The Effect of starter Cultures on the Portuguese Traditional Sausage "Paio do Alentejo" in Terms of its Sensory and Textural Characteristics and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Profile

“Paio do Alentejo” is a Portuguese dry-cured sausage, made with meat from the Alentejano pig breed. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the benefits of the use of starter cultures on the quality of the sausage, mainly with regard to its sensory properties, rheological characteristics and PAH profile. Three batches of the product were examined: S1-inoculated with a commercial starter comprising Lactobacillus spp., Micrococcaceae and yeasts; S2-inoculated with a starter comprising Lactobacillus sakei and Staphylococcus xylosus; C-the control batch, was not inoculated. A sensory panel of 12 experts analysed samples in accordance with a descriptive analysis using a structured scale. A Texture Profile Analysis and 16 EPA priority PAHs for dry fermented sausages were performed. Both inoculated batches were well received by the judges, no significant differences being noted between them. The use of S2 led to a slight improvement in terms of cohesiveness. However, the use of starter cultures was not found to influence PAH content

Effect of fat content, casing type and smoking procedures on PAHs contents of Portuguese traditional dry fermented sausages

Portuguese dry fermented sausages are traditionally processed through direct drying/smoking, making them susceptible to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of added fat (20% and 40%), casing type (hog and collagen) and smoking procedures (direct and indirect exposure) on the 16 EPA priority PAHs in dry fermented sausages manufactured according traditional processing. The total PAHs content (sum of 16 PAHs) found in whole product (casing included) varied between 150 and 870 lg kg 1, with more than 99% of this content corresponding to harmless low molecular weight compounds. Concerning benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and PAH4, the respective maximum contents (0.32 and 10.35 lg kg 1, respectively) did not exceed the imposed limits regulated by the European Union. According to our results, casing type was the most influential factor. For hog samples, fat content and smoking regime alone did not influenced the total PAHs amount. However, significantly higher (p < 0.05) contamination levels were detected in hog casing samples combining high fat content and direct smoking procedures. In opposition, irrespective of the fat content and smoking regime, safer products, with significantly lower (p < 0.001) contamination levels, were obtained when collagen casing was used

Resultados Da Colpofixação Sacroespinal Associada A Colporrafia Anterior Para O Tratamento Do Prolapso De Cúpula Vaginal

To evaluate the results of sacrospinous colpopexy surgery associated with anterior colporrhaphy for the treatment of womeN with post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Methods This prospective study included 20women with vault prolapse, PelvicOrgan Prolapse Quantification System (POP-Q) stage ≥ 2, treated between January 2003 and February 2006, and evaluated in a follow-up review (more than one year later). Genital prolapse was evaluated qualitatively in stages and quantitatively in centimeters. Prolapse stage < 2 was considered to be the cure criterion. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test (paired samples) to compare the points and stages of prolapse before and after surgery. Results Evaluation of the vaginal vault after one year revealed that 95% of subjects were in stage zero and that 5% were in stage 1. For cystocele, 50% were in stage 1, 10% were in stage 0 (cured) and 40% were in stage 2. For rectocele, three women were in stage 1 (15%), one was in stage 2 (5%) and 16 had no further prolapse. The most frequent complication was pain in the right buttock, with remission of symptoms in all three cases three months after surgery. Conclusions In this retrospective study, the surgical correction of vault prolapse using a sacrospinous ligament fixation technique associatedwith anterior colporrhaphy proved effective in resolving genital prolapse. Despite the low complication rates, there was a high rate of cystocele, which may be caused by posterior vaginal shifting due to either the technique or an overvaluation by the POP-Q system. © 2016 by Thieme Publicações Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.382778

Orientação desporto com pés e cabeça.

Este livro aborda, de forma transversal, todas as múltiplas áreas relacionadas com a modalidade desportiva Orientação. O capítulo “Orientação: Desporto Para Toda a Vida”, embora utilizando como base alguns textos já existentes, foi todo reescrito para dar uma introdução generalista ao mundo da Orientação. O segundo capítulo aborda a base da Orientação: o mapa. Assim, “Mapas de Orientação” fala sobre todo o universo dos mapas utilizados nas suas diversas disciplinas. De seguida surgem os capítulos “Orientação Pedestre - Traçado de Percursos” e “Orientação em BTT - Traçado de Percursos”, que se debruçam de forma aprofundada sobre o mais importante aspecto técnico para o sucesso de uma prova de Orientação, o trabalho do Traçador de Percursos. O capítulo “Corridas Aventura” trata de forma separada esta disciplina, devido às diferenças substanciais face às restantes disciplinas da Orientação. Também a “Orientação de Precisão”, designada, na língua inglesa, por Trail-O, tem o seu capítulo próprio. Nele se apresentam as virtudes desta disciplina e se faz uma descrição em pormenor do funcionamento de um percurso de Ori-Precisão. Alguns dos conteúdos deste capítulo são transversais à aprendizagem de diversas questões técnicas da Orientação. Os três capítulos seguintes surgem numa ideia de crescendo ao nível da preparação de actividades de aprendizagem e treino da Orientação. “Jogos Didácticos” descreve alguns jogos de abordagem às bases da Orientação, dirigidos essencialmente para crianças. “Aprendizagem da Orientação” aborda de forma detalhada as actividades a desenvolver nas diversas etapas de aprendizagem da Orientação. “Treino Técnico” explora, de forma simultaneamente teórica e prática, o desenvolvimento das diversas capacidades técnicas e tácticas essenciais para um bom orientista. “Desenvolvimento das Competências Psicológicas” analisa de forma superficial os diversos processos psicológicos que contribuem para a performance do praticante de Orientação. Com o capítulo “Organização de um Evento”, faz-se uma resenha das tarefas inerentes ao planeamento e organização de uma prova de Orientação, analisando os recursos técnicos, logísticos e humanos necessários. Sendo a Orientação uma modalidade intimamente ligada ao meio natural, este livro não podia deixar de ter o capítulo “A Orientação e o Ambiente” que aborda as questões ambientais ligadas a esta modalidade. A terminar este livro, três anexos que incluem um glossário de termos de Orientação

Experimental assessment of the performance of two marine coatings to curb biofilm formation of microfoulers

Biofilms formed on submerged marine surfaces play a critical role in the fouling process, causing increased fuel consumption, corrosion, and high maintenance costs. Thus, marine biofouling is a major issue and motivates the development of antifouling coatings. In this study, the performance of two commercial marine coatings, a foul-release silicone-based paint (SilRef) and an epoxy resin (EpoRef), was evaluated regarding their abilities to prevent biofilm formation by Cyanobium sp. and Pseudoalteromonas tunicata (common microfoulers). Biofilms were developed under defined hydrodynamic conditions to simulate marine settings, and the number of biofilm cells, wet weight, and thickness were monitored for 7 weeks. The biofilm structure was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) at the end-point. Results demonstrated that EpoRef surfaces were effective in inhibiting biofilm formation at initial stages (until day 28), while SilRef surfaces showed high efficacy in decreasing biofilm formation during maturation (from day 35 onwards). Wet weight and thickness analysis, as well as CLSM data, indicate that SilRef surfaces were less prone to biofilm formation than EpoRef surfaces. Furthermore, the efficacy of SilRef surfaces may be dependent on the fouling microorganism, while the performance of EpoRef was strongly influenced by a combined effect of surface and microorganism.This research was funded by Base Funding - UIDB/00511/2020 of the Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology, and Energy - LEPABE - funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC), “CVMAR+i - Industrial Innovation and Marine Biotechnology Valorization” project, funded by INTERREG V Espanha Portugal (POCTEP) (0302_CVMAR_I_1_P), and UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020 (CIIMAR). The research work was also supported by UIDB/04046/2020 and UIDP/04046/2020 research units grants, Portugal (to BioISI). R.T.-S. thanks the receipt of a junior researcher fellowship from the Project PTDC/BII-BIO/29589/2017 POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029589 funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds (PIDDAC) through FCT/MCTES. L.C.G. thanks the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the financial support of her work contract through the Scientific Employment Stimulus-Individual Call-[CEECIND/01700/2017]. Atomic force microscopy technique was performed at the Biointerface and Nanotechnology i3S Scientific Platform with the assistance of Manuela Brás

Cirurgia Com Tela Para Correção De Prolapso De Parede Anterior: Metanálise

Purpose Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major health issue worldwide, affecting 6–8% of women. The most affected site is the anterior vaginal wall. Multiple procedures and surgical techniques have been used, with or without the use of vaginal meshes, due to common treatment failure, reoperations, and complication rates in some studies. Methods Systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis regarding the use of vaginal mesh in anterior vaginal wall prolapse was performed. A total of 115 papers were retrieved after using the medical subject headings (MESH) terms: ‘anterior pelvic organ prolapse OR cystocele AND surgery AND (mesh or colporrhaphy)’ in the PubMed database. Exclusion criteria were: follow-up shorter than 1 year, use of biological or absorbable meshes, and inclusion of other vaginal wall prolapses. Studies were put in a data chart by two independent editors; results found in at least two studies were grouped for analysis. Results After the review of the titles by two independent editors, 70 studies were discarded, and after abstract assessment, 18 trials were eligible for full text screening. For final screening and meta-analysis, after applying the Jadad score ( > 2), 12 studies were included. Objective cure was greater in the mesh surgery group (odds ratio [OR] = 1,28 [1,07–1,53]), which also had greater blood loss (mean deviation [MD] = 45,98 [9,72–82,25]), longer surgery time (MD = 15,08 [0,48–29,67]), but less prolapse recurrence (OR = 0,22 [01,3–0,38]). Dyspareunia, symptom resolution and reoperation rates were not statistically different between groups. Quality of life (QOL) assessment through the pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence sexual questionnaire (PISQ-12), the pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI-20), the pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ-7), and the perceived quality of life scale (PQOL) was not significantly different. Conclusions Anterior vaginal prolapse mesh surgery has greater anatomic cure rates and less recurrence, although there were no differences regarding subjective cure, reoperation rates and quality of life. Furthermore, mesh surgery was associated with longer surgical time and greater blood loss. Mesh use should be individualized, considering prior history and risk factors for recurrence. © 2016 by Thieme Publicações Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.38735636

Cirurgia com tela para correção de prolapso de parede anterior: metanálise

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major health issue worldwide, affecting 6–8% of women. The most affected site is the anterior vaginal wall. Multiple procedures and surgical techniques have been used, with or without the use of vaginal meshes, due to common treatment failure, reoperations, and complication rates in some studies. Methods Systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis regarding the use of vaginal mesh in anterior vaginal wall prolapse was performed. A total of 115 papers were retrieved after using the medical subject headings (MESH) terms: ‘anterior pelvic organ prolapse OR cystocele AND surgery AND (mesh or colporrhaphy)’ in the PubMed database. Exclusion criteria were: follow-up shorter than 1 year, use of biological or absorbable meshes, and inclusion of other vaginal wall prolapses. Studies were put in a data chart by two independent editors; results found in at least two studies were grouped for analysis. Results After the review of the titles by two independent editors, 70 studies were discarded, and after abstract assessment, 18 trials were eligible for full text screening. For final screening and meta-analysis, after applying the Jadad score ( > 2), 12 studies were included. Objective cure was greater in the mesh surgery group (odds ratio [OR] = 1,28 [1,07–1,53]), which also had greater blood loss (mean deviation [MD] = 45,98 [9,72–82,25]), longer surgery time (MD = 15,08 [0,48–29,67]), but less prolapse recurrence (OR = 0,22 [01,3–0,38]). Dyspareunia, symptom resolution and reoperation rates were not statistically different between groups. Quality of life (QOL) assessment through the pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence sexual questionnaire (PISQ-12), the pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI-20), the pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ-7), and the perceived quality of life scale (PQOL) was not significantly different. Conclusions Anterior vaginal prolapse mesh surgery has greater anatomic cure rates and less recurrence, although there were no differences regarding subjective cure, reoperation rates and quality of life. Furthermore, mesh surgery was associated with longer surgical time and greater blood loss. Mesh use should be individualized, considering prior history and risk factors for recurrence.387356364Prolapso de órgãos pélvicos é problema de saúde públicas, sendo o mais comum o anterior. Para tratamento são utilizadas cirurgias, com ou sem telas. O uso de telas é para diminuir recidivas, mas não h á consenso. Métodos: Foi realizada revisão da literatura e metanálise, sobre uso de telas na correção do prolapso anterior. Base de dados foi PUBMED , com termos (MESH): “Anterior Pelvic Organ OR Cystocele AND Surgery AND (Mesh or Colporrhaphy)”. Critérios de exclusão foram: seguimento menor que 1 ano, telas biológicas ou absorvíveis. Resultados: foram avaliados 115 artigos. Após revisão dos títulos, 70 estudos foram descartados e 18 após leitura de resumos. Após critérios de Jadad (>2), 12 estudos foram incluídos. Análise estatística foi razão de risco ou diferença entre médias dos grupos, e as análises com grande heterogeneidade foram avaliadas através de análise de efeito aleatório. Resultados: Cura objetiva foi superior no grupo com tela - OR 1,28 (1,07-1,53, p ≤ 0,00001), maior perda sanguínea - diferença média (MD) 45,98 (9,72-82,25, p = 0,01), tempo cirúrgico mais longo - MD 15,08 (0,48-29,67, p = 0,04), porém menor recorrência - OR 0,22 (0,13-0,38, p = 0,00001), não apresentando maior resolução dos sintomas - OR 1,93 (0,83-4,51, p = 0,15). Dispareunia e taxa de reoperação também não foram diferentes entre grupos. Qualidade de vida não apresentou diferença. Conclusões: Cirurgia com tela para prolapso vaginal anterior apresenta melhor taxa de cura anatômica e menor recorrência, sem diferenças cura subjetiva, reoperação e qualidade de vida. Há maior tempo cirúrgico e perda sanguínea. Uso de telas deve ser individualizado

The relation of the concentration of macronutrients in the substrate and in the foliage to cell wall thickness and cellulose concentration in the xylem of slash pine (Pinus elliotti)

Sand culture experiments, using a sub-irrigation technique, were installed in order to find out the effects of the macronutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S on growth, aspect, mineral composition, length of fibers, thickness of cell wall and cellulose concentration in slash pine. The aim was to obtain, under controlled conditions, basic information which could eventually lead to practical means designed to increase the rate of growth and to make of slash pine a richer source of cellulose. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium Experiment A 3 x 3 x 3 factorial design with two replicates was used. Nitrogen was supplied initially at the levels of 25, 50 and 100 ppm; phosphorus was given at the rates of 5, 10 and 20 ppm; potassium was supplied at the rates of 25, 50 and 100 ppm; six months after the experiment was started the first level for each element was dropped to zero. Others macro and all micronutrients were supplied at uniform rates. Fifteen hours of illumination per day were provided. The experimental technique for growing the slash pine seedlings proved quite satisfactory. Symptoms of deficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were observed, described and recorded in photographs and water colors. These informations will help to identify abnormalities which may appear under field conditions. Chemical analysis of the several plant parts, on the other hand, give a valuable means to assess the nutritional status of slash pine, thus confirming when needed, the visual diagnosis. The correctness of manurial pratices, on the other hand, can be judged with the help of the analytical data tabulated. Under the experimental conditions nitrogen caused the highest increases on growth, as measured by increments in height and dry weights, whereas the effects of phosphorus and potassium were less marked. Cellulose concentration was not significantly affected by the treatments used. Higher levels of N seemed to decrease both length of fiber elements and the thickness of cell wall. The effects of P and K were not well defined. Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur Experiment A 3 x 3 x 3 factorial design with two replicates was used. Calcium was supplied initially at the levels of 12.5, 25 and 50 ppm; magnesium and sulfur were given at the rates of 6, 12.5 and 25 ppm. Other macro and micronutrients were supplied at uniform rates, common to all treatments. Three months after starting the experiment the first level for each element was dropped to zero. Symptoms of deficiency of calcium, magnesium and sulfur were observed, described and recorded as in the case of the previous experiment. Chemical analysis were made, both for mineral content and cellulose concentration. Length of fibers and thickness of cell wall were measured. Both calcium and magnesium increase height, sulfur failing to give significant response. Dry weight was beneficially affected by calcium and sulfur. The levels of calcium, magnesium and sulfur in the needles associated with deficiency and maximum growth are comparable with those found in the literature. Cellulose concentration increased when the level of sulfur in the substrate was raised. The thickness of cell wall was negatively affected by the treatments; no effect was observed with regards to length of fibers.Foram conduzidos experimentos fatoriais cultivando P. elliottii em solução nutritiva destinados a estudar o efeito de macronutrientes na composição mineral, grossura da parede celular e concentração da celulose no xilema. Os sintomas de deficiencia dos elementos foram descri tos e registrados. O crescimento foi estimulado por N, P, K, Ca e Mg, sendo a maior resposta devida ao N. Somente o enxofre aumentou significativamente o teor de celulose. A grossura da parede celular diminuiu com altos níveis de N, Ca, Mg e S; os primeiros diminuiram o comprimento das fibras