of Le
Corbusier, quality only recognizable through the direct “experience of architecture”.
In an early stage of the investigation, it was believed that the “quality of space” would be
entailed to the concept of “Promenade Architecturale”, enunciated by Le Corbusier
himself. However, the further development of the work has resulted in the understanding
of the “Promenade Architecturale” as a fragment of a broader domain: the “Promenade to
Corbusier”.
“Promenade to Corbusier” is structured upon the recognition, in corbuserian architecture,
of a “conception field” – “traversing” [1] – and a “subject” that performs this action – the
“traverser” [2]. “Traversing” is acknowledged as an event of universal inevitability: physic
inevitability, biological inevitability, religious inevitability. “Traversing” is acknowledged
as existential synthesis.
Four propositions of “traversing” are recognized, according to the condition of the
“matter” and the modes of its manipulation. To each proposition of “traversing”
corresponds a state of “traverser”.
The first proposition of “traversing”, “Body’s Conduction”, concerns a field of architecture
where the coordination of movement is directly related to the “quality of space”. This is the
field of architecture concerned by the concept of “Promenade Architecturale”, starting
point of the investigation. The “traverser” moving through the “inert matter”.
The second proposition of “traversing”, “Sight’s Conduction”, identifies the “traverser” in
the process of slowing down and seeks for the recognition of the decreasing motion’s
space. “Sight’s Conduction” concerns the possibilities of the “promenade” by framing the
visual field of the “traverser”, in a fixed spatial position, through the “inert matter”.
The third proposition of “traversing”, “Retina’s Stimulation, the Natural Matter”, identifies
the “traverser’s” spirituality and seeks the recognition of the abstraction’s space. “Retina’s
Stimulation, the Natural Matter” concerns the possibilities of the “promenade” by
managing the motion of light, “natural reactive matter”.
The forth proposition of “traversing”, “Retina’s Stimulation, the Artificial Matter”,
concerns the recognition of the increasing possibilities arisen by civilizational
development, in the origin of the synthesis of “artificial reactive matter” – from the
“electric” to the “electronic” – with the potential to operate a revolution of both “quality of
space” and state of “traverser”.
«The verb is to be» [3].
References:
[1] “percorrência”.
[2] “percorrente”.
[3] Costa, M. E. (1997), Lucio Costa – Registro de uma Vivência, Empresa das Artes, São Paulo,
pp. 4.
80

ARCHITECTURE: STUDIES AND POSSIBILITIES OF
TRANSVERSALITIES. Space of Encounter – Herzog & de Meuron,
Diller + Scofidio, Dan Graham, Lacaton & Vassal, Sancho y
Madridejos, Vito Acconci [1]
Ana Pedrosa
Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
This study seeks a personal idea of a contemporary architectural practice, considering
above all its artistic potential of generating meaningful events in space, rather than the
imperative to construct.
The study object is the production processes of architectural poetry, having as key strategy
the transversality between distinct disciplinary practices and between discourse and
practice.
This interdisciplinary is not constraint to other artistic activities. Nevertheless, the work
addresses particularly the practices of installation and performance, for its manifestations
by actions towards space or body and therefore focusing more on the effects prompted and
less on objectual character of the work of art.
To establish coincidences or interferences between enclosed disciplines is not considered
as a value for itself. What is at stake is the reinvention of an architectural practice through
the redefinition of its limits as a discipline, in its objects, in its tools, in the author’s role, in
the inhabitant’s role, in its relation with place.
The idea of architecture, outlined along the essay, as an artistic medium of intervention,
results of the conjuncture of the following: an idea of the qualities of its meanings – seen
as unpredictable, wandering, subjective – through the notion of indetermination; an idea
of the inhabitant’s active and creative role in the construction of the experience of
architecture, through the notion of event; an idea of art as a potency of the real , through
the notion of virtual; an idea about the identity limits of the subject, as well as of the
architectonic object, through the notion of body.
[1] Graduation Essay – 2007. Supervisor Teacher: Manuel Mendes, Arguer Teacher: Manuel
Botelho, Jury: Rui Braz. The early study issues were induced by the internship at the Atelier
Sancho y Madridejos – Madrid, 2003-04 – who’s practice is inspired in the work strategies of
artists as E. Chillida and J. Oteíza; and the participation in the Workshop Espaço do Encontro
(Space of Encounter), under the orientation of Jean Philippe Vassal – Porto, 2005, and consequent
public space intervention at the FIMP 2006 – Porto International Puppets Festival.
Main theoretical bibliographic references (summarily identified in order to acomplish page layout): Deleuze,
Gilles. Conversações 1972-1990,(1990); Foucault, Michel. “Des Espaces Autres” in Dits et Écrits IV 1954-
1988,(1957); Benjamim, Walter. “La obra de Arte en la Época de su Reproductibilidad Técnica,”(1936);
Cruz, Teresa. “Posfácio” in O Pintor da Vida Moderna,(1993); Moure, Gloria (editor). Behind the facts –
Interfunktionen 1968-1975,(2004); Ortega y Gasset, José. “La Deshumanización del Arte,” in La
Deshumanización del Arte y Otros Ensayos de Estética,(1925); Conde, Yago. Arquitectura de la
Indeterminación,(2000); Guilheux, Alain. Architecture Action – une Architecture Post-Théorique,(2002);
Leatherbarrow, David. Uncommon Ground – Architecture, Technology, and Topography,(2000); Solà-
Morales, Ignasi. Territorios,(2002); Solà-Morales, Ignasi. Diferencias – Topografia de la Arquitectura
Contemporánea,(2003) ; Teyssot, Georges. “The Mutant Body of Architecture” in Flesh – Architectural
Probes, (1994).
81

CONTACT POINTS_BETWEEN SWISS AND PORTUGUESE
ARCHITECTURE
Bruno Miguel Varejão Cardoso
Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The current society is in constant and fast transformation. With the easy and fast
displacement of people and information a new confluence becomes possible and thus
confrontation between different cultures. The borders of the knowledge extend to a global
level, subverting the concepts of time and space, creating bonds of stronger union and
proximity between the different world-wide cultures, in a process of constant definition of
the European identity, based in a strong interaction between the globalization and the
various local trends.
This reaction marks deeply the practical of the new generations of young Portuguese
architects. They developed their formation with values based on a culture of openness to
Europe, in the appearance of a new society of consumption and information, in a search for
new concepts that reflects a disciplinary osmosis of architecture with other artistic
movements and trends, in conciliation with the important legacy of the 50’s generation,
opening space for reflection and debate on the past and present of the Portuguese
architecture. This is reflected in a quality production with new vectors of action and
growth, with a new dynamism and concept, and it marks a time of change in the
architectural scene.
The Swiss architecture reveals conceptual and minimal issues, with a constructive rigour
and a formal simplicity, and modern concepts re-interpreted. It became a great reference
for young Portuguese architects, for revealing a reconciliatory attitude between traditional
concepts and broad cultural transformations of contemporary society, maintaining a simple
language and an honest construction, readily identifiable with the Portuguese tradition.
While trying to flee from a predominantly complacent and uncritical culture, the young
architects who were deploying in the Portuguese architectural scene, kept the search for an
adequate response to a local context stopped in time, faced with new demands of a
confluence for a new global and more dynamic context.
These new generations demonstrate perseverance, willingness and dedication, with a
strong ability to explore the risk, using the marginal contexts to avoid stagnation and
conformism, looking to assert themselves with an attitude between resistance and
commitment. This new awareness includes the recognition of our identity, traces in
evolution, a change in the traditional approaches, influences, and references, that will
transform the context of the Portuguese architecture and allow a conscious and positive
metamorphosis of our cultural specificity in loss, and a slow transformation of the
discourse in the search for our identity as Portuguese, as Europeans.
82

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS IV – POS.IV.1
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
IV.1 - GREEN CHEMISTRY & ENVIRONMENT Elisa Keating & Jorge Teixeira
58 Levels of Butyltins in Sediment and Suitability of Salt March Plants for Rhizoremediation
P. N. Carvalho, P. N. R. Rodrigues, M.C.P. Basto, M.T.S.D. Vasconcelos
Implementation of automatic methodologies for quality control of pharmaceutical formulations
48
containing allopurinol based on biocatalysts
C. I. C. Silvestre, M. A. Segundo, M. L. M. F. S. Saraiva, J. L. F. C. Lima
Azo-dye Orange II degradation by Fenton-like reaction using as catalysts transition metals in carbon
63
supports
Filipa Duarte, F.J. Maldonado-Hódar, Luis M. Madeira
86 Monitoring of Biological Remediation of a Soil Polluted with Petroleum Hydrocarbons
E. Monteiro, M. N. Couto, M. T. S.D.Vasconcelos
Isolation and characterisation of a novel Planctomycete bacterium related to Isosphaera group from
108
a freshwater aquarium
Joana Bondoso and Olga Maria Lage
227 Intracellular Gene Regulation via Engineered Nanolipoblockers for Inhibition of Cholesterol Uptake
Ekta Patel, Prabhas Moghe

Levels of Butyltins in Sediment and Suitability of Salt March
Plants for Rhizoremediation
P. N. Carvalho 1,2,* , P. N. R. Rodrigues 1,2 , M.C.P. Basto 1,2 and M.T.S.D. Vasconcelos 1,2
1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 CIMAR/CIIMAR – Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal.
* pedro.carvalho@fc.up.pt
In recent decades organotin compounds have been extensively used in agriculture and
industry, as biocides and polymer stabilizers. Since the 1980s contamination of waters and
sediments with tributyltin (TBT), as a results of its application in paint for boats as an
antifouling, has been associated to a variety of unexpected malformations and other effects
in non-target marine organisms. Therefore, it is necessary to control the application of the
legal impositions, ban of TBT from the global fleet, as well as the release of TBT and its
degradation products from contaminated areas, as well as study and develop remediation
techniques. For the accomplishment of these purposes, accurate and very sensitive
analytical methods are required for quantifying trace levels of butyltins (BTs) in various
sample matrices. Very recently, a method was developed and validated using headspace
solid-phase microextraction as an automated pre-concentration/extraction process followed
by gas chromatography separation coupled to tandem mass spectrometry detection. The
method was efficiently applied to the determination of TBT and its degradation products
dibutyltin and monobutyltin in sediments from Sado River estuary [1]. Concentration
values of TBT over the range established by the OSPAR [2] as provisional
ecotoxicological assessment criteria that should be used to identify areas of concern were
found in the Lisnave area.
To investigate the capability of the salt marsh plant Halimione portulacoides to promote
BTs degradation, plants were transplanted ex-situ into several pots with sediment from
Lisnave area. Identical pots without plants were used as controls. Monitoring of BTs in
those sediments [1] was carried out. It was observed that, in the absence of the plant,
natural degradation of TBT along eight months was negligible. In contrast, a significant
decrease of contamination occurred in the presence of plants, denoting rhizoremediation,
despite the low belowground biomass of H. Portulacoides used in the tests. Further studies
are in progress, using higher amounts of biomass per experiment, with the purpose to
investigate whether the plant participates directly in the BTs degradation, namely
incorporating TBT or its metabolites in plant tissues, or it only promotes degradation by
sediment microorganisms from the rhizosphere (environment around roots).
References:
[1] Carvalho, P.N., Pinto, L.F., Basto, M.C.P. and Vasconcelos, M.T.S.D. (2007), Headspace
solid-phase micro-extraction and gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry method
for butyltin analysis in sediments: Optimization and validation, Microchem. J., 87, 147. [2] Joint
Meeting of the Oslo and Paris Commissions (1997), Oslo and Paris convention for the prevention
of marine pollution, Annex 6, Joint Meeting of the Oslo and Paris Commissions, Brussels.
Acknowledges: Project POCTI/CTA/48386/2002 financed by FCT, Portugal
84

Implementation of automatic methodologies for quality control of
pharmaceutical formulations containing allopurinol based on
biocatalysts
C. I. C. Silvestre, M. A. Segundo, M. L. M. F. S. Saraiva and J. L. F. C. Lima
REQUIMTE, Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto,
Rua Aníbal Cunha, 164, 4099-030, Porto, Portugal
Email: cristina.silvestre@gmail.com
Allopurinol is widely used in the management of hyperuricaemia, due to its capacity to
inhibit xanthine oxidase [1]. Xanthine oxidase, a metal flavoprotein, is the last enzyme in
the pathway for the degradation of purine derivatives and therefore the rate limiting step in
purine metabolism. Its main role is to oxidise hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid.
In the present work, two automatic sequential injection analysis methodologies were
developed for the enzymatic determination of allopurinol. Both methodologies were based
on the inhibition by allopurinol of the reaction catalysed by xanthine oxidase in vivo,
assessed by spectrophotometric detection of the reaction product (uric acid) at 295 nm.
Furthermore, one methodology was based on a single readout at a fixed-time after reaction
while the other was based on the decrease of the rate of formation of uric acid, evaluated
by monitoring the absorbance change during a pre-set time interval.
Both methodologies allowed fast quantification of allopurinol in pharmaceutical samples
(n = 8), providing results that were not significantly different from those obtained by the
British Pharmacopoeia procedure. The determination frequency was 15 and 34
determinations per hour for the fixed-time and kinetic method, respectively.
The developed methodologies allowed the automation of the determination of allopurinol
with the purpose of its quality control, implementing Green Chemistry concepts [2] in the
Analytical Chemistry area. In this particular application, low quantities of reagents (µL
range) were used and a low volume of effluent was produced (< 5 mL) per assay.
Furthermore, the utilization of a biocatalyst for this determination, instead of rather toxic
reagents, also makes it more environmentally friendly.
References:
[1] Borges, F., Fernandes, E., Roleira, F. (2002), Progress towards the discovery of xanthine
oxidase inhibitors, Current Medicinal Chemistry, 9 (2), 195-217.
[2] Prado, A. G. S. (2003), Química Verde, os desafios da química do novo milénio, Química Nova,
26 (5), 738-744.
85

Azo-dye Orange II degradation by Fenton-like reaction using as
catalysts transition metals in carbon supports
Filipa Duarte a , F.J. Maldonado-Hódar b , Luis M. Madeira a
a LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do
Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
b Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071
Granada, Spain
Pollution of water caused by industries is a serious problem in the developed countries and
its elimination is a great challenge. For instance, to destroy synthetic dyes is very hard
because they are usually stable compounds and often non-biodegradable, formed by long
organic molecules. Advanced chemical oxidation methods can be effective for their
degradation as they can result in almost complete mineralization in a cheap and easy way.
One of the most well-known methods is the oxidation with Fenton’s reagent, where
hydrogen peroxide reacts with iron (or with another transition metal catalyst) in acidic
medium, leading to the production of powerful radicals (HO • ), which are able to attack the
organic compounds.
This reaction can be carried on in a homogeneous or heterogeneous system. The first
process is not adequate because it leads to a very high metal concentration in solution, ca.
50-80 ppm, while European directives don’t allow more than 2 ppm of Fe, for instance, in
discharged water [1]. Thus, heterogeneous reaction has been carried out using transition
metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mn, W) as active phase deposited on carbon aerogels. Two
approaches were used to prepared the catalysts: in the first case, the metal precursors were
introduced in the starting solution of the polymer precursors, resulting in metal-doped
carbon aerogels; in the second case, metals were added by impregnation on two carbon
aerogels previously prepared, one mesoporous (support M) and another microporous
(support AS-3). The porosity and dispersion of the catalysts was evaluated by different
techniques: N2 adsorption, mercury porosimetry, TG, XRD, HRTEM and SEM. The dye
degradation experiments were performed in a slurry batch reactor, using a 0.1 mM orange
II (model compound) solution, as well as 6 mM of hydrogen peroxide, at 30 ºC and pH =
3. The absorbance was continuously read by a spectrophotometer and the metal leaching
quantified by atomic absorption.
The best performance was obtained with the Fe, Co and Ni catalysts, although the latter
was not so active and the second provided high leaching values. It is noteworthy that the
Fe-doped catalyst showed the lowest leaching. When employing impregnated catalysts, the
use of mesoporous supports leads to more active catalysts. The AS-3 support has a very
high adsorption capacity, not being relevant for catalytic purposes. Comparing doping and
impregnation techniques, it is observed that impregnation is more efficient probably
because metals (Fe or Co) are more accessible to the dye molecules, in spite the high
porosity of metal-doped carbon aerogels. The combination of the mesoporous support M
with a highly active metal as Fe provided an efficient and promising catalyst for practical
applications, with complete decolourisation of the solution in 2-3h employing soft
oxidation conditions, with leaching values below 2.5%.
References:
[1] Sabhi, S. and Kiwi, J. (2001), Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol by immobilized iron catalysts,
Water Research, 35 (8), 1994-2002.
86

Monitoring of Biological Remediation of a Soil Polluted with
Petroleum Hydrocarbons
E. Monteiro 1* , M. N. Couto 1,2 , and M. T. S.D.Vasconcelos 1,2
1 Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 CIMAR/CIIMAR – Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal
*c0303048@alunos.fc.up.pt
Due to several human activities many petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) have been
introduced in soil and sediments. Much PHC, particularly the less volatile ones (LVPHC),
are persistent and can be tightly sorbed into soil particles, decreasing PHC bioavailability.
Biological remediation is a low cost way for recovering polluted soil, which rehabilitates
soil structure. A project is in process to survey, as exhaustively as possible, the main
factors that influence the efficiency of biological degradation of LVPHCs assisted by
vascular plants (bioaugmentation and rhizoremediation). Plants well adapted to coastal
areas and capable of living in soils with relatively high salinity were chosen. This pilot
study is carrying out ex-situ, in polluted soil from a petrol refinery. At the beginning and
during the study, the LVPHCs contents are determining both in soil and lixiviate, by using
spectrophotometry [1], after suitable PHC extraction from the samples. The role of the
under-graduated student in the project is the optimization of analytical methods for an
expeditious monitoring of the efficiency of PHC degradation.
This project provides a real mesocosmos study, in a field with specific characteristics, and
it is expected that in a middling/long time it will give clear conclusions about suitable
conditions for decontamination of either the global area of the refinery or other sites with
similar contamination.
In this communication, the first results of the project will be presented and discussed.
[1] Liste, H-H and Felgentreu, D. (2006), Crop growth, culturable bacteria, and degradation of
petrol hydrocarbons (PHCs) in a long-term contaminated field soil, Applied soil Ecology 31, 43-
52.
Acknowledgements: To FC&T for the Ph.D. scholarship of M. N. Couto (SFRH/31816/2006). To
Refinery of Oporto (GALP Energy) for financial support. Logistical support by J. Amorim, from
Refinery of Oporto and technological advices and logistical support by I. Teixeira, R. Salé and E.
Bernardes from Berka – Engº E. Bernardes, Lda and M. I. Caçador from Oceanographic Inst. of
Sci. Fac, L.U.
87

Isolation and characterisation of a novel Planctomycete
bacterium related to Isosphaera group from a freshwater
aquarium
Joana Bondoso 1,2 1, 2
and Olga Maria Lage
1 Departamento de Botânica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto
2 CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental
Planctomycetes are an intriguing and fascinating monophyletic phylum of the domain
Bacteria (3). Members of this group are characterised by budding, absence of
peptidoglycan in the cell wall and cellular compartmentalisation. This contradicts the
traditional dichotomous organization of cellular life in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and
places them at the centre of the evolutionary microbiology for the search of the last
common ancestor of the domains of life (1, 2). Their ubiquity and relative abundance has
been revealed by recent molecular microbial ecology techniques. Knowledge of this group
is very limited due to the relatively few species grown in pure culture, thus the great
importance of isolation and cultivation studies for a better understanding of its ecological
role. Here we report the isolation in pure culture and the characterization of an Isosphaeralike
bacterium from the sediment of a freshwater aquarium.
After about 3 months incubation of the sediments in modified selective (200μg.mL -1
ampycillin, 500μg.mL -1 streptomycin and 20μg.mL -1 cycloheximide) IMC and PEO3
media at 20ºC in the dark, light pink colonies appeared. CARD-FISH analysis of the
sediments revealed the presence of round-shaped PLA46 (Planctomycetes 16S rRNA
oligonucleotide probe) labeled cells. Cells are about 2 µm in diameter, normally appearing
as individuals, but having the possibility to form small chains of 2-5 cells. Division occurs
by budding. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed the presence of the
characteristic crateriform structures and a compact matrix linking the cells, and ultrathin
sections (Transmission Electron Microscopy) of the cells showed the DNA surrounded by
an electrondense area. Nutritional requirement studies showed that the characteristics of
the colonies, namely consistency and color, are media dependent. Isosphaera-like OJF2
can utilize glucose, rhamnose and melibiose as the sole carbon source and liquefies gelatin.
Optimal growth occurs at 35ºC and 0.35% NaCl. The almost complete (1480bp) 16S
rDNA sequence showed its affiliation to the Isosphaera group (Isosphaera-like strain
OJF2, GenBank accession number DQ986200), with the highest similarity to uncultured
bacteria from environmental samples. The closest cultured relative (96%) is Isosphaera sp.
Schlesner 666 and it shows only 94% similarity to I. pallida, the type species. This fact
associated with a diverse morphology, indicates that this strain could potentially be a new
genus of the order Planctomycetales.
References:
1. Fuerst JA. 1995. The planctomycetes: Emerging models for microbial ecology, evolution
and cell biology. Microbiology 141: 1493-506
2. Fuerst JA. 2005. Intracellular compartmentation in planctomycetes. Annual Review of
Microbiology 59: 299-328
3. Garrity GM, Holt JG. 2001. The roadmap to the manual. In Bergey’s manual of systematic
bacteriology, ed. DR Boone, RW Castenholz, pp. 119-66. New York, N.Y.: Springer
88

Intracellular Gene Regulation via Engineered Nanolipoblockers
for Inhibition of Cholesterol Uptake
Ekta Patel, Prabhas Moghe
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Department, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey
Atherosclerosis, the pathogenic accumulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) within the blood vessel walls,
is a leading cause of death worldwide. While systemic therapies inhibit LDL synthesis, our approach
involves the localized management of oxidized LDL within the vascular wall through the use of anionic
nanolipoblockers (NLBs) and macrophage-targeted drugs. We have shown that NLBs reduce foam cell
formation by receptor blocking, a hallmark of atherogenesis; however, their effect on cellular gene
expression is unclear. We investigated the effects of NLBs on genes regulating atherogenesis and
inflammation, with the goal of identifying the most antiatherogenic NLB configurations.
89

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS IV – POS.IV.2
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
IV.2 - LIFE & WORK & SOCIETY Manuela Aguiar & Albino Lima
52 The relativity of happiness: Portugal and the EU
J.P. Fique, D.A. Sá
117 Natural resources course
B. Magalhães, C. Mota, F. Martins, J. Silva, L. Fernandes, N. Teixeira, P. Monteiro, P. Santos, R.
Oliveira, T. Teixeira, V. Oliveira
148 Processes of corruption in Portugal: results of an exploratory research
R. Faria, C. da Agra
223 Desistência do tratamento de enurese: avaliação dos motives alegados e de variáveis associadas
Carolina Ribeiro Bezerra de Sousa, Edwiges Ferreira de Mattos Silvares
30 Popular culture and the formation of the working class
J. Aguiar
A troubled legacy. Changing strategies of social transmission and patterns of identity production
33
among industrial workers.
Bruno Monteiro

The relativity of happiness: Portugal and the EU
J.P. Fique 1 , D.A. Sá 2
1Undergraduate student, Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Portugal.
2Undergraduate student, Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Portugal.
“Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment”
Samuel Johnson, 1776
What makes us happy? This everlasting question gained recently a good amount of
attention from Economics. Until this unexpected focus from Economics, psychologists
have been studying this matter, which became a valuable support for economic analysis of
happiness.
In the present analysis it will be considered the relation between happiness and income.
The reference in this relation is the work developed by Richard A. Easterlin (1974, updated
in 1995), the so called Easterlin Paradox consists in the “paradox of substantial real income
growth in Western countries over the last fifty years, but without any corresponding rise in
reported happiness levels” (Clark, A.E., Frijters, P., Shields, M.A, 2006) [1] . But, a second
literature has emerged pointing that money does matter. The result of the reconcilement of
Easterlin Paradox and this second literature is that happiness is relative, it depends on both
external and internal reference points.
Extending this theoretical result, we can consider as Kapteyn et al (1976) as previously
argued, that reference groups include whole countries. We propose to question if the low
rank of Portugal in terms of Life Satisfaction is a result of considering the European Union
as a reference group. Hence, the low Life Satisfaction results would be a consequence of
the difference between Portugal’s income and the supposed reference group.
To do so, we will use data available from Eurobarometer. In terms of theoretical
orientation, it will follow the perspective of “Clark, A.E., Frijters, P., Shields, M.A,
2006” [1] in close propinquity.
This analysis the proposition of the application of a theoretical perspective to the
understanding of happiness, which will be used in our ongoing research project “Happiness
and the Human Development Index: The case of Lisbon and Porto”. Therefore, it will aim
to favor a discussion about this topic and not present actual results. What we propose to do
is identify in the Eurobarometer data results predicted by this line of thought.
References:
[1] Clark, A.E., Frijters, P., Shields, M.A. (2006), Income and happiness: Evidence, explanations
and economic implications, Paris-Jourdan Sciences Economiques, WP nº 2006-24.
[2] Easterlin, R.A. (2001), Income and happiness: towards a unified theory, in The Economic
Journal, 111 (July), 465-484. © Royal Economic Society 2001. Published by Blackwell Publishers,
108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 IJF, UK and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA
91

Natural resources course
B. Magalhães, C. Mota, F. Martins, J. Silva, L. Fernandes, N. Teixeira, P. Monteiro, P.
Santos, R. Oliveira, T. Teixeira and V. Oliveira
Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, University of Porto, Portugal
A clear example of a rich country in natural resources is Angola, especially oil, but one of
the problems these types of countries have is a large tendency for bad government, armed
conflicts and weak action in terms of economic and social development: we could say that
countries with fragile institutions have also little capacity to tolerate the destructive forces
of corruption, nevertheless if these resources were properly used, Angola would be one of
the richest countries of Africa. Our purpose is to prove that there is a correlation between
population, political movements and natural resources.
The used method is based on OCDE/AIE Report 2006, which analyses statistical data to
elaborate a thematic cartography using the ArcGis 9.2 program, seeking to conclude that
there is an historical relation between the three vector areas.
With a relatively small population, only 14,5 million inhabitants, Angola should be capable
to present indicators of well-being among the most developed countries in Africa, instead
of that, war and bad government increase the oil waste. This way it becomes very
interesting to analyze natural resources, demographic and political movements in Angola,
including Cabinda´s area, once they origin many social and economic deficiencies.
It becomes clear that the different political movements had as main purpose to control
natural resources. Quality in administrating resources will probably be the most important
factor to determine if Angola achieves a maintainable peace or if, it falls once again in
conflict. There are two essential questions:
- to know which are the government priorities concerning expenses;
- the transparency in the administration of public finances.
For several years, and for armed conflict reasons, most of the economic resources have
been spent in defense purposes instead of being used in social areas, like education and
health, highways and water supply, that’s one of the main reasons for the delay in the
general development of Angola´s territory.
92

Processes of corruption in Portugal: results of an exploratory
research
R. Faria 1 , C. da Agra 2
1 School of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 School of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Porto, Portugal.
Portugal lacks empirical research on corruption through a criminological approach [1]. The
School of Criminology of Porto is trying to fill this empirical and theoretical gap by
analysing literature proceeding from other social sciences (v.g. Law), collecting data and
sketching the features of the usual actors and stages involved in this deviant behaviour, in
our country.
This exploratory research aims to enlighten the following items: (1) standings about the
law, (2) black figures, (3) reasons and features of the complaints presented to the police;
(4) the transition from the police system to the judicial; (4) dynamics of the trial; (5) type,
incidence and features of the penal sanctions; (6) areas considered to be permeable to
corruption; and (7) main causes for corruption practices. These items (except 6 and 7)
follow the usual treatment given by the formal instances of control to the crime of
corruption.
For this purpose, we have endeavoured a documental analysis (Crime Statistics, reports
from Transparency International, European Group of States against Corruption, and
International Crime Victimization Survey) and conducted 5 semi-directive interviews with
privileged informers.
We were able to somehow understand the standings of the interviewees about the present
laws of fight against corruption, as well as some interesting features on the complaints
presented to the police, the handling of crimes of corruption by the judicial system and
some of the main purposes of those who enact in these deviant behaviours. Besides, some
results allow us to understand the crime of corruption as being a typical white-collar crime
[2] or economic crime [3], eventually driven by rational choice [4-5].
References:
[1] Faria, R. (2007), Corrupção: descrições e reflexões. Sobre a possibilidade de realização de
uma abordagem criminológica ao fenómeno da corrupção em Portugal, Revista Portuguesa de
Ciência Criminal, 17 (1), 107-146.
[2] Nelken, D. (2002), White-Collar Crime, in Maguire, Morgan and Reiner (Eds.), The Oxford
Handbook of Criminology (3ª ed.), Oxford, Oxford University Press, pp. 844-877
[3] Ponsaers, P., and Ruggiero, V. (Eds.), (2002), La criminalité économique et financière en
Europe, Paris, l'Harmattan.
[4] Cusson, M. (2006), Criminologia, Cruz Quebrada, Casa das Letras.
[5] Queloz, N., Borghi, M. and Cesoni, M.L., (2000), Processus de corruption en Suisse, Genève,
Helbing & Lichtenhahn
93

Desistência do tratamento de enurese: avaliação dos motivos
alegados e de variáveis associadas
Carolina Ribeiro B Sousa 1 , Edwiges Ferreira de Mattos Silvares
1 Instituto de Psicologia da Univerasidade do S. Paulo, Brasil
Apresentação da Aluna: Aluna do Instituto de Psicologia e minha escolha por visitar a
Universidade do Porto deve-se à abertura a área de Humanas e Humanidades demonstrada
pela Instituição quanto ao meu próprio interesse em conhecer os laboratórios e a clínicaescola
de lá. Pretendo trocar informações e, quem sabe, estabelecer um intercâmbio que
ultrapasse esse encontro e se firme para futuras visitas, um trabalho multicêntrico e
possibilidade de cursar doutorado.
Acredito que esta possibilidade será muito rica para minha formação e fortalecer meu
interesse em trabalhar na área de pesquisa e também me dedicar a carreira docente.
94

Popular culture and the formation of the working class
J. Aguiar 1
1 Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Porto, Portugal.
Social class is sometimes considered as a mere economic or a political phenomenon. In our
research we tried to relate social class with cultural variables. Most notably, our purpose is
to show how a particular kind of cultural production – popular culture – affects social and
political mobilization of the working class [1].
In this way, we focused our attention in the rural workers of the Left Margin of Guadiana
River, in Alentejo. Basically, the research is a qualitative approach to the feelings and
subjective apprehensions of those workers and how they interact with their political
behaviour. Extensive interviews, oral testimonies, social photography and content analysis
of poems and songs written by those social agents, are some of the techniques used to
inquire our object of study.
The application of twenty interviews – which culminated in the constitution of five lifestories
– and the thorough examination of the content of more than three hundred popular
poems and eighty-four songs, resumed a wide range of cultural elements in Alentejo’s
workers. As the Bourdieu’s concept of habitus [2] illustrated, all the cultural heritage of
these social agents contributed to the development of social and political practices based
on values of solidarity and companionship. At the same time, the proper and autonomous
production of their own cultural sociabilities induced mental and symbolic frameworks
creating a sense of community and, which is further important, a real and effective
community of individuals gathered by common values and beliefs. So, in order to
understand some of the most relevant political interventions of Alentejo’s working class,
such as the struggles and mass strikes against the dictatorship of Salazar or the process of
land occupations in 1974 and 1975 [3], we cannot escape to integrate theoretically these
most visible phenomena with the correlative cultural background that supports them.
To summarize, cultural dimensions influence and interfere in political and socio-historical
macro-processes. Without the dynamics of cultural self-identification of the collective of
Alentejo’s workers – expressed in their popular culture – it would be hardly difficult for
them to intervene in the political scene.
References:
[1] Thompson, E.P. (1991 [1963]), The making of the English working class 1780-1832, 4 th edition,
Penguin Books, London.
[2] “Habitus is the matrix of dispositions of the objective structures socially incorporated in mental
structures that human beings set off when they reflect about, apprehend and put practices in
motion”. Bourdieu, P. (2002), Esboço de uma teoria da prática, Celta, Oeiras, pp. 167.
[3] Murteira, A. (2004), Uma Revolução na Revolução: Reforma Agrária no Sul de Portugal,
Campo das Letras and Câmara Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo, Porto and Montemor. pp.17-32.
Barros, A. (1981), A Reforma Agrária em Portugal: das ocupações de terras à formação de novas
unidades de produção. 2 nd edition, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Oeiras.
95

A troubled legacy. Changing strategies of social transmission and
patterns of identity production among industrial workers
Bruno Monteiro 1
1 Sociologist. MA student (Sociology) in the Faculty of Humanities.
This paper`s aim to explore how the conjugation between structural economic and social
transformations and the rearrangement of power relations in the shopfloor conducted to
mutations in the strategies of identity production and transmission among different
generations of working class agents.
The author draws on a 4-months-long period working as a disqualified worker in a
furniture factory and several long interviews to illustrate how this becomes an afflicted
process and how new modalities to express the shopfloor everyday experience emerge.
Worker`s collective memory is strongly supported in processes of oral and kinetic
production, actualization and transmission that operates in the full spectre of working class
social structuration places (like the shopfloor). Today, these institution rites happen to be
alongside with alternative influences issued from school and mass culture. The youth
avatars, as the consumerism and the urbanified references, are replacing the traditional
workshop and virile culture, the dominant ethical behaviour (like austerity or oral-based
mutual confidence) and the patterns of social relations with enterprise owners. The
continuity of certain traits goes along with a different array of resistance tactics and
personal expression in work and new arrangements of practices and representations about
what must be work involvement. Notwithstanding being symbolically refused, worker`s
social condition persists objectively re(as)sumed by the youth. Moreover, apparently
emancipating acquisitions have bring, together with the maintenance of established
patterns of mobilization to work (like bulimic behaviour in work searching for extra rent,
resignation in the face of authoritarian hierarchies, perpetuation of informal economy),
new dependencies and stronger subjections (like the progressive endebtement).
Employment market transformations, along with new trends in hiring practices (expressing
a bigger instability in contracts and in the economic market, which reflects also in higher
unemployment rates), brings changes in the specific configurations of the household
economy and, especially, in the familiar strategies of social reproduction.
Particularly, the progressive technical depreciation of the older segments of the working
force means also the refusal of the cultural definitions and interpretations that they carry
with. The paulatine usury of workers minds and bodies, the obsolescence of that artisanal
knowledge made of embodied schemes of doing and seeing the work and, finally, the
disappearance of autonomy in work procedures, are gradually giving form to feelings of
detachment among industrial worker. Thus promoting a sense of minority, this contributes
to fossilize this category of social agents and induces the indignity (or impossibility) of
social reproduction.
In short, all this shape new trends in the collective and individual strategies activated to
face a changing socio-economic environment and contributes to the complexification of
the objective and symbolic transmission of the working class condition and identity.
96

PARALLEL ORAL SESSIONS IV – POS.IV.3
THURSDAY, FEB. 21
IV.3 - LIFE & HEALTH III Laura Oliveira & Marcela Segundo
Screening of Phenolic compounds with Bioactivity in Pieris brassicae L. Reared on Brassica rapa
27
var rapa L. using HPLC-DAD-MS/MS-ESI
D. M. Pereira, A. Noites, F. Ferreres, P. Valentão, R. M. Seabra, P. B. Andrade
Spatio-temporal characterization of the Endocannabinoid System enzymes-FAAH and COX-2 in the
69
fetoplacental unit
A. Leite, B. Fonseca, N.A. Teixeira, G. Correia da Silva
Determination of hypoxanthine in vitreous humor by a sequential injection analysis system and its
84
application in the estimation of postmortem interval
Ana M. Santos, Ana I. Pereira, Marieta L. C. Passos, S. Frazão, Agostinho J.C. Santos, M. Lúcia M.
F. S. Saraiva, José L. F. C. Lima
A new method to evaluate spontaneous pain in neuropathic pain models: a study in rats with spared
87
nerve injury
A. Sequeira, I. Martins, S. Araújo, D. Lima, I. Tavares
Comprehensibility of pictorial representations within health educational and instructional artifacts - a
167
case study
E. Ferreira, S. Coutinho
212 Calcium uptake by rat hippocampal synaptosomes: regulation by different depolarizing agents
A. Rocha, M.G.B. Lobo, and P. Correia-de-Sá
226 New Conditions for Greater Purification Yield of Phosphorylated Period Protein in Drosophila
Christine M. Lomiguen, Isaac Edery

Screening of Phenolic compounds with Bioactivity in Pieris
brassicae L. Reared on Brassica rapa var rapa L. using HPLC-
DAD-MS/MS-ESI
D. M. Pereira 1 , A. Noites 1 F. Ferreres 2 P. Valentão 1 , R. M. Seabra 1 and P. B. Andrade 1
1 REQUIMTE/ Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Oporto,
Portugal email: david.ffup@gmail.com
2 Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Department of Food Science
and Technology, CEBAS (CSIC), Murcia, Spain
In this research we proceeded to the study of Pieris brassicae, a frequent pest of some
species, as a source of compounds with interest for health. The phenolic profiles of P.
brassicae at different development stages (larvae, exuviae and butterfly), its excrements
and its host plant, Brassica rapa var. rapa L., were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS-
ESI (Fig.1). Twenty five acylated and nonacylated flavonoid glycosides, as well as ferulic
and sinapic acids, were identified in host plant, from which only twelve compounds were
found in the excrements. In addition, the excrements showed the presence of sulphate
flavonoids and other flavonoid glycosides, not detected in the leaves of the host plant. In
the larvae kept without food for twelve hours, only three compounds common to the plant
material and two others also present in the excrements were characterized.
Brassica rapa var rapa
Pieris brassicae
Fig. 1. Detection at 330 nm. (1) kaempferol-3-O-(methoxycaffeoyl)sophoroside-7-O-glucoside; (2) quercetin-3-O-
(sinapoyl)sophoroside-7-O-glucoside; (3) quercetin-3-O-(feruloyl)sophoroside-7-O-glucoside; (4) quercetin-3-O-
(p-coumaroyl)sophoroside-7-O-glucoside; (5) kaempferol-3-O-(sinapoyl)sophoroside-7-O-glucoside; (6)
kaempferol-3-O-(feruloyl)sophoroside-7-O-glucoside; (7) kaempferol-3-O-(p-coumaroyl)sophoroside-7-Oglucoside;
(8) p-coumaric acid; (9) kaempferol-3,7-di-O-glucoside; (10) isorhamnetin-3,7-di-O-glucoside; (11)
ferulic acid; (12) sinapic acid; (13) kaempferol-3-O-(feruloyl)sophoroside-7-O-glucoside (isomere); (14)
kaempferol-3-O-(methoxycaffeoyl)sophoroside; (15) kaempferol-3-O-(caffeoyl)sophoroside; (16) kaempferol-3-
O-sophoroside; (17) kaempferol-3-O-(feruloyl)sophoroside; (18) kaempferol-3-O-glucoside; (19) isorhamnetin-3-
O-glucoside.(20) quercetin-3-O-sophoroside; (21) kaempferol-3-O-(p-coumaroyl)sophoroside (isomere).
Antioxidant potential was studied against DPPH . radical and a reactive oxygen species
(superoxide radical). The three samples showed an effective activity against both radicals
in a concentration-dependant manner, with larvae displaying the strongest capacity against
DPPH . , while excrements were the most effective superoxide radical scavenger. So, the
matrices studied herein, may constitute a promising source of bioactive complex
compounds, hard to be isolated or synthesized in the laboratory due to its high structural
complexity.
98

Spatio-temporal characterization of the Endocannabinoid System
enzymes-FAAH and COX-2 in the fetoplacental unit
A. Leite 1 , B. Fonseca 1,2 , N.A. Teixeira 1,2 and G. Correia da Silva 1,2
1Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 IBMC- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Portugal.
The comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the effects caused by the consumption
of Cannabis sativa was essential for the discovery of an endogenous complex signalling
system – the endocannabinoid system. Anandamide (AEA), the main endocannabinoid
(EC), which mimics the action of exogenous cannabinoids, was the first ligand to be
discovered and is able to bind to the cannabinoid receptors CB1, CB2 and to the vanilloid
receptor VR1. AEA is locally released from its phospholipid precursor by a Nacylphosphatidylethanolamine
(NAPE)-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) and the
levels of AEA are regulated by its inactivation namely via a fatty acid amide hydrolase
(FAAH) and a cyclooxygenase (COX-2).
Previous studies have demonstrated that the components of this system are important for
the maintenance of the low endocannabinoid levels necessary for the correct blastocyst
implantation [1]. However, little is known on the physiological significance of AEA during
fetoplacental development. Therefore, using the rat as the model for haemochorial
placentation, we examined the spatiotemporal expression patterns of FAAH and COX-2 by
immunohistochemistry and Western blot on days 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 19 of the gestational
period.
The results demonstrate the presence of FAAH and COX-2 in maternal tissues, namely in
decidual cells and in NK cells, during the process of decidual remodelling and placental
development, decreasing its expression throughout pregnancy. Therefore, the expression of
the enzymes responsible for the inactivation of endocannabinoids associated with the
presence of CB and VR1 receptors in decidual cells suggests a relevant role for this system
during placental development.
The study of the expression of the enzymes and receptors involved in the regulation of this
system becomes clinically relevant, since the EC present dual functionality, that is, when
expressed in low levels they perform their physiological regulatory functions, whereas its
deregulation and inherent high levels of these ligands are associated with spontaneous
pregnancy loss. At this point it is mandatory to remember that the consumption of
Cannabis (which uses the same metabolism such as EC) during pregnancy may alter de
enzymatic expression in addition to the endocannabinoid levels, consequently, originating
a series of pregnancy dysfunctions as a result of abnormal and non-functional placental
development. Therefore, the endocannabinoid system may be a potential important target
concerning human infertility.
References:
[1] Wang, H., Xie, H., Sun, X., Kingsley, J.P., Lawrence, J., Cravatt, B.F. and Dey, S.K. (2007),
Differential regulation of endocannabinoid synthesis and degradation in the uterus during embryo
implantation, Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators, 83, 62–74.
99

Determination of hypoxanthine in vitreous humor by a sequential
injection analysis system and its application in the estimation of
postmortem interval
Ana M. Santos 1 , Ana I. Pereira 1 , Marieta L. C. Passos 1 , S. Frazão 2 , Agostinho J.C.
Santos 2 , M. Lúcia M. F. S. Saraiva 1 and José L. F. C. Lima 1
1 REQUIMTE, Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto,
Portugal.
2 Serviço de Medicina Legal, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Portugal. Serviço de
Patologia Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal, I.P. – Delegação Norte.
The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), i. e., the estimation of the time since
death, is crucial to the practice of certain forensic cases. Many methods have been used to
estimate the PMI, and the determination of hypoxanthine is one of them. Hypoxanthine is a
degradation product of adenosine. Increased concentrations were reported in cases of
hypoxia as well as with prolonged PMI. Hypoxanthine is recommended as an indicator of
prolonged (cerebral) hypoxia, for example in victims of sudden infant death as well as a
new biochemical method for estimation of postmortem time [1].
In this work it is proposed to estimate the PMI on the basis of postmortem hypoxanthine
concentrations in vitreous humor. The hypoxanthine concentration is determined by the
enzymatic oxidation of the hypoxanthine to uric acid. The enzyme xanthine oxidase
catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine in two steps producing xanthine in the first and
uric acid in the second, which is detected spectrophotometrically at 290 nm.
This reaction is applied in a sequential injection analysis (SIA) system [2] where it was
incorporated a column with the xanthine oxidase immobilized in activated glass beads.
Physical and chemical parameters such as pH, concentration of reagents, temperature, and
sample volume were studied in order to attain the best analytical performance and the
lower reagent consumption.
The specificity of this reaction associated with the use of an automatic SIA system
constitutes a robust, versatile, and simple alternative, adapted to the actual demands of
sample and reagents economy and reduced residue production.
References:
[1] Madea, B., Kaferstein, H., Hermann, N. and Stricht, G. (1994), Hypoxanthine in vitreous-humor
and cerebrospinal-fluid – a maker of postmortem interval and prolonged (vital) hypoxia – remarks
also on hypoxanthine in sidsl, Forensic Sci Int., 65 (1), 19-31.
[2] Ruzicka, J. and Marshal G. D. (1990), Sequential injection: a new concept for chemical
sensors, process analysis and laboratory assays, Analytica Chimica Acta, 237, 329-343.
Acknowledgements: Marieta L. C. Passos thanks Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and FSE
(III Quadro Comunitário) for the Ph.D. grant (SFRH / BD / 22752 / 2005). Authors thanks Reitoria
da Universidade do Porto the Project Investigação Científica na Pré-Graduação (2007).
100

A new method to evaluate spontaneous pain in neuropathic pain
models: a study in rats with spared nerve injury
A. Sequeira 1, 2 , I. Martins 1, 2 , S. Araújo 1, 2 , D. Lima 2 and I. Tavares 1
1 Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto and IBMC,
Portugal.
2 Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto and IBMC,
Portugal.
Patients with neuropathic pain report spontaneous pain along with evoked allodynia and
hyperalgesia. However, only evoked reactions have been used to study the magnitude of
neuropathic pain, since models to evaluate spontaneous pain are scarce.
Based on the relevance of the spared nerve injury (SNI) model in long-term studies of
neuropathic pain, we performed an overtime evaluation of spontaneous pain in SNI rats in
comparison with evoked pain.
Male Wistar rats were submitted to SNI induction (n=8) or sham-operation (n=6). Evoked
and spontaneous pain reactions were evaluated immediately after surgery and at 1, 3 and 6
months later. Evoked pain was studied using the von Frey, acetone and pin-prick tests. In
spontaneous pain, animal behavior was evaluated during 10 minutes using Etholog2.2 ® and
two types of reactions were analyzed: pain-traducing and physiological behaviors. Paintraducing
behaviors included several reactions directed to the hindpaw ipsilateral to the
injured nerve, such as freezing and shaking, scratching, lifting and licking. Physiological
reactions included exploring, rearing, washing and all routine animal behaviors.
Before SNI induction and in sham-operated rats, evoked pain behaviors were reduced and
spontaneous pain reactions were absent. In SNI animals, the increase in evoked pain
behavior was more evident one month after surgery. These animals also presented a
decrease in physiological behavior. Spontaneous pain-traducing actions remained elevated
during all analyzed time points.
Based on the relation between evoked and spontaneous pain detected in SNI rats, the
present study shows that the method of spontaneous pain analysis is a reliable protocol to
fully behaviorally access animals with chronic pain.
KEY WORDS: neuropathic pain, spontaneous pain, evoked pain, allodynia, hyperalgesia.
101

Comprehensibility of pictorial representations within health
educational and instructional artifacts – a case study
E. Ferreira 1 and S. Coutinho 2
1 Department of Design, Faculty of Design, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, studying at
present at Department of Design, Faculty of Belas Artes, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Design, Faculty of Design, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco).
This paper presents a case study that investigates the comprehensibility of illustrations
presented in educational and instructional artifacts from the health area, according to the
model proposed by Goldsmith [1] and an experimental study. We present the foundations
of the mentioned study, the applied methodology and indications of results, concluding
with the identification of failures in the intended pictorial communication.
The artifacts used for this study were collected on April and May of 2006 at Recife, Brazil.
From the initial sample (32 artifacts), we’ve categorized and selected the most
representative material in terms of illustrations, to proceed with the work. The subject of
the selected material is the schistosome disease, very common in Brazil.
The experimental study considered two groups: a control group (presented to isolated
images) and an experimental group (with images viewed on the original artifact). As
common procedure, the participants of both groups were asked to talk about all their
perceptions of the pictures. The researchers made use of a tape recorder and notes; the
experiment took place on October 06 th , 2006, at Hospital das Clínicas da UFPE.
Considering those perceptions, the analytical approach of this study made use of
Goldsmith´s model, where the author purposes that there must be considered visual factors
(unity, location, emphasis, parallel text) and semiotic levels (syntactic, semantic,
pragmatic) in a related way, providing a structure on which an illustration can be evaluated
in terms of accessibility to information.
According to Goldsmith, a message should properly fit the signs (syntactic matter) in a
way that the public understands its meanings (semantic) and there is affinity between the
purpose of the message and the context of the observer (pragmatics). The author suggests
that her model can be used to determine the reasons why the comprehensibility of the
illustrations didn’t occurred properly.
As a result of this study, we could identify communicational failures on each of the
purposed levels (syntactic, semantic, pragmatic), considering also the lack of familiarity of
the public with the pictorial representations exposed. Actually, the information was mostly
misunderstood or partially comprehended. With this study, the experiment and the
analytical model applied, we could contextualize and understand better some of the
failures; as further results, we can then purpose new and more accurate solutions.
References:
[1] Golsmith, E. (1984), Research into illustration: an approach and a review. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
102

Calcium uptake by rat hippocampal synaptosomes: regulation by
endogenous adenosine and different depolarizing agents
A. Rocha, M.G.B. Lobo, and P. Correia-de-Sá
Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia, UMIB, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel
Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
Adenosine is an endogenous modulator of the CNS refraining neuronal excitability (e.g. [1]).
Because endogenous levels of adenosine rise markedly during seizure activity, this nucleoside has
been proposed as an “endogenous anticonvulsant”. The anticonvulsant effect of adenosine may be
due to A receptors activation [2] leading to suppression of voltage-dependent Ca
1 2+
entry [3].
Animal models and human tissue (from epileptics submitted to neurosurgery) exhibit similar
mechanisms underlying epileptic disorders [4]. Synaptosomes – isolated nerve endings that
maintain physiological properties such as the ability to release neurotransmitters in a Ca 2+
-
dependent manner - are throughly used to study pathogenesis of epilepsy. Veratridine (VT, a
selective Na +
opener), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, a nonselective K +
channel blocker) and high K +
concentrations are the most common strategies to depolarise synaptosomal plasma membrane as
they allow to differentiate between presynaptic Na +
channel-mediated responses; these compounds
increase intracellular Ca 2+
accumulation in the rat hippocampus as well as in the human brain.
Nevertheless, we recently showed that the choice of depolarising agent (VT vs high [K +
]) may be
crucial for evidencing paradoxical effects of drugs regulating Ca 2+
influx into hippocampal
synaptosomes, such as nifedipine [5]. Therefore, we investigated whether the same occurred using
4-AP as compared with VT. We also tested the modulatory role of endogenous adenosine on
neuronal Ca 2+
uptake by incubating hippocampal synaptosomes with adenosine deaminase (ADA),
which inactivates adenosine into inosine.
Synaptosomes were prepared from rat hippocampal homogenates [5]. Samples (50 μl) of
synaptosomal suspension were pre-incubated with test drugs for 10 min, at 37 ºC. Synaptosomal
loading was performed during 3 min with 45
CaCl (0.32 μCi/μmol) in the presence of the
2
depolarizing agent. Adding ice-cold Tris-EGTA solution followed by filtration under negative
pressure through GF/C glass fibre filters, terminated 45
Ca uptake. The radioactivity associated with
the synaptosomes was determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry.
Inactivation of endogenous adenosine with ADA (0.5 UmL -1
) caused a global increase on 45
Ca
uptake into the rat hippocampal synaptosomes, indicating that there is a significant adenosine
inhibitory tonus regulating depolarisation-induced Ca 2+
influx into nerve terminals. VT (5 μM)
increased 45
Ca uptake into hippocampal synaptosomes (67±9 %, n=4). 4-AP (10 mM) increased
45
Ca uptake to a lesser extent (23±4%, n=4). Co-application of VT (5 μM) together with 4-AP (10
mM) increased 45
Ca uptake (138±15 % (n=4) above the control level. This higher-than-additive
effect, contrasts with the additive result obtained upon applying VT (1-10 μM) together with high
[K +
] (15-30 mM) [5], indicating the existence of synergism between VT and 4-AP.
[1] Cunha, R. Neurochem. Int. 38, 107-125, 2001
[2] Zhang, G., Franklin, P.H. & Murray, Eur. J. Pharmacol.,255, 239-243,1994
[3] Wu, L.G. & Sagau, P, Neuron, 12, 1139-1148, 1997
[4] Avoli,M., Louvel,J., Pumain,R. & Kohling,R., Prog. Neurobiol., 22, 166-200, 2005
[5] Costa, J. Lobo, M.G.B. & Correia-de-Sá., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 544, 39-48, 2006
103

New Conditions for Greater Purification Yield of Phosphorylated
Period Protein in Drosophila
Christine M. Lomiguen 1 , Isaac Edery 2
1 Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey
2 Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey
A conserved feature of animal clocks is that period (per) proteins undergo daily
oscillations in levels and phosphorylation states regulated by doubletime (dbt in
Drosophila) [Casein kinase I (CK1 in mammals)]. The phosphorylation of PER has been
shown to affect its biochemical function and metabolism, including subcellular
localization, protein-protein interactions, as well as targeted degradation through the
proteasome. There is evidence that a mutation (S662G) in human PER2 leads to
phosphorylation defects and is associated with familial advanced sleep phase syndrome
(FASPS). The identification of PER phosphorylation sites is critical to understanding the
biochemical function of PER. To map these phosphorylation sites, a large amount of PER
must be purified and subjected to mass spectrometry. For this research, we attempted to
determine 1) the conditions for obtaining hyperphosphorylated PER proteins in Drosophila
S2 cell culture; 2) the lysis buffer that should be used for the purification for His-tagged
PER. Our results show that in order to purify large quantities of hyperphosphorylated PER
isoforms, we should use stable cell lines expressing both PER and DBT. The transient
transfection of the Sb(∆F) plasmid into the PER+DBT stable cell line is not likely going to
improve the yield for hyperphosphorylated PER isoforms. On the other hand, we show
that MG132 has a positive effect in increasing hyperphosphorylated PER.
104

POSTERS
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, FEB. 20&21

28 HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of phenolics in vitro shoots of Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC
M. Taveira, C. Sousa, F. Ferreres, D. M. Pereira, Paula B. Andrade, R. M. Seabra, Pedro
Marques, Patrícia Valentão
39 Thermodynamic and Theoretical Study of Diphenylpyridines
Marisa A. A. Rocha, Carlos F. R. A. C. Lima, Lígia R. Gomes, Luís M. N. B. F. Santos
40 Form and Structure on Eduardo Souto de Moura's architecture.
B. Moreira, C. Machado
46 Possible correlation between morbid obesity and inflammation: a peripheral leukocyte study
A. Meneses, I. Maio, D. Pestana, P. Freitas, R. Monteiro, I. Azevedo, C. Calhau, R. Soares
In vitro and in vivo studies of the expression of carbohydrates in a canine mammary carcinoma cell
47
line
J. Gomes, C. Lopes, E. Hellmén, C. Reis, F. Gärtner
49 Determination of Cadmium Content in Sardine pilchardus
Ana C. Silva, S. Morais, A. Novo, C. Luz, E. Pinho, S. Conceição, C. Delerue-Matos, M.B.P.P.
Oliveira
Optimization Study for Arsenic Quantification in Fish Using Microwave-assisted Digestion and
50
Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Ana C. Silva, S. Morais, A. Novo, C. Luz, E. Pinho, S. Conceição, C. Delerue-Matos, M.B.P.P.
Oliveira
Optimization of an enzymatic and chromatographic method for inorganic pyrophosphate based on
51
firefly luciferase
Simone M. Marques, Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva
53 Survey of the effects of the antibiotic minocycline on freshwater cyanobacteria
J.Pereira, M. S. Baptista, T. Stoichev, B. Heggie, V.M. Vasconcelos, M.T.S.D. Vasconcelos
54 Low-cost materials as adsorbents for Textile Wastewater Treatment
S. Santos, R. Deucher, R. Boaventura
55 Determination of physical parameters in pharmaceutical powders by near infrared spectroscopy (NIR)
Ana Cruz, Sandra Soares, Mafalda C. Sarraguça, Paulo C. Costa, Helena R. Amaral, João A.
Lopes
An expeditious method for determination of residues of organochlorine pesticides in sediments and
59
its application to Portuguese estuarine areas
P. N. R. Rodrigues, P. N. Carvalho, F. Alves, R. Evangelista, M. C. P.Basto, M. T. S.
D.Vasconcelos
61 Kinetics of Inhibition of Firefly Luciferase by Oxyluciferin and Dehydroluciferyl-adenylate
César Ribeiro, Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva
64 Effect of pyrophosphate on firefly luciferase bioluminescence
Filipe Peralta, Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva, Rui Fontes
66 Molecular Energetics of Hydroxybenzaldehyde Isomers
Mariana Vidinha, Manuel J. S. Monte, Maria D. M. C. Ribeiro da Silva
67 Touristic Topographies : transversality and authenticity in an Portuguese context
João Nuno Pinto Marques
68 Sensor for amperometric determination of ammonia in seawater
C. Peixe, C.M. Pereira, F. Silva, M-T
70 Copper(II)/Ciprofloxacin complexes: Synthesis and Solution Studies
C. Queirós, I. Sousa, E. Pereira, P.Gameiro
THERMOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF TWO CYCLIC UREAS: IMIDAZOLINONE AND N,N'-
71
TRIMETHYLENEUREA
V. Freitas, M. Roux, J. Elguero, M. Ribeiro da Silva
72 Feeling Architecture. The importance of 'the other' senses in the experience of space.
S. Silva Natária
73 Deep Eutectic solvents: A new kind of Ionic Liquids
R. Costa, F. Silva, C.M. Pereira
Authenticity evaluation and molecular characterization of Portuguese varieties of Juglans regia using
75
microsatellite markers.
E.M. Cabral, M.A. Faria, M.B.P.P. Oliveira
106

76 UV PROTECTION OF GEOTEXTILES BY CHIMASSORB 944
Inês Valente, Paulo Almeida, José Ricardo Carneiro, Maria de Lurdes Lopes
77 Computational Analisys of Cynara cardunculus L. Cardosins Pomoters
Alberto M. Pessoa, Jorge Teixeira, José Pissarra
78 Hydrogen Peroxide Reversible Luminescence Sensors
Célia Rocha, Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva
79 Chromium remediation using zero valent iron - batch studies
G. Carvalho, Aurora Silva, Cristina Delerue-Matos, A. Vega y Fuente, António Fiúza
80 Development of a multicommutated flow system for chemiluminometric quantification of gentamicin
L. Santos, A. Araújo, A. Fachini, M. Montenegro, B.F. Reis
81 Potentiometric determination of gentamicin in pharmaceutical formulations
Martina Koci, Célia Amorim, Alberto Araújo, Maria da Conceição Montenegro, Marie Pospíšilova,
Petr Solich
82 Influence of organic pollutants on phytoremediation of copper by a salt marsh plant
A. C. M. Dias, C. M. R. Almeida, A. P. Mucha, M. T. S. D.Vasconcelos
DFT STUDY ON THE ABILITY OF CALIX[2]FURANO[2]PYRROLE TO FORM HOST-GUEST
88
COMPLEXES WITH DIFFERENT IONS
C.A. Teixeira dos Santos, A.L. Magalhães
91 Fiber optic pH sensors based on CdTe quantum dots
Helena Gonçalves, Conceição Mendonça, Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva, César Maule, Pedro
Jorge
92 Steady state and lifetime chemical sensors based on Ruthenium complexes
Helena Gonçalves, Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva, César Maule, Pedro Jorge
Molecular characterization of the Portuguese patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC: two novel
94
mutations in the HGSNAT gene
Coutinho MF, Lacerda L, Prata MJ, Ribeiro H, Lopes L, Ferreira C, Alves S
95 Scopoletin, a natural coumarin isolated from Agrostistachys gaudichaudii (Euphorbiaceae)
C. Silva, A.E. Oliveira, A.P. Almeida, H. Cidade, A. Kijjoa, M.S.J. Nascimento
5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural, a natural compound isolated from Strophioblachia fimbricalyx Boerl.
96
(Euphorbiaceae)
K.C. Marques, A.E. Oliveira, A.P. Almeida, H. Cidade, A. Kijjoa, M.S.J. Nascimento
New approaches for estimating the postmortem interval based on vitreous humor trace element
97
levels
H. Andrade, A. Almeida, S. Frazão, T. Magalhães, A. Santos
New approaches to the diagnostic of death by drowning based on trace element levels in blood of
98
the cardiac cavities
F. Pereira, T. Magalhães, A. Almeida, A. Santos, B. Santos
Firing distance estimation through the analysis of the gunshot residues deposit pattern around de
99
bullet entrance hole
J. Tuna, A. Santos, A. Almeida, T. Magalhães
In vitro assessment of whey edible coats with antimicrobial features against differents microbial
103
strains
A. Santos, M. Leão, O. Ramos, M. Pintado, X. Malcata.
Synthesis, structure elucidation and evaluation of xanthone derivatives for dual activity: antitumor
106
activity and P-glycoprotein inhibition
J. Lima, A. Paiva, E. Sousa, M. Pinto, M. S. J. Nascimento, M. H. Vasconcelos
107 Synthesis of xanthone derivates for in vitro and in vivo biological activity studies
J. Siroka, E. Sousa, M. Pinto
109 Ultrastructural characterisation of Pirellula sp. OJF20
R.Abreu, F.Viana, J. Torres, J. Bondoso, A. Lobo-da-Cunha, O. M. Lage
110 Mesoporous Carbons: Synthesis and Functionalization
C.A. Orge, J.P.S. Sousa, F. Gonçalves, C. Freire, M.F.R. Pereira, J.J.M. Órfão
112 Physical exercise and stress hormones
M. Moz, S. Baptista, O. Cardoso, M. Mendanha, A. Ascensão, J. Magalhães, L. Ribeiro
113 Single-standard calibration applied to SIA analytical system with potentiometric detection
Leonel G. C. Soares, Rui A.S. Lapa
107

PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN ANTIBIOTIC IN TiO2 AQUEOUS
115
SUSPENSION
F. G. Azevedo, M. Domingos, C. G. Silva, J. L. Faria
Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab in Age-Related Macular Degeneration:
123
Effects on Human Endothelial Cells
M. Ferreira-Pinto, T. Taveira-Gomes, A Carneiro, M Falcão, I. Azevedo, F. Falcão-Reis, R.
Soares
125 Geometry and Space Conception the importance of the processes of representation to Architecture
Bruno Russo, João Pedro Xavier
127 Wet Peroxide Oxidation and Wet Oxidation of Nitrophenols in Aqueous Streams
S. Martins, A. Ribeiro, A.M.T. Silva, P. Araújo, J.L. Figueiredo, J.L. Faria
129 Formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in charcoal grilled sardines
M. Costa, A. Melo, C. Petisca, I.M.P.L.V.O. Ferreira, O. Pinho
Influence of beer antioxidative properties on the formation of the heterocyclic amine PhIP in grilled
130
beef
A. Melo, M. Costa, R. Eça, I.M.P.L.V.O. Ferreira, O. Pinho
131 THE STUDY OF DE FÂNZERES-GONDOMAR GRANITES: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APROACH
M. Alves
Educational Sciences and Medical Education: An internship in FCM-UNL Department of Medical
135
Education
R. Encarnação
136 Quartz Crystal Microbalance: A Useful Tool As Sensor Of Thin Films
J. Borges, C. M. Pereira, F. Silva
137 João Andresen's Fifties Houses: Portuguese Domestic Architecture Up-to-Date
Sergio Dias da Silva
138 Synthesis of xanthone derivatives by microwave-assisted methods
P. Vrbata, M. Pinto, R. Castanheiro, S. Cravo
139 Location and Ownership of the Natural Resources in Iraq
C. Silva, H. Azevedo
Synthesis, Structural Elucidation and Biological Activities of Chiral 1-Amino-2-Propanol Xanthone
140
Derivatives
I. Teixeira, M. Pinto, C. Fernandes
141 Chiral Alaninol Xanthone Derivatives: Synthesis, Structural Elucidation and Biological Activities
A. Pinto, C. Fernandes, M. Pinto, A. Pozzi, B. Matos, L. Oliveira, P. Correia-de-Sá
143 Primary Hyperparathyroidism: the unknown world of sporadic cases and their genetic alterations.
Alvelos M., Barbosa E., Soares P.
Flow cytometric detection of P-gp mediated drug efflux: a method for the evaluation of the activity of
144
P-gp inhibitors
A. Palmeira, R. Lima, H. Seca, M.H. Vasconcelos, E. Sousa, M. Pinto
145 Effects of etoposide, doxorubicin and cytarabine in Burkitt Lymphoma cell lines
R. Lima, H. Seca, M. I. Castro, S. Brás, P.Soares, M.S. Nascimento, M. H. Vasconcelos
146 Automatic FIA method for determination of iron in environmental samples
E. P. Freitas, F. A. Dias, H. M. Oliveira, M. A. Segundo, S. Reis, J. L. F. C. Lima
147 Characterization of exotic wood species for finishing with water-borne varnishes
D. Martins , V. Lopes, F. Oliveira, A. Mendes, L. Carvalho
154 Microbiological study of the interaction of Outer Membrane Proteins with antibiotics
M. Garrido, P. Gameiro, P.J. Eaton, M. Feio
Interactions of sulindac and its metabolites with phospholipid membranes: an explanation for the
156
peroxidation protective effect of the bioactive metabolite
F. Santos, L. Teixeira, M. Lúcio, J. L. F. C. Lima, S. Reis
158 Evaluation of primer coatings on steel subtracts by a low-cost, fast electrochemical technique
V. Gonçalves, A. Mendes, J. Machado, F. Oliveira, J. Nogueira, H. Aguilar Ribeiro
161 The Japanese Influence in Modern Western Architecture -an introduction-
Miki Itabashi
163 Purinergic signalling in a model of overactive urinary bladder
Nuno Silva, Miguel Faria, Vítor Cavadas, Paulo Correia-de-Sá
108

166 Conduction block in isolated rat sciatic nerve by chiral aminoalkanolic derivatives of xanthones
Bernardo Matos, Angelo Pozzi, Ana Pinto, Inês Teixeira, Emidio Fernandes, David Moreira, Carla
Fernandes, Laura Oliveira, Madalena Pinto, Paulo Correia-de-Sá
169 Osteoclastic resorption of calcium phosphate based bone substitutes: in vitro studies
C.A. Teixeira, J. Costa-Rodrigues, P.S. Gomes, M.H. Fernandes
Monitoring particulate matter using magnetic properties of tree leaves in the Porto urban area and
170
Cinfães area.
H. Corrêa-Ribeiro
Adenosine regulates its own release from myenteric neurons via A2A receptors coupled to adenylate
173
cyclase / cAMP pathway
J. Duarte, R. Dias, M. Duarte-Araújo, T. Magalhães-Cardoso, P. Correia-de-Sá
175 Education and Poverty: an empowerment approach
A. Oliveira
177 Synthesis of vesiculated polyester particles and its incorporation in paints
A. Dias, A. Mendes, F. Oliveira, J. Moniz, F.D. Magalhães
178 Characterization of Urea-Formaldehyde Resins
F. Silva, J. Ferra, L. Carvalho, J.P. Liberal, F. D. Magalhães
Characterisation of the Planctomycetes Pirellula sp. OJF20 and Pirellula sp. OJF27 isolated from the
179
surface of macroalgae
F. Viana, J. Torres, R. Abreu, J. Bondoso, O. Lage
180 Investigation of the Interactions between Phospholipids and Gold Nanoparticles at Air/water Interface
C. Carreira, F. Silva, C. Pereira
Development and validation of a new multiresidue method for the determination of 17 polychlorinated
181 dibenzodioxins (dioxins) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (furans) in environmental matrices by
SPME-GC-MS
A.Neves, A.D. Guimarães, M.F. Alpendurada
184 ADENOSINE REGULATES DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN OSTEOBLAST CELLS IN CULTURE
A. Barbosa, M.A. Costa, T. Magalhães-Cardoso, A. Teixeira, R. Freitas, J.M. Neves, P. Correiade-Sá
185 The Pombais (pigeon houses) in the northeast Transmontano (northeast of Portugal)
Mafalda Matias, Teresa Fonseca
187 Pravastatin Quantification using Square-Wave Voltammetry
M. Neves, S. Pereira, H. Nouws, C. Delerue-Matos
191 Microbial community distribution and dynamics in a shallow raceway-recirculating mariculture system
A. Matos, M.-T. Borges, P.M.L. Castro
194 Information Systems about Materials for Architecture
F. Figueiredo
Osteogenic potential of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Effect of medium
196
composition and cell passage
C. Bessa Pereira, R. Almeida Palmas, M.H. Fernandes
197 Potential of Equisetum arvense hydromethanolic extracts as osteoblastic growth promoters
C. Bessa Pereira, L. Vieira, M.A. Lopes, M.H. Fernandes
Comparison of the in vivo bone forming activity of osteogenic-induced mesenchymal stem cells
198
derived from adipose tissue and bone marrow
T. Ribeiro, C. Bessa Pereira, R. Almeida Palmas, P. Gomes, M.H. Fernandes
199 Taxonomy from rural diffuse to urban industrial diffuse
André Chaves
202 Tetracyclines modulation of the osteogenic differentiation - in vitro evaluation
I. Côrte-Real, A. L. Marinho, P. S. Gomes, J. Rodrigues, M. H. Fernandes
204 Study and design of precast reinforced concrete box-culverts under high embankments
Daniel Pinto
207 Properties of nanostructured materials
C. P. Arieira, F. Silva, C. M. Pereira
Influence of egg yolk and aromatizing compounds on the volatile profile and on sensory
208
characteristics of bakery cream
B. Ramos, O. Pinho, I.M.P.L.V.O. Ferreira
109

209 Evaluation of genetic and chemical diversity in Portuguese populations of Phaseolus vulgaris L.
R. Coelho, M. A. Faria, A. Barata, M.B.P.P. Oliveira, E. Nunes
210 The metamorphosis of Aleixo towers
A. Lima
214 Modulation of cytochrome P450 and oxidative stress by rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) infusion intake
D. Teixeira, A. Marinho, C. Meneses, I. Ferreira, J. Sampaio, M. A. Lima, V. Mendes, A. Faria, R.
Monteiro, C. Calhau
216 Screening for novel CDH1 inactivating mechanisms in Familial Gastric Cancer
P. Inácio, H. Pinheiro, J. Carvalho, S. Sousa, R. Seruca, C. Oliveira
217 The influence of interpersonal similarity in social categorization
D. Teixeira, F. Gonçalves, I. Lourenço, S. Duarte
Genetic characterization by SSR of six Olea europaea regional varieties for authenticity evaluation of
220
olive oils
J. Lopes, R. Coelho, M. A. Faria, E. Nunes, M.B.P.P Oliveira
228 Alternative User Interfaces for Game Control
Sarah Imboden
Permeability Characteristics of High Performance Concrete (HPC) Containing Varying
221 Concentrations of Hycrete Tested and Compared by Method of Rapid Chloride Permeability Test and
the Non-Steady-State Migration Test (nordtest method NT Build 492)
Michael Boxer, Hani Nassif
Crises e Reformas: o colonialismo ilustrado na Capitania de São Paulo e os esforços de
222
modernização do Governo Morgado de Mateus (1765-1775)
Joana Salém Vasconcelos, Vera Lúcia Amaal Ferlini
223 Desistência do tratamento de enurese: avaliação dos motives alegados e de variáveis associadas
Carolina Ribeiro Bezerra de Sousa, Edwiges Ferreira de Mattos Silvares
224 Mario Pedrosa e sua atuação crítica na Presidência da ABCA
Gabriela Borges Abraços
226 New Conditions for Greater Purification Yield of Phosphorylated Period Protein in Drosophila
Christine M. Lomiguen, Isaac Edery
227 Intracellular Gene Regulation via Engineered Nanolipoblockers for Inhibition of Cholesterol Uptake
Ekta Patel, Prabhas Moghe
110

HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of phenolics in vitro shoots of
Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC
M. Taveira 1 , C. Sousa 1 , F. Ferreres 2 , D. M. Pereira 1 , Paula B. Andrade 1 , R. M.
Seabra 1 , Pedro Marques 1 , Patrícia Valentão 1
1 REQUIMTE/Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Oporto, Oporto,
Portugal. marcos.taveira@gmail.com
2 Research Group on Quality Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Department of Food Science
and Technology, CEBAS (CSIC), P.O Box 164, 30100 Campus University of Espinardo, Murcia,
Spain.
Brassica oleracea is native of the Mediterranean region and southwestern Europe, with a
great importance in human nutrition. Brassica species, including B. oleracea, are reported
to possess antioxidant activity, which is partially attributed to their phenolic compounds.
In vitro culture of plants is a method of biomass production, which enables production of
large number of species in a short period of time and space. Different conditions and
supplements used in medium constitution affect plant viability, growing and production of
specific metabolites.
For the first time, phenolic compounds produced by in vitro shoots of B. oleracea L. var.
costata DC were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS (Fig 1). Thirty seven compounds
were characterized, which included chlorogenic acids, flavonoids (the majority of them
hydroxycinnamic acid esters of kaempferol and quercetin glycosides) and
hydroxycinnamic acyl glycosides (with predominance of synapoyl gentiobiosides).
320nm
Fig 1. Peaks: (1) 3-caffeoylquinic acid; (2) 3-p-coumaroylquinic acid; (3) 3-feruloylquinic acid; (4) 4caffeoylquinic
acid; (5) kaempferol-3-O-(caffeoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-glucoside; (6) caffeoylferuloylquinic acid;
(7) quercetin-3-O-(sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-glucoside; (8) synapoyl glucoside; (9) kaempferol-3-O-
(sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-sophoroside; (10) kaempferol-3-O-(sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-glucoside; (11)
4-p-coumaroylquinic acid; (12) kaempferol-3-O-(feruloyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-glucoside; (13) disinapoylgentiobioside;
(14) kaempferol-3-O-(sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-rhamnoside; (15) quercetin-3-O-(sinapoyl)sophorotrioside;
(16) kaempferol-3-O-(methoxycaffeoyl)-sophorotrioside; (17) kaempferol-3-O-(feruloyl)sophorotrioside-7-O-rhamnoside;
(18) quercetin-3-O-sophoroside; (19) sinapoyl,caffeoyl,feruloyl-gentiobioside;
(20) kaempferol-3-O-(caffeoyl)-sophorotrioside; (21) kaempferol-3-O-(sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside; (22)
kaempferol-3-O-(feruloyl)-sophorotrioside; (23) kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside; (24) kaempferol-3-O-
(methoxycaffeoyl/sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-sophoroside; (25) sinapoyl,methoxycaffeoyl-gentiobioside; (26)
kaempferol-3-O-(methoxicaffeoyl/sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-glucoside; (27) kaempferol-3-O-
(caffeoyl/sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-sophoroside; (28) kaempferol-3-O-(caffeoyl/sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-
O-glucoside; (29) quercetin-3-O-(disinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-O-glucoside; (30) disinapoyl,methoxycaffeoylgentiobioside;
(31) disinapoyl,caffeoyl-gentiobioside; (32) kaempferol-3-O-(disinapoyl)-sophorotrioside-7-Oglucoside;
(33) disinapoyl-gentiobioside isomer; (34) sinapoyl,feruloyl-gentiobioside; (35) trisinapoylgentiobioside;
(36) disinapoyl,feruloyl-gentiobioside; (37) sinapoyl,diferuloyl-gentiobioside.
111

Thermodynamic and Theoretical Study of Diphenylpyridines
Marisa A. A. Rocha a , Carlos F. R. A. C. Lima a , Lígia R. Gomes b and
Luís M. N. B. F. Santos a
a Centro de Investigação em Química, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências da
Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
b CIAGEB-Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Escola Superior de Saúde da UFP, Universidade
Fernando Pessoa, Rua Carlos Maia 296, P-4200-150 Porto, Portugal
The energetic and structural study of phenylpyridines has been a theme of research in our
laboratory [1,2] due to their interesting electronic correlation capabilities.
This work focuses the thermodynamic study of some diphenylpyridine isomers (Figure 1),
in order to understand the relationship between structure and energetics.
N N N
I II III
Figure 1. Schematic structural formulas of: (I) 2,6-diphenylpyridine; (II) 2,5-diphenylpyridine;
(III) 3,5-diphenylpyridine.
Therefore, the compounds shown in figure 1, were synthesized using the Suzuki-Miyaura
methodology. [3] The standard molar enthalpies of formation for the three isomers on
crystalline state will be derived, at T=298.15 K by static bomb combustion calorimetry.
The vapour pressures of the three isomers will be determined by a static apparatus based
on a MKS capacitance diaphragm manometer recently described in the literature. [4] Trough
the standard molar enthalpies of formation in the condensed phase and the standard molar
enthalpies of sublimation, the standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gaseous phase
will be derived for the three isomers.
Computational chemistry (Density Functional Theory DFT) will be used in order to
perform the geometry optimizations, energetic analysis and to derive the vibrational
frequencies for the selected isomers.
References:
[1] Ribeiro da Silva, M.A.V., Matos, M.A.R., Rio, C.A., Morais, V.M.F., Wang, J., Nichols, G. and
Chickos, J.S. (2000), A Thermochemical and Theoretical Study of the Phenylpyridine Isomers,
Journal Physical Chemistry, 104, 1774–1778.
[2] Rocha, M. A., Low, J. N., Gomes, L. R., Quesada, A. and Santos, L. M. N. B. F. (2007), 2,6-
Diphebylpyridine, Acta Crystallographica, E63, o4833.
[3] Miyaura, N. and Suzuki, A. (1995), Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of
Organoboron Compounds, Chemical Reviews, 95, 2457-2483.
[4] Monte, M. J. S., Santos, L. M. N. B. F., Fulem, M., Fonseca, J. M. S. and Sousa, C. A. D.
(2006), New Static Apparatus and Vapor Pressure of Reference Materials: Naphthalene, Benzoic
Acid, Benzophenone, and Ferrocene, Journal Chemical and Engineering Data, 51, 757-766.
Acknowledgements: Thanks are due for the financial support to Project POCI/QUI/61873/2004 supported
by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and by Programa Operacional Ciência e Inovação 2010
(POCI 2010), supported by the European Community Fund FEDER. C.F.R.A.C. Lima thanks also FCT and
the European Social Fund (ESF) under the third Community Support Framework (CSF) for the award of a
Ph.D. Research Grant (SRFH/BD/29394/2006).
Presentation: POSTER
112

Form and Structure on Eduardo Souto de Moura’s architecture
B. Moreira 1 , C. Machado 2
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
Regarding the subject “Form and Structure” we propose a study of Souto de Moura’s work
through eight topics of architecture organized in a contradictory manner – by pairs – in
order to create the necessary tensions and bring back the answers. Four chapters were born.
The essay was not only the result of a theoretical investigation/discussion but also of a
direct experimentation of some of the architect’s spaces. His practice and theory was then
confronted with his own references (written and designed or built).
Chapter 1 – Fragment and Unity – allowed us the possibility of showing how The Stijl’s
influence was particularly evident in Souto de Moura’s early work: fragments of planes,
textures and materials subsequently unified by means of an open space; but Aldo Rossi’s
The Architecture of the City was also explored as well as Souto de Moura's vision, learned
with Rossi, of the city as a sum of fragments and as an impossible unity.
In Chapter 2 – Mass and Skeleton – we focused two distinct building systems explaining
Souto de Moura’s affection for reinforced concrete structures; solid concrete walls and
slabs relate to The Stijl’s architecture, but also to Northern Portugal’s building tradition of
stone walls. The theme of the ruin, as memory and fragment, is also treated in this context.
These mass structures are often complemented by a single metallic or concrete column,
bringing together Souto de Moura and Álvaro Siza’s work; this chapter also deals with the
problem of the building’s skin (and its misuse) related to Le Corbusier’s “Dom-Ino”.
Chapter 3 – Evidence and Dissimulation – pretends to show how these topics are the
architect’s everyday work – from the global plan to the detail. For Souto de Moura the
details must have a minimum expression; complex building systems are therefore
dissimulated, resulting in simple (not simplistic) forms, relating his work to Judd’s concept
of “minimum”. The building itself may also have a minimum expression on its
surroundings, being dissimulated as well, but the opposite can also be true: a building as a
landmark. Evidence and Dissimulation also brings us the concept of truth – and a relation
(by opposition) between Mies and Souto de Moura becomes evident.
Finally, Chapter 4 – Artifact and Nature – confronts the building with its site. For Souto de
Moura, the creation of architecture (a manmade Artifact) is the (re)creation of Nature in a
way that one can’t be without the other. The theme of the ruin is very important as an
evidence of a possible hybrid state between Artifact and Nature. In his first work, the ruin
in the Gerês was neither created nor altered – it looks like it was stopped in time. Souto de
Moura uses the ruin not only as a building material (reusing remains of old constructions
for new purposes, as a fragment and as a memory) but also as a means of justifying the
new Artifact (designing ruins when they are not present, as a false or invented fragment of
memory).
All these tensions lead us to a main conclusion: contradiction in Souto de Moura’s
architecture appears not as a goal but as a result of the increasingly complexity of the
architectural processes.
113

Possible correlation between morbid obesity and inflammation: a
peripheral leukocyte study
A. Meneses 1* , I. Maio 1* , D. Pestana 1 , P. Freitas 2 , R. Monteiro 1 , I. Azevedo 1 , C.
Calhau 1 , R. Soares 1
1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Endocrinology, S. João Hospital
* The two authors contributed equally to the present study
Obesity has emerged as a major public health problem in the western world. Recently,
more than an inactive bystander, adipose tissue is actually a dynamic and metabolically
active one, since it releases a huge number of inflammatory cytokines [1,2]. Large size
adipocytes mainly in visceral adipose tissue are prone to rupture, therefore evoking an
inflammatory reaction [3].
Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB), a transcription factor, is a primary event in
inflammation. NF-kappaB is a crucial molecule regulating the expression and function of a
wide spectrum of inflammatory genes [2]. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a membranebound
enzyme playing a role in lipids transport and storage, two processes occuring in
adipose tissue [4]. In addition, ALP was reported to be associated with inflammation [5].
The purpose of our work was to examine the presence and activity of NFkappaB and ALP
isoforms in peripheral leukocytes in morbid obese patients.
Blood samples were collected from 50 obese patients and 20 volunteers age- and sexmatched.
Proteins were isolated from peripheral leukocytes by the TriPure method. ELISA
assays were performed for NF-kappaB activity and intestinal and tissue-nonspecific
isoforms of alkaline phosphatase (I-ALP and TNS-ALP) expression. Clinical data, such as
weight, height, diet and BMI, were obtained and crossed with lab findings.
Two subgroups of patients were identified: the first presenting NFkappaB activity mean
values identical to controls and another exhibiting significantly higher NFkappaB activity.
I-ALP and TNS-ALP isoforms expression were also increased in the subgroup presenting
higher NFkappaB activity.
In conclusion, two distinct groups of obese patients were identified according to the
presence of inflammatory markers. Clinical parameters of these patients are now being
evaluated in order to investigate the causes behind these distinct inflammatory profiles.
References:
[1] Charo IF, Ransohoff RM (2006) The many roles of chemokines and chemokine receptors in
inflammation. N Engl J Med 354:610-621.
[2] Stienstra R, Duval C, M 252 Ller M, Kersten S (2006) PPARs, Obesity, and Inflammation.
PPAR Res 23;2007:95974.
[3] Rosario Monteiro, Paulo M. S. T. de Castro, Conceição Calhau, Isabel Azevedo (2006)
Adipocyte size and liability to cell death. Obes Surg 16(6):804-806.
[4] Ali AT, Penny CB, Paiker JE, Psaras G, Ikram F, Crowther NJ (2006) The relationship between
alkaline phosphatase activity and intracellular lipid accumulation in murine 3T3-L1 cells and
human preadipocytes. Anal Biochem 15;354(2):247-54.
[5] Shanmugham LN, Petrarca C, Castellani ML, Symeonidou I, Frydas S, Vecchiet J, Falasca K,
Tete S, Conti P, Salini V (2007) IL-1beta induces alkaline phosphatase in human phagocytes. Arch
Med Res 38(1):39-44.
114

In vitro and in vivo studies of the expression of carbohydrates in
a canine mammary carcinoma cell line
J. Gomes 1 , C. Lopes 2 , E. Hellmén 3 , C. Reis 1,4 and F. Gärtner 1,2
1 Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Portugal;
2 Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Portugal;
3 Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Uppsala, Sweden;
4 Medical Faculty of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Spontaneous mammary tumours are the most common neoplasia in the female dog and
have a high biological and histomorphological heterogeneity. Approximately one-half of
all mammary tumours in dogs are malignant and have a great potential to metastasize to
the regional lymph nodes or other organs such as the lungs [1]. Malignant transformation is
associated with abnormal glycosylation, resulting in the synthesis and expression of altered
carbohydrates determinants. Although the majority of cancer research in humans is
conducted using established cell lines, the interaction between the tumour and the host
organism must be taken in consideration, so the results need to be confirmed using animal
models. In order to study the biology of canine mammary tumours we used a previously
established canine mammary cell line [2] and compared the information with an in vivo
model.
The CMT-U27 cell line, derived from a ductular carcinoma, was cultured and kept at 37ºC
in 5% CO2 atmosphere. Cells were stained for expression of carbohydrates by
immunoflurescence. In vivo experiments were performed using mice 6 weeks old of
N:NIH(s)II-nu/nu strain. Tumours and organs which had been removed from these mice
were fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin for histopathology
and immunohistochemistry studies.
The CMT-U27 cells adhered to the bottom of the flask in single or paired cells as a
compact thin monolayer. Immunoflurescence for carbohydrates showed reaction for anti-
SLe x , anti-Le x and anti-Le a antisera. The CMT-U27 cells grew when inoculated
subcutaneously in the fat mammary pad of female nude mice. Tumour masses were
histologically identical to the primary mammary tumour lesions, and when
heterotransplanted tumours were re-cultured, the expression of carbohydrates was not
altered. To look for metastatic targets tissues we performed an intravenous injection in the
tail vein of the mice. These cells metastasised to lymph nodes, lungs, heart, spleen, kidney
and liver.
The pattern of expression of carbohydrates in the canine mammary carcinoma cell line
suggests that these antigens could be useful as a prognostic tumour marker in canine
mammary tumours. The aberrant expression of carbohydrates may also play a fundamental
role in the molecular mechanisms of metastization to distant organs and facilitate positive
interactions within the target organ.
References:
[1] Moulton, J.E. (1990), Tumors of the mammary gland. In Tumors in Domestic Animals, 3rd edn.
Ed J.E. Moulton. Berkeley, University of California Press, 518-552.
[2] Hellmén, E. (1992), Characterization of four in vitro established canine mammary carcinoma
and one atypical benign mixed tumor cell lines. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol, 28A, 309-19.
115

Determination of Cadmium Content in Sardine pilchardus
Ana C. Silva 1,2 , S. Morais 1,* , A. Novo 1 , C. Luz 1 , E. Pinho 2 , S. Conceição 2 , C. Delerue-
Matos 1 and M.B.P.P. Oliveira 2
1 REQUIMTE/Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida
431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
2 REQUIMTE/Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua
Aníbal Cunha, 164, 4099-030 Porto, Portugal.
*e-mail: sbm@isep.ipp.pt
Fish is nutritious and highly essential in a balanced diet, being an important source of
proteins and lipids of high biological value, with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids,
and also liposoluble vitamins [1]. Fish can, on the other hand, be a source of
contamination, because of the amounts of heavy elements they can contain. Heavy metals
naturally occur in seawater in very low concentrations, but their levels have increased due
to anthropogenic pollutants over time. Studies have shown that fish retain heavy metals
from their environment [2]. Once heavy metals are accumulated by an aquatic organism
they can be transferred through the upper classes of the food chain. Carnivores, including
humans, obtain most of their heavy metal burden from the aquatic ecosystem by way of
their food. Muscles are not always the best indicator of whole fish body contamination
however, to judge about heavy metals fish safety, it is indispensable to analyze them since
they are the edible parts.
Cadmium has no beneficial effects in humans and there is no known homeostasis
mechanism for it. Although toxicity and the resulting threat to human health of any
contaminant are, of course, a function of concentration, it is well-known that chronic
exposure to Cd at relatively low levels can cause adverse effects [2]. One of the most
important source of Cd is dietary intake of seafood specially shellfish [2]. EU maximum
level permitted for cadmium in fish fillets is 0.10 mg/kg wet weight [3].
The goal of this study was to determine the concentration of cadmium in the muscle of
commercial Sardine (Sardine pilchardus) consumed in Portugal. To can attain this goal,
methodologies based on microwave-assisted digestion coupled with graphite furnace
atomic absorption spectrometry were developed.
The results of this investigation suggest that the cadmium content in the edible tissues of
sardines is below the maximum level established by the European Commission Regulation
[3].
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Universidade do Porto for the financial support through the programme
Investigação Científica na pré-graduação-Proj. Pluridisciplinares – Concurso 2007.
References:
[1] Carvalho, M.L, Santiago, S. and Nunes, M.L. (2005), Assessment of the essential element and
heavy metal content of edible fish muscle, Anal Bioanal Chem, 382, 426-432.
[2] Dural, M., Göksu, M.Z.L. and Özak, A.A. (2006), Investigation of heavy metal levels in
economically important fish species from the Tuzla Lagoon, Turkey, Food Chemistry, 102, 415-
421.
[3] EU (2006), Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, JO L364, 20.12.2006, 5-24.
116

Optimization Study for Arsenic Quantification in Fish Using
Microwave-assisted Digestion and Graphite Furnace Atomic
Absorption Spectrometry
Ana C. Silva 1,2 , S. Morais 1,* , A. Novo 1 , C. Luz 1 , E. Pinho 2 , S. Conceição 2 , C. Delerue-
Matos 1 and M.B.P.P. Oliveira 2
1 REQUIMTE/Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida
431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
2 REQUIMTE/Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua
Aníbal Cunha, 164, 4099-030 Porto, Portugal.
*e-mail: sbm@isep.ipp.pt
Heavy metals from anthropogenic sources are increasingly being released into seawater,
tend to accumulate in the biota and are subsequently transferred to humans through the
food chain. It has been shown that water metals levels are positively correlated with
concentrations in fish tissues [1]. Portugal is the biggest consumer of fish among all the
European Union countries and one of the biggest in the world. Arsenic is toxic to human
health even in trace amounts and the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) is 15
μg/kg of body weight per week [2].
The aim of this work is to develop an accurate and precise methodology based on closed
vessel microwave-assisted digestion coupled with graphite furnace atomic absorption
spectrometry (GFAAS) with Zeeman effect background correction for total arsenic
determination in dry edible parts of fishes. In order to obtain the complete decomposition
of the sample, the influence of sample weight, the oxidizing agents, temperature, pressure
and time of digestion were optimised. Concerning the quantification of arsenic by GFAAS,
the interferences were effectively eliminated by using Pd(NO3)2 as matrix modifier and by
optimising the graphite furnace operating pyrolysis and atomization temperatures. Also,
several quantifications methods were tested and compared.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Universidade do Porto for the financial support through the programme
Investigação Científica na pré-graduação-Proj. Pluridisciplinares – Concurso 2007.
References:
[1] Has-Schön, E., Bogut. I and Strelec, I. (2006), Heavy metal profile in five species included in
human diet, domiciled in the end of flow river Neretva (Croatia), Environmental Contamination
Toxicology, 50, 545-551.
[2] Alinnor, I.J. (2005), Assessment of elemental contaminants in water and fish samples from Aba
river, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 102, 15-25.
117

Optimization of an enzymatic and chromatographic method for
inorganic pyrophosphate based on firefly luciferase
Simone M. Marques 1 and Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva 1
1 Department of Chemistry, CIQ-UP, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) is a compound generated mainly in anabolic pathways.
Although PPi was initially regarded as a by-product its biological importance is now well
established. In this communication a new method for quantifying PPi is described. This
method is based on the production of ATP (and L - dehydroluciferin) from PPi and
dehydroluciferyl-adenylate (L-AMP) catalyzed by firefly luciferase (EC 1.13.12.7) (Eq.1)
[1].
L-AMP + PPi ⇌ L + ATP (1)
The ATP formed can be identified and quantified by ion pair-HPLC with detection at 260
nm.
The method was subjected to an optimization using experimental design methodologies to
obtain suitable values for the identified factors: incubation time (tinc), inactivation time of
the enzyme (tinac), pH of the assay (pH) and the concentrations of L-AMP (LAMP) and
luciferase (Luc). Fig. 1 shows a response surface for the two observed critical factors:
LAMP and tinc.
Fig.1 Response surface for the critical factors.
The optimized method is linear over a range of 0.1-10 μM PPi, with a limit of detection
(LOD) of 1.2 μM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 3.9 μM.
Acknowledgements: Financial support from Universidade do Porto and Caixa Geral de
Depósitos (Project IPG136) is acknowledged.
References:
[1] Fraga, H., Fernandes, D., Novotny, J., Fontes, R. and Esteves da Silva, J.C.G. (2006), Firefly
Luciferase Produces Hydrogen Peroxide as a Coproduct in Dehydroluciferyl Adenylate Fornation,
ChemBioChem, 7 (6), 929-935.
118

Survey of the effects of the antibiotic minocycline on freshwater
cyanobacteria
J.Pereira 1 , M. S. Baptista 1,2 , T. Stoichev 2 , B. Heggie 3 , V.M. Vasconcelos 2,4 and
M.T.S.D. Vasconcelos 1,2
1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 HOVIONE FarmaCiencia, Portugal.
4 Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
The monitoring of drug residues in the aquatic environment has gained much interest in
recent years, as many pharmaceutical compounds can frequently be found in sewage
treatment plant effluents and freshwater reservoirs at concentrations up to 5 μg L -1 .
Antibiotics are generally believed to be excreted unchanged by the body [1]. They are
specifically designed to penetrate biological membranes and reach universal molecular
systems, thereby increasing the probability of unexpected consequences for a number of
species. Recently, it has been suggested that there is a need to develop ecotoxicity
screening procedures that take into consideration the modes of action of therapeutic drugs
on non-target species [2]. Minocycline hydrochloride, also known as minocycline, is a
member of the tetracycline antibiotics class and has a very broad spectrum of action.
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of minocycline on the growth of the
cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz., which commonly occurs in Portuguese
freshwater systems. The strain was obtained from Torrão reservoir (Tâmega river) where it
produces toxic blooms every year. To test the influence of the antibiotic, three
concentrations (1, 10, 1000 μg L -1 ) were added to M. aeruginosa growing in f2 medium.
The biological response will be assessed by the growth yield and vitality. The data will be
used to estimate the lowest concentration capable of causing biological effects. The
amount of prescribed minocycline, per year, in the European Union, will be used to
determine if this concentration is likely to occur in Portuguese rivers. Preliminary results
will be presented at the meeting.
This work will contribute with new information on the effects of antibiotics on
phytoplankton. The results obtained may be complemented with surveys of pharmaceutical
compounds in Portuguese freshwater systems, enabling Portugal to face the challenges of
an expected up-coming legislation.
References:
[1] Hircsh, R., Ternes, T., Haberer, K., Kratz, K.L. (1999), Occurrence of antibiotics in the aquatic
environment, The Science of the Total Environment, 225, 109–118.
[2] Daughton, C.G., Ternes, T.A. (1999), Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the
environment: agents of subtle change?, Environmental Health Perspectives, 107, 907–942.
Acknowledgements: This work was partially funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal,
(fellowships awarded to T. Stoichev (SFRH/BPD/32700/2006) and M. Baptista (SFRH/BD/16292/2004) and
the CONC-REEQ/304/2001 re-equipment project) and Reitoria da Universidade do Porto, Portugal, through
the “Investigação na Pré-Graduação” program.
119

Low-cost materials as adsorbents for Textile Wastewater
Treatment
S. Santos, R. Deucher and R. Boaventura
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
Dyeing processes generate high volumes of colored and toxic effluents. This kind of
effluents is very difficult to treat. Conventional biological and physico-chemical treatments
are not effective enough to remove color from wastewaters. Adsorption has been
considered a simple and economical method. The use of activated carbon, the most widely
used adsorbent, is limited by the high prices associated with its replacement and
regeneration. The goal of this work is to investigate the utilization of natural and waste
materials as alternatives to activated carbon on the decolorization of textile effluents.
Several low-cost materials were firstly selected for the study: a Portuguese bentonitic clay
from Alentejo, a commercial sepiolite clay, a calcinated waste sludge from a water
treatment plant and an hydroxide metal waste sludge generated in a metal plating industry.
Preliminary adsorption tests were conducted with these potential adsorbents and different
kinds of dyes. The percentage of color removal was determined by absorbance
measurement after one hour of contact time between colored solutions (30 mg/L of dye)
and adsorbents (1.0 g/50 mL). Clay materials showed to be very effective for basic dyes
removal (a total color removal was perceived). Sepiolite also showed a good performance
for direct and sulfurous dyes adsorption. Waste sludge from the water treatment plant
exhibited poor adsorption properties, but a good capacity for some basic and direct dyes
was obtained. The metal hydroxide sludge, tested only with one dye of each class, showed
to be a very effective material for this kind of application, namely for reactive, direct and
acid dyes (100% color removal).
Adsorption isotherms for some of the most promising dye/adsorbent systems were
determined at neutral pH and 25 ºC and results were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich
models. Values in the range of 89.9 mg/g (Blue Reactive dye/hydroxide metal waste
sludge) and 232 mg/g (Red Basic dye/bentonitic clay) were obtained as monolayer’s
adsorption capacities given by Langmuir fittings.
Further studies were conducted for Blue Reactive dye adsorption onto the hydroxide metal
waste sludge. The influence of salts and dyeing auxiliary products (which appeared
commonly in textile effluents) on the performance of adsorption was investigated. The
results indicate that NaCl does not interfere significantly in the adsorption. Dyeing
auxiliary chemicals and mainly Na2CO3 were responsible for a considerable decrease in the
adsorbed amounts.
The use of this kind of clays and the hydroxide metal waste sludge was then found to be
very promising, respectively for basic and anionic textile dyes removal. Adsorption
capacities obtained in this work are acceptable, in comparison with values reported in
literature for commercial activated carbons and other alternative materials.
120

Determination of physical parameters in pharmaceutical powders
by near infrared spectroscopy (NIR)
Ana Cruz 1,2 , Sandra Soares 1,2 , Mafalda C. Sarraguça 1 , Paulo C. Costa 2 , Helena R.
Amaral 2 , João A. Lopes 1
1 Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2 Serviço de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) can be used to determine physical and chemical
parameters in solids, powders and liquids [1]. The application of this spectroscopic
technique in the pharmaceutical industry is increasing [2]. NIR has been successfully
applied for variability reduction in primary and secondary pharmaceutical production while
as a research and quality control technique [3]. In the field of physical parameters
determination, NIR spectroscopy is still underused. Parameters such as particle size,
apparent volume and flowability, are defined by the Portuguese Pharmacopeia as some of
the tests performed to characterize pharmaceutical powders. These tests require specific
equipment and are time consuming. NIR spectroscopy can be used to determine these
parameters, with the advantage of being a fast and low-cost technique.
To establish the potential of the spectroscopic technique in the determination of some
important physical parameters, a series of tests were performed in powder samples. The
parameters determined were the angle of rest, apparent volume, and flowability. The tests
were executed as determined in the pharmacopeia. The samples used were blended
powders based on a pharmaceutical formulation of acetaminophen (as the active
ingredient) and three excipients (microcrystalline cellulose, talc and magnesium stearate).
The NIR spectrum was recorded on a Fourier Transform NIR analyzer in reflectance mode.
Partial least squares (PLS) calibrations were optimized in terms of latent variables with
cross-validation [4]. The NIR results were compared with the reference methods results
and the performance of the NIR was accessed.
References
[1] Burns, D.A. and Ciurczak, E.W. (2001) Handbook of Near-Infrared Analysis, Marcel Dekker,
2 nd Edition, New York.
[2] Blanco, M. Coello, J., Iturriaga, H., Maspoch, S. and Pezuela, C.(1998) Near-Infrared
Spectroscopy in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Analyst, 123, 135R.
[3] Lopes, J.A., Costa, P.F., Alves, T.P. and Menezes, J.C. (2004) Chemometrics in Bioprocess
Engineering: Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Applications, Chemom. Intell. Lab. Syst., 74,
269.
[4] Martens, H. and Næs, T. (1989) Multivariate Calibration, John Wiley & Sons, Chicester.
121

An expeditious method for determination of residues of
organochlorine pesticides in sediments and its application to
Portuguese estuarine areas
P. N. R. Rodrigues 1,2,* , P. N. Carvalho 1,2 , F. Alves 1,2 , R. Evangelista 1,2 , M. C. P.Basto 1,2
and M. T. S. D.Vasconcelos 1,2
1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 CIMAR/CIIMAR – Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal.
* pedronrrodrigues@gmail.com
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) integrate the semi volatile persistent organic compounds
(POPs) that exhibit potentially harmful effects to the environment [1]. As most of the
POPs, OCPs are lipophilic, persist in various media and some can be transported over long
distances to regions where they have never been used [2]. As OCPs can be introduced into
the aquatic environment and accumulated in sediments by several pathways, levels of
OCPs in sediments should be determined and controlled whenever possible.
Analysis of OCPs implicates extraction of these compounds from the sediment, which is
difficult owing to strong interaction among OCPs and different constituents of the
sediments, particularly organic content.
A method involving a combination of microwave assisted extraction, headspace solidphase
microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry
(for identification and quantification) or gas chromatography with electron capture
detection (for quantification of previously identified OCPs) with complete automation of
the HS-SPME procedure, which increases the sample throughput, was optimized. To
minimize matrix effects, a step for elimination of sulphur interference was included when
required and standard addition was used for calibration purpose. Method validation was
performed by means of analysis of ten OCPs in reference sediments with certified values:
(a) Metranal TM 16, from Analytika Ltd. (Prague, Czech Republic); and (b) CNS300-04-100
from Resource Technology Corporation (Salisbury, United Kingdom).
The method resulted effective, relatively simple and fast, and it was applied for monitoring
residues of OCPs from estuarine sediments of different Portuguese rivers. In this
communication, the characteristics of the method will be presented as well as the nature
and levels of OCPs found in estuarine areas of Portuguese rivers.
References:
[1] Zhou, R., L. Zhu, and Q. Kong (2007), Persistent chlorinated pesticides in fish species from
Qiantang River in East China, Chemosphere, 68, pp. 838-847.
[2] Li, Y.F. and Macdonald, R.W. (2005), Sources and pathways of selected organochlorine
pesticides to the Arctic and the effect of pathway divergence on HCH trends in biota: a review
Science of The Total Environment, 342, pp. 87-106.
Acknowledges:
This work was partially funded by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (fellowship
awarded to Rafael Evangelista (SFRH/BD/20163/2004), the CONC-REEQ/304/2001 re- equipment
project and POCTI/CTA/48386/2002 project).
122

Kinetics of Inhibition of Firefly Luciferase by Oxyluciferin and
Dehydroluciferyl-adenylate
César Ribeiro 1 and Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva 1
1 Department of Chemistry, CIQ-UP, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Firefly luciferase (Luc) catalyzes the oxidation of D-luciferin (LH2) with molecular
oxygen in the presence of ATP and Mg 2+ with emission of yellow-green light in an
extremely efficient process [1]. This reaction involves the formation of an enzyme bound
adenylyl intermediate (LH2-AMP) (Eq. 1) following oxidation with release of AMP,
pyrophosphate, CO2 and oxyluciferin (Eq. 2), the assumed light emitter and also an
inhibitor of luciferase. Dehydroluciferyl-adenylate (L-AMP), a potent inhibitor of light
emission, is also formed as a side product of the bioluminescence reaction.
Luc + LH2 + ATP → Luc·LH2-AMP + pyrophosphate (1)
Luc·LH2-AMP + O2 → Luc + AMP + CO2 + oxyluciferin + photon (2)
The light emission starts with an initial flash that quickly decays to a low basal level due to
accumulation of inhibitory products. So far no conclusive explanation has been proposed
regarding the kinetic mechanism of inhibition and the relative importance of the inhibitory
products.
The applications of luciferase include a remarkable number of biochemical and clinical
tools, many of which use the luciferase gene as a reporter of gene expression and
regulation. Luciferase is also a very sensitive analytical tool for detection of ATP.
The current study provides a detailed kinetic model of the inhibition exerted by
oxyluciferin and L-AMP by measuring the light production in the presence and absence of
these inhibitors (Fig. 1). Nonlinear regression analysis suggest that oxyluciferin is a
competitive inhibitor of luciferase (Ki = 1 – 3 μM) while L-AMP act as a tight-binding
competitive inhibitor (Ki = 2 nM).
RLU
1500000
1000000
500000
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
t/s
0 uM Oxyluciferin
2.5 uM Oxyluciferin
5.0 uM Oxyluciferin
RLU
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
0.0 1.0 2.0
t/s
3.0 4.0
0 nM L-AMP
40 nM L-AMP
60 nM L-AMP
Fig.1. Inhibitory effect of oxyluciferin and L-AMP on firefly luciferase bioluminescence. Mixtures
cointaining ATP 50 μM and LH2 10 μM were injected into solutions of Luc. 10 nM in hepes buffer
(pH=7.5) pre-incubated with inhibitor.
References:
[1] McElroy, W.D., Seliger, H.H. and White, E.H. (1969), Mechanism of Bioluminescence,
Chemiluminescence and Enzyme Function in the Oxidation of Firefly Luciferin, Photochemistry
and Photobiology, 10 (3), 153-170.
123

Effect of pyrophosphate on firefly luciferase bioluminescence
Filipe Peralta 1 , Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva 1 and Rui Fontes 2
1 Department of Chemistry, CIQ-UP, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Serviço de Bioquímica (U38-FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
Firefly luciferase (LUC, EC 1.13.12.7) is an enzyme that catalyses the oxidation of firefly
luciferin (LH2) giving rise to light [1]. The bioluminescence reaction involves the
formation, from LH2 and ATP, of an enzyme-bound adenylyl intermediate (LUC•LH2-
AMP) and its subsequent oxidation with release of AMP, CO2 and oxyluciferin in an
electronically excited state.
LUC + LH2 + ATP ⇌ LUC•LH2-AMP + PPi (1)
LUC•LH2-AMP + O2 → LUC + AMP + CO2 + oxyluciferin + photon (2)
Inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) was described as stabilizer and/or activator of firefly
bioluminescence [2]. However, PPi effect is both intriguing and paradoxical: since PPi is a
product of the adenylation step (reaction 1), an inhibitory effect would be expected and can
indeed be observed but, as stated, PPi can also act as a stabilizer or activator of LUC
bioluminescence.
In this communication we show that the stabilizing and activating effect of PPi on LUC
bioluminescence can be explained by the theory proposed by McElroy et al [2]. This
theory proposes the pyrophosphorolysis of the enzyme-formed inhibitor dehydroluciferyladenylate
(L-AMP) giving rise to dehydroluciferin (L) and ATP (Eq. 3) - L is a much less
powerful inhibitor than L-AMP.
LUC•L-AMP + PPi ⇌ LUC + L + ATP (3)
Consequently, this reaction converts L-AMP into L allowing the removal of a powerful
inhibitor (L-AMP) from the enzyme active site and its replacement by a less powerful
inhibitor (L).
Acknowledgements: Financial support from Universidade do Porto and Caixa Geral de
Depósitos (Project IPG136) is acknowledged.
References:
[1] Nakatsu, T., Ichiyama, S., Hiratake, J., Saldanha, A., Kobashi, N., Sakata, K., and
Kato, H. (2006) Structural basis for the spectral difference in luciferase bioluminescence.
Nature 440, 372-376
[2] Rhodes, W. C., and McElroy, W. D. (1958) The synthesis and function of luciferyl-adenylate
and oxyluciferyl-adenylate. J Biol Chem 233, 1528-1537.
124

Molecular Energetics of Hydroxybenzaldehyde Isomers
Mariana Vidinha, Manuel J. S. Monte, Maria D. M. C. Ribeiro da Silva
Centro de Investigação em Química, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências,
Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
The thermochemical study of different classes of aromatic compounds has been carried out
in our Research Group (CIQ-UP) in order to correlate molecular energetic data with the
structural characteristics of the molecules. Some of our attention has been particularly
devoted to Schiff bases derived from ketones or aldehydes with diamines, which being
molecules whose role is well known on the development of agrochemical and
pharmaceutical industries, particularly in the context of catalysis, have motivated our
interest.
In this context, during the development of the energetic study of some Schiff bases,
derived from salicylaldehyde (2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) with aliphatic and cyclic diamines,
we detected the lack of the relevant thermochemical data for that phenol derivative. The
need of the knowledge of such parameters led us to study that compound [1]. Considering
that thermochemical data for phenols with carbon-bonded substituents containing the acyl
group are scarce, as it is reported by Slayden and Liebman [2], we decided to extend the
study to the other two isomers of the salicylaldehyde (3-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4hydroxybenzaldehyde,
Fig. 1), which we present in this work.
O
C
H
OH
O
C
OH
(a) (b)
Figure 1: Structural formula for (a) 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde and (b) 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde.
The standard (pº = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation, in gaseous phase, at T = 298.15
K, for 3- and 4- hydroxybenzaldehyde were derived from measurements of standard molar
energies of combustion, using a static bomb calorimeter, and from the standard molar
enthalpies of sublimation, determined by Knudsen method effusion experiments.
These results allow the derivation of the values of the enthalpies of formation of the two
hydroxybenzaldehyde isomers and, consequently, to establish structural correlations with
these energetic data.
[1] - Ribeiro da Silva, M. D. M. C., Araújo, N. R.M. (2007), J. Chem. Thermodynamics 39, 1372 –
1376.
[2] – Slayden, S. W., Liebman, J. F. (2003), Therchemistry of Phenols and Related Arenols, in: Z.
Rappoport (Ed.), The Chemistry of Phenols, Wiley, Chichester, (Chapter 3).
H
125

Touristic Topographies : transversality and authenticity in an
Portuguese context
João Nuno Pinto Marques
Architecture Degree Final Diploma | Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal,
The essay Touristic Topographies is a reflection about the ways that tourism, while activity
that crosses several multidisciplinary fields (where the architecture plays an important
role), develops itself in territorial terms and about the produced effects, either on
environmental levels (built areas) or social levels, that emerges along with its growth.
A first analysis seeks to contextualize the first transitory movements and the social changes
that were at the origin of tourism, along with the respective dynamics and transversalities
that took place in those territories. With basis on the different reasons that took man to
travel by free will and with no economic needs, we are able to observe the evolution of the
tourist profiles through time – pilgrim, traveler, sightseer, vacationer, post-tourist – and its
importance in the definition of the actual touristic industry guidelines.
In a second part, we tried to identify distinct touristic models existents in the Portuguese
context and analyze it according with patterns that include densities, uses, effects and
transversalities produced on the different territories. In this way, we identified five
different major patterns that illustrate the main strategies used by the touristic
managements in terms of urban development: concentration I (coastal lines) concentration
II (traditional cities), nodulation, stimulation and dissemination. However, the used
method does not enclosure or predicts all existent models, as it can not be taken as isolated
objects, attending that this models can derivate one from the others, emerge
simultaneously, coexist in a same place or be developed in different scales. Instead, it is
proposed some action lines and information forms organized and orientated towards the
Portuguese example.
A third part of the essay concerns the aesthetics and the authenticity of the architecture in
the touristic models. The potential of the architecture is analyzed as a touristic atractor
and a reflection is made on the rhetoric in which it is based on, attending that the tourism
is, above all, an economic activity that seeks the profit as the main goal. In these terms, the
role and the theoretical basis of the architecture behind the touristic models is questioned,
attending that the tourism is being developed according to the whims of a globalized
economy, that has contributed to the dilution of identity values and to the profusion of an
aesthetic obtained from instruments as the simulation or the iconization. It is now common
to find a mix of cultures, styles and constructive techniques associated to some touristic
models that contributes to an uncharacterized and anachronic type of architecture in order
to obtain a certain image or thematic.
An alternative option can come out from an interpretation of the real identity, cultural and
historic values according to the reality where they are inserted and through a conscientious
integration of it in the current time. During this transformation process, the architecture can
obtain a very delicate and specific role insuring the authenticity.
126

Sensor for amperometric determination of ammonia in seawater
C. Peixe 1,2 , C.M. Pereira 1 , F. Silva 1 and M. T. Borges 2,3
1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
R. Campo Alegre, 687, 4169 – 007 Porto, Portugal
2 Ciimar-University of Porto; Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
3 Faculty of Sciences (Zoology-Anthropology Dep.)-University of Porto; Praça Gomes Teixeira,
4099-002 Porto, Portugal.
The present work reviews the development of amperometric ammonia determination by
the use of an interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES). Cyclic
voltammetry and square wave voltammetry have been applied to the analysis of the
voltammograms for transfer of ammonium cation facilitated by dibenzo-18-crown-6 [1].
The liquid-liquid interface was supported by use of silicon membrane containing
micropores. The organic solvent used in this work was 2-nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE).
The organic phase was prepared dissolving bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-ammonium
tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate (BTPPATPBCl) and 1,3:2,4_dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS)
(gelling agent) in the organic solvent. NPOE/DBS gels were prepared accordingly to the
literature [2]. The aqueous phase was prepared dissolving lithium chloride and adding
different amounts of ammonium chloride.
Figure 1 shows cyclic voltammograms obtained for microITIES using different aqueous
phases.
I /A
4,0x10 -7 LiCl
LiCl+NH 4 Cl
2,0x10 -7
0,0
-2,0x10 -7
-300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Figure 1 – Cyclic voltammograms obtained in different conditions.
In the presence of the ionophore the addition of NH4 + to the aqueous solution results in the
presence of a peak at -200 mV. The peak current intensity increase can be related with the
concentration of ammonium cation in the solution.
Acknowledgements:
CIIMAR for the project EC-CRAFT/016869/2006, “Raceways – A Hypertensive fish farming
concept for lasting competitiveness and superior production” and financial support from FCT.
References:
[1] Liao, Y., Okuwaki, M., Kitamura, F., Ohsaka, T. and Tokuda, K., Electrochimica Acta, 44
(1998), 117-124.
[2] Silva, F., Sousa, M.J., Pereira, C., Electrochimica Acta, 42 (1997), 3095-3103.
φ /mV
127

Copper(II)/Ciprofloxacin complexes: Synthesis and Solution
Studies
C. Queirós , I. Sousa, E. Pereira, P.Gameiro
1 Requimte, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Fluoroquinolones are a group of antibacterial agents used currently against a wide variety
of infections. Currently, these drugs are known to have two prime enzyme targets in the
bacterial cell, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV and that they inhibit these enzymes by
stabilizing the DNA–DNA gyrase complex and/or the DNA–topoisomerase IV complex.
Although, to some extent, all fluoroquinolones are active against these enzymes, exposure
to the drugs induces mutations in both proteins promoting higher levels of bacterial
resistance and modifications to the fluoroquinolones based on structure-activityrelationships
(SARs) have been made to achieve lower level of resistance. Synthesis of
fluoroquinolone metal complexes has been carried out as some antibacterial activity
studies show that these complexes allowed the alteration of the potency and specificity of
these antibiotics.
In this work the synthesis of complex copper(II)/ciprofloxacin has been achieved and the
stability constants of this system, in aqueous
solution determined, by UV/visible
spectrophotometry.
Briefly, spectrophotometric pH titrations were
performed in stock solutions of different
metal/ligand molar ratio – 1:1 and 1:2 (1.25x10 -
5 -5
–2.5x10 M) – for the binary species, and
aliquots of strong acid or base were added to
adjust pH to the desired value. Spectra were recorded at 25.0 ºC in 1 cm quartz cuvettes
with a slit width of 1.5 nm in the range 225 – 450 nm.
The equilibrium constants defined by Eqs. (1) and (2):
pM + qH2L + rH ⇔ MpLqHr
(1)
βpqrs = [MpLqHr] / [M] p [H2L] q [H] r (2)
(where M is metal, H2L is ciprofloxacin, in the cationic form and H is proton were refined
by least-squares calculation using the computer program pHab taking into account the
presence of the hydroxide species of copper and the autoprotolysis of water.
The pKa values of the ciprofloxacin are similar to those previously reported for several
oyher fluoroquinolones and as was expected from their chelating properties they form very
stable complexes with copper(II). The values of the stability constants determined for
binary copper(II) complexes are very high and similar to those found in literature for other
fluoroquinolones. Due to the stability of the complexes at physiological pH they can be
suitable metalloantibiotic candidates.
Acknowledgements: Partial financial support for this work was provided by FCT through
POCI/SAU-FCF/56003/2004. PG thanks Bayer for ciprofloxacin.
128

Thermochemical studies of two cyclic ureas: Imidazolinone and
N,N'-Trimethyleneurea
V. Freitas 1 , M. Roux 2 , J. Elguero 3 , M. Ribeiro da Silva 1
1 CIQ-UP, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Instituto de Química Física "Rocasolano", C.S.I.C., Serrano, 119, E-28006 Madrid, Spain.
3 Instituto de Química Médica, CSIC, Juan de la Cierva, 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain.
Due to the significance of urea derivatives both as drugs and as materials, its importance does
not need to be stressed too much [1,2]. Some of us have studied abiotic receptors designed for
interacting with ureas [3,4]. To discuss the reactivity of the compounds where those molecular
units are present, we feel useful to know their thermodynamic properties, althougt we
discovered that almost none was known about cyclic ureas. Thus efforts of our Research
Groups were joint to determine some gaseous enthalpies of formation, following previous
studies for other class of relevant nitrogen heterocyclic molecules. A survey of the literature on
thermochemical properties of cyclic ureas yield only one hit and it concerns the recently
published study of benzimidazolinone [5].
H
N
N
H
a)
O
Figure 1. Structural formula for a) N,N´-ethyleneurea (2-imidazolidone) and b) N,N´-propyleneurea (N,N´-
trimethyleneurea)
We will report now the experimental results of the energy of combustion and enthalpy of
sublimation obtained for imidazolinone and N,N'-trimethyleneurea (represented in Fig. 1),
using static bomb calorimetry and Knudsen effusion technique, respectively. These data allow
to derive the values of the standard molar enthalpies of formation, in the gaseous state, for
both compounds. The results are discussed in terms of structural contributions.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urea
[2] Bagley, M. C. et al., Org. Biomol. Chem. 2006, 4, 4158.
[3] Claramunt, R. M. et al., Biosens. Bioelectron. 2004, 20, 1242.
[4] Herranz F., et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 2006, 47, 9017; and references cited therein.
[5] Morais, V. M. F., et al., Mol. Phys. 2006, 104, 325.
NH
NH
b)
O
129

Feeling Architecture. The importance of ‘the other’ senses in the
experience of space.
S. Silva Natária
Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
This abstract refers to my final dissertation 2 at F.AU.P. Based on a phenomenological
approach to architecture, it focuses on the perception of space by Touch, Smell and
Hearing, asking questions that enable the creation of a multisensorial architectonic
language: Which are the non-visual sensory stimuli that participate in the user’s experience
of architecture? What composition principles do they materialize? What role do they play
in that experience?
To reinforce my own sensory awareness and to better understand the possibility of
provoking aesthetic pleasure independently from the sense of Sight, I made an incursion in
blind user’s experience of space by conducting a series of interviews.
An inquest to the users of Koolhaas’s Casa da Música and Siza Vieira’s Museu de
Serralves showed how two different architectonic languages were also perceived
differently by ‘the other’ senses, causing different reactions: the first, a desire for physical
sensorial interaction, the second a more visual attitude of contemplation.
This multisensorial approach to architecture’s creative process led me to the creation of a
sensorial data-base, a recollection and organization of tactile, sound and smell stimuli:
textures, consistencies and temperatures of walls and pavements of different materials,
sounds of steps and fountains, and aromatic vegetation.
From the analysis of all data gathered, I concluded that, to create a multisensorial
language, architects must control the sensory parameters of shape, temperature, texture,
consistency, smell and sound of every element chosen for a certain space. These non-visual
stimuli can be assembled together according to composition principles also used for visual
stimuli, like rhythms, gradations, harmonies and contrasts. In addition, they also
accumulate functions of architectonic identity, helping to identify and distinct spaces, and
of spatial orientation, attracting, directing, delimitating and punctuating the user’s way
trough the building.
There is scope for further work. It is critical to test these conclusions with a wider survey,
covering staff and blind users of the buildings cited above.
This investigation intends to open the practice of architecture to a creative challenge of
adapting project processes and formal languages to the creation of spaces that explore the
potential of architecture’s intrinsic multisensoriality. Its results give us, architects, a more
complete notion of how users perceive the built environment, so that we can make well
informed choices and better decisions during the creation process. And finally, a basic
knowledge that should be part of any architect’s education: how to address our buildings
aesthetic messages to all human senses, creating buildings that, like persons, objects or
movies, are memorable for their own unique perfume, touch or soundtrack.
[1] Natária, Sara Silva, Sentir a Arquitectura. A importância dos ‘outros’ Sentidos na leitura da
obra arquitectónica, Prova Final de Licenciatura em Arquitectura, F.A.U.P. 2005.
130

Deep Eutectic solvents: A new kind of Ionic Liquids
R. Costa, F. Silva and C.M. Pereira
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
R. Campo Alegre, 687, 4169 – 007 Porto, Portugal
Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts with melting point below 100°C and have recently attracted
considerable attention as potential alternatives to conventional organic solvents in a variety
of synthetic, catalytic, and electrochemical applications [1]. Deep eutectic solvents (DES)
are a new type of these ionic liquids and are obtained by mixing a large range of
quaternary ammonium salts with metal salts, amides, carboxylic acids or alcohols.
Attractive features of these liquids such the potential to reduce pollution in industrial
processes have led to investigations as alternative reaction media for a variety of
application that usually use organic solvents. Eutectic solvents can be use in catalysis,
electropolishing, metal extraction and metal deposition (e.g. Cr) [2,3].
Chromium plating is a massive industry and all of them use chromic acid technology.
Conventional chromic acid plating processes are extremely hazardous because they use
hexavalent chromium, which is highly toxic and carcinogenic. Choline chloride:chromium
chloride (III).6H2O (cromeline) based ionic liquids allow the use of trivalent chromium
less toxic [4].
I/A
1.0x10 -4
5.0x10 -5
0.0
-5.0x10 -5
-1.0x10 -4
-1.5x10 -4
-2.0x10 -4
scan rate:
5 mV/s
20 mV/s
50 mV/s
100 mV/s
-1.0 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0
E vs SCE/V
Figure 1 – Cyclic voltammogram measured at Hg/cromeline interface.
A cyclic voltammetry experiment, as in other controlled potential experiments, a potential
is applied to the system, and the faradaic current response is measured (a faradaic current is
the current due to a redox reaction) [5]. This technique was applied to study the
Hg/cromeline interface. The work was completed with the study of nucleation that occurs
on mercury surface by chronoamperometry. Data will be presented and discussed later.
References:
[1] A. P. Abbott, G. Capper, S. Gray; Chem. Phys. Chem., 2006, 7, 803 – 806.
[2] A. P.Abbott, G. Capper, K. Mckenzie, K. Ryder; Electrochimica Acta, 2006, 4420 – 4425.
[3] A .P. Abbott, K. J. Mckenzie; Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2006, 8, 4265 – 4279.
[4] A. P. Abbott, G. Capper, D. Davies, R. Rasheed; Chem. Eur. J, 2004, 10, 3769 – 3774.
[5] A. J. Bard, L. R. Faulkner; Electrochemical methods – Fundaments and applications, 2 nd
edition, Wiley&Sons, Inc., N.Y., 2001.
131

Authenticity evaluation and molecular characterization of
Portuguese varieties of Juglans regia using microsatellite
markers
E.M. Cabral 1 , M.A. Faria 1 and M.B.P.P. Oliveira 1
1 REQUIMTE, Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
Persian walnut is cultivated mostly in Asia, Europe and America. Europe accounts for 23%
of walnut overall production. In 2005, Portugal was responsible for an area of cultivation
of 3155 ha producing 4565 t of nuts. The main cultivated varieties are of French and
American origin, however, the Portuguese cultivars Arco and Rego have a significant
expression. Worldwide cultivars have been characterized at the molecular level however
there is a complete lack of this kind of studies for Portuguese varieties. Several
methodologies have been used to evaluate the genetic diversity and relationships among
cultivars of walnut, including isozymes, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP),
random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR), and
simple sequence repeats (SSR). These studies reflect the need for accurate cultivar
identification and for the verification of paternities and genealogy. SSRs are the markers of
choice for genotyping since they are highly polymorphic, co-dominant and relatively easy
to use.
In this study 21 cultivars of walnut collected in an experimental field of Direcção Regional
de Agricultura e Pescas do Centro (DRAPC) (including three Portuguese varieties Arco,
Rego and Samil) were analyzed at 14 microsatellite loci [1,2]. DNA was obtained through
the CTAB method [3]. The genetic relations were evaluated and a database of
microsatellite profiles was constructed to be used in nut and nut based products
authenticity. In order to obtain DNA extracts directly from the nuts, two other methods of
DNA extraction (Wizard ® Plus Minipreps DNA Purification System, Promega and
GenElute Plant Genomic DNA Miniprep Kit, SIGMA) were tested and compared with the
CTAB method.
Microsatellite markers used showed useful in distinguishing all cultivars under study, with
the exceptions of Franquette and Ronde de Montignac. These results are in agreement with
the bibliography that considers these markers the most appropriate to this kind of studies.
The genotypes of the Portuguese varieties were compared with the ones of international
varieties using the neighbor-joining algorithm and with those results it’s possible to
associate the variety Rego with the group of varieties of French origin and Samil with the
North-American ones.
References:
[1] Foroni, I. et al. (2007), Identification of ‘Sorrento’ walnut using simple sequence repeats
(SSRs), Genet Resour Crop Evol, 54, 1081-1094.
[2] Dangl, G.S. et al. (2005), Characterization of 14 microsatellite markers for genetic analysis
and cultivar identification of walnut, J Amer Soc Hort Sci, 130, 348-354.
[3] Wang, X-D., Wang, Z-P., Zou, Y-P. (1996), An improved procedure for the isolation of nuclear
DNA from leaves of wild grapevine dried with silica gel, Plant Mol. Biol. Rep., 14, 369-373.
132

UV PROTECTION OF GEOTEXTILES BY CHIMASSORB 944
Inês Valente 1 , Paulo Almeida 1 , José Ricardo Carneiro 2 and Maria de Lurdes Lopes 2
1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
Geosynthetics are polymeric materials widely applied in construction of infrastructures
(landfills, roads, tunnels, railways, dams) due to economical, technical and environmental
advantages. Geotextiles are the most applied geosynthetics, as they can perform functions
like separation, filtration, drainage, protection and reinforcement. In those applications,
geotextiles can be exposed to several agents (such as, UV radiation and other weathering
agents, atmospheric oxygen, high temperatures, acids or alkalis and microorganisms) that
may affect their durability and, consequently, their useful lifetime. The degradation
suffered by these materials is often retarded and/or inhibited by the incorporation of
chemical additives, such as UV stabilisers and antioxidants in their composition. So, it is
extremely important to study these compounds during the degradation process of the
geotextiles.
In this work, it was developed a new methodology for the determination of the additive
Chimassorb 944 (C944) in polypropylene (PP) geotextiles. C944 is an additive widely used
in the stabilisation of polyolefins against the damaging effects of UV radiation and
oxidation induced by heat.
The methodology developed for the determination of C944 can be divided in two main
steps: (1) ultrasonic extraction with chloroform at 60 ºC for removing C944 from the
geotextile sample; (2) separation and determination of the additive by liquid
chromatography with UV detection at 244 nm. This method was used to monitor the level
of C944 in geotextile samples exposed to UV radiation in a laboratory weatherometer (the
QUV). Unstabilised PP geotextiles were also exposed to UV radiation in the QUV.
Morphologic changes on the PP fibres of the geotextiles were characterised by scanning
electron microscopy (SEM).
C944 proved to be important in the stabilisation of the PP geotextiles against UV radiation
(the unstabilised PP geotextiles were destroyed after UV-ageing tests in the QUV).
However, the level of C944 in stabilized geotextiles decreased during UV radiation
exposure. SEM analysis showed that polymeric structure of the geotextiles exposed to
higher UV radiation was more damaged.
133

Computational Analisys of Cynara cardunculus L. Cardosins
Pomoters
Alberto M. Pessoa 1 , Jorge Teixeira 1 and José Pissarra 1
1 Department of Botany, School of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
Cardosins are aspartic proteinases from Cynara cardunculus L., a plant used to act as a
milk-clotter for the manufacture of cheese. To further understand the role of these
proteinases in the plant and how the transcriptional regulation occurs, the promoter regions
from 4 Cardosin genes were analysed and compared in silico. The promoter region of the
Cardosins A-like (A, C and D) and B, previously isolated and sequenced, were analysed
using PlantCARE (a database of plant cis-acting regulatory elements, enhancers and
repressors). Perl scripts were used to parse the reports obtained from PlantCARE for each
Cardosin sequence and to sort and format the results, so that they could be displayed on
pDraw32 (Acaclone Software), for easy interpretation. The data was also converted into a
Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet, using a similar procedure, in order to assemble charts
illustrative of the TATA Box motif distribution along the sequences. The plausibility of the
results was then verified by comparing the set of motifs obtained for each of the cardosins
with previous studies. The analysis with PlantCARE revealed that Cardosin B has the least
variety of cis-acting elements, having one exclusive light responsive element and sharing 4
motifs with the Cardosins A-like (high transcription levels conferring element, MeJAresponsiveness
involved element and a MYB binding site involved in droughtinducibility).
Cardosins A-like yielded a greater variety of results, having in common 3
motifs: abscisic acid responsiveness and light responsiveness involved elements, and the
MYB binding site also present in Cardosin B. However, the analysis revealed distinct
features on their promoters: Cardosin A – the presence of a heat stress responsiveness
involved element and the lack of light responsive elements; Cardosin C – the presence of
an ethylene-responsive element, and 3 different light responsive elements, while no
anaerobic induction, MeJA-responsiveness and endosperm expression involved elements
were detected; Cardosin D – the presence of an exclusive light responsive element and the
lack of high transcription levels conferring element and circadian control involved element.
The TATA Box motif distribution along the sequences was also analysed and showed that
the TATA box is likely to be in a distinct position, being further upstream from the ATG
codon in Cardosin B promoter, when compared to the Cardosins A-like promoters. These
results suggest that, apart from being similar, the promoters of the 4 Cardosins may have
different metabolic sensitivities. Therefore, their differential expression and detection
could be possible. These observations are being studied by promoter fusions to reporter
genes.
134

Hydrogen Peroxide Reversible Luminescence Sensors
Célia Rocha and Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva
Department of Chemistry, CIQ-UP, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
The determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a matter of great importance in the
study of numerous physiological and pathological processes. The production of ROS,
which includes hydrogen peroxide, is mediated by multiple oxidative stress mechanisms
responsible for changes in the cells and tissues. Beside this role in these pathological
processes they are also involved in numerous physiological process of regulation in the
organism.
With the objective to develop luminescent sensors for in vitro and in vivo measurement of
hydrogen peroxide two reversible detection methods are being optimized [1,2]. A direct
assay of hydrogen peroxide at neutral pH using the Eu(III)-tetracycline complex. This
complex in aqueous solution binds to hydrogen peroxide to form a fluorescent complex
with increased fluorescence at 613 nm when is excited at 400 nm.
The second method is an H2O2 sensor based on the room-temperature phosphorescence of
the nanocomposite TiO2/SiO2. The TiO2/SiO2 composite was prepared by the sol-gel route
and produces phosphorescence at about 600 nm when excited at 400nm (Fig. 1) – in the
presence of hydrogen peroxide the phosphorescence emission is quenched.
Int.
10000
5000
0
596
400 600 800
Wavelength (nm)
Fig. 1 – Phosphorescence emission spectra (Ex. 400 nm) of the TiO2/SiO2 composite.
This communication will present and discussed the results of these two reversible detection
methods for hydrogen peroxide.
Acknowledgements: Financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Lisboa)
(FSE-FEDER) (Project PTDC/QUI/71001/2006) is acknowledged.
References:
[1] Durkop, A., Wolfbeis, O.S., (2005), Nonenzimatic Direct Assay of Hydrogen Peroxide at
Neutral pH using the Eu3Tc Fluorescent Probe, Journal of Fluorescence, 15 (5), 755-761.
[2] Shu, X., Chen, Y., Yuan, H., Gao, S. and Xiao, D. (2007), H2O2 Sensor Based on the Room-
Temperature Phosphorescence of Nano TiO2/SiO2 Composite, Anal. Chem, 79 (10), 3695-3702.
135

Chromium remediation using zero valent iron - batch studies
G. Carvalho 1,2, Aurora Silva1, Cristina Delerue-Matos1 , A. Vega y Fuente2,3 and
António Fiúza 3
1 REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Instituto Politécnico do Porto
2Departamento de Geotecnia do Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Instituto Politécnico do Porto
3 CIGAR, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto
One of the main problems that modern societies are facing today, as a direct consequence
of their activities, is the change of the original conditions of the sites and their components
as result of human activities.
One of the group of substances that require special attention is heavy metals. They are
considered a priority problem due to its toxicity, and in certain cases, its carcinogenic
potential when in contact with populations or ecosystems. Chromium is one of the top
pollutants, because of their relative abundance as a contaminant, the dangerousness of their
ions, in particular Cr6+ and its high mobility in the environment. In fact, as it occurs in
anionic form it is not significantely sorbed by the soil.
This work aims to contribute for the knowledge of the geo-environmental phenomenon
associated to remediation of Cr6+ in contaminated water by using zero valent iron. The net
reactions of Cr6+ reduction whit zero valent iron and co precipitation of Cr3+ and Fe2+
are [1]:
In this work a low coast commercial iron was used to establish reaction kinetic parameters,
using batch test.
Solutions of Cr6+ were prepared with potassium dichromate. The method used to determine
the concentration of chromium present in samples was the colorimetric method [2].
Batch kinetic experiments were performed to evaluate the removal rate of Cr6+ in the
presence of iron under different operating parameters: temperature, concentration, pH, iron
mass.
These tests allowed to establish that reaction follows a first order kinetic. The kinetic
constants and the activation energy were estimated from the experimental data.
AKNOWLEDGMENS
The authors would like to thank Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia for the financial support of
the project POCI/ECM/59779/2004
References
[1] Biswajit Mukhopadhyay, Jon Sundquist, Rodney J. Schmitz, Removal of Cr(VI) Crcontaminated
groundwater through electrochemical addition of Fe(II) Journal of environmental
Management 82 (2002) 66-76.
[2] APHA Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 20th edition (1998),
Method 3500-Cr (D) - Colorimetric Method.
136

Development of a multicommutated flow system for
chemiluminometric quantification of gentamicin
L. Santos 1 , A. Araújo 1 , A. Fachini 1 , M. Montenegro 1 , B.F. Reis 2
1 REQUIMTE, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, R.
Aníbal Cunha, 4050 Porto, Portugal.
2 Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de S. Paulo, PO Box 96, 13400-970,
Piracicaba- SP
Multicommutation is a continuous flow system technique that presents several advantages
relatively to flow injection analysis (FIA), such as versatility, low reagent consumption,
and robustness [1].
Chemiluminescence is a high sensitivity methodology, with low detection limits that
requires simple instrumentation. It is based on intensity measurements of light produced in
chemiluminescent reaction. The signal intensity can be correlated with the concentration of
any of the starting reagents. This analytical technique allows the quantification of a wide
variety of compounds that are directly or indirectly involved in the chemiluminometric
reaction [2].
The aim of this work is to quantify gentamicin in different matrices using a
multicommutated flow system where the chemiluminometric oxidation of luminol by
hypochlorite is accomplished. In the presence of gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic
that is effective against a wide variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, the
hypochlorite concentration is reduced since it oxidizes the secondary amines presents in
the chemical structure of the analyte.
The optimization process had been separeted in two parts: optimization of chemical
conditions and optimization of flow conditions. In the first part, parameters such as the
hypochlorite and luminol concentrations and the pH of the buffer solution used to prepare
these reagents have being studied. After that, the flow conditions will be tested. In the
final, the proposed method will be applied to the quantification of gentamicin in
pharmaceutical formulations and foodstuffs.
References:
[1] Lavorante, A.F., Feres, M.A. and Reis, B.F. (2006), Multi-commutation in Flow Analysis: A
Versatile Tool for the Development of the Automatic Analytical Procedure Focused on the
Reduction of Reagent Consumption, Spectroscopy Letters, 39 (6), 631-650.
[2] García-Campaña, A.M. and Baeyens, W.R.G. (2000), Principles and recent analytical
applications of chemiluminescence, Analusis, 28 (8), 686-698.
Acknowledgements:
L. Santos thanks to Fundação Astrazeneca the master degree scholarship conceded.
137

Potentiometric determination of gentamicin in pharmaceutical
formulations
Martina Koci a , Célia Amorim b , Alberto Araújo b ,Maria da Conceição Montenegro b
and Marie Pospíšilova, Petr Solich
a Department of Analytical chemistry, Fakulty of Pharmacy, Charles University in Hradec Králové,
Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Kralove 500 05, Czech Republic
b REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto,
Rua Aníbal Cunha, 164, 4099-030 Porto, Portugal.
email: martina.koci@gmail.com
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, and can treat many types of bacterial
infections, particularly Gram-negative infection. It is one of the heat-stable antibiotics that
remain active after autoclaving, which make it particularly useful in the preparation in the
certain microbiological growth media.
Traditionally, pharmaceutical analysis of these compounds relies heavily on
chromatography, yet also frequently requiring the use of reagent-based detection principles
like spectrophotometric [1,2],chemiluminescent detection in flow-injection analysis [3],
capillary electrophoresis [4] a novel LC/ELSD [5], thin-layer chromatography [6], HPLC
[7].A simple and sensitive potentiometric procedure for the determination of gentamicin is
presented, after development of selective electrodes based on PVC membranes using
different type of cyclodextrins and its derivatives, or Evans Blue complex with gentamicin
as ionophers. Several mediator solvents and lipophilic ionic species were also used in order
to optimize the characteristics of the membranes.
The evaluation of the general characteristics for all the units prepared revealed an
analytical linear range of about 2x10 -4 ; 5x10 -3 mol L -1 , slopes of about 50 mV/dec, good
reproducibility and low response times. The evaluation of Potentiometric selectivity
coefficients will permit to choose the best electrode for gentamicin control in
pharmaceutical preparations.
References
[1] El-Didamony, A. M.m Amin, A.S., Ghoneim, A.K., Telebany, A.M., (2006), Indirect spectrophotometric
determination of gentamicin and vancomycin antibiotics based on their oxidation by potassium permangate,
Central European J. of Chem. 4 (4), pp 708-72
[2] Ryan, J.A, (1984), Colorimetric determination of gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, and amikacin
aminoglycosides with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene, J. of Pharm. Sci. 73 (9), pp. 1301-1302
[3] Ranmos-Fernandez, J.M., Garcia-Campana, A.M.,Ales-Barrero, F.,Bosque-Sendra, (J.M, 2006),
Corrigendum to “Determination of gentamicin in pharmaceutical formulations using peroxyoxalate
chemiluminescent detection in flow-injection analysis, Talanta 69 (3), pp. 763-768
[4] Garcia-Ruiz, C., Marina,M.L., (2006), Recent advances in the analysis of antibiotics by capillary
electrophoresis, Electrophoresis 27 (1), pp. 266-282
[5] Megoulas, N.C., Koupparis, M.A., (2004), Development and validation of a novel LC/ELSD method for
the quantitation of gentamicin sulphate components in pharmaceuticals, J. Pharm. Biom. Anal. 36 (1), pp. 73-
79
[6] Sekkat, M., Fabre, H., Simeon De Bouchberg,M.m Mandrou, B., (1989), Determination of
aminoglycosides in pharmaceutical formulations – I. Thin-layer chromatography, J. Pharm. Biom. Anal 7
(12), pp.883-892
[7]Fabre, H., Seddat, M., Blanchin, M.D., Mandrou, B., (1989), Determination of aminoglycosides in
pharmaceutical formulations – II. High-performance liquid chromatography, J. Pharm. Biom. Anal 7(7), pp.
1711-1718
Aknowledgement:
I would like to thank program Erasmus and MSMT for financial support.
138

Influence of organic pollutants on phytoremediation of copper by
a salt marsh plant
A. C. M. Dias 1,2* , C. M. R. Almeida 2 , A. P. Mucha 2 and M. T. S. D.Vasconcelos 1,2
1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 CIMAR/CIIMAR - Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal
* ana.lau.dias@gmail.com
Metal-contaminated soil can be remediated or cleanup by chemical, physical or biological
techniques [1].
Plants may participate in decontamination either directly, by the uptake of pollutants and
their immobilization, degradation or transformation within the plant, or indirectly by
creating a rhizosphere environment (region where the soil and the roots of the plants come
in contact) which promotes degradation by bacterial or fungal species.
Sites contaminated with trace metals are frequently and unfortunately also contaminated
with organic pollutants of different families. The simultaneous presence of pollutants of
different groups might cause antagonisms or synergisms effects on the biological
remediation processes, because different chemicals may interact among themselves and
with the organisms present at rhizosphere, thus changing remediation efficiency. Studies of
metal accumulation in plants from estuarine sediments contaminated with a mixture of
inorganic and organic pollutants are scarce, although deserve investigation because
estuaries are often considered sinks for varied pollutants.
This study aims to investigate the effect of some organic compounds which are frequently
present in polluted environments, like PAHs, pesticides and organotins, on the uptake of
metals, like copper (Cu), by the salt marsh plant Halimiones portulacoides. This plant was
selected because it is commonly found in Portuguese temperate salt marshes and is capable
of accumulating several metals, including Cu [2]. For this purpose, ex-situ and in
hydroponics experiments are being carried out using sediment and water from a salt marsh
from Cávado River estuary. Sets of plants collected at the same site are being exposed to
known concentrations of both Cu and a specific organic pollutant, during 6 days.
Afterwards, Cu will be determine in the media and in plant dried tissues (roots, stems and
leaves) by atomic absorption spectrometry, after digestion assisted by high pressure
microwave.
Whether the results indicate antagonistic or synergistic effects, the simultaneous presence
of pollutants of different families should be taken in consideration in future studies of
suitability of plants for remediation, including phytostabilization.
References:
[1] McEldowney S., Hardman D. J., Waite S. (1993). Treatment technologies, in S. McEldowney
S., Hardman D. J., Waite S (Eds.). Pollution, ecology and biotreatment, Singapore pp. 48-58,
Longman Singapore Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
[2] Caçador, I., Vale, C., Catarino, F., (2000). Seasonal variation of Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd
concentrations in the root-sediment system of Spartina maritima and Halimione portulacoides
from Tagus estuary salt marshes. Marine Environmental Research 49, 279-290.
Acknowledgement: This work was partially funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
(FCT), Portugal, through project POCTI/CTA/48386/2002.
139

DFT STUDY ON THE ABILITY OF CALIX[2]FURANO[2]PYRROLE
TO FORM HOST-GUEST COMPLEXES WITH DIFFERENT IONS
C.A. Teixeira dos Santos, and A.L. Magalhães
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
The applications of calixarene derivatives as new receptors have attracted considerable
interest in the area of host-guest chemistry[1]. The presence of sulfur or nitrogen atoms in
the ring linkages or upper rim seems to greatly enhance the complexation abilities toward
transition metal ions, when compared to the classical calixarene systems. Applications of
these molecules as new receptors, building blocks and /or molecular platforms have
attracted considerable interest in a wide range of areas such as host-guest chemistry,
separation chemistry, environment protection, selective ion transport and sensors [1].
Recently, DFT methods have been applied successfully in the study of the structural
features and conformational equilibrium of sulfur bridged derivative compounds[2].
This work presents a comparative study of the complexation ability of
calix[2]furano[2]pyrrole toward different positive ions. The B3LYP/SDD[3] level was
used to estimate the binding energy of the host-guest 1:1 complexes between the cone
conformer of calix[2]furano[2]pyrrole (1) and the alkaline ions Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+,
the alkaline-earth ions Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, and also the transition metal ions
Ag+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Hg2+ and Au3+ as well.
The theoretical predictions are compared with available experimental data[3]. Structural
and electronic characteristics are presented, in order to support some experimental results
and to discuss the different ability of the ligand to form complexes with the ions under
study.
NH
O
(1)
References:
[1]Lhoták P., Eur. J. Org. Chem., 2004, 1675-1692.
[2]Suwattanamala A., Magalhães A.L., Gomes, J.A.N.F., Theor. Chem. Acc., 2007,117, 431-440
[3]Lim S.M., Chung HJ, Paeng K, Lee C., Choi H.N., Lee W., Anal. Chim. Acta., 2002, 453, 81-
88.
O
NH
140

Fiber optic pH sensors based on CdTe quantum dots
Helena Gonçalves 1 , Conceição Mendonça 1 , Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva 1 ,
César Maule 2 and Pedro Jorge 2
1 Department of Chemistry, CIQ-UP, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Optoelectronics Unit of INESC Porto, Department of Physics, University of Porto, Portugal.
Quantum dots (QDs) are gaining a great scientific interest due to their tunable optical
(absorption and emission of radiation) properties. Also, by modifying the surface of QDs
with hydrophilic capping ligands provides stability in water. One end of these hydrophilic
capping ligands contains a thio group that binds with the QDs surface, and the other, polar
end contains a carboxylic group that makes them water soluble. Because the carboxylic
acid group has acid-base properties the optical properties of QDs may be used as pH
sensing molecular devices.
In this communication the synthesis of thiglycolate capped CdTe QDs is described and
their luminescence properties (excitation and emission wavelength and lifetimes) obtained
as function of the reaction time, concentration and pH are presented. Moreover, the
immobilization of QDs in fiber optics using sol-gel techniques is described and their use as
fiber optic pH sensors assessed.
Fig. 1 shows the emission spectra of the synthesized CdTe QDs as a function of the
reaction time (from 15 minutes and up to 27 hours reaction time) (a) and as function of the
pH (from 3 to 9). The effect of the reaction time is to shift the emission wavelength of the
CdTe QDs to higher wavelengths (from yellow/ green up to red) and by changing the
reaction time the emission wavelength can be tuned. Decreasing the pH provokes a shift
towards higher wavelengths. Also, the lifetimes are reaction time and pH dependent. These
results suggest that the CdTe QDs have great potential as fiber optics pH sensors.
Int.
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
400 500 600 700
Wavelength (nm)
a. b.
Fig. 1 – Fluorescence emission spectra of QDs as function of the reaction time (a) and pH (b).
Acknowledgements: Financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
(Lisboa) (FSE-FEDER) (Project POCTI/QUI/44614/2007) is acknowledged.
References:
[1] Alivisatos, A.P. (1996), Semicondutor cluster, nanocrystals and quantum dots, Science, 217,
933-937.
Int.
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
500 550 600 650 700 750
λ Emission/ nm
141

Steady state and lifetime chemical sensors based on Ruthenium
complexes
Luminescence Intensity (a.u.)
Helena Gonçalves 1 , Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva 1 , César Maule 2
and Pedro Jorge 2
1 Department of Chemistry, CIQ-UP, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Optoelectronics Unit of INESC Porto, Department of Physics, University of Porto, Portugal.
In recent years molecular recognition and supramolecular host-guest interaction have
attracted much attention [1]. The design of highly selective and sensitive receptors for
metal ions is of great importance in the area of ion transport, chemosensing, biomedical
and environmental applications, especially if the sensor is portable, allowing in situ
measurements. Ru(II) complexes with α-diimine ligands are particularly suited for
luminescence based sensing due to their high quantum yields, long lifetimes and
compatibility with low cost optoelectronics.
In this communication the results of two Ru(II) complexes will be presented. The
first complex, (Ru(Phen)2Dcbpy)Cl2, is constituted by the ligands 1,10-phenantroline
(Phen) and 2,2’-bipyridine-4,4’-dicarboxilic acid (Dcbpy) and the second complex,
(Ru(Ph2phen)2Dcbpy)Cl2, has 4,7-difenil-1,10-Fenantrolina (Ph2phen) and 2,2’-bipyridine-
4,4’-dicarboxilic acid (Dcbpy), which are pH sensitive. It was found that the first complex
has a pKa of 3 and an operation range of 2.5 pH units. Its lifetime at the pKa was τpka=
325 ns changing by ≈172 ns over the full operation range, which is well suited for
frequency domain interrogation (Fig. 1). For the complex second complex it was
determined a pKa of 2 and a range of 2.5 pH units was observed. Its τpka was 470 ns
changing by ≈160 ns over the whole operation range.
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
pH
Fig. 1 - Intensity (•) and peak wavelength (°) pH titration curves obtained for (Ru(Phen)2Dcbpy)Cl2
complex.
Acknowledgements: Financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Lisboa) (FSE-
FEDER) (Project POCTI/QUI/44614/2007) is acknowledged.
References:
[1] Clarke Y., Xu W., Demas J.N. and DeGraff B. (2000), Lifetime-Based pH sensor system based
on a polymer-supported Ruthenium(II) complex, 72 (15), 3468-3475.
670
660
650
640
630
620
Peak wavelength (nm)
142

Molecular characterization of the Portuguese patients with
Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC: two novel mutations in the HGSNAT
gene
Coutinho MF 1,2 , Lacerda L 2 , Prata MJ 1,3 , Ribeiro H 2 , Lopes L 2 , Ferreira C 2 and Alves
S 2
1 Department of Zoology & Anthropology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Centro de Genética Médica Jacinto Magalhães, INSA I.P., Porto, Portugal.
3 IPATIMUP, Porto, Portugal
Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC (Sanfilippo Syndrome C), is a lysosomal storage disorder
caused by the inherited deficiency of the lysosomal membrane enzyme acetyl–coenzyme
A: α-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase (N-acetyltransferase), which leads to impaired
degradation of heparan sulfate. The gene that encodes this enzyme -HGSNAT- has been
recently identified [1,2].
Here we report on the molecular analysis of the HGSNAT gene in the 3 Portuguese patients
diagnosed with MPS IIIC that lead to the identification of two novel mutations: an
insertion c.525-526InsT and a splicing mutation IVS3-2A→G, which is responsible for the
skipping of exon 4.
Both mutations give origin to transcripts that lead to the synthesis of truncated nonfunctional
proteins. However, since the STOP codons appear very prematurely, these
transcripts are probably degraded by nonsense mediated mRNA decay.
Furthermore, having detected that c.525-526InsT accounts for 83% of the mutant alleles in
our patient series might be of great epidemiological relevance. Since there is no known
consanguinity among the patients here studied, c.525-526InsT can represent a founder
mutation in the context of the Portuguese population and consequently it must be
considered as a primary target in molecular studies of MPS IIIC in Portugal.
The strategies developed for mutation analysis, in this study, constitute valuable tools that
will allow carrier detection and prenatal molecular diagnostics, leading to the improvement
of genetic counselling with great benefits for the Sanfilippo C families.
References:
[1] Fan, Xiaolian, Zhang H, Zhang S, Bagshaw RD, Tropak MB, Callahan JW, Mahuran DJ.
(2006) Identification of the Gene Encoding the Enzime Deficient in Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC
(Sanfilippo Disease Type C) The Journal of Human Genetics 2006 October; 79: 738-744.
[2] Hřebíček M., Mrázová L, Seyrantepe V, Durand S, Roslin NM, Nosková L, Hartmannová H,
Ivánek R, Cízkova A, Poupetová H, Sikora J, Urinovská J, Stranecký V, Zeman J, Lepage P,
Roquis D, Verner A, Ausseil J, Beesley CE, Maire I, Poorthuis BJ, van de Kamp J, van Diggelen
OP, Wevers RA, Hudson TJ, Fujiwara TM, Majewski J, Morgan K, Kmoch S, Pshezhetsky AV
(2006), Mutations in TMEM76 that cause Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC (Sanfilippo C Syndrome)
The American Journal of Human Genetics 2006 November; 79L, 807-819.
143

Scopoletin, a natural coumarin isolated from Agrostistachys
gaudichaudii (Euphorbiaceae)
C. Silva 1 , A.E. Oliveira 1 , A.P. Almeida 1,2 , H. Cidade 1,2 , A. Kijjoa 3,4 and M.S.J.
Nascimento 2,5
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of
Porto, Portugal.
4 Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Portugal.
5 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
Euphorbiaceae plants are a well known source of natural products with different scaffolds
(terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, and tannins) showing several interesting
biological activities namely antitumor [1,2], and anti-inflammatory [3]. One of the less
studied genus of this family is Agrostistachys, which comprises eight or nine species
distributed from several countries of Asia, including Thailand [2]. In the course of our
research on bioactive secondary metabolites from medicinal plants we have isolated one
coumarin from Agrostistachys gaudichaudii: scopoletin (Fig. 1). This compound was
isolated by chromatographic techniques (CC and TLC) and the structure elucidation was
achieved by spectroscopic methods especially high field NMR (HSQC and HMBC) and
mass spectrometry. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of scopoletin in this
species.
HO
CH 3 O
O O
Fig. 1 - Structure of scopoletin.
References:
[1] Puapairoj, P., Naengchomnong, W., Kijjoa, A., Pinto, M.M., Pedro, M., Nascimento, M.S.J.,
Silva, A.M.S. and Herz, W. (2005), Cytotoxic Activity of Lupane-Type Triterpenes from Glochidion
sphaerogynum and Glochidion eriocarpum Two of Which Induce Apoptosis, Planta Medica, 71,
208-213.
[2] Choi, Y.-H., Pezzuto, J.M., Kinghorn, A.D. and Farnsworth, N.R. (1988), Plant Anticancer
Agents, XLVI. Cytotoxic Casbane-Type Constituents of Agrostistachys hookeri, Journal of Natural
Products, 51 (1), 110-116.
[3] Paya, M., Ferrandiz, M.L., Erradi, F., Terencio, M.C., Kijjoa, A., Pinto, M.M. and Alcaraz, M.J.
(1996), Inhibition of Inflammatory Responses by a Series of Novel Dolabrane Derivatives,
European Journal of Pharmacology, 312, 97-105.
Acknowledgements: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI, U. Porto, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos
for financial support.
144

5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural, a natural compound isolated from
Strophioblachia fimbricalyx Boerl. (Euphorbiaceae)
K.C. Marques 1 , A.E. Oliveira 1 , A.P. Almeida 1,2 , H. Cidade 1,2 , A. Kijjoa 3,4 and
M.S.J. Nascimento 2,5
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of
Porto, Portugal.
4 Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Portugal.
5 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
Strophioblachia fimbricalyx Boerl. (Euphorbiaceae) is a small shrub up to 1.5 m high
native in northeast Thailand. Megastigmanes and flavone glycosides were isolated from the
aerial parts of this species [1]. As a part of continuing search for novel bioactive
substances, we are investigating the chemical composition of roots of S. fimbricalyx Boerl.,
that were collected on Prachuab Kirikan Province (Thailand). The extract purification led
to the isolation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (Fig. 1), a known substance with
antitumoral activity [2]. The structure determination was based on spectroscopic data ( 1 H
NMR, 13 C NMR, HSQC and HMBC) and was according with the literature [3]. To the best
of our knowledge this is the first report of 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural in this species.
References:
HO
O
Fig. 1 – Structure of 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural
[1] Kaewkrud, W., Otsuka, H., Ruchirawat, S. and Kanchanapoom, T. (2008), Megastigmane and
Flavone Glycosides from Strophioblachia fimbricalyx Boerl., Journal of Natural Medicines, 62 (1),
124-125.
[2] Michail, K., Matzi, V., Maier, A., Herwig, R., Greilberger, J., Juan, H., Kunert, O. and
Wintersteiger, R. (2007), Hydroxymethylfurfural: An Enemy or a Friendly Xenobiotic? A
Bioanalytical Approach, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 387 (8), 2801-2814.
[3] Mizushina, Y., Yagita, E., Kuramochi, K., Kuriyama, I., Shimazaki, N., Koiwai, O., Uchiyama,
Y., Yomezawa, Y., Sugawara, F., Kobayashi, S., Sakaguchi, K. and Yoshida, H. (2006), 5-
(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural: A Selective Inhibitor of DNA Polymerase λ and Terminal
Deoxynucleotidyltransferase, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 446 (1), 69-76.
Acknowledgements: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI, U. Porto, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos
for financial support.
O
H
145

New approaches for estimating the postmortem interval based on
vitreous humor trace element levels
H. Andrade 1 , A. Almeida 1 , S. Frazão 2 , T. Magalhães 2 and A. Santos 2
1 REQUIMTE, Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
2 Serviço de Medicina Legal, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Portugal. Serviço de
Patologia Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal, I.P. – Delegação do Norte.
The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), i.e., the time since death, is a main issue
in the field of forensic science and legal medicine [1]. Most of the currently employed
methods use body temperature-based algorithms, which are subject to considerable
inaccuracy [2].
In the last 60 years, numerous methods for estimating PMI based on concentrations
changes in body fluids have also been proposed. The postmortem increase of potassium in
vitreous humor (VH) has been the most studied, and several formulae have been proposed
for estimating PMI based on it [3]. However, the correlation between K concentration in
VH and PMI depends on several factors (e.g., cause of death, previous electrolyte
imbalance, etc.), which influences the accuracy of PMI estimation.
Recently, studies with animal models (rabbits) have shown that changes of several trace
element levels in VH could correlated with PMI within different intervals after dead and
could represent a reliable alternative strategy for estimating PMI [4-5].
The work we have been done is intended to address this topic: to look for more accurate
methods for the determination of PMI based on VH trace element levels. Using an
analytical methodology based on Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-
MS) technique, samples of VH collected from human bodies at different times since death
(3-30 h) were analyzed. From the tested elements (Ag, Al, As, Sb, Cr, Ba, Be, Co, Cu, Cs,
Cd, Mo, Mn, Ni, Li, Fe, Sr, Pb, Rb, Tl, V, Zn, Si, I and Ti), some showed promising for the
intended purpose, specially Rb, which showed a consistent non-linear increase in all the
cases studied (n=8).
References:
[1] Henssge, C. and Madea, B. (2007), Estimation of the time since death, Forensic Science
International, 165(2-3), 182-184.
[2] McDowall, K.L., Lenihan, D.V., Busuttil, A., Glasby, M.A. (1998), The use of absolute refractory
period in the estimation of early postmortem interval, Forensic Science International, 91(3), 163-170.
[3] Madea, B. (2005), Is there recent progress in the estimation of the postmortem interval by means of
thanatochemistry?, Forensic Science International, 151(2-3), 139-149.
[4] Xu, X.M., Gong, Z.Q. and Sun, Y.G. (2002), Study on the relationship between PMI and the
concentration of magnesium and iron in the vitreous humor of rabbit after death, Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi,
18(2), 65-66.
[5] Gong, Z.Q., Xu, X.M., Zeng, X.B., Sun, Y.G. and Wang, D.W. (2001), Study on the relationship
between PMI and the concentration of zincum and nickel in the vitreous humor of rabbit after death, Fa
Yi Xue Za Zhi, 17(3):129-131.
[6] Gong, Z.Q., Zeng, X.B. and Sun, Y.G. (2002), Study on the relationship between PMI and the
concentration of 21 elements in vitreous humor of rabbit after death, Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi, 18(2):67-69.
146

New approaches to the diagnostic of death by drowning based on
trace element levels in blood of the cardiac cavities
F. Pereira 1 , T. Magalhães 2 , A. Almeida 1 , A. Santos 2 and B. Santos 3
1 REQUIMTE, Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
2 Serviço de Medicina Legal, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Portugal. Serviço de
Patologia Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal, I.P. – Delegação do Norte.
3 Serviço de Patologia Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal, I.P. – Delegação do Centro.
Investigation of bodies recovered out of water is a common medico-legal task. However,
the key question whether the victim died due to drowning or was simply put into the water
after death can frequently not easily be solved [1]. The difficulties are related to the few
macroscopic findings seen during the autopsy examination, usually non-specific or
doubtful. Additionally, the putrefaction, frequently present, increases the uncertainty of the
diagnostic.
Several approaches to support the diagnosis of death by drowning have been investigated.
Beyond the classical detection of diatoms in blood and tissues, one of those approaches
may be the determination of trace elements (TE) in blood, using highly sensitive analytical
techniques. This is based on the following principle: several TE typically found in water
are not present (or are present at much lower concentration) in human body. Therefore, in
the case of death by submersion in water, those TE will become increased in the body. In
this context, one of the elements that has gained broad acceptance is strontium (Sr), since it
is, from the studied TE, the one that shows the higher ratio [Sr] in water / [Sr] in body
fluids or tissues. For example, for seawater, the ratio [Sr] in water / [Sr] in blood is ca. 267,
which makes it a highly useful indicator [2]. Additionally, some studies have also shown
that a significant difference can be found between the Sr concentration in the left ventricle
([Sr]LV) and the right ventricle ([Sr]RV) blood, and the use of the two variables ([Sr]LV and
[Sr]LV-[Sr]RV) have been proposed. However, the usefulness of Sr determination in case of
deaths by submersion in freshwaters is not so clear, because of the lower Sr concentrations
in these waters [3].
In the last few years, a highly sensitive instrumental technique, the so-called Inductively
Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), has gained increased importance in
forensic studies. Our current work regards its utilization in the determination of TE in
blood of the cardiac cavities and the water where the corpses were found in order to
increase the certainty of the diagnostic of death by drowning. Main specific objectives are
the evaluation of the difference between Sr and other TE concentrations in LV and RV
blood as a marker of drowning and the identification of other TE (beyond Sr) that could be
an advantageous marker of drowning, particularly in freshwater.
References:
[1] Piette, M.H. and De Letter, E.A. (2006), Drowning: still a difficult autopsy diagnosis, Forensic
Science International, 163(1-2), 1-9.
[2] Azparren, J.E., Ortega, A., Bueno, H. and Andreu, M. (2000), Blood strontium concentration related
to the length of the agonal period in seawater drowning cases. Forensic Science International, 108(1),
51-60.
[3] Azparren, J.E., Fernandez-Rodriguez, A. and Vallejo, G. (2003), Diagnosing death by drowning in
fresh water using blood strontium as an indicator, Forensic Science International, 137(1), 55-59.
147

Firing distance estimation through the analysis of the gunshot
residues deposit pattern around de bullet entrance hole
J. Tuna 1 , A. Santos 2 , A. Almeida 1 and T. Magalhães 2
1 REQUIMTE, Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
2 Serviço de Medicina Legal, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Portugal. Serviço de
Patologia Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal, I.P. – Delegação do Norte.
The determination of the shooting distance is of utmost importance in criminal
investigation of firearm incidents since it can decisively contribute for the differential
medico-legal diagnosis among a simple accident, a suicide or a homicide [1]. One of the
main evidences in these cases is the presence of residues (gunshot residues – GSR) in the
skin of the victim, at the impact zone and around it. Such GSR are essentially particles
resulting from the condensation of vapors of the “primer” that were jointly transported
with the projectile to the impact surface. Regarding metallic elements, GSR mainly contain
lead (Pb), antimony (Sb) and barium (Ba).
In a forensic ballistics perspective, it is understandable that the quantity (the deposit
density) and the distribution pattern of GSR around the bullet entrance hole is somewhat
related with the firing distance, a fact that has been explored by some investigators.
In a previous work [2], we studied the 6.35-mm
pistol, the gun most frequently involved in firearms
incidents in Portugal. Test shots were made against
a target of cotton tissue, and the amounts of Sb, Ba
and Pb deposited in quadrangular pieces (1 x 1 cm)
of the target, cut from four radial positions around
the bullet entrance hole (Fig. 1), were determined
by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Fig. 1 – Sampling positions for
GSR analysis.
(ICP-MS). The data obtained were used to establish a mathematical model for estimating
the firing distance. In the experimental conditions used, it was possible to estimate it on the
interval [20-80] cm. The best regression curve which adjusted to the data was a linear
multiple regression between the firing distance (d) and the logarithm of the mass (m) of
each element in samples C (i.e., radial distance between 3.5 cm and 4.5 cm), expressed in
µg/g of target tissue: d = a + b1X1 + b2X2 + b3X3, where X1 = ln m (Sb), X2 = ln m (Ba) and
X3 = ln m (Pb). The accuracy of firing distance estimation using only 1 or 2 elements was
not significantly different from the one obtained with the 3 elements. Using a similar
experimental protocol, we have now extended the study to the 7.65 mm pistol, another gun
also commonly involved in firearm incidents in Portugal, and the results were quite
similar. However, for this pistol, the best radial position for samples collection seems to be
position B.
References:
[1] DiMaio, V.J.M. (1999), Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics, and Forensic
Techniques, CRC Press, Boca Raton.
[2] Santos, A., Magalhães. T., Vieira, D.N., Almeida, A.A. and Sousa, A.V. (2007), Firing distance
estimation through the analysis of the gunshot residue deposit pattern around the bullet entrance hole by
inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: an experimental study, The American Journal of Forensic
Medicine and Pathology, 28(1), 24-30.
148

In vitro assessment of whey edible coats with antimicrobial
features against differents microbial strains
A. Santos, M. Leão, O. Ramos, M. Pintado, and X. Malcata
Escola Superior de Biotecnologia - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, P-4200-072 Porto, Portugal
A new generation of food packages is on the way – as traditional concepts were hampered
in their ability to further extend shelf-life of food products, coupled to considerably high
ecological footprints. One element of such a generation takes advantage of coats that
inhibit undesirable microbial growth; however, most commercial solutions already made
available in the market include compounds – which cannot be ingested. Edible coatings
based on milk proteins – viz. whey proteins, have meanwhile been developed for use as
protective layers in a variety of foods. Unfortunately, their main functionality relates to
barrier properties, so there is large room for improvement in appearance. Development of
edible coats exhibiting general antimicrobial properties is thus an issue of practical
relevance; however, a general solution may not exist, as different spoilage/pathogenic
microflora have been associated to the food surface. Consequently, the objective of this
research effort was to assess – via in vitro tests, the efficacy of several formulated
antimicrobial edible coats, based on whey protein isolates as base coating material, and
glycerol as plasticizer. The antimicrobial activity of several antimicrobial agents — e.g. a
polysaccharide (oligochitosan), organic acid (lactic acid) and a bacteriocin (nisin) were
tested against yeasts (e.g. Yarrowia lipolytica) and bacteria (Escherichia coli and Listeria
innocua) at an inoculum level of 10 5 cfu/ml. The inhibitory effect of said antimicrobials
was initially tested in culture media and in edible coats, which remained in contact with
said microbial strains for 24 h. Afterwards, the best antimicrobial systems were selected.
Lactic acid (at 0.6%) and oligochitosan (at 2%) yielded the strongest effect under the
conditions tested against previously strains. Different coatings showed different
antimicrobial behaviors – depending on the microbial agent in stake; however, association
of antimicrobial agents increased (as expected) the individual antimicrobial activities.
149

Synthesis, structure elucidation and evaluation of xanthone
derivatives for dual activity: antitumor activity and P-glycoprotein
inhibition
J. Lima 1 , A. Paiva 1 , E. Sousa 1,3 , M. Pinto 1,3 , M. S. J. Nascimento 2,3 and M.
H.Vasconcelos 2,4
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
4 IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Portugal.
Although enormous progress has been achieved in the field of cancer therapy, only
approximately 50 % of all cancers are susceptible to chemotherapy. From these, more than
50 % rapidly develop drug resistance during therapeutical treatment. Most often, this drug
resistance is a multiple drug resistance (MDR) phenotype caused by the overexpression of
P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a membrane-bound efflux pump which transports a wide variety of
anticancer agents out of the tumor cells. Inhibition of P-gp is a powerful approach to
reverse MDR; however, current P-gp inhibitors have demonstrated limited clinical success
[1].
The development of a library of small molecules that will potentially reveal simultaneous
activities, as antitumor and P-gp inhibitor, is in progress, in which the requirements
established for P-gp modulation were applied to antitumor xanthones. Using parallel
synthesis and solid supported
O Cl
O NR2 reagents, several compounds were
Cu2O + NHR2 obtained (Fig. 1).
S
O
O
O
OMe
CHO
OH
CH 3
+
NHR 2
MeOH
r.t. overnight
MP-CNBH3 AcOH
MeOH O
r.t. overnight
Fig. (1). Synthesis of amino(tio)xanthones.
O
S
O
OH
The multiple ligands will be
assessed for their antitumor
activity by testing their capacity to
inhibit the in vitro growth of
several human tumor cell lines.
The in vitro biological evaluation
of MDR modulation will be
conducted by testing the ability of
the molecules to either reduce P-gp protein expression or reduce the efflux of rhodamine
from K562Dox cells (cells from a chronic myeloid leukemia cell line with overexpression
of P-gp, obtained by another group from K562 cells after prolonged drug [2]).
References:
[1] McDevitt, C.A. and Callaghan, R. (2007), How can we best use structural information on Pglycoprotein
to design inhibitors?, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 113, 429-441.
[2] Lima, R.T., Guimarães, JE and Vasconcelos, M.H. (2007), Overcoming K562Dox resistance to
STI571(Gleevec) by downregulation of P-gp expression using siRNAs,Cancer Therapy, 5, 67-76.
Acknowledgments: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI, U. Porto, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos
for financial support.
OMe
CH 3
NR 2
150

Synthesis of xanthone derivates for in vitro and in vivo biological
activity studies
J. Siroka 1,2 , E. Sousa 2,3 and M. Pinto 2,3
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University in
Prague, Czech Republic.
2 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal
Xanthone derivatives are heterocyclic compounds with the dibenzo-γ-pyrone as the main
molecular moiety. They contain different types of substituents in different positions,
leading to a large variety of pharmacological activities [1]. 3,4-Dihydroxyxanthone (1, Fig.
1) was revealed as a hit compound in a study involving the investigation of the inhibitory
effect of oxygenated xanthones on several human tumor cell lines [2].
In order to obtain enough quantity for in vivo assays an for further molecular
modifications, the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroxyxanthone (1) was accomplished (Fig. 1): the
condensation of 1,2,3-trimethoxyphenol (2) with the appropriate substituted benzoyl
chloride 3 afforded
OMe
OMe
OMe
2
+
O
O
1
O
O
6
3
OH
CHO
HCO
OH
Friedel-Crafts acylation
COCl
Et2O, AlCl3 OMe
OH
Duff Formylation
HMTA (hexamethylentetramin)
CF3COOH OH
r.t. 22h
MeOH, H 2 O, NaOH, reflux/47h
Demethylation
C6H5CH3 , AlCl3 , 70 ºC/13h
Fig. 1. Synthesis of compounds 1 and 2.
O
OMe
OMe OH
OMe
4
O
O
5
O
O
Base-catalized cyclization
OMe
OMe
CHO
OMe
OMe
benzophenone 4 which was
further cyclized to give 3,4dimethoxyxanthone
(5).
Compound 5 was demethylated
to furnish 3,4dihydroxyxanthone
(1).
Additionally, the synthesis of
reactive formylated derivatives
of xanthones, 1 and 5, was
attempted by Duff formylation.
Only 1-formyl-3,4dihydroxyxanthone
(6) was
obtained by this procedure.
Compound 6 will be used as a
building block on the
construction of a library of amine
xanthonic derivatives to
investigate antitumor activity.
References:
[1] Pinto, M., Sousa, E., Nascimento, M. S. J. (2005), Xanthone derivatives: new insights in
biological activities, Current Medicinal Chemistry, 12, 2517-2538.
[2] Pedro M., Cerqueira, F., Sousa, M.E., Nacimento, M.S.J. and Pinto, M. (2002), Xanthones as
inhibitors of growth of human cancer cell lines and their effects on the proliferation of human
lymphocytes in vitro, Bioorganic Medicinal Chemistry, 10 (12), 3725-3730.
Acknowledgments: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI for financial support.
151

Ultrastructural characterisation of Pirellula sp. OJF20
R. Abreu 1 , F. Viana 1 , J. Torres 1 , J. Bondoso 1,2 , A. Lobo-da-Cunha 2,3 and O.M. Lage 1,2
1 Departamento de Botânica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto
2 CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental
3 Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar
Planctomycetes are a phylum of the domain Bacteria with particular morphologic and
structural characteristics, as peptidoglycan-less wall and intracellular compartmentalisation
(1, 2). These characteristics make them an important object of study for the clarification of
the phylogenetic relationships between microorganisms (the construction of the tree-oflife)
as well as prokaryotic and eukaryotic differentiation.
Pirellula sp. OJF20 (GenBank accession number-EF589346) was isolated from the surface
of macroalgae Corallina sp., sampled in a rocky beach in Foz, Porto, and belongs to a new
independent cluster close to the Rhodopirellula genus (94% similarity in the 16S rRNA
gene). Electron microscopy techniques such as negative staining, ultrathin section analysis
and ultracytochemistry were used to characterise this strain. Results showed that cell
organisation and life cycle is similar to that of R. baltica (3). They cells usually present an
ovoid shape, although polymorphism can be found especially in older cultures. Ultrathin
sectionsl revealed the presence of a paracrystaline structure well evident in the cytoplasm.
Probably this structure is a virus but new studies are now being performed to confirm its
nature.
1. Fuerst JA. 1995. The planctomycetes: Emerging models for microbial ecology, evolution
and cell biology. Microbiology 141: 1493-506
2. Fuerst JA. 2005. Intracellular compartmentation in planctomycetes. Annual Review of
Microbiology 59: 299-328
3. Gade, D, Stührmann, T, Reinhardt, R & Rabus, R. 2005. Growth phase dependent
regulation of protein composition in Rhodopirellula baltica. Environ. Microbiol. 7: 1074-
84
152

Mesoporous Carbons: Synthesis and Functionalization
C.A. Orge 1 , J.P.S. Sousa 1 , F. Gonçalves 1 , C. Freire 2 ,
M.F.R. Pereira 1 and J.J.M. Órfão 1
1 Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de
Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
2 REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto,
Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
Mesoporous carbons have received a great attention due to their potential use as advanced
adsorbents and catalytic supports. Comparatively to the traditional microporous activated
carbons, the use of these materials in the aforementioned applications presents several
advantages, mainly related to its large-pore network, which makes mass transfer
limitations less significant. This is of utmost importance when dealing with bulky
molecules, such as textile dyes. On the other hand, the surface chemistry of these carbons
can be tailored to specific needs, by appropriate chemical and thermal treatments. Several
methods can be followed for preparing these materials, such as catalytic activation of
carbon precursors, template-based methods, carbonization of polymer/polymer blends and
organic cryo-, xero- and aerogels.
The present work aimed on the preparation of mesoporous carbons with large surface area,
high porosity and a controlled, narrow pore size distribution. Two main series of materials
were produced: a) carbon xerogels (CX), prepared by sol-gel condensation of resorcinol
and formaldehyde [1]; and b) templated carbons
(CMK-3), using a previously synthesised silica
(SBA-15) as template [2]. After the synthesis step,
the surface chemistry of the carbons prepared was
modified by means of gas and liquid phase
treatments, with O2 and HNO3, respectively. The
nature and amount of the surface oxygen groups
introduced by the different treatments was then
analysed by temperature-programmed desorption
(TPD) and the textural characterization of all the
carbons prepared was based on the N2 adsorption
isotherms at -196 ºC. Figure 1 shows the TPD
profiles obtained for the CX samples.
In a second phase of the work, the synthesised
carbons will be used in adsorption processes and in
the preparation of oxidation catalysts (e.g. anchored
metalloporphyrins) for the treatment of textile
effluents.
Acknowledgements: This work was partially funded by the program Investigação Científica na Pré-Graduação 2007,
(Universidade do Porto and Caixa Geral de Depósitos - project IPG58) and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
(POCTI/1181). FG thanks Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for the project POCI/N001/2005.
References:
[1] Mahata, N., Silva, A.R., Pereira, M.F.R., Freire, C., Castro, B., Figueiredo, J.L. (2007),
Anchoring of a [Mn(salen)Cl] complex onto mesoporous carbon xerogels, J Colloid Interf Sci 311
152-158.
[2] Fuertes, A.B. (2004), Synthesis of ordered nanoporous carbons of tunable mesopore size by
templating SBA-15 silica materials, Micropor Mesopor Mat 67 273-281.
a)
CO 2 (μmol.s -1 .g -1 )
b)
CO (μmol.s -1 .g -1 )
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
0 250 500 750 1000
0.9
0.6
0.3
Temperaure (ºC)
0.0
0 250 500 750 1000
Temperaure (ºC)
CX
CX-HNO 3
CX-O 2
Figure 1 – TPD spectra for the CX.
a) CO2 evolution; b) CO evolution.
153

Physical exercise and stress hormones
M. Moz 1 , S. Baptista 1 , O. Cardoso 1 , M. Mendanha 1 , A. Ascensão 2 , J. Magalhães 2 and
L. Ribeiro 1
1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Sport Biology, FCDEF, University of Porto, Portugal.
An adequate balance between catabolic processes (mobilization of energy), induced by
stress hormones such as the catecholamines (CA), adrenaline (AD) and noradrenaline (NA)
and cortisol, and anabolic processes (repair, healing, growth), induced by steroid sex (such
as testosterone) and growth hormones, is vital for health and survival [1].
Regular moderate physical exercise is known to contribute to such anabolic effects and to
an earlier homeostasis restoration [2]. However, long-term and/or excessive physical
exercise result in the over-secretion of CA and cortisol, leading to over-reaction and
exhaustion of the target-organs, which can be extremely harmful. Acute or chronic stress,
induced by excessive physical exercise, may thus lead to an inadequate endocrine
response, eventually contributing as a risk factor to disease initiation and/or exacerbation
[3].
The aim of our work was to examine the effect of exposure to an intense and extremely
stressful training on several plasma stress hormone levels in healthy male individuals. Two
groups were evaluated: one group of individuals conditioned by a previous 3 months
rigorous training (Group A; n=7) and another one not submitted to this training (Group B;
n=7). Blood samples were collected before (basal), immediately after 72 hours of the
training and 48 hours (rest period) after this period. AD and NA levels were quantified by
means of high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED)
and plasma cortisol and testosterone levels by RIA..
There were no significant differences between groups A and B, relatively to basal levels, of
either cortisol (13.4±1.64 vs. 14.7±1.1 µg/dL) or testosterone (136.6±40 vs. 176.7±40
ng/dL). After training, there was an increase of cortisol plasmatic levels, which was though
only significant for group A. However, after 48 hours of rest, cortisol levels remained high
in group B, but not in A (p

Single-standard calibration applied to SIA analytical system with
potentiometric detection
Leonel G. C. Soares 1 and Rui A.S. Lapa 1
1 REQUIMTE/CEQUP, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
The flow techniques provide a wide range of possibilities being calibration and dilution
schemes applicable to a variety of analytical methodologies [l, 2]. Among the flow
techniques, the Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA) analytical systems have been applied in
the refinement of calibration techniques to accompany the wide range of analytical
applications.
Different calibration methods has been proposed [3,4] and could be classified as: (a) the
conventional method (CM), (b) the indirect method (IM), (c) the internal standard method
(ISM) and (d) the dilution method (DM) [5].
The conventional calibration method is commonly used in analytical practice in two
modes: interpolative and extrapolative, which are usually termed ‘the calibration curve
method’ and ‘the standard addition method’, respectively [5]. In the first one, the
calibration graph is prepared with the use of a set of standard solutions prepared separately
from a sample; as a consequence, the signal measured for the sample is then related to the
calibration graph and the analytical results are interpolated. In the ‘the standard addition
method’ standard solutions are added to the sample, hence the calibration graph is limited
by the signal obtained for the sample and the analytical result can be evaluated exclusively
by extrapolation. The advantages of the extrapolative calibration process reside in the
compensation of the effect of the interferent species since the interpolative method presents
the effect of those interferences.
In the work, a simple extrapolative process applied to a SIA technique was developed to
generate a set of precisely diluted aliquots from a single standard and applied to the
determination of chloride in water sampled. An ion selective electrode sensitive to chloride
was used as detector.
References:
[1] - Ruzicka, J., and Hansen, E. H., Flow Injection Analysis, Wiley, New York, 2nd ed., 1988.
[2] - Ruzicka, J., Anal. Chem., 1983,55,1986.
[3] P. Koscielniak, Anal. Chim. Acta, 438 (2001) 323.
[4] P. Koscielniak, in: J. Niemiesnik, W. Chrzanowski (Eds.), New Horizons and Challenges in
Environmental Analysis and Monitoring, Centre of Excellence in Environmental Analysis and
Monitoring, Gdansk, 2003, 110.
[5] - Paweł Koscielniak, Marcin Wieczorek, Joanna Kozak, Małgorzata Herman, Analytica
Chimica Acta 600, 2007, 6.
155

PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN
ANTIBIOTIC IN TiO2 AQUEOUS SUSPENSION
F. G. Azevedo, M. Domingos, C. G. Silva and J. L. Faria
Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de
Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
The presence of pharmaceuticals and their metabolites in aquatic environments has raised
increasing concern in recent years [1]. Antibiotics can hardly be degraded by biological
processes, leading to the persistence of these compounds in the aquatic ecosystem posing a
real threat in what concerns bio-accumulation. Hence, it is a priority to search for
alternative chemical treatment methods, which can effectively eliminate the disposed
amounts of this type of compounds. Ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) is an antibacterial drug
belonging to the class of fluoroquinolones, widely used in the treatment of severe
infections in humans. Among the possible treatments, TiO2-mediated photocatalysis has
proven to be very effective in the complete oxidation of a great variety of organic
pollutants [2]. The process is based in the oxidative potential of the hydroxyl radical
(HO • ), which reacts rapidly and non-selectively with a wide range of organic compounds.
In this work, it is shown that CIPRO can be degraded in an aqueous suspension of TiO2
(Degussa P-25) using ultraviolet (253.7
nm) radiation, more efficiently that in the
absence of any photocatalyst (Fig 1). The
photocatalytic process leads to a total
organic carbon removal of 80% after two
hours of irradiation.
The aim of this study is to examine the
mechanism of photocatalytic reaction.
The effects on the reaction of the TiO2
catalyst loading, CIPRO initial
concentration (C0), pH, irradiation
intensity and dissolved oxygen
concentration are described. A kinetic
model to describe the contribution of the
mentioned variables will be attempted.
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Acknowledgments: The authors gratefully acknowledge FCT and FEDER for financial
assistance (fellowship SFRH/BD/16966/2004 and projects POCI/EQU/58252/2004 and
POCTI/1181/2003).
References:
[1] Hirsch, R., Ternes, T., Haberer, K. and Kratz, K.-L. (1999), Occurrence of Antibiotics in the
Aquatic Environment, The Science of the Total Environment, 225(1-2), 109-118.
[2] Silva, C.G., Wang, W. and Faria, J.L. (2006), Photocatalytic and Photochemical Degradation
of Mono-, Di- and Tri-azo Dyes in Aqueous Solution Under UV Irradiation, Journal of
Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 181(2-3), 314-324.
C/C0
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
UV/TiO 2
UV
Time (min)
Fig. 1- CIPRO decay during photochemical (UV)
and photocatalytic (UV/TiO2) reactions.
156

Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab in
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Effects on Human Endothelial
Cells
M. Ferreira-Pinto 1* , T. Taveira-Gomes 1* , A Carneiro 2 , M Falcão 2 , I. Azevedo 1 , F.
Falcão-Reis 2 , R. Soares 1
1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department od Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicina of University of Porto, São João Hospital,
Portugal
* The two authors contributed equally to the project
INTRODUCTION: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of
irreversible blindness over 50 years of age in developed countries. This pathology is
characterized by the development of abnormal choroidal blood vessels that proliferate
through the Bruch's membrane, invading the subretinal space, beneath the macula, which
causes severe and fast loss of vision. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels
from pre-existing ones, is accomplished by a huge number of pro-angiogenic growth
factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Recent reports claiming that
VEGF plays a crucial role in AMD-related angiogenesis rendered this growth factor a
major therapeutic target. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab are two therapeutic agents already
being used in the clinical pratice that block the action of VEGF. However, there are no
studies comparing the relative efficacy and safety in AMD patients.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to compare the effects of ranibizumab
and bevacizumab in endothelial cell growth, apoptosis, migration and in vitro capilary-like
tubule formation.
METHODS: Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) cultures were incubated
with different concentrations of ranibizumab or bevacizumab within the doses used in the
clinic, or their excipients. HUVEC viability (by MTT), proliferation (by BrdU
immunoassay), apoptosis (by TUNEL assay) and migration (using double-chamber assays)
were performed. Evaluation of tubule-like structures formation was performed on matrigelcoated
plaques incubated with ranibizumab, bevacizumab or their excipients.
RESULTS: Neither bevacizumab nor ranibizumab presented cytotoxic effects, as evaluated
by MTT assay. HUVEC proliferation was significantly reduced by the two agents, as
compared to excipient-treated controls. Incubation with bevacizumab at five different
concentrations led to increase apoptosis. Ranibizumab treatment resulted in increased
apoptosis in the two higher concentrations tested. Cell migration was only affected by
higher concentrations of both agents. Cell assembly into capillary-like structures was
effectively downregulated by incubation with bevacizumab at the clinically used dose,
whereas ranibizumab treatment resulted in decreased cord formation, although not
reaching statistical significance.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that clinical doses of bevacizumab and
ranibizumab are able to prevent several steps of the angiogenic process in a distinct
manner. Statistical analyses are being performed in order to elucidate the precise effects of
each of the agents examined.
157

Geometry and Space Conception the importance of the processes
of representation to Architecture
Bruno Russo 1 and João Pedro Xavier 2
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Doctor, Professor of Geometry, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
What is the nature of space? What is our concept of space? Has it been unchangeable over
time? And how do the architects use this concept, or concepts, in order to create
architecture, the organization of space? The search for the idea of space starts at the
crossroads of Geometry and Architecture. If the latter is its organization and management,
the first, more than the science that studies space, is its very language, the ultimate tool for
the architect, even if sometimes he’s not aware of it. Geometry and Architecture have
evolved through time and their paths have often crossed, causing echoes on the individual
development of each.
Starting at Euclid’s Elements, the cornerstone of the western knowledge on geometry, and
following the major breakthroughs of this science of space, we try to understand the
influence they set on architectural production. On the other hand, by identifying turning
points on Architecture’s theory and/or practice we’ll search for reverberations on the
representation processes in particular, and on Geometry in general.
Architecture owes Geometry what Vitruvius called dispositio – the representation
processes. And since the ancient Greeks those processes have evolved: Euclid thought of
an infinite and plane space (Euclidean Space), Brunelleschi, Alberti and Piero della
Francesca invented the Perspectiva Artificialis, Desargues and Poncelet developed the
Projective Geometry, Monge codified a double-projection system, Lobachevsky, Bolyai
and others discovered the non-euclidean geometries, used by Einstein to re-design our
model of the Universe and finally, at the turn of the millennium, the computer-based
design knows mass use and becomes the only tool for many young architects.
The architects used the tools Geometry provided them, and “tuned” them. We cannot sever
perspective or Monge’s system from Architecture, and certainly can’t dissociate the
classical orders from Pythagoras’ view of the World. Nowadays we get entangled in an
overwhelming variety of forms and geometries, in a lack of “order” for the architect to
follow. Architecture pursued geometric values on the search of beauty and order for many
centuries, but now it seems these values have changed. Or have they not?
We think that the relationship between Architecture and Geometry is a symbiosis that can’t
be easily broken. We believe that the study of the history of Geometry can help us
understand the history of Architecture. Today we have more knowledge, more technology,
advanced engineering and higher levels of education. We need to know better the tools at
our disposal in order to produce better architecture. Geometry has always been our
premium tool but now, with the automation of the processes brought to light by the
personal computer, we tend to distance ourselves from the geometric definition of space
and form. And this can lead to a poorer comprehension of space, preventing Architecture
from achieving higher goals.
158

Wet Peroxide Oxidation and Wet Oxidation of Nitrophenols in
Aqueous Streams
S. Martins 1,2 , A. Ribeiro 2 , A.M.T. Silva 1 , P. Araújo 2 , J.L. Figueiredo 1 , and J.L. Faria 1
1 Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de
Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
2 CUF – Químicos de Portugal, S.A., Quinta da Indústria, 3860-680 Estarreja, Portugal
The treatment of nitrophenols, typically found in the effluents from the process of
nitrobenzene synthesis, was carried out by wet oxidation (WO) and wet peroxide oxidation
(WPO). These processes are based in the principles of wet air oxidation, an efficient
process for treatment of high strength effluents which cannot be treated by conventional
methods [1]. In this process the organics are oxidized in the liquid phase at temperatures
around 300ºC and pressures of 5 to 200 bar, in presence of an oxygen-containing agent
(usually air). This process has low operating costs and minimal air pollution discharges,
the main limitations being the safety implications
associated with a system operating at such
conditions [2]. Under the usual conditions, the
organic compounds are mainly oxidized into
carbon dioxide and water. Our previous studies
show that this process is efficient above 200ºC
and 7.0 bar of O2 in the degradation of low
dinitrophenol (DNP) and trinitrophenol (TNP)
concentrations (below 0.4 g/L) [3]. However,
these operating conditions are quite severe for
industrial scale-up and higher concentrations of
Figure 1 – Evolution of the C/C0 ratio to
DNP and TNP.
nitrophenols (above 10 g/L) are usually found in real effluents. Therefore, the use
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as additional oxidizing agent was investigated in this work (wet
peroxide oxidation process) aiming to obtain a high efficiency at lower temperatures and
pressures. In a wide range of concentrations of nitrophenols the use of mild conditions for
temperature and O2 pressure (without H2O2) resulted in conversions up to 99.3 and 98.5%
for DNP and TNP, respectively (Fig.1). An initial period of 30 min was necessary to
achieve the working temperature. At the same temperature, with an oxygen pressure of 0.8
bar with the higher peroxide concentration used, a complete destruction of nitrophenols
was observed. Reducing temperature, keeping the oxygen pressure, but reducing peroxide
concentration to 56.1 g/L, resulted in maximum conversions of 92.1 and 99.8% for DNP
and TNP, respectively. Global TOC removal efficiencies ranged from 57 to 97%.
Therefore, the WPO is strongly recommended in the degradation of nitrophenols.
References:
[1] – Mishra, V.S, Mahajani, V.V. and Joshi J.B. (1995) Wet Air Oxidation, Industrial &
Engineering Chemistry Resaerch 34(1), 2-48.
[2] – Kolaczkowski, S. T., P. Plucinski, et al. (1999). Wet air oxidation: a review of process
technologies and aspects in reactor design, Chemical Engineering Journal 73(2), 143-160.
[3] – Apolinário, Â .C., Silva, A.M.T., Machado, B.F., Gomes, H.T., Araújo, P.P., Figueiredo, J.L.,
Faria, J.L. (2007), Wet air oxidation of nitro-aromatic compounds: reactivity on single- and multi
component systems and surface chemistry studies with a carbon xerogel, Applied Catalysis B,
Environmental, (in press, doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2007.12.018).
C/C0
1,6
1,2
0,8
0,4
0
DNP
TNP
-30 -15 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120
t (min)
159

Formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in charcoal grilled
sardines
M. Costa 1 , A. Melo 1 , C. Petisca 2 , I.M.P.L.V.O. Ferreira 1 , O. Pinho 1,2
1 REQUIMTE- Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua
Anibal Cunha 164, 4099-030 Porto; Portugal
2 Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias,
4200-465 Porto – Portugal
Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines (HAs) are produced during cooking at high temperatures of
proteinaceous food such as meat and fish [1]. HAs have proved to be carcinogenic in
animals and to induce early lesions in the development of cancer [1-2].
Grilling is considered a healthy method for cooking meat and fish, because foods do not
sear in a lot of fats. Grilled sardine Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum) is very appreciated by
Portuguese people, specially, during summer season. However, high temperatures can be
used during cooking and no studies were found concerning HAs’ formation. In the present
study, the effects of grilling on the formation of HAs of charcoal grilled sardines were
investigated.
Sardines were grilled in charcoal, under ordinary conditions (250-280 ºC) at two different
degrees of doness, “rare” and “well done”. Extraction and purification of HAs was
performed according to the method developed by Gross and Galceran [1-2] and adapted by
our research team [3]. The method uses the coupling of LLE with diatomaceous earth as
solid support and two SPE steps with propylsulfonic acid (PRS) and C18 was used to
extract HAs polar and less-polar HAs. Separation and quantification of HAs was
performed by liquid chromatography with diode array and fluorescence detection. All the
analytes were quantified by a standard addition method, using two fortified levels (around
5-20 ng g-1) and two non-spiked samples.
No HAs were quantified in “rare” grilled sardines, however, seven HAs, namely IQ,
MeIQx, PhIP, Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, AαC, MeAαC were encountered in “well done” grilled
sardines. Nonpolar HAs (Trp-P2, AαC, MeαAC) and PhIP were the most abundant HAs in
“well done” grilled sardines. The presence of nonpolar HAs, Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, MeαAC
and AαC is not often reported. Chemical modelling has shown that these HAs are
generated from pyrolysis of aminoacids via free radical reaction. These compounds have
been thought to be formed exclusively under extreme cooking conditions. Intake of
sardines is recommended owing to its high level of ω3 content, however, care should be
taken concerning the degree of doness.
References:
[1] Gross, G.A. (1990) Carcinogenesis (11) 1597- 1603.
[2] Galceran, M.T., Pais, P. and Puignou, L. (1996). Journal of Chromatography A (719) 203-212.
[3] Melo, A., Viegas, O., Eça, R., Petisca, C., Pinho O. and Ferreira I.M.P.L.V.O. (2008), Journal
of Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies (31) 1–16.
160

Influence of beer antioxidative properties on the formation of the
heterocyclic amine PhIP in grilled beef
A. Melo 1 ,M. Costa 1 , R. Eça 1 , I.M.P.L.V.O. Ferreira 1 , O. Pinho 1,2
1 REQUIMTE- Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua
Anibal Cunha 164, 4099-030 Porto; Portugal
2 Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias,
4200-465 Porto – Portugal
PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine) is an heterocyclic aromatic
amine belonging to a class of mutagens found in food. It is formed during the heating of
food (meat, fish) that contains creatine, free amino acids and carbohydrates. PhIP was first
isolated and identified from fried ground beef by Felton [1].
In several publications it was stated that the presence of antioxidants reduces the content of
heterocyclic aromatic amines, including PhIP, in meat. Since radical reactions play an
important role in the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines, it was hypothesised that
antioxidants should reduce the content of these mutagenic substances in grilled meat.
Consequently, the addition of ingredients rich in antioxidants is considered a promising
measure to reduce heterocyclic aromatic amines exposure [2-4].
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of beer, which is expected to have
antioxidative properties, on the occurrence of PhIP in grilled beef, one of the most
common heterocyclic aromatic amines found in grilled meat.
Beef samples were grilled in a teflon-coated frying pan, without adding oil. Before grilling,
samples were marinated with beer during 1 h, 2h, 4h and 6h. Control beef samples were
not marinated. The heat source was a gas cooker, and the temperature, on the surface,
ranged from 180 to 200ºC.
Extraction and purification of PhIP was performed by coupling of LLE with diatomaceous
earth as solid support and two SPE steps with propylsulfonic acid (PRS) and C18.
Separation and quantification of PhIP was performed by liquid chromatography with diode
array and fluorescence detection. Fluorescence detector was set at excitation 307 nm and
emission.
The marination time affected the PhIP formation. Higher content of PhIP was found in
control beef samples. There was an effective decrease of PhIP levels along the marination
with beer. Further work has to be done to clarify the complex reaction mechanisms for the
formation of PhIP. A reduction of the daily human exposure to this and other heterocyclic
aromatic amines must be the primary aim. Consequently, changes in cooking habits are
needed.
References:
[1] Felton, J.S., Knize, M.G., Shen, N.H., Lewis, P.R., Andresen, B.D., and Happe J. (1986),
Carcinogenesis (7), 1081–1086.
[2] Vitaglione, P. and Fogliano, V. (2004), Journal of Chromatography B (802), 189-199.
[3] Lan, C.M., Kao, T.H. and Chen, B.H. (2004), Journal of Chromatography B (802), 27-37.
[4] Murkovic, M., Steinberger, D., Pfannhauser, W. (1998), European Food Research and Technology (207),
477-480.
161

THE STUDY OF DE FÂNZERES-GONDOMAR GRANITES: A
MULTIDISCIPLINARY APROACH
M. Alves 1
1 Dep.Geologia, Fac. Ciências, Univ. Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
(c0770094@alunos.fc.up.pt).
The granites from Fânzeres-Gondomar area («granito gnaissico de Fânzeres» and «granito
de Gondomar») are located in the Central Iberian Zone. Multidisciplinary studies, namely
Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS), geometry of fluid inclusions plans (FIPs)
studies and microthermometric fluid characterization, were carried out. The Gondomar
granite presents an average magnetic susceptibility of 29.06 µSI, AMS indicates a
magnetic foliation (N19º; 69ºSE) which is the result of the magmatic flow (magmatic
foliation). The most representative FIPs trending NNE-SSW, are parallel to the magnetic
foliation, which indicate that they enhanced a pre-existent magmatic anisotropy. The fluids
that circulate within these micro-cracks are aqueous with high salinities (19.9 to 26.4
mass% eq. NaCl) and minimum temperature of entrapment between 90 and 120ºC. This
type of fluids has been referred to as being a result of a contribution of meteoric fluids
from late to post-Variscan cover. The Fânzeres granite presents a gneissic foliation, which
is visible on the field and on the microscope. The average magnetic susceptibility is 40.97
µSI and the magnetic foliation (N26º; 58ºSE) is parallel to the gneissic foliation. FIPs
trending NW-SE are the most representative. They are characterized by aqueous fluids of
low salinity (0.2 to 1.2 mass% eq. NaCl) and minimum temperature of entrapment between
130 and 200ºC. These FIPs are perpendicular to the gneissic and magnetic foliation, which
agrees with the process of the formation of FIPs. We assume that the FIPs correspond to a
stress field where the minimum stress, σ3, is normal to the FIPs that materialize the
vertical plane σ1 σ2.
Keywords: granites, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, fluid inclusions planes.
162

Educational Sciences and Medical Education: An internship in
FCM-UNL Department of Medical Education
R. Encarnação 1
1 Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
This paper describes a project developed during a curricular internship (integrated into the
last year of the basic degree in Educational Sciences, held by FPCEUP - Faculty of
Psychology and Educational Sciences of Porto University) which took place in the
Department of Medical Education (DEM) of the New University of Lisbon’s (NUL)
Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMSc). This pre-graduate internship was developed with the
support of a grant derived from the POCI2010 programme, from January to June 2006,
under the supervision of Professors Rui Trindade (remotely, at FPCEUP) and Patrícia
Rosado Pinto (locally, at DEM). We will focus on ways in which this work can be
characterized as a potential field of action for an Educational Sciences professional, in a
Higher Education-specific context like Medical Education.
One of the main objectives of this internship was to gain a deeper understanding of the
Department’s body of work and its role within the Faculty of Medical Sciences, taking into
account the different topics studied during our pre-graduate years, specifically focusing on
if and how the DEM’s role could be characterized as Educational Assessment and
Mediation. We believe that the DEM can be seen as a point upon which the Educational
and Medical Sciences can converge, in a cross-fertilization, multi-focal and reflexive
approach.
A full-immersion approach was outlined in order to accomplish these objectives, having
been stated since the initial project that the intern’s role would be that of a normal element
of the DEM, as a way to experience first-hand how the Department functioned and worked.
Weekly activity reports were instated as mandatory, in order to collect information and
thoughts on the intern’s, and the Department’s activities and characteristics.
We will present the work developed at the Department of Medical Education during the
internship, analyzing its activity in light of the Educational Sciences’ rationale of
intervention in education.
163

Resonant frequency shift / Hz
Quartz Crystal Microbalance: A Useful Tool As Sensor Of Thin
Films
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
-50
-100
-150
-200
-250
-300
J. Borges, C. M. Pereira and F. Silva
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is a simple, cost effective, high-resolution mass
sensing technique, based upon the piezoelectric effect [1] . A quartz crystal microbalance
(QCM) is an electromechanical transducer that can produce an electrical signal in response
to inertial and viscoelastic changes of a quartz crystal when a voltage is applied across its
faces [2] . The QCM then measures the frequency of oscillation of the crystal and possesses
a wide detection range. The QCM can detect changes in frequency of the crystal due to
changes in mass deposited on the surface of the crystal. This characteristic contributes for
the development of sensors [3] . Figure 1 shows a typical result obtained in the study on the
deposition of Oleylamine by adsorption at the surface of gold plated quartz crystal using
the QCM-Z500 instrument.
∆f = f (t)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
time / sec
Fundamental
3rd Overtone
5th Overtone
7th Overtone
9th Overtone
11th Overtone
Figure 1. Changes in ∆f
due to the deposition by
adsorption of Oleylamine
at the surface of the gold
plated quartz crystal.
The experimental results will be analyzed in order to characterize the adsorption behaviour
of Oleylamine at gold surfaces and results will be presented regarding the thermodynamics
of the adsorption process.
Acknowledgments:
Financial support from FCT (POCI 2010) and FEDER for the project POCI/QUI/57679/2004 is
gratefully acknowledged. J. Borges acknowledges the project POCI/QUI/57679/2004 for a BI
grant.
References:
[1] Kenneth, A. M., Biomacromolecules, 2003, 4 (5), 1099-1120.
[2] Etchenique, R. A.; Calvo, E. J., Anal. Chem., 1997, 69, 4833-4841.
[3] Pei, Z.; Anderson, H.; Aastrup, T.; Ramström, O., Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2005, 21, 60-
66.
164

João Andresen’s Fifties Houses: Portuguese Domestic
Architecture Up-to-Date
Sergio Dias da Silva 1
1 Architecture Graduate, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
João Andresen, born in Porto in 1920, became an Architect by the School of Fine Arts in
1948, beginning in that same year both his professional and academic careers, which
would last until his death in 1967. His work encompassed several fields, as Urbanism,
Housing, Public Buildings, Monuments and Furniture Design. This study 1 of Andresen’s
work is a consequence of the consultation and analysis of his estate and of specialized
periodic publications of the time, as of the visit to some of his buildings. The investigation
was complemented by the analysis of some bibliography Andresen recommended to his
clients - “The Culture of Cities” (Mumford, L., 1938), “Mechanization Takes Command”
(Giedion, S., 1948) and “Post-War Architecture: Built in USA” (Hitchock, H.-R., Drexler,
A., 1952).
In 1954, Andresen entered the International Calvert House Competition for the Canadian
Home of Tomorrow, a first for Portuguese architects on international competitions 2 ; for
that purpose, he created a “Future House”, symbol of his ideas of modern ideal home and
on the future of architecture. Between 1953 and 1956, some of Andresen’s houses
represent similar ideas to the “Future House”. The House in Caxias (1953-55) and House
in Figueira da Foz (1956-58) are visually similar to the “Future House”, but the first use of
those principles was in the House in Valongo, of 1953, usually considered closer to
Brazilian modern architecture 3 . Andresen’s role, and of his generation, in the questioning
of the Modern Movement is yet to be fully perceived, as his colleague, Fernando Távora
(1923-2005), became the undisputed leader of a new time in Portuguese architecture.
These Andresen’s houses, inspired in the binuclear houses of the architect Marcel Breuer
(1902-1981), confirm that the American architecture is the reference to a new way of
designing domestic space 4 but show, simultaneously, an abstract understanding of tradition
that was to become, after all, the main legacy of the Enquiry to Portuguese Popular
Architecture (1955-61).
The study of Andresen’s houses of the fifties, and of other Portuguese architects’ singlefamily
houses of the same decade, shows a generation’s ability to keep up to the main
researches in the design of domestic space, never abandoning peculiar aspects of the
Portuguese context and architecture. This generates an adaptation of international models,
a trademark of Portuguese architecture, and a unique view on the reinterpretation of the
Modern Movement.
[1] Silva, S. (2007), João Andresen: Uma Ideia de Arquitectura, Graduation Thesis, FAUP, Porto
[2] Toussaint, M. (2003), De Dentro para Fora na Década de 50, Jornal Arquitectos nº212
[3] Fernandez, S. (1985), Percurso – Arquitectura Portuguesa 1930-1974, FAUP, Porto, p.102
[4] Colomina, B. (1997), “Built in the USA: La Casa Americana de Posguerra”, in La habitación y la
ciudad modernas : rupturas y continuidade : 1925-1965 : actas / Primer Seminario Docomomo
Ibérico, Zaragoza, p.197
165

Synthesis of xanthone derivatives by microwave-assisted
methods
P. Vrbata 1 , M. Pinto 2,3 , R. Castanheiro 2,3 , S. Cravo 2,3
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Prague, Czech
Republic.
2 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of Porto
(CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
Xanthone derivatives are very interesting compounds and our research group has a large
experience in synthesis of these bioactive derivatives by classic ways, generally with harsh
reaction conditions [1,2]. For that reason, it was performed reactions with microwave
(MW) irradiation or MW combined with adsorbed reactants onto a solid support such as
clays, in order to obtain new xanthone derivatives in a more environmentally friendly
manner, by performing higher-efficiency reactions using fewer and/or safer reagents.
So, in this work is described the synthesis of xanthonic building blocks 1 and 2 with MW
irradiation (Fig.1) and the dihydropyranoxanthones 3 and 4 (Fig.1) through a combined
method of MW with heterogeneous catalysis.
The structural elucidation of the compounds will be established by spectroscopic methods,
mass spectrometry, and additionally by X-ray crystallography.
The compounds 2-4 will be evaluated for biological activities, namely antitumor activity in
human cancer cell lines.
Fig.1. Synthesized xanthonic derivatives.
References:
[1] Pinto, M.M.M., Sousa, M.E. and Nascimento, M.S.J. (2005), Xanthone Derivatives: New
Insights in Biological Activity, Current Medicinal Chemistry, 12 (21), 2517-2538.
[2] Pinto, M.M.M. and Sousa, M.E. (2005), Synthesis of Xanthones: An Overview, Current
Medicinal Chemistry, 12 (21), 2447-2479.
Acknowledgments: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI, U. Porto, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos
for financial support.
166

Location and Ownership of the Natural Resources in Iraq
C. Silva¹; H. Azevedo¹
¹Department of Geography, Faculty of Letras, University of Porto, Portugal
The Geography, with its traditional emphasis in demarcating, measuring, describing and
classifying the territory, is naturally important for the politics. Nowadays there is a new
geography and a new typology of the conflicts, where the priorities of Countries are related
with the natural resources. The geopolitical, economical and ecological perspectives are
the main causes of the "wars of resources", in other words (Klare 2001), they are
responsible for the "conflicts that happen for the ownership of critical materials." This term
also includes the "description of the fights of local populations against the resource
exploration and the neoliberal reforms in control of the resources" (Gedicks 1993;
Perreault 2006).
Many people cannot be sustained properly in the world, because their countries were not
formed naturally. They are frequently dominated by external powers, generally the
Western countries. The western geopolitical thinking on resources was dominated by the
trade, war and power equation.
Nowadays, we attend to the dispute of territories for the most important and valued
resources, namely the oil-producing products, by the designated developed western
society. The main cause of the importance of the resources has to do with their shortage,
with the need of the consumer’s satisfaction and with the implications in the world
distribution.
With the elaboration of this work for class “Geopolitics and Natural Resources”, it was our
objective to deepen our knowledge concerning the most valued natural resources to the
world scale, of the Middle East and of Iraq, realizing if these have evident influence in the
per capita income of the population and in the actual situation that the World and the
country crosses.
For such, we proceeded to the collect of available statistical information with the intention
of proceeding to its graphic and cartographic representation. In this extent, we collected
data concerning the population, per capita income and natural resources. The scientific
procedure adopted was the deductive, as the project is structured in three scales: world;
regional (Middle East) and local (Iraq).
The actual energy needs of the world economy are satisfied, essentially, by non-renewable
energies, as the oil, natural gas and coal. The developed economies, as the Westerner, are
energetically dependent of countries, like Iraq, in that its economy is extremely dependent
of the exports of oil.
Iraq possesses natural resources that guarantee the energy independence. However, it
continues to have social problems, due to the sanctions that are imposed because of the
frequent conflicts. As Iraq has to import the goods essential to the survival of the
population, the diversification of its economy would be fundamental, betting more in the
primary and tertiary sectors, in a way to contribute for the economical growth of the
country, reducing the external dependence and supplying job to the population, turning the
country more competitive globally.
If Iraq cuts in the provisioning of oil, it will cause serious economical crisis in the
countries that are dependent of this resource. We are in the presence of a closed world
political system where all the crisis of an exportation area would be reflected all over the
world, in all the regions, even if geographically distant.
167

MeO
Synthesis, Structural Elucidation and Biological Activities of
Chiral 1-Amino-2-Propanol Xanthone Derivatives
O
O
(1)
O
I. Teixeira 1 , M. Pinto 1,2 and C. Fernandes 1,2
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
There is a large variety of natural and synthetic xanthone derivatives described in the
literature [1] but only a few examples with a chiral moiety [2]. Previous research has
shown that chiral xanthones, namely chiral aminoalkanolic derivatives, present a sort of
pharmacological activities, such as anticonvulsant and antidepressant activities [2].
Our research group (CEQOFFUP) has a large experience in synthesis of xanthones with
interesting biological activities, namely among then a chiral xanthone obtained by the
condensation of 2-carboxy-6-methoxyxanthone with the aminoalcohol L-valinol.
In this presentation it is shown the synthesis of new chiral aminoalkanolic derivatives by
the connection of the same building block (1), with two amino alcohols. The xanthone (1)
was bonded to (R)-(-)-1-amino-2-propanol and (S)-(+)-1-amino-2-propanol to give the
chiral derivatives 2 and 3 (Fig. 1). These reactions were carried out with the coupling
reagent O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N-N-N’-N’-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU).
OH
N
H 2
1eq TBTU, dry THF
OH
MeO
O
O
(2) or (3)
O
R
(2) R:
(3) R:
Fig. 1: Synthesis of chiral 1-amino-2-propanol xanthone derivatives (2) and (3).
Considering compound (1), as building block, the expected compounds for a similar
reaction are 2 and 3 (Fig. 1) and their structure will be established by spectroscopic
methods ( 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, IV and mass spectrometry) and also will be evaluated for
enantiomeric purity.
All compounds will be evaluated for their neurological activity on nerve conduction
properties using the sciatic nerve model [3]. We hope that this methodology lead to the
discovery of new chiral compounds with potential antiepileptic activity.
References:
[1] Pinto, M.M.M., Sousa, M.E. and Nascimento, M.S.J. (2005), Xanthone Derivatives: New
Insights in Biological Activity, Current Medicinal Chemistry, 12 (21), 2517-2538.
[2] Marona, H. (1998), Synthesis and anticonvulsant effects of some aminoalkanolic derivatives of
xanthone, Pharmazie, 53, 672-676.
[3] Mert et al., (2003), Differential Effects of Lidocaine and Tramadol on Modified Nerve Impulse
by 4-Aminopyridine in Rats, Pharmacology, 69, 68-73.
Acknowledgments: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI for financial support.
NH
NH
OH
OH
CH 3
CH 3
168

Chiral Alaninol Xanthone Derivatives: Synthesis, Structural
Elucidation and Biological Activities
A. Pinto 1 , C. Fernandes 1,2 , M. Pinto 1,2 , A. Pozzi 3 , B. Matos 3 , L. Oliveira 3 and P. Correiade-Sá
3
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Unit for Multidisciplinary Investigation in Biomedicine (UMIB), Abel Salazar Biomedical
Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, Portugal.
Chiral compounds are of great interest and comprise an area in continuous development in
Medicinal Chemistry [1]. Considering the group of compounds of the chemical family of
xanthone derivatives, there is a large variety of natural and synthetic compounds, described
in the literature [2] but only a few examples with a chiral moiety [3]. Some of these
compounds, namely chiral aminoalkanolic derivatives, have demonstrated important
activities in the central nervous system (CNS), with the available data suggesting potential
antiepileptic and antidepressant activities [3].
In this presentation it is shown the synthesis of two chiral aminoalkanolic derivatives by
the connection of the 2-carboxy-6-methoxyxanthone (1), as building block, with both
enantiomers (S and R) of the amino alcohol alaninol (Fig. 1). These reactions were carried
out with the coupling reagent O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N-N-N’-N’-tetramethyluronium
tetrafluoroborate (TBTU).
MeO
O
O
O
OH
TBTU,THF, triethylamine
(S)-(+)-2-alaninol
(1)
TBTU,THF, triethylamine
(R)-(-)-2-alaninol
MeO
O
Fig. 1: Synthesis of chiral alaninol xanthone derivatives (2) and (3) (3).
Considering compound (1), as building block, the expected compounds for a similar
reaction are 2 and 3 (Fig. 1) and their structure will be established by spectroscopic
methods ( 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, IV and mass spectrometry) and also will be evaluated for
enantiomeric purity. Preliminary pharmacological tests concerning sciatic nerve
conduction experiments [4] were developed and suggest that this family of compounds is
potentially interesting. These preliminary results will be presented in this meeting by
Matos and collaborators. We expect that the synthesis of these new chiral xanthone
derivaties will result in the discovery of some “hit compounds” with important activities in
the central nervous system.
[1] Caner, H., Groner E., Levy L. (2004) Drug Discovery Today, 9 (3), 105-110; [2] Pinto,
M.M.M. et al. (2005), Current Medicinal Chemistry, 12, 2517-2538; [3] Jastrebska-Wiesek, M.,
Librowski, T., Czarnecki, R., Marona, H. and Nowak, G. (2003), Polish Journal of Pharmacology,
55, 461-465; [4] Mert et al., (2003), Pharmacology, 69, 68-73.
Acknowledgements: FCT (I&D, nº226/94), FEDER, POCI, U. Porto, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos
for financial support.
MeO
(2)
O
O
O
O
O
N
H
N
H
OH
OH
169

Primary Hyperparathyroidism: the unknown world of sporadic
cases and their genetic alterations
Alvelos M. 1,3, Barbosa E.2 and Soares P.3,4
1Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Biomedical Institute Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Portugal.
3Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of University of Porto, Portugal.
4 Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Portugal.
Hypercalcemia is a condition characterized by elevated calcium levels in the blood. It is a
common under diagnosed metabolic abnormality and a health problem that affects, in
Portugal, about 10.000 individuals. Approximately 90% of the cases are due to primary
hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The majority of PHPT cases are sporadic and related with
parathyroid adenoma (80-85%), hyperplasia (15-20%) or carcinoma (1%). About 10% of
the PHPT cases are hereditary forms that include MEN 1 gene mutations (Multiple
Endocrine Neoplasia type 1) and RET gene mutations (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type
2). Recently, it was described a germ-line mutation in the CDKN1B gene in a MEN1
mutation-negative patient with parathyroid and pituitary tumors. The molecular
mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of sporadic PHPT are incompletely understood
although alterations in MEN1, HRPT2 and CDKN1B genes have already been reported. In
the present work, we aim to perform the genetic characterization of apparently sporadic
PHPT cases. [1,3]
Constitutional DNA samples were obtained from thirty apparently sporadic PHPT patients.
Germ-line mutations in RET, MEN1 and CDKN1B genes were searched by PCR/SSCP
and direct DNA sequencing. Detection of somatic alterations involving Cyclin D1
expression was performed by immunohistochemistry.[2]
Only polymorphic alterations were detected in RET and CDKN1B genes. These results
confirm that none of the cases in our series corresponds to hereditary forms of MEN2 or
MEN4. In one case a MEN1 germ-line mutation was detected, showing that this patient
harbors, in fact, a familial form of MEN1 instead a sporadic form of PHPT. The Cyclin D1
immunohistochemistry study revealed that four of the 29 (14%) cases analyzed had nuclear
staining in 20-35% of the tumor cells, raising the possibility of Cyclin D1 mutation in
sporadic PHPT.
In conclusion, these results showed that all, except one case, of our series probably
corresponds to true sporadic forms of PHPT. Moreover, it was observed an overexpression
of Cyclin D1 in 14% of the studied cases. Further studies are in course in order to fully
characterize the molecular alterations underlying PHPT.
References:
[1] Miedlich, S., Krohn, K. and Paschke, R. (2003), Update on genetic and clinical aspects of
primary hyperparathyroidism, Clinical Endocrinology, 59, 539-554.
[2] Hsi, E.D., Zukerberg, L.R., Yang, W., and Arnold, A. (1996), Cyclin D1/PRAD1 expression in
parathyroid adenomas: an immunohistochemical study, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and
Metabolism, 81(5), 1736-1739.
[3] Pellegata, N. S.,Martinez, L.Q., Siggelkow, H.,Samson, E., Blink, K., Höfler, H., Fend, F.,
Graw,
J. and Atkinson, M. J. (2006),Germ-line mutations in p27 kip1 cause multiple endocrine neoplasia
syndrome in rats and humans, PNAS, 103(42), 15558-15563.
170

Flow cytometric detection of P-gp mediated drug efflux: a method
for the evaluation of the activity of P-gp inhibitors
A. Palmeira 1,2,3 , R. Lima 3,4 , H. Seca 3 , M.H. Vasconcelos 3,4 , E. Sousa 1,2 , M. Pinto 1,2 ,
1 Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Research Center of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Cancer Biology Group, IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the
University of Porto, University of Porto, Portugal.
4 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
Resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem in the treatment of many cancer patients.
One of the most studied mechanisms of drug resistance is that mediated by P-glycoprotein
(P-gp). P-gp is a multidrug membrane transporter coded by the MDR1 gene and is
responsible for the efflux of some drugs from cancer cells. P-gp inhibitors, capable of
reversing the efflux of anticancer drugs, are already available for clinical use but show
limited success. The synthesis and screening of new small molecules with potent activity
as P-gp inhibitors may be of clinical benefit.
The aim of the present work was to establish the already described flow cytometric method
to detect drug efflux from cells [1, 2] in our laboratory.
Two chronic myeloid leukemia cell lines in blastic phase were used. One was a cell line
sensitive to drugs (K562 cell line) and another was a cell line resistant to drugs due to
overexpression of P-gp (K562Dox cell line), which was obtained by other scientists by
long-term exposure of K562 cells to a drug. The levels of P-gp in both cell lines were
analysed by Western blot. The accumulation and efflux of Rhodamine 123 (Rh123, a
known P-gp fluorescent substrate) were determined by flow cytometry along a time course
in the K562Dox cells. Verapamil (a known P-gp inhibitor) was used to confirm our
capacity to detect drug efflux in this cell line.
We confirmed that K562Dox cells express P-gp, whereas K562 cells do not. We were
capable of detecting drug efflux in the K562Dox cells by flow cytometry. Flow cytometric
analysis showed that Rho123 accumulation and efflux was blocked by Verapamil.
However, the effect of Verapamil was neither total nor long-lasting.
Future work will consist of designing small molecules by computational chemistry, as
potential inhibitors of P-gp. This will be followed by the synthesis and finally the
screening of those new molecules, by using this drug efflux method.
References:
[1] Ludescher, C. et al. (1991), Blood, 78 (5), 1381-1390.
[2] Huet, S., et al. (1998), Cytometry (Communications in Clinical Cytometry), 34, 248-256.
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to acknowledge Prof. Dr. Jean-Pierre Marie for the
K562Dox cell line, Prof. Dr. José Eduardo Guimarães for helpful discussions and FCT (I&D,
nº226/94), FEDER, POCI, U. Porto, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos for financial support.
171

Effects of etoposide, doxorubicin and cytarabine in Burkitt
Lymphoma cell lines
R. Lima 1,2 , H. Seca 1 , M. I. Castro 1,2 , S. Brás 1 , P.Soares 1,3 , M.S. Nascimento 2,4 , M. H.
Vasconcelos 1,2
1 Cancer Biology Group, IPATIMUP- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the
University of Porto, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
4 Research Center of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the University of
Porto (CEQOFFUP), University of Porto, Portugal.
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infects more than 90% of the world population and it persists as
a lifelong infection mainly without symptoms. EBV is usually kept in latent form, possibly
leading to cellular transformation. In fact, EBV infection has already been associated with
the development of some neoplasias, namely Burkitt Lymphoma (BL). Traditionally,
treatment of this type of cancer is achieved using cytotoxic drugs.
The aim of this work was to verify the effect of some cytotoxic drugs such as etoposide,
doxorubicin and cytarabine in BL (EBV positive and EBV negative) cells in culture.
To address this question two isogenic BL cell lines were used: the AKATA EBV negative
cell line and its parental AKATA EBV positive cell line [1,2]. Both cell lines were treated
over 48h with etoposide, doxorubicin and cytarabine. Cellular viability was analysed with
the Trypan Blue exclusion assay. Apoptosis levels were assessed with the TUNEL assay
and the expression of apoptotic proteins was verified by Western Blot.
The EBV positive cells were more sensitive to etoposide and doxorubicin than the EBV
negative cells, but their response to cytarabine was similar. Basal programmed cell death
levels were higher in the EBV positive than in the EBV negative cells. In agreement with
this, EBV positive cells had higher levels of cleaved PARP than the EBV negative cells.
Both cell lines had an increase in programmed cell death following treatments with all
drugs. In the EBV positive cells, Bcl-2 expression was lower than in the EBV negative
cells and decreased with all treatments.
We concluded that EBV positive cells had higher basal programmed cell death levels than
the EBV negative cells and that they were more sensitive to doxorubicin and etoposide.
However, they presented similar response to cytarabine. We are currently investigating if
EBV is responsible for the differences observed in the response of the two cell lines.
References:
[1] Takada and Ono (1989), J Virol 63,445-449.
[2] Shimizu et al. (1994), J Virol 68,6069-6073.
Acknowledgments:
The authors would like to thank Professor Kenzo Takada for the AKATA cell lines (EBV negative
and EBV positive). They would also like to acknowledge Liliana Santos for technical assistance
and the Universidade do Porto and Caixa Geral de Depósitos for financial support. R. Lima is
recipient of a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/21759/2005) from FCT.
172

Automatic FIA method for determination of iron in environmental
samples
E. P. Freitas, F. A. Dias, H. M. Oliveira, M. A. Segundo, S. Reis and J. L. F. C. Lima
REQUIMTE, Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto,
Rua Aníbal Cunha, 164, 4099-030, Porto, Portugal
Email: elisa_10_10@hotmail.com; pipa_angel@hotmail.com
Iron is a ubiquitous element in the environment, especially abundant in rocks and soil. In
its biogeochemical cycle [1], iron is absorbed by plants as it is an essential element for its
growth and survival. In animals, iron is acquired through their diet. It is essential for their
metabolism, sustaining the effectiveness of hemoglobin. When these organisms die, the
microbial decomposers will break down essential nutrients from the body, including iron,
back to the soil. The presence of iron in different environmental matrices and its important
role upon life demands its quantification, namely in studies concerning its bioavailability,
toxicity and mobility.
In this context, the automation of the determination of iron is essential. Flow Injection
Analysis (FIA) [2] is an automation technique based on three principles: (1) reproducible
sample injection in a flowing carrier stream, (2) controlled dispersion of the sample zone
and (3) reproducible timing of its movement from the injector point to the detection
system. These principles allowed determination without need of physical or chemical
equilibrium.
The aim of this work is to provide a FIA system for the spectrophotometric determination
of iron in environmental samples (water, soil, etc). The development of the flow method
will comprise several steps, including the selection of the chromogenic reagent, the
optimization of reaction conditions (reagent concentration, time), and the optimization of
the manifold configuration (sample volume, flow rate, reaction coil length). Finally, the
accuracy and the precision of the novel methodology will be assessed through application
to real samples.
References:
[1] Shaked, Y., Erel, Y., and Sukenik, A. (2004), The biogeochemical cycle of iron and associated
elements in Lake Kinneret, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68 (7), 1439-1451.
[2] Ruzicka, J., and Hansen, E.H. (1975), Flow injection analyses. 1. New concept of fast
continuous flow analysis, Analytica Chimica Acta, 78 (1), 145-157.
173

Characterization of exotic wood species for finishing with waterborne
varnishes
D. Martins 1, V. Lopes3, F. Oliveira3, A. Mendes1, L. Carvalho1, 2
1 LEPAE - Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto,
Portugal.
2 DEMad - Department of Wood Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal.
3 CIN – Corporação Industrial do Norte, S.A., Maia, Portugal.
The finishing is the last operation in the manufacture of a wooden object, which consists of
an application of a decorative and protective coating, on the surface of the material. The
primary function of any wood finish (paint, varnish or stain, for example) is to protect the
wood surface, help maintain a certain appearance and provide a cleanable surface [1]. The
quality of a finished surface does not depend only on the technical characteristics of the
applied product, but also from the application conditions and the state of wood surface.
As an organic material derived from trees, wood is a complex heterogeneous polymer
composed of cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses and minor amounts of extractives materials
contained in the cellular structure [2]. Wood characteristics are determined by many
factors, such as species and growing conditions. More precisely, wood surface is
influenced by several intrinsic factors of the material, mainly morphology of polymers,
density, texture, roughness, extractives, moisture content and also by process conditions.
The analysis of surface quality is crucial for the successful control of quality of the
finishing, mostly in case of water-borne products that are increasingly being used, due to
environmental regulations.
Nowadays, exotic wood species are very appreciated for outdoors and indoors applications
in Portugal, but the ability of water-borne varnishes for finishing these exotic species are
less known. Among the species more used in Portugal, 13 were chosen of the most
important and commercialized species: Afzelia, Oak, Beech, Jatoba, Mahogany, Iroko,
Agba, Chesnut, Ipe, Sucupira, Tatajuba, Wengé and Mutényé.
So, the aim of this work is to study several wood surface characteristics that could affect
the finishing of wood with water-borne varnishes. To characterize wood surface the
following parameters were evaluated: surface pH, colour changes, roughness with and
without sanding, wettability and water-soluble extractives. These kind of exotic wood
species have different properties related to its surface and characteristics, which will
influence the product adhesion and final performance of the finishing (durability and
mechanical resistance).
References:
[1] Williams, R.S. (1999), Finishing of Wood, in Wood Handbook, Forest Products Laboratory,
Madison, pp. 15-1 – 15-38.
[2] Coelho, C. L., Carvalho, L. H., Martins, J., Costa, C., Masson, D., Méausoone, P. J. (2007),
Method for evaluating the influence of wood machining conditions on the objective
characterization and subjective perception of a finished surface, Wood Sci Technol, published
Online First . 2007.
174

Microbiological study of the interaction of Outer Membrane
Proteins with antibiotics
M. Garrido 1 , P. Gameiro 1,2 , P.J. Eaton 2 and M. Feio 1,2
1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 REQUIMTE
Pathogen resistance to antibiotics due to their extensive use is posing a major problem to
public health. Research into better and improved drugs is therefore a primary concern in
this filed.
This work is part of a wider project that has the final goal of understanding, at the
molecular level, the uptake of antibiotics through porins – channel proteins – that have a
crucial role not only in the transport of certain antibiotic families but also in the
development of resistance. Specifically, it is intended to obtain detailed information about
the molecular interactions of antibiotics belonging to the fluoroquinolone family and
OmpF. This membrane protein is known to be associated with the transport of these drugs
and it is important to understand the interdependence between the transport mechanism and
the drug’s efficiency 1,3 .
The microbiological study of the effect of fluoroquinolones upon a collection of E. coli
strains 2 with mutations in their OmpF channels is being carried out. The microplate minimum
inhibitory concentrations (MIC) method is being used to screen the effect of moxifloxacin in order
to elucidate the mechanism of cellular transport. Binary and ternary complexes of copper(II) and
1,10-phenantroline with moxifloxacin will also be tested for the improved efficacy attributed to
metalloantibiotics 1 .
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) will also be used to complement the study of the action
for the different drugs in the different E. coli strains allowing the observation of their effect
at a morphologic level.
References:
[1] Gameiro, P., Rodrigues, C., Baptista, T., Sousa, I., Castro, B. (2007), Solution studies on binary
and ternary complexes of copper(II) with some fluoroquinolones and 1,10-phenanthroline:
antimicrobial activity of ternary metalloantibiotics, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 334,
129-136.
[2] Prilipov, A., Phale, P., Van Gelder, P., Rosenbusch, J., Koebnik, R. ( 1998), Coupling sitedirected
mutagenesis with high-level expression: large scale production of mutant porins from E.
coli, FEMS Microbiology Letters, 163, 65-72.
[3] Neves, P., Berkane, E., Gameiro, P., Winterhalter, M., Castro, B. (2005), Interaction between
quinolones antibiotics and bacterial outer membrane porin OmpF, Biophysical Chemistry, 113,
123-128.
175

Interactions of sulindac and its metabolites with phospholipid
membranes: an explanation for the peroxidation protective effect
of the bioactive metabolite
F. Santos 1 , L. Teixeira 1 , M. Lúcio 1 , J. L. F. C 1 . Lima and S. Reis 1
1 Serviço de Química-Física, Faculdade de Farmácia Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most important therapeutic
agents used in the treatment of inflammatory processes. Although the most prominent
action of NSAIDs is due to their inhibitory activity against cycloxygenase (COX) enzymes
that catalyse the formation of prostaglandins there are also other important nonprostaglandin-mediated
effects. These include the NSAIDs antioxidant effect against lipid
peroxidation induced by reactive species which are implicated in several
pathophysiological processes such as inflammation, cell injury, cancer and death. Since
both inflammatory and lipid peroxidation processes are cell-surface phenomena, the
possible effects of NSAIDs on model membrane systems were investigated.
Sulindac is a sulfoxide prodrug of the therapeutic class of NSAIDs. Following oral
administration, it is reduced by the colonic flora to the pharmacologically active sulfide
form, which in turn is oxidized to the pharmacologically inactive sulfoxide and sulfone
metabolites. Different experiments performed in liposomes and aqueous solution were
compared and used to evaluate the protective effect of sulindac and metabolites in lipid
peroxidation induced by the peroxyl radical (ROO•) derived from 2,2’-azobis(2amidinopropane)
dihydrochloride (AAPH) and using fluorescence probes with distinct
lipophilic properties. Lipid peroxidation using the hydrophilic probe fluorescein was
evaluated in lipid and aqueous media. Lipid systems labelled with the fluorescent probe
diphenylhexatriene propionic acid (DPH-PA) were used to assess the effects of the drugs
on membrane peroxidation simultaneously by fluorescence intensity decay and changes in
membrane fluidity by steady-state anisotropy measurements. The location of sulindac and
its metabolites within lipid membrane models was determined by fluorescence quenching
using the probe (DPH-PA) inserted across the lipid bilayer. In addition, zeta-potential
measurements were made to evaluate changes in membrane surface resulting from its
interaction with sulindac and metabolites. Steady-state anisotropy measurements were also
made to determine possible membrane fluidity changes induced by the drugs assayed.
The use of different probes and liposomes as membrane mimetic systems allowed to
conclude that membrane lipoperoxidation, is not only related to the scavenging
characteristics of the antioxidants, but also to their ability to interact with lipid bilayers.
Results indicate that the antioxidant efficiency is linked to the proximity of the antioxidant
to the oxy-radical. The active NSAID studied (sulindac sulfide) can penetrate into the lipid
bilayer being accessible to protect membrane against oxy-radicals. In contrast the inactive
forms studied (sulindac and sulindac sulfone) do not present significant membrane effects
and are more able to scavenge radicals in the aqueous media.
176

Evaluation of primer coatings on steel subtracts by a low-cost,
fast electrochemical technique
V. Gonçalves 1, 2 , A. Mendes 1, 2 , J. Machado 3 , F. Oliveira 3 , J. Nogueira 2, 3 , H.
Aguilar Ribeiro 1
1 LEPAE – Laboratory for Process, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Department of
Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Rede de Competência em Polímeros, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 CIN – Corporação Industrial do Norte, Maia, Portugal.
Companies producing anticorrosive coatings for steel structures often need to test newly
formulated products, to determine their actual behavior before large-scale production. In
the coating industry, the most widely spread technique for assessing anticorrosive
properties of a coating is still salt fog spray test. However, they give very subjective
information and are very time and cost demanding. Modern electrochemical techniques,
such as the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), have made testing of the
corrosion degradation behavior of painted metal systems a relatively simple matter, but the
time to obtain an indication of the paint quality was still too long (1 week to 1 month) [1].
In the present work we propose the use of an electrochemical test, known as “AC/DC/AC
method” [1], to estimate the barrier properties of three different coatings, containing zinc
particles as a corrosion inhibitor agent, applied to steel substrates (Fig. 1). As any other
protocol designed to assess coating quality, this one includes a mechanism to stress the
coating and induce its failure; this is achieved by combining impedance results (AC) and
cathodic polarizations (the sample is cathodically polarized to generate an alkaline
environment and stimulate delamination at the metal/coating interface). In the present
study, the cathodic polarization (DC) was carried out for 2 minutes at a constant voltage of
-2 V, followed by a relaxation step to reach a new equilibrium stage at the normal
corrosion potential. The impedance of the stressed system was again evaluated. This
sequence stress/impedance was repeated six times, for about 2 hours, to assess
anticorrosive coatings performance, while similar conclusions were obtained after more
than 800 hours by salt fog spray tests. The results of this study yield a performance ranking
of the three different coatings, and show the ability of the AC/DC/AC technique to
evaluate properly and much faster the anticorrosive properties of paint coatings.
Impedance, IZI / Ω
100,000
10,000
1,000
100
10
1
1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000
Frequency, f / Hz
Fig. 1 – Left: Picture of the experimental set-up; Right: Level I Bode Level IIplot (impedance Level III
modulus vs.
frequency) for different coatings applied on metal substrates after exposure to electrolyte.
References:
[1] García, S.J. and Suay, J. (2006), Application of electrochemical techniques to study the effect
on the anticorrosive properties of the addition of ytterbium and erbium triflates as catalysts on a
powder epoxy network, Progress in Organic Coatings, 57, 273-281.
177

The Japanese Influence in Modern Western Architecture ─an
introduction─
Miki Itabashi
Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
The present work, carried out at the Faculty of Architecture as a graduation thesis 1 ,
proposes to study the issue of influence in architecture, in particular the Japanese influence
in the Modern Western architecture. Through the work of some architects who are
considered to be relevant to the history of architecture and modern culture, such as Frank
Lloyd Wright, Adolf Loos, Bruno Taut and Walter Gropius, an approach to the Japanese
culture is to be made, seeking to identify principles of the traditional Japanese architecture
that strengthen and assist the formation of modern idea of Western way of living.
The Japanese house is the expression of philosophy, lifestyle and aspirations of the
Japanese society. Due to the fact that Japan has lived a long period of isolation from the
West, its culture is deeply rooted in itself. The traditional Japanese housing is an example
that illustrates, through its simplicity, an adaptable and flexible way of inhabiting, with a
close relationship with Man and Nature.
The analysis of some Frank Lloyd Wright and Adolf Loos’s houses serve as a motive to
establish common points between their architecture and the Japanese one. The study of
Bruno Taut and Walter Gropius’s writings will help to the understanding of the traditional
Japanese concepts under a modern perspective and its applicability in the contemporary
housing.
This confrontation of two different cultures will serve to present some basis on Japanese
housing and Japanese ways of living and, at the same time, to understand what western
architects have learned from it, or have seen, in that completely different culture, as a
practical example of concepts that they had already been developing.
Besides the comparison between the West and the East, whose purpose is to establish
connections between the two cultures and to understand how the knowledge of other
architectures can enrich us, both by the valuing of our own culture and by adding new
means to solve contemporary architecture problems this study also intends to show how
important influence is in projecting, as a tool that, in a conscious or unconscious way,
helps us in the search and in the act of creating.
This study may also be included in the perspective of reconsidering the modern
architecture’s historiography that, as it is known today, does not lay on the assumption of
“blank slate” concept, isolated from the past and tradition, as its supporters claimed, when
opposing to eclecticism. This work, within its limitations, may be a contribute to the
analysis and understanding of history, as well as a disclosure of not so known aspects of
this modern western architecture remarkable names.
[1]ITABASHI, Miki, A Influência Japonesa na Arquitectura Moderna Ocidental. Uma
Introdução., Prova Final de Licenciatura em Arquitectura, FAUP, Porto, 2007
178

Purinergic signalling in a model of overactive urinary bladder
Nuno Silva 1 , Miguel Faria 1 , Vítor Cavadas 2 and Paulo Correia-de-Sá 1
1Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia, UMIB, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel
Salazar (ICBAS) – Universidade do Porto (UP).
2 Serviço de Urologia, Hospital Geral de Santo António (HGSA), Porto, Portugal.
The mechanisms for relaxation of the bladder during the filling phase, and for initiation of the
micturition reflex, are incompletely understood. Normal bladder contraction in humans is
mediated mainly through stimulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the detrusor
muscle (for a review, see [1]). Atropine-resistant (noncholinergic, nonadrenergic [NANC])
contractions have been reported in normal human detrusor. The atropine-resistant purinergic
(P2X1) component of human bladder contraction may be increased to 40% in elderly people
and patients with bladder pathologies (e.g. hypertrophic and neurogenic bladders, interstitial
cystitis) [2,3]. The bladder epithelium releases ATP in response to mechanical stimuli (and to
chemical irritants), and it is hypothesized that ATP released from the serosal surface of the
urothelium during bladder filling stimulates P2X3-containing receptors on suburothelial
sensory nerve fibres, thus signaling information about urinary bladder filling. Thus, we aim at
investigating the mechanisms involved in the control of ATP release from the urothelium, to
prompt for new targets (e.g. mechanosensory pathway) for pharmacological manipulation of
bladder overactivity.
Experiments were carried out, at 37ºC, in urethane-anaesthetized (25% solution, initial dose:
1.0−1.2 g/kg, maintenance dose: 0.1 g/kg), spontaneously breathing male Wistar rats (300−450
g). The dome of the urinary bladder was catheterized using a three-barrel cannula for
continuous measurement of intraluminal pressure. The micturition reflex was evoked by
bladder distension induced by intravesical infusion of saline (0.05 ml/min). Respiratory tidal
volume, bladder pressure, ECG and pelvic nerve activity were continuously displayed on
computer screen via a PowerLab data acquisition system (Chart 5, v.4.2 software; AD
Instruments, USA). Urine samples before and after bladder filling were assayed for ATP
content using the luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence assay (Enliten ATP kit, Promega, USA).
Bladder overactivity was induced by intravesical infusion of acetic acid (0.2-1%, v/v in saline).
Bladder filling is normally followed (within a few minutes) by an increase in the
electrophysiological activity (firing rate and amplitude) of the pelvic nerve, which occurs
synchronously to large amplitude spontaneous contractions of the detrusor – micturition reflex.
Acetic acid (0.2-1%, for 15 min) concentration-dependently decreased the time (ranging from
67 to 81% of control) and the pressure threshold (ranging from 58 to 85% of control) for the
appearance of the first isovolumetric contraction. The magnitude of isovolumetric contractions
tends to increase proportionally to the concentration of acetic acid infused into the bladder.
During the micturition reflex, we observed an increase (52±7%, n=5) in urinary ATP, which
was significantly (P

Conduction block in isolated rat sciatic nerve by chiral
aminoalkanolic derivatives of xanthones
Bernardo Matos 1 , Angelo Pozzi 1 , Ana Pinto 2,3 , Inês Teixeira 2,3 , Emidio Fernandes 1 , David
Moreira 1 , Carla Fernandes 2,3 , Laura Oliveira 1 , Madalena Pinto 2,3 & Paulo Correia-de-
Sá 1
1Laboratory of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, UMIB, Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Abel
Salazar (ICBAS), 2 Research Centre of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of
the University of Porto (CEQOFFUP), Faculty of Pharmacy; 3 Department of Organic Chemistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
The chemical family of xanthone derivatives was described to be one group of compounds
with a broad spectrum of biological activities [1]. In fact, it has been demonstrated that
some chiral aminoalkanolic derivatives of xanthones possess potential antiepileptic and
antidepressant activities, however, their mechanism of action at the neuronal cell level is
largely unknown [2]. This prompted us to synthetise new chiral alaninol xanthone
derivates and to evaluate their pharmacological activity in the nervous system. Since, these
coumpounds can potentially act as modulators of Na + ionic currents, their neurologic
activity was evaluated on the nerve conduction properties of rat sciatic nerve.
Electrophysiological experiments were carried out on sciatic nerves isolated from Wistar
rats (200-250 g). We used a simple extracellular partition recording technique for
monitoring chiral alaninol xanthone derivates-induced changes in membrane polarization
and evoked potential amplitudes in sciatic nerve preparations [3]. Sciatic nerves were
stimulated supramaximally with 0.05 ms duration square-wave pulses delivered at a
frequency of 0.2 Hz (Tonic stimulation). Chiral alaninol xanthone derivates were applied
during 30 minutes and their influence on nerve compound action potentials (CAP) were
recorded. All CAP parameters (amplitude, half width, and depolarization time) were
analysed. CAP parameters induced by test drugs were reported as a percentage of the
control values (in the presence of Tyrode’s solution).
CAP amplitude, half width and depolarization time observed in control conditions were
9.4±4 mV (n=3), 0.69±0.05 ms (n=3), 1.28±0.04 ms (n=3), respectively. Chiral alaninol
xanthone derivates (XEVOL and XEA, 0.100-10 μM) increased nerve conduction block, in
a concentration-dependent manner. When applied in a concentration of 1 µM, XEVOL and
XEA decreased sciatic nerve conduction by 68±11% (n=3) and by 40±21% (n=2),
respectively. Pre-treatment with XEVOL did not significantly (P>0.05) change both the
depolarization time (19±13%, n=2) and the half width (17±12%, n=2), even when the
highest concentration (10 μM) was used.
Nerve conduction block may indicate that chiral alaninol xanthone derivates possess
membrane stabilizing properties, probably by decreasing Na + ionic currents. Among the
xanthone derivates tested, XEVOL was more potent than XEA. Whether these compounds
have potential for treating epileptic seizures, neuropathic pain and/or bipolar disorders
requires further investigation.
[1] Pinto et al (2005), Curr Med Chem, 12, 2517-2538; [2] Jastrebska-Wiesek et al (2003), Pol J
Pharmacol, 55, 461-465; [3] Mert et al (2003), Pharmacology, 69, 68-73.
This work was supported by University of Porto / Caixa Geral de Depósitos.
180

Osteoclastic resorption of calcium phosphate based bone
substitutes: in vitro studies
C.A. Teixeira 1,2 , J. Costa-Rodrigues 1 , P.S. Gomes 1, Almeida Palmas, R. and M.H.
Fernandes 1
1 Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bicompatibilidade Celular, Faculty of Dental Medicine,
University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes constant remodelling, a process that requires a
perfect coordination between bone synthesis (mediated by osteoblasts) and bone resorption
(mediated by osteoclasts) [1]. Osteoclasts are specialized multinucleated cells derived from
the monocyte haematopoietic lineage. They adhere to bone matrix and promote bone
resorption through the secretion of acid and lytic enzymes. Deficiencies in osteoclast
number/function can lead to osteopetrosis, a disease characterized by bone deformities
caused by abnormal quantities of non-remodeled bone mass. On the other hand, increased
number and activity of osteoclasts may cause accelerated bone resorption, wich can lead to
osteoporosis (reviewed in [2]).
An essential property of bone substitutes is that they are integrated into the natural bone
remodelling process. Synthetic bone substitutes have numerous applications in medicine
and dental medicine. They promote bone repair and regeneration which makes them useful
tools in orthopedy, periodontal and maxillofacial surgery, and implantology. Calcium
phosphate based materials are the most commonly used, due to similarities with mineral
bone matrix.
Materials implanted in bone tissue must have adequate surface properties for normal cell
activity of bone remodelling. After implantation there is recruitment of osteoblastic
precursors to the material surface, followed by proliferation and differentiation, wich leads
to bone formation. This process is essential for osteointegration of the material. However,
the material should also allow a normal osteoclastic activity and must be resorbed by
cellular mechanisms. The balance between these two processes is essential for long term
survival of the implanted material [3].
In this work we will evaluate the proliferation and function of osteoclastic cells isolated
from human peripheral blood and cultivated in calcium phosphate based bone substitutes
with different surface characteristics. The characterization of osteoclast cultures in the
different conditions will be based on different parameters, namely: cell morphology and
adhesion, formation of multinucleated cells (osteoclastogenesis), formation of actin rings,
presence of vitronectin receptors (αVβ3 integrin), expression of specific osteoclastic
genes, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity, and formation of resorption lacunae.
References:
[1] Schilling A.F., Linhart W., Filke S., Gebauer M., Schinke T., Rueger J.M., Amling M. (2004)
Resorbability of bone substitute biomaterials by human osteoclasts. Biomaterials. 25 (18), 3963-
3972.
[2] Boyle W.J., Simonet W.S., Lacey D.L. (2003) Osteoclast differentiation and activation. Nature.
423 (6937), 337-342.
[3] Shen Z., Crotti T.N., McHugh K.P., Matsuzaki K., Gravallese E.M., Bierbaum B.E., Goldring S.R. (2006)
The role played by cell-substrate interactions in the pathogenesis of osteoclast-mediated peri-implant
osteolysis. Arthritis Res. Ther. 8 (3), R70.
181

Monitoring particulate matter using magnetic properties of tree
leaves in the Porto urban area and Cinfães area
H. Corrêa-Ribeiro 1
1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Magnetic particles due to emissions by the road traffic and others human activities such as
metallurgical, cement industries, power stations burning fossil fuels and fires are the main
a cause of cardiorespiratoire diseases. The magnetic susceptibility of tree leaves has been
used as a proxy to evaluate the particulate matter quantity and the road traffic contribution.
In order to evaluate pollution levels, sampling zones were chosen in the urban area of Porto
and compared with the rural area of Cinfães. Sampling was carried out in the first week of
June, July and August 2006. Leaves from Nerium oleander, Quercus sp., Tilia sp. And
Platanus sp. were sampled on a total of 32 sites in Porto and 48 sites in Cinfães area.
Magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed using an Agico Kappabridge
(KLY-4S, Geology Department, U.P.) and the values calculated by mass. In Porto area
magnetic susceptibility mass (χ) was comprised between -4.47 and 118.22 E -9 m 3 /kg and
only one site reveals diamagnetic values. All the others present high positive susceptibility
values which indicate the presence of anthropogenic ferromagnetic particles. In Cinfães
area χ is lower and comprised between -8.13 and 13.89 E -9 m 3 /kg but the most sites
presented diamagnetic values with exception for the sites located within Cinfães village. In
August a decrease in susceptibility values was observed in Porto, probably due to the
reduction of road traffic during holidays. Quite the opposite was observed in Cinfães area,
in the same period, an increase of χ, due to the road traffic rise during holidays and also to
the fires that occurred in August. Significant positive correlation exist between χ and the
contents of Fe and Cu of leaves, showing that the magnetic properties of leaves can be
used as a preliminary index for detection of Fe and Cu pollution. These results indicate that
a magnetic survey of tree leaves, which is relatively quick and inexpensive, may be used in
addition to the municipal air quality monitoring systems to identify high-polluted areas in
urban and non-urban environments.
Keywords: environmental magnetism, magnetic susceptibility, chemical analysis.
182

Adenosine regulates its own release from myenteric neurons via
A2A receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase / cAMP pathway
J. Duarte, R. Dias, M. Duarte-Araújo, T. Magalhães-Cardoso & P. Correia-de-Sá
Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia, Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação
Biomédica (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar - Universidade do Porto
(ICBAS-UP), Portugal.
Adenosine is a ubiquitous component of cells, which acts as a homeostatic regulator in the nervous
system [1]. In the gastrointestinal tract, besides the inhibitory effect of adenosine mediated by
neuronal A1 receptors [2], endogenous adenosine plays a predominant facilitatory action on ACh
release from myenteric neurons of the rat ileum, via the activation of prejunctional facilitatory A2A
receptors [3]. Myenteric neurons are the main source of adenosine released per se in response to
electrical stimulation [4]; parallel formation of adenosine from the hydrolysis of released ATP (via
ectonucleotidases pathway) may also occur during prolonged periods of stimulation [3]. It remains,
however, to be elucidated whether adenosine plays a role regulating its own extracellular levels.
The experiments were performed at 37ºC on longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus (LM-MP) of rat
ileum, superfused with gassed (95% O2 + 5% CO2) Tyrode´s solution. LM-MP preparations were
stimulated (10 Hz, 3000 pulses, 1 ms, 100 V) in the presence of test drugs. Samples were collected
before and after stimulus application and retained for nucleoside analysis by HPLC.
Electrical stimulation of the LM-MP increased (74±6%, n=6) the outflow of adenosine (ADO)
above control levels. Blockade of action potentials generation with tetrodotoxin (1 µM) or
omission of Ca 2+ (plus EGTA, 1 mM) in the buffer essentially abolished the release of ADO.
Blockade of smooth muscle contractions by inhibiting Ca 2+ influx through L-type channels, with
nifedipine (1 µM), was devoid of effect on ADO outflow. Application of the adenosine kinase
inhibitor, 5’-iodotubericidin (ITU, 10 µM), led to an increase in stimulation-induced ADO
accumulation by 51±6%, (n=8). The nucleoside transport inhibitor, dipyridamole (DIPY, 0.5 µM),
was more effective in inhibiting (-59±9%, n=4) ADO accumulation in the stimulated LM-MP as
compared with the ecto-5’-nucleotidase inhibitor, concanavalin A (Con A, 0.1 mg/ml, -27±1%,
n=5). Activation of A2A receptors with CGS 21680C (3 nM) increased stimulation-induced ADO
outflow by 129±10% (n=5). The facilitatory effect of CGS 21680C (3 nM) was prevented by the
selective A2A antagonist, ZM 241385 (50 nM) and by DIPY (0.5 µM), while Con A (0.1 mg/ml)
was unable to change the effect of CGS 21680C (3 nM). The adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin
(FSK, 3 µM), mimicked (158±14%, n=4) the facilitatory effect of CGS 21680C (3 nM) on the
release of the nucleoside; the effect of FSK (3 µM) was also attenuated by DIPY (0.5 µM).
These results indicate that although ADO may be formed by the extracellular catabolism of
released adenine nucleotides via the ectonucleotidase pathway, this might not represent the major
source of endogenous ADO in the rat myenteric plexus. Normally, Ca 2+ -dependence release of
neuromediators indicates a vesicular storage and exocytotic release. Since there is no evidence for
vesicular storage and release of ADO, the intracellular Ca 2+ requirement for ADO release may
reflect actions on intracellular processes that modify metabolic production of the nucleoside or
promote its efflux through equilibrative transporters. Data showed that ADO mediates a positive
feedback mechanism regulating its own transport from myenteric motoneurons into the
extracellular space via the activation of A2A receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase / cyclic AMP
pathway.
[1] Cunha (2001) Neurochem. Int., 38, 107-125; [2] De Man et al. (2003) Br. J. Pharmacol. 139, 172-184; [3]
Duarte-Araújo et al. (2004) Br. J.Pharmacol. 141, 925-934; [4] Correia-de-Sá et al. (2006) Auton Neurosci.
126-127, 211-224.
This work was supported by FCT (FEDER funding, POCTI/45549/FCB/2002) and PTDC/74462/CVT/2006
projects).
183

Education and Poverty: an empowerment approach
A. Oliveira 1
1 Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University
of Porto, Portugal.
This presentation settles on the research in course for writing the thesis for the European
Master of Development Studies in Social and Educational Sciences, specialization in
“European Perspectives on Social Inclusion”. The theme relates education with poverty
through an empowerment approach, taking for study a European Union (EU) food help
programme and Adults Education and Training courses promoted by Care Institutions.
It is being used for the research a comparative method. There are taken two Care
Institutions that distribute food from the EU food help programme and that are situated on
Porto’s District in Portugal. One institution promotes in relation to the food help
programme, Adult Education and Training courses and the other doesn’t. For
methodological techniques it will be used interviews with the directors of the food help
programme in the care institutions and a questionnaire applied to the people that receive
those benefits.
Although poverty is a multidimension concept [1], the option for taking education as the
comparative focus lies on the believe that it has the potential for promote the necessary
empowerment for the individuals to improve their live conditions. Education is only a
helping point given that there are several other dimensions that influence our live, and in
this case, poverty condition. We can point, for instance, family or self ownership, residence
territory, job conditions, housing, health, education, power and participation. There can be
established relations between all these dimensions in what concerns to poverty condition,
nevertheless, education was chosen on the basis of its relation with power and participation
and with the ability to be aware of rights and duties and so, the dimension which provides
more autonomy to the individuals.
The results expected to be found, as it is still an on-going research, point to better
outcomes in what respects to the goal of fighting against poverty expected from the food
help programme in the case in which it was associated with Adult Education and Training
courses. These results can be examined through the self-declared improvement in live
conditions of the beneficiaries of the food help programme emerged from the fact that they
assisted an Adult Education and Training course.
References:
[1] Rodrigues, F., Constantin, T., Van Den Hoven, R. and Nunes, M.H. (2005), European
Perspectives on Poverty and Poor People / Pobreza e Perspectivas Europeias, Peter Lang,
Frankfurt am Main.
184

Synthesis of vesiculated polyester particles and its incorporation
in paints
A. Dias 1, A. Mendes 2, F. Oliveira3, J. Moniz4 and F.D. Magalhães2
1 Rede de Competência em Polímeros, Porto, Portugal.
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
3 CIN -Corporação Industrial do Norte, S.A., Maia, Portugal.
4 Resiquímica -Resinas Químicas, S.A., Lisboa, Portugal.
Titanium dioxide is a white pigment which confers to paints high whitening index and
opacity due to its capability of scattering the light and low absorption power. However,
titanium dioxide is currently one of the most expensive raw materials used in a paint
formulation, so it is very important for the paint industry to reduce its quantity in paints.
Vesiculated particles (VP) consist of an aqueous emulsion of reticulated polyester particles
that incorporate numerous water-filled spaces [1]. When a film made with these particles is
dried, the water contained in the core evaporates creating air voids (Figure 1), which
scatter the light, due to the difference in refraction index between the polymer and the air
domains. This film will therefore appear white to the eye. Then, VP are suitable for the
beneficial replacement of titanium dioxide present in paint formulation.
The process for the production of VP begins with the formation of a first emulsion in
which an aqueous phase is emulsified in a mixture of the unsaturated polyester, styrene and
a base. The resulting “water-in-oil” emulsion is then itself emulsified and stabilized into an
aqueous phase, at high shear. Then, a free radical polymerization is initiated at room
temperature, which leads to the reticulation of polyester with styrene and the subsequent
production of solid vesiculated particles. The VPs obtained by this double emulsion have a
solid content of 13% and a mean particle diameter of 5 μm.
Fig.1. Cryo-SEM image of air voids in vesiculated particles.
The stability of the first emulsion was studied by adding different kinds of bases at
different concentrations. It was possible to emulsify 150% of water into the polyester phase
by adding triethanolamine in a 0.5 mmol/g concentration. The base must be added to the
oil phase to react with the carboxylic group of the polyester to form at the waterpolymer
interface polyester salts, which act as true emulsifying agents [2]. This emulsion can be
further optimized in the presence of a surfactant.
The stability of the second emulsion is also being studied, in terms of the optimal
stabilizers concentration. In addition, the conditions for the final reticulation process are
also being optimized.
References:
[1] Engelbrecht, J. et al. (2006), Vesiculated polymer particles, US patent 2006/0111474.
[2] Horie, K., Mita.I. and Kambe H. (1967), Copolimerization of unsaturated polyester with styrene in
inverted emulsion, Journal of applied polymer science, 11, pp. 57-71.
185

Characterization of Urea-Formaldehyde Resins
F. Silva 1, J. Ferra 2, L. Carvalho 2,3, J.P. Liberal 4 and F. D. Magalhães 2
1 RCP – Rede de Competência em Polímeros, Porto, Portugal
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal
3 DEMad – Department of Wood Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
4 Euroresinas – Indústrias Químicas, S.A., Sines, Portugal
Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) resins are the most widely adhesives used in industry as binders for
the production of bonded wood products, particularly particleboards, because of their
versatility and low cost, despite of their vulnerability to moisture and water. This type of resins
is based in the reaction between the two principal monomers, urea and formaldehyde,
originating mixtures of several condensation products like simple methylolureas (mono-, diand
tri-) or insoluble high molecular weight compounds. Nowadays, the major problem to be
solved consists in the formaldehyde emission after the curing process, during the lifetime of
the material, namely in domestic furniture uses. The emission has to obey certain limits and all
efforts and research are directed towards reducing Formaldehyde/Urea (F/U) ratio, maintaining
the performance properties of a conventional UF resin. [1] The specific resins being studied in
this work are produced by Euroresinas – Indústrias Química, S.A.
Since the principal objective of this work is to implement methods of morphological and
physical-chemical characterization of the resins, we use two chromatographic methods, HPLC
(High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and SEC (Size Exclusion Cromatography),
calorimetric methods, DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry), and the measure of Particle
Size Distribution (PSD), Coulter-Counter.
With SEC, we can determine the molecular weight distribution of one resin, separating the
molecules according to their hydrodynamic volume which can be proportional to the molecular
weight. HPLC allow us to quantify urea and methylolureas (low molecular weight reaction
products) present in the resin. DSC studies directly the cure process of the resin, determining
the heat flow and the cure temperature, parameters that give an idea of the resin reactivity.
Finally, Coulter-Counter, give us the PSD of the insoluble fractions of the resins. The
compilation of all these methods also permits the study of the phenomena involved in the
resins ageing process. Table 1 shows the parameters range obtained for each one of the above
referred techniques.
Table 1. Parameters Range for the different techniques used in the resins characterization.
Techniques
SEC HPLC DSC PSD
Molecular Weight % Urea TCURE (ºC) (-ΔH) (J/g) Size (mm)
Parameters Range 100 - 10000 40 - 60 80 - 90 50 - 80 0.1 - 100
The final UF resins performance is evaluated by producing wood-based panels in a laboratory
hot-press. These will be then tested to evaluate several properties: density, moisture content,
internal bond, thickness swelling and formaldehyde content.
At this moment, all the methods are well implemented, making possible to distinguish different
types of resins. To improve the resin formulation, a Design of Experiment methodology will be
initiated.
References:
[1] Dunky, M. (1997), Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) adhesive Resins for wood, Int. J. Adhesion &
Adhesives, 18, 95-107.
186

Characterisation of the Planctomycetes Pirellula sp. OJF20 and
Pirellula sp. OJF27 isolated from the surface of macroalgae
F. Viana 1 , J. Torres 1 , R. Abreu 1 , J. Bondoso 1,2 and O. Lage 1,2
1 Departamento de Botânica, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
2 CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental
Planctomycetes are a morphologic and phylogenetic distinct group of the domain Bacteria.
Members of this group are characterised by budding, cellular compartmentalization and
absence of peptidoglycan in the cell wall, features that place Planctomycetes in a very
intriguing place in the evolution of microorganisms. Molecular and ecological studies
provided evidence about their abundance in a great diversity of habitats underlying their
important role in the ecology of the ecosystems [1]. They have been described in probable
association with sponges, crustacean, prawns, microalgae and Cyanobacteria. However
little is known about this group due to the relatively few species grown in pure culture thus
the great importance of isolation and cultivation studies for its better understanding. OJF
Planctomycetes culture collection has, presently, about 200 strains, the majority isolated
from the surface of different macroalgae [2]. Pirellula sp. OJF20 and Pirellula sp. OJF27
are strains isolated from the surface of Corallina sp. and Condrus crispus, respectively.
Corallina was collected in Foz (Porto, Portugal) and C. crispus in Carreço (Viana do
Castelo, Portugal), areas with different levels of pollution. Both strains are closely related
and placed in a new cluster of Planctomycetes. DNA-based fingerprinting methods (16S
rDNA analysis and BOX-PCR), growth in liquid medium and physiological studies (range
of temperature, pH, salinity, and nutritional requirements) were performed in order to
allow a comparison between the two strains. Despite the 98% 16S rDNA sequence
similarity between the two strains that places them in the same species, they present
significant metabolic and physiologic differences and are adapted to diverse environmental
conditions.
[1] Fuerst, J. A. 1995. The planctomycetes: emerging models for microbial ecology, evolution, and
cell biology. Microbiology 141:1493-1506;
[2] Lage OM, Bondoso J. 2007. Marine Planctomycetes-Macroalgae Association from the Atlantic
North Coast of Portugal. Presented at Sustainable Neighborhood - from Lisbon to Leipzig through
Research (L2L), Leipzig.
http://www.fona.de/de/3_akteure/forum_2007/abstracts_poster.php?lang=eng&sort=titel
187

Investigation of the Interactions between Phospholipids and Gold
Nanoparticles at Air/water Interface
C. Carreira, F. Silva and C. Pereira
CIQ-L4, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, R. do Campo Alegre,
687, 4169-007 Porto Portugal.
This study aims to explore the interaction between gold oleylamine modified nanoparticles
and phospholipids using monolayers at the air / water interface and how the pH of the
subfase influence these interaction. This study can provide insights on the importance of
the charge and hydrophilic character of gold nanoparticles on their interaction with model
membranes.
The combined information from the surface pressure and surface potential isotherms
allowed the analysis of the molecular properties of the films.
Langmuir films were prepared at the air/water interface using a standard LB trough (KSV
mini trough) and the surface potential was measured using the vibrating plate method. The
films were prepared spreading 1,3 mg/mL chloroform solution of DPPC on a subphase
containing a 30 µL nanoparticles solution. The nanoparticles solution was obtained by
dilution of a stock solution with different buffers, and kept at 20 ºC. The monolayer was
compressed at the speed of 10 mm/min.
The gold oleyl amine functionalized nanoparticles were prepared accordingly to the
literature [1].
Figure 1 shows the pressure-area isotherms for the mixed gold nanoparticles and DPPC
monolayers, at different pH.
Surface Pressure/ mNm -1
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
30 50 70 90 110 130 150
Mma / Å 2 molecule -1
pH:
8.78
6.91
2.32
4.87
12.29
Fig. 1 – Surface pressure isotherm for interaction between gold oleyl amine modified nanoparticles
and DPPC at different pH
A decrease of the subphase pH leads to an expansion of the gold nanoparticles/DPPC
monolayer. Further results will be presented and discussed.
References:
[1] Aslam, M., Fu, L., Su, M., Vijayamohanan, K., Dravid, V.P. (2004) J. Mater. Chem., 14, 1795
188

Development and validation of a new multiresidue method for the
determination of 17 polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (dioxins) and
polychlorinated dibenzofurans (furans) in environmental matrices
by SPME-GC-MS
A.Neves (1) , A.D. Guimarães (2) , M.F. Alpendurada (1,2)
4450-113 MATOSINHOS – Portugal
1) FFUP – Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Lab. of Hydrology / Rua Aníbal Cunha, 164-
4050-047 PORTO – Portugal
2) IAREN – Water Institute of the Northern Region / Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 229
4450-113 MATOSINHOS – Portugal
* Corresponding author: mfalpendurada@ff.up.pt
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) are
persistent, highly lipophilic and toxic substances. These compounds are widespread in the
environment and occur mainly as secondary products of thermal processes involving such
as waste incineration, cement kilns firing hazardous waste, production of pulp using
elemental chlorine or several metallurgical industry processes. When released into aquatic
environments, PCDD/Fs become attached to organic particles which may be adsorbed on
suspended matter or even may sink down to the sediments. Eventually they tend to bio
accumulate through the food-chain which constitutes the main way of exposure to humans.
The harmful health effects of PCDD/Fs on men are evaluated by their action on a cellular
receptor, the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and include impairment of different
systems: immune system, nervous system, hormonal system as well as reproductive
functions. PCDD/Fs are also suspected of causing cancer.
Solid phase micro extraction coupled to capillary gas chromatography - ion trap mass
spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) is presented as an alternative method to determinate 17
toxic PCDD/Fs. Sensitiveness, quickness, efficiency simplicity and low cost analysis are
some advantages of the designed method (1,2) . Global analytical method was optimized:
extraction step, chromatographic conditions and statistical parameters. Three different of
fibres were assayed: 100 µm, 7 µm, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and 75 µm Carboxen-
PDMS fibers, and the best result for the majority of the compounds were obtained with 100
µm PDMS. Different extraction times (15, 30, 45, 60 min) and temperatures (70, 90,
100ºC) were studied.
The best results were obtained with 60 min of extraction at 90 ºC. Neither pH adjustment
nor ionic strength correction were necessaries to obtain good results, which enhances life
expectancy of SPME fibre and reduces sample handling Linearity, repeatability,
reproducibility, uncertainties, matrix effects, analytical sensitivity and influence of the
sample preparation protocol have been studied for method validation in agreement with the
international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
Bibliographic references:
1-Fabrellas, B.; Sanz, P; Abad, E; Rivera,J.; Larrazábal, D.; Analysis of dioxins and furans in
environmental samples by GC-ion-trap MS/MS; Chemosphere, vol.55, 2004; 2-M:F:Alpendurada,
Solid-Phase micro-extraction: a promising technique for sample preparation in environmental
analysis, J. Chrom.A, 889 (2000) 3-14
189

Adenosine regulates differentiation of human osteoblast cells in
culture
A. Barbosa 1 , M.A. Costa 1,2 , T. Magalhães-Cardoso 1 , A. Teixeira 1 , R. Freitas 3 , J.M.
Neves 3 & P. Correia-de-Sá 1
1Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia e 2 Departamento de Química, UMIB, Instituto de
Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar - Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), and 3 Serviço de
Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Centro Hospitalar de V.N. Gaia (CHVNG), Portugal.
Bone turnover takes place at discrete sites in the remodeling skeleton that are subject to
mechanical loading forces. Extracellular purines are important local modulators of bone cell
function. Adenine nucleotides in bone microenvironment are largely determined by ATP
release from stressed cells and subsequent metabolism by ecto-enzymes, both of which have
been scarcely investigated in the human bone. Breakdown of ATP into adenosine restricts its
action to that of a localized signal and shifts purinergic transmission mediated by P2 receptors
to long-lasting modulatory signals mediated by P1 adenosine receptors. Surprisingly, there are
a few reports of the regulation of cell function by adenosine in bone cells (e.g. Shimegi, 1995,
Calcif. Tissue Int., 58:109). This prompted us to investigate the role of stable adenosine
analogues in the proliferation and differentiation of non-modified human osteoblast cells in
culture.
Human bone marrow was collected in sterile conditions from patients that underwent
orthopaedic surgery. These proceedings had the approval of the Ethics Committees of CHVNG
and ICBAS-UP. First passage bone marrow was cultured in supplemented� α-Minimal Essential
Medium (α-MEM) for up to 28 days in the absence and in the presence of CPA (30 nM),
CGS21680C (10 nM), NECA (0.3 µM) and 2-Cl-IB-MECA (10 nM). Throughout their
lifespan, cultures were characterised for morphology, cell viability/proliferation (MTT assay),
total protein content (method of Lowry), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. For the
kinetic experiments of ATP catabolism, samples (75 µl) were collected from the bath at
different times up to 30 min for reverse-phase HPLC analysis of the variation of substrate
disappearance and product formation.
Human osteoblast cells in culture, hydrolyse extracellular ATP (30 µM) forming sequentially
ADP, AMP and adenosine whose concentrations increased to 1.99±0.18 µM, 0.69±0.04 µM
and 17.81±0.64 µM after 30-min incubation, respectively. In control cultures, osteoblast cells
proliferated for approximately 2-3 weeks; the maximum values for MTT reduction and total
protein content were observed at day 14 (MTT assay, 0.626±0.112, n=9). During the
proliferation phase, incubation of osteoblasts with stable adenosine analogues, CPA (30 nM),
CGS21680C (10 nM), NECA (300 nM) and 2-Cl-IB.MECA (10 nM), did not significantly
change (P>0.05) their ability to reduce MTT. Osteoblast differentiation measured as the
activity of ALP on day 14 decreased significantly (P

The Pombais (pigeon houses) in the northeast Transmontano
(northeast of Portugal)
Mafalda Matias 1 , Teresa Fonseca, PhD Arch 2
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
Among the vernacular forms of architecture to be found in the Portuguese northeast region
of Trás-os-Montes, the “Pombais” (pigeon houses) are a paradigmatic case of a threatened
edified patrimony as a unique and synthetic expression of the common sense of utility,
present in almost all country settlements. By using the resources available and identifying
lands of poor economy, this culture offers us magnificent examples of the wise
combination of objectives and assets. Hermetic, sober, austere, ornamental, ornamented
also, made of schist or granite, with tile or slate, they all seem to have the only function of
providing an address to birds – the pigeons. The “Pombais” belong to the architecture that
is non-inhabited by humans yet they evidence an ancestral and only practice of
sustainability. They are sophisticated objects of study capable of sustain an investigation in
this special matter.
Given the scarce information regarding these constructions this investigation develops in
different ways - from the bibliographic research to the search of specific information
gathered from the real samples of the “Pombais” through the creation of technical records
for the different typologies completed in the field with the help of the metric, the GPS, and
the camera and military maps, the use of drawing, the interview with qualified and
specialised entities and with property owners and local inhabitants, alive testimonies of the
popular wisdom, the participation in team exercises of direct action on the object of study.
This empirical work allowed a rigorous gathering of the constructive, shaping and
architectural characteristics of the “Pombais”, elements that allowed the defence of an
architectural type with the potential to be followed, innovated, updated or updatable and,
most important of all, published as a model of sustainability. We verify that to be
operative, an architecture must adapt to the geographic, social and cultural characteristics
of the environment, solving positively to the possible contradictions between the local and
the universal. This investigation contributes also to register these constructions in the
discipline and scientific areas of architecture as well as in the architectural and cultural
patrimony of our country.
191

Pravastatin Quantification using Square-Wave Voltammetry
M. Neves 1 , S. Pereira 1 , H. Nouws 2 and C. Delerue-Matos 2
1 Departamento de Botânica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2 REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Portugal
Nowadays cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in
developed countries. Extensive epidemiologic studies reveal that hypercholesterolemia is
causally related to an increased risk in atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. A class
of lipid-lowering drugs called statins is the most widely used in hyperlipidemic
pharmacological treatment. These compounds reduce levels of circulating atherogenic
lipoproteins by competitive inhibition of HMG-CoA redutase, the rate-limiting enzyme in
the synthesis of cholesterol. Currently, six therapeutic statins are available on the
Portuguese market: atorvastatin, fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin and
pravastatin. Most statin analysis are performed by liquid-chromatography (LC) coupled
with spectrometric detectors. The main disadvantages of LC are the relatively long analysis
times, high acquisition and maintenance costs and the use of large volumes of toxic
solvents. In the present work an alternative procedure, based on square-wave voltammetry
(SWV), for the quantification of pravastatin in pharmaceutical products is proposed.
Initial studies showed that pravastatin can be oxidized at a glassy carbon electrode, with a
maximum peak current intensity at a potential of +1.3 V vs. AgCl/Ag, in a Britton-
Robinson buffer of pH 5 (I = 0.3 mol/L). Several parameters of the SWV method were
optimized, resulting in the following conditions: frequency = 90 Hz, step potential = 5.25
mV and step amplitude = 40.05 mV. The method was validated by assessing the linear
range between peak current intensity and pravastatin concentration, limits of detection and
quantification, repeatability, intermediated precision and accuracy.
The developed methodology was applied in the quantification of pravastatin in a
pharmaceutical product. It could be a useful alternative to the established methods for this
purpose since it provides high sample rates at reduce costs with a low pollution rate.
192

Microbial community distribution and dynamics in a shallow
raceway-recirculating mariculture system
A. Matos 1,2 , M.-T. Borges 1,2 and P.M.L. Castro 3
1 Department of Zoology-Anthropology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Praça Gomes
Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal.
2 CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, University of
Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
3 Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Catholic University, Rua Dr. A. Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-
072 Porto, Portugal.
A shallow raceway is an alternative system to traditional tanks for turbot (Scophthalmus
maximus) cultivation, promoting higher production. Culture water can be reused
(recirculation) if a complex treatment loop, consisting of a mechanical filter, biofilter and
ozone disinfection, is used [1, 2]. The aims of this work were to study, during 221 days and
from initial colonization, the distribution of the heterotrophic bacterial population in the
production system and to evaluate the dynamics of bacteria attached to the biofilter
carriers. Viable heterotrophic planktonic and fixed bacteria enumeration was done and
microbiological classical methods were employed to characterize the microbial
populations. PCR-DGGE was used to follow the biofilter community dynamics. Results
obtained showed three stable levels of free bacteria distribution (lowest, intermediate and
highest) and also that the biofilter was the main source of bacteria in the production
system. PCR-DGGE data showed that the attached biofilter community presented seasonal
and spatial segregation. The first 30 days were the most important for biofilter maturation:
higher heterotrophic bacteria biomass loading and higher community diversity in the
carriers. These results will be further analysed in conjunction with system operational data.
This work was financially supported by the European Community (Project Raceways,
COOP-CT/016869/2006-2008).
References:
[1] Øiestad, V. (1999), Shallow raceways as a compact, resource-maximizing farming procedure
for marine fish species, Aquaculture Research, 30, 831-840.
[2] Blancheton, J.P. (2000), Developments in recirculation systems for Mediterranean fish species,
Aquaculture Engineering, 22, 17-31.
193

Information Systems about Materials for Architecture
F. Figueiredo 1
1 Department of Construction, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
What to build with is a question that has always remained with architects. The need for
information and knowledge organization has always been felt. Recent transformations
brought a stronger presence of these antic subjects. Architecture finds its balance at this
present of stunning acceleration. The need of speeding up the projecting, without
relinquishing quality, made man search for ways through specialization and
interdisciplinarity. This work is intended to study if Information Systems (Inf. S.) about
construction materials can take to high levels of interdisciplinarity at Architectural project
and if the use of such instrument enables us to find a material that does what we want from
it, instead of finding it based on what we know about it.
Some bibliographic references gave clues about the context, complement and articulation
at an Architectural level and at material’s generic subject; however, the most important
references were Manzini [1], Sousa [2] and Nielsen [3]. An Instrument for characterization
of S. Inf. about materials was built with the bibliographic support. The definition of the
guidelines of this instrument was made simultaneously with the choice of the 17 study
cases. The samples were used for testing the instrument and for base of later analysis,
while studying deeply 4 of those cases.
Reflections were made about different concepts over materials and their information, and it
was understood which ones were the most relevant inter-confluences at materials definition
in the process of Architectural project. The actual panorama of the on-line Inf. S. about
materials was analyzed, through some characterization parameters, from the Instrument,
and selected for the purposes. A series of potentialities in the study cases relating to the
searching for materials through their properties were found and listed; the needs enounced
by the authors in the ambit of Architectural project with the potentialities that were found
in the studied Inf. S. were crossed.
In short, it appears that we can say that the actual Inf. S. about construction materials can’t
take us to a larger interdisciplinarity in the Architectural project yet. It happens because the
different types of language and contents aren’t connected. Where it comes to searching
materials by properties, it was found that some Inf. S. enable this and several other related
features. However, there are limitations because they don’t merge into one search tool. The
developed, used and validated Instrument can be applied to other studies or case studies in
different or similar contexts. Also, the potentialities found during the analysis, together
with the goal of associating different languages and contents, could contribute as a starting
point for developing new or already existent Inf. S. about materials for Architecture.
References:
[1] Manzini, E. (1993), a matéria da invenção. Porto, Ed. Centro Português de design.
[2] Sousa, J. (2005), “Convergência e não-linearidade no processo digital”. In Arquitectura e Vida
(62), Lisboa, Ed. Loja da Imagem, pp. 28-32.
[3] Nielsen, J. (2000), Designing Web Usability. Indianapolis, Ed. New Riders Publishing.
194

Osteogenic potential of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal
stem cells. Effect of medium composition and cell passage
C. Bessa Pereira 1,2 and M.H. Fernandes 2
1 Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
2 Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal,
Mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue have the potential to differentiate
along different lineages, including the osteoblast phenotype. This characteristic makes
them prospective useful for tissue engineering applications regarding the repair and
regeneration of bone defects. The aim of this work is to evaluate the expansion and the
osteogenic potential of serially-passaged adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in
different culture conditions. For comparison, stem cells derived from bone marrow, the
most common source of osteogenic stem cells, are evaluated in parallel.
Stem cells derived from subcutaneous adipose tissue and bone marrow are obtained from
3-months-old Wistar rats and cultured in -minimum essential medium containing 10%
fetal bovine serum, antibiotics and 50 g/ml ascorbic acid, both in the absence (control
medium) and in the presence of 10 nM dexamethasone. At 70-80% confluence, cells were
subcultured in three experimental conditions:
(i) control medium, (ii) control medium supplemented with 10mM Na- -
glycerophosphate, and (iii) control medium supplemented with 10 mM Na- -
glycerophosphate and 10 nM dexamethasone. Cell behaviour is evaluated at several
passages for cell/viability proliferation and expression of osteogenic differentiation
markers, by phase contrast microscopy, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry assays,
flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy.
Preliminary results show that mesenchymal stem cells derived from rat adipose tissue
present a high proliferation rate over several passages. Dexamethasone, a classic
osteoblastic inducer, causes a significant reduction in cell growth rate with a simultaneous
increase in the expression of alkaline phosphatase, an osteoblastic marker. In mineralisingfavouring
conditions, i.e., cultures supplemented with Na- -glycerophosphate,
mineralisation of the extracellular matrix is observed in selected conditions.
Comparatively, mesenchymal stem cells derived from rat bone marrow present a higher
expression of alkaline phosphatase and matrix mineralisation. In both, cell passage results
in a gradual loss of these two osteoblastic parameters. More complete assessment of the
cell populations regarding cell-cycle analysis and osteoblastic differentiation markers is
being performed.
The results of this work are expected to contribute to the characterisation of mesenchymal
stem cells derived from adipose tissue regarding their proliferation and osteogenic
differentiation patterns, over several passages, in order to assess their suitability for in vivo
application in cell-based bone regeneration strategies.
References:
[1] Zuk, P.A., Zhu, M., Mizuno, H., et al (2001), Multilineage cells from human adipose tissue:
implications for cell-based therapies, Tissue Engineering, 7, 211-228.
195

Potential of Equisetum arvense hydromethanolic extracts as
osteoblastic growth promoters
C. Bessa Pereira 1,2 , L. Vieira 3 , M.A. Lopes 4 and M.H. Fernandes 2
1 Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
2 Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
3 Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Portugal
4 Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal
Herbal medicines exert their beneficial effects through the additive or synergistic action of
several chemical compounds acting at single or multiple target sites associated with a
physiological process. Equisetum arvense (“horsetail”), a well known and wide-spread
pteridophyte distributed in the northern hemisphere, contains a large variety of bioactive
compounds including phenolics (flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins), phytosterols,
saponins and alkaloids. In vitro and in vivo studies provide some evidence of a positive
impact of phenolic phytochemicals and phytosterols on bone metabolism [1]. In addition,
horsetail has a high concentration of silicon, a mineral with an essential role in the bone
formation process [2]. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of hydromethanolic
extracts of E. arvense in the proliferation of human osteoblastic cells. Aiming at a potential
application in bone regeneration, osteoblast cell behaviour was also assessed in colonized
Bonelike ® granules impregnated with the extracts. Bonelike ® is a synthetic
osteoconductive bone graft that mimics the inorganic bone matrix and has been
successfully used in clinical bone regenerative applications [3].
MG63 osteoblast-like cells were cultured for 6 days in the presence of (i) hydromethanolic
extracts of E. arvense (0.05 – 5%), (ii) silicon (0.005-0.5 ppm), and (iii) Bonelike ®
granules impregnated with the extracts. Cultures were assessed for cell
viability/proliferation (MTT assay), throughout the incubation time.
E. arvense extracts (0.05% and 0.1%) had a promoting effect on the proliferation of MG63
osteoblastic cells, between 29% and 54%. At 1%, the extracts caused generalized cell dead.
Silicon, at 0.005 to 0.5 ppm, representative of the levels measured in the inducing extracts,
caused an increase on cell proliferation around 20%, suggesting the presence of other
bioactive compounds on the extracts. Bonelike ® granules impregnated with the extracts
allowed the adhesion and proliferation of MG63 osteoblastic cells.
Based on these observations, it can be suggested that the association of Bonelike ® with E.
arvense extracts might be a promising approach for improving bone graft osteointegration,
further enhancing the bone regenerative potential of this bone graft.
References:
[1] Habauzit, V. and Horcajada, M-N. (2008), Phenolic phytochemicals and bone, Phytochemical
Reviews, in press, DOI 10.1007/s11101-007-9078-9.
[2] Carlisle, E.M. (1997), Silicon, in O’Dell, B.L. and Sunde, R.A. (Eds.), “Handbook of
nutritionally essential mineral elements”, Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, pp. 603-618.
[3] Hussain, N., Lopes M.A., Maurício, A., Ali, N., Fernandes, M.A., Santos, J.D. (2007), Bonelike
graft for bone regenerative application, in Ahmed, W. and Jackson, m. (Eds), “Surface engineered
surgical tools and medical devices”, Springer Publications, New York.
196

Comparison of the in vivo bone forming activity of osteogenicinduced
mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue
and bone marrow
T. Ribeiro 1,2 , C. Bessa Pereira 1,2 , P. Gomes 2 and M.H. Fernandes 2
1 Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
2 Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
Adipose tissue contains pluripotent stem cells able to osteogenic differentiation. These
cells are ease to harvest in large amounts for autologous transplantation and present high
proliferation rates for ex vivo expansion, making them attractive for bone tissue
engineering approaches. The aim of this work is to compare the bone forming activity of
mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue and bone marrow, after in vitro expansion
over supportive scaffolds and subcutaneous implantation of the cell-material constructs in
a rat model. As the vascularisation in the local environment plays a key role in the bone
formation events, the angiogenesis response elicited in the different experimental
conditions is also evaluated.
Stem cells derived from subcutaneous adipose tissue and bone marrow are obtained from
3-months-old Wistar rats, following standard procedures. Culture is performed in -
minimum essential medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, antibiotics and 50 g/ml
ascorbic acid, both in the absence and in the presence of 10 nM dexamethasone, a classic
osteoblastic inducer. Cells of the first passage are cultured on clinically approved scaffolds
in a combination of non-induced and osteogenic-induced conditions, following
subcutaneous implantation in athymic nude mice. Prior to in vivo implantation, the cellmaterial
constructs are characterized for cell growth and expression of osteoblastic
differentiation markers. At defined time-points after implantation (typically, two and 12
weeks), the cell constructs with surrounding tissue are harvested, along with selected
organs, and subject to histological evaluation regarding the expression of bone matrix
proteins, bone forming activity and angiogenesis response.
Preliminary results show that mesenchymal stem cells derived from rat adipose tissue
present a high proliferation rate over several scaffolds, both ceramic-based and polymeric
materials. Dexamethasone induces significant effects on cell growth rate and osteoblastic
differentiation profile. At the same experimental conditions, bone marrow-derived
mesenchymal stem cells appear to exhibit a higher osteogenic in vitro potential. In vivo
studies are in course.
The forthcoming results are expected to contribute to a more complete characterization of
adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells regarding their suitability for tissue
engineering applications in the repair or replacement of diseased and/or damaged bone
tissue.
References:
[1] Zuk, P.A., Zhu, M., Mizuno, H., et al (2001), Multilineage cells from human adipose tissue:
implications for cell-based therapies, Tissue Engineering, 7, 211-228.
197

Taxonomy from rural diffuse to urban industrial diffuse
André Chaves 1
1 Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
This work develops the relationship and the transition between the rural and urban diffuse
industrial space, according to a system of mathematical classification, which is based on a
case study in the Middle Ave. This research seeks to highlight the importance of the recent
issue of urbanization diffuse addressed in the territorial planning along with the secular
forms of ownership of land which are the rural areas. This space is important to diffuse
urbanization because it is a background to its origins and to its cultural and material
support. The decoding of both spaces was systematized according to a principle of
structuring that identifies the following different parts: biophysical components,
infrastructure, property, occupation and building. These parts were sorted in an empirical
way, where the biophysical components constitute the beginning and building the end of a
process. Each of these parts branches on a typological and material analysis. Initially
begins by examining the rural diffuse space and, in a second phase, the urban industrial
diffuse space as a result of a process called recombination of the different parts referred as
related to rural diffuse space. The recombination is formed by methods of constant,
addition, subtraction, and mutation of the rural diffuse. From this typological and material
study was created a sequenced diagram in tree form (table 1). Here were exposed, in
different sequences, all constituents of the various parts identified and set as an empirical
mode. A conclusive summary of the relationship, in terms of taxonomic, of rural and urban
diffuses spaces may be explained as this: the rural diffuse space as a concept identified as
TSA - Topological Space Appropriation, auto recycled and auto sufficient in terms of a
local cultural land use; the urban industrial space as a concept identified as PSA –
Predefined Space Appropriation, continuous consume grow in terms of an influenced
“globalized” imported cultural urban facts.
Table 1: Syntheses of the space taxonomy from the rural diffuse to the urban industrial diffuse.
198

Tetracyclines modulation of the osteogenic differentiation – in
vitro evaluation
I. Côrte-Real 1 , A. L. Marinho 1 , P. S. Gomes 1 , J. Rodrigues 1 , M. H. Fernandes 1
1 Laboratório de Farmacologia e Biocompatibilidade Celular, Faculty of Dental Medicine,
University of Porto, Portugal.
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents that are characterized as modulators
of several biological effects in cellular mechanisms, unrelated to the inhibition of
ribosomal protein synthesis – their principal antibacterial mechanism of action [1]. High
chelation activity with cations may account for several of the non-antimicrobial properties,
at the same time that accounts for the high affinity to mineralized tissues, namely teeth and
bone [2]. Although the established affinity, little is known about the direct or indirect
modulation of bone metabolism by tetracyclines.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the proliferation and differentiation events of
osteoblastic-induced human bone marrow cells, in the presence of therapeutic
concentrations of doxycycline or minocycline (semi-synthetic tetracyclines).
Human osteoblastic cells were grown for 35 days, in the presence of doxycycline (1-25
µg/ml) or minocycline (1-50 µg/ml), on the surface of standard tissue culture plates. Cell
cultures were evaluated for proliferation and differentiation events.
Both pharmacological agents, at low concentrations (1�µg/ml), reported an increased cell
proliferation. After an initial lag phase, the increased cell growth was verified in
association with expression of high levels of alkaline phosphatase and a proportional
increased amount of mineralized extracellular matrix. Exposure to 5 µg/ml of doxycycline
induced similar results, while the same concentration of minocycline impaired osteoblastic
function. Higher levels of both tetracyclines greatly impaired cell proliferation and
function in a dose-dependent way.
Currently, characterization of tetracyclines’ influence during the in vitro osteogenic
development is being evaluated by flow cytometric analysis of the stromal precursor cell
marker STRO-1 and alkaline phosphatase expression, by osteoblastic-derived human bone
marrow cells. This double staining allows to differentiate between four STRO-1/alkaline
phosphatase subsets, which correspond to specific osteogenic differentiation stages.
Overall, the treatment of human osteoblastic cells with low concentrations of doxycycline
or minocycline induced cell proliferation without impairing functional activity, analyzed
by alkaline phosphatase activity and extent of matrix mineralization. Its therapeutic usage
might combine a targeted antimicrobial activity into the bone tissue with the induction of
osteoblastic proliferation, without interfering with cell-specific biological activity. Flow
cytometry analysis will contribute to evaluate tetracyclines influence in cell behavior, at
different stages of the osteogenic differentiation.
References:
[1] Nelson, M. (1998), Chemical and Biological Dynamics of Tetracyclines. Adv Dent Res, 12, 5-
11.
[2] White, J., Pearce, F. (1982), Characterization of chlortetracycline as a calcium ionophore.
Biochemistry, 21, 6309-6312.
199

Study and design of precast reinforced concrete box-culverts
under high embankments
Daniel Pinto 1
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal.
Precast reinforced concrete box-culverts (BC) are often used as systems for crossing
highway embankments (materializing hydraulic and pedestrian passages), [1]. Although
this is a simple role, the loadings applied to these structures are rather complex. Due to
soil-structure interaction effects, the state of stress on the culvert depends on the stiffness
of both the structure and the backfill, which is not usually contemplated in the simplified
design methods that assumed that the load applied to the top slab correspond to the
geostatic load. The applied soil pressure is also governed by the BC geometry, the soil
properties and the method and quality of construction [1-4].
A numerical study on reinforced concrete box-culverts behaviour was developed on a
precast commercial BC design for a 10m high embankment. The numerical analyses were
performed using a finite element code, in the DIANA-9.2 program, capable of considering
the nonlinear behaviour of both the soil and the reinforced concrete structure and enabling
the consideration of all the construction stages. New parametric analyses, beyond those
which were accomplished in previous studies, [2, 3] were developed for the identification
of the main parameters influencing the interaction mechanism and to evaluate the BC
structural performance up to failure. These parametric analyses were enclosed on four
principal analyses groups, like changing the soil characteristics, the concrete
characteristics, the reinforced quantity and changing the BC geometry. The influence of
the BC nonlinear behaviour on the interaction mechanism, both in service and ultimate
state conditions, was analyzed and discussed.
The main results show that the soil characteristics have an important influence in the BC
behaviour and the other parameters affect the performance up to failure. The principal
cause of failure is the concrete crushing on the interior corners on the BC walls.
As concluding remarks, it is considered that the soil pressures and the BC nonlinear
behavior are directly related and should be reflected in the design stage in order to achieve
a more rational and economical design.
[1] Bennett, R., Wood, S., Drumm, E., and Rainwater, N. (2005), Vertical Loads on Concrete Box
Culverts under High Embankments, Journal of Bridge Engineering, 10(6), 643-649.
[2] Figueiras, J., Pimentel, M., Costa, P. (2006), Análise do Comportamento e Verificação de
Dimensionamento de Box-Culverts – Relatório Síntese, LABEST-FEUP.
[3] Sang, Pedro A.S. (2000), Comportamento e Modelação Numérica de Estruturas Enterradas de
Betão, Dissertação de Mestrado em Estruturas de Engenharia Civil, FEUP.
[4] Kim, K., and Yoo, C. (2005), Design Loading on Deeply Buried Box Culverts, Journal of
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 13(1), 20-27.
200

Absorbance
0,7
0,6
0,5
0,4
0,3
0,2
0,1
Properties of nanostructured materials
C. P. Arieira, F. Silva and C. M. Pereira
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Portugal.
Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles and their self-assembly on modified
surface for electrochemical studies and sensor applications.
Several synthetic methods were chosen all involving chemical reduction of the metal salt
in the solution. The particles prepared include gold nanoparticles functionalized with
different ligands such as citrate, lysine, cytosine, and different sugares, glucose, sucrose,
sorbitol, manitol and dulcitol.
Absorvance = f (wavelenght(nm))
Glucose
Sorbitol
Sucrose
Manitol
Sorbitol
0
400 450 500 550
Wavelenght(nm)
600 650 700
Figure 1 shows the evolution of UV-vis spectra during the formation of gold nanoparticles using the various
sugares as reducting agents at λmax~523nm.
The experimental results will be analyzed in order to characterize the gold nanoparticles for Voltammetric
Analysis subsequent.
Acknowledgments:
Financial support from FCT (POCI 2010) and FEDER for the project POCI/QUI/57679/2004 is
gratefully acknowledged.
References:
[1] J. Chemistry Education, Synthesis of Colloidal Gold, (2004) 81, 544A.
[2] S. Panigrahi, S. Kundu, S. K. Ghosh, S. Nath, T. Pal, Sugar assisted evolution of mono- and
bimetallic nanoparticles, 264 (2005) 133-138.
201

Influence of egg yolk and aromatizing compounds on the volatile
profile and on sensory characteristics of bakery cream
B. Ramos 1 , O. Pinho 2 , and I.M.P.L.V.O. Ferreira 1
1 REQUIMTE- Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua
Anibal Cunha 164, 4099-030 Porto; Portugal
2 Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias,
4200-465 Porto – Portugal
Egg bakery cream (EBC) is widely appreciated in bakery products. Traditionally, this
cream was prepared with egg yolk. Two different methods could be used, one prepared
with sugar and water heated until bland caramelization, added of egg yolk, vanilline and
farine (EBC1), and the other, prepared by careful heating of milk, sugar and farine added
of egg yolk and vanilline (EBC2). Presently, bakery cream substitutes (BCS), containing
egg aromatizing compounds, and prepared with cold water are widely used in bakery
products.
The flavour of traditional EBC is the result of the aroma compounds produced by thermal
reactions during heating of egg yolk, sugar, farine, and other ingredients. Lipid oxidation
and Maillard reactions are the most important pathways leading to egg products odorants.
Previous studies of the aromatic compounds in baked products have mainly focused on
bread and bread-making steps [1]. Aditionally, volatile compounds that contribute to the
aroma in the amounts present in heated egg yolk were identified [2]. To our knowledge, no
study on the odorants present on EBC and on BCS has been published.
The aim of the present investigation was to determine the volatile compounds that can
contribute to the aroma of EBCs and compare with the volatile fraction of a bakery cream
prepared by a similar process but without adding eggs (NBC), the volatile compounds of a
BCS commercially available and bakery creams collected from bakery products randomly
purchased from the marked. Volatile profile of bakery cream was obtained by solid phase
microextraction with CAR/PDMS fiber coupled with GC/MS. Chemometric analysis of the
volatile data was also used to predict bakery cream origin. Additionally, the sensory
descriptive profile of the different types of bakery creams was elaborated.
Ninety two volatiles were identified after extraction, including, aldehydes, ketones, esters,
aromatic compounds, alcohols, hydrocarbons, furans and acids. The compounds were
identified by comparing the experimental spectra with those of the Nist’ 98 data bank.
EBC1 and EBC2 presented significantly different volatile profile. As expected EBC1
presented high variety of volatiles owing to the Maillard reactions resulting from sugar
heating during a longer period. The discriminante analysis applied to SPME-GC/MS data
indicated differences between NBC, EBC1 and EBC2, and similarities between EBC1,
BCS and bakery creams collected from bakery products. The function thus obtained was
able to correctly classify all the samples according to bakery cream origin. However,
different sensory descriptive profiles were obtained for bakery creams of different origin.
References:
[1] Pozo-Bayón, M.A. (2007) J. Agric. Food Chem. (55) 1418- 1426.
[2] Cerny, C.; Guntz R. (2004) Eur. Food Res. Technol. (219) 452-454.
202

Evaluation of genetic and chemical diversity in Portuguese
populations of Phaseolus vulgaris L.
R. Coelho 1 , M. A. Faria 2 , A. Barata 3 , M.B.P.P. Oliveira 2 and E. Nunes 1
1 CIBIO – Laboratory of Vegetal Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Universitiy of Porto, Campus
Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, Vairão, 4485-661 Vila do Conde
2 REQUIMTE – Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Aníbal
Cunha, 164, 4099-030 Porto
3 BPGV – Portuguese Bank of Vegetal Germoplasm, DRAP-N, Quinta de S. José, S. Pedro de
Merelim, 4700 Braga
The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most consumed legume in the world. In
Portugal, the geographic isolation of the region surrounded by the mountainous barrier of
Peneda-Gerês, Barroso and Marão it is thought to have the safeguard of a large number of
adapted bean populations. In the present study, 20 Portuguese accessions, collected by the
Portuguese Genebank (BPGV) from the referred region were evaluated in two locations -
Braga and Vieira do Minho - for chemical (protein content) and genetic diversity
(microsatellite DNA). Crude protein content was determined using the Kjeldahl method.
The molecular characterization was achieved by analyzing six microsatellite loci described
by Gaitán-Sólis [1]. Genetic data was analysed using the programs Identity, Microsat,
Phylip and Tree View.
Significant differences in crude protein content were found among locations, accessions,
and location by accession interactions. The average crude protein content was higher in
Vieira do Minho than in Braga (29.31% and 27.79%, respectively). The 6 microsatellite
loci used for molecular characterization contributed to differentiate most of the accessions
and the 20 accessions were grouped in terms of genetic proximity in three main clusters.
The studied collection of common beans presented genetic variability on crude protein
content among and within accessions potentially useful in plant breeding programs. Further
detailed studies are warranted, to fully understand the potential of the germplasm
maintained at BPGV.
[1] Gaitán-Solís E, Duque M.C., Edwards K.J., Thome J. (2002), Microsatellite Repeats in
Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): Isolation, Characterization, and Cross-Species Amplification
in Phaseolus ssp., Crop Science, 42, 2128-2136.
203

The metamorphosis of Aleixo towers
A. Lima 1
1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Portugal.
Aleixo is a social neighborhood that consists in a unique experience in the city of Porto.
The first drawings of the project date of 1968 and its construction was concluded in 1976.
It was designed for the reaccomodation of the families to displace from Ribeira-Barredo
during its renovation. The complex is composed of five towers with 13 floors each, whose
320 dwellings (two T2, two T3 and one T4 by floor) are organized around an open space
that ventilates and illuminates all the central part of the tower, where the vertical accesses
are located and where the kitchens, bathrooms and entrances turn to.
It is clear the gradual degradation of the construction, as well as the social degradation of
this complex through the years, while the polemic dicotomy demolition/non demolition has
been a constant.
The project of the transformation of the towers is based on the study Plus, les grands
ensembles de logements. Territoires d´exception that questions the public program lead in
France of demolishing many communal housing complexes built on the 1960s and 70s to
change their negative image. At the same time, this is also a stand-by solution for the
Aleixo social neighbouhood. The proposed project goes along with this manifest:
“We think that demolishing the existing would be aberrant and instead of that,
transforming it would permit a cheaper, effective and more quality answer to the existing
necessities. The architecture of these “grands ensembles” are often obsolete and generally
in inadequacy with the actual needs of the inhabitant. Yet we are convinced by the latent
potential of these architectures. The conservation and pertinent analysis of the structural,
geographic and spatial qualities of these important buildings could lead to a dramatic
transformation following radical objectives. These are to allow for the size of units to be
twice as generous, filled with natural light, allow for different and non typical typologies
of flats. To offer improved services and usages and to consider the quality of the interior
and common spaces as a priority over the urban gesture. These are the contemporary
aims.” [1]
The proposal of intervention in the towers can be seen as an example of a inovating
reutilisation that adapts to the existing (who knows the sketch of a new heritage?) and that
could ilustrate and be monitorised by the evolution of the urban policies.
References:
[1] Druot, Frédéric, Lacaton, Anne and Vassal, Jean – Phillipe, Plus, les grands ensembles de
logements. Territoires d´exception, Ministère de la Communication, Direction de Lárchitecture et
du Patrimoine, p.9
204

Modulation of cytochrome P450 and oxidative stress by rooibos
(Aspalathus linearis) infusion intake
D. Teixeira1,2, A. Marinho2, C. Meneses2, I. Ferreira2, J. Sampaio2, M. A. Lima2,
V. Mendes1,2, A. Faria1, R. Monteiro1,2, C. Calhau1
1Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
2Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) represent a large family of proteins involved in the
metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics, as well as some endogenous substrates. Drug
interactions can frequently arise when drugs are co-administered and one drug modifies the
metabolic clearance of the second drug by inhibition or induction of a specific CYP
enzyme. It has been described that different natural products can affect activity of CYP
enzymes. Thus, concomitant drug and food intake creates the opportunity for interactions
that may change the kinetics and resulting effectiveness or toxicity of a drug. A notable
example of this type of interaction is grapefruit juice and St. John’s Wort (1), which results
in a strong inhibition of CYP3A activity (2,3).
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) infusion is becoming a popular drink, as it is claimed to
protect health through antioxidant activity.
Thus, we thought of interest to test the effect of rooibos infusion intake on hepatic CYP
concentration and activity and on oxidative stress. To do so, we treated CD1 mice for 2
weeks with rooibos infusion (n=6) and included an appropriate control group
(waterdrinking, n=6). After treatment, pentobarbital (30 mg/kg b.w., i.p.)-induced sleeping
time was determined to estimate CYP activity, since this hypnotic drug is inactivated by
CYP, particularly isoenzyme 2E1. Afterwards, animals were sacrificed and livers removed,
homogenized and used to determine total hepatic CYP450 content by spectrophotometry at
450 nm in reduced hepatic microsomes saturated with carbon monoxide. As an oxidative
stress biomarker, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were determined to estimate lipid
peroxidation. Pentobarbital-induced sleeping time tended to decrease after rooibos infusion
ingestion, total CYP450 content was significantly increased and this was accompanied by a
higher hepatic level of TBARS. In conclusion, our results underscore important toxico- and
pharmacokinetic alterations resulting from rooibos infusion consumption involving CYP,
enhancing or decreasing the bioactivity of its substrates. This is particularly important if
exposure to procarcinogens occurs simultaneously with rooibos consumption, as their
activation is likely to be increased. Whatever the case, lipid peroxidation seems to be
higher, probably due to CYP stimulation, what can be per se related to detrimental effects.
(1) Sparreboom A, Cox MC, Acharya MR, Figg WD: Herbal remedies in the United States:
potential adverse interactions with anticancer agents. J Clin Oncol 2004;22:2489-2503.
(2) Obach RS: Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by constituents of St. John's Wort,
an herbal preparation used in the treatment of depression. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2000;294:88-
95.
(3) Wang Z, Gorski JC, Hamman MA, Huang SM, Lesko LJ, Hall SD: The effects of St John's
wort (Hypericum perforatum) on human cytochrome P450 activity. Clin Pharmacol Ther
2001;70:317-326.
205

Screening for novel CDH1 inactivating mechanisms in Familial
Gastric Cancer
P. Inácio 1 , H. Pinheiro 1 , J. Carvalho 1 , S. Sousa 1 , R. Seruca 1,2 , C. Oliveira 1,2
1 1.IPATIMUP, Porto, Portugal
2 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
Gastric cancer exists mainly in its sporadic form but familial aggregation of the disease
occurs in 10% of the cases. Despite all efforts to determine the genetic basis of familial
gastric cancer, a single gene, CDH1, has been identified with a causative role in Hereditary
Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) and Familial Diffuse Gastric Cancer (FDGC) [1].
Two thirds of HDGC and 90% of FDGC families displaying gastric tumours of the diffuse
histotype remain genetically unexplained.
Since no other candidate gene has been described in these families, but the hereditary
pattern of inheritance and the tumour’s histotype remains the same as the families carrying
CDH1 mutations, our aim is to identify new CDH1 inactivation mechanisms that may
underline the cancer associated familial history observed in these patients.
We screened DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from 38 probands
by PCR/Sequencing for two ESTs in CDH1 intron 2 that may represent putative regulatory
regions of the CDH1 expression. Moreover, we analysed PBLs DNA from 62 probands for
germline CDH1 promoter methylation by bisulphite DNA treatment and MS-
PCR/Sequencing, since germline epimutations have been described as disease cause in
other cancer associated syndromes.
We identified a new sequence variant (A>T) at position 27.109 of intron 2, in 22/38
(57.9%) family probands. No other alterations were found at the screened regions.
Hypermethylation of the promoter CpG island 3 of the CDH1 gene was found in PBLs
DNA from two probands of Portuguese families. The screening of normal and tumour
tissue from probands and first degree relatives will confirm the possibility of this being a
heritable germline epimutation.
The confirmation of such results will disclose a new inactivating mechanism of CDH1 in
families displaying gastric cancer.
References:
[1] Guilford P., Hopkins J., Harraway J., McLeod M., Ngahiraka M., Harawira P., Taite H.,
Scoular R., Miller A., Reeve A.E. (1998) E-cadherin germline mutations in familial gastric cancer.
Nature 392, 402-404
206

The influence of interpersonal similarity in social categorization
D. Teixeira 1 , F. Gonçalves 1 , I. Lourenço 1 and S. Duarte 1
1 Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal (students)
The main goal of this study was to articulate two theoretical concepts generally regarded as
separated in social psychological research: the interpersonal similarity (related to a
psychological or intra-individual level of comprehension) and the social categorization
(more related to the social or inter-grupal level). The present study followed the premises
of the Subjective Group Dynamics model (e.g. Marques, Abrams, Páez & Hogg, 2001)
which proposes that people are motivated to ensure the validity of a subjective sense of
reality (that is defined and shared by their groups) as a way to defend their own identity.
From that starting point, this work studied the impact of interpersonal similarity on social
categorization, as a way to reduce or implement a subjective identification with a social
group.
On a judgmental activity, subjects were asked to evaluate a number of fictional targets
(though presented as real), with the interpersonal similarity and the group membership
being manipulated across conditions. Namely, subject being very similar to, somewhat
similar or very different from most targets (interpersonal similarity) versus in-group and
out-group targets (targets´ group membership).
It was found that interpersonal similarity had the most impact on social judgments, with
subjects being more positive toward their own equals. However, amidst these results there
was an important phenomenon in regard. When subjects were very different from most
targets of their own group, they lessened their identification with their group and regarded
best the somewhat similar targets.
The main point is that when subjects found themselves as very different from most
members of their own social group they gave more relevance to another kind of social
categorization: being an atypical or marginal member of the in-group. As an alternative
base of social inclusion, they increased identification with in-group members that were
similarly “stigmatized” (Major and Eccleston, 2005).
References:
[1] Marques, J. M., Abrams, D., Paez, D., & Hogg, M. A. (2001), Social categorization, social
identification, and rejection of deviant group members, In Hogg, M. A. & Tindale, R. S. (Eds.),
Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Group processes (Vol. 3, pp. 400-424). Oxford, UK:
Blackwell Publishers.
[2] Major, B., Eccleston, C. P. (2005), Stigma and social exclusion, In Abrams, D., Hogg, M. A., &
Marques, J. M. (Eds.), The social psychology of inclusion and exclusion (pp. 63-87). East Sussex,
UK: Psychology Press.
207

Genetic characterization by SSR of six Olea europaea regional
varieties for authenticity evaluation of olive oils
J. Lopes 1 , R. Coelho 2 , M. A. Faria 1 , E. Nunes 2 and M.B.P.P Oliveira 1
1 REQUIMTE, Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Aníbal
Cunha, 164, 4099-030 Porto, Portugal.
2 CIBIO, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua do
Monte-Castro, Vairão, 4480-661 Vila do Conde
Olive cultivation plays an important role in rural economy of certain regions as Trás-os-
Montes. The importance attributed to this cultivar is expressed in the number of regional
varieties that constitutes local germplasm collections. In order to assist germplasm
management and to develop markers for olive oil varietal authentication genotyping the
referred varieties is of crucial importance. Several methodologies have been used to
genotype and evaluate the relationships among cultivars of olive tree, including isozymes,
RFLP, RAPD, ISSR, SSR and SNPs. SSR are the markers of choice since they are highly
polymorphic, co-dominant and relatively easy to use.
In this work we have studied the six most relevant regional varieties (Cobrançosa, Verdeal
Transmontana, Madural, Santulhana, Redondal e Negrinha) at the molecular level using 15
selected SSR loci [1-3]. Genomic ADN was obtained from silica gel dried leaves using
both a CTAB classical method and a commercially available extraction kit.
Results include the construction of a database for further olive oil authenticity studies and
the evaluation of the genetic relationships amongst the varieties. The chosen markers
permitted the complete discrimination of the studied varieties with a probability of identity
of 1,52×10 -5 . Genetic relationships amongst the varieties are graphically represented in Fig.
1.
Linkage Distance
88
78
68
58
48
38
28
18
REDONDAL
COBRANÇOSA
SANTULHANA
NEGRINHA VERDEAL TRANSMONTANA MADURAL
Fig. 1. Dendrogram showing the genetic relations
of the 6 studied varieties
[1] Sefc, K.M., Lopes, M.S., Mendonça, D., Santos, M.R., Machado, M.L.C., Machado, A.C.
(2000), Identification of microsatellite loci in olive (Olea europaea) and their characterization in
Italian and Iberian olive trees ,Molecular Ecology, 9, 1171-1193.
[2] Cipriani, G., Marrazzo, M.T., Marconi, R., Cimato, A., Testolin, R. (2002), Microsatellite
markers isolated in olive (Olea europaea L.) are suitable for individual fingerprinting and reveal
polymorphism within ancient cultivars ,Theor Appl Genet., 104, 223-228.
[3] Rallo, P., Dorado, G., Martín, A. (2000), Development of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in
olive tree (Olea europaea L.), Theor. Appl. Genet., 101, 984-989.
208

10h00 - Ponto de Encontro na Reitoria
Passeio de Carro Eléctrico
11h30
Visita ao Palácio da Bolsa
12h30
Visita às Caves Calem
13h15 Almoço Livre
Programa Social
15h30 - Ponto de Encontro na Casa do Infante
16h00
Visita à Sé do Porto
Visita à Estação de S. Bento
Fim da visita junto à Casa da Música
209

PLANTAS DO EDIFÍCIO DA FACULDADE DE ARQUITECTURA
U.PORTO

EDIFÍCIO D
1MØ2-1
1DØ2-1
1D11-1
1DØ9-1
EDIFÍCO C
1BØ2-3
1CØ1-1
1B11-1
1BØ8-1
1BØ2-2
1BØ7-1
1B1Ø-1
EDIFÍCIO B
1AØ3-1
1Bo2-1
1ZØ3-1
1FØ1-2
1F64-1
1F65-1
1H18-1
1F64-2
1F64-3
1F14-1
1H14-1
1F64-4
1F64-8
1F64-5
1F64-7 1F64-6
TORRE F TORRE G TORRE H
1GØ2-1
1H19-1
1G14-1
1AØ1-1
1A19-1
1GØ1-1
1FØ1-1
1G37-1
1E18-1
EDIFÍCIO A
1HØ1-1
1Z73-1
1A22-1
1A18-1
1G37-2
1E74-1
1G64-9
1H67-1
1F19-1
2E68-1 1E18-2
1AØ1-1
1G64-1
1A21-1
1G64-8
1GØ1-2
1E64-1
1G64-2
1G64-7
1E64-5
1FØ2-1
1E64-2
1A2Ø-1
1G64-4 1Hg7-2
1G64-3
1EØ1-2
1G64-6
1E66-1
1G64-5
1E64-3
1E64-4
1E74-1
TORRE E

EDIFICIO D
2D19-1
D.T.
2D63-1
C1
2DØ2-1
2D49-1
C1
2DØ1-1 2D63-2
2D19-2
C1
2CØ1-3
EDIFICIO C
D.T.
D.T.
2C54-1
2C53-1
2C51-1
2C5Ø-1
2C52-1
2C47-1
2CØ1-1
LIGA A MESA OPERADORA
AO PPCA
C2 C2 C2
2B4Ø-1
2BØ2-1
2B46-1
I2
C2
2B39-1
PPCA
2B46-1
I2 I2 I2 I2
C3
C2
2BØ1-1
2B38-1
2B12-1
2BØ1-2
C1
2BØ2-2
2B41-1
I3
C2
2B18-1
2B27-1
EDIFICIO B
2B23-1
2B25-1
2B26-1
2.3 2.1
D.T.
2.1
I3
C1
2.3
2.22.1
2A12-1
D.T.
EDIFICIO A
2HØ1-1
2F68-1
2G12-1
2H68-1
2.3
2F12-1
2H12-1
2F67-1 2G68-1
2G67-1
2.2 2.2 2.2
D.T.
C1
D.T.
2.1
2E65-1
2H67-1
D.T.
C1
2FØ1-1
2GØ1-1
2A2Ø-1
D.T.
C1
2E12-1
D.T.
D.T.
2EØ1-1
2G67-2 2H67-2
D.T.
2.3
D.T.
2.4
D.T.
D.T.
TORRE F TORRE G TORRE H
2E67-2 2E68-1 2E67-1
D.T.
2F67-2
TORRE E

EDIFÍCIO D
3D19-1
C1
3DØ1-1
C1
3CØ1-1
3C12-1
EDIFÍCO C
3C12-1
3C53-1
3CØ3-1
3C55-1
I2
3B19-1
C2
C1
3B48-1
3BØ1-1
3B32-1
EDIFÍCIO B
3B32-1
D.T.
3B33-1
3B34-1
3B36-1
3B35-1
3B72-1
3.1
D.T.
3H67-1
3.1 3.1
3H19-1
3H12-1
D.T.
EDIFÍCIO A
C1
3HØ1-1
3G65-1
3.2
3GØ1-1
D.T.
3G19-1
C1
3G12-1
D.T.
3F67-1
3.1
3E65-1
3H65-1
3.2
3.3
D.T.
3.2
3F19-1
3.2
C1
3FØ1-1
3.3
3E19-1
3A72-1
D.T.
C1
3EØ1-1
3F65-1 3F67-2 3G67-2 3G67-2
3H67-2
3E12-1
3F12-1
3.3
D.T.
D.T.
3.4
D.T.
TORRE F TORRE G TORRE H
3.3
D.T.
D.T.
3E67-2 3E65-2 3E67-1
TORRE E