Valorização do bagaço de uva: avaliação da potencialidade de produção de Biogás

O bagaço de uva, um dos subprodutos do processamento de vinho, tem sido considerado uma mais-valia em muitas aplicações biotecnológicas. O presente estudo tem por objectivo investigar a biodegradação do bagaço de uva (GP) sob regime anaeróbio mesófilo, na presença de co-substratos solúveis (glucose ou acetato). O seu potencial de produção de biogás foi também avaliado, para diferentes granulometrias. Testes de actividade metanogénica específica (SMA) foram efectuados com dois tipos de inóculo diferentes e medida em dois pontos da curva cumulativa de biogás, quando a variação da pressão com o tempo alcançou um valor máximo, primeiro no início da reacção (SMA I) e depois de um patamar, quando uma nova fase de crescimento não linear foi observada (SMA II). Obtiveram-se em geral valores mais elevados de SMA I para populações mesofílicas incubadas com GP para um tamanho de partícula, Ф, de 0,40mm e 0,5 g de massa (entre 0,053 ± 0,001 e 0,074 ± 0,011 L biogás / gSSV·d). A presença de um co-substrato parece aumentar os valores de SMA I para 0,091 ± 0,010 L biogás / gSSV·d. Os valores de SMA II foram em geral mais elevados dos que os obtidos para SMA I (para um Ф de 0,40mm e 0,5 g e glucose SMA II foi de 0,319 L biogás / gSSV·d) indicando um aumento da actividade metabólica nesta etapa da reacção. Os resultados da degradação anaeróbia do bagaço foram também seguidos por quantificação do potencial de produção de biogás, CQO, TOC, proteína, lignina polimérica precipitável em meio ácido (APPL), lignina solúvel residual e fenóis. Os valores mais elevados para a produção média de biogás foram obtidos para o bagaço com Ф de 0,40mm e 1 g suplementado com glucose (106,8 mL biogas/g SSV·d). Dependendo da granulometria do bagaço, da massa, da adição de co-substrato ou do tipo de inóculo, a APPL no licor residual está presente em maior ou menor quantidade (entre 0,107 ± 0,084 e 1,311 ± 0,549 g/L). O teor de fenol no licor residual foi também mais baixo para o inóculo mesófilas II (variou entre 1,5 e 82,5 mg GAE/L) do que para o mesófilas I (variou entre 17 ± 9 e 350 ± 4 mg GAE/L).Grape pomace, a by-product of the wine industry, has been shown to be an useful product for many biotechnological applications. This study aims to investigate the anaerobic biodegradation of grape pomace (GP) under anaerobic mesophilic regime, in the presence of a soluble co-substrate (glucose or acetate). The potential of biogas production was also evaluated for several GP granulometries. Specific methanogenic activity (SMA) tests were performed with two different inocula and measured in two points of the cumulative biogas curve, when the variation of the pressure along the time reached a maximum value, first in the beginning of the reaction (SMA I) and then after a plateau, when a new non-linear grow-phase was observed (SMA II). Higher values of SMA I were in general attained for mesophilic populations incubated with GP and particle size, Ф, of 0,40mm and 0,5 g (ranging from 0,053 ± 0,001 to 0,074 ± 0,011 Lbiogas / gSSV·d). The presence of a co-substrate seems to enhance these SMA I results for 0,091 ± 0,010 Lbiogas / gSSV·d. SMA II values were in general higher than those obtained for SMA I (for Ф of 0,40mm and 0,5 g and glucose SMA II was of 0,319 Lbiogas / gSSV.d) indicating an enhancing of the metabolic activity at that at this step of the reaction. Results for anaerobic biodegradation of GP were also followed by quantification of potential biogas production, COD, TOC, protein, acid precipitable polymeric lignin (APPL), residual soluble lignin and phenols. The highest values for the average biogas production was achieved for GP with a Ф of 0,40mm and 1 g supplemented with glucose (106,8 mL biogas/g SSV·d). Depending on the granulometry of GP, the mass, the addition of a co-substrate or the type of inoculum, APPL in the residual liqueur is present in bigger or smaller amounts (ranged from 0,107 ± 0,084 and 1,311 ± 0,549 g/L). The residual phenol content was also lower for inoculum mesophils II (ranged from 1,5 to 82,5 mg GAE/L) than for mesophils I (ranged from 17 ± 9 to 350 ± 4 mg GAE/L)

A intenção empreendedora: nos alunos da Universidade da Beira Interior

O empreendedorismo tem vindo a ser considerado como um dinamizador da economia através do indivíduo empreendedor com características únicas. Como as empresas familiares são muito importantes para a economia é necessário verificar a existência de futuros empreendedores no seio familiar. Foram feitos inquéritos na Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI) com o objectivo principal de identificar a intenção empreendedora dos filhos que pertencem a empresas familiares. Os dados obtidos foram analisados com o SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Os resultados principais deste trabalho foram que grande parte dos inquiridos não demonstram intenção empreendedora e que os filhos que pertencem a empresas familiares apresentam os mesmos resultados que os outros.Entrepreneurship has been considered as a potential savior of the economy through entrepreneurial individual with unique characteristics. A family business is very important to the economy and because of that is necessary to check for future entrepreneurs in the family. Surveys were done at the University of Beira Interior (UBI) with the main objective of identifying entrepreneurial intention of children belonging to family businesses. Data were analyzed with SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). The main results of this study were that most surveyed didn’t manifest entrepreneurial intention and the children belonging to family businesses have the same results as the others surveyed

TERT promoter mutations in pancreatic endocrine tumours are rare and mainly found in tumours from patients with hereditary syndromes

One of the hallmarks of cancer is its unlimited replicative potential that needs a compensatory mechanism for the consequential telomere erosion. Telomerase promoter (TERTp) mutations were recently reported as a novel mechanism for telomerase re-activation/expression in order to maintain telomere length. Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) were so far recognized to rely mainly on the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. It was our objective to study if TERTp mutations were present in pancreatic endocrine tumors (PET) and could represent an alternative mechanism to ALT. TERTp mutations were detected in 7% of the cases studied and were mainly associated to patients harbouring hereditary syndromes. In vitro, using PET-derived cell lines and by luciferase reporter assay, these mutations confer a 2 to 4-fold increase in telomerase transcription activity. These novel alterations are able to recruit ETS transcription factor members, in particular GABP-α and ETV1, to the newly generated binding sites. We report for the first time TERTp mutations in PETs and PET-derived cell lines. Additionally, our data indicate that these mutations serve as an alternative mechanism and in an exclusive manner to ALT, in particular in patients with hereditary syndromes.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia; Norte 2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte project: (“Advancing cancer research: from basic knowledgment to application” - grant: NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000029); Associate Laboratory of the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education: (I3S)

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND Regular, detailed reporting on population health by underlying cause of death is fundamental for public health decision making. Cause-specific estimates of mortality and the subsequent effects on life expectancy worldwide are valuable metrics to gauge progress in reducing mortality rates. These estimates are particularly important following large-scale mortality spikes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When systematically analysed, mortality rates and life expectancy allow comparisons of the consequences of causes of death globally and over time, providing a nuanced understanding of the effect of these causes on global populations. METHODS The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 cause-of-death analysis estimated mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) from 288 causes of death by age-sex-location-year in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations for each year from 1990 until 2021. The analysis used 56 604 data sources, including data from vital registration and verbal autopsy as well as surveys, censuses, surveillance systems, and cancer registries, among others. As with previous GBD rounds, cause-specific death rates for most causes were estimated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model-a modelling tool developed for GBD to assess the out-of-sample predictive validity of different statistical models and covariate permutations and combine those results to produce cause-specific mortality estimates-with alternative strategies adapted to model causes with insufficient data, substantial changes in reporting over the study period, or unusual epidemiology. YLLs were computed as the product of the number of deaths for each cause-age-sex-location-year and the standard life expectancy at each age. As part of the modelling process, uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated using the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles from a 1000-draw distribution for each metric. We decomposed life expectancy by cause of death, location, and year to show cause-specific effects on life expectancy from 1990 to 2021. We also used the coefficient of variation and the fraction of population affected by 90% of deaths to highlight concentrations of mortality. Findings are reported in counts and age-standardised rates. Methodological improvements for cause-of-death estimates in GBD 2021 include the expansion of under-5-years age group to include four new age groups, enhanced methods to account for stochastic variation of sparse data, and the inclusion of COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality-which includes excess mortality associated with the pandemic, excluding COVID-19, lower respiratory infections, measles, malaria, and pertussis. For this analysis, 199 new country-years of vital registration cause-of-death data, 5 country-years of surveillance data, 21 country-years of verbal autopsy data, and 94 country-years of other data types were added to those used in previous GBD rounds. FINDINGS The leading causes of age-standardised deaths globally were the same in 2019 as they were in 1990; in descending order, these were, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lower respiratory infections. In 2021, however, COVID-19 replaced stroke as the second-leading age-standardised cause of death, with 94·0 deaths (95% UI 89·2-100·0) per 100 000 population. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the rankings of the leading five causes, lowering stroke to the third-leading and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to the fourth-leading position. In 2021, the highest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa (271·0 deaths [250·1-290·7] per 100 000 population) and Latin America and the Caribbean (195·4 deaths [182·1-211·4] per 100 000 population). The lowest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 were in the high-income super-region (48·1 deaths [47·4-48·8] per 100 000 population) and southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (23·2 deaths [16·3-37·2] per 100 000 population). Globally, life expectancy steadily improved between 1990 and 2019 for 18 of the 22 investigated causes. Decomposition of global and regional life expectancy showed the positive effect that reductions in deaths from enteric infections, lower respiratory infections, stroke, and neonatal deaths, among others have contributed to improved survival over the study period. However, a net reduction of 1·6 years occurred in global life expectancy between 2019 and 2021, primarily due to increased death rates from COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality. Life expectancy was highly variable between super-regions over the study period, with southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania gaining 8·3 years (6·7-9·9) overall, while having the smallest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 (0·4 years). The largest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (3·6 years). Additionally, 53 of the 288 causes of death were highly concentrated in locations with less than 50% of the global population as of 2021, and these causes of death became progressively more concentrated since 1990, when only 44 causes showed this pattern. The concentration phenomenon is discussed heuristically with respect to enteric and lower respiratory infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, and measles. INTERPRETATION Long-standing gains in life expectancy and reductions in many of the leading causes of death have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adverse effects of which were spread unevenly among populations. Despite the pandemic, there has been continued progress in combatting several notable causes of death, leading to improved global life expectancy over the study period. Each of the seven GBD super-regions showed an overall improvement from 1990 and 2021, obscuring the negative effect in the years of the pandemic. Additionally, our findings regarding regional variation in causes of death driving increases in life expectancy hold clear policy utility. Analyses of shifting mortality trends reveal that several causes, once widespread globally, are now increasingly concentrated geographically. These changes in mortality concentration, alongside further investigation of changing risks, interventions, and relevant policy, present an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of mortality-reduction strategies. Examining patterns in mortality concentration might reveal areas where successful public health interventions have been implemented. Translating these successes to locations where certain causes of death remain entrenched can inform policies that work to improve life expectancy for people everywhere. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

In Vitro Characterization of Reversine-Treated Gingival Fibroblasts and Their Safety Evaluation after In Vivo Transplantation

Reversine is a purine derivative that has been investigated with regard to its biological effects, such as its anticancer properties and, mostly, its ability to induce the dedifferentiation of adult cells, increasing their plasticity. The obtained dedifferentiated cells have a high potential for use in regenerative procedures, such as regenerative dentistry (RD). Instead of replacing the lost or damaged oral tissues with synthetic materials, RD uses stem cells combined with matrices and an appropriate microenvironment to achieve tissue regeneration. However, the currently available stem cell sources present limitations, thus restricting the potential of RD. Based on this problem, new sources of stem cells are fundamental. This work aims to characterize mouse gingival fibroblasts (GFs) after dedifferentiation with reversine. Different administration protocols were tested, and the cells obtained were evaluated regarding their cell metabolism, protein and DNA contents, cell cycle changes, morphology, cell death, genotoxicity, and acquisition of stem cell characteristics. Additionally, their teratoma potential was evaluated after in vivo transplantation. Reversine caused toxicity at higher concentrations, with decreased cell metabolic activity and protein content. The cells obtained displayed polyploidy, a cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and showed an enlarged size. Additionally, apoptosis and genotoxicity were found at higher reversine concentrations. A subpopulation of the GFs possessed stem properties, as supported by the increased expression of CD90, CD105, and TERT, the existence of a CD106+ population, and their trilineage differentiation capacity. The dedifferentiated cells did not induce teratoma formation. The extensive characterization performed shows that significant functional, morphological, and genetic changes occur during the dedifferentiation process. The dedifferentiated cells have some stem-like characteristics, which are of interest for RD

Supplemental Material - Implementation of an Integrated Lung Cancer Prevention and Screening Program Using a Mobile Computed Tomography (CT) Unit in Brazil

Supplemental Material for Implementation of an Integrated Lung Cancer Prevention and Screening Program Using a Mobile Computed Tomography (CT) Unit in Brazil by Rodrigo Sampaio Chiarantano, Fabiana Lima Vazquez, Alexander Franco, Larissa Cristina Ferreira, Maraísa Cristina da Costa, Thais Talarico, Ângela Neves Oliveira, José Elias Miziara, Edmundo Carvalho Mauad, Eduardo Caetano da Silva, Luis Marcelo Ventur, Raphael Haikel Junior, Letícia Ferro Leal, and Rui Manuel Reis in Cancer Control</p

O inventário nacional do património geológico : abordagem metodológica e resultados = The national inventory of geological heritage : methodological approach and results

A existência de um inventário nacional de património geológico é fundamental para se poderem implementar estratégias de geoconservação. Este trabalho apresenta a metodologia usada no desenvolvimento do mais completo inventário de geossítios. realizado até ao momento em Portugal, assim como os principais resultados obtidos. O inventário vai integrar o Sistema de Informação do Património Natural e o Cadastro Nacional dos Valores Naturais Classificados, ambos geridos pelo Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e da Biodiversidade