Contribuição para o controlo da infeção nosocomial de Candida parapsilosis por tipagem com marcadores de DNA microssatélite

Fungal infections constitute a relevant problem in hospitals from all over the world. Their easy transmission through the air, water, or by direct or indirect contact with contaminated persons, surfaces or objects lead to an increasing preoccupation with those infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Regarding the enormous importance of Candida parapsilosis as agent of bloodstream infections and hospital outbreaks, the presented work aimed to contribute to the development of new molecular tools able to answer to epidemiological questions related with infections by this species and their application in favor of patient safetyAs infecções fúngicas constituem um problema hospitalar relevante em todo o mundo. A fácil transmissão dos fungos pelo ar, água ou pelo contato direto ou indireto com pessoas, superfícies ou objetos contaminados conduz a uma crescente preocupação com este tipo de infecções, principalmente em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Considerando a grande relevância da levedura Candida parapsilosis em Portugal como agente etiológico de infecções sistémicas e de surtos hospitalares, o trabalho apresentado teve como objetivo contribuir para o desenvolvimento de novas ferramentas moleculares que permitissem responder a questões epidemiológicas relacionadas com esta espécie e posterior aplicação desta ferramenta em prol da segurança do paciente

Partial purification and characterisation of Candida nodaensis Killer toxin

Comunicação efectuada no Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology Meeting, Seattle, 2004.Preliminary experiments showed that C. nodaensis K factor keeps its biological activity at high NaCl concentrations and is stable after incubation in a relatively broad range of temperature and pH values, whether or not in the presence of salt. The isolation of this K toxin was already achieved by a experimental protocol involving ethanol precipitation of C. nodaensis culture supernatants. Several different approaches are now in progress in order to achieve its purification and further molecular and biochemical characterisation. The identification of the cell wall receptor for this K toxin is also under study, to perform toxin purification by affinity chromatography

The killer toxin of the halotolerant yeast Candida nodaensis

Comunicação efectuada no XIII Congresso Nacional de Bioquímica em Lisboa (Portugal), 2002.In a previous survey, the halotolerant yeast Candida nodaensis was identified as one of the strongest killer strains, displaying an enhancement of killer action in the presence of salt (maximum activity detected at 2M NaCl). Results of nucleic acid extractions and curing experiments suggested that this zymocin might be encoded by a nuclear gene. The great majority of killer toxins are considered labile proteins, unfitted for biotechnological purposes. Preliminary experiments in order to characterise C. nodaensis zymocin showed that, besides keeping its biological activity at high NaCl concentrations, this killer factor is stable after incubation in a relatively broad range of temperature and pH values, either in the absence or in the presence of NaCl (1M)

Partial purification and characterization of Candida nodaensis killer toxin

Comunicação efectuada no Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia em Tomar (Portugal), 2003.Preliminary experiments performed to characterize C. nodaensis K factor showed that, besides keeping its biological activity at high NaCl concentrations, is stable after incubation in a relatively broad range of temperature and pH values, whether or not in the presence of salt. In order to achieve the isolation, purification and further molecular and biochemical characterization of C. nodaensis K toxin, a experimental protocol was developed, involving culture supernatant ethanol precipitation followed by exclusion and ionic chromatography. Along with the purification of this zymocin, the study of its mode of action will certainly contribute to evaluate its biotechnological potentialities for several applications, particularly in the preservation of high-salt food products

Identification of the cell wall receptor for Candida nodaensis Killer toxin

Comunicação efectuada no XIV Congresso Nacional de Bioquímica em Vilamoura (Portugal), 2004.The biological action of the K toxins involves a first step in the killing process, which correspond to the adsorption the toxin to the cell wall of sensitive cells. Here we describe the work performed towards the identification of the cell wall receptor for the zymocin under this study. For this purpose, the main cell wall components of the sensitive yeast Pichia guilliermondii were extracted. These cell wall components and others commercial polymers were tested for its binding capacity to C. nodaensis K toxin. The results obtained pointed to glucan as the primary receptor for this K toxin

Black Stork Down: Military Discourses in Bird Conservation in Malta

Tensions between Maltese hunters and bird conservation NGOs have intensified over the past decade. Conservation NGOs have become frustrated with the Maltese State for conceding to the hunter lobby and negotiating derogations from the European Union’s Bird Directive. Some NGOs have recently started to organize complex field-operations where volunteers are trained to patrol the landscape, operate drones and other surveillance technologies, detect illegalities, and lead police teams to arrest poachers. We describe the sophisticated military metaphors which conservation NGOs have developed to describe, guide and legitimize their efforts to the Maltese public and their fee-paying members. We also discuss why such groups might be inclined to adopt these metaphors. Finally, we suggest that anthropological studies of discourse could help understand delicate contexts such as this where conservation NGOs, hunting associations and the State have ended in political deadlock

Effects of aerobic and strength-based training on metabolic health indicators in older adults

Background: The weakening of the cardiovascular system associated with aging could be countered by increasing levels of physical activity and functional fitness. However, inconsistent findings have been found, and the variety of characteristics of exercise used in previous studies may partly explain that inconsistent results. Objective: To investigate the training effect of sixteen weeks of moderate intensity, progressive aerobic and strengthbased training on metabolic health of older women and men. Methods: Sixty three sedentary individuals (mean (SD) age 76 (8) years) were randomly assigned to control (n = 31) or exercising (n = 32) groups. The training group was separated to aerobic (n = 18) or strength-based (n = 14). Training took place three times a week. Subjects agreed not to change their diet or lifestyle over the experimental period. Results: Exercising group attained after treatment significant differences on body weight, waist circumference, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol/ HDL-cholesterol relationship, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and 6-minute walk distance. The control group only had significant differences on waist circumference. Conclusion: The training programs produced significant benefits on metabolic health indicators of sedentary older women and men

CODAP: um Consenso Multidisciplinar sobre a Definição, Diagnóstico e Tratamento da Dislipidemia Aterogénica em Portugal

Introduction and aims: Atherogenic dyslipidemia is an important contributor to residual cardiovascular (CV) risk, but it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. This study aimed to assess the opinion of Portuguese experts to generate a consensus concerning the diagnosis and treatment of atherogenic dyslipidemia, as well as to contribute toward standardization of clinical practice in this disorder. Methods: The study consisted in the application of a questionnaire to an expert panel, following a modified Delphi methodology. Results: The majority (88.4%) of the proposed items were found to be consensual. The expert panel recognized the importance of the atherogenic dyslipidemia phenotype, the role played by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as risk markers and therapeutic targets, the choice of statins as first-line lipid-lowering drugs, and the value of associating statins with fenofibrate as a means to reduce residual CV risk. However, the role played by triglycerides in CV risk and the therapeutic value of fibrates lacked consensus. Taking into consideration the state of the art and the opinions expressed in this study, the scientific committee developed a treatment algorithm aimed to improve the perception and treatment of atherogenic dyslipidemia. Conclusions: The experts involved in this study were shown to be familiar with the concept and the importance of atherogenic dyslipidemia. The few situations in which a consensus could not be found were mainly related to the interpretation and/or relevance of the available evidence.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Utilização da cianamida hidrogenada e óleo mineral na brotação e floração de pessegueiro.

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