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Abstract Kidney transplantation is a common yet highly demanding medical procedure worldwide, enhancing the quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease. Despite its prevalence, the procedure faces a shortage of available organs, partly due to contamination by microorganisms, leading to significant organ disposal. This study proposes utilizing photonic techniques associated with organ support machines to prevent patient contamination during kidney transplantation. We implemented a decontamination system using ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation on the preservation solution circulating through pigs' kidneys between harvest and implant. UV-C irradiation, alone or combined with ultrasound (US) and Ps80 detergent during ex-vivo swine organ perfusion in a Lifeport® Kidney Transporter machine, aimed to reduce microbiological load in both fluid and organ. Results show rapid fluid decontamination compared to microorganism release from the organ, with notable retention. By including Ps80 detergent at 0.5% during UV-C irradiation 3 log10 (CFU mL−1) of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria previously retained in the organ were successfully removed, indicating the technique's feasibility and effectiveness.

ABSTRACT: Asparagopsis taxiformis inhibits ruminal methane (CH4) production due to its bromoform (CHBr3) content. The immersion of A. taxiformis in edible vegetable oils allows the extraction and stabilization of the highly volatile CHBr3 in the oil phase. The objectives of this study were to explore the effects of adding sunflower oils with increasing concentrations of CHBr3 on in vitro ruminal methanogenesis and biohydrogenation. Five batches of 48-h in vitro incubations were performed in 14 fermentation bottles, using rumen inocula collected shortly after the slaughter of young crossbred bulls and 1 g of dry matter (DM) from a total diet of mixed feed without added oil (control) or with 60 μL of sunflower oil per gram of DM as the substrate. The treatments were the CHBr3 content in the oil added: 0 μg (B0), 25 μg (B25), 50 μg (B50), 75 μg (B75), 100 μg (B100), and 150 μg (B150) of CHBr3 per gram of substrate DM. Organic matter (OM) degradability, total gas, CH4, volatile fatty acids (VFA), long-chain fatty acids, and dimethyl acetals (DMA) were analyzed at the end of each incubation. Data were analyzed with a model considering the treatments as the fixed effect and the run as a random block and using orthogonal contrasts. Degradability of OM was higher in the control group and was unaffected by CHBr3 concentration. Total gas production per gram of degraded OM was unaffected by treatments and averaged 205 ± 29.8 mL/g. Methane (mL) production decreased linearly with increasing CHBr3 concentrations, with 33%, 47%, and 87% reductions for B75, B100, and B150, respectively. Total VFA concentration was unaffected by oil inclusion but was reduced by 20% in CHBr3-containing treatments, although without any dose-response pattern. The molar percentage of acetate decreased linearly, whereas propionate and butyrate increased linearly with the increasing CHBr3 dosage. Including oil in the diet decreased the branched-chain fatty acids and DMA content. Increasing CHBr3 concentrations did not affect branched-chain fatty acids, but linearly increased most of the identified DMA. Adding oil to the control diet increased the 18:2n-6, whereas increasing the concentration of CHBr3 had no effect on 18:2n-6 but decreased linearly the 18:0 and increased the trans-18:1 isomers. The results obtained provide evidence that oil immersions of A. taxiformis can successfully inhibit ruminal production of CH4 in vitro at doses of 100 and 150 μg/g DM, and simultaneously modulate biohydrogenation.

Abstract Background External root resorption (ERR) has a multifactorial etiology and is difficult to diagnose, which means that is continues to be of research interest. This work mainly aims to determine whether external root resorption can be differentially detected in root-filled versus non-endodontically treated teeth using digital periapical radiography (DPR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods The Checklist for Reporting In-vitro Studies (CRIS) guidelines were followed throughout this study. This experiment highlights the preparation and generation of standardized synthetic teeth measured on three-dimensional records converted into Digital Imaging and Communication on Medicine (DICOM) file format. Twelve replicate maxillary incisors were randomized into two groups: (G1) six non-endodontically treated, and (G2) six endodontically treated teeth. In both groups, actual tooth lengths of all specimens were measured and compared with measurements obtained using DPR and CBCT. Simulated ERR lesions [0.12, 0.18, 0.20 mm × 0.5 mm depth in the mesial, distal and palatal apical regions] were created progressively, radiographic images were recorded, and 24 DPRs and 96 CBCTs were obtained in total. Eight blinded, previously calibrated researchers made a total of 1920 measurements (using Horos Software). Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon rank post-hoc tests [Bonferroni correction in multiple comparison tests (p

This paper targets the quality of tifton bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hays in isoproteic and isoenergetic diets on horse body biometrics. Six equines, between 6.5±0.5 years old and with an mean body weight of 354±50kg, were used in this study. The treatments consisted of six diets and the experimental delineation was the Latin square (6x6). The diet’s forage was composed by a combination of hays, in a factorial scheme (2x3), with two forages (tifton bermudagrass and alfalfa) and three types of hay (A, B and C). There was a significant effect in the variables body weight, abdominal girth, fecal water content, and fecal production for the forage type. Greater digestibility coefficient of dietary dry matter values were identified in the diets composed by type A and B alfalfa hay (64.71±2.38% and 63.45±2.41%, respectively), that have significantly surpassed (P = 0.0061) the results obtained for the type C hay diets. It was possible to conclude that the alfalfa hay provided a reduction in the horse’s body weight and thoracic perimeter, what can be explained by the greater verified digestibility, as well as the lesser fecal water retention with the diets containing only the legume.

Collection of finger sweat is explored here as a rapid and convenient way of monitoring patient adherence to antipsychotic drugs. Finger sweat samples (n = 426) collected from patients receiving treatment with clozapine, quetiapine and olanzapine were analysed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, including a subgroup of patients with paired plasma samples. Finger sweat samples were also analysed from a negative control group and patients who had handled antipsychotic medication only. The finger sweat test (based on the detection of parent drug in one donated sample) was 100% effective in monitoring adherence within commonly prescribed dosing ranges. In comparison to participants who handled the medication only, the test could distinguish between contact and administration through monitoring of the drug metabolite, or the level of parent drug. Additionally, in a subgroup of patients prescribed clozapine, a statistically significant correlation was observed between the mass of parent drug in finger sweat and plasma concentration. The finger sweat technology shows promise as a dignified, noninvasive method to monitor treatment adherence in patients taking antipsychotics.

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MgCa and MgGd series of alloys are often reported as promising candidates for biomedical applications. In the present study, cytotoxicity and corrosion behavior of Mg1Ca and Mg10Gd alloys in different electrolytes (NaCl, PBS, MEM) have been investigated in order to make a direct comparison and understand the mechanisms behind their performance. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to analyze corrosion processes depending on media composition, whereas X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate crystalline structure, phase composition and surface morphology of the corroded substrates after immersion in the different electrolytes. Moreover, cytotoxicity of the Mg alloys was assessed using the WST-1 reduction and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays in L929 mouse fibroblasts. The electrochemical results showed that Mg1Ca has a lower degradation rate when compared to Mg10Gd, due to the lower microgalvanic effects and the presence of Ca as an alloying element. Furthermore, the corrosion activity is reduced in MEM, for both alloys, when compared to NaCl and PBS. The cytotoxicity assays revealed that Mg10Gd was cytotoxic in all the conditions tested, while the toxicity of Mg1Ca was low. Overall, these findings show that Mg1Ca alloy presents a higher corrosion resistance and biocompatibility and is a promising material to be used in biomedical implants.

BACKGROUND: To meet the rising demand for cancer care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), educational partnerships are needed. The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth (GSMD) Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program (HOFP) piloted a bi-annual elective in Rwanda supervised by GSMD faculty. OBJECTIVE: Exchange of knowledge and collaborations regarding treatment of advanced cancer in a low-resource setting. METHODS: Program objectives were implemented by GSMD HOFP, Rwandan Ministry of Health, the NGO Partners In Health, and the Butaro Hospital Cancer Center of Excellence (BCCOE) in Butaro, Rwanda. Education, organizational changes, research projects, and funding sources were tracked. Fellows were evaluated using American College of Graduate Medical Education clinical competencies. RESULTS: The two-year pilot program was 100% enrolled. Ten educational, research, and organizational projects were implemented. Three grant proposals are in process. Fifty percent of participating Fellows plan to pursue careers in Global Health. The Hematology-Oncology (HO) Fellows gained perspective on cancer care capacity-building in a LMIC, and confidence in teaching. BCCOE staff gained knowledge and mentorship, ideas for quality improvement, and increased expertise with treatment protocols. Rwandan and U.S. colleagues valued the solidarity generated by the regular exchange, and a long-term commitment is planned. CONCLUSION: A Global Oncology Fellowship elective is feasible and has a qualitative impact on care delivery and collaboration in LMICs influencing Fellows’ career choices and professional growth of colleagues at partner sites. Long-term partnerships complement the task-sharing approach to cancer care. Financial sustainability requires formal institutional support for faculty participation.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o valor nutritivo e a força de cisalhamento da cultivar de Urochloa brizantha (syn Brachiaria brizantha) cv Xaraés submetida a três intensidades luminosas e quatro cortes. O experimento foi conduzido na FMVZ - Unesp de Botucatu, com delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, sendo os tratamentos: luminosidade natural, redução de 30% e 60% de luz, com quatro cortes e três repetições. As análises realizadas foram: composição bromatológica, digestibilidade e a força de cisalhamento. Não houve diferença na digestibilidade entre os tratamentos em nenhum dos cortes, mas a qualidade forrageira foi influenciada pelos níveis de intensidade de luz, tendo o tratamento com 60% de redução de luminosidade apresentado maiores concentrações de proteína bruta e cinzas, menores teores de fibra em detergente neutro, hemicelulose, celulose e força de cisalhamento. Em relação aos cortes estudados, o primeiro teve o menor intervalo de corte e produziu forragem com qualidade superior em comparação ao último, pois obteve menor teor de fibra em detergente ácido, lignina, hemicelulose, celulose e consequente menor força de cisalhamento. Portanto, a redução de 60% de luminosidade é benéfica à qualidade e à força de cisalhamento da cultivar Xaraés.

Migration modelling has become an increasingly accepted method to test the compliance of polymer articles with the existing national or European standards for drinking water contact. In the first part of this work, the diffusion/migration of six organic substances from height additivated unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC-U) samples was investigated to derive the diffusion coefficients of these substances in the polymers. In a first series of experiments, five types of samples were immersed in deionized water and the migration of four organic substances in this liquid was determined experimentally at 23 and 60 °C. In a second series of experiments, the diffusion of two well-known phenolic antioxidants from three other types of PVC-U samples into low density polyethylene (LDPE) films was investigated at 60 and 75 °C. In all these diffusion/migration experiments, time dependent diffusions/migrations were observed. The diffusion coefficients derived from the results were in good agreement with diffusion coefficient data for PVC-U published in the literature in the last five decades.In the second part of this work, the diffusion coefficients mentioned above as well as other ones in PVC-U compounds, compiled from literature, were used to develop a statistical approach to estimate without any further experimentation, conservative diffusion coefficients for any organic substance, with a molecular mass ranging from 50 to 1000 g/mol, diffusing in PVC-U at 23 and 60 °C. In the framework of the German Environmental Agency requirements, these are the temperatures for testing the compliance of polymer articles intended to be used in cold and warm drinking water, respectively. Pipes, fittings and other articles made of PVC-U are widely used in the production, transportation and storage of drinking water. Thus, the new approach to estimate conservative diffusion coefficients for organic substances present in PVC-U articles is a key achievement for an efficient and reliable use of migration modelling with this material.

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a common and serious infection with wide variability in intra-hospital mortality. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients admitted with CAP in mainland Portugal between the years 2000 and 2009. Results: The intra-hospital mortality rate was 20.4% with deaths in all age groups. The average age of deceased patients was 79.8 years, significantly higher than surviving patients with 71.3 years. Patients aged 50 or more presented a relative risk of death 4.4 times the risk of patients under this age group. Likewise, in patients aged 65 or more the risk of death was 3.2 times the risk of patients

Paper spray mass spectrometry is a rapid and sensitive tool for explosives detection but has so far only been demonstrated using high resolution mass spectrometry, which bears too high a cost for many practical applications. Here we explore the potential for paper spray to be implemented in field applications with portable mass spectrometry. This involved (a) replacing the paper substrate with a swabbing material (which we call “swab spray”) for compatibility with standard collection materials; (b) collection of explosives from surfaces; (c) an exploration of interferences within a ± 0.5 m/z window; and (d) demonstration of the use of high-field assisted waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) for enhanced selectivity. We show that paper and Nomex® are viable collection materials, with Nomex providing cleaner spectra and therefore greater potential for integration with portable mass spectrometers. We show that sensitive detection using swab spray will require a mass spectrometer with a mass resolving power of 4000 or more. We show that by coupling the swab spray ionisation source with FAIMS, it is possible to reduce background interferences, thereby facilitating the use of a low resolving power (e.g. quadrupole) mass spectrometer. Keywords: Explosives, Swab spray, Mass spectrometry, FAIMS

Abstract Background Global chronic urticaria (CU) disease experience and management is not well documented. This study descriptively compares these aspects among CU patients residing in Europe (EU) and Central and South America (C/SA). Methods AWARE (A World-wide Antihistamine-Refractory chronic urticaria patient Evaluation) is a global prospective, non-interventional study of CU in the real-world setting. Patients were ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of H1-antihistamine-refractory CU for > 2 months. Differences between the EU and C/SA regions in demographic and clinical characteristics, quality of life (QoL), work and activity impairment, pharmacological treatment, and healthcare resource use were examined. Results In total, 4224 patients were included in the analysis (C/SA 492; EU 3732). Rates of untreated patients were greater in the C/SA region (45.1% vs. 31.9%; P

Atmospheric simulation chambers are exploratory platforms used to study various atmospheric processes at realistic but controlled conditions. We describe here a new facility specifically designed for the research on atmospheric bio-aerosol as well as the protocols to produce, inject, expose and collect bio-aerosols. ChAMBRe (Chamber for Aerosol Modelling and Bio-aerosol Research) is installed at the Physics Department of the University of Genoa, Italy, and it is a node of the EUROCHAMP-2020 consortium. The chamber is made of stainless steel with a total volume of about 2.2 m3. The lifetime of aerosol particle with dimension from a few hundreds of nanometres to a few microns varies from about 2 to 10 h. Characteristic parts of the facility are the equipment and the procedures to grow, inject, and extract bacterial strains in the chamber volume while preserving their viability. Bacteria are part of the atmospheric ecosystem and have impact on several levels as: health related issues, cloud formation, and geochemistry. ChAMBRe will host experiments to study the bacterial viability vs. the air quality level, i.e. the atmospheric concentration of gaseous and aerosol pollutants. In this article, we report the results of the characterization tests as well as of the first experiments performed on two bacterial strains belonging to the Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups. A reproducibility at the 10 % level has been obtained in repeated injections and collection runs with a clean atmosphere, assessing this way the chamber sensitivity for systematic studies on bacterial viability vs. environmental conditions.

Compositional determination of crude oil as well as its API degrees are extremely important for its identification and subsequent processing. Currently, this information is obtained using laborious laboratory techniques, which require time and complex experimental infrastructure. In this study, we determined the presence of elements found in crudes extracted from different fields using the LIBS technique, and we present a method to quickly determine crude's quality based on the relationship between API degrees and the CN line's intensity, the later determined by LIBS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that leads to gliosis, demyelination, axonal damage and neuronal death. The MS disease aetiology is unknown, though a polymorphism of the TNFRSF1A gene, rs1800693, is known to confer an increased risk for MS. Using retroviral delivery of reprogramming transgenes, we generated six MS patient-specific iPSC lines with two distinct genotypes, CC or TT, of the polymorphism rs1800693. iPSC lines had normal karyotype, expressed pluripotency genes and differentiated into the three germ layers. These lines offer a good tool to study MS pathomechanisms and for drug testing.

Abstract The differential diagnosis of immune (ITP) and hereditary macrothrombocytopenia (HM) is key to patient management. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) represents the subset of circulating platelets with higher RNA content, and has been shown to distinguish hypo- from hyperproliferative thrombocytopenias. Here we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of IPF in the differential diagnosis between HM and other thrombocytopenias in a population of patients with post-chemotherapy thrombocytopenia (n = 56), bone marrow failure (n = 22), ITP (n = 105) and HM (n = 27). TPO levels were also measured in HM and ITP matched for platelet counts. Platelet counts were similar in all patient groups. Higher IPF values were observed in both ITP (12.3%; 2.4–65.6%) and HM (29.8%; 4.6–65.9%) compared to hypoproliferative thrombocytopenias. IPF values were also higher in HM compared to ITP, yielding a diagnostic accuracy of 0.80 (95%CI 0.70–0.90; P

Background: An outbreak of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, with 403 cases was identified on the 7th November 2014 in Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal. Outbreak source was the wet cooling system of a local factory. Hospital Pulido Valente was one of the hospitals receiving patients with Legionnairesâ disease (LD). Methods: We describe the clinical findings and diagnostic methods used among the 43 confirmed or probable cases admitted to our department. Results: 60.5% were male, mean age was 56.1 ± 13.5 years and tobacco smoking was the most frequent risk factor (76.7%). All patients had fever, 62.8% â¥39.5 °C, 72.1% had chills and myalgia/arthralgia and 62.8% had dry cough. Extra pulmonary symptoms were frequent: confusion and headache occurred in 34.9% and gastrointestinal symptoms in 20.9%.High C-Reactive Protein (55.8% â¥30 mg/dL) and hyponatremia (62.8%) were the laboratorial abnormalities most commonly found. Hypoxemia occurred in 55.8% and hypocapnia in 93%. Urinary Antigen Test (UAT) was positive in 83.7% of the cases. Conclusions: Although not specific, a combination of risk factors, symptoms and laboratory findings can be highly suggestive of LD, even in an outbreak. This should prompt diagnosis confirmation. Routine use of UAT in less severe cases of community acquired pneumonia might contribute to earlier diagnosis. Keywords: Legionnairesâ disease, Outbreak, Clinical presentation

ABSTRACT: While evidence is mounting that sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], an ethanol crop, may provide an alternative to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) on sugarcane lands under rehabilitation, little is known of its under production limiting factors (e.g., interspecific competition with weeds). Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to identify the initial mutual interspecific competition between sweet sorghum hybrids and weeds in high infestation situations. The experiment was carried out in pots, using a 5 × 6 factorial design: (i) a sorghum-free control and four sweet sorghum hybrids (CVSW 81198, CVSW 80007, CVSW 80147 and XBSW 82158), besides a control without sweet-sorghum, and (ii) five species of weeds [Cyperus rotundus L., Mucuna aterrima (Piper and Tracy) Holland, Brachiaria decumbens Stapf, Ipomoea hederifolia L. and Digitaria nuda Schumach.], besides a weed-free control. M. aterrima was the only weed whose dry mass was not reduced by the presence of sweet sorghum. The hybrids of sweet sorghum did not suffer developmental interference from C. rotundus, I. hederifolia or D. nuda. On the other hand, these weeds dry mass was reduced through competition with sweet sorghum. The sweet sorghum cohabiting with B. decumbens or M. aterrima has its aboveground and leaf dry mass reduced. Sweet sorghum is a high competitive and robust plant and, even when under a high weed density, suffers little interspecific interference from certain species of the weed community.

We herein report the case of a young immunocompetent adult patient with a rapidly fatal haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome related to human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1) infection, with herpetic hepatitis and persistent high-level viraemia despite treatment with acyclovir. Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was confirmed in the patient's spleen and bone marrow. HHV-1 DNA was extracted from whole blood and liver biopsy and the UL23 gene was sequenced. A V348I natural polymorphism of the TK protein was found in blood and liver specimens. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of this polymorphism in the development of systemic immune dysregulation. Keywords: Acyclovir, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome, UL23 gene, herpetic hepatitis, human herpesvirus-1

In a sector strongly dependent on information as is the case of tourism, the timely knowledge of consumer behaviour enables making well-considered decisions and less uncertainty. Nowadays, the act of searching on the Internet about a particular subject before decision-making is part of the individuals’ daily lives. The Google Trends tool provides real time aggregated data on the online individuals’ interest based on the carried out search queries on Google. The objective of this paper is to show that Google Trends can provide comparative information about the individuals’ interest in relation to Portugal tourism regional areas and in particular, on the tourist destination "Algarve", and also between its competing tourist destinations. The results show that the tool can contribute to the knowledge of the individuals’ interests in relation to regional tourist destinations, information considered of great interest for Destination Management Organizations.

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine neoplasia. Differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs) represent the majority of cases, which usually follow an indolent clinical course with low mortality rates. The authors describe two cases of well DTC without classic histological poor prognosis features, presenting as extensive and unresectable osteolytic bone metastases. DTCs are considered harmless tumours, due to their benign and silent behaviour. The authors want to underline the importance of clinical awareness during follow-up in cases of DTC, which can be aggressive in presentation and behaviour. Timely identification and diagnosis of these tumours are essential for prompt treatment initiation and improvement of overall survival.

Five Holstein cows were distributed in a 5x5 latin square design to assess the effect of replacement levels of dry ground corn grain (DGCG) by high moisture corn silage (HMCS) on intake, total nutrient digestibility and plasma glucose, according to the following treatments: 1) 100% DGCG; 2) 75% DGCG and 25% HMCS; 3) 50% DGCG and 50% HMCS; 4) 25% DGCG and 75% HMCS; 5) 100% HMCS. The experiment lasted 70 days, divided into five phases of 14 days each. The digestibility was obtained using chromic oxide (Cr2O3) as the indicator. Fecal samples were collected twice daily and blood samples were collected on the last day of each period before the first meal (0h) and 2h, 4h, 6h and 12h after the meal. There was no effect (P>0.05) on the intake of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and starch. The total apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), NDF and ADF were not affected (P>0.05) by the treatments, as well as the plasma glucose concentration. However, there was a decreased linear effect (P

Italy has a fragmented reality with an extremely rich and diverse territory; however, it has nowadays started to embrace precision farming techniques and several research activities are being carried out. This study followed a survey proposed by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (Mipaaf) promoted to explore and evidence weaknesses and strengths of the Italian panorama regarding precision farming researches and studies. The survey interested all the Italian Research Institutes and Universities, which include agricultural aspects within their missions.This study aims at conducting the first term mapping analysis of the precision agriculture research in Italy to elucidate its research structure. We applied a science mapping approach based on co-terms and citations analyses to a set of scientific publications retrieved from the Elsevier’s Scopus database over the period 2000–2016. The key terms used for the Scopus search were “precision agriculture, precision farming, precision viticulture, precision forestry and precision aquaculture”. The Scopus search retrieved 800 research papers and reviews published by 118 peer-reviewed journals. The total number of publications was around 21.2% (N = 170) during the cumulative period 2000–2009 and they exponentially increase reaching 18% (N = 150) on 2015 (it must be considered that for 2016 Scopus do not yet complete the publications input). The term mapping approach on precision agriculture papers from Italian authors produced a term map showing 4 well separated clusters. Each cluster groups together close scientific investigated topics. The first one is based on technology; within this cluster is possible to observe terms linked to food, sensors and animal farming (evident sub-cluster). The second cluster is related with indices and algorithmic approaches. The third one is related to spatial variability and soil related terms. The fourth and smaller one, between the first and the second, regards viticulture related terms.

Wood pellets are important fuel in heat and power production with a high potential to grow in the future. Pellets represent a well spread commodity for energy production in Europe with a rapidly increasing market. To analyze the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from wood pellets, 21 samples have been collected in triplicate. Seventeen samples are commercial pellets and 4 are pellets produced at laboratory scale. Based on the in-force ISO standard, the commercial pellets belong to the high-quality classes A1 and A2. To analyse Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions, each sample were introduced in a glass jar connected to PTR-TOF 8000 (Ionicon Analytik GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria) and each one analyzed with a zero-air generator. The tool was set in the standard configuration using H3O+ as proton donor in the transfer reaction. The raw data were acquired by the TofDaq software (Tofwerk AG, Switzerland) using a dead time of 20 ns for the Poisson correction, and subsequently they were converted in ppbv (part per billion by volume). A total number of 53 VOCs were selected as more informative. A multivariate ordination technique (Principal Component Analysis - PCA) were applied on the matrix 60 (pellet samples) x 53 (VOCs) in order to observe the pellet sampled in a reduced space. On the negative side of the first (51.1%) and second (13.0% of the explained variance) PCA axes were positioned the samples characterized by chestnut, beech, or mixed pellets containing these wood species. The samples located close to the origin consist of a mix of different pellets samples, while the coniferous pellets were located along the positive side of PC1 and PC2. Moreover, was observed a sort of a gradient, from the negative to the positive side of the first axis and from hardwood to softwood pellet. Using the entire dataset of VOCs, it has been observed a lack of a clear distinction between groups of pellets belonging to different wood species which could be due to several reasons such as the intrinsic variability of the wood, the pellet manufacturing process (e.g., the temperature of the extruder), the addition of additives and the different geographic origin of biomass.

Objetivou-se estudar a viabilização dos indicadores internos, celulose (CELi) e lignina (LIGi) indigestíveis, obtidos pelas técnicas in situ e in vivo, para predizer a digestibilidade de nutrientes em equinos. Foram utilizados quatro cavalos castrados, por meio de delineamento em blocos ao acaso. Os tratamentos consistiram de metodologias de avaliação de digestibilidade, como a coleta total de fezes (CT) e o uso de indicadores internos, CELi e LIGi, obtidos pelas técnicas in situ (IS) na cavidade ruminal de bovinos e in vivo (IV) nos equinos, por meio da técnica do saco de náilon móvel (TSNM), totalizando cinco tratamentos. A ingestão diária de MS foi de 2,0% do peso vivo de feno de coast-cross. A CELi-IV promoveu a melhor taxa de recuperação do indicador, igualando-se à CT, em 100,31%, enquanto a LIGi resultou nas piores taxas, na média 76,45%, para ambas as técnicas (P

Objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação com linhaça, como fonte do ácido graxo ômega-3, sobre a capacidade funcional de cavalos de salto. Foram utilizados seis equinos distribuídos em dois quadrados latinos 3x3 balanceados. Os grupos experimentais consistiram em níveis crescentes de linhaça (na forma de farinha e óleo de linhaça na proporção de 75:25, respectivamente), resultando nos tratamentos de 0 (controle), 60 e 120g/cavalo/dia de linhaça. Os cavalos foram suplementados por período de 30 dias. A atividade física consistiu em trabalho para salto no nível de equitação fundamental. As variáveis funcionais mensuradas foram índice de claudicação (IC), comprimento da passada e biometria da articulação metacarpofalangeana - MCF (circunferência e ângulo de flexão). Observou-se efeito significativo da suplementação com linhaça, independentemente da dosagem, sobre o IC. Ainda, o fornecimento de 120g de linhaça/cavalo/dia aumentou o comprimento da passada dos cavalos ao trote (P

Le stockage des données dans des outils appropriés est très important pour leur capitalisation et utilisations futures. L'article présente l'exemple du cadastre des barrages de la Région Piémont, système d'informations servant à l'organisation complète des informations relatives aux barrages de compétence régionale. Des améliorations ont été apportées récemment à cet outil durant le projet RISBA (Programme ALCOTRA).

The need to raise awareness among the communities about the challenge of resource use – and, more generally, about the principles of sustainability – is the reason why the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed, in December 2002, the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005–2014 (DESD). For operators and managers of cultural and natural heritage, it represents a profound challenge to their ability to transmit the content of scientific knowledge to the general public in order to empower everyone on the preservation of cultural and natural resources, and to raise awareness about the potential that mankind has at its disposal. In this context, the application of the PAIDEIA APPROACH for the management of cultural heritage is the key to the recovery of socio-economic values intrinsic to these resources. This approach to management is based on the enhancement of cultural (namely archaeological) and natural heritage for social benefit and it involves the tourist trade as a vehicle of knowledge transmission, intercultural dialogue and socio-economic sustainable development.

Twenty primiparous and multiparous Alpine breed goats at approximately 80 days of lactation were used in this experiment. The animals were housed individually in metal cages and distributed according to milk production in five 4 × 4 Latin squares. The experimental diets used in the experiment presented concentrate:forage ratio of 65:35. The treatments were characterized by increasing levels of 0, 33, 67 and 100% of high moisture corn silage (HMCS) replacing corn dry grain (CDG). Average intake of DM (1.62 kg/day, 3.90 % BW), CP (0.22 kg/day), NFC (0.76 kg/day) and TDN (1.29 kg/day) were not influenced by levels of HMCS. However, intake of NDF (0.53 kg/day) was significant for the different level of HMCS. Daily milk production and production of milk correct at 3.5% of fat, feed efficiency (MP/DMI), fat percentage, protein, lactose, total solids and milk urea nitrogen, with means of 1.86; 1.69; 1.11; 2.96; 2.85; 4.36; 10.96 and 17.1, respectively, were not influenced by the levels of HMCS. Percentage of non fat solids (8.00%) was affected by replacing levels of HMCS. The use of high moisture corn silage in the diet does not change milk production and it can be applied in total or partial substitution to dry corn grain in the feeding of milk goats.Foram utilizadas 20 cabras da raça Alpina, primíparas e multíparas, com aproximadamente 80 dias em lactação, alojadas individualmente em gaiolas metálicas e distribuídas, de acordo com a produção de leite, em cinco quadrados latinos 4 × 4. As dietas experimentais utilizadas apresentaram relação concentrado:volumoso 65:35. Os tratamentos foram caracterizados por níveis crescentes 0, 33, 67 e 100% de silagem de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM) em substituição ao grão seco de milho (GSM). As médias de consumo de MS (1,62 kg/dia, 3,90 %PV), proteína bruta (0,22 kg/dia), carboidratos não fibrosos (0,76 kg/dia) e nutrientes digestíveis totais (1,29 kg/dia) não foram influenciadas pelos níveis de SGUM. Entretanto, o consumo de FDN (0,53 kg/dia) foi significativo para os diferentes níveis de SGUM. A produção diária de leite e produção de leite corrigida a 3,5% de gordura (kg/dia), eficiência alimentar (PL/CMS), porcentagens de gordura, proteína, lactose, sólidos totais e nitrogênio ureico do leite, com médias de 1,86; 1,69; 1,11; 2,96; 2,85; 4,36; 10,96 e 17,1, respectivamente, não foram influenciados pelos níveis de SGUM. A porcentagem de extrato seco desengordurado (8.00%) foi afetada pelos níveis de substituição da SGUM. A utilização de silagem de grãos úmidos de milho na dieta não altera a produção de leite e pode aplicada em substituição parcial ou total ao grão seco de milho na alimentação de cabras leiteiras.

Chronic migraine (CM) is frequently associated with medication overuse headache (MOH). The endocannabinoid system plays a role in modulating pain including headache and is involved in the common neurobiological mechanism underlying drug addiction and reward system. Anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are the most biologically active endocannabinoids, which bind to both central and peripheral cannabinoid receptors. The level of AEA in the extracellular space is controlled by cellular uptake via a specific AEA membrane transporter (AMT), followed by intracellular degradation by the enzyme AEA hydrolase (fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH). AMT and FAAH have also been characterized in human platelets.We assayed the activity of AMT and of FAAH in platelets isolated from four groups of subjects: MOH, CM without MOH, episodic migraine and controls. AMT and FAAH were significantly reduced in CM and MOH, compared to either controls or episodic migraine group. This latter finding was observed in both males and females with CM and MOH. Changes observed in the biochemical mechanisms degrading endogenous cannabinoids may reflect an adaptative behaviour induced by chronic headache and/or drug overuse.

La eutrofización de los pantanos destinados al abastecimiento de agua de consumo humano supone un deterioro de la calidad de la misma, e incluso puede afectar a la salud de los consumidores. Éste es el caso de la presencia de la hepatotoxina microcistina, producida fundamentalmente por la cianobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. A través de los proyectos Cianoalerta hemos desarrollado métodos para la pronta detección de blooms específicos de cianobacterias, necesarios para llevar a cabo un adecuado tratamiento del agua, evitando el suministro de un producto de baja calidad a los consumidores. El análisis de la evolución estacional de cianopigmentos, y su correlación con la abundancia y dinámica de las poblaciones de microorganismos fotosintéticos ha permitido concluir que la evolución estacional de zeaxantina y beta-caroteno presenta una dinámica muy similar a la evolución observada de las poblaciones de las cianobacterias Oscillatoria spp, Anabaena spp. y formas cocoides de cianobacterias, y diferente a la evolución de Microcystis spp. De acuerdo con nuestros resultados, estos fotopigmentos podrían emplearse como indicadores de la proliferación de estas poblaciones.

A actividade enzimática de polifenoloxidases foi avaliada em folhas e na zona apical, média e basal de ramos de duas cultivares de oliveira (Olea europaea L.), comuns no Alentejo (‘Galega vulgar’ e ‘Cobrançosa’), mostrando que a actividade enzimática nas folhas foi muito superior à encontrada em tecidos de ramos do ano. Maior actividade enzimática foi também detectada na variedade ‘Cobrançosa’ versus ‘Galega vulgar’. As condições óptimas para a determinação da actividade enzimática foram: pH= 5.5 e T= 40 ºC, com 20 mM de 4-metilcatecol em tampão acetato. Nestas condições o KM determinado foi: 2,60 e 3,48 mM com o método de Michaelis-Menten e Lineweaver-Burk, respectivamente. A melhor recuperação das auxinas AIA (ácido indol-3-acético) e AIB (ácido indolbutírico) em material vegetal foi conseguida através da extracção das amostras com acetona. A separação, identificação e quantificação do AIA e AIB em padrões, material vegetal dopado (tecidos de oliveira dopados com uma concentração conhecida de padrão) e não dopado, foi efectuada por técnicas cromatográficas (HPLC-DAD e LCMS), mostrando os resultados taxas de recuperação superiores a 40% para o AIA e 60% para o AIB.The poliphenoloxidase enzymatic activity was evaluated in two olive cultivars (Olea europaea L.) widespread in Alentejo (‘Galega vulgar and ‘Cobrançosa). Leaves and apical, medium and basal regions of the year stems were used as sample material. When compared with the different regions of the year stem, the results have shown that enzymatic activity was significantly higher in the leaves of both cultivars. Between cultivars, it was observed that ‘Cobrançosa’ presented higher enzymatic activity than ‘Galega vulgar’. The pH at 5.5 and 40 ºC temperature, using 20 mM of 4methylcatecol in acetate buffer were the optimized conditions for the enzymatic analysis. Under these conditions, the measured KM was 2,60 and 3,48 mM, using the Michaelis-Menten and the Lineweaver-Burk methods respectively. The auxins IBA and IAA were removed from the plant material by an extraction with acetone. The separation, identification and quantification of IBA and IAA using vegetal plant material treated and non treated with exogenous auxins, was done by chromatographic techniques (HPLC-DAD and LC-MS). The sample preparation recoveries were higher than 40% for IAA, and higher than 60% for IBA.

DJ-1 gene mutations lead to an inherited form of early-onset parkinsonism. The function of DJ-1 is unclear, though a neuroprotective role has been postulated. Electrophysiological recordings were made of striatal and dopaminergic nigral neurons both of wild-type (WT) and DJ-1-knockout (DJ-1−/−) mice. We assessed the responses of dopaminergic cells to combined oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), and to the mitochondrial toxin rotenone. OGD induced a membrane hyperpolarization in nigral neurons from WT mice. Similarly, rotenone hyperpolarized neurons and then a depolarization occurred. In DJ-1−/− mice, the OGD-induced hyperpolarization was significantly enhanced. Moreover, rotenone caused a shorter hyperpolarization followed by an irreversible depolarization. To evaluate the involvement of Na+/K+ ATPase, we tested ouabain, a Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor, on two distinct neuronal subtypes. Compared to WT mice, in dopaminergic neurons from DJ-1−/− mice, ouabain induced rapid and irreversible membrane potential changes. Notably, this effect was observed at concentrations that were unable to produce membrane potential shifts on striatal spiny neurons, both from WT and DJ-1−/− mice. These findings suggest that DJ-1 loss-of-function enhances vulnerability to energy metabolism alterations, and that nigral neurons are particularly sensitive to Na+/K+ ATPase impairment.

Avaliaram-se o desempenho e a qualidade da carne de frangos de corte alimentados com diferentes níveis de sorgo, do cultivar SAARA, com 0,49g/kg de tanino, em substituição ao milho. Os 2600 pintos sexados de um dia de idade, da linhagem Ross 308, foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com esquema fatorial 5×2 (cinco níveis de sorgo - 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% e dois sexos), e quatro repetições de 65 aves por unidade experimental. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) da substituição do milho pelo sorgo sobre as características de desempenho, de rendimentos de carcaça, carne de peito e pernas, de composição química e sensoriais. O pH observado nas carnes de peito e pernas foi maior para os machos (PThe effects of diets with graded levels of SAARA sorghum, a variety containing 0.49g/kg of tannin, on broiler performance and meat quality were evaluated. One-day-old, sexed Ross 308 chicks (n=2600) were randomly assigned within sex to one of five levels of sorghum (replacement of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of corn in the diet). There were 65 birds per experimental unit in 4 replicates of the 5 sorghum level × 2 sex factorial design. Level of corn replacement by sorghum did not affect performance characteristics, carcass characteristics, main cut yield, muscle tissue chemical composition or sensory characteristics of the meat (P>0.05). Muscle tissue from males had higher pH values than that from females, and muscle pH decreased as sorghum replaced corn in the diet (P

RESUMO: A co-infecção VIH-tuberculose tem um enorme impacto em termos de saúde pública. A deficiente adesão ao tratamento antibacilar, particularmente em toxicodependentes infectados por VIH, contribui para a elevada morbilidade e mortalidade registadas e, bem assim, para o recrudescimento da multirresistência da bacilo da tuberculose e para a sua disseminação na comunidade.Tendo em conta resultados obtidos em doentes observados entre 1986 e 1997, os autores iniciaram um projecto de investigação cujo objectivo principal era o de melhorar a adesão à terapêutica da tuberculose em toxicodependentes infectados por VIH. Esse projecto, que teve a duração de dois anos, previa que todos os doentes tomassem, sob observação directa, a terapêutica antibacilar conjuntamente com metadona.Apresentam-se os resultados desse trabalho, salientando-se que a comparação estatística de diferentes parâmetros observados nos doentes de 1986-97 e nos doentes envolvidos neste projecto, apontam para a prossecução desta metodologia e para a sua generalização.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2001; VII (3): SUMMARY: HIV and tuberculosis co-infection has an enormous impact on public health. Inadequate patient compliance for tuberculosis therapy, especially in intravenous drug-abusers (IVDA), has contributed to increased mortality and morbidity rates, as well as a renewed activity of multi-resistant tuberculosis and its dissemination in the community.Taken into consideration results obtained between 1986 and 1997, the authors´ main objective was to initiate a program whose main purpose was to improve patient compliance in HIV-positive IVDA undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. This two-year program stipulated a daily directly observed tuberculosis treatment in conjunction with methadone.Through various observed parameters, we present the results obtained in this study, and hope to point out that the comparison of the results registered in the patients treated between 1986-97 and those of the present study, suggest a continuation of these methodologies and their general usage.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2001; VII (3):

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