Fast method for the determination of short-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (scl-PHAs) in bacterial samples by In Vial-Thermolysis (IVT)

none8siA new method based on the GC–MS analysis of thermolysis products obtained by treating bacterial samples at a high temperature (above 270 C) has been developed. This method, here named “In-Vial- Thermolysis” (IVT), allowed for the simultaneous determination of short-chain-length polyhydrox- yalkanoates (scl-PHA) content and composition. The method was applied to both single strains and microbial mixed cultures (MMC) fed with different carbon sources. The IVT procedure provided similar analytical performances compared to previous Py-GC–MS and Py- GC-FID methods, suggesting a similar application for PHA quantitation in bacterial cells. Results from the IVT procedure and the traditional methanolysis method were compared; the correlation between the two datasets was fit for the purpose, giving a R2 of 0.975. In search of further simplification, the rationale of IVT was exploited for the development of a “field method” based on the titration of thermolyzed samples with sodium hydrogen carbonate to quantify PHA inside bacterial cells. The accuracy of the IVT method was fit for the purpose. These results lead to the possibility for the on-line measurement of PHA productivity. Moreover, they allow for the fast and inexpensive quantification/characterization of PHA for biotechnological process control, as well as investigation over various bacterial communities and/or feeding strategies.mixedF. Abbondanzi; G. Biscaro; G. Carvalho; L. Favaro; P. Lemos; M. Paglione; C. Samorì; C. TorriF. Abbondanzi; G. Biscaro; G. Carvalho; L. Favaro; P. Lemos; M. Paglione; C. Samorì; C. Torr

Education, employment and practice: Midwifery graduates in Papua New Guinea

© 2016 The Authors Background Papua New Guinea has a very high maternal mortality rate (773/100,000), low rates of supervised births and a critical shortage of skilled midwives. A midwifery education initiative commenced in 2012, funded by the Australian Government and led by the National Department of Health. One specific objective of the initiative was to improve the standard of clinical teaching and practice in four schools of midwifery. There were 394 midwives educated over the 4 year period (2012–2015) representing half of all midwives in Papua New Guinea. A study was undertaken to describe the educational programme, employment, practices and experiences of graduates who studied midwifery in 2012 and 2013 as part of the initiative. Objective the aim of this paper is to explore the education, employment and practice of newly graduated midwives in Papua New Guinea. Design a mixed methods descriptive study design was used. Surveys and focus groups were used to gather data. Ethical approval was granted by the relevant Human Research Ethics Committees. Setting and participants all midwifery graduates in 2012 and 2013 from the four midwifery schools in Papua New Guinea were included in the study and almost 80% were contacted. Findings nearly 90% of graduates were working as midwives, with an additional 3% working as midwifery or nursing educators. This study discovered that graduates exhibited increased skills acquisition and confidence, leadership in maternal and newborn care services and a marked improvement in the provision of respectful care to women. The graduates faced challenges to implement evidence based care with barriers including the lack of appropriate resources and differences of opinion with senior staff. Conclusions factors affecting the quality of midwifery education will need to be addressed if Papua New Guinea is to continue to improve the status of maternal and newborn health. Specifically, the length of the midwifery education, the quality of clinical practice and the exposure to rural and remote area practice need addressing in many contexts like Papua New Guinea

A Prospective, Randomized Trial of Structured Treatment Interruption for Patients with Chronic HIV Type 1 Infection

Background. Structured treatment interruption was evaluated in 74 patients who had been pretreated with antiretrovirals, consisting of 2 nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) for 1 year followed by 3 years of highly active antiretroviral therapy containing a protease inhibitor. Methods. Patients with a CD4 cell count of ⩾350 cells/µL and a plasma viral load of <50 copies/mL were randomized to 3 therapy arms: (1) continuous therapy, (2) CD4 cell count—guided theory, and (3) week-on/week-off (WOWO) therapy. The efficacy and safety of structured treatment interruption and antiretroviral use were evaluated in human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1)—infected patients. The study end points were percentage of patients who developed AIDS or who died and a CD4 cell count of ⩾350 cells/µL. Intergroup differences were analyzed using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results. Baseline characteristics at the start of the structured treatment interruption were similar. At week 48, no patient had died, and 1 patient in the WOWO group had an AIDS-defining condition. The proportions of patients with a CD4 cell count of ⩾350 cells/µL were 100%, 87%, and 96% in treatment arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The percentages of weeks of antiretroviral use were 100%, 41.1%, and 69.8% in arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The adverse events were not significantly different among arms (P = .27). Thirty-one percent of patients in the WOWO group experienced virological failure. Conclusion. WOWO therapy maintained a CD4 cell count of ⩾350 cells/µL in almost all patients but was associated with high virological failures rates (possibly resulting from previous dual-NRTI therapy), indicating that this strategy is less useful. Receipt of CD4 cell count—guided therapy resulted in comparable clinical outcomes to continuous therapy and may save antiretroviral-associated costs, but this needs to be confirmed by a larger tria

Choline-based eutectic mixtures as catalysts for effective synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2

CO2 is a renewable, abundant and cheap C1-feedstock and its conversion to cyclic carbonates starting from epoxides has been widely explored in the last years. Nevertheless, conducting this reaction under mild and sustainable conditions is still a challenging task. Herein we present the use of choline-salt based eutectic mixtures as catalysts for the reaction of CO2 with epoxides to give cyclic carbonates. Choline chloride and choline iodide have been coupled with various hydrogen bond donors (HBDs), mainly cheap and bio-based carboxylic acids and polyols, to form two classes of eutectic mixtures. Very good yields were achieved under mild conditions (80 \u25e6C in 7\u201322 h) for various terminal epoxides, with both classes of catalysts. While a pressure of 0.4 MPa of CO2 is required to obtain appreciable conversions using choline chloride-based mixture, atmospheric pressure of CO2 (balloon) has been successfully used with choline iodide-based mixtures. Furthermore, the catalysts could be recycled without appreciable loss of the catalytic activity. The improved catalytic performance of both cholinebased eutectic mixtures is attributed to the synergistic activity of the halide, responsible for the opening of the epoxy-ring, and the HBD that has a role in the stabilization of the alkoxide intermediate

Resposta espácio-temporal de corço a novos ambientes

The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a relatively well studied ungulate species in central Europe and one of the most numerous. However, this information is not as extensive for the southern limit of the species distribution, which means that the factors that shape the roe deer distribution, as well as its ranging behaviour in a Mediterranean habitat, are relatively unknown. Since 2013, four roe deer reintroduction events have taken place in central Portugal with the aim to create a pool of wielding natural prey for the endangered Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) aiming to decrease wolf attacks to livestock. Using GPS data from the tracked animals in the reintroduction project, the purpose of this study was to 1) analyse the home range establishment of the reintroduced populations of roe deer from 2013 until 2017; 2) examine the spatio-temporal responses of these populations to novel environments under fire disturbances occurring in the same four years period. Concerning the first objective the analysis showed that at release, animals tended to move away from the release point to then stabilize their movement rates. These animals maintained home ranges of a rather constant size, possibly due to availability of resources, or social fences. Regarding the second objective, animals in proximity to a fire event showed a sharp decrease in the distance between subsequent weekly home ranges, which mirror a fast response to the disturbance caused by fire, as well as shrinkage of their home range size. This thesis provides a valuable preliminary evaluation of the success of the reintroduction in central Portugal. Therefore, this study will help guide current and future management efforts regarding species reintroductions. Moreover, it represents an assessment, among the first of this kind with GPS telemetry, regarding the effect of disturbance effect on movement behaviour of a large herbivore, including fire events.O corço (Capreolus capreolus) é uma espécie de ungulados relativamente bem estudada na Europa central e uma das mais numerosas. Contudo, esta informação não é tão extensa no que concerne à distribuição da espécie no Sul, pelo que os fatores que condicionam a distribuição do corço e o seu comportamento, num habitat Mediterrâneo, são relativamente desconhecidos. Desde 2013, quatro eventos de reintrodução de corço tiveram lugar no centro de Portugal com o objetivo de criar um conjunto de presas naturais para o ameaçado lobo ibérico (Canis lupus signatus) com vista à diminuição dos seus ataques ao gado doméstico. Usando os dados do GPS dos animais rastreados no projeto de reintrodução, o objetivo deste estudo foi 1) analisar o estabelecimento das áreas vitais das populações reintroduzidas entre 2013 e 2017; 2) examinar as respostas espácio-temporais dessas populações aos novos ambientes resultantes da perturbação causada pelos incêndios ocorridos durante o referido período. Sobre o primeiro objetivo, a análise mostrou que, aquando da sua libertação os animais tendem a afastar-se do ponto de libertação, estabilizando, posteriormente, os seus movimentos. A dimensão das áreas vitais mantidas pelos animais não variou quando se comparou o momento de libertação com os meses que se sucederam, o que, provavelmente, resultou de uma combinação entre a disponibilidade de recursos e a existência de barreiras sociais (tais como a territorialidade). No tocante ao segundo objetivo, no período imediatamente a seguir à ocorrência de um incêndio, os indivíduos demostraram uma clara redução a nível de movimento, o que se refletiu na diminuição das áreas vitais mantidas pelos animais, espelhando uma rápida resposta à perturbação causada pelo fogo. Este estudo para além de fornecer uma avaliação preliminar do sucesso da reintrodução do corço no centro de Portugal, também contribuirá para ajudar na gestão de esforços, atuais e futuros, relativamente à reintrodução de espécies. Além disso, representa uma das primeiras avaliações, dispondo de tecnologia GPS, no que concerne aos efeitos de elementos perturbadores, como o fogo, nos movimentos de um grande herbívoro.Il capriolo europeo (Capreolus capreolus) è una specie ben studiata in Europa Centrale e Settentrionale, nonché una delle più numerose. Tuttavia, lo stesso non si può dire per la parte più meridionale del suo areale di distribuzione, il che signifca che i determinati ecologici dell’uso dello spazio del capriolo in habitat mediterraneo, sono, ad oggi, relativamente poco conosciuti. A partire dal 2013, sono stati effettuati quattro eventi di reintroduzione della specie nel Portogallo centrale, con lo scopo di creare un pool di prede naturali per il lupo cantarbico (Canis lupus signatus), in ultima analisi per ridurre il livello di danni inflitti da quest’ultimo al patrimonio zootecnico. Utilizzando dati GPS raccolti da animali rilasciati e dotati di radio-collare, gli scopi del presente studio sono stati quelli di 1) analizzare il meccanismo di formazione dell’home range in una popolazione di caprioli reintrodotti dal 2013 al 2017; 2) esaminare la risposta spazio-temporale di queste popolazioni ad una perturbazione del sistema come quella causata dai vasti incendi occorsi in questi ultimi anni. Per quanto concerne il primo obbiettivo, le analisi hanno mostrato che al rilascio gli animali tendono a muoversi rapidamente dal sito di rilascio, per poi stabilizzarsi nel tempo ad una certa distanza dal sito di rilascio stesso. La dimensione degli home range non cambia dal momento del rilascio per i mesi a venire, presumibilmente per una combinazioe di disponibilità di risorse e/o barriere sociali (esempio: territorialità). Per quanto riguarda il secondo obbiettivo, nell’immediato periodo successivo allo sviluppo di un incendio i caprioli mostrano una chiara riduzione del livello di movimento, nonché una riduzione delle dimensioni dell’home range. Questa tesi rappresenta una prima valutazione preliminare del successo del progetto di reintroduzione nel Portogallo Centrale. Si auspica che tale studio possa aiutare e guidare le attuali e future scelte gestionali nell’ambito della reintroduzione di questa specie. Infine, tale studio rappresenta uno dei primi casi di analisi dell’effetto degli incendi sui movimenti animali misurati mediante GPS.Mestrado em Ecologia Aplicad

Como as revistas Veja e Época noticiaram o referendo das armas 2005: análise do conteúdo

Este estudo buscou compreender o conteúdo noticioso das revistas Veja e Época acerca do Referendo das Armas votado no Brasil em 23 de outubro de 2005. A pesquisa utilizou as ferramentas da Análise de Conteúdo (AC) para avaliar a fundo o posicionamento destas publicações. A partir da seleção das unidades temáticas do conteúdo destas publicações sobre o assunto em questão, averiguou-se o modo como este Referendo foi divulgado por estes meios de comunicação de massa. E ainda, possibilitou-se conhecer o cenário político que se formava desde a aprovação do Estatuto do Desarmamento, Lei 10.826, de 22 de dezembro de 2003. O trabalho avaliou as publicações dos dias 3 e 5 de outubro de 2005, período decisivo para votação do Referendo das Armas, por tratar-se dos exemplares mais evidentes de uma polarização contra ou à favor do desarmamento, permitindo ainda demonstrar como estas publicações interferiram na construção do entendimento deste Referendo por parte da população e, ao mesmo tempo, refletiram idéias e argumentos difundidos no embate de entidades públicas, como instituições, organizações ou partidos de orientações políticas opostas

Beneficial Fruit-Derived Phytochemicals in Treating Alzheimer’s Disease – A Review

Fruits, as a major source of nutrition have been investigated for their emerging evidence of several neuroprotective activities beneficial to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This paper discusses recent evidence suggesting several fruit-derived bioactive substances that possess anti-AD activity. The original articles from 2011–2022 were collected from Pubmed and Scopus with related keywords and filtered. Several fruit constituents have shown significant inhibitory action against β-amyloid and tau hyperphosphorylation, either directly or indirectly via secretase inhibition. Some were also found to be cholinesterase inhibitors with specific antioxidative roles, disruptors of the neuroinflammation system, and promoters of neurogenesis and the neurogenic process. Many fruit phytochemicals remarkably alter the capability defects shown in AD animal models, such as catechin, nobiletin, and alpha-mangostin. Therefore, further investigations exploring a certain bioactive isolate or formulated dosage form and its mechanism of action are necessary to provide effective prevention and supplementary treatment for AD

Continuing professional development and challenges facing newly graduated midwives in Papua New Guinea

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;The Maternal Mortality Ratio in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 2008 was estimated at more than 700 deaths per 100,000 live births. In recognition of the high MMR, a Ministerial Taskforce was established in 2009 with recommendations to urgently address the workforce capacity in regard to maternal and child health services. In 2010, a new competency-based Bachelor of Midwifery curriculum was introduced into four universities in PNG and an increase in the numbers of midwifery students took place over a four year period.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aim: &lt;/strong&gt;The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Papua New Guinean midwifery graduates from the 2012 and 2013 Bachelor of Midwifery cohorts. These graduates were among the first to complete the revised national midwifery curriculum designed to improve the knowledge and skills of a registered midwife graduate.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Method: &lt;/strong&gt;A descriptive exploratory study was undertaken to explore the experiences of 174 graduates in the first two years post-graduation. All graduates that were able to be contacted were provided with information about the study, consented and were interviewed either face-to-face or by phone/email. Quantitative data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics in SPSS and qualitative data underwent content analysis and coding by the research team.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Findings: &lt;/strong&gt;Almost all (90%) graduates were working as midwives with 39% of graduates working in rural and remote locations across PNG. Midwifery education prepared graduates well for their work as midwives, but many commented that the course needed to be longer to improve feelings of competence. Professional support during their graduate year varied depending on location and motivation of supervisors. Many graduates, particularly those in rural areas, expressed the desire to work under clinical supervision in a hospital setting for a period of 6-12 months at the end of their training to become more skilled and confident prior to seeking employment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Most midwifery graduates from the new curriculum found employment as midwives. Only a minority of graduates have had opportunities for continued professional development or support from a mentor of senior colleague. Regular, ongoing professional development and supervision needs to be initiated for the provision of skilled and evidence based care. Support and incentives for staff to work in rural and remote areas should be considered.&lt;/p&gt;</jats:p