Synthesis and properties of novel fluorinated poly(phenylene-co-imide)s

A new class of high-performance materials, fluorinated poly(phenylene-co-imide)s, were prepared by Ni(0)-catalytic coupling of 2,5-dichlorobenzophenone with fluorinated dichlorophthalimide. The synthesized copolymers have high molecular weights ((M) over bar (W)= 5.74 x 10(4)-17.3 x 10(4) g center dot mol(-1)), and a combination of desirable properties such as high solubility in common organic solvent, film-forming ability, and excellent mechanical properties. The glass transition temperature (T(g)s) of the copolymers was readily tuned to be between 219 and 354 degrees C via systematic variation of the ratio of the two comonomers. The tough polymer films, obtained by casting from solution, had tensile strength, elongation at break, and tensile modulus values in the range of 66.7-266 MPa, 2.7-13.5%, and 3.13-4.09 GPa, respectively. The oxygen permeability coefficients (P-O2) and permeability selectivity of oxygen to nitrogen (P-O2/P-N2) of these copolymer membranes were in the range of 0.78-3.01 barrer [1 barrer = 10(-10) cm(3) (STP) cm/(cm(2) center dot s center dot cmHg)] and 5.09-6.2 5, respectively. Consequently, these materials have shown promise as engineering plastics and gas-separation membrane materials.

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）Peroxiredoxin 6和Thioredoxin1基因的克隆及表达

中华绒螯蟹是我国重要的水产经济动物，近年来养殖规模不断扩大，产量持续增加。但是，伴随着养殖规模的扩大，养殖环境也日益恶化并导致了大量疾病的发生，严重制约了中华绒螯蟹养殖业的健康发展。因此，疾病预防和控制对中华绒螯蟹养殖业的可持续发展具有举足轻重的作用。与其他无脊椎动物一样，中华绒螯蟹的免疫系统没有免疫球蛋白和淋巴细胞，而是依靠由细胞免疫和体液免疫构成的固有免疫系统来对病原进行识别和清除。中华绒螯蟹的固有免疫机制的研究有助于推动中华绒螯蟹病害防治工作的开展。 本研究采用大规模EST测序方法，结合末端快速扩增（rapid amplification of cDNA ends，RACE）技术从中华绒螯蟹血淋巴中克隆到了过氧化物还原酶（peroxiredoxin，EsPrx6）和硫氧还蛋白（thioredoxin，EsTrx1）基因的cDNA 全长序列；采用实时荧光定量PCR 技术检测了这两个基因在健康个体中表达的组织分布情况以及鳗弧菌刺激后血淋巴细胞中的时序表达规律；同时，将这两个基因的编码区克隆到pET 系列载体，并在大肠杆菌中实现了重组表达，并进行了体外活性检测。 过氧化物还原酶是一个抗氧化蛋白超家族，在保护机体免受活性氧（reactive oxygen species，ROS）的伤害中发挥着重要作用。中华绒螯蟹Prx6（EsPrx6） 基因的cDNA 全长为1076 bp，5` UTR（untranslated region，UTR） 为69 bp，3` UTR 为347 bp，开放阅读框（open reading frame，ORF）为660 bp，编码219 个氨基酸的蛋白。mRNA 3`-端具有多聚腺苷酸加尾信号（polyadenylation signal）AATAAA 和polyA 尾巴。EsPrx6 的预测分子量为 24 kDa，理论等电点为6.21，具有一个保守的Prx 结构域、一个AhpC 结构域和过氧化物酶催化活性中心PVCTTE，表明EsPrx6 属于1-Cys 型Prx。在所检测的组织中均有EsPrx6 的表达，其中以肝胰腺表达量最高，为血淋巴细胞中表达量的17.4 倍。鳗弧菌刺激后，血淋巴细胞中EsPrx6 的表达下降，到12 h 时，实验组显著低于对照组（P<0.05）；随时间推移，表达水平逐渐回升，但在整个实验期间，都没有恢复到起始水平。将EsPrx6 进行体外重组并在大肠杆菌E. coli BL21（DE3）中实现表达，重组EsPrx6 具有预期的抗氧化活性和过氧化物酶活性，其中抗氧化活力为14.69 U/mg 蛋白，高于相同条件下GSH 的抗氧化力（P<0.05），过氧化物酶活力为23.46 U/mg 蛋白。结果表明，EsPrx6 作为一种重要的抗氧化剂，在中华绒螯蟹抵御ROS 可能引起的氧化损伤方面具有重要作用。 硫氧还蛋白是广泛存在于生物体内的一种具有硫醇依赖性的具有还原活性的蛋白。中华绒螯蟹Trx1（EsTrx1）基因的cDNA 全长为641 bp，5` UTR 为17 bp，3` UTR 为306 bp，开放阅读框为318 bp，编码105 个氨基酸。EsTrx1 的预测分子量为12.2 kDa，理论等电点为4.8。EsTrx1 不含信号肽，其氨基酸序列与其他动物的Trx1s 具有高度相似性，如与地中海黄蝎的Trx1 相似度达到73%；而与其他物种Trx2 的同源性很低，相似度仅为14.3-22.8%，表明EsTrx1 属于Trx1 亚族。实时荧光定量PCR 检测发现，EsTrx1 在鳃、性腺、肝胰腺、肌肉、心脏和血淋巴细胞中都有表达。血淋巴细胞中EsTrx1 mRNA 的表达量在菌刺激后上升，刺激后6 h，实验组表达量显著高于对照组和空白组（P<0.05），然后逐渐恢复到刺激前水平。为进一步探讨其生物学功能，将EsTrx1 进行体外重组并在大肠杆菌E. coli BL21（DE3）得到表达，重组EsTrx1 具有预期的氧化还原调节活性，抗氧化活力为3.06 U/mg，且抗氧化活力高于GSH（P<0.05）。rEsTrx1 的二硫键还原活力为5.03，低于凡纳滨对虾的二硫键还原活力（10.44），接近于大肠杆菌（4.93），小牛胸腺（6.50）和小牛肝脏（5.09），而高于鲍鱼Trx2（1.83）活力。结果表明，EsTrx1 在生理条件下能够作为一种重要的抗氧化剂，参与对细菌感染的免疫应答反应。

贵阳市表层土壤重金属污染元素环境地球化学基线研究

贵阳市位于贵州省中部云贵高原东斜坡地带，地处东经106°07′至107°17′，北纬262°11′，至272°22′之间，属东部平原向西部高原的过渡地带，地形地貌多样，海拔高，纬度低，具有亚热带湿润温和型气候的特点，资源丰富，能源充足，自然环境得天独厚。本论文详细研究了贵阳市8046平方公里面积内表层土壤中砷、福、铬、铜、汞、镍、铅、锌8种重金属污染元素的环境地球化学特征，确定了土壤环境地球化学基线，并建立了判别自然的和人为的环境影响的地球化学指标，进而计算污染参数：重金属累计指数和污染程度，在此基础上进行了土壤重金属污染来源分析。取得认识如下：1、贵阳市表层土壤中重金属污染元素的均值、标准差、极值、主要含量区间分别是：砷18·ogmg／kg、11·57 mg／kg、79.30mg/kg、AS95.9％＜40mg/kg；福0.302mg／kg、0.363mg／kg、2.620mg／lcg、Cd95.7％＜1.000mg／kg；铬75.3mg／kg、37.3mg／kg、271.0mg／kg、Cr95.9％＜150.0mg／1cg；铜43．lmg／kg、30.3mg/kg、213.0mg瓜g，Cu94.6o／＜100mg／kg；铅43.2mg／kg、31.3mg／kg、318.9mg/kg，Pb95.5％＜100.0mg/kg；汞0.222mg／kg、0.531mg／kg、7.030mg／kg，Hg98.2％＜1.00Omg/kg；镍38.3mg/kg、14.9mg／kg、102.5mh/kg，Ni95.8%＜70mg/kg；锌84.7mkg、49.8mg／kg、385.0mg/kg，Zn93.4％＜150.0mg/kg。2、利用相对累计总量分析方法和相对累计频率分析方法确定贵阳市表层土壤中重金属元素的基线值和受人为影响的下限：砷为9.04mk和29.0mg/kg；福为0.068mg／kg和1 ．OIOms／kg；铬为44.0mg／kg和100.2mg/kg；铜为18.8mg/kg和68.4mg/kg；铅为14.8mg/kg和70.lmg／kg；汞为0.045mg／kg和0.530mkg；镍为17.0mg/kg和57.0mg/kg；锌46.3mg/kg和112.0mg/kg。3、对贵阳市表层土壤重金属含量进行地质累计指数分析，结果显示贵阳市的表层土壤中：41％未受砷污染，43％的在无污染到中度污染之间，14％的中度污染，只有2％的介于中度污染到强污染之间；40％未受福污染，19％无污染到中度污染之间，14％的中度污染，19％的介于中度污染到强污染之间，7％的强污染，1％的表层土壤强污染到极强污染之间；46％未受铬污染，47％在无污染到中度污染之间，6.8％的中度污染，0.2％介于中度污染到强污染之间；38％未受铜污染，38％在无污染到中度污染之间，22％的中度污染，2％的介于中度污染到强污染之间；18％未受铅污染，47％在无污染到中度污染之间，28％的中度污染，3％介于中度污染到强污染之间；12％未受元素汞污染，37％在无污染到中度污染之间，36％的中度污染，11％介于中度污染到强污染之间，2％的强污染，1％的介于强污染与极强污染之间，1％的极强污染；19.2％未受镍污染，63.7％在无污染到中度污染之间，16.8％的中度污染，0.3％介于中度污染到强污染之间；41％未受锌污染，50％在无污染到中度污染之间，7％的中度污染，2％介于中度污染到强污染之间。4、贵阳市表层土壤中重金属元素含量的污染程度计算显示：砷的污染程度最大为4，27，50.2％的表层土壤未受污染，97％的表层土壤污染程度小于2，总污染程度略大于O，即受到轻微污染；蝠的污染程度最大为12.1，57.9％的表层土壤未受污染，％％的表层土壤污染程度小于4，总污染程度大于。，即受到污染；铬的污染程度最大为2.01，69％的表层土壤未受到重金属元素铬的污染，30.6％的表层土壤受到轻微污染，总污染程度小于O，即未受到污染；铜的污染程度最大为5.09，53.2％的表层土壤未受到重金属元素铜的污染，总污染程度略大于0，即受到轻微污染；铅的污染程度最大为8.11，49.9％的表层土壤未受到重金属元素铅的污染，总污染程度略大于0，即受到轻微污染；汞的污染程度最大为45.87，56.1％的表层土壤未受到重金属元 素汞的污染。总污染程度大于0，即受到污染；镍的污染程度最大为1.56，64％的表层土壤未受到重金属元素镍的污染，总污染程度小于O，即未受到污染；锌的污染程度最大为2.85，77.8％的表层土壤未受到重金属元素锌的污染，总污染程度小于0，即未受到污染。综合考虑8种重金属污染元素，贵阳市40.2％的表层土壤无重金属元素污染，巧％的表层土壤在无污染到轻微污染之间，36.1的表层土壤轻微污染，7.2％的中度污染，1.4％的表层土壤严重污染。5、福和镍只存在较少的污染区域，其余六种元素都存在局部的重金属含量受人为因素影响。砷的污染区域主要集中在筑东部的马场和西部清镇的暗流、王家院等地；铬的污染区域主要集中筑南部的花溪马林、西部的暗流一酒坪等地；铜的污染区域则主要集中在筑南部的燕楼马林处；汞的污染区域分布在筑北开阳双流、筑西北六广以及筑中扎佐三片；铅的污染区域分布在筑东北的宅吉、城关；筑西麦格等处；而锌的污染区则集中在筑东北面的开阳花梨和城关。总体来说，镍、铜的含量是处于最安全的位置，而汞、铅的警戒区域面积很大，几乎函盖了全部研究区域，福次之，砷、锌、铬适中。6、贵阳市表层土壤中重金属污染元素的含量主要与矿山、长期的农业措施和燃煤带来的污染有关。所有重金属含量超标区几乎都对应于矿区，其污染可能来自于母岩，也可能来自矿区生产而导致的“三废”污染。汞、铅、镉的“警戒”区域面积较大，主要是由长期的农业污染造成，特别是磷肥和含污染元素的农药、除草剂等的施用，汞、隔“警戒”区域面积较大的原因还与燃煤后重金属的大气沉降有关。另外砷的污染也和燃煤后大气沉降有关。贵阳市表层土壤没有受到重金属污染元镍的污染。7、在本研究区域内，重金属含量呈现不同含量等级的土类是由于长时间受人为影响的结果，而重金属含量处于单一等级区间的土类则受人为因素影响较小，其含量区间反映了背景值含量范围。在贵阳市的表层土壤中，黄壤、石灰土、水稻土受人为影响较多，石质土、粗骨土、紫色土、黄棕壤受人为影响适中，沼泽土和山地草甸土受人为影响较少。8、本文建议：（1）在乌当区金华镇三铺村、修文县久长镇新隆村、白云区牛场乡小山村、修文县扎佐镇丁官村、修文县大石乡天桥村、开阳县双流镇凉水井村、修文县六广镇滨江村这几个综合污染较为严重的区域采取政府宏观调控手段，指导当地农户进行绿化苗木、花卉等不进入食物链的植物，或者在合适的地方，进行退耕还林，种植生态林。同时建议有关部门在这些区域开展土壤重金属治理工作；（2）在清镇市的暗流一卫城、王家院、水塘以及开阳县马场一哨上等砷含量较高区域种植旱生禾谷类食用籽粒的作物，如小麦、玉米、高粱等，不能种植水生作物和叶菜类作物；在北部开阳双流片、西北部修文六广一大石片、筑中扎佐一牛场片汞含量较高区域推广竺麻的种植；在东北部开阳花梨一城关锌含量较高区域建议农户种植玉米；在开阳的宅吉一龙水、城关和清镇的麦格片区铅含量较高区域，大力发展烟草的种植；在修文久长、大石、开阳城关一马场、清镇麦格、乌当水田一新堡等搞含量较高地区推荐种植豆科食用籽粒作物。9、综合考虑国家《土壤环境质量标准（GB15618一1995）》中规定监测的8种重金属污染元素，污染程度（Cd）的判别指标可以定量化为：Cd≤O：无污染；O＜Cd燕1无污染到轻微污染；1＜Cd≤5：轻微污染：5＜Cd≤10中度污染；Cd＞10：严重污染。

Neonatal pain in relation to postnatal growth in infants born very preterm

Procedural pain is associated with poorer neurodevelopment in infants born very preterm (= 32 weeks gestational age), however, the etiology is unclear. Animal studies have demonstrated that early environmental stress leads to slower postnatal growth; however, it is unknown whether neonatal pain-related stress affects postnatal growth in infants born very preterm. The aim of this study was to examine whether greater neonatal pain (number of skin-breaking procedures adjusted for medical confounders) is related to decreased postnatal growth (weight and head circumference [HC] percentiles) early in life and at term-equivalent age in infants born very preterm. Participants were n=78 preterm infants born = 32 weeks gestational age, followed prospectively since birth. Infants were weighed and HC measured at birth, early in life (median: 32 weeks [interquartile range 30.7-33.6]) and at term-equivalent age (40 weeks [interquartile range 38.6-42.6]). Weight and HC percentiles were computed from sex-specific British Columbia population-based data. Greater neonatal pain predicted lower body weight (Wald ?(2)=7.36, P=0.01) and HC (Wald ?(2)=4.36, P=0.04) percentiles at 32 weeks postconceptional age, after adjusting for birth weight percentile and postnatal risk factors of illness severity, duration of mechanical ventilation, infection, and morphine and corticosteroid exposure. However, later neonatal infection predicted lower weight percentile at term (Wald ?(2)=5.09, P=0.02). Infants born very preterm undergo repetitive procedural pain during a period of physiological immaturity that appears to impact postnatal growth, and may activate a downstream cascade of stress signaling that affects later growth in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Supervised walking in comparison with fitness training for chronic back pain in physiotherapy: results of the SWIFT single-blinded randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN17592092)

Effectiveness of brief/minimal contact self-activation interventions that encourage participation in physical activity (PA) for chronic low back pain (CLBP >12 weeks) is unproven. The primary objective of this assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was to investigate the difference between an individualized walking programme (WP), group exercise class (EC), and usual physiotherapy (UP, control) in mean change in functional disability at 6 months. A sample of 246 participants with CLBP aged 18 to 65 years (79 men and 167 women; mean age ± SD: 45.4 ± 11.4 years) were recruited from 5 outpatient physiotherapy departments in Dublin, Ireland. Consenting participants completed self-report measures of functional disability, pain, quality of life, psychosocial beliefs, and PA were randomly allocated to the WP (n = 82), EC (n = 83), or UP (n = 81) and followed up at 3 (81%; n = 200), 6 (80.1%; n = 197), and 12 months (76.4%; n = 188). Cost diaries were completed at all follow-ups. An intention-to-treat analysis using a mixed between-within repeated-measures analysis of covariance found significant improvements over time on the Oswestry Disability Index (Primary Outcome), the Numerical Rating Scale, Fear Avoidance-PA scale, and the EuroQol EQ-5D-3L Weighted Health Index (P < 0.05), but no significant between-group differences and small between-group effect sizes (WP: mean difference at 6 months, 6.89 Oswestry Disability Index points, 95% confidence interval [CI] -3.64 to -10.15; EC: -5.91, CI: -2.68 to -9.15; UP: -5.09, CI: -1.93 to -8.24). The WP had the lowest mean costs and the highest level of adherence. Supervised walking provides an effective alternative to current forms of CLBP management.

Síntese sol-gel de biomateriais à base de água de fontes hidrotermais para otimização do comportamento celular e regeneração dos tecidos ósseos

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências Biomédicas, 18 de Março de 2016, Universidade dos Açores.

Exposição de profissionais de saúde a radiações ionizantes : confiança dos profissionais nas leituras de dosimetria individual

Resumo - O avanço tecnológico e científico no campo da Medicina tem favorecido a aplicação das radiações ionizantes nas áreas da Medicina Nuclear, Radiologia, Radioterapia e noutras especialidades relacionadas com a medicina de intervenção, como a Cardiologia. As Organizações de Saúde, com profissionais com risco de exposição a radiações ionizantes, são responsáveis, legislativamente, por assegurar a sua vigilância. Certificando a observação controlada das doses de exposição, os profissionais são monitorizados com dosímetros individuais e submetidos a vigilância médica. As leituras de dosímetria individual destes profissionais, originam por vezes, nos próprios, desconfianças e incertezas quanto aos valores medidos. Objectivo: avaliar o grau de confiança dos profissionais de saúde, expostos a radiações ionizantes, no sistema de monitorização individual. Metodologia: estudo observacional do tipo analítico- transversal, por questionário. Amostra de 190 Técnicos de Diagnóstico e Terapêutica de Cardiopneumologia, Medicina Nuclear, Radiologia, Radioterapia, expostos a radiações ionizantes, que exercem a sua actividade profissional em hospitais do concelho de Lisboa. Resultados: 51,1% dos Técnicos de Diagnóstico e Terapêutica não confiam nas leituras dos dosímetros, não se determinou uma relação estatisticamente significativa entre essa confiança, o tipo de dosímetro e a empresa que realiza as leituras. A confiança é maior nos que exercem em Organizações de Saúde públicas. 40,2% das Organizações de Saúde apresentam plano de vigilância médica, constatando-se uma falta de conformidade entre os Técnicos de Diagnóstico e Terapêutica, nalguns hospitais, relativamente à existência desse plano no respectivo hospital. A margem de erro associado ao estudo é de 5,09%, com um nível de confiança de 95%. -----------Abstract - The technological and scientific advances in the field of medicine has encouraged the application of ionizing radiation with a considerable positive contribution in the areas of Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Radiotherapy and other specialties related to medical intervention like Cardiology. The Health Organizations that arise the risk of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and is their responsibility to ensure monitoring, according the law. To ensure the monitoring of controlled doses of exposure, the exposed works use an individual dosimeter and undergo medical supervision. The individual dosimetry readings of health-care professionals, is sometimes questionable for themselves, arising distrust and uncertainty about the values measured. Objective: evaluate the degree of confidence of health professionals, exposed to radiation, on the system of individual monitoring. Methods: Observational study of cross-type analysis by questionnaire. Sample of 190 of technologists of Cardiopneumology, Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Radiotherapy, exposed to ionizing radiation, which work in hospitals on the region of Lisbon. Results: 51.1% of technologists does not rely on the readings of their dosimeters, and wasn’t determined a statistically significant relationship between this trust, the type of dosimeter and the company that makes the readings(s) of their(s) dosimeter(s). The confidence in the readings is higher in public Health Organizations. 40.2% of the Health Organizations have medical monitoring plan and there is a disagreement between technologists, in some hospitals, relatively to the existence of this plan in their hospital. It was estimated that the u

Switch to Sirolimus-based immunosuppresion in stable renal transplant recipients

Purpose: Sirolimus (SRL) has been used to replace calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) for various indications including CNI-induced toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching from CNI to SRL in stable renal transplant recipients (RTR) with low grade proteinuria (<1 g/24 h). Methods and materials: Between 2001 and 2007, 41 patients (20 females, 21 males; mean age 47 ± 13) were switched after a median time post-transplantation of 73.5 months (range 0.2-273.2 months). Indications for switch were CNI nephrotoxicity (39%), thrombotic micro-angiopathy (14.6%), post-transplantation cancer (24.4%), CNI neurotoxicity (7.4%), or others (14.6%). Mean follow-up after SRL switch was 23.8±16.3 months. Mean SRL dosage and through levels were 2.4 ± 1.1 mg/day and 8 ± 2.2 ug/l respectively. Immunosuppressive regiments were SRL + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (31.7%), SRL + MMF + prednisone (36.58%), SRL + prednisone (19.51%), SRL + Azathioprine (9.75%), or SRL alone (2.43%). Results: Mean creatinine decreased from 164 to 143 μmol/l (p <0.03), mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased significantly from 50.13 to 55.01 ml/minute (p <0.00001), mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 138 to 132 mm Hg (p <0.03) and from 83 to78 mm Hg (p <0.01), but mean proteinuria increased from 0.21 to 0.63 g/24 h (p <0.001). While mean total cholesterolemia didn't increased significantly from 5.09 to 5.56 mmol/l (p = 0.06). The main complications after SRL switch were dermatitis (19.5%), urinary tract infections (24.4%), ankle edema (13.3%), and transient oral ulcers (20%). Acute rejection after the switch occurred in 7.3% of patients (n = 3), and 2 acute rejections were successfully treated with corticosteroids and 1 did not respond to treatment (not related to switch). SRL had to be discontinued in 17% of patients (2 nephrotic syndromes, 2 severe edema, 1 acute rejection, 1 thrombotic micro-angiopathy, and 1 fever). Conclusion: In conclusion, we found that switching from CNI to SRL in stable RTR was safe and associated with a significant improvement of renal function and blood pressure. Known side-effects of SRL led to drug discontinuation in less than 20% of patients and the acute rejection rate was 7.3%. This experience underlines the importance of patient selection before switching to SRL, in particular regarding preswitch proteinuria.

Spin labile conducting metallopolymers : a new architecture for hybrid multifunctional materials

The synthesis of 3-ethynylthienyl- (2.07), 3-ethynylterthienyl- (2.19) substituted qsal [qsalH = N-(8-quinolyl)salicylaldimine] and 3,3' -diethynyl-2,2' -bithienyl bridging bisqsal (5.06) ligands are described along with the preparation and characterization of eight cationic iron(III) complexes containing these ligands with a selection of counteranions [(2.07) with: SCN- (2.08), PF6- (2.09), and CI04- (2.10); (2.19) with PF6 - (2.20); (5.06) with: cr (5.07), SeN- (5.08), PF6- (5.09), and CI04- (5.10)]. Spin-crossover is observed in the solid state for (2.08) - (2.10) and (5.07) - (5.10), including a ve ry rare S = 5/2 to 3/2 spin-crossover in complex (2.09). The unusal reduction of complex (2.10) produces a high-spin iron(I1) complex (2.12). Six iron(II) complexes that are derived from thienyl analogues of bispicen [bispicen = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-diamine] [2,5-thienyl substituents = H- (3.11), Phenyl- (3.12), 2- thienyl (3.13) or N-phenyl-2-pyridinalimine ligands [2,5-phenyl substituents = diphenyl (3.23), di(2-thienyl) (3.24), 4-phenyl substituent = 3-thienyl (3.25)] are reported Complexes (3.11), (3.23) and (3.25) display thermal spin-crossover in the solid state and (3.12) remains high-spin at all temperatures. Complex (3.13) rearranges to form an iron(II) complex (3.14) with temperature dependent magnetic properties be s t described as a one-dimensional ferromagnetic chain, with interchain antiferromagnetic interactions and/or ZFS dominant at low temperatures. Magnetic succeptibility and Mossbauer data for complex (3.24) display a temperature dependent mixture of spin isomers. The preparation and characterization of two cobalt(II) complexes containing 3- ethynylthienyl- (4.04) and 3-ethynylterhienyl- (4.06) substituted bipyridine ligands [(4.05): [Co(dbsqh(4.04)]; (4.07): [Co(dbsq)2(4.06)]] [dbsq = 3,5-dbsq=3,5-di-tert-butylI ,2-semiquinonate] are reported. Complexes (4.05) and (4.07) exhibit thermal valence tautomerism in the solid state and in solution. Self assembly of complex (2.10) into polymeric spheres (6.11) afforded the first spincrossover, polydisperse, micro- to nanoscale material of its kind. . Complexes (2.20), (3.24) and (4.07) also form polymers through electrochemical synthesis to produce hybrid metaUopolymer films (6.12), (6.15) and (6.16), respectively. The films have been characterized by EDX, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements demonstrate that spin lability is operative in the polymers and conductivity measurements confirm the electron transport properties. Polymer (6.15) has a persistent oxidized state that shows a significant decrease in electrical resistance.

Guia per a l'adaptació a l'espai europeu d'educació superior: 7. L'avaluació contínua

El Consell de Govern núm. 5/09, de 28 de maig de 2009, va aprovar la normativa de sistemes d’avaluació dels estudiants en els estudis oficials de grau de la Universitat de Girona. En aquesta normativa es declara, entre altres precisions, que “atès que l’aprenentatge és un procés, els sistemes d’avaluació utilitzats a la UdG es basen en els principis de l’avaluació contínua”. A partir d’aquesta referència a la normativa, es presenta aquí un text que pot servir d’ajuda en relació amb aquesta modalitat d’avaluació, que ofereix avantatges per a l’alumnat i també per a la satisfacció de la funció docent del professorat. D’altra banda, en el quadern de la Guia per a l’adaptació a l’espai europeu dedicat a l’avaluació de l’aprenentatge s’insistia en una idea que vol presidir la redacció d’aquest document: l’avaluació ha de ser sostenible, en el sentit que no pot comportar per al professorat una sobrecàrrega en la seva activitat docent

Composition, color, and texture of Thai indigenous and broiler chicken muscles

Chemical compositions and physical properties of mixed-sex Thai indigenous (Gallus domesticus) and broiler (commercial breed, CP707) chicken biceps femoris and pectoralis muscles were determined. Indigenous chicken muscles contained higher protein contents but lower fat and ash contents compared to broiler muscles (P < 0.001). The amino acid profile of the indigenous chicken muscles was similar to that of the broiler muscles except they were slightly richer in glutamic acid (P < 0.05). The indigenous chicken muscles contained more saturated and less polyunsaturated fatty acids than the broiler muscles. There were no differences in the monounsaturated fatty acid contents between the breeds. The total collagen contents of indigenous pectoralis and biceps femoris muscles were 5.09 and 12.85 mg/g, respectively, which were higher than those found in broiler pectoralis (3.86 mg/g) and biceps femoris muscles (8.70 mg/g) (P < 0.001). Soluble collagen contents were lower for indigenous pectoralis and biceps femoris muscles, 22.16 vs. 31.38% and 26.06 vs. 33.87%, respectively. The CIE system values of lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) of indigenous chicken muscles were higher than those of broiler muscles. The shear values of indigenous chicken muscles either raw or cooked were higher than those of broiler muscles (P < 0.05). After cooking, the shear values decreased for broiler biceps femoris and pectoralis muscles (P < 0.05), whereas no change was observed for indigenous chicken biceps femoris muscle (P > 0.05). Shear values increased for indigenous chicken pectoralis muscle (P < 0.05).

Effect of pH, temperature and surface contact on the elaboration of fimbriae and flagella by Salmonella serotype Enteritidis

Survival of enteric pathogens exposed to various environmental stresses depends upon a number of protective responses, some of which are associated with induction of virulence determinants. Flagella and fimbriae are putative virulence determinants of Salmonella spp, and ELISAs specific for the detection of flagella and SEF21, SEF14 and SEF17 fimbriae were used to assess the effect of temperature and pH upon their elaboration by isolates of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis in planktonic growth and on the surface of two-dimensional gradient agar plates, For three phage type 4 isolates of Enteritidis of comparative clinical provenance, similar phenotypes for the elaboration of these surface antigens were observed. SEF14 fimbriae were elaborated in planktonic growth at 37 degrees C, but not 20 degrees C, at pH 4.77 and above but not at pH 4.04; whereas on agar gradient plates SEF14 fimbriae were elaborated poorly but with best yields at pH 4.04, SEF17 fimbriae were elaborated in planktonic growth at 20 degrees C, but not at 37 degrees C, at pH 6.18 and above but not at pH 5.09 or below; whereas on agar gradient plates SEF17 fimbriae were elaborated well even at pH 4.65, SEF21 fimbriae were expressed very poorly under all conditions tested, Planktonic growth at 37 degrees C induced least flagella whereas growth at 20 degrees C, and particularly surface growth at lower pH values, induced a 'hyper-flagellate' phenotype, Single colonies allowed to form on gradient agar plates were shown to generate different colonial morphologies which were dependent on initial pH. These results demonstrate that the physicochemical environment is an important determinant of bacterial response, especially the induction of putative virulence factors.

Under-reporting of energy intake is more prevalent in a healthy dietary pattern cluster

The aim of the present study was to determine whether under-reporting rates vary between dietary pattern Clusters. Subjects were sixty-five Brazilian women. During 3 weeks, anthropometric data were collected. total energy expenditure (TEE) was determined by the doubly labelled water method and diet Was Measured. Energy intake (El) and the daily frequency of consumption per 1000 kJ of twenty-two food groups were obtained from a FFQ. These frequencies were entered into a Cluster analysis procedure in order to obtain dietary patterns. Under-reporters were defined Lis those who did not lose more than 1 kg of body weight during the study and presented EI:TEE less than 0.82. Three dietary pattern clusters were identified and named according to their most recurrent food groups: sweet foods (SW). starchy foods (ST) and health), (H). Subjects from the healthy cluster had the lowest mean EI:TEE (SW = 0.86, ST = 0.71 and H = 0.58: P = 0.003) and EI - TEE (SW = -0.49 MJ, ST = - 3.20 MJ and H = -5.09 MJ; P = 0.008). The proportion of Under-reporters was 45.2 (95 % CI 35.5, 55.0) % in the SW Cluster: 58.3 (95 % CI 48.6, 68.0) % in the ST Cluster and 70.0 (95 % CI 61.0, 79) % in the H cluster (P=0.34). Thus, in Brazilian women, Under-reporting of El is not uniformly distributed among, dietary pattern clusters and tends to be more severe among subjects from the healthy cluster. This cluster is more consistent with both dietary guidelines and with what lay individuals usually consider `healthy eating`.

Pre-exercise carbohydrate ingestion : effect of the glycemic index on endurance exercise performance

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of glycemic index of pre-exercise carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion on exercise metabolism and performance.

Methods: Eight endurance trained men ingested a high glycemic index (HGI), low glycemic index (LGI), or a placebo (CON) meal 45 min before exercise and then cycled for 50 min at 67% V·O_2max. Subjects subsequently performed a 15-min self-paced performance ride in which total work (kJ) was recorded.

Results: Plasma glucose concentrations were higher (P < 0.01) after ingestion in HGI compared with LGI and CON (7.53 ± 0.64 vs 5.55 ± 0.21 and 4.65 ± 0.14 mmol·L^-1 for HGI, LGI, and CON, respectively, 30 min postprandial; mean ± SE) but declined at the onset of exercise and were lower (P < 0.01) compared with LGI and CON (4.03 ± 0.31 vs 4.64 ± 0.24 and 5.09 ± 0.16 mmol·L^-1 for HGI, LGI, and CON respectively; mean ± SE) at 10 min of exercise. Plasma glucose remained depressed (P < 0.01) until 30 min into exercise in HGI compared with other trials. Plasma insulin concentrations were higher (P < 0.01) following ingestion during rest and exercise in HGI compared with LGI and CON. Plasma FFA concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) following ingestion in HGI and LGI compared with CON and higher (P < 0.05) in LGI compared with HGI at the start and end of exercise. RER and CHO oxidation was higher (P < 0.01) in HGI compared with LGI and CON during submaximal exercise. There were no differences in work output during the performance cycle.


Conclusions: These data indicate that pre-exercise CHO feedings with varying glycemic indexes do not affect exercise performance following short term submaximal exercise despite alterations in metabolism.

Skeletal morbidity among survivors of critical illness

Objectives: To describe the incident fracture rate in survivors of critical illness and to compare fracture risk with populationmatched control subjects.

Design: Retrospective longitudinal case– cohort study.

Setting: A tertiary adult intensive care unit in Australia. Patients: All patients ventilated admitted to intensive care and requiring mechanical ventilation for >48 hrs between January 1998 and December 2005.

Interventions: None.

Measurements and Main Results: New fractures were identified in the study population for the postintensive care unit period (intensive care unit discharge to January 2008). The incident fracture rate and age-adjusted fracture risk of the female intensive care unit population were compared with the general population adult females derived from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Over the 8-yr period, a total of 739 patients (258 women, 481 men) were identified. After a median follow-up of 3.7 yrs (interquartile range, 2.0–5.9 yrs) for women and 4.0 yrs (interquartile range, 2.1–6.1 yrs) for men, incident fracture rates (95% confidence interval) per 100 patient years were 3.84 (2.58 –5.09) for females 2.41 (1.73–3.09) for males. Compared with an age-matched random population-based sample of women, elderly women were at increased risk for sustaining an osteoporosisrelated fracture after critical illness (hazard ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.08 –2.52; p .02).

Conclusions: The increase in fracture risk observed in postintensive care unit older females suggests an association between critical illness and subsequent skeletal morbidity. The explanation for this association is not explored in this study and includes the effects of pre-existing patient factors and/or direct effects of critical illness. Prospective research evaluating risk factors, the relationship between critical illness and bone turnover, the extent and duration of bone loss, and the associated morbidity in this population is warranted.