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Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia Industrial (especialização em Gestão Industrial), A presente dissertação foi realizada no âmbito do 5ºano do Mestrado em Engenharia Industrial-gestão industrial. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é a melhoria do processo produtivo e da organização de uma empresa têxtil (Confeções Burgatex) através da implementação de ferramentas Lean Production. A metodologia utlizada foi a Action-Research uma vez que o investigador possui um papel ativo. Todas as cinco etapas desta metodologia foram implementadas, com a exceção de uma das propostas de melhoria na qual a etapa de implementação de ações propostas e avaliar resultados não foi possível. A dissertação inicia-se com a revisão bibliográfica sobre o Lean Production. Segue-se um diagnóstico da situação atual da empresa de forma a identificarem-se os principais problemas, sendo eles a má configuração do layout da produção, elevado número de equipamentos iguais face às necessidades, falta de organização e gestão visual nos armazéns e falta de normalização de processos. Posteriormente, elaboraram-se as propostas de melhoria de forma a reduzir ou eliminar os problemas previamente identificados. Foi proposta a projeção de um novo layout na confeção, a listagem de máquinas suplentes, aplicação de 5S no armazém de linhas e acessórios, aplicação de 5S no armazém das malhas e aplicação de 5S no local de armazenamento dos moldes. Com a futura implementação do layout proposto e com a continuação da adoção de práticas Lean, espera-se uma redução significativa dos desperdícios, principalmente em transportes estimando-se uma redução de mais de 50%, aumento da eficiência, organização e produtividade com aumento da capacidade produtiva entre 5 e 10%, e por último, maior organização do espaço produtivo. É, também, expectável uma gestão visual mais simples e eficaz, principalmente nos armazéns de matéria-prima., This dissertation was administered within the scope of the 5th year of Masters in Industrial Engineering Management. The main objective of the work is to improve between 10 and 20% of the production process of a textile company (Confeções Burgatex) through the implementation of Lean Production tools. The methodology used was Action-Research since the researcher has an active role. The five steps were considered possible with the exception of one of the actions, the implementation step of five proposals and evaluated were not all possible. The dissertation begins with a literature review on Lean Production. A diagnosis of the current situation of the company is followed in order to identify the main problems, which are the configuration of the production layout, the number of equipment needed to face the lack of organization and visual management in the warehouses and the lack of equipment normalization of Law Suit. Subsequently, improvement proposals were elaborated in order to reduce or eliminate the problems previously identified. It was proposed the application of a list of 5S of application of a new Layout with replacement machines, the application of 5S in the stock of lines and accessories, 5S in the mesh warehouse and 5S in the storage place of the molds. With the implementation of the proposed layout and, in the future, with the continuation of the adoption of Lean practices, a significant reduction in waste is expected, mainly in the reduction of transport, a reduction of more than 50% is estimated), an increase in efficiency, organization and productivity increase of the productive capacity between 5 and 10%, and greater organization of the productive space. A simpler and more effective visual management is also to be expected, especially in raw material warehouses.

Introdução: A dermatite atópica e a psoríase são patologias crónicas inflamatórias, imunitárias cutâneas de elevada prevalência com elevado impacto psicossocial. Objetivo: Este estudo visa caracterizar os perfis da personalidade e de qualidade do sono na psoríase e dermatite atópica e contribuir para o desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas integradas apropriadas. Método: Foi recrutada uma amostra de 134 participantes com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e 70 anos (21.6% do sexo masculino; 77.6% do sexo feminino), 62 participantes com psoríase (27.4% do sexo masculino; 72.6% do sexo feminino) e 72 com dermatite atópica (16.7% do sexo masculino; 81.9% do sexo feminino). Foi aplicado um protocolo constituído por um questionário sociodemográfico e clínico, a Ten Item Personality Measure (TIPI) (medida da personalidade), o Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (medida da qualidade do sono), o Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (medida da qualidade de vida em dermatologia) e a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (medida do distress emocional, da depressão e da ansiedade). Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram diferenças significativas na qualidade de vida (p= .019; t (132)= 2.37) e depressão (p= .018; t(132)= 1.56), entre pessoas com psoríase e dermatite atópica, revelando a amostra com dermatite atópica pior qualidade de vida (M= 9.29; DP= 6.49) e de psoríase um nível mais elevado de depressão (M= 7.48; DP= 3.72). Discussão: Foi verificado a existência de diferenças entre a psoríase e a dermatite atópica ao nível da qualidade de vida e depressão. Dentou-se ainda que há um conjunto de variáveis psicossociais que contribuem para alterações da depressão e da qualidade de vida, e que a forma como se correlacionam entre si diferem entre dermatoses, onde medidas como a gravidade percebida correlacionava-se apenas com a qualidade de vida na psoríase, e traços como a conscienciosidade apenas correlacionava-se com a depressão na dermatite atópica. Conclusão: Este estudo serviu como um contributo para a caraterização e diferenciação das duas dermatoses. Atualmente há uma falta de investigações que estude as variáveis psicossociais nas dermatoses, e a relação que estas têm entre si. Introduction: Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are chronic immune inflammatory skin diseases that have high prevalence and psychosocial impact. Objective: This study has the objective to characterize personality profiles and sleep quality in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, thus contributing to the development of appropriate integrated therapeutic strategies. Method: A sample of 134 participants was recruited with ages between 18 and 70 years old (21.6% male gender; 77.6% female gender), 62 participants with psoriasis (27.4% male gender; 72.6% female gender) and 72 with atopic dermatitis (16.7% male gender; 81.9% female gender). A socialdemographic and clinal questionnaires, a Ten Item Personality Measure (TIPI), o Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), o Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) e a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: The results show a statistical difference between quality of life (p= .019; t(132)= 2.37) and depression (p= .018; t(132)= 1.56), between people with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, revealing that the sample with atopic dermatitis has a worst quality of life (M= 9.29; DP= 6.49) and psoriasis has higher level of depression (M= 7.48; DP= 3.72). Discussion: It was shown the difference between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, in quality of life and depression. It was also shown that there is a group of psychosocial variables that contribute towards changes in depression and quality of life, and the way they interact between dermatoses differs, where measures like perceived severity correlated with quality of life only in psoriasis, and traces like conscientiousness correlated with depression only in atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: This study served has a contribution towards the characterization and differentiation between the two dermatoses. Currently there is a lack of investigations that study psychosocial variables in dermatoses, and the correlation between them.

International audience; Mitochondria are membrane-bound cellular organelles of high relevance responsible for the chemical energy production used in most of the biochemical reactions of cells. Mitochondria have their own genome, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Inherited solely from the mother, this genome is quite susceptible to mutations, mainly due to the absence of an effective repair system. Mutations in mtDNA are associated with endocrine, metabolic, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer. Currently, therapeutic approaches are based on the administration of a set of drugs to alleviate the symptoms of patients suffering from mitochondrial pathologies. Mitochondrial gene therapy emerges as a promising strategy as it deeply focuses on the cause of mitochondrial disorder. The development of suitable mtDNA-based delivery systems to target and transfect mammalian mitochondria represents an exciting field of research, leading to progress in the challenging task of restoring mitochondria’s normal function. This review gathers relevant knowledge on the composition, targeting performance, or release profile of such nanosystems, offering researchers valuable conceptual approaches to follow in their quest for the most suitable vectors to turn mitochondrial gene therapy clinically feasible. Future studies should consider the optimization of mitochondrial genes’ encapsulation, targeting ability, and transfection to mitochondria. Expectedly, this effort will bring bright results, contributing to important hallmarks in mitochondrial gene therapy.

Research on gastric lipolysis of commercial cow's milk with different fatty acid (FA) compositions is scarce. Gastric lipase exhibits specificity for the sn-3 chain position of triacylglycerols, whose structure is influenced by milk FA composition. Therefore, during gastric digestion of conventional (C) vs pasture-based (P) milk, differences may occur on lipolysis, which has impact on free FA available, influencing their absorption/metabolism rate and physiological hormonal responses. Those two milk types were subjected to the INFOGEST semi-dynamic digestion model. Five gastric emptying points were analyzed for oxidative degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and individual free FA. The relative release of medium-chain FA (C8:0-C12:0) was higher than that of longer-chain FA (C14:0-C18:0), and a linear increase in markers of PUFA oxidative degradation occurred along gastric digestion. Quantitatively, C8:0, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, and CLAc9t11 were higher (P < 0.001) in P milk when compared with C milk.

A set of seven SNP markers was used to evaluate the genetic diversity of wild Portuguese hops in comparison with commercial cultivars. A collection of 110 wild genotypes and 33 cultivars was characterized by a high-resolution melting analysis of short amplicons targeting SNP loci. Most of the 143 genotypes (75%) could be differentiated. Phylogenetic analysis showed three main clusters, one included almost exclusively (98%) wild accessions, being the others constituted of both wild and commercial genotypes. The study of population genetic structure placed the accessions into three genetic units, being one exclusively of Portuguese genotypes. The study showed the great biodiversity of the Portuguese hop germplasm and the notable differences (FST = 0.163, p

The treatment of hypertension is of major importance to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are anti-hypertensive drugs associated with several side effects. Natural products, namely bioactive peptides from brewing by-products, brewers’ spent grain (BSG), and yeast (BSY), are promising alternatives since they can inhibit ACE in vitro. However, the oral intake of these peptides may modify their expected inhibitory effect owing to possible changes in active peptides’ bioavailability, which have not been assessed so far. The goal of this study was to simulate oral administration to evaluate BSG/BSY peptides’ effectiveness by submitting protein hydrolysates sequentially to simulated gastrointestinal digestion, intestinal absorption (Caco-2 cells), and liver metabolism (HepG2 cells). MTT assay was used to assess BSG/BSY protein hydrolysates safeness. The ACE-inhibitory potential of initial and final protein hydrolysates (BSY, BSG, and a new product, MIX) were tested using a fluorometric assay and compared with captopril (1 µM, an ACE-inhibitory drug). Simulation of oral administration greatly increased BSY and MIX protein hydrolysates’ ACE-inhibitory capacity, though final MIX and BSG revealed greater ACE-inhibitory potential than captopril. Notwithstanding, all final protein hydrolysates presented ACE-inhibitory capacity, thus being promising compounds to manage hypertension.

A proper nutrition is crucial for children's healthy development. Regardless of the usual recommendations to follow a varied diet, some foods can be a source of toxic natural contaminants such as mycotoxins, potent secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi. In addition to the most well-known mycotoxins, many of which are subject to tight regulation regarding the maximum levels allowed in different types of food, there is a large group of mycotoxins, the so-called emerging mycotoxins, about which less knowledge has already been acquired, which have gradually been the target of interest from the scientific community due to their prevalence in most foodstuffs, particularly in cereals and cereal-based products. Alternariol and his metabolite alternariol mono-methyl ether, beauvericin, citrinin, culmorin, enniatins, ergot alkaloids, fusaproliferin, kojic acid, moniliformin, sterigmatocystin, tentoxin and tenuazonic acid are the most representative of them. The current review gathered the information of the last ten years that have been published on the levels of emerging mycotoxins in food products dedicated for infants and children. European Union countries are responsible for most of the reported studies, which showed levels that can reach hundreds of mg/kg.

Introduction: Head and neck cancer treatment have a profound impact on patients’ quality of life due to physical, psychological, aesthetic, social and emotional sequelae. The information provided by health professionals in the continuum of the clinical process of these patients is seen as a key factor of quality health care and with multiple benefits in their Quality of Life. Objective: To investigate the perception of patients with head and neck cancer in relation to the information provided and the existence of a correlation with their quality of life. Method: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 38 head and neck cancer patients, selected for convenience from a potential sample of 347 patients. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and the EORTC QLQ-INFO25 questionnaire were applied 2 to 4 months after the end of the treatments. All calculations were performed with SPSS, version 24, using descriptive statistics for sample characterization and nonparametric tests to evaluate the possible correlation between the variables under study. Results: Patients’ perception of the information provided, and their quality of life is satisfactory and there is a correlation between them. Conclusion: The data obtained concur with those reported in the literature being possible to conclude that the information provided by health professionals is important for patients’ Quality of Life. Knowing the necessity these patients have of information allows to adjust the strategies of health professionals for a better healthcare and, consequently, their quality of life. Introducción: El tratamiento del cáncer de cabeza y cuello tiene un profundo impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes debido a las secuelas físicas, psicológicas, estéticas, sociales y emocionales. La información que brindan los profesionales de la salud en el continuo del proceso clínico de estos pacientes es vista como un factor clave en la atención de la calidad de la salud y con múltiples beneficios en su calidad de vida. Objetivo: Investigar la percepción de los pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello en relación a la información brindada y la existencia de una correlación con su calidad de vida. Método: Estudio transversal con una muestra de 38 pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello, seleccionados por conveniencia de una muestra potencial de 347 pacientes. Se utilizo los cuestionarios EORTC QLQ-C30 y EORTC QLQ-INFO25, que se aplicaron de 2 a 4 meses después de finalizar las terapias oncológicas. Todos los cálculos se realizaron en SPSS, versión 24, utilizando estadística descriptiva para caracterizar la muestra y pruebas no paramétricas para evaluar la posible correlación entre las variables en estudio. Resultados: La percepción de los pacientes sobre la información proporcionada y su calidad de vida es razonable, con correlación entre ambos. Conclusión: Los datos obtenidos están en línea con los reportados en la literatura, y se puede verificar que la información brindada por los profesionales de la salud es importante para la calidad de vida de los pacientes. El conocimiento de las necesidades de información permite ajustar las estrategias de los profesionales de la salud en el sentido de una mejor prestación asistencial y, en consecuencia, de la Calidad de Vida de los pacientes. Introdução: O tratamento do câncer de cabeça e pescoço tem grande impacto na qualidade de vida dos pacientes pelas sequelas físicas, psicológicas, estéticas, sociais e emocionais. A informação prestada pelos profissionais de saúde no continuum do processo clinico desses pacientes e tida como um fator-chave dos cuidados de saúde de qualidade e com múltiplos benefícios na sua qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Averiguar a percepção dos pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço relativamente a informação prestada e a existência de correlação com a sua qualidade de vida. Método: Estudo transversal com amostra de 38 pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço, selecionados por conveniência de amostra potencial de 347 pacientes. Recorreram-se aos questionários EORTC QLQ-C30 e EORTC QLQ-INFO25, aplicados dois a quatro meses após o termino das terapias oncológicas. Todos os cálculos foram efetuados com recurso ao SPSS, versão 24, utilizando-se a estatística descritiva para caracterização da amostra e testes não paramétricos para avaliar a possível correlação entre as variáveis em estudo. Resultados: A percepção dos pacientes, relativa a informação prestada e a sua qualidade de vida, e razoável, existindo correlação entre ambas. Conclusão: Os dados obtidos vão ao encontro dos referidos na literatura, podendo-se aferir que a informação prestada pelos profissionais de saúde e importante para a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O conhecimento das necessidades informativas permite adequar as estratégias dos profissionais de saúde no sentido de uma melhor prestação de cuidados de saúde e, consequentemente, da qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

Objetivo: Identificar as técnicas da Medicina Tradicional e Complementar que os enfermeiros especialistas em enfermagem de reabilitação utilizam e quais os ganhos percecionados. Metodologia: Estudo de métodos mistos, com caráter exploratório e descritivo, com recolha de dados através de um questionário online durante os meses de agosto a dezembro de 2019. Os dados foram analisados com recurso ao SPSS, versão 23 e análise do conteúdo. Resultados: Dos 31 participantes, 58,06% eram mulheres, com idade média de 42,9±8,8 anos e 8,6±6,8 anos como especialistas. As áreas mais representativas de formação são a medicina tradicional chinesa e massagem terapêutica sendo que 38,89% das técnicas utilizadas estão dentro da área da Medicina Tradicional Chinesa. Identificam mais ganhos nas áreas motora, sensorial e respiratória. Conclusão: Os participantes utilizam em maior proporção as técnicas da medicina tradicional chinesa e percecionam ganhos com a sua utilização. Importa quantificar os ganhos da integração dessas técnicas na enfermagem de reabilitação. Palavras-chave: medicina tradicional e complementar; enfermagem de reabilitação; cuidados de enfermagem

Objective: To identify the techniques of Traditional and Complementary Medicine that rehabilitation nurses use and the perceived gains. Methodology: Study of mixed methods exploratory and descriptive study, with data collection through an online questionnaire from August to December 2019. Data were analysed using SPSS, version 23 and content analysis. Results: 31 rehabilitation nurses participated, 58.06% were women, with an average age of 42.9 ± 8.8 years and 8.6 ± 6.8 years as a rehabilitation nurse. The most representative areas of training are traditional Chinese medicine and therapeutic massage and 38.89% of the techniques used being within the area of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants identify more gains in the motor, sensory and respiratory areas. Conclusion: Participants use the techniques of traditional Chinese medicine to a greater extent and perceive gains from its use. It is important to quantify the gains from the integration of these techniques in rehabilitation nursing.

Introdução: O tratamento do câncer de cabeça e pescoço tem grande impacto na qualidade de vida dos pacientes pelas sequelas físicas, psicológicas, estéticas, sociais e emocionais. A informação prestada pelos profissionais de saúde no continuum do processo clinico desses pacientes e tida como um fator-chave dos cuidados de saúde de qualidade e com múltiplos benefícios na sua qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Averiguar a percepção dos pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço relativamente a informação prestada e a existência de correlação com a sua qualidade de vida. Método: Estudo transversal com amostra de 38 pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço, selecionados por conveniência de amostra potencial de 347 pacientes. Recorreram-se aos questionários EORTC QLQ-C30 e EORTC QLQ-INFO25, aplicados dois a quatro meses após o termino das terapias oncológicas. Todos os cálculos foram efetuados com recurso ao SPSS, versão 24, utilizando-se a estatística descritiva para caracterização da amostra e testes não paramétricos para avaliar a possível correlação entre as variáveis em estudo. Resultados: A percepção dos pacientes, relativa a informação prestada e a sua qualidade de vida, e razoável, existindo correlação entre ambas. Conclusão: Os dados obtidos vão ao encontro dos referidos na literatura, podendo-se aferir que a informação prestada pelos profissionais de saúde e importante para a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O conhecimento das necessidades informativas permite adequar as estratégias dos profissionais de saúde no sentido de uma melhor prestação de cuidados de saúde e, consequentemente, da qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of phenolic-rich avocado peel extract (APE) as an ingredient in beef and soy-based burgers to increase their antioxidant activity, reduce lipid and protein oxidation during gastric digestion, and inhibit urease and anhydrase carbonic activity, which are considered as key factors in the main steps of Helicobacter pylori adhesion in the stomach. The gastric bioaccessible fraction of soy and beef burgers with added 0.5% APE obtained by in vitro digestion exhibited a higher content of phenolic compounds, including monomeric and oligomeric (epi)catechin forms and quercetin, and reduced levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and carbonyls (49% to 73% and 57% to 60%, respectively) when compared with control burgers. Moreover, the burgers with APE inhibited urease and carbonic anhydrase activity. Results generally showed that including APE reduces the primary risk factors associated with H. pylori infection.

The capacity of skimmed milk to neutralise increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to attenuate nitric oxide (NO) production, as well as to present cytoprotective effect at the intestinal level was assessed after in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion. The impact on ROS modulation was evaluated at a non-cytotoxic concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a co-culture of Caco-2 and HT-29 intestinal cells. In parallel, a cytotoxic concentration of H2O2 was used to study the effect of digested milk against induced cell apoptosis. Concerning induced NO production, it was evaluated using the model lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Results showed that digested milk prevented the increase of basal ROS level in the intestinal epithelium and attenuated NO production by LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. In the H2O2-induced cytotoxicity assay, digested milk had no protection against apoptosis, confirmed by the failure in attenuating activated caspase-3/7.

Infections caused by filamentous fungi are rising in incidence and became a serious health concern. Their rapid and reliable identification in the clinical laboratory is essential for an early and accurate diagnosis to guide timely therapy. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been reported as a rapid and reliable method for identification of bacteria and yeasts isolated from clinical samples. However, it has less used for molds identification. The aim of this study was to evaluate Vitek® MS (a MALDI-TOF MS system) ability to identify molds and differentiate species within a complex. A collection of 90 filamentous fungi, 70 clinical and 20 environmental isolates, was studied by morphological and molecular methods and by Vitek® MS. Seventy-four isolates (82.2%) were identified using Vitek® MS v3.0 at Genus/Complex/Species group level; within these, 47/74 (63.5%) were correctly identified at species level and only one was misidentified. In contrast, 16/90 isolates (17.8%) were not identified, of which 13 were not present in the database. Results here expressed favor Vitek® MS v3.0 as a very useful system for identification of most common clinical isolates of filamentous fungi. Accordingly, it may be an important tool for clinical microbiology laboratories in their task to answer to clinicians, adequately and rapidly, helping in proper patient's management.

The spice made from the fruits of Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae) has high economic value since the beginnings of international trade. Because its price has been increasing, adulterations with papaya seeds, cayenne pepper and maize flour were reported. These have been screened by methodologies dedicated to the detection of single adulterants lacking sensitivity and specificity. Herein we propose a specific, highly-sensitive, high-throughput and affordable qPCR-based methodology for the detection of P. nigrum contaminants (Carica papaya, Zea mays and Capsicum annuum) using plant DNA barcodes trnL and psbA-trnH. The method enables the specific detection of contaminants in a short time with low limits of detection (LOD6 values of 1, 2 and 10 Haploid Genome Equivalents). A market survey (29 samples) revealed 41% of samples contaminated, though about ¾ at very low levels indicating accidental contamination. The proposed tool will contribute to the improvement of quality of this much traded spice.

Excessive angiogenesis favours cancer development, allowing cancer invasion. Polyphenols are promising chemopreventive agents, although data gather so far in respect of anthocyanins, namely cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (DG) and respective aglycones are scarce. The capability of these compounds to prevent tumour progression by inhibiting angiogenesis/cell migration/proliferation was studied in: (i) chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay; (ii) MDA-MB-231/MCF-12A cells to study proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) expression and cytoskeleton dynamics; (iii) in vitro assay to evaluate gastrointestinal digestion. The studied compounds promoted alterations on actin re/disassembly to form protrusions/stress fibres, evidencing capability to disrupt actin cytoskeleton dynamics and inhibiting angiogenesis, at least in part, by VEGFR-2 downregulation, with DG presenting the higher effect. Anthocyanin evidenced selectivity towards cancer cells by eliciting cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231 cells and having a slight effect on healthy cells. Thus, DG evidenced the most promising profile as dietary supplement to achieve the biological desired effects.

Aims Aspergillus sp. are ubiquitous saprophytic fungi and their conidia easily inhaled. This is particularly important in immunocompromised patients, more susceptible to developing invasive aspergillosis. In addition to A. fumigatus sensu stricto, cryptic species, many resistant to antifungal drugs, have been associated with invasive infections, making it important to assess their presence and diversity in different environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the presence, diversity and susceptibility to antifungal drugs of airborne fungi. Moreover, in azole-resistant A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates the presence of underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance was investigated. Methods and results Eighty-four Aspergillus isolates were collected from the environment air in hospitals and the Water Treatment Plant. The use of molecular tools allowed to detect 12 different cryptic species, showing a prevalence of 21·4%. The majority of isolates (69·0%) belonged to A. fumigatus complex and 65·4% were A. fumigatus sensu stricto. Among these, 21·8% were resistant to itraconazole (ITZ), 38·2% to posaconazole and 87·3% to isavuconazole; none of them were resistant to voriconazole or amphotericin B. Sequencing of the cyp51A gene on the 12 A. fumigatus sensu stricto ITZ-resistant isolates revealed the presence of mutations. Conclusion Our study reports a large number of environmental-resistant Aspergillus species, including A. fumigatus sensu stricto that display an important role in invasive fungal infections. None of the environmental isolates showed mutations on cyp51A gene related to azole resistance. Significant and impact of the study This study is the first assessment of molecular resistance mechanisms in A. fumigatus sensu stricto environmental isolates, in Portugal. Since TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A cyp51A mutations were already reported in the clinical setting in Portugal (Monteiro et al. J Glob Antimicron Resist 13: 190-191, 2018; Pinto et al. Front Microbiol 9: 1656, 2018), and have been linked to environmental route, it is utmost importance to perform surveillance network for azole-resistant A. fumigatus.

Sensory, olfactometry (using the sums of odour intensities for each class of compounds) and chemometric analyses were used to evaluate Portuguese wild hops’ sensory characteristics and the aroma that those hops impart to dry-hopped beer. CATA analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering was applied for the sensory characterization of 15 wild hops of Portuguese genotypes, clustering them in two groups: one more sulphurous, floral, and fruity, and another more earthy, resinous, floral, and non-citrus fruits. Two hops representative of each group were selected for the production of four dry-hopped beers using the same base beer style (Munich Helles). Beers were analysed by quantitative descriptive analyses and quantification of hop-derived key volatile compounds. Multivariate statistical treatment of the data was performed. Results indicate significant differences (p &lt, 0.05) in fruity, resinous, earthy, floral, and sulphurous attributes of hops, but the dry-hopped beers only have a significant increase (p &lt, 0.05) in fruity and spicy notes when compared with non-dry-hopped Munich-style Helles beer. Hop olfactometry explained the sensory perception that the 11 hops not used for brewing (employed as supplementary observations) are placed into the space of the odour-active compounds profile of the four hops selected for brewing. These 11 hop samples have more spiciness than fruitiness potential.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates colon contraction, acting not only directly on smooth muscle but also indirectly, interfering with myenteric neuromodulation mediated by the activation of AT1 /AT2 receptors. In this article, we aimed to explore which mediators and cells were involved in Ang II-mediated colonic contraction in the TNBS-induced rat model of colitis. The contractile responses to Ang II were evaluated in distinct regions of the colon of control animals or animals with colitis in the absence and presence of different antagonists/inhibitors. Endogenous levels of Ang II in the colon were assessed by ELISA and the number of AT1/AT2 receptors by qPCR. Ang II caused AT1 receptor-mediated colonic contraction that was markedly decreased along the colons of TNBS-induced rats, consistent with reduced AT1 mRNA expression. However, the effect mediated by Ang II is much more intricate, involving (in addition to smooth muscle cells and nerve terminals) ICC and EGC, which communicate by releasing ACh and NO in a complex mechanism that changes colitis, unveiling new therapeutic targets.

Atlantic and Pacific salmon are frequently consumed species with very different economic values: farmed Atlantic salmon is cheaper than wild-caught Pacific salmons. Species replacements occur with the high valued Pacific species (Oncorhynchus keta, O. gorbuscha, O. kisutch, O. nerka and O. tshawytscha) substituted by cheaper farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Atlantic salmon by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta). Here we use High-Resolution Melting Analysis (HRMA) to identify eight salmonid species. We designed primers to generate short amplicons of 72 and 116 bp from the fish barcode genes CO1 and CYTB. The time of analysis was under 70 min, after DNA extraction. Food processing of Atlantic salmon (fresh, “Bellevue”, “gravadlax”, frozen and smoked) did not impact the HRMA profiles allowing reliable identification. A blind test was conducted by three different institutes, showing correct species identifications irrespective of the laboratory conducting the analysis. Finally, a total of 82 retail samples from three European countries were analyzed and a low substitution rate of 1.2% was found. The developed tool provides a quick way to investigate salmon fraud and contributes to safeguard consumers.

O estágio profissional, é a reta final, da passagem do mundo académico para o profissional. Esta etapa, caracteriza-se por uma passagem da teoria para a prática, onde aplicamos os conhecimentos adquiridos ao longo da formação. É um processo, onde cada meio envolvente é único, o que torna o desenvolvimento singular. Derivado ao contexto escolar, as experiências, a partilha com os professores cooperantes e com o núcleo de estágio, permite uma construção pessoal e profissional. O presente documento, retrata o percurso do estudante estagiário (autor), numa escola situada no Porto e inserida no projeto TEIP, durante o ano de estágio. O relatório, iniciou-se com a metáfora da descoberta marítima, cabendo a navegação prosperar novas aprendizagens, através das vivencias, das experiências e do ato de refletir. Este documento divide-se em três áreas. A primeira aborda uma autobiografia pessoal, os entendimentos e expectativas do Estágio Profissional, a caracterização do contexto e o planeamento e realização da prática profissional. Numa segunda parte, acerca da atuação na escola e participação com a comunidade. Na última área, abordo o estudo realizado, que relaciona a perceção da motivação com a prática da Educação Física. De facto, no ano de estágio profissional, o estudante estagiário é exposto a vivências únicas, que através de uma prática reflexiva permitem crescer profissionalmente e pessoalmente. The professional internship is the final stretch, from the transition from the academic world to the professional. This stage is characterized by a transition from theory to practice, where we apply the knowledge acquired during the training. It is a process, where each environment is unique, which makes development unique. Derived from the school context, the experiences, the sharing with the cooperating teachers and with the internship nucleus, which allows a personal and professional construction. This document portrays the trainee student (author), in a school located in Porto and inserted in the TEIP project, during the internship year. The report began with the metaphor of maritime discovery, and navigation is responsible for new learning to thrive, through experiences, experiences and the act of reflecting. This document is divided into three areas. The first one is a personal autobiography, the understandings and expectations of the Professional Internship, the characterization of the context and the planning and realization of the professional practice. In a second part, about the performance in the school and participation with the community. In the last area, I approach the study, which relates the perception of motivation with the practice of Physical Education. In fact, in the year of professional internship, the trainee student is exposed to unique experiences, which through reflective practice allow him to grow professionally and personally.

Food contaminants are usually studied as isolated molecules, not considering the overall meal components. Notwithstanding, contaminants are not ingested individually, therefore their risks should be assessed in the context of the overall diet. In the present study the influence of three well known dietary patterns, Western (W), Mediterranean (M) and vegetarian (V), on the bioaccessibility and intestinal transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF)), heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-Amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AAC)) and mycotoxins (MY) (aflatoxin B2 (AB2) and ochratoxin A (OTA)) was evaluated. Whole meals representative of W, M and V patterns were spiked with 100 µg kg-1 of each contaminant and subjected to the Infogest in vitro digestion method. Intestinal transport was performed using Caco-2 cells in apical/basolateral inserts. Contaminants were quantified by QuEChERS/HPLC/Fluorescence analysis. The dietary pattern itself influenced significantly the bioaccessibility of some contaminants, since higher bioaccessibility of HAAs (PhIP and AAC) was observed for V diet, while higher bioaccessibility of PAHs (BBF and BAP) and the MY (OTA) was observed for W diet. Concerning intestinal transport, the effect of the diet matrices was less noticed. Notwithstanding, AAC transport increased with W diet, while AB2s transport increased with the V diet. Regarding PAHs the three patterns either blocked (BbF) or reduced (BaP) the transport. Besides the well known nutritional, protective or deleterious effects of the different dietary patterns, the increased bioaccessibility or intestinal transport of some food contaminants, can have an additional influence on the global health impact. Highlights: Dietary pattern influenced the bioaccessibility of some studied food contaminants; The impact of dietary pattern on intestinal transport was less notorious; Dietary pattern affects contaminants bioaccessibility/absorption and health. M. A. Faria acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and Norte-01-0145-FEDER-0001 the researcher contract. This work was financed by FEDER - Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), and by Portuguese funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the framework of the project PTDC/SAU-NUT/30322/2017. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The Hummingbird (Family Trochilidae) Collection of the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto (MHNC-UP) is one of the oldest collections of this family harboured in European museums. Almost 2,000 specimens, that encompass most of the taxonomic diversity of this family, were collected in the late 19thCentury. The collection is relevant due its antiquity and because all specimens were bought from the same provider, mainly as mounted specimens, for a Portuguese private collection of Neotropical fauna. In the early 20thCentury, it was donated to the Museum that is now the MHNC-UP.The information about the majority of these specimens is now available for consultation on the GBIF platform after curation of all specimens and digital cleaning of the associated metadata. In the process, hundreds of non-catalogued specimens were found and taxonomic and spatial information was updated for many of the specimens.

Seafood is an important component of the human diet. With depleting fish stocks and increasing prices, seafood is prone to fraudulent substitution. DNA barcoding has illustrated fraudulent substitution of fishes in retail and restaurants. Whether substitution also occurs in other steps of the supply chain remains largely unknown. DNA barcoding relies on public reference databases for species identification, but these can contain incorrect identifications. The creation of a high quality genetic reference database for 42 European commercially important fishes was initiated containing 145 Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 152 Cytochrome b (cytB) sequences. This database was used to identify substitution rates of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and common sole (Solea solea) along the fish supply chain in Belgium using DNA barcoding. Three out of 132 cod samples were substituted, in catering (6%), import (5%) and fishmongers (3%). Seven out of the 41 processed sole samples were substituted, in wholesale (100%), food services (50%), retailers (20%) and catering (8%). Results show that substitution of G. morhua and S. solea is not restricted to restaurants, but occurs in other parts of the supply chain, warranting for more stringent controls along the supply chain to increase transparency and trust among consumers. ispartof: FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY vol:141 ispartof: location:England status: published

The impact of six culinary practices - oven/microwave combined with/without seasoning with oregano/beer - on lipid and protein oxidation of chicken burgers after cooking and after in vitro digestion was assessed. Five oxidation markers - malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), hexanal (HEX), carbonyls, and Schiff bases - as well as free amino acids and total fatty acids content were measured. Oregano prevented MDA, HEX, and HNE formation during cooking, while beer seems not to influence their formation. After in vitro digestion, MDA, carbonyls, and Schiff bases increased, regardless of the culinary practice, while HNE and HEX values were reduced. Globally, cooking with oregano exhibited the lowest losses of PUFAs and formation of all oxidation markers, thus it should be used as a mitigation strategy to avoid the formation of oxidation products during cooking, as well as to prevent their formation during in vitro digestion.

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