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Macroalgae have been recently used for different applications in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry since they do not compete for land and freshwater against other resources. Moreover, they have been highlighted as a potential source of bioactive compounds. Red algae (Rhodophyta) are the largest group of seaweeds, including around 6000 different species, thus it can be hypothesized that they are a potential source of bioactive compounds. Sulfated polysaccharides, mainly agar and carrageenans, are the most relevant and exploited compounds of red algae. Other potential molecules are essential fatty acids, phycobiliproteins, vitamins, minerals, and other secondary metabolites. All these compounds have been demonstrated to exert several biological activities, among which antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antimicrobial properties can be highlighted. Nevertheless, these properties need to be further tested on in vivo experiments and go in-depth in the study of the mechanism of action of the specific molecules and the understanding of the structure–activity relation. At last, the extraction technologies are essential for the correct isolation of the molecules, in a cost-effective way, to facilitate the scale-up of the processes and their further application by the industry. This manuscript is aimed at describing the fundamental composition of red algae and their most studied biological properties to pave the way to the utilization of this underused resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the association between frequency of physical activity (PA) and blood pressure values in the Brazilian population. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 25,920 males and 34,282 females was analyzed. Multiple linear regression was applied to test the association of different frequencies of PA and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results: In the adjusted model, subjects who reported only one weekly session of moderate-intensity PA presented systolic blood pressure on average 2.5 mm (men: β = − 2.48 mmhg women: β = − 2.48 mmhg) lower than those inactive subjects. However, diastolic blood pressure showed significant results only among those who reported practicing three sessions or more of moderate (men: β = − 1.97 mmhg, women: β = − 2.65 mmhg) or vigorous intensity PA (men: β = − 0.96, women: β = − 1.79 mmhg). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the low frequency of physical activity may have a similar protective effect, on resting systolic blood pressure, to that observed in individuals who have a weekly frequency equal to or greater than three weekly sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topology optimization of structures subject to self-weight loading has received considerable attention in the last decades. However, by using standard formulations based on compliance minimization under volume constraint, several difficulties arise once the self-weight of the structure becomes dominant, including non-monotonic behavior of the compliance, possible unconstrained character of the optimum, and parasitic effects for low densities when using density-based methods. In order to overcome such difficulties, a regularized formulation that allows for imposing any feasible volume constraint is proposed. The standard formulation based on compliance minimization under volume constraint is recovered when the regularizing parameter vanishes. The resulting topology optimization problem is solved with the help of the topological derivative method leading to a 0-1 topology design algorithm, which seems to be crucial when the self-weight loading is dominant. Finally, several numerical experiments are presented, showing the effectiveness of the proposed approach in solving a structural topology optimization problem under self-weight loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rhamnolipid extract from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was tested on soils from short- and long-term contamination sites. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed a predominance of di-rhamnolipid congeners (85%), of which hydroxydecanoyl-hydroxydecanoate was the most abundant. Artificial contamination of a sandy soil resulted in final concentrations of arsenic, cadmium and zinc of 182, 20 and 983 mg kg−1, respectively. The rhamnolipid showed a high extractive capacity for transition metals and metalloids, removing 53% of the arsenic, 90% of the cadmium and 80% of the zinc from the artificially contaminated soil. When tested against soil samples from a deactivated mining site, the rhamnolipid removed 59% of the arsenic, 57% of cadmium and 9% of zinc. The biosurfactant showed excellent biocompatibility with Artemia salina. Well diffusion tests demonstrated that the rhamnolipid was innocuous for commensally soil bacteria and yeast. A method for precipitation of As, Cd and Zn was tested to allow eco-friendly disposal of these metal(loid) contaminants. The precipitation method was able to remove all the arsenic and cadmium, while removing 84.5% of zinc in the biosurfactant solution. The possibility of applying this biosurfactant to soil remediation processes without purification steps and the development of new and rapid methods for metal precipitation are strategically important for the mining industry, to properly dispose or recycle metal contaminants and thus reduce the demand for new raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is one of the most important parasites that cause economic losses in the cotton crop. Plant genetic resistance is the most desirable strategy to control this pathogen. Sources of resistance in cotton have been known for several years but only a few resistant commercial varieties have been released. Cotton breeding lines were developed using marker-assisted selection in early generation plants to introgress root-knot resistance genes from two different sources: M-315 or CIR1348. Phenotyping was carried out in greenhouse conditions to validate the molecular markers associated with the resistance genes in the breeding lines and confirmed by genotyping. The markers targeting QTLs from M-315 resistance source were highly efficient in the selection of plants resistant to M. incognita, with all plants expressing a reproduction factor inferior to 0.08. CIR1348 resistance source markers were also very efficient in selecting resistance; however, some segregation events revealed the need for fine mapping of the resistance QTLs. To clarify the resistance mechanisms, present in the germplasm derived from the M-315 resistance source, the resistant line CNPA 17-26 B2RF (triple cross [BRS 368RF × M-315] × [BRS 430B2RF]) was chosen for histopathological characterization of plant-nematode interaction and compared with the susceptible FiberMax 966 (FM 966). The second-stage juveniles (J2) penetrated equally in both genotypes. In the histopathological study, a strong blue fluorescence was visualized in the tissues around the nematode (hypersensitivity reaction, HR), mainly at the beginning (from 2 to 6 DAI) in the cortex and central cylinder of the resistant plant, indicating accumulation of phenolic compounds in the roots. At 9 DAI, giant cells in the early stage of subdivision next to nematodes were observed in the central cylinder of the resistant plant, and phenolic compounds were also shown around the nematode. At 12–40 DAI these initial cells were completely degraded with the presence of phenolics involving the nematodes and initial giant cells. No fully developed giant cells or mature females were observed, only fourth-stage juveniles (J4s), and males were frequently visualized at 34 DAI. This resistance mechanism characterizes near-immunity, and so no enlarged females and no egg production were observed. In susceptible control, it was possible to visualize feeding sites well developed from 6 to 30 DAI. Females reached maturity at 26 DAI, and eggs were observed at 30 DAI. Our results suggested that the resistance (near-immunity) of the line CNPA 17-26 B2RF was related to early (2–12 DAI) defense responses that totally prevented nematode reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the effects of the Rapha® system, which employs red light therapy (RLT) and a natural latex biomembrane in the healing of neuropathic ulcers associated with the diabetic foot. We conducted a randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial with 15 participants that were divided into three groups (GI, GII and GIII): (i) Rapha® system application by the participant and a health professional at home, with clinical status evaluation every 2 weeks at the hospital (GI); (ii) standard protocol used in Brazil, performed by a health professional at the hospital (GII; control); and (iii) the Rapha® system applied by the participant at home and clinical status evaluation every 2 weeks at the hospital (GIII). We used image processing techniques on photographic recordings of the lesions, and several statistical tests were used to analyze the data, allowing for the comparison of the average results for all groups. The average healing rates of GI, GII, and GIII were 77.0, 51.4, and 80%, respectively. The granulation tissue evaluation indicated a higher efficacy in the tissue repair of lesions treated with the Rapha® system. In conclusion, the Rapha® system proved to be an effective healing system, even when self-applied at the patient's home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-latitude fjord environments are undergoing dynamic seasonal changes, affecting spatio-temporal patterns in planktonic abundances. To investigate how physical gradients impact sub-Arctic planktonic protists (> 20 μm), a seasonal transect study was performed in 2013 during three periods of planktonic succession: spring, summer, and autumn. The samples were collected from the glacier-fjord-ocean transect in SW Greenland using two complementary sampling methods, i.e. net hauls (20-μm net) and Niskin bottles. The key drivers of the distribution of planktonic groups and dominant taxa were hydrographic properties (defined as ‘time’, salinity, and temperature) reflecting the area’s seasonally changing circulation system. Cold and relatively saline waters in spring favoured the single haptophyte species Phaeocystis cf. pouchetii, while in summer, fresher waters influenced by glacial discharge favoured diatoms, followed by dinoflagellates and predatory ciliates in autumn. Our findings reveal a monodominant structure among the planktonic protists observed in each key sub-region and in each season. (1) Gedaniella boltonii (spring) was associated with inner fjord upwelling, (2) Chaetoceros sp. (summer) and Chaetoceros cf. socialis (autumn) were linked to ‘glacial meltwater’ circulation in the main fjord, and (3) Thalassiosira poroseriata (summer) and Skeletonema sp. (autumn) characterized warm and relatively saline offshore waters influenced by the West Greenland Current. The observed spatio-temporal patterns were linked to changes in hydrographic regimes driven by the interplay between the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet and inflows of offshore, Atlantic-sourced waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical behavior of closed- and open-cell foams was analyzed using a computational homogenization strategy based on the finite element simulation of a representative volume element of the foam microstructure. The representation of the foam took into account the main microstructural features, namely density, fraction of solid material in cell walls and struts, cell anisotropy, cell size and distribution and strut shape. A parametric study was carried out to ascertain the influence of these parameters on the elastic modulus and the plateau stress under compression. It was found that these properties mainly depended on the density, fraction of solid material in cell walls and struts and cell anisotropy. Building upon the results of the parametric study, surrogate models were developed to relate the influence of the microstructure on the mechanical properties of the foams. It is believed that these models can be used for the design of foams with optimized properties for particular applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient numerical methodology based on a multi material shell (MMS) approximation is proposed in this paper for the analysis of the mechanical behavior of triaxial braided composites subjected to tensile loads. The model is based on a geometrical description of the textile architecture of the material at the Gauss point level of a standard shell including the corresponding yarn geometrical parameters. The mechanical properties at the yarn level were determined from values reported in the literature or by means of micromechanical homogenization of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites. Simulations were carried out on single representative unit cell subjected to periodic boundary conditions and on multiple cell representative volume elements corresponding to the size of the standard width of a tensile specimen. The numerical results were compared with the stress-strain curves obtained experimentally as well as the damage mechanisms progression during deformation captured using radiographs performed on interrupted tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-dimensional methodology is proposed to delimit areas hosting mineral resources of public importance (MRoPI). The assessment procedure considers the Level of Geological Knowledge ( LGK) along with the Economic ( Ec), Environmental ( Ev) and Social Development and Acceptance ( SDA) dimensions. Different sets of independent, but complementary and variably weighed, criteria support the appraisal of each dimension, and a final score ( MRoPI ) results from a reasonable balance between LGK and ( Ec + Ev + SDA). A ranking based on MRoPI will fall in the [1, 10] interval, as imposed by the scaling normalising factor, but only specific tracts having MRoPI ≥ 4 display LGK values confident enough to be covered by a safeguarding decision at a given time. Adequate MRoPI mapping can also be done, interpolating within the kriging formalism and evaluating thoroughly the modelling results until achieving the final map. The methodology application shows in addition that the combined use of LGK, Ec, Ev and SDA allows to address suitably two overlapping and coexisting, although different, issues: (1) safeguarding the future access to mineral resources and (2) planning the mineral development in the short-medium term, recognising the need of assigning specific areas to mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungus-farming 'attine' ant agriculture consists of five distinct agricultural systems characterized by a remarkable symbiont fidelity in which five phylogenetic groups of ants faithfully cultivate five phylogenetic groups of fungi. Across-system garden switching experiments result in colony decline and death, indicating that attine ant-fungus symbiont fidelity is enforced by poorly understood biological constraints. The most dramatic violation of this pattern of symbiont fidelity occurs in the relict species Apterostigma megacephala, the only lower-attine ant known to cultivate a higher-attine fungus. Apterostigma megacephala is the sole surviving representative of an ancient lineage that diverged from all other Apterostigma fungus-farming ants ~39 million years ago, yet it cultivates Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, a highly domesticated fungal species that originated in the gardens of the recently evolved leaf-cutting ants 8-11 million years ago. Understanding the biology of A. megacephala, therefore, may provide important clues about the biological mechanisms that constrain the otherwise seemingly obligate ant-fungus associations that characterize attine ant agriculture. Here, based on field work in the Floresta Nacional de Carajás in the state of Pará in Brazil, we report the previously unknown biology of A. megacephala, including nest architecture, colony demography, foraging behavior, and the morphologies of the previously undescribed gyne, male, and larva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiCu thin films were produced by the glancing angle deposition technique (GLAD) for resistance temperature measurements. The deposition angle was fixed at α = 0° to growth columnar structures and α = 45° to growth zigzag structures. The Ti-to-Cu atomic concentration was tuned from 0 to 100 at.% of Cu in order to optimize the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) value. Increasing the amount of Cu in the TiCu thin films, the electrical conductivity was gradually changed from 4.35 to 7.87 × 10 Ω m. After thermal 'stabilization,' the zigzag structures of TiCu films induce strong variation of the thermosensitive response of the materials and exhibited a reversible resistivity versus temperature between 35 and 200 °C. The results reveal that the microstructure has an evident influence on the overall response of the films, leading to values of TCR of 8.73 × 10 °C for pure copper films and of 4.38 × 10 °C for a films of composition TiCu. These values are very close to the ones reported for the bulk platinum (3.93 × 10 °C), which is known to be one of the best material available for these kind of temperature-related applications. The non-existence of hysteresis in the electrical response of consecutive heating and cooling steps indicates the viability of these nanostructured zigzag materials to be used as thermosensitive sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This trial's objective was to investigate the effect of an exercise program with and without cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), compared by a control group, on weight, functional capacity, and cardiometabolic profile of morbidly obese individuals while waiting for bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of a 4-month low-intensity exercise program (two weekly sessions of 25 min each) on 66 morbidly obese individuals awaiting bariatric surgery. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: EXER, exercise program; EXER + CBT, exercise program plus support group sessions for lifestyle modification, with a CBT; and CONTROL, routine treatment. They were compared on weight, functional capacity, and cardiometabolic profile. Results: The weight change (Kg) was −7.4 (−9.6 to 5,1); −4,2 (−6,8 to −1.6) and 2.9 (0.4 to 5.3) and the BMI change (kg/m) was −2.7 (−3.6 to −1.8); −1.4 (−2.4 to −0.4) and 1.1 (0.1 to 2.1) for groups EXER, EXER + CBT, and CONTROL, respectively. Changes were significant when compared to the control group ( p < 0.001), but there were no differences between the two intervention arms ( p = 0.2). Functional capacity and cardiometabolic parameters significantly improved in the intervention arms and worsened in the control group. The adherence to the exercise program in both groups was above 78 %. Conclusion: A 4-month, twice-weekly supervised program of low-intensity physical activity that encourages individuals to adopt a more active lifestyle can positively interfere with weight loss and improvement in functional capacity and cardiometabolic parameters of morbidly obese individuals with and without the aid of support group sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: To compare macronutrient intakes out of home-by location-to those at home and to investigate differences in total daily intakes between individuals consuming more than half of their daily energy out of home and those eating only at home.Subjects/methods: Data collected through 24-h recalls or diaries among 23 766 European adults. Participants were grouped as 'non-substantial', 'intermediate' and 'very substantial out-of-home' eaters based on energy intake out of home. Mean macronutrient intakes were estimated at home and out of home (overall, at restaurants, at work). Study/cohort-specific mean differences in total intakes between the 'very substantial out-of-home' and the 'at-home' eaters were estimated through linear regression and pooled estimates were derived.Results: At restaurants, men consumed 29% of their energy as fat, 15% as protein, 45% as carbohydrates and 11% as alcohol. Among women, fat contributed 33% of energy intake at restaurants, protein 16%, carbohydrates 45% and alcohol 6%. When eating at work, both sexes reported 30% of energy from fat and 55% from carbohydrates. Intakes at home were higher in fat and lower in carbohydrates and alcohol. Total daily intakes of the 'very substantial out-of-home' eaters were generally similar to those of individuals eating only at home, apart from lower carbohydrate and higher alcohol intakes among individuals eating at restaurants.Conclusions: In a large population of adults from 11 European countries, eating at work was generally similar to eating at home. Alcoholic drinks were the primary contributors of higher daily energy intakes among individuals eating substantially at restaurants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel methodology is presented and applied to measure the shear interface strength of fiber-reinforced polymers. The strategy is based in fiber push-in tests carried out on the central fiber of highly-packed fiber clusters with hexagonal symmetry, and it is supported by a detailed finite element analysis of the push-in test to account for the influence of hygrothermal residual stresses, fiber constraint and fiber anisotropy on the interface strength. Examples of application are presented to determine the shear interface strength in carbon and glass fiber composites reinforced with either thermoset or thermoplastic matrices. In addition, the influence of the environment (either dry or wet conditions) on the interface strength in C/epoxy composites is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the development of a simple and efficient nanostructured platform based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) functionalized with an in situ generated vanillic acid (VA) polymer. It was used as an analytical sensor for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA). The electropolymerization process of VA, performed on MWCNT-modified glassy carbon electrode, produces three redox systems based on quinone/hydroquinone functionality, as observed by cyclic voltammetry. The amperometric sensor has as figures of merit for the simultaneous determination of AA, DA, and UA the following values: for AA, a linear range of 5-120 μM and detection limit of 3.5 μM; for DA, a linear range of 5-120 μM and detection limit of 4.5 μM; and for UA, a linear range of 5-120 μM and a detection limit of 1.5 μM. From the obtained performance, the development of the platform based on MWCNT/poly-VA is justified for the simultaneous determination of AA, DA, and UA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Closely related sympatric species commonly develop different ecological strategies to avoid competition. Ctenomys minutus and C. flamarioni are subterranean rodents parapatrically distributed in the southern Brazilian coastal plain, showing a narrow sympatric zone. To gain understanding on food preferences and possible competition for food resources, we evaluated their diet composition performing DNA metabarcoding analyzes of 67 C. minutus and 100 C. flamarioni scat samples, collected along the species geographical ranges. Thirteen plant families, mainly represented by Poaceae, Araliaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae, were identified in the diet of C. minutus. For C. flamarioni, 10 families were recovered, with a predominance of Poaceae, Araliaceae and Asteraceae. A significant correlation between diet composition and geographical distance was detected in C. minutus, whereas the diet of C. flamarioni was quite homogeneous throughout its geographical distribution. No significant differences were observed between males and females of each species. However, differences in diet composition between species were evident according to multivariate analysis. Our results suggest some level of diet partitioning between C. flamarioni and C. minutus in the sympatric region. While the first species is more specialized on few plant items, the second showed a more varied and heterogeneous diet pattern among individuals. These differences might have been developed to avoid competition in the region of co-occurrence. Resource availability in the environment also seems to influence food choices. Our data indicate that C. minutus and C. flamarioni are generalist species, but that some preference for Poaceae, Asteraceae and Araliaceae families can be suggested for both rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: Adverse effect on health has been described for a high consumption of energy-dense food, among children and adults. Limited research has been performed among pre-school children. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between socioeconomic characteristics and family structure, and the consumption of energy-dense food among 2-year-old children.Subjects/methods: The study sample includes 808 2-year-old children from the Portuguese birth cohort Generation XXI with information on food consumption. Data were obtained from questionnaires administered by interviewers to parents. Based on a food frequency questionnaire, four groups of energy-dense food were defined: soft drinks (sweetened drinks), sweets (chocolate and candies), cakes (creamy and not creamy cakes and sweet pastry) and salty snacks (crisps, pizza and burger). Multinomial logistic regression models (odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals) were fitted to estimate the associations.Results: Intakes of energy-dense food were much lower than in similar aged children in other Westernized countries. Maternal age and education, grandparents' education, household income and maternal occupation were inversely associated with the consumption of energy-dense food, particularly soft drinks and sweets. Children with older siblings were more likely to have a daily consumption of any energy-dense food. Few significant associations were found between socioeconomic characteristics and family structure and consumption of cakes and sweets less than once a week.Conclusion: High socioeconomic characteristics were associated with lower consumption of energy-dense food by 2-year-old children, mainly soft drinks and sweets. This influence is not only from parents' background but also from the preceding generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tested the hypothesis that a history of psychiatric and alcohol disorders would affect the risk of developing drug abuse or dependence later in life. This case-control study selected cases and controls using the "snowball" technique in order to obtain cases from this "hidden" population and to match sex, age and friendship. Information was gathered using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), and computer diagnoses were generated according to the DSM-III-R criteria. The study included 370 subjects. Results of the conditional logistic regression analysis showed that having a history of alcohol dependence was independently associated with an increased risk of drug abuse/dependence (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.0) and that this risk was even higher for those whose alcohol dependence occurred in combination with another psychiatric disorder (OR = 4.6, 95% CI 2.1-10.0). An increased risk of drug abuse/dependence was also found for those who were aged 12 years or under when their first psychiatric disorder was manifested (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.7) and among those with two or more psychiatric disorders (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.1). These findings suggest that programmes directed towards the treatment and prevention of drug abuse must be prepared to address psychiatric and alcohol disorders in childhood and adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, scientific literacy has become increasingly important as a hallmark of citizenship and as a way to facilitate many of life's daily decisions. Scientific literacy can be achieved through learning, a complex lifelong process that occurs both in school and out-of-school settings. As most adults only engage in formal education about science during compulsory schooling, all the learning that people go through in out-of-school settings and beyond compulsory schooling becomes extremely important toward the scientific literacy of the individual. The learning process in out-of-school settings requires interest from each person and can be facilitated by various agents, for example, museums. This is particularly true for Earth sciences as Geology topics are rarely taught within the science curricula during school. The Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência provides realistic experiences that engage different publics into science and thus enhances the public science literacy. It is expected that by enhancing people's Earth sciences literacy, it will also enhance their awareness of geological heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DC reactive magnetron sputtered Ag:TiO nanocomposite thin films were developed to be used as protective coatings in pressure sensor devices. The coatings, with Ag content varying from 0 to about 30 at.%, were prepared and characterized in order to study their biological response. The as-deposited samples were annealed in vacuum at 500 °C in order to evaluate the influence of their morphological and structural differences over the response elicited upon contact with simulated bodily fluids and cultured human cells, as well as selected microorganisms. The results showed that the annealing treatment produced less porous films with an enhanced structure, with a significant reduction in structural defects and improved crystallinity. Additionally, samples with higher Ag contents (≥12.8 at.%) exhibited Ag agglomerates/clusters at the surface, a result anticipated from the XRD data. The crystallization of the TiO matrix was also observed by XRD analysis, albeit delayed by the dispersion of Ag into the matrix. Biological characterization showed that the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of the coatings were directly related with their composition, closely followed by the particular structural and morphological features, namely those resulting from annealing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives:Evidence on the association between fatty acids and adiponectin and leptin concentrations is scarce and inconsistent, which may in part be due to limitations of dietary reporting methods. We aimed to estimate the association of fatty acids, derived from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and measured in the erythrocyte membrane, with adiponectin and leptin concentrations.Subjects/methods:We studied 330 non-institutionalized inhabitants of Porto (52.4% women; age range: 26-64 years) evaluated in 2010-2011, as part of the EPIPorto cohort study. Fatty acids were derived from a validated semiquantitative FFQ and measured in the erythrocyte membrane by gas chromatography. Serum concentrations of adiponectin and leptin were determined through radioimmunoassay. Regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained from linear regression models, after controlling for gender, age, education, leisure time physical activity and total body fat percentage (obtained from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry).Results:Fatty acids measured by FFQ showed no significant associations with both adipokines. Lauric and linoleic acids, measured in the erythrocyte membrane, were significantly and positively associated with adiponectin (β=0.292, 95% CI: 0.168-0.416; β=0.150, 95% CI: 0.020-0.280) and leptin (β=0.071, 95% CI: 0.003-0.138; β=0.071, 95% CI: 0.002-0.140), whereas total n-3, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were significantly but negatively associated with adiponectin (β=−0.289, 95% CI: −0.420 to −0.159; β=−0.174, 95% CI −0.307 to −0.040; β=−0.253, 95% CI −0.383 to −0.124) and leptin (β=−0.151, 95% CI: −0.220 to −0.083; β=−0.080, 95% CI: −0.151 to −0.009; β=−0.146, 95% CI: −0.214 to −0.078). Positive significant associations of palmitic and trans-fatty acids with adiponectin were also observed.Conclusions:A positive association of lauric and linoleic acids and a negative association of total n-3 fatty acids with both adipokines were observed only with fatty acids measured in the erythrocyte membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All known fungus-growing ants (tribe Attini) are obligately symbiotic with their cultivated fungi. The fungal cultivars of 'lower' attine ants are facultative symbionts, capable of living apart from ants, whereas the fungal cultivars of 'higher' attine ants, including leaf-cutting genera Atta and Acromyrmex, are highly specialized, obligate symbionts. Since higher attine ants and fungi are derived from lower attine ants and fungi, understanding the evolutionary transition from lower to higher attine agriculture requires understanding the historical sequence of change in both ants and fungi. The biology of the poorly known ant genus Mycetagroicus is of special interest in this regard because it occupies a phylogenetic position intermediate between lower and higher ant agriculture. Here, based on the excavations of four nests in Pará, Brazil, we report the first biological data for the recently described species Mycetagroicus inflatus, including the first descriptions of Mycetagroicus males and larvae. Like M. cerradensis, the only other species in the genus for which nesting biology is known, the garden chambers of M. inflatus are unusually deep and the garden is most likely relocated vertically in rainy and dry seasons. Due to the proximity of nests to the Araguaia River, it is likely that even the uppermost chambers and nest entrances of M. inflatus are submerged during the rainy season. Most remarkably, all three examined colonies of M. inflatus cultivate the same fungal species as their congener, M. cerradensis, over 1,000 km away, raising the possibility of long-term symbiont fidelity spanning speciation events within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying factors and the extent of their roles in the differentiation of populations is of great importance for understanding the evolutionary process in which a species is involved. Ctenomys minutus is a highly karyotype-polymorphic subterranean rodent, with diploid numbers ranging from 42 to 50 and autosomal arm numbers (ANs) ranging from 68 to 80, comprising a total of 45 karyotypes described so far. This species inhabits the southern Brazilian coastal plain, which has a complex geological history, with several potential geographical barriers acting on different time scales. We assessed the geographical genetic structure of C. minutus, examining 340 individuals over the entire distributional range and using information from chromosomal rearrangements, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and 14 microsatellite loci. The mtDNA results revealed seven main haplogroups, with the most recent common ancestors dating from the Pleistocene, whereas clustering methods defined 12 populations. Some boundaries of mtDNA haplogroups and population clusters can be associated with potential geographical barriers to gene flow. The isolation-by-distance pattern also has an important role in fine-scale genetic differentiation, which is strengthened by the narrowness of the coastal plain and by common features of subterranean rodents (that is, small fragmented populations and low dispersal rates), which limit gene flow among populations. A step-by-step mechanism of chromosomal evolution can be suggested for this species, mainly associated with the metapopulation structure, genetic drift and the geographical features of the southern Brazilian coastal plain. However, chromosomal variations have no or very little role in the diversification of C. minutus populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe and compare the interannual changes in the diversity and population structure of herbaceous plants in an anthropogenic area that has been regenerating for 15 years and to identify the similarities and differences in the biological attributes of the community compared with the characteristics of a regenerating conserved area. In total, 105 plots measuring 1 m were established. In each plot, the herbaceous plants were identified, and their height and stem diameter were measured for two consecutive years. The herbaceous flora of the anthropogenic area was represented by 86 species in 70 genera and 27 families, and there were no significant differences in the average richness between years. The conserved area was represented by 71 species in 63 genera and 35 families, and there was a significant difference in the total richness between areas and between years, except when comparing the richness between the conserved area and the anthropogenic area during the second year. Considering both the anthropogenic and conserved areas, 123 herbaceous species were listed, and the similarity between areas was 60 %. For the anthropogenic area, the floristic similarity between years was 95 %, and in the fragment of the conserved area, the similarity was 74 %. The diversity and density were significantly different between years and between areas. Given these results, this study suggests that 15 years of natural regeneration for the caatinga is not sufficient to reestablish its native flora with respect to its herbaceous component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sorption capacity of nanoporous titanosilicate Engelhard titanosilicate number 4 (ETS-4) and silica-coated magnetite particles derivatised with dithiocarbamate groups towards Hg(II) was evaluated and compared in spiked ultra-pure and spiked surface-river water, for different batch factors. In the former, and using a batch factor of 100 m/kg and an initial Hg(II) concentrations matching the maximum allowed concentration in an effluent discharge, both materials achieve Hg(II) uptake efficiencies in excess of 99 % and a residual metal concentration lower than the guideline value for drinking water quality. For the surface-river water and the same initial concentration, the Hg(II) uptake efficiency of magnetite particles is outstanding, achieving the quality criteria established by the Water Framework Directive (concerning Hg concentration in surface waters) using a batch factor of 50 m/kg, while the efficiency of ETS-4 is significantly inferior. The dissimilar sorbents' Hg(II) removal efficiency is attributed to different uptake mechanisms. This study also highlights the importance of assessing the effective capacity of the sorbents under realistic conditions in order to achieve trustable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the influences of fatigue and environmental conditions (−55 °C, 23 °C, and 82 °C/Wet) on the ultimate compression strength of notched carbon-fiber-reinforced poly(phenylene sulfide) composites by performing open-hole compression (OHC) tests. Analysis of the fatigue effect showed that at temperatures of −55 and 23 °C, the ultimate OHC strengths were higher for fatigued than for not-fatigued specimens; this could be attributed to fiber splitting and delamination during fatigue cycling, which reduces the stress concentration at the hole edge, thus increasing the composite strength. This effect of increasing strength for fatigued specimens was not observed under the 82 °C/Wet conditions, since the test temperature near the matrix glass transition temperature ( T) together with moisture content resulted in matrix softening, suggesting a reduction in fiber splitting during cycling; similar OHC strengths were verified for fatigued and not-fatigued specimens tested at 82 °C/Wet. Analysis of the temperature effect showed that the ultimate OHC strengths decreased with increasing temperature. A high temperature together with moisture content (82 °C/Wet condition) reduced the composite compressive strengths, since a temperature close to the matrix T resulted in matrix softening, which reduced the lateral support provided by the resin to the 0° fibers, leading to fiber instability failure at reduced applied loads. On the other hand, a low temperature (−55 °C) improved the compressive strength because of possible fiber-matrix interfacial strengthening, increasing the fiber contribution to compressive strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-nine surface sediment samples from the Minho estuary sector between Tui and Caminha were analyzed for grain-size contents, Al, As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Li, Pb, Sn, and Zn concentrations. Selected heavy metal (Cu, Cr, Hg, and Zn) and metalloid (As and Sn) distributions were normalized against Al and Li with the main goal of compensating for natural grain-size variability and to separate natural from anthropogenic contributions, by using a combination of normalization techniques (definition of regional geochemical baselines (RGB) and determination of enrichment factors (EF)). Lead did not reveal a significant relationship with Al and Li. Aluminum explained more variance than Li for As, Cu, Hg, and Zn. Assuming the general non-impacted metal character of the Minho River estuary sediments, RGBs are defined for differentiating between natural and anthropogenic contributions. Based on RGB defined for each heavy metal/metalloid, the degree of enrichment is estimated through the determination of EF. Despite the relatively low total heavy metal and metalloid concentrations, the defined RGB identifies a set of samples characterized by presenting As, Cu, Cr, Hg, and Zn enrichments relatively to expected natural levels. Mercury is the element showing the highest level of enrichment relative to the baseline values being spread through all the study area. Tin present enrichments relatively to Al and or Li always lower than 1.5 suggesting natural contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface sediments were collected in August 2009 from 49 sites along the Minho estuary (between Tui and Caminha) and analyzed for grain size, organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) contents, and major (silicon [Si], aluminum [Al], iron [Fe], calcium [Ca], magnesium [Mg], sodium [Na], potassium [K], titanium [Ti], and mangesese [Mn]) and trace element (arsenic [As], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], mercury [Hg], lithium [Li], lead [Pb], rubidium [Rb], tin [Sn], and zinc [Zn]) concentrations. Factor analysis was used to decrease 22 selected variables into 4 factors accounting for 85.9 % of the total variance explained, suggesting distinct elemental sources or sediment components affecting their spatial distributions. Although factors 1 (detrital component; elements strongly associated with fine- [Na, Mg, Ti, Li, Cr, Cu, Fe, Al, Zn, Ca, and As] and coarse-grained sediments [Si, K, Rb; mean grain-size [M]) and 3 (Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide sediment component; Fe, Mn, As, fine fraction) are interpreted as reflecting predominance of natural contributions, factors 2 (urban and industrial contamination: sediment components [Pb, Hg, organic carbon [C], total nitrogen [N] and 4 (components associated with contamination by nautical activities; the association of tin [Sn] and calcium [Ca]) seem to indicate anthropogenic contributions). Nevertheless, the influence of elemental contributions derived from tungsten (W)-Sn mineralizations and those resulting from mining activities can also contribute to the obtained geochemical associations and should be considered. Spatial distribution of dominant factor scores shows the dominance of factors 2 and 4 between Tui and Vila Nova de Cerveira, whereas samples dominated by factors 3 and 1 are found between Ilha da Boega and Seixas and in the Caminha areas, respectively. Despite the dominance of factor score 1 in the Caminha area, the distribution pattern of dominant factor scores shows samples dominated by other factor scores that can be explained by dredging activities in this river sector that restore ancient sedimentary characteristics or expose contaminated sediments. Through the identification of sample locations dominated by factors associated with contamination, it will be possible to select them as priority areas where new environmental (e.g., toxicity tests, organic Sn compounds, tracers of sewage contamination) studies should be implemented in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portugal ranks among the EU27 countries with higher levels of consumer indebtedness. Contrary to the trend observed in countries with similar indebtedness rates, Portugal has one of the lowest rates of consumer default. Previous studies (e.g., Frade et al. ) have identified three strategies that have contributed to keep levels of credit default low: reliance on savings, financial support from relatives and friends, and cuts in household expenses. These strategies have been widely used for the last decade and have been strained since the very beginning of the global financial crisis in 2007. We argue that these three strategies are near to collapse and consequently the levels of consumer default will rise steeply in the next years. The savings rate in Portugal has been declining over time, and the social networks are limited in their action due to the current crisis that affects everyone. In this article, we advance the hypothesis that sacrificing living standards is rooted on collective beliefs about the current economic crisis in Portugal and trust in political and market agents in line with the Theory of Market Anomie (Karstedt and Farrall ). The conclusions are based on macroeconomic statistics and on the results of a Web survey of 1244 Portuguese households, which focuses on attitudes towards the financial crisis, trust in political and economic institutions, and strategies to cope with the crisis. The results show that trust in financial companies (banks and insurance companies) and in the European Parliament promotes a sense of empowerment to contribute to the country economic restoration. This attitude induces citizens to avoid default by sacrificing living standards. But in the current austerity context, with low levels of trust in political institutions and detachment of the economy, consumers will be less prone to sacrifice. In this scenario, credit default and insolvency is expected to rise especially in those households most exposed to unemployment and to cuts in social benefits. This reality puts a huge and growing pressure on bankruptcy procedure, civil courts, and economic and social policies. Some adjustments should be made to the Portuguese Bankruptcy Code by facilitating and simplifying the bankruptcy regime in order to accommodate the increase in insolvency cases. But the improvement of the insolvency procedure will not resolve the situation of financial distress if the structural causes persist, such as unemployment and deterioration of salaries, and cuts in social benefits. A reform of the Bankruptcy Code facilitating and simplifying the bankruptcy regime should be coupled with measures that boost the economy and stimulate the labour market. Otherwise, Portuguese households will not have the resources necessary to benefit from the bankruptcy process and regain the control over their financial lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the influence of soil and atmosphere conditions on noon and basal leaf water potential of vines 'Touriga Nacional' in the Dão region submitted to different irrigation treatments is analysed. Both indicators showed to be dependent on environmental conditions at the time of measurement. Leaf water potential at noon of fully watered plants was linearly related with atmospheric conditions, with values registered when vapour pressure deficit (VPD) was higher than approximately 3 kPa being no different from the values registered in stressed plants. Therefore, this indicator cannot be reliably used to distinguish different plant water stress levels when atmospheric conditions induce high evaporative demands. The basal leaf water potential (ψ) was also influenced by VPD at the time of measurement for all soil water conditions. In well irrigated plants, it was even possible to establish a baseline that can therefore be used to identify nonwater stressed conditions (ψ (MPa) = −0.062-0.0972 VPD (kPa), r = 0.78). A good correlation was found between soil humidity and ψ. However, more than the average value of the whole thickness of soil monitored, the ψ values were dependent on the distribution of soil humidity, with the plants responding to the presence of wet layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the association between current and lifetime alcohol consumption, and overall and central obesity in adults of an urban Portuguese population.SUBJECTS/METHODS:Participants were randomly selected from the non-institutionalized Porto inhabitants, aged 18 years (EPIPorto Study: 1999-2003). The study included 2366 participants for evaluating current alcohol consumption and overall obesity, and 2377 participants for central obesity. A trained interviewer applied a questionnaire and anthropometrics were measured. Data on alcohol intake were obtained by using a food frequency questionnaire. Overall obesity was considered when body mass index was 30.0 kg/m2, and central obesity when waist circumference (WC) was 88 cm in women and 102 cm in men. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated, separately by sex, using unconditional logistic regression models.RESULTS:After adjustment for age, education, smoking, energy intake and regular physical exercise, men who consumed >60g/day of alcohol were more frequently obese compared with non-drinkers (OR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.17-4.35). When considering lifetime alcohol consumption, the magnitude of the association was stronger in both women (OR=2.41, 95% CI: 1.28-4.56) and men (OR=4.22, 95% CI: 1.93-9.24). For central obesity, women consuming 15.1-30 g/day and >30 g/day had higher probability of being obese, considering both current and lifetime alcohol consumption. In men, the same positive associations were observed, which were particularly stronger between lifetime alcohol consumption and central obesity (>60g/day vs non-drinkers: OR=4.02, 95% CI: 1.80-8.98).CONCLUSION:Independently of social and behavioural features, current and lifetime alcohol consumption were positively associated with overall and central obesity, in both women and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the importance of serum uric acid (SUA) as a contributing metabolic factor to cardiovascular diseases has conducted to conflicting results, with most studies assuming a cross-sectional design. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of SUA and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its features. A representative sample of 2,485 individuals aged ≥18 years was randomly selected from the non-institutionalized resident population of Porto, Portugal. A total of 1,054 eligible subjects were included for the longitudinal analyses. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥70 mg/L in men and ≥60 mg/L in women. MetS was defined according the Joint Interim (2009) criteria. Associations were estimated using Poison regression and binomial models. In the cross-sectional analysis, subjects with hyperuricemia had a 2.10-fold increased risk of MetS as compared with normouricemic subjects (PR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.68-2.63). Among MetS features, high triglycerides presented the strongest association with hyperuricemia (PR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.84-2.91). The MetS crude incidence rate was 4.5/100 person-year (95% CI: 3.9-5.2) in normal uricemic and 13.0/100 person-year (95% CI: 8.5-20.0) in hyperuricemic participants. Using a multivariate longitudinal approach, hyperuricemia was positively associated with MetS incidence rate ratios (IRR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.08-2.76). One standard deviation increase of SUA concentration was associated with a 1.22-fold increase in MetS risk (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05-1.42). Elevated SUA presented the strongest association with high-triglycerides concentration (IRR = 1.44, 95%: 1.22-1.71) and waist circumference (IRR = 1.25, 95%: 1.05-1.49). The independent positive association between SUA and MetS suggested by this longitudinal study supports that SUA might be a risk factor for MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of adding different insulin concentrations to the culture medium for goat preantral follicle development in vitro. The ovarian fragments were immediately fixed or cultured for 7 days in MEM with insulin (0, 5, 10 ng/ml and 5 or 10 μg/ml). The results showed that, after 7 days of culture, insulin at 10 ng/ml was the best concentration to preserve follicular viability and ultrastructure, resulting in the highest rates of normal follicles. After 7 days, only treatments with 10 ng/ml and 5 μg/ml of insulin increased follicular activation when compared to other concentrations. Regarding follicular and oocyte growth, the presence of 10 ng/ml of insulin promoted a larger diameter than other treatments. In conclusion, this study shows that addition of 10 ng/ml of insulin to the culture medium improved the survival and stimulated growth of goat preantral follicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although salt intake is considered a probable risk factor for gastric cancer, relevant studies have provided heterogeneous results, and the magnitude of the association has not been accurately quantified.Methods: To quantify gastric cancer risk in relation to dietary salt exposure according to Helicobacter pylori infection status and virulence, smoking, tumour site, and histological type, we evaluated 422 gastric cancer cases and 649 community controls. Salt exposure was estimated in the year before the onset of symptoms through: sodium intake (estimated by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)); main food items/groups contributing to dietary sodium intake; visual analogical scale for salt intake preference; use of table salt; and duration of refrigerator ownership.Results: Comparing subjects with the highest with those with the lowest salt exposure (3rd vs 1st third), sodium intake (OR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.16-3.46), consumption of food items with high contribution to sodium intake (OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.56-4.14) and salt intake evaluated by visual analogical scale (OR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.28-2.63) were associated with an increased gastric cancer risk. Subjects owning a refrigerator for >50 years had a lower risk for gastric cancer (OR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.14-0.57). These associations were observed regardless of H. pylori infection status and virulence, smoking, tumour site or histological type.Conclusion: Our results support the view that salt intake is an important dietary risk factor for gastric cancer, and confirms the evidence of no differences in risk according to H. pylori infection and virulence, smoking, tumour site and histological type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives:To evaluate longitudinally the role of physical activity (PA) (type and intensity) and diet (measured using DASH score, nutrients and food intake) in hypertension incidence.Subjects/Methods:As part of the EPIPorto study, 549 participants (40 years), resident in Porto, Portugal, at risk of developing hypertension, were evaluated. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained twice (1999-2003 and 2005-2008), with a median interval of 3.8 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP90 mm Hg, and/or if the subjects were under anti-hypertensive therapy. Validated questionnaires were used to assess usual PA and dietary intake during the previous year. Poisson regression was used to calculate the incident rate ratios (IRRs) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).Results:In our population, the crude incidence rate (95% confidence interval (CI)) per 100 person-years of hypertension was 6.23 (5.26-7.20). After adjustment for several confounders, an inverse, though not significant, association was found across increasing tertiles of leisure-time PA and IRR (95% CI): 1 (reference); 0.77 (0.51-1.16); and 0.74 (0.48-1.11). No significant associations between the DASH score and hypertension incidence were observed. However, potassium intake (mg/1000 kcal) was shown to be inversely associated with hypertension development (upper tertile: >1863.0 for women and >1657.2 for men) vs first tertile (IRR=0.65 (0.44-0.96), P for trend=0.025). Additionally, in multivariate analysis, a significantly inverse association between the consumption of fruits/vegetables/pulses and hypertension incidence was found (upper vs first tertile: IRR=0.61 (0.40-0.93), P for trend=0.024).Conclusions:In Portuguese adults, after adjustment for several confounders, the development of hypertension was inversely associated with potassium and fruits/vegetables/pulses intake. A dose-response is inherent to these inverse associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have measured the elastic scattering cross-section for 8Li + 9Be and 8Li + 51V systems at 19.6MeV and 18.5MeV, respectively. We have also extracted total reaction cross sections from the elastic scattering analysis for several light weakly bound systems using the optical model with Woods-Saxon and double-folding-type potentials. Different reduction methods for the total reaction cross-sections have been applied to analyze and compare simultaneously all the systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavobacterium columnare is a bacterial pathogen for many freshwater fish species. It is responsible for outbreaks in fish farms worldwide, causing high mortality rates. Fish vaccination is a potential approach for prevention and control of disease, with oral vaccines suitable for fish because of their easier application, low cost and minimum stress to fish. Alginate microparticles have been widely used as controlled release systems, including for fish vaccination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of oral and parenteral vaccines against F. columnare to induce a humoral response, as well as the in vivo efficiency in Nile tilapia fingerlings. The fingerlings were immunized with bacterin by intraperitoneal (i.p.), intramuscular (i.m.), oral and immersion routes, as well as orally with alginate microparticles containing formalin-killed bacteria. A sandwich ELISA was developed to detect specific antibodies against F. columnare. The animals were challenged with pathogenic strain BZ-1 to determine the relative percentage of survival. A significant humoral response was induced by bacterin administered by i.p. and i.m. routes ( P < 0.05). However, none of the vaccine preparations were effective in protecting fish against F. columnare infection ( P < 0.05). In spite of high antibody levels, there was no relation between immunoglobulin titers and resistance to columnaris for Nile tilapia fingerlings. These data suggest that use of serological analysis as the only method to determine vaccine efficiency against F. columnare infection in Nile tilapia can lead to imprecise results for the usefulness of these products in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:The majority of the studies have focused on the effect of general and central fat on coronary risk, neglecting the potential role of peripheral body fat.Objective:To assess the effect of surrogate measures for general, central and peripheral body fat on the occurrence of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:Population-based case–control study; cases were patients aged 40 years consecutively hospitalized with an incident AMI (n=653), and controls were community participants without previous AMI, selected randomly from the hospitals’ catchment area population (n=1713). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference and a skinfolds composite index to estimate the proportion of peripheral subcutaneous fat in the arms were ascertained. Associations were summarized with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), obtained from unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for the main confounders.Results:WC, and in particular waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), had strong direct associations with AMI risk. Peripheral subcutaneous fat was inversely associated with AMI in women, but directly in men. Using principal component analysis, three uncorrelated factors were identified representing different patterns of fat distribution: (1) generalized fat, with high BMI and high WC; (2) central fat, with high WC and WHR; and (3) peripheral subcutaneous fat. The first factor showed no significant association with AMI, but the second factor increased AMI risk in each sex (upper vs lower fourth: OR 12.2, 95% CI 5.34–27.9 in women; OR 25.0, 95% CI 14.0–44.7 in men). In contrast, the third factor was inversely associated with AMI in women (upper vs lower fourth: OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.36–0.96) and directly associated in men (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.69–3.55; P-value for sex interaction<0.001).Conclusions:Central fat was associated with increased risk of AMI in women and men, while the peripheral subcutaneous fat index predicted a lower risk of AMI in women and a higher risk in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To study the associations of fruits, vegetables, antioxidant vitamins and fibre intake with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Existing literature on these associations is scarce and has rendered conflicting results.Methods:Cross-sectional study of 1060 individuals (675 women, 385 men), representative of the non-institutionalized population, aged 18 years, in Porto, Portugal (70% participation rate). Diet over the previous year was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Associations between diet and hs-CRP (categorized into <1, 1–3, >3 to 10 mg/l) were obtained from ordinal logistic regression models (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals-OR, 95% CI) adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioural variables.Results:In normal weight men (body mass index (BMI) <25.0 kg/m2), for each 100 g increase in fruit and vegetable intake, there was 30% less probability of changing of hs-CRP category (no risk to moderate risk, or moderate to high risk). Protective associations were also observed between hs-CRP and fruits (OR=0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.96 per 100 g/day), vegetables (OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.35–0.86 per 100 g/day), vitamin C (OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.80 per 10 mg/day) and vitamin E (OR=0.14, 95% CI 0.02–0.88 per 1000 retinol equivalents per day). Overall, associations tended to be weaker in overweight participants. In men (BMI 25.0 kg/m2), fibre was also negatively associated with hs-CRP. In women, no significant associations were found between dietary variables and hs-CRP. A significant modification effect of the evaluated associations was found by sex for fruits and vegetables, vitamin C and fibre, but not by BMI.Conclusion:Intake of fruits and vegetables, vitamin C, E and fibre were negatively associated with hs-CRP in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) is a coast al lagoon adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and it has an inner bay (Laranjo bay) that received a highly contaminated effluent discharged by a mercury cell chlor-alkali plant from the 1950s until 1994. The aim of this study is to review in a holistic way several research studies that have been carried out in the Ria de Aveiro, in order to evaluate the remobilization of the mercury accumulated within the system and the recovery of the lagoon. The spatial distribution of the total mercury in the surrounding terrestrial environment has also been considered. Results indicate that the main mercury contamination problems in the Ria de Aveiro are confined to the Laranjo bay. Mercury export to the coastal waters and its impact on the nearshore compartments (water column, sediment and biota) are low. No direct effects of the mercury from nearby industrial activities were detected in Aveiro’s urban soils, although historical mercury contamination is still affecting soil quality in the immediate vicinity of the chlor-alkali plant, located in Estarreja. Moreover, macrophyte harvesting for human direct or indirect use and the consumption of mussels, crabs and the sea bass from the Laranjo bay may constitute a health risk. Further studies focusing on developing skills for the restoration of the ecosystem are presently underway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-reported height and weight are commonly used to estimate body mass index. The present study aims to identify the characteristics of participants who reported not to know their height or weight and to evaluate the consequence of these missing data on the estimates of the prevalence of body mass index categories. We evaluated 1492 adults, aged 18–92 years, who were selected using random digit dialling. During a general interview, participants were asked to report their current height and weight and actual anthropometrical measurements were obtained as part of a subsequent physical examination. We classified as unaware subjects who reported not to know their height or weight. In this sample, 185 (12.4%) subjects reported not to know their height or weight (19.6% of females and 6.3% of males, p<0.001). Women unaware of their weight or height were older, less educated, overweight or obese, never smoker and more frequently reported no regular physical exercise practice. In men, only ex-smokers were significantly less aware of their weight or height. In women, the prevalence of obesity using measured data was 25.3%, decreasing to 22.2% when considering only participants aware of their weight and height. Using self-reported data the obesity prevalence, in females, was 15.0%. A large proportion of adults, mainly women and older persons, reported not to know their weight and height and the exclusion of those participants results in differential errors depending on the actual values. The exclusion of participants unaware of their weight or height is an additional source of bias that decreases the sensitivity in detecting obesity and underestimates the real problem, namely in the older population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]