Repositório RCAAP

Este relatório descreve o trabalho realizado no âmbito da disciplina de Projecto em Engenharia Informática do Mestrado em Engenharia Informática da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (FCUL), no período decorrente entre 3 de Setembro de 2007 e 3 de Junho de 2008. O projecto surge no contexto do sistema das Declarações Electrónicas (DE), do Sistema de Gestão dos Impostos do Património (Sistema do Património), do Sistema Value Added Tax on E-Services (VAT) e do Sistema de Controlo e Gestão (SCG). Os três primeiros sistemas integram-se ambos na Direcção-Geral dos Impostos (DGCI), tendo como objectivo facilitar o relacionamento dos contribuintes com a DGCI permitindo, em particular, a entrega do imposto Municipal sobre Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis (IMT) e do Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado pela Internet. Por sua vez, o SCG é um sistema interno desenvolvido pela Opensoft. Sobre estes sistemas foram desenvolvidos os projectos: “Casa Pronta” nas DE e Sistema do Património, “Processos Periódicos” no SCG, “Acessibilidade VAT” no sistema VAT, Sistema de Gestão de Remunerações de Peritos (SIREP) e “Porta 65 Jovem” no Sistema do Património. O desenvolvimento destes projectos envolveu tarefas relacionadas com a análise, implementação, testes e avaliação. Na fase da análise foram estudados os requisitos das aplicações (escolha de interfaces, definição do formato de ficheiro, protocolos de comunicação e descrição funcional). Na fase de implementação foram explicados, com detalhe, quais os passos tomados no decorrer dos projectos assim como as decisões tomadas e respectivas consequências.

The PTEN proteins (PTEN, for phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten) are a family of multi-specific phosphatases able to use both lipidic and proteic substrates (for recent reviews on their biochemistry and biomedical relevance see, e.g. The most important physiological PTEN substrate is the lipidic second messenger phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3). Thus, PTEN reverts the phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3K) phosphorilation of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to PIP3. As PIP3 activates the serine–threonine kinase Akt, which is involved in anti-apoptosis, proliferation and oncogenesis, its dephosphorylation by PTEN negatively regulates tumorigenesis. Mutations in the PTEN gene in human can lead to sporadic cancers (e.g., glioblastoma, endometrial and prostatic cancers) or to hereditary disorders characterized by multiple hamartomas and increased risk of cancers (Cowden disease, Bannayan-Zonana syndrome and Lhermitte-Duclos disease). PTEN expression is also associated with neuronal differentiation, and G1 phase cell cycle arrest in cell cultures.

Timolol maleate is a compound used in treatment for reducing increased intra-ocular pressure by limiting aqueous humor production. Decreased erythrocyte deformability (ED), increased activity of erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE), increased values of nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and nitic oxide (NO) and decreased plasma levels of NO metabolites, were described in primary open angle glaucoma patients. In healthy human red blood cells (RBCs), timolol is an inhibitor of AChE and induces NO efflux and GSNO efflux from that blood component in lower concentration than those obtained in presence of the natural AChE substrate, acetylcholine (ACh). The signal transduction pathway in RBCs described for NO in dependence of AChE-ACh active complex involves Gi protein, protein tyrosine kinase (PTK like Syk and p53/56Lyn), protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and adenylyl cyclase (AC).The aim of this in vitro study was to verify the effect of timolol maleate in ED, NO efflux and NO derivatives molecules (NOx) like nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-, peroxynitrite (-ONOO) and GSNO under the presence of PTK, PTP, AC and guanylyl cyclase (GC) enzyme proteins inhibitors.Blood samples from healthy donors were each one divided and were performed aliquots in absence (control aliquots) and presence of timolol or timolol plus each inhibitor and Gi protein uncoupling. No significant differences in erythrocyte NO efflux, GSNO, peroxynitrite, nitrite and nitrate concentrations in response to timolol when compared with the untreated blood samples aliquots were obtained.It was observed an increase in erythrocyte deformability at high shear stresses induced by the simultaneous presence of timolol and band 3 protein dephosphorylation by PTK syk inhibitor. No significant differences where verified in peroxynitrite levels in the blood aliquots in presence of timolol plus each enzyme inhibitor and Gi protein uncoupling in relation to the control aliquots. No variation of GSNO concentration occurs under the presence of timolol and AMGT (PTK lyn inhibitor) besides the significant higher values observed with each one of the other inhibitors. Nitrate concentration increases significantly in all aliquots with timolol plus each one of the inhibitors. The same was observe with nitrite levels with exception of the aliquots with timolol plus AMGT or timolol plus Gi protein uncoupling showing no significant values in relation to the control aliquots.Besides the changes in NO derivative molecules and NO efflux from RBCs obtained in this study with blood samples of healthy donors under the effect of timolol plus each inhibitor of the proteins participants in NO signal transduction mechanism, further analogue studies must be promoted with blood samples of patients with glaucoma or any other inflammatory vascular disease.

O objectivo da Newsletter do Instituto de Saúde Baseado na Evidência (ISBE) é a disponibilização de informação sobre áreas relevantes para a prática clínica, baseada na melhor evidência científica. São localizados estudos relevantes e de alta qualidade, criticamente avaliados pela sua validade, importância dos resultados e aplicabilidade prática e resumidos numa óptica de suporte à decisão clínica. É dada prioridade aos estudos de causalidade – revisões sistemáticas, ensaios clínicos, estudos de coorte prospectivos/retrospectivos, estudos seccionais cruzados e caso‐controlo – incluindo‐se ainda, quando justificado, estudos qualitativos considerados de elevada qualidade metodológica e importância clínica.

Children's sleep habits are profoundly affected by socio-economic, cultural, and environmental factors. We aim to describe the sleep habits of pediatric sub-populations from Cape Verde and Mozambique using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, and to ascertain the determinants of the questionnaire's score. Material and Methods: We conducted cross-sectional surveys in surveillance appointments in Cape Verde and in a school in Maputo (Mozambique). The Cape Verde sample included 206 children (mean age: 6.5) and the Mozambique sample 454 children (mean age: 8). The Portuguese version of the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire was used to evaluate the children’s sleep habits. The distributions of the questionnaire’s scores across different levels of the demographic variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis tests. We used regression models to quantify the relationship between the demographic variables and the questionnaire’s scores. Results: Cape Verde sample: Questionnaire median score: 50 (range 36 – 81). Prevalence of sleep problems: 29.9% (cut-off = 56). Prevalence of parent-reported sleep problems: 22.8%. Co-sleeping: 63%. Bedtime television: 30%. Daytime nap: 63%. Questionnaire scores are associated with the mother’s educational level, the children’s age group, and with the frequency of daytime napping. Mozambique Sample: Median Questionnaire score: 48 (range 35 – 77). Prevalence of sleep problems: 28.4% (cut-off: 52). Percentage of parent-reported sleep problems: 6.9%. Co-sleeping: 29%. Bedtime television: 33%. Daytime nap: 23%. Questionnaire scores are associated with the mother’s nationality, the father educational level, and with the frequency of bedtime television. Discussion: Parents tend to overestimate the quality of their children’s sleep. The prevalence of sleep disturbances and the cut-off values are higher than observed in previous studies, which may be due to the existence of different standards and cultural expectations across populations. Bedtime television, typically associated with more disturbed sleep, is frequent in both samples. Co-sleeping and daytime napping are frequent in the Cape Verde sample; wetting the bed is common and more prevalent than in previous studies. Bed-sharing increases the parents’ awareness of their children’s sleep quality, contributing to the high prevalence of parent-reported sleep problems. Conclusion: Parent-reported sleep problems underestimate the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire results. This is not necessarily indicative of more disturbed sleep and might reflect differences in sleep behavior, childcare practice, and cognitions and attitudes towards the concept of ‘normal’ sleep.

The 24 hours ABPM has allowed the discrimination of hypertensive patients in dippers and non-dippers. Being the last ones associated with a higher number of cardiac and vascular repercussions. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the haemomeologic alterations in hypertensive patients and to determine if there are differences of haemorheologic parameters between these two groups.

Introduction: The 24 hours monitoring blood pressure has allowed the discrimination between hypertension and white coat hypertension. Several works have shown haemorheolyic alterations in hypertensive patients, which might be related with the increased risk for cardiovascular events. The objective of the present work was to evaluate if any alteration in haemorheologyc parameters was present in the WCH.

O estudo in vivo ou in vitro da produção de monóxido de azoto (NO) em células endoteliais requer o uso de eléctrodos específicos de NO, que permitem compreender melhor os mecanismos de transducção de sinal a nível intracelular. Neste trabalho estudou-se a hipótese da acetilcolina (ACh) ser um modulador do metabolismo do NO através da acetilcolinesterase (AChE), funcionando como receptor de transducção de sinal para este mensageiro intracelular, utilizando a velnacrina maleato como inibidor da AChE. As células endoteliais da veia do cordão umbilical humano (HUVECs) em cultura foram estimuladas com ACh 10-5M e velnacrina maleato 10-5M (VM), medindo-se a produção e/ou libertação de NO pelas HUVECs, utilizando um eléctrodo sensor de NO. Os resultados obtidos de concentração de NO nas HUVECs foram de 1,83 ± 0,54 nM (n=5) na presença de ACh 10-5M e de 0,83 ± 0,19 nM na presença de VM 10-5M. Com a adição simultânea destes dois compostos obteve-se uma concentração de NO de 1,12 ± 0,18 nM. A presença de VM inibe significativamente o efeito que a ACh produz no aumento da concentração de NO (P=0,009). Os resultados experimentais permitem chegar à conclusão que a formação do complexo AChE-velnacrina maleato pouco activo interfere com mecanismos de transducção de sinal desconhecidos. A hipótese colocada de que a acetilcolina modula o metabolismo do NO, através da acetilcolinesterase, podendo funcionar como receptor de transducção de sinal, parece ser válida embora o seu mecanismo continue a ser desconhecido.

Red cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na, + K + - adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activities, cell 2,3 - diphosphoglycerate (2,3 - DPG) and adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) content and filterability ratio were studied in two children (with moderate hemolytic anemia and marked spherocytosis) and their parents. Patients’ parents have no medical problem but evidenced discrete spherocytosis on peripheral smear. Except some increased apparent red cell rigidity detected in the father, all the parameters studied in both parents were found to be normal, as compared to healthy controls. In contrast, red cell rigidity, 2,3-DPG and ATP levels and Na, + K + ATPase activity were increased in both children, whereas AChE activity was similar to values of normal subjects. These observations suggest that both affected patients suffered from homozygous hereditary spherocytosis linked to an apparently recessively inherited red cell membrane defect.

In addition to the suggestive involvement of the noradrenergic system, there is substantial evidence that blood pressure regulation in the man and some other mammais (e.g.cat, dog and rat) is dependent on the cholinergic activity. Many experimental and some clinical studies have demonstrated that the stimulation of the central cholinergic system by direct receptor agonists or acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, mediates a rise in arterial pressure.

Esta dissertação estuda a linguagem do Sueste da Beira nos planos diacrónico e sincrónico. Começa por, partindo do que a tradição científica identifica, apresentar as principais questões e os principais traços definidores da referida linguagem e por fazer uma breve caracterização (apontada ao foco da dissertação) dos falares de Espanha confinantes com a mesma linguagem. Depois faz estudos descritivos dessa linguagem nas suas fases antiga – partindo de um corpus de documentos produzidos na região nos séculos XIII e XIV – e contemporânea – partindo de dados do Atlas Linguístico-Etnográfico de Portugal e da Galiza e de dados de recolha própria. Finalmente, junta os elementos apurados nas análises anteriores.

As causas do envelhecimento têm desde sempre preocupado o homem em geral e os cientistas em particular. E, embora tenham sido registados nos últimos decénios progressos espectaculares na redução da mortalidade infantil e aumento da perspectiva de vida humana, esses benefícios pouco ou nada têm a ver com a modulação dos mecanismos de envelhecimento, o aumento da vida média humana tem sido conseguido quase exclusivamente através da minimização de vários flagelos, tais como as infecções, parasitoses e, em data mais recente, pela redução de alguns factores de risco cardiovascular.

Children with DiGeorge syndrome/chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome might have a variable degree of immunodeficiency, which may limit the use of live vaccines. The aim of this study was to review the adverse effects of live vaccines and possible relation with immune status in patients with DiGeorge Syndrome/partial 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.Material e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospetivo por revisão dos processos clínicos das crianças com deleção do cromossoma 22q11.2 e fenótipo de síndrome de DiGeorge, seguidos num centro de referência de imunodeficiências primárias. Foi realizada colheita de dados, incluindo: características demográficas; história médica; historial de vacinação com vacinas vivas; contagem de linfócitos T-CD4+ e respostas proliferativas linfocitárias a antigénios e mitogénios; reações adversas; falências vacinais. Resultados: Foram incluídas 23 crianças com síndrome de DiGeorge/deleção 22q11.2, 65,2% do sexo masculino e idade média de diagnóstico de 11,3 meses. Destas, 18 crianças (78%) receberam a vacina bacillus Calmette-Guérin: todas com evidência de atividade tímica; três apresentaram linfopénia T-CD4+ moderada e respostas proliferativas linfocitárias anormais; uma com respostas proliferativas linfocitárias anormais para mitogénios, quatro para derivado de proteína purificada e uma para toxóide tetânico. A vacina tríplice contra o sarampo, parotidite e rubéola foi administrada a 15 crianças, três com imunossupressão moderada e respostas proliferativas linfocitárias anormais. A vacina viva atenuada contra poliomielite foi administrada a quatro crianças sem imunossupressão e a vacina contra o rotavírus a três crianças, uma com imunossupressão moderada. Não foram reportadas reações adversas. Discussão: Estes dados estão de acordo com as conclusões de outros estudos internacionais. Conclusão: Na nossa amostra, as vacinas vivas atenuadas foram bem toleradas, incluindo em crianças com linfopénia T-CD4+ moderada e com respostas proliferativas linfocitárias a antigénios/mitogénios anormais.

For most of human history, funerary burial has been unusual. Archaeology shows a shift in funerary practices in postglacial hunter-gatherers, in parts of Europe during the Late Mesolithic. This is documented by the burial grounds in the Tagus and Sado valleys in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, Portugal, where ca. 376 burials were excavated. This study presents a chronology for the burial activity in these sites and contextualizes the start and end activity phases within regional environmental changes and cultural developments. The dataset consists of 76 14C dates on human bone (19 new, 57 published) including new dates from contexts in Portugal outside these valleys. Bayesian chronological models were defined in OxCal, and protein carbon contributions of marine foods were estimated by the Bayesian mixing model FRUITS. The results indicate a broader timeframe for the Late Mesolithic in Portugal, than previously suggested, starting during a period of significant environmental changes, ca. 8500–8300 cal BP, and ending ca. 7000 cal BP. The burial activity decreased during the establishment of Neolithic farmers in southwestern Iberia from ca. 7450 cal BP, however, these burial grounds continued to be used by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, showing that diverse social structures and worldviews coexisted for several generations.

Gregório Lopes (1490-1550) foi um dos pintores mais proeminentes do Renascimento e Maneirismo Português. A pintura “Mater Misericordiae”, feita para a Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sesimbra, cerca de 1535-1538, e actualmente no Núcleo Museológico da Capela do Espírito Santo dos Mareantes de Sesimbra, é uma das obras mais importantes do artista, e a sua única pintura sobre esta temática, sendo, como tal, uma das pinturas mais significativas do século XVI em Portugal. A sua recente intervenção de conservação e restauro proporcionou a possibilidade de estudar materialmente a pintura pela primeira vez, através de uma metodologia multianalítica. O estudo incorporou a espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X dispersiva em energia (EDXRF), a microscopia electrónica de varrimento com espectroscopia dispersiva em energia (SEM-EDS), a micro-difracção de raios X (μ-DRX), a micro-espectroscopia Raman (μ-Raman) e a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a detector de foto-diodos (diode array) e detector de massa (HPLC/DAD/MS). O estudo analítico foi complementado pelo exame de Reflectografia de Infravermelhos (IRR), permitindo o estudo da técnica do desenho subjacente, e também pela dendrocronologia de modo a confirmar a data dos painéis de madeira (1535-1538). Os resultados deste estudo foram comparados com outros resultados anteriormente obtidos no estudo da oficina do pintor Gregório Lopes, permitindo encontrar semelhanças e diferenças significativas nos materiais e nas técnicas utilizadas. Este estudo permitiu a análise aprofundada desta pintura e o avanço do conhecimento sobre o seu estado de conservação, trazendo novos dados sobre as técnicas e materiais utilizados por este pintor e contribuindo para o progresso do conhecimento cultural sobre o importante legado artístico da região de Sesimbra.

No summary/description provided

To compare motivational interviewing (MI) with conventional care regarding the health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) of adolescents with overweight/obesity. Methods: RCT with parallel design, involving two groups: intervention group (MI group [MIG]) and control group (conventional intervention group [CIG]). The intervention included three 30-minute interviews 3 months apart. Outcome: Change in Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) scores. A mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess group versus time interactions. Results: Eighty-three participants finished the protocol (82% girls). MIG participants showed a significant average increase (+4.7) on the Psychosocial (t[41] = -2.388, p = .022, d = .37) and Emotional Subscales (+5.1) (t[41] = 5.733, p < .001, d = .88). CIG participants showed a significant average decrease on the Psychosocial (-6.1) (t[40] = 5.733, p < .001, d = .90), Emotional (-14.1) (t[40] = 7.249, p < .001, d = 1.13) and Social Subscales (-3.8) (t[40] = 3.782, p = .001, d = .59) and on the Total Score (–4.4) (t[40] = 3.535, p = .001, d = .55) Conclusion: MI improved HRQoL among overweight adolescents participating in a weight management program. Practice implications: MI increases HRQoL and has the potential to benefit weight management programs for adolescents.

No summary/description provided

We read with interest the study by Choe and colleagues who increases emphasis on the heart–brain axis in Parkinson’s disease (PD). They have studied the relation between subclinical cardiac markers and motor impairment (Unifed Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part III and Hoehn and Yahr stage) and cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment[MoCA]) concluding that patients with PD presented higher levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) compared with healthy controls matched forage, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors; increased levels of NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity troponin I were associated with worse motor impairment (Unifed Parkinson’s DiseaseRating Scale Part III and Hoehn and Yahr stage); and MoCA was inversely associated to high-sensitivity tropo-nin I and NT-proBNP levels only in unadjusted models among patients with PD.The population included were patients with advanced-stage PD (12 years of disease durationin average).

No summary/description provided