Exposure to acellular blood products and risk of HIV infection in hemophiliacs from Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Results of a HIV prevalence study conducted in hemophiliacs from Belo Horizonte, Brazil are presented. History of exposure to acellular blood components was determined for the five year period prior to entry in the study, which occurred during 1986 and 1987. Patients with coagulations disorders (hemophilia A = 132, hemophilia B = 16 and coagulation disorders other than hemophilia = 16) were transfused with liquid cryoprecipitate, locally produced, lyophilized cryoprecipitate, imported from São Paulo (Brazil) and factor VIII and IX, imported from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Europe, and United States. Thirty six (22%) tested HIV seropositive. The univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic model) demonstrated that the risk of HIV infection during the study period was associated with the total units of acellular blood components transfused. In addition, the proportional contribution of the individual components to the total acellular units transfused, namely a increase in factor VIII/IX and lyophilized cryoprecipitate proportions, were found to be associated with HIV seropositivity. This analysis suggest that not only the total amount of units was an important determinant of HIV infection, but that the risk was also associated with the specific component of blood transfused

Evaluation of Opuntia spp. bioactive products as promising natural chemotherapeutical agents- an in vitro approach

Dissertation to obtain a Master Degree in Biotechnology

Residual effect of two Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis products assayed against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in laboratory and outdoors at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Resistance of the dengue vector to temephos stimulated its substitution for Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) since 2001 in Brazil. The persistence of the two Bti formulations employed at that time by the Health Ministry, Vectobac G and Aquabac G, was assayed under laboratory and outdoor conditions. Both formulations were tested at 0.2 g/10 liters of water, the same concentration applied in the field for vector control. The tests were done against Ae. aegypti third instar larvae (Rockefeller strain). In the laboratory, Vectobac G and Aquabac G caused at least 95% mortality until 101 and 45 days after treatment, respectively. In the outdoor assays, test containers of different materials were treated with either formulation and placed in a shaded area. Larvae were introduced each 3-6 days and mortality was recorded 24 and 48 hours later. In the first set of assays, performed in June 2001, mortality levels of 70% or more were attained for 2-5 weeks for both formulations in all containers. The exception was for the iron one that rusted, resulting in low mortality after seven days. In the second set of assays (August 2001), 70% mortality was attained for just 1-2 weeks for all the containers and both formulations.

Validation of QuEChERS method for organochlorine pesticides analysis in tamarind (Tamarindus indica) products: Peel, fruit and commercial pulp

In this study a citrate-buffered version of QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method for determination of 14 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in tamarind peel, fruit and commercial pulp was optimized using gas chromatography (GC) coupled with electron-capture detector (ECD) and confirmation by GC tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). Five procedures were tested based on the original QuEChERS method. The best one was achieved with increased time in ultrasonic bath. For the extract clean-up, primary secondary amine (PSA), octadecyl-bonded silica (C18) and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) were used as sorbents for tamarind fruit and commercial pulp and for peel was also added graphitized carbon black (GCB). The samples mass was optimized according to the best recoveries (1.0 g for peel and fruit; 0.5 g for pulp). The method results showed the matrix-matched calibration curve linearity was r2 > 0.99 for all target analytes in all samples. The overall average recoveries (spiked at 20, 40 and 60 μg kg−1) have been considered satisfactory presenting values between 70 and 115% with RSD of 2–15 % (n = 3) for all analytes, with the exception of HCB (in peel sample). The ranges of limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for OCPs were for peel (LOD: 8.0–21 μg kg−1; LOQ: 27–98 μg kg−1); for fruit (LOD: 4–10 μg kg−1; LOQ: 15–49 μg kg−1) and for commercial pulp (LOD: 2–5 μg kg−1; LOQ: 7–27 μg kg−1). The method was successfully applied in tamarind samples being considered a rapid, sensitive and reliable procedure.

Excretion-secretion products and proteases from live Sporothrix schenckii yeast phase: immunological detection and cleavage of human IgG

Antigenic preparations from Sporothrix schenckii usually involve materials from mixed cultures of yeast and mycelia presenting cross-reactions with other deep mycoses. We have standardized pure yeast phase with high viability of the cells suitable to obtain specific excretion-secretion products without somatic contaminations. These excretion-secretion products were highly immunogenic and did not produce noticeable cross-reactions in either double immunodiffusion or Western blot. The antigenic preparation consists mainly of proteins with molecular weights between 40 and 70 kDa, some of them with proteolytic activity in mild acidic conditions. We also observed cathepsin-like activity at two days of culture and chymotrypsin-like activity at four days of culture consistent with the change in concentration of different secreted proteins. The proteases were able to cleave different subclasses of human IgG suggesting a sequential production of antigens and molecules that could interact and interfere with the immune response of the host.

Effects of Chlorophenoxy Herbicides and Their Main Transformation Products on DNA Damage and Acetylcholinesterase Activity

Persistent pesticide transformation products (TPs) are increasingly being detected among different environmental compartments, including groundwater and surface water. However, there is no sufficient experimental data on their toxicological potential to assess the risk associated with TPs, even if their occurrence is known. In this study, the interaction of chlorophenoxy herbicides (MCPA, mecoprop, 2,4-D and dichlorprop) and their main transformation products with calf thymus DNA by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy has been assessed. Additionally, the toxicity of the chlorophenoxy herbicides and TPs was also assessed evaluating the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. On the basis of the results found, it seems that AChE is not the main target of chlorophenoxy herbicides and their TPs. However, the results found showed that the transformation products displayed a higher inhibitory activity when compared with the parent herbicides. The results obtained in the DNA interaction studies showed, in general, a slight effect on the stability of the double helix. However, the data found for 4-chloro-2-methyl-6-nitrophenol suggest that this transformation product can interact with DNA through a noncovalent mode.

Significance of Biogenic Amines in Cold-Smoked Fish and Their Relation to Microbiological Characteristics of Products Available in Portuguese Retail Markets

Studies on microbial characterization of cold-smoked salmon and salmon trout during cold storage were performed on samples available in the Portuguese market. Samples were also classified microbiologically according to guidelines for ready-to-eat (RTE) products. Further investigations on sample variability and microbial abilities to produce tyramine and histamine were also performed. The coefficient of variation for viable counts of different groups of microorganisms of samples collected at retail market point was high in the first 2 wk of storage, mainly in the Enterobacteriaceae group and aerobic plate count (APC), suggesting that microbiological characteristics of samples were different in numbers, even within the same batch from the same producer. This variation seemed to be decreased when storage and temperature were controlled under lab conditions. The numbers of Enterobacteriaceae were influenced by storage temperature, as indicated by low microbial numbers in samples from controlled refrigeration. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Enterobacteriaceae were predominant in commercial products, a significant percentage of which were tyramine and less histamine producers. These results might be influenced by (1) the technological processes in the early stages of production, (2) contamination during the smoking process, and (3) conditions and temperature fluctuations during cold storage at retail market point of sale.

Aplicação da abordagem KAIZEN na produção de artigos de papelaria

No âmbito da unidade curricular Tese/Dissertação do 2ºano do Mestrado em Engenharia Eletrotécnica – Ramo Sistemas e Planeamento Industrial do Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, o presente trabalho descreve o estágio curricular efetuado num projeto industrial de melhoria em parceria com o Kaizen Institute, uma empresa de consultoria operacional. Este projeto foi desenvolvido numa empresa de produção e redistribuição de artigos de papelaria e escritório, a Firmo AVS – Papeis e Papelaria,S.A.. O acordo efetuado entre o Kaizen Institute e a Firmo AVS foi o de promover e incutir a cultura da melhoria continua e da mudança de atitudes e comportamentos por parte dos colaboradores da Firmo, sendo que numa fase inicial o foco do projeto foi o departamento de produção de envelopes, designada por área piloto, expandindo-se posteriormente a metodologia Kaizen aos restantes departamentos. A realização deste projeto teve como objetivo a implementação de conceitos elementares de melhoria continua nomeadamente alguns pilares ou ferramentas do Total Flow Management (TFM) e do Kaizen Management System (KMS) na empresa Firmo, de forma a reduzir ou eliminar desperdícios, incremento do envolvimento dos colaboradores, melhoria da comunicação e trabalho em equipa, estandardização de processos produtivos, criação de normas de trabalho, utilização de ferramentas SMED para a redução de tempos improdutivos e aumento da produtividade. Várias foram as dificuldades presentes no terreno para a implementação destes objetivos mas com as diversas ferramentas e workshops realizados na organização, conseguiu-se o envolvimento de todos os colaboradores da organização e a obtenção de resultados satisfatórios nomeadamente ao nível da comunicação e trabalho em equipa, organização e limpeza dos postos de trabalho, standard work (normalização do trabalho), diminuição do lead time nos processos produtivos e consequente aumento de produtividade.

Farm 2.0 Using Wordpress to Manage Geocontent and Promote Regional Food Products

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

Internship report: A guide to structured products – Reverse convertible on S&P500

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Finance from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

A communication strategy for Continente: proposals to promote fresh products of Continente’s own brands

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Structural and functional characterization of the gene products responsible for phototrophic iron oxidation by purple bacteria

Dissertação para a obtenção de grau de doutor em Bioquímica pelo Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica. Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Development and Characterization of bioactive, edible whey protein films and coatings to improve quality and safety of Food products

Dissertação para a obtenção de grau de doutor em Ciências da Engenharia e Tecnologia

Healthy brand extentions targeted at adolescents: Can products encourage healthier eating habits and still be fun?

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Social networks as glocal products: The case of Facebook

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics