Pedigree analysis was conducted for early maturing wheat cultivars developed in Japan. Materials used for this analysis were mainly developed at Nagano Agricultural Experiment Station (Tozan lines). In a recently released Tozan line, the maximum number of generations traced in the pedigree, total number of ancestors in the pedigree and total number of ancestors except common ones was 11, 222 and 94, respectively. Chunaga contributed 24.0% of the genetic background of Tozan lines. Seven ancestors, collectively, contributed 51.5% to the gene pool. Hiyokukomugi had the highest mean coefficient of parentage to Tozan lines and the mean value was 0.216, followed by Kinuiroha (0.213), Norin 61 (0.206), Mikunikomugi (0.205) and Tokai 80 (0.194). The mean coefficient of parentage between Tozan lines and cultivars in the Kanto-Tokai region, Kinki-Chugoku-Shikoku region and Kyushu region was 0.165, 0.155 and 0.157, respectively. Tozan lines more related to cultivars in the Tohoku region tended to be late heading and more cold-tolerant. Tozan lines more related to Ayahikari or Kinuazuma tended to be early maturing. Fukuhokomugi, which was a high yield cultivar and often used as a cross parent, did not contribute to high flour protein. KS831957 showed a positive effect on the crude protein content of flour. In general, Tozan lines had no specific cultivars used extensively as a cross parent having significant influence on yield or flour quality.

This experiment was executed to investigate the effect of the carpenter bee as a pollinator on the fruit set increment of sweet pepper in summer hydroponics in the alpine area of Gangwon province, Korea. Where the number of fruit sets were increasing during the treatment of pollination by the carpenter bee, total yields during the whole growing period were not different. The number of seeds per fruit in the treatment of the carpenter bee increased more than that in the control by 7.3 percent increment, but the percentage of blossom-end rot increased. As fruit weight range of SS size (below 120g) decreased and that of L size (from 181g to 210g) increased by the pollination treatment, so the percentage of standardized products for the export to Japan improved. Therefore this result was effective for the fruit production of high quality for the export to Japan and it will be necessary for further study on the method of reducing blossom-end rot to be done.

The growth rate, frequency of moulting, and intermoult intervals of juvenile Pacifastacus leniusculus were studied under experimental conditions over a period of 3 months. Juveniles were reared individually in small boxes at two different temperatures: 14.31 ± 0.64°C (cold water) and 20.54 ± 0.69°C (warm water). Although the average weight and length of consecutive stages were similar at both temperatures, juveniles in warm water attained more moults. Within the age group juveniles achieved a higher length and weight in warm water than in cold water. Three month-old juveniles reached 147 mg and 18.5 mm in cold water at the 6th stage of development, and 259 mg and 22.2 mm in warm water at the 8th stage. Specific growth rate (SGR) decreased (5.6 and 10.4 for cold and warm water in the first stage, respectively) and reached final values of 1.4 and 1.5 after 3 months of growth. SGR was significantly higher in warm water and showed negative correlations with the number of days after hatching and number of moults. Duration of intermoult periods was significantly influenced by water temperature, with five moults attained in cold water compared to seven in warm water. All intermoult periods were significantly longer in cold water than in warm water. The average percent weight and length increments decreased with increasing number of moults, length, weight and number of days after hatching. In warm water increments were higher (89.8% and 21.8% for weight and length, respectively) than in cold water (68.5% and 20.3% for weight and length, respectively), and the decrease was faster. However, the final values were similar at both temperatures (about 36% and 11% for weight and length, respectively). The mean absolute weight and length moult increments were not significantly influenced by water temperature. Although the temperature influenced growth due to the number of moults, the duration of individual intermoult periods did not affect the weight and length of juveniles in particular stages.

[resumo] | Melanocortin peptides and their receptors have long been known to affect the central control of food intake and body weight, thus playing a critical role in the development of obesity [1]. The melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R) has been directly linked with lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues: MC5R deletion in mouse generates defects in sebaceous gland secretion [1] and MC5R stimulation increases fatty acid oxidation in muscle cells [2]. In this study, we tackled the role of MC5R in lipolysis and adipocyte function using the well established model of differentiated mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cell-signalling based experiments were performed after adipocyte treatment with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and compared with the MC5R specific activation previously described in HEK293 [3] and HeLa cells stably transfected with MC5R-GFP. Adipocyte response to alpha-MSH resulted in a loss of cytoplasmatic lipid content and release of glycerol into the cell medium by an ERK1/2 dependent mechanism. Moreover, downstream of ERK1/2, alpha-MSH induces p90RSK and CREB phosphorylation and c-Fos expression. The correlation between alpha-MSH action in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the specific signalling pathways underlying MC5R activation, strongly suggests that lipolysis is mediated by this receptor. [1] Cone RD (2006) Endocr Rev 27(7):736:49 [2] An et al (2007) J Biol Chem 282(5):2862-70 [3] Rodrigues et al (2009) Mol Cell Endocrinol 303:74-81

[resumo] | [abstract]

After a number of replications, human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) in culture lose the ability to divide, become insensitive to further proliferation and enter a state of replicative senescence (RS). Subcytotoxic doses of several stressful agents such as hydrogen peroxide, tertbutylhydroperoxide or ethanol, are able to cause stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) in HDFs in vitro. Such senescent cells display many features of RS as growth arrest, senescence associated beta-galactosidase (SA beta-gal), cell enlargement and overexpression of several genes (e.g., p21, TGF beta-1,IGFBP3). During ageing, iron accumulates in several tissues in vivo, and also in senescent HDFs in vitro. Due to its redox-active properties, it promotes hydroxyl radical production (Fenton reaction) and eventually leads to cell injury. Free radical reactions are known to cause the accumulation of intracellular damage resulting in ageing. Iron may thus be able to cause SIPS. The main objective of the present study was to investigate whether the exposure of HDFs to a subcytotoxic concentration of iron is able to cause SIPS.

Contém um relatório de estágio curricular realizado no Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia, no âmbito da licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição pela Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto. O exemplar do relatório de estágio existe apenas em formato papel e está disponível para consulta na Biblioteca da FCNAUP | Tese de licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto | Resumo da tese: Com o virar do século, um dos maiores desafios na terapia da Diabetes passa por igualar o conteúdo em Hidratos de Carbono de cada refeição, com a insulina disponível (quer seja esta de produção endógena ou administrada). É vasta a literatura que comprova a utilização eficaz do método de contagem de Hidratos de Carbono (possibilidade de ajustar a administração de insulina de acordo com o consumo de Hidratos de Carbono), confirmando o potencial da educação aliada ao controlo intensivo, na prevenção de complicações. Dados revelam que a maioria dos doentes apresenta valores de A1c (%), inferiores ou iguais aos verificados aquando do início da utilização do método. A grande e inegável vantagem deste método, passa pela flexibilidade que proporciona, carecendo no entanto de discussão, alguns dos parâmetros da utilização deste método no tratamento da Diabetes em doentes de idade pediátrica. | Thesis abstract: Since the tum of the century, one of the greatest challenges in the treatment of Diabetes is matching the carbohydrate content of each meal with the available insulin available (whether it is of endogenous production or administered). Many studies demonstrate the effective use of carbohydrate counting (in order to adjust insulin administration according to carbohydrate consumption), confirming the potential of education coupled with intensive monitoring in the prevention of complications. Data show that most patients have A1c values (%) less than or equal to those seen at the beginning of the use of this method. The great and undeniable advantage of this method is the flexibility it offers, however there is still a lack of discussion of some of its parameters in the treatment of Diabetes in children.

[resumo] | [abstract]

Contém um relatório de estágio curricular realizado no Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia /Espinho e no Hospital Privado da Trofa, no âmbito da licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição pela Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto. O exemplar do relatório de estágio existe apenas em formato papel e está disponível para consulta na Biblioteca da FCNAUP | Tese de licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto | Resumo da tese: A Diabetes Mellitus (DM) é reconhecida como um problema de saúde pública mundial de magnitude crescente, devido ao número de pessoas afectadas e pelas implicações socio-económicas que determinam o controlo e o tratamento da doença e suas complicações. Esta é uma doença metabólica. caracterizada por níveis elevados de glicemia, resultantes de alterações na secreção, ou na acção da insulina ou em ambos, provocando distúrbios no metabolismo dos hidratos de carbono (HC), proteínas e gordura. O controlo da doença e a prevenção das suas complicações dependem de modificações do estilo de vida, principalmente através da actividade física regular, da alimentação e da farmacoterapia. O seu tratamento é exigente, complexo e responsabiliza a pessoa para toda a vida. Assim, existe um conjunto vasto de actividades que são importantes para melhorar a participação dos doentes e das suas famílias na gestão da sua doença. A esse conjunto de actividades deu-se o nome de educação terapêutica. O grau de aceitação da doença, bem como o contexto sócio-cultural influenciam a motivação para a aquisição de novos conhecimentos. No entanto, existem algumas barreiras às mudanças comportamentais. Várias são as formas de ensino para um doente com DM tipo 2, tais como: consultas individuais; consultas modulares/em grupo; contagem de hidratos de carbono; visualização prática com imagens intuitivas e mãos - escala de quantificação. Por tal, o Nutricionista tem que um profissional dinâmico e criativo. | Thesis abstract: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is considered a worldwide growing public health problem, due to the number of affected people and also the social and economic implications that determine the control and treatment of this disease and its related problems. This metabolic disease involves high levels of glycemia, which result from changes in secretion, or in the action of insulin or both, thus disturbing the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fat. controlling this disease and preventing its problems depends on lifestyle changes, especially through regular physical activity, nutrition and medication therapy. The treatment is demanding, complex and holds the individual responsible for life. There is a wide choice of activities that are important to promote the participation of patients and their families in the management of their own disease. This group of activities is called patient education. The way the disease is accepted and also the social and cultural context influence motivation to acquire new knowledge. However, there are various types of barriers to behavioral changes. There are various types of patient education for a DM type 2 patient, such as: individual appointments; module/group appointments; carbohydrate count; practical visualization with support of images and hands - quantification scale. For such, the nutritionist must be a dynamic and creative professional.