Understanding pseudo-albinism in sole (Solea senegalensis): a transcriptomics and metagenomics approach

Pseudo-albinism is a pigmentation disorder observed in flatfish aquaculture with a complex, multi-factor aetiology. We tested the hypothesis that pigmentation abnormalities are an overt signal of more generalised modifications in tissue structure and function, using as a model the Senegalese sole and two important innate immune barriers, the skin and intestine, and their microbiomes. Stereological analyses in pseudo-albino sole revealed a significantly increased mucous cell number in skin (P < 0.001) and a significantly thicker muscle layer and lamina propria in gut (P < 0.001). RNA-seq transcriptome analysis of the skin and gut identified 573 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs, FDR < 0.05) between pseudo-albino and pigmented soles (one pool/tissue from 4 individuals/phenotype). DETs were mainly linked to pigment production, skin structure and regeneration and smooth muscle contraction. The microbiome (16 S rRNA analysis) was highly diverse in pigmented and pseudo-albino skin but in gut had low complexity and diverged between the two pigmentation phenotypes. Quantitative PCR revealed significantly lower loads of Mycoplasma (P < 0.05) and Vibrio bacteria (P < 0.01) in pseudo-albino compared to the control. The study revealed that pseudo-albinism in addition to pigmentation changes was associated with generalised changes in the skin and gut structure and a modification in the gut microbiome.Agência financiadora H2020 European Funds MSCA-RISE project 691102 Portuguese national funds from FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology UID/Multi/04326/2019 Portuguese national funds from the operational programme CRESC Algarve 2020 EMBRC. PT ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121 Portuguese national funds from the operational programme COMPETE 2020 EMBRC. PT ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121 European Union (EU) 654008 Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) SFRH/BPD/84033/2012 Portuguese Institute for Employment and Vocational Training 0068/ET/18info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of an online holistic standardized recipe: a design science approach

Concerns around healthy and sustainable food, particularly regarding the standardization of production, cost control, and revenue maximization, are issues challenging food and beverages researchers and professionals. There are some available models to create standardized recipes for food and beverages, but they are weak in holistic terms from the point of view of management and legally required information. The purpose of this study was to develop an artifact, an online holistic standardized recipe, to allow the management of information in terms of recipes, costs, allergens, sustainability, nutrition facts, and menu pricing strategies. The research approach was conducted using a design science research methodology developed in two cycles. The artifact was produced from a literature review conducted to define the design principles, and it was evaluated across exploratory focus group and field study phases. The primary outcome of this research was the development of an online holistic standardized recipe. The artifact was considered relevant and useful by the stakeholders participating in the exploratory focus group and field study. However, studying the edible portion and the average weight of the recipe ingredients is necessary for the artifact to become more robust. The paper provides new insights and practical guidelines for academics and professionals in the food and beverage industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Structural and longitudinal analysis of the knowledge base on spin-off research

Following the dynamism in spin-off research, in this study we conduct a structural and longitudinal bibliometric analysis of a sample of 812 articles on spin-offs published in 234 journals included in the ISI Web of Knowledge over a period of three decades. The analyses do not seek to establish a new conceptualization but rather to reveal the intellectual structure of the field and how it has evolved, and the profile of the knowledge network established in the three perspectives: corporate, academic and entrepreneurial spin-offs. The diversity involved in the three streams of spin-off research signals substantial differences. Theoretically, transaction costs, agency and the resource-based view have remained a foundation of spin-off research, albeit that research has been driven more by the phenomena than by developing the theory. The more traditional focus on corporate spin-offs was followed by emphasis on academic spin-offs and more recently on entrepreneurial spin-offs. This shift has been accompanied by a more business/management theoretical orientation, replacing a more financial and taxation-based perspective underlying corporate spin-offs. This study systematizes the existing stock of knowledge and raises avenues for additional inquiry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO 1 in vitro timekill kinetics using single phages and phage formulationsmodulating death, adaptation, and resistance

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is responsible for nosocomial and chronic infections in healthcare settings. The major challenge in treating P. aeruginosa-related diseases is its remarkable capacity for antibiotic resistance development. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is regarded as a possible alternative that has, for years, attracted attention for fighting multidrug-resistant infections. In this work, we characterized five phages showing different lytic spectrums towards clinical isolates. Two of these phages were isolated from the Russian Microgen Sextaphage formulation and belong to the Phikmvviruses, while three Pbunaviruses were isolated from sewage. Different phage formulations for the treatment of P. aeruginosa PAO1 resulted in diversified timekill outcomes. The best result was obtained with a formulation with all phages, prompting a lower frequency of resistant variants and considerable alterations in cell motility, resulting in a loss of 73.7% in swimming motility and a 79% change in swarming motility. These alterations diminished the virulence of the phage-resisting phenotypes but promoted their growth since most became insensitive to a single or even all phages. However, not all combinations drove to enhanced cell killings due to the competition and loss of receptors. This study highlights that more caution is needed when developing cocktail formulations to maximize phage therapy efficacy. Selecting phages for formulations should consider the emergence of phage-resistant bacteria and whether the formulations are intended for short-term or extended antibacterial application.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2020 unit. S.S. acknowledges funding by FCT through the individual scientific employment program contract (2020.03171.CEECIND).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Forest landscapes and global change. New frontiers in management, conservation and restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology Working Group International Conference

This volume contains the contributions of numerous participants at the IUFRO Landscape Ecology Working Group International Conference, which took place in Bragança, Portugal, from 21 to 24 of September 2010. The conference was dedicated to the theme Forest Landscapes and Global Change - New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. The 128 papers included in this book follow the structure and topics of the conference. Sections 1 to 8 include papers relative to presentations in 18 thematic oral and two poster sessions. Section 9 is devoted to a wide-range of landscape ecology fields covered in the 12 symposia of the conference. The Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology Working Group International Conference register the growth of scientific interest in forest landscape patterns and processes, and the recognition of the role of landscape ecology in the advancement of science and management, particularly within the context of emerging physical, social and political drivers of change, which influence forest systems and the services they provide. We believe that these papers, together with the presentations and debate which took place during the IUFRO Landscape Ecology Working Group International Conference – Bragança 2010, will definitively contribute to the advancement of landscape ecology and science in general. For their additional effort and commitment, we thank all the participants in the conference for leaving this record of their work, thoughts and science

Production and characterization of austenitic stainless steel cast parts reinforced with WC particles fabricated by ex situ technique

In this work, austenitic stainless steel specimens were locally reinforced with WC particles. The reinforcements were fabricated via an ex situ technique based on powder technology. Mixtures of WC, Fe, and M0101 binder were cold-pressed to obtain powder compacts. After debinding and sintering, the porous WC–Fe inserts were fixed in a mold cavity, where they reacted with liquid metal. Microstructural analysis was conducted for characterization of the phases constituting the produced reinforcement zone and the bonding interface. The results revealed that the reinforcement is a graded material with compositional and microstructural gradients throughout its thickness. The zone nearest to the surface has a ferrous matrix with homogeneously distributed WC particles and (Fe,W,Cr)6C and (Fe,W,Cr)3C carbides, formed from the liquid metal reaction with the insert. This precipitation leads to austenite destabilization, which transforms into martensite during cooling. A vast dissolution of the WC particles occurred in the inner zones, resulting in more intense carbides formation. Cr-rich carbides ((Fe,Cr,W)7C3, and (Fe,Cr,W)23C6) formed in the interdendritic regions of austenite; this zone is characterized by coarse dendrites of austenite and a multi-phase interdendritic network composed of carbides. An interface free of discontinuities and porosities indicates good bonding of the reinforcement zone to stainless steel.This research was funded by FEDER through the program P2020|COMPETE, Projetos em Copromoção (project POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033417), and the program P2020|Norte2020, Programas doutorais (NORTE-08-5369-FSE-000051)

A study on a cast steel reinforced with WC-metal matrix composite

This study seeks to investigate the local reinforcement of low carbon cast steel specimens with WC–metal matrix composites (WC–MMCs), to obtain a new material effective in competing with hard alloy steels. For this purpose, a powder compact of tungsten carbide (WC) and iron (Fe) was prepared and placed in the mold cavity before casting. The reactions that occurred with the molten steel led to the formation of the WC–MMC and, consequently, to the local reinforcement of the steel. The microstructure of the WC–MMC reinforcement was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results showed a microstructural variation throughout the depth of the reinforcement. In the surface region, most of the original WC particles retain their polygonal morphology, but towards the base metal, the dissolution of the WC particles increased with the formation of (Fe,W)6C carbides. Closer to the base metal, dendritic eutectic carbides of (Fe,W)6C and fine (Fe,W)23C6 precipitates in a matrix of martensite were formed. The mechanical properties of the reinforcement were evaluated by hardness and ball-cratering abrasion tests. The results revealed a significant increase in hardness, being three times harder than the base metal, and a decrease of 39% in the wear rate.This research was funded by national funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under project references UIDB/50022/2020 and UIDP/50022/2020 and by FEDER through program P2020|Norte2020, Programas doutorais (NORTE-08-5369-FSE-000051)

Scientific approach for ozone absorption in blood during systemic indirect endovenous ozonetherapy

Introduction. Reading reference ozone books from Dra. Menendez, Dra. Viebhan, Dra. Borrelli and Dr. Bocci, proper timing for mixing ozone in blood during autohemotherapy is not calculated in a scientific way, having only an estimation of it based on changes in the blood color, more related to oxygen absorption than on ozone itself. Material and methods. We decided to reproduce a reduced model of great autohemotherapy or recently renamed as systemic indirect endovenous ozonotherapy (SIEVO) by the World Federation of Ozone Therapy ? WFOT, using syringes to simplify the experiment. Our model consisted of a 20 mL syringe filled with 10 mL of blood withdrawn from healthy volunteers and mixed it gently but in controlled way with 10 mL medical ozone at different concentrations; after 5 and 8 seconds, the remaining gas was analyzed by an spectrophotometer based ozone detector to check the amount of ozone. Data were analyzed using a linear regression model. Results. Results show that even for 60 mcgr/mL ozone concentration, 8 seconds is enough to let all ozone absorbed in blood. Discussion and Conclusions. The experiment shows how quick ozone reacts with blood and claims for a trial with real SIEVO devices to achieve a real timing