Enhanced removal of rare earth elements from aqueous media: exploring the potential of AM-3 and AM-4 titanosilicates.

This study investigates the impact of three key variables on the performance of nanoporous AM-3 and layered AM-4 titanosilicates in removing nine REEs (Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy) from natural mineral water and identifies optimal operational conditions using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The experimental conditions were determined by a Box-Behnken Design of 3 factors-3 levels (pH 4, 6, and 8; sorbent dose 20, 100, and 180 mg/L; and element concentration 1, 3, and 5 µmol/L). Three-dimensional response surfaces were used to assess the linear, quadratic, and interaction influences of each factor on the REEs' removal percentage. The pH was the most significant factor in the removal process using AM-3, while the sorbent dose was more important for AM-4. The results highlighted the sorbents' strong capacity for REE removal. The optimal operating conditions obtained by RSM were applied to aqueous solutions with salinity 10 (common in coastal and transitional systems) and 30 (average seawater salinity). The results showed that AM-3 has a strong potential for removing REEs in solutions with salinity 10 and 30, while AM-4 was less efficient due to competition between REEs and other ions present in the solution.

The Effect of Death Anxiety on Work Passion: Moderating Roles of Work Centrality and Work Connection.

Fear of death is an emotional manifestation of the instinct for self-preservation. Any threat to our existence induces an anxiety response. Death anxiety can trigger obsessive-compulsive behaviours, such as an obsessive passion for work. Using a sample of 314 participants (68.2% female), with a mean age of 38.97 years (SD = 10.36), this study sought to observe the predictive effect of death anxiety on work passion, as well as the moderating effect of work-family centrality and connection on the relationship between anxiety and passion. The results revealed that death anxiety negatively affects harmonious passion, and positively affects obsessive passion. Work centrality did not moderate the influence of death anxiety on harmonious and obsessive passion. Nonetheless, work connection moderated the influence of death anxiety on harmonious passion. The negative influence of death anxiety on harmonious passion was greater in a group with high work connection than a group with low connection.

Plant Monoterpenes and Essential Oils as Potential Anti-Ageing Agents: Insights from Preclinical Data.

Ageing is a natural process characterized by a time-dependent decline of physiological integrity that compromises functionality and inevitably leads to death. This decline is also quite relevant in major human pathologies, being a primary risk factor in neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. Bearing this in mind, it is not surprising that research aiming at improving human health during this process has burst in the last decades. Importantly, major hallmarks of the ageing process and phenotype have been identified, this knowledge being quite relevant for future studies towards the identification of putative pharmaceutical targets, enabling the development of preventive/therapeutic strategies to improve health and longevity. In this context, aromatic plants have emerged as a source of potential bioactive volatile molecules, mainly monoterpenes, with many studies referring to their anti-ageing potential. Nevertheless, an integrated review on the current knowledge is lacking, with several research approaches studying isolated ageing hallmarks or referring to an overall anti-ageing effect, without depicting possible mechanisms of action. Herein, we aim to provide an updated systematization of the bioactive potential of volatile monoterpenes on recently proposed ageing hallmarks, and highlight the main mechanisms of action already identified, as well as possible chemical entity-activity relations. By gathering and categorizing the available scattered information, we also aim to identify important research gaps that could help pave the way for future research in the field.

Restorative Effects of Biophilic Workplace and Nature Exposure during Working Time: A Systematic Review.

The work environment plays a crucial role in the health and performance of employees. The growing interest in workers' well-being has driven the inclusion of nature in workplaces, despite many employees spending most of their time indoors, away from nature. Studies show that biophilic design in offices can have positive effects and promote workers' well-being. However, research on the beneficial effects of nature exposure in the workplace is limited and scattered. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to consolidate current knowledge on the restorative effects of nature exposure on workers during work activities. Different types of exposure, both outdoors and indoors, were considered, with a focus on outcomes related to well-being, motivation, job satisfaction, and work performance. Out of the initially identified 1225 articles, only 16 met the criteria for analysis. Although the analysed studies provided compelling evidence regarding the restorative effects of nature exposure in the workplace, the review also points out gaps and limitations concerning the number of specific studies in this area and the need to adequately assess the sensory dimensions involved in these effects. Conducting more comprehensive and multidimensional investigations into the impacts of nature on the work environment could contribute to guiding more effective design strategies and creating healthier and more productive workplaces for employees.

Oxalate (dys)Metabolism: Person-to-Person Variability, Kidney and Cardiometabolic Toxicity.

Oxalate is a metabolic end-product whose systemic concentrations are highly variable among individuals. Genetic (primary hyperoxaluria) and non-genetic (e.g., diet, microbiota, renal and metabolic disease) reasons underlie elevated plasma concentrations and tissue accumulation of oxalate, which is toxic to the body. A classic example is the triad of primary hyperoxaluria, nephrolithiasis, and kidney injury. Lessons learned from this example suggest further investigation of other putative factors associated with oxalate dysmetabolism, namely the identification of precursors (glyoxylate, aromatic amino acids, glyoxal and vitamin C), the regulation of the endogenous pathways that produce oxalate, or the microbiota's contribution to oxalate systemic availability. The association between secondary nephrolithiasis and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity) inspired the authors to perform this comprehensive review about oxalate dysmetabolism and its relation to cardiometabolic toxicity. This perspective may offer something substantial that helps advance understanding of effective management and draws attention to the novel class of treatments available in clinical practice.

Bacteria and microalgae associations in periphyton-mechanisms and biotechnological opportunities.

Phototrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms coexist in complex and dynamic structures called periphyton. These structures shape the biogeochemistry and biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. In particular, microalgae-bacteria interactions are a prominent focus of study by microbial ecologists and can provide biotechnological opportunities for numerous applications (i.e. microalgal bloom control, aquaculture, biorefinery, and wastewater bioremediation). In this review, we analyze the species dynamics (i.e. periphyton formation and factors determining the prevalence of one species over another), coexisting communities, exchange of resources, and communication mechanisms of periphytic microalgae and bacteria. We extend periphyton mathematical modelling as a tool to comprehend complex interactions. This review is expected to boost the applicability of microalgae-bacteria consortia, by drawing out knowledge from natural periphyton.

Control of Arterial Hypertension by the AhR Blocker CH-223191: A Chronopharmacological Study in Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Conditions.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is a major contributor to the development of hypertension (HTN) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA subjects frequently display a non-dipping pattern of blood pressure (BP) and resistant HTN. After discovering that AHR-CYP1A1 axis is a druggable target in CIH-HTN, we hypothesized that CH-223191 could control BP in both active and inactive periods of the animals, recovering the BP dipping profile in CIH conditions.We evaluated the chronopharmacology of the antihypertensive efficacy of the AhR blocker CH-223191 in CIH conditions (21% to 5% of O2, 5.6 cycles/h, 10.5 h/day, in inactive period of Wistar rats). BP was measured by radiotelemetry, at 8 am (active phase) and at 6 pm (inactive phase) of the animals. The circadian variation of AhR activation in the kidney in normoxia was also assessed, measuring the CYP1A1 (hallmark of AhR activation) protein levels.Despite drug administration before starting the inactive period of the animals, CH-223191 was not able to decrease BP during the inactive phase, in CIH conditions, therefore not reverting the non-dipping profile. These results suggest that a higher dose or different time of administration of CH-223191 might be needed for an antihypertensive effect throughout the 24-h cycle.

Malignant Transformation of Retroauricular Hidradenoma in Hidradenocarcinoma in a Nine-Year-Old Patient: A Case Report.

Hidradenocarcinoma, a rare malignant entity that derives from sweat glands, is especially rare in the pediatric population. The treatment of choice is surgery. Radiation therapy is used only in selected patients. Chemotherapy is not used extensively because its effectiveness has not been demonstrated yet. This case report describes a nine-year-old female patient who presented in 2018 with a vegetative lesion in the right parietal region. After excisional surgery, pathology confirmed that the lesion was a benign hidradenoma. However, the lesion recurred six months later, and subsequent surgery revealed nodular hidradenoma with positive margins. In July 2019, a new heterogenous lesion appeared in the right retroauricular region, which was surgically removed. The pathology report found possible malignant characteristics, and the patient was referred to our hospital where she was diagnosed with poorly differentiated right retroauricular carcinoma with infiltrative and perineural permeation, along with homolateral lymph node metastasis. It was histologically compatible with a hidradenocarcinoma. The patient underwent a wide-margin excision and homolateral total cervical lymphadenectomy, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. The last follow-up MRI was negative for disease recurrence or metastasis; however, a slow-growing node on the left jugular chain (level II) was noted. The patient is on regular follow-ups to monitor disease status and treatment-related adverse events. This case highlights the challenges of diagnosing and treating hidradenocarcinoma, a rare malignancy that requires aggressive management with a multidisciplinary approach. More robust clinical evidence is needed to define the best treatment approach for these aggressive tumors.

Removal of parabens from wastewater by Chlorella vulgaris-bacteria co-cultures.

Anthropogenic activities have increased the dispersal of emerging contaminants (ECs), particularly of parabens, causing an escalation of their presence in wastewater (WW). Current WW technologies do not present satisfactory efficiency or sustainability in removing these contaminants. However, bioremediation with microalgae-based systems is proving to be a relevant technology for WW polishing, and the use of microalgae-bacteria consortia can improve the efficiency of WW treatment. This work aimed to study dual cultures of selected bacteria (Raoultella ornithinolytica, Acidovorax facilis, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Leucobacter sp. or Rhodococcus fascians) and the microalga Chlorella vulgaris in microbial growth and WW bioremediation - removal of methylparaben (MetP) and nutrients. The association with the bacteria was antagonistic for C. vulgaris biomass productivity as a result of the decreased growth kinetics in comparison to the axenic microalga. The presence of MetP did not disturb the growth of C. vulgaris under axenic or co-cultured conditions, except when associated with R. fascians, where growth enhancement was observed. The removal of MetP by the microalga was modest (circa 30 %, with a removal rate of 0.0343 mg/L.d), but increased remarkably when the consortia were used (> 50 %, with an average removal rate > 0.0779 mg/L.d), through biodegradation and photodegradation. For nutrient removal, the consortia were found to be less effective than the axenic microalga, except for nitrogen (N) removal by C. vulgaris w/ R. fascians. The overall results propose that C. vulgaris co-cultivation with bacteria can increase MetP removal, while negatively affecting the microalga growth and the consequent reduction of sludge production, highlighting the potential of microalgae-bacteria consortia for the effective polishing of WW contaminated with parabens.

Fibrosis of Peritoneal Membrane, Molecular Indicators of Aging and Frailty Unveil Vulnerable Patients in Long-Term Peritoneal Dialysis.

Peritoneal membrane status, clinical data and aging-related molecules were investigated as predictors of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) outcomes. A 5-year prospective study was conducted with the following endpoints: (a) PD failure and time until PD failure, (b) major cardiovascular event (MACE) and time until MACE. A total of 58 incident patients with peritoneal biopsy at study baseline were included. Peritoneal membrane histomorphology and aging-related indicators were assessed before the start of PD and investigated as predictors of study endpoints. Fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane was associated with MACE occurrence and earlier MACE, but not with the patient or membrane survival. Serum α-Klotho bellow 742 pg/mL was related to the submesothelial thickness of the peritoneal membrane. This cutoff stratified the patients according to the risk of MACE and time until MACE. Uremic levels of galectin-3 were associated with PD failure and time until PD failure. This work unveils peritoneal membrane fibrosis as a window to the vulnerability of the cardiovascular system, whose mechanisms and links to biological aging need to be better investigated. Galectin-3 and α-Klotho are putative tools to tailor patient management in this home-based renal replacement therapy.

CuMV VLPs Containing the RBM from SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Drive Dendritic Cell Activation and Th1 Polarization.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most specialized and proficient antigen-presenting cells. They bridge innate and adaptive immunity and display a powerful capacity to prime antigen-specific T cells. The interaction of DCs with the receptor-binding domain of the spike (S) protein from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a pivotal step to induce effective immunity against the S protein-based vaccination protocols, as well as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Herein, we describe the cellular and molecular events triggered by virus-like particles (VLPs) containing the receptor-binding motif from the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, or, as controls, in the presence of the Toll-like receptors (TLR)3 and TLR7/8 agonists, comprehending the events of dendritic cell maturation and their crosstalk with T cells. The results demonstrated that VLPs boosted the expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules and co-stimulatory receptors of DCs, indicating their maturation. Furthermore, DCs' interaction with VLPs promoted the activation of the NF-kB pathway, a very important intracellular signalling pathway responsible for triggering the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, co-culture of DCs with T cells triggered CD4+ (mainly CD4+Tbet+) and CD8+ T cell proliferation. Our results suggested that VLPs increase cellular immunity, involving DC maturation and T cell polarization towards a type 1 T cells profile. By providing deeper insight into the mechanisms of activation and regulation of the immune system by DCs, these findings will enable the design of effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

Synthesis of Carvone Derivatives and In Silico and In Vitro Screening of Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Murine Macrophages.

The chemical modification of natural compounds is a promising strategy to improve their frequently poor bioavailability and low potency. This study aimed at synthesizing chemical derivatives of carvone, a natural monoterpene with anti-inflammatory properties, which we recently identified, and evaluating their potential anti-inflammatory activity. Fourteen chemical derivatives of carvone were synthesized, purified and their chemical structures confirmed. Noncytotoxic concentrations of the test compounds were selected based on the resazurin reduction assay. Among the tested compounds, four significantly reduced the lipopolysaccharides-induced protein levels of the inducible isoform of the nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production and showed a dual effect on pro-IL-1 protein levels in the Raw 264.7 cell line. The Ligand Express drug discovery platform was used to predict the targets of the test compounds, and an enrichment analysis was performed to group the different biological processes and molecular and cellular functions of the tested compounds. Moreover, Ligand Express also predicted that all chemicals evaluated have intestinal and blood-brain barrier permeability, do not inhibit P-gp and do not interact with major receptors. Although presenting anti-inflammatory and some advantageous ADME properties, the tested compounds still have low potency and specificity but may provide novel structures the further chemical modification of which may yield more promising drugs.

The Effect of Multicultural Attitudes and Perceived Intergroup Threat on Attitudes Towards Immigrants in Portugal: A Polynomial Regression With Response Surface Analysis.

Supported by the Intergroup Threat Theory (ITT), this study analyzes the effect of multicultural ideology on attitudes towards immigrants mediated by realistic, symbolic, and zero-sum threats. With a sample of Portuguese participants (N = 404)), polynomial regression analysis with response surface methodology was used to test the effects of multicultural attitude (MA) and perceived intergroup threat (PIT) on attitudes towards immigrants (ATI). This study also tested a model in which positive MA leads to a lower PIT, and consequently to more favorable ATI. Four hypotheses were proposed; all of which were confirmed. The results further showed that the direction of discrepancy between MA and PIT can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex role of multicultural ideology in predicting ATI. Findings, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of (R)-(-)-Carvone: Potential Roles of JNK1, Nrf2 and NF-κB.

To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of (R)-(-)-carvone, we evaluated its ability to inhibit the signaling pathways involving the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). (R)-(-)-carvone significantly decreased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1phosphorylation, but not that of the other MAPKs, induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Although (R)-(-)-carvone significantly inhibited resynthesis of the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB)-α induced by LPS, it did not interfere with the canonical NF-κB activation pathway, suggesting that it may interfere with its transcriptional activity. (R)-(-)-carvone also showed a tendency to decrease the levels of acetylated NF-κB/p65 in the nucleus, without affecting the activity and protein levels of Sirtuin-1, the major NF-κB/p65 deacetylating enzyme. Interestingly, the nuclear protein levels of the transcription factor, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and the expression of its target,, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme, also showed a tendency to increase in the presence of (R)-(-)-carvone. Taken together, these results suggest that the ability of (R)-(-)-carvone to inhibit JNK1 and to activate Nrf2 can underlie its capacity to inhibit the transcriptional activity of NF-κB and the expression of its target genes. This study highlights the diversity of molecular mechanisms that can be involved in the anti-inflammatory activity of monoterpenes.

Propriedades psicométricas da escala de Civic Engagement de Doolitle e Faul (2013) numa amostra portuguesa / Psychometric properties of the Doolitle and Faul Civic Engagement scale (2013) in a Portuguese sample / Propriedades psicométricas de la escala de Civic Engagement de Doolitle y Faul (2013) en una muestra portuguesa

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar as propriedades psicométricas da escala de Engagement Cívico (Doolitle, & Faul, 2013) numa amostra portuguesa. Foi aplicado um processo de tradução-retrotradução dos itens do questionário, cujas caraterísticas psicométricas foram analisadas através de uma amostra de 539 participantes. Os dados foram submetidos a uma análise fatorial confirmatória, análise fatorial confirmatória multigrupo, análise de itens e análise de confiabilidade. Os resultados confirmaram a estrutura original, bifatorial, atitudes cívicas e comportamentos cívicos. As propriedades psicométricas da versão em Português da escala de Engagement Cívico são adequadas, o que permite a utilização deste questionário na população Portuguesa. Pesquisas futuras devem investigar a estabilidade temporal.(AU)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Civic Engagement Scale (Doolittle & Faul, 2013) in a Portuguese sample. A translation-back translation process of the items was carried out, with the psychometric characteristics analyzed using a sample of 539 participants. The data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis, multi-group confirmatory factorial analysis, item analysis and reliability analysis. The results confirmed the bifactor structure, civic attitudes and civic behaviors. The psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Civic Engagement scale were adequate, which allows the use of this questionnaire in the Portuguese population. Future studies should analyze the temporal stability.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Civic Engagement (Doolitle, & Faul, 2013) en una muestra portuguesa. Se aplicó un proceso de retrotraducción de los ítems del cuestionario, cuyas características psicométricas se analizaron a través de una muestra de 539 participantes. Los datos fueron sometidos a un análisis factorial confirmatorio, análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo, análisis de ítems y análisis de confiabilidad. Los resultados confirmaron la estructura bifactorial original, actitudes cívicas y comportamientos cívicos. Las propiedades psicométricas de la versión portuguesa del Civic Engagement son adecuados, lo que permite el uso de este cuestionario en la población portuguesa. Futuras investigaciones deben explorar la estabilidad temporal.(AU)

Monoterpenes as Sirtuin-1 Activators: Therapeutic Potential in Aging and Related Diseases.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT) is a class III, NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase that also modulates the activity of numerous non-histone proteins through deacylation. SIRT1 plays critical roles in regulating and integrating cellular energy metabolism, response to stress, and circadian rhythm by modulating epigenetic and transcriptional regulation, mitochondrial homeostasis, proteostasis, telomere maintenance, inflammation, and the response to hypoxia. SIRT1 expression and activity decrease with aging, and enhancing its activity extends life span in various organisms, including mammals, and improves many age-related diseases, including cancer, metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and renal diseases, but the opposite, that is, aggravation of various diseases, such as some cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, has also been reported. Accordingly, many natural and synthetic SIRT1 activators and inhibitors have been developed. Known SIRT1 activators of natural origin are mainly polyphenols. Nonetheless, various classes of non-polyphenolic monoterpenoids have been identified as inducers of SIRT1 expression and/or activity. This narrative review discusses current information on the evidence that supports the role of those compounds as SIRT1 activators and their potential both as tools for research and as pharmaceuticals for therapeutic application in age-related diseases.

Harnessing microbial iron chelators to develop innovative therapeutic agents.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial infections involving multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria have become critically involved in the current antibiotic crisis. This, together with the bacterial evolution ability, prioritizes the discovery of new antibiotics. Research on microbial iron acquisition pathways and metabolites, particularly siderophores, has highlighted hopeful aspects for the design of advanced antimicrobial approaches. Moreover, exploiting siderophores machinery to treat diseases associated with iron overload and cancer is of additional interest for the therapeutic arena. AIM OF REVIEW: This review highlights and provides a renewed perspective on the evolutionary path of siderophores, from primordial siderophores to new iron chelating agents, stimulating the field to build on the past and shape the future. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: The effectiveness of siderophore-mimicking antibiotics appears to be high and selective for Gram-negative pathogens, rendering multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria susceptible to killing. Herein, cefiderocol, a new siderophore antibiotic, is well positioned in the clinic to treat MDR infections instigated by Gram-negative bacteria, particularly urinary tract infections and pneumonia. This siderophore has a mode of action based on a "Trojan horse" strategy, using the iron uptake systems for efficient bacterial penetration and killing. Recent progress has also been achieved concerning new iron chelating compounds to treat diseases associated with iron overload and cancer. Though these compounds still face great challenges for a clinical application, their promising results open up new doors for the design and development of innovative iron chelating compounds, taking benefit from the structurally diverse nature of siderophores.

O efeito do tipo de mulher na categorização social inicial e na atribuição de características estereotípicas / The Effect of Woman's Type on Initial Social Categorization and the Attribution of Stereotypical Characteristics

Resumo Introdução: Os estereótipos de género dizem respeito a crenças partilhadas sobre os atributos físicos, psicológicos e comportamentais de homens e mulheres. De acordo com a literatura, observa-se alguma variabilidade nos estereótipos para a categoria mulher, em função de serem associadas a uma de três subcategorias: mulher tradicional, mulher independente e mulher sexy. Este estudo pretendeu observar os estereótipos predominantes e diferenciadores de cada tipo de mulher e a formação de impressões numa amostra portuguesa. Método: Os participantes (N = 78), distribuídos em 6 condições de acordo com o design experimental 3 (tipo de mulher: tradicional, independente vs. sexy) x 2 (sexo do participante: homem vs. mulher), deveriam, com base numa descrição prévia, indicar a área profissional, aparência física e modo de vestir da mulher alvo e formar uma impressão em termos dos atributos calorosa e competente. Resultados: Os resultados indicam maiores avaliações de calor para a mulher tradicional, pouca variabilidade nas avaliações de competência e as respostas obtidas através da análise semântica conferem diferentes imagens para os três subgrupos de mulher. Conclusões: Os resultados confirmam parcialmente as hipóteses e são discutidos com base nas implicações para a literatura dos estereótipos de género.

Abstract Introduction: Gender stereotypes are beliefs about the physical, psychological, and behavioral attributes of men and women. According to the literature, there is some variability in stereotypes for the woman category, as they are associated with one of three subcategories: traditional woman, independent woman, and sexy woman. This study aimed to observe the predominant and differentiating stereotypes of each type of woman and the formation of impressions in a Portuguese sample. Method: Participants (N = 78), distributed in 6 conditions according to the experimental design 3 (woman type: traditional, independent vs. sexy) x 2 (participant's gender: male vs. female), should base on a previous description indicate the professional field, physical appearance and dress of the target woman and form an impression in terms of warm and competent attributes. Results: The results indicate higher warmth ratings for traditional women, little variability in competency ratings, and the responses obtained through semantic analysis provide different images for the three subgroups of women. Conclusions: The results partially confirm the hypotheses and are discussed based on the implications for the gender stereotypes` literature.

Biallelic mismatch repair deficiency - A rare and troublesome genetic syndrome.

Biallelic mismatch repair deficiency (BMMRD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by numerous early-onset cancers, especially gastrointestinal tumors. Biallelic germline mutations in one of four mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, or PMS2) cause this devastating disease. Given the rarity of the syndrome, often-asymptomatic tumors, diagnosis is frequently unrecognized or delayed. A high degree of clinical awareness is needed to identify new cases. Immunohistochemical assessment of MMR protein expression and analysis of microsatellite instability are the first tools with which to initiate the study of this syndrome in solid malignancies. MMR immunohistochemical shows a hallmark pattern with absence of staining in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells for the biallelic mutated gene. We present a unique case of a young boy diagnosed with invasive colon adenocarcinoma and brain tumor, with classical BMMRD features, found to have biallelic pathogenic PMS2 mutations.

Psychometric properties of the portuguese self-monitoring scale: a reduced item version / Propriedades psicométricas da escala portuguesa de self-monitoring: uma versão reduzida / Propiedades psicométricas de la escala portuguesa de self-monitoring: una versión reducida

This study aimed to contribute to the adaptation of the Self-Monitoring Scale for a Portuguese sample and the examination of the possibility of reducing the scale's length. Considering the psychometric inconsistency of the scale reported in the literature, several analysis criteria to identify the number of factors to be retained were considered. The study included 791 Portuguese men and women aged 17 to 61 years. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis to assess construct validity, Cronbach's alpha to assess internal consistency, and fit indices (based on IRT). The results indicate a two-dimensional structure with a reduction to 9 items, which shows good values for validity and fit. This study proposes a reduced version of the self-monitoring scale for a Portuguese sample, considering that the use of this method is valuable to identify how individuals differ in the way they present themselves in social situations. (AU)

Este estudo tem como objetivo contribuir para a adaptação da Self-Monitoring Scale numa amostra Portuguesa e análise da possibilidade de reduzir o tamanho da escala. Além disso, e considerando a inconsistência psicométrica da escala relatada na literatura, foram considerados vários critérios de análise para identificar o número de fatores a reter. O estudo abrangeu 791 homens e mulheres Portugueses com idades entre os 17 e os 61 anos. A análise dos dados incluiu estatística descritiva, validade de construto (Análise Fatorial Confirmatória), consistência interna e índice de ajustamento (TRI). Os resultados apontam para uma estrutura bidimensional com uma redução para 9 itens, mostrando bons valores de validade e ajustamento. Este estudo propõe uma versão reduzida da escala de self-monitoramento para uma amostra Portuguesa, considerando que a utilização deste método é uma mais-valia para identificar como os indivíduos diferem na forma como se apresentam em situações sociais. (AU)

Este estudio tiene como objetivo contribuir a la adaptación de la Self-Monitoring Scale en una muestra portuguesa y analizar la posibilidad de reducir el tamaño de la escala. Además, teniendo en cuenta la inconsistencia psicométrica de la escala reportada en la literatura, se consideraron varios criterios de análisis para identificar el número de factores a retener. El estudio incluyó a 791 hombres y mujeres portugueses de entre 17 y 61 años. El análisis de los datos incluyó estadística descriptiva, validez del constructo (Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio), consistencia interna e índice de ajuste (TRI). Los resultados apuntan a una estructura bidimensional con una reducción a 9 ítems, mostrando buenos índices de validez y ajuste. Este estudio propone una versión reducida de la escala de automonitoramento para una muestra portuguesa, mientras que el uso de este método es particularmente valioso para identificar cómo los individuos se diferencian en la forma en que se presentan en situaciones sociales. (AU)