ISEL - Eng. Quim. Biol. - Artigos
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- A 3D MOF with Cu20/Cu6 clusters: self-assembly, CO2 encapsulation, structural features, and magnetic propertiesPublication . Sliwa, Ewelina I.; Nesterov, Dmytro S.; Klak, Julia; Kirillov, Alexander M.; Smolenski, PiotrAbstract Molecular design of multicopper clusters has been of increasing importance in inorganic chemistry, biomedical science, and functional materials. Herein, two new copper compounds were self-assembled from copper(II) monofluoroacetate or trifluoroacetate, elemental copper, and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA). The reaction starting from copper(II) monofluoroacetate yielded a tetranuclear cluster, [Cu4II(μ3-OH)2(μ-L)6(PTA=O)2] (1), where L is monofluoroacetate(1−) and PTA=O is the oxide of PTA. Formation of 1 involves the oxidation of PTA and the incorporation of μ3-OH– ligands. In contrast, a similar reaction with copper(II) trifluoroacetate produced a unique three-dimensional metal–organic framework (3D MOF), formulated as [{Cu20II(CO3)(μ3-O)2(μ3-OH)22(μ-L′)12}{Cu6I(μ3-PTA)6(CH3CN)12}]n·6n(L′)·3n(H2O)·2n(CH3CN) (2), where L′ is trifluoroacetate. It comprises Cu20 clusters, with an encapsulated carbonate anion fixed from atmospheric CO2, which are bridged by {Cu6I(PTA)6} units into a 3D MOF. Control experiments confirmed that carbonate originates from ambient CO2 rather than from added carbonate salts. Both 1 and 2 were fully characterized, and their magnetic properties were investigated, revealing dominant antiferromagnetic interactions within the Cu4 and Cu20 clusters, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed the antiferromagnetic ground spin state of 1 and disclosed the stability of the Cu20 core in 2. This work highlights the influence of fluorinated carboxylates and atmospheric conditions on the assembly and architecture of multicopper clusters, and extends their family to new examples.
- Adenine tagged Mn-based coordination polymer for conversion of carbon dioxide to cyclic carbonates under atmospheric pressurePublication . Eskemech, Alehegn; Bhakhar, Rubi; Biswas, Pritam; Karmakar, Anirban; Krishnan, Venkata; Koner, Rik RaniAbstract Natural processes collectively balance the global carbon cycle, effectively controlling atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. However, excessive CO2 emissions due to industrialization and population growth have disrupted natural processes by increasing the atmospheric CO2 concentration. To address this issue, CO2 capture and conversion have been implemented. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)/coordination polymers (CPs) with bioligands, such as amino acids and nucleobases, are receiving much interest. However, bio-MOFs are not much reported due to the lack of control over their coordination with metal ions. In this work, we have developed an adenine-tagged Mn-CP with dominant basic sites, [Mn(IPT2–)(Ade)(DMF)]n (IPT2– = isophthalate; Ade = adenine; DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide). The analysis of isosteric heat (Qst) of CO2 adsorption supported the presence of strong interactions between CO2 and Mn-CP. Mn-CP demonstrated moderate to outstanding performance in coupling CO2 with smaller and larger epoxides at ambient pressure under neat conditions. The thermodynamic activation parameters indicate that Mn-CP operates through an associative mechanism (ΔS⧧ = −283.4 J mol−1 K−1), with a reduced kinetic barrier characterized by ΔH⧧ of 17.28 kJ mol–1 and Ea of 20.5 kJ mol–1. The catalytic efficiency of Mn-CP was particularly notable in the coupling reaction of epichlorohydrin and CO2, yielding 92% of the corresponding cyclic carbonate under atmospheric pressure.
- Analysis of integrated calcium looping alternatives in a cement plantPublication . Amorim, Ana; Filipe, Rui; Matos, Henrique A.Calcium looping is a promising post-combustion CO2 capturing technology, highly compatible with the cement industry, one of the major industrial sources of CO2 emissions. Limestone, a raw material for clinker, forms lime, a calcium looping adsorbent. Thus, it is possible to maximize the synergies between a cement plant and a calcium looping unit by establishing an integrated configuration. Nevertheless, the integration of calcium looping in cement plants has not yet been thoroughly studied. This study examines different integration alternatives, developing models for the preheater and calciner using Aspen Plus, validated with operational data, alongside an entrained-flow carbonator model considering adsorbent deactivation. By combining these models, six integrated configurations are proposed and compared with the tail-end calcium looping configuration. The integrated configurations show a reduction in fuel consumption and net energy consumption for the same CO2 avoided emissions. The most promising configuration was identified and a comparative techno-economic analysis was conducted.
- Biochemical methane potential assays for organic wastes as an anaerobic digestion feedstockPublication . Cabrita, Tiago Miguel; Santos, Maria TeresaThe anaerobic digestion process is applied worldwide in the treatment of various organic wastes, allowing energy production from biogas and organic recovery from digested sludge. In the evaluation of suitable substrates for anaerobic digestion, Biochemical Methane Potential assays are the most applied, and, despite several efforts to standardize this method, it is observed that there are still several studies that do not apply all the criteria. This current paper’s main goal is to present a review of anaerobic feedstocks, BMP methodologies, experimental conditions, and results of specific methane production from 2008 to 2023. A wide range of anaerobic feedstocks was found, which was divided into five groups: animal manure, sludge, food wastes, energy crops, and other organic wastes. Several parameters were used to characterize the anaerobic feedstocks, like TS, VS, COD, and pH, displaying different value ranges. The number of publications concerning BMP assays increased significantly over the years until 2021, having stabilized in the last two years. This evolution allowed for several attempts to standardize the BMP method with positive developments, but there are still some gaps in the experimental conditions and the determination of specific methane production. All of this makes the comparison of some studies a challenge.
- Blood molecular profile to predict genotoxicity from exposure to antineoplastic drugsPublication . Ladeira, Carina; Araújo, Rúben; Ramalhete, Luís; Teixeira, Hélder; Calado, CecíliaGenotoxicity is an important information that should be included in human biomonitoring programmes. How-ever, the usually applied cytogenetic assays are laborious and time-consuming, reason why it is critical to develop rapid and economic new methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the molecular profile of frozen whole blood, acquired by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, allows to assess genotoxicity in occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs, as obtained by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. For that purpose, 92 samples of peripheral blood were studied: 46 samples from hospital professionals occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs and 46 samples from workers in academia without exposure (controls). It was first evaluated the metabolome from frozen whole blood by methanol precipitation of macromolecules as haemoglobin, followed by centrifugation. The metabolome molecular profile resulted in 3 ratios of spectral bands, significantly different between the exposed and non-exposed group (p < 0.01) and a spectral principal component-linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) model enabling to predict genotoxicity from exposure with 73 % accuracy. After optimization of the dilution degree and solution used, it was possible to obtain a higher number of significant ratios of spectral bands, i.e., 10 ratios significantly different (p < 0.001), highlighting the high sensitivity and specificity of the method. Indeed, the PCA-LDA model, based on the molecular profile of whole blood, enabled to predict genotoxicity from the exposure with an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 92 %, 93 % and 91 %, respectively. All these parameters were achieved based on 1 mu L of frozen whole blood, in a high-throughput mode, i.e., based on the simultaneous analysis of 92 samples, in a simple and economic mode. In summary, it can be conclude that this method presents a very promising potential for high-dimension screening of exposure to genotoxic substances.
- Carbon aerogels and xerogels: next-generation materials for sustainable energy and environmental solutionsPublication . Tomić, David; Radinović, Kristina; Mladenović, Dušan; Milikić, Jadranka; Santos, Diogo; Pombeiro, Armando; Paul, Anup; Sljukic Paunkovic, BiljanaAbstract Carbon aerogels and xerogels, with their 3D porous architectures, ultralow density, high surface area, and excellent conductivity, have emerged as multifunctional materials for energy and environmental applications. This review highlights recent advances in the synthesis of these materials via polymerisation, drying, and carbonisation, as well as the role of novel precursors such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and biomass. Emphasis is also placed on doped and metal-decorated carbon gels as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions, enabling four- and two-electron pathways for energy conversion and the production of green H2O2, respectively. Aerogels’ high specific capacitance and stability also position them as promising materials for supercapacitors. The versatility of carbon aerogels and xerogels offers exciting prospects for future innovations in catalysis, energy storage, and sustainable technologies.
- Chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced immune response and delivery of multi-epitope helicobacter pylori vaccines in a BALB/c mouse modelPublication . Amaral, Rita; Concha, Tomás ; Vítor, Jorge; Almeida, António J.; Calado, Cecília; Diogo Gonçalves, Lídia MariaHelicobacter pylori is the leading cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and mucosal-associated lymphoma. Due to the emerging problems with antibiotic treatment against H. pylori in clinical practice, H. pylori vaccination has gained more interest. Oral immunization is considered a promising approach for preventing initial colonization of this bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract, establishing a first line of defense at gastric mucosal surfaces. Chitosan nanoparticles can be exploited effectively for oral vaccine delivery due to their stability, simplicity of target accessibility, and beneficial mucoadhesive and immunogenic properties. Methods: In this study, new multi-epitope pDNA- and recombinant protein-based vaccines incorporating multiple H. pylori antigens were produced and encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles for oral and intramuscular administration. The induced immune response was assessed through the levels of antigen-specific IgGs, secreted mucosal SIgA, and cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-γ) in immunized BALB/C mice. Results: Intramuscular administration of both pDNA and recombinant protein-based vaccines efficiently stimulated the production of specific IgG2a and IgG1, which was supported by cytokines levels. Oral immunizations with either pDNA or recombinant protein vaccines revealed high SIgA levels, suggesting effective gastric mucosal immunization, contrasting with intramuscular immunizations, which did not induce SIgA. Conclusions: These findings indicate that both pDNA and recombinant protein vaccines encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles are promising candidates for eradicating H. pylori and mitigating associated gastric diseases in humans.
- Copper(II) complex with a redox-noninnocent Schiff base bearing a tetraphenyldisiloxane unit: synthesis, structure and catalytic oxidation of cyclohexanePublication . Wittmann, Christopher; Palamarciuc, Oleg; Dascalu, Mihaela; Cazacu, Maria; Nesterov, Dmytro S.; Pombeiro, Armando; Rapta, Peter; Arion, Vladimir B.Abstract An organic–inorganic diamine, 1,3-bis(aminopropyl)tetraphenyldisiloxane, was prepared and introduced as a flexible spacer into the structure of a salen-type Schiff base (H2L7) extending the available small library of similar compounds derived from 1,3-bis(aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane and substituted 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes (H2L1–H2L6). Like the previously reported mononuclear copper(II) complexes [CuL1]–[CuL6], the new copper(II) complex [CuL7], obtained by reaction of Cu(OAc)2·H2O with H2L7 in a mixture of organic solvents, has a tetrahedrally distorted square-planar (N2O2) coordination geometry. X-ray crystallography has shown that compared to [CuL1]–[CuL6] the Si–O–Si angle in [CuL7] is even closer to linear due to stronger intramolecular interactions between Ph groups than between Me groups in the central–R2Si–O–SiR2– fragment (R = Ph and Me, respectively). [CuL7] can be electrochemically reversibly oxidised by two successive one-electron processes, generating stable phenoxyl mono- and diradicals. Both oxidations are ligand-centred, leading to the formation of coordinated phenoxyl radicals. The UV spectrum of [CuL7] consists of π → π* and LMCT σ → d transitions. The low-energy d–d absorption is well described by AILFT CAS(9,5)/NEVPT2 calculations. The one-electron oxidised compound [CuL7]+ should exist in the triplet ground state as 3[CuL7]+ with one unpaired electron located on the dx2−y2 orbital of copper(II) (d9, SCu = ½) and another electron on the molecular orbital (MO) comprising pz oxygen and carbon atoms of the phenoxyl radical (Srad = ½). The broad absorption in the vis-NIR region of the optical spectrum of the one-electron oxidised complex is due to intervalence charge transfer in the triplet species 3[CuL7]+, but not in the [CuL7]2+ one. The doubly oxidised [CuL7] species shows very close doublet and quartet states, where the doublet state has an unpaired electron located on the Cu(II) d-orbital, while the quartet state has one unpaired electron on the Cu(II) d-orbital and two unpaired electrons on π-bonding orbitals. In all state-averaged CASSCF cases, the occupation of the Cu(II) d-orbital is nearly 1.0, indicating its limited involvement in the excited states. Catalytic studies showed that [CuL7] acts as a catalyst for the oxidation of alkanes with peroxides under very unusual solvent-free conditions, converting cyclohexane into cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (with hydrogen peroxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant) or into cyclohexanol and ε-caprolactone (with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid as the oxidant). Theoretical investigations of the catalytic reaction mechanisms disclosed the principal intermediates.
- Core-shell catalysts for conventional oxidation of alcohols: a brief reviewPublication . Correia, Luís M. M.; Kuznetsov, Maxim L.; Alegria, ElisabeteThis review highlights recent research on the application of core–shell structured materials as catalysts in the oxidation of alcohols to value-added products, such as benzaldehyde, acetophenone, benzophenone, cinnamaldehyde, and vanillin, among others. While the application of various unconventional energy inputs (such as microwave and ultrasound irradiation) was reported, this paper focuses on conventional heating. The oxidation of homocyclic aromatic, heterocyclic aromatic, aliphatic, and alicyclic alcohols catalyzed by core–shell composite catalysts is addressed. This work also highlights some unique advantages of core–shell nanomaterial catalysis, namely the flexibility of combining individual functions for specific purposes as well as the effect of various parameters on the catalytic performance of these materials.
- Cytokine-based insights into bloodstream infections and bacterial gram typing in ICU COVID-19 patientsPublication . Araújo, Rúben Alexandre Dinis; Ramalhete, Luís; Von Rekowski, Cristiana; Henrique Fonseca, Tiago Alexandre; Calado, Cecília; Bento, LuísTimely and accurate identification of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients remains a key challenge, particularly in COVID-19 settings, where immune dysregulation can obscure early clinical signs. Methods: Cytokine profiling was evaluated to discriminate between ICU patients with and without BSIs, and, among those with confirmed BSIs, to further stratify bacterial infections by Gram type. Serum samples from 45 ICU COVID-19 patients were analyzed using a 21-cytokine panel, with feature selection applied to identify candidate markers. Results: A machine learning workflow identified key features, achieving robust performance metrics with AUC values up to 0.97 for BSI classification and 0.98 for Gram typing. Conclusions: In contrast to traditional approaches that focus on individual cytokines or simple ratios, the present analysis employed programmatically generated ratios between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, refined through feature selection. Although further validation in larger and more diverse cohorts is warranted, these findings underscore the potential of advanced cytokine-based diagnostics to enhance precision medicine in infection management.
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