Analysis of drying kinetics of eggplant through thin layer models and evaluation of texture and colour properties

Eggplant is a food with unique characteristics. However, due to its high moisture content it is very perishable. Thus, to increase its shelf life it can be applied the drying process. This work aimed at studying the effects of drying on eggplant, namely on the physical properties of colour and texture, as well as the analysis of drying kinetics by thin layer models. The drying was carried out using a convection chamber with a temperature of 80ºC and an air velocity of 0.5 m/s. The texture profile analysis was done with a texturometer equipped with a 75 mm probe and the colour measurement was performed with a calorimeter in the CIELab coordinates. For both texture and colour, all analysis were done in triplicate, before and after drying. The results showed that there were clear differences in colour, with the difference being higher in the case of the dried sample (E = 25.95) when compared to the fresh sample analysed 10 minutes after the cut (E = 9.69).Regarding the texture, drying caused alterations in the eggplant structure, with an increase in elasticity and chewiness and a decrease in hardness, resilience and cohesiveness. As for the kinetics, the sample took 2.5 hours to reach a moisture content of approximately 10%. Four thin layer models were tested, being the Wang & Singh model the one that proved to be the most suitable to fit the experimental data, with a correlation coefficient equal to 0.9902.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mid-infrared spectroscopic screening of metabolic alterations in stress-exposed gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Stress triggers a battery of physiological responses in fish, including the activation of metabolic pathways involved in energy production, which helps the animal to cope with the adverse situation. Prolonged exposure to stressful farming conditions may induce adverse effects at the whole-animal level, impairing welfare. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a rapid biochemical fingerprinting technique, that, combined with chemometrics, was applied to disclose the metabolic alterations in the fish liver as a result of exposure to standard stressful practices in aquaculture. Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) adults exposed to different stressors were used as model species. Spectra were preprocessed before multivariate statistical analysis. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used for pattern recognition and identification of the most discriminatory wavenumbers. Key spectral features were selected and used for classification using the k-nearest neighbour (KNN) algorithm to evaluate whether the spectral changes allowed for the reliable discrimination between experimental groups. PCA loadings suggested that major variations in the hepatic infrared spectra responsible for the discrimination between the experimental groups were due to differences in the intensity of absorption bands associated with proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. This broad-range technique can thus be useful in an exploratory approach before any targeted analysis.FCT: SFRH/BD/138884/2018/ SFRH/BD/136319/2018/ UIDB/04326/2020/ 16-02-05-FMP-12info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 is involved in the metabolic and cardiovascular alterations associated with obesity

Background and Purpose: Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is an inducible isomerase responsible for prostaglandin E2 production in inflammatory con ditions. We evaluated the role of mPGES-1 in the development and the metabolic and cardiovascular alterations of obesity. Experimental Approach: mPGES-1+/+ and mPGES-1 / mice were fed with normal or high fat diet (HFD, 60% fat). The glycaemic and lipid profile was evaluated by glu cose and insulin tolerance tests and colorimetric assays. Vascular function, structure and mechanics were assessed by myography. Histological studies, q-RT-PCR, and western blot analyses were performed in adipose tissue depots and cardiovascular tissues. Gene expression in abdominal fat and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) from patients was correlated with vascular damage. Key Results: Male mPGES-1 / mice fed with HFD were protected against body weight gain and showed reduced adiposity, better glucose tolerance and insulin sensi tivity, lipid levels and less white adipose tissue and PVAT inflammation and fibrosis, compared with mPGES-1+/+ mice. mPGES-1 knockdown prevented cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, aortic insulin resistance, and vascular inflammation and remodelling, induced by HFD. Obesity-induced weight gain and endothelial dysfunction of resistance arteries were ameliorated in female mPGES-1 / mice. In humans, we found a positive correlation between mPGES-1 expression in abdominal fat and vascular remodelling, vessel stiffness, and systolic blood pressure. In human PVAT, there was a positive correlation between mPGES-1 expression and inflammatory markers. Conclusions and Implications: mPGES-1 inhibition might be a novel therapeutic approach to the management of obesity and the associated cardiovascular and meta bolic alterations

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish by-products: Innovative extraction and application in food and feed

Omega -3 fatty acids (O3FA) are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in maintaining human and animal health. They are known for their numerous health claims, including cardiovascular benefits, contributing to both the prevention and treatment of immunological, neurological, reproductive, and cardiovascular complications, and supporting overall well-being. Fish, especially oily fish, comprise rich source of O3FA. In the fish industry, significant amounts of by-products and waste are generated during processing which are often discarded or used for lower -value applications. However, there is recognition of the potential value of extracting O3FA from these by-products. Various extraction techniques can be used, but the goal is to efficiently extract and concentrate the O3FA while minimizing the loss of nutritional value. To prevent oxidation and maintain the stability of O3FA, natural antioxidants can be added. Antioxidants like polyphenolic compounds and plant extracts help to protect the O3FA from degradation caused by exposure to oxygen, light, and heat. By stabilizing the O3FA, the shelf life and nutritional value of the extracted product can be extended. In summary, this work presents a forwardlooking strategy for transforming fish by-products into high -quality oils, which hold great potential for application in food and feed.This work was supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC): CIMO, UIDB/00690/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/00690/2020) and UIDP/00690/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/UIDP/00690/2020); and SusTEC, LA/P/0007/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/LA/P/0007/2020) and REQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020, DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/50006/2020; and UIDP/50006/2020, DOI: 10.54499/UIDP/50006/2020); CBQF, UIDB/50016/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/ UIDB/50016/2020). This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, with DOI 10.54499/UIDB/04469/2020, and by LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020.This work was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program (POCI), within the framework of the Corporate R&D project in Co-promotion HealthyPETFOOD: PetFood Formulations to promote health and quality of life (POCI-01-0247 -FEDER-047073) M.R.G. Maia acknowledges FCT through program DL 57/2016 – Norma transit´oria (SFRH/BPD/70176/2010). Raquel F. S. Gonçalves acknowledge the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for her fellowship (SFRH/BD/140182/2018).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

M-Health : definição, interesses, desafios e futuro

Muitos são os desafios para o desenvolvimento global sustentável, para isso muitas pesquisas estão sendo realizadas na área da saúde e na de tecnologia, permitindo o surgimento da telemedicina por volta do século XIX. Mais tarde, no século XX, o termo telemedicina foi sendo ampliado e nesta oportunidade surgiu o Mobile Health (MHealth). O principal objetivo do MHealth é ampliar o acesso à informação e a serviços de saúde que promovem o bem-estar pessoal, cuidados preventivos e gestão de doenças crônicas. Muitas são as tecnologias envolvidas nesse processo e podem variar desde serviços de mensagem até videogames ou aplicativos de celular. Atualmente no mercado MHealth existem diversos aplicativos para smartphones, sendo que a maioria estão nas lojas dos principais sistemas operacionais destes dispositivos. Em 2015, eram cerca de 165 mil aplicativos que foram baixados, por usuários, 1,7 bilhões de vezes. O Brasil, com cerca de 1,2 aparelhos de telefone celular para cada habitante, tem uma média bem inferior para médicos: cerca de 2,1 para cada 1000 habitantes. Esse é o cenário ideal para soluções MHealth, entretanto, as várias burocracias legais e técnicas por desenvolvedores desencorajam novas pesquisas. Os sistemas MHealth, são, geralmente gratuitos, não considerando gastos com aparelhos ou internet. Essas tecnologias têm vários interessados, que são os desenvolvedores, os pacientes, os médicos, atores políticos, entre outros. Para que as pesquisas em MHealth avancem, ainda é preciso enfrentar alguns obstáculos, em especial nos países subdesenvolvidos, como: uma distribuição mais isonômica das especialidades médicas, em particular em regiões mais afastadas das capitais; cobertura de rede com qualidade garantindo que os serviços serão entregues ou oferecidos com confiança; resistência à inovação, sendo necessária uma mudança de cultura em relação à utilização de novas tecnologias; interoperabilidade e heterogeneidade de dispositivos e plataformas; segurança dos dados/informações; barateamento de alguns equipamentos; custo da implantação das novas tecnologias, mudança de comportamento dos pacientes passando a ter uma atitude mais ativa frente aos cuidados necessários; melhoria da infra-estrutura dos hospitais, entre outros fatores. Para o futuro do MHealth espera-se sistemas de alta personalização de registros médicos, sistemas mais inteligentes através do uso de técnicas de inteligência artificial, sistemas de monitoramento com apoio de sensores, mais segurança dos dados e sistemas com melhor usabilidade.Many are the challenges for global sustainable development, for this many searches are done in the area of health and technology, which allowed the arising of telemedicine by the nineteenth century. Later, in the twentieth century, the term telemedicine was enlarged and this opportunity came the MHealth. The main objective of MHealth is to expand access to information and health services that promote personal well-being, preventive care and chronic disease management. Many are the technologies involved in this process, which can range from messaging services to video games or mobile applications. Currently the MHealth market there are many applications for smartphones, most of which are in the stores of major operating systems these devices. In 2015, there were about 165,000 applications that have been downloaded by users, 1.7 billion times. Brazil, with about 1.2 mobile phone handsets for each inhabitant has a well below average for physicians: about 2.1 per 1000 inhabitants. This is the ideal setting for MHealth solutions, however the various bureaucracies faced by developers, discourage further research. MHealth systems are usually free, excluding spending on equipment or internet. These technologies have many stakeholders who are developers, patients, medical or political actors. For the MHealth to advance, still need to face some obstacles, such as the natural resistance of the doctors, the cost of deployment of the technology or even the security of data. For the future of MHealth is expected to high customization of medical records systems, intelligent data and artificial intelligence, monitoring systems with sensors support, more data security and systems with better usabilit

SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS ELABORATED BY NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT COVID-19 PREVENTION

Objective: to understand the social representations elaborated by nursing students about the prevention of COVID-19.Method: exploratory-descriptive and qualitative research. Data were produced through interviews with 32 participants, conducted in the period from September 2021 to July 2022. The Study Setting was a public higher education institution, located in the northeastern region of Brazil. Data were processed using IRaMuTeQ software.Results: the genesis of the social representations of COVID-19 prevention pointed to two axes: Organization of ideas about COVID-19 prevention measures, and Efficiency, reliability and source of the information obtained.Final Considerations: the social representations showed the knowledge about the prevention measures of COVID-19, provided an opportunity to clarify the origin of the students' knowledge and the specificities they consider important. It is hoped that this study can serve as a foundation for further research and/or interventions with nursing students

Reciclagem de Resíduos Domésticos e Reuso de Esgoto Sanitário após Tratamento

Os projetos Reciclagem de Resíduos Domésticos e Reuso do Esgoto Sanitário Após Tratamento, desenvolvidos entre abril de 2011 e março de 2012, tiveram por objetivo explicar os processos de tratamento de esgoto sanitário e reciclagem de diversos materiais aos alunos de escolas da rede pública de Araranguá. A escolha do público-alvo aconteceu após considerarmos uma idade a partir da qual as crianças possam entender os processos abordados nos projetos. Pensando nas características de cada faixa etária, foram selecionadas turmas do 5º ano do ensino fundamental e turmas do ensino médio. Os métodos de ensino foram escolhidos de forma a dinamizar a aprendizagem e incentivar o interesse pelos assuntos tratados. Para expor o conteúdo, foram usadas apresentações de slides, desenvolvidas de acordo com a linguagem apropriada para a idade do público-alvo. Durante as apresentações, os alunos foram questionados e também levantaram dúvidas, o que demonstrou seu interesse, fato muito importante no processo de aprendizagem. Ao final da apresentação, as crianças foram convidadas a utilizar os conhecimentos adquiridos através de atividades interativas, tais como elaboração de paródias, desenhos, teatro de fantoches e atividades semelhantes. Assim, conseguiu-se levar as informações pretendidas a muitas pessoas, de forma que os objetivos iniciais de ambos os projetos foram alcançados de maneira satisfatória, conscientizando a população da cidade através das crianças e adolescentes de suas escolas públicas

EXAME CITOPATOLÓGICO DO COLO DO ÚTERO: INVESTIGAÇÃO SOBRE O CONHECIMENTO, ATITUDE E PRÁTICA DE GESTANTES

Objetivo: verificar o conhecimento, a atitude e a prática das gestantes atendidas na Estratégia Saúde da Família sobre o exame citopatológico do colo do útero. Método: inquérito Conhecimento, Atitude e Prática desenvolvido com 46 gestantes atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde de Floriano, estado do Piauí. A coleta de dados foi realizada de maio a julho de 2016, com aplicação de um instrumento previamente elaborado. Realizaram-se análise descritiva, e, para associação das variáveis nominais, o Teste de Qui-quadrado. Resultados: as gestantes apresentaram percentual de conhecimento, atitudes e práticas inadequado sobre o exame citopatológico. Houve associação significante de algumas variáveis com a prática das gestantes em relação ao citopatológico do colo uterino (exame pode ser realizado durante a gestação, p=0,030, motivo pelo qual faria o exame estando grávida, p=0,043). Conclusão: as gestantes precisam conhecer o exame citopatológico do colo do útero e a importância da sua realização durante a gestação, para conseguirem aderir à prática do exame.Objective: to verify the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding the cervical cytology examination of pregnant womenassisted in the Family Health Strategy. Method: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice inquiry developed with 46 pregnant women attended inprimary health units of Floriano, Piauí state. Data collection was carried out from May to July 2016, with the application of a previouslyelaborated instrument. Descriptive analysis was performed, with the Chi-square test for the association of the nominal variables. Results:the pregnant women presented inadequate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the cytology examination. There was a significantassociation of some variables with the practice of pregnant women in relation to cervical cytology (examination can be performed duringpregnancy, p=0.030, reason why the test would be performed during pregnancy, p=0.043). Conclusion: pregnant women need to understandthe cervical cytology examination and the importance of its performance during pregnancy, in order to be able to adhere to the practice ofperforming the examination.Objetivo: verificar el conocimiento, la actitud y la práctica de las embarazadas atendidas en la Estrategia Salud de la Familiasobre el examen citopatológico del cuello del útero. Método: encuesta “Conocimiento, Actitud y Práctica” desarrollada con 46 embarazadasatendidas en unidades básicas de salud en el municipio de Floriano, estado de Piauí. El recogimiento de datos fue realizado de mayo a juliode 2016, con aplicación de un instrumento previamente elaborado. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos; y, para la asociación de las variablesnominales se utilizó el test de Chi-cuadrado. Resultados: las embarazadas presentaron un porcentaje de conocimiento, actitudes y prácticasinadecuado sobre el examen citopatológico. Hubo asociación significativa de algunas variables con la práctica de las embarazadas, enrelación al citopatológico del cuello uterino (el examen puede ser realizado durante la gestación, p=0,030; motivo por el cual harían elexamen estando embarazadas, p=0,043). Conclusión: las embarazadas precisan conocer el examen citopatológico del cuello del útero y laimportancia de su realización durante la gestación, para conseguir adherir a la práctica del examen

Occurrence and diversity of yeast species isolated from fish feed and tambatinga gut

The present study aimed to identify yeasts species isolated from fish feed and the intestinal tracts of tambatinga fish (Colossoma macropomum × Piaractus brachypomum) cultivated in a Brazilian fish farm. Twenty tambatingas and 30 fish feed samples from different brands were acquired from two commercial establishments in the state of Piauí, Brazil. The sampled guts were divided into three equal parts, namely the anterior, medium and posterior portions, totaling 60 samples. Molecular identification was performed by PCR amplification and sequencing of the D1/D2 regions of the large rRNA subunit gene. Sixteen Candida nivariensis strains in the gut were identified. The fish feed samples showed a higher variability of yeast species, with the following species isolated: Hyphopichia burtonii (23.08%), Lodderomyces elongisporus (15.39%) and Trichosporon asahii (15.39%), Candida nivariensis (7.69%), C. orthopsilosis (7.69%), C. parapsilosis (7.69%), Rhodotorula minuta (7.69%), Sterigmatomyces elviae (7.69%), Cryptococcus liquefaciens (7.69%). Yeast found in feed, however, was not always isolated from tambatinga gut. Molecular identification allowed for the isolation of yeast species not previously reported in fish feed and gut samples.Fil: Pinheiro, Raizza Eveline E.. Universidade Federal Do Piaui;Fil: Dourado Rodrigues, Aline Maria. Universidade Federal Do Piaui; BrasilFil: Santos, Julliet Teixeira de O.. Universidade Federal Do Piaui; BrasilFil: Costa, Juliana de A.. Universidade Federal Do Piaui; BrasilFil: Pereyra, Carina Maricel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Torres, Adriana Mabel. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigación en Micología y Micotoxicología. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación en Micología y Micotoxicología; ArgentinaFil: Rosa, Carlos A.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Santos, Ana Raquel de O.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Muratori, Maria Christina S.. Universidade Federal Do Piaui; Brasi

Razão de mortalidade materna por hipertensão: um estudo epidemiológico

A hipertensão gestacional é problema de saúde pública. Objetivou-se identificar a razão de mortalidade materna por hipertensão nos anos de 2000 a 2013, nos municípios da 1.ª Região de Saúde do Estado do Ceará. Trata-se de estudo epidemiológico descritivo, retrospectivo e quantitativo, de dados secundários, realizado a partir de óbitos maternos por hipertensão ocorridos entre 2000 e 2013, nos municípios da 1.ª Região de Saúde do Estado do Ceará, obtidos no site do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde. A coleta de dados aconteceu em janeiro de 2016. Foram identificados 76 óbitos maternos por hipertensão nos municípios da 1.ª Região de Saúde do Estado do Ceará, desses, 69 (90,8%) ocorreram em Fortaleza-CE; município que também registrou maior número de nascidos vivos, 544.618 (94,6%). Em 2004, 2006 e 2013, houve mais registros de óbitos maternos por hipertensão, todos com 08 casos. A eclampsia foi a agravo mais prevalente entre os óbitos, 31 (40,7%). A razão de mortalidade materna foi mais elevada em 2013, com 20,3 óbitos maternos por hipertensão para 100.000 nascidos vivos. Os enfermeiros e profissionais de saúde estar capacitados a fim de promoverem uma assistência de qualidade e humanizada e assim diminuir os índices de morbimortalidade materna.La hipertensión inducida en el embarazo es un problema de salud pública. Logo, objetivo-se identificar una razón de mortalidad materna por hipertensión en los años de 2000 a 2013, nos municipios de la 1.ª Región de Salud del Estado del Ceará. Trata de estudio epidemiológico descriptivo, retrospectivo y cuantitativo, de datos secundarios, realizado a partir de óbitos maternos por hipertensos ocurridos entre 2000 y 2013, nos municipios de 1.ª Región de Salud del Estado del Ceará, no obtiene ningún sitio del Departamento de Informática Sistema Único de Salude. Una coleta de datos ocurrió en enero de 2016. Se identificaron identificados 76 óbitos maternos por hipertensos en los municipios de la 1.ª Región del Estado del Ceará, 69 (90,8%) casos en Fortaleza-CE; 544.618 (94,6%). En 2004, 2006 y 2013, se registraron más de óbitos maternos por hipertenso, todos con 08 casos. Una eclampsia para un agravo más prevalente entre los óbitos, 31 (40,7%). A razón de mortalidad materna fue más elevada en 2013, con 20,3 óbitos maternos por hipertenso para 100.000 nascidos vivos. Los enfermeros y demás profesionales de la salud están capacitados para la promoción de una asistencia de calidad y humanizada y asimilan los índices de morbimortalidad materna.Hypertension pregnancy-induced is a public health problem. Objective was to identify the maternal mortality ratio for hypertension in the years 2000 to 2013, in municipalities of the first Health Region of the State of Ceará. This´s a descriptive, retrospective and quantitative epidemiological study of secondary data, carried out from maternal deaths due to hypertension occurred between 2000 and 2013, in municipalities of the first Region of Health of the State of Ceará, obtained on the website of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System. Data collection took place in January 2016. 76 maternal deaths due to hypertension were identified in municipalities of the first Health Region of the State of Ceará, of which 69 (90.8%) occurred in Fortaleza-CE; 544,618 (94.6%) of the population with the highest number of live births. In 2004, 2006 and 2013, there were more records of maternal deaths due to hypertension, all with 08 cases. Eclampsia was the most prevalent among the deaths, 31 (40.7%). Maternal mortality ratio was higher in 2013, with 20.3 maternal deaths due to hypertension for 100,000 live births. Nurses and health professionals should be trained to promote quality and humanized care and thus reduce maternal morbidity and mortality rates