Pericardial Fluid Accumulates microRNAs That Regulate Heart Fibrosis after Myocardial Infarction.

Pericardial fluid (PF) has been suggested as a reservoir of molecular targets that can be modulated for efficient repair after myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we set out to address the content of this biofluid after MI, namely in terms of microRNAs (miRs) that are important modulators of the cardiac pathological response. PF was collected during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from two MI cohorts, patients with non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) and patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI), and a control group composed of patients with stable angina and without previous history of MI. The PF miR content was analyzed by small RNA sequencing, and its biological effect was assessed on human cardiac fibroblasts. PF accumulates fibrotic and inflammatory molecules in STEMI patients, namely causing the soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST-2), which inversely correlates with the left ventricle ejection fraction. Although the PF of the three patient groups induce similar levels of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast activation in vitro, RNA sequencing revealed that PF from STEMI patients is particularly enriched not only in pro-fibrotic miRs but also anti-fibrotic miRs. Among those, miR-22-3p was herein found to inhibit TGF-ß-induced human cardiac fibroblast activation in vitro. PF constitutes an attractive source for screening diagnostic/prognostic miRs and for unveiling novel therapeutic targets in cardiac fibrosis.

Impact of minimum distance constraints on sheet metal waste for plasma cutting.

We approached the two-dimensional rectangular strip packing problem (2D-SPP), where the main goal is to pack a given number of rectangles without any overlap to minimize the height of the strip. Real-life constraints must be considered when developing 2D-SPP algorithms to deliver solutions that will improve the cutting processes. In the 2D-SPP literature, a gap related to studies approaching constraints in real-life scenarios was identified. Therefore, the impact of real-life constraints found in the plasma cutting process in sheet metal waste was analyzed. A mathematical model from the literature was modified to obtain packing arrangements with plasma cutting constraints. The combination of size and number of rectangles, as well as strip width, was the main factor that affected the packing arrangement, limiting the allocation of rectangles and generating empty spaces. In summary, considering the sheet metal waste context, instances with smaller widths should be avoided in practical operations for high minimum distance constraint values, returning the worst packing arrangements. For low minimum distance constraint values, smaller width instances can be used in practical operations, as the packing arrangement is acceptable. Finally, this article can reduce material waste and enhance the cutting process in the sheet metal industry, by showing packing characteristics which lead to higher amounts of raw material waste.

Trends of Active Learning in Higher Education and Students' Well-Being: A Literature Review.

This literature Review had the purpose of inspecting how the use of active learning methodologies in higher education can impact students' Well-being. Considering the Heads of State meeting at United Nations Headquarters on September 2015, in which the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member states, this literature review is limbered to the time period between September 2015 and September 2021. A Previous research focused on reviews was made to support the conceptual framework. The search was done in two databases - Web of Science main collection and Scopus - by two researchers autonomously, using the following search criteria: "higher education AND active learning AND student AND wellness OR well-being OR wellbeing." The studies section attended the following inclusion criteria: (i) published in peer-reviewed journals; (ii) empirical studies; (iii) written in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish; (iv) open access full text; (v) Higher education context; and (vi) focused on the topic under study. The search provided 10 articles which were submitted to an inductive thematic analysis attending to the purpose of this review, resulting in two themes: (i) students' well-being during confinement; (ii) methodological solutions for students' well-being. Data show that the use of active methodologies, as digital technologies, and the incorporation of some practice as physical activity and volunteering seems to benefit students' well-being, namely in their academic achievement, physical, emotional, and social life, and empower them to the professional future with multi-competencies. Higher education institutions need to understand the value of active learning methodologies in sustained education and promote them in their practices.

Half Friend, Half Enemy? Comparative Phytophagy between Two Dicyphini Species (Hemiptera: Miridae).

Despite their importance as biological control agents, zoophytophagous dicyphine mirids can produce economically important damage. We evaluated the phytophagy and potential impact on tomato plants of Dicyphus cerastii and Nesidiocoris tenuis. We developed a study in three parts: (i) a semi-field trial to characterize the type of plant damage produced by these species on caged tomato plants; (ii) a laboratory experiment to assess the effect of fruit ripeness, mirid age, and prey availability on feeding injuries on fruit; and (iii) a laboratory assay to compare the position of both species on either fruit or plants, over time. Both species produced plant damage, however, although both species produced scar punctures on leaves and necrotic patches on petioles, only N. tenuis produced necrotic rings. Both species caused flower abortion at a similar level. Overall, N. tenuis females produced more damage to tomato fruit than D. cerastii. There was an increased frequency of D. cerastii females found on the plants over time, which did not happen with N. tenuis. Our results suggested that, although D. cerastii caused less damage to fruit than N. tenuis, it still fed on them and could cause floral abortion, which requires field evaluation and caution in its use in biological control strategies.

