Repositório RCAAP

Based on data from the FEMINA study, this communication aims to explore inequalities in HPV vaccine uptake. Results highlighted differences between the Portuguese and the Cape Verdean women: 97% vs. 67% had heard about the HPV vaccine; 30% vs. 9% had been vaccinated, and 71% vs. 82% had reported a lack of medical recommendation as a major reason for not having been vaccinated. Further research on the mechanisms that operate in the production of health disparities is needed to promote equity-focused interventions.

O número 17 da série de revistas Matéria-Prima permite interrogar as contradições em que a Educação Artística se pode localizar: entre uma utilidade técnica ou uma ambição transformadora, de cidadania e de sustentabilidade. Sobre estes desafios são apresentados 16 contributos, de diferentes autores, que permitem recentrar os debates, num ano charneira como 2019 se está a manifestar, em termos de sensibilização e urgência ambiental.

Poeta do final do século XVI e início do XVII, aluno da Universidade de Coimbra, Vasco Mouzinho de Quevedo Castelbranco foi autor de um poema heróico em seis cantos em que relata a vida da Rainha Santa Isabel. Face a um autor que fez os seus estudos na Universidade de Coimbra, é inevitável a tentação de associar este poema à produção poética em latim sobre o mesmo tema incentivada pelos mestres jesuítas nas classes de humanidades e retórica no Colégio das Artes. Era esta uma prática muito comum e enraizada neste colégio, logo a partir dos primeiros anos da sua existência sob direcção jesuítica e que se prolongou no tempo bem depois da canonização da rainha em 1625, com produções literárias de vários tipos, em português, latim ou noutra língua. Nesta análise veremos como o autor recorre aos poetas clássicos, como Horácio e Vergílio, na composição da sua obra, segundo processos que poderão coadunar-se com os preceitos recomendados pelas escolas ligadas à Companhia de Jesus que, para muitos, funcionavam como escolas preparatórias para a Universidade.

Endothelial dysfunction plays a major role in sickle cell anemia (SCA) systemic vasculopathy, with upregulation of adhesion molecules (e.g., VCAM-1), decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, and oxidative stress. We aimed to assess the modulation role of pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidative stimuli on endothelial VCAM1, NOS3, and HMOX1 expression. We also evaluated the effect of the main SCA therapeutic agent, hydroxyurea, on that modulation. Our results showed that two VCAM1 promoter haplotypes, we previously associated with pediatric cerebral vasculopathy and severe hemolysis in SCA, increased promoter activity in TNF-α-stimulated transfected EA.hy926 and HBEC cell lines, consistent with a higher VCAM1 expression in macro and microvascular settings. In non-transfected cells, we also observed TNF-α-induced VCAM1 overexpression as well as heme-induced overexpression of HMOX1 in both cell models. Heme did not affect VCAM1 nor NOS3 expression and the latter was also not affected by TNF-α stimulus. Hydroxyurea treatment lowered TNF-induced VCAM1 and NOS3 expression but did not affect heme-induced HMOX1 expression. These data further indicate that VCAM1 haplotypes we studied lead to higher VCAM1 expression affecting not only cerebral but also systemic vasculopathy risk. The differential endothelial expression of VCAM1, NOS3, and HMOX1 also confirms their genetic modulation role in SCA systemic vasculopathy.

Bariatric surgery, although an effective method, still has complications, like nutritional deficiencies. Our aim was to summarize the evidence on the frequency of complex B vitamin deficiencies in studies comparing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We included 25 studies for qualitative synthesis and 21 studies for quantitative synthesis. Relevant data was extracted, including proportion of patients with deficiency and mean serum vitamin values in 3 different timeframes. B12 and folate were the most prevalent deficiencies. B12 deficiency was more common after RYGB and folate serum mean levels were higher after RYGB. SG causes less nutrient deficiency and is therefore a better technique from this point of view. More studies are needed on B2, B3, and B6 vitamins to draw better conclusions.

Este relatório tem o objetivo de discutir questões de tradução audiovisual (TAV) do humor que surgiram durante a realização do estágio curricular na IndieLisboa – Associação Cultural, no âmbito do mestrado em Tradução. As questões trabalhadas são essencialmente de natureza lexical, integrando-se ainda questões socioculturais e temas associados à tradução de canções. A análise realizada no presente relatório tem em consideração aspetos teóricos sobre a tradução, em particular sobre TAV, o humor e a tradução audiovisual do humor. Foram selecionados exemplos específicos do filme Greener Grass, um dos que foram traduzidos no âmbito do estágio. O propósito é o de dar conta de diferentes níveis de dificuldades que possam surgir na TAV, mostrando ao mesmo tempo que acrescentar o elemento do humor à TAV torna a tarefa ainda mais desafiante. Mais ainda, a análise poderá demonstrar o nível de sucesso da tradução, tanto a nível linguístico como a nível humorístico. Para além de explorar a temática principal, a tradução audiovisual do humor, o relatório também procura destacar o impacto que a cultura tem na tradução. Tendo em conta que o filme analisado exibe propriedades linguísticas associadas especificamente à cultura norte-americana, é relevante observar como isso pode determinar as escolhas feitas na tradução. Assim, são apresentadas estratégias que permitem ultrapassar barreiras que a cultura impõe quando existe comunicação, e consequentemente, tradução.

γδ T cells are a conserved population of lymphocytes that contributes to anti-tumor responses through its overt type 1 inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. We have previously shown that human γδ T cells acquire this profile upon stimulation with IL-2 or IL-15, in a differentiation process dependent on MAPK/ERK signaling. Here, we identify microRNA-181a as a key modulator of human γδ T cell differentiation. We observe that miR-181a is highly expressed in patients with prostate cancer and that this pattern associates with lower expression of NKG2D, a critical mediator of cancer surveillance. Interestingly, miR-181a expression negatively correlates with an activated type 1 effector profile obtained from in vitro differentiated γδ T cells and miR-181a overexpression restricts their levels of NKG2D and TNF-α. Upon in silico analysis, we identify two miR-181a candidate targets, Map3k2 and Notch2, which we validate via overexpression coupled with luciferase assays. These results reveal a novel role for miR-181a as critical regulator of human γδ T cell differentiation and highlight its potential for manipulation of γδ T cells in next-generation immunotherapies.

Objectives: To investigate the mechanism of action at the molecular level of pepR, a multifunctional peptide derived from the Dengue virus capsid protein, against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Methods: Biofilm mass, metabolic activity and viability were quantified using conventional microbiology techniques, while fluorescence imaging methods, including a real-time calcein release assay, were employed to investigate the kinetics of pepR activity at different biofilm depths. Results: Using flow cytometry-based assays, we showed that pepR is able to prevent staphylococcal biofilm formation due to a fast killing of planktonic bacteria, which in turn resulted from a peptide-induced increase in the permeability of the bacterial membranes. The activity of pepR against pre-formed biofilms was evaluated through the application of a quantitative live/dead confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) assay. The results show that the bactericidal activity of pepR on pre-formed biofilms is dose and depth dependent. A CLSM-based assay of calcein release from biofilm-embedded bacteria was further developed to indirectly assess the diffusion and membrane permeabilization properties of pepR throughout the biofilm. A slower diffusion and delayed activity of the peptide at deeper layers of the biofilm were quantified. Conclusions: Overall, our results show that the activity of pepR on pre-formed biofilms is controlled by its diffusion along the biofilm layers, an effect that can be counteracted by an additional administration of peptide. Our study sheds new light on the antibiofilm mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides, particularly the importance of their diffusion properties through the biofilm matrix on their activity.

Zinc(II) complexes bearing N-salicylideneglycinate (Sal-Gly) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or phenanthroline derivatives [NN = 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-amine-1,10-phenanthroline (amphen), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen) and 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline] are synthesized. Complexes formulated as [Zn(NN)2(H2O)2]2+(NN = phen and amphen), are also prepared. The cytotoxicity of the compounds is evaluated towards a panel of human cancer cells: ovarian (A2780), breast (MCF7) and cervical (HeLa), as well as non-tumoral V79 fibroblasts. All compounds display higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin (IC50 = 22.5 ± 5.0 μM) towards ovarian cells, showing IC50values in the low micromolar range. Overall, all compounds show higher selectivity for the A2780 cells than for the non-tumoral cells and higher selectivity indexes (IC50(V79)/IC50(A2780) than cisplatin. [Zn(Sal-Gly)(NN)(H2O)] complexes induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in A2780 cells, except [Zn(Sal-Gly)(Bphen)(H2O)], one of the most cytotoxic of the series. The cellular uptake in the ovarian cells analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma mass spectrometry indicates different Zn distribution profiles. Transmission electronic microscopy shows mitochondria alterations and apoptotic features consistent with caspase activation; cells incubated with [Zn(Sal-Gly)(amphen)(H2O)] present additional nuclear membrane alterations in agreement with significant association with the nucleus. The increase of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation forms could be related to apoptosis induction. [Zn(NN)2(H2O)2]2+complexes have high ability to bind DNA through intercalation/groove binding, and circular dichroism data suggests that the main type of species that interact with DNA is [Zn(NN)]2+. Studies varying the % of fetal bovine serum (1-15%) in cell media show that albumin binding decreases the complex activity, indicating that distinct speciation of Zn- and phen-containing species in cell media may affect the cytotoxicity.

This article focuses on the multifaceted and thematic nature expressed by the concept of creation in 20th-century cosmology, namely in the construction of the big bang cosmology and its rival, the steadystate cosmology. Regarding the approaches of three of the main founders of big bang cosmology (Friedmann, Lemaître, and Gamow), we can find, in an explicit or implicit way, two different forms of creation – creation from nothing or creation from shapeless matter. On the opposite side, suggested by the proponents of steady-state cosmology (Hoyle, Bondi, and Gold), we can find another form of creation – the continuous creation of matter. It is proposed that the multifaceted concept of creation, due to the wide interest it aroused and the intensity of cosmological debates it provoked, as well as its historical longevity and its disciplinary and cultural transversality, may be recognized as a thema.

Esta investigação teve como principal objectivo a construção de um inventário de avaliação da vinculação de crianças institucionalizadas, com a sua figura familiar de referência - o Inventário de Observação de Vinculação em Crianças Institucionalizadas (IOVCI). Para analisar a validade dos dados fornecidos pelo inventário, recorreu-se à aplicação da Attachment Doll Story Completion Task (ASCT), para avaliar a vinculação de crianças ( = 40), entre os 4 e os 11 anos. Na amostra do estudo, de acordo com os dados obtidos com a ASCT, o padrão de vinculação predominante era o desorganizado, tanto em termos de valor absoluto, como na comparação com uma amostra de crianças em meio familiar. Verificou-se ainda uma associação positiva entre a idade e a segurança da vinculação. Na análise factorial do inventário identificaram-se sete factores relevantes, que permitiram estabelecer as seguintes escalas: 1) Comportamentos de segurança; 2) Comportamentos negativos/desorganização; 3) Vinculação segura; 4) Sensibilidade; 5) Procura de proximidade; 6) Porto seguro; 7) Comportamentos de evitação. O estudo correlacional destas escalas com a ASCT evidenciou a validade de algumas, nomeadamente das escalas 1, 2, 5 e 7. O nível de consistência interna é elevado para as primeiras cinco escalas. Para as escalas 6 e 7, esse valor é moderado. Na análise do acordo inter-observadores, apenas a escala 1 não atinge um nível de acordo razoável. Tendo em conta estes dados, é fundamental a continuação da investigação com o IOVCI, para aperfeiçoar a sua organização e estrutura, e aumentar a sua validade. Uma vez que existe uma escassez de instrumentos deste tipo, este inventário, apesar das suas limitações, pode ter um potencial prático útil no contexto de acolhimento institucional de crianças.

