Browsing by Author "Alves, R."
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- Artists connection between recycling and environmental educationPublication . Freitas, O.; Ramalhosa, M. J.; Soares, C.; Duarte, A.; Barroso, M. F.; Alves, R.; Carvalho, A. P.; Grosso, J.; Santos, L. H. M. L. M.; Moreira, M.; Delerure-Matos, C.The artistic production can play a role of reflection and alert to the recovery of waste and end-of-life materials, with the consequent circular economy implementation, minimizing the use of new natural resources. The competition “Reciclar é uma arte” was organized in the framework of a partnership between an academic institution - Instituto Politécnico do Porto (IPP)/Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP) - and a research center - Laboratório Associado REQUIMTE-LAQV/GRAQ (Grupo de Reação e Análises Químicas). The main objectives were the dissemination of the concepts of recycling, green chemistry, sustainability and to show to the younger generations that Science can be accessible and fun. All products used by humanity originated from raw materials, which, during their possible transformation, use and consequent disposal will give rise to waste that will be discarded. This paper aims to demonstrate the connection between environmental education and ecological art, and how this association can help students to develop their creativity and critical thinking.
- Caracterização hemorreológica, bioquímica e cardiovascular num modelo de doença renal crónica moderada em ratoPublication . Garrido, P.; Costa, E.; Teixeira-Lemos, E.; Parada, B.; Teixeira, M.; Santos, P.; Piloto, N.; Sereno, J.; Alves, R.; Pinto, R.; Rocha-Pereira, P.; Figueiredo, A.; Nunes, S.; Romão, A. M.; Carvalho, L.; Couceiro, P.; Belo, L.; Santos-Silva, A.; Teixeira, F.; Reis, F.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem throughout the world. The major outcomes include a rapid progression, with development of anaemia and serious complications, namely thromboembol ic and cardiovascular events. The pathophysiological alterations depend on the CKD degree, which will also determine the moment to initiate hemodialysis and recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapies Thus, the cardio-renal complication might be better prevented or delayed if CKD patients are earlier identified and treated for the associated anaemia, which will depend on a better characterization of moderate stages of CKD. This study aimed to characterization an animal of model of moderate CKD induced by partial (%) nephrectomy, by evaluating hemorheological, biochemical and cardiovascular profiles. Blood samples from control and CKD rats were collected at 0, 3, 9 and 15 weeks in order to evaluate: renal function, hemorheological parameters, iron metabolism, blood lipids, peripheral sympathetic and serotonergic systems, redox state and inflammatory markers. BP, tissues uophism indexes and kidney histomorphology were also assessed. Our data is consistent with a sustained moderate degree of CKD with a quickly compensated modest anaemia, though presenting iron metabolism disturbances. Despite the reasonable degree of functionality of the remnant kidney, as suggested by the anaemia correction and by the kidney hypertrophy, several important cardiovascular modifications were developed. Our model presented hypertension, dyslipidaemia, erythropoietic disturbances, sympathetic activation and oxidative stress. This model might be a good tool to study the cellular/molecularmechanisms underlying moderate stages of CKD and to evaluate the therapeutics efficacy for prevention, treatment/correction of cardiorenal anaemia syndromes and complications in early stages.
- Cardiac antiapoptotic and proproliferative effect of recombinant human erythropoietin in a moderate stage of chronic renal failure in the ratPublication . Teixeira, M.; Rodrigues-Santos, P.; Garrido, P.; Costa, E.; Parada, B.; Sereno, J.; Alves, R.; Belo, L.; Teixeira, F.; Santos-Silva, A.; Reis, F.Objective: Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapy under circumstances of moderate chronic renal failure (CRF), with yet lower kidney and heart lesion, may have a protective cardiac effect beyond the correction of anemia, whose mechanism deserves better elucidation, namely by clarifying the impact on gene expression profile of markers of apoptosis, inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis, and lesion/stress in the heart. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats were studied over a period of 15 weeks (n=7 each): control-without surgery and without drug treatment; rhEPO-treated with 50 IU/kg/week of rhEPO-beta; CRF-submitted to partial nephrectomy (3/4); CRF + rhEPO-CRF with rhEPO treatment after the 3rd week of surgery. The heart was collected in order to evaluate the gene expression, by real-time qPCR, of markers of apoptotic machinery, inflammation/immunology, proliferation/ angiogenesis, and lesion/stress. Results: The main findings obtained were (a) CRF rats have demonstrated overexpression of EPO-R in the heart without changes on EPO expression, together with overexpression of Bax/Bcl2 ratio, PCNA, and IL-2; (b) rhEPO therapy on the heart of the rats with CRF induced by partial 3/4 nephrectomy promoted nonhematopoietic protection, demonstrated by the apoptosis prevention, viewed by the Bax/Bcl2 balance, by the promotion of proliferation, due to PCNA increment, and by the immunomodulatory action, expressed by a trend to prevent the IL-2 increment. Conclusion: In this model of moderate CRF, rhEPO treatment showed important cardiac nonhematopoietic effects, expressed mainly by the antiapoptotic and the proproliferative action, suggesting that early rhEPO therapy in moderate stages of CRF might have further therapeutic benefits.
- Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin in a rat model of moderate chronic renal failure – focus on inflammation, oxidative Stress and function/renoprotectionPublication . Garrido, P.; Reis, F.; Costa, E.; Almeida, A.; Parada, B.; Teixeira-Lemos, E.; Santos, P.; Alves, R.; Sereno, J.; Pinto, R.; Tavares, C.A.; Figueiredo, A.; Rocha-Pereira, P.; Belo, L.; Santos-Silva, A.; Teixeira, F.Background/Aims: Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients develop anaemia, thus promoting cardiovascular complications, which seems to be favoured by the low kidney erythropoietin (EPO) production. The renal insufficiency degree might determine the moment to start recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) therapy. It has been attributed important non-hematopoietic effects to rhEPO, which might underlie cardio and renoprotection. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of rhEPO in a rat model of moderate CRF, focusing on inflammation, oxidative stress and function/renoprotection. Methods: Four groups (n=7) of male Wistar rats were evaluated during a 15 week follow-up period: control (without treatment); rhEPO (50 IU/Kg/wk Recormon®); CRF and CRF+rhEPO. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and 3, 9 and 12 weeks after 3/4 nephrectomy, in order to evaluate: renal function, haematological parameters, iron metabolism and serum proliferative (TGF-B1), inflammatory (TNF-a, CRP, IL-2 and IL-1B) and redox status (MDA, TAS and 3-NT) markers. Kidney gene expression of Il2, Vegf, Nos2 and Nos3 were assessed by real-time PCR. Blood pressure, heart rate and tissues trophy indexes were also estimated. Results: Our data are consistent with a sustained moderate degree of CRF with development of moderate and corrected anaemia and hypertension. The remnant kidney showed a proliferative profile, with increased mass (hypertrophism), upregulated tissue Vegf gene expression, accompanied by increased levels of serum TGF-B1. Serum 3-NT was augmented, suggesting oxidative stress, which was accompanied by a trend to higher kidney Nos gene expression of both isoforms. rhEPO treatment was able to partially attenuate renal function markers, totally correct anaemia, also demonstrating a proliferative and antioxidant action, suggesting renoprotection. Conclusion: This study suggests that rhEPO therapy might be recommended in moderate CRF stages in order to efficiently correct not only the anaemia but also the underlying deleterious mechanisms, due to a proliferative and antioxidant action on the remnant kidney.
- GO-BIOCHORUME: sistemas biológicos de utilização do chorume proveniente de explorações de pecuária intensiva de bovinos leiteirosPublication . Menino, R.; Pereira, S. I. A.; Moreira, H.; Castelo-Branco, A.; Gomes, A.A.; Rodrigues, A.; Cunha, J.; Castro, P. M. L.; Vega, A.; Cardoso, E.; Machado, M. J.; Alves, R.; Cardoso, F.; Lopes, F.; Guedes, R.
- Hemorheological and cardiovascular effects of erythropoietin in a rat model of sports dopingPublication . Piloto, N.; Teixeira, HM; Garrido, P.; Teixeira-Lemos, E.; Teixeira, M.; Parada, B.; Sereno, J.; Pinto, R .; Alves, R.; Santos, P.; Romão, AM; Nunes, S.; Neto, P.; Carvalho, L.; Couceiro, P.; Xavier, F.; Rocha-Pereira, P.; Costa, Elísio; Belo, L.; Santos-Silva, A.; Teixeira, F.; Reis, F.Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has been therapeutically used for correction of anaemia. However, due to the increase in circulating red blood cells (RBCs) it promotes, thus increasing oxygen delivery to muscles and improving performance in sport, it has been also illegally used as sports doping. Besides the well known increase of hematocrit and blood viscosity; which might cause serious complications for the athletes, other disturbances could occur, whose mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the hemorheological and cardiovascular effects of administration of rhEPO to rats under chronic aerobic exercise. A ten week-protocol was performed in four male Wistar rat groups: control — sedentary; rhEPO — 50 IV/kg, 3 times/wk; exercised (EX) — swimming for 1 hr, 3 times/ wk; EX+rhEPO. rhEPO in trained rats promoted erythrocyte count increase, hypertension, heart hypertro-phy, sympathetic and serotonergic overactivation, as well as a trend to increased oxidative stress. In conclusion, rhEPO doping in rats under chronic exercise promotes not only the expected increased hematocrit, but also other serious deleterious cardiovascular and thromboembolic modifications, including live risk, which might be known and assumed by all sports authorities, including athletes and their physicians.
