Effects of the marine biotoxins Okadaic acid and Dinophysistoxins on fish

Natural high proliferations of toxin-producing microorganisms in marine and freshwater environments result in dreadful consequences at the socioeconomically and environmental level due to water and seafood contamination. Monitoring programs and scientific evidence point to harmful algal blooms (HABs) increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of global climate alterations. Among marine toxins, the okadaic acid (OA) and the related dinophysistoxins (DTX) are the most frequently reported in EU waters, mainly in shellfish species. These toxins are responsible for human syndrome diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). Fish, like other marine species, are also exposed to HABs and their toxins. However, reduced attention has been given to exposure, accumulation, and effects on fish of DSP toxins, such as OA. The present review intends to summarize the current knowledge of the impact of DSP toxins and to identify the main issues needing further research. From data reviewed in this work, it is clear that exposure of fish to DSP toxins causes a range of negative effects, from behavioral and morphological alterations to death. However, there is still much to be investigated about the ecological and food safety risks related to contamination of fish with DSP toxins.Project Cigua PTDC/CTA-AMB/30557/2017; FCT: UID/Multi/04326/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dysmenorrhea and related disorders

Dysmenorrhea is a common symptom secondary to various gynecological disorders, but it is also represented in most women as a primary form of disease. Pain associated with dysmenorrhea is caused by hypersecretion of prostaglandins and an increased uterine contractility. The primary dysmenorrhea is quite frequent in young women and remains with a good prognosis, even though it is associated with low quality of life. The secondary forms of dysmenorrhea are associated with endometriosis and adenomyosis and may represent the key symptom. The diagnosis is suspected on the basis of the clinical history and the physical examination and can be confirmed by ultrasound, which is very useful to exclude some secondary causes of dysmenorrhea, such as endometriosis and adenomyosis. The treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs alone or combined with oral contraceptives or progestins

Biodiesel from wastewater: lipid production in high rate algal pond receiving disinfected effluent

The production of different species of microalgae in consortium with other micro-organisms from wastewaters may represent an alternative process, to reduce the costs, for obtaining biofuels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pre-ultraviolet disinfection (UV) in the production of lipids from biomass produced in high rate ponds. Two high rate algal ponds were evaluated: a pond that received domestic sewage without disinfection and the other receiving domestic sewage previously disinfected by UV radiation (uvHRAP). The UV disinfection did not lead to significant differences in fatty acid profile and total lipid productivities, although it increased algal biomass concentration and productivity as well as lipid content. Moreover, the overall biomass concentrations and productivities decreased with the UV disinfection, mostly as a consequence of a loss in bacterial load. We thus conclude that uvHRAP disinfection may represent a potential strategy to promote the cleaner and safer growth of algal biomass when cultivated in consortium with other microorganisms. Mainly regarding the use of wastewater as culture medium, together with a cheaper production of lipids for biodiesel, pre-disinfection may represent an advance since extraction costs could be significantly trimmed due to the increase in lipid content

Spine-Ghost: A New Bioactive Cement for Vertebroplasty

An innovative, resorbable and injectable composite cement (Spine-Ghost) to be used for augmentation and restoration of fractured vertebrae was developed. Type III α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) was selected as the bioresorbable matrix, while spray-dried mesoporous bioactive particles (SD-MBP, composition 80/20% mol SiO2/CaO), were added to impart high bioactive properties to the cement; a glass-ceramic containing zirconia was chosen as a second dispersed phase, in order to increase the radiopacity of the material. After mixing with water, an injectable paste was obtained. The developed cement proved to be mechanically compatible with healthy cancellous bone, resorbable and bioactive by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF), cytocompatible through in-vitro cell cultures and it could be injected in ex-vivo sheep vertebra. Comparisons with a commercial control were carried out

FasL Expression in Articular Discs of Human Temporomandibular Joint and Association with Osteoarthrosis

Background Apoptosis is a programme of cell death which does not induce an inflammatory response. Recent previous research has suggested a correlation between temporomandibular internal derangement and apoptosis. Fas ligand (FasL) is an apoptosis‐inducing factor, known to trigger apoptosis through distinct signal pathways. This study aims to examine, by immunohistochemistry, the expression of FasL in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articular discs of patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDwR) and without reduction (ADDwoR) in patients with and without osteoarthrosis (OA). Methods Forty‐two (n = 42) TMJ articular discs were divided into two cut‐offs: (i) 8 control, 17 ADDwR, 17 ADDwoR, and (ii) without OA (n = 25) and with OA (n = 17). The area of immunostaining was compared statistically between groups (P \u3c 0.05). Results Statistically significant differences were found in the expression of FasL in TMJ discs between the three groups (P = 0.001). ADDwR presented significant higher FasL expression when compared with ADDwoR (P \u3c 0.001). Significant higher FasL expression was observed in the group without OA (P = 0.001). All patients without OA presented ADDwR, while all the patients with OA presented ADDwoR. Conclusion A higher area of in situ immunostaining of FasL was found in temporomandibular discs with reduction, which is the less severe condition. Moreover, a reduced expression of FasL in the discs of patients with osteoarthrosis was found, suggesting that some aspects of apoptosis might underlie the progression of TMJ disorders

Caracterização funcional de pontos otimos para problemas de otimização, regulares e não regulares

Orientador: Marko Antonio Rojas MedarDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Matematica, Estatistica e Ciencia da CpmputaçãoResumo: Não informado.Abstract: Not informed.MestradoAnalise AplicadaMestre em Matemática Aplicad

Efeito da lamina d'agua no crescimento e na terminação de suinos

Orientador: Irenilza de Alencar NaasDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia AgricolaResumo: A presença da lâmina d'água nas baias, como um sistema alternativo de criação possibilita o acesso dos animais a um processo de rerngeração. Eles utilizam o local com água, para urinar e defecar, além de realizarem as trocas térmicas através da lâmina, otimizando também a eliminação dos gases formados pela fermentação das fezes dentro das instalações, evitando' a presença de moscas e favorecendo desta forma o conforto dos animais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito da lâmina d' água no crescimento e terminação de suínos através dos tratamentos estudados, com lâmina d'água e acesso aos dejetos (CLD), sem lâmina d'água e sem acesso ao dejetos (SLSD), e com lâmina d'água e sem acesso aos dejetos na baia (CLSD). A pesquisa foi realizada na granja Mamy, situada em Monte-Mor - SP, durante os meses mais quentes de verão. Foram utilizados suínos provenientes do cruzamento das raças Large White e Landrace com aproximadamente sessenta e sete dias de idade e peso vivo médio de 25 kg. Embora não houvesse diferença estatística significativa para temperatura de globo negro, ganho de peso diário, peso acumulado, peso descontado, observou-se uma tendência de melhores resultados econômicos em termos de produtividade total com o uso da lâmina d' água. Houve diferença estatística significativa (p>O,05) para conversão alimentar, sendo o melhor valor no tratamento CLD, de 2,55, o que evidencia o efeito associado do mecanismo de refiigeração e a ingestão dos resíduosAbstract: The presence of a water channel within the boxes, as an altemative system of management, makes possible to the animaIs have access to cooling. The animaIs use the channel of water to urinate and defecate, besides using it for thermal cooling, and optimizing the gases formation within the housing. Also avoiding the presence of flies, and promoting the thermaI confort to the animaIs. The main objective of this research was to verify the swine performance during growing - finishing, using the water channel in the boxes, as a cooling aItemative with the following treatments: with the channel water and access to the sludge (CLD), without the water channel (SLSD), and with the water channel and without access to the sludge (CSLD). The research was carried on Granja Mamy, in Monte Mor, São Paulo, and the totaIlength oftime for observation was during the summer hottest months. Large White and Landrace swine cross were used in the experiment, with approximately sixty days of age and liveweight of 25 kg. Statistical differences were notfound (pO.05) for the feed conversion vaIues, being the best results for the CLD treatment , of 2.55, showing the associated effect of cooling plus the ingestion of residueMestradoConstruções RuraisMestre em Engenharia Agrícol

O PRONAF E A REDUÇÃO DAS DESIGUALDES DE GÊNERO NO MEIO RURAL

Este estudo avaliou o impacto o PRONAF na redução das diferenças entre homens e mulheres, no assentamento Santana. Utilizou-se dados de origem primária obtidos através de questionários. Os métodos de análise utilizados foram análise tabular, testes de hipóteses. A qualidade de vida foi estudada através do Índice de Qualidade de Vida – construído a partir dos indicadores saúde, educação, condições sanitárias, condição de moradia, acesso a bens duráveis e transporte. No geral os beneficiados apresentaram um médio nível de qualidade de vida (IQV = 0,67) após o PRONAF. Para os homens houve mudança positiva na educação, condições de moradia, condições sanitárias e acesso a bens duráveis após o PRONAF. As mulheres obtiveram ganhos em todos os indicadores analisados, exceto saúde. A diferença entre homens e mulheres quanto a todos os indicadores analisados inexistiu depois do PRONAF. Dentre as principais conclusões da pesquisa apontam-se melhorias na qualidade de vida de homens e mulheres após o PRONAF e diminuição das diferenças entre os sexos quanto a este aspecto-----------------------------------------------This study evaluated the impact PRONAF in reducing differences between men and women of the seated ones of the nesting Santana. It was used given of primary origin gotten through questionnaires. The used methods of analysis has been tabular analysis, tests of hypotheses. The quality of life was studied through the Index of Quality of Life - constructed from the pointers sanitary health, education, conditions, condition of housing and access to the durable goods and transportation. In general the benefited ones had presented an average level of satisfaction after (IQV=0,67) the PRONAF. The men it had positive change in the education level, sanitary conditions of housing, conditions and access to durable goods related to the situation before and after the PRONAF. The women had gotten profits in all the analyzed points, except health. This difference between men and women concerning all the analyzed points, inexisted after PRONAF. Amongst the main conclusions of the research improvements in the quality of life of men and women are pointed after the PRONAF and reduction of the differences between the sexes how much to this aspect. However, these changes verified in the quality of life had not been decurrent of the PRONAF. Even though, these benefited people attribute to the program the profits reached in its production and agree that their income increased after the benefit.PRONAF, Qualidade de vida, Agricultura Familiar, Quality of life, Familiar Agriculture, Labor and Human Capital,