Efeito da rega deficitária no vigor, produção e qualidade da casta Alvarinho (Vitis vinifera L.) na Região dos Vinhos Verdes

Mestrado em Viticultura e Enologia - Instituto Superior de Agronomia / Faculdade de Ciências. Universidade do PortoThe purpose of this work was to compare the effects of four strategies of deficit irrigation and analyse the differences of physiology, vegetative growth, yield and quality of grapes of Alvarinho. The study was performed in 2014, at Quinta da Aveleda, located in the Vinhos Verdes region, in Penafiel. So the following treatments were tested: not watered control (R0), without any intervention; irrigation based on leaf water potential (R1); irrigation with 75% ETc (R2) and irrigation with 100% ETc (R3). The evolution of the basic leaf water potential has shown that the vines were always in water comfort. Irrigation with 100% Etc presented higher total leaf area but didin’t obtain a high production. Regarding the composition of the must in the vintage, the modalities apparently showed similar values, resulting in more efficient use of irrigation water. This was a year with atypical weather conditions, registering a lot of rainfall during the summer months. So the results shouldn’t be extrapolated for future years

O contributo das universidades no branding das cidades – uma revisão de literatura

This paper aims to identify and highlight the state of the art about the theme of branding of cities and the contribution of universities in the construction of identity and design of this branding. For that, in a first phase, a literature review was carried out that allowed us to assess the reasons that justify the urgency of projecting the city's identity through the brand. Secondly, and making clear the importance of the role of city branding, the literature review focused on the impact of the university as a public space with considerable and diverse types of implications for territories and cities, resulting in the identification of a research gap regarding the incorporation of this key contribution in the design of the respective branding. This work, as a purely conceptual nature, therefore allowed the identification of possible future research lines on the subject.O presente trabalho tem como objetivo identificar e evidenciar o estado da arte sobre a temática do branding de cidades e sobre o contributo das universidades na construção da identidade e conceção desse branding. Para o efeito, numa primeira fase, procedeu-se a uma revisão de literatura que permitiu aferir sobre as razões que justificam a premência de se projetar a identidade da cidade através da marca. Num segundo momento, e tornada clara a importância do papel do branding de cidades, a revisão de literatura incidiu sobre o impacto da universidade, como espaço público com consideráveis e diversificados tipos de implicações nos territórios e nas cidades, da qual resultou a identificação de um research gap relativo à incorporação desse contributo chave na conceção dos respetivos branding. Este trabalho, de natureza puramente conceptual permitiu, portanto, a identificação de possíveis vias de pesquisa futura sobre o tema

ICTs in remote assessment

This work describes an experience carried out using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the assessment of the individual project in the final graduation year. This challenge involved two institutions of higher education: Minho and Porto Universities

Impact of weight loss on adipocytokines, C-reactive protein and insulin sensitivity in hypertensive women with central obesity

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of weight reduction on serum adipocytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), and insulin sensitivity in hypertensive female patients with central obesity. METHODS: This study was performed using the database and stored serum samples of female patients who had participated in an intervention study focused on weight loss. Thirty hypertensive women aged 18 to 65, body mass index (BMI) > 27 kg/m², and central obesity were selected. They were randomly assigned to receive either a low-calorie diet plus orlistat 120 mg three times daily or a low-calorie diet alone for 16 weeks. Patients who experienced weight loss greater than 5% (n = 24) were assessed for blood pressure, anthropometric parameters, visceral fat, insulin resistance (HOMA-R - homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) and sensitivity (ISI - Insulin Sensitivity Index) indices, plus serum lipids, adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin, IL-6, and TNF-a) and CRP levels. RESULTS: After BMI had been reduced by approximately 5% in both groups, visceral fat, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and TNF-a decreased. Only the orlistat group, which was more insulin resistant at baseline, showed a significant reduction in blood glucose after oral glucose load, in addition to increased insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSION: This study's findings indicate that a weight loss greater than 5% is associated with improved inflammatory status and decreased insulin resistance, regardless of changes in adiponectin and TNF-a levels. The greatest improvements in insulin sensitivity experienced by the orlistat-treated patients could not be attributed to the use of this drug because of the higher number of insulin-resistant subjects in this group.OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto do tratamento da obesidade nas adipocitocinas, na proteína C-reativa (PCR) e na sensibilidade à insulina em pacientes hipertensas com obesidade central. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado a partir do banco de dados e de amostras estocadas de soro de pacientes submetidas previamente a um estudo para tratamento de obesidade. Foram selecionadas 30 mulheres hipertensas, com idade entre 18 e 65 anos, índice de massa corpórea (IMC) > 27 kg/m², com distribuição central de gordura. As pacientes foram aleatoriamente submetidas a dieta hipocalórica e orlistat 120 mg três vezes por dia ou apenas a dieta hipocalórica, durante 16 semanas. As pacientes que apresentaram perda de peso superior a 5% (n = 24) foram avaliadas em relação a níveis pressóricos, valores antropométricos, gordura visceral, índices de resistência (HOMA-R - homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) e de sensibilidade à insulina (ISI - Insulin Sensitivity Index), perfil lipídico, e dosagens das adipocitocinas (adiponectina, leptina, IL-6 e TNF-a) e de PCR. RESULTADOS: Após redução do IMC de cerca de 8% em ambos os grupos, foi verificada diminuição de gordura visceral, glicemia de jejum, triglicérides e TNF-a. Apenas o grupo orlistat, que inicialmente era mais resistente à insulina, apresentou redução significativa da glicemia pós-sobrecarga oral de glicose e aumento da sensibilidade à insulina. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados deste estudo indicam que a perda de peso superior a 5% se associa à melhora do perfil inflamatório e à redução da resistência à insulina, a qual ocorreu de maneira independente das variações de adiponectina e de TNF-a. Os maiores benefícios na sensibilidade à insulina obtidos no grupo orlistat não puderam ser atribuídos ao uso do medicamento em virtude da maior concentração de indivíduos resistentes à insulina nesse grupo.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Universidade de BrasíliaUNIFESP, EPM, São Paulo, BrazilSciEL

Laboratórios virtuais: duas aplicações no ensino de engenharia

Este projecto insere-se no âmbito dos estágios curriculares de final de curso da licenciatura em Matemática e Ciências de Computação da Universidade do Minho e da disciplina de Laboratório de Automação do 5ºano da licenciatura de Engenharia Mecânica Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto. O trabalho proposto, numa base de ensino/aprendizagem colaborativo e multidisciplinar, assenta também na prática assistido por projecto. Este projecto consiste no desenvolvimento de objectos de aprendizagem através da construção e disponibilização de simuladores e conteúdos de suporte em ambiente Web. Foram desenvolvidas aplicações baseadas em sistemas reais: medição e controlo do nível de um sistema de tanques em circuito fechado e medição da deformação de uma estrutura. Visa, também, a implementação dos sistemas experimentais, respectiva sensorização, actuação e controlo para integração num projecto de Laboratórios Remotos . Os Laboratórios Virtuais e os Laboratórios Remotos têm sido alvo de particular atenção no âmbito do ensino a distância, como meio complementar ao ensino tradicional ou na sua utilização integrada em redes de parceiros partilhando as capacidades laboratoriais distintas de diferentes instituições

How do students perceive their Learning Assessment?

The present work was developed considering the learning assessment vector and linking it to students’ general satisfaction with the engineering course. The key findings show a positive association between students’ general satisfaction and the learning assessment, specifically with the assessment methodologies effectiveness regarding the different subjects taught. Globally,studentsconsidered the assessment methodologies effective and appropriate to the different subjects taught however, they do not feel encouraged to be part of the process of monitoring his/her performance, and to thetime allocated to the assessment testsas it wasnot considered appropriateto the volume of subjects taught.The authors would like to express their acknowledgments to all students who accepted to collaborate in this study. The authors also thank the Research Centre CIETI and FCT, for all the support provided in the scope of the projects COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043, UID/CEC/00319-2019 and UID-EQU-04730-2013.N/

NPC1 silent variant induces skipping of exon 11 (p.V562V) and unfolded protein response was found in a specific Niemann‐Pick type C patient

Background: Niemann-Pick type C (NPC, MIM #257220) is a neuro-visceral disease, caused predominantly by pathogenic variants in the NPC1 gene. Here we studied patients with clinical diagnosis of NPC but inconclusive results regarding the molecular analysis. Methods: We used a Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-panel followed by cDNA analysis. Latter, we used massively parallel single-cell RNA-seq (MARS-Seq) to address gene profiling changes and finally the effect of different variants on the protein and cellular levels. Results: We identified novel variants and cDNA analysis allowed us to establish the functional effect of a silent variant, previously reported as a polymorphism. We demonstrated that this variant induces the skipping of exon 11 leading to a premature stop codon and identified it in NPC patients from two unrelated families. MARS-Seq analysis showed that a number of upregulated genes were related to the unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in one specific patient. Also, for all analyzed variants, the NPC1 protein was partially retained in the ER. Conclusion: We showed that the NPC1 silent polymorphism (p.V562V) is a disease-causing variant in NPC and that the UPR is upregulated in an NPC patient.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Occupational exposure to pesticides and health symptoms among family farmers in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of occupational pesticide exposure with acute and mental health symptoms. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey carried out with 78 Brazilian family farmers, who were pesticide applicators and helpers conveniently selected. Symptoms and exposure data were collected by interviews, and mental health outcomes by the Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Blood samples were analyzed to assess cholinesterase levels. Exposure indicators and symptoms were compared between applicators and helpers, and Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios. RESULTS: Farmers reported exposure to multiple pesticides from early ages; they worked without safety training, technical support, and full protective equipment, and they had a high prevalence of acute and mental health symptoms (e.g., headache, mucosal irritation, tachycardia, and depressive signs). Applicators had more cholinesterase changes than helpers, but less symptoms. Helpers used less personal protection and had significantly higher prevalence ratio of headache, dyspnea, wheezing, cough, poor digestion, tiredness, and feeling worthless, after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Acute and mental health symptoms were observed, both among farmers and helpers. Thus, surveillance actions must be reinforced in Brazil, technical support and safety training improved, focused on applicators and helpers, who are occupationally and environmentally exposed to pesticides. Agricultural practices of these groups with less pesticide use should receive incentive

Leukocyte Imbalances in Mucopolysaccharidoses Patients

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inherited Metabolic Disorders: From Bench to Bedside)Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are rare inherited lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) caused by deficient activity in one of the enzymes responsible for glycosaminoglycans lysosomal degradation. MPS II is caused by pathogenic mutations in the IDS gene, leading to deficient activity of the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase, which causes dermatan and heparan sulfate storage in the lysosomes. In MPS VI, there is dermatan sulfate lysosomal accumulation due to pathogenic mutations in the ARSB gene, leading to arylsulfatase B deficiency. Alterations in the immune system of MPS mouse models have already been described, but data concerning MPSs patients is still scarce. Herein, we study different leukocyte populations in MPS II and VI disease patients. MPS VI, but not MPS II patients, have a decrease percentage of natural killer (NK) cells and monocytes when compared with controls. No alterations were identified in the percentage of T, invariant NKT, and B cells in both groups of MPS disease patients. However, we discovered alterations in the naïve versus memory status of both helper and cytotoxic T cells in MPS VI disease patients compared to control group. Indeed, MPS VI disease patients have a higher frequency of naïve T cells and, consequently, lower memory T cell frequency than control subjects. Altogether, these results reveal MPS VI disease-specific alterations in some leukocyte populations, suggesting that the type of substrate accumulated and/or enzyme deficiency in the lysosome may have a particular effect on the normal cellular composition of the immune system.This work was funded by National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the project UIDB/04293/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Extremophile Endolithella mcmurdoensis gen. et sp. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorellaceae), a new Chlorella-like Endolithic alga from Antarctica

The McMurdo Dry Valleys constitute the largest ice-free region of Antarctica and one of the most extreme deserts on Earth. Despite the low temperatures, dry and poor soils and katabatic winds, some microbes are able to take advantage of endolithic microenvironments, inhabiting the pore spaces of soil and constituting photosynthesis-based communities. We isolated a green microalga, Endolithella mcmurdoensis gen. et sp. nov, from an endolithic sandstone sample collected in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (Victoria Land, East Antarctica) during the K020 expedition, in January 2013. The single non-axenic isolate (E. mcmurdoensis LEGE Z-009) exhibits cup-shaped chloroplasts, electron-dense bodies, and polyphosphate granules but our analysis did not reveal any diagnostic morphological characters. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA (SSU) gene, the isolate was found to represent a new genus within the family Chlorellaceae.We are sincerely grateful to Antarctica New Zealand for providing logistics support during K020 event. This campaign was conducted as part of the New Zealand Terrestrial Antarctic Biocomplexity Survey (nzTABS) through awards (UOWX0710 and UOWX1401) from the New Zealand Foundation for Research and Technology (FRST), Antarctica New Zealand, and the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to SCC. The work was also supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) through grants UID/Multi/04423/2019 to CIIMAR, IF/01358/2014 and PTDC/MAR-BIO/2818/2012 to PNL, PTDC/CTA-AMB/30997/2017 to CM, and PhD scholarships to AR (SFRH/BD/140567/2018).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio