Andreia Oliveira - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Andreia Oliveira
Lubricants, 2020
The development of new materials that mimic cartilage and its function is an unmet need that will... more The development of new materials that mimic cartilage and its function is an unmet need that will allow replacing the damaged parts of the joints, instead of the whole joint. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have raised special interest for this application due to their biocompatibility, high swelling capacity and chemical stability. In this work, the effect of post-processing treatments (annealing, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and gamma-radiation) on the performance of PVA gels obtained by cast-drying was investigated and, their ability to be used as delivery vehicles of the anti-inflammatories diclofenac or ketorolac was evaluated. HHP damaged the hydrogels, breaking some bonds in the polymeric matrix, and therefore led to poor mechanical and tribological properties. The remaining treatments, in general, improved the performance of the materials, increasing their crystallinity. Annealing at 150 °C generated the best mechanical and tribological results: higher resistance to com...
European journal of medicinal chemistry, Jan 4, 2018
The synthesis, photophysical behaviour and photosensitization ability of novel 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro... more The synthesis, photophysical behaviour and photosensitization ability of novel 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-fused 5,15-diphenylchlorins against melanoma cells are described. All studied chlorins were found to be extremely active against melanoma cell lines A375 showing IC50 values below 20 nM. Furthermore, a dihydroxymethyl diphenylchlorin was identified as an excellent candidate to allow modulating of different types of cell death, apoptosis vs. necrosis, by varying its concentration. This can be explored as a tool to improve the effectiveness of PDT since inflammatory response resulting from necrotic cell death after PDT can activate the antitumor immune response with implications also regarding the vascular damage. This feature combined with very low cytotoxicity against human melanoma cells in the absence of light activation and against human fibroblast HFF-1 cells makes this chlorin a candidate of choice as a photosensitizer for PDT. A comprehensive photophysical i...
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, Jan 27, 2017
Ficus exasperata Vahl, commonly known as sandpaper, is a terrestrial Afro-tropical tree used in p... more Ficus exasperata Vahl, commonly known as sandpaper, is a terrestrial Afro-tropical tree used in popular medicine. Despite the existence of some works on the biological activities of this species, its chemical composition is still poorly known. The aim of this study was to extend the knowledge on the phytochemistry and biological properties of this species. Aqueous extracts from F. exasperata leaves and stem bark were analysed. Thirty-one phenolic compounds, comprising cinnamoyl derivatives, flavonoid-O-glycosides, flavonoid-mono-C-glycosides, flavonoid-di-C-glycosides and one furanocoumarin, were determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn and UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, 26 of them being reported for the first time in this species. The profile of organic acids, characterized by HPLC-UV, was also reported for the first time. The best radical scavenging activity was observed for the aqueous extract from leaves (IC50 values of 222.5, 510.0 and 50.0 μg/mL against DPPH•, •NO and O2•-, respectively). In additio...
Appetite, 2015
This study aimed to evaluate the association between maternal perceived responsibility and child-... more This study aimed to evaluate the association between maternal perceived responsibility and child-feeding practices and dietary inadequacy of 4-year-old children. We studied 4122 mothers and children enrolled in the population-based birth cohort - Generation XXI (Porto, Portugal). Mothers self-completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire and a scale on covert and overt control, and answered to a food frequency questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. Using dietary guidelines for preschool children, adequacy intervals were defined: fruit and vegetables (F&V) 4-7 times/day; dairy 3-5 times/day; meat and eggs 5-10 times/week; fish 2-4 times/week. Inadequacy was considered as below or above these cut-points. For energy-dense micronutrient-poor foods and beverages (EDF), a tolerable limit was defined (<6 times/week). Associations between maternal perceived responsibility and child-feeding practices (restriction, monitoring, pressure to eat, overt and covert control) and children's diet were examined by logistic regression models. After adjustment for maternal BMI, education, and diet, and children's characteristics (sex, BMI…
Ciência Rural, 2007
A produção de tomates no Estado do RS ocupa um importante papel sócio-econômico, que pode ser con... more A produção de tomates no Estado do RS ocupa um importante papel sócio-econômico, que pode ser constatado pelo crescimento do cultivo dessa hortaliça em ambiente protegido. Essa técnica permite a produção de tomates em período de entressafra; no entanto, ocorrem também condições favoráveis para o desenvolvimento de doenças fúngicas como o mofo cinzento provocado por Botrytis cinerea. O surgimento de raças de patógenos resistentes a fungicidas químicos vem fazendo com que o controle biológico torne-se uma alternativa necessária. Neste trabalho foi realizada seleção in vitro de 24 isolados do fungo Trichoderma harzianum e 12 de Gliocladium viride que inibiram o desenvolvimento do patógeno B. cinerea. Foram selecionados dois isolados (TRIC-30 e GLIO-10) para serem testados em experimentos em condições de campo com tomates cultivados sob ambiente protegido, nos quais a pulverização foliar semanal com uma suspensão com 2x10(7) conídios mL-1 reduziu significativamente a incidência do mofo ...
