Effect of seasonality on carotenoid content in fruits and vegetables consumed in Portugal

Os carotenoides são compostos presentes principalmente nos frutos e produtos hor tícolas e tendo em consideração o efeito benéfico para a saúde das dietas que os contêm, estudou-se a variação sazonal do alfa-caroteno, beta -caroteno, beta-criptoxantina, licopeno, luteína e zeaxantina em amostras de frutos e produtos hor tícolas recolhidas entre 2014 e 2015 na região de Lisboa, de acordo com a metodologia dos Estudos de Dieta Total. Esta metodologia foi harmonizada a nível europeu no âmbito do projeto TDSEXPOSURE (Total Diet Study Exposure – Estudo da dieta total para avaliação da exposição), financiado no âmbito do 7º Programa Quadro da União Europeia. A sazonalidade foi estudada na perspetiva da disponibilidade para o consumidor no mercado por tuguês nas quatro estações do ano. Em geral os teores totais de carotenoides nos produtos hor tícolas são superiores aos dos frutos, valores máximos de 22 mg/100 g para a cenoura (outono/inverno) e de 0,42 mg/100 g para a meloa (primavera), respetivamente. Para os produtos analisados, a variação do teor total de carotenoides entre o outono e o inverno foi significativa (p <0,05) apenas para a uva, maçã e salada de fruta. Para a batata, brócolos e pera o teor total de carotenoides não variou com a estação do ano (p >0,05). Em geral, observaram-se teores de carotenoides superiores na época de produção dos produtos em Portugal.Carotenoides are compounds present mainly in fruits and vegetables. Taking into account the health benefits of diets containing them, the effect of the season on the content of alfa-carotene, beta -carotene, beta -criptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin was studied. The samples were collected in 2014-2016, in Lisbon region, accordingly to the Total Diet Studies. This methodology was harmonized at European level in the scope of the TDSEXPOSURE project (Total Diet Study Exposure) funded by the European Union through the 7th Framework Programme. Seasonality was studied regarding the availability to the consumer on the Portuguese market in the four seasons. Generally, the total carotenoid content in vegetables was higher than those of fruits, maximum values of 22 mg/100 g for carrots (autumn/winter) and 0.42 mg/100 g for cantaloupe (spring). For the analysed items the total carotenoid content variation between autumn and winter was significant (p<0.05) only for grape, apple, pear and fruit salad. For potato, broccoli and pear the seasonal variation of the total carotenoid was not significant (p>0.05). In general, the total carotenoid content of the analysed products was higher at the production time in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Trends in the use of protozoa in the assessment of wastewater treatment

Increasing environmental pollution and the continuous development of new chemicals and drugs has led to ever growing concern about the potential effects of these compounds directly or indirectly on human health. As concerns water pollution, protozoa seem to be an excellent tool to assess both toxicity and pollution: they are regarded as biological indicators of pollution when their presence or absence can be related to particular environmental conditions, and they are considered test organisms when a species or population is used to evaluate the toxicity of relevant toxic compounds. Thus, an integrated approach is being developed to assess how toxic compounds affect the different biological levels of organisation – from the community level to the species level – of ciliated protozoa. The present paper reports and discusses the current state of the art of this approach.Instituto de Biotecnologia e Química Fina (IBQF). Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - PRAXIS XXI-2/2.1/BIO/1118/95, PRAXIS XXI/BD/5080/95, PRAXIS XXI/BD/20328/99

Comparative study of different Portuguese samples of propolis: pollinic, sensorial, physicochemical, microbiological characterization and antibacterial activity

The aim of this work was to study four propolis samples from Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal. The propolis samples’ color was different, which pollen analysis showed to be due to different botanical sources: Populus sp., Pinus sp., Quercus sp. and Castanea sativa. The data from physicochemical analysis (moisture, soluble and insoluble solids content, pH, conductivity, ash content, wax, total phenolics and flavonoids content) was treated using multivariate statistical tools as cluster heat map, principal components analysis and linear discriminant analysis with the purpose of classifying the sample accordingly to the botanical/geographical origin. The discriminant analysis was applied with stepwise to select the variables that most contribute to sample identification accordingly to pollinic profile. The cross-validation technique was applied, using the leave-one-out procedure, which showed good prediction capabilities of the samples. Microbiologically, the commercial quality was satisfactory, since the samples didn’t contain deterioration or pathogenic microorganisms. All the samples studied presented antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, in a dose dependent way. The antimicrobial activity was strictly related to the physicochemical composition. This work will allow connecting a particular chemical propolis type to a specific type of biological activity, what is essential for the use in therapeutic applications

Environmental risk assessment in a contaminated estuary: an integrated weight of evidence approach as a decision support tool

Environmental risk assessment of complex ecosystems such as estuaries is a challenge, where innovative and integrated approaches are needed. The present work aimed at developing an innovative integrative methodology to evaluate in an impacted estuary (the Sado, in Portugal, was taken as case study), the adverse effects onto both ecosystem and human health. For the purpose, new standardized lines of evidence based on multiple quantitative data were integrated into a weight of evidence according to a best expert judgment approach. The best professional judgment for a weight of evidence approach in the present study was based on the following lines of evidence: i) human contamination pathways; ii) human health effects: chronic disease; iii) human health effects: reproductive health; iv) human health effects: health care; v) human exposure through consumption of local agriculture produce; vi) exposure to contaminated of water wells and agriculture soils; vii) contamination of the estuarine sedimentary environment (metal and organic contaminants); viii) effects on benthic organisms with commercial value; and ix) genotoxic potential of sediments. Each line of evidence was then ordinally ranked by levels of ecological or human health risk, according to a tabular decision matrix and expert judgment. Fifteen experts scored two fishing areas of the Sado estuary and a control estuarine area, in a scale of increasing environmental risk and management actions to be taken. The integrated assessment allowed concluding that the estuary should not be regarded as impacted by a specific toxicant, such as metals and organic compounds hitherto measured, but by the cumulative risk of a complex mixture of contaminants. The proven adverse effects on species with commercial value may be used to witness the environmental quality of the estuarine ecosystem. This method argues in favor of expert judgment and qualitative assessment as a decision support tool to the integrative management of estuaries. Namely it allows communicating environmental risk and proposing mitigation measures to local authorities and population under a holistic perspective as an alternative to narrow single line of evidence approaches, which is mandatory to understand cause and effect relationships in complex areas like estuaries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Protein glycosylation as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal and liver diseases

Glycans are sequences of carbohydrates that are added to proteins or lipids to modulate their structure and function. Glycans modify proteins required for regulation of immune cells, and alterations have been associated with inflammatory conditions. For example, specific glycans regulate T-cell activation, structures, and functions of immunoglobulins; interactions between microbes and immune and epithelial cells; and malignant transformation in the intestine and liver. We review the effects of protein glycosylation in regulation of gastrointestinal and liver functions, and how alterations in glycosylation serve as diagnostic or prognostic factors, or as targets for therapy

Caracterização material das técnicas de douramento e pintura de um ícone pós-bizantino

This study aims to identify the materials used in the production of a post-byzantine icon from the Museum of Évora’s collection. The icon, representing the “Emperor Constantine and his mother Helen holding the Holy Cross” was once dated as being from the 10th century. Throughout a multi-analytical approach, combining area exams with spectroscopic techniques, this study tried to confirm its actual chronology. The results obtained revealed that it is most likely an icon from the late 17th or 18th century.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo la identificación de los materiales utilizados en la producción de un icono pos bizantino perteneciente a la colección del Museo de Évora. Este icono tiene representado el “Emperador Constantino y su madre Elena manifestando la Cruz” y había sido datado del siglo X. A través de un abordaje diversificado, combinando exámenes de área con técnicas espectroscópicas, hemos intentado confirmar su datación. Los resultados obtenidos han revelado que será probablemente un icono de finales del siglo XVII o incluso del siglo XVIII.Este estudo teve como objetivo a identificação dos materiais utilizados na produção de um ícone pós-bizantino pertencente à coleção do Museu de Évora. Este ícone, representando o “Imperador Constantino e a sua mãe Helena manifestando a Cruz”, foi datado como sendo do século X. Através de uma abordagem analítica diversificada, combinando exames de área com técnicas espectroscópicas, tentámos confirmar a sua datação. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que será provavelmente um ícone dos finais do século XVII ou do século XVIII

Tackling Nitrosomonas europaea culture problems for future applications in inshore aquaculture

Worldwide aquaculture production represents nearly 160 million tonnes per year, roughly the double of captured fish. Technological improvements are required to provide and improve sustainability to the constant aquaculture production growth. Inshore aquaculture reduces dramatically the risk of infection of the cultured organisms, as sea water is treated before use. Contrariwise, to prevent the increase of operational costs, water must be recirculated multiple times. The high cumulative load of ammonium produced during the fish metabolism requires an especially efficient water treatment, namely for the denitrification process, which usually relies on biological consortium processes to be cost-efficient. Thus, nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms must be further studied and their production scaled up in order to allow the development of novel technologies and fulfil the increasing demand of denitrification units. Nitrosomonas europaea is the most extensively studied ammonia oxidizing bacteria, being a ubiquitous nitrification organism. Its vital role in the nitrogen cycle is however impaired by the limited energy achieved by this inefficient source of energy, which is partially dedicated to fixate carbon from gaseous carbon dioxide, restricting biomass production. For scale up purposes the design of a culture medium with no precipitation of its constituents is essential, since inorganic debris may significantly impair downstream processing. Moreover, a non-precipitating medium allows a maximum bioavailability of all elements present in its recipe and improves recirculation effectiveness. A new formulation for N. europaea culturing was studied and optimized, fulfilling the addressed objective. This formulation was further tested using moderate pressure displaying positive results in biomass output. The higher N. europaea cell concentration allowed an immobilization in a latex based biocoating, which was evaluated for a possible denitrifying cartridge application

