Eficacia del programa «(Des)venturas de Testas» para la promoción de un enfoque profundo de estudio

En este artículo se aporta información sobre la efi cacia de un programa tutorial para la mejora de los procesos de estudio y promoción de enfoques profundos de aprendizaje. El programa «(Des)venturas de Testas» se organiza en torno a un conjunto de libros que relatan las experiencias vividas por Testas, un alumno típico, a lo largo de su escolaridad. Estas historias constituyen la oportunidad para trabajar un amplio repertorio de estrategias de aprendizaje y procesos de autorregulación, pretendiendo capacitar a los alumnos para aprendizajes actuales y futuros más profundos. El programa se llevó a cabo durante un curso académico, una hora semanal en clases de tutoría. El diseño utilizado fue cuasi-experimental, con grupo experimental (n= 50) y grupo control (n= 49), y medidas pre y postest (conocimiento declarativo de estrategias de aprendizaje, enfoques de aprendizaje y rendimiento académico). Los datos obtenidos muestran que los alumnos que participan en el programa de capacitación, en relación a sus compañeros del grupo control, mejoran signifi cativamente en cuanto al dominio de conocimiento declarativo respecto de las estrategias de aprendizaje y del enfoque profundo, y disminuye el uso de un enfoque de estudio superfi cial, aunque no se obtienen mejoras estadísticamente signifi cativas en el rendimiento académico.Effi cacy of the program «Testas’s (mis)adventures» to promote the deep approach to learning. This paper provides information about the effi cacy of a tutorial training program intended to enhance elementary fi fth graders’ study processes and foster their deep approaches to learning. The program «Testas’s (mis) adventures» consists of a set of books in which Testas, a typical student, reveals and refl ects upon his life experiences during school years. These life stories are nothing but an opportunity to present and train a wide range of learning strategies and self-regulatory processes, designed to insure students’ deeper preparation for present and future learning challenges. The program has been developed along a school year, in a one hour weekly tutorial sessions. The training program had a semi-experimental design, included an experimental group (n=50) and a control one (n=50), and used pre- and posttest measures (learning strategies’ declarative knowledge, learning approaches and academic achievement). Data suggest that the students enrolled in the training program, comparing with students in the control group, showed a signifi cant improvement in their declarative knowledge of learning strategies and in their deep approach to learning, consequently lowering their use of a surface approach. In spite of this, in what concerns to academic achievement, no statistically signifi cant differences have been found

O transplante de útero no tratamento da infertilidade feminina/ Uterus transplantation in the treatment of female infertility

Transplante de útero (UTx) pode ser conceituado como um tipo de transplante alogênico, em que um útero saudável é doado para uma mulher acometida pelo Fator de Infertilidade Uterina, quando ela não deseja a adoção ou a doação temporária de útero. O Fator de Infertilidade Uterina (UFI, na sigla em inglês) é definido como infertilidade feminina devido a causas anatômicas e/ou fisiológicas que impedem o útero de manter uma gestação. As causas de UFI são divididas em duas categorias: congênita e adquirida. Nesse sentido, as complicações adquiridas, classificadas em obstétricas e ginecológicas, tendem a se desenvolver nos anos férteis da mulher e são acompanhadas de sintomas como dor intratável e sangramento intenso. Em muitos casos, o tratamento recomendado para essas pacientes é a histerectomia. Essa infertilidade traz consequências danosas à mulher, pois anula a possibilidade de gerar uma criança, logo as opções para estabelecer uma família se tornam a adoção e a maternidade substitutiva. Nesse cenário, é possível perceber a importância de investir no transplante uterino em humanos

Intensifying the manufacture of hiPSC therapy products through metabolic and process understanding

In vitro differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into specific lineages such as cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CM) and hepatocytes (hPCS-Hep) is a crucial process to enable their application in cell therapy and drug discovery. Nevertheless, despite the remarkable efforts over the last decade towards the implementation of protocols for hPSC expansion and differentiation, there are some technological challenges remaining include the low scalability and differentiation yields. Additionally, generated cells are still immature, closely reminiscent of fetal/embryonic cells in what regards phenotype and function. In this study, we aim to overcome this hurdle by devising bioinspired and integrated strategies to improve the generation and functionality of these hiPSC-derivatives. We also applied robust multi-parametric techniques including proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and fluxomics as complementary analytical tools to support bioprocess optimization and product characterization. We cultured hiPSC as 3D aggregates in stirred-tank bioreactors (STB) operated in perfusion and used a capacitance probe for in situ monitoring of cell growth/differentiation. After cell expansion, the hepatic differentiation step was integrated by addition of key soluble factors and controlling the dissolved oxygen concentration at various stages of the process to generate populations enriched for definitive endoderm, hepatocyte progenitors and mature hepatocytes. The analyses of hepatic markers expression throughout the stages of the differentiation confirmed that hepatocyte differentiation was improved in 3D spheroids when compared to 2D culture. Noteworthy, these hiPSC-HLC exhibited functional characteristics typical of hepatocytes (albumin production, glycogen storage and CYP450 activity). We also demonstrate the potential of dielectric spectroscopy to monitor cell expansion and hepatic differentiation in STB. For CM differentiation, we relied on the aggregation of hPSC-derived cardiac progenitors to establish a scalable differentiation protocol capable of generating highly pure CM aggregate cultures. We assessed if alteration of culture medium composition to mimic in vivo substrate usage during cardiac development improved further hPSC-CM maturation in vitro. Our results showed that shifting hPSC-CMs from glucose-containing to galactose- and fatty acid-containing medium promotes their fast maturation into adult-like CMs with higher oxidative metabolism, transcriptional signatures closer to those of adult ventricular tissue, higher myofibril density and alignment, improved calcium handling, enhanced contractility, and more physiological action potential kinetics. “-Omics” analyses showed that addition of galactose to culture medium and culturing the cells under perfusion improves total oxidative capacity of the cells and ameliorates fatty acid oxidation. This study demonstrated that metabolic shifts during differentiation/maturation of hPSC-CM are a cause, rather than a consequence, of the phenotypic and functional alterations observed. The metabolic-based strategy established herein holds technical and economic advantages over the existing protocols due to its scalability, simplicity and ease of application. Funding: This work was supported by FCT-funded projects NETDIAMOND (SAICTPAC/0047/2015), MetaCardio (Ref.032566) and FCT/ERA-Net (ERAdicatPH; Ref. E-Rare3/0002/2015). iNOVA4Health Research Unit (LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007344) is also acknowledged

Internationalization at Home, COIL and Intercomprehension: for more inclusive activities in the Global South

This study aims to explore the concept, benefits, challenges and activities related to Internationalization at Home (IaH), defined as the integration of international/intercultural dimensions into the formal/informal curriculum in domestic learning environments (Beelen & Jones, 2015), as an alternative for more inclusive activities in higher education, within the process of internationalization. The study also offers a review of studies carried out mainly in Brazil by a Brazilian research group. Considering the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in current practices of education and international exchange, this study explores possibilities of approaches such as COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning), allied with the Intercomprehension approach (IA) to suggest the development of more multilingual and inclusive activities, which foster IaH as an alternative to current and hegemonic internationalization practices. The paper concludes with some suggestions for the incorporation of such approaches, assuming that IaH should be prioritized in the internationalization agenda once it caters for a larger audience and, as such, is more inclusive and democratic

Discussões sobre política de privacidade de dados em um sistema de informação governamental

The implementation of information systems requires efforts to conduct and optimize, cyclically, the operationalization of the processing and retrieval of data and information, which often involves personal data. The role of privacy policies in information systems highlights the legal requirement to protect personal data. This paper analyses the privacy policy of the Sistema Nacional de Juventude website, as a model derived from the adaptation of a government information system to the use of personal identification of users through social media. The proposed model complies with the right to privacy, in particular, the protection of personal data seeking to examine general aspects of information systems and their relationship with Information Science. In addition, the paper discusses privacy and protection of personal data by the government and presents the role of privacy policies in information systems. As a methodology, a qualitative research was adopted in line with Computer Science studies. Finally, the main aspects used in the adaptation of the governmental information system were described, in particular, the privacy policy of the mentioned website, presenting as a result its design aiming to comply with the General Data Protection Law of personal information.A implementação de sistemas de informação exige esforços para condução e otimização, de forma cíclica, da operacionalização do tratamento e recuperação de dados e informações, no qual, muitas vezes envolve dados pessoais. O papel das políticas de privacidade em sistemas de informação evidencia a exigência legal de proteção de dados pessoais. Este trabalho analisa a política de privacidade do site do Sistema Nacional de Juventude (SINAJUVE), como modelo oriundo da adaptação de um sistema de informação governamental ao uso de identificação pessoal dos usuários por meio de mídias sociais. O modelo proposto atende ao direito de privacidade, em particular, a proteção de dados pessoais buscando examinar aspectos gerais dos sistemas de informação e sua relação com a Ciência da Informação. Além disso, o trabalho discorre sobre privacidade e proteção de dados pessoais pelo poder público e apresenta o papel das políticas de privacidade nos sistemas de informação. Como metodologia foi adotada uma pesquisa qualitativa alinhada a estudos da Ciência da Computação. Ao final, foram descritos os principais aspectos utilizados na adaptação do sistema de informação governamental, em particular, a política de privacidade do site mencionado, apresentando como resultado seu delineamento visando atender a Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados pessoais

Viral envelope proteins fused to multiple distinct fluorescent reporters to probe receptor binding

Enveloped viruses carry one or multiple proteins with receptor-binding functionalities. Functional receptors can be glycans, proteinaceous, or both; therefore, recombinant protein approaches are instrumental in attaining new insights regarding viral envelope protein receptor-binding properties. Visualizing and measuring receptor binding typically entails antibody detection or direct labeling, whereas direct fluorescent fusions are attractive tools in molecular biology. Here, we report a suite of distinct fluorescent fusions, both N- and C-terminal, for influenza A virus hemagglutinins and SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD. The proteins contained three or six fluorescent protein barrels and were applied directly to cells to assess receptor binding properties

PERFIL DOS CASOS DE ÓBITOS POR SINDROME RESPIRATÓRIA AGUDA GRAVE CAUSADA PELO SARS-SCOV-2 NA PARAÍBA

Objetivo: identificar o perfil sociodemográfico e clínico dos casos de óbitos por SRAG causada pela Covid-19 na Paraíba, Brasil. Método: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, transversal, retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa. A pesquisa contou com 1.431 casos de SRAG causada pela Covid-19, registrados entre 09/01/2021 a 10/03/2022, no Estado da Paraíba. Na análise estatística utilizou-se o Teste Não-Paramétrico Qui-Quadrado de Pearson. Resultados: Verificou-se uma associação significativa entre o óbito e as variáveis: faixa etária, escolaridade, dispneia, desconforto respiratório, saturação de O2 abaixo de 95%, perda de olfato e paladar. Além disso, também foi observado associação do óbito com a presença de doença cardiovascular crônica, doença renal crônica, necessidade de internação em UTI e necessidade de suporte ventilatório. Conclusão: Faz-se necessário a ampliação da campanha de vacinação e a adaptação das ações de prevenção e controle, a fim de reduzir o risco de óbito

LEITURA DO MUNDO DE GESTANTES ADOLESCENTES: DESCOBRINDO UNIVERSO VOCABULAR BASEADO NO CÍRCULO DE CULTURA

O artigo objetiva revelar o universo vocabular de leitura do mundo de gestantes adolescentes, baseado nos Círculos de Cultura de Paulo Freire. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória de abordagem qualitativa realizada de outubro/2012 a maio/2013 com quatorze adolescentes. Para coleta das informações utilizou-se observação participante e diário de campo nos encontros grupais. A análise dos achados se deu mediante aplicação do método de Análise Temática de Minayo. A partir do diálogo, foi possível identificar palavras do universo vocabular das adolescentes, para então propiciar conscientização crítica e rica discussão quanto a amamentação, família e grupalidade. O estudo permitiu conhecer as palavras geradoras do universo vocabular de adolescentes grávidas: amamentação, apoio familiar, gravidez e história de vida. Destacaram-se palavras que possibilitam melhor atuação profissional no desenvolvimento de cuidados em saúde para gestantes adolescentes.Descritores: Gravidez na Adolescência; Educação em Saúde; Atenção Primária à Saúde.

Zalypsis has in vitro activity in acute myeloid blasts and leukemic progenitor cells through the induction of a DNA damage response.

Background: Although the majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia initially respond to conventional chemotherapy, relapse is still the leading cause of death, probably because of the presence of leukemic stem cells that are insensitive to current therapies. We investigated the antileukemic activity and mechanism of action of zalypsis, a novel alkaloid of marine origin. Design and methods: The activity of zalypsis was studied in four acute myeloid leukemia cell lines and in freshly isolated blasts taken from patients with acute myeloid leukemia before they started therapy. Zalypsis-induced apoptosis of both malignant and normal cells was measured using flow cytometry techniques. Gene expression profiling and western blot studies were performed to assess the mechanism of action of the alkaloid. Results: Zalypsis showed a very potent antileukemic activity in all the cell lines tested and potentiated the effect of conventional antileukemic drugs such as cytarabine, fludarabine and daunorubicin. Interestingly, zalypsis showed remarkable ex vivo potency, including activity against the most immature blast cells (CD34(+) CD38(-) Lin(-)) which include leukemic stem cells. Zalypsis-induced apoptosis was the result of an important deregulation of genes involved in the recognition of double-strand DNA breaks, such as Fanconi anemia genes and BRCA1, but also genes implicated in the repair of double-strand DNA breaks, such as RAD51 and RAD54. These gene findings were confirmed by an increase in several proteins involved in the pathway (pCHK1, pCHK2 and pH2AX). Conclusions: The potent and selective antileukemic effect of zalypsis on DNA damage response mechanisms observed in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines and in patients' samples provides the rationale for the investigation of this compound in clinical trials.Funding: this work was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (BFU2006-01813/BMC and RD06/0020/ 0041).The CIC receives support from the European Community through the regional development funding program (FEDER).This work was also supported by the ‘AcciónTransversal del Cáncer’ project, through an agreement between the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Cancer Research Foundation of Salamanca University. Our group also receives support from the Junta de Castilla y Léon through ‘Ayudas destinadas a financiar programas de actividad investigadora a realizar por grupos de investigación de excelencia de Castilla y León’