Sistema de detecção de intrusão em redes informáticas

Mestrado em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores

GenERATIONS of Azoreans and Renewable Energy: a comparative study

Avança dados das perspetivas de diferentes gerações sobre questões ambientais e consumo energético.

Objeto de desejo e estratégia de marketing: um estudo do valor de uso da natureza na publicidade televisiva de dois canais portugueses

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão e Conservação da Natureza, 12 de Junho de 2014, Universidade dos Açores.

Caraterização dos habitats propícios à conservação da Estrelinha-de-Santa-Maria (Regulus regulus sanctaemariae)

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão e Conservação da Natureza, 11 de Junho de 2014, Universidade dos Açores.

Agualva, 2009!: vivências de uma cheia e atribuições de responsabilidade

Dissertação de Mestrado, Engenharia do Ambiente, 12 de Junho de 2014, Universidade dos Açores.

Lethal and sublethal effects of essential oils from Pittosporum undulatum and Hedychium gardnerianum on the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cordubensis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae

Dissertação de Mestrado, Biotecnologia em Controlo Biológico, 6 de Junho de 2013, Universidade dos Açores.

O ensino de matemática em duas escolas profissionalizantes: Brasil e Portugal, no período de 1942 a 1978

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Risk analysis in a Portuguese archive what has changed in five years?

The Cultural Property Risk Analysis Model was applied in 2006 to a Portuguese archive located in Lisbon. Its results highlighted the need for the institution to take care of risks related to fire, physical forces and relative humidity problems. Five years after this first analysis the results are revisited and a few changes are introduced due to recent events: fire and high humidity remain an important hazard but are now accompanied by a pressing contaminants problem. Improvements in storage systems were responsible for a large decrease in terms of calculated risk magnitude and proved to be very cost-effective.

A criatividade na educação : enquadramento curricular e estratégias de facilitação na educação pré-escolar e 1º ciclo do Ensino Básico

Mestrado (PES II), Educação Pré-Escolar e Ensino do 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico

Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in the Azores : Lessons After 2 yr of Monitoring in the Archipelago

The dispersal flights of West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) were surveyed in the major cities of Azores. The sampling device used to estimate termite density consisted of a yellow adhesive trap (size 45 by 24 cm), placed with an artificial or natural light source in a dark attic environment. In addition, data from two other projects were used to improve the knowledge about the geographical distribution of the species. The level of infestation in the two main Azorean towns differed, with high levels in the houses of Angra do Heroísmo, whereas in Ponta Delgada, there are fewer houses with high levels of infestation. The infestation in Ponta Delgada shows a pattern of spreading from the center outward to the city's periphery, whereas in Angra do Heroísmo, there was a pattern of spreading outward from several foci. The heavy infestation observed in Angra do Heroísmo and the clear increase of infestation levels observed from 2010 to 2011 is a reason for concern and calls for an urgent application of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control strategy.

Risk factors for metabolic bone disease in Crohn's disease patients

Background: The aim was to evaluate the presence of metabolic bone disease (MBD) in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and to identify potential etiologic factors. Methods: The case–control study included 99 patients with CD and 56 controls with a similar age and gender distribution. Both groups had dual-energy x-ray absorptionmetry and a nutritional evaluation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms at the IL1, TNF-a, LTa, and IL-6 genes were analyzed in patients only. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: The prevalence of MBD was significantly higher in patients (P ¼ 0.006). CD patients with osteoporosis were older (P < 0.005), small bowel involvement and surgical resections were more frequent (P < 0.005), they more often exhibited a penetrating or stricturing phenotype (P < 0.05), duration of disease over 15 years (P < 0.005), and body mass index (BMI) under 18.5 kg/m2 (P < 0.01) were more often found. No association was found with steroid use. Patients with a Z-score < 2.0 more frequently had chronic active disease (P < 0.05). With regard to diet, low vitamin K intake was more frequent (P ¼ 0.03) and intake of total, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat was higher in patients with Z-score < 2.0 (P < 0.05). With respect to genetics, carriage of the polymorphic allele for LTa252 A/G was associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis (P ¼ 0.02). Regression analysis showed that age over 40 years, chronic active disease, and previous colonic resections were independently associated with the risk of developing MBD. Conclusions: The prevalence of MBD was significantly higher in CD patients. Besides the usual risk factors, we observed that factors related to chronic active and long-lasting disease increased the risk of MBD.

Fat intake interacts with polymorphisms of Caspase9, FasLigand and PPARgamma apoptotic genes in modulating Crohn's disease activity

Background & aims: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a multifactorial disease where resistance to apoptosis is one major defect. Also, dietary fat intake has been shown to modulate disease activity. We aimed to explore the interaction between four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in apoptotic genes and dietary fat intake in modulating disease activity in CD patients. Methods: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) techniques were used to analyze Caspase9þ93C/T, FasLigand-843C/T, Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gammaþ161C/T and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma Pro12Ala SNPs in 99 patients with CD and 116 healthy controls. Interactions between SNPs and fat intake in modulating disease activity were analyzed using regression analysis. Results: None of the polymorphisms analyzed influenced disease susceptibility and/or activity, but a high intake of total, saturated and monounsaturated fats and a higher ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), was associated with a more active phenotype (p < 0.05). We observed that the detrimental effect of a high intake of total and trans fat was more marked in wild type carriers of the Caspase9þ93C/T polymorphism [O.R (95%CI) 4.64 (1.27e16.89) and O.R (95%CI) 4.84 (1.34e17.50)]. In the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma Pro12Ala SNP, we also observed that a high intake of saturated and monounsaturated fat was associated to a more active disease in wild type carriers [OR (95%CI) 4.21 (1.33e13.26) and 4.37 (1.52e12.51)]. Finally, a high intake of n-6 PUFA was associated with a more active disease in wild type carriers for the FasLigand-843C/T polymorphism [O.R (95%CI) 5.15 (1.07e24.74)]. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to disclose a synergism between fat intake and SNPs in apoptotic genes in modulating disease activity in CD patients.

Fatty acids, IL6, and TNFα polymorphisms: an example of nutrigenetics in Crohn's disease

Objectives - The aim of this work was to study the interaction between genetic polymorphisms (single-nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and fat intake on the risk of developing Crohn's disease (CD) or modifying disease activity. Methods - Seven SNPs in interleukin 1 (IL1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), lymphotoxin alpha (LTalpha), and IL6 genes were analyzed in 116 controls and 99 patients with CD. The type of fat intake was evaluated, and the interaction between SNPs and dietary fat in modulating disease activity was analyzed. Results - Individuals who were homozygous for the IL6-174G/C polymorphism had a six-fold higher risk for CD (odds ratio (OR)=6.1; 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.9-19.4), whereas the TT genotype on the TNFalpha-857C/T polymorphism was associated with more active disease (OR=10.4; 95% CI=1.1-94.1). A high intake of total, saturated, and monounsaturated fats, as well as a higher ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), was associated with a more active phenotype (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was an interaction between dietary fat intake and SNPs, with a high intake of saturated and monounsaturated fats being associated with active disease, mainly in patients carrying the variant alleles of the 857 TNFalpha polymorphism (OR=6.0, 95% CI=1.4-26.2; OR=5.17; 95% CI=1.4-19.2, respectively) and the 174 IL6 polymorphism (OR=2.95; 95% CI=1.0-9.1; OR=3.21; 95% CI=1.0-10.4, respectively). Finally, low intake of n-3 PUFA and high n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in patients with the TNFalpha 857 polymorphism were associated with higher disease activity (OR=3.6; 95% CI=1.0-13.0; OR=5.92; 95% CI=1.3-26.5, respectively). Conclusions - These results show that different types of fat may interact with cytokine genotype, modulating disease activity.

A comprehensive approach to evaluate nutritional status in Crohn's patients in the era of biologic therapy: a case-control study

Objectives - Evaluate the nutritional status of patients with inactive or mildly active Crohn's disease (CD), and identify possible causes for potential deficiencies. Methods - A total of 78 CD patients and 80 healthy controls were evaluated in respect of nutritional status, dietary intake, and life styles factors. Results - These 73/78 CD patients were on immunomodulating therapies. Mean body mass index (BMI) was lower in patients as compared to controls (P= 0.006) but 32% of CD patients and 33.8% of controls had a BMI > 25, whereas 8% and 23.8% in each group, respectively, were obese (BMI > 30Kg/m(2)). Fat free mass was significantly decreased in both genders (P < 0.05) whereas fat mass was decreased only in males (P= 0.01). Energy intake was significantly lower in CD patients (P < 0.0001) and we observed significantly lower adjusted mean daily intakes of carbohydrates, monounsaturated fat, fiber, calcium, and vitamins C, D, E, and K (P < 0.05). 29% of patients had excluded grains from their usual diet, 28% milk, 18% vegetables, and 11% fruits. Milk exclusion resulted in a significantly lower consumption of calcium and vitamin K (P < 0.001) and the exclusion of vegetables was associated to a lower consumption of vitamins C and E (P < 0.05). Physical activity was significantly lower in CD patients (P= 0.01) and this lack of physical activity was inversely correlated with increased fat mass percentage (r=-0.315, P= 0.001). Conclusions - Results showed that the most prevalent form of malnutrition in CD patients was an excess of body weight, which was concomitant with an inadequate dietary intake, namely micronutrients, clearly related to dietary exclusion of certain foods.

IL23R polymorphisms influence phenotype and response to therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis

Objective - We aimed to identify the clinical and genetic [IL23 receptor (IL23R) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] predictors of response to therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis. Patients and methods - A total of 174 patients with ulcerative colitis, 99 women and 75 men, were included. The mean age of the patients was 47±15 years and the mean disease duration was 11±9 years. The number of patients classified as responders (R) or nonresponders (NR) to several therapies was as follows: 110 R and 53 NR to mesalazine (5-ASA), 28 R and 20 NR to azathioprine (AZT), 18 R and 7 NR to infliximab. Clinical and demographic variables were recorded. A total of four SNPs were studied: IL23R G1142A, C2370A, G43045A, and G9T. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR using Taqman probes. Results - Older patients were more prone to respond to 5-ASA (P=0.004), whereas those with pancolitis were less likely to respond to such therapies (P=0.002). Patients with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) were less likely to respond to 5-ASA (P=0.001), AZT (P=0.03), and corticosteroids (P=0.06). Carriers of the mutant allele for IL23R SNPs had a significantly higher probability of developing EIMs (P<0.05), a higher probability of being refractory to 5-ASA (P<0.03), but a higher likelihood of responding to AZT (P=0.05). A significant synergism was observed between IL23R C2370A and EIMs with respect to nonresponse to 5-ASA (P=0.03). Conclusion - Besides extent of disease and age at disease onset, the presence of EIMs may be a marker of refractoriness to 5-ASA, corticosteroids, and AZT. IL23R SNPs are associated both with EIMs and with nonresponse to 5-ASA and corticosteroids.