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- An approach to predict chemical composition of goat Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle by Near Infrared Reflectance spectroscopyPublication . Teixeira, Alfredo; Oliveira, António Filipe Gomes de Faria; Paulos, Kátia; Leite, Ana; Marcia, Anabela; Amorim, André; Pereira, Etelvina; Silva, Severiano; Rodrigues, SandraThe ability of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to estimate the protein, moisture, connective tissue and ash content in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle of goat was studied. Samples (n=240) of the LTL muscle were taken from the 8th to 13th rib cut of goat carcasses. Samples were scanned in a FT-NIR Master™ N500 (BÜCHI) over a NIR spectral range of 4000-10,000cm < sup > -1 < /sup > with a resolution of 4cm < sup > -1 < /sup > . It was collected 3 spectra per sample and subsequently, chemical analyses were performed at the Carcass and Meat Quality Laboratory of ESA-IPB. Using NirCal 1.5 it was developed a PLS regression model assaying, first and second derivatives as math treatment and multiplicative scatter correction for minimizing scattering effect on the spectra database recorded (n=240). The best calibrations' models show relatively good predictability for protein (standard error of prediction SEP=0.43; coefficient of determination R < sup > 2 < /sup > =0.91), moisture (SEP=0.48; R < sup > 2 < /sup > =0.92). Calibrations' models obtained are important as a first attempt to predict the chemical composition of goat meat by NIRS. More experimental data are needed to improve the accuracy of these calibrations.
- Sensory Characterization and Consumer Preference Mapping of Fresh Sausages Manufactured with Goat and Sheep MeatPublication . Paulos, Kátia; Rodrigues, Sandra; Oliveira, António Filipe Gomes de Faria; Leite, Ana; Pereira, Etelvina; Teixeira, AlfredoThe main objective of this study was the sensory characterization, by a taste and a consumers' panel, of fresh sausages from 140 culled goats and 140 culled ewes. Species and type of preparation effects were studied. All data were previously analyzed by analysis of variance. Taste panel data were analyzed by a Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA). Consumers' panel data were analyzed by Preference Mapping. The 1st 2 factors explained 88.22% of total variation in GPA. Different sausages samples were perfectly differentiated by assessors. Goat sausages have been considered harder, more fibrous, and less juicy than sheep sausages. The panelists observed that sheep sausages without paprika had greater intensity of flavor, tasted spicy, and had an off-odor, while goat sausages with paprika were considered sweeter. Consumers' panel did not show any preference for the different types of sausages. This means that all types of sausages can have market opportunity.
- Physicochemical properties, fatty acid profile and sensory characteristics of sheep and goat meat sausages manufactured with different pork fat levelsPublication . Leite, Ana; Rodrigues, Sandra; Pereira, Etelvina; Paulos, Kátia; Oliveira, António Filipe Gomes de Faria; Lorenzo Rodriguez, Jose Manuel; Teixeira, AlfredoThe effect of three pork backfat levels (0% vs. 10% vs. 30%) on chemical composition, fatty acid profile and sensory properties on sheep and goat meat sausages was studied. All physicochemical parameters were affected by the addition of pork backfat in both types of sausages. Sausages manufactured with 30% of pork backfat showed the lowest moisture and protein contents and the highest total fat content. The lower a(w) values in sausages manufactured with higher fat content while in pH happened the reverse situation. The addition of pork backfat modified the total fatty acid profile, prompting a significant drop in the relative percentages of C14:0, C16:0, C17:0, C17:1, C18:0 and TVA (trans-vaccenic acid), together with a marked increase in oleic and linoleic acids. Finally, in goat sausages, the fat content significantly affected sensory parameters: taste, texture and overall acceptability (P<0.05). As expected, all physicochemical parameters were affected by the addition of pork backfat in both types of sausages.
- Estudo comparativo das características sensoriais de carne de capão, galo, “frango do campo” e “frango comercial”.Publication . Amorim, André; Rodrigues, Sandra; Leite, Ana; Oliveira, A.F.; Paulos, Kátia; Gonçalves, A.; Pereira, Etelvina; Valentim, Ramiro; Vargas Junior, Fernando Miranda; Teixeira, AlfredoA castração tem como objetivo promover o aumento do conteúdo em gordura intramuscular (Tor et al., 2002; Chen et al., 2005; Tor et al., 2005), melhorando o sabor, textura e suculência da carne (Chen et al., 2005; Tor et al., 2005). Tal efeito tem melhorado sensorialmente a qualidade da carne (Miguel et al., 2008; Webb e O'Neill, 2008), tornando-a mais apreciada pêlos consumidores do que a carne de galos da mesma idade (Chen et al., 2005; Tor et al., 2005). O presente trabalho teve como objetivo obter uma visão global e comparativa da carne de capões em relação aos galos, criados sob o mesmo sistema de produção.
- Caracterização, terapêutica e controlo da hipertensão arterial em utentes de farmácias do Conselho de Vila Nova de FamalicãoPublication . Botas, Joana; Carvalhal, Daniela; Ferreira, Maria José Marinho; Pereira, Olívia R.; Pinto, Isabel C.Arterial Hypertension (AHT) is one of the most concerning health issues worldwide, due to its importance as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Objectives: Determine the proportion of AHT, characterize the disease, therapeutics and related factors on users of 2 Pharmacies of Vila Nova de Famalicão city. Materials and Methods: It was performed a descriptive and correlational cross-sectional study included 352 users of 2 Pharmacies from Vila Nova de Famalicão. The data was collected using a questionnaire and an automatic blood pressure (BP) measuring device. Results and Discussion: The proportion of self-reported HTA was 34.4%, mostly in older age groups (66.7% and 82.4% for users with 62-72 and 84-95 years, respectively). Moreover, an important amount of hypertensive users didn’t have their BP values controlled, with values of 38% and 49% for high diastolic and high systolic BP, respectively. Concerning the pharmacological treatment, 24.8% of the hypertensive users do not take medication, most of them due to the lack of symptoms (44.2%). Diuretics were the medicines more used in AHT therapeutics (19.9%) followed by Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (14.9%), which is according to the Portuguese treatment guidelines. Some risk factors identified as associated with AHT were the age (p<0.001), Body Mass Index (BMI) (p=0.001), CVD factor history [stroke (p<0.001), heart attack (p=0.001), dyslipidemia (p<0.001), diabetes (p=0.001)] and family history of AHT (p<0.001). All of them are reported in the literature as related factors with AHT and globally as CVD. Conclusion: The AHT was more prevalent in older age groups, with high BMI and individual CVD history, being diuretics and ACE inhibitors the most used therapy.
- Dispersión natural de la hipovirulencia en Cryphonectria parasitica. Un caso de estudio, Sergude – Minho – PortugalPublication . Ibáñez, Isabel; Pereira, Eric Carvalho; Moura, Luísa; Castro, João Paulo; Gouveia, Maria EugéniaEl castaño (Castanea sativa) es una especie de gran importancia económica y social en la región del Norte de Portugal. Uno de los mayores obstáculos en el aumento de la producción de castaña está relacionada con la presencia de factores bióticos como la antigua y conocida enfermedad de la Tinta y más recientemente con el chancro que provoca elevada mortalidad en los castaños. No hay sustancias químicas capaces de bloquear el desarrollo del chancro del castaño y todos los medios de lucha cultural mostraron baja eficacia. La hipovirulencia es el medio de lucha biológica y la manera más ventajosa para parar la enfermedad en Europa. El método mostro una elevada capacidad de cura en los chancros y la recuperación completa de los castaños atacados. El mecanismo molecular de hipovirulencia está asociado a la presencia en el hongo parasítico del virus dsRNA denominado Hypovirus (CHV). En Sergude (Minho) en una parcela con todos los árboles atacados por C. parasitica se verifico en un periodo de 3 – 4 años la remisión natural de los chancros llevando a la recuperación de los árboles enfermos. Conocer los mecanismos implicados en la expresión de la hipovirulencia y los factores asociados a su dispersión natural fue el objeto de este trabajo. Se estudió la estructura poblacional de C. parasitica presente en la parcela así como la micoflora epifítica y endofítica asociada.
- O mediador de seguros e a fidelizaçãoPublication . Correia, Vítor Manuel; Fernandes, Paula O.A temática do presente trabalho centra-se na fidelização do cliente ao mediador de seguros e análise da respetiva satisfação. Recorreu-se à revisão de literatura com intuito de ajudar a compreender melhor os conceitos com relevo para o estudo, como a satisfação e a fidelização. Realizou-se um estudo junto de clientes, de uma companhia de seguros do distrito de Bragança, objetivando avaliar o grau de satisfação e de fidelização bem como a exposição dos mediadores de seguros a ameaça de novos players no mercado como canais de distribuição alternativos e emergentes. Saber até que ponto o aumento exponencial de utilizadores da internet, com acesso cada vez mais universal e facilitado em todo o tipo de ambiente, potenciado com o surgimento de novas tecnologias (smartphones, tablets), ferramentas informáticas, o crescimento das empresas que operam via telefone, com publicidade ‘agressiva’ e baixos custos, e os canais bancário, telefónico e internet são uma ameaça real à atividade em análise. Desta forma, o estudo assentou na aplicação de um inquérito por questionário a uma amostra residente no distrito de Bragança com mais de 20 anos de idade. Foram aplicados 500 questionários, número entendido como necessário para que a amostra possa inferir resultados fiáveis à população, tendo-se assumido um erro amostral de 4,37% e um nível de significância de 5%. Os questionários foram distribuídos pelos diferentes concelhos do distrito de Bragança levando em linha de conta o peso proporcional populacional de cada um deles face ao total do distrito. Os principais resultados inferem que o canal de mediação agentes é o preferencial dos inquiridos valorizando estes sobretudo a prestação de serviço adequada às suas necessidades, a autonomia e eficiência do agente e a disponibilidade para serem atendidos a qualquer hora do dia pelo agente. É atribuída aos agentes, pelos inquiridos, elevada capacidade para informar sobre produtos e serviços e resposta às solicitações dos clientes, revelando uma satisfação global positiva com o agente e seguradoras. Os canais emergentes (bancário, telefónico e internet) não se apresentam como uma ameaça imediata ao canal de mediação tradicional de agentes chegando a considerar-se o agente como imprescindível para a atividade seguradora. Os inquiridos estão globalmente satisfeitos com as seguradoras e mediadores. No que diz respeito a Fidelização conclui-se que o cliente encontra-se mais fidelizado ao mediador do que às seguradoras.
- Structural features and macrophage immunostimulatory activity of the polysaccharides from Fraxinus angustifolia and Mentha suaveolens hot water extractsPublication . Martins, Vitor Manuel Ramalheira; Simões, Joana; Ferreira, Isabel; Cruz, Maria T.; Domingues, Maria R.M.; Coimbra, Manuel A.The dried leaves of Fraxinus angustifolia and the dried shoots of Mentha suaveolens are used by the population of the Tras-os-Montes, which is a region located in the northeast of Portugal. to prepare hot water extracts due to their therapeutic properties. Recently, the contribution of potysaccharides for the therapeutic properties often attributed to various plants hot water extracts has been highlighted. This work will provide a structural characterization of the polysaccharides present in these hot water extracts and will also evaluate their possible macrophage immunostimutatory activity, which might contribute for the therapeutic properties reported for these hot water extracts.
- Conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in PortugalPublication . Sousa, Ronaldo; Amorim, Ângela; Froufe, Elsa; Varandas, Simone; Teixeira, Amílcar; Lopes-Lima, ManuelBased on new information, the current conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758) in Portugal is revised. Between 2010 and 2013 surveys were conducted in eight different rivers to assess distribution, abundance, size-frequency and preferential habitat of this species. Rivers Neiva, Cávado and Terva presented very low abundances (in the Cávado no specimens were found) and showed acute signs of ageing, calling into question the future survival of these populations. Although abundances were low in Rivers Beça, Paiva and Mente, juveniles were present and populations may improve their conservation status in the future, if appropriate management measures are applied. Rivers Rabaçal and Tuela presented the highest abundances of adults and juveniles and these two rivers have the highest potential for the conservation of freshwater pearl mussels in Portugal. However, these two populations have suffered severe declines in several stretches due to the construction of dams in recent years. Given that the Portuguese pearl mussel populations are at the southern range of the species distribution, their conservation should be a priority. This current description of the conservation status of M. margaritifera in Portugal can be used as a reference, and guide future research and management initiatives to better conserve this species.
- Stable genetic diversity despite parasite and pathogen spread in honey bee coloniesPublication . Jara, Laura; Muñoz, Irene; Cepero, Almudena; Martín-Hernández, Raquel; Serrano, José; Higes, Mariano; De la Rúa, PilarIn the last decades, the rapid spread of diseases, such as varroosis and nosemosis, associated with massive honey bee colonies mortality around the world has significantly decreased the number and size of honey bee populations and possibly their genetic diversity. Here, we compare the genetic diversity of Iberian honey bee colonies in two samplings performed in 2006 and 2010 in relation to the presence of the pathogenic agents Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, and Varroa destructor in order to determine whether parasite and pathogen spread in honey bee colonies reflects changes in genetic diversity. We found that the genetic diversity remained similar, while the incidence of N. ceranae increased and the incidence of N. apis and V. destructor decreased slightly. These results indicate that the genetic diversity was not affected by the presence of these pathogenic agents in the analyzed period. However, the two groups of colonies with and without Nosema/Varroa detected showed significant genetic differentiation (G test). A detailed analysis of the allelic segregation of microsatellite loci in Nosema/Varroa-negative colonies and parasitized ones revealed two outlier loci related to genes involved in immune response.