Adiposity indicators and cardiovascular risk factors in Azorean adolescents

This study was conducted to evaluate the association of adiposity indicators (body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio) with cardiovascular risk factors in lean andobese Azorean adolescents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Solanum nigrum grown in contaminated soil: effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on zinc accumulation and histolocalisation

Zn tissue accumulation in Solanum nigrum grown in a non-contaminated and a naturally contaminated Zn matrix and the effect of inoculation with different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on metal uptake were assessed. S. nigrum grown in the contaminated soil always presented higher Zn accumulation in the tissues, accumulating up to 1622 mg Zn kg 1. The presence of both Glomus claroideum and Glomus intraradices enhanced the uptake and accumulation of Zn by S. nigrum (up to 83 and 49% higher Zn accumulation, respectively). The main deposits of the metal were found in the intercellular spaces and in the cell walls of the root tissues, as revealed by autometallography, with the inoculation with different AMF species causing no differences in the location of Zn accumulation. These findings indicate that S. nigrum inoculated with selected heavy metal tolerant AMF presents extracting and accumulating capacities, constituting a potentially suitable remediation method for Zn polluted soils.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

EDDS and EDTA-enhanced zinc accumulation by solanum nigrum inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi grown in contaminated soil

The effect of two different chelating agents [EDTA and EDDS S,S-ethylenediaminedissucinic acid)] on Zn tissue accumulation in Solanum nigrum L. grown in a naturally contaminated soil was assessed. Under those conditions, the response of the plant to the inoculation with two different isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) – Glomus claroideum and Glomus intraradices – was also studied. Plants grown in the local contaminated soil (Zn levels of 433 mg Kgˉ¹1) accumulated up to 1191 mg Kgˉ¹ of Zn in the roots, 3747 mg Kgˉ¹ in the stems and 3409 mg Kgˉ¹ in the leaves. S. nigrum plants grown in the same soil spiked with extra Zn (Zn levels of 964 mg Kgˉ¹) accumulated up to 4735, 8267 and 7948 mg Zn Kgˉ¹ in the leaves, stems and roots, respectively. The addition of EDTA promoted an increase in the concentration of Zn accumulated by S. nigrum of up to 231% in the leaves, 93% in the stems and 81% in the roots, while EDDS application enhanced the accumulation in leaves, stems and roots up to 140, 124 and 104%, respectively. In the stems, the presence of Zn was predominantly detected in the cortex collenchyma cells, the starch sheath and the internal phloem and xylem parenchyma, and the addition of chelating agents did not seem to have an effect on the localisation of accumulation sites. The devise of a chelate-enhanced phytoextraction strategy, using chelating agents and AMF, is discussed

Integrated biomimetic carbon nanotube composites for in vivo systems

CESAMAs interest in using carbon nanotubes for developing biologically compatible systems continues to grow, biological inspiration is stimulating new directions for in vivo approaches. The ability to integrate nanotechnology-based systems in the body will provide greater successes if the implanted material is made to mimic elements of the biological milieu especially through tuning physical and chemical characteristics. Here, we demonstrate the highly successful capacity for in vivo implantation of a new carbon nanotube-based composite that is, itself, integrated with a hydroxyapatite-polymethyl methacrylate to create a nanocomposite. The success of this approach is grounded in finely tailoring the physical and chemical properties of this composite for the critical demands of biological integration. This is accomplished through controlling the surface modification scheme, which affects the interactions between carbon nanotubes and the hydroxyapatite-polymethyl methacrylate. Furthermore, we carefully examine cellular response with respect to adhesion and proliferation to examine in vitro compatibility capacity. Our results indicate that this new composite accelerates cell maturation through providing a mechanically competent bone matrix; this likely facilitates osteointegration in vivo. We believe that these results will have applications in a diversity of areas including carbon nanotube, regeneration, chemistry, and engineering research.NANO/NMed-AT/0115/2007SFRH/BPD/14677/2003FC

Synthesis of 2,6-bis-(oxazolyl)pyridine ligands for luminescent Ln(III) complexes

Submitted to the European Journal of Organic ChemistryNew bis-(oxazolyl)pyridine ligands for Ln(III) ions were prepared using a expeditious methodology from threonine and dipicolinic acid chloride. The synthetic strategy includes a dehydration step to give a bis-dehydroaminobutyric acid derivative followed by bromination and cyclization with DBU. Photophysical studies of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes of these ligands showed that the 2,6-bis-(oxazolyl)pyridine moiety acts as an effective sensitizer for lanthanide luminescence and indicate the formation of 3:1 complexes [Ln-(bis-(oxazole)pyridine)3]3+.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), QREN, FEDER/E

Growth promotional traits of three pgpr: possible uses for phytoremediation of degraded soils

Maize is a fast-growing and high yield crop with both energy value and remediation potential. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a biological tool available to enhance plant establishment in degraded or depleted environments such as the case of saline soils or heavy-metal contaminated land. Although PGPR are able to produce metabolites such as siderophores, HCN and ammonia, or solubilize nutrients such as phosphate, these beneficial traits for the plant may be influenced by exposure to excessive levels of such contaminants. In this study, three PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Ralstonia eutropha and Cryseobacterium humi) were screened for those traits in the presence of different levels of Cd and Zn, and also to different salinization conditions. Their ability to influence maize germination and root and shoot elongation was also analyzed. Results showed that the level of exposure generally affected the ability of the tested strains to produce plant growth promoting substances. However, dissimilar sensibilities in the behavior of the different strains were observed when exposed to similar stress conditions. These differences were also noticeable in the plant development, with the tested PGPR generally positively influencing the analyzed parameters. Results suggest that PGPR can be exploited to promote stress relief of maize when grown in degraded land. Such knowledge may provide a new insight concerning the advantages of such biotechnologically based tools for phytoremediation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Committed to quality in physical activity programmes for elderly people – The customer results

There has been a growing concern in conceiving physical activity (PA) programmes for elderly people since the evidence indicates that this type of health promotion interventions may reduce the deleterious effects of the aging process. In Portugal, the Public Administration is the sector that offers the largest supply of goods and services and as such, it is the sector that must devote most attention to Quality Some studies support the EFQM Excellence Model as an operational framework for Total Quality Management. Excellent Results with respect to Performance, Customers, People and Society are achieved through Leadership driving Policy and Strategy that is delivered through People, Partnerships and Resources, as well as Processes. Consequently, the EFQM Model might be used as a self-assessment instrument, to discern the strengths of the programmes, as well as areas in which improvement can be made. The purposes of this study were 1) to examine the existence of customers’ outcomes measurement in Portuguese PA programmes for elderly people, comparing it with programmes’ characteristics and 2) to analyse the associations between the different evaluated items. Data were collected by an on-line questionnaire sent to 26 Coordinators of PA Programmes. Descriptive statistics were used in order to characterize de PA programmes and the participants’ outcome measurement items. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s Exact Test and Pearson’s Qui-square test. 57,7 % of the programmes recorded participants’ outcome measures at regular intervals. Most of them (73,3%; p 0.05) were free of charge programmes. Statistically significant associations were found between the following outcomes items: cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, muscular strength, coordination, balance and body composition. Portuguese PA programmes for elderly people showed a feeble attention on participants’ outcome measures, even though the measurement process represents one of the most important components of customer results from an exercise programme. Furthermore, there are significant differences between customers’ outcome measures chosen by each programme.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anaerobic digestion process for biogas and biomolecules production: microflora identification and characterization

The anaerobic process was efficient in organic matter removal. During the process, an interesting compound as quercetin was produced inside of reactor. Phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of phylotypes affiliated with gamma-Proteobacteria, Choroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. Archaea were represented by phylotypes belonging to the genus Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta

A biorefinery from Nannochloropsis sp. microalga – Energy and CO2 emission and economic analyses

Are microalgae a potential energy source for biofuel production? This paper presents the laboratory results from a Nannochloropsis sp. microalga biorefinery for the production of oil, high-value pigments, and biohydrogen (bioH2). The energy consumption and CO2 emissions involved in the whole process (microalgae cultivation, harvest, dewater, mill, extraction and leftover biomass fermentation) were evaluated. An economic evaluation was also performed. Oil was obtained by soxhlet (SE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The bioH2 was produced by fermentation of the leftover biomass. The oil production pathway by SE shows the lowest value of energy consumption, 177-245 MJ/MJprod, and CO2 emissions, 13–15 kgCO2/MJprod. Despite consuming and emitting c.a. 20% more than the SE pathway, the oil obtained by SFE, proved to be more economically viable, with a cost of 365€/kgoil produced and simultaneously extracting high-value pigments. The bioH2 as co-product may be advantageous in terms of product yield or profit