Going virtual and going wide: comparing Team-Based Learning in-class versus online and across disciplines.

Team-based learning (TBL) is an active learning pedagogy developed for in-class sessions and based on the collaborative work of small groups of students. The increasing push to online and blended learning has enhanced the need to expand this pedagogy to a virtual environment, but little evidence has been produced on how students accept online synchronous sessions of TBL. The purpose of this study, that relies on 427 responses, is to present a comparative perspective of traditional in-class versus adapted fully synchronous online TBL and across different disciplinary fields. Students of two different academic years and different programs were surveyed for their acceptance of TBL. They were invited to answer closed-ended questions focused on their engagement in all TBL learning process and the final outcomes provided. Results obtained from this unique comparative study revealed a wide approval of TBL, regardless of the environment (online or in-class TBL sessions), scientific area of courses and student gender. The acceptance of fully online TBL sessions, in a similar way as traditional in-class sessions, could be a rationale for giving more use to the 'virtual' context. Other results corroborated previous researches on TBL, such the need of student awareness of TBL benefits to get more engaged in the process or the impact of student activities overload on the TBL process. Implications are informative for pedagogical practice.

Functional Response and Predation Rate of Dicyphus cerastii Wagner (Hemiptera: Miridae).

Dicyphine mirids are important biological control agents (BCAs) in horticultural crops. Dicyphus cerastii Wagner can be found in protected tomato crops in Portugal, and has been observed feeding on several tomato pests. However, the predation capacity of this species is poorly studied. In order to investigate the predation capacity of D. cerastii, and how it is affected by prey size and mobility, we evaluated the functional response (FR) and predation rate of female predators on different densities of four prey species: Myzus persicae 1st instar nymphs (large mobile prey), Bemisia tabaci 4th instar nymphs, Ephestia kuehniella eggs (large immobile prey) and Tuta absoluta eggs (small immobile prey). Experiments were performed on tomato leaflets in Petri dish arenas for 24 h. Dicyphus cerastii exhibited type II FR for all prey tested. The predator effectively preyed upon all prey, consuming an average of 88.8 B. tabaci nymphs, 134.4 E. kuehniella eggs, 37.3 M. persicae nymphs and 172.3 T. absoluta eggs. Differences in the FR parameters, attack rate and handling time, suggested that prey size and mobility affected predation capacity. Considering the very high predation rates found for all prey species, D. cerastii proved to be an interesting candidate BCA for tomato crops.

Reproductive Output and Insect Behavior in Hybrids and Apomicts from Limonium ovalifolium and L. binervosum Complexes (Plumbaginaceae) in an Open Cross-Pollination Experiment.

Ex situ plant collections established from seeds of natural populations are key tools for understanding mating systems of intricate taxonomic complexes, as in the Limonium Mill. genus (sea lavenders, Plumbaginaceae). Plants show a polymorphic sexual system associated to flower polymorphisms such as ancillary pollen and stigma and/or heterostyly that prevents self and intramorph mating. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the significance of pollen-stigma dimorphisms and the role of flower visitors in the reproductive output of hybrids arising from sexual diploids of Limonium ovalifolium complex and apomicts tetraploids of L. binervosum complex in an open cross-pollination experiment. Results showed that, similarly to parental plants, hybrids present inflorescence types, self-incompatible flowers, and produced regular pollen grains with the typical exine patterns, with medium to high viability. By contrast, apomicts show floral polymorphisms, inflorescences, and pollen grains of maternal phenotype but with low stainability. Several insects' species visited the inflorescences of parental plants and both hybrids and apomicts and some of these insects carried A and/or B pollen grains on their bodies, especially Clepsis coriacana (Rebel) and Tapinoma sp. Insects' floral visits to hybrids and apomicts seem to be independent of pollen fertility and plants' reproductive modes. Both hybrids and apomicts were able to produce fertile seeds, although the latter showed more seedlings with developmental anomalies than the first plants. The findings demonstrate that there is a weak reproductive barrier between the diploid species of L. ovalifolium complex as they can hybridize and produce fertile hybrids, provided there is pollen transport by pollinator insects. This study supports that apomixis is a strong reproductive barrier between both L. ovalifolium and L. binervosum complexes but did not allow us to exclude reproductive interferences of apomict pollen into sexuals.

