Articulação curricular horizontal: um estudo sobre o ensino de inglês no 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico

O presente estudo foca-se na articulação curricular horizontal entre o inglês e outras componentes do currículo do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, no contexto do Sistema Educativo Português. Esta investigação assume a forma de um estudo de caso, de cariz exploratório e de índole qualitativa, visando compreender o pensamento dos professores de inglês sobre as ações que desenvolveram e que entendem como propulsoras de articulação curricular horizontal no 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico. Participaram neste estudo dezasseis professores de inglês (Atividades de Enriquecimento Curricular). Os dados recolhidos através de documentos vários, observação, questionários, reflexões de aula e entrevistas possibilitaram a análise das suas conceções sobre a articulação curricular horizontal e sobre a sua compreensão relativamente às potencialidades do trabalho colaborativo. Foram, também, aplicados questionários aos professores titulares de turma para analisarmos o seu entendimento sobre a articulação curricular horizontal, particularmente quanto à sua importância e ao que consideraram serem práticas desenvolvidas com os professores de inglês, o que permitiu cruzar os olhares de ambos os atores e, desta forma, enriquecer a análise de dados sobre a articulação curricular no 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico. Os participantes do estudo identificaram as caraterísticas distintivas dos processos de articulação curricular horizontal e refletiram sobre os fatores que os condicionam, bem como sobre as suas formas de operacionalização e maisvalias. Os resultados mostram que o trabalho colaborativo entre professores é determinante para que haja articulação curricular e indiciam a existência de uma comunidade de prática, que considera ter assumido a articulação curricular horizontal como um desafio conjunto. Esta investigação traz contributos importantes para o ensino do inglês no 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, dando pistas sobre como pode ser contextualizado na experiência do aluno e relacionável com outros saberes. Esta tese contribui, ainda, para um maior conhecimento sobre o desenvolvimento profissional de professores deste nível de ensino, nomeadamente em termos de formas de organização de equipas de professores e do seu contributo para a capacitação e assunção dos docentes como decisores e gestores curriculares.This study analyses the horizontal articulation between English and the other components of the Primary School curriculum, in the context of the Portuguese educational system. This primarily qualitative, exploratory case study aims to obtain an in-depth understanding of the English teachers’ perceptions on the curriculum actions they developed and considered as major drivers of horizontal curriculum articulation in 1st cycle. Sixteen English teachers (Curriculum Enrichment Activities) took part in this study. Data was gathered through several documents, observation, questionnaires, teacher’s reflexions for their classes and interviews, making it possible to analyse teachers’ conceptions about horizontal curriculum articulation and their understanding of the potentialities of collaborative work among teachers. Questionnaires were also applied to generalist teachers to allow the analysis of their understanding of horizontal curriculum articulation, specifically its importance and the the practices they considered to have been developped in articulation with english teachers. Collecting data provided by both english and generalist teachers allowed a deep analysis of curriculum articulation in 1st cycle. Participants identified distinctive characteristics of the processes of horizontal curriculum articulation and reflected about the factors that condition its success, as also about the ways to operationalise articulation and its benefits. The results of the analysis reveal that collaborative work among teachers is essential for curriculum articulation and suggest the existence of a community of practice that assumes the horizontal curriculum articulation as a shared challenge. This investigation makes important contributions to the process of teaching english in 1st cycle, providing clues about how to contextualize foreign language learning in student’s experiences and to related them with other curricular knowledge. Moreover, it contributes to a better knowledge of teachers’ professional development in this level of education, mainly in terms of organizing teacher teams and its role to help teachers feel capable and willing to act as decison makers and curriculum managers.Programa Doutoral em Educaçã

Assessment of the in vitro antithrombotic properties of sardine (sardina pilchardus) fillet lipids and cod liver oil

peer-reviewedThe aim of the current study was to compare the biological activities of total polar lipids (TPL) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) polar lipid fractions of sardine fillet and cod liver oil against atherogenesis. TPL and TLC polar lipid fractions obtained from these two sources were assessed for their ability to inhibit the platelet-activating-factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation (PAF-antagonists) or to induce platelet aggregation (PAF-agonists), since PAF plays a crucial role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. This study focused on the polar lipids since previous studies have underlined that the antithrombotic properties of foodstuffs are mainly attributed to polar lipid micro-constituents. TPL of sardine fillet induced platelet aggregation, while TPL of cod liver had a bimodal effect on platelets. TLC polar lipid fractions of both samples exhibited in vitro aggregatory and inhibitory activity towards platelets. However, TLC sardine polar lipid fractions showed stronger in vitro antithrombotic activities than the cod liver oil ones. These data constitute evidence of the putative contribution of fish polar lipids against cardiovascular diseases, underling firstly the beneficial effect of fish and fish lipids as functional foodstuffs against atherogenesis and secondly the more important role of sardine polar lipids as opposed to cod liver oil.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe

Extracellular Vesicles in Haematological Disorders: A Friend or a Foe?

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important mediators of homeostasis, immune modulation and intercellular communication. They are released by every cell of the human body and accordingly detected in a variety of body fluids. Interestingly, their expression can be upregulated under various conditions, such as stress, hypoxia, irradiation, inflammation, etc. Their cargo, which is variable and may include lipids, proteins, RNAs and DNA, reflects that of the parental cell, which offers a significant diagnostic potential to EVs. In line with this, an increasing number of studies have reported the important contribution of cancer-derived EVs in altering the tumour microenvironment and allowing for cancer progression and metastasis. As such, cancer-derived EVs may be used to monitor the development and progression of disease and to evaluate the potential response to treatment, which has generated much excitement in the field of oncology and particularly in haemato-oncology. Finally, EVs are able to transfer their cargo to target cells, modifying the properties of the recipient cell, which offers great therapeutic potential for EVs (either by specific drug delivery or by delivery of siRNAs and other inhibitory proteins). In this manuscript, we review the potential diagnostic use and therapeutic options of EVs in the context of haematological malignancies

Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy in the Context of Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Where We Stand

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) constitutes a significant contributor to the increased morbidity and mortality after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). TA-TMA is a heterogenous disease, characterized by the triad of endothelial cell activation, complement dysregulation and microvascular hemolytic anemia, which may affect all organs. The lack of consensus diagnostic criteria, along with the common clinical features mimicking other diseases that complicate allo-HSCT, make the diagnosis of TA-TMA particularly challenging. Significant effort has been made to recognize specific risk factors predisposing to the development of TA-TMA and to identify serum biomarkers predicting the development of the disease. With regard to treatment, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been traditionally used, although with doubtful efficacy. On the other hand, the pivotal role of complement activation in the pathophysiology of TA-TMA has led to the exploration of the therapeutic potential of complement inhibitors in this setting. Eculizumab has been proposed as a first-line therapeutic agent in TA-TMA, owing to the very promising results in both pediatric and adult clinical trials. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies and CH50 levels are of paramount importance in the allo-HSCT setting, as a different dosing schedule (more intensive—in dose and frequency—at the beginning) seems to be required for successful outcomes. Furthermore, Narsoplimab, a MASP-2 inhibitor, recently received a Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for the treatment of TA-TMA after allo-HSCT. Finally, the decision to withdraw the CNIs, although initially advised by the Bone and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network Committee, remains debatable owing to the controversial results of recent clinical trials. This review summarizes the current updates on pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapeutic approaches and emphasizes future goals and perspectives

Ο ρόλος του μορίου HLA - G στη μεταμόσχευση μυελού των οστών

The human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) has been considered to be an important tolerogeneic molecule playing an essential role in maternal-fetal tolerance, which constitutes the perfect example of successful physiological immunotolerance of semi-allografts. In this context, we investigated the putative role of this molecule in the allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation setting. The percentage of HLA-G+ cells in peripheral blood of healthy donors and allo-transplanted patients was evaluated by flow cytometry. Their immunoregulatory and immunotolerogeneic properties were investigated in in vitro immunostimulatory and immunosuppression assays. Immunohistochemical analysis for HLA-G expression was performed in skin biopsies from allo-transplanted patients and correlated with the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease. We identified a CD14+HLA-Gpos population with an HLA-DRlow phenotype and decreased in vitro immunostimulatory capacity circulating in peripheral blood of healthy individuals. Naturally occurring CD14+HLA-Gpos cells suppressed T cell responses and acted immunotolerogenic on T cells by rendering them hyporesponsive and immunosuppressive in vitro. After allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, HLA-Gpos cells increase in blood. Interestingly, besides an increase of CD14+HLA-Gpos cells there was also a pronounced expansion of CD3+HLA-Gpos cells. Of note, CD3+HLA-Gpos and CD14+HLA-Gpos cells from transplanted patients were suppressive in in vitro lymphoproliferation assays. Furthermore, we found an upregulation of HLA-G expression in skin specimens from transplanted patients which correlated with graft-versus-host disease. Inflammatory cells infiltrating the dermis of transplanted patients were also HLA-Gpos. Here, we report the presence of naturally occurring HLA-Gpos monocytic cells with in vitro suppressive properties. HLA-G expressing regulatory blood cells were found in increased numbers after allogeneic transplantation. Epithelial cells in skin affected by graft-versus-host disease revealed elevated HLA-G expression.Το ανθρώπινο λεμφοκυτταρικό αντιγόνο –G (HLA-G) θεωρείται ένα σημαντικό ανοσορρυθμιστικό μόριο, το οποίο κατέχει έναν πολύ σημαντικό ρόλο στην προαγωγή εμβρυο-μητρικής αντοχής, η οποία αποτελεί το ιδανικό παράδειγμα επιτυχούς φυσιολογικής ανοσοαντοχής του ημι-αλλομοσχεύματος. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, στοχεύσαμε στη διερεύνηση του πιθανού ρόλου του μορίου HLA-G στην αλλογενή μεταμόσχευση αρχέγονων αιμοποιητικών κυττάρων (άλλο-ΜΑΚ). Το ποσοστό των HLA-G+ κυττάρων στο περιφερικό αίμα των υγιών ενηλίκων και των μεταμοσχευμένων ασθενών ελέγχθηκε με κυτταρομετρία ροής. Ο ανοσορρυθμιστικός τους ρόλος και οι ανοσοκατασταλτικές τους ικανότητες ελέγχθηκαν σε in vitro ανοσοδιεγερτικές και ανοσοκατασταλτικές δοκιμασίες. Ανοσοιστοχημική ανάλυση της έκφρασης του HLA-G πραγματοποιήθηκε σε δερματικές βιοψίες από άλλο-μεταμοσχευμένους ασθενείς κα συσχετίστηκε με την εμφάνιση της νόσου του μοσχεύματος έναντι του ξενιστή (GvHD). Ένας CD14+HLA-G+ πληθυσμός με HLA-DRlow φαινότυπο και μειωμένη in vitro ανοσοδιεγερτική ικανότητα ανιχνεύτηκε στο περιφερικό αίμα των υγιών ενηλίκων. Τα φυσικώς εμφανιζόμενα CD14+HLA-G+ κύτταρα κατέστειλαν τον Τ-λεμφοκυτταρικό πληθυσμό και είχαν ανοσοκατασταλτική επίδραση στα Τ-κύτταρα, μετατρέποντάς τα σε υπο-απαντητικά και ανοσοκατασταλτικά κύτταρα in vitro. Μετα την αλλογενή μεταμόσχευση, τα HLA-G+ κύτταρα αυξάνουν στο αίμα. Είναι ενδιαφέρον το γεγονός ότι πέραν της αύξησης των CD14+HLA-G+ κυττάρων παρατηρήθηκε επίσης μια ιδιαίτερη αύξηση των CD3+HLA-G+ κυττάρων στο αίμα. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι τα CD14+HLA-G+ και τα CD3+HLA-G+ κύτταρα των άλλο-μεταμοσχευμένων ασθενών ήταν ικανά να αναστέλλουν τον Τ-κυτταρικό πολλαπλασιασμό in vitro. Επιπλέον ανιχνεύτηκε μια αύξηση της έκφρασης του HLA-G στις δερματικές βιοψίες των μεταμοσχευμένων ασθενών, η οποία συσχετίζονταν με τη νόσο GvHD. Τα φλεγμονώδη κύτταρα που είχαν διεισδύσει στο δέρμα των ασθενών ήταν επίσης HLA-G θετικά. Στη συγκεκριμένη εργασία αναφέρουμε την παρουσία φυσικώς εμφανιζόμενων HLA-G θετικών μονοκυττάρων με in vitro ανοσοκατασταλτικές ικανότητες. HLA-G εκφραζόμενα ρυθμιστικά κύτταρα ανιχνεύονται στο αίμα μετά τη μεταμόσχευση σε αυξημένους αριθμούς. Τα επιθηλιακά κύτταρα του δέρματος που είναι προσβεβλημένο από τη νόσο GvHD εμφανίζουν αυξημένη έκφραση του HLA-G

A ‘waste product’ to save the day in the field of transplantation: The evolving potential of extracellular vesicles

Graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease constitute the leading causes of morbidity and early mortality after solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, respectively. Despite the current advances in immunotherapy, their incidence remains significant, underlying the need for new therapies to be developed. Extracellular vesicles (EV), and particularly small EV (sEV), have emerged as significant mediators of intercellular communication and immune modulation. Depending on the parental cell, they may exert potent immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive functions, attracting a major interest in field of transplantation. An increasing number of publications, studying their role in graft dysfunction pathophysiology, early detection of graft failure and in prevention and/or therapy of graft rejection, have emerged in recent years with enthusiastic results. In this review, we discuss the role and various applications of sEV in the transplant setting and present their huge potential for clinical translation. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Cuidados especializados em enfermagem de saúde mental e psiquiátrica centrados na pessoa com perturbação psicótica

O surgimento de uma perturbação mental implica um conjunto de mudanças na vida da pessoa e da sua família, vividas muitas vezes de forma dramática, devido ao estigma, desconhecimento da doença e sintomatologia. O presente relatório reflete a importância da implementação de um modelo de cuidados especializados em enfermagem de saúde mental e psiquiátrica para a promoção da reabilitação psicossocial, evidenciando a aquisição de competências para o grau de mestre e de enfermeiro especialista em enfermagem de saúde mental e psiquiátrica. Assim, no estágio I, trabalhou-se um caso clínico de uma pessoa com comportamentos aditivos e risco de psicose (incluindo todas as fases do processo de cuidados). No estágio final, elaborou-se um caso clínico centrado numa pessoa com perturbação psicótica e sua família, respeitando o seu contexto comunitário. A avaliação diagnóstica realizou-se de forma contínua com recurso a entrevistas e instrumentos de avaliação, que permitiram planear e implementar um plano terapêutico individual, com intervenções terapêuticas fundamentadas; SPECIALIZED CARE IN MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING CENTERED ON THE PERSON WITH PSYCHOTIC DISORDER ABSTRACT: The emergence of a mental disorder implies a set of changes in the patient’s life and his/her family, often experienced dramatically, because of the stigma, unfamiliarity of the disease and symptoms. This report highlights the importance of implementing a model of specialized care in mental health and psychiatric nursing to foster psychosocial rehabilitation. Also, it shows that specialized skills required in the context of this master's degree and for the practice as a specialist nurse in the area of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing were acquired. Thus, during professional training I, the work was focused on the clinical case of a person with an addictive behavior and facing risk of psychosis (including all phases of the care process). During the last professional training, the clinical case was focused on a person with a psychotic disorder and on his family, taking into account his community context. The diagnostic evaluation was carried out on a continuous basis using interviews and assessment instruments, which allowed planning and implementing an individual therapeutic plan, with well-founded therapeutic interventions