Processamento da informação e dislexia : estudo das diferenças do tempo de reacção, atenção e memória entre sujeitos disléxicos e não disléxicos

As teorias do processamento da informação (PI) procuram respostas sobre o modo como o ser humano, processa a informação mentalmente (Cid, 2005). A grande preocupação centra-se na compreensão dos “fenómenos que se passam no interior da caixa negar” (Alves, 1995, pp.32 cit. Cid, 2005). Algures por todo o mundo cerca de 6 a 15%, da população (Nathan, 1979) tem dislexia. Apresentando dificuldades em aprender com problemas gerais de processamento da informação (Fonseca 1999). Nestes casos os fenómenos da “caixa negra” têm uma particular movimentação, e estas diferenças estão patentes 24horas por dia, 7 dias da semana, sendo uma dificuldade de aprendizagem para toda a vida (Frank & Livingston, 2004). Neste estudo verificamos as diferenças do processamento da informação através do tempo de reacção, atenção e memória entre sujeitos disléxicos (D) e não-disléxicos (ND). A amostra geral é constituída por 22 sujeitos de ambos os sexos, distinguida em dois grupos, o grupo de 10 D e 12 ND com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e 46 anos de idade (média ± desvio padrão de 25,40 ± 2,71). Os instrumentos de trabalho utilizados para tal propósito, foram os seguintes: o teste de barragem de Toulouse-Piéron (atenção Concentrada); O teste de memória visual Menvis-A (MV2); diversas provas de tempo de reacção (simples e de escolha) e o teste do quadro de Schultz (atenção distribuída). Os principais resultados obtidos indicam que o grupo de D são mais lentos no processamento da informação que o grupo de ND. Os resultados apontam que a atenção concentrada é semelhante entre os grupos, mas quanto à atenção distribuição o grupo de ND tem muito melhor performance que o grupo de D. Relativamente ao armazenam a informação visual a curto prazo o desempenho é semelhante para ambos os grupos. No entanto os ND reagem mais rápido aos estímulos que aparecem que os D, o que se reflecte na tomada de decisão, quando aumentam os estímulos que lhe são apresentados os D demoram mais tempo na tomada de decisão que os ND

Extratos fenólicos de Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench: caracterização química, atividade antioxidante e encapsulação para utilização em dermocosmética

Mestrado em cooperação com a Universidade de SalamancaO presente trabalho teve como objetivo explorar o potencial antioxidante dos compostos fenólicos das sumidades floridas (capítulos e brácteas e os 15 cm terminais dos caules com folhas que suportam as inflorescências) de Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench para aplicações cosméticas e envolveu as seguintes etapas: caracterização química, microencapsulação e incorporação num hidratante. As propriedades antioxidantes do extrato hidroalcoólico e da decocção foram avaliadas por métodos químicos (determinação do poder redutor e da capacidade captadora de radicais 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazilo (DPPH) e bioquímicos (inibição da descoloração do β-caroteno na presença de radicais livres derivados do ácido linoleico e inibição da formação de espécies reativas do ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) em homogeneizados cerebrais). A composição fenólica foi analisada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência de fase reversa acoplada a deteção de díodos e espetrometria de massa com ionização por spray de eletrões (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS). Foram identificados dezoito compostos fenólicos diferentes, sendo o ácido 3,5-O-dicafeoilquínico e a miricetina 7-O-acetil-hexósido o ácido fenólico e o flavonoide mais abundante, respetivamente. Comparativamente à decocção, o extrato hidroalcoólico apresentou maior atividade antioxidante e conteúdo fenólico, tendo-se optado pela sua forma liofilizada para prosseguir os estudos de microencapsulação. Para a microencapsulação utilizou-se a técnica da dupla emulsão/evaporação de solvente, produzindo-se microesferas de base policaprolactona (PCL) com o respetivo conteúdo (extrato hidroalcoólico de H. stoechas). Estas foram incorporadas com sucesso num creme hidratante. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram o potencial antioxidante do extrato hidroalcoólico de H. stoechas e a viabilidade da sua microencapsulação, abrindo novas possibilidades de exploração e aplicação destes extratos fenólicos naturais, nomeadamente na indústria de cosméticos.The present work explores the antioxidant potential of Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench phenolic compounds for cosmetic applications involving the following steps: chemical characterization, microencapsulation and incorporation into a moisturizer. The antioxidant properties of hydroalcoholic extract and decoction were evaluated by chemical (determination of reducing power and scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl, DPPH, radicals) and biochemical (inhibition of β-carotene bleaching in the presence of linoleate free radicals and inhibition of reactive substances of thiobarbituric acid, TBARS, in brain homogenates) assays. The phenolic composition was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography in reverse phase coupled to diode array detection and mass spectrometry with electron spray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS). Eighteen different phenolic compounds were identified in flowering aerial parts (decoction and hydroalcoholic extract), being 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acids and myricetin7-O-acylhexoside the most abundant phenolic acid and flavonoid, respectively. Comparatively to the decoction form, the hydroalcoholic extract presented both higher antioxidant activity and higher phenolic content, being its lyophilized form chosen to proceed with microencapsulation studies. Therefore, double emulsion/evaporation microencapsulation technique was applied to produce PCL based microspheres containing H. stoechas hydroalcoholic extract, which were then successfully incorporated into a moisturizer. The results obtained demonstrated the antioxidant potential H. stoechas hydroalcoholic extract and the viability of its microencapsulation, thus opening new perspectives for the exploitation of these natural phenolic extracts in applications such as the cosmetic industry

Cultivo de Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni en campo y por micropropagación in vitro: estudio prospectivo de su potencial antioxidante en función del tipo de cultivo y de las condiciones de conservación

La realización de estudios con condiciones de cultivo bien establecidas es de extrema importancia para estandarizar la producción de plantas y, por lo tanto, su composición química. Sin embargo, las condiciones de conservación también pueden influir sobre los compuestos bioactivos presentes en la mismas. En el presente trabajo, muestras de Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (estevia) cultivadas en el noreste de Portugal fueron sometidas a dos condiciones de conservación diferentes: secado en invernadero a 30 °C y congelación en fresco a -20 °C, y posteriormente almacenadas durante seis días. Por otra parte, para definir las mejores condiciones de cultivo y maximizar los niveles de compuestos bioactivos, se evaluó también el efecto de diferentes concentraciones de nitrógeno (N) sobre la composición química y las propiedades antioxidantes de las hojas frescas y secas congeladas de estevia. En todos los casos, las muestras fueron caracterizadas en cuanto a cuantificación e identificación de azúcares libres, tocoferoles y compuestos fenólicos, y determinación del potencial antioxidante mediante ensayos de captación del radical DPPH y poder reductor (RP) de sus extractos metanol:agua. Los azúcares más abundantes en las muestras estudiadas fueron xilosa, arabinosa + fructosa y sacarosa, mientras que los principales compuestos fenólicos fueron los derivados del ácido cafeico, ácido 5-O-cafeoilquínico (ácido clorogénico) y ácido 3,5-O-dicafeoilquínico. Las muestras secadas en invernadero dieron lugar a valores más elevados de actividad antioxidante y de compuestos fenólicos totales que las mantenidas a -20 ºC. Sin embargo, las muestras frescas congeladas presentaron contenidos más altos de tocoferoles y de azúcares totales. Se pudo comprobar que el proceso de conservación afectaba más significativamente los valores de tocoferoles y de contenido de azúcares que la fertilización con N. En general, la fertilización con N conducía a una mejora en la composición química y el potencial bioactivo de las hojas de estevia. Los mayores niveles de compuestos fenólicos se encontraron en las muestras secas y en aquellas fertilizadas con 25 kg de N/ha. Las hojas de plantas fertilizadas con 25 y 50 kg N/ha también fueron las que evidenciaron mayor actividad antioxidante, que parecía estar especialmente determinada por la composición fenólica. Los reguladores del crecimiento de las plantas, que controlan los procesos fisiológicos en células especializadas, se utilizan en el desarrollo de cultivos de plantas in vitro. Por ello, se estudió también la composición en azúcares libres, tocoferoles y compuestos fenólicos y el potencial antioxidante en hojas de estevia obtenidas por cultivo in vitro con y sin cinetina (fitorregulador). Las muestras cultivadas sin cinetina evidenciaron una mayor concentración de tocoferoles totales y de compuestos fenólicos que las obtenidas en presencia de cinetina. Por lo contrario, se observó una tendencia opuesta para los azúcares libres totales. Los extractos de metanol:agua obtenidos de muestras cultivadas sin cinetina también evidenciaron mayor actividad captadora de radicales y poder reductor que los de las muestras cultivadas en presencia de cinetina, lo que parece confirmar la relación de este fitorregulador con la producción de compuestos fenólicos. En general, el cultivo in vitro es una forma eficaz de obtener biomasa vegetal que pueda ser utilizada como fuente de compuestos antioxidantes de manera continua y sin estar sometida a condiciones edafoclimáticas. Sin embargo, a las dosis ensayadas el empleo de cinetina, aunque mejoró la tasa de multiplicación, no condujo a una mayor acumulación de moléculas bioactivas, por lo que se deberían ensayar otros niveles de aplicación de este regulador, así como otras hormonas para establecer su influencia sobre la producción de este tipo de compuestos. El estudio realizado proporciona evidencias para elegir la metodología más apropiada para favorecer la acumulación y preservar los niveles de metabolitos primarios y secundarios de Stevia rebaudiana relacionados con su actividad antioxidante.[EN] Studies with well-established cultivation conditions are of utmost importance in order to standardize plants production and, therefore, its chemical composition. However, the conservation conditions may also have an influence on the bioactive compounds present in those plants. In the present work, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni samples cultivated in the north-eastern of Portugal were submitted to different conservation conditions (oven-dried at 30 °C, for six days, or kept fresh by freezing (-20 °C) in the same period). Furthermore, in order to define the best growing conditions to maximize the levels of bioactive compounds, the effect of different nitrogen (N) rates on the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of stevia frozen fresh and dried leaves was also evaluated. All samples were analysed for their content and composition in sugars, tocopherols and phenolic compounds, as well as the free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and reducing power (RP) of their methanol:water extracts. The most abundant sugars were xylose, arabinose + fructose and sucrose, whereas the main phenolic compounds in all samples were two caffeic acid derivatives, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid) and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Dried samples presented higher contents of antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds than fresh frozen ones, whereas the highest values of total tocopherols and total sugars were registered in frozen samples. In general, processing affects more significantly tocopherol and sugar contents than N fertilization, although this latter provides an improvement in the chemical composition and bioactive potential of stevia leaves. Greater levels of phenolic compounds were found in dried samples and in those fertilized with 25 kg N/ha. Leaves from plants fertilized with 25 and 50 kg N/ha were also those that evidenced the highest antioxidant activity, which seemed to be influenced by the phenolic composition. Plant growth regulators are used in the development of in vitro plant cultures, controlling the physiological processes in specialized cells. Stevia leaves obtained by in vitro culture with and without kinetin (phytoregulator) were analyzed to compare their composition in free sugars, tocopherols and phenolic compounds, as also to assess the antioxidant activity of their methanol:water extracts. Samples cultured without kinetin evidenced higher concentration in total tocopherols and phenolic compounds than those obtained in the presence of kinetin. Otherwise, an opposite trend was observed for total free sugars. Methanol:water extracts obtained from samples cultured without kinetin also evidenced higher radical scavenging activity and reducing power than those cultured in the presence of kinetin, which seems to confirm the relationship between the antioxidant activity and the content of phenolic compounds. Overall, in vitro culture can be used as an efficient way to produce plant sources of antioxidant compounds, but other hormones besides kinetin should also be tested so as to check their ability to improve the production of bioactive molecules. This study gives clues to select the most appropriate methodology to enhance and preserve primary or secondary metabolites involved in the antioxidant activity of Stevia rebaudiana

Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron fertilizers on essential oils yield in lemon verbena (Alyosia triphylla)

Essential oils (EO) are liquid mixtures of volatile compounds obtained from aromatic plants. They constitute what is called the "essence" of a plant and usually have pleasantly scented fragrances[1]. The chemical composition of the EO extracted from Lemon verbena [Aioysia triphylla (L'Her) Britton], has been frequently studied because the aerial parts of this plant are used in folk medicine. Lemon verbena is an herbal species indigenous to South America which was introduced into Europe at 17th century[2]. it has been cultivated mainly due to the lemon-like aroma and utilized for herbal tea, which is reputed to have antispasmodic, antipyretic, sedative and digestive properties[3). The aim of this study was to determine the accumulation of EO in Lemon verbena growth under different fertilizer regimes of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and boron (B). All the nutrients were applied as liquid organic fertilizers. The nutrient solution was applied in soil surface through the holes made in the anti-weeds plastic mulch by where the plants grow. The nutrients were applied at the rates: 0, 37.5, 75 and 112.5 kg N ha·•; 0, 37.5 and 75 kg P P s ha·1; 0, 37.5 and 75 kg ~0 ha·1; and 0. 75 and 1.5 kg B ha·•. The total rates of fertilizers were fractionated into three applications during the growing season. The experimental design included three replications of all fertilizer treatments. Field samples, 5 to 6 individual plants were collected, weighed and dried. The determination of the EO yield was performed by the hydro-distilled process. The plant material was subjected to extraction for 3 h using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The results here presented should be considered preliminary. However, it seems that the increase in biomass due to the increasing rates of N, P and B decreased the oil content in the plant. ForK treatment, that relationship was not found. The high oil yields were found from the samples coming from the most productive plots.Funded by Projects PRODER no 46025 - Gestao Sustentave/ da Produr;ao de Plantas Aromaticas e Medicinais, and PRODER n° 46207 - Adaptar;ao cultural de hortela-vulgar e Stevia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dance Didactics and Elderly Practitioners Satisfaction

Introdução. O ensino da Dança para pessoas de idade avançada deve resultar na possibilidade de se ser único na sua corporalidade, expressão e relacionamento (Comprido & Varregoso, 2016). A Dança combina harmoniosamente atividade corporal e artística defendendo-se, para pessoas de idade avançada, uma didática estruturada especificamente com estratégias de expressividade, ludicidade, criatividade e socialização. Proporcionadora de exercitação, componente social, bemestar psicológico, qualidade de vida ativa e saúde (Varregoso, 2010; 2015). Objetivos. Verificar se uma didática específica da Dança influencia comportamentos de satisfação em pessoas idosas. Metodologia. Estudo experimental, descritivo, predominantemente quantitativo respeitando a confidencialidade dos sujeitos. Amostra por conveniência e criterial: 32 idosos (81% mulheres, 19% homens) (dos 64 aos 76 anos, média de idades de 67,2), reformados, maioritariamente casados ou viúvos, maioritariamente com o Ensino Básico, independentes, autónomos, aceitando integrar o estudo. Método de terreno, em ambiente natural, onde ocorreram aulas de dança uma vez por semana, 10 meses, usando procedimentos didáticos específicos (conceção e estratégia de aulas, clima, interações, feedback). Variáveis: opções metodológicas quanto aos parâmetros didáticos referidos, medidas em função do grau de satisfação dos idosos. Instrumento: Questionário de Satisfação com as Aulas, validado por Comprido (2013), aplicado por escrito no final da atividade, medindo os benefícios percecionados e o nível de satisfação com a atividade (‘Nada’, ‘Pouco’, ‘Satisfatoriamente’ ‘Muito’ ‘Satisfação elevada’). Tratamento percentual, pós-teste, com análise intragrupo em função das variáveis. Resultados e Discussão. Elevada satisfação: convívio (100%); exercícios (84.6%); dinâmica (84.6%); condição física (84.6%); relacionamento com o professor (82%); movimentar-se (76.9%); relacionamento (76.9%); divertimento (76.9%); atitudes do professor (73%). Muita satisfação: variedade (69.2%); fazer coisas novas (69.2%); Danças (69.2%); ambiente (61.5%); saúde (61.5%). Efeito positivo das aulas: alegria (84.6%); afetividade (84.6%); descontração (69.2%); confiança (69.2%); jovialidade (69.2%); felicidade (61.5%). Estudos similares mostraram níveis de satisfação idênticos evidenciando satisfação preferencial por fatores de clima (Comprido & Varregoso, 2016; Alves 2016), interação do técnico e convívio entre pares proporcionado pelas atividades escolhidas (Comprido, 2013; Varregoso, 2010; 2015) e metodologia das aulas (Comprido, 2013; Varregoso, Machado & Barroso, 2016; Varregoso, 2015). Conclusões. O nível de satisfação com as aulas foi ‘elevado’ na estrutura e condução da aula e perceção dos benefícios pessoais; e muito satisfeito quanto ao tipo de aulas e sua relação com a saúde e bem-estar psicológico. A didática intencional e especificamente estruturada, pareceu promover comportamentos de satisfação nos idosos envolvidos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

In vitro culture and aclimation process of Stevia Rebaudiana

Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni (Asteraceae) leaves are a natural source of steviol glycosides, which can be used for sweetening and flavouring foods and beverages. The recent interest of farmers on this crop has increased the demand for propagation material. The farmers can use seedlings, cuttings or, alternatively, wealthy plants obtained from in vitro propagation (Madan et al., 2010). This work reports the results of a simple, fast and non-expensive method developed for micro-propagation, rooting and acclimation of Stevia . Objectives: development of a method to micro-propagate, rooting and acclimate Stevia. Methodology: plant material was collected from a commercial clone growing in field. Plant material was sterilized by stirring for 7 minutes in a solution of chlorine 5% plus 10 drops of tween 80 per 100 ml of chlorine solution . Thereafter, the explants were washed in sterilized water and moved to a solution of ethanol 70%, kept there for 5 minutes, washed again and inoculated in two different culture media (medium A- MS without hormones and 20 g/L of sucrose; and medium 8- MS with 0.5 mg/L of kinetin and 20 g/L of sucrose). The multiplication rate was determined for each subculture of 2 months in the two media tested. As complementary data, the fresh weights of 10% of the micro-propagated plants per subculture were determined. The rate of spontaneous rooting was also determined, and trials of plant rooting performed through auxin shocks using 2mg/ ml of IBA (lndole-3-butyric acid)(Abdullateef and Osman,2012), a solution to dip the basal part of 100 Stevia plants for 30 seconds. Thereafter, the plants were transferred to the MS media without hormones but containing activated coal. The time that the plants take to get a minimum of roots allowing them to acclimate to the soil substrate was recorded. The acclimatization in soil substrate was performed in a greenhouse under a misting irrigation system working for 1 0 seconds each 20 minutes. The acclimatization rate was determined during two weeks . Results: In culture media A and 8 the monthly multiplication rates were 383.2 and 306.9%, respectively. The mean plant fresh weights per subculture were 1.1 and 0.9 g, respectively for A and 8 subculture media. In medium A, the rate of spontaneous rooting, after 4 months in culture, was 1 0.5%, and in 8 medium was less than 4%. Rooting induced process was evaluated each week after hormone shock. In the first week, 30% of plants developed roots, having increased this number to 70% in the second week. No significant differences were found in rooting of plants coming from the different initial media growth. The acclimatization rate was 100% after 2 weeks in the greenhouse. Conclusion: Using the medium A (the best suited for multiplication and spontaneous rooting) it was possible to obtain more than 50 times the initial number of plants in excellent developing conditions to be transferred to the field.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validity of the VO2peak prediction model to Brazilian youth with spina bifida

Objective: To validate a peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) prediction model in Brazilian youth with spina bifida. Methods: Twenty participants with spina bifida performed a graded arm crank test to measure VO2peak. The VO2peak values predicted by the equation “VO2peak (mL/min) = 194 + 18 × peak workload – 110 × sex” were compared to the VO2peak values measured. Results: The predicted VO2peak was not different from the measured VO2peak. A high correlation was found between both VO2peak values, and the Bland-Altman analysis did not show a significant difference, demonstrating agreement between the values. Conclusions: The VO2peak prediction model in Brazilian youth with spina bifida was validated, being an advantageous alternative to assess and follow physical fitness and prescribe exercise training intensity.Objetivo: Validar uma equação preditiva do consumo pico de oxigênio (VO2pico) em jovens brasileiros com espinha bífida. Métodos: Vinte participantes com espinha bífida realizaram um teste ergoespirométrico de membros superiores para medir o VO2pico. Os valores de VO2pico preditos pela equação “VO2pico (mL/min)= 194 + 18 × carga pico – 110 × sexo” foram comparados com o VO2pico medido. Resultados: O VO2pico predito pela equação não foi diferente do VO2pico medido. Foi encontrada alta correlação entre os valores de VO2pico e, a análise Bland Altman não mostrou diferença significativa, demonstrando concordância entre os valores. Conclusão: A equação preditiva do VO2pico é válida para jovens brasileiros com espinha bífida e é uma alternativa vantajosa para obter e acompanhar o condicionamento físico e prescrever a intensidade de treinamento nesses indivíduos.

Blow gun training enhances the ventilatory capacity in patients with Down syndrome: a pilot study

There are over fifteen thousand people with Down syndrome in Portugal. The worst performance of their respiratory muscles aggravates the expiratory effort, leading to a diminished aerial flow.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Seniors Road Safety Enhancement through Perceptual-Motor Competences Training Program Impact upon the Performance on the Useful Field of Vision (UFOV)

The purpose of this study was to verify the efficacy of a PerceptualMotor Competences Training Program upon the performance on UFOV of an experimental active group of elderly drivers. Program tasks were conceived to force subjects to divide their attention for central and peripheral stimuli, using a visual strategy of gazing at an anchor-point and, from there, detect important clues on peripheral visual field. For this purpose, almost all tasks were performed on groups of two, being one responsible for testing the other and switching functions from time to time (for instance, dropping one of two juggling handkerchiefs hold apart, one in each tester hand, with the partner having to detect which was dropped and react as quick as possible, catching it before it felt to the floor). We found a significant improvement in the capacity of dividing attention for central and peripheral stimuli under a visual environment full of distractors (selective attention UFOV test) following the Program, as well as a significant reduction on the category of risk (component based upon the three UFOV subtests results), which evidence very clearly the benefits of this training program on the elderly experimental group and its potential to reduce their risk of being involved in car accidents, on their fault, due to perceptual reasons

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni cultivated in Portugal: a prospective study of its antioxidant potential in different conservation conditions

Studies with well-established cultivation conditions are of utmost importance in order to standardize the plants production and, therefore, its chemical composition. However, the conservation conditions may influence some of the bioactive compounds present in those plants. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni samples cultivated in the north-eastern of Portugal, were exposed to different conservation conditions (oven-dried at 30 °C, for six days, or kept fresh by freezing (-20 °C) in the same period), and then studied for their antioxidant potential (including antioxidant compounds such as reducing sugars, tocopherols and phenolic compounds, free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and reducing power (RP)). Oven-dried samples gave the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH EC50 = 22.87 µg/mL and RP EC50 = 28.79 µg/mL) and the highest total phenolic compounds concentration. The most abundant phenolic compounds in both samples were two caffeic acid derivatives, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid) and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Otherwise, the highest values of total tocopherols and total sugars were registered in frozen fresh samples. This study gives clues to choose the most appropriate methodology to preserve primary or secondary metabolites of S. rebaudiana, involved in its antioxidant activity.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programe PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), LSRE (Project UID/EQU/50020/2013) and L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015) grant