Stereological estimation of cardiomyocyte number and proliferation.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, largely due to the limited regenerative capacity of the adult mammalian heart. Yet, neonatal mammals were shown to regenerate the myocardium after injury by increasing the proliferation of pre-existing cardiomyocytes. Re-activation of cardiomyocyte proliferation in adulthood has been considered a promising strategy to improve cardiac response to injury. Notwithstanding, quantification of cardiomyocyte proliferation, which occurs at a very low rate, is hampered by inefficient or unreliable techniques. Herein, we propose an optimized protocol to unequivocally assess cardiomyocyte proliferation and/or cardiomyocyte number in the myocardium. Resorting to a stereological approach we estimate the number of cardiomyocytes using representative thick sections of left ventricle fragments. This protocol overcomes the need for spatial-temporal capture of cardiomyocyte proliferation events by focusing instead on the quantification of the outcome of this process. In addition, assessment of cardiomyocyte nucleation avoids overestimation of cardiomyocyte proliferation due to increased binucleation. By applying this protocol, we were able to previously show that apical resection triggers proliferation of pre-existing cardiomyocytes generating hearts with more cardiomyocytes. Likewise, the protocol will be useful for any study aiming at evaluating the impact of neomyogenic therapies.

Pathological and Epidemiological Characterization of First Outbreak of Daylily Rust in Europe and Evaluation of Puccinia hemerocallidis Resistance in Hemerocallis Cultivars.

Daylily rust-caused by Puccinia hemerocallidis-was confined to Eastern Asia until the disease was reported in Oceania, Africa, the Americas and Portugal in the 21st century. Although information on rust resistance of American cultivars is available, little is known about the resistance of European bred cultivars, threating the ornamental sector if the fungus spreads to other European countries. Aiming to provide tools to address this, we analyzed the Portuguese pathogens and characterized rust resistance in a selection of cultivars, while optimizing disease rating scales. Morphologic, genetic and cytogenomic characterization of four isolates reveals narrow diversity and raises the question whether the pathogen may have originated in North- or Central America. Daily records of multiple symptomatologic parameters enabled a detailed disease progress analysis, discriminating cultivars according to their resistance levels and revealing susceptibility as the most common state. Among the tested cultivars, 12 out of 17 began to show symptoms between 6-8 dai and were classified as susceptible. Cultivars 'Stella d'Oro', 'Bitsy' and 'Cherry Tiger' behaved as moderately resistant although the occurrence of late sporulation on leaves suggests incomplete resistance and challenges common rating scales. The identification of resistance sources in European breeding lines is crucial for the sustainable future of daylilies.

O contributo da educação física para a a formação de indivíduos fisicamente cultos: uma perspetiva portuguesa / The contribution of physical education to the training of physically educated individuals: a portuguese perspective / Las aportaciones de la educación física para la formación de individuos físicamente cultos: una perspectiva portuguesa

Resumo: Este trabalho, realizado com 150 indivíduos no final da escolaridade obrigatória e candidatos a uma licenciatura em Ciências do Desporto, pretende perceber se a Educação Física está a contribuir para a formação de indivíduos fisicamente cultos. Seguimos uma metodologia quantitativa e optámos por um questionário com três partes: a primeira de questões fechadas e de caracterização sociodemográfica da amostra; a segunda, também de questões fechadas, sobre o entendimento acerca das Finalidades da Educação Física; e a terceira composta por 25 afirmações de escolha dicotómica (verdadeiro/falso), sobre conteúdos fundamentais para uma prática autónoma de atividade física, constantes nos Programas Nacionais de Educação Física (Currículos Nacionais) para o ensino secundário. Os resultados revelam fragilidades nos conhecimentos dos indivíduos relativamente ao desenvolvimento das capacidades motoras, aos efeitos da prática de exercício físico, a procedimentos de segurança e à composição e funcionamento corporal, afastando-se do preconizado por aqueles Programas Nacionais.

