A review of reported effects of pelagic longline fishing gear configurations on target, bycatch and vulnerable species

1. A meta-analysis of 40 publications totalling 59 experiments was undertaken to review and assess the effects of changing the hook (circle vs. J-hooks or tuna hooks), bait (fish vs. squid) and leader (wire vs. nylon) type on retention and at haulback mortality rates of teleosts (tunas and billfishes), elasmobranchs and sea turtles caught on shallow-set and deep-set pelagic longline fisheries. 2. Circle hooks are a promising approach to mitigate the impact of pelagic longline fisheries on sea turtles, as they reduced sea turtle retention rates. The adoption of circle hooks would, however, also lead to a decrease in swordfish retention, the main target species of shallow-set pelagic longlines. 3. Using fish as bait resulted in lower retention rates of sea turtles, highlighting that option as an additional measure to further mitigate sea turtle bycatch. The bait type had non-significant effects on sharks, except for blue shark and shortfin mako, for which at-haulback mortality rates were significantly higher with fish bait. 4. The use of nylon leaders instead of wire leaders could serve as a conservation measure for sharks, as they reduced the retention of blue shark without adversely impacting the catches of swordfish. The results on the effect of the leader material types should, however, be interpreted with caution owing to the limited information available reporting on leader material effects. 5. When considering future research directions, priority should be given to experimental field work on the effects of leader material and on deep-set longlines. Evaluating the post-release survival of species should also be a priority.LA/P/0101/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates with focus in succinic acid production

Succinic acid is a platform chemical that plays an important role as precursor for the synthesis of many valuable bio-based chemicals. Its microbial production from renewable resources has seen great developments, specially exploring the use of yeasts to overcome the limitations of using bacteria. The objective of the present work was to screen for succinate-producing isolates, using a yeast collection with different origins and characteristics. Four strains were chosen, two as promising succinic acid producers, in comparison with two low producers. Genome of these isolates was analysed, and differences were found mainly in genes SDH1, SDH3, MDH1 and the transcription factor HAP4, regarding the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms and the gene copy-number profile. Real-time PCR was used to study gene expression of 10 selected genes involved in the metabolic pathway of succinic acid production. Results show that for the non-producing strain, higher expression of genes SDH1, SDH2, ADH1, ADH3, IDH1 and HAP4 was detected, together with lower expression of ADR1 transcription factor, in comparison with the best producer strain. This is the first study showing the capacity of natural yeast isolates to produce high amounts of succinic acid, together with the understanding of the key factors associated, giving clues for strain improvement.This work was supported by the TRANSBIO project from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013, grant agreement No. 289603), by the EcoAgriFood project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000009) via the North Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Norte 2020) under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, and by FCT I.P. through the strategic funding UID/BIA/04050/2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Conjugated Linoleic Acid: good or bad nutrient

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a class of 28 positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid octadecadienoic.Currently, it has been described many benefits related to the supplementation of CLA in animals and humans, as in the treatment of cancer, oxidative stress, in atherosclerosis, in bone formation and composition in obesity, in diabetes and the immune system. However, our results show that, CLA appears to be not a good supplement in patients with cachexia

Papel da Comissão Coordenadora dos Núcleos Académicos na valorização do Ensino Superior no espaço lusófono: um trabalho em articulação com os Núcleos Académicos

Introdução: A Comissão Coordenadora dos Núcleos Académicos (CCNA) impulsiona uma política de dinamização da atividade e desenvolvimento de dezassete núcleos académicos (NA), para promover a qualidade do ensino superior no espaço Lusófono. Questões macro e de organização dos NA, apresentação de ferramentas de gestão, organização de webinars para divulgação dos outputs são exemplos de estratégias fomentadas pela CCNA, nas diversas ações programadas anualmente. Os objetivos dos NA centram-se na promoção do desenvolvimento nas áreas da saúde, participação em estudos e investigação, reconhecimento internacional de qualificações, articulação e desenvolvimento de sinergias com outras estruturas e programas da Rede Académica das Ciências da Saúde (RACS) e valorização da interculturalidade da saúde no espaço Lusófono. Objetivos: Analisar as atividades desenvolvidas e identificar desafios para a implementação dos planos de atividades dos NA. Material e Métodos: Estudo transversal, descritivo, com abordagem mista. Recorreu-se à análise documental dos planos e relatórios de atividades dos NA. Resultados: Foram analisadas atividades desenvolvidas, objetivos, indicadores e recursos utilizados pelos NA em quatro eixos de atuação: 1-Formação/Ensino; 2-Investigação; 3-Profissionalização; 4-Organização/Consolidação do NA. Apurou-se o empenho dos NA ao nível da organização e consolidação dos NA, assim como da Formação/Ensino nos países da Lusofonia, criando grupos de trabalho com foco específico no diagnóstico da profissão em cada país da Lusofonia, com vista ao seu reconhecimento. Salienta-se o eixo da Investigação através da dinamização de diversos projetos de investigação, Seminários e publicação de artigos científicos. Conclusões: Os NA desempenham um papel crucial na formação académica e investigação no ensino superior. O trabalho realizado é monitorizado pela CCNA no sentido de orientar os NA a atingir com sucesso os objetivos e metas indicadas nos planos de trabalho. Como perspetivas futuras, pretende-se criar novas estratégias para obter planos de atividade/relatórios de todos os NA, e obter dados relevantes para novos estudos

El modelo pedagógico de materiales digitales para educación infantil elaborados por editoriales gallegas

Considering the innovative nature which, a priori, implies the use of didactic digital materials in the teaching-learning process, and being early childhood education one of the stages of the regulated educational system that should stand out also by its innovative character, it is of great interest to know the underlying pedagogical model of these materials. Therefore, the aim of this piece of research is to analyse the pedagogical model of materials for the second cycle of early childhood education published by Galician publishers, as part of the supply of digital educational resources at the disposal of the teachers of this region. Specifically, the analysis is focused on the type of activities and complementary resources, and the roles assigned to teachers and children, being the sample a total of eight materials designed by four different publishers. For the data analysis it is considered the degree of coherence between the findings and what the official curriculum stablishes for this autonomous region. The findings suggest that although the digital constitution of the material does not entail significative changes in the pedagogical models, and that the technological potential is not seized, the open and flexible nature of this stage makes it possible to adapt the materials.Teniendo en cuenta el carácter innovador que, a priori, implica la incorporación de materiales didácticos digitales al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, y siendo la educación infantil una de las etapas del sistema educativo reglado que debiera destacar también por su carácter innovador, entendemos que es de gran interés conocer el modelo pedagógico que subyace a estos materiales. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar el modelo pedagógico de materiales para el segundo ciclo de educación infantil publicados por editoriales gallegas, como parte de la oferta de recursos educativos digitales a disposición del profesorado en esta comunidad. Concretamente, el análisis se centra en el tipo de actividades y recursos complementarios, así como el rol del profesorado y del alumnado de una muestra de ocho materiales de cuatro editoriales diferentes. Para el análisis de los datos se tiene en cuenta el grado de coherencia de lo hallado con lo que establece el currículo oficial para esta comunidad autónoma. Los resultados sugieren que si bien el carácter digital del material no supone cambios significativos en los modelos pedagógicos y no se aprovechan las potencialidades que brindan las tecnologías, el carácter abierto y flexible de esta etapa posibilita la adaptación de los mismos

A Vaccine Encoding Conserved Promiscuous HIV CD4 Epitopes Induces Broad T Cell Responses in Mice Transgenic to Multiple Common HLA Class II Molecules

Current HIV vaccine approaches are focused on immunogens encoding whole HIV antigenic proteins that mainly elicit cytotoxic CD8+ responses. Mounting evidence points toward a critical role for CD4+ T cells in the control of immunodeficiency virus replication, probably due to cognate help. Vaccine-induced CD4+ T cell responses might, therefore, have a protective effect in HIV replication. In addition, successful vaccines may have to elicit responses to multiple epitopes in a high proportion of vaccinees, to match the highly variable circulating strains of HIV. Using rational vaccine design, we developed a DNA vaccine encoding 18 algorithm-selected conserved, “promiscuous” (multiple HLA-DR-binding) B-subtype HIV CD4 epitopes - previously found to be frequently recognized by HIV-infected patients. We assessed the ability of the vaccine to induce broad T cell responses in the context of multiple HLA class II molecules using different strains of HLA class II- transgenic mice (-DR2, -DR4, -DQ6 and -DQ8). Mice displayed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses of significant breadth and magnitude, and 16 out of the 18 encoded epitopes were recognized. By virtue of inducing broad responses against conserved CD4+ T cell epitopes that can be recognized in the context of widely diverse, common HLA class II alleles, this vaccine concept may cope both with HIV genetic variability and increased population coverage. The vaccine may thus be a source of cognate help for HIV-specific CD8+ T cells elicited by conventional immunogens, in a wide proportion of vaccinees

Tapir - Tapirus terrestris - Linnaeus, 1758, (Perissodactyla, taperidae): anatomie osseuse et musculaire de la jambe et du pied

A espécie Tapirus terrestris, conhecida como anta brasileira, é um mamífero da ordem Perissodactyla; a única dessa ordem que ocorre de forma endêmica no Brasil é considerada a maior dos mamíferos brasileiros. Existem poucos estudos relacionados à morfologia da anta, sendo assim, com o intuito de fornecer mais dados anatômicos sobre a espécie, teve-se por objetivo com o presente trabalho descrever os ossos e os músculos da perna e pé de T. terrestris. Foram utilizados quatro exemplares de T. terrestris (Linnaeus, 1978) fixados em formaldeído a 10%. Para a descrição osteológica as peças foram radiografadas e os ossos macerados, limpos, secos, identificados e descritos. Para a descrição muscular, os músculos foram dissecados, segundo as técnicas usuais em anatomia macroscópica, identificados e descritos. O esqueleto da perna de T. terrestris é constituído pelos ossos tíbia e fíbula, o pé composto por três partes sendo o tarso, metatarso e falanges. Os músculos que compõe a perna e o pé são o gastrocnêmio, sóleo, flexor digital superficial, flexor digital profundo, tibial cranial, fibular terceiro, extensor digital longo, extensor digital lateral, poplíteo, interósseos e lumbricais. A perna e pé de T. terrestris possuem características osteológicas e musculares semelhantes a dos equinos, entretanto, algumas diferenças morfológicas são evidenciada

Bilateral Anophthalmia in Feline

Background: Anophthalmia is a rare, congenital condition, defined as the complete absence of the eye bulb due to inadequate growth of the vesicle or optic dome. The malformation can be primary (in the absence of complete), secondary (in the presence of only residual tissue), or degenerative (in which the eye begins to form, but for some reason, it begins to degenerate). This condition is rare in dogs, cats, cattle, and sheep. Microscopic evaluation of orbital tissue for identification is always recommended. The aim of this study was to report a case of bilateral anophthalmia in a domestic cat.Case: A feline male, healthy, Maine Coon breed with 60 days of life was attended at the one veterinary private clinic. The cat, negative for FIV and FeLV, was born in a commercial cattery, belonging to his mother's third litter, healthy litter with the exception of this feline. He arrived with a complaint of not opening his eyelids, like the rest of the litter. In the clinical examination, it was found the normality of vital signs, absence of other visible anatomical abnormalities, only the ocular region was observed with closed eyelids. The initial suspicions were anophthalmia and microphthalmia. The patient was referred for an ocular ultrasound, which showed the complete absence of the right and left eye bulbs. The right and left orbital cavities had only a volume of soft, amorphous, and predominantly homogeneous tissue. After the ultrasound report, the patient underwent a surgical procedure to remove a fragment of tissue from the eye socket, which was sent for histopathological examination to confirm anophthalmia and discard the differential diagnosis of microphthalmia. Microscopy revealed immature, epithelial, and glandular tissue in the middle of discrete and moderate connective tissue, loosely arranged. In some fragments, cartilaginous tissue was also revealed. Thus, the histological findings are compatible with immature, pseudoformed tissues and without neoplastic characteristics. The diagnosis of secondary anophthalmia was reached with use of ultrasound and histological reports.Discussion: Congenital malformations in domestic cats are less frequent than in dogs, some of which are rare, and little reported. Secondary anophthalmia in the reported patient was confirmed by histological and ultrasound examination. Bilateral secondary anophthalmia is characterized by the absence of the eyeball, but with the presence of adjacent tissue. The animal was submitted to an ocular ultrasound examination and the complete absence of ocular bulbs was found. The differential diagnosis of microphthalmia was ruled out because there was no evidence of the eyeball. Microphthalmia is a common congenital ophthalmic disorder in veterinary medicine. Representative fragments were submitted to histopathological examination, where immature, epithelial tissue was found. In some fragments sent for analysis, cartilaginous tissue was observed. The histological findings are compatible with immature, pseudoformed tissues, thus verifying bilateral congenital anophthalmia in the reported animal. The clinical examination in these cases serves to ensure that the animal does not have any other congenital changes, allowing a favorable prognosis in puppies. Based on the information presented, the animal in this study has bilateral secondary congenital anophthalmia, with a favorable prognosis for the patient to live with certain normality, with quality and well-being

Cutaneous Asthenia in a Domestic Cat (Felis silvestris catus)

Background: Cutaneous asthenia or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is an inherited and rare disease. This infirmity is from an autosomal mutation that influences the collagen synthesis of the carrier. Thus, its skeleton, formed of fibers, is structurally defective. The disease is characterized by hyperelasticity and skin fragility, leading to lesions throughout the skin. The lesions may manifest in specific places or in a generalized way, being more frequent in the limbs, neck, and back. This disease does not have a specific treatment, only management care to avoid new traumas.Case: A 3-year-old male castrated, no defined race cat, was attended at one veterinary clinic with a history of intense itching. The rapid tests for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) were negative. On physical examination, infestation by fleas, lesions all over the body, and skin hyperelasticity were observed. Topical treatment for ectoparasites as well as for body wounds was established. After the treatment, he returned without itching, but with the complaints of new lesions that did not heal. The patient underwent a total shearing to facilitate the treatment of the skin, and then he underwent blood tests, biochemistry, hormonal tests, and ultrasound, which showed no suggestive changes for hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus. His clinical signs, besides not matching with these diseases, also did not indicate skin fragility due to his history of age and balanced diet. The confirmation of the cutaneous asthenia syndrome was acquired through biopsy of skin fragment, in which it was observed disarray of collagen fibers, hypertrophy, and fibroblast hyperplasia, together with the rate of extensibility of the skin where the value reached the mark of 27.5%. Throughout the hospitalization, it was noted the progression of the disease with the appearance of new lesions, where there was no bleeding and they appeared even with the patient wearing padded clothes. Its progression lasted one year until the patient's euthanasia.Discussion: For the disposal of diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism as causes of the appearance of lesions by the body in the patient, he was submitted to the suppression tests with dexamethasone, in which he presented normality, in the biochemical examination it was dosed with fructosamine and glucose. The fructosamine was in the reference value, but the glucose was slightly altered, this increase may have been a result of stress at the time of blood collection. In addition to the patient not showing specific clinical signs such as polyphagia, polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss, these are characteristic clinical signs of the disease. For the diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, histological examination, and calculation of the skin extensibility index were used, where the results obtained confirmed the suspicion. This genetic anomaly has no treatment, being progressive, so only environmental management is done to mitigate the appearance of the lesions and provide animal welfare. This case report contributes to aggregating the scientific literature in the area of veterinary medicine since skin asthenia is a rare disease and when its extent is total it becomes even more atypical. The availability of this article will provide a vision of palliative treatment for other cases, demonstrating the progressive nature of the lesions and the methods of diagnosis. Keywords: cat, collagen deficiency, ehlers-danlos syndrome, hyperelastic, skin.