Qualidade de vida relacionada com o exercício em indivíduos com asma: revisão sistemática

Background: A asma condiciona o dia-a-dia do indivíduo asmático do ponto de vista clínico e emocional demonstrando-se muitas vezes como um subtractivo da qualidade de vida (QV). Alguns estudos, com particular incidência nos últimos dez anos, para além de demonstrarem os benefícios da actividade física na componente clínica da doença, têm analisado o seu efeito na QV dos asmáticos. Objectivo: Analisar os efeitos da actividade física na QV de indivíduos com asma tendo por base uma revisão da literatura actual. Métodos: Foi conduzida uma pesquisa dos randomized controlled trials (RCT) compreendidos entre Janeiro de 2000 e Agosto de 2010, bem como as citações e as referências bibliográficas de cada estudo nas principais bases de dados de ciências da saúde (Academic Search Complete, DOAJ, Elsevier – Science Direct, Highwire Press, PubMed, Scielo Global, Scirus, Scopus, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis e Wiley Interscience) com as palavras-chave: asthma, quality of life, QoL, physical activity, exercise, breathing, training e programme em todas as combinações possíveis. Os estudos foram analisados independentemente por dois revisores quanto aos critérios de inclusão e qualidade dos estudos. Resultados: Dos 1075 estudos identificados apenas onze foram incluídos. Destes, seis apresentaram um score 5/10, três 6/10 e dois 7/10 segundo a escala PEDro. Cinco destes estudos foram realizados em crianças entre os 7 e os 15 anos e os restantes em adultos. Os programas de intervenção dividiram-se em programas de treino aeróbio e programas de exercícios respiratórios. Todos programas de treino aeróbio apresentaram melhorias na QV demonstrando uma influência positiva do treino aeróbio na asma. Principais conclusões: Há uma tendência notória do benefício dos programas de treino aeróbio na QV dos indivíduos asmáticos. Os programas de exercícios respiratórios foram poucos e heterogéneos impossibilitando uma conclusão positiva quanto à sua recomendação para a melhoria da QV nesta patologia. Há uma grande necessidade de mais RCT com rigor metodológico.Background: Asthma affects the daily life of the asthmatic patient from the clinical and emotional point of view, showing up often as a subtractive of his quality of life (QoL). Some studies, with particular focus on the past ten years, in addition to demonstrating the benefits of physical activity in the clinical component of the disease, have examined its effect on QoL of asthmatic patients. Objective: To analyze the effects of physical activity on quality of life of subjects with asthma based on a review of the current literature. Methods: We conducted a search of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) between January 2000 and August 2010, as well as citations and references of each study in the major databases of health sciences (Academic Search Complete, DOAJ, Elsevier - Science Direct, Highwire Press, PubMed and Scielo Global, Scirus, Scopus, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis and Wiley Interscience) with the keywords: asthma, quality of life, QoL, physical activity, exercise, breathing, training and programme in all possible combinations. The studies were analyzed independently by two reviewers regarding the inclusion criteria and methodological quality. Results: Of the 1075 studies identified only eleven were included. Of these, six had a score 5/10, three 6/10 and two 7/10 using the PEDro scale. Five of these studies were performed in children between 7 and 15 years old and the remaining on adults. Intervention programs were divided into aerobic training programs and breathing exercises programs. All aerobic training programs showed improvements in QoL demonstrating a positive influence of aerobic training on asthma. Main findings: There is a noticeable trend of the benefit of aerobic training programmes on QoL of asthmatic individuals. The breathing exercise programs were few and heterogeneous making difficult a positive conclusion to its recommendation for the improvement of QoL in this pathology. There is a great need for more RCT with methodological rigor

Developing a Curriculum for a Formal Education Setting to Prevent Child Marriage in Rural Areas of Honduras: A Design-Based Research Study

Latin America and the Caribbean is the only region in the world where child marriage (CM) is not decreasing. Growing levels of education and legislation to ban this practice have not been associated with CM reduction. This dissertation is grounded on the belief that the educational sector can contribute to CM prevention by going beyond expanding access to secondary education. Schools can also contribute to CM prevention by focusing on challenging social norms, understanding the role of the different changes that occur during adolescence, and recognizing the structural limitations that drive CM. This design-based research study provides a deeper understanding of the factors that shape adolescents’ decisions to marry in rural areas of Honduras and uses this knowledge to develop a theory of action to design, implement, and evaluate a school-based curriculum to prevent CM. The results and experience of this investigation advanced the development of design principles that can guide the implementation of interventions in similar contexts throughout Latin America. Keywords: child marriage, Latin America, design-based researc

Career Exploration for At-Risk Youth

The focus of this Capstone project is on career exploration for At-Risk youth. This topic is important because too often disadvantage students do not receive career development. These students are simply encouraged to complete high school with little to no direction regarding what to do after high school and their futures. While implementing prevention programs to decrease dropout rates is important, it is also essential to educate students about vocational and careers that will prepare them for life after high school. To accomplish this, a 3-day lesson was delivered to a credit recovery class at Greenfield High School in Greenfield, California that promoted career awareness and encourage occupational exploration

Creación de cuentos infantiles de las fechas cívicas del Ecuador para niños/as de 4 a 5 años

Without the need of that history is boring , you find that the teacher used the story as a valid resource to work with smaller capturing their attention and especially involving these so enthusiastic and fun for what identifies us who know the roots of and was based and forged our country . Having done analyzes and have collected the opinions of e4ducación preschool teachers, we determined that there is sufficient and appropriate material to work on this subject, especially at this level of education most teachers agreed that a therefore difficult to work this issue especially with children 4-5 years because the story has words that confuse the child because they know their meaning , so we decided to develop TALES ON CIVIC DEL ECUADOR DATES , that besides being a forge educational resource for children 's interest and approach to teaching reading and deliver to a resource from which to undertake activities with children based on this product.Sin la necesidad de que la historia sea aburrida, busca que el docente utilice el cuento como un recurso valido para trabajar con los más pequeños captando su atención y sobre todo interesándolos de manera entusiasta y lúdica por aquello que nos identifica, que conozcan las raíces de como se fundamentó y forjó nuestra Patria. Después de haber hecho los análisis y de haber recopilado las opiniones de docentes de educación preescolar, determinamos que no hay el material suficiente y adecuado para trabajar este tema, de manera especial en este nivel de educación la mayoría de los docentes coincidieron en que es un tanto complicado trabajar este tema especialmente con niños de 4 – 5 años debido a que la historia tiene palabras que confunden al niño debido a que desconocen su significado, por lo tanto decidimos elaborar CUENTOS SOBRE LAS FECHAS CÍVICAS DEL ECUADOR, para que además de ser un recurso didáctico forje en los niños el interés y acercamiento a la lectura y entregar al docente un recurso a partir del cual pueda realizar actividades con los niños basados en este producto

Improving the anti-tumor immune responses against cancer cells

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Dendritic cells (DCs) can capture cancer antigens and present them to T lymphocytes, after a maturation process, inducing specific immune responses. Sialyl-Tn (STn) is a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen that is expressed by several carcinomas. STn downregulates the immune responses towards STn-expressing tumor cells by inducing a tolerogenic phenotype on DCs. For this reason, a successful therapeutic approach against this antigen has to take in consideration the activation of the immune response. The main goal of this thesis was to assess if the use of anti-STn antibodies to block the STn antigen could improve anti-tumor immune responses by reestablishing the mature phenotype on DCs. To do this, STn-expressing cancer cell lines were cultured and DCs were obtained from differentiation of monocytes. Initially, the work comprised the development and characterization of anti-STn antibodies produced by the group through hybridoma technology, using mainly ELISA and flow cytometry. Three hybridoma clones producing IgM anti-STn antibodies were obtained and will be further characterized. A second part of the work included a functional in vitro characterization of humanized anti-STn antibodies. This comprised the establishment of co-cultures between cancer cells and DCs and assessment of the immune response of DCs against STn-expressing cancer cells, with and without STn blockade by those antibodies. The expression of MHC-II and co-stimulatory molecules was assessed by flow cytometry, and the expression of cytokines was assessed by ELISA and RT-PCR. However, the reestablishment of the mature phenotype was not observed. The work developed contributed to understanding that further improvements and assays are necessary; and also that the production of antibodies comprises many variants that can be modified throughout the development and characterization procedures, thus being a long process and needing many optimizations before success can be achieved

Formulación de un protector solar a base de extracto Ñachag (Bidens andicola) y determinación de su calidad.

El objetivo del trabajo de titulación fue formular un protector solar a base de extracto de Ñachag (Bidens andicola) y determinar su calidad. Se realizó el control de calidad de la droga vegetal. El tamizaje fitoquímico confirmó la presencia de compuestos fenólicos, entre ellos los flavonoides presentes en las partes aéreas de Bidens andicola. El contenido de fenoles totales, flavonoides totales y la capacidad captadora de antioxidantes se determinó por métodos espectrofotométricos. Se preparó varias formulaciones de cremas fotoprotectoras. Se evaluó la actividad fotoprotectora de los extractos de Bidens andicola y de las cremas fotoprotectoras mediante la determinación del Factor de Protección Solar, aplicando la ecuación de Mansur. Se realizó el control de calidad y seguridad del extracto etanólico Bidens andicola y la crema fotoprotectora mediante los ensayos: HET-CAM y CAM-TBS respectivamente. El extracto que presentó las mejores características fue el extracto etanólico de Bidens andicola a 600ppm que presentó un FPS de 23. El contenido de fenoles y flavonoides totales fue de 178 mg GAE/g planta seca y 71,4 mg QE/g planta seca respectivamente. Se confirmó la capacidad captadora de antioxidantes obteniendo absorbancias con el mismo comportamiento que el estándar. La formulación de elección con aceite de oliva presentó un FPS de 23. Los ensayos HET-CAM y CAM-TBS demostraron que el extracto etanólico y la crema fotoprotectora no son irritantes. Los resultados obtenidos cumplen con la norma COLIPA de eficacia de productos cosméticos. La crema fotoprotectora es eficaz e inocua a nivel tópico. Se recomienda estudios microbiológicos, reológicos y de estabilidad para garantizar la efectividad de la crema.The main purpose of this research was to formulate a sunscreen based on Ñachag extract (Biden andicola) and determine its quality. The quality control of the vegetable drug was carried out. The phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of phenolic compounds, from which, the flavonoids in the aerial parts of Bidens andicola. The content of total phenols and flavonoids, as well as the capacity to capture antioxidants was determined by spectrophotometric methods. Several formulations of photo protective creams were prepared. The photo protective activity of the Bidens andicola extracts and the photo protective creams were evaluated by determining the sun protection factor by applying the Mansur equation. The quality and safety control of Bidens andicola ethanolic extract, and the photo protective cream were carried out by the tests: HETCAM (Test ofeye irritation by means of the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken egg) and CAMTBS (Test of eye irritation by means of the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken egg with Trypan Blue) respectively. The extract that showed the best characteristics was the one containing the ethanol extract of Bidens andicola at 600ppm, which had an SPF of 23. The content of phenols and total flavonoids was 178 mg GAE / g dry plant and 71.4 mg QE / g dry plant respectively. The effectiveness of the sunscreen to capture antioxidants was verified by obtaining absorptances with the same performance as the standard. The formulation of choice containing olive oil presented an SPF of 23. The HET-CAM and CAM-TBS tests reported that the ethanolic extract and the sunscreen cream are not irritating. The results obtained comply with the COLIPA standard of efficacy of cosmetic products. The photo protective cream is effective and safe at topical level. Microbiological, rheological and stability studies are recommended to guarantee the effectiveness of the cream

Conhecimento camponês tradicional, uma possibilidade de visibilizar o rural de propósito ao ensino da Biologia em contexto

Inquiring about traditional peasant knowledge through the recovery of biocultural memory, the experience of the teacher who works in the rural environment in Colombia and the place that Biology teaching occupies in this context, becomes a possibility to problematize and reflect on the panorama of tensions and complexities that arise from the ways of thinking, acting and inhabiting rural life, in which there is an imperative need to care for life, not only human, but that of other living beings . In this sense, it is intended to make visible the importance of the empowerment of the political role of the master subject and the possibility of visualizing the rural from knowledge approaches with a transdisciplinary perspective, in order to create learning environments that promote practices for the care of life from dialogues of knowledge between Biology and rural communities that allow the reconstruction of the pedagogical character of the concept of Life.Indagar por los conocimientos tradicionales campesinos a través de la recuperación de la memoria biocultural, la experiencia del maestro que trabaja en el entorno rural en Colombia y el lugar que ocupa la enseñanza de la Biología en este contexto, se convierte en una posibilidad de problematizar y reflexionar en torno al panorama de tensiones y complejidades que se dan desde las formas de pensar, actuar y habitar la vida rural, en el cual se ve una necesidad imperante de cuidar la vida, no solo la humana, sino la delos otros seres vivos. En este sentido, se pretende hacer visible la importancia del empoderamiento del rol político que tiene el sujeto maestro y la posibilidad de visualizar lo rural desde abordajes del conocimiento con una perspectiva transdisciplinar, en aras de crear ambientes de aprendizaje que fomenten prácticas para el cuidado de la vida desde diálogos de conocimientos entre la Biología y las comunidades rurales que permitan la reconstrucción del carácter pedagógico del concepto Vida.Pesquisar sobre o conhecimento camponês tradicional mediante a recuperação da memória biocultural, bem como a experiência do professor que trabalha no ambiente rural na Colômbia e e a importância do ensino de biologia neste contexto, torna-se uma possibilidade de problematizar e refletir sobre o panorama de tensões e complexidades que surgem dos modos de pensar, agir e habitar a vida rural, em que há uma necessidade imperativa do cuidado da vida, não apenas humana, mas de outros seres vivos. Nesse sentido, pretende-se tornar visível a importância do empoderamento do papel político do sujeito mestre educador e a possibilidade de visualizar o rural a partir de abordagens de conhecimento com perspectiva transdisciplinar, a fim de criar ambientes de aprendizagem que promovam práticas encaminhadas ao cuidado da vida a partir de diálogos de conhecimento entre Biologia e comunidades rurais, que promovam a reconstrução do caráter pedagógico do conceito de Vida

Acumulação de acidentes rodoviários em Portugal Continental : contributos dos Sistemas de Informação Geográfica

Os acidentes rodoviários são uma das principais causas de morte mundiais. Considerando a necessidade de redução da sinistralidade rodoviária e das suas consequências, é fundamental a implementação de acções de prevenção e correcção em zonas de intervenção prioritárias. Este relatório aborda os aspectos metodológicos da identificação de zonas de acumulação de acidentes rodoviários, também usualmente definidos como black spots. Existem diversas metodologias e parâmetros de abordagem na sua identificação e os sistemas de informação geográfica surgem como uma mais-valia para a sua avaliação. As áreas urbanas e as áreas não urbanas em Portugal Continental, com as suas especificidades territoriais, apresentam diferentes tipos de exposição ao risco, bem como diferentes referências geográficas, levantando assim desafios na elaboração, desenvolvimento e teste de modelos de análise espacial. Os resultados da aplicação destes modelos poderão servir de base para futuras aplicações. O relatório de estágio proposto tem como principal objectivo a criação de dois modelos de análise espacial que caracterizem e ajudem à análise dos black spots em Portugal Continental: um modelo implementado para a área urbana e outro para a área não urbana.Road accidents are one of the main causes of death worldwide. Therefore, considering the need to reduce these, it is essential to implement actions in the identified priority areas for prevention. The present study approaches the methodologies for identifying the areas with the highest accumulation of road accidents, also known as Black Spots. These methodologies are diverse, and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) brings an added value to their evaluation. The urban and non-urban areas of mainland Portugal, with their specific territorial characteristics, have different levels of risk exposure and geographic references, raising challenges in the elaboration, development and try-out of spatial analysis models. Results obtained from applying these models may provide the basis for future implementations. This study has the main goal of creating two models for spatial analysis that characterize and support the analysis of Black spots in mainland Portugal, one model implemented for the urban and one for the non-urban areas