Repositório RCAAP

A Identidade visual assume-se como um alicerce na construção e afirmação de uma marca, atribuindo-lhe significado e propósito por meio de símbolos visuais. Quando dinâmicas, as identidades visuais oferecem tanto coerência quanto flexibilidade, adaptando-se aos diversos suportes e ambientes digitais e físicos. Este projeto explora como é que a identidade visual pode ser um elemento crucial na valorização do património, permitindo que as tradições centenárias, como os tapetes de Beiriz, se atualizem para as exigências da comunicação contemporânea, sem perder a sua autenticidade. No contexto atual de rápidas transformações tecnológicas, o desafio parte por modernizar sem comprometer a essência histórica associada a estes tapetes. O presente documento apresenta a fundamentação teórica, o processo de desenvolvimento e a proposta de uma nova identidade visual para os tapetes de Beiriz. É abordada a representatividade da mulher no projeto de design, estabelecendo um diálogo entre a mulher designer e a mulher artesã enquanto agentes de criação e transmissão do conhecimento visual. A identidade visual desenvolvida contribui, assim, para a afirmação e projeção dos tapetes de Beiriz, garantindo que o seu legado permaneça vivo e relevante num mundo cada vez mais tecnológico ao unir o passado e o presente através de uma linguagem visual flexível.

Este relatório documenta e reflete criticamente sobre o estágio curricular realizado no Studio Eduardo Aires (SEA), no âmbito do Mestrado em Design Gráfico da ESMAD. A experiência teve como duplo propósito: consolidar competências técnicas e teóricas num contexto de prática profissional, e aprofundar uma reflexão sobre a temática da autoria em design. A escolha do SEA decorreu do interesse em observar e experienciar, num ambiente colaborativo e exigente, como se articulam decisões criativas e responsabilidades ao longo da prática projetual. A vivência permitiu compreender a importância de uma postura metodológica crítica e adaptativa, mais do que de um estilo autoral formalmente reconhecível. Com base na análise de projetos concretos, o relatório explora as dinâmicas de coautoria, negociação e contributo partilhado que caracterizam a prática contemporânea. Este estágio reforçou a compreensão do design enquanto disciplina permeável e em constante transformação, onde o autor se manifesta tanto nos gestos visíveis quanto nos processos menos evidentes, confirmando a complexidade e riqueza do fazer autoral na atualidade.

Since foods rich in refined sugars promote obesity, the use of non-caloric sweeteners has gained popularity, and their consumption by pregnant women has increased. Stevia (a non-caloric sweetener) consumption was considered safe for humans by the European Food Safety Authority in a dose of up to 4 mg/kg body weight/day. However, the World Health Organization recommended in 2023 the restraint of these sweeteners at any life stage, highlighting the need for research on pregnant women and early stages of development. So, we aimed to study the effects of chronic consumption of the main sweetener compound of stevia (Rebaudioside A) during the reproductive stage. Female rats were treated with Rebaudioside A (4 mg steviol equivalents/kg body weight/day) in the drinking water from 4 weeks before mating until weaning. Food and water consumption, blood glucose and lipids, as well as heart structure, function and mitochondrial function, were assessed. Rebaudioside A decreased heart size, cardiomyocyte area and fibrosis without repercussions on cardiac or mitochondrial function. Both fasting blood glucose and cholesterol decreased. This work suggests that stevia consumption at this dose may be safe for females during the reproductive stage. However, more studies are mandatory to explore the effects of stevia consumption on offspring’s health.

Soit La peste soit En attendant Godot traitent de l‘absurde de la condition humaine et de la quête du salut. La vie se présente sans avenir et comme un enchaînement de scènes pénibles qui se ressemblent. L‘humanité veut désespérément atteindre le bonheur et préserver sa dignité, mais, malgré tout effort, rien ne change : c‘est la terrible stabilité du monde. Presque tous les personnages manquent d‘identité. Ce sont des prisonniers de leur propre existence; des guignols manipulés arbitrairement par le destin; des victimes de la gratuité de la grâce divine. Les personnages, le temps, l‘espace, le langage, les silences, tout y sert à exprimer l‘absurde de la condition humaine. Dans ces deux oeuvres, l‘air est plein de cris de révolte. Les plaintes deviennent le langage naturel de l‘humanité souffrante, parce que, après tout, ni Godot ni le salut n‘arrivent jamais.

The microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein-1 transports and positions variousorganelles, but the molecular basis of this functional diversity is not fully understood. Cargoadaptors of the Hook protein family recruit dynein to early endosomes (EE) in fungi andhuman cells by forming the FTS–Hook–FHIP (FHF) complex. By contrast, the Caenorhabdi-tis elegans Hook homologue ZYG-12 recruits dynein to the nuclear envelope (NE) in themeiotic gonad and mitotic early embryo by forming a Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cy-toskeleton (LINC) complex. Here, we demonstrate that ZYG-12 recruits dynein to EE inepithelia. We identify and functionally characterize the homologues of FTS (UBC-19) andFHIP (FHIP-1) that constitute the C. elegans FHF complex, validate the predicted FHIP-1–RAB-5 binding interface in vivo, and show that ZYG-12 forms FHF via a conserved segmentthat precedes, and is distinct from, its C-terminal NE targeting domain. Finally, we showthat C-terminal ZYG-12 splice isoforms differ in their ability to target to the NE and EE.We conclude that the C. elegans Hook adaptor evolved to recruit dynein to two distinctorganelles, and that cargo specificity of ZYG-12 is regulated by alternative splicing.

O cancro cervical é a principal causa de mortalidade por cancro em Angola, colocando sérios desafios ao sistema de saúde do país. Esta situação resulta de deficiências nas infraestruturas de saúde pública, sensibilização da população e acesso a cuidados de saúde preventivos, apesar da disponibilidade de intervenções com boa relação custo-eficácia, como a vacinação contra o HPV e o rastreio do colo do útero. A implementação de programas de rastreio organizado é desafiante em contextos com poucos recursos, mesmo com a aplicação de métodos de inspeção visual, estes enfrentam limitações na precisão e cobertura diagnóstica. Similarmente, campanhas de vacinação contra o HPV, embora promissoras, são limitadas por barreiras sociogeográficas e logísticas. Esta revisão explora a situação atual da prevenção do cancro cervical em Angola, identificando os principais desafios, como a falta de estudos epidemiológicos, infraestruturas de rastreio e as barreiras socioeconómicas no acesso aos cuidados de saúde. Há ainda um trabalho considerável pela frente para cumprir a estratégia da Organização Mundial de Saúde para 2030 -90% de cobertura vacinal, 70% de rastreio e 90% de tratamento. No entanto, podem ser feitos progressos com a adoção de métodos de rastreio inovadoras que incluam a auto-amostragem e unidades de saúde móveis, expandindo esforços de vacinação e reduzindo obstáculos culturais e logísticos.

As women transition to menopause (i.e., perimenopause), they become more susceptible to hypertension. Animal studies using a mouse model of peri-menopause (peri-AOF) have revealed that hypertension susceptibility is associated with increased postsynaptic glutamatergic NMDA receptor plasticity in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), a brain area critical for blood pressure regulation. The aim of this study was to determine if presynaptic NMDA receptors also play a role in neural plasticity in peri-AOF hypertension susceptibility. For comparison, males were also studied. Following slow pressor Angiotensin II (AngII), both peri-AOF and male mice became hypertensive; however, peri-AOF females showed higher cytoplasmic NMDA receptor levels. To determine the involvement of estrogen signaling in AngII-induced hypertension, an estrogen receptor beta (ERß) agonist was co-administered. In peri-AOF females, but not males, activation of ERß blocked hypertension and increased NMDA receptors on the membrane of axon terminals where it would be more available for binding of glutamate. These results indicate that sex-dependent recruitment of presynaptic NMDA receptors in the PVN is influenced by ERß signaling in a mouse model of perimenopause.

Neste estudo, investigou-se a relação entre o processamento sensorial e as competências de escrita manual em crianças de 6 a 7 anos e 11 meses, integradas no ensino regular. A amostra incluiu 191 crianças, avaliadas com o Questionário das Competências de Escrita Manual, desenvolvido e validado especificamente para este estudo, e a Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) – Forma Sala de Aula.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is primarily characterized by the accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and the loss of dopaminergic neurons (DAn). The most evident repercussions of the disease include sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction, decreased dopamine (DA) levels, and impaired voluntary movements. Given the multifactorial nature of PD, it is now recognized that several systemic diseases may predispose individuals to the onset and progression of PD as well as influence its therapeutic outcomes. Recent studies have highlighted that patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) face an increased risk of developing PD, independent of the shared risk factors. Indeed, substantial evidence supports the connections between the brain, heart, and kidneys. Elements such as the dopaminergic system, blood pressure regulation, inflammation, autophagy, oxidative stress, and calcium (Ca2+) signaling are recognized as crucial for the functioning of each organ individually. However, these factors may also significantly impact the overall health of the triad. Understanding the interconnection between the brain, heart, and kidneys would be groundbreaking in enhancing our knowledge about their interactions, enabling prompt interventions in the early stages of the disease. With this perspective, this review analyzes the current understanding of the brain-heart-kidney axis as a potential new paradigm for diagnosing and managing PD.

The balanced activity of the cytoprotective transcription factor NRF2 is central for maintaining redox, metabolic-energetics, and proteome homeostasis, as well as for regulating inflammatory responses, among other functions. Activated NRF2 regulates the expression of hundreds of genes containing antioxidant response elements (AREs) or electrophile response elements (EpRE) in their regulatory regions, often promoting cytoprotection under stress conditions and contributing to defence against various pathologies and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The products of increased NRF2 activity, detected systemically, may originate from either the white blood cells, the cells of the vasculature or tissue-derived products that could be secreted into biological fluids. Therefore, assessing basal and inducible NRF2 activity in blood or other biofluids is crucial for inferring NRF2 responses in local and often inaccessible tissues. In previous work, we identified a panel of six biomarkers - Glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), Glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), Haem oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), Sulfiredoxin 1 (SRXN1), and Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) - as indicators of NRF2 activity. In the current study, we assess their utility in a clinical setting to measure NRF2 activation in a disease context. Here we discuss findings on how NRF2 activity in accessible human samples can reveal its involvement in various NCDs and its connection to clinical aspects such as diagnosis, disease progression and response to therapy.

Adult cytogenesis, the continuous generation of newly-born neurons (neurogenesis) and glial cells (gliogenesis) throughout life, is highly impaired in several neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), impacting negatively on cognitive and emotional domains. Despite playing a critical role in brain homeostasis, the importance of gliogenesis has been overlooked, both in healthy and diseased states. To examine the role of newly formed glia, we transplanted Glial Restricted Precursors (GRPs) into the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), or injected their secreted factors (secretome), into a previously validated transgenic GFAP-tk rat line, in which cytogenesis is transiently compromised. We explored the long-term effects of both treatments on physiological and behavioral outcomes. Grafted GRPs reversed anxiety-like deficits and demonstrated an antidepressant-like effect, while the secretome promoted recovery of only anxiety-like behavior. Furthermore, GRPs elicited a recovery of neurogenic and gliogenic levels in the ventral DG, highlighting the unique involvement of these cells in the regulation of brain cytogenesis. Both GRPs and their secretome induced significant alterations in the DG proteome, directly influencing proteins and pathways related to cytogenesis, regulation of neural plasticity and neuronal development. With this work, we demonstrate a valuable and specific contribution of glial progenitors to normalizing gliogenic levels, rescuing neurogenesis and, importantly, promoting recovery of emotional deficits characteristic of disorders such as MDD.

Preventing degeneration and the loss of dopaminergic neurons (DAn) in the brain while mitigating motor symptoms remains a challenge in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) treatment development. In light of this, developing or repositioning potential disease-modifying approaches is imperative to achieve meaningful translational gains in PD research. Under this concept, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has revealed promising perspectives in preserving the dopaminergic system capability and modulating PD mechanisms. Although NAC has been shown to act as an antioxidant and (neuro)protector of the brain, it has yet to be acknowledged how this repurposed drug can improve motor symptomatology and provide disease-modifying properties in PD. Therefore, in the present work, we assessed the impact of NAC on motor and histological deficits in a striatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of PD. The results revealed that NAC enhanced DAn viability, as we found that it could restore dopamine transporter (DAT) levels compared to the untreated 6-OHDA group. Such findings were positively correlated with a significant amelioration in the motor outcomes of the 6-OHDA-treated animals, demonstrating that NAC may, somehow, be a modulator of PD degenerative mechanisms. Overall, we postulated a proof-of-concept milestone concerning the therapeutic application of NAC. Nevertheless, it is extremely important to understand the complexity of this drug and how its therapeutical properties interact with the cellular and molecular PD mechanisms.

The imaging modality kV CBCT on linear accelerators (linacs) is utilised to verify positioning and anatomy in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment. There is a need for optimisation of radiological protection in kV CBCT imaging protocols to avoid unnecessarily high exposures to normal tissues surrounding the target. A network of ICRP mentees from 23 countries were surveyed for available dosimetry equipment. Standardised measurements on CBCT linac imaging systems were conducted using a cone beam dose index (CBDI) devised as a straightforward measurement for wide beam doses. Measurements were made with (a) 100 mm ionisation chambers or (b) 0.6 cc Farmer ionisation chambers and cylindrical CT PMMA phantoms, and (c) an alternative setup of Farmer chambers and cubical phantoms comprised of slabs of water equivalent material readily available in radiotherapy centres. The measurements were compared with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The survey showed limited availability for the reference setup using 100 mm chambers and CT phantoms. Correction factors were derived to convert normalised CBDI from alternative setups to the reference setup and are on average within 2% of MC simulations. The slab phantom in combination with a Farmer chamber provides an alternative to quantify CBCT radiation dose indices from linac-based image-guided radiotherapy using materials accessible in most centres worldwide. A method is presented to use correction factors for Varian Truebeam linacs if traditional 100 mm chambers and cylindrical CT phantoms are not available. This will enable most radiotherapy centres across the world to engage in meaningful imaging dose measurement and optimisation.

Distributed throughout the environment are various microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Although many are part of the human microbiome, many are pathogenic and cause infections ranging from mild to severe. In recent years, the identification of multidrug-resistant microorganisms has become a serious public health problem. The resulting infections call into question the therapeutic capacity of health systems and lead to approximately 70,000 deaths annually worldwide. The progressive resistance to antibiotics and antifungals has been a major challenge for the medical and pharmaceutical community, requiring the search for new compounds with antimicrobial properties. Several studies have demonstrated the potential of natural and synthesized flavonoids, especially the dimers of these molecules. In this review are presented many examples of dimeric flavonoids that have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against viruses, like influenza and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), protozoal infections, such as Leishmaniasis and Malaria, fungal infections by Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, and bacterial infections caused, for example, by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In the pursuit to find potential safe agents for therapy in microbial infections, natural dimeric flavonoids are an option not only for the antimicrobial activity, but also for the low toxicity usually associated with these compounds when compared to classic antimicrobials.

Neste artigo procuramos reflectir sobre a função dos corpora na observação e análise de fenómenos de uma língua natural bem como na criação de novos recursos de exploração linguísticos que as tecnologias de informação têm vindo a potenciar e a tornar mais eficaz.

Evidence found in the literature indicates that dimeric flavonoids constitute important therapeutic options against cancer. Using these molecules to prevent cancer progression might be a novel and promising therapeutic approach with advantages like fewer side effects, easy access in nature, overall health benefits and overcoming drug resistance. Cancer is a complex disease and still not understood, but there are some common mechanisms and biological characteristics underlying tumor progression that have been scrutinized over the years. This information was summarized in a conceptual framework designated as hallmarks of cancer. Dimeric flavonoids exert biological effects in several pathways involved in cancer hallmarks including cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, metastasis and metabolism.

Dada a alta prevalência de cuidadores informais (CI) na Europa (cerca de 80%), e o impacto ambivalente do papel na sua saúde mental e física, desenvolveu-se o programa online “Group Hug – Informal Caregivers”. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o impacto deste programa na sobrecarga, bem-estar psicológico e resiliência em cuidadores informais residentes na área metropolitana de Lisboa. A amostra foi constituída por 17 participantes e foi realizada uma intervenção online com duração de 1 ano. O impacto do programa foi analisado através de uma avaliação realizada antes e após a participação, utilizando os seguintes instrumentos: Escala de Sobrecarga do Cuidador, Escala Breve de Coping Resiliente e a Escala de Medida de Manifestação de Bem-Estar Psicológico. Os resultados não indicaram melhorias significativas ao nível da sobrecarga (p=0.620), do coping resiliente (p=0.740), nem ao nível do bem-estar psicológico (p=0.326); isto pode dever-se a diversos fatores que caracterizam a amostra, à adesão às sessões, e ao facto de a resiliência ser um traço de personalidade e por isso poder ser alterado de forma limitada. As intervenções dirigidas aos cuidadores informais podem ser benéficas, mas é necessário continuar-se a investigar como devem ser implementadas para se garantir maior eficácia. Os terapeutas ocupacionais podem ter um papel importante nesta área, contribuindo com intervenções especializadas que promovam estratégias de gestão da sobrecarga, fortalecimento do bem-estar e desenvolvimento de recursos de resiliência nos cuidadores informais.

O norte de Portugal apresenta uma elevadataxa de envelhecimento, associada a condições como sarcopenia, diminuição do equilíbrio e da força muscular. O obje,vo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do programa de exercícios de Otago (PEO) na funcionalidade e, de forma secundária, na perceção de saúde e no medo de cair em idososresidentes em estruturas residenciais no Alto Minho. Realizou-se um estudo pré-experimental com 37 par,cipantes (83,46 ± 6,53 anos)sendo a maioria mulheres (75,60%). O PEO foi implementado durante oitosemanas, com avaliação da funcionalidade antes e após a intervenção u,lizando os testes 30 seconds Sit to Stand (30STS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 4 Stage Balance Test "Modified" (4SBTM), 15 seconds Step Test (15SST) e 10 meters Walking Speed (10MWS). A perceção de saúde e o medo de cair foram avaliados através de um ques,onário. Após a intervenção, observou-se uma melhoria significa,va na funcionalidade, com aumento das repe,ções do 30STS (6,69 ± 4,35 para 9,16 ± 5,35; p < 0,001) e redução do tempo do TUG (p = 0,006). No entanto, não foram encontradas diferenças significa,vas do 15SST (p = 0,142) e do 10MWS (p = 0,815). Houve uma melhoria significa,va do equilíbrio dinâmico (4SBTM, p < 0,001), mas não da perceção de saúde ou do medo de cair (p > 0,05). Conclui-se que o PEO melhora a força muscular, mobilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico, sem afetar a perceção de saúde ou o medo de cair.

The literature that links career development with reading skills is scarce. This study seeks to fill this gap, for which the reading f luency of college students was analyzed, taking into account the choice of more/less desirable courses. Desirability is based on the classifications for college access. 211 students participated in the study, 132 female, attending four courses: Mechanical Engineering, Health, Psychology, and Education, in three Portuguese Public Universities. The instruments used were the sociodemographic form and the Teste de Idade de Leitura (Reading Age Test – TIL). The results indicated that students attending less desirable courses (i.e., Education and Health) are significantly less fluent and; students who score lower on reading fluency are more likely to belong to the Education course. This study stresses the importance of the distribution of students by the different areas of studies should not reflect reading fluency asymmetries.

Biomonitoring allows for the assessment of internal exposure to various pesticides and metabolites. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review aims to summarise innovative biomonitoring techniques for assessing pesticide exposure in agricultural workers, their advantages and limitations, and their applicability. The search of the Medline/PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases identified 14 articles dealing with new techniques for biomonitoring pesticide exposure in agricultural workers. These new methodologies have identified several biomarkers associated with exposure to organophosphates. Most of the included studies combine and/or improve traditional methods to overcome their limitations. This leads to more sensitive, specific, and precise techniques with lower detection and quantification limits. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly analyse and test new biomonitoring methods for assessing pesticide exposure. These techniques can complement qualitative risk assessments and aid in developing strategies to protect public health and the environment.