Olive pomace pretreatments to enhance its valorisation by solid-state fermentation

Dissertação de mestrado em BioengenhariaOlive oil is an important component of the Mediterranean diet and its extraction is one of the dominant economic activity in the southern Europe regions. As a result of the processes of extraction, the oil industry generates large amounts of wastes in a short period of time, and these are becoming an increasing problem of environmental pollution. The two-phase system is a recent process that allows the production of olive oil with economic and environmental benefits and produces a semi-solid waste, termed two-phase olive mill waste or olive pomace. The crude olive pomace, COP is less effective in production of enzymes that exhausted olive pomace, EOP (COP after drying and residual oil extraction). In this study, it was used the EOP as solid substrate to produce xylanases and cellulases by A. niger which was selected from fungi screening. To improve the enzyme production was evaluated the effect of pre-treatment of olive pomace by ultrasound. The results showed that the sonication led to a 3-fold increase of xylanase activity and a decrease of cellulase activity, indicating that ultrasounds treatment attacked the integrity of lignocellulosic material and increased the accessibility of hemicelluloses which induced the xylanases production by fungi. Other pretreatments were also tested such as, acid hydrolysis with diluted acid or ultrasound combined with acid hydrolysis, but did not increase the activities of enzymes. The study leads to the conclusion that the sugars which are released to the filtrate during the ultrasound pretreatment are very important for the enzymes production and the supplemented nutrients during the SSF process are essential for the growth of fungi. The fermentation time was another factor of great importance in the profile of the enzymes produced by SFF as short fermentation times favour the xylanases production by SSF and longer fermentation times favour cellulases production.O azeite é um componente importante da dieta mediterrânea e a sua extração é uma das atividades económicas dominante nas regiões do sul da Europa. Como resultado dos processos de extração, a indústria do azeite gera grandes quantidades de resíduos num curto período de tempo, tornando-se num problema crescente de poluição ambiental. O sistema de duas fases é um processo recente que permite a produção de azeite com benefícios económicos e ambientais que gera um resíduo semi-sólido. O bagaço de azeitona húmido, COP é menos eficaz na produção de enzimas do que o bagaço de azeitona esgotado, EOP (COP após secagem e extração do azeite residual). Neste estudo, foi utilizado o EOP como substrato sólido para a produção de xilanases e celulases por A. niger. Para melhorar a produção de enzimas foi avaliado o efeito de um prétratamento do bagaço de azeitona por ultrassons. Os resultados mostraram que a sonicação levou a um aumento de 3 vezes da atividade das xilanases e uma diminuição da atividade das celulases, indicando que o tratamento por ultrassons atacou a integridade do material lignocelulósico aumentando a acessibilidade às hemiceluloses, o que induziu a produção de xilanases por fungos. Foram ainda avaliados outros pré-tratamentos, tais como a hidrólise ácida com ácido diluído ou ultrassons combinado com hidrólise ácida mas não aumentaram as atividades das enzimas produzidas. O trabalho permitiu concluir que, os açúcares que são libertados no meio reacional durante o pré-tratamento de ultrassons são muito importantes para a produção de enzimas e que os nutrientes suplementados durante o processo de SSF são essenciais ao crescimento de fungos. O tempo de fermentação foi outro fator com grande importância no perfil de enzimas produzidas por SFF já que tempos de fermentação curtos favorecem a produção de xilanases por SSF e tempos de fermentação maiores favoreceram a produção de celulases

STATs in lung development: distinct early and late expression, growth modulation and signaling dysregulation in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a life-threatening developmental anomaly, intrinsically combining severe pulmonary hypoplasia and hypertension. During development, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are utilized to elicit cell growth, differentiation, and survival.Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a life-threatening developmental anomaly, intrinsically combining severe pulmonary hypoplasia and hypertension. During development, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are utilized to elicit cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Methods: We used the nitrofen-induced CDH rat model. At selected gestational time points, lungs were divided into two experimental groups, i.e., control or CDH. We performed immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis to investigate the developmental expression profile of the complete family of STATs (STAT1-6), plus specific STATs activation (p-STAT3, p-STAT6) and regulation by SOCS (SOCS3) in normal lungs against those of diseased lungs. The normal fetal lung explants were treated with piceatannol (STAT3 inhibitor) in vitro followed by morphometrical analysis. Results: Molecular profiling of STATs during the lung development revealed distinct early and late expression signatures. Experimental CDH altered the STATs expression, activation, and regulation in the fetal lungs. In particular, STAT3 and STAT6 were persistently over-expressed and early over-activated. Piceatannol treatment dose-dependently stimulated the fetal lung growth. Conclusion: These findings suggest that STATs play an important role during normal fetal lung development and CDH pathogenesis. Moreover, functionally targeting STAT signaling modulates fetal lung growth, which highlights that STAT3 and STAT6 signaling might be promising therapeutic targets in reducing or preventing pulmonary hypoplasia in CDH.Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020) - NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The teacher's understanding about their ability in nursing teaching

Como docentes da disciplina Administração aplicada à Enfermagem, há muito vem nos inquietando as múltiplas variáveis do processo educativo que afetam tanto o professor quanto o aluno, como interesses, atitudes, formas de pensar e agir, valores, expectativas, experiências anteriores, entre outros.Essas inquietações levam-nos a repensar a forma de vivenciar a prática educacional, refletindo sobre a capacitação docente. Para tanto propomo-nos a desvelar, neste estudo, as percepções dos docentes universitários no referente à própria. capacitação para o ensino de enfermagem, objetivando conhecer uma parcela dessa realidade no meio acadêmico. Para tanto foi adotada uma metodologia qualitativa que permitesse a, análise compreensiva dos discursos de docentes que atuam em uma instituição pública de ensino superior, na cidade de São Paulo. De acordo com a metodologia proposta foram resgatadas quatro unidades de significado que permitiram a. formulação dos seguintes temas emergentes: Percepção dos docentes quanto à capacitação técnica: Percepção dos docentes quanto à capacitação teórico-científica; Percepcão dos docentes quanto à capacitação pedagógica e Considerações dos docentes quanto à identificação com o ensino.O estudo possibilitou o desvelamento de relevantes facetas, a respeito da capacitação do docente, resgatando-a como resultante de um processo complexo e contínuo de preparo técnico, teórico e pedagógico, influenciado por fatores, psicológicos, sociais, éticos, econômicos, politicos e históricos. Pudemos resgatar ainda que as reflexões dos docentes a respeito da realidade de ensino, na sua totalidade, favoreceram a tomada de consciência e interferiram, positivamente, na sua formação crítica e foi resgatada a necessidade das escolas criarem, Centros de Formação e Atualização de professores, estabelecendo políticas de ação educacional renovadoras e de recursos humanos compatíveis com as transformações sociais.Teaching Administration Nursing Service we've been worried about several variables of the instructive process that affect the teachers and the students, as advantage, attitudes, thinking and acting manner, values, expectations, previous experiences, among some. These uneasiness take us to check the educational practice experience, considering the teaching's ability. In this study, we intend to reveal the teacher's understanding about the ability to teach nursing throw the education's reality recognition. So, we adopted a quality methodology that allow us a comprehensive analysis of the teaching's speech at a Public University in São Paulo city. According to the methodology it was possible to get back four meaning unities that allowed us to prescribe the emerging subjects; teaching's understanding about technical ability, teaching's understanding about scientific-theretical ability, teaching's understanding about pedagogical ability and the teaching identity. This study permitted us to reveal some points considered outstanding about the teacher's ability, getting it back as the result in a complex and continuous process of technical, theoretical and pedagogical training. contained in a. several factors, psycological, social, ethical, economical, political and historical. We still understanding that the teacher's reflections about the teaching reality, in its totality, favouring the awareness and interfering positivly in thei" criticism. formation. Finally there 'is a necessity to set up schools formation and up-dating centers and establish human political resources compatible with a renewed political of na educational action

Anxiolytic-like effects of acute and chronic treatment with Achillea millefolium L. extract

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevanceAchillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae), known as yarrow (“mil folhas”), has been used as folk medicine for gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia.AimTo evaluate the potential anxiolytic-like effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L. in animal models.MethodsThe present study evaluated the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from the aerial parts of Achillea millefolium L. in mice subjected to the elevated plus-maze, marble-burying, and open-field tests. Additionally, the GABAA/benzodiazepine (BDZ) mediation of the effects of Achillea millefolium was evaluated by pretreatment with the noncompetitive GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxin and the BDZ antagonist flumazenil and by [3H]-flunitrazepam binding to the BDZ site on the GABAA receptor.ResultsAchillea millefolium exerted anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus-maze and marble-burying test after acute and chronic (25 days) administration at doses that did not alter locomotor activity. This behavioral profile was similar to diazepam. The effects of Achillea millefolium in the elevated plus-maze were not altered by picrotoxin pretreatment but were partially blocked by flumazenil. Furthermore, Achillea millefolium did not induce any changes in [3H]-flunitrazepam binding.ConclusionThe results indicate that the orally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L. exerted anxiolytic-like effects that likely were not mediated by GABAA/BDZ neurotransmission and did not present tolerance after short-term, repeated administration

Caracterização de clones de eucalipto sujeitos a danos provocados pelo vento

Eucalyptus wood is the main source of raw material for pulp production in South America, but obstacles, such as damage by winds, can reduce its productivity. This work aimed to test a new methodology to assess the resistance of trees to wind damage and determine the characteristics that increase clone resistance to winds. Tree resistance to breakage, basic density, ultrastructure, anatomy, mechanical properties and growth stress of wood have been evaluated in seven Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla clones, collected from a region with a high incidence of wind damage. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the tree resistance to breakage and the ratio between the area damaged by the winds and the total area planted was -0.839, showing the efficiency of the methodology adopted. Trees with a high basic density, cell wall fraction, modulus of elasticity of the middle lamella and fibers, fiber hardness, modulus of rupture, growth stress and low microfibril angle and height and width of the rays showed greater resistance to wind damage. Therefore, the selection of clones with these features may reduce the incidence of damage by winds in Eucalyptus plantations.O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar uma nova metodologia para avaliar a resistência das árvores aos danos causados pelos ventos e determinar as características que aumentam a resistência dos clones a estes danos. A resistência das árvores à ruptura e a tensão de crescimento, assim como a densidade básica, ultraestrutura, anatomia e propriedades mecânicas da madeira foram avaliadas em sete clones de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla, recolhidos de uma região com uma alta incidência de danos provocados pelo vento. O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson entre a resistência à ruptura da árvore e a relação entre a área danificada pelos ventos e a área total plantada foi -0,839, mostrando a eficiência da metodologia adotada e que alta resistência à quebra resulta em baixa área afetada por danos pelos ventos. Árvores com uma alta densidade básica, fração da parede celular, módulo de elasticidade da lamela média e fibras, dureza da fibra, módulo de ruptura, tensão de crescimento e baixo ângulo microfibrilar e altura e largura dos raios apresentaram maior resistência a danos causados pelo vento. Portanto, a seleção de clones com estas características pode reduzir a incidência de danos causados por ventos em plantações de eucalipto

Ultrasounds pretreatment of olive pomace to improve xylanase and cellulase production by solid-state fermentation

Abstract Olive mills generate a large amount of waste that can be revaluated. This work aim to improve the production lignocellulolytic enzymes by solid-state fermentation using ultrasounds pretreated olive mill wastes. The composition of olive mill wastes (crude and exhausted olive pomace) was compared and several physicochemical characteristics were significantly different. The use of both wastes in SSF was evaluated and a screening of fungi for xylanase and cellulase production was carried out. After screening, the use of exhausted olive pomace and A. niger led to the highest enzyme activities, so that they were used in the study of ultrasounds pre-treatment. The results showed that the sonication led to a 3-fold increase of xylanase activity and a decrease of cellulase activity. Moreover, the liquid fraction obtained from ultrasounds treatment was used to adjust the moisture of solid and a positive effect of xylanase (3.6-fold increase) and cellulase (1.2-fold increase) production was obtained.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684). This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462). José Manuel Salgado was supported by the grant SFRH/BPD/84440/2012 from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia – FCT, Portugal

Utilização de ferramentas computacionais por idosos de um centro de referência e cidadania do idoso

The objective of this exploratory, descriptive study was to identify the use of computer tools by a group of elderly users of a Center of Reference and Citizenship for the Elderly in the city of São Paulo. Among the 55 subjects, it was found that 33 (60.0%) have a computer at home, 42 (76.4%) referred having taken a computer course; 22 (58.2%) have been using the computer for less than two years, and 40 (85.5%)use the tool for up to two hours a day. The most used communication tools were: e-mails by (41; 75.0%), instant messaging (25; 45.0%), dating websites (17; 31.0%). The reported purposes for using technology tools were: to update and obtain information, for research, for fun, and to talk to relatives and friends. In conclusion, nurses should be aware of this technological profile that is being outlined among the elderly population and search for ways to include computer tools in the care provided to this group.Estudio exploratorio, descriptivo, que objetivó identificar el uso de herramientas informáticas por grupo de ancianos de un Centro de Referencia y Ciudadanía de la Tercera Edad del municipio de São Paulo. Entre los 55 investigados, se determinó que 33 (60%) poseen computador en casa; 42 (76,4%) ancianos refirieron haber realizado cursos de computación; 22 (58,2%) usan computadoras desde hace menos de dos años y 40 (85,5%) ancianos usan la herramienta por hasta dos horas diarias. Las herramientas de comunicación más utilizadas fueron: correo electrónico (41 sujetos, 75,0%), comunicadores instantáneos (25 sujetos, 45,0%), redes sociales (17 sujetos, 31%). Las finalidades del uso de tecnologías fueron actualización e información, investigaciones, recreación y comunicación con parientes y amigos. Se concluye en que el enfermero debe estar atento a este perfil tecnológico que atrae a la población mayor y buscar formas de insertar las herramientas informáticas para ayudar en la atención de este segmento.Este estudo exploratório descritivo teve como objetivo identificar o uso de ferramentas computacionais por um grupo de idosos de um Centro de Referência e Cidadania do Idoso do município de São Paulo. Entre as 55 pessoas pesquisadas, foi evidenciado que 33 (60,0%) possuem computador em casa, 42 (76,4%) idosos afirmaram ter realizado curso para utilizar o computador, 22 (58,2%) usam o computador há menos de dois anos e 40 (85,5%) idosos usam a ferramenta por até 2 horas por dia. As ferramentas de comunicação mais usadas foram 41 (75,0%) correios eletrônicos, 25 (45,0%) comunicadores instantâneos e 17 (31,0%) sites de relacionamento. As finalidades de uso das tecnologias foram atualização e informação, pesquisas, diversão e comunicação com parentes e amigos. Conclui-se que o enfermeiro deve estar atento a este perfil tecnológico que se desenha junto à população idosa e buscar formas de inserir as ferramentas computacionais para auxiliar na assistência a este grupo

Envejecimiento de la población

•Actividades básicas de la vida diaria en personas mayores y factores asociados •Asociación entre depresión y posesión de mascotas en personas mayores •Calidad de vida en adultos mayores de Santiago aplicando el instrumento WHOQOL-BREF •Calidad de vida en usuarios con enfermedad de Parkinson, demencia y sus cuidadores, comuna de Vitacura •Caracterización de egresos hospitalarios de adultos mayores en Puerto Natales (2007-2009) •Comportamiento de las patologías incluidas como GES para el adulto mayor atendido en un Cesfam •Contribución de vitaminas y minerales a las ingestas recomendadas diarias en ancianos institucionalizados de Madrid •Estado de salud oral del paciente inscrito en el Programa de Visita Domiciliaria •Evaluación del programa de discapacidad severa en Casablanca con la matriz de marco lógico •Factores asociados a satisfacción vital en una cohorte de adultos mayores de Santiago, Chile •Pauta instrumental para la identificación de riesgos para el adulto mayor autovalente, en su vivienda •Perfil farmacológico del paciente geriátrico institucionalizado y posibles consecuencias en el deterioro cognitivo •Programa de cuidados paliativos y alivio del dolor en Puerto Natales •Rehabilitación mandibular implantoprotésica: efecto en calidad de vida relacionada con salud bucal en adultos mayores •Salud bucodental en adultos mayores autovalentes de la Región de Valparaíso •Transición epidemiológica y el estudio de carga de enfermedad en Brasi

A ética do silêncio racial no contexto urbano: políticas públicas e desigualdade social no Recife, 1900-1940

Mais de meio século após o preconceito racial ter se tornado o principal alvo dos movimentos urbanos pelos direitos civis nos Estados Unidos e na África do Sul, e décadas depois do surgimento dos movimentos negros contemporâneos no Brasil, o conjunto de ferramentas legislativas criado no Brasil para promover o direito à cidade ainda adere à longa tradição brasileira de silêncio acerca da questão racial. Este artigo propõe iniciar uma exploração das raízes históricas desse fenômeno, remontando ao surgimento do silêncio sobre a questão racial na política urbana do Recife, Brasil, durante a primeira metade do século XX. O Recife foi eé um exemplo paradigmático do processo pelo qual uma cidade amplamente marcada por traços negros e africanos chegou a ser definida política e legalmente como um espaço pobre, subdesenvolvido e racialmente neutro, onde as desigualdades sociais originaram na exclusão capitalista, e não na escravidão e nas ideologias do racismo científico. Neste sentido, Recife lança luzes sobre a política urbana que se gerou sob a sombra do silêncio racial.More than half a century after racial prejudice became central to urban civil rights movements in the United States and South Africa, and decades after the emergence of Brazil’s contemporary Black movements, Brazil's internationally recognized body of rights-to-the-city legislation still adheres to the country's long historical tradition of racial silence. This article explores the historical roots of this phenomenon by focusing on the emergence of racial silence in Recife, Brazil during the first half of the 20th Century. Recife was and remains a paradigmatic example of the process through which a city marked by its Black and African roots came to be legally and politically defined as a poor, underdeveloped and racially neutral space, where social inequalities derived from capitalist exclusion rather than from slavery and scientific racism. As such, Recife'sexperience sheds light on the urban policies that were generated in the shadow of racial silence