A construção da identidade e as dinâmicas relacionais entre padrasto e enteado numa família recomposta

As famílias recompostas podem ser definidas como famílias em que pelo menos um dos cônjuges é padrasto ou madrasta do filho(s) do actual companheiro(a). Esta investigação tem como objectivo perceber como é construída a identidade e as dinâmicas relacionais entre padrasto e enteado numa família recomposta, através de um estudo de caso instrumental de natureza qualitativa. Foram utilizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas, aplicadas ao casal, ao enteado e aos avós da família reconstituída. Foi aplicado o Remarriage Belief Inventory (Higginbotham & Adler-Baeder, 2008), o Stepparent Role Strain Index (Fellmann, Galán, Roque & Galán, 2008), a La Duppia Luna (Greco, 1999) e o Ecomapa (Hartman, 1978). Neste trabalho iremos detalhar os resultados da aplicação do Stepparent Role Strain Index (Fellmann, Galán, Roque & Galán, 2008). Os principais resultados mostram-nos que na construção do casal recomposto existe a interferência entre o subsistema conjugal e filial. Apesar de existir uma dimensão afectiva, relacional e ética verificam-se dificuldades na relação. Para além disso, observa-se a presença de idealizações e expectativas da nova união. Na construção do papel do padrasto e a construção da relação entre padrasto e enteado, destaca-se a centralidade da figura materna e a importância do factor tempo.The stepfamilies can be defined as the families where at least one of the partners is a stepfather or stepmother of the son’s current mate. This research has on its purpose to understand how the identity and the relational dynamics between stepfather and stepson are constructed in a stepfamily, through a instrumental case study with a qualitative nature. We used semi-structured interviews which were applied to the couple, to the stepson, and to the grandparents of the stepfamily. The instruments applied were the Remarriage Belief Inventory (Higginbotham & Adler-Baeder, 2008), the Stepparent Role Strain Index (Fellmann, Galán, Roque & Galán, 2008), the La Duppia Luna (Greco, 1999) and the Ecomapa (Hartman, 1978). In this work we will present the details of the results of the Stepparent Role Strain Index application (Fellmann, Galán, Roque & Galán, 2008). The main results show us that at the construction of the stepfamily’s couple there is an interference between the conjugal and the filial subsystem. Although there is an affective, relational and ethic dimension, difficulties in the relationship are verified. Besides, a presence of idealizations and expectations for the new union are observed. In the stepfather’s role construction and the construction of the relationship between stepfather and stepson, the centrality of the motherly figure is highlighted as well as the importance of the time factor

Vólvulo do Cego: uma Causa Incomum de Isquémia Intestinal

Cecal volvulus consists of a torsion of the cecum, the ascending colon and sometimes the terminal ileum around its own mesentery, due to excessive mobility and poor fixation of the cecum to the retroperitoneum.Cecal volvulus is often difficult to diagnose clinically, emphasizing the significant role of imaging methods.This report presents a case of acute onset of intestinal pain due to a cecal volvulus complicated with vascular compromise and gangrene.O vólvulo do cego é definido como uma torção do cego, do cólon ascendente e, por vezes, do íleo terminal, em torno do seu próprio mesentério. É precipitado em casos de excesso de mobilidade e de fraca fixação do cego às estruturas do retroperitoneu.Trata-se de uma patologia de difícil diagnóstico clínico, assumindo a imagiologia um papel fundamental no seu diagnóstico.É descrito um caso de dor abdominal aguda associada a um caso de vólvulo cecal complicado por isquemia

Reconstruction of a genome-scale metabolic model for Actinobacillus succinogenes 130Z

Background Actinobacillus succinogenes is a promising bacterial catalyst for the bioproduction of succinic acid from low-cost raw materials. In this work, a genome-scale metabolic model was reconstructed and used to assess the metabolic capabilities of this microorganism under producing conditions. Results The model, iBP722, was reconstructed based on the functional reannotation of the complete genome sequence of A. succinogenes 130Z and manual inspection of metabolic pathways, covering 1072 enzymatic reactions associated with 722 metabolic genes that involve 713 metabolites. The highly curated model was effective in capturing the growth of A. succinogenes on various carbon sources, as well as the SA production under various growth conditions with fair agreement between experimental and predicted data. Calculated flux distributions under different conditions show that a number of metabolic pathways are affected by the activity of some metabolic enzymes at key nodes in metabolism, including the transport mechanism of carbon sources and the ability to fix carbon dioxide. Conclusions The established genome-scale metabolic model can be used for model-driven strain design and medium alteration to improve succinic acid yields.Financially supported by BRIGIT (KBBE-2012-6-311935, FP7 project Contract nr 311935) and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684), in addition to the BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

IMPACTO DA GORDURA VISCERAL NO PROGNÓSTICO DA CIRURGIA DO CANCRO PERI-AMPOLAR

Periampullary cancers are located up to a maximum distance of 2 cm from the duodenal papilla, with pancreatic cancer being the most common. Despite advances in surgical technique, survival rates remain low, making it essential to identify prognostic factors. Visceral obesity has been identified as a risk factor for cancer development, but its influence on the morbidity and mortality of operated patients remains controversial. This study aims to identify an association between the presence of preoperative visceral obesity and an increased risk of postoperative morbimortality in patients with periampullary cancers at Hospital de Braga. The sample includes 44 patients with periampullary cancers who underwent surgery with a curative intention between January/2011 and April/2018. The area of visceral fat was measured using the ImageJ software. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 25. Visceral fat was not implicated in longer hospital stay or postoperative complications. The survival analysis showed no differences in disease-free survival at 1 year (p = 0.121) and 5 years (p = 0.222) or in overall survival at 1 year (p = 0.163) and 5 years (p = 0.053) between groups. Our data suggest that preoperative visceral obesity is not a risk factor for greater postoperative morbidity and mortality in individuals with periampullary cancers. Despite the reduced sample, this study evaluates visceral obesity in four types of tumors with many similar characteristics. Additional studies with larger samples are needed to confirm our observations.Os tumores periampulares estão localizados a uma distância máxima de 2 cm da papila duodenal, sendo a neoplasia mais comum do pâncreas. Apesar dos avanços da técnica cirúrgica, as taxas de sobrevivência permanecem baixas, sendo fundamental a identificação de fatores determinantes do prognóstico. A obesidade visceral tem sido identificada como fator de risco para o desenvolvimento do cancro, mas a sua influência na morbimortalidade pós-operatória permanece controversa. Este estudo teve como objetivo explorar a associação entre a presença de obesidade visceral pré-operatória e o risco de morbimortalidade pós-operatória em indivíduos com cancro periampular no Hospital de Braga. A amostra é constituída por 44 indivíduos com  cancro periampular, submetidos a cirurgia com intenção curativa, entre janeiro de 2011 e abril de 2018. A área de gordura visceral foi medida com recurso ao software ImageJ. A análise estatística foi realizada com o software SPSS versão 25. A gordura visceral não se associou ao maior tempo de internamento ou complicações pós-operatórias. A análise de sobrevivência não revelou diferenças no tempo livre de doença a 1 ano (p = 0,121) ou a 5 anos (p = 0,222), nem na sobrevida global a 1 ano (p = 0,163) ou a 5 anos (p = 0,053) entre os grupos. Os dados sugerem que a obesidade visceral pré-operatória não é fator de risco para maior morbimortalidade pós-operatória em indivíduos com cancro periampular. Apesar da amostra reduzida, este estudo avalia a obesidade visceral em quatro tipos de tumores com muitas características semelhantes. Estudos adicionais com amostras maiores são necessários para confirmar as nossas observações

Natural organic matter fractionation along the treatment of water for human consumption

The main objective of this study was to characterize the organic matter present in raw water and along the treatment process, as well as its seasonal variation. A natural organic matter fractionation approach has been applied to Lever water treatment plant located in Douro River, in Oporto (Portugal). The process used was based on the sorption of dissolved organic matter in different types of ion exchange resins, DAX-8, DAX-4 and IRA-958, allowing its separation into four fractions: very hydrophobic acids (VHA), slightly hydrophobic acids (SHA), charged hydrophilic (CHA) and hydrophilic neutral (NEU). The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) determination was used to quantify dissolved organic matter. Samples were collected monthly, during approximately one year, from raw water captured at the surface and under the bed of the river, and after each step of the treatment: pre-filtration in sand/anthracite filters, ozonation, coagulation/flocculation, counter current dissolved air flotation and filtration (CoCoDAFF) and chlorination. The NEU fraction showed a seasonal variation, with maximum values in autumn for the sampling points corresponding to raw water captured at the surface and under the bed of the river. It was usually the predominating fraction and did not show a significant decrease throughout the treatment. Nevertheless their low concentration, the same occurred for the CHA and VHA fractions. There was an overall decrease in the SHA fraction throughout the water treatment (especially after CoCoDAFF and ozonation) as well as in the DOC. The TSUVA254 values obtained for raw water generally varied between 2.0 and 4.0 L mgC-1 m-1 and between 0.75 and 1.78 L mgC-1 m-1 for treated water. It was observed a decrease of TSUVA values along the treatment, especially after ozonation. These results may contribute to a further optimization in the process of treating water for human consumption

Genetic ablation of inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) fails to modify disease progression in a mouse model of Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a rare neurodegenerative disease caused by an abnormal polyglutamine expansion within the ataxin-3 protein (ATXN3). This leads to neurodegeneration of specific brain and spinal cord regions, resulting in a progressive loss of motor function. Despite neuronal death, non-neuronal cells, including astrocytes, are also involved in SCA3 pathogenesis. Astrogliosis is a common pathological feature in SCA3 patients and animal models of the disease. However, the contribution of astrocytes to SCA3 is not clearly defined. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) is the predominant IP3R in mediating astrocyte somatic calcium signals, and genetically ablation of IP3R2 has been widely used to study astrocyte function. Here, we aimed to investigate the relevance of IP3R2 in the onset and progression of SCA3. For this, we tested whether IP3R2 depletion and the consecutive suppression of global astrocytic calcium signalling would lead to marked changes in the behavioral phenotype of a SCA3 mouse model, the CMVMJD135 transgenic line. This was achieved by crossing IP3R2 null mice with the CMVMJD135 mouse model and performing a longitudinal behavioral characterization of these mice using well-established motor-related function tests. Our results demonstrate that IP3R2 deletion in astrocytes does not modify SCA3 progression.This work has been funded by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020, PTDC/NEUNMC/3648/2014 and COMPETE-FEDER (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016818); fellowships to DCG (2021.08121.BD), DMF (SFRH/BD/147947/2019), JSC (SFRH/BD/140624/2018), ANC (SFRH/BPD/118779/2016), AVF (UMINHO/BIL-CNCG/2022/11), SGG (SFRH/BD/101298/2014), and JFV (2020.05109.BD); FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus (CEEC)—Individual Call position to SDS (CEECIND/00685/2020); grants from the Bial Foundation (037/18) and “the la Caixa” Foundation (LCF/PR/HR21/52410024) to JFO; and by the projects NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023, supported by the Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It was also supported by grants from the ICVS Scientific Microscopy Platform, a member of the national infrastructure PPBI—Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122 and national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)

Significance of glycolytic metabolism-related protein expression in colorectal cancer, lymph node and hepatic metastasis

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies and a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Most cancer cells display high rates of glycolysis with production of lactic acid, which is then exported to the microenvironment by monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). The main aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of MCT expression in a comprehensive series of primary CRC cases, lymph node and hepatic metastasis. Methods: Expressions of MCT1, MCT4, CD147 and GLUT1 were studied in human samples of CRC, lymph node and hepatic metastasis, by immunohistochemistry. Results: All proteins were overexpressed in primary CRC, lymph node and hepatic metastasis, when compared with non-neoplastic tissue, with exception of MCT1 in lymph node and hepatic metastasis. MCT1 and MCT4 expressions were associated with CD147 and GLUT1 in primary CRC. These markers were associated with clinical pathological features, reflecting the putative role of these metabolism-related proteins in the CRC setting. Conclusion: These findings provide additional evidence for the pivotal role of MCTs in CRC maintenance and progression, and support the use of MCTs as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in primary and metastatic CRC.This work was supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) grant ref. PTDC/SAU-FCF/104347/2008, under the scope of ‘Programa Operacional Temático Factores de Competitividade’ (COMPETE) of ‘Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III’ and co-financed by the Fundo Europeu De Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER). Ricardo Amorim was recipient of the fellowship SFRH/BD/98002/2013, from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT Portugal).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ação e competência para a ação na promoção da maternidade saudável em adolescentes institucionalizadas num centro de apoio à vida

Vários investigadores fazem referência aos diversos riscos associados à maternidade precoce, tais como o elevado risco das mães adolescentes maltratarem os filhos, sendo até referenciadas como "capital de risco" para o seu desenvolvimento, e, no âmbito da literatura psicológica, têm sido destacadas as questões de natureza parental. Acresce a estas preocupações o efeito negativo da maternidade nos diversos níveis da trajetória desenvolvimental da adolescente, particularmente nos domínios educacional, socioeconómico, ocupacional, social e psicológico. Neste sentido, a presente investigação visa avaliar quais são os efeitos de um projeto educativo que visa capacitar mães adolescentes institucionalizadas num Centro de Apoio à Vida (CAV) para promover a saúde do/a filho/a e a sua própria saúde sexual. Foram envolvidas no projeto quatro mães adolescentes. Os dados recolhidos através de uma entrevista individual anónima no início e no fim do projeto, por observação participante e por análise dos documentos produzidos pelas adolescentes durante o projeto educativo, foram triangulados. Ao longo do projeto verificou-se que estas mães adolescentes melhoraram os seus conhecimentos sobre a amamentação, os cuidados com o/a filho/a e o evitamento da reincidência da gravidez e das infeções sexualmente transmissíveis. Também se observaram algumas evidências de melhoria a nível psicológico por exemplo, no nível de depressão, baixa autoestima e isolamento social. Este estudo mostra que será importante no futuro desenvolver projetos educativos orientados para a ação na promoção da maternidade saudável com adolescentes institucionalizadas.Several researchers refer to the various risks associated with early childbearing, such as high risk of teenage mothers mistreating children, even being referred to as "risk capital" for their development, and, within the psychological literature the issues of parental nature have been outstanding. In addition to these concerns the negative effect of motherhood on various levels of developmental trajectory of adolescent, particularly in socio-economic, occupational, social, educational and psychological domains exist. In this sense, this research aims to analyse what are the effects of an educational project that aims to empower adolescent mothers institutionalized in Life Support Center (Centro de Apoio à Vida - CAV) to promote the health of their child and their own sexual health. Were involved in the project four teenage mothers. The data collected through an anonymous individual semi-structured interview at the beginning and end of the project, participant observation and the analysis of documents produced by teenagers during the educational project, were triangulated. Throughout the project it was found that these teenage mothers improved their knowledge about breastfeeding, child-care and the avoidance of recurrence of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Some evidences regarding the improvement of the psychological level, for example levels of depression, low self-esteem and social isolation were also observed. This study shows that it will be important in the future to develop educational projects targeted for action in promoting healthy motherhood with institutionalized adolescents.Apoio financeiro do CIEC (Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança, IE, UMinho; UI 317 da FCT, Portugal) através do Projeto Estratégico UID/CED/00317/2013, financiado através dos Fundos Nacionais da FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), cofinanciado pelo Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) através do COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) com a referência POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007562info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio