Cerberus is a feedback inhibitor of Nodal asymmetric signaling in the chick embryo

The TGF-beta-related molecule Nodal plays an essential and conserved role in left-right patterning of the vertebrate embryo. Previous reports have shown that the zebrafish and mouse Cerberus-related proteins Charon and Cerberus-like-2 (Cerl-2), respectively, act in the node region to prevent the Nodal signal from crossing to the right side, whereas chick Cerberus (cCer) has an unclear function in the left-side mesoderm. In this study, we investigate the transcriptional regulation and function of cCer in left-right development. By analyzing the enhancer activity of cCer 5' genomic sequences in electroporated chick embryos, we identified a cCer left-side enhancer that contains two FoxH1 and one SMAD binding site. We show that these Nodal-responsive elements are necessary and sufficient for the activation of transcription in the left-side mesoderm. In transgenic mouse embryos, cCer regulatory sequences behave as in chick embryos, suggesting that the cis-regulatory sequences of Cerberus-related genes have diverged during vertebrate evolution. Moreover, our findings from cCer overexpression and knockdown experiments indicate that cCer is a negative-feedback regulator of Nodal asymmetric signaling. We propose that cCer and mouse Cerl-2 have evolved distinct regulatory mechanisms but retained a conserved function in left-right development, which is to restrict Nodal activity to the left side of the embryo.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Idosos ativos, idosos saudáveis

Mestrado em FisioterapiaIntrodução: O envelhecimento saudável enfatiza uma abordagem que reconhece os direitos à igualdade de oportunidades e de tratamento. A falta de atividade física contribui para muitas doenças crónicas que afetam os idosos. Objetivo: O objetivo geral deste projeto é planear um programa de atividade física segundo as suas necessidades e preferências da população dos Olivais Sul tendo em conta a qualidade de vida. Método: Para concretizar este projeto foi desenhado um estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal. Apresenta como variável dependente a qualidade de vida e como variável independente a atividade física. Foi ainda, elaborado um questionário e utilizada a escala de qualidade de vida SF-36 e os dados analisados através do programa IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Resultados: A dimensão da qualidade de vida mais afetada é a vitalidade, seguida da dor corporal, função física e saúde geral, desempenhos físico e emocional, mudança de saúde, saúde mental e função social. A maioria dos idosos expressa o desejo de praticar mais atividade física. Conclusão: É possível concluir que alguns dos problemas presentes na população afetam a qualidade de vida e que, segundo diversos estudos, podem ser melhorados com a atividade física. Este projeto torna-se pertinente pois a maioria dos idosos expressa desejo de praticar mais atividade física e apresenta condições que podem ser melhoradas com a sua prática, nomeadamente problemas respiratórios, cardíacos e neurológicos; dores; diminuição da força muscular, equilíbrio e flexibilidade.ABSTRACT - Introduction: Healthy aging emphasizes an approach that recognizes the rights to equal opportunity and treatment. The lack of physical activity contributes to many chronic diseases that affect older people. Objetives: The goal of this project is to plan a program of physical activity according the needs, preferences and the quality of life of the population resident in Olivais Sul Methodology: To realize this project was designed an observational, descriptive and transversal study. The dependent variable is the quality of life and the independent variable is the physical activity. It also was designed a questionnaire and used a scale for measure the quality of life, SF-36- The data analyze was using the software PASW Statistics 20. Results: The dimension of quality of life more affected is the vitality, followed by body pain, physical function and general health, physical and emotional performance, changes in health, mental health and social function. Most seniors wants to practice more physical activity. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that some of the problems present in this population affect the quality of life and, somes studies say, that they may be improved with physical activity. This project is pertinent because most seniors expressed desire to do more physical activity and provides conditions that can be improved with this practice, including respiratory problems, cardiac and neurological disorders, pain, decreased muscle strength, balance and flexibility

Avaliação da comunidade microbiana diazotrófica em solos sob cultura biológica por métodos moleculares

Dissertação mest., Biologia Marinha, Universidade do Algarve, 200

Unfairness in consumer services: Outcomes of differential treatment of new and existing clients

In a consumption context, there is a growing interest in understanding unfair behaviour of firms towards customers. Our research focuses on unfairness perceptions driven by differential treatment, particularly through price discrimination, i.e. the practice of charging differential prices to different customers. Our purpose is to investigate the consequences of these practices for unfairness perceptions, satisfaction, trust and patronage, showing a dual perspective: the perceptions of new vs existing clients when they face the advantaged or disadvantaged conditions. A survey-based experimental design approach was used. We conclude that unfairness perception is stronger for existing than for new clients, prompting negative attitudinal and behavioural consequences when the former are exposed to disadvantaged conditions in relation to the latter. Our study aims to provide marketers with a perspective on the pitfalls related to differential treatment between present and prospective clients, with implications in terms of design and implementation of customer management strategies

Pessoas cegas no mercado de trabalho: da formação à integração

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em PsicologiaO mercado de trabalho evoluiu ao longo dos tempos, lado a lado com a evolução tecnológica, legislativa e com uma aposta na formação profissional, abrindo as portas à integração de pessoas cegas. Assim, este estudo tem como principal objetivo perceber como se processa a integração de indivíduos cegos no mercado de trabalho, tanto na perspetiva dos próprios, como na das respetivas organizações. Para alcançar os objetivos recorreu-se a um estudo com metodologia qualitativa, tendo sido entrevistados 13 elementos, 8 pessoas cegas integradas no mercado de trabalho, com licenciatura ou com formação profissional da Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal (ACAPO) e 5 chefias. Com este estudo concluiu-se que os/as entrevistados/as consideram que atualmente a integração de pessoas cegas no mercado de trabalho é positiva, havendo, contudo, ainda um longo caminho a percorrer, nomeadamente, melhorar a informação junto dos empregadores, acerca desta temática. Outra conclusão prende-se com o facto dos dados sugerirem que os conteúdos lecionados pelas associações formativas deveriam acompanhar as necessidades atuais do mercado de trabalho.The job market has evolved over time, as much as in their perspective as in that of the organizations side by side with the technological and legislative evolution and a commitment to the professional training, paving the way for the integration of blind people. Thus, the main goal of this study is to understand how blind people get integrated into the job market, as much in their perspective as in the organization’s. To reach this goal, it was developed a qualitative study in which 13 people were interviewed, 8 blind people integrated into the job market, with a university degree or a professional training from the Portuguese Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACAPO) and 5 supervisors. With this study, it was concluded that the respondents consider that nowadays the integration of blind people into the job market is positive, even though there is still a long way to go, particularly to improve the information that the employers have about this topic. Another conclusion is related to the fact that the data suggests that the contents lectured by the training associations should keep up with the current needs of the job market

From the sounds of languages to the development of a plurilingual phonological awareness: An experimental study with young children

Dans les dernières années, face à la diversité linguistique et culturelle des sociétés actuelles, des chercheurs de différents pays ont expérimenté des activités d’éveil aux langues dans les premières années de scolarité, tout en défendant l’importance de ces mêmes activités sur les capacités métalinguistiques des enfants, ainsi que sur leurs attitudes envers différentes langues, cultures et sujets (Armand, Maraillet et Beck 2003, Candelier et al. 2004). Nous présentons ici les résultats d’un atelier réalisé avec 138 enfants portugais (entre 3 et 8 ans) du préscolaire et de l’école primaire qui ont communiqué avec des chansons en différentes langues, dans des activités de découverte de nouveaux sons et de nouveaux paysages linguistiques. Au-delà du développement des attitudes positives envers la diversité linguistique et culturelle et l’apprentissage des langues en général, les objectifs de l’atelier étaient surtout de développer la conscience phonologique, entendue comme partie de la compétence plurilingue et pluriculturelle (Coste, Moore et Zarate 1997). Nous discuterons ici les résultats de cette étude, dans le sens d’approfondir le rôle de la diversité linguistique dans le développement d’une ‘conscience phonologique plurilingue’, ainsi que dans le sens d’identifier des activités à mettre en place avec des enfants de cet âge

As Moças de Isabel Câmara: A Subversão ao Drama Tradicional

This article is about As Moças, a play written by Isabel Câmara and staged in 1969, a particularly representative year in the history of contemporary Brazilian drama. It analyzes the subversion of the canonical forms of traditional drama proposed by the young playwright through the use of subjectivity, self-narration and autobiography. The author’s choice to work with themes such as passivity, impotence and melancholy led her to internalize the action, reducing it to a display of the inner frustrations of the two characters who come to represent a testimony of her personal trajectory and that of a whole generation. (ALVdeA, in Portuguese

Éveil au langage et à l’écrit dans le préscolaire: un atout pour l’apprentissage des langues tout au long de la vie?

Nous avons comme objectif, dans le cadre de ce texte, de présenter une étude visant à comprendre l’impact d'activités d’éveil aux langues, centrées sur le contact avec différents systèmes d'écriture, sur le développement d'une conscience phonologique plurilingue des enfants du préscolaire. De notre point de vue, le développement de capacités d'ordre métalinguistique et métaphonologique dès le plus jeune âge peut devenir un avantage pour un apprentissage réussi des langues tout au long de la vie.The present study aims at understanding the impact of awakening to languages activities, focusing on the contact with different writing systems, in the development of a plurilingual phonological awareness by preschool children. From our point of view, the development of metalinguistic and metaphonological abilities from an early age may be an advantage for a successful and lifelong learning of languages

Potential role of immunotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Immuno checkpoint inhibitors have ushered in a new era with respect to the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Many patients are not suitable for treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (eg, gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib) or with anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors (eg, crizotinib and ceritinib). As a result, anti-PD- 1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors may play a novel role in the improvement of outcomes in a metastatic setting. The regulation of immune surveillance, immunoediting, and immunoescape mechanisms may play an interesting role in this regard either alone or in combination with current drugs. Here, we discuss advances in immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer as well as future perspectives within this framework.Pierre Fabr