Up-scale challenges on biopolymer production from waste streams by Purple Phototrophic Bacteria mixed cultures: A critical review

Financial support from the Regional Government of Madrid through the project S2018/EMT-4344 BIOTRES-CM is gratefully acknowledged. D. Puyol wishes to thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy for the Ramon y Cajal grant. J. FThe increasing volume of waste streams require new biological technologies that can address pollution concerns while offering sustainable products. Purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) are very versatile organisms that present a unique metabolism that allows them to adapt to a variety of environments, including the most complex waste streams. Their successful adaptation to such demanding conditions is partly the result of internal polymers accumulation which can be stored for electron/energy balance or as carbon and nutrients reserves for deprivation periods. Polyhydroxyalkanoates, glycogen, sulphur and polyphosphate are examples of polymers produced by PPB that can be economically explored due to their applications in the plastic, energy and fertilizers sectors. Their large-scale production implies the outdoor operation of PPB systems which brings new challenges, identified in this review. An overview of the current PPB polymer producing technologies and prospects for their future development is also provided.publishersversionpublishe

Growth patterns, metabolic indicators and osteoarticular status in the Lusitano horse: A longitudinal study.

Development of a healthy musculoskeletal system is of high concern for horse breeders and users. A longitudinal field study was performed in order to: (i) evaluate growth patterns and long-term changes on bone quality, bone metabolism, growth factors and metabolic variables in the Lusitano horse; and (ii) retrospectively assess whether these changes were related with radiographic findings regarding osteochondrosis-like lesions (OC) at the onset of training. Thirty-four Lusitano foals born and raised at four stud-farms, were periodically weighed (BW), and measured (withers height-WH) from birth to 36 months of age. On the same days, blood samples were collected for determination of osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), leptin, insulin, glucose, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium plasma concentrations, and quantitative ultrasound measurements were performed on the right third metacarpal bone (McIII). At the end of the study horses underwent radiographic examination of the four fetlocks, hocks and stifles. According to their radiographic status (OC negative vs. OC positive), Richards growth function was adjusted to BW and WH data. Instantaneous BW and WH growth rates (BW IADG and WH IADG) were calculated for each foal, from the resolution of the first derivative of growth models for seven age-classes. The presence of radiographic findings compatible with OC at the onset of training was associated with changes in BW and WH growth rates. Positive horses presented higher BW IADG from six to 18 months of age and lower WH IADG before 45 days of age (P<0.001). Speed of sound measurements (SOS), bone markers, growth factors and other metabolic variables change markedly with age (P<0.01). OC positive horses tended to have lower SOS values at the lateral region of McIII, lower IGF-I, and higher insulin and PTH concentrations (P<0.1). This study provides indirect evidence that monitoring foals' growth during the first year of life may be of assistance in managing the occurrence of OC. Further studies with a higher number of animals and a controlled feed intake should be pursued

Growth and conformation changes in the young Lusitano horse: evaluation from birth to one year of age

Nowadays, there is a rising interest in the Lusitano breed as a sport horse. Besides the suggested relationship between growth rate and skeletal development, a better understanding of growing patterns could contribute for an accurate estimation of nutritional requirements in the growing horse. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate growth and development in Lusitano foals, from birth to one year of age, under extensive management conditions in Portugal. Thirty five foals from three stud farms were monthly weighed and withers height (WH), girth (G) and cannon circumference (CC) were measured. Average age at weaning was 7 mo (209±5d). Quadratic models were best fitted to describe the variation of body weight (BW), G, WH and CC. The effect of farm was significant for BW, G, and CC (P<0.0001), suggesting a management influence. Estimated BW at 7 and 12 mo of age in the three groups, varied between 211.1-253.8 kg and 274.6 327.7 kg, respectively, representing 42.2-50.8 % and 54.9-65.5 % of Lusitano mature BW (500kg). ADG until weaning varied between 0.786-0.888 kg/d, decreasing afterwards in the post-weaning period to 0.258-0.493 kg/d. Weight gain between birth and weaning represents 71.5-80.9 % of total weight gain until 12 mo of age. Estimated values for WH, G and CC at 12 mo of age varied between 135.4-140.9 cm, 145.4-157.5 cm and 16.7-19.0 cm, respectively. These results indicate a similar growth pattern to those described in other sport light breeds when submitted to moderate feeding levels, during the first year of life.vo

Associated Malformations in Children with Orofacial Clefts in Portugal: A 31-Year Study

Background:. Orofacial clefts are among the most common congenital craniofacial malformations and may be associated with other birth defects. However, the proportion and type of additional anomalies vary greatly between studies. This study assessed the prevalence and type of associated congenital malformations in children with orofacial clefts, who attended the largest cleft lip and palate tertiary referral center in Portugal. Methods:. Consecutive children with orofacial clefts who attended at least 1 consultation in our Clefts Unit between 1981 and 2012 were studied. Demographic and clinical data regarding the number and type of associated malformations were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results:. Of the 701 patients studied, 219 (31.2%) had associated congenital malformations. These malformations were more frequent in children with cleft palate (43.4%) than in children with cleft lip and palate (27.5%) or with cleft lip only (19.4%). Within the group with associated anomalies, 73 cases (33.3%) had conditions related with known chromosomal defects, monogenic syndromes or sequences, and 146 cases (66.7%) had multiple congenital anomalies of unknown origin. From those, head and neck malformations were the most common (60.3%), followed by malformations in the cardiovascular (28.3%) and musculoskeletal systems (26%). Conclusions:. The overall prevalence of associated malformations of nearly 1 in 3 children with orofacial clefts stressed the need for a comprehensive evaluation of these patients by a multidisciplinary cleft team. Moreover, one-third of the children had multiple congenital anomalies of known origins. Thus, early routine screening for other malformations and genetic counseling might be valuable for orofacial clefts management