Accelerometer-measured physical activity in Portuguese children from a rural area: a school-based cross-sectional study

Young people are leading increasingly sedentary lives replacing physical activity with activities such as watching TV, internet surfing and video gaming. Of particular importance for physical activity promotion are schools where physical activity can be incorporated to improve student health outcomes and cognitive performance. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children engage in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for children and adolescents (between 5-18 years of age). However, few children follow these recommendations. In Portugal, some data suggest that as few as 7% do so. Furthermore, most physical activity studies take place in urban areas, so little is known about how active children and adolescents are in more rural parts of the country. The Acti-Study is a collaboration between the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (Portugal) and Ulster University (UK) with the primary aim of assessing MVPA levels in students (age 10-16) from a high school in a rural town, in the Northeast of Portugal. Data collection will take place between September 2022 and January 2023, using a cross-sectional design. Students will receive a study pack containing information materials, a sociodemographic questionnaire and consent form for parental completion, and an assent form for student completion. Optionally, the questionnaire may be completed online. Participants will be informed that participation is voluntary and that they can withdraw at any time. Once children have returned the relevant documents completed and signed, they will be instructed to wear a hip-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph®, either GT3X or GT1M), on an elastic belt, for seven consecutive days (including weekend). Children who return their accelerometer will be rewarded with a 5€ voucher, and with a second one if they wore the accelerometer for a minimum of three days (at least 6h/day and at least one weekend). Data will be analysed through descriptive statistics, mostly in tables, divided by gender. With participant consent, data on anthropometric measures (height and weight), available through the school, will also be used. Primary analysis will consist of percentage of students who meet MVPA guidelines; secondary analyses will include exploring the relationship between sociodemographic variables (e.g., parental education) and MVPA, between parent-reported MVPA and accelerometer MVPA, and between accelerometer MVPA and anthropometric data. The results are expected to provide an understanding of the levels and factors associated with MVPA in rural Portugal, to allow comparison with other samples (e.g., from urban areas), to raise awareness to the problem and stimulate more physical activity initiatives. Study with ethics approval by Ulster University (REC/22/0060).This work was supported by PARSUK (Portuguese Association of Researchers and Students in the UK), with funding from the Bilateral Research Fund provided by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the British Embassy Lisbon / UK Science and Innovation Network through the project. This work was supported by FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology within the Project UIDB/05777/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Consequences of breed formation on patterns of genomic diversity and differentiation: the case of highly diverse peripheral Iberian cattle

Iberian primitive breeds exhibit a remarkable phenotypic diversity over a very limited geographical space. While genomic data are accumulating for most commercial cattle, it is still lacking for these primitive breeds. Whole genome data is key to understand the consequences of historic breed formation and the putative role of earlier admixture events in the observed diversity patterns.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Molecular genetic analysis of a cattle population to reconstitute the extinct Algarvia breed

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Decisions to initiate conservation programmes need to account for extant variability, diversity loss and cultural and economic aspects. Molecular markers were used to investigate if putative Algarvia animals could be identified for use as progenitors in a breeding programme to recover this nearly extinct breed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>46 individuals phenotypically representative of Algarvia cattle were genotyped for 27 microsatellite loci and compared with 11 Portuguese autochthonous and three imported breeds. Genetic distances and factorial correspondence analyses (FCA) were performed to investigate the relationship among Algarvia and related breeds. Assignment tests were done to identify representative individuals of the breed. Y chromosome and mtDNA analyses were used to further characterize Algarvia animals. Gene- and allelic-based conservation analyses were used to determine breed contributions to overall genetic diversity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genetic distance and FCA results confirmed the close relationship between Algarvia and southern Portuguese breeds. Assignment tests without breed information classified 17 Algarvia animals in this cluster with a high probability (q > 0.95). With breed information, 30 cows and three bulls were identified (q > 0.95) that could be used to reconstitute the Algarvia breed. Molecular and morphological results were concordant. These animals showed intermediate levels of genetic diversity (MNA = 6.0 ± 1.6, R_t = 5.7 ± 1.4, H_o = 0.63 ± 0.19 and H_e = 0.69 ± 0.10) relative to other Portuguese breeds. Evidence of inbreeding was also detected (F_is = 0.083, <it>P</it> < 0.001). The four Algarvia bulls had Y-haplotypes H6Y2 and H11Y2, common in Portuguese cattle. The mtDNA composition showed prevalence of T3 matrilines and presence of the African-derived T1a haplogroup. This analysis confirmed the genetic proximity of Algarvia and Garvonesa breeds (F_st = 0.028, <it>P</it> > 0.05). Algarvia cattle provide an intermediate contribution (CB = 6.18, CW = -0.06 and D1 = 0.50) to the overall gene diversity of Portuguese cattle. Algarvia and seven other autochthonous breeds made no contribution to the overall allelic diversity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Molecular analyses complemented previous morphological findings to identify 33 animals that can be considered remnants of the Algarvia breed. Results of genetic diversity and conservation analyses provide objective information to establish a management program to reconstitute the Algarvia breed.</p

Unraveling the genomes of ancient Iberian Canis

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bioinformatic tools in the study of ancient dogs: preliminary results of an Iberian case study

In this study, we attempted to carry out a genomic amplification of ancient DNA from four pre-historic Iberian dogs using the Illumina sequencing method; to assign mtDNA sequences to the major dog haplogroups and to characterize some phenotypic traits of these dogs.This study is being developed within the Woof project - PTDC/HARARQ/29545/2017, supported by national funds by FCT/MCTES and co-supported by Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) throughout COMPETE - POCI – Programa Operacional Competividade e Internacionalização (POCI-01-0145 - FEDER- 029545 ), as well as by the post-doctoral grant SFRH/BPD/112653/2015 (AEPires), SFRH/BPD/108236/2015 (CDetry) and IF/00866/2014 (CGinja)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Iberian Chalcolithic Canis: a genomic approach to know them better

To our knowledge, for Iberian ancient dogs and wolves, this is the first attempt to successfully apply NGS methods.This study is being developed within the Woof project - PTDC/HISARQ/ 29545/2017 (CIBIO-InBIO), supported by portuguese funds by FCT/MCTES and co-supported by Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) throughout COMPETE - POCI – Programa Operacional Competividade e Internacionalização (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029545), as well as by the postdoctoral grant SFRH/BPD/112653/2015 (AEPires), SFRH/BPD/108236/2015 (CDetry) and IF/00866/2014 (CGinja).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Improved phylogeny of brown algae Cystoseira (Fucales) from the Atlantic- Mediterranean region based on mitochondrial sequences

Cystoseira is a common brown algal genus widely distributed throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions whose taxonomical assignment of specimens is often hampered by intra- and interspecific morphological variability. In this study, three mitochondrial regions, namely cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI), 23S rDNA (23S), and 23S-tRNAVal intergenic spacer (mt-spacer) were used to analyse the phylogenetic relationships of 22 Cystoseira taxa (n = 93 samples). A total of 135 sequences (48 from COI, 43 from 23S and 44 from mtspacer) were newly generated and analysed together with Cystoseira sequences (9 COI, 31 23S and 35 mt-spacer) from other authors. Phylogenetic analysis of these three markers identified 3 well-resolved clades and also corroborated the polyphyletic nature of the genus. The resolution of Cystoseira taxa within the three clades improves significantly when the inclusion of specimens of related genera was minimized. COI and mt-spacer markers resolved the phylogeny of some of the Cystoseira taxa, such as the C. baccata, C. foeniculacea and C. usneoides. Furthermore, trends between phylogeny, embryonic development and available chemotaxonomic classifications were identified, showing that phylogenetic, chemical and morphological data should be taken into account to study the evolutionary relationships among the algae currently classified as Cystoseira. The resolution of Cystoseira macroalgae into three well supported clades achieved here is relevant for a more accurate isolation and identification of natural compounds and the implementation of conservation measures for target species. PLOS ON

Meta-Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA Reveals Several Population Bottlenecks during Worldwide Migrations of Cattle

Several studies have investigated the differentiation of mitochondrial DNA in Eurasian, African and American cattle as well as archaeological bovine material. A global survey of these studies shows that haplogroup distributions are more stable in time than in space. All major migrations of cattle have shifted the haplogroup distributions considerably with a reduction of the number of haplogroups and/or an expansion of haplotypes that are rare or absent in the ancestral populations. The most extreme case is the almost exclusive colonization of Africa by the T1 haplogroup, which is rare in Southwest Asian cattle. In contrast, ancient samples invariably show continuity with present-day cattle from the same location. These findings indicate strong maternal founder effects followed by limited maternal gene flow when new territories are colonized. However, effects of adaptation to new environments may also play a rol

The Facial Reconstruction of a Mesolithic Dog, Muge, Portugal

This paper presents the facial reconstruction of a Mesolithic dog whose skeleton was recovered from the Muge shell middens (Portugal) in the 19th century. We used the anatomical deformation approach based on a collection of computer tomography images as an attempt to reconstruct the Muge dog’s head appearance. We faced a few challenges due to the level of bone displacement and the absence of some cranium anatomical parts, as well as accurate information on soft tissue thickness for modern dogs. This multidisciplinary study combined anatomical, veterinary, zooarchaeological, artistic and graphic aspects to allow for the facial reconstruction of the Muge dog. Albeit an approximation, it confers a recognition to this prehistoric finding.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of testosterone and exercise training on bone microstructure of rats

[EN] Background and Aim: Male hypogonadism results from failure to produce physiological levels of testosterone. Testosterone in men is essential in masculine development, sperm production, and adult man’s health. Osteoporosis is one of the consequences of hypogonadism. Regular physical exercise and exogenous testosterone administration are frequently used to prevent or treat this condition. This study aimed to understand the effects of lifelong exercise training and testosterone levels (isolated and together) in the main bone structure parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 rats were used and randomly divided into four groups: Control group (CG; n=6), exercised group (EG, n=6), testosterone group (TG, n=6), and testosterone EG (TEG, n=6). A micro-computed tomography equipment was used to evaluate 15 bone parameters. Results: Both factors (exercise training and testosterone) seem to improve the bone resistance and microstructure, although in different bone characteristics. Testosterone influenced trabecular structure parameters, namely, connectivity density, trabecular number, and trabecular space. The exercise promoted alterations in bone structure as well, although, in most cases, in different bone structure parameters as bone mineral density and medullar mineral density. Conclusion: Overall, exercise and testosterone therapy seems to have a synergistic contribution to the general bone structure and resistance. Further studies are warranted, comparing different individual factors, as gender, lifestyle, or testosterone protocols, to constantly improve the medical management of hypogonadism (and osteoporosis)SIWe thank to Eva Pascual de la Calle y Vanessa Loredo López, from Unidad de Imagen PreclínicaBioterio, Universidad de Oviedo. This study was supported by National Funds by FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the projects UIDB/04033/2020, UIDB/CVT/00772/2020 and the Ph.D. grant 2021.04520.B