Getting to the heart of cardiac remodeling; how collagen subtypes may contribute to phenotype

The objective of this study was to investigate the nature and biomechanical properties of collagen fibers within the human myocardium. Targeting cardiac interstitial abnormalities will likely become a major focus of future preventative strategies with regard to the management of cardiac dysfunction. Current knowledge regarding the component structures of myocardial collagen networks is limited, further delineation of which will require application of more innovative technologies. We applied a novel methodology involving combined confocal laser scanning and atomic force microscopy to investigate myocardial collagen within ex-vivo right atrial tissue from 10 patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery. Immuno-fluorescent co-staining revealed discrete collagen I and III fibers. During single fiber deformation, overall median values of stiffness recorded in collagen III were 37±16% lower than in collagen I [p<0.001]. On fiber retraction, collagen I exhibited greater degrees of elastic recoil [p<0.001; relative percentage increase in elastic recoil 7±3%] and less energy dissipation than collagen III [p<0.001; relative percentage increase in work recovered 7±2%]. In atrial biopsies taken from patients in permanent atrial fibrillation (n=5) versus sinus rhythm (n=5), stiffness of both collagen fiber subtypes was augmented (p<0.008). Myocardial fibrillar collagen fibers organize in a discrete manner and possess distinct biomechanical differences; specifically, collagen I fibers exhibit relatively higher stiffness, contrasting with higher susceptibility to plastic deformation and less energy efficiency on deformation with collagen III fibers. Augmented stiffness of both collagen fiber subtypes in tissue samples from patients with atrial fibrillation compared to those in sinus rhythm are consistent with recent published findings of increased collagen cross-linking in this setting.

Cell cycle-coupled expansion of AR activity promotes cancer progression

The androgen receptor (AR) is required for prostate cancer (PCa) survival and progression, and ablation of AR activity is the first line of therapeutic intervention for disseminated disease. While initially effective, recurrent tumors ultimately arise for which there is no durable cure. Despite the dependence of PCa on AR activity throughout the course of disease, delineation of the AR-dependent transcriptional network that governs disease progression remains elusive, and the function of AR in mitotically active cells is not well understood. Analyzing AR activity as a function of cell cycle revealed an unexpected and highly expanded repertoire of AR-regulated gene networks in actively cycling cells. New AR functions segregated into two major clusters: those that are specific to cycling cells and retained throughout the mitotic cell cycle ('Cell Cycle Common'), versus those that were specifically enriched in a subset of cell cycle phases ('Phase Restricted'). Further analyses identified previously unrecognized AR functions in major pathways associated with clinical PCa progression. Illustrating the impact of these unmasked AR-driven pathways, dihydroceramide desaturase 1 was identified as an AR-regulated gene in mitotically active cells that promoted pro-metastatic phenotypes, and in advanced PCa proved to be highly associated with development of metastases, recurrence after therapeutic intervention and reduced overall survival. Taken together, these findings delineate AR function in mitotically active tumor cells, thus providing critical insight into the molecular basis by which AR promotes development of lethal PCa and nominate new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

A Reliable Downscaling of ECG Signals for the Detection of T wave Heterogeneity Features

In cardiovascular disease the definition and the detection of the ECG parameters related to repolarization dynamics in post MI patients is still a crucial unmet need. In addition, the use of a 3D sensor in the implantable medical devices would be a crucial mean in the assessment or prediction of Heart Failure status, but the inclusion of such feature is limited by hardware and firmware constraints. The aim of this thesis is the definition of a reliable surrogate of the 500 Hz ECG signal to reach the aforementioned objective. To evaluate the worsening of reliability due to sampling frequency reduction on delineation performance, the signals have been consecutively down sampled by a factor 2, 4, 8 thus obtaining the ECG signals sampled at 250, 125 and 62.5 Hz, respectively. The final goal is the feasibility assessment of the detection of the fiducial points in order to translate those parameters into meaningful clinical parameter for Heart Failure prediction, such as T waves intervals heterogeneity and variability of areas under T waves. An experimental setting for data collection on healthy volunteers has been set up at the Bakken Research Center in Maastricht. A 16 – channel ambulatory system, provided by TMSI, has recorded the standard 12 – Leads ECG, two 3D accelerometers and a respiration sensor. The collection platform has been set up by the TMSI property software Polybench, the data analysis of such signals has been performed with Matlab. The main results of this study show that the 125 Hz sampling rate has demonstrated to be a good candidate for a reliable detection of fiducial points. T wave intervals proved to be consistently stable, even at 62.5 Hz. Further studies would be needed to provide a better comparison between sampling at 250 Hz and 125 Hz for areas under the T waves.

Biodiversity offsetting and restoration under the European Union Habitats Directive: balancing between no net loss and deathbed conservation?

Biodiversity offsets have emerged as one of the most prominent policy approaches to align economic development with nature protection across many jurisdictions, including the European Union. Given the increased level of scrutiny that needs to be applied when authorizing economic developments near protected Natura 2000 sites, the incorporation of onsite biodiversity offsets in project design has grown increasingly popular in some member states, such as the Netherlands and Belgium. Under this approach, the negative effects of developments are outbalanced by restoration programs that are functionally linked to the infrastructure projects. However, although taking into consideration that the positive effects of onsite restoration measures leads to more leeway for harmful project development, the EU Court of Justice has recently dismissed the latter approaches for going against the preventative underpinnings of the EU Habitats Directive. Also, the expected beneficial outcomes of the restoration efforts are uncertain and thus cannot be relied upon in an ecological assessment under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive. Although biodiversity offsets can still be relied upon whenever application is being made of the derogation clause under Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, they cannot be used as mitigation under the generic decision-making process for plans and programs liable to adversely affect Natura 2000 sites. We outline the main arguments pro and contra the stance of the EU Court of Justice with regards to the exact delineation between mitigation and compensation. The analysis is also framed in the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of the EU nature directives. Although ostensibly rigid, it is argued that the recent case-law developments are in line with the main principles underpinning biodiversity offsetting. Opening the door for biodiversity offsetting under the Habitats Directive will certainly not reverse the predicament of the EU’s biodiversity. A reinforcement of the preventative approach is instrumental to avert a further biodiversity loss within the European Union, even if it will lead to additional permit refusals for unsustainable project developments.

Genetic diversity analysis of isolates belonging to the Photobacterium phosphoreum species group collected from salmon products using AFLP fingerprinting

An accurate amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method, including three primer sets for the selective amplification step, was developed to display the phylogenetic position of Photobacterium isolates collected from salmon products. This method was efficient for discriminating the three species Photobacterium phosphoreum, Photobacterium iliopiscarium and Photobacterium kishitanii, until now indistinctly gathered in the Photobacterium phosphoreum species group known to be strongly responsible for seafood spoilage. The AFLP fingerprints enabled the isolates to be separated into two main clusters that, according to the type strains, were assigned to the two species P. phosphoreum and P. iliopiscarium. P. kishitanii was not found in the collection. The accuracy of the method was validated by using gyrB-gene sequencing and luxA-gene PCR amplification, which confirmed the species delineation. Most of the isolates of each species were clonally distinct and even those that were isolated from the same source showed some diversity. Moreover, this AFLP method may be an excellent tool for genotyping isolates in bacterial communities and for clarifying our knowledge of the role of the different members of the Photobacterium species group in seafood spoilage.

SUBSTRATOS E TEMPERATURAS PARA TESTE DE GERMINAÇÃO EM SEMENTES DE MYRTACEAE

As espécies brasileiras de Myrtaceae compreendem diversas plantas arbóreas e arbustivas que podem ser utilizadas na produção de frutos para consumo in natura ou para industrialização. Informações sobre avaliação da qualidade de sementes dessas espécies não estão bem definidas, principalmente as relacionadas à adequação do teste de germinação. Objetivou-se testar substratos e temperaturas para realização do teste de germinação em sementes de Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret. (goiaba-serrana), Campomanesia xanthocarpa O. Berg (guabiroba), Eugenia involucrata DC. (cereja-do-mato) e Eugenia pyriformis Camb. (uvaia). Sementes de diferentes procedências foram submetidas ao teste de germinação em substratos areia e rolo de papel tipo germitest, umedecidos com água destilada, e nas temperaturas 15 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C e 20-30 °C, sob luz constante, em germinadores tipo BOD. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições de 25 sementes/tratamento/lote/espécie, e as médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P < 0,01). O teste de germinação pode ser conduzido na temperatura de 25 ºC e em substrato rolo de papel para Eugenia involucrata e Eugenia pyriformis. Ambos os substratos podem ser utilizados para o teste de germinação de Acca sellowiana, a 25 ºC. A temperatura de 25 ºC e alternância de 20-30 ºC são indicadas para Campomanesia xanthocarpa, assim como, os substratos areia e rolo de papel.

Notoriedade dos produtos tradicionais de origem animal (DOP e IGP) do Alentejo

O presente trabalho visa conhecer o nível de notoriedade dos produtos tradicionais de origem animal (DOP e IGP) do Alentejo no mercado consumidor. Este objectivo foi alcançado através da realização de revisão bibliográfica com recurso às fontes secundárias disponíveis e de fontes primárias, nomeadamente de um questionário de avaliação da notoriedade dos produtos tradicionais (DOP e IGP) de origem animal do Alentejo expressamente desenvolvido para o efeito. A informação obtida permitiu caracterizar a oferta dos produtos tradicionais de origem animal do Alentejo, em termos quantitativos, qualitativos e diversidade, enquadrar teoricamente o tema da notoriedade no contexto do comportamento do consumidor e do marketing agro-alimentar e identificar os procedimentos metodológicos a serem utilizados e delineamento do trabalho de investigação. A análise dos dados recolhidos por inquérito, tratados com recurso a software e técnicas estatísticas descritivas, permitiram retirar conclusões relevantes, tais como a baixa notoriedade dos produtos DOP e IGP, o produto com mais notoriedade, Top-of-Mind, a Carnalentejana, entre outros. Foram identificados tanto nas fontes primárias como nas secundárias aspectos em comum: uma baixíssima notoriedade dos produtos certificados e uma preocupação e necessidade em haver mais acções de divulgação destes produtos. Dos 33 produtos certificados de origem animal do Alentejo, apuraram-se que apenas 26 se encontram a ser comercializados e em que muitos casos os agrupamentos remetem para os produtores a responsabilidade da promoção dos produtos. Foram ainda identificados tópicos para futuras pesquisas e para acções de marketing tendentes a melhorar a notoriedade dos produtos tradicionais de origem animal do Alentejo no mercado. ABSTRACT; The present work aims to know the level of renown of the traditional products of animal origin (DOP and IGP) of the Alentejo in the consumer market. This objective was reached through the realization of bibliographical revision with resource to the available secondary fountains and of primary fountains, namely of a questionnaire of evaluation of the renown of the traditional products (DOP and IGP) of animal origin of the Alentejo definitely developed for the effect. The obtained information allowed to characterize the offer of the traditional products of animal origin of the Alentejo, in quantitative, qualitative terms and diversity, to fit theoretically the subject of the renown in the context of the behavior of the consumer and of the food-rough marketing and to identify the methodological proceedings being used and delineation of the work of investigation. The analysis of the data gathered by inquiry, treated with resource the software and descriptive statistical techniques, allowed there withdrew relevant conclusions, such as the low renown of the products DOP and IGP, the product with more renown, Top-of-Mind, was the Carnalentejana, between others. Aspects were identified so much in the primary fountains how in secondary in common: a low renown of the certified products and a preoccupation and necessity in having more actions of spread/promotion of these products. Of 33 products made sure of animal origin of the Alentejo, they perfected that you punish 26 they are being marketed and in what many cases the groupings send for the producers the responsibility of the promotion of the products. Topics were still identified for future inquiries and for tending actions of marketing to improve the renown of the traditional products of animal origin of the Alentejo in the market.

Utilização de n-alcanos e álcoois de cadeia longa para estimar a ingestão e a digestibilidade em porcos alentejanos

O número diminuto de estudos sobre a técnica dos n-alcanos para porcos Alentejanos motivou o interesse em realizar um ensaio que simulasse as ingestões reais dos animais em Montanheira, no sentido de se compreender melhor o comportamento alimentar destes animais em condições extensivas. Para validar a técnica dos n-alcanos com altos níveis de ingestão em porcos Alentejanos, realizou-se um ensaio in vivo, em caixas metabólicas, com nove machos castrados da raça suína Alentejana com peso médio de 97,64 kg. O delineamento do ensaio experimental foi efectuado segundo o quadrado latino e os suínos foram alimentados três vezes por dia com bolota e luzerna desidratada foi também fornecido a cada animal diariamente, dois bolinhos contendo alcanos sintéticos (C32 e C36). No período experimental foram realizadas colheitas de fezes, refugos e alimento, para se estimar pelo método in vivo a digestibilidade e a ingestão. Calcularam-se as taxas de recuperação fecal para os n-alcanos e para os álcoois de cadeia longa, com o intuito de se identificar aqueles que apresentaram valores mais elevados e semelhantes entre si. O alcano que mostrou apresentar uma taxa de recuperação mais elevada e semelhante aos alcanos sintéticos foi o C29. Em relação aos álcoois de cadeia longa o que mostrou a taxa de recuperação fecal mais alta foi o C280H. Os n-alcanos naturais que melhor forneceram uma estimativa da digestibilidade foram o C25 e o C27. Na estimativa da ingestão os pares de alcanos que mais se aproximaram do valor real foram o C 29: C32 e o C29:C36· ABSTRACT; The miniature number of studies of the n-alkanes for Alentejano pigs motivated the interest in carrying 1hrough an essay that it simulated the real intake of the animal in "Montanheira”, the direction of to better understand the alimentary behavior of these animals in extensive conditions. To validate the technique of the n-alkanes with high levels of intake in Alentejano pigs, an in vivo essay was become fulfilled, in metabolic cages, with nine castred males of Alentejana swine race with average weight of97,64 kg. The delineation of the experimental essay was effected according to latin square and the swines had been fed 1hree times per day with acorn and deshydrated lucerne (Medicago sativa). Also it was supplied to each animal daily, two cookies contend synthetic alkanes (C32 e C36). ln experimental period had been carried through harvests of faeces, rubbishes and foods, to estimate digestibility and intake. The fecal recoveries for the n-alkanes and the long chain alcohols had been calculated, with the intention to identifying those that had presented higher and similar values. The alkane that showed to present a tax of higher and similar fecal recovery to synthetic alkanes was the C29. The long chain alcohol that it showed the higher fecal recovery was the C28OH. The natural alkanes that had better supplied an estimate of digestibility had been the C25 and C27. ln the estimate of intake the pairs of alkanes that been more come close to the real value had been the pair C29:C32 and the C29:C36.

Caracterização geoquímica dos ecossistemas na zona de protecção às Fontes das Cinco Bicas e da Saúde

O concelho de Pombal possui uma elevada riqueza em Recursos Naturais, nomeadamente em Recursos Minerais e Nascentes Naturais. De entre as Nascentes Naturais existentes neste concelho, as Fontes das Cinco Bicas e da Saúde, têm sido privilegiadas, devido à qualidade bacteriológica e química das suas águas e à sua localização geográfica (zona ainda não abastecida com água da rede pública), sendo alvo de estudos e de um vasto trabalho, por parte do Município, de onde surgiu a delimitação de uma Zona de Protecção, de importância relevante para a população concelhia. A Zona de Protecção às Fontes das Cinco Bicas e da Saúde, abrange três zonas, sendo elas designadas por próxima, intermédia e alargada. Este estudo, tem como objectivo fundamental, a caracterização geoquímica e ambiental, de uma área de 8 Km2, envolvendo a zona delimitada como “Zona de Protecção às Fontes das Cinco Bicas e da Saúde”, utilizando os solos e a água como meios amostrais. A área de trabalho abrange também parte da Área declarada de Reserva (Área de Reserva – A), para efeitos de aproveitamento de Argilas Especiais (Decreto – Regulamentar n.º 35/95, de 22 de Novembro), e toda ela está inserida na área declarada Cativa, para efeitos de exploração de Argilas (Portaria n.º 448/90 de 16 de Junho), pelo que existem vários núcleos de actividade extractiva em laboração. Este trabalho vai permitir caracterizar ambientalmente a área de estudo, a água das nascentes em causa, bem como analisar a possível interferência das unidades industriais e agrícolas nas Fontes das Cinco Bicas e da Saúde.

Interação de microorganismos na solubilização de fósforo e potássio de rochas para produção de biofertilizantes

he present model of agriculture is based on intensive use of industrial inputs, due to its rapid response, but it brings harmful consequences to the environment, and it is necessary the use of modern inputs. And an alternative is the use of rock biofertilizers in agriculture, a product easy to use, with higher residual effect and does not harm the environment. The objective of study was to evaluate the inoculation and co-inoculation of different microorganisms in the solubilization of rock phosphate and potash ground microbial evaluating the best performance in the production of biofertilizers comparing with rocks pure in soil chemical properties and, verify effect of inoculation of the bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa in the absorption of minerals dissolved in the development of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.). The first bioassay was conducted in Laboratory (UFRN) for 72 days in Petri dishes, where the rock powder was increased by 10% and sulfur co-inoculated and inoculated with bacterial suspension of Paenibacillus polymyxa grown in medium tryptone soy broth, Ralstonia solanacearum in medium Kelman, Cromobacterium violaceum in medium Luria-Bertani and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans in medium Tuovinen and Kelly,and fungi Trichoderma humatum and Penicillium fellutanum in malt extract. Every 12 days, samples were removed in order to build up the release curve of minerals. The second bioassay was conducted in a greenhouse of the Agricultural Research Corporation of Rio Grande do Norte in experimental delineation in randomized block designs, was used 10 kg of an Yellow Argissolo Dystrophic per pot with the addition of treatments super phosphate simple (SS), potassium chloride (KCl), pure rock, biofertilizers in doses 40, 70, 100 and 200% of the recommendation for SS and KCl, and a control, or not inoculated with bacteria P. polymyxa. Were used seeds of cowpea BRS Potiguar and co-inoculated with the bacterial suspension of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and P. polymyxa. The first crop was harvested 45 days after planting, were evaluated in the dry matter (ADM), macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn) in ADM. And the second at 75 days assessing levels of macro end micronutrients in plants and soil, and the maximum adsorption capacity of P in soil. The results showed synergism in co-inoculations with P. polymyxa+R. solanacearum and, P. polymyxa+C. violaceum solubilizations providing higher P and K, respectively, and better solubilization time at 36 days. The pH was lower in biofertilizers higher doses, but there was better with their addition to P at the highest dose. Significant reduction of maximum adsorption capacity of phosphorus with increasing dose of biofertilizer. For K and Ca was better with SS+KCl, and Mg to pure rock. There was an effect of fertilization on the absorption, with better results for P, K and ADM with SS+KCL, and N, Ca and Mg for biofertilizers. Generally, the P. polymyxa not influence the absorption of the elements in the plant. In treatments with the uninoculated P. polymyxa chemical fertilizer had an average significantly higher for weight and number of grains. And in the presence of the bacteria, biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers had positive values in relation to rock and control. The data show that the rocks and biofertilizers could meet the need of nutrients the plants revealed as potential for sustainable agriculture

O papel dos Sistemas de Informação Geográfica no planeamento, projecto e manutenção da Rede de Distribuição de Energia Eléctrica

Este relatório de estágio representa o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia, com recurso a Tecnologias de Informação Geográfica, que permite a identificação de zonas que condicionam os processos de planeamento, projecto e manutenção das estruturas que compõem a Rede de Distribuição de Energia Eléctrica. Centra-se assim nas Tecnologias de Informação Geográfica enquanto instrumentos que permitem realizar estudos de carácter territorial com relevância para o sector energético. São trabalhadas a identificação e delimitação de zonas de gelo, zonas de poluição industrial e zonas de salinidade em Portugal Continental. A delimitação destas zonas foi realizada com recurso a ferramentas de análise espacial, utilizando dados fidedignos provenientes de Instituições da Administração Pública. São documentadas também tarefas extraordinárias propostas pela EDP Distribuição - Energia, S.A. Desta forma é possível compreender as vantagens e desvantagens da utilização destas tecnologias por parte da EDP Distribuição, de forma a melhorar a gestão dos recursos disponíveis, para ajudar a manter a qualidade do serviço prestado. Ficou no entanto a recomendação de uma maior aposta nestas tecnologias.

Aprendizagem da quantificação no processo da formação do graduando de cursos de geografia

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Humanas, Departamento de Geografia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Geografia, 2015.

Evolution of developmental gene regulatory networks in echinoids

Developmental gene regulatory networks (dGRNs) are assemblages of regulatory genes that direct embryonic development of animal body plans and their morpho-logical structures. dGRNs exhibit recursively-wired circuitry that is encoded in the genome and executed during development. Alteration to the regulatory architecture of dGRNs causes variation in developmental programs both during the development of an individual organism and during the evolution of an individual lineage. The ex-planatory power of these networks is best exemplified by the global dGRN directing early development of the euechinoid sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. This network consists of numerous regulatory genes engaging in hundreds of genomic regulatory transactions that collectively direct the delineation of early embryonic domains and the specification of cell lineages. Research on closely-related euechi-noid sea urchins, e.g. Lytechinus variegatus and Paracentrotus lividus, has revealed marked conservation of dGRN architecture in echinoid development, suggesting little appreciable alteration has occurred since their divergence in evolution at least 90 million years ago (mya).

We sought to test whether this observation extends to all sea urchins (echinoids) and undertook a systematic analysis of over 50 regulatory genes in the cidaroid sea urchin Eucidaris tribuloides, surveing their regulatory activity and function in a sea urchin that diverged from euechinoid sea urchins at least 268 mya. Our results revealed extensive alterations have occurred to all levels of echinoid dGRN archi-tecture since the cidaroid-euechinoid divergence. Alterations to mesodermal sub-circuits were particularly striking, including functional di˙erences in specification of non-skeletogenic mesenchyme (NSM), skeletogenic mesenchyme (SM), and en-domesodermal segregation. Specification of endomesodermal embryonic domains revealed that, while their underlying network circuitry had clearly diverged, regu-latory states established in pregastrular embryos of these two groups are strikingly similar. Analyses of E. tribuloides specification leading to the estab-lishment of dorsal-ventral (aboral-oral) larval polarity indicated that regulation of regulatory genes expressed in mesodermal embryonic domains had incurred significantly more alterations than those expressed in endodermal and ectodermal domains. Taken together, this study highlights the ability of dGRN architecture to buffer extensive alterations in the evolution and early development of echinoids and adds further support to the notion that alterations can occur at all levels of dGRN architecture and all stages of embryonic development.

Avaliação de desempenho em micro empresas : estudo de caso do Ginásio Personalbody Oeiras

Nos dias de hoje, o mercado do Fitness está cada vez mais competitivo, em grande parte devido ao aumento da presença das grandes cadeias de ginásios. Com espaços de manobra cada vez menores, os pequenos ginásios têm de ter estratégias mais eficientes e eficazes para se manterem sustentáveis. Recorrendo ao Sistema Balance Scorecard, sistema que teve como base da sua criação conceitos como Avaliação e Definição de Objetivos, Comunicação, Motivação, Relações Humanas e Estratégia de Negócios, este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se o mesmo poderia ser aplicado a uma pequena empresa, de modo a aferir a sua performance. Para a avaliação desta performance, o método de entrevista foi a principal fonte de dados. As informações recolhidas serviram de base para análises como a de SWOT ou a de Stakeholders que, no final, deram lugar ao Mapa Estratégico e Scorecard Estratégico. No final, foi possível verificar que organização estudada está muito aquém do seu potencial, em grande parte por falta de delineação e avaliação de objetivos. Assim, foi sugerido um possível reajuste estratégico e monitorização do mesmo de modo a que esta organização possa aumentar a sua eficácia e eficiência.