Fiabilidade e influência da instrução e modalidade de exercício na taxa de produção de força dos flexores dos joelhos

Objetivos: (1) Determinar a fiabilidade intra-dia da medida da taxa de produção de força (TPF) dos flexores do joelho, na posição de decúbito ventral, nas seguintes condições de teste: i) realizando a contração unilateralmente ou bilateralmente; e ii) com uma instrução prévia mencionando “rápido e forte” ou “rápido”. (2) Verificar se a TPF é diferente entre modalidades de instrução, tipo de exercício e membros dominante e não-dominante. Método: Catorze sujeitos (27,3 ± 6 anos; 174 ± 0,4 cm; 73 ± 8,4 kg) sem historial de lesão nos isquiotibiais realizaram duas sessões de testes, separados por uma hora. Em cada sessão, realizaram 2 séries de 3 repetições de flexão isométrica do joelho de forma unilateral, e 2 séries de 3 repetições de forma bilateral. Em cada um dos tipos de exercício, e antes de uma série de repetições, foi aplicada a instrução “rápido”, e noutra série a instrução “rápido e forte''. As instruções foram aplicadas com ordem aleatória, e os testes realizados com recurso a feedback visual, na posição decúbito ventral e com os joelhos fletidos a 30º, num equipamento com células de força embutidas associadas a cada um dos membros. Os dados foram processados utilizando rotinas Matlab. Como critério de momento de início da TPF foi considerado o valor de 3 desvios padrão da linha de base de força detectado de forma automatizada. Para determinação da fiabilidade intra-sessão, foi calculado o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (ICC) e coeficiente de variação (CV). Para se examinar a influência dos fatores instrução, exercício e membro, foi aplicado o teste de análise de variância de três fatores com medidas repetidas. A análise foi realizada para as seguintes janelas temporais: 0-50ms, 0-100-ms, 50-100ms e 100-200ms. 10 Resultados: A maioria dos testes de TPF mostraram fiabilidade intra-dia classificada que variou entre moderada a excelente (ICC=0.52-0.91; CV=6%-16%), com exceção do teste TPF realizado de forma bilateral com a instrução “rápido”, no membro direito, na janela 100- 200 ms (ICC = 0.40, IC 95% = -0.17-0.76; CV= 12% ±13% ). Nenhum efeito foi observado para as interações entre fatores exercício, instrução e membro. Porém, observou-se um efeito do fator instrução no desempenho da TPF na janela temporal 0-100 ms (p = 0.049), bem como um efeito do fator exercício no desempenho e da TPF na janela temporal 100-200 ms (p < 0.001). Conclusões: A quantificação da TPF nos flexores do joelho aparenta ser fiável, quer avaliada com exercício unilateral ou bilateral, ou com diferentes tipos de instruções (i.e. “rápido” e “rápido e forte”). Adicionalmente, e na sua generalidade, a modalidade de exercício (i.e. unilateral vs. bilateral) e tipo de instrução aparenta não afetar o desempenho da TPF, assim como aparenta não existirem diferenças entre membros dominante e não-dominante.Objective: (1) To determine the intra-day reliability of the measurement of the force rate of force development (RFD) of the knee flexors, in the prone position, under the following test conditions: i) performing the contraction unilaterally or bilaterally; and ii) with a prior instruction mentioning “fast and strong” or “fast”. (2) Verify whether the RFD will differ between instructions, exercise type, and dominant and non-dominant members. Method: Fourteen subjects (27.3 ± 6 years; 174 ± 0.4 cm; 73 ± 8.4 kg) with no history of hamstring injury performed two testing sessions one hour apart. In each session, they performed 2 sets of 3 repetitions of isometric knee flexion unilaterally, and 2 sets of 3 repetitions bilaterally. In each of the types of exercise, and before a set of repetitions, the instruction “fast” was applied, and in another set the instruction “fast and strong''. The instructions were performed using visual feedback, and in random order. The tests were performed in the prone position and with the knees flexed at 30º, in an equipment with built-in force cells associated with each of the limbs. Data was processed using Matlab routines. The RFD onset time (i.e. onset) of all repetitions was determined based on a threshold of 3 standard deviations from the strength baseline, detected in an automated way. To determine the intra-session reliability, the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and coeffiecient of variation (CV) were calculated; and to examine the influence of the factors instruction, exercise, and member factors, a three-way repeated measures ANOVA was applied. Results: Most of the RFD tests showed an intra-day reliability that ranged from moderate to excellent (ICC=0.52-0.91; CV=6%-16%), with the exception of the RFD test performed bilaterally with the 12 instruction “fast”, in the right limb, in the 100-200 ms window (ICC = 0.40, 95% CI = -0.17-0.76; CV= 12% ±13%). No effect was observed for interactions between exercise, instruction, and limb factors. However, there was an effect of the instruction factor on RFD performance in the 0-100 ms time window (p = 0.049), as well as an effect of the exercise factor on performance and RFD in the 100-200 ms time window (p < 0.001 ). Conclusions: The quantification of RFD in the knee flexors appears to be reliable, whether assessed with unilateral or bilateral exercise, or with different types of instructions (i.e. “fast” and “fast and strong”). Additionally, and in general, the exercise modality (i.e. unilateral vs. bilateral) and type of instruction do not seem to affect the performance of the RFD, as there appears to be no difference between dominant and non-dominant limbs

Implicação com o sindicato: O papel das percepções de suporte e de instrumentalidade

Este trabalho teve como objectivo estudar a implicação com o sindicato e os possíveis factores de influência nessa implicação. Gordon et al. (1980) definiram implicação com o sindicato como o desejo de continuar membro de um sindicato, de trabalhar para ele e como uma aceitação e crença nos objectivos desse sindicato. Com o presente estudo, foi possível verificar que, para que esta relação de troca entre um membro e um sindicato conduza ao desenvolvimento e à manutenção da implicação com o sindicato, é necessário que este mostre não só que valoriza o membro em questão mas também que está implicado com ele enquanto indivíduo (suporte do sindicato). Por outro lado, a instrumentalidade do sindicato também parece estar positivamente relacionada com a implicação com o sindicato, isto é, os membros percepcionam a capacidade do sindicato em obter os resultados desejados, e é essa percepção que parece levá-los a estarem mais ou menos implicados com o sindicato. Todavia, nem a antiguidade no sindicato, nem a ideologia de troca, parecem moderar estas duas relações: suporte-implicação e instrumentalidade-implicação

Identification of a mosaic non-inherited small supernumerary ring chromosome 2: cytogenetic-molecular studies and genotype-phenotype correlation

Introduction: The identification of supernumerary marker chromosomes (SMCs) derived from all the autosomes is currently possible, but rarely by conventional cytogenetics alone. Supernumerary ring chromosomes (SRCs) account for about 10% of these cases. SRCs derived from chromosome 2 are unusual, and there are only a few cases reported in the literature. The severity of the phenotype depends on the type of the mosaicism, the percentage of cells affected by the genetic change and the chromosome involved. Methods: The authors report the case of a boy aged 8 referred for cytogenetic studies, presenting with behavior and learning problems, mental retardation with uncoordenated speech, attention deficit and hyperactivity (PHDA), as well as small slanting palpebral fissures. The karyotype was obtained from peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures using high resolution GTL banding and standard techniques. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed using specific probes for the centromeric regions of all chromosomes (Chromoprobe Multiprobe - ISystem). Results: Cytogenetic analysis revealed two cell lines: one with a supernumerary marker ring chromosome, 47,XY,+r (52%), and a normal cell line, 46,XY (48%). The SRC was identified by FISH with the chromosome 2 centromeric probe. Since the parents had normal karyotypes, this abnormality was “de novo”. Final karyotype of the proband was: mos 47,XY,+r[26]/46,XY[24].ish r(2)(D2Z2+)dn. Discussion: The clinical description of this patient is in agreement with other reports of the literature. Molecular characterization by FISH analyses is an useful way of investigating the presence of euchromatin contained in a SMC and establishing new chromosomal syndromes. However, to better characterize this ring, in order to establish a more accurate genotype-phenotype correlation, more studies involving other technologies should be performed, thus allowing suitable genetic counsellin

Expectativas e padrões de atribuição num processo de selecção

A necessidade de controlo sobre o meio ambiente, leva o indivíduo a interpretar os seus comportamentos bem como os outros eventos de relevo social. Frequentemente, os investigadores no âmbito da abordagem da cognição social, têm efectuado estudos laboratoriais, mas obtendo resultados contraditórios. Este estudo foi desenvolvido longitudinalmente num contexto real de selecção profissional, potencialmente gerador de stress, e pretendeu analisar o impacto das expectativas individuais quanto ao desempenho e ti forma como os indivíduos percepcionam a situação. Os resultados obtidos, sugerem a inadequação dos modelos de Deaux e Weiner a este contexto espedfico. A hipótese de que a consistência entre as expectativas e resultados gera atribuições a factores estáveis (capacidade e dificuldade da tarefa) e que a inconsistência entre as expectativas e os resultados, leva os indivíduos a procurar causas instáveis (esforço e sorte), não encontrou suporte empírico. Verificou-se que o processo de atribuição causal se apresenta mais dependente do resultado final obtido que propriamente do facto de este ser ou não consistente com as expectativas iniciais. ------ ABSTRACT ------ The interpretation of behaviour as well as other social issues, is based on the need to control the environment . The present study had been developped longitudinaiiy, based upon a personnel selection context, which consists on a strong source of stress. This paper searches to analyse the impact of individual apectancies on performance and on the perception of the situation. Results showed that Deaux and Weiner’s models about this issue are not adequate. The hypothesis that consistency between expectancies and results leads to unstable attributional causes, has not find empiricai support. Data showed that the attributional process is more dependent on the individual outcome of the selection process, than on the consistency between this result and the initial individual expectancies

A review of additive manufacturing for ceramic production

Purpose - In this paper, the authors aim to address the potential of mass personalization for ceramic tableware objects. They argue that additive manufacturing (AM) is the most adequate approach to the production of such objects. Design/methodology/approach - The authors review the manufacturing of ceramic tableware objects, both traditional techniques and AM processes, and assess which available AM technologies are suitable for the research purpose. Findings - The authors consider binder jetting and material extrusion as the most suitable processes for the production of ceramic objects to be integrated into a mass personalization system of ceramic tableware. Originality/value - This paper provides an original overview of traditional and innovative techniques in ceramic manufacturing, exposing not only its differences but also its commonalities. Such overview supports the conceptual design of original equipment

High Instantaneous Inhibitory Potential of Bictegravir and the New Spiro-β-Lactam BSS-730A for HIV-2 Isolates from RAL-Naïve and RAL-Failing Patients

Funding Information: This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)–Portugal Collaborative Research Network in Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa (project 332821690). CQC is supported by FCT through projects UIDB/00313/2020 and UIDP/QUI/00313/2020, co-funded by COMPETE2020-UE. iMed.ULisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, is supported by FCT through projects UIDB/04138/2020 and UIDP/04138/2020. Inês Bártolo is supported by FCT through Norma Transitória–DL57/2016/CP1376/CT0012. Ana Rita Diniz (SFRH/BD/89140/2012), Francisco Martin (SFRH/BD/87488/2012), Inês Moranguinho (SFRH/BD/131062/2017), and Américo Alves (SFRH/BD/128910/2017) were supported by Ph.D. grants from FCT, Portugal. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.Integrase inhibitors (INIs) are an important class of drugs for treating HIV-2 infection, given the limited number of drugs active against this virus. While the clinical efficacy of raltegravir and dolutegravir is well established, the clinical efficacy of bictegravir for treating HIV-2 infected patients has not been determined. Little information is available regarding the activity of bictegravir against HIV-2 isolates from patients failing raltegravir-based therapy. In this study, we examined the phenotypic and matched genotypic susceptibility of HIV-2 primary isolates from raltegravir-naïve and raltegravir-failing patients to raltegravir, dolutegravir, and bictegravir, and to the new spiro-β-lactam BSS-730A. The instantaneous inhibitory potential (IIP) was calculated to help predict the clinical activity of bictegravir and BSS-730A. Isolates from raltegravir-naïve patients were highly sensitive to all INIs and BSS-730A. Combined integrase mutations E92A and Q148K conferred high-level resistance to raltegravir, and E92Q and T97A conferred resistance to raltegravir and dolutegravir. The antiviral activity of bictegravir and BSS-730A was not affected by these mutations. BSS-730A displayed strong antiviral synergism with raltegravir. Mean IIP values at Cmax were similar for all INIs and were not significantly affected by resistance mutations. IIP values were significantly higher for BSS-730A than for INIs. The high IIP values of bictegravir and BSS-730A for raltegravir-naïve and raltegravir-resistant HIV-2 isolates highlight their potential value for treating HIV-2 infection. Overall, the results are consistent with the high clinical efficacy of raltegravir and dolutegravir for HIV-2 infection and suggest a promising clinical profile for bictegravir and BSS-730A.publishersversionpublishe

Origin and Epidemiological History of HIV-1 CRF14_BG

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Users must also make clear the license terms under which the work was published. CC BY Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Background: CRF14_BG isolates, originally found in Spain, are characterized by CXCR4 tropism and rapid disease progression. This study aimed to identify the origin of CRF14_BG and reconstruct its epidemiological history based on new isolates from Portugal.Methodology/Principal Findings: C2V3C3 env gene sequences were obtained from 62 samples collected in 1993–1998 from Portuguese HIV-1 patients. Full-length genomic sequences were obtained from three patients. Viral subtypes, diversity, divergence rate and positive selection were investigated by phylogenetic analysis. The molecular structure of the genomes was determined by bootscanning. A relaxed molecular clock model was used to date the origin of CRF14_BG. Geno2pheno was used to predict viral tropism. Subtype B was the most prevalent subtype (45 sequences; 73%) followed by CRF14_BG (8; 13%), G (4; 6%), F1 (2; 3%), C (2; 3%) and CRF02_AG (1; 2%). Three CRF14_BG sequences were derived from 1993 samples. Near full-length genomic sequences were strongly related to the CRF14_BG isolates from Spain. Genetic diversity of the Portuguese isolates was significantly higher than the Spanish isolates (0.044 vs 0.014, P,0.0001). The mean date of origin of the CRF14_BG cluster was estimated to be 1992 (range, 1989 and 1996) based on the subtype G genomic region and 1989 (range, 1984–1993) based on the subtype B genomic region. Most CRF14_BG strains (78.9%) were predicted to be CXCR4. Finally, up to five amino acids were under selective pressure in subtype B V3 loop whereas only one was found in the CRF14_BG cluster.Conclusions: CRF14_BG emerged in Portugal in the early 1990 s soon after the beginning of the HIV-1 epidemics, spread to Spain in late 1990 s as a consequence of IVDUs migration and then to the rest of Europe. CXCR4 tropism is a general characteristic of this CRF that may have been selected for by escape from neutralizing antibody response