- Potential of slurry from intensive dairy cattle farms for Paulownia and Populus trees, as organic fertilizer: I. effect on productionPublication . Menino, R.; Pereira, S. A.; Moreira, H.; Branco, A. C.; Gomes, A. A.; Rodrigues, A.; Cunha, J.; Castro, P.; Vega, A.; Cardoso, E.; Machado, M. J.; Alves, R.; Cardoso, F.; Lopes, F.; Guedes, R.
- Potential of slurry from intensive dairy cattle farms for paulownia and populus trees, as organic fertilizer: I. effect on productionPublication . Menino, R.; Pereira, S. I. A.; Moreira, H.; Castelo-Branco, A.; Gomes, A. A.; Rodrigues, A.; Cunha, J.; Castro, P.M.L.; Vega, A.; Cardoso, E.; Machado, M. J.; Alves, R.; Cardoso, F.; Lopes, F.; Guedes, R.Intensive dairy cattle breeding have a relevant social and economic impact in portugal, particularly in the northern region. This activity generates a high flow of livestock effluents (slurry), rich in important nutrients for plant growth, which can be introduced into forest production systems. These effluents can provide a good alternative to mineral fertilizers, not only from an economic perspective, but also from the point of view of soil fertility resilience. In the present study, the effect of increasing doses of slurry on tree growth was evaluated in clones of paulownia and populus, as they are genotypes that have a high efficiency in the mobilization of soil nutrients and in the capture of co2 from the atmosphere, as well as high biomass calorific value. To this end, a demonstration field was installed, where the trees were planted with the compasses of: 2.5 x 1.5 m and 2.5 x 0.75 m, respectively for paulownia and for populus. In the field, the following treatments were performed: t0 - no fertilization, either mineral or organic; t1 - amount of slurry equivalent to 85 kg of n ha-1; t2 - amount of slurry equivalent to 170 kg of n ha-1; t3 - amount of slurry equivalent to 340 kg of n ha-1, either with or without inoculation prior to transplantation, with mycorrhizal arbuscular fungi and plant growth-promoting bacteria. Results evidenced a positive effect of the slurry application, both in the diameter at breast height and in total stand height, showing its fertilizing potential which should later be assessed on the ability to constitute an alternative or, simply, a complement to mineral fertilization
- Proyecto ReCROP: mejorando la diversidad microbiana del suelo en agroecosistemas mediterráneosPublication . Epelde, L.; Anitua, A.; Anza, M.; Garbisu, C.; Prieto-Fernández, Á.; Martínez, M. C. Monterroso; Rodríguez-Garrido, B.; Cepeda, C. Trasar; González-Prieto, S.; Cortet, J.; Delcourt, N.; Kadiri, N.; Vergnes, A.; Roussel, S.; Blayac, T.; Lavaine, E.; Boularbah, A.; Benidire, L.; El Balghiti, F. Z.; Allani, M.; Soufi, S.; Bettaieb, T.; Sahli, A.; Semida, W. M.; Abd El-Mageed, T. A.; Abdulfattah, M. A.; Alves, R.; Oliveira, M.; Santos, C.; Tassi, E.; Bretzel, F.; D'Acqui, L. P.; Pini, R.; di Lonardo, S.; Cortez, J.; Cardoso, E.; Moreira, H.; Pereira, S. I. A.; Castro, P. M. L.
- Proyecto ReCROP: mejorando la diversidad microbiana del suelo en agroecosistemas mediterráneosPublication . Epelde, L.; Anitua, A.; Anza, M.; Garbisu, C.; Prieto-Fernández, Á.; Martínez, M. C. Monterroso; Rodríguez-Garrido, B.; Cepeda, C. Trasar; González-Prieto, S.; Cortet, J.; Delcourt, N.; Kadiri, N.; Vergnes, A.; Roussel, S.; Blayac, T.; Lavaine, E.; Boularbah, A.; Benidire, L.; El Balghiti, F. Z.; Allani, M.; Soufi, S.; Bettaieb, T.; Sahli, A.; Semida, W. M.; Abd El-Mageed, T. A.; Abdulfattah, M. A.; Alves, R.; Oliveira, M.; Santos, C.; Tassi, E.; Bretzel, F.; D'Acqui, L. P.; Pini, R.; di Lonardo, S.; Cortez, J.; Cardoso, E.; Moreira, H.; Pereira, S. I. A.; Castro, P. M. L.