Abstract We investigated the effect of sub-chronic soybean oil (SO) treatment on the insulin secretion and fatty acid composition of islets of Langerhans obtained from Goto-Kakizaki (GK), a model of type 2 diabetes, and normal Wistar rats. We observed that soybean-treated Wistar rats present insulin resistance and defective islet insulin secretion when compared with untreated Wistar rats. The decrease in insulin secretion occurred at all concentrations of glucose and arginine tested. Furthermore we observed that soybean-treated normal islets present a significant decrease in two saturated fatty acids, myristic and heneicosanoic acids, and one monounsaturated eicosenoic acid, and the appearance of the monounsaturated erucic acid. Concerning diabetic animals, we observed that soybean-treated diabetic rats, when compared with untreated GK rats, present an increase in plasma non-fasting free fatty acids, an exacerbation of islet insulin secretion impairment in all conditions tested and a significant decrease in the monounsaturated palmitoleic acid. Altogether our results show that SO treatment results in a decrease of insulin secretion and alterations on fatty acid composition in normal and diabetic islets. Furthermore, the impairment of insulin secretion, islet erucic acid and fasting plasma insulin levels are similar in treated normal and untreated diabetic rats, suggesting that SO could have a deleterious effect on ß-cell function and insulin sensitivity.

RESUMO No Nordeste do Brasil é bastante comum e variado o uso da coroa-de-frade (Melocactus spp.). Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar diversas análises em cladódios de coroa-de-frade [Melocactus zehntneri (Britton & Rose) Luetzelburg], para que possamos compreender as razões estes usos. Os cladódios foram coletados na cidade de Campina Grande e levados ao Laboratório de Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, onde foram feitas as seguintes análises: peso, altura, diâmetro, cor, umidade, acidez, pH, ácido ascórbico, carotenoides, flavonoides e compostos fenólicos, tanto na epiderme quanto no parênquima aquífero. Os resultados mostraram que a epiderme tem uma acidez elevada e mais ácido ascórbico, e um pH mais baixo em comparação com o parênquima aquífero. O conteúdo de carotenoides, flavonoides e compostos fenólicos, foram diferentes nas partes estudadas. A epiderme apresentou sempre maiores quantidades de carotenoides, flavonoides e compostos fenólicos em relação ao parênquima aquífero, nas três plantas estudadas, indicando que a maior parte da defesa da planta acontece neste tecido. Mais estudos são necessários com técnicas mais precisas, para identificar os componentes bioativos desta espécie.

The quality of wines has been evaluated traditionally according to sensorial properties. Recently, safety issues have been raised, such as pesticide residues and mycotoxins, with the introduction of new agricultural practices and the development of analytical methods with higher sensitivity. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is such a mycotoxin, produced by some Aspergillus and Penicillium species and is one of the most recent safety issues for wine. The mycobiota of, and the occurrence of OTA in Southern Brazilian grapes are not known. The presence of these contaminants was assessed by collecting 30 samples of grapes, from 16 vineyards, from the two most important wine subregions in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The mycobiota was evaluated by plating 10 grapes from each sample in Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, supplemented with chloramphenicol. Production of OTA by black Aspergillus strains was estimated after growing in Czapeck Yeast Agar. OTA was analysed in 9 grape samples by chromatography with immunoaffinity clean-up, as stipulated by the European regulation. Three hundred and eighty seven strains were isolated. The dominant genera were Cladosporium (found in 86.7% of plated berries), Alternaria (80.0%), Botrytis (70.0%), Aspergillus (66.7%), and Penicillium (63.3%). Sixteen A. niger aggregate strains (26 % of total Aspergillus strains) were isolated, and OTA was not detected from any of these strains. No A. carbonarius was isolated. OTA was found in 6 grape samples, with a range of values from 0.16 μg/Kg to 0.77 μg/Kg. In conclusion, no OTA producing black Aspergillus strains were found in grapes, although some grape samples contain the mycotoxin. The fungal source of OTA requires further investigation.

O presente relatório descreve as atividades realizadas durante o estágio curricular, realizado no âmbito do Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia Civil. O estágio desenvolveu-se no Gabinete de Reabilitação Urbana, da Câmara Municipal de Sintra, distrito de Lisboa. A Reabilitação Urbana é um tema obrigatório quando se pretende intervir na cidade. Enquanto processo conjunto, implica uma abordagem que não se centra apenas nas especificidades da área pública a reabilitar, as suas carências e potencialidades, mas também na reabilitação física dos edifícios. Torna-se então pertinente a análise do Estado de Conservação e respetivo Nível de Intervenção na Área de Reabilitação Urbana de Mem Martins / Rio de Mouro, tema central do estágio curricular realizado. Para além de demonstrar todo o trabalho realizado durante o estágio curricular, outro objetivo deste relatório de estágio passa por mostrar a evolução legal relativamente à Reabilitação Urbana e enumerar os instrumentos de atuação local. Torna-se ainda importante de salientar a importância deste estágio na expansão de competências não adquiridas na parte letiva, a oportunidade de contactar com o mercado de trabalho em contexto de formação/aprendizagem apresentam-se como pontos de partida para a carreira profissional. No decurso da execução das tarefas propostas, houve um acompanhamento permanente pelos elementos da SGRU, nomeadamente pela chefe da equipa, bem como total disponibilidade na assistência e colaboração.

In the search for new larvicides from plants, we have investigated the potential activity of the rotenoids deguelin (1), 12a-hydroxy-α-toxicarol (2) and tephrosin (3), isolated from the bioactive ethanol extract of roots of Tephrosia toxicaria Pers., against Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue. The absolute configuration of these compounds was determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The LC50 values of the compounds evaluated justify the potential of T. toxicaria as a new natural larvicide.

The ethanol extracts from leaves, stems, pods and roots were assayed against the 3rd instar Aedes aegypti larvae and the highest activity was observed in the roots extracts (LC50 47.86 ppm). This extract was submitted to partition with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The respective fractions were bioassayed and the best larvicidal activities were identified in the hexane (LC50 23.99 ppm) and chloroform (LC50 13.80 ppm) fractions. Antioxidant activity (DDPH method) was observed in the ethanol extract (IC50 276 µg/mL) from roots of T. toxicaria. Fractions from this extract were also tested and the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 89 µg/mL) was found in the methanol fraction. The flavonoids iso-obovatin (1), obovatin (2), 6a,12a-dehydro-β-toxicarol (3), 6a,12a-dehydro-α-toxicarol (4) and α-toxicarol (5) were isolated and bioassayed against A. aegypti. The flavonoid 5 showed the best larvicidal activity (LC50 24.55 ppm). The antioxidant activity of 2 was investigated and showed IC50 3.370 µg/mL. The antioxidant and larvicidal activities of Tephrosia toxicaria are reported for the first time.

The secularization of the public instruction in the province of Parahyba do Norte, between 1867 and 1902, has its perspective analyzed both starting from the theoretical analysis of the established phenomenon at the public administration and its respective development between Republic and Empire. The documental analysis, and respective problem of the transition between reports, manuscripts, and journals is conducted based on the bureaucratic procedure of the transition between the 19th and the 20th centuries, as well as the symbolic manifestation of it in the public instruction.