The effects of starter culture on the biogenic amine accumulation in traditional Portuguese dry sausages

Linguiça is a highly popular and appreciated traditional Portuguese dry fermented sausage. Its production involves a ripening step, which provides favorable conditions for biogenic amines formation due to microbial growth, acidification and proteolysis. The levels of biogenic amines in dry-fermented sausages are highly dependent on the type of product, producer and could even vary from batch to batch. The microbiological quality of raw materials, technological process and growth/type of microbial flora are some factors that may explain this variability. To the authors’ best knowledge, only few studies focused on the quantification of biogenic amines in Portuguese traditional sausages, reporting variable levels of accumulation, being the tyramine the most abundant followed by putrescine and cadaverine. Starter cultures have been used aiming to prevent or reduce the formation of biogenic amines during the manufacture of dry-fermented sausages. Based on the results reported in the literature, the use of starter cultures may reduce or not the biogenic amines accumulation during the fermentation of sausages. In this work, it was evaluated the influence of one commercial starter culture (Texel®ELCE Br, Danisco) on biogenic amine accumulation during manufacture process and storage. Parameters such as pH value, water activity and microbial counts were also assessed. In general the results pointed out that the starter culture inhibited the accumulation of biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine and tyramine) as well as the growth of S. aureus and Enterobacterias. This inhibitory effect was clear during ripening and storage periods. On the other hand the starter culture did not have a significant effect on spermidine and spermine concentrations.We acknowledge to POCI-01–0145-FEDER-006984–LSRE-LCM, Project UID/QUI/00616/2013 – CQ-VR, UID/AGR/00690/2013 – CIMO and UID/BIA/04050/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007569) all funded by FEDER-COMPETE2020 and by FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

COMPILATION OF ACTIVE FAULT DATA IN PORTUGAL FOR USE IN SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS

To estimate where future earthquakes are likely to occur, it is essential to combine information about past earthquakes with knowledge about the location and seismogenic properties of active faults. For this reason, robust probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) integrates seismicity and active fault data. Existing seismic hazard assessments for Portugal rely exclusively on seismicity data and do not incorporate data on active faults. Project SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded initiative (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are developing a fully-parameterized active fault database for Portugal that incorporates existing compilations, updated according to the most recent publications. The seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first model for Portugal to include fault data and follow an internationally standardized approach. This model can be used to improve both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be combined with the Spanish database for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments

Microbiological assessment, nutritional characterization and phenolic compounds of bee pollen from Mellipona mandacaia Smith, 1983

This study aims to assess the microbiological parameters and the chemical composition of 21 samples of stingless bee pollen (Melipona mandacaia) from two regions of Bahia, Brazil (João Dourado and Uibaí), with particular emphasis on the nutritional value, total phenols and flavonoids and fatty acids composition. Regarding the microbiological quality, the studied microorganisms (moulds and yeasts, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphyl ococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., psychrotrophic and sulfite-reducing Clostridia) were absent in all samples. On the other hand, the values obtained for the aerobic mesophilic microorganism ranged from 11.0 ± 1.0 to 1.32 ± 1.2 cfu·g -1 (U samples). The nutritional parameters (moisture, ash, water activity, pH, total acidity, protein, fiber, total phenolic, flavonoids and reducing sugars) were within the stipulated by law, except for pH and moisture content, which presented superior and inferior values, respectively. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (54.1%) were significantly higher than saturated (42.18%) and monounsaturated (3.71%). It was found that the bee pollen is safe from the microbiological point of view and has a good nutritional quality. The influence of the geographical origin on the assessed parameters was evident, especially concerning the fatty acid profile.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antioxidant, photoprotective and inhibitory activity of tyrosinase in extracts of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum is a native Brazil plant with importance for beekeeping, and widely used in folk medicine. For the first time, the extracts of this plant were assessed for the presence of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants, as well as inhibition of tyrosinase, free radicals scavenging and sunscreen protection. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical scavenging (DPPH) andβ-carotene bleaching assay. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was evaluated and calculated the EC50. The photoprotective activity was measured using different concentrations of D. ecastaphyllum extracts. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the samples was higher than 6, and the sample from Ilhe ´us showed the most pronounced photoprotective effect. Sample from Canavieiras presented the highest antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging DPPH andβ-carotene bleaching method, with 92.41% and 48.34%, respectively. All samples inhibited the tyrosinase, especially the sample from Prado that was most effective (124.62μg.mL-1). Significant negative correlation was found between flavonoid contents and inhibition of tyrosinase. The overall results provide relevant information about the Dalbergia ecastaphyllum species, indicating as potential material to cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.We thank MSc Vandira Pereira da Mata for the support during the sample collectioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Detection of biogenic amines in mead of social bee

Mead is an alcoholic beverage, resulting from the fermentation of honey and water, although it is an old drink, some fermentation products are still unknown. Biogenic amines have driven research on food and beverages due to their toxicity and capacity to cause damage to the human health. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of biogenic amines in mead from honey of two species of social bees, using different fining agents (bentonite, banana peel flour, and passion fruit peel flour) and storage in oak barrel for 120 days. We observed the presence of three biogenic amines for each type of mead. Putrescine was reported only in samples of mead of Apis mellifera. Tryptamine and histamine were not detected, while tyramine was observed in the mead samples of honey from Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides. Samples clarified with fruit peels increased the number of amines. In the analysis of the histamine, used as standard, obtained limits of detection and quantification of 2.47 mg/L and of 7.48 mg/L, respectively. In this study, the amines observed remained below the limit of detection, and did not pose a risk to consumers. The finings used demonstrated a profile similar to the control mead, and its use was satisfactory.We thank the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq) under Grant (305885/2017 to C.A.L.C.). This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. We also thank the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia - FAPESB, under Grant 8797/2015.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Suicide Pact

Objective: To determine the time of diagnosis of typical orofacial clefts in different Brazilian regions and its influence on age at surgical correction. Method: This was a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in medical centers in the Southeast, South, and Northeast of Brazil. Trained speech therapists and geneticists interviewed the parents of affected children using a previously validated questionnaire. Epi-Info and SPSS were used for data analysis. Significance level was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The sample consisted of 215 interviews conducted in the following regions: 21.9% (47) in the Southeast, 51.1% (110) in the South, and 27% (58) in the Northeast. Monthly family income was higher in the Southeast (p ≤ 0.05). Cleft lip and palate were found in 61.4% (132) of cases, cleft palate in 20.9% (45), and cleft lip in 17.7% (38). Diagnosis occurred in the maternity ward in 75.3% (162) of cases, during the prenatal period in 14% (30), and after hospital discharge in 10.2% (22). The Southeast had a higher frequency of prenatal diagnosis (27.7%), possibly related to greater purchasing power in this region and greater availability of prenatal investigation. Of all cases diagnosed in the maternity ward, 74.4% occurred in the Northeast. However, no significant difference was found when comparing time of diagnosis, region, and age at first surgery. Conclusion: Considering that diagnosis is more common in the maternity ward, local health care teams should be trained in order to effectively improve the initial care of these patients. Although time of diagnosis did not affect age at surgery, it favors the planning of neonatal care and treatment of affected infants. Copyright © 2011 by Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria.873225230Wyszynski, D.F., (2002) Cleft Lip and Palate: From Origin to Treatment, , New York: Oxford University PressMoore, K.L., Persaud, T.V., The Pharyngeal (Branchial) Apparatus (1998) The Developing Human Clinically Oriented Embryology, pp. 215-256. , Moore KL, Persaud TV. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB SaundersMossey, P.A., Little, J., Epidemiology of oral clefts: An international perspective (2002) Cleft Lip and Palate: from Origin to Treatment, pp. 127-158. , Wyszynski DF, editor. New York: Oxford University PressGlobal strategies to reduce the healthcare burden of craniofacial anomalies (2002) Report of WHO Meetings on International Collaborative Research on Craniofacial Anomalies, , Word Health Organization. Geneva: WHOStoll, C., Alembik, Y., Dott, B., Roth, M.P., Associated malformations in cases with oral clefts (2000) Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 37 (1), pp. 41-47Marazita, M.L., Mooney, M.P., Current concepts in the embryology and genetics of cleft lip and cleft palate (2004) Clin Plast Surg, 31, pp. 125-140Cohen Jr., M.M., Gorlin, R.J., Fraser, F.C., Craniofacial Disorders (1997) Emery and Rimoin's Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics, pp. 1121-1148. , Rimoin DL, Connor JM, Pyeritz RE, Korf BR, editors. New York: Churchill LivingstoneShprintzen, R.J., Siegel-Sadewitz, V.L., Amato, J., Goldberg, R.B., Anomalies associated with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both (1985) American Journal of Medical Genetics, 20 (4), pp. 585-595. , DOI 10.1002/ajmg.1320200404Offerdal, K., Jebens, N., Syvertsen, T., Blaas, H.G., Johansen, O.J., Eik-Nes, S.H., Prenatal ultrasound detection of facial clefts: A prospective study of 49,314 deliveries in a non-selected population in Norway (2008) Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol, 31, pp. 639-646Russell, K.A., Allen, V.M., MacDonald, M.E., Smith, K., Dodds, L., A population-based evaluation of antenatal diagnosis of orofacial clefts (2008) Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 45 (2), pp. 148-153. , DOI 10.1597/06-202.1Bunduki, V., Ruano, R., Sapienza, A.D., Hanaoka, B.Y., Zugaib, M., Diagnóstico pré-natal de fenda labial e palatina: Experiência de 40 casos (2001) RBGO, 23, pp. 561-566Grandjean, H., Larroque, D., Levi, S., The performance of routine ultrasonographic screening of pregnancies in the Eurofetus Study (1999) American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 181 (2), pp. 446-454. , DOI 10.1016/S0002-9378(99)70577-6Amstalden-Mendes, L.G., Magna, L.A., Gil-da-Silva-Lopes, V.L., Neonatal care of infants with cleft lip and/or palate: Feeding orientation and evolution of weight gain in a nonspecialized Brazilian hospital (2007) Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 44 (3), pp. 329-334. , DOI 10.1597/05-177Reid, J., A review of feeding interventions for infants with cleft palate (2004) Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 41 (3), pp. 268-278. , DOI 10.1597/02-148.1Shaw, W.C., Semb, G., Nelson, P., Brattström, V., Molsted, K., Prahl- Andersen, B., The Eurocleft Project 1996-2000: Overview (2001) J Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery, 29, pp. 131-140Chitty, L.S., Griffin, D.R., Anormalidades do lábio e do palato fetal: Diagnóstico ultra-sonográfico (2005) Tratamento de Fissura Labial e Fenda Palatina, pp. 107-116. , Watson AC, Sell DA, Grunwell P. São Paulo: Editora SantosHabel, A., O papel do pediatra (2005) Tratamento de Fissura Labial e Fenda Palatina, pp. 123-135. , Watson AC, Sell DA, Grunwell P. São Paulo: Editora SantosRibeiro-Roda, S., Gil-da-Silva-Lopes, V.L., Aspectos odontológicos das fendas labiopalatinas e orientações para cuidados básicos (2008) Rev Cienc Med, 17, pp. 95-103Monlleo, I.L., Gil-da-Silva-Lopes, V.L., Craniofacial anomalies: Description and evaluation of treatment under the Brazilian Unified Health System (2006) Cadernos de Saude Publica, 22 (5), pp. 913-922. , http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v22n5/04.pdfLoffredo, L.C., Freitas, J.A., Grigolli, A.A., Prevalência das fissuras orais de 1975 a 1994 (2001) Rev Saude Publica, 35, pp. 571-575Nunes, L.M., Queluz, D.P., Pereira, A.C., Prevalência de fissuras labiopalatais no município de Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, 1999-2004 (2007) Rev Bras Epidemiol, 10, pp. 109-116Cerqueira, M.N., Teixeira, S.C., Naressi, S.C., Ferrreira, A.P., Ocorrência de fissuras labiopalatais na cidade de São José dos Campos-SP (2005) Rev Bras Epidemiol, 8, pp. 161-166Di Ninno, C.Q., Santos, P.G., Bueno, M.G., Syrio, I.M., A influência da época do diagnóstico das fissuras labiopalatinas (2006) Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol, 11, pp. 75-81Jones, M.C., Prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate: Detection rates, accuracy of ultrasonography, associated anomalies and strategies for counseling (2002) Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 39, pp. 169-173Johnson, N., Sandy, J.R., Prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate (2003) Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 40 (2), pp. 186-189. , DOI 10.1597/1545-1569(2003)0402.0.CO;2Bradbury, E., Bannister, P., Aconselhamento pré-natal, perinatal e pós-natal (2005) Tratamento de Fissura Labial e Fenda Palatina, pp. 117-122. , Watson AC, Sell DA, Grunwell P. São Paulo: Editora SantosDi Ninno, C.Q., Gomes, R.O., Santos, P.G., Bueno, M.G., Galvão, D.A., Meira, A.L., O conhecimento de profissionais da área da saúde sobre fissura labiopalatina (2004) Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol, 9, pp. 93-101Schardosim, L.R., Nogueira, D.A., Bosco, V.L., Pereima, M.J., Bebês portadores de fissura labiopalatal: Satisfação dos pais com as orientações recebidas dos profissionais (2004) JBP Rev Ibero-am Odontopediatr Odontol Bebe, 7, pp. 568-573Amstalden-Mendes, L.G., Gil-da-Silva-Lopes, V.L., Fenda de lábio e ou palato: Recursos para alimentação antes da correção cirúrgica (2006) Rev Cienc Med, 15, pp. 437-448. , CampinasVieira, G.O., Martins, C.C., Vieira, T.O., De Oliveira, N.F., Silva, L.R., Factors predicting early discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of life (2010) J Pediatr, 86, pp. 441-444. , Rio

Use of the electronic tongue as a tool for the characterization of Melipona scutellaris Latreille honey

This study aimed to characterize honey of Melipona scutellaris regarding its physicochemical parameters using the electronic tongue (e-tongue) technique combined with the multivariate statistical analysis for honey differentiation. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated following official methods of chemical analyses. A potentiometric electronic tongue with 16 cross-sensitivity sensors was used for the analysis. The Principal Component Analysis and the Cluster Analysis distinguished two groups for the sample set in the evaluation of physicochemical parameters, similar to results found using the electronic tongue. We verified a correlation greater than 0.70 between the profile of potentiometric signals and values of pH, ashes, electrical conductivity, HMF, diastase activity, reducing sugars, and apparent sucrose. The combined use of the electronic tongue with the statistical analysis showed the similarity between samples through the formation of two groups of the sample set. The electronic tongue may be used as a complement to traditional techniques of analyses to determine honey physicochemical parameters, constituting a promising tool in association with the multivariate statistical analysis.This study was financed in part by the “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil” (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 and by the “Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia” (FAPESB) - under grant PAM0004/2014. We thank “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico” (CNPq) for the scholarship granted to CALC (No. 305885/2017-0).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Compliance, persistence, costs and quality of life in young patients treated with antipsychotic drugs: Results from the COMETA study

Background: Little data is available on the real-world socio-economic burden and outcomes in schizophrenia. This study aimed to assess persistence, compliance, costs and Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) in young patients undergoing antipsychotic treatment according to clinical practice.Methods: A naturalistic, longitudinal, multicentre cohort study was conducted: we involved 637 patients aged 18-40 years, with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder diagnosed ≤10 years before, enrolled in 86 Italian Mental Health Centres and followed-up for 1 year. Comparisons were conducted between naïve (i.e., patients visiting the centre for the first time and starting a new treatment regimen) and non naïve patients.Results: At enrolment, 84% of patients were taking atypical drugs, 3.7% typical, 10% a combination of the two classes, and 2% were untreated. During follow-up, 23% of patients switched at least once to a different class of treatment, a combination or no treatment. The mean Drug-Attitude-Inventory score was 43.4, with 94.3% of the patients considered compliant by the clinicians. On average, medical costs at baseline were 390.93€/patient-month, mostly for drug treatment (29.5%), psychotherapy (29.2%), and hospitalizations (27.1%). Patients and caregivers lost 3.5 days/patient-month of productivity. During follow-up, attitude toward treatment remained fairly similar, medical costs were generally stable, while productivity, clinical statusand HRQoL significantly improved. While no significantly different overall direct costs trends were found between naïve and non naïve patients, naïve patients showed generally a significant mean higher improvement of clinical outcomes, HRQoL and indirect costs, compared to the others.Conclusions: Our results suggest how tailoring the treatment strategy according to the complex and specific patient needs make it possible to achieve benefits and to allocate more efficiently resources. This study can also provide information on the most relevant items to be considered when conducting cost-effectiveness studies comparing specific alternatives for the treatment of target patients

Forest and connectivity loss simplify tropical pollination networks

Mutualistic interactions between plants and pollinators play an essential role in the organization and persistence of biodiversity. The structure of interaction networks mediates the resilience of local communities and ecosystem functioning to environmental changes. Hence, network structure conservation may be more critical for maintaining biodiversity and ecological services than the preservation of isolated species in changing landscapes. Here, we intensively surveyed seven 36 km(2) landscapes to empirically investigate the effects of forest loss and landscape configuration on the structure of plant-pollinator networks in understory vegetation of Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Our results indicate that forest loss and isolation affect the structure of the plant-pollinator networks, which were smaller in deforested landscapes, and less specialized as patch isolation increased. Lower nestedness and degree of specialization (HMODIFIER LETTER PRIME2) indicated that the remaining plant and bee species tend to be generalists, and many of the expected specialized interactions in the network were already lost. Because generalist species generate a cohesive interaction core in these networks, these simplified networks might be resistant to loss of peripheral species, but may be susceptible to the extinction of the most generalist species. We suggest that such a network pattern is an outcome of landscapes with a few remaining isolated patches of natural habitat. Our results add a new perspective to studies of plant-pollinator networks in fragmented landscapes, showing that those interaction networks might also be used to indicate how changes in natural habitat affect biodiversity and biotic interactions.Environmental Biolog

The paleoenvironmental and thermal histories of the Permian Irati formation shale in the paraná basin, Brazil: An integrated approach based on mineralogical and organic imprints

ABSTRACT: Mineralogical assemblages and organofacies are important sources of information to recover the paleoenvironmental and thermal histories of shale deposits. In this study, a detailed qualitative and quantitative characterization of the Permian Irati Formation (Assistência Member) shale is based on mineralogical (XRD and SEM-EDS) and organic components (TOC, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, organofacies, TAI, fluorescence and vitrinite reflectance measurements) and provides integrated data about sediment provenance, depositional environment, diagenesis, and thermal history, while supporting interpretations on the Paraná Basin (PB), Brazil, paleogeography and its correlation to the southwest Gondwana. The results revealed a prevailing type I/II kerogen, with type III kerogen being also present but mainly confined along the paleoshoreline of the PB. The dominance of fluorescent amorphous organic matter (AOM) combined with framboidal pyrite suggests microbial activity in an anoxic-dysoxic neritic-marine paleoenvironment. Additionally, common to abundant well-preserved phytoclasts, as well as the occurrence of Botryococcus braunii, indicates freshwater influx in a brackish marine depositional setting. Immature to early-oil window thermal maturities prevail across the PB, according to the organic maturation indicators. The combined analysis between the organic matter evolution with clay mineralogy, such as the occurrence of interstratified clays (e.g., I/S) and its positive correlation with depth suggest that burial diagenesis reached the transition to early catagenesis on the north, southeast, and south of the basin, attributing a shale oil potential for the Irati Formation on a regional scale. Local scale imprints of the Early Cretaceous Paraná-Etendeka Large Igneous Province (LIP), and its thermal effect in the Irati Formation shale components, are recorded as clay authigenesis (e.g., smectite webby texture and clay coating development), crystallization of minerals by low to high-grade of thermal alteration (e.g., corrensite, talc, lizardite and diopside), and by local scale gas-window maturities. Such thermal alteration, identified in the proximity to intruded sills and dykes, led to a heterogeneous organic maturation pattern with implications on shale gas and shale oil potential of the Irati Formation shale, demonstrating that these subjects in the Paraná Basin should be assessed locally.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio