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- Methanol preservation of filamentous cyanobacteria for molecular and morphological studiesPublication . Churro, Catarina; Pereira, Paulo; Vasconcelos, Vitor; Valério, ElisabeteThis study intends to evaluate the application of methanol fixation in the preservation of viable DNA for PCR reactions and also preserve cell morphology for microscopic studies in filamentous cyanobacteria.
- Are physicians aware of their role in tobacco control? A conference-based survey in PortugalPublication . Ravara, Sofia B.; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Aguiar, Pedro; Calheiros, José M.BACKGROUND: The crucial role of physicians in tobacco control (TC) is widely recognized. In 2008, Portugal implemented a non-comprehensive smoke-free policy (SFP). In 2009, a conference-survey was carried out to explore Portuguese physicians' engagement in tobacco control, by evaluating the following: 1) attendance at TC training and awareness of training needs; 2) participation in TC activities; 3) attitudes and beliefs regarding SFPs. METHODS: Questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted during two major national medical conferences targeting GPs, hospitalists, and students/recent graduates. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: Response rate was 63.7% (605/950). Of the 605 participants, 58.3% were GPs, 32.4% hospitalists, 9.3% others; 62.6% were female; mean age was 39.0 ± 12.9 years. Smoking prevalence was 29.2% (95% CI: 23.3-35.1) in males; 15.8% (95% CI: 12.1-19.5) in females, p < 0.001. While the overwhelming majority of physicians strongly agreed that second-hand smoke (SHS) endangers health, awareness of SFP benefits and TC law was limited, p < 0.001. A significant minority (35.5%) believed that SHS can be eliminated by ventilation systems. Most physicians lacked training; only a minority (9.0%) participated regularly in TC. Training was the most consistent predictor of participation in TC. General agreement with SFP was high; but significantly lower for indoor leisure settings, outdoors bans in healthcare/schools settings and smoking restrictions in the home/car, p < 0.001. Smoking behaviour strongly predicted support for smoking restrictions in restaurants and bars/discos, healthcare outdoors and private settings. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that Portuguese physicians are not aware of their role in tobacco control. Poor engagement of physicians in TC may contribute to the current lack of comprehensive policies in Portugal and Europe and undermine social norm change. Medical and professional continuing education on tobacco control should be made top priorities.
- Evaluating mcyA gene expression in two toxic cyanobacterial species under different light intensities using RT-qPCRPublication . Salvador, Daniel; Churro, Catarina; Valério, ElisabeteThe aim of this study was assess the influence of light intensity, in the transcription of the mcyA gene and corresponding production of microcystins in Microcystis aeruginosa and Planktothrix agardhii. For that purpose, cultures were exposed to three different light intensities (4, 20 and 30 μmol photons m−2 s−1) for 18 days at 20 ± 1ºC. The growth was followed daily using absorbance readings. At each growth stage samples were collected for cell counting, microcystins quantification by ELISA and RNA extraction. The level of transcripts was quantified by Real-Time RT-qPCR and the relative expression determined using three reference genes, 16S rRNA, gltA and rpoc1.
- Temporal variability of microcystin (mcyA) genotypes in a toxic cyanobacterial bloomPublication . Churro, Catarina; Silva, Bruno; Pereira, Paulo; Valério, Elisabete; Vasconcelos, VitorIn this work a perennial bloom was monitored during two years (2012-2014) in order to characterize the genotype structure and succession.