UMA ABORDAGEM BASEADA EM ONTOLOGIAS PARA INTEGRAÇÃO SEMÂNTICA DE SISTEMAS

Geralmente, sistemas são construídos por diferentes desenvolvedores, em diferentes momentos, sem uma preocupação com o estabelecimento de um significado comum aos itens comunicados pelos mesmos. Em geral, cada sistema é executado separadamente e implementa o seu próprio modelo de dados e de processo. Esses modelos não são compartilhados entre os sistemas, o que abre espaço para diversos tipos de conflitos, incluindo conflitos sintáticos e semânticos. Essa heterogeneidade é considerada uma das maiores dificuldades no problema da integração. Neste contexto, ontologias podem ser usadas como uma interlíngua para mapear conceitos e serviços usados por diferentes sistemas, que acessariam dados e serviços por meio de ontologias compartilhadas. Neste presente trabalho defende-se a ideia de que a integração semântica é uma tarefa complexa e bastante subjetiva e, por isso, deve ocorrer em um nível mais alto de abstração. Tomando por base esta consideração, foi desenvolvida OBA-SI (Ontology-Based Approach for Semantic Integration), uma abordagem de integração semântica de sistemas que concentra esforços na modelagem conceitual e na análise dos requisitos de integração. Nessa abordagem, a integração semântica é realizada em um alto nível de abstração, provendo acordo semântico entre os sistemas no nível conceitual. OBA-SI lida com a integração nas três camadas de integração: dados, serviços e processos. Para tal, modelos conceituais dos sistemas (representando sua estrutura e comportamento), bem como do processo de negócio por eles apoiado, são comparados à luz de ontologias, usadas para atribuir semântica aos itens compartilhados entre os sistemas no apoio ao processo de negócio considerado. Os modelos são compatibilizados por meio de mapeamentos entre seus elementos. Todo esse processo de atribuição de semântica e uso de ontologias é independente da solução da integração. A fim de se testar a presente abordagem, foi realizado um estudo de caso no qual ela foi aplicada na integração semântica de dois sistemas de Gerência de Configuração de Software, usando ontologias de domínio e de tarefa

Attachment, Physiological and Familial Vulnerability in Childhood Obesity: an Interactive Multisystem Approach

The aims of the present study were to test the association between insecure attachment and basal cortisol and catecholamines levels in a sample of obese children. The role of familial vulnerability and gender was also investigated. Methods: Cortisol and catecholamines levels of 8- to 13-year olds obese children were measured. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess attachment pattern and current anxiety and depression, and parent-report questionnaires were used to assess attachment, current anxiety and depression and familial vulnerability. Linear regression analyses were performed for individuals that scored low versus high on parental internalizing problems, and for boys and girls, separately. Results: In the group with high parental internalizing problems, insecure attachment was significantly associated with reduced basal levels of cortisol, in boys (p=0.007, b= -0.861, R2= 73.0%). In the group with low parental internalizing problems, the association between insecure attachment and cortisol was not significant in either boys or girls, and it was negative in boys (p=0.075, b= -0.606, R2= 36.7%) and positive in girls (p=0.677, b= 0.176, R2= 3.1%) . Conclusions: Apparently, physiological risk factors for psicopathology in obesity are more evident in individuals with a high familial vulnerability. In addition, patterns of physiological risk for psicopathology in obesity are different in boys and girls. Therefore, it is important to take into account familial vulnerability and gender when investigating physiological risk factors for psycopathology in obesity. Insecure attachment in childhood may be a risk factor for obesity. Interventions to increase children's attachment security should examine the effects on children's weight

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Unusual Presentation of this Rare Clinical Entity in Children

Malignant hepatic tumors are rare in children and hepatocellular carcinomas only represent 20% of cases. A previously healthy 10 year-old male was admitted for sudden abdominal pain. Ultrasound imaging showed an ileo-ileal intussusception with spontaneous resolution, but in the face of worsening pain, fever, and a palpable epigastric mass, abdominal magnetic resonance imaging was performed, showing a liver lesion. Laboratory tests presented elevated liver enzymes and C-reactive protein, so a liver abscess was considered and treated with metronidazole plus ceftriaxone. All of the microbiology tests as well as tumoral markers were negative. Despite clinical and laboratory improvement, the lesion persisted in the imaging. A liver biopsy confirmed a hepatocellular carcinoma, and the patient was submitted to surgical resection and chemotherapy. Contrarily to adults in whom most cases are secondary to chronic liver disease, children may not have risk factors for the disease, which makes it harder to make a prompt diagnosis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of short-term water exercise programs on weight, body composition, metabolic profile and quality of life of obese women

Physical exercises performed in water, such as water aerobics, have a minimal impact on the joints and are frequently indicated to help obese individuals to lose weight. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two water programs (continuous vs intermittent) on the body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE), metabolic profile, and quality of life of obese women without nutritional intervention. Twenty-seven sedentary female volunteers (mean age and BMI of 42.8±7.4 years and 36.1±6.3kg.m-2, respectively) were selected and allocated randomly into two groups: continuous water exercise (CON) and intermittent water exercise (INT). Both programs lasted two months with 3 weekly sessions of 60 minutes each. The following evaluations were performed before and after the intervention: anthropometry (weight and body circumferences), body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass), metabolic profile (glycemia and lipid profile), REE (indirect calorimetry), and quality of life (SF-36 Questionnaire).Comparisons between groups and times (initial and final) were performed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test. The groups did not differ in any of the variables analyzed at the initial time (Ti) and at the final time (Tf). Comparison of Ti vs f revealed significant reductions of weight (-0.6 kg), BMI(-0.3 kg.m-2), fat mass (-0.6 kg), arm circumference (-1.8cm) and hip circumference (-4.0cm) for CON group and significant reductions of only fat mass (-0.6kg)and arm circumference (-2.0cm) for INT group. Regarding quality of life, improvement in social and vitality aspects was observed in CON group and improvement in vitality and health status in INT group. Short-term water exercise programs not associated with nutritional monitoring have a modest impact on the weight, body composition and metabolic profile of obese women, with better results for programs with continuous characteristics. However, the improvement of quality of life aspects should not be overlooked

A Review of This Enzyme Role in the Intestinal Barrier Function

Funding Information: This study was supported by ERDF through the operation POCI-01-0145-ERDF-007746 funded by Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionaliza??o?COMPETE2020 and by National Funds through FCT?Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UID/IC/4255/2013) and (PTDC/BAA-AGR/7419/2020).Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IALP) has recently assumed a special relevance, being the subject of study in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases related to leaky gut. This brush border enzyme (ecto-enzyme) plays an important role in the maintenance of intestinal microbial homeostasis and intestinal barrier function through its ability to dephosphorylate lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This review addresses how IALP and intestinal barrier dysfunction may be implicated in the pathophysiology of specific diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, and metabolic syndrome. The use of IALP as a possible biomarker to assess intestinal barrier function and strategies to modulate IALP activity are also discussed.publishersversionpublishe

One-pot intercalation strategy for the encapsulation of a CO-releasing organometallic molecule in a layered double hydroxide

The photoactivatable CO‐releasing molecule (photoCORM) [Mo(CO)3(CNCH2COOH)3] (ALF795) has been incorporated into a Zn,Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) host by a coprecipitation synthesis strategy. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) of the resultant material Zn,Al‐ALF795 showed that the ALF795 guest molecules assembled into a monolayer to give a basal spacing of 16.0 Å. FTIR and 13C{1H} CP MAS NMR spectroscopy confirmed that the molecular structure of the tricarbonyl complex was retained upon intercalation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental analyses confirmed the phase‐purity of Zn,Al‐ALF795. The myoglobin assay was used to demonstrate that intercalated ALF795 retains the photoactive behavior of the free CORM, with a substantial fraction (42 %) of the high CO payload (2.46 mmol g–1) being released after exposure to UV light for 3 h under simulated physiological conditions. In addition, gas chromatography was used to track sequential light‐ and H2O2‐triggered decarbonylation of free and intercalated ALF795. In biological buffer solution (HEPES), less than 2 % Mo leaching from Zn,Al‐ALF795 took place after 5 h, showing the strong capacity of the LDH host to retain the unaltered complex and decarbonylation fragments.publishe

Is gut microbiota the key?

Funding: This study was supported by ERDF through the operation POCI-01-0145-ERDF-007746 funded by Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização—COMPETE2020 and by National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UID/IC/4255/2013) and CHRC (UIDB/04923/2020 and UIDP/04923/2020). This study was also supported by Emilio Peres grant from the Portuguese Society of Diabetology.The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been recommended for type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment. The impact of diet in shaping the gut microbiota is well known, particularly for MD. However, the link between MD and diabetes outcome improvement is not completely clear. This study aims to evaluate the role of microbiota modulation by a nonpharmacological intervention in patients with T2D. In this 12-week single-arm pilot study, nine participants received individual nutritional counseling sessions promoting MD. Gut microbiota, biochemical parameters, body composition, and blood pressure were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after the intervention. Adherence to MD [assessed by Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) score] increased after the intervention. Bacterial richness increased after 4 weeks of intervention and was negatively correlated with fasting glucose levels and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Prevotella to Bacteroides ratio also increased after 4 weeks. In contrast, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and HOMA-IR were only decreased at the end of study. Alkaline phosphatase activity was assessed in fecal samples and was negatively correlated with HbA1c and positively correlated with bacterial diversity. The results of this study reinforce that MD adherence results in a better glycemic control in subjects with T2D. Changes in gut bacterial richness caused by MD adherence may be relevant in mediating the metabolic impact of this dietary intervention.publishersversionpublishe

The tailings dam failure of 5 November 2015 in SE Brazil and its preceding seismic sequence

The collapse of a mine tailings dam and subsequent flood in SE Brazil on 5 November 2015 was preceded by a small-magnitude seismic sequence. In this report, we explore the spatiotemporal associations between the seismic events and the accident and discuss their possible connection. We also analyze the signals generated by the turbulent mudflow, as recorded by the Brazilian Seismographic Network (RSBR). In light of our observations, we propose as possible contributing factor for the dam collapse either ground shaking and/or soil liquefaction triggered by the earthquakes. The possibility of such a small-magnitude earthquake contributing to the collapse of a tailings dam raises important concerns regarding safety and related legislation of dams in Brazil and the world. ©2016. American Geophysical Union.H.A.D. and M.A. acknowledge support from Sao Paulo Research Foundation FAPESP grant 2014/09455-3 and CNPq grant 30.6547/2013-9.Peer reviewe

Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2, Depressão e Alterações do Comportamento Alimentar em Doentes Submetidos a Cirurgia Bariátrica

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with a great number of complications, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and psychiatric pathology. Bariatric surgery is the best solution to weight loss and improvement of complications in morbid obese patients. This study aims to analyze the evolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus and psychopathologic variables before and after bariatric surgery and assess the importance of different variables in weight loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a longitudinal study, which evaluates 75 patients before and after bariatric surgery (47 - LAGB - laparoscopic adjustable gastric band; 19 - RYGB - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; 9 - sleeve) with a follow-up time between 18 and 46 months. A clinical interview and self report questionnaires were applied - Eating Disorder Examination questionnaire - EDE-Q and Beck Depression Inventory - BDI. RESULTS: Results show an improvement in type 2 diabetes mellitus after surgery (X2 (1) = 26.132, p < 0.001). There was not a significant improvement among psychiatric pathology when we controlled the analysis for the type of surgery. It was verified that type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression and eating disorders in post-operative period are associated with less weight loss. This model explains 27% of weight variance after surgery (R2 = 0.265) and it is significant F (3.33) = 2.981, p = 0.038. DISCUSSION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, psychiatric pathology and eating disorders after surgery influenced weight loss. It was not clear in what way this relation was verified, neither the relation that these metabolic and psychological variables may have during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus improved after surgery. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression and eating disorders influenced weight loss in the postoperative period. These variables did not influence weight loss in the preoperative period

Mudança de paradigma no ensino da Bioquímica na licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição na Universidade do Porto

No primeiro ano da licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição, na Faculdade de Ciências da Nutriçãoe Alimentação, da Universidade do Porto, existem duas Unidades Curriculares que introduzem aBioquímica aos estudantes [Química Orgânica e Bioquímica I (no 1º e 2º semestres,respetivamente)] e cujos programas e modalidades pedagógicas estão inter-relacionados,confrontando o estudante, progressivamente ao longo do ano letivo, com oportunidades deaprendizagem ativa.A divulgação de descobertas científicas e o envolvimento dos estudantes em projetos deinvestigação científica melhoram a aprendizagem e a retenção de conhecimentos, assim comooperacionalizam a sua aplicabilidade prática, ao mesmo tempo que desenvolvem um efeitopositivo no interesse pela investigação científica.Com o objetivo de melhorar não só a aquisição de conhecimentos, mas também a compreensão e aplicabilidade dos mesmos, assim como o desenvolvimento de competências e de raciocíniohipotético-dedutivo pelos estudantes, o ensino da Bioquímica "tradicional/clássico/base" foimodificado de modo a: 1) introduzir a discussão de artigos científicos relevantes (nas sessõesteóricas e/ou práticas); 2) possibilitar o contacto com a investigação científica feita pelosdocentes (nas sessões teóricas) e 3) possibilitar a realização de pequenos projetos deinvestigação científica (nas sessões práticas). Nestas 3 modalidades pedagógicas estãosubjacentes temas bioquímicos que integram o programa "clássico/base" das referidas UnidadesCurriculares. Adicionalmente, ao estudante são divulgados, nas 3 modalidades pedagógicasacima referidas, temas atuais da Bioquímica Nutricional ao mesmo tempo que contacta comtodas as fases da metodologia de aquisição de conhecimentos, de raciocínio e de investigaçãousadas na área da Nutrição