Transition on the entropic elasticity of DNA induced by intercalating molecules

We use optical tweezers to perform stretching experiments on DNA molecules when interacting with the drugs daunomycin and ethidium bromide, which intercalate the DNA molecule. These experiments are performed in the low-force regime from zero up to 2 pN. Our results show that the persistence length of the DNA-drug complexes increases strongly as the drug concentration increases up to some critical value. Above this critical value, the persistence length decreases abruptly and remains practically constant for larger drug concentrations. The contour length of the molecules increases monotonically and saturates as drugs concentration increases. Measured in- tercalants critical concentrations for the persistence length transition coincide with reported values for the helix-coil transition of DNA-drug complexes, obtained from sedimentation experiments.Comment: This experimental article shows and discuss a transition observed in the persistence length of DNA molecules when studied as a function of some intercalating drug concentrations, like daunomycin and ethidium bromide. It has 15 pages and 4 figures. The article presented here is in preprint forma

Testing a Model of Suicidality in Community Adolescents: A Brief Report

We tested a theory-based model of suicidality in adolescents that included the variables: self-criticism, dependency, anger-temperament, depression and anger-in. A sample of 263 adolescents, 107 boys and 156 girls, aged between 15 and 19 years (M=16.8 , SD=1.26), from two high schools in the district of Évora, Portugal, responded to a socio-demographic questionnaire, to the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for Adolescents (Blatt et al.), the Center for the Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale (Radloff), the State -Trait Anger Expression Inventory (Spielberger) and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire – Revised (Osman et al.). The model tested by Structural Equation Modeling fits the data well. Self-criticism, dependency and anger-emperament demonstrated indirect relationships with suicidality and depression presented a direct relationship with suicidality and tended to relate indirectly with suicidality through anger-in

Medidor de perdas na colheita de soja e trigo.

bitstream/item/53944/1/15.pd

An exercise program improves health-related quality of life of workers

Low back problems are associated with decreased quality of life. Specific exercises can improve quality of life, resulting in better professional performance and functionality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of following a 21-month exercise program on the quality of life of warehouse workers. The population included 557 male warehouse workers from a food distribution company in Oporto, Portugal. Upon application of the selection criteria, 249 workers were deemed eligible, which were randomized into two groups (125 in the intervention group and 124 in the control group). Then, subjects were asked to volunteer for the study, the sample being formed by 229 workers (112 in the intervention group and 117 in the control group). All subjects completed the SF-36 questionnaire prior to beginning the program and on the 11th and 21st months following it. The exercises were executed in the company facilities once a day for 8 min. Data were analyzed using SPSS® 17.0 for Windows®. After 11 months of following the exercise program, there was an increase in all scores for the experimental group, with statistically significant differences in the dimensions physical functioning (0.019), bodily pain (0.010), general health (0.004), and rolephysical (0.037). The results obtained at the end of the study (21 months) showed significant improvements in the dimensions physical functioning (p = 0.002), rolephysical (p = 0.007), bodily pain (p = 0.001), social functioning (p = 0.015), role-emotional (p = 0.011), and mental health (p = 0.001). In the control group all dimensions showed a decrease in mean scores. It can be concluded that the implementation of a low back specific exercise program has changed positively the quality of life of warehouse workers

Shotguns vs Lasers: Identifying barriers and facilitators to scaling-up plant molecular farming for high-value health products.

Plant molecular farming (PMF) is a convenient and cost-effective way to produce high-value recombinant proteins that can be used in the production of a range of health products, from pharmaceutical therapeutics to cosmetic products. New plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) provide a means to enhance PMF systems more quickly and with greater precision than ever before. However, the feasibility, regulatory standing and social acceptability of both PMF and NPBTs are in question. This paper explores the perceptions of key stakeholders on two European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 programmes-Pharma-Factory and Newcotiana-towards the barriers and facilitators of PMF and NPBTs in Europe. One-on-one qualitative interviews were undertaken with N = 20 individuals involved in one or both of the two projects at 16 institutions in seven countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Spain and the UK). The findings indicate that the current EU regulatory environment and the perception of the public towards biotechnology are seen as the main barriers to scaling-up PMF and NPBTs. Competition from existing systems and the lack of plant-specific regulations likewise present challenges for PMF developing beyond its current niche. However, respondents felt that the communication of the benefits and purpose of NPBT PMF could provide a platform for improving the social acceptance of genetic modification. The importance of the media in this process was highlighted. This article also uses the multi-level perspective to explore the ways in which NPBTs are being legitimated by interested parties and the systemic factors that have shaped and are continuing to shape the development of PMF in Europe

Foliar phosphorus application enhances nutrient balance and growth of phosphorus deficient sugarcane

Although it is well known that nutrient imbalance in shoot tissues may impair plant performance, the interactive effect between foliar phosphorus (P) application and varying P availability in the rooting medium on the nutritional status of sugarcane has not been well studied. To fill this research gap, four sugarcane varieties (IAC91-1099, IACSP94-2101, IACSP94-2094 and IACSP95-5000) were evaluated using a combination of two concentrations of P in nutrient solution (P-deficient, PD = 0.02 mmol L^(−1) and P-sufficient, PS = 0.5 mmol L^(−1)) and foliar P application (none and 0.16 mol L^(−1)). The spray was applied until drip point three times during the experiment with 15 days intervals, after which the plants were harvested to quantify growth and shoot concentration of nitrogen (N), P, magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) and manganese (Mn). The responses of sugarcane plants to foliar P spray at different levels of P supply in the rooting medium was not genotype-dependent. It was demonstrated for the averaged values across varieties, that foliar P application enhanced sugarcane performance under low P, as revealed by improvements of leaf area and dry matter production of shoot and root of PD plants. Under P limitation we also observed diminished shoot concentration of N, P, Mg, S and increased concentration of Mn. However, foliar P spray increased the concentrations of N, P, S and reduced shoot Mn. Furthermore, shoot P:N, P:Mg, P:S, P:Mn and Mg:Mn concentration ratios exhibited a positive relationship with shoot dry matter production. In conclusion, low P supply in the rooting medium impairs nutrient balance in shoot tissues of sugarcane at early growth; however, this effect was ameliorated by foliar P application which merits further study under field conditions

A importância da Comissão de Proteção contra Radiações no contexto da qualidade do Centro Hospitalar do Porto

Os meios complementares de diagnóstico e terapêutica transformaram-se em ferramentas essenciais para todos os ramos e especialidades da Medicina. Devido às suas propriedades únicas, a radiação ionizante apresenta múltiplas aplicações terapêuticas. Contudo, pode também originar potenciais danos para os utilizadores e para os pacientes. A quantificação da dose de radiação nos pacientes e o tempo de exposição dos procedimentos são uma preocupação crescente dos utilizadores. Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar a importância da Comissão de Proteção contra Radiações (CPCR) no contexto da qualidade do Centro Hospitalar do Porto (CHP). A CPCR detém múltiplas atividades, estando, atualmente, as suas sinergias direcionadas para a normalização do registo de dose no processo clínico dos pacientes e para a notificação, pelos Técnicos de Radiologia, dos eventos radiológicos contemplados nas normas pré--estabelecidas pela Comissão. A atribuição à CPCR da competência de identificação, acompanhamento e avaliação das exposições dos doentes a procedimentos específicos com radiação tem contribuído para reforçar a sensibilização dos profissionais para os valores de dose e os seus efeitos. A implementação dos procedimentos da Comissão permite assegurar um melhor acompanhamento dos doentes em risco, uma maior acuidade na monitorização das doses e uma otimização de protocolos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A rare manifestation of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopaenia

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopaenia (NAIT) results from a fetomaternal incompatibility with maternal sensitisation against a fetal human platelet antigen (HPA) and antibodies transfer to the fetal circulation, leading to platelet destruction. The clinical presentation is variable and isolated intraocular haemorrhage is rare. We present the case of a male newborn, with intrauterine growth restriction, born at 29 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. He presented proptosis of the left eye, hyphaema and elevated intraocular pressure, with no other signs of haemorrhage. Severe thrombocytopaenia was found (27×10(9)/L). Perinatal infection and maternal thrombocytopaenia were excluded. Positive anti-HPA-1a and antihuman leucocyte antigen class I alloantibodies were found in the mother. Platelet crossmatch between the father's platelets and mother's plasma was positive. Platelet transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulin were given with favourable response. This case highlights an unusual presentation of NAIT, which should be suspected in the presence of severe thrombocytopaenia in the first 24-72 h of life

Removal of ibuprofen by an aerobic activated sludge system

O aumento de compostos farmacêuticos no meio ambiente levou à procura de métodos eficientes e amigos do ambiente capazes de solucionar o problema. Neste trabalho é proposta a utilização de lamas ativadas para a remoção de ibuprofeno (IBU). Foram testadas diferentes concentrações de IBU (0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 e 1 mg L-1), em sistema fechado, num reactor de 4 L. Foram calculados valores de uptake e percentagem de remoção. Os valores de uptake cresceram com o aumento da concentração inicial de IBU (0.192 para 0.660 mg g-1), o que está de acordo com o teoricamente esperado. A remoção foi quase total (99.1-99.5 %) sendo independente da concentração inicial de IBU. O mecanismo de remoção é bem descrito pelo modelo de pseudo- 2ª ordem, para todas as concentrações testadas. O sistema utilizado mostrou ser eficiente na remoção de IBU e poderá ser utilizado na remoção de IBU em grande escala.The increasing presence of pharmaceutical compounds in the environment leads to the search of efficient and eco-friendly methods able to solve the problem. This work proposes the use of activated sludge for the removal of ibuprofen (IBU). Different concentrations of IBU were tested (0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 mg L-1) in a batch reactor with a working volume of 4 L. The uptake values and removal percentage were calculated. The uptake values increased with increasing initial concentration of IBU (0.192 to 0.660 mg g-1 ), which is in agreement with the theoretically expected. The removal was almost total (99.1-99.5 %) and independent of the initial IBU concentration. The removal mechanism is well described by the pseudo 2nd order model, for all concentrations tested. The system is efficient in removing IBU and may be used in the removal of IBU in large scale.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) através do projecto de financiamento estratégico à unidade de investigação (UID/BIO/04469/2013), COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684)Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BPD/82558/2011; SFRH/BPD/101338/2014