Survey of the metazoan ectoparasites of the European flounder Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758) along the north-central Portuguese coast

A survey was undertaken to identify rnetazoan ectoparasite species on the European flounder, Platichthys flexus (Linnaeus, 1758), in 4 different locations off the north-central Portuguese coast. Parasites of 7 different taxa were found: Caligus diaphanus, Caligus sp.. and Lepeophtheirus pectoralis (Copepoda: Caligidae); Acanthochondria cornuta (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) Holobomolochus confusus (Copepoda: Bomolochidae): Nerocila orbignyi (Isopoda: Cymothoidae): and praniza larvae (Isopoda: Gnathiidae). Lernaeocera branchialis, a common European flounder parasite in the North and Baltic Seas, was not observed among the surveyed fish. Caligus diaphanus, Caligus sp., and Nerocila orbignyi are new host records. The high prevalence and intensity values recorded for L. pectoralis and A. cornuta suggest that both parasite species are common to the European flounder along the north-central Portuguese coast. In contrast, infection levels with respect to the other parasite taxa were, in most cases, comparatively lower, thereby indicating that they only occur occasionally among flounders in the surveyed area

Competitiveness of the tourism sector in Portugal: the case of Baixo Mondego and Baixo Vouga

Our main objective is to analyze how a great, diverse tourism offer in a quite limited geographic area, corresponding to the Baixo Mondego and Baixo Vouga, can make it more competitive. We propose to identify the territorial factors that can increase competitiveness of the tourism sector, both regionally and nationally. We intend to identify the region‟s most valued aspects by visitors, as well as its least praised ones; additionally, we will pinpoint existing and potential outbound travel markets, and identify those that are characterized by higher levels of wealth and touristic demand. A quantitative approach will be complemented by a qualitative analysis, based on interviews of entrepreneurial, academic and institutional entities. Deeper knowledge of the regional tourism sector will allow us to contribute to the adaptation of tourism oriented policies and strategies that would promote the role of tourism in the regional economical development. An economic impact analysis will assess the contribution of tourism activity on the region

Prevención de caídas en los ancianos domiciliados: promoción del envejecimiento activo

Objective: To determine the frequency of falls and identify risk factors in the homes of the elderly under the Home Care Service of a village in Alentejo (Portugal). Method: Exploratory, descriptive study. The target group were elderly persons under the Home Care Service (23). The questionnaire consists of open and closed questions, and was based on the Jefferson Area Board for Aging Safety in the Home Assessment; Instrument to Assess the Risk of Falls and Adaptations to Prevent Falls at Home. Results: Of the 23 seniors, 13 were men; the mean age was 85; 10 widowers; 11 live alone; 12 cannot read or write; 17 have experienced falls, loss of balance being the main cause. They report changes in vision (21), hearing (14) and rheumatic diseases (14); hypertension (19); they use 4 or more drugs on a daily basis (16). Conclusion: The physiological changes associated with ageing may increase the risk of falls. Due to the consequences, it is a priority field in community intervention

The pressor effect of angiotensin-(1-7) in the rat rostral ventrolateral medulla involves multiple peripheral mechanisms

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the peripheral mechanism that mediates the pressor effect of angiotensin-(1-7) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla was investigated. METHOD: Angiotensin-(1-7) (25 pmol) was bilaterally microinjected in the rostral ventrolateral medulla near the ventral surface in urethane-anesthetized male Wistar rats that were untreated or treated (intravenously) with effective doses of selective autonomic receptor antagonists (atenolol, prazosin, methyl-atropine, and hexamethonium) or a vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist [d(CH2)5 -Tyr(Me)-AVP] given alone or in combination. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, the pressor response produced by angiotensin-(1-7) (16 ± 2 mmHg, n = 12), which was not associated with significant changes in heart rate, was not significantly altered by peripheral treatment with prazosin, the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist, hexamethonium or methyl-atropine. Similar results were obtained in experiments that tested the association of prazosin and atenolol; methyl-atropine and the vasopressin V1 antagonist or methyl-atropine and prazosin. Peripheral treatment with the combination of prazosin, atenolol and the vasopressin V1 antagonist abolished the pressor effect of glutamate; however, this treatment produced only a small decrease in the pressor effect of angiotensin-(1-7) at the rostral ventrolateral medulla. The combination of hexamethonium with the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist or the combination of prazosin, atenolol, the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist and methyl-atropine was effective in blocking the effect of angiotensin-(1-7) at the rostral ventrolateral medulla. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that angiotensin-(1-7) triggers a complex pressor response at the rostral ventrolateral medulla that involves an increase in sympathetic tonus, release of vasopressin and possibly the inhibition of a vasodilatory mechanism

The challenges of concentration in the agricultural product supply chain: a study of Producer Organizations in Portugal

One of the greatest challenges facing rural producers stems from the difficulties in accessing markets majority controlled by the major distribution chains. The small quantities under production and the low level of investment capacity ensure that smallholders in particular encounter an asymmetric relationship with the retail sector. The European Union (EU), through means of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP),has adopted strategies to overcome these obstacles through stimulating farmers to concentrate their own supply through Producer Organisations (POs).These POs, in addition to concentrating supply, also act to improve productivity and guarantee reasonable prices to consumers. The objectives of this article include analysing challenges faced by the concentration of the agricultural product supply chain through a study of POs in Portugal. The research findings arise from analysis of both primary and secondary sources of information. The research techniques applied were documental analysis and holding interviews with six key players. The research results demonstrate how the average level of PO participation in the EU stands at 46% but falls back to 25% in Portugal. The results are also below those presented at the EU level despite accelerated growth taking place in the horticultural sector, which more than doubled its level of participation over the last decade (10% in 2005 rising to 26% in 2014). We conclude that, on the one hand, POs respond positively to the challenges of supply chain concentration; on the other hand, this has lacked the impact necessary to reversing the ongoing rural desertification in Portugal

Enhanced mitochondrial testicular antioxidant capacity in Goto-Kakizaki diabetic rats: role of coenzyme Q

Because diabetes mellitus is associated with impairment of testicular function, ultimately leading to reduced fertility, this study was conducted to evaluate the existence of a cause-effect relationship between increased oxidative stress in diabetes and reduced mitochondrial antioxidant capacity. The susceptibility to oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity (in terms of glutathione, coenzyme Q, and vitamin E content) of testis mitochondrial preparations isolated from Goto-Kakizaki (GK) non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats and from Wistar control rats, 1 yr of age, was evaluated. It was found that GK mitochondrial preparations showed a lower susceptibility to lipid peroxidation induced by ADP/Fe(2+), as evaluated by oxygen consumption and reactive oxygen species generation. The decreased susceptibility to oxidative stress in diabetic rats was associated with an increase in mitochondrial glutathione and coenzyme Q9 contents, whereas vitamin E was not changed. These results demonstrate a higher antioxidant capacity in diabetic GK rats. We suggest this is an adaptive response of testis mitochondria to the increased oxidative damage in diabetes mellitu

Examining the Factorial Structure of the Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale in a Portuguese Sample

The increase in women's labor market participation emphasizes the importance of understanding maternal separation anxiety, that is, the unpleasant maternal emotional state, due to the actual or anticipated short-term separation from the child. Drawing on the insights of the attachment and psychoanalytic perspectives, the Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale (MSAS) was developed to overcome existing measurement gaps. However, prior research did not replicate its original three-factor structure in the contemporary context and in other cultural settings, using large samples composed of mothers of preschool children. This study aimed to examine the factorial structure of the MSAS in a sample of 597 Portuguese mothers of children aged 5-84 months who completed the questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted in subsample 1 revealed a four-factor structure: Maternal Negative Feelings, Beliefs about Exclusive Maternal Care, Need of Proximity, and Perceptions of Separation Benefits for Children. Confirmatory factor analyses conducted in subsample 2 revealed that the original three-factor structure revealed a poor fit, whereas the four-factor solution (obtained in the EFA) revealed an acceptable fit. As in previous studies, our findings report deviations from the original three-factor structure of the MSAS. Three of the newly identified factors seem to reflect specific sub-dimensions that originally guided item development in the MSAS, namely, maternal negative feelings, maternal attitudes about the value of exclusive maternal care, and the need of proximity with the child. The last factor appears to represent a refinement of original items pertaining to perceptions about separation effects for children.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fractionation of the major whey proteins and isolation of β-Lactoglobulin variants by anion exchange chromatography

A method for the separation and fractionation of the major whey proteins from a whey protein concentrate (WPC80) by anion-exchange chromatography coupled to a Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) system is proposed. The method is based on the use of an ionic column (Mono Q) and a salt gradient elution by increasing the ionic strength of the elution buffer (Tris–HCl 20 mM plus 0 to 1 M NaCl). The proposed method was found to be suitable to fractionate the major whey proteins from the WPC80 in different fractions, namely one fraction containing all the a-Lactalbumin and immunoglobulins; another fraction containing all the bovine serum albumin; and two distinct fractions each containing a different variant of b-Lactoglobulin. A 60.5% (w/w) recovery of the two main b-Lactoglobulin variants was obtained