Propriedades nutraceuticas do pólen português

AnexoO pólen apícola e um aglomerado de pólen de flores de varias fontes vegetais, os quais são recolhidos pelas abelhas e misturados com néctar e secreções das glândulas hipofaringeanas, como as enzimas α e β-glicosidase. Contem nutrientes como hidratos de carbono, proteínas, aminoácidos, lípidos, vitaminas, minerais e fito esteróis

Factors associated with the implementation of programs for drug abuse prevention in schools

OBJECTIVE: To analyze if characteristics of managers, schools, and curriculum are associated with the implementation of programs for drug abuse prevention in elementary and high schools. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with random sample of 263 school managers. Data were collected between 2012 and 2013 by a program that sends forms via internet. A closed self-filling questionnaire was applied online. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests and logistic regression models. The outcome variable was the presence of program for drug abuse prevention inserted in the daily life and educational program of the school. The explanatory variables were divided into: demographic data of the manager characteristics of the school and of the curriculum health education and drug use in the school. RESULTS: We found that 42.5% (95% CI 36.1-49.1) of the evaluated schools had programs for drug abuse prevention. With the multiple logistic regression model, we observed that the more time the manager has worked with education, the chance of the school having a program increased at about 4.0%. Experimenting with innovative teaching techniques also increased at about six times the chance of the school developing a program for drug abuse prevention. The difficulties in the implementation of the programs were more present in state and municipal schools, when compared with private schools, due to, for instance: lack of teaching materials, lack of money, and competing demands for teaching other subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of programs for drug abuse prevention in the city of Sao Paulo is associated with the experience of the manager in education and with the teaching strategies of the school.OBJETIVO: Analisar se características dos dirigentes, das escolas e do currículo escolar estão associadas à implantação de programas de prevenção ao uso de drogas nas escolas do ciclo fundamental II e médio. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com amostra aleatória sistemática de 263 dirigentes escolares. Os dados foram coletados nos anos de 2012 e 2013 por meio de um programa de envio de formulários pela internet. Aplicou-se questionário fechado, de autopreenchimento on-line. A análise estatística incluiu testes Qui-quadrado e modelos de regressão logística. A variável desfecho foi a presença de programa de prevenção ao uso de drogas inserido no cotidiano e no programa pedagógico da escola. As variáveis explicativas foram divididas em: dados demográficos do dirigente; características da escola e do currículo; educação em saúde; e consumo de drogas na escola. RESULTADOS: Constatou-se que 42,5% (IC95% 36,1–49,1) das escolas avaliadas possuíam programa de prevenção ao uso de drogas. Com o modelo de regressão logística múltipla, observou-se que, a cada ano de atuação do dirigente na educação, a chance de a escola ter um programa aumentava em aproximadamente 4,0%. O fato de experimentar técnicas de ensino inovadoras também aumentou em cerca de seis vezes a chance de a escola desenvolver um programa de prevenção ao uso de drogas. As dificuldades na implantação dos programas foram mais presentes nas redes estadual e municipal, quando comparadas à rede privada, destacando-se: a falta de material didático, a falta de dinheiro e as demandas concorrentes para ensino de outras disciplinas. CONCLUSÕES: A implantação de programas de prevenção ao uso de drogas no município de São Paulo está associada à experiência do dirigente escolar na educação e nas estratégias de ensino da escola.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva. Universidade Federal de São Paulo. São Paulo, SP, BrasilSetor de Estatística Aplicada. Pró-reitoria de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa. Universidade Federal de São Paulo. São Paulo, SP, BrasilDepartamento de Medicina Preventiva. Centro Brasileiro de Informações Sobre Drogas Psicotrópicas. Universidade Federal de São Paulo. São Paulo, SP, BrasilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva. Universidade Federal de São Paulo. São Paulo, SP, BrasilSetor de Estatística Aplicada. Pró-reitoria de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa. Universidade Federal de São Paulo. São Paulo, SP, BrasilDepartamento de Medicina Preventiva. Centro Brasileiro de Informações Sobre Drogas Psicotrópicas. Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 740,4 Andar, BR-04023900 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilCNPq: 472991/2012-4Web of Scienc