Using a continuous improvement tool to improve workers' well-being and productivity - A case study in a piglet cutting workstation

Nowadays there is an increasing concern for well- being. However, workers continue to suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, which are one of the most widely recognized types of occupational disease. Meat cutters face higher risks of injury and musculoskeletal problems than most other occupational groups due to repetition, force, static posture, work organization, and lack of recovery time. The aim of this paper is to use a continuous improvement audit tool to analyze the current situation of a piglet cutting workstation and then identify measures to improve it, considering productivity and workers’ well-being.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Populational analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains from different appellations of origin and grape varieties by microsatellite analysis.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate populational relationships among Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from some of the Portuguese most important grapevine varieties in different appellations of origin, using polymorphic microsatellites. 
One hundred ninety two grape samples were collected during the 2006 and 2007 harvest season in the Vinho Verde (grape varieties: Arinto, Alvarinho, Avesso, Loureiro, Touriga Nacional) Bairrada (grape varieties: Arinto, Baga, Castelão Francês, Maria Gomes, Touriga Nacional) Alentejo (grape varieties, Aragonês, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional), Terras do Sado (grape variety Castelão) Bucelas (grape variety Arinto) and Estremadura (grape varieties: Arinto, Aragonês, Castelão, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional) appellations of origin. From the final stage of spontaneous fermentations, 2820 yeast isolates were obtained, mainly belonging to the species S. cerevisiae. An initial genetic screen, based on mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (mtDNA RFLP) and/or interdelta sequence analysis was followed by microsatellite analysis of strains with unique genetic profiles, using 10 highly polymorphic microsatellites. Our results showed that microsatellite analysis revealed a high resolution populational screen, showing that genetic differences and populational structures among S. cerevisiae populations derived from both “diagnostic” vineyard-, specific alleles and the accumulation of small allele-frequency differences across ten microsatellite loci. Heterozygosity was three to four times lower than the expected value, confirming the strong populational substructuring. The presented large-scale approach shows that each vineyard contains differentiated S. cerevisiae populations, showing the occurrence of specific native strains that can be associated with a terroir. 

Financially supported by the programs POCI 2010 (FEDER/FCT, POCTI/AGR/56102/2004) and AGRO (ENOSAFE, Nº 762).
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Quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus, bone densitometry and vertebral morphometry in men over the age of 60 years

Objetivos: Comparar a ultrassonometria do calcâneo com a densitometria óssea na avaliação de fraturas vertebrais morfométricas em homens acima de 60 anos. Sujeitos e métodos: Foram analisados 96 homens com mais de 60 anos por meio de densitometria óssea da coluna, fêmur e rádio, radiografia lateral da coluna torácica e lombar e ultrassonometria do calcâneo. Resultados: Cinquenta e um por cento dos homens apresentaram osteoporose e fraturas vertebrais. Foi observada correlação entre índice de stiffness e T-score da ultrassonometria e as densidades minerais ósseas (DMO) de todos os sítios. Quanto à presença de fraturas, identificou- se correlação com a DMO do rádio ultradistal e 33%. Por meio da curva ROC, observou-se acurácia da DMO do rádio UD na detecção de fraturas vertebrais. Conclusões: Nosso estudo mostrou correlação entre a ultrassonometria e a densitometria no diagnóstico de osteoporose em homens acima dos 60 anos. Também se identificou correlação entre fratura vertebral morfométrica e a DMO do rádio.Objectives: To compare calcaneal ultrasonometry and bone densitometry in the evaluation of morphometric vertebral fractures in men over 60 years of age. Subjects and methods: We studied 96 men over 60 years of age by means of bone densitometry of the spine, femur and radius, lateral radiograph of the thoracic and lumbar spine, and calcaneal ultrasonometry. Results: Fifty-one percent of men had osteoporosis and vertebral fractures. Correlation was found between ultrasonometry stiffness index, T-score and bone mineral density of the spine, femur and radius (p < 0.01). Regarding the presence of fractures, there was a correlation only with BMD of the ultradistal radius (UD) and radius 33%. ROC curve showed accuracy only of UD radius BMD in detecting vertebral fractures. Conclusions Our study showed a correlation between osteoporosis diagnosis by ultrasonometry and densitometry in men over 60 years. It also showed a correlation between morphometric vertebral fracture and bone mineral density of the forearm

Depressão materna e fatores de risco associados

This study aimed to analyze the frequency of postpartum depression and associated risk factors in a sample of mothers of infants born in a medium-sized city in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). The study was carried out in a School Hospital in which the infants underwent neonatal hearing screening, from March to May 2010. The study sample consisted of 183 infant-mother dyads. To collect data, an interview script was used on socioeconomic, demographic, obstetrical and psychosocial information and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The majority of the sample studied did not present evidence of postpartum depression (56.1%), and the risk factors associated with depression were low family income and no pregnancy planning. The precarious socioeconomic conditions of women and the non-planning of gestation were the factors that significantly influenced the onset of depression in the postpartum period in the sample studied.Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la frecuencia para la depresión posparto y los factores de riesgo asociados en una muestra de madres de bebés nacidos en ciudad de tamaño medio y alrededores de la región central de Rio Grande do Sul (RS). La investigación se realizó en el Hospital Escuela en el que los bebés realizaban una clasificación auditiva neonatal en el período de marzo a mayo de 2010. La muestra del estudio fue compuesta por 183 díades madres lactantes. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó un guión de entrevista sobre informaciones socioeconómicas, demográficas, obstétricas y psicosociales y la aplicación del Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI). La mayoría de la muestra estudiada no presentó indicios de depresión posparto (56,1%), siendo que los factores de riesgo asociados significativamente con la depresión fueron a la baja renta familiar y la no planificación del embarazo. Las precarias condiciones socioeconómicas de la mujer y la no planificación de la gestación fueron los factores que influenciaron significativamente en la aparición de la depresión en el período posparto en la muestra estudiada.Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a frequência para a depressão pós-parto e os fatores de risco associados em uma amostra de mães de bebês nascidos em cidade de porte médio e arredores da região central do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). A pesquisa foi realizada em Hospital Escola no qual os bebês realizavam triagem auditiva neonatal, no período de março a maio de 2010. A amostra do estudo foi composta por 183  díades mães- bebês. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado um roteiro de entrevista sobre informações socioeconômicas, demográficas, obstétricas e psicossociais e a aplicação do Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI). A maioria da amostra estudada não apresentou indícios de depressão pós-parto (56,1%), sendo que os fatores de risco associados significativamente com a depressão foram à baixa renda familiar e o não planejamento da gravidez. As precárias condições socioeconômicas da mulher e o não planejamento da gestação foram os fatores que influenciaram significativamente no aparecimento da depressão no período pós-parto na amostra estudada

Experiencia de maternidad e Indicadores de Riesgo Clínico para el Desarrollo Infantil (IRDIs)

O objetivo do presente artigo foi verificar as repercussões da experiência materna na interação mãe-filho, examinando suas implicações para o desenvolvimento da criança por meio dos IRDIs em uma amostra de mães de bebês nascidos em cidade de porte médio e arredores da região central do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). A amostra do estudo foi composta por díades mães - bebê (n=165) em Hospital Escola. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado um roteiro de entrevista para investigar informações socioeconômicas, demográficas, obstétricas, psicossociais e a experiência materna. Também foi utilizado os Indicadores Clínicos de Risco para o Desenvolvimento Infantil (IRDIs). Quando se avaliou a associação entre a ausência/presença de risco para os bebês (IRDIs) e a ausência/presença de alteração emocional materna, encontrou-se resultado significativo. Há maior proporção de bebês com risco quando a mãe apresenta alteração emocional no período pós-parto.The aim of this paper was to verify the repercussions of maternal experience on mother-child interaction by examining its implications for child development through IRDIs in a sample of mothers of babies born in a medium-sized city and the outskirts of central Rio. Grande do Sul (RS). The study sample consisted of mother - baby dyads (n = 165) in a teaching hospital. For data collection, an interview script was used to investigate socioeconomic, demographic, obstetric, psychosocial information and maternal experience. The Clinical Indicators of Risk for Child Development (IRDIs) were also used. When assessing the association between the absence / presence of risk for infants (IRDIs) and the absence / presence of maternal emotional alteration, a significant result was found. There is a higher proportion of babies at risk when the mother presents emotional alteration in the postpartum period.  El propósito de este trabajo fue verificar las repercusiones de la experiencia materna en la interacción madre-hijo mediante el examen de sus implicaciones para el desarrollo infantil a través de IRDI en una muestra de madres de bebés nacidos en una ciudad mediana y alrededores del centro de Río. Grande do Sul (RS). La muestra del estudio consistió en díadas madre - bebé (n = 165) en un hospital universitario. Para la recopilación de datos, se utilizó un guión de entrevista para investigar la información socioeconómica, demográfica, obstétrica, psicosocial y la experiencia materna. También se utilizaron los indicadores clínicos de riesgo para el desarrollo infantil (IRDI). Al evaluar la asociación entre la ausencia / presencia de riesgo para los lactantes (IRDI) y la ausencia / presencia de alteración emocional materna, se encontró un resultado significativo. Hay una mayor proporción de bebés en riesgo cuando la madre presenta alteración emocional en el período posparto

Spent yeast waste streams as a sustainable source of bioactive peptides for skin applications

Spent yeast waste streams are a byproduct obtained from fermentation process and have been shown to be a rich secondary source of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and peptides. The latter are of particular interest for skin care and cosmetics as they have been shown to be safe and hypoallergenic while simultaneously being able to exert various effects upon the epidermis modulating immune response and targeting skin metabolites, such as collagen production. As the potential of spent yeast’s peptides has been mainly explored for food-related applications, this work sought to understand if peptide fractions previously extracted from fermentation engineered spent yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) waste streams possess biological potential for skin-related applications. To that end, cytotoxic effects on HaCat and HDFa cells and whether they were capable of exerting a positive effect upon the production of skin metabolites relevant for skin health, such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, fibronectin and elastin, were evaluated. The results showed that the peptide fractions assayed were not cytotoxic up to the highest concentration tested (500 µg/mL) for both cell lines tested. Furthermore, all peptide fractions showed a capacity to modulate the various target metabolites production with an overall positive effect being observed for the four fractions over the six selected targets (pro-collagen IαI, hyaluronic acid, fibronectin, cytokeratin-14, elastin, and aquaporin-9). Concerning the evaluated fractions, the overall best performance (Gpep > 1 kDa) was of an average promotion of 41.25% over the six metabolites and two cell lines assessed at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. These results showed that the peptide fractions assayed in this work have potential for future applications in skin-related products at relatively low concentrations, thus providing an alternative solution for one of the fermentation industry’s waste streams and creating a novel and highly valuable bioactive ingredient with encompassing activity to be applied in future skin care formulations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efeito do teor de umidade sobre o pré-tratamento a vapor e a hidrólise enzimática do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar

The effect of moisture content in the steam treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse was evaluated. Steam treatment was perfomed at 195-210 ºC for 4-8 min using cane bagasse with moisture contents in the range 16-100 wt% (dry basis). Increased moisture contents not only had a positive influence in recovery of main cane biomass components but also resulted in better substrates for enzymatic hydrolysis. As a result, drying is not required for optimal pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse, which can be processed into second generation ethanol immediately after crushing and hot water washing

Sistema de Informação e Cidadania: a Falta de Usabilidade Continua Impedindo o Pleno Exercício da Democracia?

A Internet possui um papel importante na sociedade do conhecimento, principalmente no que se refere à popularização da informação, atuando como vetor importante no processo democrático social. Os candidatos políticos têm na Internet um espaço abrangente e globalizado para disseminar suas campanhas. Nesta pesquisa avaliam-se os sites de candidatos políticos nas eleições de 2008 em Belo Horizonte e percebe-se a falta de usabilidade desses sites, dificultando o acesso às informações relevantes e ao exercício da cidadania no processo decisório eleitoral

Stress conditions in the host induce persister cells and influence biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A

INTRODUCTION: Studies have demonstrated that pathogens react to the harsh conditions in human tissues by inducing mechanisms that promote survival. METHODS: Persistence and biofilm-forming ability were evaluated during stress conditions that mimic those in the host. RESULTS: Carbon-source availability had a positive effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A adhesion during hypoxia, accompanied by a decrease in pH. In contrast, iron limitation led to decreased surface-adherent biomass, accompanied by an increase medium acidification and lactate levels. Interestingly, iron starvation and hypoxia induced persister cells in planktonic culture. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the role of host stress in the virulence of S. epidermidis

Identification of new targets of S-nitrosylation in neural stem cells by thiol redox proteomics

Nitric oxide (NO) is well established as a regulator of neurogenesis. NO increases the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC), and is essential for hippocampal injury-induced neurogenesis following an excitotoxic lesion. One of the mechanisms underlying non-classical NO cell signaling is protein S-nitrosylation. This post-translational modification consists in the formation of a nitrosothiol group (R-SNO) in cysteine residues, which can promote formation of other oxidative modifications in those cysteine residues. S-nitrosylation can regulate many physiological processes, including neuronal plasticity and neurogenesis. In this work, we aimed to identify S-nitrosylation targets of NO that could participate in neurogenesis. In NSC, we identified a group of proteins oxidatively modified using complementary techniques of thiol redox proteomics. S-nitrosylation of some of these proteins was confirmed and validated in a seizure mouse model of hippocampal injury and in cultured hippocampal stem cells. The identified S-nitrosylated proteins are involved in the ERK/MAPK pathway and may be important targets of NO to enhance the proliferation of NSC.PTDC/QUI-QFI/29319/2017; UID/BIM/04773/2019info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio