QUALITY EVALUATION OF 'SUNBURST' CHERRIES HARVESTED AT DIFFERENT RIPENESS STAGES .

The sweet cherry ‘Sunburst’ is highly appreciated by consumers due to its organoleptic traits. Regional producers tend to harvest cherries sooner in order to increase their profits. With the aim of understanding the consequences of this we have tested the effect of different ripeness stages at the moment of harvesting on fruit quality. Quality parameters tested included external colour (L*, a*, b*), fruit texture, total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA). To evaluate nutritional quality total antioxidant activity was measured too. Once again, and in agreement with results obtained in previous studies, we conclude that there is no advantage in picking less ripe cherries

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT STORAGE CONDITIONS ON NUTRITIONAL AND QUALITY PARAMETERS OF 'SWEETHEART' CHERRY.

Abstract The sweet cherry ‘Sweetheart’, although having a short shelf life, is highly appreciated by consumers due to its organoleptic characteristics. Different storage methods were tested to study the maintenance of quality during a period of 27 days: 1) cold (air at 1°C and 95% relative humidity) (CC), 2) cold and polypropylene film bags (1°C and 95% relative humidity) (MA) and 3) cold and controlled atmosphere (1°C, 95% RH, 10% CO2 and 8% O2) (CA). Quality parameters tested included external colour (L*, a*, b*), total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA). To evaluate nutritional quality anthocyanins, total antioxidant activity, and total phenolics were measured. Results allow us to say that phenolic compounds were relatively stable and similar during storage in CC and MA. Cherries stored under CA conditions presented lowest concentrations of phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were inversely correlated with values of colour coordinates. Considering all the evaluations done during this work it is unquestionable that fruits stored in controlled atmosphere conditions had significantly different quality

Espetrometria de massa de razões isotópicas na determinação da origem geográfica de azeites de Portugal

O uso combinado de razões isotópicas de d13C, d2H e d18O com técnicas quimiométricas é uma ferramenta poderosa para estabelecer a origem geográfica de Azeites Virgem Extra (AVE). O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a correlação entre a composição isotópica e as principais variáveis relacionadas com a localização geográfica. Foram analisadas 38 amostras de AVE de 11 variedades provenientes de diversas localizações em 2 regiões de Portugal (Alentejo e Trás-os-Montes) com um analisador elementar acoplado a um espetrómetro de massa de razões isotópicas. A análise multivariada permitiu distinguir os azeites provenientes de regiões diferentes e quais as variáveis que mais influenciavam essa distribuição. O modelo apresentado mostra que os valores da composição isotópica foram suficientes para prever significativamente (P<0,05) a latitude, longitude, altitude, distância ao oceano, temperatura e precipitação. Este trabalho mostrou que a composição isotópica fornece informação não só relativamente à origem geográfica mas também às condições ambientais; ABSTRACT: Isotope ratio mass spectrometry for determination of the geographic origin of olive oils from Portugal The combined use of d13C, d2H and d18O isotopic ratios with chemometric techniques is a powerful tool to establish the geographical origin of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO). This work aims to establish the correlation between isotopic composition and the main variables related to geographic location. 38 EVOO samples from 11 varieties from different locations in 2 regions of Portugal (Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes) were analyzed using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Multivariate analysis allowed to distinguish the EVOO from different regions and which variables influence this distribution the most. The model presented shows that isotopic composition values were enough to significantly (P<0,05) predict the latitude, longitude, altitude, distance to ocean, temperature and rainfall. This study showed that the isotopic composition provides information not only regarding geographic origin, but also on the environmental conditions

Impact of malolactic fermentation on low molecular weight phenolic compounds

O artigo refere o impacto da fermentação maloláctica nos teores em compostos fenólicos, de baixo peso molecular, dos vinho