No âmbito do Mestrado em Tradução, lecionado na Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa, foi firmado um protocolo entre a Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa e a Rádio e Televisão de Portugal, com vista a possibilitar estágios curriculares na área da Tradução e Legendagem. O presente relatório marca a conclusão de um estágio realizados entre os dias 7 de janeiro e o dia 28 de junho de 2019, sob a orientação do Dr. Mário Sequeira e sob a supervisão da Dr.ª Alexandra Assis Rosa. Em primeiro lugar, será feita a apresentação da empresa de acolhimento e a caracterização do Gabinete de Conteúdos Adaptados: local onde foram desenvolvidas as atividades do estágio. Abordarei as principais competências adquiridas, entre as quais se destaca a adaptação textual para um público-alvo específico, assim como a importância desse trabalho na transmissão de informações e na inclusão social, fundamental para os indivíduos do público-alvo. Posteriormente, irá proceder-se a uma descrição pormenorizada das atividades realizadas e dos pressupostos inerentes para a realização de tal atividade. Como tal, serão apresentadas as normas que regem a legendagem, as ferramentas necessárias, os procedimentos diários e os passos fundamentais para o processo. No final, serão tecidas considerações críticas breves, de forma a fazer um balanço sobre a experiência vivida ao longo do estágio.

In the first chapter of this thesis, I analyze two films using a metonymic type of analysis. The value I place on metonymy, a term borrowed from rhetoric, is highlighted in the second chapter - this form of association can explain the kind of relationship that exists between surface and depth, or part and whole. It suits not only filmic analysis, but also the relationship between what we mean and what we say about the various objects of our experience. The descriptions that establish this relationship are often grounded on memories. In this sense, the thesis develops, in the third chapter, into a discussion of the role that our memories, being private, have in the interpretation of general things. We will see how this relationship has also a metonymic nature, which, in turn, interpenetrates with metaphorical substitution. The fusion between the two poles - metonymy and metaphor - can perhaps help us better explain the meaning of works of art.

The semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are materials, with chemical formula MX2, where M represents the transition metal (M: Mo, W) and X the chalcogen (X: S, Se, Te). These materials have been studied intensively in recent years due to the appearance of attractive physical, chemical and electronic properties when they reach the monolayer thickness, such as high electronic mobility and direct band gap between 1 and 2 eV. This value is comparable to that of silicon, which makes them promising candidates for the development of new electronic and optoelectronic devices. The morphology of the monolayers influences the performance of these compounds. For instance, the triangular shape in domains of high lateral dimension is desirable for electronic applications, while a morphology with a high number of active sites favors the use of TMDs in catalytic applications such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Within the TMDs, MoSe2 has attracted a lot of interest, because in addition to being a semiconductor material, it also has a high optical absorption. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique has proved to be the preferred MoSe2 synthesis methodology, because it provides better control over experimental parameters and a higher yield at a lower cost. However, the height of the MoSe2 monolayers belongs to the nanometric scale and during the synthesis of MoSe2 by CVD there is competition between lateral and vertical growth. For this reason, an in¬depth study of the most relevant experimental synthesis parameters is necessary, in addition to the temperature profile of the furnace, which guarantees the maintenance of the monolayers growth temperature. Currently, the growth mechanisms of MoSe2 monolayers are not fully understood and the optimization of the system is far from being achieved, which would ensure the quality and reproducibility of the results. In this work, the influence of the total flow rate of argon and hydrogen, the partial flow of hydrogen, the growth time, the ratio of the precursor masses and the geometry and position of the substrate were investigated, based on several characterization techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy¬dispersive X¬ray spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. Triangles and hexagons with high lateral dimension were obtained for gas flow rates between 50 and 80 sccm. The largest approximately equilateral triangle was about 40 µm in lateral size, synthesized with ≈ 0.6 g of selenium and ≈ 0.08 g of MoO3, a total gas flow rate of 70 sccm, a relative percentage of hydrogen of 12.50% and a growth time of 15 minutes. The highest average lateral size obtained was 5.30 µm for the same masses and the same total flow rate, but for a relative hydrogen percentage of 17.50% and a growth time of 10 minutes. For a high flow rate (ϕ =200 sccm) morphological transitions occur, resulting in fractal nanostructures that can be irregular or dendritic, depending on the mass ratio of the precursors. The correlation between experimental parameters and morphological results provides greater control over lateral size, nucleation density and thickness at the nanometer scale. Therefore, future step would be the characterization of the monolayers by photoluminescence in order to determine their optical band gap and evaluate their crystalline quality.

Both biosemiotics and evolutionary epistemology are concerned with how knowledge evolves. (Applied) Evolutionary Epistemology thereby focuses on identifying the units, levels, and mechanisms or processes that underlie the evolutionary development of knowing and knowledge, while biosemiotics places emphasis on the study of how signs underlie the development of meaning. We compare the two schools of thought and analyze how in delineating their research program, biosemiotics runs into several problems that are overcome by evolutionary epistemologists. For one, by emphasizing signs, biosemiotics needs to delineate a semiotic threshold, which is a problem not encountered by evolutionary epistemologists. Instead, the latter recognizes that all organisms are knowers that evolve knowledge, which they recognize to extend toward phenomena produced by organisms such as behavior, cognition, language, culture, science, and technology. Secondly, biosemiotics attempts at continuing adaptationist notions on how organisms relate to their environment, while especially Applied Evolutionary Epistemology comes to redefine the nature of the organism–environment relationship in such a way that it recognizes the spatiotemporal boundedness of existence, which in turn makes adaptationist accounts obsolete.

No summary/description provided

Background: Semantic dementia (SD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive language problems falling within the clinicopathological spectrum of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). The development of disease-modifying agents may be facilitated by the relative clinical and pathological homogeneity of SD, but we need robust monitoring biomarkers to measure their efficacy. In different FTLD subtypes, neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a promising marker, therefore we investigated the utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NfL in SD. Methods: This large retrospective multicentre study compared cross-sectional CSF NfL levels of 162 patients with SD with 65 controls. CSF NfL levels of patients were correlated with clinical parameters (including survival), neuropsychological test scores and regional grey matter atrophy (including longitudinal data in a subset). Results: CSF NfL levels were significantly higher in patients with SD (median: 2326 pg/mL, IQR: 1628-3593) than in controls (577 (446-766), p<0.001). Higher CSF NfL levels were moderately associated with naming impairment as measured by the Boston Naming Test (rs =-0.32, p=0.002) and with smaller grey matter volume of the parahippocampal gyri (rs =-0.31, p=0.004). However, cross-sectional CSF NfL levels were not associated with progression of grey matter atrophy and did not predict survival. Conclusion: CSF NfL is a promising biomarker in the diagnostic process of SD, although it has limited cross-sectional monitoring or prognostic abilities.

Objectives: Acute Aortic dissection (AAD) may present as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the incidence of this presentation is not well known. Our aim was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all observational studies reporting on the incidence of AAD in patients with OHCA. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PsycInfo, Web of Science Core Collection and OpenGrey databases from inception to March-2021, for observational studies reporting on the incidence of AAD in patients with OHCA. Data was pooled using a random-effects model of proportions. The primary outcome was the incidence of AAD in OHCA patients. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of type A aortic dissections (TAAD) and type B aortic dissections (TBAD) in OHCA patients, overall mortality following AAD-OHCA and risk of death in AAD-OHCA patients compared to risk of death of non-AAD-OHCA patients. Results: Fourteen studies were included. The pooled calculated incidence of OHCA due to AAD was 4.39% (95 %CI: 2.55; 6.8). Incidence of OHCA due to TAAD was 7.18% (95 %CI: 5.61; 8.93) and incidence of OHCA due to TBAD was 0.47% (95 %CI: 0.18; 0.85). Overall mortality following OHCA due to AAD was 100% (95 %CI: 97.62; 100). The risk of death in AAD-OHCA patients compared with non-AAD-OHCA patients was 1.10 (95 %CI: 0.94; 1.30). Conclusion: AAD as a cause of OHCA is more frequent than previously thought. Prognosis is dire, as it is invariably lethal. These findings should lead to a higher awareness of AAD when approaching a patient with OHCA and to future studies on this matter.

Cardiac alterations are frequently observed after acute neurological disorders. Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) represents an acute heart failure syndrome and is increasingly recognized as part of the spectrum of cardiac complications observed after neurological disorders. A systematic investigation of TTS patients with neurological disorders has not been conducted yet. The aim of the study was to expand insights regarding neurological disease entities triggering TTS and to investigate the clinical profile and outcomes of TTS patients after primary neurological disorders. The International Takotsubo Registry is an observational multicenter collaborative effort of 45 centers in 14 countries (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01947621). All patients in the registry fulfilled International Takotsubo Diagnostic Criteria. For the present study, patients were included if complete information on acute neurological disorders were available. 2402 patients in whom complete information on acute neurological status were available were analyzed. In 161 patients (6.7%) an acute neurological disorder was identified as the preceding triggering factor. The most common neurological disorders were seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, and ischemic stroke. Time from neurological symptoms to TTS diagnosis was ≤ 2 days in 87.3% of cases. TTS patients with neurological disorders were younger, had a lower female predominance, fewer cardiac symptoms, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and higher levels of cardiac biomarkers. TTS patients with neurological disorders had a 3.2-fold increased odds of in-hospital mortality compared to TTS patients without neurological disorders. In this large-scale study, 1 out of 15 TTS patients had an acute neurological condition as the underlying triggering factor. Our data emphasize that a wide spectrum of neurological diseases ranging from benign to life-threatening encompass TTS. The high rates of adverse events highlight the need for clinical awareness.

Aims: In patients with current or a history of hyperkalaemia, treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) is often compromised. Patiromer, a novel potassium (K+ ) binder, may improve serum K+ levels and adherence to RAASi. Methods: The DIAMOND trial will enroll ∼820 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; ejection fraction ≤40%). Patients meeting the screening criteria will enter a single-blinded run-in phase where they will be started or continued on a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) titrated to 50 mg/day and other RAASi therapy to ≥50% target dose, and patiromer. Patiromer will be titrated up to a maximum three packs/day (8.4 g/pack) to achieve optimal doses of RAASi without hyperkalaemia. The run-in phase will last up to 12 weeks, following which patients will undergo double-blind randomization in a 1:1 ratio to receive either continued patiromer or placebo (patiromer withdrawal). The primary endpoint is the mean difference in serum K+ from randomization between patiromer and placebo arms. Secondary endpoints will include hyperkalaemia events with K+ value >5.5 mEq/L, durable enablement of MRA at target dose, investigator-reported adverse events of hyperkalaemia, hyperkalaemia-related clinical endpoints and an overall RAASi use score (using a 0-8-point scale) comprising all-cause death, occurrence of cardiovascular hospitalization or usage of comprehensive heart failure medication. Conclusion: The DIAMOND trial is designed to determine if patiromer can favourably impact K+ control in patients with HFrEF with hyperkalaemia or a history of hyperkalaemia leading to RAASi therapy compromise, and in turn improve RAASi use.