Staphylococcus aureus: towards a comprehensive view on epidemiology and clonal spread

Dissertation presented to obtain a PhD degree in Biology/ Molecular Biology by the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e BiológicaStaphylococcus aureus is known for its extraordinary capacity of colonizing asymptomatically the anterior nares of humans. A high versatility allied to the successive accumulation of resistance to almost all clinically available antibiotics, made S. aureus a major human pathogen worldwide. Soon after the introduction of methicillin into clinical practice, methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) emerged as a major pathogen in hospitals worldwide, and more recently in the community as well. Methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) are also an important problem. MSSA is responsible from mild to severe invasive infections, commonly due to enhanced virulence content, rather than accumulation of resistance determinates. However, many gaps in the knowledge of the epidemiology of MSSA remain to be clarified.(...)Apoio financeiro da FCT e do FSE no âmbito do Quadro Comunitário de Apoio, BD nº: SFRH / BD / 21424 / 200

Escutar as crianças nos anos iniciais e afirmar a nossa identidade profissional

A evolução sócio-histórica da escola, da educação escolar ou o pensamento sobre os professores e a sua formação mostram o quanto se têm ampliado as funções dos professores, redimensionando, inclusivamente, a natureza e a construção do conhecimento sobre as infâncias e as crianças. Para este texto mobilizamos a assertiva de que o professor é um profissional do humano, um interventor mais ou menos consciente e crítico do seu papel social, cuja ação se desenvolve na interação com outras pessoas, em especial, e aqui convocadas, as crianças. Nessa perspetiva, a ação docente com crianças só faz sentido se estiver fortemente impregnada de um compromisso social, ou seja, com as pessoas nos contextos que habita no dia-a-dia, pensando no que é mais imediato, mas também com a sociedade e a cultura, em termos mais globais. Neste texto desafiam-nos, portanto, os modos de (re)configuração identitária pelos quais as experiências vividas são mantidas, permanecem amplamente desconhecidas e tantas vezes não são reconhecidas, sobretudo porque as investigações que temos realizado devolvem um feedback merecedor da reflexão profunda sobre o valor e a necessidade de escutar as crianças, valorizando uma ecologia dos saberes, mas também mais amplamente as aprendizagens e o desenvolvimento, pessoais e profissionais, derivados da vida e(m) interação

Health-related quality of life in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis polyneuropathy: a prospective, observational study

Background Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis Polyneuropathy is a rare life-threatening neurologic disease that imposes considerable mortality and it is associated with progressive related disabilities. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of the disease across health-related quality of life dimensions, in both carriers of the mutation and patients, to compare health-related quality of life with general population, as well as to explore health-related quality of life prognostic factors among patients, including disease progression and treatment. Methods This study was a multi-institutional, longitudinal, prospective, observational study of hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis Polyneuropathy Portuguese adult subjects (621 asymptomatic carriers and 733 symptomatic patients) enrolled in the Transthyretin Amyloidosis Outcomes Survey. Health-related quality of life was captured with the preference-based instrument EQ-5D-3 L. For general population the dataset included all subjects enrolled in a representative national study (n = 1500). Different econometric models were specified; multivariate probit, generalized linear model and generalized estimating equations model; including demographic and clinical covariates. Results Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis Polyneuropathy patients have their health status severely impaired in all quality of life dimensions and more anxiety/depression problems were found among asymptomatic carriers. No differences on utility were found between carriers and general population (p = 0.209). Among patients, the utility value is estimated to be 0.51 (0.021), a decrement of 0.27 as compared with general population utility. Higher disease duration, advanced disease stage and not receiving treatment are associated with impaired health-related quality of life. No differences were found between genders (p = 0.910) or between late (≥50 years) and early-onset patients (p = 0.254). The utility estimate ranged from 0.63 (0.009) in stage I to 0.01 (0.005) in stage IV. Conclusions Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis Polyneuropathy symptoms and progressive associated disabilities substantially decrease patient’s health-related quality of life. Clinical strategies focused on health-related quality of life preservation such as close follow-up of asymptomatic carriers, prompt diagnosis and adequate, early treatment would benefit patient’s long-term outcomes, slowing the progressive decline in health-related quality of life.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hidric resources pollution as a trigger for socio-scientific activim

Los currículos de ciencias destacan la necesidad de implicar al alumnado en temas de la sociedad civil relacionados con las ciencias, al poner en evidencia la primacía de los aprendizajes sobre la relación cienciastecnología- sociedad-ambiente. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo conocer los aprendizajes de los alumnos cuando se involucran en el intento de solución de la problemática relacionada con la contaminación del riachuelo aledaño a su escuela. La metodología de investigación es cualitativa, de orientación interpretativa y basada en la observación participante. Participan 21 alumnos de dos clases de 8.º nivel1 con un currículo alternativo que viven en un medio rural del sudoeste portugués. Los datos se recogieron a través del diario del profesor, documentos escritos y entrevistas a los alumnos (realizadas al final del estudio). Los resultados revelan que las vivencias positivas proporcionadas por el club de radio les dotaron de confianza y les incentivaron al activismo comunitario relacionado con la contaminación del riachuelo local. Este activismo se concreta a través de un teatro de fantoches sobre el tratamiento de las aguas residuales. Asimismo, los resultados nos muestran que el activismo conduce a los alumnos a la identificación de los temas de ciencias y de tecnología que están en la base de la contaminación del riachuelo, ampliando su conocimiento sobre el problema y discutiendo diferentes perspectivas para su solución. Además, los jóvenes reconocen que el conocimiento les permite informar a otros miembros de la comunidad y se dan cuenta de que tienen el derecho de implicarse en cuestiones socio-científicas que afecten su calidad de vida.Science curricula emphasize the need to involve pupils in issues related with society, promoting the science-technology-society-environment perspective. The present study aims at understanding pupils’ learning when they were involved in the problem related with the pollution of a creek near their school. In this study, a qualitative and interpretive methodology was used, based in participant observation. Participants are 21 pupils, who attend the 8th grade of an alternative curriculum. The school belongs to a rural area in the Southwest of Portugal. Data were collected through field notes, written documents and pupils’ interviews (performed at the end of the study). The results show that the positive experiences provided by the radio club gave pupils confidence and encouraged them to activism related with the pollution of the local creek. This activism is concretized through a theater, raising awareness the community and local authority to the treatment of wastewater. In addition, the results show that activism allows pupils to indentify the scientific and technological concepts which are in the base of the pollution of the creek, expanding their knowledge related with the problem and discussing different perspectives for the solution. In addition, pupils recognize that is important to provide with knowledge the other members of the community and realize that they have the right to engage in socioscientific issues, that affects their quality of life

Estigma da homossexualidade : perceção de emoções na expressão facial dos outros pelos homossexuais masculinos em comparação com heterossexuais masculinos

Orientação: Mauro BianchiIndivíduos estigmatizados fazem um enviesamento na perceção de emoções no rosto dos outros (Inzlicht, Kaiser, & Major, 2008). Neste estudo espera-se que homens homossexuais, em comparação com homens heterossexuais, façam um enviesamento na perceção da expressão de nojo na cara dos outros (Hipótese 1); espera-se que este enviesamento seja moderado pela perceção do estigma da homossexualidade (Hipótese 2) e pela perceção de rejeição interpessoal ligada ao estigma da homossexualidade (Hipótese 3). Para testar estas hipóteses foi construído um instrumento de 20 vídeos com fotos masculinas animadas que mudam progressivamente de emoção. A variável dependente é o tempo de resposta à mudança de emoção nos vídeos. Dois grupos de participantes (homossexuais masculinos e heterossexuais masculinos, grupo de controlo), visualizaram os vídeos, responderam a uma Escala de Perceção de Estigma e a uma Escala de Rejeição Interpessoal relacionada com o Estigma da Homossexualidade. Também foram questionados sobre um conjunto de dados sociodemográficos. Os resultados confirmam um enviesamento numa emoção específica, o nojo. A discussão faz-se à luz da teoria do estigma e perceção de emoções.Stigmatized individuals make a bias in perceiving emotions on the faces of others (Inzlicht, Kaiser, & Major, 2008). In this study it is expected that homosexual men, compared to heterosexual men, will make a bias in the perception of the expression of disgust in the face of others (Hypothesis 1); It is expected that this bias will be moderated by the perception of the stigma of homosexuality (Hypothesis 2) and by the perception of interpersonal rejection related to the stigma of homosexuality (Hypothesis 3). To test these hypotheses was built an instrument of 20 videos with animated male photos that change emotion progressively were contructed. The dependent variable is the response time to the change of emotion in the videos. Two groups of participants (male homosexuals and male heterosexuals, control group) viewed the videos, responded to a Stigma Perception Scale, and an Interpersonal Rejection Scale related to the Stigma of Homosexuality. Also questioned about a set of sociodemographic data. The results confirm a bias in a specific emotion, disgust. The discussion is made in the light of the theory of stigma and perception of emotions

Characterization of Cynara cardunculus L. flower from Alentejo as a coagulant agent for cheesemaking

The cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a mandatory vegetable coagulant for certain Protected Designation of Origin Portuguese cheeses. It grows wild in Portugal and is used without any type of control regarding flower picking or extract preparation, representing some uncertainty in cheese manufacture. The variability in technological properties, in the context of traditional cheese manufacture, of cardoon flower ecotypes from the Alentejo region was evaluated, including milk clotting and proteolytic activities, coagulation properties and potential cheesemaking yield of flower extracts. Multivariate statistics highlighted the variability of flower properties for cheesemaking, but allowed the aggregation of the ecotypes into five groups under the major influence of milk clotting activity and effect on gel firmness and micellar aggregation rate, followed by proteolytic activity. These differences may have an impact on cheese properties and therefore can allow the selection of cardoon flower for the manufacture of different types of cheese

Tarefas de investigação sobre os temas Água, Terra, Ar e Fogo : um estudo com alunos dos percursos alternativos

Tese de mestrado, Educação (Didática das Ciências), Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto de Educação, 2013Com este estudo pretendeu-se conhecer de que forma o uso de tarefas de investigação, relacionadas com a temática Água-Terra-Ar- Fogo, contribui para capacitar os alunos para agirem de um modo informado no contexto onde vivem. Além disto, pretendeu-se conhecer as dificuldades dos alunos quando realizam as tarefas de investigação, as suas perceções sobre as aulas de ciências físicas e naturais quando recorrem a este tipo de tarefas, e as iniciativas que consideram que podem contribuir para a sua ação informada no contexto onde vivem. Para se atingir estas finalidades, utilizou-se uma metodologia que tem as suas raízes na investigação qualitativa com orientação interpretativa e adotou-se como estratégia de investigação um estudo sobre a própria prática. Participaram neste estudo vinte e um alunos de duas turmas do 8.º ano de percurso curricular alternativo, pertencentes a um meio rural. Utilizaram-se vários instrumentos de recolha de dados: observação naturalista, entrevistas em grupo focado, documentos escritos e questionários. No processo de análise, os dados foram codificados e categorizados, utilizando-se o método do questionamento e comparação constantes. Os resultados permitiram conhecer as dificuldades dos alunos no domínio das competências de conhecimento processual, de raciocínio e de comunicação, quando realizam as tarefas de investigação. Também revelaram terem ocorrido mudanças significativas nas suas perceções sobre as aulas de ciências físicas e naturais, relativamente às aprendizagens em torno das questões socioambientais, às aprendizagens que apelam ao raciocínio, à autonomia em investigar e na valorização das suas intervenções. Os resultados deram, ainda, a conhecer quais são as iniciativas que consideram que podem contribuir para a sua ação informada no contexto onde vivem. À medida que os alunos realizaram as tarefas, verificou-se uma familiarização com a estratégia de ensino e as dificuldades evidenciadas pelos alunos foram sendo ultrapassadas, possibilitando o desenvolvimento de competências.This study aimed to know in which way the use of investigation tasks, related to the theme of water-earth-air-fire contributes to capacitate students to act in an informed way within their living context. Besides, it was intended to find out the students' difficulties when performing the investigation tasks, their perception about classes of natural and physic sciences when they use this type of task, and the initiatives they think can contribute for their informed action in their living context. In order to reach this goals, it was used a methodology with routes in qualitative investigation with interpretative orientation and was adopted as an investigation strategy a study about the practice itself. The participants of the study were twenty one students from two classes in the eighth grade of the alternative curriculum path, from a rural environment. There were several instruments used in the collection of data: naturalistic observation, interviews in focused groups, write documents and surveys. In the analysis the data was codified and categorized, using the method of constant questioning and comparison. The results allowed the knowledge of the difficulties of the students in the domain of the skills of processes knowledge, of thinking and communication, when doing the investigation tasks. They also revealed significant changes in their perception of the natural and physics sciences class, relatively to the learning around environmental issues, learning that call on their reasoning, autonomy in investigation and valorization of their interventions. The results also gave knowledge about the initiatives that they consider can contribute to their informed action within their living context. In the course of the tasks, was verified that a familiarization whit the teaching strategy occurred and the difficulties shown by the students were exceeded, allowing the growth of skills

Inquiry in the development of students' cognitive structures

Este estudio pretende examinar el desarrollo de las estructuras cognitivas del alumnado de 4º año, como resultado del uso de actividades de investigación, en la secuencia de clases que abordaban el concepto de aire. En el estudio han participado un total de 71 estudiantes en edades entre los 8 y 10 años. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de una prueba de asociación de palabras (Word Association Test - WAT) presentada al alumnado en dos momentos diferentes, antes y después de la secuencia de clases. Los resultados muestran modificaciones en las estructuras cognitivas de los estudiantes. En concreto se ha comprobado que, después de la secuencia de clases, las asociaciones más pobres entre las palabras-estímulo identificadas en el pre-test mostraron asociaciones con mayor superioridad en el post-test. Se destaca el análisis realizado a partir de las oraciones escritas por los estudiantes, en donde se observa que la naturaleza de estas asociaciones es más significativa para el tema de estudio, lo que revela una reorganización y desarrollo de las estructuras cognitivas del alumnado como resultado del uso de actividades de investigación en la secuencia de aula.This study aims to evaluate the development of the cognitive structures of 4th grade students as a result of the use of inquiry activities in the sequence of lessons about the concept of air. The study was performed with a total of 71 students, aged from eight to ten years old. The data was collected through a Word Association Test (WAT) presented to students at two different moments, before and after the sequence of classes. The results reveal that the students' cognitive structures changed as a result of instruction. Specifically, it has been shown that, as a result of class sequence, the weakest associations between the stimulus words in the pretest appear in the posttest in a higher level of strength. The analysis of the sentences written by the students, that allows the disclosure of the nature of the associations, shows that they were more appropriated regarding the theme. This is indicative of a reorganization and development of the students' cognitive structures, as a result of the use of inquiry activities about the de concept of air