Isolamento e caracterização de bacteriocinas com potencial interesse na área alimentar

Mestrado em Gestão da Qualidade e Segurança Alimentar na Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão do Instituto Politécnico de Viana do CasteloO envolvimento das bactérias lácticas em processos de biopreservação alimentar é reconhecido devido ao facto de estas serem produtoras de uma variedade de compostos antimicrobianos tais como, ácido láctico, dióxido de carbono, ácido acético, álcool e bacteriocinas. Nos últimos anos, grande parte dos estudos realizados sobre biopreservação tiveram como alvo principal as bacteriocinas. O facto de as bacteriocinas não provocarem alterações sensoriais indesejáveis nos alimentos e terem atividade especifica contra determinados agentes patogénicos e deteriorantes tem aumentado o interesse da indústria alimentar sobre a potencial utilização destes compostos, por exemplo, na substituição de conservantes sintéticos. Neste estudo foram aplicadas metodologias para o isolamento, purificação e identificação de bactérias lácticas a partir de culturas microbianas obtidas de alimentos. Posteriormente as bacteriocinas identificadas foram avaliadas quanto à sua atividade antimicrobiana e espectro de ação. Por fim foram caracterizadas quanto à sua estabilidade e outras características físico-químicas relevantes para a sua potencial utilização. Bactérias isoladas, a partir de 5 amostras de alimentos diferentes, foram identificadas como estirpes de Lactobacillus brevis e Lactobacillus plantarum. As bacteriocinas produzidas por estas estirpes foram caracterizadas como péptidos de baixo peso molecular, com uma grande estabilidade térmica, ação inibitória praticamente independente do pH, uma elevada estabilidade perante diferentes tipos de agentes químicos e demonstraram ser ativos contra um elevado número de espécies de Listeria spp., sendo o seu mecanismo de ação aparentemente lítico. Apesar de ainda serem necessários estudos complementares relativamente à caracterização das bacteriocinas e suas estirpes produtoras, as caraterísticas e propriedades das diferentes bacteriocinas isoladas sugerem uma potencial utilização na área alimentar nomeadamente enquanto agentes com influência na estabilidade microbiana, e muito em particular com ação na inibição do desenvolvimento de Listeria spp..The involvement of lactic acid bacteria in food biopreservation is recognized by the fact that they are producing a variety of antimicrobial compounds such as lactic acid, carbon dioxide, acetic acid, alcohol and bacteriocins. In recent years, most studies on biopreservation had bacteriocins as main target. The fact that the bacteriocins would not result in undesirable sensory changes in food and having specific activity against certain pathogenic and spoilage agents has increased the interest of the food industry on the potential use of these compounds, for example, the replacement of chemical preservatives. In this study, lactic acid bacteria producing bacteriocins were isolated from microbial cultures obtained from food and biochemically identified. Bacteriocins produced by those strains were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity and spectrum of inhibitory activity. Finally were characterized as to their stability and other physical and chemical characteristics relevant to their potential use. Bacteria isolated from 5 different food samples were identified as Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum. The bacteriocins produced by these strains were characterized as low molecular weight peptides, with a high thermal stability, inhibitory action with very low pH dependency, high stability towards different types of chemical agents and demonstrated to be active against a large number of Listeria spp. species, apparently with lytic action mechanism. Although still needed further studies regarding the characterization of bacteriocins and their producer strains, the characteristics and properties of different isolated bacteriocins suggest a potential use in the food area such as agents that influence the microbial stability, and in particular with action in inhibiting development of Listeria spp.

Hydrochemistry of mediterranean temporary ponds and associated groundwater in SW Portugal

Under the project LIFE Charcos we aim to understand the influence of groundwater in the water balance and hydrochemistry of Mediterranean Temporary Ponds, located in Costa Sudoeste in Portugal, to explain the variations observed in biodiversity between ponds. This paper represents a first step for establishing a relationship between the chemical composition of the ponds waters and the chemical composition of its associated groundwater. Most of the sampled waters are circum-neutral with very low mineralization (TDS < 1000 mg/L) and show varied composition. In the north of the Costa Sudoeste the ponds waters are mostly of sodium-chloride type and have mixed composition at south. During the ongoing project surface water and groundwater samples will continue to be collected and results will be updated. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.European Union LIFE programme [LIFE12 NAT/PT/000997

Monitorization of timed up and go phases in elderly

Aims: to characterize functional mobility during timed “Up and Go” (TUG) test using WivaVR science sensor and to identify which parameter of TUG test best correlates with healthrelated outcomes in elderly. Methods: 1598 participants (71.53 ± 4.99 y, 64.1% women) were recruited. The body mass index (BMI), muscle strength, health status, and all TUG phases (sit-to-stand, gait-to-go, turning, gait-return, and stand-to-sit) were evaluated. 5-TUG performance-group scores are reported for the <20th; 20–40th,40–60th, 60–80th, 80–100th percentiles, as there is no health standard cutoff for Portuguese elderly. The Pearson’s correlations were assessed between variables (p < 0.05). Results: The best TUG performers (<20th) presented better results than the other groups for all tests, with the exception of the Turning phase. Both gait, sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit were inversely correlated with health status and muscle strength, and positively correlated with BMI. Conclusions: All phases of TUG test are an important tool to assess functional mobility, providing complementary data for clinical settings in elderly population.4811-99FE-2ECD | Luis Paulo RodriguesN/

Pressure biofeedback unit to assess and train lumbopelvic stability in supine individuals with chronic low back pain

To determine if pressure biofeedback unit readings are related to abdominal muscle activation and centre of pressure displacement as well as to test the effects of using it as a biofeedback tool to control lumbopelvic motion. Eighteen volunteers with chronic nonspecific low back pain (21.28 ± 1.41 years old) who performed an active straight leg raising (dynamic postural challenge) with and without pressure biofeedback. Changes in the pressure biofeedback unit and on centre of pressure displacement were assessed, as well as bilateral electromyographic abdominal muscle activity. Participants were not allowed to use a Valsalva manoeuvre. Pressure variation was not significantly correlated with abdominal muscle activity or with mediolateral centre of pressure displacement. When used as a biofeedback instrument, there was a significant increase in almost all abdominal muscles activity as well as a significant decrease in pressure variation and in mediolateral centre of pressure displacement while performing an active straight leg raising with a normal breathing pattern. Despite not being an indicator of abdominal muscle activity or mediolateral load transfer in the supine position, the pressure biofeedback unit could have great relevance when used in the clinic for biofeedback purposes in individuals with low back pain.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Microalgal biomass quantification from the non-invasive technique of image processing through red-green-blue (RGB) analysis

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGContinuous monitoring of biomass concentration in microalgae cultures is essential and one of the most important parameters to measure in this field. This study aims at digital image processing in RGB and greyscale models, being a simple and low-cost method for cell estimation. Images obtained from different photobioreactors with wastewater and at different conditions for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris were analyzed. The results suggested that this technique is very effective under controlled lighting conditions, in contrast to photobioreactors placed outdoors and of different design, presenting a lower linearity. The accuracy of the method could be improved with a high-quality charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The development of efficient methods to assess biomass concentration is an important and necessary step towards large-scale microalgae cultivation. The colour analysis technique has a great potential to meet the needs of monitoring cultures in a cost-effective and automated way using simple and cheap instruments

Dehydration, wellness, and training demands of professional soccer players during preseason

Purpose. Our study is aimed at analyzing the relationships between water loss and a professional soccer team’s internal and external training load throughout the first three months of a season, covering all the preseason and the first two months of the competitive season. Methods. This study followed an observational analytic design. Twenty-seven athletes (age: 25:5±4:1 years, height: 180:7±8:2 cm, and body mass: 78:4±8:7 kg) were included in the study, conducted over the first three months of the season. Players were weighed at the beginning and end of all training sessions to estimate fluid losses. They were asked to complete a wellness questionnaire and indicate the color of the first urine of the day upon their arrival at the practice session. Additionally, all sessions were monitored for locomotor demands. Results. We found a positive correlation between urine color and sprint distance (r = 0:46, p = 0:01) and a positive correlation between dehydration and rating of perceived exertion (r = 0:44, p = 0:015), whereas a negative correlation between dehydration and number of acceleration (r = −0:39, p = 0:034). Conclusions. Dehydration increased perceived physical exertion. Regularly monitoring training load and changes in body mass, as well as raising awareness about hydration, can contribute to cognitive and physical performance.9E1A-F9DD-3EB8 | Filipe Manuel ClementeN/

Competencia motriz en jóvenes adultos después de un período de 12 meses

The aim of this study was to analyse the change in motor competence (MC), body composition, and habitual physical activity (PA) levels in a group of university students over 12-month. 92 participants (68 males; 21.2±5.5 years old) took part in this study. All participants were sport sciences students and had their MC, body composition and habitual PA, assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Lean mass significantly increased in females (+0.2%; Effect Size (ES)= 0.726) and males (+0.2%; ES = 0.555). In females, was also observed a significant increase in weight (+0.1%; ES=0.734). In terms of MC, significant improvements were observed in fe-males MC stability (+0.3%; ES=0.696), MC manipulative (+1.1%; ES=0.866), standing long jump performance (+0.7%; ES=0.511), and total MC (+1.9%; ES=0.699). Males exhibited significant decreases in MC manipulative (-1.5%; ES=0.640), throwing velocity (-1.3%; ES=0.473), kicking velocity (-1.4%; ES=0.755), standing long jump performance (-1.1%; ES=0.408), and shuttle run (-1.3%; ES=0.502). In early adulthood, sport science undergraduate students MC can differ across a 12-month period, changing in accordance with habitual PA levels. It appears that the changes related to the growth and maintenance of MC continue throughout adulthood.El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los cambios en los niveles de competencia motriz (CM), composición corporal y actividad física (AF) en un grupo de estudian-tes universitarios durante un período de 12 meses. 92 participantes (68 hombres; 21.2±5.5 años) participaron en este estudio. Todos los participantes eran estudiantes de ciencias del deporte y se les evaluó la CM, composición corporal y la AF habitual al inicio del estudio y después de 12 meses. La masa magra aumentó significativamente en las mujeres (+0.2%; tamaño del efecto (TE) = 0.726) y en los hombres (+0.2%; TE=0.555). Además, en las mujeres se observó un aumento significativo del peso (+0.1%; TE=0.734). Para las mujeres, se observa-ron mejoras significativas de la CM estabilidad (+0.3%; TE=0.696), CM manipulativa (+1.1%;TE=0.866), salto horizontal (+0.7%; TE=0.511) y CM total (+1.9%;TE=0.699). Los hombres mostraron una disminución significativa de la CM manipulativa (-1.5%;TE=0.640), velocidad de lanzamiento (-1.3%;TE=0.473), velocidad de disparo (-1.4%;TE=0.755), salto horizontal (-1.1%;TE=0.408) y velocidad de lanzamiento (-1.3%;ES=0.502). En el inicio de la edad adulta, la CM de los estudiantes de licenciatura en ciencias del deporte pueden diferir en un período de 12 meses, cambiando de acuerdo con los niveles habituales de AF. Parece que los cambios relacionados con el crecimiento y mantenimiento de CM continúan durante la edad adulta.Actividad Física y Deport

Simultaneous Papillary Carcinoma in Thyroglossal Duct Cyst and Thyroid

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is a cystic expansion of a remnant of the thyroglossal duct tract. Carcinomas in the TDC are extremely rare and are usually an incidental finding after the Sistrunk procedure. In this report, an unusual case of a 36-year-old woman with concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in the TDC and on the thyroid gland is presented, followed by a discussion of the controversies surrounding the possible origins of a papillary carcinoma in the TDC, as well as the current management options

Development of a nanocapsule-loaded hydrogel for drug delivery for intraperitoneal administration

Intraperitoneal (IP) drug delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, administered through hyperthermal intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy (PIPAC), is effective for the treatment of peritoneal malignancies. However, these therapeutic interventions are cumbersome in terms of surgical practice and are often associated with the formation of peritoneal adhesions, due to the catheters inserted into the peritoneal cavity during these procedures. Hence, there is a need for the development of drug delivery systems that can be administered into the peritoneal cavity. In this study, we have developed a nanocapsule (NCs)-loaded hydrogel for drug delivery in the peritoneal cavity. The hydrogel has been developed using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and thiol-maleimide chemistry. NCs-loaded hydrogels were characterized by rheology and their resistance to dilution and drug release were determined in vitro. Using IVIS® to measure individual organ and recovered gel fluorescence intensity, an in vivo imaging study was performed and demonstrated that NCs incorporated in the PEG gel were retained in the IP cavity for 24 h after IP administration. NCs-loaded PEG gels could find potential applications as biodegradable, drug delivery systems that could be implanted in the IP cavity, for example at a the tumour resection site to prevent recurrence of microscopic tumours

KDIGO CKD-MBD Discussion forum: the Brazilian perspective

No dia 14 de novembro de 2009, a Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia promoveu um fórum de discussão das novas diretrizes do KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes). O objetivo desse encontro, onde estiveram presentes 64 participantes, foi discutir estas novas diretrizes diante da realidade brasileira. Esse encontro teve o patrocínio da Empresa de Biotecnologia Genzyme, que não teve acesso à sala de discussão e tampouco aos temas tratados durante o evento. Este artigo traz um resumo das diretrizes do KDIGO e das discussões realizadas pelos participantes.On November 14th, 2009, the Brazilian Society of Nephrology coordinated the Brazilian Discussion Meeting on the new KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) guidelines. The purpose of this meeting, which was attended by 64 nephrologists, was to discuss these new guidelines from the Brazilian perspective. This meeting was supported by an unrestricted grant of the biotechnology company Genzyme, which did not have access to the meeting room or to the discussion sections. This article brings a summary of the KDIGO guidelines and of the discussions by the attendees