Ultrastructural description of Ceratomyxa tenuispora (Myxozoa), a parasite of the marine fish Aphanopus carbo (Trichiuridae), from the Atlantic coast of Madeira Island (Portugal)

The first ultrastructural description of Ceratomyxa tenuispora Kabata, 1960 (Myxozoa, Bivalvulida) from Madeira Island (Portugal), a parasite found in the gall bladder of the commercially important black-scabbard fish, Aphanopus carbo Lowe is presented. This parasite possesses spherical to ellipsoidal disporous trophozoites. Spores have a central crescent-shaped body averaging 11.0 µm in length, 28.5 µm in thickness and 12.1 µm in width. The valves have two long opposite lateral processes (ribbon-like structures or tails), each averaging 173 µm in length. The total thickness of the spore averages 375 µm. The spore has two sub-spherical polar capsules (∼5.2 × 4.1 µm), each with a polar filament with 7 to 8 coils. Some ultrastructural aspects of the sporogonic stages are described. The trophozoites develop without contact with epithelial cells. The cytoplasmic membrane has numerous evenly distributed external slender projections about 0.3 to 0.7 µm long. The sporogenesis produces two spores without pansporoblast formation. In the matrix of the capsular primordium, microtubules with an unusual organisation were observed. A binucleate sporoplasm that contains several sporoplasmosomes and dense bodies fills the spore cavity and extends to the tails without penetrating them.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ultrastructural and molecular characterization of Glugea serranus n. sp., a microsporidian infecting the blacktail comber, Serranus atricauda (Teleostei: Serranidae), in the Madeira Archipelago (Portugal)

A new microsporidian infecting the connective tis sue of the coelomic cavity of the blacktail comber Serranus atricauda, in the Madeira Archipelago (Portugal), is described on the basis of morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular features. The microsporidian formed large whitish xenomas adhering to the peritoneal visceral organs of the host. Each xenoma consisted of a single hypertrophic cell, in the cyto plasm of which mature spores proliferated within parasitophorous vacuoles surrounded by numerous collagen fibers. Mature spores were ellipsoidal and uninucleated, mea suring an average of 6.5 ± 0.5 μm in length and 3.4 ± 0.6 μm in width. The anchoring disk of the polar filament was subter minal, laterally shifted from the anterior pole of the spore. The isofilar polar filament coiled in 18–19 turns, forming two rows that surrounded the posterior vacuole. The latter occupied about one third of the spore length. The polaroplast surround ing the apical and uncoiled portion of the polar filament displayed two distinct regions: a lamellar region and an electron-dense globule. Molecular analysis of the rRNA genes, including the internal transcribed spacer region, and phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood and neigh bor joining demonstrated that this microsporidian parasite clustered with some Glugea species. Based on the differences found both at the morphological and molecular levels, to other members of the genus Glugea, the microsporidian infecting the blacktail comber is considered a new species, thus named Glugea serranus n. sp.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Trans-fatty acids in Portuguese food products

There is consistent evidence of adverse health effects from industrial trans-fatty acids (TFAs). Several measures to limit TFA intake have already been taken in various countries, but limited information is available in several countries on the actual TFA content in foods. In order to ensure accurate data on intake of TFAs, and to implement adequate measures to reduce their consumption, each country should have an estimate of the TFA content in the overall diet. The objective of this report is to provide updated data on the TFA content in Portuguese foods. It therefore details the results of 268 samples (acquired and analysed between October and December 2013), chosen based on a previous desk review to identify the food groups of higher concern in terms of their TFA content. The TFAs were quantified by gas chromatography after fat extraction. Potential unconformities were also estimated, taking as a basis a maximum limit of 2% TFAs in the fat.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ultrastructural and molecular characterization of a microsporidian infectingSerranus atricauda(Teleostei, Serranidae) in the Madeira Archipelago

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of wine related yeast species by capillary electrophoresis single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (CE-SSCP) of the 26S rRNA Gene

Financially supported by the programs POCI 2010 (FEDER/FCT, POCTI/AGR/56102/2004, POCTI/AGR/56771/2004), and AGRO (ENOSAFE, Nº 762)

Identification of wine related yeast species by capillary electrophoresis single- strand conformation polymorphism

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - POCI 2010; POCTI/AGR/56102/2004.FEDER.AGRO (ENOSAFE, Nº 762)

O plano de marketing em serviços públicos: aplicação aos SBIDM da UA

Mestrado em Administração e Gestão PúblicaEste trabalho de projeto tem como objetivo fulcral apresentar uma proposta de Plano de Marketing para os Serviços de Biblioteca, Informação Documental e Museologia (SBIDM) da Universidade de Aveiro, descrevendo todos os passos essenciais para a sua elaboração. No âmbito da aplicação do Marketing ao contexto específico dos Serviços Públicos, este Plano de Marketing tem como propósito proporcionar a melhoria da qualidade dos serviços prestados pelos SBIDM, no sentido de alcançar um patamar de excelência, ou seja, transformar esta biblioteca, prestadora de serviços no âmbito da informação, numa instituição de eleição por parte da diversidade de utilizadores que a ela recorrem. Assim, foi efetuada uma revisão da literatura na área do marketing, um domínio de atuação cada vez mais importante numa sociedade tecnológica e modernizada como é a atual. Se bem que o marketing parece ter pouco a ver com os serviços prestados por uma biblioteca do ensino superior, a verdade é que se tornou numa ferramenta imprescindível para dotar estas instituições de competências e qualidades que lhes permitam obter sucesso e conseguir um posicionamento de liderança face a outros da concorrência. A aplicação das ferramentas e estratégias de Marketing pode influenciar de forma positiva o grau de sucesso de uma biblioteca, com base numa gestão mais eficiente e numa preocupação generalizada em proporcionar serviços de qualidade que satisfaçam os seus utilizadores.This research project aims mainly to propose a Marketing Plan for the Library Services, Documental Information and Museology (SBIDM) of the University of Aveiro, describing all the essential steps for its preparation. Within the scope of marketing applied to the specific context of Public Services, this Marketing Plan aims to provide an improved quality of the services provided by the SBIDM, so as to achieve a level of excellence, that is to make this library, a service provider of information, an institution of choice by a diversity of users. Thus, this research project includes a review of the literature in marketing, an area of expertise increasingly important in a technological society and modern as is the current. Although marketing seems to have little to do with the services provided by a library of higher education, the truth is that it has become a vital tool for institutions to provide them with the skills and qualities that enable them to succeed and achieve a leading position in the face of other competition. The application of tools and marketing strategies can positively influence the degree of success of a library, based on a more efficient management and a general concern in providing quality services that meet their users’ needs

Description of Triangulamyxa psittaca sp. n. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea), a new parasite in the urinary bladder of Colomesus psittacus (Teleostei) from the Amazon River, with emphasis on the ultrastructure of plasmodial stages

A fish-infecting myxosporean was found in the urinary bladder of the teleostean Colomesus psittacus, collected from the Amazon River, Brazil. Specimens were sampled in three different periods: May and June, with water temperature ranging from 18–23ºC; August, with water temperature ranging from 24–28ºC; and November and December, with water temperature ranging from 29–32ºC. Upon observation, several fish displayed abnormal behaviour, consisting of erratic movements, and mortality was recorded among them. Necropsy of all sampled fishes revealed hypertrophy of the urinary bladder only among specimens previously displaying the irregular behaviour. Microscopic analysis of this organ confirmed the parasitic infection, resulting in the observation of spores floating free in the urine, and numerous plasmodia attached to the epithelium of the urinary bladder. Light and ultrastructural studies allowed recognition of the spores and plasmodia morphological characteristics. Coelozoic plasmodia were polysporic with varying organizational structure, according to the sampling period. Spores were equilaterally triangular with rounded ends in valvar view, measuring 8.8 ± 0.4 μm (n = 30) in length and 8.4 ± 0.5 μm (n = 30) in width, and displaying a ridge surface pattern. Two polar capsules were observed in the anterior end of the spores, measuring 3.1–3.2 μm in diameter. The spores were morphologically identified as belonging to the recently described genus Triangulamyxa. Further observation and comparison to the morphological features described for Triangulamyxa amazonica, the only other species within this genus, allowed us to conclude our parasite as a new species, herein named Triangulamyxa psittaca sp. nov. from the Amazon River, Brazil. Also, three different stages were distinguished in the plasmodium evolution, based on the observed morphological features at the three sampling periods. Fish sampled during May and June displayed small plasmodia (up to ~ 15–20 μm long), containing early stages of sporogenic development. Fish sampled during November and December presented larger plasmodia (up to ~ 850 μm long), which appeared flattened against and lining the urinary bladder epithelial cells and contained the later stages of sporogenic development, including some mature spores. Fish sampled during August presented plasmodia displaying intermediate morphological features between those observed in infected fish from the other sampling periods. Several immature and mature spores were among the different developmental stages. The parasite-host interface evolution is described throughout the different observed stages, with emphasis on the formation of septate junctions. Considering several previous reports, as well as the different environmental conditions during the sampling periods, the plasmodium development here described appears to be influenced by environmental factors, namely water temperature

Perkinsus sp. (Alveolata, Perkinsidae) a Parasite of the Clam Meretrix meretrix (Veneridae) from Arabian Gulf: Ultrastructural Observations of the Trophozoites and the Cellular Response of the Host

Genus Perkinsus Levine, 1978 (Alveolata, Perkinsidae) an intracellular pathogenic parasite is described from the mantle and gill filaments of a commercially important clam, Meretrix meretrix, collected from the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia. This genus contains currently seven named species: P. marinus, P. olseni (P. atlanticus), P. chesapeaki (P. andrewsi), P. mediterraneus, P. honshuensis, P. beihaiensis and P. qugwadi. Meanwhile, some unnamed Perkinsus sp. have been described in wide variety of mollusc species. Ultrastructural features of Perkinsus sp. trophozites and the host reaction are described. The different developmental stages of trophozoites appeared as single or grouped cells surrounded by amorphous material that constituted cysts or nodules randomly distributed throughout the connective tissue of the mantle. The early trophozoites were generally spherical to ellipsoidal with a circular nucleus containing a prominent central nucleolus. The cytoplasm had several small vacuoles which coalesce to form a great vacuole in the later trophozoites and the nucleus becomes eccentric. Some lomosomes were observed between the wall and the plasmalemma of trophozoites. A large number of degraded and pyknotic cell and several cellular structure with lysed aspects were encountered in the surrounding area near the cysts. Ultrastructural data showed that the lysed granular cells and the coalescence of the granules result in the cyst that encapsulates various trophozoites. In the current study, we describe for the first time the presence of Perkinsus sp. as well as the host reaction in clams from the Saudi Arabian coasts

Ultrastructure of the Plasmodial Development of Myxobolus insignis (Myxozoa), Infecting the Amazonian Fish Semaprochilodus insignis (Prochilodontidae)

This study used light and electron microscopy to describe a myxosporean, polysporic, histozoic plasmodium infecting the gill filaments of the freshwater teleost, Semaprochilodus insignis, specimens of which were collected from the Trombetas River (Central Amazonian Region, Brazil). Ultrastructural analyses of the fish-infecting spores identified the parasite as Myxobolus insignis, an organism that occurs within whitish unequal-sized plasmodia located in the intralamellar epithelium of the gill. Based on the observed morphological and ultrastructural features of the plasmodia in this study three stages in the plasmodial evolution were distinguished, related to the sporogonic stages of Myxobolus insignis. The plasmodium walls were also found to constitute a number of layers of fibroblasts, surrounded by collagen fibres, which displayed different morphological arrangements according to the different phases of evolution. This represents the first time such ultrastructural features have been described in detail for Myxobolus insignis plasmodia and offers potentially significant points of comparison with plasmodia from other species of myxosporea