Modelação e previsão da taxa de inflação de Angola

Mestrado em Econometria Aplicada e PrevisãoO objectivo deste trabalho consiste em comparar os resultados obtidos da previsão das taxas de inflação mensal e homóloga de Angola, usando diferentes modelos (univariados e multivariados) e estratégias. Nos modelos univariados (ARIMA) adoptaram-se quatro estratégias em que a modelação e previsão foram realizadas sobre: os preços das 12 classes que compõem o IPC, na primeira; as variações mensal e homóloga dos preços das 12 classes que compõem o IPC, na segunda; o IPC, na terceira; as variações mensal e homóloga do IPC, na quarta. Nos modelos multivariados (VAR/VEC) utilizaram-se duas estratégias em que a modelação e previsão foram executadas sobre: o IPC, na primeira e as variações mensal e homóloga do IPC, na segunda. Em ambos os casos, foram incluídas variáveis endógenas (oferta de moeda e taxa de câmbio) e exógenas (preço do petróleo, taxa de juro e dummy sazonal) e criados cenários preditivos para a taxa de inflação de Angola. Com a análise realizada, conclui-se que os modelos ARIMA (estratégia 4) apresentaram melhor ajustamento para a previsão da taxa de inflação mensal, em comparação com a taxa de inflação homóloga cujos melhores resultados foram obtidos com os modelos VAR/VEC (estratégia 1)The main purpose of this document is to compare the predictions obtained on Angola's monthly and homologous (annual) inflation rate, using univariate and multivariate models and strategies. For the univariate models (ARIMA) four strategies were used in which modeling and forecasting were performed on: for the first one, 12 price classes that compose the CPI; for the second one, the monthly and annual price variations of the 12 CPI's classes; for the third one, the CPI; and for the fourth one, the monthly and annual CPI variations. For the multivariate models (VAR/VEC) two strategies were used in which modeling and forecasting were performed on:for the first one, the CPI; and for the second one monthly and annual CPI variations. Both cases included endogenous (money supply and exchange rate) and exogenous variables (oil prices, interest rate) and created predictive scenarios for Angola's inflation rate. As conclusion, ARIMA models (strategy 4) are better tailored to forecast the monthly inflation rate, while VAR/VEC models (strategy 1) gave better results in predicting the annual inflation rate

A intervenção do enfermeiro especialista em Enfermagem de Saúde Infantil e Pediátrica na promoção da segurança no transporte inter-hospitalar pediátrico

A Segurança é um elemento essencial na qualidade em saúde. Os cuidados de saúde de qualidade devem ser eficazes, seguros e centrados nas pessoas. O transporte inter-hospitalar surge da necessidade de proporcionar cuidados diferenciados numa determinada área ao doente ou para realizar exames não disponíveis no hospital de origem. O transporte de crianças deve ser realizado por equipas com formação específica em pediatria e planeado de forma a reduzir o risco de complicações. Com o objetivo de promover a segurança da criança no transporte inter-hospitalar, foi desenvolvido um projeto de intervenção em serviço, com base na metodologia de projeto, seguindo a Linha de Investigação “Segurança e Qualidade de Vida”. O relatório contempla uma reflexão sobre o percurso formativo ao longo do Curso de Mestrado e o desenvolvimento das competências comuns e específicas do Enfermeiro Especialista em Saúde Infantil e Pediátrica, bem como das competências de Mestre em Enfermagem

Down regulated lncRNA MEG3 eliminates mycobacteria in macrophages via autophagy

Small non-coding RNA play a major part in host response to bacterial agents. However, the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in this context remains unknown. LncRNA regulate gene expression by acting e.g. as transcriptional coactivators, RNA decoys or microRNA sponges. They control development, differentiation and cellular processes such as autophagy in disease conditions. Here, we provide an insight into the role of lncRNA in mycobacterial infections. Human macrophages were infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG and lncRNA expression was studied early post infection. For this purpose, lncRNA with known immune related functions were preselected and a lncRNA specific RT-qPCR protocol was established. In addition to expression- based prediction of lncRNA function, we assessed strategies for thorough normalisation of lncRNA. Arrayed quantification showed infection-dependent repression of several lncRNA including MEG3. Pathway analysis linked MEG3 to mTOR and PI3K-AKT signalling pointing to regulation of autophagy. Accordingly, IFN-γ induced autophagy in infected macrophages resulted in sustained MEG3 down regulation and lack of IFN-γ allowed for counter regulation of MEG3 by viable M. bovis BCG. Knockdown of MEG3 in macrophages resulted in induction of autophagy and enhanced eradication of intracellular M. bovis BCG

Synthesis and spectroscopic and structural characterization of three new 2-methyl-4-styrylquinolines formed using Friedlander reactions between (2-aminophenyl)chalcones and acetone

Funding for this research was provided by: Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Extensión of the Industrial University of Santander (grant No. 2680 to AP); Universidad de Jaén and the Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo (Junta de Andalucá, Spain) (award to JC).Three new 2-methyl-4-styryl­quinoline derivatives have been synthesized in high yields using Friedländer reactions between chalcones [1-(2-amino­phen­yl)-3-aryl­prop-2-en-1-ones] and acetone, and characterized using IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry, and by crystal structure analysis. In (E)-4-(4-fluoro­styr­yl)-2-methyl­quinoline, C18H14FN, (I), the mol­ecules are joined into cyclic centrosymmetric dimers by C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and these dimers are linked into sheets by π–π stacking inter­actions. The mol­ecules of (E)-2-methyl-4-[4-(tri­fluoro­meth­yl)styr­yl]quinoline, C19H14F3N, (II), are linked into cyclic centrosymmetric dimers by C—H⋯π hydrogen bonds and these dimers are linked into chains by a single π–π stacking inter­action. There are no significant hydrogen bonds in the structure of (E)-4-(2,6-di­chloro­styr­yl)-2-methyl­quinoline, C18H13Cl2N, (III), but mol­ecules related by translation along [010] form stacks with an inter­molecular spacing of only 3.8628 (2) Å. Comparisons are made with the structures of some related com­pounds.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Effect of storage on physical-chemical properties and phenolics of sweet cherry from São Julião region.

Effect of storage on physical-chemical properties and phenolics of sweet cherry from São Julião region. A.C. Agulheiro-Santos1, F. Vieira1, D. Gonzalez2, M. Lozano2, V. Palma1, A.E. Rato1 1Universidade de Évora. Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânica (ICAAM). 7000 Évora, Portugal. 2Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura (CICYTEX). Ctra. San Vicente. Finca Santa Engracia. 06071 Badajoz, Spain. Worldwide the consumption of fruit and vegetables is increasing due to the dietary guidelines recommended by nutritionist. Because of their high content on phenols, vitamins, mineral and antioxidants, berry fruits are consumed not only in fresh forms but also as processed and derivative products such as juices, yogurts, jellies and dried fruits. As a high consumed red fruit, sweet cherry has been the focus on some studies, mainly regarding bioactive compounds content. “Sweetheart” cherries from São Julião region (Alentejo, Portugal) from two different production campaigns were kept in different storage conditions in order to evaluate both the environmental and storage effect on some physical-chemical properties and phenolics. Cold conditions - Cold (1 ºC, 95% RH) and modified atmosphere - MA (1 ºC, 95% RH with micro-perforated bags of Pplus®, Sidlaw Packaging, Bristol, UK) were tested. In order to establish the appropriate storage conditions, individual phenolic acids and physical-chemical properties were analysed during two consecutive years. Results show a general decrease on phenolic compounds content between cherries from both years. It is also observed that MA conditions do not affect significantly both phenolics and physical-chemical parameters when compared with Cold conditions. Additionally, it is observed similar behaviour on Cold and MA sweet cherries regarding its pH, total soluble solids content (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and colour and individual phenols during storage time. Concluding, these results show, as expected, changes between cultivars which may be correlated with the environmental conditions on different years. Keywords: sweet cherry, postharvest, phenols, physical-chemical, storage conditions