Fourth International Congress of CiiEM : Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century

Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.The 4th edition of the CiiEM Congress “HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND AGEING IN THE XXI CENTURY” followed the trend of previous editions and kept the open and demanding spirit of Egas Moniz scientific dynamics, with the participation of a 15 high-quality communications from 15 world-renowned speakers, and about 200 communications focussing on subjects of importance to the scientific activity of Egas Moniz. This spreads across the biomedical and human sciences.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mineralization of Sialoliths Investigated by Ex Vivo and In Vivo X-ray Computed Tomography

The fraction of organic matter present affects the fragmentation behavior of sialoliths; thus, pretherapeutic information on the degree of mineralization is relevant for a correct selection of lithotripsy procedures. This work proposes a methodology for in vivo characterization of salivary calculi in the pretherapeutic context. Sialoliths were characterized in detail by X-ray computed microtomography (μCT) in combination with atomic emission spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Correlative analysis of the same specimens was performed by in vivo and ex vivo helical computed tomography (HCT) and ex vivo μCT. The mineral matter in the sialoliths consisted essentially of apatite (89 vol%) and whitlockite (11 vol%) with average density of 1.8 g/cm3. In hydrated conditions, the mineral mass prevailed with 53 ± 13 wt%, whereas the organic matter, with a density of 1.2 g/cm3, occupied 65 ± 10% of the sialoliths' volume. A quantitative relation between sialoliths mineral density and X-ray attenuation is proposed for both HCT and μCT.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of the proteomic profiles of ejaculated spermatozoa from Saanen bucks (Capra hircus).

Abstract: The Saanen goat breed has been widely explored in breeding programmes; however, there are few reports about the breed?s genetic and molecular composition. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the proteomic profile of spermatozoa from Saanen breeding goats. Five breeding animals with proven fertility were selected, the spermatozoa were collected, and the protein was extracted. Subsequently, the proteins were separated and analysed by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry; the proteins were then identified with the SwissProt database. A total of 31 proteins involved in reproduction were identified, including binding proteins on spermatozoa for fusion with the egg, acrosomal membrane proteins, metabolic enzymes, heat shock proteins, cytoskeletal proteins and spermatozoa motility proteins. The characterization of such proteins clarifies the molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis and the modifications that ensure the success of fertilization

Sustainable intensification using irrigation and N fertilization for pasture production in Tocantins, Brazil.

To verify the influence of irrigation in a pasture of Panicum maximum cv. Massai was carried out a field research testing rainfed and two irrigation depths (SO and 100% of evapotranspiration) and 300 kg ha-1 year-1 of N-urea, during one year at the periods Jun-Sep, Oct-Nov, Dec-Mar and Apr-May, in Tocantins state, Brazil

Identification of Eschweilenol C in derivative of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. and green synthesis of bioactive and biocompatible silver nanoparticles

A green synthetic route was developed to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aqueous solution for biological applications. Eschweilenol C, a compound derivative ellagic acid was identified as the main constituent of the aqueous fraction of the ethanolic extract of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. by NMR analysis. In the green synthesis, the ethanolic extract of T. fagifolia and its aqueous fraction were used to promote silver reduction and nanoparticle stabilization. The synthesized AgNPs presented a spherical or polygonal morphology shape by TEM analysis and AgNPs showed high levels of antioxidant and considerable antibacterial and antifungal activities. Synthesized nanoparticles presented significant antioxidant activity by sequestration of DPPH and ABTS radicals, in addition to iron reduction (FRAP assay) and measurement of antioxidant capacity in ORAC units, in addition, AgNP synthesized with the aqueous fraction also demonstrated antioxidant potential in microglial cells. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to growth inhibition by the nanoparticles, among which the AgNPs formed by the ethanolic extract was the most effective. The data obtained by AFM images suggested that AgNPs could lead to the lysis of bacteria and subsequent death. The antifungal assays showed high efficiency against yeasts and dermatophytes. This work represents the first description of antifungal activity by AgNPs against Fonsecaea pedrosoi, the etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis. In relation to biocompatibility, the AgNPs induced lower haemolysis than AgNO3.We thank Herbert Kogler and Reinhard Wimmer for the identification of Eschweilenol C. The NMR laboratory at Aalborg University is supported by the Obel Family, SparNord and Carlsberg foundations.The authors are grateful to Carla Eiras (LIMAV/CT/UFPI) and to FCT and EU for financial support through project UID/QUI/50006/2013– POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007265 from COMPETE and projectNORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000011 from COMPETE. Thanks to Andreia Pinto for help with the TEM measurements at Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM). This work was supported by the Histology and Comparative Pathology Laboratory of the IMMinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Diversity of ejaculated sperm proteins in Moxotó bucks (Capra hircus) evaluated by multiple extraction methods.

Abstract: This study aimed to develop protocols for the extraction of sperm proteins from Moxotó goats (Capra hircus) and to compare the resulting proteomic maps. The sperm proteins were isolated using an extraction buffer containing 7 M urea and 2 M thiourea, 20 mM DTT, and one of the following detergents: 1% or 4% CHAPS; 1% or 4% SDS; 1% or 4% Triton X-100; or a combination of CHAPS and SDS. The 1-DE and 2-DE profiles of the isolated proteins revealed that the various isolation methods were efficient. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the 1-DE and 2-DE profiles were observed. 2-DE maps indicated that the amount and diversity of proteins visualized depended on the detergent that was used. Furthermore, this work revealed that the combination of detergents increased the resolution of some spots and retained the characteristics of the individual detergents, depending on their concentrations

Assessment of the methodology for establishing the EU list of critical raw materials : background report

This report presents the results of work carried out by the Directorate General (DG) Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC), in close cooperation with Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW), in the context of the revision of the EC methodology that was used to identify the list of critical raw materials (CRMs) for the EU in 2011 and 2014 (EC 2011, 2014). As a background report, it complements the corresponding Guidelines Document, which contains the "ready-to-apply" methodology for updating the list of CRMs in 2017. This background report highlights the needs for updating the EC criticality methodology, the analysis and the proposals for improvement with related examples, discussion and justifications. However, a few initial remarks are necessary to clarify the context, the objectives of the revision and the approach. As the in-house scientific service of the EC, DG JRC was asked to provide scientific advice to DG GROW in order to assess the current methodology, identify aspects that have to be adapted to better address the needs and expectations of the list of CRMs and ultimately propose an improved and integrated methodology. This work was conducted closely in consultation with the adhoc working group on CRMs, who participated in regular discussions and provided informed expert feedback. The analysis and subsequent revision started from the assumption that the methodology used for the 2011 and 2014 CRMs lists proved to be reliable and robust and, therefore, the JRC mandate was focused on fine-tuning and/or targeted incremental methodological improvements. An in depth re-discussion of fundamentals of criticality assessment and/or major changes to the EC methodology were not within the scope of this work. High priority was given to ensure good comparability with the criticality exercises of 2011 and 2014. The existing methodology was therefore retained, except for specific aspects for which there were policy and/or stakeholder needs on the one hand, or strong scientific reasons for refinement of the methodology on the other. This was partially facilitated through intensive dialogue with DG GROW, the CRM adhoc working group, other key EU and extra-EU stakeholders

Sustainable intensification using irrigation and N fertilization for pasture production in Tocantins, Brazil.

Cattle raising is among the main Brazilian economic activities. Currently, there are 169 million hectares covered by tropical grasslands and 30% of this area is degraded. In the last 40 years, the area occupied by grasslands in Brazil increased only 17% while the meat production increased 114% and that fact was only possible due to national effort and investments on agricultural research, development and innovation. To verify the influence of irrigation in a pasture of Panicum maximum cv. Massai was carried out a field research testing rainfed and two irrigation depths (SO and 100% of evapotranspiration) and 300 kg ha-1 year-1 of N-urea, during one year at the periods Jun-Sep, Oct-Nov, Dec-Mar and Apr-May, in Tocantins state, Brazil. The parameters are one animal unit (AU) corresponding to 450 kg of liveweight, a daily dry matter intake of 11.25 kg. The accumulated dry matter (kg ha-1 day-1 ) obtained by the 100% depth was significantly higher than the others in almost all periods analyzed, and during Jun-Sep the treatment 50% depth showed no significant difference when compared to 100% depth suggesting seasonality probably related to low temperatures. The results revealed the potential to achieve a stocking rate of 6.44, 4.20 and 3.51 AU ha-1 year-1 with 100%, 50% depths and rainfed treatment, respectively. Despite promising results, further studies on physiology, phenology and economy must be done to confirm the feasibility of using irrigation for pasture production in Tocantins