Abstract: This study was carried out with 150 male students at the end of their mandatory education and with candidates to a degree in Sports Science and Physical Education. It aims to understand if Physical Education contributed to the education of physically educated individuals. We followed a quantitative methodology and administered a three-part questionnaire: close-ended questions for the sociodemographic characterization of the sample; close-ended questions on participants' understanding of the purposes of Physical Education; true-or-false questions on fundamental contents for an autonomous practice of physical activity, which are included in the National Curricula of Physical Education for secondary school. The results reveal individuals' weak knowledge of motor skills development, effects of physical exercise, safety procedures, and body composition and functioning, which is not in accordance with National Curricula.

Resumen: Este trabajo, realizado con 150 estudiantes al final de su escolaridad obligatoria y aspirantes a cursar la licenciatura en Ciencias del Deporte, pretende averiguar si la Educación Física está contribuyendo con la formación de individuos físicamente cultos. Seguimos una metodología cuantitativa y optamos por un cuestionario con tres partes: la primera con cuestiones cerradas y de caracterización sociodemográfica de los participantes; la segunda, también con cuestiones cerradas y sobre su entendimiento acerca de las finalidades de la Educación Física; y la tercera, compuesta por 25 afirmaciones de selección dicotómica (verdadero y falso), sobre contenidos fundamentales para una práctica autónoma de la actividad física y que constan en los Programas Nacionales de Educación Física (Currículos Nacionales) para el bachillerato. Los resultados revelan fragilidades en los conocimientos de los participantes en lo referente al desarrollo de las capacidades motoras, los efectos de la práctica de ejercicio físico, los procedimientos de seguridad y la composición y funcionamiento corporal, alejándose de lo preconizado en aquellos Programas Nacionales.

Neonatal Apex Resection Triggers Cardiomyocyte Proliferation, Neovascularization and Functional Recovery Despite Local Fibrosis.

So far, opposing outcomes have been reported following neonatal apex resection in mice, questioning the validity of this injury model to investigate regenerative mechanisms. We performed a systematic evaluation, up to 180 days after surgery, of the pathophysiological events activated upon apex resection. In response to cardiac injury, we observed increased cardiomyocyte proliferation in remote and apex regions, neovascularization, and local fibrosis. In adulthood, resected hearts remain consistently shorter and display permanent fibrotic tissue deposition in the center of the resection plane, indicating limited apex regrowth. However, thickening of the left ventricle wall, explained by an upsurge in cardiomyocyte proliferation during the initial response to injury, compensated cardiomyocyte loss and supported normal systolic function. Thus, apex resection triggers both regenerative and reparative mechanisms, endorsing this injury model for studies aimed at promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and/or downplaying fibrosis.

Multifunctional magnetic-responsive hydrogels to engineer tendon-to-bone interface.

Photocrosslinkable magnetic hydrogels are attracting great interest for tissue engineering strategies due to their versatility and multifunctionality, including their remote controllability ex vivo, thus enabling engineering complex tissue interfaces. This study reports the development of a photocrosslinkable magnetic responsive hydrogel made of methacrylated chondroitin sulfate (MA-CS) enriched with platelet lysate (PL) with tunable features, envisioning their application in tendon-to-bone interface. MA-CS coated iron-based magnetic nanoparticles were incorporated to provide magnetic responsiveness to the hydrogel. Osteogenically differentiated adipose-derived stem cells and/or tendon-derived cells were encapsulated within the hydrogel, proliferating and expressing bone- and tendon-related markers. External magnetic field (EMF) application modulated the swelling, degradation and release of PL-derived growth factors, and impacted both cell morphology and the expression and synthesis of tendon- and bone-like matrix with a more evident effect in co-cultures. Overall, the developed magnetic responsive hydrogel represents a potential cell carrier system for interfacial tissue engineering with EMF-controlled properties.

Tithonia diversifolia as a Supplementary Feed for Dairy Cows.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Tithonia diversifolia as a supplementary forage on dairy cow performance and methane production. Nine lactating Holstein × Zebu dairy cows (519 ± 53.3 kg of body weight and 66 ± 13.3 d in milk) were paired by milk yield (21.3 ± 2.34 kg/d) and body weight and randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a Latin square design with 21-d experimental periods (14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for measurements and sample collection). The dietary treatments included the control diet consisting of fresh sugar cane plus concentrate (44:56, % of diet DM), and two treatment diets containing different levels of fresh T. diversifolia (6.5 and 15.4%, DM basis) which partially replaced both sugarcane and concentrates. Methane production was measured using the sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) technique from d 16 to d 21 of each experimental period. Analysis of the gas samples was performed by gas chromatography. The inclusion of T. diversifolia at 15.4% DM had no effects on DM intake, milk production, nitrogen balance or methane production. There was no effect on the concentrations of total saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in milk fat (P ≥ 0.28), though individual milk fatty acids were affected. Serum concentrations of glucose, urea nitrogen (BUN), triglycerides, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and cholesterol were unaffected by the dietary treatments (P ≥ 0.13). There was a time (2 and 6 h post-feeding) and dietary treatment effect (P < 0.01) on the acetate to propionate ratio in the rumen. A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of the archaeal community showed distinct clustering of the archaea populations for control and treatment diets. Taken together, our results indicate the potential of T. diversifolia as a supplementary forage for dairy cattle in the tropics.

Non-aneurysmal spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage: perimesencephalic versus non-perimesencephalic. / Hemorragia subaracnóidea espontânea não aneurismática: perimesencefálica versus não perimesencefálica.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical evolution of perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage and non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: The study was conducted retrospectively in a tertiary hospital center in the north region of Portugal. Included patients had no identifiable cause for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Several epidemiologic, clinical and imaging aspects were statistically analyzed, taking into account the differences in perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage and non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients met the inclusion criteria (46.8% - perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage; 53.2% - non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage). Demographic and clinical background characteristics were similar in both groups. Complications were more frequent in patients with non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage - 84.8% of the patients had at least one complication versus 48.3% in perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Vasospasm, infection and hydrocephaly were the most common complications (each was detected more frequently in the non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage group than in perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage group). Two patients died, both had a non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. The median inpatient time was longer in the non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage group (21 versus 14 days). No incidents of rebleeding were reported during the follow-up period (mean time of 15 ± 10.3 months). CONCLUSION: Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage and non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage are two different entities that have different clinical outcomes, namely in terms of complication rate and median inpatient time. The management of these patients should respect this difference to improve treatment and optimize health care resources.

Hemorragia subaracnóidea espontânea não aneurismática: perimesencefálica versus não perimesencefálica / Non-aneurysmal spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage: perimesencephalic versus non-perimesencephalic

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar a evolução clínica da hemorragia subaracnóidea perimesencefálica com a da hemorragia subaracnóidea não perimesencefálica. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, que incluiu pacientes portadores de hemorragia subaracnóidea sem causa conhecida em um hospital terciário localizado na região norte de Portugal. Os dados epidemiológicos, clínicos e de imagem foram analisados estatisticamente, levando em conta a divisão dos pacientes em duas categorias: hemorragia subaracnóidea perimesencefálica e hemorragia subaracnóidea não perimesencefálica. Resultados: Cumpriram os critérios de inclusão 62 pacientes, 46,8% deles com hemorragia subaracnóidea perimesencefálica e 53,2% com hemorragia subaracnóidea não perimesencefálica. As caraterísticas demográficas, assim como os antecedentes clínicos, foram similares entre os grupos. As complicações foram observadas mais comumente no grupo com hemorragia subaracnóidea não perimesencefálica, sendo que 84,8% desses pacientes tiveram, no mínimo, uma complicação, comparados a 48,3% dos pacientes com hemorragia subaracnóidea perimesencefálica. Vasoespasmo, infecções e hidrocefalia foram as complicações mais comuns - todas observadas mais frequentemente nos pacientes com hemorragia subaracnóidea não perimesencefálica. Dois pacientes vieram a falecer, ambos com hemorragia subaracnóidea não perimesencefálica. A mediana do tempo de permanência no hospital foi maior nos pacientes com hemorragia subaracnóidea não perimesencefálica (21 dias, em comparação aos 14 dias observados nos pacientes com hemorragia subaracnóidea perimesencefálica). Não se observaram recidivas de sangramento durante o acompanhamento (tempo médio de 15 ± 10,3 meses). Conclusão: As hemorragias subaracnóideas perimesencefálica e não perimesencefálica tiveram formas diferentes de evolução clínica, principalmente no que se referiu à taxa de complicações e ao tempo mediano de permanência no hospital. Assim, a abordagem dessas duas formas de hemorragia subaracnóidea deve ser distinta, tanto em busca de melhorar o tratamento dos pacientes quanto para obter um melhor aproveitamento dos recursos de saúde.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the clinical evolution of perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage and non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively in a tertiary hospital center in the north region of Portugal. Included patients had no identifiable cause for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Several epidemiologic, clinical and imaging aspects were statistically analyzed, taking into account the differences in perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage and non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Results: Sixty-two patients met the inclusion criteria (46.8% - perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage; 53.2% - non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage). Demographic and clinical background characteristics were similar in both groups. Complications were more frequent in patients with non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage - 84.8% of the patients had at least one complication versus 48.3% in perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Vasospasm, infection and hydrocephaly were the most common complications (each was detected more frequently in the non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage group than in perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage group). Two patients died, both had a non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. The median inpatient time was longer in the non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage group (21 versus 14 days). No incidents of rebleeding were reported during the follow-up period (mean time of 15 ± 10.3 months). Conclusion: Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage and non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage are two different entities that have different clinical outcomes, namely in terms of complication rate and median inpatient time. The management of these patients should respect this difference to improve treatment and optimize health care resources.

Phthalocyanine Labels for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of Solid Tumors.

Diamagnetic metal complexes of phthalocyanines with n-butoxyl groups in all the α-benzo positions of the macrocycle skeleton, MPc(OBu)8, have strong near-infrared absorptions and intense fluorescences that are Stokes shifted by more than 15 nm. Interestingly, the silicon complex 6 is also remarkably photostable and nontoxic. The use of 6 in the fluorescence imaging of BALB/c mice bearing a 4T1-luc2 tumor in the mammary fat pad unambiguously revealed the presence of the tumor when it was only 1 mm in diameter and was not visible with the naked eye. Compound 6 has an intrinsic ability to accumulate in the tumor, adequate spectroscopic properties, and excellent stability to function as a NIR fluorescent label in the early detection of tumors.

Intracellular singlet oxygen photosensitizers: on the road to solving the problems of sensitizer degradation, bleaching and relocalization.

Selected singlet oxygen photosensitizers have been examined from the perspective of obtaining a molecule that is sufficiently stable under conditions currently employed to study singlet oxygen behavior in single mammalian cells. Reasonable predictions about intracellular sensitizer stability can be made based on solution phase experiments that approximate the intracellular environment (e.g., solutions containing proteins). Nevertheless, attempts to construct a stable sensitizer based solely on the expected reactivity of a given functional group with singlet oxygen are generally not sufficient for experiments in cells; it is difficult to construct a suitable chromophore that is impervious to all of the secondary and/or competing degradative processes that are present in the intracellular environment. On the other hand, prospects are reasonably positive when one considers the use of a sensitizer encapsulated in a specific protein; the local environment of the chromophore is controlled, degradation as a consequence of bimolecular reactions can be mitigated, and genetic engineering can be used to localize the encapsulated sensitizer in a given cellular domain. Also, the option of directly exciting oxygen in sensitizer-free experiments provides a useful complementary tool. These latter systems bode well with respect to obtaining more accurate control of the "dose" of singlet oxygen used to perturb a cell; a parameter that currently limits mechanistic studies of singlet-oxygen-mediated cell signaling.

Avaliação do risco de queda em pessoas idosas / Risk assessment of falling in elderly / Evaluación del riesgo de caidas en personas ancianas

Objetivos: identificar os fatores associados ao risco de queda na amostra populacional, compreender a influência do meio ambiente onde a pessoa idosa habita e analisar a necessidade de intervenções preventivas para serem implementadas na prática de cuidados. Método: estudo exploratório, descritivo e transversal com análise descritiva dos dados. Resultados: na amostra, 73,33% eram do gênero feminino, e 46,67% dessas viviam sozinhas. Segundo o Índice de Barthel, 73,33% das pessoas idosas estudadas eram independentes nas atividades de vida diária, mas 86,67% apresentavam risco de queda. O domicílio apresentou-se como fator de risco para quedas devido à presença de obstáculos ambientais e à ausência de dispositivos de segurança. Conclusão: orientar a pessoa idosa e os seus familiares acerca dos riscos de queda e as suas consequências poderá fazer a diferença entre cair ou não e, muitas vezes, entre a instalação ou não de situações de dependência.(AU)

Objectives: to identify factors associated with the risk of falling in the sample population, to understand the influence of the environment where the elderly live and analyze the need for preventive interventions to be implemented in practice care. Method: exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study with descriptive analysis. Results: in the sample 73.33% were female and 46.67% of those were living alone. According to the Barthel Index, 73.33% of the studied elderly were independent in activities of daily living, but 86.67% had a risk of falling. The home is presented as a risk factor for falls due to the presence of environmental obstacles and lack of safety devices. Conclusion: to guide the elderly and their families about the risks of falling and its consequences could make the difference between falling or not and often between the installation or not of dependency situations.(AU)

Objetivos: identificar los factores asociados al riesgo de caídas en la muestra populacional, comprender la influencia del medio ambiente donde la persona anciana habita y analizar la necesidad de intervenciones preventivas a implementar en la práctica de cuidados. Método: estudio exploratorio, descriptivo y transversal con análisis descriptiva de los datos. Resultados: en la muestra, 73.33% eran del género femenino y 46.67% de estas vivían solas. Según el Índice de Barthel, 73.33% de las personas ancianas estudiadas eran independientes en las actividades de vida diaria, pero 86.67% presentaban riesgo de caída. El domicílio se presentó como factor de riesgo para caídas debido a la presencia de obstáculos ambientales y ausencia de dispositivos de seguridad. Conclusión: orientar a la persona anciana y sus familiares acerca de los riesgos de caidas y sus consecuencias podrán hacer la diferencia entre caer o no y, muchas veces, entre la instalación o no de situaciones de dependencia.(AU)

A intervenção do enfermeiro na promoção da parentalidade: pais com criança em situação de doença / The nurse's intervention in the promotion of parenting: parents with children in a situation of illness

Cuidar em Pediatria remete para uma filosofia de cuidados centrada na criança/jovem e família. Considerando os pais, os melhores prestadores de cuidados, constituem-se parceiros na prestação de cuidados à criança. Assim, é fundamental que os Enfermeiros apoiem os pais durante as transições do ciclo de vida e desenvolvam intervenções que promovam a parentalidade com o objetivo de os dotar de competências parentais e de conhecimentos, para cuidarem dos seus filhos em situação de doença. Metodologia: RSL, com pesquisa em bases de dados científicos (2009 - 2014). Objetivo: Analisar as intervenções desenvolvidas pelo Enfermeiro na promoção da parentalidade através da PBE. Resultados: Evidências revelam a importância dos cuidados centrados na família, embora complexos. O apoio aos pais, a relação de parceria e de confiança e a capacitação, são cruciais na promoção da parentalidade. Conclusões: Mobilizar a PBE na área da Parentalidade contribui para uma intervenção de enfermagem competente, científica e atua

Care in Paediatrics relates to a philosophy of care focused on the child/young person and their family. Being the parents the best caregivers, they become partners in the child caring. Hence, it is essential that Nurses support parents during lifecycle transitions and develop interventions that promote parenthood, aiming at equipping them with parental skills and knowledge so they can take care of their children in a disease situation. Methodology: Systematic review of the literature, with research on scientific databases (2009 - 2014). Goal: Analyze the Nurse's interventions when promoting parenthood through evidence-based practice. Results: Evidences show the importance of caring focused on the family, although complex. The support given to the parents, the partnership and trust relationship, as well as the empowerment are crucial in the promotion of parenthood. Conclusions: Mobilize evidence-based practice at Parenthood contributes to a competent, scientific and current nursing intervention

The influence of BMI and predictors of disordered eating and life satisfaction on postmenopausal women.

This study aims to compare eating behaviors, body satisfaction, exercise, and life satisfaction between normal-weight and overweight postmenopausal women and to examine the predictors of disordered eating and life satisfaction among postmenopausal women (n = 294). The overweight group had more eating disordered behavior, more body dissatisfaction, and lower physical quality of life. The increase of age predicted less disordered eating. Higher BMI, the perception of an ideal weight lower than the current one, lower body satisfaction, and physical quality of life predicted disordered eating. Higher body satisfaction, less psychosocial discomfort, and a greater degree of sexual symptom discomfort predicted life satisfaction.