International Journal of Obesity, 2010
European journal of nutrition, Jan 4, 2014
The aim of this study was to study the association between the consumption of energy-dense foods ... more The aim of this study was to study the association between the consumption of energy-dense foods at 2 years and body mass index (BMI) at 4 years, using a cross-lagged panel design. The present study included 589 children evaluated at 2 and 4 years of age, as part of the birth cohort generation XXI. Information was obtained by face-to-face interviews. Consumption of energy-dense foods (salty snacks, soft drinks, cakes, and sweets) was measured using a food frequency questionnaire. Children's weight and height were measured by standard procedures, and BMI standard deviation scores (BMI z-scores) were calculated according to the World Health Organization. Linear regression and cross-lagged panel design models were fitted to estimate the associations between the consumption of energy-dense foods and BMI z-scores (controlled for maternal age, education and prepregnancy BMI, and children's exact age at 2 years). The consumption of energy-dense foods at 2 years was significantly as...
Pediatric Pulmonology, 2012
Measures as height, age, and weight influence the six-minute walk test (6MWT). It was shown that ... more Measures as height, age, and weight influence the six-minute walk test (6MWT). It was shown that children's true leg length (TLL) influence the 6MWT distance but so far it has never been evaluated how much this variable could predict the distance walked related to height. Our hypothesis is that there should not have any significant difference between models including height or TLL. To establish and to compare the predicted walked distance of healthy children in the 6MWT by two distinct models, one including TLL and other including height. Observational cross sectional study. A total of 161 healthy children (84 girls, 52.2%), 6-13 years old from three local primary and secondary schools. Two 6MWT were performed following ATS guidelines. Weight, height, and TLL were measured. The longer walked distance was selected for statistical analysis. Anthropometric data were similar for both genders into each group of age. Mean (±SD) walked distances in whole group were: boys 704.4 m (77.7); girls 681.6 m (67.9; P = 0.049). In the univariate regression to predict the distance walked, the adjusted coefficients to TLL and height were in boys: 0.46 and 0.39; and in girls: 0.35 and 0.29, respectively. After adjusting for age and weight, the residuals of the two equations were not significantly different (P = 0.998). The model including TLL to predict the walked distance by healthy children explained more of the variation on the walked distance in the 6MWT than the model using the height but without significant difference between the models.
Breast Cancer Research, 2012
Introduction: Of the more than one million global cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year, app... more Introduction: Of the more than one million global cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year, approximately fifteen percent are characterized as triple-negative, lacking the estrogen, progesterone, and Her2/neu receptors. Lack of effective therapies, younger age at onset, and early metastatic spread have contributed to the poor prognoses and outcomes associated with these malignancies. Here, we investigate the ability of the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) to selectively target triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell proliferation and survival in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo. Methods: TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-157, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and BT-549 were treated with nanomolar (nM) quantities of panobinostat. Relevant histone acetylation was verified by flow cytometry and immunofluorescent imaging. Assays for trypan blue viability, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) proliferation, and DNA fragmentation were used to evaluate overall cellular toxicity. Changes in cell cycle progression were assessed with propidium iodide flow cytometry. Additionally, qPCR arrays were used to probe MDA-MB-231 cells for panobinostat-induced changes in cancer biomarkers and signaling pathways. Orthotopic MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 mouse xenograft models were used to assess the effects of panobinostat on tumorigenesis. Lastly, flow cytometry, ELISA, and immunohistochemical staining were applied to detect changes in cadherin-1, E-cadherin (CDH1) protein expression and the results paired with confocal microscopy in order to examine changes in cell morphology. Results: Panobinostat treatment increased histone acetylation, decreased cell proliferation and survival, and blocked cell cycle progression at G2/M with a concurrent decrease in S phase in all TNBC cell lines. Treatment also resulted in apoptosis induction at 24 hours in all lines except the MDA-MB-468 cell line. MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 tumor formation was significantly inhibited by panobinostat (10 mg/kg/day) in mice. Additionally, panobinostat upregulated CDH1 protein in vitro and in vivo and induced cell morphology changes in MDA-MB-231 cells consistent with reversal of the mesenchymal phenotype. Conclusions: This study revealed that panobinostat is overtly toxic to TNBC cells in vitro and decreases tumorigenesis in vivo. Additionally, treatment up-regulated anti-proliferative, tumor suppressor, and epithelial marker genes in MDA-MB-231 cells and initiated a partial reversal of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Our results demonstrate a potential therapeutic role of panobinostat in targeting aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cell types.
Lubricants, 2020
The development of new materials that mimic cartilage and its function is an unmet need that will... more The development of new materials that mimic cartilage and its function is an unmet need that will allow replacing the damaged parts of the joints, instead of the whole joint. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have raised special interest for this application due to their biocompatibility, high swelling capacity and chemical stability. In this work, the effect of post-processing treatments (annealing, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and gamma-radiation) on the performance of PVA gels obtained by cast-drying was investigated and, their ability to be used as delivery vehicles of the anti-inflammatories diclofenac or ketorolac was evaluated. HHP damaged the hydrogels, breaking some bonds in the polymeric matrix, and therefore led to poor mechanical and tribological properties. The remaining treatments, in general, improved the performance of the materials, increasing their crystallinity. Annealing at 150 °C generated the best mechanical and tribological results: higher resistance to com...
European journal of medicinal chemistry, Jan 4, 2018
The synthesis, photophysical behaviour and photosensitization ability of novel 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro... more The synthesis, photophysical behaviour and photosensitization ability of novel 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-fused 5,15-diphenylchlorins against melanoma cells are described. All studied chlorins were found to be extremely active against melanoma cell lines A375 showing IC50 values below 20 nM. Furthermore, a dihydroxymethyl diphenylchlorin was identified as an excellent candidate to allow modulating of different types of cell death, apoptosis vs. necrosis, by varying its concentration. This can be explored as a tool to improve the effectiveness of PDT since inflammatory response resulting from necrotic cell death after PDT can activate the antitumor immune response with implications also regarding the vascular damage. This feature combined with very low cytotoxicity against human melanoma cells in the absence of light activation and against human fibroblast HFF-1 cells makes this chlorin a candidate of choice as a photosensitizer for PDT. A comprehensive photophysical i...
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, Jan 27, 2017
Ficus exasperata Vahl, commonly known as sandpaper, is a terrestrial Afro-tropical tree used in p... more Ficus exasperata Vahl, commonly known as sandpaper, is a terrestrial Afro-tropical tree used in popular medicine. Despite the existence of some works on the biological activities of this species, its chemical composition is still poorly known. The aim of this study was to extend the knowledge on the phytochemistry and biological properties of this species. Aqueous extracts from F. exasperata leaves and stem bark were analysed. Thirty-one phenolic compounds, comprising cinnamoyl derivatives, flavonoid-O-glycosides, flavonoid-mono-C-glycosides, flavonoid-di-C-glycosides and one furanocoumarin, were determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn and UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, 26 of them being reported for the first time in this species. The profile of organic acids, characterized by HPLC-UV, was also reported for the first time. The best radical scavenging activity was observed for the aqueous extract from leaves (IC50 values of 222.5, 510.0 and 50.0 μg/mL against DPPH•, •NO and O2•-, respectively). In additio...
Appetite, 2015
This study aimed to evaluate the association between maternal perceived responsibility and child-... more This study aimed to evaluate the association between maternal perceived responsibility and child-feeding practices and dietary inadequacy of 4-year-old children. We studied 4122 mothers and children enrolled in the population-based birth cohort - Generation XXI (Porto, Portugal). Mothers self-completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire and a scale on covert and overt control, and answered to a food frequency questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. Using dietary guidelines for preschool children, adequacy intervals were defined: fruit and vegetables (F&V) 4-7 times/day; dairy 3-5 times/day; meat and eggs 5-10 times/week; fish 2-4 times/week. Inadequacy was considered as below or above these cut-points. For energy-dense micronutrient-poor foods and beverages (EDF), a tolerable limit was defined (<6 times/week). Associations between maternal perceived responsibility and child-feeding practices (restriction, monitoring, pressure to eat, overt and covert control) and children's diet were examined by logistic regression models. After adjustment for maternal BMI, education, and diet, and children's characteristics (sex, BMI…
Ciência Rural, 2007
A produção de tomates no Estado do RS ocupa um importante papel sócio-econômico, que pode ser con... more A produção de tomates no Estado do RS ocupa um importante papel sócio-econômico, que pode ser constatado pelo crescimento do cultivo dessa hortaliça em ambiente protegido. Essa técnica permite a produção de tomates em período de entressafra; no entanto, ocorrem também condições favoráveis para o desenvolvimento de doenças fúngicas como o mofo cinzento provocado por Botrytis cinerea. O surgimento de raças de patógenos resistentes a fungicidas químicos vem fazendo com que o controle biológico torne-se uma alternativa necessária. Neste trabalho foi realizada seleção in vitro de 24 isolados do fungo Trichoderma harzianum e 12 de Gliocladium viride que inibiram o desenvolvimento do patógeno B. cinerea. Foram selecionados dois isolados (TRIC-30 e GLIO-10) para serem testados em experimentos em condições de campo com tomates cultivados sob ambiente protegido, nos quais a pulverização foliar semanal com uma suspensão com 2x10(7) conídios mL-1 reduziu significativamente a incidência do mofo ...
International Journal of Obesity, 2010
European journal of nutrition, Jan 4, 2014
The aim of this study was to study the association between the consumption of energy-dense foods ... more The aim of this study was to study the association between the consumption of energy-dense foods at 2 years and body mass index (BMI) at 4 years, using a cross-lagged panel design. The present study included 589 children evaluated at 2 and 4 years of age, as part of the birth cohort generation XXI. Information was obtained by face-to-face interviews. Consumption of energy-dense foods (salty snacks, soft drinks, cakes, and sweets) was measured using a food frequency questionnaire. Children's weight and height were measured by standard procedures, and BMI standard deviation scores (BMI z-scores) were calculated according to the World Health Organization. Linear regression and cross-lagged panel design models were fitted to estimate the associations between the consumption of energy-dense foods and BMI z-scores (controlled for maternal age, education and prepregnancy BMI, and children's exact age at 2 years). The consumption of energy-dense foods at 2 years was significantly as...
Pediatric Pulmonology, 2012
Measures as height, age, and weight influence the six-minute walk test (6MWT). It was shown that ... more Measures as height, age, and weight influence the six-minute walk test (6MWT). It was shown that children's true leg length (TLL) influence the 6MWT distance but so far it has never been evaluated how much this variable could predict the distance walked related to height. Our hypothesis is that there should not have any significant difference between models including height or TLL. To establish and to compare the predicted walked distance of healthy children in the 6MWT by two distinct models, one including TLL and other including height. Observational cross sectional study. A total of 161 healthy children (84 girls, 52.2%), 6-13 years old from three local primary and secondary schools. Two 6MWT were performed following ATS guidelines. Weight, height, and TLL were measured. The longer walked distance was selected for statistical analysis. Anthropometric data were similar for both genders into each group of age. Mean (±SD) walked distances in whole group were: boys 704.4 m (77.7); girls 681.6 m (67.9; P = 0.049). In the univariate regression to predict the distance walked, the adjusted coefficients to TLL and height were in boys: 0.46 and 0.39; and in girls: 0.35 and 0.29, respectively. After adjusting for age and weight, the residuals of the two equations were not significantly different (P = 0.998). The model including TLL to predict the walked distance by healthy children explained more of the variation on the walked distance in the 6MWT than the model using the height but without significant difference between the models.
Breast Cancer Research, 2012
Introduction: Of the more than one million global cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year, app... more Introduction: Of the more than one million global cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year, approximately fifteen percent are characterized as triple-negative, lacking the estrogen, progesterone, and Her2/neu receptors. Lack of effective therapies, younger age at onset, and early metastatic spread have contributed to the poor prognoses and outcomes associated with these malignancies. Here, we investigate the ability of the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) to selectively target triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell proliferation and survival in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo. Methods: TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-157, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and BT-549 were treated with nanomolar (nM) quantities of panobinostat. Relevant histone acetylation was verified by flow cytometry and immunofluorescent imaging. Assays for trypan blue viability, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) proliferation, and DNA fragmentation were used to evaluate overall cellular toxicity. Changes in cell cycle progression were assessed with propidium iodide flow cytometry. Additionally, qPCR arrays were used to probe MDA-MB-231 cells for panobinostat-induced changes in cancer biomarkers and signaling pathways. Orthotopic MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 mouse xenograft models were used to assess the effects of panobinostat on tumorigenesis. Lastly, flow cytometry, ELISA, and immunohistochemical staining were applied to detect changes in cadherin-1, E-cadherin (CDH1) protein expression and the results paired with confocal microscopy in order to examine changes in cell morphology. Results: Panobinostat treatment increased histone acetylation, decreased cell proliferation and survival, and blocked cell cycle progression at G2/M with a concurrent decrease in S phase in all TNBC cell lines. Treatment also resulted in apoptosis induction at 24 hours in all lines except the MDA-MB-468 cell line. MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 tumor formation was significantly inhibited by panobinostat (10 mg/kg/day) in mice. Additionally, panobinostat upregulated CDH1 protein in vitro and in vivo and induced cell morphology changes in MDA-MB-231 cells consistent with reversal of the mesenchymal phenotype. Conclusions: This study revealed that panobinostat is overtly toxic to TNBC cells in vitro and decreases tumorigenesis in vivo. Additionally, treatment up-regulated anti-proliferative, tumor suppressor, and epithelial marker genes in MDA-MB-231 cells and initiated a partial reversal of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Our results demonstrate a potential therapeutic role of panobinostat in targeting aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cell types.