Neonatal pneumomediastinum and the spinnaker-sail sign

A male infant was born at 40 weeks of gestation by vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. Mild respiratory distress with expiratory grunting and subcostal retraction was noted 1 hour after birth. Arterial oxygen saturation remained at more than 95% without the administration of supplemental oxygen. Chest radiography performed 6 hours after birth (Panel A) showed the spinnaker-sail sign, consisting of a large, wedge-shaped opacity extending from the right hemidiaphragm to the superior mediastinum (white arrows), representing thymic tissue displaced from its usual location by a collection of gas under pressure (black arrows). Axial computed tomography of the chest revealed air trapped between the pericardial sac and the thymus, confirming a diagnosis of anterior pneumomediastinum (Panel B, arrow). Named for its visual resemblance to the headsail of a boat, the spinnaker-sail sign occurs with a spontaneous anterior pneumomediastinum and usually resolves without specific treatment. After being observed for clinical and radiographic improvement for 3 weeks, the infant was discharged home in good condition

A biblioteca escolar e a organização de repositórios digitais: perspetivas teóricas

O presente trabalho apresenta algumas perspetivas teóricas quanto ao papel dos repositórios digitais de recursos educativos no ensino. Começa por fazer uma análise dos desafios que se colocam à escola e à biblioteca escolar no campo da literacia da informação, na gestão pedagógica de conteúdos e na criação de bibliotecas digitais. São abordados os fundamentos e principais características dos repositórios de recursos educativos e é ponderada a possibilidade da sua implementação na escola, em articulação com a biblioteca, como estratégia para promoção da partilha e reutilização de recursos educativos digitais e sua integração nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem. É apresentado, em linhas gerais, um projeto de investigação-ação numa escola básica e secundária.This paper presents some theoretical perspectives on the role of digital repositories for managing learning resources in education. It begins by analyzing the challenges facing the school and the school library in the field of information literacy, in the management of educational content and the creation of digital libraries. We address the fundamentals and main characteristics of the educational repositories and is considered the possibility of its implementation in school, in conjunction with the library, as a strategy for promoting the sharing and reuse of digital educational resources and their integration in the teaching and learning processes. It is shown, in general, an action research project in primary and secondary schools

Interaction between chromate and salicylic acid and its effects on growth and photosynthetic parameters of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings

Plant growth and some phisiological parameters were investigated in plants exposed to diverse chromium concentrations in the presence or absence of salicylic acid treatment

Photosynthetic parameters in zinc-deficient pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) C. Koch, cv Sioux] leaves

Assessment of CO2 assimilation rate, chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance on control plants with diverse leaf Zn-concentration

The Value of Design Thinking for PhD Students: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study

Doctoral studies are changing worldwide, with growing concerns about doctoral graduates' employability and ability to develop relevant links with industrial challenges. The present study aims examine the impact of Design Thinking skills on PhD students on their future academic and professional performance. Drawing on 7 years of pedagogical experimentation, we conducted a mixed methods longitudinal study to investigate the perceptions of students who attended a two-day Design Thinking workshop. Two questionnaires, with a total of 40 items measuring the quality and course impact dimensions, were given to 415 and 41 students, respectively. Finally, 12 students were chosen for in-depth interviews to learn more about how they applied their newly acquired design thinking skills in their research and work. Our findings show that developing Design Thinking skills impacts the professional lives of students of all fields of knowledge, ages, and stages of their PhD. The primary outcomes mentioned are associated with increased creative confidence and collaboration abilities. This study focuses on relevant dimensions for designing and delivering Design Thinking skills within doctoral programmes, as well as the impact of design thinking on the quality of PhD education and student employability opportunities. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-SIED2-02 Full Text: PD

Cellular interplay in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Implications for new therapies

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex and multifactorial disease characterized by vascular remodeling, vasoconstriction, inflammation and thrombosis. Although the available therapies have resulted in improvements in morbidity and survival, PAH remains a severe and devastating disease with a poor prognosis and a high mortality, justifying the need of novel therapeutic targets. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and fibroblasts of the pulmonary vessel wall, as well as platelets and inflammatory cells have a role in PAH pathogenesis. This review aims to integrate the interplay among different types of cells, during PAH development and progression, and the impact of current therapies in cellular modulation. The interplay among endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts present in pulmonary vessels wall, platelets and inflammatory cells is regulated by several mediators produced by these cells, contributing to the pathophysiologic features of PAH. Current therapies are mainly focused in the pulmonary vascular tone and in the endothelial dysfunction. However, once they have not been effective, novel therapies targeting other PAH features, such as inflammation and platelet dysfunction are emerging. Further understanding of the interplay among different vascular cell types involved in PAH development and progression can contribute to find novel therapeutic targets, decreasing PAH mortality and morbidity in the future

Gestão acadêmica exercida por professores universitários:: um estudo de caso

No Brasil é muito comum que o professor universitário seja designado ao exercício de cargos administrativos sem que ele tenha sido previamente treinado ou orientado em relação às funções administrativas. Especificamente na área da saúde, não existem trabalhos que relatem ou questionem este processo de transição de professor de área técnica para gestor. O presente artigo trata-se de uma análise qualitativa sobre a perspectiva que professores com formação acadêmica em área da saúde ou biológicas possuem sobre o fato de assumirem cargo de gerência em uma universidade federal no estado de Minas Gerais. Com o objetivo de fazer uma reflexão sobre a importância de um treinamento prévio a estes gestores, o trabalho consiste numa descrição qualitativa dos principais questionamentos desses docentes durante a condução das atividades relativas ao trabalho de coordenação de colegiado de graduação ou pós graduação. Após comparação dos resultados das entrevistas com outros trabalhos da literatura com propósitos semelhantes, foi possível evidenciar que os professores acreditam não possuir formação qualificada e específica para assumirem cargos de gerência dentro da universidade e que seu trabalho, quando bem-sucedido, decorre de práticas empírica

Insights into Candida world: the extracellular milieu

Over the last years Candida species, including Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis, have emerged as significant pathogens. This work aimed at bringing insights into Candida species world by the analyses of compounds released into the extracellular medium namely extracellular DNA (eDNA) and alcohol compounds. Concerning eDNA, our results present evidence that this is a key element of the C. albicans biofilm extracellular matrix, contributing to biofilm integrity and antifungal resistance. With respect to extracellular alcohols, the results presented herein show that Candida species secrete a cohort of alcohols that are able to regulate their virulence traits (in vitro and in vivo). Taken together, these studies represent an important contribution to our understanding of the composition of the extracellular milieu of Candida species and its relationship with the regulation of Candida biology, opening the possibility of the development of new treatment and/ or diagnostic strategies to combat candidiasis

Current pathophysiological concepts and management of pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), increasingly recognized as a major health burden, remains underdiagnosed due mainly to the unspecific symptoms. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been extensively investigated. Pathophysiological knowledge derives mostly from experimental models. Paradoxically, common non-PAH PH forms remain largely unexplored. Drugs targeting lung vascular tonus became available during the last two decades, notwithstanding the disease progresses in many patients. The aim of this review is to summarize recent advances in epidemiology, pathophysiology and management with particular focus on associated myocardial and systemic compromise and experimental therapeutic possibilities. PAH, currently viewed as a panvasculopathy, is due to a crosstalk between endothelial and smooth muscle cells, inflammatory activation and altered subcellular pathways. Cardiac cachexia and right ventricular compromise are fundamental determinants of PH prognosis. Combined vasodilator therapy is already mainstay for refractory cases, but drugs directed at these new pathophysiological pathways may constitute a significant advance