Learner’s perception, knowledge and behaviour assessment within a breast imaging E-Learning course for radiographers

E-learning has been revealed as an a useful tool among continuing education within health professionals, namely for radiographers or radiologic technologists. Therefore like traditional learning, this teaching approach needs continuous evaluation in order to validate its effectiveness and impact. Kirkpatrick's model has been widely used for this purpose by health information management instructors. Our aim was to assess an E-learning Course on Breast Imaging for radiographers based on the first three levels of Kirkpatrick's framework: reaction, learning and behaviour.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development and Assessment of an E-Learning Course on Breast Imaging for Radiographers: A Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Mammography is considered the best imaging technique for breast cancer screening, and the radiographer plays an important role in its performance. Therefore, continuing education is critical to improving the performance of these professionals and thus providing better health care services. Objective: Our goal was to develop an e-learning course on breast imaging for radiographers, assessing its efficacy , effectiveness, and user satisfaction. Methods: A stratified randomized controlled trial was performed with radiographers and radiology students who already had mammography training, using pre- and post-knowledge tests, and satisfaction questionnaires. The primary outcome was the improvement in test results (percentage of correct answers), using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. Results: A total of 54 participants were assigned to the intervention (20 students plus 34 radiographers) with 53 controls (19+34). The intervention was completed by 40 participants (11+29), with 4 (2+2) discontinued interventions, and 10 (7+3) lost to follow-up. Differences in the primary outcome were found between intervention and control: 21 versus 4 percentage points (pp), P<.001. Stratified analysis showed effect in radiographers (23 pp vs 4 pp; P=.004) but was unclear in students (18 pp vs 5 pp; P=.098). Nonetheless, differences in students’ posttest results were found (88% vs 63%; P=.003), which were absent in pretest (63% vs 63%; P=.106). The per-protocol analysis showed a higher effect (26 pp vs 2 pp; P<.001), both in students (25 pp vs 3 pp; P=.004) and radiographers (27 pp vs 2 pp; P<.001). Overall, 85% were satisfied with the course, and 88% considered it successful. Conclusions: This e-learning course is effective, especially for radiographers, which highlights the need for continuing education

Learner’s satisfaction within a breast imaging eLearning course for radiographers

Background: An asynchronous eLearning system was developed for radiographers in order to promote a better knowledge about senology and mammography. Objectives: to assess the learners’ satisfaction. Methods: Target population included radiographers and radiogr aphy students, in order to assess eLearning satisfaction according to different experience levels in breast imaging. Satisfaction was measured through a questionnaire developed especially for eLearning systems, using a seven - point Likert scale. Main topics related are content, interface, personalization and learning community. Results: Overall, 85% of learners were satisfied with the course and 87,5% considered that the course is successful. Main areas that were evaluated by most learners in a positive way were interface and content (between six and seven - point); on the other hand, learning community presented a wider distribution of answers . Conclusions: The course provides an overall high degree of learner satisfaction, thus providing more effective knowle dge gain on breast imaging for radiographers

Higher education, stakeholders and collaborative work for entrepreneurial learning

Institutions of Higher Education can provide, in their internal environment, entrepreneurial learning opportunities for students stimulating new attitudes and behaviours towards entrepreneurship. The Portuguese universities have diversified their strategies to promote formal, informal and non formal entrepreneurial learning that can be encouraged in various strategies. The participation of key actors and stakeholders involved in awareness,mentoring and project implementation of the entrepreneurial learning process is crucial for collaborating work in a competitive world. Moreover, obtaining employment is increasingly dependent on not only the potentials of individuals, but also, and even more, the ability to build solid networks of partnerships in science and innovation and employment. Within the scope of the ongoing project "Entrepreneurial Learning, Cooperation and the Labour Market: Good Practice in Higher Education" this paper aims to highlight the importance of non formal and informal learning and to contribute to the reflection regarding added value of inter organizational cooperation and collaborative work

Transcriptional Initiation in Ribosomal Protein Genes in the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Transcription of class II genes in eukaryotic organisms is carried out by the multi-subunit enzyme RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II) and includes the general transcription factors and the mediator. The region inside the promoters, which recruits and specifies the transcriptional machinery, is called “core promoter” and contains sub-regions called “core promoter elements,” which are necessary for transcription initiation, where the most studied and classic element is the TATA-box. Ribosome protein gene (RPG) promoters do not possess a TATA-box (TATA-less promoters), and those, in particular, in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have a TATA-box analog called the HomolD-box. The transcription of RPG promoters is dependent on the RNA pol II transcription system and the HomolD-box is recognized by the transcription factor Rrn7. In this chapter, the authors will describe the general mechanisms associated to the transcription of TATA-less promoters in eukaryotic organisms and how the transcription initiation is carried out in the RPG promoters from those organisms, particularly in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Finally, the authors will analyze the role of the HomolD-box and the transcription factor Rrn7 in the coordination of transcription initiation from RPG promoters and other ribosome-related genes and the presence of transcriptional modules in their promoters, which could be coordinated and regulated by a discrete number of transcription factors

Vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacinação e segurança de programas de imunização

El objetivo de la revisión fue analizar aspectos conceptuales y operacionales de sistemas de vigilancia de eventos adversos post vacuna. Fueron incluidos artículos disponibles en formato electrónico, publicados entre 1985 y 2009, seleccionados en las bases PubMed/Medline, con las palabras clave: "vigilancia de eventos adversos post vacuna", "vigilancia post comercialización", "seguridad de vacunas" y "estudios de Fase IV", y excluidos aquellos con foco en tipos específicos de tales eventos. Se señalaron los principales aspectos que justifican la importancia de los eventos adversos post vacuna en salud pública, los instrumentos que garantizan la seguridad de las vacunas y las finalidades, atributos, tipos, interpretaciones de datos, limitaciones y nuevos desafíos de la vigilancia de eventos adversos post vacuna, así como estrategias para aumentar su sensibilidad. Se concluye con desafíos para los próximos años, buscando seguridad y confiabilidad de los programas de vacunación.O objetivo da revisão foi analisar aspectos conceituais e operacionais de sistemas de vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacina. Foram incluídos artigos disponíveis em formato eletrônico, publicados entre 1985 e 2009, selecionados nas bases Medline/PubMed, com as palavras-chave: "adverse events following vaccine", "adverse events following vaccine surveillance", "post-marketing surveillance" e "safety vaccine" e "Phase IV clinical trials", e excluídos aqueles com foco em tipos específicos desses eventos. Foram apontados os principais aspectos que justificam a importância dos eventos adversos pós-vacina em saúde pública, os instrumentos que garantem a segurança das vacinas e as finalidades, atributos, tipos, interpretações de dados, limitações e novos desafios da vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacina, bem como estratégias para aumentar sua sensibilidade. A revisão é concluída com desafios para os próximos anos, visando à segurança e confiabilidade dos programas de vacinação.The aim of the review was to analyze conceptual and operational aspects of systems for surveillance of adverse events following immunization. Articles available in electronic format were included, published between 1985 and 2009, selected from the PubMed/Medline databases using the key words "adverse events following vaccine surveillance", "post-marketing surveillance", "safety vaccine" and "Phase IV clinical trials". Articles focusing on specific adverse events were excluded. The major aspects underlying the Public Health importance of adverse events following vaccination, the instruments aimed at ensuring vaccine safety, and the purpose, attributes, types, data interpretation issues, limitations, and further challenges in adverse events following immunization were describe, as well as strategies to improve sensitivity. The review was concluded by discussing the challenges to be faced in coming years with respect to ensuring the safety and reliability of vaccination programs

Vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacinação e segurança de programas de imunização

El objetivo de la revisión fue analizar aspectos conceptuales y operacionales de sistemas de vigilancia de eventos adversos post vacuna. Fueron incluidos artículos disponibles en formato electrónico, publicados entre 1985 y 2009, seleccionados en las bases PubMed/Medline, con las palabras clave: "vigilancia de eventos adversos post vacuna", "vigilancia post comercialización", "seguridad de vacunas" y "estudios de Fase IV", y excluidos aquellos con foco en tipos específicos de tales eventos. Se señalaron los principales aspectos que justifican la importancia de los eventos adversos post vacuna en salud pública, los instrumentos que garantizan la seguridad de las vacunas y las finalidades, atributos, tipos, interpretaciones de datos, limitaciones y nuevos desafíos de la vigilancia de eventos adversos post vacuna, así como estrategias para aumentar su sensibilidad. Se concluye con desafíos para los próximos años, buscando seguridad y confiabilidad de los programas de vacunación.O objetivo da revisão foi analisar aspectos conceituais e operacionais de sistemas de vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacina. Foram incluídos artigos disponíveis em formato eletrônico, publicados entre 1985 e 2009, selecionados nas bases Medline/PubMed, com as palavras-chave: "adverse events following vaccine", "adverse events following vaccine surveillance", "post-marketing surveillance" e "safety vaccine" e "Phase IV clinical trials", e excluídos aqueles com foco em tipos específicos desses eventos. Foram apontados os principais aspectos que justificam a importância dos eventos adversos pós-vacina em saúde pública, os instrumentos que garantem a segurança das vacinas e as finalidades, atributos, tipos, interpretações de dados, limitações e novos desafios da vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacina, bem como estratégias para aumentar sua sensibilidade. A revisão é concluída com desafios para os próximos anos, visando à segurança e confiabilidade dos programas de vacinação.The aim of the review was to analyze conceptual and operational aspects of systems for surveillance of adverse events following immunization. Articles available in electronic format were included, published between 1985 and 2009, selected from the PubMed/Medline databases using the key words "adverse events following vaccine surveillance", "post-marketing surveillance", "safety vaccine" and "Phase IV clinical trials". Articles focusing on specific adverse events were excluded. The major aspects underlying the Public Health importance of adverse events following vaccination, the instruments aimed at ensuring vaccine safety, and the purpose, attributes, types, data interpretation issues, limitations, and further challenges in adverse events following immunization were describe, as well as strategies to improve sensitivity. The review was concluded by discussing the challenges to be faced in coming years with respect to ensuring the safety and reliability of vaccination programs

Insights into milk-clotting activity of latex peptidases from <i>Calotropis procera</i> and <i>Cryptostegia grandiflora</i>

Latex fractions from Calotropis procera, Cryptostegia grandiflora, Plumeria rubra, and Himatanthus drasticus were assayed in order to prospect for new plant peptidases with milk-clotting activities, for use as rennet alternatives. Only C. procera and C. grandiflora latex fractions exhibited proteolytic and milk-clotting activities, which were not affected by high concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2. However, pre-incubation of both samples at 75 °C for 10 min eliminated completely their activities. Both proteolytic fractions were able to hydrolyze k-casein and to produce peptides of 16 kDa, a similar SDS-PAGE profile to commercial chymosin. RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry analyses of the k-casein peptides showed that the peptidases from C. procera or C. grandiflora hydrolyzed k-casein similar to commercial chymosin. The cheeses made with both latex peptidases exhibited yields, dry masses, and soluble proteins similar to cheeses prepared with commercial chymosin. In conclusion, C. procera and C. grandiflora latex peptidases with the ability to coagulate milk can be used as alternatives to commercial animal chymosin in the cheese manufacturing process.Centro de Investigación de Proteínas Vegetale

Association of dairy product consumption with metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents: a cross-Sectional Analysis from the LabMed study

This study aimed to investigate the association between dairy product consumption and metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in Portuguese adolescents, and whether the association differed by weight status. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the school year 2011/2012 with 412 Portuguese adolescents (52.4% girls) in 7th and 10th grade (aged 12 to 18 years old). The World Health Organization cutoffs were used to categorize adolescents as non-overweight (NW) or overweight (OW). Blood samples were collected to analyze C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, and adiponectin. Dairy product intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Participants were divided by tertiles according to the amount of dairy product consumed. The associations between dairy product consumption with metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated using generalized linear regression models with logarithmic link and gamma distribution and adjusted for potential confounders. The majority of adolescents were NW (67.2%). NW adolescents had lower IL-6, CRP, and leptin concentration than their counterparts (p p = 0.004). Our results suggest an inverse association between total dairy product and milk intake and serum concentrations of IL-6 only among NW adolescents.This study was supported by the Research Centre on Physical Activity Health and Leisure (CIAFEL) of the Faculty of Sport, University of Porto and by FCT grant BD88984/ 2012 (J. Oliveira-Santos); The Research Centre on Physical Activity Health and Leisure (CIAFEL) is supported by FCT/UID/DTP/00617/2019; the author C. Agostinis-Sobrinho was given Doctoral scholarship from the Brazilian government by CAPES (Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) (Proc: 9588-13-2). Rute Santos is founded by and FCT grant (CEECIND/01069/2017). Eduarda Sousa-Sá is funded by a Gulbenkian grant (Project nº 221669-Projeto Academias Gulbenkian do Conhecimento)

Insights into milk-clotting activity of latex peptidases from <i>Calotropis procera</i> and <i>Cryptostegia grandiflora</i>

Latex fractions from Calotropis procera, Cryptostegia grandiflora, Plumeria rubra, and Himatanthus drasticus were assayed in order to prospect for new plant peptidases with milk-clotting activities, for use as rennet alternatives. Only C. procera and C. grandiflora latex fractions exhibited proteolytic and milk-clotting activities, which were not affected by high concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2. However, pre-incubation of both samples at 75 °C for 10 min eliminated completely their activities. Both proteolytic fractions were able to hydrolyze k-casein and to produce peptides of 16 kDa, a similar SDS-PAGE profile to commercial chymosin. RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry analyses of the k-casein peptides showed that the peptidases from C. procera or C. grandiflora hydrolyzed k-casein similar to commercial chymosin. The cheeses made with both latex peptidases exhibited yields, dry masses, and soluble proteins similar to cheeses prepared with commercial chymosin. In conclusion, C. procera and C. grandiflora latex peptidases with the ability to coagulate milk can be used as alternatives to commercial animal chymosin in the cheese manufacturing process.Centro de Investigación de Proteínas Vegetale