Keratin peptides from chicken feathers for biomedical applications

Book of Abstracts of CEB Annual Meeting 2017info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing the impact of universities’ entrepreneurial activity on regional competitiveness

The aim of this study is to test the multidimensional construct of the Entrepreneurial University (EU), and therefore to confirm whether EU factors make a positive contribution to regional competitiveness. Data were collected from ten Portuguese Public Universities (PPUs) through a self-administered questionnaire. First- and second-order confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed through factor and multiple linear regression analyses. The main findings show that EU related factors—perceived and combined with actual regional metrics—especially entrepreneurial supporting measures, positively contributed to regional competitiveness. This study shows policy makers that universities are not merely cost centres but provide knowledge spillovers that can have a positive influence on regional competitiveness.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

PRÉ-HABILITAÇÃO E PROGNÓSTICO PÓS-OPERATÓRIO EM DOENTES ONCOLÓGICOS DE ALTO RISCO: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA E META-ANÁLISE

Introduction. Prehabilitation aims to optimize patients before surgical treatment in order to improve postsurgical recovery. While its efficacy to improve major postoperative clinical outcomes have been recognized for the broader low-risk surgical population, it remains unclear if the high-risk surgical population also benefits. This meta-analysis assessed the impact of prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes in high-risk surgical cancer patients Methodology: We searched for experimental (randomized and non- randomized) and observational studies investigating the impact of prehabilitation in the frequency and/or severity (e.g minor and major complications) of post-surgical complications (primary outcome), type of complications, functional capacity, hospital readmissions, length of hospital stay and 30 day post-surgical mortality (secondary outcomes). High-risk patients for adverse surgical events were defined as frail and / or age ≥70 years and / or with an ASA score of >III. Results: 136 articles were found, of which only 6 were eligible for qualitative and quantitative evaluation (3 randomized and 3 observational studies). The analysis resulted in a total of 674 participants, with an average age of 78 years, mostly male. Prehabilitation resulted in a lower risk of major complications (risk difference –0.09, 95% CI: –0.15, – 0.03, p = 0.005; i2 = 27%, p = 0.24) and surgical complications (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.89, p=0.01; I2 = 33%, p = 0.22) in comparison to patients receiving standard care. Also, prehabilitation reduced the length of hospital stay (mean difference of – 2.7, 95% CI: –5.37 to –0.17, p = 0.04) and improved functional recovery as assessed by the distance covered in the 6 MWT (mean difference 29.06 meters, 95% CI 26.55 to 31.57, I2 = 42%, p < 0.001). No differences were observed for the rate of overall complications, medical complications 30-day postoperative mortality or hospital readmission. Conclusion: Our work suggests that prehabilitation is effective in reducing postoperative burden in high-risk cancer patients. Future randomized controlled trials for the high-risk surgical patients, using well-established and clinically relevant outcome measures, and with appropriate sample size calculation are needed.Introdução: A pré-habilitação visa otimizar os doentes antes do tratamento cirúrgico, com o objetivo de melhorar a sua recuperação pós-cirúrgica. Embora a eficácia desta intervenção para melhorar os principais desfechos clínicos pós-operatórios tenha sido reconhecida para a população cirúrgica de baixo risco, ainda não está claro até que ponto estes benefícios serão extensíveis também para doentes considerados de alto risco. Esta meta-análise avaliou o impacto da pré-habilitação em desfechos pós-operatórios de doentes oncológicos cirúrgicos de alto risco. Metodologia: Procuramos estudos experimentais (randomizados e não randomizados) e observacionais que avaliaram o impacto da pré-habilitação na frequência e / ou gravidade (major e minor) das complicações pós-cirúrgicas (desfecho primário), tipo de complicações, capacidade funcional, readmissões hospitalares, tempo de hospitalização e mortalidade pós-cirúrgica até 30 dias (desfechos secundários). Doentes de alto risco para eventos cirúrgicos adversos foram definidos como frágeis e / ou com idade ≥70 anos e / ou com score ASA> III. Resultados: foram encontrados 136 artigos, dos quais apenas 6 foram elegíveis para avaliação qualitativa e quantitativa (3 estudos randomizados e 3 estudos observacionais). A análise global incluiu um total de 674 participantes, com idade média de 78 anos, a maioria do sexo masculino. A pré-habilitação reduziu o risco de complicações major (diferença do risco –0,09, IC 95%: –0,15, – 0,03, p = 0,005; i2 = 27%, p = 0,24) e de complicações cirúrgicas (RR 0,62, IC 95% 0,43 a 0,89, p = 0,01; I2 = 33%, p = 0,22) em comparação com doentes que receberam o tratamento habitual. Além disso, a pré-habilitação reduziu o tempo de hospitalização (diferença média de – 2,7, IC 95%: –5,37 a –0,17, p = 0,04) e melhorou a recuperação funcional avaliada pela distância percorrida no teste de marcha de 6 minutos (diferença média de 29,06 metros, IC de 95% 26,55 a 31,57, I2 = 42%, p <0,001). Não foram observadas diferenças para as complicações gerais, complicações médicas, mortalidade pós-operatória até 30 dias ou na readmissão hospitalar. Conclusão: O nosso trabalho sugere que a pré-habilitação é eficaz na melhoria do prognóstico pós-operatório de doentes oncológicos considerados de “alto risco” para complicações cirúrgicas. Ficou evidente a necessidade de desenvolver ensaios clínicos randomizados especialmente focados em doentes cirúrgicos de alto risco, usando medidas de desfecho bem estabelecidas e clinicamente relevantes, e com cálculo de tamanho amostral adequado

Endosalpingiosis of choledochal duct

Surgery. 2007 Nov;142(5):778. Endosalpingiosis of choledochal duct. Mesquita I, Encinas A, Gradil C, Davide J, Daniel J, Graça L, Teixeira M. PMID:17981201[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

The development of basketball players: current perspectives and future directions

The identification and development of talent in basketball has been seen as a dynamic and complex process. Furthermore, there are numerous factors that play an important role in the evolution of the basketball player during childhood and adolescence. In this brief review, we critically analyze the main factors to be considered in the development of young basketball players. Furthermore, it focuses on the importance of key variables considered in the talent detection process and in long-term development programs. It can be concluded that the maturational status of young basketball players should be considered in the formulation of test batteries for talent detection and in long-term development programs to ensure that potential talents are not excluded due to late maturation in relation to their pairs

Influence of the microstructure on the creep behaviour of Tin-Silver-Copper solder

A common failure mode of electronic printed circuit boards (PCB’s) is the appearance of cold solder joints between the component and PCB, during product life. This phenomenon is related to solder joint fatigue and is attributed mainly to the mismatch of the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of component-solder-PCB assembly. With today’s solder joint thickness decreasing and increasing working temperatures, among others, the stresses and strains due to temperature changes are growing, leading to limited fatigue life of the products. As fatigue life decreases with increasing plastic strain, creep occurrence should have significant impact, especially during thermal cycles and, thus, should be studied. Through the cooling phase, on the production of PCB assembly’s by the reflow technology, the hoven atmosphere temperature is adjusted in order to control the cooling rate. Narrow criteria is used so as to control the inter-metallic compounds (IMC) thickness, PCB assembly distortion and defects due to thermal shock. The cooling rate also affects solder microstructure, which has direct impact on creep behaviour and, thus, on the soldered joint reliability. In this paper, a dynamic mechanical analyser (DMA) is used to study the influence of the solder cooling rate on its creep behaviour. SAC405 samples with two distinct cooling rates were produced: inside a hoven cooling and by water quenching. Creep tests were made on three-point-bending clamp configuration, isothermally at 25 °C, 50 °C and 75 °C and under three separate levels of stress, 3, 5 and 9 MPa. The results show that creep behaviour has a noticeable cooling rate dependence. It was also noticed that creep propensity is exacerbated by the temperature at which stresses are applied, especially for the slower cooling rates. Creep mechanisms were related to the solder microstructural constituents, namely by the amount of phases ant their morphology.The authors would like to express his acknowledgments for the support given by the Portugal Incentive System for Research and Technological Development. Project in co-promotion This research is sponsored by the Portugal Incentive System for Research and Technological Development. This work is supported by: European Structural and Investment Funds in the FEDER component, through the Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme (COMPETE 2020) [Project nº 002814; Funding Reference: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-002814]. This work was financed by FCT, under the Strategic Project UID/SEM/04077/2013; PEst2015-2020 with the reference UID/CEC/00319/2013 and UID/FIS/04650/2013

Use of manganese oxides recovered from spent batteries in electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline medium

The oxygen reduction reaction was studied in alkaline media using manganese oxides obtained from spent batteries as electrocatalysts. Three processes were used to recover manganese oxides from spent batteries. The particles obtained were in the range from 8 to 11 nm. The electrochemical experiments indicated a good electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction using the different samples and showing approximately a direct transference of 4 electrons during the process. Even though all the processes were efficient, the best result was observed for the prepared sample using reactants of low cost.FAPESPCNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)UFAB

Processing of byproducts to improve nisin production by Lactococcus lactis

In the last years, disposal from dairy industries have received a special attention due its polluting power in the environment. For this reason, studies have obtained a positive support to develop different alternatives to recycle milk whey components. One of them is its utilization as culture media, aiming to produce biomolecules with noble applications. Nisin is an extracellular peptide, produced by Lactococcus lactis, this peptide has been applied as a natural additive once it presents broad antibacterial activity. Applications of this bacteriocin include dental care products, pharmaceutical products such as stomach ulcers and colon infection treatment and potential birth control. In batch cultures, L. lactis was performed in two different groups of assays. The first group milk whey was prepared in distilled water in four different concentrations: 100 g/l (S100); 50 g/l (S50); 30 g/l (S30); 10 g/l (S10). In the second group of assays, two supplements were added in milk whey with concentration 100 g/l (S100): (1) 5 g/l yeast extract (A1); (2) 5 g/l yeast extract and 10 ml (v/v) tomato extract. Nisin activity was assayed through agar diffusion utilizing Lactobacillus sakei. The results show that the utilization of powder milk whey with concentration of 100 g/l can be used as a culture medium with supplementation. This media is favorable to develop L. lactis cells and nisin production, reaching an activity of about 4 logAU. Biological processing of milk byproduct can be considered as one of the profitable utilization alternatives, generating high-value bioproducts and stimulates researches for its use.The authors wish to thank the Brazilian Committees for the Scientific Technology Research (CNPq, FAPESP, CAPES), for financial support and scholarship

Nisin biotechnological production : evaluation and perspectives in the development of new applications

Nisin is a commercially available bacteriocin of the lantibiotic group produced by Lactococcus lactis ATCC 11454. The importance of nisin as an effective preservative is the fact that its spectrum of inhibitory activity includes almost all Gram-positive, Gram-negative and spoilage bacteria. With several favorable characteristics, this compound has been widely used as a natural food biopreservative. On the other hand, biotechnological production of fuel ethanol from different raw materials (sucrose-containing feedstocks - mainly sugar cane, starchy materials and lignocellulosic biomass) has led to the increase in the researches with trends for improving the bio-ethanol production. During these processes of bio-ethanol production antibiotic agents are added to the pre-fermented broth to prevent unwanted microbial growth. Thus, different questions have been made in relation to performance of the application of the nisin as a natural antibiotic to the ethanol production, as well as their beneficial effects about the yield and productivity in this process. However, the solution to this problematic depends firstly on how the development and implementation of technologies based on nisin production will be undertaken. Perspectives towards the development of modern procedures of nisin production are still needed. In this work the main proposal that has been discussed is the applicability of a novel micro-reactor operated under oscillatory flow mixing envisaged for parallel screening and/or development of industrial bioprocesses in the nisin production. For this reason, initially the objective of this study was to investigate the milk whey, a byproduct from dairy industries, in nisin production aiming to evaluate the growth conditions for L. lactis. In batch cultures, L. lactis was performed in raw milk whey and the nisin activity was assayed through agar diffusion utilizing Lactobacillus sakei ATCC 15521. The results showed that milk whey media is propitious to develop L. lactis cells and produce nisin, reaching activity around 105 AU.mL-1. Biological processing of milk sub-products (milk whey) can be considered one of profitable utilization alternatives, generating high-value bioproducts and contributing to decrease rivers disposal. The use of these sub-products as substrate together with further studies related to application of batch or continuous oscillatory flow reactor would take the more efficient nisin production and finally to a possibility of its evaluation and use in bio-ethanol production.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)FAPESP/BrasilCAPES/Brasi