Perinatal Outcome and Change in Body Mass Index in Mothers of Dichorionic Twins: a Longitudinal Cohort Study

We used a prospective cohort to analyze the effect of change in BMI rather than change in weight, in mothers carrying dichorionic twins from a population that did not receive any dietary intervention. A total of 269 mothers (150 nulliparas and 119 multiparas) were evaluated. The average change (%) from the pre-gravid BMI was 7.2+/-6.1, 17.4+/-8.2, and 28.7+/-10.8, at 12-14, 22-25, and 30-34 weeks, respectively, without difference between nulliparas and multiparas. The comparison between maternities below or above the average change from the pregravid BMI failed to demonstrate an advantage (in terms of total twin birthweight and gestational age) of an above average change from the pregravid BMI, even when the lower versus upper quartiles were compared. Our observations reached different conclusions regarding the recommended universal dietary intervention in twin gestations. A cautious approach is advocated towards seemingly harmless excess weight gain, as normal weight women may turn overweight, or even obese, by the end of pregnancy, and be exposed to the untoward effects of obesity on future health and body image

Ansiedade face aos testes e auto-regulação da aprendizagem : variáveis emocionais no aprender

A ansiedade face aos testes constitui um motivo de preocupação crescente para todos os intervenientes no processo educativo. Este estudo pretende averiguar as relações existentes entre a ansiedade face aos testes e o processo de auto-regulação da aprendizagem dos alunos dos 2.º e 3.º Ciclos do Ensino Básico. Analisamos também a relação entre o comportamento ansiogénico e as percepções de auto-eficácia nas disciplinas de Língua Portuguesa e Matemática. A amostra tomada é de 859 alunos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a Ansiedade face aos testes correlaciona-se positivamente com o processo de auto-regulação da aprendizagem. Por outro lado, os alunos com índices elevados de auto-eficácia apresentam um comportamento menos ansiogénico. Estes dados sugerem a importância dos alunos desenvolverem a mestria dos processos auto-regulatórios da aprendizagem, de forma a conviverem, saudavelmente, com a crescente exigência inerente à progressão no Ensino Básico. Por outro lado, evidenciam a necessidade dos educadores ajudarem os alunos no estabelecimento de objectivos concretos, realistas e avaliáveis, proporcionando, desta forma, experiências de sucesso que sustentem a vontade de aprender.Test anxiety is a growing concern to educators as a response to a competitive society. This paper analysis the relations between Test anxiety, self-regulated learning in elementary school and also self-efficacy in Mathematic and Portuguese. In this study participated 859 students from elementary school. Test anxiety correlates positively self-regulated learning and students with higher selfefficacy show a less ansiogenic behavior. Data suggest the importance of developing self-regulated processes in the classroom in order to cope with the academic higher exigency. Also highlight teachers educational role developing students desire to learn

Relationship between income, work and quality of life of patients submitted to bone marrow transplantation

Embora a literatura aponte a necessidade de avaliação das condições de trabalho, suporte social e familiar dos pacientes submetidos ao transplante de medula óssea (TMO), são poucas as pesquisas nacionais acerca da influência do perfil socioeconômico sobre a qualidade de vida do paciente transplantado. Resultados de estudos internacionais não são conclusivos quanto à associação entre estas variáveis e a readaptação pós-TMO. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar possíveis relações entre renda, trabalho e qualidade de vida em pacientes submetidos ao TMO. A amostra foi composta por 62 pacientes adultos, com 4,3 anos de transplante em média. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados: Instrumental de Avaliação Socioeconômica, Entrevista de Recuperação Pós-TMO, SF-36 e FACT-BMT. Os resultados mostraram que 43,5% dos pacientes tinham renda familiar de até dois salários mínimos. A situação de afastamento do trabalho foi encontrada em 46,7% dos pacientes. A variável renda foi significativamente associada com qualidade de vida, sentimento de competência pessoal e ajustamento psicológico do paciente.Although the literature points towards the need to assess the work conditions and the social and familiar support of patients submitted to BMT, few Brazilian data are available about the influence of the socio-economic profile on the quality of life. Results of international studies about the association between these variables and post-BMT re-adaptation are inconclusive. This study aims to identify possible relationships between income, work and quality of life in patients submitted to BMT. The study sample consisted of 62 adult patients, with an average adaptation period of 4.3 years after transplant. To collect data, we used: the Socio-economic Assessment Instrument, Post-TMO Recovery Interview, SF-36 and FACT-BMT. Results showed that 43.5% of the patients had a family income of up to two minimum wages and 46.7% of the patients were absent from work at some time during the follow-up. A significant relationship was observed between income, patient's quality of life, feeling of personal competence and psychological adjustment

Trabalho de casa, tarefas escolares, auto–regulação e envolvimento parental

Urge entender o Trabalho de Casa (TPC) como processo complexo para o qual conflui um vasto leque de factores impactantes. Neste relato analisam-se as relações entre os perfis de atitudes e comportamentos diante do TPC de Inglês e o nível instrutivo dos pais, a auto-eficácia percebida nessa disciplina bem como a correlação entre tais perfis de TPC e os perfis auto-regulatórios, em face do estudo. A amostra tomada é composta de 3929 alunos. O nível instrutivo dos pais associa-se positiva e significativamente aos perfis de atitudes e comportamentos de TPC. As atitudes e comportamentos de TPC correlacionam-se, positiva e significativamente, com os perfis auto-regulatórios, diante do estudo. Alunos que se percepcionam como mais auto-eficazes registam melhores perfis de atitudes e comportamentos de TPC. Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de os diferentes parceiros do sistema educativo analisarem e promoverem activamente os processos auto-regulatórios envolvidos no ensino-aprendizagem em geral e no TPC em particular.There is a need to view homework (HW) as a process for which a vast number of obstructive factors converges. In this report the interrelations between students of English as a Foreign Language, homework attitudes and behaviors, and their parents’ education and students’ perceived self-efficacy in EFL are analyzed. The correlation between students’ EFL homework attitudes and behaviors and students’ self-regulated learning profiles are also discussed. The study involved 3929 students, from 5th to 9th grades compulsory education. The collected data evidenced the positive and significant associations between EFL students’ attitudes and behaviors towards homework and the parents’ education and students’ perceived self-efficacy in EFL. The correlation between EFL students’ attitudes and behaviors towards homework and students’ self-regulated learning profiles proves to be positive and significant. Calling the attention of teachers and educators to the main role of motivational and self-regulatory aspects involved in the learning process and, particularly, in the homework process, is the ultimate feature of the present article

O papel do transplante de célula-tronco hematopoética no diabetes mellitus tipo1

In this review, we present 1) scientific basis for the use of high dose immunosuppression followed by autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus, 2) an update of clinical and laboratory outcomes in 21 patients transplanted at the University Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil, including 6 relapses in patients without previous ketoacidosis and 3) a discussion of future prospectives of cellular therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus.Nesta revisão, são apresentadas: 1) as bases científicas para o uso de imunossupressão em alta dose seguida de transplante autólogo de células-tronco hematopoéticas do sangue periférico no diabete melito do tipo 1 recém-diagnosticado; 2) uma atualização da evolução clínica e laboratorial de 21 pacientes transplantados no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil, incluindo recaídas em seis pacientes transplantados sem cetoacidose prévia; e 3) uma discussão das perspectivas futuras de terapia celular no diabete melito do tipo 1

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications