An innovative strategy for therapeutic angiogenesis: low doses of ionizing radiation

Tese de mestrado, Bioquímica (Bioquímica), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 201

HISTÓRIAS DE VIDA DE PROFESSORES HOMENS NA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL

Nos últimos anos, vem aumentando a presença masculina no trabalho com crianças de zero a cinco anos, implicando a necessidade de discutir as complexidades que emergem dessa realidade. Pesquisas apontam haver estranhamento, por parte de professores, gestores e familiares, quanto à presença de docentes do sexo masculino, nessa etapa da educação básica, que, histórica e culturalmente, tem estreito laço com o feminino, o materno. O estudo parte de um fenômeno, que se apresenta nas estatísticas, nas pesquisas e no cotidiano de creches e pré-escolas, e o investiga na vida dos sujeitos, na interseção do pessoal com o coletivo. Os entrevistados são professores da Educação Infantil, em instituições privadas e/ou públicas, com diferentes tempos de experiência profissional neste segmento. As histórias de vida destacam-se como metodologia privilegiada para a pesquisa, que traz Martin Buber (2003a, 2003b, 2008, 2009, 2011a, 2011b, 2013), Mikhail Bakhtin (1993, 2011, 2012) e Walter Benjamin (1994, 1995 como referências teóricas, entendendo que as entrevistas potencializam a capacidade de narrar. Uma primeira leitura das entrevistas sugere temas relacionados a dois eixos de análise: histórias de infância e de formação, e histórias relacionadas a questões de gênero.

Genotipagem RhD fetal não invasiva – impacto económico na profilaxia da isoimunização RhD na gravidez

Overview and Aims: The introduction of antenatal RhD isoimmunization prophylaxis was of utmost importance in decreasing the prevalence of perinatal haemolytic disease. Noninvasive genotyping of fetal RhD group from mothers' plasma allows administration of anti-D immunoglobulin only to pregnant women with RhD positive fetuses. Aim: To analyse the economic impact of this technique in a population of nonisoimmunized pregnant women in comparison to the current practice of systematic RhD isoimmunization prophylaxis. Study design: Retrospective, observational and analytic study. Population: 9272 pregnant women who performed obstetric ultrasound in our Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Department between January 2007 to December 2012. Methods: The costs of systematic RhD isoimmunization prophylaxis were compared to fetal RhD genotyping and further RhD isoimunization of RhD negative mothers whose fetuses were RhD positive. Results:In the studied population, 16.7% of pregnant women were RhD negative and 40.3% of their offspring were also RhD negative. Concerning the economic analysis, selective administration of anti-D immunoglobulin based on fetal genotyping would have been about 62 euros more expensive per pregnancy than the current practice of antenatal immunoprophylaxis. Conclusion: Although non-invasive genotyping of fetal RhD group is undoubtly associated with innumerous benefits, in a merely economic analysis, this method is more expensive than the systematic immunoprophylaxis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Periodically domain−structured KTiOPO4 crystals grown from high temperature solution

International audiencePeriodically-poled ferroelectric crystals proved to be the most promising technique for exploiting at the best nonlinear optical frequency conversion properties of materials using quasi-phase matching (QPM). Until now the common method for obtaining periodically-poled ferroelectric crystals is by electric-field poling. In this technique local inversion of the spontaneous polarization is produced in a single-domain crystal by applying an electric field on a periodic electrode deposited on the crystal surface. The poling technology for nonlinear crystals like KTiOPO4, LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 is by now reliable to produce QPM gratings with periods down to about 8 µm. But the thickness of the periodically poled slabs is restricted to 1 mm for these gratings periods, which limits their use to low- and medium- power applications

Teor de sódio e potássio em refeições servidas em cantinas universitárias

ABSTRACT - A high sodium intake is associated with high blood pressure, an important risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In contrast, the ingestion of high levels of potassium counteracts this negative effect of high sodium intake on blood pressure, thus reducing the sodium-to-potassium ratio. The aim of this work was to determine the sodium and potassium content of meals served in university canteens in Portugal. The analysis included 35 samples of soup and 35 samples of main dish collected at 5 random days from a total of 7 university canteens. The samples were analyzed for sodium and potassium by atomic emission spectrometry technique. On average, a meal (soup and main dish) had a sodium content of 1,069.4 mg (mean sodium content was 671.4 ± 374.5 mg/portion in the main dish and 398.0 ± 153.0 mg/ portion in the soup) and a potassium content of 1,004 mg (mean potassium content was 731.4 ± 385.9 mg/serving in the main dish and 272.6 ± 272.6 mg/serving in the soup). Our results revealed that with a single university meal, students can reach 53% of the maximum daily value recommended for sodium and 27% of the minimum daily value recommended for potassium. An investment to decrease sodium and increase potassium in meals served is imperative in order to prevent NCDs.RESUMO - Uma elevada ingestão de sódio está associada à hipertensão, um importante fator de risco para doenças crónicas não transmissíveis (DCNT). Em contraste, a ingestão de níveis elevados de potássio contrabalança esse efeito negativo da elevada ingestão de sódio na pressão arterial, reduzindo, assim, a relação sódio/potássio. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o teor de sódio e potássio de refeições servidas em cantinas universitárias em Portugal. A análise incluiu 35 amostras de sopa e 35 amostras de prato principal recolhidas em 5 dias aleatórios de um total de 7 cantinas universitárias. As amostras foram analisadas para sódio e potássio pela técnica de espectroscopia de emissão atómica. Uma refeição (sopa e prato principal) apresentou em média um teor de sódio de 1.069,4 mg (teor médio de sódio foi 671,4 ± 374,5 mg/porção no prato principal e 398,0 ± 153,0 mg/porção na sopa) e um teor de potássio de 1.004 mg (teor médio de potássio foi de 731,4 ± 385,9 mg/porção no prato principal e 272,6 ± 272,6 mg/porção na sopa). Os resultados mostraram que, com uma única refeição universitária, os alunos podem atingir 53% do valor máximo diário recomendado para o sódio e 27% do valor mínimo diário recomendado para o potássio. Um investimento para diminuir o sódio e aumentar o potássio nas refeições servidas é imperativo para prevenir as DCNT.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Children, ethics in caregiving and rights: the reason for the Statute of Child and Adolescent

The text analyzes the association between caregiving and the right of children based on results recorded in a study carried out by an inter-institutional research, which comprised students and professors from two universities. The herein presented contributions aim at problematizing, annoying and, somehow, affecting the ways of thinking and acting in institutions committed to conquests achieved through the Statute of Child and Adolescent. The investigation headed towards positive caregiving practices in six municipal public institutions (two daycare centers; two pre-schools; two elementary schools) that provide from Child Education to Elementary School. The theoretical reference is based on Martin Buber, as well as on bond, trust and presence concepts; caregiving and to be taken care of. Life stories were the methodological option; this approach is traditional in sociological research fields and in education research focused on the production of knowledge that does not set the dichotomy personal vs. professional life, subject vs. object; daily life vs history. The aim of the text is to give some visibility to what was heard in interviews and workshops about the care provided by teachers and family members to children attending to the six assessed institutions. Taking care of oneself, and of others, or even of all others – mainly of children -, is a factor related to survival; it is one of the aspects rising from the herein presented research. Ethics in caregiving is mandatory so the human sphere, mankind, does not face the risk of being annihilated. Such ethics means having the presence of an adult, reciprocity, bond and encounter.O texto analisa as relações entre cuidado e direitos das crianças, a partir dos resultados de um estudo feito por um grupo de pesquisa interinstitucional, da qual participaram alunos e professores de duas universidades. As contribuições apresentadas buscam problematizar, inquietar e, se possível, afetar modos de pensar e de agir em instituições comprometidas com as conquistas do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente. A investigação voltou-se para práticas positivas de cuidado em seis instituições públicas municipais (duas creches; duas pré-escolas; duas escolas de Ensino Fundamental) que atendem da Educação Infantil ao Ensino Fundamental. O referencial teórico baseia-se em Martin Buber e os conceitos de vínculo, confiança e presença; cuidar e ser cuidado. As histórias de vida foram a opção metodológica. Trata-se de abordagem com tradição no campo da pesquisa sociológica e nas pesquisas em educação voltadas para a produção de um conhecimento que não dicotomiza vida pessoal e profissional, sujeito e objeto, cotidiano e história. O texto procura dar visibilidade ao que se ouviu, a partir de entrevistas e oficinas, acerca do cuidado de professores, familiares e crianças que frequentavam as seis instituições. O cuidado, de si, do outro, de todos – em especial das crianças –, é algo relacionado à sobrevivência. Eis um dos aspectos que emerge da pesquisa apresentada. A ética do cuidado é exigência para que a esfera humana, a humanidade, não seja destruída. Ela significa presença do adulto, reciprocidade, vínculo, encontro

Combining image analysis, genome wide association studies and different field trials to reveal stable genetic regions related to panicle architecture and the number of spikelets per panicle in rice

Number of spikelets per panicle (NSP) is a key trait to increase yield potential in rice (O. sativa). The architecture of the rice inflorescence which is mainly determined by the length and number of primary (PBL and PBN) and secondary (SBL and SBN) branches can influence NSP. Although several genes controlling panicle architecture and NSP in rice have been identified, there is little evidence of (i) the genetic control of panicle architecture and NSP in different environments and (ii) the presence of stable genetic associations with panicle architecture across environments. This study combines image phenotyping of 225 accessions belonging to a genetic diversity array of indica rice grown under irrigated field condition in two different environments and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) based on the genotyping of the diversity panel, providing 83,374 SNPs. Accessions sown under direct seeding in one environement had reduced Panicle Length (PL), NSP, PBN, PBL, SBN, and SBL compared to those established under transplanting in the second environment. Across environments, NSP was significantly and positively correlated with PBN, SBN and PBL. However, the length of branches (PBL and SBL) was not significantly correlated with variables related to number of branches (PBN and SBN), suggesting independent genetic control. Twenty- three GWAS sites were detected with P ≤ 1.0E-04 and 27 GWAS sites with p ≤ 5.9E−04. We found 17 GWAS sites related to NSP, 10 for PBN and 11 for SBN, 7 for PBL and 11 for SBL. This study revealed new regions related to NSP, but only three associations were related to both branching number (PBN and SBN) and NSP. Two GWAS sites associated with SBL and SBN were stable across contrasting environments and were not related to genes previously reported. The new regions reported in this study can help improving NSP in rice for both direct seeded and transplanted conditions. The integrated approach of high-throughput phenotyping, multi-environment field trials and GWAS has the potential to dissect complex traits, such as NSP, into less complex traits and to match single nucleotide polymorphisms with relevant function under different environments, offering a potential use for molecular breeding