ARP Case Report nº 13: What is your diagnosis?

Presentation of the CaseA 73-year-old woman who has been consulting the gynaecologist regarding persistent pelvic pain since last month. No other complaints including systemic symptoms or metrorrhagia.The ultrasound study showed a large pelvic tumour mass and it was not possible to determine the organ of origin. Values of Ca-125 are normal.Pelvic MRI was requested for additional characterization of the pelvic mass and to determine the organ of origin

Caso Clínico ARP Nº13: Torção com Enfarte de Mioma Pediculado

A 73-year-old woman consulted the gynecologist for persistent pelvic pain for the past month. No other complaints including systemic symptoms or metrorrhagia. The ultrasound study showed a large pelvic tumour mass. It was not possible to determine the organ of origin. Values of Ca- 125 were normal.Pelvic MRI was requested for additional characterization of the pelvic mass and to determine the organ of origin.Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined solid tumour lesion located in the midline independent of the ovaries and bladder but contacting the uterine fundus by a small pedicle. The mass reveals blood inside and there was no enhancement after IV contrast. The findings suggest the diagnosis of torsion on pedunculated subserous uterine myoma with infarction.Mulher de 73 anos que recorre à médica ginecologista por dor pélvica persistente desde o último mês. Sem outras queixas nomeadamente sintomas sistémicos ou metrorragias. O estudo ecográfico realizado mostra volumosa massa tumoral pélvica não sendo possível determinar o órgão de origem. Os valores de Ca-125 são normais. Foi pedida RM pélvica para caracterização adicional da massa pélvica e determinar órgão de origem. A RM magnética revelou lesão tumoral sólida, bem delimitada, localizada na linha média independente dos ovários e da bexiga mas que contacta com o fundus uterino por um pequeno pedículo. A massa revela sangue no seu interior e aquando do contraste não exibe qualquer captação de contraste. O diagnóstico avançado e confirmado na cirurgia foi de mioma fundico pediculado complicado com torção e enfarte

Factors that determine factoring as a financing alternative : the case study of BNP Paribas Factor

Factoring is a financing alternative widely used by companies, where one of the main objectives is to minimize the average time of receipt assisting the company's treasury. This study focuses on the characteristics of the companies that most influence the choice of factoring as a financing alternative, through the case study of BNP Paribas Factor. To carry out the study, 707 observations were collected from the BNPP Factor and Iberinform databases of the characteristics of portuguese companies, such as size, turnover, legal form, sector, age and assets. Several hypotheses were tested, and it was concluded that smaller companies, both in turnover, in number of employees and in asset value are more likely to resort to factoring. On the other hand, the manufacturing and distribution sectors have not shown to be very relevant characteristics, as well as the age of the company and its legal form. This research on factoring through the study of the case of BNPP Factoring comes to bring a contribution in the research of this topic, helping to understand how the choice of factoring is very related to the characteristics of each company.Factoring é uma alternativa de financiamento muito utilizada pelas empresas, onde um dos principais objetivos é minimizar o tempo médio de recebimento auxiliando a tesouraria da empresa. Este estudo incide nas características das empresas que mais influenciam a escolha do factoring como alternativa de financiamento, através do estudo de caso do BNP Paribas Factor. Para a realização do estudo foram recolhidas 707 observações, das bases de dados BNPP Factor e Iberinform, das características das empresas portuguesas, tais como dimensão, volume de negócios, forma jurídica, setor, idade e ativo. Foram testadas várias hipóteses e concluiu-se que as empresas de menor dimensão, quer em volume de negócios, em número de trabalhadores e em valor do ativo são mais propensas a recorrer ao factoring. Por outro lado, os setores da manufatura e distribuição não demonstraram ser características muito relevantes, assim como a idade da empresa e sua forma jurídica. Esta pesquisa sobre o factoring através do estudo do caso do BNPP Factoring vem trazer um contributo na pesquisa deste tema, ajudando a perceber como a escolha do factoring está muito relacionada com as características de cada empresa

Expressão de genes associados à obesidade em testículos e esperma de ratos sujeitos a restrição calórica e administração de GLP-1

Caloric restriction (CR), due to its negative energy balance and GLP-1, for being an incretin, constitute two weight loss protocols that remain poorly investigated, particularly its impact on male reproductive function, whose proper functioning depends on a balanced energy homeostasis. That energy homeostasis has been related to genes linked to energy metabolism control, namely the obesity-related genes (ORGs), such as fat mass and obesity associated (FTO), melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), glucosamine-6- phosphate deaminase 2 (GNPDA2) and transmembrane protein 18 (TMEM18). Thus, this project aimed to use an animal model to study the potential of CR and GLP-1 administration in the regulation of those ORGs expression in testes and sperm of Wistar rats and verify if there is an impact on sperm quality. Firstly, we observed that CR promoted a lower weight gain and a decrease in insulin resistance. On the other hand, GLP-1 administration, beyond the expected increase in active GLP-1 levels, did not promote any change in glucose metabolism, hormonal profile and consequently in body weight. Furthermore, CR promoted an increase in sperm head defects, while the GLP-1 administration improved sperm morphology. Regarding the ORGs we observed the presence of FTO, MC4R and TMEM18 transcripts in rat testes and identified those transcripts, for the first time, in rat sperm. Additionally, we identified, for the first time, the presence of GNPDA2 transcripts in rat testes and sperm. The corresponding proteins were also identified in rat testes, being that they all presented distinct cellular locations. CR and GLP-1 administration promoted an increase in the expression of the ORGs in testes, however in spermatozoa the expression was not altered. We also identified the presence of NFE2L2 (encodes for an important antioxidant transcription factor) transcripts in rat testes and sperm and verified that their abundance is increased, in testes, by CR and GLP-1 administration. Then we explored, individually, the role the ORGs at the testicular and sperm levels, namely in the response to CR and GLP-1 administration and we obtained some clues related to the potential involvement of each of the ORGs in the male reproductive function. Overall, we were able to perceive that CR and GLP-1 administration promoted a general association of all ORGs with an improvement in oxidative status both in testes and sperm.A restrição calórica (CR), pelo seu balanço energético negativo e o GLP-1, por ser uma incretina, constituem dois protocolos de perda de peso, que permanecem pouco investigados, principalmente no que toca ao seu impacto na função reprodutiva masculina, cujo correto funcionamento depende de uma homeostase energética equilibrada. Essa homeostase energética tem sido relacionada a genes ligados ao controlo do metabolismo energético, nomeadamente os genes relacionados à obesidade (ORGs), como gene de obesidade e de massa de gordura associada (FTO), recetor de melanocortina-4 (MC4R), glucosamina-6-fosfato desaminase 2 (GNPDA2) e proteína transmembranar 18 (TMEM18). Assim, este projeto teve como objetivo utilizar um modelo animal para estudar o potencial da CR e da administração de GLP-1 na regulação da expressão desses ORGs nos testículos e esperma de ratos Wistar e verificar se há impacto na qualidade espermática. Primeiramente, observamos que a CR promoveu menor ganho de peso e diminuição da resistência à insulina. Por outro lado, a administração de GLP-1, além do esperado aumento nos níveis de GLP-1 ativo, não promoveu qualquer alteração no metabolismo da glucose, no perfil hormonal e consequentemente no peso corporal. Para além disso, a CR promoveu um aumento nos defeitos da cabeça dos espermatozoides, enquanto a administração de GLP-1 melhorou a morfologia espermática. Em relação aos ORGs, observamos a presença de transcritos de FTO, MC4R e TMEM18 em testículos de ratos e identificamos esses transcritos, pela primeira vez, em esperma de ratos. Além disso, identificamos, pela primeira vez, a presença de transcritos GNPDA2 em testículos e esperma de ratos. As proteínas correspondentes também foram identificadas em testículos de ratos, sendo que todas apresentavam localizações celulares distintas. A CR e a administração de GLP-1 promoveram um aumento na expressão dos ORGs nos testículos, porém no esperma a expressão não foi alterada. Também identificamos a presença de transcritos de NFE2L2 (codifica para um importante fator de transcrição antioxidante) em testículos e esperma de ratos e verificamos que sua abundância é aumentada nos testículos, pela CR e administração de GLP-1. Em seguida, exploramos, individualmente, o papel dos ORGs nos níveis testicular e espermático, nomeadamente na resposta à CR e à administração de GLP-1 e obtivemos algumas pistas relacionadas com o envolvimento potencial de cada um dos ORGs na função reprodutiva masculina. No geral, pudemos perceber que as duas intervenções promoveram uma associação geral de todos os ORGs com uma melhoria no estado oxidativo dos testículos e esperma.Mestrado em Bioquímic

Pricing network analysis of a supermarket chain in Portugal

Project Work presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Statistics and Information Management, specialization in Information Analysis and ManagementWith the growth of digital transformation, the business is now conducted in the digital age, opening new markets and new business opportunities with a simple click, sitting at home. Along with it, as the internet grows, more data is exposed, which leads us to competitive advantages, especially during the pandemic and in the post-pandemic period. This work explores daily price data from the online website of one of the largest supermarket chains in Portugal, covering the period between February 2020 to March of 2021. To observe the market and the competition behavior, we applied the science of networks, a data mining technique that provides deeper insight into the structure of the retailer market. We used the Maximum Spanning Tree and added the most relevant links from the correlation matrix to represent the retail market. As a starting point, we were able to build five networks that represent the daily price changes for products, categories, and brands. Moreover, we study the network interactions using centrality measures, namely: degree, betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector. These outputs were useful by creating better visibility of the market using real data from online retailing platforms and making available the first input for future work and further research to improve the pricing strategies

Células T foliculares (TF) nas gamopatias monoclonais

Monoclonal gammopathies result from the proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells (PCs) and include disorders such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and Multiple Myeloma (MM). It is speculated that the triggering event that turns healthy PCs into pathological PCs happens in the germinal centre (GC), most likely during a process known as somatic hypermutation (SHM), which takes place during antigen affinity maturation. GC maintenance, as well as, GC B-cell selection depends on T cell help, particularly on follicular T cells. In this study we aimed to analyse different T cell populations in the BM microenvironment of patients with monoclonal gammopathies, focusing on follicular-like T cells. Through multiparameter flow-cytometry we analysed CD4+, CD8+, γδ+, CD4-CD8- αβ+ and CD4+CD8+ T cells and identified follicular-like cells based on the expression of CXCR5, as well as activated T cells according to CD25 and HLA-DR expression, in all T cell subpopulations. We observed a general increase of follicular-like T cells in these patients, reaching statistical significance in the Th reg follicular-like cell subset when comparing the MM group with controls. The γδ+ follicular-like T subset was, however decreased in all MM groups. Interestingly, a decrease in activated follicular-like T cells was observed. In conclusion, despite of follicular-like T cells being increased in monoclonal gammopathy patients, they tend to less activated, which suggests that these cells are either not responding to the BM microenvironment or being negatively regulated. Our study population was small so further studies concerning follicular-like T cells in the BM of patients with monoclonal gammopathies may help understand the role of these cells in the BM microenvironment.As gamapatias monoclonais constituem um grupo de doenças, como a gamapatia monoclonal de significado indeterminado e o mieloma múltiplo (MM), que resultam da proliferação de células plasmáticas clonais. As células plasmáticas diferenciam-se a partir de linfócitos B que sobreviveram ao processo de maturação por afinidade no centro germinativo e que depois migraram para a medula óssea. Especula-se que o evento responsável pela transformação das células plasmáticas saudáveis em células patológicas ocorre no centro germinativo, provavelmente durante o processo de hipermutações somáticas. A manutenção dos centros germinativos, bem como a seleção de células B de elevada afinidade, depende das células T, especialmente do subtipo células T foliculares. Este estudo teve como objetivo a análise das diferentes populações de células T na medula óssea de doentes com gamapatias monoclonais, particularmente as células T foliculares. Recorrendo à técnica de citometria de fluxo, analisámos as subpopulações de células T CD4+, CD8+, γδ+, CD4-CD8- αβ+ e CD4+CD8+. As células com fenótipo folicular foram identificadas com base na expressão de CXCR5 e as células T ativadas de acordo com a expressão de CD25 ou HLA-DR. Os nossos resultados mostraram um aumento na frequência das células T com fenótipo folicular nestes doentes, obtendo significado estatístico no subconjunto das células T reguladoras com fenótipo folicular, quando comparados os grupos com MM e controlo. Contudo, a frequência de células T γδ+ com fenótipo folicular estava diminuída em todos os grupos com MM. Curiosamente, observou-se uma diminuição na frequência de células T com fenótipo folicular ativadas. Em suma, apesar de as células T com fenótipo folicular se apresentarem tendencialmente aumentadas em doentes com gamapatias monoclonais, estas parecem estar menos ativadas, o que sugere que estas células se encontram irresponsivas ao microambiente medular ou, por outro lado, estão a ser reguladas negativamente. Atendendo a que a nossa amostra de estudo era limitada, estudos adicionais são necessários para estabelecer o papel das células T foliculares na medula óssea e no microambiente tumoral de doentes com gamapatias monoclonais.Mestrado em Bioquímic

Structural investigation of the Bacillus subtilis morphogenic factor RodZ

A thesis to obtain a Master degree in Structural and Functional BiochemistryRodZ is a protein widely conserved in bacteria and a core component of the morphogenic apparatus of the cell. It is known to be required for assembly of the bacterial actin homologue, MreB, that controls cell wall synthesis and cell shape. The domain organization of RodZ consists of a well-conserved N-terminal (RodZn) with helix-turn-helix motif (HTH), a conserved transmembrane domain, and a conserved C-terminal domain (RodZc). RodZn, located in the cytoplasm, has been shown to interact with MreB actin-homologue by x-ray studies in T. maritima. However, the structure of RodZn from gram-positive B. subtilis showed low homology with the published one from gram-negative T. maritima. Here we present the solution structure of RodZn from B. subtilis determined for the first time, by NMR spectroscopy. Compared to previous structural data obtained from the crystallized RodZn from T. maritima and more recently from S. aureus, several differences could be observed, namely the length of the alpha-helices and the presence of an extended coil. Interaction studies were preformed between RodZn domain and MreB from which no significant results could be extrapolated. Since HTH motif is frequently associated with DNA interaction, the involvement of RodZn in DNA organization is being investigated. At the same time, RodZc domain, which structure has never been reported, was subject of study. Bioinformatic, biophysical and biochemical methodologies were employed to study this domain. A model based in a pseudo-ab initio methodology was built, revealing an Ig-like fold. The Ig superfamily is a large group of cell surface and soluble proteins that are involved in the recognition, binding, or adhesion processes of cells. Therefore, RodZ is thought to be a protein that establishes a link between the inner side of the cell membrane and the outer side, promoting spatiotemporal coordination between peptidoglycan synthesis and cell division

The social stock exchange: a quantitative exploration

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsWe introduce the Social Stock Exchange (SSE), by presenting its work, structure and brief history. The main goal of the SSE is to promote accountability and transparency in the relationship between the donors (Social Investors) and NGOs, which allows for a privileged access to data and information about the projects listed. Hence, this study exploits all the information made available by the SSE and constructs two original models in order to measure the effectiveness of the projects listed in the SSE in a transparent, verified and mensurable manner. Furthermore, these two measures are a first attempt to overcome two main challenges concerning the study and the practice of NGO/NPO effectiveness: the ambiguity of the term “effectiveness” and the lack of empirical evidence

Business plan of a rural hotel in the country of Sertã "Hotel do Rio"

O turismo é um fenómeno multidimensional e tornou-se num dos sectores de atividade mais importante de todo o mundo, apresentando uma relevância especial para o desenvolvimento económico de um país. Sendo um produto turístico em pleno desenvolvimento, o turismo rural procura aspetos simples e autênticos combinando serviços com atividades enriquecedoras, sem o transformar num turismo convencional, onde as especificações de cada destino refletem os drivers potenciadores de cada região. O objetivo deste projeto é criar um hotel rural – Hotel do Rio – através da reabilitação de um edifício já existente, a fim de superar a falta de alojamento existente no concelho da Sertã. Deste modo, este projeto baseia-se na preservação local e identidade regional, no uso sustentável dos recursos naturais e na valorização dos produtos regionais, realçando o turismo rural na região e contribuindo para o desenvolvimento sustentável d o município da Sertã. A metodologia adotada teve em vista a criação de um plano de negócios, numa linha condutora coerente que incluiu um resumo, os objetivos e a identificação dos fatores chaves de sucesso. Além disso, englobou uma boa análise do mercado e do sector e uma definição do target, produto e marketing-mix, seguida de uma completa análise financeira para avaliar e sustentar corretamente o projeto. Os resultados obtidos revelam que o projeto de investimento é economicamente viável, apresentando um VAL positivo de 95.439,55 Euros, uma TIR de 17,62% e um payback period de 12 anos.Tourism is a multidimensional phenomenon and has become one of the most important business sectors all over the world, presenting a particular relevance for the economic development of a country. As a tourist product in full development , rural tourism seeks simple and authentic experiences by combining services with enriching activities without turning it into conventional tourism, where the specifications of each destination reflect the enhancer drivers of each region. The aim of the project is to create a rural hotel – Hotel do Rio - through the rehabilitation of an existing building in order to overcome the lack of accommodation that exists in the county of Sertã. Thus, this project is based on the local preservation and regional identity, the sustainable use of the natural resources and the valuation of its local products, enhancing the rural tourism in the region and contributing for the sustainable development of Sertã. The adopted methodology was based on the creation of a business plan, presenting its essential line which included an executive summary, objectives and identification of the key factor for the project to be successful. Besides, it encompassed a good market and business analysis, a definition of the target and its marketing-mix, followed by a complete financial analysis to properly evaluate and sustain the project. The results have shown that the proposed investment project is economically viable, presenting a positive VAL of 95,439.55 Euros, a TIR of 17.62% and payback period of 12 years