Intra and Inter-Spore Variability in Rhizophagus irregularis AOX Gene

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are root-inhabiting fungi that form mutualistic symbioses with their host plants. AMF symbiosis improves nutrient uptake and buffers the plant against a diversity of stresses. Rhizophagus irregularis is one of the most widespread AMF species in the world, and its application in agricultural systems for yield improvement has increased over the last years. Still, from the inoculum production perspective, a lack of consistency of inoculum quality is referred to, which partially may be due to a high genetic variability of the fungus. The alternative oxidase (AOX) is an enzyme of the alternative respiratory chain already described in different taxa, including various fungi, which decreases the damage caused by oxidative stress. Nevertheless, virtually nothing is known on the involvement of AMF AOX on symbiosis establishment, as well on the existence of AOX variability that could affect AMF effectiveness and consequently plant performance. Here, we report the isolation and characterisation of the AOX gene of R. irregularis (RiAOX), and show that it is highly expressed during early phases of the symbiosis with plant roots. Phylogenetic analysis clustered RiAOX sequence with ancient fungi, and multiple sequence alignment revealed the lack of several regulatory motifs which are present in plant AOX. The analysis of RiAOX polymorphisms in single spores of three different isolates showed a reduced variability in one spore relatively to a group of spores. A high number of polymorphisms occurred in introns; nevertheless, some putative amino acid changes resulting from non-synonymous variants were found, offering a basis for selective pressure to occur within the populations. Given the AOX relatedness with stress responses, differences in gene variants amongst R. irregularis isolates are likely to be related with its origin and environmental constraints and might have a potential impact on inoculum production

The influence of sports events endorsement on children’s perceptions of healthy food products and brands

Field lab in marketing: Children consumer behaviourThis study aims to explore and evaluate the impact of sports marketing on children’s food choices, more specifically, how different sports marketing strategies on healthy cereals targeted to children can have an impact on their attitudes towards the product and the brand, and on the way they perceive the importance of healthy food consumption and physical activity. For that purpose, two different strategies were tested: a customized package of healthy cereals: CornFlakes and a fictitious agreement between a brand and a club to promote the cereals. The study was conducted on 154 children aged between 7 and 16, using structured questionnaires to measure the effect of the strategies. Findings suggest that children already have some knowledge about the importance of healthy food consumption and physical activity. Nevertheless, it does not imply that they make the right choices. Results suggest that the tested marketing strategies can influence children’s attitudes and purchase intentions, meaning that they can be used to promote children’s healthy eating habits

Crystallographic studies on molybdopterin-dependent enzymes

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Bioquímica, Especialidade Bioquímica EstruturalThis Thesis reports the determination of the crystal structure of two molybdenum-dependent enzymes, as well as its functional interpretation. In Chapter 1 is given a general introduction on the use of molybdenum in biological systems, particularly its incorporation into the active site of several enzymes. In the same chapter is also included an overview on X-ray protein crystallography, briefly describing its main basic principles. Aldehyde oxidases are homodimeric proteins belonging to the xanthine oxidase (XO) family of molybdenum containing enzymes. The three-dimensional structure of mouse aldehyde oxidase homologue1 (mAOH1) is here reported and described (Chapter 2). This constitutes the first crystal structure ever obtained for an aldehyde oxidase. The mAOH1 protein was extracted from rat liver, and heterologously expressed in E.coli. The recombinant protein allowed determining suitable crystallization conditions, which were reproduced using the native enzyme from mouse liver. Suitable crystals were obtained, allowing to solve the protein structure at 2.9Å resolution, using bovine milk xanthine oxidase as a search model. Both proteins belong to the XO family of Mo proteins and are very similar, although catalyzing different reactions. The structure of mAOH1 and its comparison with the XO structure allowed drawing important structure and function correlations, and to explain the different enzyme specificities. These studies have also contributed to better understand the role of aldehyde oxidase in human health. The enzyme has received considerable attention from several pharmaceutical companies, as it is involved in the detoxification of several drugs and xenobiotics, assuming particular relevance in human health and drug design studies. Periplasmic nitrate reductase from the Cupriavidus necator bacterium (Cn NapAB) is a heterodimeric protein, and belongs to the DMSO reductase family of molybdenum containing enzymes. The three-dimensional structure of the C.necator NapAB was solved at 1.5Å resolution using crystals obtained from a crystallization robot. Structural, spectroscopic and functional studies of this protein are reported in Chapter 3. The high resolution of the model, allowed identifying the true nature of all Mo ligands. In the first reported nitrate reductase crystal structure (NapA from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans), the 6th Mo ligand had been identified as an oxygen, but in Cn NapAB, a sulfur atom could be unambiguously assigned to this position. It is believed that this is a general feature of all nitrate reductases, which has led to the necessary revisions on the reaction mechanism for this family of enzymes. To further characterize C.necator NapAB, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies have also been performed, and have shown unexpected features, particularly regarding the potential of the two c-type hemes.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - Bolsa de Doutoramento individual SFRH/BD/37948/2007. Programa POCI2010 - projectos POCI/QUI/57641/2004 e PTDC/QUI/64733/2006. Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regiona

In vitro biological assessment of silicon substituted hydroxyapatite : angiogenesis and osteogenesis

Tese de mestrado. Engenharia Biomédica. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto, Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica. 200

Towards the integration of user interface prototyping and model-based development

The main objective of this paper is to make a contribution in the automation of web applications’ development, starting from prototypes of their graphical user interfaces. Due to the exponential increase in the use of internet-based services and applications, there is an also increasing demand for Web designers and developers. At the same time, the proliferation of languages, frameworks and libraries illustrates the current state of immaturity of web development technologies. This state of affairs creates difficulties in the development and maintenance of Web applications. In this paper, we argue that integrating concepts of modelbased user interface development with the more traditional usercentred design approach to development can provide an answer to this situation. An approach is presented that allows designers to use prototyping tools, in this case Adobe XD, to design graphical interfaces, and then automatically converts them to (Vue.js + Bootstrap) code, thus creating a first version of the implementation for further development. This is done through the interpretation of the SVG file that Adobe XD exports.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(UIDB/50014/2020

A marketing plan for Oqtopus in the Spanish market

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsThis is an academic work developed in the context of the Master Degree in Management lectured by the Nova School of Business and Economics. One of the goals of this work project was to apply some of the business and marketing concepts acquired during the master’s academic year. Within the Market Technology Transfers’ Field Lab, this thesis was an opportunity to simulate the real-life working environment in a company. To achieve this outcome I tried to put myself in the shoes of a Marketing Director that has to make a decision in what concerns to the brands or products he/she has under his/her responsibility. In this particular case, my mission for this work project was to develop a marketing plan for Oqtopus, one of Displax’s multi-touch products, for the Spanish market. In this sense, I will start with a brief presentation of Displax and it’s business, followed by the analysis of the macro and microenvironment of the company and the multitouch industry. Thereafter, I will introduce the strategic triangle and the marketing plan for Oqtopus. Finally, my research and study about the multi-touch industry, as well as the knowledge I achieved regarding Displax business due to the several contacts established through these months with Edigma/Displax Marketing Officer Pedro Fernandes, led me to include in this work my own considerations about what I consider relevant for Displax to carry on with its ambitious plan of growth, in a marketing context

Cerebral and cardiovascular effects of analgesic doses of ketamine during a target controlled general anesthesia: a prospective randomized study

Introduction: Ketamine is increasingly being used in various pain settings. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of an analgesic dose of ketamine in the bispectral index (BIS), spectral edge frequency (SEF-95), density spectral array (DSA), cerebral oximetry (rSO2) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during general anaesthesia with a target controlled infusion. Methods: A prospective, single-blinded and randomized study on adult patients scheduled for elective spine surgery was carried out. After anaesthesia induction with propofol, remifentanil and rocuronium, when a stable BIS value (45-55) was achieved, an automatic recording of BIS, SEF-95, rSO2 and MAP values during 9 min was performed to establish patients baseline values. Subsequently, patients were randomly assigned to receive a ketamine bolus dose of 0.2 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg; all variables were recorded for additional 9 min after the ketamine bolus, in the absence of any surgical stimulus. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant in the statistical analysis. Results and discussion: Thirty-nine patients were enrolled in the study. Our results show a dose-related increase of SEF-95 and BIS values. DSA demonstrate a shift in the frequency range and power distribution towards higher frequencies. Our results do not show significant differences in MAP and rSO2 values. Conclusion: When ketamine is used intraoperatively in analgesic doses, the anaesthetist should anticipate an increase in SEF-95 and BIS values which will not be associated with the level of anaesthesia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of the administration of a bolus of 7,2% hypertonic saline solution in horses with colic, as a part of medical treatment : a preliminary study

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina VeterináriaThe present study is a preliminary study that aims to determine the existence of a beneficial effect in the administration of a bolus of 7,2% hypertonic saline solution, as a part of medical treatment, to horses suffering from gastrointestinal colic and in need of IV fluid therapy. Eight horses were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups: LRS group that received a 2L bolus of lactated Ringer’s solution and HSS group that received a 2L bolus of 7,2% hypertonic saline solution. Blood pressures and several blood parameters were collected for all horses before (T0), immediately after (T1) and 90 minutes after (T2) the administration of the fluid bolus. Between T1 and T2 all horses received approximately 10 litters of plasma - Lyte A, intravenously. No horse received oral fluids for the duration of this study. Blood pressures increased at T1 for the HSS group while all blood parameters decreased, except for blood urea nitrogen which remained similar to T0. At T2, the blood pressures for the HSS group were lower than at T1 but higher than at T0. Lactate concentrations decreased continuously for the HSS group and increased at T1 for the LRS group. Despite the small sample of horses used in this study, there seems to exist strong evidence of the beneficial effects of the administration of hypertonic saline solution to horses with medical colics.RESUMO - Efeitos da administração de um bólus de soro salino hipertónico a 7,2% em cavalos com colica, como parte do tratamento médico: um estudo preliminar - O presente estudo tem como objectivo determinar a existência de um efeito benéfico na administração de um bólus de soro salino hipertónico a 7,2%, como parte do tratamento médico, a cavalos com cólica gastrointestinal e com necessidade de receber fluidoterapia IV. Foram admitidos oito cavalos neste estudo e divididos em dois grupos: grupo LRS que recebeu um bólus de 2L de lactato de Ringer e o grupo HSS que recebeu um bólus de 2L de soro salino hipertónico a 7,2%. Pressões sanguíneas e vários parâmetros sanguíneos foram avaliados em todos os cavalos antes (T0), imendiatamente depois (T1) e 90 minutos depois (T2) da administração do bólus de fluido. Entre T1 e T2 todos os cavalos receberam cerca de 10 litros de plasma - Lyte A, intravenosamente. Nenhum cavalo recebeu fluidos orais durante a duração deste estudo. As pressões sanguíneas aumentaram em T1 no grupo HSS enquanto todos os parâmetros sanguíneos diminuíram com execepção da ureia, que permaneceu semelhante a T0. Em T2, as pressões sanguíneas para o grupo HSS eram inferiores a T1 mas superiores a T0. As concentrações de lactato diminuíram continuamente para o grupo HSS mas aumentaram em T1 para o grupo LRS. Apesar da reduzida amostra usada neste estudo, parecem existir fortes evidências dos efeitos beneficos da administração de soro salino hipertónico a cavalos com cólicas médicas.N/