Calidad conyugal en mujeres con cáncer de mama: el papel de la intimidad conyugal y de la calidad de vida

Objective: this study aimed to analyze changes in woman’s perceived marital quality and intimacy (communication and engagement dimensions) throughout the breast cancer trajectory. We also sought to explore differences between patients and controls on these variables, as well as to investigate the predictive role of initial intimacy and quality of life (QoL) on marital quality 6 months after the treatment’s ending. Methods: the sample comprises of 47 breast cancer patients and 90 community controls. Data from the patients’ group were collected at two time points: following breast surgery (T1) and 6 months after treatments had ended (T2). The perceived marital quality before the disease was also retrospectively assessed. The following measures were used: WHOQOLBREF (psychological and social QoL); PAIR (communication and engagement) and a singleitem to assess perceived marital quality. Results: There was an increase in perceived marital quality from the retrospective assessment to T1, and no differences were found throughout the disease. With respect to intimacy, only communication decreased over time. When compared with controls, patients presented higher scores on communication and engagement dimensions (T1). A higher marital quality at T2 was predicted by a higher initial psychological QoL and higher initial levels of communication. Conclusions: the diagnosis of breast cancer does not appear to be associated with a decline in marital quality. Moreover, our findings highlighted the importance of sharing with a partner the cancer-related information, as well as the importance of maintaining a good psychological QoL at the beginning of the disease.Objetivo: este estudio buscó analizar los cambios en la calidad e intimidad conyugal percibida (comunicación y compromiso) de la mujer, a lo largo de su trayectoria de cáncer de mama. Buscamos también explorar las diferencias entre pacientes y controles en estas variables, e investigar el papel predictivo de la intimidad y calidad de vida (CdV) iniciales en la calidad conyugal seis meses después de finalizado el tratamiento. Métodos: la muestra está formada por 47 pacientes con cáncer de mama 90 mujeres de la comunidad. Los datos del grupo de pacientes se recogieron en dos momentos: post-cirugía de mama (T1) y 6 meses tras la finalización del tratamiento (T2). La calidad conyugal percibida antes de la enfermedad fue también evaluada retrospectivamente. Fueron utilizados los instrumentos: WHOQOL BREF (CdV psicológica y social); PAIR (comunicación y compromiso) y en un solo ítem para evaluar la calidad conyugal percibida. Resultados: se observó un aumento de la calidad conyugal percibida en la evaluación retrospectiva respecto a T1, no habiendo sido encontradas diferencias a lo largo de la enfermedad. Respecto a la intimidad, tan solo la comunicación disminuyó a lo largo del tiempo. Al comparar con el grupo control, las pacientes presentaron puntuaciones superiores en las dimensiones de comunicación y compromiso (T1). Una superior calidad conyugal en T2 fue predicha por una mejor CdV psicológica inicial y por niveles iniciales más elevados de comunicación. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico de cáncer de mama parece no estar asociado a una disminución de la calidad conyugal. Además, nuestros resultados destacaran la importancia de compartir con la pareja la información relacionada con el cáncer, así como la importancia de mantener una buena CdV psicológica en el inicio de la enfermedad

ClioEse: uma comunidade virtual na área das ciências humanas

O projeto de investigação-ação Oficina Didática de Ciências Humanas, da Escola Superior de Educação do Porto, dirige-se ao universo da Educação Básica. Apropriando-se da noção de comunidade virtual de prática, constituiu-se uma plataforma colaborativa – o ClioESE – que se assume como um instrumento destinado à criação de redes de interação que permitam a partilha de experiências, um diálogo aprofundado entre profissionais educativos e a promoção de uma praxis socio-construtivista no domínio das Ciências Humanas. O presente artigo apresenta o projeto e propõe a discussão, com a comunidade educativa, dos resultados obtidos até ao momento.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comunicação e Meio Ambiente: os mecanismos de comunicação utilizados pelo Parque Natural Municipal Francisco Affonso de Mello (PNMFAM)

As recentes preocupações voltadas às questões ambientais remetem ao poder público com a necessidade de estimular e potencializar a criação de áreas e espaços destinados para a preservação e conservação ambiental. Surgem, então, demandas sociais em torno desse movimento, seja para a obtenção de um melhor entendimento dessas ações, seja simplesmente pela participação direta ou indireta nos processos resultantes. Nesse contexto, um processo de comunicação bem estruturado pode ser o principal elo entre o tripé: poder público (formulador), áreas destinadas (meios) e sociedade civil (beneficiados). Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar os mecanismos de comunicação utilizados para o Parque Natural Municipal Francisco Affonso de Mello - Chiquinho Veríssimo (PNMFAM) no entorno da cidade de Mogi das Cruzes, e se eles possibilitam sua conservação e manutenção. Para tanto, além de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, foi realizada uma análise a respeito dos mecanismos de comunicação empregados, com foco na Universidade Livre do Meio Ambiente (UniLivre), e o seu potencial como ferramenta de transformação socioambiental

ClioEse: uma comunidade virtual de (boas) práticas

Pretende dar-se a conhecer, partilhando reflexões com a comunidade educativa, o projeto de investigação Oficina Didática de Ciências Humanas. Esta Oficina constitui-se como um projeto de investigação-ação, dirigido a todo o universo da Educação Básica. A equipa de investigadores apropriou-se do conceito de Comunidade Virtual de Prática como estratégia, de forma a conseguir a partilha de experiências, um diálogo aprofundado e a promoção de uma praxis socio-construtivista. A questão central de investigação que se coloca é a de saber se uma plataforma colaborativa deste tipo pode criar redes de interação, contribuindo para melhorar as práticas do ensino-aprendizagem das Ciências Humanasinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multi-level modelling of longitudinal child growth data: a comparison of growth models in the generation XXI birth cohort

Several methods have been used by different authors to estimate growth curves. In this paper, five growth models are compared using weight and height data from 6668 children from the Generation XXI birth cohort. The goal was to determine the model(s) that better describe the growth pattern from birth to 10 years of age using mixed-effect modelling. The study compared the fitness of four structural (Jenss-Bayley, adapted Jenss-Bayley, Berkey-Reed 1st order and Berkey-Reed 2nd order) and one non structural (cubic spline based) model. The goodness of t of the models was examined using standard deviation of the residuals, Akaike Information Criterion and Bayesian Criterion. The adapted Jenss-Bayley and the spline based model had the better tting for weight while for height the better models were Berkey-Reed 2nd order and the spline

Genes involved in sex determination and the influence of temperature during the sexual differentiation process in fish: A review

This review attempts to group the recent hypotheses involved in the complex system of determination and sex differentiation in fish. Based on recent literature, we relate the key genes involved in the genomic cascade as the Cyp19, Dmrt1, Sox9, Foxl2, Esr, Dax1, Sf1 and Amh1, and still little known action of temperature on them. As the sex reversal is a highly desired process in fish farming aiming at obtaining male mono-sexual populations (due to weight gain of males), several techniques based on direct and indirect manipulation of phenotypic sex are being tested. Recent surveys show the use of temperature as alternative to the process of sex reversal. However, high or low temperatures have limited effect, in addition to there being a window of sex reversal in which temperature acts, varying from species to species. Thus, we draw a parallel with the role of temperature in the process of sex reversal and its effect on genes of the genomic cascade, which has been the subject of several studies that attempt to explain how temperature would be acting in this process. Intracellular receptors, such as those used for steroid hormones, act as transcription factors to regulate target genes moving between the nucleus and cytoplasm and, in the hormone absence, are linked to the complex of heat shock protein 90 kDa (Hsp90). Through this mechanism, it is possible to predict that fluctuations in temperature can influence the action of hormones, the increased transcription of genes involved in steroidogenesis and hence in sexual differentiation, becoming an alternative to explain where the temperature is acting. However, this literature review discusses the correlations between the genomic cascade, the action of intracellular receptors and the influence of temperature within this large system of determination and sex differentiation in fish.Keywords: Fish, gene, sex differentiation, temperatureAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(17), pp. 2129-214

Avaliação in vitro das atividades antimicrobiana, leishmanicida e citotóxica dos fungos endofíticos Diaporthe sp. e Pseudofusicoccum sp. obtidos das áreas de mangue e cerrado brasileiros: In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial, leishmanicidal, and cytotoxic activities of endophytic fungi Diaporthe sp. and Pseudofusicoccum sp. isolated from the Brazilian mangrove and savannah areas

O mangue é um ecossistema de transição entre o ambiente terrestre e o marinho, típico de regiões tropicais e subtropicais. O cerrado é um ecossistema caracterizado principalmente pelo bioma savana, que são zonas de transição entre prados e bosques e são ínsitos de regiões tropicais de estação seca. Nesses dois sistemas, diversos microrganismos já foram isolados, entre eles, os fungos endofíticos, capazes de produzir substâncias com atividades antimicrobianas e leishmanicidas. Com base nessas informações, esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial biotecnológico dos extratos brutos (EB) obtidos dos fungos endofíticos Diaporthe sp. e Pseudofusicoccum sp., isolados de mangue e cerrado brasileiros, respectivamente. Foram realizados in vitro ensaios antimicrobianos com patógenos humanos, ensaios leishmanicidas e ensaios citotóxicos. Nos ensaios antimicrobianos foi encontrada a concentração inibitória mínima de 50% (CIM50) entre 756 µg.mL-1 e 949 µg.mL-1 e a concentração inibitória mínima de 90% (CIM90) entre 3.940 e 3.980 µg.mL-1 para o EB do isolado do mangue. Para o EB isolado do cerrado foi encontrada CIM50 entre 4.228 µg.mL-1 e 29.630 µg.mL-1 e CIM90 entre 9.24 µg.mL-1 e 38.250 µg.mL-1. A concentração bactericida mínima (CBM) foi encontrada para o microrganismo Bacillus subtillis, na concentração de 10.000 µg.mL-1. Nos ensaios leishmanicidas, os resultados apresentam morte celular de 90% nas concentrações de 6.000 e 10.000 µg.mL-1 e de 80% na concentração de 4.000 µg.mL-1 para o EB do isolado do mangue. No EB do isolado do cerrado, os ensaios leishmanicidas apresentaram viabilidade celular acima de 90% nas concentrações de 20.000 e 40.000 µg.mL-1.  Para os ensaios de citotoxicidade no EB do isolado do mangue, foram apresentados viabilidade celular entre 55 e 73%. Para o isolado do cerrado foram apresentadas viabilidade celular entre 5,41 a 16,84%. Esses resultados reforçam o potencial biotecnológico dos microrganismos isolados de manguezais e cerrados, representado pelos isolados testados nesse trabalho

The effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the perception of physical activity and on the perception of musculoskeletal symptoms in computer workers: comparative longitudinal study design

Lockdown resulting from the pandemic led to a change in the health habits of the computer workers community. Sedentary work, together with less active lifestyles, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic leads to impacts on physical activity (PA) and can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). Understand the effects of lockdown on the perception of physical activity levels and on the perception of frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms, over periods of 12 months and 7 days, in computer workers. Longitudinal comparative study between 2019 (M1) and 2021 (M2), over 18 months, in 40 volunteer participants. The inclusion criteria were full-time workers aged between 18 and 65 and the exclusion criteria included diagnosis of non-work-related medical conditions. In addition to a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was used to evaluate the MSS and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), was used to analyse the perception of the level of PA. These questionnaires were used in two assessment stages (M1 and M2). McNemar test and Wilcoxon paired test were used to evaluate the effect of lockdown on the perception of PA, and on the perception of frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms. The MSS prevalence in the previous 12 months increased significantly in the neck (M1: 45.0%, M2: 62.5%, p = 0.046), in the shoulders (M1: 37.5%, M2: 55.0%, p = 0.033), and in the hands/wrists (M1: 25.0%, M2: 45.0%, p = 0.019). The mean pain score increased in the shoulders (1.43 ± 2.24, 2.35 ± 2.55, p = 0.003) and in the elbows (0.18 ± 0.59, 0.60 ± 1.34, p = 0.015). No differences were found in the PA between M1 and M2, but the weekly mean sitting time increased from 4.75 ± 2.26 to 6.26 ± 2.65 (p < 0.001). After 18 months it became clear that MSS perception increased mainly in the neck, shoulders and hands/wrists with a significant increase in pain intensity in the shoulder and elbow regions. The weekly sitting time increased significantly. Further studies are needed in order to determine the impact of teleworking in a pandemic context. But multifactor behind these results should be taken into account by health institutions and those responsible for the Prevention of Occupational Risks in Computer Workers in order to adopt educational strategies for the promotion of Physical activity (PA), in these workers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring Bone Mass: Different Associations in Healthy Weight Versus Overweight Women

Weight management strategies during pregnancy reduce child cardiometabolic risk. However, because maternal weight has an overall positive correlation with offspring bone mass, pregnancy weight management could adversely affect child bone health. We aimed to estimate associations between gestational weight gain (GWG) and bone mineralization in the offspring at 7 years of age, and test early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) as an effect modifier. We analyzed prospective data from 2167 mother-child pairs from the Generation XXI birth cohort who underwent whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 7 years of age. GWG was analyzed as a continuous measure and using the Institute of Medicine categories. In the whole sample and for each early pregnancy BMI category (under/normal weight and overweight/obese), relationships between GWG and offspring bone measures (bone mineral content [BMC], bone areal density [aBMD], size-corrected BMC [scBMC], and height) at 7 years were fitted through local polynomial regression and smoothing splines. The magnitude of associations was estimated through linear regression coefficients (95% CIs), crude and adjusted for maternal age, height, educational level, and child gestational age. In under/normal weight mothers, GWG was associated with slightly increased bone measures at 7 years (per 5 kg of GWG, BMC: 0.07 SD [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.12]; aBMD: 0.10 SD [95% CI, 0.05 to 0.15], scBMC: 0.11SD [95% CI, 0.06 to 0.16], and height: 0.05 SD [95% CI, 0.00 to 0.10]), while in overweight/obese mothers no effect of GWG on bone was observed (BMC: 0.02 SD [95% CI, -0.04 to 0.09]; aBMD: 0.02 SD [95% CI, -0.04 to 0.08], scBMC: 0.01 SD [95% CI, -0.06 to 0.08], and height: 0.02 SD [95% CI, -0.04 to 0.08]). Also, no advantageous effect of gaining weight above the Institute of Medicine recommendations was observed in either early pregnancy BMI group. Our results suggest that adherence to Institute of Medicine recommendations for pregnancy weight gain is unlikely to have a negative repercussion on offspring bone health, particularly in women with excess weight in early pregnancy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio