Opening up the classroom : Enabling and interrupting digital media practices in School

Funding The research was supported by the Bürgerstiftung Braunschweig.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Desenvolvimento de sistemas nanoestruturados contendo extrato padronizado de Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. visando à obtenção de produto fitoterápico tópico com atividade antioxidante

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Florianópolis, 2016.Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. (mate) é uma planta nativa da região subtropical da América do Sul, sendo amplamente consumida, através da infusão das folhas. É uma planta rica em diferentes compostos biologicamente ativos, como os fenólicos, com destaque para o ácido clorogênico (ACG), que possui atividade antioxidante, mas pode sofrer degradação. Com a intenção de aumentar a estabilidade desse composto, nanopartículas poliméricas contendo extrato de suas folhas foram desenvolvidas pela técnica de dupla emulsão seguida de evaporação do solvente, para administração tópica, visando atividade antioxidante. Nanopartículas podem aumentar a retenção de compostos ativos na camada superficial da pele, atuando como um reservatório e prolongando a liberação. Um estudo de extração foi realizado, por turbo-extração, sendo estabelecidas as condições ótimas como 10% de material vegetal (m/v), etanol 20% (v/v), 5 min e 13500 rpm. O potencial antioxidante desse extrato foi avaliado, utilizando o radical livre DPPH, mostrando um valor de IC50 satisfatório (51,70 µg/ml) quando comparado com o padrão de ácido gálico (11,83 µg/ml). Um estudo de formulação indicou como promissora formulações preparadas com polímero policaprolactona (PCL) (50 e 100 mg), poloxamer 188 (PLU) 1% como tensoativo, 200 µl de fase interna da primeira emulsão, que apresentaram tamanho de partícula de 134 a 194 nm, índice de polidispersão (PDI) de 0,076 a 0,113 e potencial zeta de -18,0 a -15,6 mV. Um segundo estudo de formulação demonstrou que formulações contendo 30 mg de extrato e 196 ml de volume na fase dispersante apresentaram, em relação ao ACG, uma eficiência de encapsulação (EE) de 38,4 e 41,0% e teor de 18,7 e 10,9%, para 50 ou 100 mg de PCL, respectivamente. A formulação contendo 100 mg de PCL apresentou melhor estabilidade ao final de 60 dias, sendo esta a escolhida para dar continuidade aos experimentos. Esta formulação apresentou uma liberação inicial in vitro de 75 % em tampão fosfato pH 5,5 mantendo-se constante até o final do experimento. O extrato livre permeou até a derme, enquanto que as nanopartículas ficaram retidas na epiderme, em estudo realizado em câmara de difusão de Franz utilizando pele de orelha de porco. As nanopartículas protegeram o extrato de degradação frente a homogeneizado de pele suína, que induziu a degradação do extrato livre, provavelmente por degradação enzimática.Abstract : Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. (mate) is a native plant of southern Latin American countries, being widely consumed as an herbal tea beverage made from leaf infusion. This herb is rich in many bioactive components, such as phenolic, especially chlorogenic acid (CGA), which has antioxidant activity, but this compound may suffer degradation. With the intent to increase the stability of this compound, polymeric nanoparticle delivery system was developed, by double emulsion solvent evaporation technique, for topical administration, targeting the antioxidant action of mate extract. Besides, nanoparticles could enhance the retention of compounds in superficial layers of the skin, acting as a reservoir for sustained release. Therefore, a study of the optimum conditions for extraction was performed, using shear extraction, where 10% of plant material (w/v), ethanol 20% (v/v), 5 min and 13500 rpm were selected. The antioxidant potential of this extract was evaluated using the DPPH free radical, pointing satisfactory IC50 value (51.70 µg/ml) when compared to the standards of gallic acid (11.83 µg/ml). A pre-formulation study was performed and showed satisfactory composition as polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer (50 to 100 mg), poloxamer 188 (PLU) 1% as surfactant, 200 µl of internal phase of the first emulsion, with a particle size of 134 to 194 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.076 to 0.113 and zeta potential of -18.0 to -15.6 mV. Different parameters were evaluated, in relation to CGA, for entrapment efficiency (EE) and loading. The standardized formulations contains 30 mg of extract, 196 ml volume in the dispersing phase and 50 or 100 mg of PCL, with EE of 38.4 and 41.0% and loading of 18.7 and 10.9%, respectively. Subsequently, stability study showed that formulation with 100 mg of PCL has good stability in 60 days of the experiment. This formulation provided an initial in vitro release of 75%, in phosphate buffer pH 5.5, throughout the assay. The free extract permeated into the dermis, while the nanoparticles were retained in the epidermis, in a study performed in Franz diffusion chamber using pig ear skin. Nanoparticles protected the extract front degradation in pigskin homogenized, which induced degradation of free extract, probably by enzymatic degradation

IAP Studie 2017 : der Mensch in der Arbeitswelt 4.0

Digitalisierung prägt die «neue» Arbeitswelt. Neue Technologien, agile Arbeitsformen, mobil-flexible Arbeitsplätze und andere Entwicklungen beeinflussen, wie und wo wir in Zukunft arbeiten. Das Internet verändert unsere Vorstellungen von Arbeit und auch die Rolle des Menschen in der Wirtschaft. Die vorliegende IAP Studie fokussiert auf den Menschen in der Arbeitswelt 4.0. Das IAP Institut für Angewandte Psychologie hat mehr als 600 Schweizer Fach- und Führungskräfte befragt, wie sie die Veränderungen in der neuen Arbeitswelt erleben und inwieweit Digitalisierung in ihren Arbeitsalltag vorgedrungen ist. Seit 2011 bezeichnet «4.0» als Kurzformel die Umwälzungen der digitalen Transformation (Kagermann & Lukas, 2011). Arbeitswelt 4.0 steht für das Arbeiten während der laufenden vierten industriellen Revolution. Diese beinhaltet, dass über das mobile Internet und das «Internet der Dinge» ein neuer Teil unserer Lebens- und Arbeitswelten datentechnisch erfasst, vernetzt, ausgewertet und optimiert werden kann. Es entstehen neue Arbeitsprozesse, Geschäftsmodelle, Organisationsstrukturen, neue Berufsbilder und neue Anforderungen an Mitarbeitende. Doch wie gelingt in Organisationen eine erfolgreiche digitale Transformation? Es liegen bereits zahlreiche Trend-Reports zum Thema Digitalisierung vor. Consulting-Firmen geben Ratschläge für neue Business-Modelle, Wirtschaftswachstum und Effizienzsteigerung, die dank digitaler Transformation, künstlicher Intelligenz und Big Data möglich werden sollen. Bisherige Studien zu digitaler Transformation setzen in der Regel auf technologische Investitionen zur Innovationsförderung und wagen grosse Zukunftsprognosen. Medien verkünden potenziell grosse Verluste von Arbeitsplätzen durch den digitalen Wandel. Die IAP Studie legt auf der Basis von Zahlen eine differenzierte Einschätzung der Arbeitswelt 4.0 vor und stellt dabei den Menschen in einer sich digitalisierenden Arbeitswelt ins Zentrum. Am Ende des Tages beeinflusst das Zusammenspiel von Mensch und Maschine den künftigen Erfolg von Firmen und Organisationen

IAP Studie 2017 – Teil 2 : der Mensch in der Arbeitswelt 4.0: Ergebnisse der qualitativen Interviews

https://www.zhaw.ch/de/psychologie/institute/iap/iap-studie

Prevention of overweight and hypertension through cardiorespiratory fitness and extracurricular sport participation among South African schoolchildren

Hypertension and overweight are growing public health concerns in school-aged children. We examined whether cardiorespiratory fitness and sport participation contribute to the prevention of hypertension and overweight. We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 853 children aged 8-13 years in eight primary schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Cardiorespiratory fitness, sport participation, body mass index, and blood pressure were assessed at baseline and after a physical activity intervention, which took place at two time-points (July-September 2015 and February-April 2016) for 10 weeks each. Mixed logistic regressions were employed to analyze the data. At baseline, 18.8% of the children were classified as overweight/obese and 13.5% as hypertensive. High cardiorespiratory fitness and high sport participation were negatively associated with overweight/obesity, while high sport participation was associated with lower risk for hypertension. Longitudinally, normal weight children who initially had higher cardiorespiratory fitness showed less decrease in this variable, while those who participated in the physical activity intervention were less likely to become overweight/obese. High cardiorespiratory fitness and sport participation are linked with children's weight status. Children who are fit and participate regularly in sport outside school hours are less likely to be hypertensive. Our findings highlight the importance of regular extracurricular physical activity and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness levels

Are thirty minutes of rest between two 6-Minute Walk Tests enough for cardiovascular and symptomatic recovery for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Dos test de caminata de 6 minutos (TC6min) son necesarios para que se evalúe la capacidad funcional de ejercicio en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Aunque la American Thoracic Society (ATS) sugiere 1 hora de intervalo entre dos test, todavía se desconoce si puede utilizarse un periodo menor para normalización de las variables fisiológicas. En este estudio se comprobó que es suficiente el intervalo de 30 minutos de descanso entre dos TC6min para que las variables cardiovasculares y de síntomas vuelvan a sus valores de referencia. El estudio se llevó a cabo con 215 pacientes con EPOC (121H, 66±8 años; VEF1: 44[32-57]% previsto), que hicieron dos TC6min con intervalos de 30 minutos. Antes y después de los test se midieron la presión arterial (PA), la frecuencia cardíaca (FC), la saturación de oxígeno (SpO2) y el grado de disnea y de cansancio. Los pacientes caminaron una distancia más grande en el segundo test (TC6min1: 450 [390-500]m vs TC6min2: 470 [403-515]m; p;0,05 para todos. Aunque tenga diferencia estadística significante en la FC inicial entre el primer y el segundo test, el resultado no es clínicamente relevante, por lo tanto, los 30 minutos de descanso entre dos TC6min son suficientes para la recuperación cardiovascular y de síntomas en pacientes con EPOC.Two 6-Minute Walk Tests (6MWT) are required to evaluate functional capacity of exercise in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Despite the fact that the American Thoracic Society (ATS) has proposed a one-hour interval between two tests, it is unknown whether a shorter period could be used for the normalization of physiological variables. We aimed to verify that an interval of 30 minutes of rest between two 6MWT is sufficient for cardiovascular and symptomatic variables to return to their basal levels. Two hundred and fifteen patients with COPD (121H, 66±8 years; FEV1: 44 [32-57]% predicted) performed two 6MWT with a thirty-minute interval between them. Before and after the tests, we measured Blood Pressure (BP), Heart Rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), degree of dyspnea, and fatigue. Patients walked the longest distance in the second test (6MWT1: 450 [390-500]m vs 6MWT2: 470 [403-515]m; p;0.05 for all). Although there are statistically significant differences in initial HR between the first and second test, this finding does not seem to be clinically relevant. Therefore, thirty minutes of rest between two 6MWT are sufficient for cardiovascular and symptomatic recovery in patients with COPD.Dois testes da caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6min) são necessários para avaliação da capacidade funcional de exercício em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). Apesar de a American Thoracic Society (ATS) preconizar um intervalo de 1 hora entre dois testes, não se sabe se um período menor poderia ser utilizado para normalização das variáveis fisiológicas. O objetivo foi verificar se o intervalo de 30 minutos de repouso entre dois TC6min seria suficiente para que as variáveis cardiovasculares e sintomatológicas retornassem aos valores basais. Duzentos e quinze pacientes com DPOC (121H, 66±8 anos; VEF1: 44[32-57]% previsto) realizaram dois TC6min com intervalo de 30 minutos entre eles. Foram mensuradas antes e após os testes, pressão arterial (PA), frequência cardíaca (FC), saturação periférica de oxigênio (SpO2) e grau de dispneia e fadiga. Os pacientes caminharam maior distância no segundo teste (TC6min1: 450 [390-500]m vs TC6min2: 470 [403-515]m; p;0,05 para todos). Embora haja diferença estatisticamente significante na FC inicial entre o primeiro e segundo teste, tal achado não parece ser clinicamente relevante. Portanto, trinta minutos de repouso entre dois TC6min são suficientes para recuperação sintomatológica e cardiovascular em pacientes com DPOC

Effects of a school-based health intervention program in marginalized communities of Port Elizabeth, South Africa (the KaziBantu Study): protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The burden of poverty-related infectious diseases remains high in low- and middle-income countries, while noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are rapidly gaining importance. To address this dual disease burden, the KaziBantu project aims at improving and promoting health literacy as a means for a healthy and active lifestyle. The project implements a school-based health intervention package consisting of physical education, moving-to-music, and specific health and nutrition education lessons from the KaziKidz toolkit. It is complemented by the KaziHealth workplace health intervention program for teachers.; The aim of the KaziBantu project is to assess the effect of a school-based health intervention package on risk factors for NCDs, health behaviors, and psychosocial health in primary school children in disadvantaged communities in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In addition, we aim to test a workplace health intervention for teachers.; A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in 8 schools. Approximately 1000 grade 4 to grade 6 school children, aged 9 to 13 years, and approximately 60 teachers will be recruited during a baseline survey in early 2019. For school children, the study is designed as a 36-week, cluster RCT (KaziKidz intervention), whereas for teachers, a 24-week intervention phase (KaziHealth intervention) is planned. The intervention program consists of 3 main components; namely, (1) KaziKidz and KaziHealth teaching material, (2) workshops, and (3) teacher coaches. After randomization, 4 of the 8 schools will receive the education program, whereas the other schools will serve as the control group. Intervention schools will be further randomized to the different combinations of 2 additional intervention components: teacher workshops and teacher coaching.; This study builds on previous experience and will generate new evidence on health intervention responses to NCD risk factors in school settings as a decision tool for future controlled studies that will enable comparisons among marginalized communities between South African and other African settings.; The KaziKidz teaching material is a holistic educational and instructional tool designed for primary school teachers in low-resource settings, which is in line with South Africa's Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. The ready-to-use lessons and assessments within KaziKidz should facilitate the use and implementation of the teaching material. Furthermore, the KaziHealth interventions should empower teachers to take care of their health through knowledge gains regarding disease risk factors, physical activity, fitness, psychosocial health, and nutrition indicators. Teachers as role models will be able to promote better health behaviors and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle for children at school. We conjecture that improved health and well-being increase teachers' productivity with trickle-down effects on the children they teach and train.; International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 18485542; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18485542.; DERR1-10.2196/14097

Stress-Induced Activation of Heterochromatic Transcription

Constitutive heterochromatin comprising the centromeric and telomeric parts of chromosomes includes DNA marked by high levels of methylation associated with histones modified by repressive marks. These epigenetic modifications silence transcription and ensure stable inheritance of this inert state. Although environmental cues can alter epigenetic marks and lead to modulation of the transcription of genes located in euchromatic parts of the chromosomes, there is no evidence that external stimuli can globally destabilize silencing of constitutive heterochromatin. We have found that heterochromatin-associated silencing in Arabidopsis plants subjected to a particular temperature regime is released in a genome-wide manner. This occurs without alteration of repressive epigenetic modifications and does not involve common epigenetic mechanisms. Such induced release of silencing is mostly transient, and rapid restoration of the silent state occurs without the involvement of factors known to be required for silencing initiation. Thus, our results reveal new regulatory aspects of transcriptional repression in constitutive heterochromatin and open up possibilities to identify the molecular mechanisms involved

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead