The implementation of sustainability practices in portuguese higher education institutions

The purpose of this work is to analyze the current state of implementation of sustainability development (SD) in Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed to measure the level of implementation of SD practices in HEIs as well as the number of rankings, certifications and declarations of these institutions. The questionnaire was sent by e-mail to all rectors, presidents, directors of faculties, departments and schools of Portuguese universities and polytechnics. A sample of 53 leaders was obtained. Findings Portuguese HEIs are mainly engaged in the social dimension of sustainability. The economic dimension emerges in second place and the institutional in third; the environmental dimension is the least developed. Except for a few specific topics (e.g. related to research on SD, and the offer of degree courses in SD), there are no significant differences between universities and polytechnics in the implementation of SD practices. Only 11 per cent of HEIs are innovators in the implementation of SD practices, and a majority of HEIs have implemented less than 34 per cent of the SD practices studied. Research limitations/implications This research has a national scope, and the results should be interpreted only in the Portuguese context. Future studies should include a larger range of institutional actors within the faculty. Practical implications This study provides valuable insights and theoretical and methodological guidance for future implementation processes supporting the transition to sustainability in HEIs. Originality/value This is the first study conducted in Portuguese HEIs with the aim of determining their efforts to implement and promote sustainability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

UN decade of education for sustainable development:perceptions of portuguese’s higher education institutions

This poster shows partial results of a cross-sectional research project investigating the perceptions of stakeholders of four Portuguese Higher Education Institutions about the importance of integration Sustainable Development (SD) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).N/

Conceptualizations of sustainability in Portuguese higher education:roles, barriers and challenges toward sustainability

Although sustainability in HEI has been studied for over twenty years, relatively little is known about the status of its implementation in the Portuguese HEIs. Few studies have investigated higher education for sustainable development (HESD) in Portugal and none have addressed how sustainability is interpreted and implemented in Portuguese HEIs, the role of HESD, and the related challenges and obstacles they face.N/

Implementation of Internal Quality Control in Clinical Laboratories of Portuguese Speaking Countries

ProMeQuaLab (Laboratory Quality Improvement Project for Portuguese Speaking Countries) is an ongoing project started in 2015 aiming to improve the quality of laboratory results in Portuguese Speaking countries ( It focuses on training in laboratory quality control, implementation and monitoring of quality indicators, and the organisation of a biennial congress. In 2023 within the scope of ProMeQuaLab and in collaboration with the National Health Institute Doctor Ricardo Jorge ( and the Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Lisbon, the Master's thesis "Development of tools and documentation for implementation of laboratory Quality Control in Portuguese Speaking countries" is being carried out. AIMS: Development and application tools for implementation of Internal Quality Control in the areas of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, in PLP laboratories, from February to August 2023info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

low-cost portable NGS platform for HIV-1 surveillance in Africa

Funding Information: Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) funded the MARVEL project (PTDC/SAU-PUB/4018/2021), GHTM (GHTM-UID/04413/2020), LA-REAL-LA/P/0117/2020 supporting the costs related to project implementation in Cape Verde, Mozambique and Sao Tome & Principe. Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (FCG), under the ENVOLVE Ci\u00EAncia PALOP program, funded the HITOLA project (Number 250466), which is supporting the costs related to the project implementation in Angola. The funders have no role in the conceptualization, design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.Background: HIV-1 infections remain a global public health concern. Scaled-up antiretroviral treatment (ART) is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality related to HIV/AIDS. The emergence of drug-resistance mutations (DRMs) compromises viral suppression and contributes to the continued HIV-1 transmission. Several reports indicate a recent increase in acquired (ADR) and transmitted (TDR) drug resistance in Africa, probably linked to the lack of implementation of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) testing and suboptimal treatment adherence. Herein, we will develop a low-cost protocol using third-generation sequencing (Oxford Nanopore Technology) for HIV-1 surveillance in Portuguese-speaking African Countries - PALOP [Angola (AO), Cape Verde (CV), Mozambique (MZ), and Sao Tome & Principe (STP)]. Methods: This is a multicentric cross-sectional study that includes around 600 adult patients newly diagnosed with HIV-1 in the PALOP. An epidemiological questionnaire previously validated by our research team will be used to collect sociodemographic and clinical data. Also, whole blood samples will be collected and the plasma samples will be subjected to drug resistance testing using an in-house low-cost NGS protocol. Data analysis will involve bioinformatics, biostatistics and machine learning techniques to generate accurate and up-to-date information about HIV-1 genetic diversity, ADR and TDR. Discussion: The implementation of this low-cost NGS platform for HIV-1 surveillance in the PALOP will allow: (i) to increase DRM surveillance capacity in resource-limited settings; (ii) to understand the pattern and determinants of dissemination of resistant HIV-1 strains; and (iii) to promote the development of technical and scientific skills of African researchers for genomic surveillance of viral pathogens and bioinformatics analysis. These objectives will contribute to reinforcing the capacity to combat HIV infection in Africa by optimizing the selection of ART regimens, improving viral suppression, and reducing ADR or TDR prevalence in PALOPs, with relevant implications for public health.publishersversionpublishe

Metafilaxia com disseleneto de difenila em bezerras de corte submetidas ao desmame precoce

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito metafilático do disseleneto de difenila no desempenho, perfil metabólico e status oxidativo de bezerras de corte submetidas ao desmame precoce. Foram utilizadas 30 bezerras taurinas de corte, filhas de vacas primíparas, entre 60 a 110 dias de vida. As bezerras foram distribuídas de forma randomizada em três grupos experimentais. Grupo controle (GC, n=10): 2 mL de solução de NaCl a 0,9%. Grupo dimetilsulfóxido (GDMSO, n=10): 2 mL de dimetilsulfóxido a 99,2%. Grupo disseleneto de difenila (GDD, n=10): 3 µmol/kg de (PhSe)2 a 98%, diluído em 2 mL de dimetilsulfóxido 99,2%. O intervalo entre dias considerado como momentos (M), foi de 14 dias, e a avaliação de peso e coleta de amostras de sangue ocorreu no M1=basal (-28 dias), M2 (-14 dias), M3 (dia 0), M4 (14 dias) e M5 (28 dias), já as administrações dos tratamentos no M1, M2, M3. Houve efeito significativo para momento: ganho médio diário (P<0,0001), proteína total (P<0,0001), globulina (GL) (P<0,0001), glutationa reduzida (P=0,0263), substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrio (P<0,0001) e potencial antioxidante redutor férrico (P<0,0001), exceto para albumina (P=0,1374). A suplementação com disseleneto de difenila em bezerras de corte desmamadas precocemente não preveniu a alteração de parâmetros oxidativos sanguíneos, sugerindo a ocorrência de estresse oxidativo. Porém, no grupo tratado com disseleneto de difenila houve incremento no ganho de peso, proteína total e globulina, propondo que o uso deste antioxidante em momentos estratégicos pode sim condicionar os animais, promover bem estar e reduzir os efeitos deletérios causados pelo desmame, como a perda de peso

Reproductive health aspects in men with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate reproductive health of males with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), and comparing them with a control group. METHODS: Demographic data, urologic evaluation (including pubertal parameters and sexual/erectile function), testicular ultrasound, hormone profile, semen analysis, clinical features, and treatment of 25 IIM patients were evaluated. The control group was composed of 25 healthy males. RESULTS: Median age of IIM patients was similar to that of the control group (24 versus 27 years, P = 0.566). The frequency of sexual activity, number of partners with spontaneous pregnancies after the onset of the disease, and use of condom were significantly lower in IIM patients than in the control group (60% versus 96%, P = 0.004; 16% versus 60%, P = 0.0031; 40% versus 76%, P = 0.021, respectively). Moreover, the frequency of testicular atrophy (28% versus 4%, P = 0.049), elevated levels of FSH and/or LH (25% versus 0%, P = 0.05), and sperm abnormalities (40% versus 0%, P = 0.0006) were statistically higher in IIM patients than in the control group. Median age of onset of IIM and current age were significantly higher in IIM patients with sexual/erectile dysfunction than in patients without this dysfunction (41 versus 12.5 years, P = 0.014; 46 versus 21 years, P = 0.027, respectively). On the other hand, differences in the age of spermarche, parameters of gonadal function, disease activity, muscle enzymes, and treatment were not observed between IIM patients with or without sexual/erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to identify changes in reproductive health and gonadal dysfunction in male IIM patients. Rheumatologists should discuss sexual problems with their patients, counseling them on contraceptive methods.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a saúde reprodutiva de homens com miopatia inflamatória idiopática (MII) e compará-la com controles saudáveis. MÉTODOS: Vinte e cinco pacientes com MII (dermatomiosite ou polimiosite) foram avaliados com relação aos dados demográficos, exame urológico (incluindo parâmetros pubertários e função sexual/erétil), ultrassonografia testicular, perfil hormonal, análise seminal, características clínicas e tratamento. O grupo controle incluiu 25 homens saudáveis. RESULTADOS: A mediana da idade atual foi similar nos pacientes com MII e controles (24 versus 27 anos, P = 0,566). As frequências de atividade sexual, número de parceiras com gestações espontâneas após início da doença e uso de preservativo masculino foram significativamente menores nos pacientes com MII versus controles (60% versus 96%, P = 0,004; 16% versus 60%, P = 0,0031; 40% versus 76%, P = 0,021; respectivamente). Além disso, as frequências de atrofia testicular (28% versus 4%, P = 0,049), níveis elevados de FSH e/ou LH (25% versus 0%, P = 0,05) e alterações dos espermatozoides (40% versus 0%, P = 0,0006) foram estatisticamente maiores nos pacientes com MII quando comparados aos controles. As medianas das idades de início da doença e atual foram estatisticamente maiores nos pacientes com MII que apresentaram disfunção sexual/erétil versus sem disfunção (41 versus 12,5 anos, P = 0,014; 46 versus 21 anos, P = 0,027; respectivamente). Entretanto, comparando-se, pacientes com disfunção sexual/erétil e sem disfunção, nenhuma diferença foi evidenciada em relação à idade da espermarca, parâmetros de função gonadal, atividade da doença, enzimas musculares e tratamento. CONCLUSÃO: Este foi o primeiro estudo que identificou alterações da saúde reprodutiva e disfunção gonadal em homens com MII. Reumatologistas devem discutir problemas sexuais e orientar contracepção aos seus pacientes.FMUSP Departamento de PediatriaFaculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo Hospital das Clínicas Instituto da CriançaUniversidade Federal do Pará Departamento de PediatriaFMUSP HC ICrFMUSP HCUNIFESP Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP Setor de Reumatologia PediátricaSanta Casa de São Paulo Setor de Reumatologia PediátricaFMUSP HC Departamento de RadiologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaUNIFESP, Setor de Reumatologia PediátricaSciEL

Influence of non-osteoporotic treatments in patients on active anti-osteoporotic therapy: evidence from the OSTEOMED registry

Producción CientíficaPurpose To evaluate the effect of different non-osteoporotic drugs on the increase or decrease in the risk of incident fragility fractures (vertebral, humerus or hip) in a cohort of patients diagnosed with osteoporosis on active anti-osteoporotic therapy. Methods For this retrospective longitudinal study, baseline and follow-up data on prescribed non-osteoporotic treatments and the occurrence of vertebral, humerus or hip fractures in 993 patients from the OSTEOMED registry were analyzed using logistic regression models. The drugs evaluated with a possible beneficial effect were thiazides and statins, while the drugs evaluated with a possible harmful effect were antiandrogens, aromatase inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, GnRH agonists, thyroid hormones, and oral and inhaled corticosteroids. Results Logistic regression analyses indicated that no treatment significantly improved fracture risk, with the only treatments that significantly worsened fracture risk being letrozole (OR = 0.18, p-value = 0.03) and oral corticosteroids at doses ≤ 5 mg/ day (OR = 0.16, p-value = 0.03) and > 5 mg/day (OR = 0.27, p-value = 0.04). Conclusion The potential beneficial or detrimental effects of the different drugs evaluated on fracture risk are masked by treatment with anabolic or antiresorptive drugs that have a more potent action on bone metabolism, with two exceptions: letrozole and oral corticosteroids. These findings may have important clinical implications, as patients receiving these treat- ments are not fully protected by bisphosphonates, which may imply the need for more potent anti-osteoporotic drugs such as denosumab or teriparatide.Publicación en abierto financiada por el Consorcio de Bibliotecas Universitarias de Castilla y León (BUCLE), con cargo al Programa Operativo 2014ES16RFOP009 FEDER 2014-2020 DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN, Actuación:20007-CL - Apoyo Consorcio BUCL

Impact of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the outcome of neurosurgical patients: A nationwide study in Spain

Objective To assess the effect of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the outcome of neurosurgical patients in Spain. Settings The initial flood of COVID-19 patients overwhelmed an unprepared healthcare system. Different measures were taken to deal with this overburden. The effect of these measures on neurosurgical patients, as well as the effect of COVID-19 itself, has not been thoroughly studied. Participants This was a multicentre, nationwide, observational retrospective study of patients who underwent any neurosurgical operation from March to July 2020. Interventions An exploratory factorial analysis was performed to select the most relevant variables of the sample. Primary and secondary outcome measures Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of mortality and postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Sixteen hospitals registered 1677 operated patients. The overall mortality was 6.4%, and 2.9% (44 patients) suffered a perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of those infections, 24 were diagnosed postoperatively. Age (OR 1.05), perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 4.7), community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) (OR 1.006), postoperative neurological worsening (OR 5.9), postoperative need for airway support (OR 5.38), ASA grade =3 (OR 2.5) and preoperative GCS 3-8 (OR 2.82) were independently associated with mortality. For SARS-CoV-2 postoperative infection, screening swab test <72 hours preoperatively (OR 0.76), community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) (OR 1.011), preoperative cognitive impairment (OR 2.784), postoperative sepsis (OR 3.807) and an absence of postoperative complications (OR 0.188) were independently associated. Conclusions Perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in neurosurgical patients was associated with an increase in mortality by almost fivefold. Community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) was a statistically independent predictor of mortality. Trial registration number CEIM 20/217

Práticas artísticas no ensino básico e secundário

A educação artística passa por circunstâncias paradoxais, que se originam na sua essencialidade plástica: o desenho cada vez é menos praticado no papel e cada vez é mais praticado no ecrã. A experiência plástica do corpo a corpo, da “afinidade” através da convenientia, da aemulatio, da analogia, e das simpatias (Foucault), pode já ser cada vez mais reduzida, ou mesmo residual. Hoje a experiência digital antecede a experiência analógica desde a mais tenra idade, e este é um novo contexto que nos mostra águas desconhecidas. Haverá uma “fraqueza analógica” contemporânea? Como fundar uma experiência quando o digital já quase antecede o analógico, na educação e no desenvolvimento da criança?Como compreender o desconhecido com base no desconhecido? Diga-se, no mínimo, que em Educação Artística, a Matéria-Prima complicou-se. Os 18 artigos aqui presentes dão um contributo vivo para uma reflexão, tanto sobre a sua operacionalização como sobre a sua concetualização, atenta às contradições e paradoxos, disponível para os novos contributos, as novas intervenções.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio