Influence of slaughter season, muscle type and gluconeogenesis precursors on intramuscular fat quality of ruminant meats

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências Veterinárias, especialidade de Segurança AlimentarThe aim of this study was to determine the influence of slaughter season and muscle type on nutritional quality of intramuscular fat (IMF) in Mirandesa-PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) veal, Charneca-PDO beef and organic beef, assessing to the quality and status that may contribute to market differentiation. The results suggest that the IMF content of PDO veal, PDO beef and organic beef was slightly affected by the slaughter season but markedly changed by the muscle type. The meat analysed had a high nutritional value, with favourable ratios of n-6/n-3 and contents of n-3 PUFA and α-tocopherol. Some studies indicate that increasing the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) expression and activity may significantly improve the nutritional quality of meat by decreasing the SFA content, while increasing rumenic acid content. This can be achieved by the administration of gluconeogenesis precursors, such as propylene glycol, which induces elevated propionate in the rumen and higher levels of blood insulin and glucose, resulting in the SCD activity elevation. Thus, the influence of dietary gluconeogenesis precursors (propylene glycol and calcium propionate mix; PP) and linseed oil on intramuscular fatty acid composition of lambs was assessed. Results suggest that gluconeogenesis precursors modify the biohydrogenation pathway and reduce the rumenic acid concentration. Linseed oil supplementation increased meat concentration of α-linolenic acid, as well as most of the C18 biohydrogenation intermediates, including vaccenic acid and rumenic acids. In conclusion, regarding the lipid composition of IMF, the studied PDO and organic meats have a high nutritional value, contributing to the consumer`s confidence on these products. The fatty acid profile of lamb’s IMF was slightly affected by PP, without clear effects on insulinaemia and delta-9 desaturation, demanding future research on this subject.RESUMO - Influência da sazonalidade, do tipo de músculo e de precursores da neoglucogénese na qualidade da gordura intramuscular de carne de ruminantes - Neste trabalho estudou-se o efeito da sazonalidade do abate e do tipo de músculo na qualidade da gordura intramuscular das carnes Mirandesa-DOP (Denominação de Origem Protegida) e Charneca-DOP, e da carne biológica, de modo a avaliar a qualidade e reputação alegada como fator diferenciador no mercado. Os resultados sugerem que a composição de ácidos gordos da gordura intramuscular das carnes analisadas foi influenciada ligeiramente pela sazonalidade do abate mas fortemente pelo tipo de músculo. Apesar desta variação, todas as carnes analisadas têm um elevado valor nutricional apresentando um índice favorável n-6/n-3 e teores elevados de n-3 PUFA e α-tocoferol. Alguns estudos indicam que o aumento da atividade da Δ-9 dessaturase pode melhorar a qualidade nutricional da carne, através da diminuição dos ácidos gordos saturados e do aumento do teor de ácido ruménico. Isto pode ser possível pela administração de precursores neoglucogénicos, tais como o propilenoglicol que induz o aumento do propionato no rúmen e aumenta os níveis sanguíneos de insulina e glucose, resultando no aumento da atividade da Δ-9 dessaturase. Assim foi avaliado o efeito da suplementação da dieta com propilenoglicol e propionato de cálcio, bem como óleo de linho, na composição lipídica da gordura intramuscular da carne de borrego. Os resultados sugerem que os precursores neoglucogénicos alteram a biohidrogenação ruminal e diminui o teor de ácido ruménico. A suplementação com óleo de linho aumenta o teor de ácido α-linolénico da carne, bem como a maioria dos C18 intermediários da biohidrogenação, incluindo os ácidos vacénico e ruménico. Em conclusão, a composição lipídica da gordura intramuscular das carnes de bovino DOP estudadas e da carne biológica apresenta um elevado valor nutricional, contribuindo para confiança do consumidor sobre estes produtos O perfil dos ácidos gordos da gordura intramuscular da carne de borrego é ligeiramente influenciado pelos precursores, sem efeitos claros na insulinemia e na Δ-9 dessaturase, exigindo-se estudos futuros sobre este assunto.FCT - SFRH/PROTEC/2009/50138 and Co-financed by the grant PTDV/CVT/2006/6611

MapMi: automated mapping of microRNA loci.

BACKGROUND: A large effort to discover microRNAs (miRNAs) has been under way. Currently miRBase is their primary repository, providing annotations of primary sequences, precursors and probable genomic loci. In many cases miRNAs are identical or very similar between related (or in some cases more distant) species. However, miRBase focuses on those species for which miRNAs have been directly confirmed. Secondly, specific miRNAs or their loci are sometimes not annotated even in well-covered species. We sought to address this problem by developing a computational system for automated mapping of miRNAs within and across species. Given the sequence of a known miRNA in one species it is relatively straightforward to determine likely loci of that miRNA in other species. Our primary goal is not the discovery of novel miRNAs but the mapping of validated miRNAs in one species to their most likely orthologues in other species. RESULTS: We present MapMi, a computational system for automated miRNA mapping across and within species. This method has a sensitivity of 92.20% and a specificity of 97.73%. Using the latest release (v14) of miRBase, we obtained 10,944 unannotated potential miRNAs when MapMi was applied to all 21 species in Ensembl Metazoa release 2 and 46 species from Ensembl release 55. CONCLUSIONS: The pipeline and an associated web-server for mapping miRNAs are freely available on http://www.ebi.ac.uk/enright-srv/MapMi/. In addition precomputed miRNA mappings of miRBase miRNAs across a large number of species are provided

IMPACTO DA INTRODUÇÃO DA ALBUFEIRA DE ALQUEVA NO MODELO DE PREVISÃO AROME

Although the floodgates of the Alqueva dam were closed in 2002, giving rise to the largest artificial lake in Western Europe, its possible effects on the weather in Portugal are not being taken into account by the operational models of weather forecasting used in IPMA. Thus, it is necessary to introduce the physiography of the lake in the model under study (AROME), and to validate it by analysing statistically as well as meteorologically the differences between the model simulations with and without Alqueva and to compare these results with observations

Large-scale analysis of microRNA evolution.

BACKGROUND: In animals, microRNAs (miRNA) are important genetic regulators. Animal miRNAs appear to have expanded in conjunction with an escalation in complexity during early bilaterian evolution. Their small size and high-degree of similarity makes them challenging for phylogenetic approaches. Furthermore, genomic locations encoding miRNAs are not clearly defined in many species. A number of studies have looked at the evolution of individual miRNA families. However, we currently lack resources for large-scale analysis of miRNA evolution. RESULTS: We addressed some of these issues in order to analyse the evolution of miRNAs. We perform syntenic and phylogenetic analysis for miRNAs from 80 animal species. We present synteny maps, phylogenies and functional data for miRNAs across these species. These data represent the basis of our analyses and also act as a resource for the community. CONCLUSIONS: We use these data to explore the distribution of miRNAs across phylogenetic space, characterise their birth and death, and examine functional relationships between miRNAs and other genes. These data confirm a number of previously reported findings on a larger scale and also offer novel insights into the evolution of the miRNA repertoire in animals, and it's genomic organization

A formação em primeiros socorros psicológicos nos agentes de Proteção Civil

Os Agentes de Proteção Civil (Corpos de Bombeiros, Forças de Segurança, Forças Armadas, Autoridade Marítima Nacional, Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil, INEM e Sapadores Florestais) dedicam o seu serviço ao cidadão, estando a sua atuação frequentemente relacionada com situações de catástrofe e/ou acidentes graves. Estes eventos são potencialmente traumáticos, pelo que se espera que os operacionais que neles intervêm estejam preparados adequadamente para tal. Este trabalho foca-se no primeiro socorro prestado à vítima, particularmente no socorro psicológico. Numa primeira fase é feita uma descrição de como os Agentes de Proteção Civil atuam junto à população, de como os Primeiros Socorros Psicológicos são necessários para a não obtenção de traumas psicológicos. Com base na análise de referenciais de formação e de 1255 inquéritos respondidos por Agentes de Proteção Civil é evidenciada a falta de preparação para a sua providência, que pode ter como resultados um pior serviço prestado à população e ter efeitos negativos na saúde mental dos operacionais envolvidos. A partir dos dados obtidos é feita uma proposta de formação, comum a todos os Agentes de Proteção Civil, com vista à preparação universal, à interoperabilidade e à otimização de recursos para a sua garantia.Civil Protection Agentes (Fire Brigades, Security Forces, Armed Forces, National Maritime Authority, National Civil Aviation Authority, INEM and forest sappers) dedicate their service to the citizen, and their action is frequently related to catastrophic situations and /or serious accidents. These events are potentially traumatic, so it is expected that the operators who intervene in them are prepared for that. This work focuses on the first aid provided to the victim, particularly psychological help. In a first phase, a description is made of how Civil Protection Agents work with the population, of how Psychological First Aid is necessary to avoid psychological trauma. Based on the analysis of training references and 1255 surveys answered by Civil Protection Agents, the lack of preparation for their action is highlighted, which can result in a worse service provided to the population and have negative effects on the mental health of those involved. From the data obtained, a training proposal is made, common to all Civil Protection Agents, with a view to universal preparation, interoperability and the optimization of resources for its guarantee

As Unidades Militares da Praça de Almeida entre 1642 e 1927: A Defesa Territorial na Fronteira da Beira

O presente trabalho é subordinado ao tema: “As Unidades Militares da Praça de Almeida entre 1642 e 1927: A Defesa Territorial na Fronteira da Beira”. A Praça de Almeida teve, desde a criação de Portugal, responsabilidades na Defesa Territorial do País, sendo alvo de disputas e confrontos em diversos episódios, cada um deles ilustrando a importância da Praça e como a sua capitulação podia alterar o desenrolar dos acontecimentos a nível nacional. Analisou-se o papel de Almeida na Defesa Territorial na Fronteira da Beira a partir da tipologia, orgânica e emprego operacional das forças que guarneciam a Praça desde a criação do Exército Permanente no século XVII. Incidiu-se especialmente nos períodos em que Almeida esteve empenhada contra exércitos invasores, nomeadamente na Guerra da Restauração, Guerra Fantástica e Guerra Peninsular. Incidiu-se também nos confrontos durante as Lutas Liberais e na Revolta de Torres Novas em 1844, que culminou num cerco a Almeida de mês e meio. Partindo das principais reorganizações militares viu-se como estas se refletiram na Praça e como as missões das suas guarnições se adaptaram ao longo dos tempos à Defesa Territorial do País. Concluiu-se neste trabalho o porquê de a Praça de Almeida ter perdido o seu valor militar e a forma como isso aconteceu. Abstract This work is relative to the theme: "The Military Units of the Plaza of Almeida between 1642 and 1927: The Territorial Defense in the Beira Frontier". Since the rising of Portugal that the Plaza of Almeida had responsibilities in the Territorial Defense of the country, being the target of disputes and clashes in several episodes, each one illustrating the importance of the Square and the consequences of its capitulation in the course of events nationwide. The role of Almeida in the Territorial Defense of Beira’s Frontier was analyzed by the type, size and operational employment of forces that lined the Square since its creation on the first standing army in the seventeenth century. The investigation is focused especially in periods when Almeida was committed against invading armies, particularly in the Restoration War, Fantastic War and Peninsular War. It’s also focused on the Liberals Fights and the Revolt of Torres Novas in 1844, which culminated in a month and a half siege of Almeida. Starting from the main military reorganizations we saw how these were reflected in the Square and how their trim’s missions have adapted to the Territorial Defense of the Country. In this study we concluded why the Plaza de Almeida has lost its military value and how it happened

Strength and endurance of the respiratory and handgrip muscles after the use of flunisolide in normal subjects

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the inhaled flunisolide upon the strength and endurance of the respiratory and peripheral muscles of normal subjects.Design: A randomized, double blind and placebo-controlled study.Setting: A university-affiliated teaching hospital.Participants: Thirteen normal volunteers selected from a graduation course.Intervention: Subjects were randomly allocated to receive a placebo or corticosteroid (flunisolide) to be inhaled twice a day for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks of a washout period, subjects who were receiving the placebo, received flunisolide and vise versa for another 4-week period.Measurements and results: Spirometry was used to define the volunteers as being normal in terms of pulmonary function. During the study, subjects performed tests of respiratory muscle function (strength and endurance), measurements of handgrip strength and endurance and anthropometric measurements. Muscle strength was measured each week while muscle endurance was measured every 2 weeks. There was no significant difference in the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure and handgrip strength during weeks 1-4 when the subjects used either flunisolide or placebo. However, we observed an increase in the endurance time of the respiratory and handgrip muscles in the 4th week of both flunisolide and placebo use, what may be considered due to a learning effect.Conclusion: Inhalation of flunisolide by normal subjects for 1 month does not cause any acute or clinically perceived effect in the peripheral or respiratory muscles. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Resp Div, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Div Resp, Ufba, BA, BrazilUniv Metropolitana Santos, Resp Div, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Resp Div, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Curvas de dosagem para concretos convencionais e aditivados confeccionados com materiais da região Noroestes do Paraná

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Civil

THE INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL AND THE CREATION OF VALUE IN RESEARCH UNITS LINKED TO THE BRAZILIAN MINISTRY OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

The study investigated the understanding of the directors and managers of the Research Units (Unidades de Pesquisa – UP) linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia & Inovac¸ão – MCTI) on the creation of value and innovations from Knowledge and Intellectual Capital management, analyzing their understanding of the theme and the way in which the intangible assets – mainly information and knowledge – are transformed by the UP. To develop the objective and research question, it was necessary to (i) characterize the organizational context of the UP, (ii) to discuss the applicability of the relevant conceptual framework to Knowledge Management, Intellectual Capital and Intangible Assets in order to follow the value created within the UP, (iii) demonstrate the recognition of the innovations achieved by the UP and the way they are viewed by the managers, and (iv) portray the understanding of the directors and managers about the Intellectual Capital within the unit in which they are inserted. A descriptive approach was adopted, with functionalist discussion and quantitative research to measure the relationship between the data and test hypotheses about the sample – the interdependence between value creation drivers and the differentiated perception about value creation via intangible drivers. The findings allow to affirm that there are distinct clusters of UP, with greater importance, in general, attributed to Relational Capital