From reading literature in secondary school to its learning assessment in the 12th year national exam

Literature plays a core role in the class of Portuguese Language, a specialised context for teaching literacy competencies. This text reports a study about knowledge and skills privileged in literary texts’ reading in national exams. A document analysis of seventeen exams of Portuguese, used by the Ministry of Education between 1996 and 2012, was conducted to identify the “reading objects” chosen for the exams, the text structures that were the focus of the questions and the reading operations requested. The results show that besides the central role of the national literary canon in the assessment, contemporary poetry texts are the preferred “reading objects”. This allows the conclusion that questions about literary contents aim to evaluate student’s critical thinking regarding works by canonical authors. The study also showed that reading literature is perceived as the act of understanding and (re)constructing the meanings of a text by an active and competent reader.La literatura juega un papel central en la clase de Lengua Portuguesa, como contexto especializado para la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de competencias de alfabetización. Este texto reporta un estudio sobre el conocimiento y las habilidades privilegiadas en los exámenes nacionales externos. Un análisis de diecisiete exámenes de Portugués, del Ministerio de Educación entre 1996 y 2012, ha identificado “objetos de lectura” elegidos, estructuras textuales enfocadas por las preguntas y operaciones de lectura requeridas. Los resultados revelan el papel central del canon literario nacional en la evaluación y que los textos poéticos contemporáneos son los “objetos de lectura” preferidos. Se concluye que las preguntas sobre contenidos literarios se plantean evaluar el pensamiento crítico del estudiante con respecto a las obras de autores canónicos y que la lectura se percibe como el acto de comprender y (re)construir los significados de un texto por un lector activo y competente.La littérature joue un rôle central dans la classe de Langue Portugaise, un contexte spécialisé pour l’enseignement des compétences en littératie. Ce texte présente une étude sur les connaissances et compétences privilégiées dans la lecture de textes littéraires aux examens nationaux. Une analyse de dix-sept examens de Portugais, utilisés par le Ministère de l’Éducation entre 1996 et 2012, a été menée afin d’identifier “objets de lecture” choisis pour les examens, structures de texte au centre des questions et opérations de lecture demandées. Les résultats montrent que, outre le rôle central du canon littéraire dans l’évaluation, textes de poésie contemporaine sont les “objets de lecture” préférés. Cela permet la conclusion que les questions concernant le contenu littéraire visent à évaluer la pensée critique de l’élève concernant les œuvres d’auteurs canoniques. L’étude a également montré que la lecture littéraire est perçue comme (re)construction de la signification d’un texte par un lecteur compétent.CIED - UMinhoinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Why not "do simple things in a simple way": Use of the Pap test as the first step in screening genetic stability for human cultured stem cell therapy?

The aim of this study was to analyze adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) using the Pap test as a first screening step to evaluate genetic stability. Human adipose tissue from six healthy female donors was obtained from elective liposuction procedures. The cells were isolated, cultivated at P2/P3, characterized by flow cytometric analysis, and differentiation induced. The AT-MSCs were stained by Papanicolaou staining and analyzed according to the Bethesda classification, and viability-apoptosis relationships were evaluated. The results of the Pap test for Sample I indicated high-grade alterations consistent with genetic instability; for Samples II-V, atypical cells of undetermined significance; and for Sample VI, normal cells. These results demonstrate the potential of using the Pap test as an initial screening step to evaluate the genetic stability of cultured AT-MSCs and also suggest its use for other adherent cells such as embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells

Staphylococcus aureus causing skin and soft tissue infections in companion animals : antimicrobial resistance profiles and clonal lineages

Research Areas: Infectious Diseases ; Pharmacology & PharmacyABSTRACT - Staphylococcus aureus is a relevant agent of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in animals. Fifty-five S. aureus comprising all SSTI-related isolates in companion animals, collected between 1999 and 2018 (Lab 1) or 2017 and 2018 (Lab 2), were characterized regarding susceptibility to antibiotics and heavy metals and carriage of antimicrobial resistance determinants. Clonal lineages were established by PFGE, MLST and agr typing. Over half of the isolates (56.4%, 31/55) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and 14.5% showed a multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. Resistance was most frequently observed for beta-lactams (81.8%, related to blaZ and/or mecA), fluoroquinolones (56.4%) and macrolides/lincosamides (14.5%, related to erm(A) or erm(C)). The distributions of heavy-metal MICs allowed the detection of non-wild-type populations associated with several resistance genes. The collection showed genetic diversity, with prevalence of clonal lineage ST22-agrI (45.5%, 25/55), comprising only MRSA isolates, and several less frequently detected clones, including ST5-agrII (14.6%, 8/55), ST398-agrI (9.1%, 5/55) and ST72-agrI (7.3%, 4/55). This work highlights the high frequency of SSTI-related MRSA strains that reflect the clonal lineages circulating both in companion animals and humans in Portugal, reinforcing the need for a One Health approach when studying staphylococci causing infections in companion animals.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Representações da andropausa: um estudo de métodos mistos com mulheres portuguesas

Since psychosocial factors have some impact on andropause, and this phenomenon can affect conjugal relationships (and women tend to be health information seekers) it becomes important to study the representations of andropause using the Common-Sense Model – a model used to understand the representations of menopause. This research aimed to assess Portuguese women’s representations of andropause, the suitability of the Common-Sense Model in explaining those representations, and to explore differences among participants with different characteristics (e.g., level of education), regarding andropause representations. Interviews to 30 women were analysed (directed qualitative content analysis). A multiple correspondence analysis explored the association between the emergent categories. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to test differences regarding the frequency of emergent categories. Undefined identity was the most frequently mentioned feature regarding andropause Identity, whereas Sexual Function was the most mentioned Negative Consequence; few Positive Consequences were mentioned, being the Absence of positives consequences and the Lack of information the most frequent ones. Two bidimensional models were found - one for Identity of andropause: (1) Aging related changes, and (2) Sexual changes/lack of information; the other for Negative Consequences: (1) Symptoms/health problems, and (2) Depression/lack of information. No differences were found in the frequency of andropause representations between women with different characteristics (e.g., with a romantic relationship vs. without a romantic relationship). The suitability of the Common-Sense Model to explain these women’s andropause representations did not differ among participants with distinctive characteristics. This research may help healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive interventions (based on this theoretical model) in order to help couples to better understand and cope with andropause.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Association of synthetic anthelmintics and natural monoterpenes against Haemonchus contortus

The resistance of Haemonchus contortus to synthetic anthelmintics is an increasing concern and different strategies are being evaluated. The present trial studied the in vitro effect of the association of synthetic compound and natural monoterpene on eggs and larvae of H. contortus. The monoterpenes carvacrol, thymol, r-carvone, s-carvone, citral and p-cymene, and the synthetic antihelmintic ivermectin, and albendazole were used. Egg Hatch Test (EHT) and Larval Migration Inhibition Test (LMIT) were performed. The lowest efficient concentration of monoterpenes in EHT (≤ 11% of efficacy) and LMIT (≤ 18% of efficacy) was used in association with different concentration of synthetic compound. The IC50 and Synergism Rate (SR) were calculated. The highest efficiency of monoterpenes in EHT was obtained with r-carvone (IC50 = 0.25 mg/mL) and s-carvone (IC50 = 0.79 mg/mL) and in the LMIT with r-carvone (IC50 = 0.60 mg/mL). The best association was observed in the EHT with albendazol (thymol SR: 2.9 and r-carvone SR: 1.6) and ivermectin (citral SR: 1.9 and carvacrol SR:1.7). No synergistic effect was obtaining using the LMIT. The combination of synthetic compound and natural monoterpenes could be positive to gastrointestinal nematodes control: However this strategy should be carefully analysed due to the possibility of antagonic effects among the different compounds.Fil: Costa Junior, Livio. Universidade Federal do Maranhao; BrasilFil: Silva, Carolina R.. Universidade Federal do Maranhao; BrasilFil: Macedo, Sara R. D.. Universidade Federal do Maranhao; BrasilFil: Campos, Nagilla R. C. L.. Universidade Federal do Maranhao; BrasilFil: Lifschitz, Adrian Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentina26th Conference World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary ParasitologyKuala LumpurMalasiaWorld Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitolog

Correlation between LTR point mutations and proviral load levels among Human T cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) asymptomatic carriers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In vitro studies have demonstrated that deletions and point mutations introduced into each 21 bp imperfect repeat of <it>Tax</it>-responsive element (TRE) of the genuine human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) viral promoter abolishes <it>Tax </it>induction. Given these data, we hypothesized that similar mutations may affect the proliferation of HTLV-1i</p> <p>nfected cells and alter the proviral load (PvL). To test this hypothesis, we conducted a cross-sectional genetic analysis to compare the near-complete LTR nucleotide sequences that cover the TRE1 region in a sample of HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers with different PvL burden.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 94 asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers with both sequence from the 5' long terminal repeat (LTR) and a PvL for <it>Tax </it>DNA measured using a sensitive SYBR Green real-time PCR were studied. The 94 subjects were divided into three groups based on PvL measurement: 31 low, 29 intermediate, and 34 high. In addition, each group was compared based on sex, age, and viral genotypes. In another analysis, the median PvLs between individuals infected with mutant and wild-type viruses were compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using a categorical analysis, a G232A substitution, located in domain A of the TRE-1 motif, was detected in 38.7% (12/31), 27.5% (8/29), and 61.8% (21/34) of subjects with low, intermediate, or high PvLs, respectively. A significant difference in the detection of this mutation was found between subjects with a high or low PvL and between those with a high or intermediate PvL (both <it>p </it>< 0.05), but not between subjects with a low or intermediate PvL (<it>p </it>> 0.05). This result was confirmed by a non-parametric analysis that showed strong evidence for higher PvLs among HTLV-1 positive individuals with the G232A mutation than those without this mutation (<it>p </it>< 0.03). No significant difference was found between the groups in relation to age, sex or viral subtypes (<it>p</it> > 0. 05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The data described here show that changes in domain A of the HTLV-1 TRE-1 motif resulting in the G232A mutation may increase HTLV-1 replication in a majority of infected subjects.</p

Reduction of Tubulin Expression in Angomonas deanei by RNAi Modifies the Ultrastructure of the Trypanosomatid Protozoan and Impairs Division of Its Endosymbiotic Bacterium

In the last two decades, RNA interference pathways have been employed as a useful tool for reverse genetics in trypanosomatids. Angomonas deanei is a non-pathogenic trypanosomatid that maintains an obligatory endosymbiosis with a bacterium related to the Alcaligenaceae family. Studies of this symbiosis can help us to understand the origin of eukaryotic organelles. The recent elucidation of both the A. deanei and the bacterium symbiont genomes revealed that the host protozoan codes for the enzymes necessary for RNAi activity in trypanosomatids. Here we tested the functionality of the RNAi machinery by transfecting cells with dsRNA to a reporter gene (green fluorescent protein), which had been previously expressed in the parasite and to α-tubulin, an endogenous gene. In both cases, protein expression was reduced by the presence of specific dsRNA, inducing, respectively, a decreased GFP fluorescence and the formation of enlarged cells with modified arrangement of subpellicular microtubules. Furthermore, symbiont division was impaired. These results indicate that the RNAi system is active in A. deanei and can be used to further explore gene function in symbiont-containing trypanosoma tids and to clarify important aspects of symbiosis and cell evolution. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

tackling malaria

Malaria is an infectious disease that affects over 216 million people worldwide, killing over 445,000 patients annually. Due to the constant emergence of parasitic resistance to the current antimalarial drugs, the discovery of new drug candidates is a major global health priority. Aiming to make the drug discovery processes faster and less expensive, we developed binary and continuous Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) models implementing deep learning for predicting antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of untested compounds. Then, we applied the best models for a virtual screening of a large database of chemical compounds. The top computational predictions were evaluated experimentally against asexual blood stages of both sensitive and multi-drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. Among them, two compounds, LabMol-149 and LabMol-152, showed potent antiplasmodial activity at low nanomolar concentrations (EC50 <500 nM) and low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. Therefore, the computational approach employing deep learning developed here allowed us to discover two new families of potential next generation antimalarial agents, which are in compliance with the guidelines and criteria for antimalarial target candidates.publishersversionpublishe

Amelanism in Amphisbaena darwinii Duméril & Bibron, 1839 (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae)

Color anomalies are rarely reported in Amphisbaenia. We present the first record of amelanism in this group based on a specimen of Amphisbaena darwinii from Argentina. The photos were uploaded to a citizen science platform, reinforcing the positive impact of citizen science to filling gaps in our knowledge about biodiversity.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin