Conhecimentos e comportamentos face ao VIH/Sida em alunos do ensino superior

Monografia apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa para obtenção do grau Licenciada em EnfermagemA infecção pelo VIH/SIDA é uma doença provocada por um vírus que atinge o sistema imunitário levando a uma resposta deficiente por parte do mesmo. Apesar da inexistência de fármacos capazes de eliminar por completo o vírus do organismo, a descoberta dos medicamentos anti-retrovíricos veio proporcionar aos seropositivos para o VIH uma maior esperança e melhor qualidade de vida, visto que estes conseguem baixar a carga vírica para valores mínimos e preservar a função imunológica do organismo, retardando a evolução da doença. A transmissão da infecção está associada aos comportamentos humanos, designados por comportamentos de risco, tal como, relações sexuais desprotegidas e a partilha de materiais infectados (materiais corto-perfurantes contaminados, ...). A disseminação da infecção pelo vírus VIH/Sida tem vindo a aumentar ao longo dos anos, de modo que, para tentar impedir esse aumento tem de persistir numa mudança dos comportamentos de risco. Os jovens devem ser o grupo alvo nas políticas de prevenção da transmissão, visto que a maior prevalência de casos corresponde à faixa etária entre os 20 e os 49 anos, que engloba o período do jovem adulto, outro motivo é a idade de inicio da actividade sexual estar a diminuir. Estes factores determinam a existência de um grande risco para as doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, nomeadamente a infecção pelo VIH, sendo essencial adquirir conhecimentos/informação adequada para um comportamento sexual saudável e responsável. A única forma de evitar a propagação da doença, é através da partilha de informação acerca dos conhecimentos actuais sobre a doença e os mecanismos preventivos que podem e devem ser adoptados, a fim de prevenir o contágio. Neste sentido, surge a investigação intitulada "Conhecimentos e Comportamentos face ao VIH/Sida em Alunos do Ensino Superior”, para qual foram definidos os seguintes objectivos específicos: identificar os conhecimentos dos alunos do ensino superior relativamente aos mecanismos de contágio e métodos contraceptivos eficazes na prevenção da infecção, verificar se os alunos do ensino superior adoptam comportamentos adequados para a prevenção da infecção, identificar se o conhecimento sobre o VIH/Sida alterou de alguma forma o comportamento para a prevenção da infecção dos alunos do ensino superior. Para o decorrer da investigação, procedeu-se à elaboração do trabalho através de um estudo descritivo simples com apoio numa abordagem quantitativa. Utilizou-se como instrumento de colheita de dados o questionário, constituído maioritariamente por perguntas fechadas, contendo algumas perguntas de resposta aberta. A amostra total resultou em trinta e cinco indivíduos. Posteriormente à colheita de dados, estes foram tratados no programa informático Microsoft Office Excel 2007, apresentados depois em forma de quadros e gráficos para melhor análise e discussão. Os principais resultados desta investigação mostram que a população apresenta carências ao nível dos conhecimentos sobre a infecção VIH/Sida, o que promove comportamentos de risco por parte dos indivíduos, pelo que é necessário investir em formação nesta temática, principalmente nas vias de transmissão da infecção.The HIV/AIDS infection is a disease caused by a virus which attacks the immune system causing it to work deficiently. Despite the nonexistence of pharmaceutical drugs capable of completely eliminating the virus from the organism, the discovery of antiretroviral medications made it possible for people who are infected with HIV to live longer and better, because they are able to lower the virus’s effectiveness to the minimum and preserve the body’s immune system, thus slowing down the disease’s effects. The transmission of the infection is related to human behaviors, which we designate as risk behaviors, such as having unprotected sexual intercourse or sharing infected objects (contaminated piercing and cutting instruments). The dissemination of the infection by HIV/AIDS has been increasing throughout the years and we must insist on the elimination of risk behaviors in order to stop this reality. The prevention campaigns should focus on young people, because there is a higher prevalence of infection cases in the group aged between 20 and 49 years old, which includes young adults, and because people start being sexually active earlier in their lives. These facts contribute to a higher risk of infection by sexually transmitted diseases, namely HIV, and make it essential for everyone to obtain adequate information regarding safe and responsible sexual behaviors. The only way to avoid the proliferation of the disease is to share information about the current available data on this disease and the prevention behaviors that should and must be adopted in order to prevent the infection to occur. This intention led to the research “Awareness of HIV/AIDS and Sexual Behaviors in University Students”. This study had the following specific goals: to identify the information college students have about the means of infection and the birth-control methods which are effective in the prevention of the infection; to assess whether university students engage in adequate behaviors which allow them to prevent getting infected; to evaluate whether the awareness of HIV/AIDS in any way gave room to behavioral changes leading to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. This research was based on a simple descriptive study of the data gathered and was supported on a quantitative analysis. The sampling instrument used was a questionnaire, mostly composed of closed questions, but also featuring some open questions. The target sample was a group of thirty-five individuals. The data collected were handled with the help of the computer application Microsoft Office Excel ™ and will be presented in the form of tables and graphics for further analysis and discussion. The most relevant results this investigation led to show that the general population lacks knowledge on HIV/AIDS infection, reason why there is such a high prevalence of risk behaviors. This fact leads to conclude that it is necessary to invest in the spreading of the information available on this subject, namely the means of infection and the prevention behaviors

Investigating the photophysical properties and biological efficacy of BODIPY derivatives as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy

The selectivity of photosensitizers for light activation is a key advantage in photodynamic therapy (PDT), allowing for precise targeting while sparing healthy cells. BODIPY derivatives have emerged as promising PDT candidates due to their tunable photophysical properties and versatile synthesis. Herein, we explore the photophysical characterization and the in vitro photodynamic activity of BODIPY analogues meso-substituted with an anthracene moiety and functionalized with iodine atoms or formyl group at 2,6-position. The formylated anthracene-BODIPY derivative exhibited the highest tumor suppression under irradiation, making it a potential candidate as PDT photosensitizer

Streptococcus pyogenes Causing Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Are Enriched in the Recently Emerged emm89 Clade 3 and Are Not Associated With Abrogation of CovRS

Although skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are the most common focal infections associated with invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield Group A streptococci - GAS), there is scarce information on the characteristics of isolates recovered from SSTI in temperate-climate regions. In this study, 320 GAS isolated from SSTI in Portugal were characterized by multiple typing methods and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and SpeB activity. The covRS and ropB genes of isolates with no detectable SpeB activity were sequenced. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile was similar to that of previously characterized isolates from invasive infections (iGAS), presenting a decreasing trend in macrolide resistance. However, the clonal composition of SSTI between 2005 and 2009 was significantly different from that of contemporary iGAS. Overall, iGAS were associated with emm1 and emm3, while SSTI were associated with emm89, the dominant emm type among SSTI (19%). Within emm89, SSTI were only significantly associated with isolates lacking the hasABC locus, suggesting that the recently emerged emm89 clade 3 may have an increased potential to cause SSTI. Reflecting these associations between emm type and disease presentation, there were also differences in the distribution of emm clusters, sequence types, and superantigen gene profiles between SSTI and iGAS. According to the predicted ability of each emm cluster to interact with host proteins, iGAS were associated with the ability to bind fibrinogen and albumin, whereas SSTI isolates were associated with the ability to bind C4BP, IgA, and IgG. SpeB activity was absent in 79 isolates (25%), in line with the proportion previously observed among iGAS. Null covS and ropB alleles (predicted to eliminate protein function) were detected in 10 (3%) and 12 (4%) isolates, corresponding to an underrepresentation of mutations impairing CovRS function in SSTI relative to iGAS. Overall, these results indicate that the isolates responsible for SSTI are genetically distinct from those recovered from normally sterile sites, supporting a role for mutations impairing CovRS activity specifically in invasive infection and suggesting that this role relies on a differential regulation of other virulence factors besides SpeB

Streptococcus canis Are a Single Population Infecting Multiple Animal Hosts Despite the Diversity of the Universally Present M-Like Protein SCM

Streptococcus canis is an animal pathogen which occasionally causes infections in humans. The S. canis M-like protein (SCM) encoded by the scm gene, is its best characterized virulence factor but previous studies suggested it could be absent in a substantial fraction of isolates. We studied the distribution and variability of the scm gene in 188 S. canis isolates recovered from companion animals (n = 152), wild animal species (n = 20), and humans (n = 14). Multilocus sequence typing, including the first characterization of wildlife isolates, showed that the same lineages are present in all animal hosts, raising the possibility of extensive circulation between species. Whole-genome analysis revealed that emm-like genes found previously in S. canis correspond to divergent scm genes, indicating that what was previously believed to correspond to two genes is in fact the same scm locus. We designed primers allowing for the first time the successful amplification of the scm gene in all isolates. Analysis of the scm sequences identified 12 distinct types, which could be divided into two clusters: group I (76%, n = 142) and group II (24%, n = 46) sharing little sequence similarity. The predicted group I SCM showed extensive similarity with each other outside of the N-terminal hypervariable region and a conserved IgG binding domain. This domain was absent from group II SCM variants found in isolates previously thought to lack the scm gene, which also showed greater amino acid variability. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the possible host interacting partners of the group II SCM variants and their role in virulence

"Conhecimentos e comportamentos face ao VIH/Sida em alunos do ensino superior"

Monografia apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa para obtenção do grau Licenciada em Enfermagem.A infecção pelo VIH/SIDA é uma doença provocada por um vírus que atinge o sistema imunitário levando a uma resposta deficiente por parte do mesmo. Apesar da inexistência de fármacos capazes de eliminar por completo o vírus do organismo, a descoberta dos medicamentos anti-retrovíricos veio proporcionar aos seropositivos para o VIH uma maior esperança e melhor qualidade de vida, visto que estes conseguem baixar a carga vírica para valores mínimos e preservar a função imunológica do organismo, retardando a evolução da doença. A transmissão da infecção está associada aos comportamentos humanos, designados por comportamentos de risco, tal como, relações sexuais desprotegidas e a partilha de materiais infectados (materiais corto-perfurantes contaminados, ...). A disseminação da infecção pelo vírus VIH/Sida tem vindo a aumentar ao longo dos anos, de modo que, para tentar impedir esse aumento tem de persistir numa mudança dos comportamentos de risco. Os jovens devem ser o grupo alvo nas políticas de prevenção da transmissão, visto que a maior prevalência de casos corresponde à faixa etária entre os 20 e os 49 anos, que engloba o período do jovem adulto, outro motivo é a idade de inicio da actividade sexual estar a diminuir. Estes factores determinam a existência de um grande risco para as doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, nomeadamente a infecção pelo VIH, sendo essencial adquirir conhecimentos/informação adequada para um comportamento sexual saudável e responsável. A única forma de evitar a propagação da doença, é através da partilha de informação acerca dos conhecimentos actuais sobre a doença e os mecanismos preventivos que podem e devem ser adoptados, a fim de prevenir o contágio. Neste sentido, surge a investigação intitulada "Conhecimentos e Comportamentos face ao VIH/Sida em Alunos do Ensino Superior”, para qual foram definidos os seguintes objectivos específicos: identificar os conhecimentos dos alunos do ensino superior relativamente aos mecanismos de contágio e métodos contraceptivos eficazes na prevenção da infecção, verificar se os alunos do ensino superior adoptam comportamentos adequados para a prevenção da infecção, identificar se o conhecimento sobre o VIH/Sida alterou de alguma forma o comportamento para a prevenção da infecção dos alunos do ensino superior. Para o decorrer da investigação, procedeu-se à elaboração do trabalho através de um estudo descritivo simples com apoio numa abordagem quantitativa. Utilizou-se como instrumento de colheita de dados o questionário, constituído maioritariamente por perguntas fechadas, contendo algumas perguntas de resposta aberta. A amostra total resultou em trinta e cinco indivíduos. Posteriormente à colheita de dados, estes foram tratados no programa informático Microsoft Office Excel 2007, apresentados depois em forma de quadros e gráficos para melhor análise e discussão. Os principais resultados desta investigação mostram que a população apresenta carências ao nível dos conhecimentos sobre a infecção VIH/Sida, o que promove comportamentos de risco por parte dos indivíduos, pelo que é necessário investir em formação nesta temática, principalmente nas vias de transmissão da infecção

Al toxicity mechanism in tolerant and sensitive rye genotypes

Rye (Secale cereale L.) plants have high tolerance to Al, and become unique tools to study Al-toxicity and tolerance mechanisms. To better understand if and how Al-induced root growth inhibition is related with root histological differentiation, nutrient balances and cell cycle dynamics, tolerant (AT6) and sensitive (AS6) rye lines were exposed for 24 h to 1.1 mM Al. After that period, half of plants were transferred to medium without Al, while the other group was maintained with Al for more 48 h. AS6 plants showed evident and irreversible root growth inhibition, decreases in water content, organic matter and carbohydrate reserves. Also, roots of this line showed greater increases in Ca levels and changes in anatomy (e.g. thickness). Data revealed that AS6 plants accumulate more Al in roots and leaves, suggesting more Al translocation to the shoots. The two lines responded differently to Al exposure in what concerns endodermis differentiation and cell cycle profile. The tolerant line shows a tendency to arrest in G0/G1 phase whereas the sensitive have a tendency to arrest in S phase. These data point to an arrest of cells in specific cell cycle phases, leading to eventual Al-induced cell cycle delay. Taken all together, data show that even short-term exposure to Al leads to root anatomical modifications that in combination with the cell cycle dynamic changes, may represent a plant strategy to cope with this stress.Thanks are due to Armando Costa for technical support.publishe

Differential aluminium changes on nutrient accumulation and root differentiation in an Al sensitive vs. tolerant wheat

Aluminium (Al) toxicity is particularly evident under acid soil conditions limiting crop production, namely in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Although largely studied, the effects of Al on nutrition imbalances and putative correlations with Al tolerance degrees still remain inconclusive. We investigated the uptake of Al and transport to shoots in one wheat line and one cultivar differing in their tolerance to Al: ‘Barbela 7/72’ (Al-tolerant) and ‘Anahuac’ (Al-sensitive). Wheat seedlings were exposed for a short period to 185 μM AlCl3 and then grown in the absence of the metal. In general, Al inhibited root growth, mostly in the sensitive cultivar ‘Anahuac’, while water content decreased and organic matter increased in ‘Barbela 7/72’ line. Similar but less evident effects were found in leaves of both genotypes. The profiles of macro- (Ca, K, P, Mg) and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn, B, Cu) accumulation in response to aluminium were analyzed in both genotypes: Al levels increased, mostly in ‘Anahuac’ cultivar. Overall, P, Mg and K levels decreased and Si and Ca increased in roots of both genotypes, while other nutrients had a more inconsistent behaviour. Histological data showed that ‘Barbela 7/72’ initiated endodermis differentiation more efficiently than ‘Anahuac’, at the hairy root zone. These data show that: (a) Al negatively interferes with P, Mg and K in wheat and (b) Al interactions with some nutrients depend on the level of plant tolerance. Finally, data also provide support to the hypothesis that endodermis differentiation may be stimulated limiting Al accumulation/allocation in roots of the tolerant wheat landrace.publishe

Zonal responses of sensitive vs. tolerant wheat roots during Al exposure and recovery

Aluminium (Al) irreversibly inhibits root growth in sensitive, but not in some tolerant genotypes. To better understand tolerance mechanisms, seedlings from tolerant ('Barbela 7/72' line) and sensitive ('Anahuac') Triticum aestivum L. genotypes were exposed to AlCl(3) 185 μM for: (a) 24 h followed by 48 h without Al (recovery); (b) 72 h of continuous exposure. Three root zones were analyzed (meristematic (MZ), elongation (EZ) and hairy (HZ)) for callose deposition, reserves (starch and lipids) accumulation, endodermis differentiation and tissue architecture. Putative Al-induced genotoxic or cytostatic/mytogenic effects were assessed by flow cytometry in root apices. Tolerant plants accumulated less Al, presented less root damage and a less generalized callose distribution than sensitive ones. Starch and lipid reserves remained constant in tolerant roots but drastically decreased in sensitive ones. Al induced different profiles of endodermis differentiation: differentiation was promoted in EZ and HZ, respectively, in sensitive and tolerant genotypes. No ploidy changes or clastogenicity were observed. However, differences in cell cycle blockage profiles were detected, being less severe in tolerant roots. After Al removal, only the 'Barbela 7/72' line reversed Al-induced effects to values closer to the control, mostly with respect to callose deposition and cell cycle progression. We demonstrate for the first time that: (a) cell cycle progression is differently regulated by Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive genotypes; (b) Al induces callose deposition >3 cm above root apex (in HZ); (c) callose deposition is a transient Al-induced effect in tolerant plants; and (d) in HZ, endodermis differentiation is also stimulated only in tolerant plants, probably functioning in tolerant genotypes as a protective mechanism in addition to callose.publishe

Sol-Gel Derived Di-Ureasil Based Ormolytes for Electrochromic Devices

Two di-ureasils incorporating oxyethylene segments with average molecular weights Y = 600 and 900 g mol−1, prepared by the sol-gel method, and doped with the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) and lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4) salt were prepared. The as-obtained films are translucent, flexible, and hydrophobic, and have a low level of nanoscale surface roughness. The ionic conductivity values exhibited by an optimized sample are 8.10 × 10−5 and 2.8 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature and 55 °C, respectively. The main goal of the work was to employ the electrolytes in prototype electrochromic devices (ECDs) with the [glass/a-IZO/a-WO3/d-U(Y)LiBF4-[Bmim]Cl/c-NiO/a-IZO/glass], noted as ECD1 for Y = 600 and ECD2 for Y = 900, where a-WO3 and c-NiO stand for amorphous tungsten oxide and crystalline nickel oxide, respectively. At 555 nm the ECD1 device exhibited the highest coloration efficiency for coloring (CEin = −420.621 cm2·C−1), the highest optical density value (∆(OD) = 0.13) and good cycling stability. In this article, the results of a preliminary evaluation of hybrid electrolytes, produced by a sol-gel process, as multi-functional components in prototype electrochromic devices are reported

Bioimaging of Lysosomes with a BODIPY pH-Dependent Fluorescent Probe

Fluorescence-based probes represent a powerful tool for noninvasive imaging of living systems in real time and with a high temporal and spatial resolution. Amongst several known fluorophores, 3-difluoroborodipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivatives have become a cornerstone for innovative fluorescent labelling applications, mainly due to their advantageous features including their facile synthesis, structural versatility and exceptional photophysical properties. In this context, we report a BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for imaging of lysosomes in living cells. The BODIPY derivative displayed a remarkable fluorescence enhancement at low pH values with a pKa* of 3.1. In vitro studies by confocal microscopy in HeLa cells demonstrated that the compound was able to permeate cell membrane and selectively label lysosome whilst remaining innocuous to the cell culture at the maximum concentration tested. Herein, the BODIPY derivative holds the promise of investigating lysosomal dynamics and function in living cells through fluorescence imaging