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Obesidade é o excesso de gordura corporal, em quantidade que determine prejuízos à saúde. É uma doença crônica multifatorial, sendo a predisposição genética um dos fatores. Alguns genes estão diretamente relacionados à obesidade, influenciando na forma como o organismo reage ao consumo de gorduras.

Resumo Objetivo Comparar os resultados funcionais entre pacientes com fratura complexa do úmero proximal submetidos a artroplastia reversa com tubérculos consolidados e tubérculos não consolidados. O objetivo secundário foi determinar a taxa de consolidação dos tubérculos com este tipo de prótese. Métodos Estudo de tipo coorte, retrospectivo, com coleta prospectiva de dados. No total, 28 pacientes cumpriram os critérios de inclusão: idade superior a 65 anos, prótese reversa do ombro por fratura complexa do úmero proximal (3 ou 4 partes, segundo Neer), e tempo de seguimento mínimo de 24 meses. Aos seis meses, todos os pacientes foram avaliados radiograficamente quanto à consolidação dos tubérculos e divididos em dois grupos: grupo com tubérculos consolidados e grupo com tubérculos não consolidados. A avaliação funcional realizou-se segundo o sistema de pontuação de Constant, da amplitude de movimento ativo, e da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) à data da última consulta. Registaram-se todas as complicações. Resultados A consolidação dos tubérculos ocorreu em 21 pacientes (76,3%). Verificou-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas no sistema de pontuação de Constant (p Conclusão A consolidação dos tubérculos traduz uma melhoria dos resultados funcionais em pacientes submetidos a artroplastia reversa do ombro como tratamento de fraturas complexas do úmero proximal em idosos.

O mesotelioma pleural é uma doença associada à exposição ao amianto. Embora raro, é a principal neoplasia maligna da pleura, sendo o seu diagnóstico difícil e o seu prognóstico reservado. O caso clínico apresentado refere-se a um doente de 62 anos, do género masculino, com história ocupacional de exposição prolongada a amianto e clínica arrastada, com meses de evolução, de dispneia para pequenos esforços e tosse produtiva. Imagiologicamente, apresentava um envolvimento intersticial extenso com marcado espessamento dos septos interlobulares e centrilobulares, associado a ténues alterações pleurais. Várias hipóteses diagnósticas foram equacionadas tais como, asbestose, pneumonia organizativa criptogénica, pneumonia intersticial descamativa, metástases pleuropulmonares, e/ou patologia infeciosa broncopulmonar, mas o resultado histológico e imunohistoquímico foi compatível com mesotelioma pleural- uma neoplasia maligna rara, de origem pleural, com uma taxa de mortalidade elevada.

Sitophilus zeamais is a key pest of stored grains. Its control is made, usually, using synthetic insecticides, despite their negative impacts. Botanical insecticides with fumigant/repellent properties may offer an alternative solution. This work describes the effects of Anethum graveolens, Petroselinum crispum, Foeniculum vulgare and Cuminum cyminum essential oils (EOs) and (S)-carvone, cuminaldehyde, estragole and (+)-fenchone towards adults of S. zeamais. Acute toxicity was assessed by fumigation and topical application. Repellence was evaluated by an area preference bioassay and two-choice test, using maize grains. LC50 determined by fumigation ranged from 51.8 to 535.8 mg L−1 air, with (S)-carvone being the most active. LD50 values for topical applications varied from 23 to 128 µg per adult for (S)-carvone > cuminaldehyde > A. graveolens > C. cyminum > P. crispum. All EOs/standard compounds reduced significantly the percentage of insects attracted to maize grains (65–80%) in the two-choice repellence test, whereas in the area preference bioassay RD50 varied from 1.4 to 45.2 µg cm−2, with cuminaldehyde, (S)-carvone and estragole being strongly repellents. Petroselinum crispum EO and cuminaldehyde affected the nutritional parameters relative growth rate, efficiency conversion index of ingested food and antifeeding effect, displaying antinutritional effects toward S. zeamais. In addition, P. crispum and C. cyminum EOs, as well as cuminaldehyde, showed the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in vitro (IC50 = 185, 235 and 214.5 µg mL−1, respectively). EOs/standard compounds exhibited acute toxicity, and some treatments showed antinutritional effects towards S. zeamais. Therefore, the tested plant products might be good candidates to be considered to prevent damages caused by this pest.

RESUMOEste artigo resulta da investigação sobre a efetividade dos Programas Nacional de Educação Fiscal (PNEF) e Nota Fiscal Paulista (NFP), implementados como instrumentos de construção da cidadania, sob a ótica da responsabilidade social e da ambivalência moral. É resultado, ainda, da análise quanto à efetividade da NFP para o crescimento nominal da arrecadação com o ICMS (imposto sobre circulação de mercadorias e prestação de serviços de transporte e comunicação) nos estados de São Paulo, Santa Catarina e demais estados brasileiros, no período de 2009 a 2016. Trata-se de pesquisa bibliográfica, descritivo-exploratória, para a qual se utilizou de estatística descritiva no tratamento e na apresentação dos dados secundários, relacionados à arrecadação tributária. Os resultados obtidos levaram à constatação de que, enquanto o PNEF promove a construção da cidadania, com base na moral da integridade; a NFP incentiva o patrimonialismo e o particularismo, com base na moral do oportunismo, privilegiando a camada mais rica da população em detrimento das mais pobres. Além disso, a NFP acaba por reduzir o montante do repasse constitucional do ICMS aos municípios, à Administração, direta e indireta, e aos demais Poderes. Demonstraram, também, por meio de gráficos, a ausência de efetiva contribuição da NFP para o crescimento nominal com o ICMS no estado de São Paulo. Palavras-chave: Ambivalência moral. Arrecadação tributária. Programa de Educação Fiscal. Programa Nota Fiscal Paulista. Responsabilidade social. ABSTRACTThis article investigated the effectiveness of the National Fiscal Education Programs (PNEF) and the Nota Fiscal Paulista Program (NFP) as tools for building citizenship, from the point of view of social responsibility and moral ambivalence. The article also analyzed the effectiveness of NFP for the nominal growth of ICMS collection (tax on goods circulation and provision of transportation and communication services) in the states of São Paulo, Santa Catarina and other Brazilian states, in the period from 2009 to 2016. This is a descriptive-exploratory bibliographical research, with the use of descriptive statistics for treatment and presentation of secondary data related to tax collection. The authors of this article found that while the PNEF promotes the construction of citizenship based on moral integrity, the NFP encourages patrimonialism and particularism based on the morality of opportunism, privileging the richest section of the population to the detriment of the poorest. In addition, the NFP ends up reducing the amount of the ICMS constitutional transfer to the municipalities, to the Administration, direct and indirect, and to the other Powers. Graphs have also shown the absence of effective contribution of NFP to nominal growth with ICMS in the state of São Paulo.Keywords: Moral ambivalence. Nota Fiscal Paulista Program. Social responsability. Tax collection. Tax Education Program.

The Apiaceae Lindl. (=Umbelliferae Juss.), which includes several economical important vegetables, herbs, and spices, is one of the most numerous plant family. Umbelliferous crops (namely anise, fennel, carrot, coriander, parsley, etc.) are also valuable sources of botanical flavoring agents and fragrances. In addition, Apiaceae species yield a wide variety of distinctive specialized metabolites (i.e, volatile phenylpropanoids, furanocoumarins, sesquiterpene coumarins, polyacetylenes, and phthalides), some of them been described as uncommon natural phytochemicals exclusive of the family, which offers a great potential for bioprospection. Numerous studies have pointed out the outstanding biological activity of extracts and several classes of phytochemicals from Apiaceae species. Emphasis has been given to essential oils (EOs) and their constituents activities, most likely because this type of plant added value product benefits from a larger acceptance and application potential in integrated pest management (IPM) and integrated vector management (IVM) programs. Several species of the family offer a variety of unique compounds with great potential as biopesticidal and/or synergizing agents. Investigations covering their activity toward agricultural pests and phytopathogens have increased in the last years, nevertheless the interest remains strongly focus on arthropod species, predominantly those acting as vectors of human diseases. From our survey, it is patent the gap of knowledge concerning the potential molluscicidal properties of Apiaceae extracts/phytochemicals, as well as their herbicidal activities against invasive plant species. In this review, we propose to highlight the potential of Apiaceae species as suitable sources of bioactive phytochemicals with great relevance within the frame of plant-based pesticides R&D, and will discuss their applicability in real-world scenarios considering the recent developments regarding the design of stable formulations incorporating Apiaceae bioactive products. We expect that this review will encourage researchers to consider undervalued Apiaceae species as alternative sources of bioactive compounds and will give a contribute to the field by suggesting new research topics., This work was supported by European Investment Funds and National Funds (Portugal) by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology-FCT (IC&DT funding 02/SAICT/2017, Ref. PTDC/BAAAGR/31131/2017, Acronym EOIS-CropProt), and by National Funds through FCT (Portugal) within the scope of R&D units funding (GreenUPorto, FCUP: UIDB/05748/2020 and UIDP/05748/2020 projects; CITAB, UTAD: project UIDB/04033/2020). RM Sousa was financially supported by the FCT (SFRH/BD/66041/2009)., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Human schistosomiasis is an important neglected tropical disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma and is responsible for more than 280,000 deaths annually. Treatment for this disease relies currently on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Concerns regarding PZQ resistance and insensitivity of juvenile schistosomes have increased the interest in resorting to medicinal plants for alternative drug therapies. This study aimed to perform an in vivo schistosomicidal activity evaluation of crude hexanic (HE) and ethanolic (EE) extracts obtained from Phyllanthus amarus in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni (BH strain). Mice were treated orally with a single dose of 100 or 250 mg/kg, on two different infection periods, 30 and 45 days post-infection (dpi). Parameters such as worm recovery, faecal egg count, intestinal tissue egg count and liver histopathology were evaluated. Treatment against young adult (30 dpi) and adult (45 dpi) worms were more effective compared to the control group treated with PZQ. At a concentration of 250 mg/kg (30 dpi) EE showed a 54.4% female reduction and a 61.2% total worm reduction whilst at a concentration of 100 mg/kg (45 dpi) HE showed a 40.6% female worm reduction and a 45.3% total worm reduction. Histopathological examination showed a granuloma decrease in both number and size for groups treated with 250 mg/kg of HE (45 dpi) or EE (30 or 45 dpi). From these results, it can be concluded that both hexanic and ethanolic extracts have antischistosomal activities, however, act differently according to the parasites age. The schistosomicidal activity results in groups treated 30 days post infection is extremely important since praziquantel does not show activity against the juvenile forms of Schistosoma.

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PurposeBandim Health Project (BHP) monitors health and survival of women and children in a nationally representative rural Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Guinea-Bissau. The HDSS was set up in 1989–1990 to collect data on health interventions and child mortality.ParticipantsThe HDSS covers 182 randomly selected clusters across the whole country. The cohort is open, and women and children enter the cohort, when they move into the selected clusters, and leave the cohort, when they move out or die, or when children reach 5 years of age. Data are collected through biannual or more frequent household visits. At all village visits, information on pregnancies, vital status, vaccination status, arm circumference, use of bed nets and other basic information is collected for women and children. Today, more than 25 000 women and 23 000 children below the age of 5 years are under surveillance.Findings to dateResearch from the BHP has given rise to the hypothesis that vaccines, in addition to their targeted effects, have important non-specific effects altering the susceptibility to other infections. Initially, it was observed that mortality among children vaccinated with the live BCG or measles vaccines was much lower than the mortality among unvaccinated children, a difference, which could not be explained by prevention of tuberculosis and measles infections. In contrast, mortality tended to be higher for children who had received the non-live Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis vaccine compared with children who had not received this vaccine. Since the effect differed for the different vaccines, no bias explained the contrasting findings.Future plansNew health interventions are introduced with little assessment of real-life effects. Through the HDSS, we can describe both the implementation of interventions (eg, the vaccination programme) and their effects. Furthermore, the intensive follow-up allows the implementation of randomised trials testing potential better vaccination programmes.

The original published version of this article contains error in Tables 1 and 2. Correct tables are presented here.

Schistosomiasis is a tropical neglected disease whose socioeconomic impact is surpassed only by malaria. Until recently, praziquantel (PZQ) has been the only available drug, raising concerns that tolerant/resistant strains may appear. Since the discovery of the schistosomicidal potential of artemisinin (ART), new derivatives have been produced and evaluated. In this work, we evaluated the activity of ART derivatives against Schistosoma mansoni, both in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro assay, worm survival, oviposition, and morphological alterations were evaluated. Further analysis of morphological alterations and membrane integrity was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and a cell-permeable, benzimidazole dye (Hoescht 33258) that binds to the minor groove of double stranded DNA. For the in vivo assay, artesunic acid (AcART) and dihydroartemisinin acetate (AcDQHS) were selected, since they showed the best in vitro results. Infected mice treated 21, 45, or 60 days post-infection (dpi), with a concentration of 100 mg/kg of either AcART or AcDQHS, showed a significant worm reduction (particularly in females), fewer eggs eliminated in feces, and a decrease of immature eggs in the intestinal tissues. Our results indicate that AcART and AcDQHS have some schistosomicidal activity against juvenile and adult stages of S. mansoni.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting 220 million people worldwide. Praziquantel has proven to be effective against this parasitic disease, though there are increasing concerns regarding tolerance/resistance that calls for new drugs. Repurposing already existing and well-known drugs has been a desirable approach since it reduces time, costs, and ethical concerns. The anti-cancer drug tamoxifen (TAM) has been used worldwide for several decades to treat and prevent breast cancer. Previous reports stated that TAM affects Schistosoma hormonal physiology; however, no controlled schistosomicidal in vivo assays have been conducted. In this work, we evaluated the effect of TAM on female and male Schistosoma mansoni morphology, motility, and egg production. We further assessed worm survival and egg production in S. mansoni-infected mice. TAM induced morphological alterations in male and female parasites, as well as in eggs in vitro. Furthermore, in our in vivo experiments, one single dose of intraperitoneal TAM citrate reduced the total worm burden by 73% and led to a decrease in the amount of eggs in feces and low percentages of immature eggs in the small intestine wall. Eggs obtained from TAM citrate-treated mice were reduced in size and presented hyper-vacuolated structures. Our results suggest that TAM may be repurposed as a therapeutic alternative against S. mansoni infections.

The main challenge in schistosomiasis control has been the emergence of drug-resistant parasites. Since the 1970's, praziquantel (PZQ) is the single drug for treatment. This fact highlights the importance to research news chemotherapeutic agents. In the last years, S. mansoni excretory system and tegument have been major targets for drug development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sesquiterpenes, alpha-humulene and trans-caryophyllene on S. mansoni survival, excretory system and membrane integrity, after in vitro exposure. The in vitro studies, showed that sesquiterpenes reduced egg production and motor activity of worms at sublethal concentrations, and caused death in a concentration-dependent manner (100 and 200μg/mL). Tegumental analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), showed tegument damage. Additionally, it was possible to observe lesions, evidenced by intense marking trough Hoechst probe, in the tegument and suckers of worms exposed to 200μg/mL. In this study, we also showed that resorufin is only capable of identifying the interaction of sesquiterpenes in males excretory system, Pgp expression and inferring that females are more tolerant to treatments. Thus, the present study results contribute to an understanding of alpha-humulene and trans-caryophyllene effect over these targets, contributing for the development of schistosomicidal drugs.

The formation of nurse cells in host muscle cells duringTrichinella spiralisinfection is a key step in the infective mechanism. Collagen trimerization is set up via disulphide bond formation, catalysed by protein disulphide isomerase (PDI). InT. spiralis, some PDI family members have been identified but no localization is described and no antibodies specific forT. spiralisPDIs are available. In this work, computational approaches were used to search for non-described PDIs in theT. spiralisgenome database and to check the cross-reactivity of commercial anti-human antibodies withT. spiralisorthologues. In addition to a previously described PDI (PDIA2), endoplasmic reticulum protein (ERp57/PDIA3), ERp72/PDIA4, and the molecular chaperones calreticulin (CRT), calnexin (CNX) and immunoglobulin-binding protein/glucose-regulated protein (BIP/GRP78), we identified orthologues of the human thioredoxin-related-transmembrane proteins (TMX1, TMX2 and TMX3) in the genome protein database, as well as ERp44 (PDIA10) and endoplasmic reticulum disulphide reductase (ERdj5/PDIA19). Immunocytochemical staining of paraffin sections of muscle infected byT. spiralisenabled us to localize some orthologues of the human PDIs (PDIA3 and TMX1) and the chaperone GRP78. A theoretical three-dimensional model forT. spiralisPDIA3 was constructed. The localization and characteristics of the predicted linear B-cell epitopes and amino acid sequence of the immunogens used for commercial production of anti-human PDIA3 antibodies validated the use of these antibodies for the immunolocalization ofT. spiralisPDIA3 orthologues. These results suggest that further study of the role of the PDIs and chaperones during nurse cell formation is desirable.

This paper describes the use of blends of diesel/biodiesel to obtain new microemulsion systems and their application as fuels for diesel engines. The blends were prepared using 5 vol.% (B5) and 20 vol.% (B20) biodiesel in diesel. The microemulsions were composed by either B5 or B20 as oil phase, nonylphenol ethoxylate with five oxyethylene units as nonionic surfactant, and distilled water as aqueous phase. Properties such as viscosity, flash point, density, and corrosiveness were evaluated. In comparison with diesel, increases in viscosity, density, and flash point were observed. Although increase in corrosiveness could be expected, this was not detected with the blends, which were fueled in a diesel engine to evaluate gaseous emissions. A reduction in CO, NOx and smoke emissions was observed, together with an increase in the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons. Therefore, the results indicate that the exhaust emissions of these novel microemulsion systems presented lower pollutants than neat diesel.

Diet may induce colon carcinogenesis through oxidative or alkylating DNA damage. However, diet may also contain anticarcinogenic compounds that contribute to cancer prevention. DNA damage prevention and/or induction of repair are two important mechanisms involved in cancer chemoprevention by dietary compounds. Hypericum sps. are widely used in traditional medicine to prepare infusions due to their beneficial digestive and neurologic effects. In this study, we investigated the potential of water extracts from three Hypericum sps. and some of their main phenolic compounds to prevent and repair oxidative and alkylating DNA damage in colon cells. The results showed that water extracts of Hypericum perforatum, Hypericum androsaemum, Hypericum undulatum, quercetin and rutin have protective effect against oxidative DNA damage in HT29 cells. Protective effect was also observed against alkylating DNA damage induced by methyl-methanesulfonate, except for H. androsaemum. With regard to alkylating damage repair H. perforatum, H. androsaemum and chlorogenic acid increased repair of alkylating DNA damage by base excision repair pathway. No effect was observed on nucleotide excision repair pathway. Antigenotoxic effects of Hypericum sps. may contribute to colon cancer prevention and the high amount of phenolic compounds present in Hypericum sps. play an important role in DNA protective effects.

Analisa-se comparativamente a obra de Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), norte-americano, e de Raul Lino (1879-1974), português – dois arquitectos (quase) contemporâneos, cada um deles expoente na cultura e na sociedade, no seu tempo e no seu espaço de vida e obra. Faz-se o enquadramento, refere-se o contexto históricocultural e os antecedentes da 1ª. época criativa destes autores. Neste quadro referem-se as obras de John Ruskin e de William Morris, criadores do Arts & Crafts, bem como as características deste movimento artístico – tal como as continuações do A&C, no final do séc XIX, na América e na Europa – da Deutscher Werkbund a Sullivan e a Berlage. Sobre Wright e Lino apresenta-se o seu “entendimento do mundo”: os seus temas conceptuais e arquitectónicos, bem como os movimentos estético-culturais associados – “Organic Architecture” e “Casa Portuguesa”. Apresentam-se e analisam-se os “seis princípios” de Wright e os “seis princípios” de Lino – salientando os aspectos comuns às concepções de ambos os autores. Descrevem-se e exemplificam-se alguns temas e materiais arquitectónicos definidores e comuns, na primeira fase das obras de Wright e de Lino – como o Arco redondo em tijolo nos vãos e a Lareira na sala principal. Estuda-se a concepção da casa, como um todo, nas suas semelhanças e contrastes, em obras concretas dos dois autores. Apresenta-se e analisa-se um tema parcial em obras específicas de ambos os autores: os arcos irradiantes e as arcarias de volta perfeita nos vãos da fachada; bem como o tratamento de uma peça concreta, a lareira. Termina-se com tópicos conclusivos.

The amount and composition of the essential oil from leaves of Hypericum androsaemum L. cultivated in Arouca (Portugal) were determined in six samples harvested during 1 year at intervals of 2 months. The seasonally dependent essential oil content ranged from 0.7 mg/g biomass dry weight in September to 3.4 mg/g in February. The oil contained more than 80 compounds, 70 of which (constituting 88–93% of the total oil) were identified by GC and GC-MS. An approximation of the absolute quantification of each compound and compound class was performed using a GC method with an internal standard. The relative and the absolute content of each compound and compound class changed during the year. At the end of the winter and in the spring, the essential oil was dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and accumulated a high number of intermediate to long chain n-alkanes and 1-alkenes. In September, the essential oil contained the lowest levels of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (43%) and the highest levels of 1-octene and 2-hexenal (38%). In February, the essential oil had the highest level of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (73%) and the highest diversity of intermediate to long chain n-alkanes and 1-alkenes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Este artigo trata da identificação dos fatores-chave de retenção de clientes, no setor metal mecânico. A pesquisa que lhe deu suporte utilizou amostra não probabilística composta de 38 executivos de empresas associadas à ABIMAQ (Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Máquinas e Equipamentos). Para o tratamento dos dados foram aplicadas técnicas da estatística descritiva e da análise multivariada, tendo os resultados revelado que: os dez fatores-chaves de retenção podem ser resumidos em dois fatores principais, denominados "Fator Principal" e "Fator Secundário"; a "Qualidade dos Produtos" é o fator preponderante na retenção de clientes; mesmo alterando-se a técnica de tratamento dos dados, apenas a "Qualidade dos Produtos" evidenciou-se como o fator principal, enquanto os demais fatores-chaves não mantiveram suas posições; entre as empresas da amostra a ênfase principal é dada ao produto, muito mais que às questões de confiabilidade, velocidade e flexibilidade, mostrando não haver ainda visão ampla e integrada do processo do negócio. Por fim, este estudo mostrou não ser uma das tarefas mais fáceis identificar os fatores-chaves de retenção de clientes. Assim, este desafio persistirá, talvez, por longo tempo. This article deals with the identification of the key-factors of client retention in the metal mechanical sector. The research that gave support to it used a nonprobabilistic sample of companies associated to ABIMAQ (Brazilian Association of the Industry of Machines and Equipment) composed of 38 executives. For the data treatment were applied descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis techniques and the results revealed that the ten retention key-factors can be summarized into two factors called main and secondary factor. The quality of the products is preponderant factor to the client retention and when the data treatment technique was changed, quality of the products was proven as the main factor, while the other key-factors had not kept their position. The main emphasis to companies of the sample is given to the product much more than to the questions of reliability, speed and flexibility showing that companies do not still have an integrated vision of the business process. Finally, this study showed that to identify the client retention key-factors do not constitute one of the easiest tasks. Thus, this challenge will persist, maybe, for a long time.

In vitro shoots of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) were established under four different cytokinin supplementations by culturing nodal segments excised from aseptically germinated seedlings. The highest rates of shoot proliferation and linear shoot growth occurred with the supplementation of 1.5 mg/l benzyladenine and 0.05 mg/l dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. However, under these conditions, the specific production of total antioxidant phenolics was the lowest. Variation in kinetin (KIN) concentration (1.5; 2.0; 4.0 mg/l), in the presence of 0.05 mg/l 2,4-D, did not influence significantly the rates of shoot proliferation and linear shoot growth but influenced the production of antioxidant phenolics and biomass. Seventeen compounds were identified in the antioxidant phenolic extracts from shoots: gallic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid, as phenolic acids; hesperetin, apigenin, hispidulin, cirsimaritin, and genkwanin, as flavonoids; epirosmanol, epirosmanol methyl ether, carnosol, epiisorosmanol ethyl ether, rosmadial, carnosic acid, and methyl carnosate, as phenolic diterpenes. With exception of carnosic acid and methyl carnosate, all the other phenolic compounds (15) were also identified in a commercial sample of this species. Rosmarinic acid and carnosol were the main compounds in all the antioxidant phenolic extracts. The increase in concentration of KIN decreased the accumulation of the most of phenolic diterpenes, particularly that of carnosol.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, the GAVI Alliance funded the introduction of new vaccines (including pentavalent diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis [DTP] plus hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens) in Guinea-Bissau. The introduction was accompanied by increased vaccination outreach services and a more restrictive wastage policy, including only vaccinating children younger than 12 months. We assessed coverage of all vaccines in the Expanded Program on Immunizations before and after the new vaccines' introduction, and the implications on child survival.METHODS: This observational cohort study used data from the Bandim Health Project, which has monitored vaccination status and mortality in randomly selected village clusters in Guinea-Bissau since 1990. We assessed the change in vaccination coverage using cohort data from children born in 2007 and 2009; analysed the proportion of children who received measles vaccine after 12 months of age using data from 1999-2006; and compared child mortality after age 12 months in children who had received measles vaccine and those who had not using data from 1999 to 2006.FINDINGS: The proportion of children who were fully vaccinated by 12 months of age was 53% (468 of 878) in the 2007 cohort and 53% (467 of 879) in the 2009 cohort (relative risk [RR] 1·00, 95% CI 0·89-1·11). Coverage of DTP-3 and pentavalent-3 increased from 73% (644 of 878) in 2007 to 81% (712 of 879) in 2009 (RR 1·10, 95% CI 1·04 -1·17); by contrast, the coverage of measles vaccination declined from 71% (620 of 878) to 66% (577 of 879; RR 0·93, 0·85-1·01). The effect of the changes was significantly different for DTP-3 coverage compared with measles vaccine coverage (p=0·002). After 12 months of age, the adjusted mortality rate ratio was 0·71 (95% CI 0·56-0·90) for children who had received measles vaccine compared with those who had not (0·59 [0·43-0·80] for girls and 0·87 [0·62-1·23] for boys).INTERPRETATION: The introduction of the new vaccination programme in 2008 was associated with increased coverage of DTP, but decreased coverage of measles vaccine. In 1999-2006, child mortality was higher in children who had not received measles vaccine than in those who had.FUNDING: DANIDA, European Research Council, the Danish Independent Research Council, European Union FP7 via OPTIMUNISE, and Danish National Research Foundation.

Mentha piperita (MP), also known as peppermint, is an aromatic and medicinal plant widely used in the food industry, perfumery and cosmetic, pharmacy and traditional medicine. Its essential oil (EO) displays antimicrobial activity against a range of bacteria and fungi. In this study, we found that MP EO lethal cytotoxicity is associated with increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial fragmentation and chromatin condensation, without loss of the plasma membrane integrity, indicative of an apoptotic process. Overexpression of cytosolic catalase and superoxide dismutases reverted the lethal effects of the EO and of its major component menthol. Conversely, deficiency in Sod1p (cytosolic copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase) greatly increased sensitivity to both agents, but deficiency in Sod2p (mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase) only induced sensitivity under respiratory growth conditions. Mentha piperita EO increased the frequency of respiratory deficient mutants indicative of damage to the mitochondrial genome, although increase in mitochondrial thiol oxidation does not seem to be involved in the EO toxicity., This work was supported by FEDER through POFC - COMPETE and by Portuguese Funds from FCT through the project PEst-OE/BIA/UI4050/2014. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Among the Schistosoma species known to infect humans, S. mansoni is the most frequent cause of intestinal schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa and South America: the World Health Organization estimates that about 200,000 deaths per year result from schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa alone. The Schistosoma life cycle requires two different hosts: a snail as intermediate host and a mammal as definitive host. People become infected when they come into contact with water contaminated with free-living larvae (e.g. when swimming, fishing, washing). Although S. mansoni has mechanisms for escaping the host immune system, only a minority of infecting larvae develop into adults, suggesting that strain selection occurs at the host level. To test this hypothesis, we compared the Belo Horizonte (BH) strain of S. mansoni recovered from definitive hosts with different immunological backgrounds using random amplification of polymorphic DNA–polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Schistosoma mansoni DNA profiles of worms obtained from wild-type (CD1 and C57BL/6J) and mutant (Jα18− / − and TGFβRIIdn) mice were analysed. Four primers produced polymorphic profiles, which can therefore potentially be used as reference biomarkers. All male worms were genetically distinct from females isolated from the same host, with female worms showing more specific fragments than males. Of the four host-derived schistosome populations, female and male adults recovered from TGFβRIIdn mice showed RAPD-PCR profiles that were most similar to each other. Altogether, these data indicate that host immunological backgrounds can influence the genetic diversity of parasite populations.

6-C-prenyl luteolin, a new naturally occurring compound, together with luteolin 5,3′-dimethyl ether, luteolin 5-glucoside and luteolin 3′-glucoside were isolated from callus of Hypericum perforatum var. angustifolium . These flavonoids were completely different from those previously observed in in vivo plants of the same species. The total flavonoid content of callus , around 0.5–0.7 mg g −1 dry wt, was much lower than that found in wild growing Hypericum perforatum plants (14–70 mg g −1 dry wt).

The essential oil of leaves of O. vulgare spp. virens was composed of ca 50% monoterpenoids, 40% sesquiterpenenoids and 3% n -Alkanes. Linalool was the main constituent, representing more than 16% of the total essential oil. n -Alkanes were the major compounds found in hydrodistillates of calli induced from leaves. Green friable calli (G-calli) and dark abnormal root primordia containing calli (R-calli) of Origanum vulgare ssp. virens were induced from leaves and established in the presence of 0.25 mg and 1 mg 1 −1 (2,4-D), respectively. Leaves, of the same type of those used in the calli induction, G-calli and R-calli were submitted to hydrodistillation and the respective hydrodistillates were analysed by GC and GC-mass spectrometry. The hydrodistillate from leaves consisted of ca 50% monoterpenoids (35.2% oxygenated monoterpenes and 14.3% monoterpene hydrocarbons) and ca 40% of sesquiterpenoids (2.5% oxygenated sesquiterpenes and 37.4% sesquiterpene hydrocarbons). Linalool (16.4%) and ( E )- β -ocimene (6.6%) were the major oxygenated monoterpene and monoterpene hydrocarbon, respectively. Globulol (0.94%) and δ-elemene (12.85%) were the major oxygenated sesquiterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbon, respectively. n -Alkanes, namely pentacosane (0.97%), heptacosane (0.9%) and nonacosane (1.0%), were also present. Hydrodistillates from G- and R-calli did not contain either mono- or sesquiterpenoids; n -alkanes were the main compounds found. The alkane concentration in R-calli was more than twice that of G-calli. Naphthalene (0.5 μg g −1 dry wt) and eicosane, (0.9 μg g −1 dry wt) produced by R-calli were absent in G-calli. Squalene concentration in G-calli was 6.7 fold greater than that found in R-calli.

Apesar de uma das tendências da investigação do campo da “Educação para os Media” ir no sentido da criação de um quadro conceptual operatório para a literacia mediática, não existe um conceito agregador para definir esta área. Há várias denominações que aparentemente pretendem significar a mesma coisa. Com este artigo pretende-se responder à pergunta: por que é que não existe uma única definição para designar “Educação para os Media”? Para além disso, espera-se contribuir com um quadro explicativo para a existência dessa situação, avançando-se com eventuais razões para isso. Pretende-se, também, observar se isso configura um eventual constrangimento para que o campo se afirme em termos de investigação., Although one of the investigation trends in “Media Education” go towards the creation of a conceptual framework for media literacy surgery, there isn’t an aggregate concept to define this area. There are several denominations who apparently intended to mean the same thing. With this article it is intended to answer the question: Why isn’t there a single definition to describe “Media Education”? In addition, it is also expected to contribute to an explanatory framework for the existence of this situation, moving forward with any reasons. The aim is also to observe if it sets up a potential embarrassment for the field is stated in terms of research.

Com este artigo, pretendemos observar de que modo a ‘portugalidade’ – termo cunhado durante o Estado Novo – pontua a construção da lusofonia, que é um conceito pós-colonial. Não obstante afirmar-se que apenas falta colocá-lo em prática, o conceito de lusofonia não é consensual, subsistindo vários equívocos interpretativos. Ou se olha para ele a partir de uma centralidade portuguesa, reconstruindo as narrativas do antigo império, pela via do luso-tropicalismo ou ainda numa lógica de história do ressentimento. Ainda que, de forma residual, o discurso político português faça a ligação entre ‘portugalidade’ e lusofonia, concluímos que ambos os conceitos, quando associados, são incompatíveis, já que remetem sempre para uma centralidade portuguesa, o que não é compaginável com uma lógica pós-colonial, de interculturalidade., In this article we set out to show how ‘Portugality’, a term coined under the Estado Novo (New State) regime, peppers the construction of lusophony, which is a postcolonial concept. Though it is said that all that remains is to put it into practice, the concept of lusophony is not consensual since it has been interpreted in various ways. It is viewed from the standpoint of Portuguese centrality, with the reconstruction of narratives from the former empire, or via lusotropicalism, or from the perspective of a history of resentment. Even though Portuguese political discourse forms the link between ‘Portugality’ and lusophony, albeit residually, we conclude that when associated the two concepts are incompatible. This is because they always refer to a Portuguese centrality that cannot be reconciled with a postcolonial rationale of interculturality., Dans cet article, nous nous proposons de réfléchir comment la ‘portugalité’, un terme inventé pendant l’État Nouveau (Estado Novo), ponctue la construction de la lusophonie, qui est un concept postcolonial. Même si l’on dit qu’il ne manque plus que de le mettre en pratique, le concept de lusophonie n’est pas consensuel, puisqu’il subsiste diverses interprétations équivoques. Du point de vue portugais, la lusophonie est souvent considérée comme une reconstruction de récits de l’ancien empire, via le luso-tropicalisme, ou du point de vue de l’histoire du ressentiment. Même si le discours politique portugais fait le lien entre la ‘portugalité’ et la lusophonie, nous concluons que, lorsqu’elles sont associées, les deux notions sont incompatibles, parce qu’elles se réfèrent toujours à une centralité portugaise qui ne peut pas être conciliée avec une logique postcoloniale de l’interculturalité.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7917.2016v21n2p30“Manucure”, de Mário de Sá-Carneiro (1890-1916), constitui um dos poemas mais importantes da vanguarda na literatura portuguesa, a par das odes de Fernando Pessoa-Álvaro de Campos e dos poemas-manifesto de Almada Negreiros. O presente artigo pretende não só discutir o longo poema no contexto dessa mesma vanguarda, mas igualmente situá-lo no âmbito da obra de Sá-Carneiro, que foi decididamente influenciada pela amizade, nos últimos quatros anos da sua curta vida, com Fernando Pessoa, de que nos chegou extensa e valiosa correspondência. Desta forma, falaremos não só dos elementos tipográficos do poema, do seu intuito e significado no seio do texto, bem como iremos fazer uma leitura próxima da poética e estilística deste autor, do seu contacto e contaminação com outras vanguardas europeias. Esperamos também demonstrar, com estas notas para a leitura do poema (publicado pela primeira vez no segundo número de Orpheu) a extrema importância das revistas literárias enquanto suporte de criação e difusão dos nomes maiores da literatura portuguesa, especialmente neste primeiro momento do Modernismo português.

LC-UV and LC-MS analysis were used to study the phenolic composition of water extracts of Hypericum undulatum (HU) shoot cultures and wild-growing (WG) plants. Total phenolic content (TPC), determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, and the antioxidant activity measured by two complementary methods were also performed for each sample. Mass spectrometry revealed several phenolics acids with quinic acid moieties, flavonols, mostly quercetin, luteolin and apigenin glycosides, flavan-3-ols (catechin and epicatechin) and the xanthonoid mangiferin. Differences in phenolic composition profile and TPC were found between the samples. The major phenolic in HU culture-growing (CG) samples is chlorogenic acid, followed by epicatechin, quercitrin and isoquercitrin. The WG plants presents hyperoside as the main phenolic, followed by isoquercitrin, chlorogenic acid and quercetin. The TPC and antioxidant activity were higher in samples from WG plants.

Calli of Euphorbia characias L. maintained on Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium (1962, Physiol. Plant., 15, 473-97) were grown on 20 other basal media. The highest callus biomass production was obtained on half-strength MS and the lowest on Cambell-Durzan medium (1975, Can. J. Bot., 53, 1652-6). Independently of the culture medium used, calli produced campesterol, β-sitosterol, Δ5-avenasterol and α-amyrin. The Gautheret medium (1942, Manuel Technique de Culture des Tissus Vegetaux, Masson Cie, Paris) was the most effective for the production of sterols and α-amyrin. The increase in sucrose supplementation increased callus biomass production but decreased the specific sterols and triterpenols content/dry weight. The increase in sucrose increased the specific phenolics content. The specific sterols and triterpenols content of in-vitro cultures increased during the exponential phase of biomass growth.

Calli of Euphorbia characias grown under different auxin and cytokinin supplementations revealed significant differences in the amounts of total triterpenols produced. Although the four main triterpenols, campesterol, β-sitosterol, Δ 5 -avenasterol and α-amyrin, were produced with all hormonal supplementations used, wide differences in the levels of each triterpenol were recorded depending on either the type or the concentration of auxins and cytokinins tested. The increase of the ratio Δ 5 -avenasterol/ β -sitosterol with the increase of auxin and cytokinin concentrations suggests an inhibitory effect of these hormones on the conversion of Δ 5 -avenasterol to β-sitosterol. Possible effects of auxins and cytokinins on the enzymes of the triterpenols biosynthetic pathway are discussed.

Salvia officinalis (common sage) is a plant with antidiabetic properties. A pilot trial (non-randomized crossover trial) with six healthy female volunteers (aged 40-50) was designed to evaluate the beneficial properties of sage tea consumption on blood glucose regulation, lipid profile and transaminase activity in humans. Effects of sage consumption on erythrocytes’ SOD and CAT activities and on Hsp70 expression in lymphocytes were also evaluated. Four weeks sage tea treatment had no effects on plasma glucose. An improvement in lipid profile was observed with lower plasma LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels as well as higher plasma HDL cholesterol levels during and two weeks after treatment. Sage tea also increased lymphocyte Hsp70 expression and erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities. No hepatotoxic effects or other adverse effects were observed., Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) – SFRH/BD/42566/2007, SFRH/BD/35672/2007, SFRH/BD/12527/2003, POCI/AGR/62040/2004

Micropropagated Euphorbia characias plants gave higher yields of crude oil than did wild ones. Leaves of either wild and micropropagated plants contained more oil than did stems. Triterpenols, hydrocarbons, and free and esterified fatty acids are components of the crude oil produced by stems, young and mature leaves of wild and micropropagated E. characias plants, as well as by calli and suspended cells. With the exception of the free fatty acids fraction, all crude oil fractions were higher in micropropagated plants than in the wild ones. The crude oil content of leaves of either wild or micropropagated plants was higher than that of stems. However the triterpenols yields were higher in stems than in leaves, both in wild and micropropagated plants. The composition of the triterpenol fraction of the crude oil obtained from calli and suspended cells is quite different from that produced by any in vivo parent plant organ studied. Free fatty acids constitute the main fraction of the crude oil obtained from calli and suspended cells.

Este artigo tem origem numa investigação mais ampla 1 que pretende contribuir para a compreensão das concepções dos professores do ensino secundário sobre: (a) a profissão docente e as razões para a sua escolha, e (b) os deveres profissionais na relação com os diversos intervenientes no processo educativo. Foi, também, objectivo desta investigação, compreender se, a partir da consciência deontológica pessoal e empírica de cada participante, é possível configurar comportamentos e deveres comuns, passíveis de conduzirem à elaboração de um código explícito e comum a todos os professores.Para dar resposta a estes objectivos optou-se por um estudo qualitativo e exploratório. Assumindo que se pode aceder ao pensamento dos participantes pelo sentido que atribuem à sua acção educativa e pelas convicções que manifestam sobre a profissão, procedeu-se a uma investigação interpretativa, sustentada na procura de sentidos e apoiada na quantificação das unidades de registos identificadas para cada indicador. O instrumento utilizado para a recolha de dados foi a entrevista semi-directiva. A análise de conteúdo dos discursos estruturou-se segundo os processos vertical e horizontal. Da análise dos discursos dos participantes, que aqui se apresenta de forma sintética, emerge a singu­laridade da profissão docente, quer quanto aos objectivos formativos que persegue, quer quanto à postura e rigor profissional que os seus agentes devem demonstrar. O ensino é interpretado como uma actividade eminentemente ética. Desta forma, a constituição de um código deontológico formal é desejada e vista como um meio para: (a) o desenvolvimento da qualidade de serviço prestado, (b) a coesão e dignificação social da classe, e (c) a identificação de um perfil de professor que participe activamente na gestão e produção da ciência da sua arte. Este artigo tem origem numa investigação mais ampla 1 que pretende contribuir para a compreensão das concepções dos professores do ensino secundário sobre: (a) a profissão docente e as razões para a sua escolha, e (b) os deveres profissionais na relação com os diversos intervenientes no processo educativo. Foi, também, objectivo desta investigação, compreender se, a partir da consciência deontológica pessoal e empírica de cada participante, é possível configurar comportamentos e deveres comuns, passíveis de conduzirem à elaboração de um código explícito e comum a todos os professores.Para dar resposta a estes objectivos optou-se por um estudo qualitativo e exploratório. Assumindo que se pode aceder ao pensamento dos participantes pelo sentido que atribuem à sua acção educativa e pelas convicções que manifestam sobre a profissão, procedeu-se a uma investigação interpretativa, sustentada na procura de sentidos e apoiada na quantificação das unidades de registos identificadas para cada indicador. O instrumento utilizado para a recolha de dados foi a entrevista semi-directiva. A análise de conteúdo dos discursos estruturou-se segundo os processos vertical e horizontal. Da análise dos discursos dos participantes, que aqui se apresenta de forma sintética, emerge a singu­laridade da profissão docente, quer quanto aos objectivos formativos que persegue, quer quanto à postura e rigor profissional que os seus agentes devem demonstrar. O ensino é interpretado como uma actividade eminentemente ética. Desta forma, a constituição de um código deontológico formal é desejada e vista como um meio para: (a) o desenvolvimento da qualidade de serviço prestado, (b) a coesão e dignificação social da classe, e (c) a identificação de um perfil de professor que participe activamente na gestão e produção da ciência da sua arte. Este artigo tem origem numa investigação mais ampla 1 que pretende contribuir para a compreensão das concepções dos professores do ensino secundário sobre: (a) a profissão docente e as razões para a sua escolha, e (b) os deveres profissionais na relação com os diversos intervenientes no processo educativo. Foi, também, objectivo desta investigação, compreender se, a partir da consciência deontológica pessoal e empírica de cada participante, é possível configurar comportamentos e deveres comuns, passíveis de conduzirem à elaboração de um código explícito e comum a todos os professores.Para dar resposta a estes objectivos optou-se por um estudo qualitativo e exploratório. Assumindo que se pode aceder ao pensamento dos participantes pelo sentido que atribuem à sua acção educativa e pelas convicções que manifestam sobre a profissão, procedeu-se a uma investigação interpretativa, sustentada na procura de sentidos e apoiada na quantificação das unidades de registos identificadas para cada indicador. O instrumento utilizado para a recolha de dados foi a entrevista semi-directiva. A análise de conteúdo dos discursos estruturou-se segundo os processos vertical e horizontal.Da análise dos discursos dos participantes, que aqui se apresenta de forma sintética, emerge a singu­laridade da profissão docente, quer quanto aos objectivos formativos que persegue, quer quanto à postura e rigor profissional que os seus agentes devem demonstrar. O ensino é interpretado como uma actividade eminentemente ética. Desta forma, a constituição de um código deontológico formal é desejada e vista como um meio para: (a) o desenvolvimento da qualidade de serviço prestado, (b) a coesão e dignificação social da classe, e (c) a identificação de um perfil de professor que participe activamente na gestão e produção da ciência da sua arte.

In the present study, the chemoprotective effects of quercetin, rutin and ursolic acid on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced DNA damage in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) were investigated by the comet assay. To determine whether protection was due to direct chemical interactions alone or to cellular-mediated responses three different types of treatments were used: simultaneous incubation of cells with individual test compounds and the toxicant; pre-treatment with test compound before addition of the toxicant followed or not by a recovery period. The expression of Hsp70 was quantified by Western blotting to test the involvement of heat shock proteins in the cellular responses to the test compounds. In addition, effects on proliferation were evaluated by the MTT assay. The results show that quercetin and ursolic acid prevented DNA damage and had antiproliferative properties in HepG2 cells suggesting an anticarcinogenic potential for these compounds. The protective effects of quercetin against t-BHP-induced DNA damage seem to be due to both direct effects on t-BHP toxicity and to cellularly mediated indirect effects which reflect the potentiation of the cellular antioxidant defenses. Ursolic acid seems to exert effects only through cellularly mediated mechanisms since it was not protective in simultaneous incubation. Quercetin and ursolic acid also showed to increase the rate of DNA repair. Rutin did not have effects at any level. These results, obtained with liver cells, emphasize and confirm the chemopreventive potential of quercetin and ursolic acid, which may help explain the lower cancer incidence in human population with high dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables. These results also demonstrate that Hsp70 is not involved in the observed effects in HepG2., Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - UMINHO/POCI-62040/BI/1/06, SFRH/BPD/26316/2006, POCI/AGR/62040/2004.

The triterpenol constituents of Euphorbia characias subsp. characias latex and of in vitro cultured calli and cells were examined by capillary GLC and mass spectrometry. The capillary GLC triterpenol profile of the petrol extracts obtained from in vitro cultures is completely different from that of the latex. The major triterpenols produced by in vitro cultures are campesterol, sitosterol, Δ5-avenasterol and α-amyrin, as they were identified by mass spectra of their trimethylsililated and acetylated derivatives, while laticifer cells produce lanosterol, a lanosterol isomer, cycloartenol, 24-methylenecycloartanol and another sterol identified as a cycloartenol isomer.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) is an aromatic and medicinal plant well known for its antioxidant properties. Some in vivo studies have shown the biological antioxidant effects of sage. However, the intracellular antioxidant mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the cytoprotective effects of two sage extracts (a water and a methanolic extract) against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced toxicity in HepG2 cells. The most abundant phenolic compounds present in the extracts were rosmarinic acid and luteolin-7-glucoside. Both extracts, when co-incubated with the toxicant, protected significantly HepG2 cells against cell death. The methanolic extract, with a higher content of phenolic compounds than the water extract, conferred better protection in this in vitro model of oxidative stress with liver cells. Both extracts, tested in a concentration that protects 80% against cell death (IC80), significantly prevented t-BHP-induced lipid peroxidation and GSH depletion, but not DNA damage assessed by the comet assay. The ability of sage extracts to reduce t-BHP-induced GSH depletion by 62% was probably the most relevant contributor to the observed cytoprotection. A good correlation between the above cellular effects of sage and the effects of their main phenolic compounds was found. When incubated alone for 5 h, sage extracts induced an increase in basal GSH levels of HepG2 cells, which indicates an improvement of the antioxidant potential of the cells. Compounds present in sage extracts other than phenolics may also contribute to this latter effect. Based in these results, it would be of interest to investigate whether sage has protective effects in suitable in vivo models of liver diseases, where it is known that oxidative stress is involved., Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/6942/2001, POCI/AGR/62040/2004

Prova tipográfica (In Press), In the present work, the potential hepatoprotective effects of five phenolic compounds were evaluated against oxidative damages induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in HepG2 cells in order to relate in vitro antioxidant activity with cytoprotective effects. t-BHP induced considerable cell damages to HepG2 cells as shown by significant LDH leakage, increased lipid peroxidation, DNA damage as well as decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. All tested phenolic compounds significantly decreased cell death induced by t-BHP (when in co-incubation). If the effects of quercetin are given the reference value 1, the compounds rank in the following order according to inhibition of cell death: luteolin (4.0) > quercetin (1.0) > rosmarinic acid (0.34) > luteolin-7-glucoside (0.30) > caffeic acid (0.21). The results underscore the importance of the compound’s lipophilicity in addition to its antioxidant potential for its biological activity. All tested phenolic compounds were found to significantly decrease lipid peroxidation and prevent GSH depletion induced by t-BHP, but only luteolin and quercetin significantly decreased DNA damage. Therefore, the lipophilicity of the natural antioxidants tested appeared to be of even higher importance for DNA protection than for cell survival. The protective potential against cell death was probably achieved mainly by preventing intracellular GSH depletion. The phenolic compounds studied here showed protective potential against oxidative damages induced in HepG2 cells that could be beneficial against liver diseases where it is known that oxidative stress plays a crucial role., Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia -SFRH/BD/6942/2001; POCTI/AGR/62040/2004.

For this study the essential oil (EO) of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) was isolated from air-dried vegetative aerial parts of the plants by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC-MS. A total yield of 12.07 mg of EO per g of plant dry mass was obtained and more than 50 compounds identified. The major compounds were cis-thujone (17.4 %), alpha-humulene (13.3 %), 1,8-cineole (12.7 %), E-caryophyllene (8.5 %) and borneol (8.3 %). The EO fraction of sage tea was also isolated by partition with pentane and the respective components identified. The toxic and antioxidant protective effects of S. officinalis EO were evaluated on freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Cell viability (LDH leakage), lipid peroxidation and glutathione status were measured in experiments undertaken with cells (suspensions of 1x106 cells per millilitre) exposed to EO alone (toxicity of the EO; t-BHP as positive control); and with cells exposed to EO and an oxidative compound (t-BHP) together (in EO protection evaluation; quercetin as positive control) for 30 min. The results show that the EO is not toxic when present at concentrations below 200 nl/ml; it was only at 2000 nl EO/ml that a significant LDH leakage and GSH decrease were observed indicating cell damage. In the range of concentrations tested, the EO did not show protective effects against t-BHP-induced toxicity., Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/6942/2001, POCTI/AGR/43482/2001.

In vitro cultures of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) were established on MS medium and four samplings were made during the 7 weeks of culture. The samples varied from the original hypocotyl segments (HS) at t0 and segments with incipient calli formation (HSC) after 2 weeks (t2), to embryogenic calli (EC), non-embryogenic calli (NEC) and somatic embryos (SE) collected after 5 (t5) and 7 weeks (t7). The respective free fatty acids (FFA) and esterified fatty acids (EFA) were extracted and analyzed, as methyl esters, by GC and GC–MS, and the data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and PCA statistical analysis. The main FFA in all samples was 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2 and 18:3. EFA fractions were more diverse containing some less common FA. The development of SE was associated with a decrease in neutral lipids. Both the total FFA and the total EFA, as fractions of total lipids, increased with the dedifferentiation and the early calli formation leveling off thereafter (t5–t7). FA variations related to dedifferentiation of hypocotyl tissues and growth of NEC, somatic embryogenesis, and development of SE were observed. Predominant or tissue-specific FA was also found. The value of 18:3/18:2 and 18:0/18:3 ratios as potential indicators of SE autotrophy and calli embryogenic capacity is discussed.

Hypocotyl segments of flax seedlings germinated in vitro, were used to induce indirect somatic embryogenesis on solid medium. The composition and distribution of n-alkanes in flax tissues collected at different developmental stages were studied by GC and GC-MS. During induction and development of callus from hypocotyl tissues a decrease in the percentage of total lipids was observed. In all types of tissue sampled - hypocotyl segments used as primary explants, hypocotyl segments with differentiating calli at the cut ends, embryogenic and non-embryogenic calli and somatic embryos - a skewed-normal distribution of n-alkanes with a low mass range (C13-C21) were found. The highest content of n-alkanes occurred in the primary hypocotyl explants and in the early stages of callus development. Longer carbon chain n-alkanes were observed only in the mature or differentiated tissues of hypocotyls and somatic embryos. Although the n-alkane contents decreased with time, in somatic embryos and calli, a significantly lower n-alkane content was observed in embryogenic calli when compared to non-embryogenic calli independent of the time in culture. These results suggest the utilisation of n-alkanes for heterotrophic cellular growth as well as its mobilisation from embryogenic calli to developing somatic embryos, Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (JNICT) - BD/2771/93.

9 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables., Calli and suspended cells of Hypericum androsaemum accumulated high levels of 1,3,5,6 and 1,3,6,7 oxygenated xanthones. The major compounds include simple oxygenated xanthones or derivatives with prenyl, pyran or methoxyl groups, four of them being new natural compounds. A hypothetical biosynthetic scheme is proposed based on the isolated compounds and statistical analysis. Xanthone accumulation was influenced greatly by medium factors, namely hormone supplementation. Calli grown with 4.5 μM α-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA)+2.3 μM kinetin (KIN) had the highest specific xanthone production (1.3% biomass dry weight (DW)), whereas suspended cells grown in similar medium accumulated a lower amount (0.87% DW). Calli displayed a negative linear relationship between total xanthone accumulation and NAA concentration, in the range of 4.5–22.5 μM. However, in this range the xanthone 1,3,6,7/1,3,5,6 ratio and the biomass production showed a positive linear relationship with NAA concentration. Substitution of 4.5 μM of NAA by the same molar amount of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), in the presence of 2.3 μM of KIN, caused a decrease in xanthone accumulation in calli. The use of N6-benzyladenine (BA) instead of KIN reduced xanthone production, independently of the auxin used. This effect was attenuated when both hormones were present.

A single medium was used for induction of somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis from flax hypocotyls. With this system, a comparative study was performed to determine the free sterols content and composition in non-organogenic, shoot organogenic and embryogenic calli as well as in regenerated shoots and somatic embryos grown under the same hormonal supplementation. The induction of somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis of flax was associated with an increase of total sterols in the competent calli and an increased ratio of stigmasterol to β-sitosterol in derived embryos and shoots. On the contrary, in non-organogenic calli, the ratio stigmasterol to β-sitosterol decreased during the exponential growth phase due to a drastic rise in the β-sitosterol content. This effect as well as the calli growth were higher with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D than with 0.6 mg/l IBA., Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (JNICT) - BD/2771/93.

Objective The WHO aims for 90% coverage of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), which in Guinea-Bissau included BCG vaccine at birth, three doses of diphtheria−tetanus−pertussis vaccine (DTP) and oral polio vaccine (OPV) at 6, 10 and 14 weeks and measles vaccine (MV) at 9 months when this study was conducted. The WHO assesses coverage by 12 months of age. The sequence of vaccines may have an effect on child mortality, but is not considered in official statistics or assessments of programme performance. We assessed vaccination coverage and frequency of out-of-sequence vaccinations by 12 and 24 months of age. Design Observational cohort study. Setting and participants The Bandim Health Project9s (BHP) rural Health and Demographic Surveillance site covers 258 randomly selected villages in all regions of Guinea-Bissau. Villages are visited biannually and vaccination cards inspected to ascertain vaccination status. Between 2003 and 2009 vaccination status by 12 months of age was assessed for 5806 children aged 12–23 months; vaccination status by 24 months of age was assessed for 3792 children aged 24–35 months. Outcome measures Coverage of EPI vaccinations and frequency of out-of-sequence vaccinations. Results Half of 12-month-old children and 65% of 24-month-old children had completed all EPI vaccinations. Many children received vaccines out of sequence: by 12 months of age 54% of BCG-vaccinated children had received DTP with or before BCG and 28% of measles-vaccinated children had received DTP with or after MV. By 24 months of age the proportion of out-of-sequence vaccinations was 58% and 35%, respectively, for BCG and MV. Conclusions In rural Guinea-Bissau vaccination coverage by 12 months of age was low, but continued to increase beyond 12 months of age. More than half of all children received vaccinations out of sequence. This highlights the need to improve vaccination services.

portuguesO terrorismo sempre esteve presente nas sociedades contemporâneas, fazendo, infelizmente, parte do nosso dia-a-dia. Dessa forma, sao importantes definicoes precisas desse fenomeno; suas diferencas e interacoes sociais; definir as formas de difusao das mensagens, sua interacao atraves dos media, assim como, tentar minimizar os seus efeitos. A sociedade da hipercomunicacao em que vivemos atualmente facilita a visibilidade publica, e as acoes que os terroristas tentam dinamizar, tem por base a comunicacao como chave principal na difusao publica dos seus atos. A alteracao dos paradigmas da comunicacao, resultantes acima de tudo, de um crescente aumento das capacidades tecnologicas, acessiveis a todos, torna possivel a difusao de itens por todo o Mundo, moldando a opiniao publica e concedendo uma posicao de destaque aos terroristas na gestao da informacao e comunicacao. O facto de os media atuais trabalharem numa perspetiva “cyber” e atraves de dispositivos multi-plataformas, permite a concretizacao de forma mais abrangente e celere os objetivos dos terroristas, conseguindo atingir uma franja de publico muito mais atenta aos seus interesses, capazes de interagir de forma muito mais positiva. A analise das reacoes atraves das redes sociais por parte das comunidades afetadas pelo terrorismo, pode ser particularmente interessante, assim como das que sao suas “oponentes”, como no caso das sociedades cristas e muculmanas aquando de atentados terroristas pelos radicais islâmicos na europa, de que e exemplo o atentado de Londres em marco de 2017. Um aspeto que trataremos num estudo de caso de um forum portugues. EnglishTerrorism has always been present in contemporary societies, making us part of our day-to-day life. It is important to take into account precise definitions of this phenomenon; their differences and social interactions; define the forms of diffusion of the messages, their interaction through the Media, as well as, try to minimize their effects. The hypercommunication society in which we now live facilitates public visibility, and the actions that the terrorists try to energize, is based on communication as the main key in the public diffusion of their acts. The change in communications paradigms, resulting above all from a growing technological capabilities, accessible to all, makes it possible to spread items around the world, shaping public opinion and giving terrorists a information and communication. The fact that current media work in a cyber perspective and through multiplatform devices, allows the achievement of a broader and faster way of achieving the objectives of terrorists, achieving a much more attentive audience, capable of interacting with much more positive. The analysis of reactions through social networks by communities affected by terrorism can be particularly interesting, as well as of their "opponents", as in the case of Christian and Muslim societies in terrorist attacks by Islamic radicals in Europe. Such as the London atack in March 2017. We adress a case study in a portuguese forum.

To study the effects on children of humanitarian aid agencies restricting help to refugee families (internally displaced people).Follow up study of 3 months.Prabis peninsular outside Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, which has functioned as a refugee area for internally displaced people in the ongoing war, and the study area of the Bandim health project in Bissau.422 children aged 9-23 months in 30 clusters.Mid-upper arm circumference and survival in relation to residence status.During the refugee situation all children deteriorated nutritionally, and mortality was high (3.0% in a 6 week period). Rice consumption was higher in families resident in Prabis than in refugees from Bissau but there was no difference in food expenditure. Nutritional status, measured by mid- upper arm circumference, was not associated with rice consumption levels in the family, and the decline in circumference was significantly worse for resident than for refugee children; the mid-upper arm circumference of refugee children increased faster than that of resident children. For resident children, mortality was 4.5 times higher (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 30.0) than for refugee children. Mortality for both resident and refugee children was 7.2 times higher (1.3 to 133.9) during the refugee's stay in Prabis compared with the period after the departure of the refugees.In a non-camp setting, residents may be more malnourished and have higher mortality than refugees. Major improvements in nutritional status and a reduction in mortality occurred in resident and refugee children as soon as refugees returned home despite the fact that there was no improvement in food availability.This paper examines the nutritional status and mortality of refugee and resident children in a non-camp setting during the war in Guinea-Bissau. Subjects included 422 children aged 9-23 months in 30 clusters. Results showed that, during the refugee situation, all the children deteriorated nutritionally and mortality was high (3.0% in a 6-week period). Rice consumption was higher in families residing in Prabis than in refugees from Guinea-Bissau, but there was no difference in food expenditure. Nutritional status, measured by mid-upper-arm circumference, was not associated with rice consumption levels in the family, and the decline in circumference was significantly worse for resident than for refugee children; the mid-upper-arm circumference increased faster than that of resident children. For resident children, mortality was 4.5 times higher than for refugee children. Mortality for both resident and refugee children was 7.2 times higher during the refugee's stay in Prabis compared with the period after the departure of the refugees. Finally, major improvements in nutritional status and reduction in mortality occurred in resident and refugee children as soon as refugees returned home despite the fact that there were no improvements in food availability.