Characterization of students with high intellectual capacity: the approach in the Portuguese school context and importance of teacher training for their educational inclusion.

This paper takes a terminological approach to the concept of high intellectual abilities, highlighting the distinctive aspects of the way it is addressed in the Portuguese educational context. It outlines the existing conceptual differentiation in the field of higher abilities, emphasizing how the main characteristics are described and including the strengths and weaknesses of current teaching and learning processes in Portugal. As we will show, educational work with these students in Portuguese schools is characterized by unequal regulation compared to other educational needs, by an imbalance of educational processes aimed at these gifted students, and by clear underdiagnosis that sometimes leads to them being ignored in the classroom, with the consequent harm that this can cause to their overall development and to their academic and professional careers. The paper emphasizes the importance of teacher training in Portugal as an aspect that could be key to reversing, as far as possible, this gap in educational processes-which currently include educational inclusion for all their students as part of the key action principles in the Portuguese educational system.

Symptomatic Thoracic Disc Herniation in a 30-Year-Old Woman.

Thoracic disc herniation is infrequent and presents a unique set of challenges for both diagnosis and treatment. It is an underdiagnosed entity, mainly due to the non-specific clinical manifestations. Different techniques are used for surgical treatment. This case describes a case of symptomatic thoracic disc herniation in a healthy young woman from diagnosis to surgical treatment, and it shows the importance of clinical integration and imaging studies of these cases.

Extending AAV Packaging Cargo through Dual Co-Transduction: Efficient Protein Trans-Splicing at Low Vector Doses.

Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors represent one of the leading platforms for gene delivery. Nevertheless, their small packaging capacity restricts their use for diseases requiring large-gene delivery. To overcome this, dual-AAV vector systems that rely on protein trans-splicing were developed, with the split-intein Npu DnaE among the most-used. However, the reconstitution efficiency of Npu DnaE is still insufficient, requiring higher vector doses. In this work, two split-inteins, Cfa and Gp41-1, with reportedly superior trans-splicing were evaluated in comparison with Npu DnaE by transient transfections and dual-AAV in vitro co-transductions. Both Cfa and Gp41-1 split-inteins enabled reconstitution rates that were over two-fold higher than Npu DnaE and 100% of protein reconstitution. The impact of different vector preparation qualities in split-intein performances was also evaluated in co-transduction assays. Higher-quality preparations increased split-inteins' performances by three-fold when compared to low-quality preparations (60-75% vs. 20-30% full particles, respectively). Low-quality vector preparations were observed to limit split-gene reconstitutions by inhibiting co-transduction. We show that combining superior split-inteins with higher-quality vector preparations allowed vector doses to be decreased while maintaining high trans-splicing rates. These results show the potential of more-efficient protein-trans-splicing strategies in dual-AAV vector co-transduction, allowing the extension of its use to the delivery of larger therapeutic genes.

Efeito de um programa de relaxamento no bem-estar psicológico dos enfermeiros dos cuidados de saúde primários / Effect of a relaxation program on the psychological well-being of primary health care nurses

A Enfermagem, em cuidados de saúde primários não é isenta de fatores indutores de stress. Pela proximidade dos cuidados, o enfermeiro assiste a pessoa e a sua família na comunidade onde esta se insere, na promoção da saúde, prevenção da doença, na recuperação e no sofrimento. Pelo contexto em que os enfermeiros prestam cuidados o seu bem-estar pode ser afetado pelo stress. Considerando estas vivências, foi pertinente realizar um estudo pré-experimental, com pré-teste, implementação de uma intervenção e pós-teste, orientado para os Enfermeiros da Unidade de Saúde Familiar (USF) Caminhos do Cértoma e USF Mealhada. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o efeito do relaxamento na promoção o bem-estar dos enfermeiros dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários; O relaxamento é como um estado de consciência em que se experimenta sensações agradáveis e ausência de fatores stressantes e perturbadores. A intervenção implementada foi um Programa de Relaxamento Terapêutico, com base na técnica de relaxamento muscular progressivo de Jacobson. Para avaliar o efeito da intervenção foi aplicada a Escala de Bem-estar Psicológico (Novo, Duarte-Silva & Peralta, 2004) e Escala de Perceção de Stresse (adaptada por Ribeiro e Marques, 2009), validadas para Portugal. O tratamento de dados foi efetuado recorrendo ao software aplicativo Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (S.P.S.S.), versão 24. Os resultados obtidos relativamente ao bem-estar psicológico não foram estatisticamente significativos, no entanto, em relação ao stress e à frequência cardíaca foram estatisticamente significativos. Podemos concluir que o Programa de Relaxamento Terapêutico teve efeito benéfico na diminuição do stress e na frequência cardíaca. O tamanho da amostra e tempo disponível para a recolha de dados foram fatores limitadores.

Pituitary Adenoma "Pneumo-Apoplexy".

Tension pneumosella has been recognized as a very rare complication of pituitary transsphenoidal surgery. To the best of our knowledge, we report the second case of a pituitary adenoma "pneumo-apoplexy", which is characterized by findings consistent with tension pneumosella in the context of apoplexy of a pituitary adenoma; although it is an extremely rare diagnosis, it should be considered in patients with compatible clinical and radiological findings, particularly with a previous history of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Successful technical note-Identification of the Adamkievicz artery with 1.5 Tesla MR angiography in a 14-month-old child.

Posterior mediastinal tumors surgery may be complicated by their proximity to the artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA) and its segmental supplier, increasing the risk of ischemia of the spinal cord. We describe a case of preoperative identification of the AKA with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in a 14-month-old boy diagnosed with a thoracic neuroblastoma, thus allowing an accurate surgical planning in order to avoid injury to those vessels. Given the relatively high incidence of posterior mediastinal tumors in the pediatric age, MRA may establish itself as a viable alternative for this purpose, even in young children.

Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis After COVID-19 Recovery: A Case Report.

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 remains a health care concern, despite vaccination programs. Mucormycosis, especially rhino-orbital-mucormycosis, has been described as a severe complication of COVID-19. Although it has been described mostly in India and other developing countries, few cases in the western world have also been described. We present a case of rhino-orbito-mucormycosis after recovery from severe COVID-19 in Portugal. A 75-year-old diabetic and obese man presented with right proptosis associated with right eye pain and low vision one month after recovery from severe COVID-19. Considering the most probable etiology for this clinical picture, anti-fungal therapy with liposomal amphotericin B was promptly initiated, followed by endoscopic sinus debridement. However, due to persistent and progressive infection, and after a multidisciplinary revision of the case, orbital exenteration was performed. One year after surgery, the patient is stable, without clinical or imagological signs of relapse of the disease. Although the evolution of the pandemic, along with vaccination programs, led to a lower incidence of severe COVID-19 disease, there are still patients presenting with severe COVID-19, requiring intensive care and at risk for serious complications. This case illustrates the importance of being aware of the development of post-COVID-19 mucormycosis and the need for close surveillance of patients recovering from severe COVID-19. COVID-19 prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach are essential for a timely intervention achieving better survival while minimizing morbidity.

Food Crises and Food Safety Incidents in European Union, United States, and Maghreb Area: Current Risk Communication Strategies and New Approaches.

Globalization has created a dynamic market, which has dramatically intensified interchanges of goods and information as well as the flow of people among nations. This international phenomenon offers the consumer a choice between a wide variety of foods from diverse locations. However, there are challenges to improving food security and safety on a global scale; the major question is how food safety can be guaranteed while increasing the complexity of food supply chains. A food produced in a certain location usually contains ingredients, additives, and preservatives from different and distant origins. Although countries take several food control measures, their institutional and regulatory frameworks diverge widely, as do the definitions of food crisis, food incidents, and risk management approaches. The present review discusses some past food safety issues and lessons learned. Convergences and differences in the regulatory framework of food control agencies in different regions of the world are herein revealed. Emerging risks are also discussed, particularly the spread of antibiotic resistance in the food chain and the environment, as well as the rise of new antibiotic-resistant pathogenic strains with broader tolerance to environmental factors.

Propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa da Nova Escala de Satisfação Sexual - versão curta / Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale - Short

Introdução. A satisfação sexual constitui atualmente um constructo essencial no campo do estudo da sexualidade humana. Objetivo. A presente investigação teve como objetivo proceder à validação da versão portuguesa da Nova Escala de Satisfação Sexual - versão curta (NSSS‐S), instrumento em formato curto que avalia a satisfação sexual em homens e mulheres. Material e métodos. Recorreu‐se a um total de 298 participantes de ambos os sexos, os quais preencheram o questionário com a tradução para português da NSSS‐S. Resultados. Foram demonstradas as principais propriedades psicométricas da validação da NSSS‐S, das quais se destacaram a estrutura fatorial bidimensional e o alfa de Cronbach (≥0,89). Discussão. A NSSS‐S revelou ter a estrutura bidimensional da NSSS original e obtiveram‐se valores bons a nível de consistência interna, de validade convergente, de validade divergente e de validade concorrente. Conclusões. As boas propriedades psicométricas encontradas justificam e reforçam a recomendação de utilização da NSSS‐S na população portuguesa (AU)

Introduction. Sexual satisfaction is an essential construct in the study of human sexuality. Objective. The aim of the present study was to validate the Portuguese version of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale-Short (NSSS‐S), a short form scale that assesses sexual satisfaction among men and women. Material and methods. A total of 298 participants completed the Portuguese version of the NSSS‐S. Results. The main psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the NSSS‐S were assessed, most importantly the two‐factor structure and Cronbach's alpha (≥0.89). Discussion. The NSSS‐S revealed the bidimensional structure of the original NSSS and good values were obtained in terms of internal consistency, convergent validity, divergent validity and concurrent validity. Conclusions. The use of the Portuguese version of the NSSS‐S is justified and reinforced since it has sound psychometric properties (AU)

Validação portuguesa da Escala de Busca de Sensações Sexuais / Portuguese validation of the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale

Introdução. O conceito de busca de sensações sexuais constitui um constructo interessante a explorar no campo do estudo da sexualidade humana. Objetivo. A presente investigação teve como objetivo proceder à validação da versão portuguesa da Escala de Busca de Sensações Sexuais (SSSS), instrumento unidimensional que avalia a busca de sensações sexuais em homens e mulheres. Material e métodos. Recorreu‐se a um total de 298 participantes de ambos os sexos, os quais preencheram o questionário com a tradução para português da SSSS. Resultados. Foram demonstradas as principais propriedades psicométricas da validação da SSSS. Discussão. A estrutura unidimensional original da SSSS foi replicada e obtiveram‐se valores bons a nível de consistência interna, de validade convergente e de validade concorrente. Conclusões. As boas propriedades psicométricas encontradas justificam e reforçam a recomendação de utilização da versão da SSSS para a população portuguesa (AU)

Introduction. The concept of sexual sensation seeking is an interesting construct in the study of human sexuality. Objective. The aim of the present study was to validate the Portuguese version of the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale (SSSS), a unidimensional scale that assesses sexual sensation seeking among men and women. Material and methods. A total of 298 participantscompleted the Portuguese version of the SSSS. Results . The main psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the SSSS were assessed. Discussion. The original unidimensional structure of the SSSS was replicated and good values were also obtained in terms of internal consistency, convergent validity, divergent validity and concurrent validity. Conclusions. The use of the Portuguese version of the SSSS is justified and reinforced since it has sound psychometric properties (AU)

Adaptação portuguesa da Escala de Aborrecimento Sexual / Portuguese adaptation of the Sexual Boredom Scale

Introdução. A noção de aborrecimento sexual constitui um constructo potencialmente útil e interessante a explorar no campo da sexualidade humana. Objetivo. A presente investigação teve como objetivo proceder à validação da versão portuguesa da Escala de Aborrecimento Sexual (SBS), instrumento que avalia o aborrecimento sexual em homens e mulheres. Material e métodos. Recorreu‐se a um total de 298 participantes de ambos os sexos, os quais preencheram o questionário com a tradução para português da SBS. Resultados. Foram demonstradas as principais propriedades psicométricas da validação da SBS. Discussão. A estrutura da versão portuguesa da SBS revelou ser unidimensional e foram eliminados 3 itens devido a baixas saturações. Obtiveram‐se valores bons a nível de consistência interna, de validade convergente, e de validade concorrente. Conclusões. As boas propriedades psicométricas encontradas justificam a recomendação de utilização da adaptação da SBS para a população portuguesa (AU)

Introduction. The notion of sexual boredom is a potentially useful and interesting construct in the field of human sexuality. Objective. The aim of the present study was to validate the Portuguese version of the Sexual Boredom Scale (SBS), a scale that assesses sexual boredom among men and women. Material and methods. A total of 298 participants completed the Portuguese version of the SBS. Results. The main psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the SBS were assessed. Discussion. The Portuguese version of the SBS revealed a unidimensional factor structure and three items were eliminated due to low loadings. Good values were obtained in terms of internal consistency, convergent validity, divergent validity and concurrent validity. Conclusions. The use of the Portuguese adaptation of the SBS is justified since it has sound psychometric properties (AU)

Validação portuguesa da Nova Escala de Satisfação Sexual / Portuguese validation of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale

Introdução: A satisfação sexual constitui atualmente um constructo essencial no campo do estudo da sexualidade humana. Objetivo: A presente investigação teve como objetivo proceder à validação da versão portuguesa da Nova Escala de Satisfação Sexual (NSSS), instrumento bidimensional que avalia a satisfação sexual em homens e mulheres. Material e métodos: Recorreu-se a um total de 298 participantes de ambos os sexos, os quais preencheram o questionário com a tradução para português da NSSS. Resultados: Foram demonstradas as principais propriedades psicométricas da validação da NSSS. Discussão: A estrutura bidimensional original da NSSS foi replicada e obtiveram-se valores bons a nível de consistência interna, de validade convergente e de validade concorrente. Conclusões: As boas propriedades psicométricas encontradas justificam e reforçam a recomendação de utilização da NSSS na população portuguesa (AU)

Introduction: Sexual satisfaction is an essential construct in the study of human sexuality. Objective: The aim of the present study was to validate the Portuguese version of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS), a bidimensional scale that assesses sexual satisfaction among men and women. Material and methods: A total of 298 participants completed the Portuguese version of the NSSS. Results: The main psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the NSSS were assessed. Discussion: The original bidimensional structure of the NSSS was replicated and good values were also obtained in terms of internal consistency, convergent validity, divergent validity and concurrent validity. Conclusions: The use of the Portuguese version of the NSSS is justified and reinforced since it has sound psychometric properties (AU)

Excessive adiposity and sedentary lifestyles are prevalent in cancer patients; a pilot study.

Cancer aetiology is multifactorial; risk factors comprise obesity, central adiposity, physical inactivity and excessive/ deficient intake of foods and/or nutrients with procarcinogenic/ protective effects. We aim to analyze the pattern of nutritional status, food intake and physical activity in a cohort of cancer patients. This pilot crosssectional study was conducted in 64 outpatients referred for Radiotherapy. Nutritional parameters evaluated: BMI, waist circumference, body composition by tetrapolar bioimpedance (Xitron®). Usual food intake was collected with a short food frequency questionnaire and physical activity was assessed with Jacksons' questionnaire. Overweight/obesity and excessive body fat mass prevalence was of 53% and 61%, respectively. Central obesity, which indicates moderate/high cardio-metabolic risk, was found in 78% of patients. Food frequency analysis showed a poor intake in vegetables and a high intake in meat and carbohydrates. Physical inactivity was prevalent. This pilot study in cancer patients, showed a high prevalence of overweight/obesity, excessive fat mass and central obesity, simultaneously with sedentary lifestyles and an inadequate diet, poor in protective foods and excessive in deleterious ones. Thus, these patients exhibit a high risk pattern for cancer development and for a poorer prognosis. The implementation of measures to promote balanced and protective diets and to encourage physical activity practice is urgently needed.

La etiología del cáncer es multifactorial; los factores de riesgo comprenden la obesidad, la adiposidad central, la inactividad física y el consumo excesivo/deficiente de alimentos y/o nutrientes con efectos procarcinógenos/protectores. Nos propusimos analizar el patrón del estado nutricional, el consumo de alimentos y la actividad física en una cohorte de pacientes oncológicos. Este estudio piloto transversal se realizó en 64 pacientes ambulatorios remitidos a radioterapia. Se evaluaron los parámetros nutricionales: IMC, circunferencia de la cintura, composición corporal mediante bioimpedancia tetrapolar (Xitron®). La ingesta alimentaria habitual se recogió mediante un cuestionario abreviado de frecuencia de alimentos y la actividad física se evaluó mediante el cuestionario de Jackson. La prevalencia de sobrepeso/obesidad y de exceso de masa corporal grasa fue del 53% y del 61%, respectivamente. La obesidad central, que indica un riesgo cardiometabólico moderado/alto, se encontró en el 78% de los pacientes. El análisis de la frecuencia de alimentos mostró una ingesta escasa de verduras y un consumo elevado de carne e hidratos de carbono. La inactividad física fue prevalente. Este estudio piloto en pacientes oncológicos mostró una prevalencia elevada de sobrepeso/ obesidad, un exceso de masa grasa y de obesidad central, simultáneamente con estilos de vida sedentarios y una dieta inadecuada, pobre en alimentos productores y un exceso de los deletéreos. Por lo tanto, estos pacientes muestran un patrón de riesgo elevado para el desarrollo de cáncer y un peor pronóstico. Se requiere urgentemente la implantación de medidas que promuevan dietas equilibradas y protectoras así como la promoción de la actividad física.

Excessive adiposity and sedentary lifestyles are prevalent in cancer patients; a pilot study / La adiposidad excesiva y los estilos de vida sedentarios son prevalentes en los pacientes oncológicos; un estudio piloto

Cancer aetiology is multifactorial; risk factors comprise obesity, central adiposity, physical inactivity and excessive/ deficient intake of foods and/or nutrients with procarcinogenic/ protective effects. We aim to analyze the pattern of nutritional status, food intake and physical activity in a cohort of cancer patients. This pilot crosssectional study was conducted in 64 outpatients referred for Radiotherapy. Nutritional parameters evaluated: BMI, waist circumference, body composition by tetrapolar bioimpedance (Xitron®). Usual food intake was collected with a short food frequency questionnaire and physical activity was assessed with Jacksons' questionnaire. Overweight/obesity and excessive body fat mass prevalence was of 53% and 61%, respectively. Central obesity, which indicates moderate/high cardio-metabolic risk, was found in 78% of patients. Food frequency analysis showed a poor intake in vegetables and a high intake in meat and carbohydrates. Physical inactivity was prevalent. This pilot study in cancer patients, showed a high prevalence of overweight/obesity, excessive fat mass and central obesity, simultaneously with sedentary lifestyles and an inadequate diet, poor in protective foods and excessive in deleterious ones. Thus, these patients exhibit a high risk pattern for cancer development and for a poorer prognosis. The implementation of measures to promote balanced and protective diets and to encourage physical activity practice is urgently needed (AU)

La etiología del cáncer es multifactorial; los factores de riesgo comprenden la obesidad, la adiposidad central, la inactividad física y el consumo excesivo/deficiente de alimentos y/o nutrientes con efectos procarcinógenos/protectores. Nos propusimos analizar el patrón del estado nutricional, el consumo de alimentos y la actividad física en una cohorte de pacientes oncológicos. Este estudio piloto transversal se realizó en 64 pacientes ambulatorios remitidos a radioterapia. Se evaluaron los parámetros nutricionales: IMC, circunferencia de la cintura, composición corporal mediante bioimpedancia tetrapolar (Xitron®). La ingesta alimentaria habitual se recogió mediante un cuestionario abreviado de frecuencia de alimentos y la actividad física se evaluó mediante el cuestionario de Jackson. La prevalencia de sobrepeso/obesidad y de exceso de masa corporal grasa fue del 53% y del 61%, respectivamente. La obesidad central, que indica un riesgo cardiometabólico moderado/alto, se encontró en el 78% de los pacientes. El análisis de la frecuencia de alimentos mostró una ingesta escasa de verduras y un consumo elevado de carne e hidratos de carbono. La inactividad física fue prevalente. Este estudio piloto en pacientes oncológicos mostró una prevalencia elevada de sobrepeso/ obesidad, un exceso de masa grasa y de obesidad central, simultáneamente con estilos de vida sedentarios y una dieta inadecuada, pobre en alimentos productores y un exceso de los deletéreos. Por lo tanto, estos pacientes muestran un patrón de riesgo elevado para el desarrollo de cáncer y un peor pronóstico. Se requiere urgentemente la implantación de medidas que promuevan dietas equilibradas y protectoras así como la promoción de la actividad física (AU)

Length of stay in surgical patients: nutritional predictive parameters revisited.

Nutritional evaluation may predict clinical outcomes, such as hospital length of stay (LOS). We aimed to assess the value of nutritional risk and status methods, and to test standard anthropometry percentiles v. the 50th percentile threshold in predicting LOS, and to determine nutritional status changes during hospitalisation and their relation with LOS. In this longitudinal prospective study, 298 surgical patients were evaluated at admission and discharge. At admission, nutritional risk was assessed by Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and nutritional status by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), involuntary % weight loss in the previous 6 months and anthropometric parameters; % weight loss and anthropometry were reassessed at discharge. At admission, risk/undernutrition results by NRS-2002 (P< 0.001), MUST (P< 0.001), % weight loss (P< 0.001) and SGA (P< 0.001) were predictive of longer LOS. A mid-arm circumference (MAC) or a mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMA) under the 15th and the 50th percentile, which was considered indicative of undernutrition, did predict longer LOS (P< 0.001); conversely, there was no association between depleted triceps skinfold (TSF) and longer LOS. In-hospital, there was a high prevalence of weight, muscle and fat losses, associated with longer LOS. At discharge, patients with a simultaneous negative variation in TSF+MAC+MAMA (n 158, 53 %) had longer LOS than patients with a TSF+MAC+MAMA positive variation (11 (8-15) v. 8 (7-12) d, P< 0.001). We concluded that at risk or undernutrition evaluated by all methods, except TSF and BMI, predicted a longer LOS. Moreover, MAC and MAMA measurements and their classification according to the 50th percentile threshold seem reliable undernutrition indicators.

Nutritional risk screening in surgery: valid, feasible, easy!

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We aimed to test the capacity in identifying patients at nutritional risk, by comparing BMI, recent %weight loss,Nutritional Risk Screening 2002(NRS-2002),Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool(MUST) and Nutritional Risk Index(NRI) with Subjective Global Assessment(SGA),considered the Standard. The main purpose was to select the most consistent screening method for effective integration in daily surgical wards' practice. METHODS: 300 surgical patients were assessed at admission: BMI(categorized by WHO's criteria), weight loss ≥ 5% in previous 6 months, NRS-2002, MUST, NRI, SGA. Concordances, correlations, sensitivity, specificity, positive(PPV) and negative predictive values(NPV) were calculated to evaluate methods' performance vs the Standard. RESULTS: Prevalence of nutritional risk was 66% by NRS-2002 + MUST, and 87% by NRI. By SGA, 64% patients were undernourished. All methods agreed with SGA(k = 0.85-0.91,p < 0.001), except BMI & NRI(k = 0.07-0.34,p < 0.05). NRS-2002, MUST and %weight loss effectively detected patients at risk: sensitivity 0.8-0.89, specificity 0.89-0.93, PPV 81%-89%, NPV 89%-100%. Conversely, BMI & NRI were ineffective: sensitivity 0.29-0.43, specificity 0.27-0.39, PPV 24%-35%, NPV 27%-31%; %weight loss alone vs MUST/NRS-2002 was explored: sensitivity 0.79-0.87, specificity 0.85-0.89, PPV 84%-85%, NPV 87%-89%, thus successfully identifying undernutrition risk. CONCLUSIONS: In surgical patients, MUST + NRS-2002 are valid for nutritional screening; recent weight loss ≥ 5% also proved highly efficient; its easy/quick calculation may facilitate adherence/integration by health professionals as a minimum obligatory in clinical practice.