Browsing by Author "Cardoso, Susana"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- A 96-wells fluidic system for high-throughput screenings under laminar high wall shear stress conditionsPublication . Fonseca, Catarina Gonçalves; Silvério, Vânia; Barata, David; Giese, Wolfgang; Gerhardt, Holger; Cardoso, Susana; Franco, Cláudio AreiasThe ability of endothelial cells to respond to blood flow is fundamental for the correct formation and maintenance of a functional and hierarchically organized vascular network. Defective flow responses, in particular related to high flow conditions, have been associated with atherosclerosis, stroke, arteriovenous malformations, and neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, the molecular mechanisms involved in high flow response are still poorly understood. Here, we described the development and validation of a 96-wells fluidic system, with interchangeable cell culture and fluidics, to perform high-throughput screenings under laminar high-flow conditions. We demonstrated that endothelial cells in our newly developed 96-wells fluidic system respond to fluid flow-induced shear stress by aligning along the flow direction and increasing the levels of KLF2 and KLF4. We further demonstrate that our 96-wells fluidic system allows for efficient gene knock-down compatible with automated liquid handling for high-throughput screening platforms. Overall, we propose that this modular 96-well fluidic system is an excellent platform to perform genome-wide and/or drug screenings to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the responses of endothelial cells to high wall shear stress. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
- Carbon nanotube field effect transistor biosensor for the detection of toxins in seawaterPublication . Marques, Inês; Costa, João Pinto da; Justino, Celine; Santos, Patrícia; Duarte, Kátia; Freitas, Ana; Cardoso, Susana; Duarte, Armando; Rocha-Santos, TeresaDisposable field effect transistors (FET) biosensors (bio-FET) based on carbon nanotubes were fabricated for detection of domoic acid (DA), which belongs to the group of biotoxins associated with the amnesic shellfish poisoning. The analytical results obtained with the bio-FET were compared with those obtained with a traditional methodology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in order to validate the bio-FET for DA detection. Standard solutions of DA with concentrations between 10 and 500 ng L−1 were tested in order to construct the calibration curve, where five bio-FET were used for reproducibility estimation and two analytical measurements were performed for each bio-FET for repeatability estimation. Ten spiked artificial seawater samples were used to validate the bio-FET. The obtained reproducibility (0.52–1.43%), repeatability (0.57–1.27%), limit of detection (10 ng L−1) and recovery range (92.3–100.3%) reveal an adequate analytical performance of the bio-FET for the detection of DA in environmental samples such as seawater samples.
- Dark personality traits and online behaviors: Portuguese versions of Cyberstalking, Online Harassment, Flaming and Trolling ScalesPublication . Leite, Ângela; Cardoso, Susana; Monteiro, Ana PaulaThe main objective of this study is to assess moderation effects of online behaviors between personality traits and addiction to Internet. To this end, four instruments were validated for Portuguese version through confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis (Study 1) Multiple regression analysis was applied to examine the personality predictors of specific online behaviors while controlling for gender and age; and moderation effects were assessed (Study 2). Results showed good psychometric properties for the four validated scales. Machiavellianism is positively associated with all the dimensions of this study. Psychopathy is positively associated with total Cyberstalking, Cyberstalking Control, Flaming and Trolling. Narcissism is positively associated with all the dimensions, except Online Harassment and Flaming. Machiavellianism is positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking, Flaming and Trolling. Psychopathy is positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking Control and Flaming. Narcissism is also positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking and Trolling. This study demonstrates that dimensions of the dark triad of personality play an important role in Internet addiction through online behaviors. The results of this study have theoretical and practical implications: on the one hand, they reinforces the findings of other studies showing that dimensions of the dark personality triad play an important role in Internet and social network addition, contributing to the literature; and, on the other hand, on a practical level, they allow to conduct awareness campaigns in communities, schools, and work to understand that one can be exposed to unpleasant situations due to behaviors that some people with personality traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism and/or psychopathy that may cause problems affecting the mental, emotional and psychological health of others.
- UPSA: avaliação do desempenho funcional nos diferentes estádios de declínio cognitivoPublication . Cardoso, Susana; Ribeiro, Filipa Correia; Nunes, Maria Vânia SilvaIntrodução: A demência é uma síndrome clínica adquirida, caracterizada pelo declínio progressivo de várias funções cognitivas. Os défices são persistentes e têm gravidade suficiente para interferir nas relações sociais e na capacidade para realizar de um modo autónomo as actividades de vida diária. Vários estudos demonstraram que défices nas actividades instrumentais de vida diária (AIVD) predizem significativamente o desenvolvimento de demência. Para avaliar as AIVD, os instrumentos baseados no desempenho são os mais sensíveis na diferenciação do desempenho entre indivíduos cognitivamente saudáveis e indivíduos com declínio cognitivo. Objectivo: Traduzir e adaptar a segunda versão da UCSD-Performance-Based Skills Assessment (UPSA-2), um instrumento baseado no desempenho que avalia as AIVD, bem como verificar se existem diferenças no desempenho funcional, nos diferentes estádios do declínio cognitivo. Materiais e métodos: A amostra foi composta por 81 participantes, 34 participantes do grupo cognitivamente saudáveis, 23 participantes do grupo com alterações cognitivas ligeiras e 24 participantes do grupo com alterações cognitivas marcadas. Resultados: Os resultados totais da UPSA-2 foram significativamente inferiores nos indivíduos com alterações cognitivas marcadas, mais do que nos indivíduos com alterações cognitivas ligeiras, que por sua vez foram inferiores aos resultados dos indivíduos cognitivamente saudáveis. O resultado total da UPSA-2 está fortemente correlacionado com o resultado da Escala de Avaliação da Doença de Alzheimer, Subescala Cognitiva (ADAS-Cog) (r=-0.84/p<0.001). Verificou-se ainda que os indivíduos que não apresentaram alterações funcionais na IADL, apresentaram alterações em vários domínios da UPSA-2. Conclusões: A UPSA-2 tem propriedades discriminativas relativamente ao desempenho funcional dos indivíduos sem alterações cognitivas, dos indivíduos com alterações cognitivas ligeiras e marcadas. Este estudo veio demonstrar que a UPSA-2 tem maior sensibilidade na avaliação das AIVD, do que um instrumento de autoavaliação. Permite ainda evidenciar a existência de uma forte associação entre o desempenho cognitivo e o desempenho funcional.