Creencias populares y enseñanza de la Biología

The existence of some popular beliefs has been referred to by several studies. A few of these popular beliefs, which seem to be also widespread in Portugal, are related to biological contents. Therefore, it can be expected that many students hold some of these beliefs when they come to the biology classes. Based on this suspicion, the authors decided to investigate: - The degree of adhesion shown by students with different biology backgrounds, to some popular beliefs. - The importance given by some biology textbooks to the popular beliefs

Modeling the Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in Meat

This work was conducted to present some studies that show the behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in meat, according to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The understanding of factors that affect the survival and growth of L. monocytogenes in meat, such as temperature, pH, acid, salt, water activity or modified atmosphere packaging, is crucial to develop strategies for food operators to reduce and prevent Listeria contamination and growth. The knowledge of L. monocytogenes behavior according to its physiological and ecological characteristics, under all probable conditions, will support risk assessors to find strategies to control this ubiquitous bacteria in food industry and food service. The Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005, reviewed by the Regulation (EC) No 1441/2007, does not establish the limits for L. monocytogenes in fresh meat. However, it is generally accepted a level of 100 cells on fresh meat, except for some risk groups. Food business operators and authorities can use predictive microbiology models as important tools to model bacterial growth in quantitative microbial risk assessments

Izolacija emergentnih ljudskih patogena i patogena koji se prenose hranom u kliničkim slučajevima infekcija od pasa i mačaka zaprimljenih u veterinarsku kliniku u sjevernom Portugalu

Nowadays, dogs and cats are considered family members, translating into increased proximity to humans. Studies have shown that 40-60% of owners have very close interactions e.g., sharing the same dish, face lickings, or sleeping on the same bed. This promotes the exchange of microorganisms between species. Therefore, an One Health approach should be applied to encompass both human and animal health problems. In this study, 37 cases of companion animals (54.1% dogs and 45.9% cats) in a veterinary clinic in northern Portugal were analysed, and urinary and eye infections, respiratory conditions, and dermatological problems were confirmed. According to sample type, 43.2% were from urine, 13.5% from ear exudate, 8.1% from skin exudate, 8.1% from tracheal exudate, 2.7% from vaginal exudate, 2.7% from conjunctiva exudate, 2.7% from purulent exudate, 2.7% from bronchoalveolar exudate, 2.7% from ocular exudate, and 2.7% from blood. In all, 21 pathogen species were isolated, of which Pantoea agglomerans, Cronobacter sakazakii, Leclercia adecarboxylata, Sphingomonas paucimobilis are currently considered emerging agents of human infection. The occurrence of these species was 2.4% for Leclercia adecarboxylata (one young male cat), 2.4% for Pantoea agglomerans (one adult male dog), 2.4% for Cronobacter sakazakii (one adult male dog), and 2.4% for Sphingomonas paucimobilis (one adult male dog). Leclercia adecarboxylata is a gram-negative bacillus of the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is a ‘novel’ rare human pathogen, mostly affecting immunocompromised individuals or causing polymicrobial infections in immunocompetent patients. Cronobacter sakazakii is an emerging foodborne pathogen that causes necrotizing enterocolitis and bacteremia in humans, Pantoea agglomerans is associated with a hospital-acquired infection, mostly in immunocompromised individuals with a fatal outcome. Sphingomonas paucimobilis is an emerging opportunistic bacterium with a particular tropism toward bones and soft tissues. The intimate relationship between humans and companion animals presents a potential risk for the transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, more research based on an One Health approach should be performed to more accurately determine the occurrence and incidence of emerging agents between species.U današnje vrijeme, psi i mačke smatraju se članovima obitelji, što podrazumijeva sve veću bliskost s ljudima. Nekoliko studija pokazalo je da 40-60 % vlasnika ima vrlo blizak odnos, npr. dijeljenje iste hrane, lizanje lica ili spavanje na istom krevetu. To potiče razmjenu mikroorganizama među vrstama. Iz tog je razloga potrebno primijeniti pristup Jednog zdravlja da bi se obuhvatili i ljudski i životinjski zdravstveni problemi. U ovoj je studiji analizirano 37 slučajeva kućnih ljubimaca (54,1 % pasa i 45,9 % mačaka) u veterinarskoj klinici u sjevernom Portugalu. Kazuistika je uključivala infekcije urinarnog trakta i očiju, respiratorna stanja i dermatološke probleme. Prema vrsti uzoraka, 43,2 % su bili iz urina, 13,5 % iz eksudata iz uha, 8,1 % iz eksudata iz kože, 8,1 % iz eksudata iz dušnika, 2,7 % iz vaginalnog eksudata, 2,7 % iz eksudata iz sluznice, 2,7 % iz gnojnog eksudata, 2,7 % iz bronhoalveolarnog eksudata, 2,7 % iz očnog eksudata i 2,7 % iz krvi. Izolirani su patogeni 21 različite vrste, od čega se Pantoea agglomerans, Cronobacter sakazakii, Leclercia adecarboxylata, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, trenutno smatraju emergentnim uzročnicima ljudske infekcije. Pojavnost ovih vrsta bila je 2,4 % za Leclercia adecarboxylata (jedan mladi mačak), 2,4 % za Pantoea agglomerans (jedan mladi pas), 2,4 % za Cronobacter sakazakii (jedan mladi pas) i 2,4 % za Sphingomonas paucimobilis (jedan mladi pas). Leclercia adecarboxylata je gram-negativni bacil iz obitelji enterobakterija. To je rijedak „novi“ ljudski patogen koji uglavnom pogađa imunokompromitirane pojedince ili prouzroči polimikrobne infekcije u imunokompetentnih bolesnika. Cronobacter sakazakii je emergentni patogen koji se prenosi hranom, a koji prouzroči nekrotizirajući enterokolitis i bakterijemiju u ljudi, Pantoea agglomerans povezana je s bolničkom infekcijom, uglavnom kod imunokompromitiranih pojedinaca sa smrtnim slučajevima. Sphingomonas paucimobilis je emergentna oportunistička bakterija s posebnim tropizmom za kosti i meka tkiva. Bliski odnos između ljudi i ljubimaca predstavlja potencijalni rizik prijenosa zoonotskih patogena. Iz tog je razloga potrebno provesti dodatna istraživanja na temelju pristupa Jednog zdravlja, da bi se preciznije odredila pojavnost i incidencija emergentnih uzročnika među vrstama

Changes in the color and sensitivity of the tongue in adult women after COVID-19 treatment

Objectives: to describe the changes in color and sensitivity of the tongue in adult women, in the period after the treatment of COVID-19 and explain the dental conduct for treatment. Case report: there was a request for dental evaluation by a public and reference University Hospital in the city of Recife, northeast of Brazil. The patient in question was a 33 years-old white female. There was a history of diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19, with antibiotic, antipyretic and medication for worms, with the complaint of much sensitivity and change in language. The physical examination showed gingivitis in the lower sextant, with spontaneous gingival bleeding and dark spots on the dorsum of the tongue, associated with increased discomfort in the region. It was observed that the patient did not receive any orientation about oral hygiene, even with the report of pain in this region. It was opted for the orientation of the hygienization, with the reinforcement of the cleanness of the tongue, cheeks with hydrogen peroxide or oxygenated water to 10 volumes and the reinforcement for the ingestion of vitamin C, beyond the control of the biofilm, for the treatment of the gingivitis in the anterior and inferior sextant. Conclusions: this report covers the control made in seven days, being the images referring to the third day after the guidelines. There was a change in the color of the tongue and sensibility, with regular ingestion of food and liquids. There was also an improvement in gingivitis, but control is necessary.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

UNIMARC: Estudo da sua utilização na PORBASE

O UNIMARC é o formato normalizado utilizado na PORBASE para troca de dados bibliográficos com as bibliotecas cooperantes, sendo também utilizado pelos sistemas de gestão documental de grande parte das bibliotecas em Portugal. É uma norma complexa, da família de formatos MARC – MAchine-Readable Cataloging, que define um elevado número de elementos tanto para uso generalizado como para utilização específica. Este artigo apresenta uma análise da frequência da utilização dos elementos do UNIMARC, campos e subcampos, levada a cabo sobre a totalidade dos registos da PORBASE. Apresenta-se também uma comparação com os resultados de um estudo semelhante publicado para o formato MARC21 numa amostra de registos da OCLC, em que se detectam semelhanças relevantes, o que pensamos valida assim ambos os estudos. Espera-se que as conclusões desta análise sejam importantes para a manutenção e evolução das Regras Portuguesas de Catalogação, das recomendações e opções internas da PORBASE, e ainda para as actividades relacionadas da IFLA, especialmente do programa ICABS (IFLA-CDNL Alliance for Bibliographic Standards), em que a BNP (Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal) tem um papel relevante como coordenadora das actividades UNIMARC

Minettes do Stock Monzonítico Glória Norte: evidência de magmatismo ultrapotássico pós-orogênico, com assinatura de subducção, no Sistema Orogênico Sergipano

Lamprophyres occur as microgranular enclaves in the Glória Norte Monzonitic Stock (588 ± 5 Ma), located in the central part of the Macururé Domain, Sergipano Orogenic System, in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. These lamprophric enclaves were classified as minettes and occur concentrated in an area of approximately 1 km in diameter in the southeast region of the stock. The minettes have porphyritic, panidiomorphic textures with biotite phenocrystals, and fine granulation matrix. The mafic minerals present, in addition to the biotite, are diopside, augite, hornblende and titanite. Perthitic orthoclase, andesine, biotite, carbonate, apatite and zircon are also present in the matrix. The data of the major (K2O/Na2O >3, 6 > %MgO > 8, K2O > 3%), minor and traces elements (low values of Ti, Nb, Ta) indicate orogenic ultrapotassic magmatism. The ratio Th/Yb > 9.00 and 0.05 < Ta/Yb < 0.20 points to magma formed by melting of an enriched mantle. The information obtained in this study indicates that ultrapotassic basic magmas were present during the post-tectonic period in the Sergipano Orogenic System (SOS).Lamprófiros ocorrem como enclaves microgranulares no Stock Monzonítico Glória Norte (SGN) (588 ± 5 Ma), localizado na parte central do Domínio Macururé, do Sistema Orogênico Sergipano, no estado de Sergipe. Esses enclaves lamprofíricos foram classificados como minettes e ocorrem concentrados em uma área com aproximadamente 1 km de diâmetro na região sudeste do stock. Os minettes apresentam texturas porfirítica e panidiomórfica, com fenocristais de biotita e matriz com granulação fina. Os minerais máficos presentes, além da biotita, são: diopsídio, augita, hornblenda e titanita. Ortoclásio pertítico, andesina, biotita, carbonato, apatita e zircão também estão presentes na matriz. Os dados dos elementos maiores (K2O/Na2O > 3, 6 > %MgO > 8, K2O > 3%), menores e traços (baixos valores de Ti, Nb, Ta) indicam magmatismo ultrapotássico orogênico. As razões Th/Yb > 9,00 e 0,05 < Ta/Yb < 0,20 apontam para magma formado por fusão de um manto enriquecido. As informações obtidas neste estudo indicam que magmas básicos ultrapotássicos estiveram presentes durante o período pós-tectônico no Sistema Orogênico Sergipano (SOS).

Usos dos resultados de iniciativas municipais de avaliação educacional: uma metassíntese qualitativa

The study consists of a qualitative meta-synthesis with the aim of examining how the results of municipal assessments have been used within the scope of the municipal education network, taking as a reference the scientific production on the subject published in five sources specialized in educational assessment, in the period of 1990 to 2018. The analysis is based on evidence from 18 studies on the topic that collected data from municipalities in all regions of Brazil. It is revealed that the results of municipal assessment act as a seminal output that subsidizes a variety of practices within municipalities, constituting systems of low, medium and high accountability.O estudo consiste em uma metassíntese qualitativa com o escopo de perscrutar como os resultados das avaliações municipais vêm sendo utilizados no âmbito da rede municipal de ensino, tendo como referência a produção científica sobre o assunto veiculada em cinco fontes especializadas em avaliação educacional, no período de 1990 a 2018. A análise se desenvolve com base em evidências provenientes de 18 estudos sobre o tema que coletaram dados junto a municípios de todas as regiões do Brasil. Põe-se a descoberto que os resultados da avaliação municipal atuam como um output seminal que subsidia uma variedade de práticas no interior das municipalidades, constituindo sistemas de baixa, média e alta responsabilização

Knowledge about COVID-19: best practices in the North of Portugal and the importance of health education in the prevention of pandemic events

The rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has made COVID-19 one of the biggest pandemics of all time, with several devastating public health challenges. In this study, we investigated the knowledge towards COVID-19 best practices in the north of Portugal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed with a convenience sample of the population of northern Portugal to assess their knowledge about COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and measures to prevent and mitigate pandemics. An online validated questionnaire was completed by 411 participants, from September to October 2020. Results: The overall correct knowledge was 81.3%, which indicates a good knowledge by the northern Portuguese respondents about COVID-19. The correct answer score differed considerably between men and women, being significantly higher among the latter (12.28 ± 1.22; p = 0.011). Moreover, the highest knowledge was observed in participants who attended high school or above (12.27 ± 1.21; p < 0.000). Conclusion: This study contributes to the analysis of COVID-19 knowledge by the northern Portuguese population, emphasizes the crucial role of health education in the control and mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides field-based evidence to prevent the next pandemic event.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Monitoring ten insect pests in selected orchards in three Azorean Islands : The project CUARENTAGRI

BACKGROUND: The data we present are part of the CUARENTAGRI project, which involves all archipelagos of the Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and Cabo Verde). The project aims to: i) identify and evaluate the risks associated with the introduction of new arthropod pests; ii) study the population dynamics of selected arthropod pest species currently responsible for the damage of key target crops and iii) develop monitoring systems, based on prediction and/or population dynamics of the crop pests, creating warnings and a phytosanitary prevention system. In this contribution, we compile data for three Azorean Islands (Terceira, São Jorge and São Miguel Islands), where pheromone-baited traps were placed in pastures, potato fields and several orchards’ types (apples, banana, chestnuts, olives, orange and strawberry), during three consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022). NEW INFORMATION: A total of 114,827 specimens of insects (Arthropoda, Insecta) were collected, belonging to four orders, six families and ten recorded pest species. A total of eight species are considered introduced (Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar, 1824), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931), Bactrocera oleae (Rossi, 1790), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller, 1873), Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758), Cydia splendana (Hübner, 1799) and Grapholita molesta (Busck, 1916); n = 84,986 specimens) and two native non-endemic (Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth, 1809) and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval, 1833); n = 17,465 specimens). This study intended to contribute to a better knowledge of the arthropods pests that can affect the Azorean crops and will serve as a baseline for future monitoring actions, pest risk assessments and prevention systems.This work was financed under the project CUARENTAGRI by Cooperation Programs INTERREG V A (Spain-Portugal) and MAC 2014-2020. Darwin Core Database management was funded by the Project project FCT-UIDB/00329/2020-2024 (Thematic Line 1 – integrated ecological assessment of environmental change on biodiversity) and Portal da Biodiversidade dos Açores (2022-2023) - PO Azores Project - M1.1.A/INFRAEST CIENT/001/2022. Lucas Lamelas-Lopez was supported by the Project FCT-UIDP/00329/2020-2023.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio