Surveillance and prevention culicidae vectors - the portuguese case

Introduction: Dengue and Zika are considered a disease of the XXI re-emerging century are a major public health problems in the world, not only because it affects thousands of people, since the mosquito Aedes aegypti tends to reproduce in homes but also because it is considered one of the most important viral diseases transmitted by animals. Health surveillance for Environmental Health of the environment, and its mission is to analyze, prevent and correct the health risks, which are environmental or potential. It is in this sense that environmental health is as important to end this disease, and in the meantime to prevent it does not affect human health. Objetives: Tracking the presence of Culicidae Vectors in Portugal. Methods: The study is based on data from DGS program and INSA, Revive, which plating the presence of mosquitoes and larvae that can cause contamination and diseases originating from mosquitoes, the analysis of these data and the other allows us to see the need for prophylactic care to have in our country, especially in Madeira, which, for its location and climate can foster the emergence of these. Results: Samples and data collected by the REVIVE program did not detect the presence of the virus mosquitoes in continental Portugal, however climate change that Portugal crosses can cause the onset of mosquito vectors of carriers, so you want to public education for preventive measures can combat the proliferation of mosquitoes mosquito carriers. Conclusions: Although there are no mosquitoes, as educate the public for mosquito prevention measures. Thus, this study provides a number of solutions to minimize the proliferation mosquito vectors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

exploring a local setting in Portugal

In Portugal, the majority of immigrants come from Portuguese-speaking countries. Among children, overweight and obesity are serious public health concerns, but a few studies include children with immigrant background. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and risk of abdominal obesity in school-age children and to explore potential determinants, considering the origin of the children’s parents (both mother and father are non-Portuguese, only one Portuguese, and both are Portuguese). A cross-sectional study included a random sample of 789 children (5–11 years old, 49.2% of males and 50.8% female) attending public primary schools in Barreiro, district of Setubal, Portugal. Fieldwork occurred from 20th April to 3rd July 2009. Data concerning socioeconomic, eating habits, and sports outside school were obtained through a questionnaire applied to the children’s person in charge. Anthropometric measures were collected by certified technicians. One-third of the children presented overweight and obesity (33.7%, 95% CI [30.0; 37.7]) and risk of abdominal obesity (16.4%, 95% CI [13.6; 19.7]) without differences according to parents’ origin. Children with immigrant background presented higher consumption of low-priced, high-sugar, and high-fat foods, with a worse situation for girls. Females from both non-Portuguese parents also practiced less sports outside school than those where one or two parents are Portuguese. Thus, promoting and monitoring a healthy diet and physical activity in this group should be prioritized in this local setting.publishersversionpublishe

Exploiting the capacity of Labrys Portucalensis strain F11 for biotransformation of fluoroaromatic compounds

Environmental contamination with toxic chemicals of human origin is a threat to ecosystems and public health. Thus, it is extremely important to understand and explore the removal of these contaminants from different environments through biodegradation. The main objective of the work described in this thesis was the exploitation of the potential of Labrys portucalensis F11 – a bacterial strain previously isolated by its ability to degrade fluorobenzene (FB) - for biotransformation of fluorinated aromatic compounds of different complexity. Typically, contaminated environments are not contaminated with a single pollutant but with mixtures of pollutants. In particular the presence of organic compounds and metals in the same ecosystem, or appearing simultaneously in wastewater streams, is very common. In this study, the effect of three metals with different biological importance - iron, copper and silver - on the degradation of FB by strain F11 was evaluated. At a concentration of 1 mM, iron proved to be beneficial for bacterial growth without adversely affecting the biodegradation of up to 2 mM of FB. The presence of 1 mM of copper and silver inhibited the degradation of FB and led to the accumulation of intermediate metabolites, catechol and 4-fluorocatecol suggesting inhibition of the catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, which is a key enzyme of the metabolic pathway of FB. The degradation of compounds with chemical structures similar to FB, namely chlorobenzene (CB) and difluorobenzenes (DFBS), by L. portucalensis was investigated. Strain F11 was able to cometabolise CB in the presence of FB or when previously induced by this compound. Total degradation of 0.5 mM of each substrate was observed when both were added to the culture medium. Strain F11 was capable of degrading CB when the expression of enzymes is induced by FB however CB was not able to induce the enzymes for its own degradation. For DFBS, strain F11 proved to be able to degrade 0.5 mM of 1,3-DFB as sole carbon source, and to degrade 1,4-DFB (0.5 mM) in cometabolism with FB (0.5 mM). Strain F11 was unable to degrade 1,2-DFB and this compound inhibited the degradation of FB. These results reinforce the importance of the nature, number and position of the substituents in the molecule for enzyme expression and subsequently conversion of the target compounds. Fluoxetine (FLX) is a fluorinated chiral drug, which contamination, toxicity and persistence in the environment have been well documented in the past years. L. portucalensis F11 showed to be able to degrade both enantiomers of this compound as the sole carbon source (up to 9 μM) and in the presence of a conventional carbon source, sodium acetate (up to 89 μM of FLX). Degradation extents of at least 80% of total FLX were obtained. At the lowest FLX concentration tested (2 μM) as single carbon source, degradation was complete and fluoride release was stoichiometric. The degradation was shown to be enantioselective, with preferential degradation of R-FLX in relation to S-FLX. The transient formation of norfluoxetine (NFLX) as an intermediary metabolite was detected. With the objective of finding the genes responsible for the expression of FB dioxygenase, a genomic library consisting of 960 clones was constructed from the DNA of L. portucalensis F11. This library can be used for future work, such as the generation and confirmation of sequencing data, for comparative genomic studies or to search for other genes of interest. It is important to note that this strain has shown extraordinary capabilities of degradation of toxic compounds, and as such it would be very interesting to further study the genes that confer these capabilities. A partial nucleotide sequence of the gene cluster involved in FB degradation was determined. Sequencing results revealed the presence of four open reading frames, namely the gene coding for 1,2-catechol dioxygenase, and three genes encoding a ringhydroxylating dioxygenase (alpha and beta subunit of the dioxygenase component and the oxidoreductase component). Alignment of the deduced aminoacid sequences with sequences of others ring-hydoxylating dioxygenases revealed a high degree of similarity (≥80% identity) to the components of (halo)benzoate dioxygenases. The conserved amino acid residues that are involved in cofactor binding were also identified in the protein sequence. Recombinant strains carrying the putative FB dioxygenase genes were tested for expression. The SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that most of the expressed protein was on the pellet fraction and not on the soluble form, which could be due to improper folding of the enzyme components. Decrease of substrate concentration was observed in bioconversion experiments but the product formed was not detected/ identify. Overall, strain F11 revealed to be capable of degrading a vast range of fluorinated compounds with different complexity and as such can be a potential strain to devise biotechnological solutions for biotransformation processes.A contaminação do ambiente com produtos químicos de origem humana constitui uma ameaça para os ecossistemas e para a saúde pública. Deste modo, é extremamente importante compreender e explorar a sua biodegradação. O trabalho descrito nesta tese teve como objectivo principal a investigação do potencial da estirpe Labrys portucalensis F11 - uma bactéria anteriormente isolada pela sua capacidade de degradar fluorobenzeno (FB) - para a biotransformação de compostos aromáticos fluorados de diferente complexidade. Tipicamente, a contaminação do ambiente resulta da presença de uma mistura de poluentes e não apenas da presença de um único contaminante. Deste modo, a coexistência de compostos orgânicos e metais no mesmo ecossistema, ou em águas residuais, é muito comum. Neste estudo foi avaliado o efeito de 3 metais – cobre, ferro e prata, com diferente importância biológica na degradação do FB. Na concentração de 1 mM, o ferro foi benéfico para o crescimento bacteriano sem afectar adversamente a biodegradação de FB até à concentração de 2 mM. Na presença de 1 mM de cobre e de prata verificou-se a inibição da degradação do FB levando à acumulação de dois metabolitos intermediários, o catecol e o 4-fluorocatecol, sugerindo a inibição da catecol 1,2-dioxigenase, uma enzima chave da via metabólica do FB. A degradação de compostos com estruturas químicas semelhantes à do FB, clorobenzeno (CB) e difluorobenzenos (DFBS), foi avaliada. A estirpe F11 foi capaz de cometabolizar o CB na presença do FB, com degradação total de 0,5 mM de cada um dos substratos quando adicionados simultaneamente ou quando previamente induzida pelo FB. No entanto, o CB não induziu as enzimas para a sua própria degradação. Em relação aos DFBs, a estirpe F11 foi eficaz na degradação de 0,5 mM de 1,3-DFB como única fonte de carbono, e na degradação de 1,4-DFB (0,5 mM) em cometabolismo com FB (0,5 mM). No entanto, a estirpe F11 foi ineficaz na degradação do 1,2-DFB, tendo este composto inibido a degradação de FB. Estes resultados reforçam a importância da natureza, número e posição dos substituintes na molécula para a expressão enzimática e consequente conversão de compostos alvo. A fluoxetina (FLX) é um fármaco quiral fluorado, cuja toxicidade, contaminação e persistência no ambiente têm sido bem documentadas. A estirpe F11 mostrou ser capaz de degradar os dois enantiómeros deste composto como única fonte de carbono (até 9 μM) e na presença de acetato de sódio (até 89 mM de FLX). Foram obtidas extensões de degradação de pelo menos 80% de FLX total. Na concentração mais baixa de FLX (2 μM), testada como única fonte de carbono, a degradação foi completa e a libertação de fluoreto foi estequiométrica. A degradação revelou ser enantiosselectiva, com a degradação preferencial de R-FLX em relação a S-FLX, tendo sido detectada a formação de norfluoxetina (NFLX) como metabolito intermediário. Com o objectivo de pesquisar os genes responsáveis pela expressão da FB dioxigenase, foi construída uma biblioteca genómica, constituída por 960 clones, a partir do DNA da estirpe F11 de L. portucalensis. Esta biblioteca poderá ser usada em trabalhos futuros, como a geração e confirmação dos dados da sequenciação, em estudos de genómica comparativa ou na pesquisa de outros genes de interesse. É importante realçar que a estirpe F11 tem demostrado uma capacidade extraordinária na degradação de compostos tóxicos, sendo deste modo, de grande interesse estudar os genes que lhe conferem estas capacidades. Foi determinada uma sequência parcial dos nucleótidos do operão envolvido na degradação do FB. A sequenciação mostrou a existência de 4 genes, nomeadamente, o gene que codifica a 1,2-catecol dioxigenase, e os 3 genes que codificam as 3 subunidades da FB dioxigenase (alfa e beta da componente dioxigenase e oxidoreductase). O alinhamento das sequências de aminoácidos obtidas com as sequências de outras dioxigenases aromáticas revelou um elevado grau de similaridade (≥80%) com os componentes das (halo)benzoato dioxigenases. A sequenciação também permitiu identificar resíduos de aminoácidos conservados que estão envolvidos na ligação de cofactores. Estirpes recombinantes contendo os genes putativos da FB dioxigenase foram testadas para a expressão da enzima. A análise de SDS-PAGE revelou que a maioria da proteína expressa se encontrava na fracção do pellet e não na fracção solúvel, o que pode estar relacionado com uma conformação incorrecta dos componentes enzimáticos. Nas experiências de bioconversão foi observada diminuição da concentração de substrato mas o produto formado não foi detectado / identificado. Em geral, a estirpe F11 revelou ser capaz de degradar uma vasta gama de compostos fluorados com diferente complexidade e, como tal, pode ser considerada uma estirpe com potencial para aplicação e desenvolvimento de soluções biotecnológicas em processos de biotransformação

Taiwan-China Balancing Act in Latin America

This ARI reviews the current state of the Taiwan-China relationship in light of the current challenges Taiwan faces in keeping its Latin American allies loyal. More opportunities for shifting alliances now exist, especially given the current global economic meltdown which has had an impact on both China and Taiwan’s ability to sustain its assistance to many Latin American states. Taiwan-China relations in Latin America are at a crossroads. This paper starts with an overview of Taipei’s struggle to ensure the support of its Latin American allies, in face of a fast growing and increasingly appealing Beijing. It then focuses on two case studies, St Lucia and Costa Rica, which have recently switched allegiance. St. Lucia has flipped back and forth; while Costa Rica ended a 63-year relationship with Taiwan in June 2007 and recognised the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Whether other countries follow suit is unclear. However, the risk of a domino effect favouring Beijing is real, as underscored by recent developments in Panama, Haiti, Nicaragua and Paraguay. It seems that economic concerns are shaping Latin American governments’ reactions to Taiwan and China’s struggle for sovereignty. As the PRC’s trade and investment pull increases and Taiwan’s declines, it seems that Taipei is set to lose one of its last strongholds

Control theory for infinite dimensional dynamical systems and applications to falling liquid film flows

In this thesis, we study the problem of controlling the solutions of various nonlinear PDE models that describe the evolution of the free interface in thin liquid films flowing down inclined planes. We propose a control methodology based on linear feedback controls, which are proportional to the deviation between the current state of the system and a prescribed desired state. We first derive the controls for weakly nonlinear models such as the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation and some of its generalisations, and then use the insight that the analytical results obtained there provide us to derive suitable generalisations of the controls for reduced-order long-wave models. We use two long-wave models to test our controls: the first order Benney equation and the first order weighted-residual model, and compare some linear stability results with the full 2-D Navier-Stokes equations. We find that using point actuated controls it is possible to stabilise the full range of solutions to the generalised Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation, and that distributed controls have a similar effect on both long-wave models. Furthermore, point-actuated controls are efficient when stabilising the flat solution of both long-wave models. We extend our results to systems of coupled Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equations and to stochastic partial differential equations that arise by adding noise to the weakly nonlinear models.Open Acces

Food habits of a portuguese immigrant population living in Germany

Contém um relatório de estágio realizado no Departamento de Ciências Sociais da Faculdade de Nutrição e Economia Doméstica da Universidade de Justus-Liebig, Giessen, Alemanha e no Centro Social Paroquial de Alfena, no âmbito da licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição pela Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto. O exemplar do relatório de estágio existe apenas em formato papel e está disponível para consulta na Biblioteca da FCNAUPTese de licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do PortoResumo da tese: Introduction: To emigrate means to leave the homeland as a refugee, to work temporarily or to establish home in another country, foreign to the individuals (Rocha-Trindade et al, 1995). Migration is not an easy process. It implies to leave a life behind, family and friends and restart in another place. In the majority of times e/immigration is due to a need for searching a life with better conditions. It is, therefore, a search for a better economical (and social)STATUS (Baganha, 1998; Rocha-trindade et al, 1995).The process usually with a person (usually a man) that leaves to another country, searches for a job, a house, settles down and then sends for the family. A FAMILY REUNIFICATION IS SEEN AFTER THE MIGRATION OF THE WIFE AND THE CHILDREN, WHO ALSO have to adapt to the host country (Baganha, 1998; Monteiro and Pinto, 1998). The new life, together with a new language, new culture, new living and working conditions will affect the of the newly arrived immigrant to a large extent. The immigrant may never feel totally adapted even when living in the receiving country for decades. The Portuguese Emigrant lives always with the Myth of the return (Baganha, 1998, Rocha-Trindade and Raveau, 1998). "Saudade" is a Portuguese word, which is part of the daily life of the Portuguese emigrants. It involves a nostalgic feeling towards what was left behind, the people, the culture, the habits... and also the food. Emigrants tend to miss the way they used to eat before in their coutry, specific foods and dishes, the meals and the taste of food. (...

Nzinga Mbandi: from story to myth

The figure of Queen Nzinga Mbandi continues to be appreciated in fictional and/or historical narratives as a myth of postcolonial Angolan identity, allowing a continuous approach as to what concerns the modes of cultural representation. In this article, the works of Manuel Pedro Pacavira, Nzinga Mbandi (1975), Pepetela, A gloriosa família: o tempo dos flamengos (1997) and José Eduardo Agualusa, A Rainha Ginga e de como os africanos inventaram o mundo (2014) will be analyzed, as these authors, in different moments of the recent Angolan history, look at this emblematic figure, drawing on historical information produced by Cavazzi, Cadornega or Jean Louis Castilhon, among others. The works now in analysis reiterate the mythical figure of resistance to the European invaders, which was Nzinga Mbandi, or a strong orientation towards the nationalist exaltation supported by it, an evident strategy which, by the rescue of figures and cultural practices, is defined as a means to affirm negritude