The influence of serious games in the promotion of healthy diet and physical activity health: a systematic review

(1) Background: serious games seem to show promising strategies to promote treatment compliance and motivate behavior changes, and some studies have proven to contribute to the literature on serious games. (2) Methods: this systematic review aimed to analyze the effect of serious games in promoting healthy eating behaviors, effectively preventing childhood obesity, and improving physical activity in children. Five electronic bibliographic databases-PubMed, ACM Digital Library, Games for Health Journal, and IEEE Xplore were used to conduct a systematic literature search based on fixed inclusion and exclusion criteria. Peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2003 and 2021 were selected for data extraction. (3) Results: a total of 26 studies were identified, representing 17 games. Half of the studies tested interventions for healthy eating and physical education. Most of the intervention's games were designed according to specific behavioral change theories, predominantly the social cognitive theory. (4) Conclusions: studies confirmed the potential of serious games for obesity prevention but considering the restrictions encountered, we exhort for novel designs with different theoretical perspectives.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avaliação de habitats potenciais de Corço ao longo dos concelhos de Mirandela e Vinhais

A região de Trás-os-Montes é um exemplo inspirador de como a biodiversidade pode prosperar num ambiente bem protegido. A preservação da biodiversidade, que engloba a abundância de espécies e ecossistemas em relação a uma área geográfica específica, representa um pilar fundamental para a estabilidade do ambiente. Portanto, o presente trabalho inicia-se com uma revisão abrangente da literatura existente sobre corços, destacando os seus padrões de distribuição geográfica, biologia e ecologia (comportamento, preferências alimentares e interações com o ambiente) e sobre os softwares utilizados (QGIS e TerrSet), proporcionando uma sólida compreensão do contexto em que este trabalho está inserido. De seguida, foram apresentados dados obtidos através de observações diretas e técnicas de modelação, que fornecem informações sobre os padrões de movimento e comportamento territorial do corço. Esta tese, investiga a avaliação do habitat potencial de corços ao longo dos concelhos de Mirandela e Vinhais. O estudo tem como objetivos principais a identificação e seleção de variáveis, a identificação de áreas com potencial de habitat com recurso a um sistema de informação geográfica e a análise da distribuição potencial do corço. Os resultados revelam padrões significativos na seleção de habitats pelos corços, tendo em consideração variáveis como cobertura vegetal, disponibilidade de água, topografia e interferência humana. Os modelos de habitat são desenvolvidos com base em variáveis ambientais, permitindo a previsão de áreas adequadas para a presença da espécie. Finalmente, os resultados destacam a importância da preservação de ecossistemas florestais diversificados e sustentáveis para a conservação dos corços e mostram que as variáveis ambientais que mais afetam o índice de adequabilidade do habitat (IAH) da espécie são a amplitude térmica anual, a sazonalidade da precipitação e o uso do solo. Além disso, os resultados incluem a necessidade de estratégias de gestão que considerem não só as necessidades imediatas da espécie, mas também as pressões ambientais em evolução, incluindo as decorrentes das alterações climáticas e da atividade humana. Este estudo, fornece informações para estabelecer algumas bases que poderão servir de fundamento para investigações futuras e para a implementação de medidas adequadas da gestão do habitat do corço.The Trás-os-Montes region is an inspiring example of how biodiversity can thrive in a well-protected environment. The preservation of biodiversity, which encompasses the abundance of species and ecosystems in relation to a specific geographical area, represents a fundamental pillar for the stability of the environment. Therefore, this work begins with a comprehensive review of the existing literature on roe deer, highlighting their geographical distribution patterns, biology, and ecology (behaviour, food preferences and interactions with the environment) and the software used (QGIS and TerrSet), providing a solid understanding of the context in which this work is set. Next, data obtained through direct observations and modelling techniques was presented, providing information on the movement patterns and territorial behaviour of the roe deer. This work aims to assess potential habitat of roe deer along the municipalities of Mirandela and Vinhais. For this, a set of environmental and ecologic variables was analysed using geographic information tools, identifying which fit better to a potential distribution of roe deer, based on available information. The results reveal significant patterns in habitat selection by roe deer, considering variables such as vegetation cover, water availability, topography, and human interference. Habitat models are developed based on environmental variables, allowing the prediction of suitable areas for the presence of the species. Finally, the results highlight the importance of preserving diverse and sustainable forest ecosystems for the conservation of roe deer and show that the environmental variables that most affect the species' habitat suitability index (HSI) are annual temperature range, seasonal rainfall, and land use. In addition, the results include the need for management strategies that consider not only the immediate needs of the species, but also the evolving environmental pressures, including those arising from climate change and human activity. This study provides information that can serve as a basis for future research and the implementation of appropriate management measures for roe deer habitat

Failure of Y-27632 to improve the culture of adult human adipose-derived stem cells

Y-27632 is a well-known inhibitor of the Rho-associated coiled kinase (ROCK) and has been shown to significantly improve the culture of a variety of multipotent stem cell types. However, the effects of Y-27632 on the expansion of adult human adipose-derived stem cell (hADSC) cultures remain to be established. Here, we aimed to characterize the effects of Y-27632 on the culture of hADSCs. Adult hADSCs were isolated from subjects submitted to elective plastic surgery procedures and cultivated in vitro under optimized conditions. Our results show that the continuous supplementation of hADSC cultures with Y-27632 led to decreased numbers of cells and decreased global metabolic viability of hADSC cultures when compared with control conditions. This effect appeared to be dependent on the continuous presence of the drug and was shown to be concentration-dependent and significant for 10 muM and 20 muM of Y-27632. Moreover, the Y-27632-induced decrease in hADSC numbers was not linked to a block in global cell proliferation, as cell numbers consistently increased from the moment of plating until passaging. In addition, Y-27632 was not able to increase the number of hADSCs present in culture 24 hours after passaging. Taken together, our results suggest that, in contrast to other stem cell types, Y-27632 supplementation is not a suitable strategy to enhance hADSC culture expansion.We thank Jeffrey M Gimble (Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Tulane University and LaCell LLC, New Orleans, LA, USA) for kindly isolating, characterizing, and sharing the cellular lines of hADSCs used in the present study and for critical input on the manuscript. We also would very much like to thank Laurent Roybon (Stem Cell Laboratory for CNS Disease Modeling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden) for the utilization of Metamorph NX software for automated cell quantification. We are grateful to Miguel Carvalho, Ana Pires, Eduardo Gomes, Fabio Teixeira and Nuno Silva for technical assistance. This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (predoctoral fellowship to NJL [SFRH/BD/33421/2008]; FCT Investigator Program to AJS) and the Luso-American Development Foundation

A formatação de conteúdos noticiosos para as plantaformas broadcast e online

Trabalho de!Projecto apresentado para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Novos Media e Práticas We

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Skeletal Muscle Detergent- Resistant Membranes in a Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome Mouse

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an inborn error of metabolism affecting the last step of cholesterol biosynthesis. It is characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase and accumulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) in cells and body fluids. Given the similarities between 7DHC and cholesterol, 7DHC can be incorporated into cell membranes in lieu of cholesterol. Nevertheless, due to their structural differences and distinct affinity to other membrane components, this substitution alters membrane properties and one can expect to find abnormalities in membrane protein composition. In order to identify differences in membrane proteins that could facilitate our understanding of SLOS physiopathology, we isolated detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) from the skeletal muscle of Dhcr7T93M/T93M mice and C57/BL6 controls and performed comparative proteomic analysis using iTRAQ for peptide quantification. A total of 133 proteins were identified in the DRM fraction: 17 (13%) proteins demonstrated increased expression in SLOS mice, whereas, 21 (16%) showed decreased expression. Characterization of functional point of view and bioenergetics pathway and transmembrane transport responded to the major differences between the two groups of animals

Anatomy Teaching at the School of Health Sciences of University of Minho

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessment of the double integration method using accelerometers data for conventional railway platforms

The main goal of this paper is to show a valid method to filter and double-integrate acceleration data from piezo-electric accelerometer installed in conventional railway platforms. The experimentation site involved is located in the region of Lille (north of France). Prospection tests were carried out at this site, including boreholes till 10 m depth and Panda tests (dynamic cone resistance) till 1.2 m depth. Accelerometers were installed in the interlayer of the platform. Acceleration data were recorded during the circulation of different types of train. Theses acceleration signals were then double-integrated in order to obtain the velocity and displacements within this layer. Different filters were applied to obtain relevant displacement results. Comparison was made regarding different axial weights corresponding to Intercity, Freight and TGV trains.SNC

Intra-Articular Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Osteoarthritic Knee Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial in the Context of the Spanish National Health Care System

Intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been established as a suitable treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Here, we present a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted in a public Hospital of the Spanish National Health Care System, to evaluate the efficacy of injecting autologous PRP versus hyaluronic acid (HA) in knee osteoarthritis. PRP was manufactured in Malaga’s Regional Blood Center (Spain). Patients that met the eligibility criteria were randomized into a PRP group or a HA group. Pain and functional improvements were assessed pre- and post-treatment (three and six months follow-up) using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); the Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome System (KOOS) scale and the European Quality of Life scale (EUROQOL). Both groups presented pain reduction at six months. The VAS scores for the PRP group improved by at least 50% from their initial value, particularly at three months following the final infiltration, with results resembling those of the HA group at six months. PRP was more effective in patients with lower osteoarthritis grades. Both treatments improved pain in knee osteoarthritis patients without statistically significant differences between them. However, PRP injection was proved to improve pain three months after the final infiltration and to be more effective in lower osteoarthritis grades

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio