Editorial: family and school influences on individuals' early and later adjustment

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Do students with immigrant and native parents perceive themselves as equally engaged in school during adolescence?

Student engagement in school needs to be considered when comparing immigrant and native students, particularly at a time of increasing migratory movements throughout the world. Differences in cognitive, affective, behavioral, and agentic student engagement dimensions were examined for students with immigrant and native parents, and for early and middle adolescence. A four-dimensional measure of student engagement was completed by 643 students (52.7% women). Results indicated that: students with native parents present higher cognitive and agentic engagement than students with immigrant parents; early adolescents are more cognitively engaged than middle adolescents; early adolescents with native parents present higher cognitive engagement than early adolescents with immigrant parents and middle adolescents. These results contribute to knowledge advancement, enhancing the understanding of student engagement with immigrant and native parents during early and middle adolescence, which might stimulate additional research moving towards a more inclusive school. Based on the findings and conclusions from this study, possibilities for future research and political-educational recommendations are presented.This study received national funding from the FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, IP, within the scope of the UIDEF - Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Educação e Formação, Reference UIDB/04107/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Carcinogenic Ability of Schistosoma Haematobium Possibly through Oncogenic Mutation of KRAS Gene

Schistosoma haematobium is a parasitic flatworm that infects millions of people, mostly in the developing world, and is associated with high incidence of bladder cancer, although why is not clear. Previously, we have used CD-1 mice to show that Schistosoma haematobium total antigen (Sh) has a carcinogenic ability. Sh intravesically instillation induced the development of several urothelial lesions, namely nodular hyperplasia and dysplasia (LGIUN—Low Grade Intra-Urothelial Neoplasia) after 40 weeks of treatment. These results suggested that Sh induce urothelium malignization. Bladder carcinoma frequently harbours gene mutations that constitutively activate the receptor tyrosine kinase-Ras pathway for this reason we studied activating mutations in KRAS gene. Twenty percent of the bladders with dysplasia presented a KRAS mutation in codon 12 of exon 2. We concluded from these results that the parasite extract of S. haematobium has carcinogenic ability possibly through oncogenic mutation of KRAS gene

Influence of consecutive-day blood sampling on polymerase chain reaction-adjusted parasitological cure rates in an antimalarial-drug trial conducted in Tanzania

We assessed the influence that consecutive-day blood sampling, compared with single-day blood sampling, had on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-adjusted parasitological cure after stepwise genotyping of merozoite surface proteins 2 (msp2) and 1 (msp1) in 106 children in Tanzania who had uncomplicated falciparum malaria treated with either sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine or artemether- lumefantrine; 78 of these children developed recurrent parasitemia during the 42-day follow-up period. Initial msp2 genotyping identified 27 and 33 recrudescences by use of single- and consecutive-day sampling, respectively; in subsequent msp1 genotyping, 17 and 21 of these episodes, respectively, were still classified as recrudescences; these results indicate a similar sensitivity of the standard single-day PCR protocol - that is, 82% (27/33) and 81% (17/21), in both genotyping steps. Interpretation of PCR-adjusted results will significantly depend on methodology. © 2007 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved

Plasmodium falciparum population dynamics during the early phase of anti-malarial drug treatment in Tanzanian children with acute uncomplicated malaria

BACKGROUND\ud \ud This study aimed to explore Plasmodium falciparum population dynamics during the early phase of anti-malarial drug treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy in children with clinical malaria in a high transmission area in Africa.\ud \ud METHODS\ud \ud A total of 50 children aged 1-10 years with acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania, were enrolled. Participants were hospitalized and received supervised standard treatment with artemether-lumefantrine according to body weight in six doses over 3 days. Blood samples were collected 11 times, i.e. at time of diagnosis (-2 h) and 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h after initiation of treatment. Parasite population dynamics were assessed using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-genotyping of merozoite surface protein (msp) 1 and 2.\ud \ud RESULTS\ud \ud PCR-analyses from nine sequential blood samples collected after initiation of treatment identified 20 and 21 additional genotypes in 15/50 (30%) and 14/50 (28%) children with msp1 and msp2, respectively, non-detectable in the pre-treatment samples (-2 and 0 h combined). Some 15/20 (75%) and 14/21 (67%) of these genotypes were identified within 24 h, whereas 17/20 (85%) and 19/21 (90%) within 48 h for msp1 and msp2, respectively. The genotype profile was diverse, and varied considerably over time both within and between patients, molecular markers and their respective families.\ud \ud CONCLUSION\ud \ud PCR analyses from multiple blood samples collected during the early treatment phase revealed a complex picture of parasite sub-populations. This underlines the importance of interpreting PCR-outcomes with caution and suggests that the present use of PCR-adjustment from paired blood samples in anti-malarial drug trials may overestimate assessment of drug efficacy in high transmission areas in Africa.The study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT00336375

Toxicological in vivo studies of an oral insulin nanosystem

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TCR-4PKH640-7G/1/31df064ec957f50aa568d739cd5d741

Farming for nature in the Montado: the application of ecosystem services in a results-based model

The Montado is a silvopastoral system with a tree cover of predominantly Quercus suber but also Quercus rotundifolia, where cattle or sheep graze the understory. It occupies more than one million hectares in southern Portugal, and a similar landscape, the Dehesa, covers ca. three million hectares in Spain. These silvopastoral systems can simultaneously benefit the environment and socio-economic activities by providing a bundle of ecosystem services (ESs). However, an ongoing trend of decline in tree density and the covered area is threat-ening such provision. Policies are needed to motivate farmers to secure the ESs that they provide. One possible format is the development of a results-based model (RBM) for agri-environment schemes (AES), implemented under the Common Agricultural Policy. In an RBM, farmers are paid when they deliver specific environmental results (ERs) (e.g. healthy and functional soils), that are linked with the provision of different (and often mul-tiple) ESs. This study defines possible ERs for the Montado and details how these results are linked to the pro-vision of ESs. It then considers management actions that can allow the achievement of these ERs and the costs of these actions. Our methodological approach is based on a transdisciplinary dialogue involving researchers, practitioners (i.e farmers), public authorities and policy makers. The results of the process include the identi-fication of four main ERs: a healthy soil ecosystem, a biodiverse native-Mediterranean pasture, an oak tree layer where regeneration exists (i.e. trees of different ages), and preserved or enhanced landscape elements, for example riparian galleries with vegetation. These ERs increase the supply of provisioning services (e.g. cork production), of regulating services, (e.g. carbon sequestration), and cultural services (e.g. aesthetic inspiration). RBMs allow farmers to use any management practice they choose as the focus is on the results. Nonetheless, to estimate costs we identified 12 potential strategic management practices (and their cost) along with the technical support that farmers would need. We conclude that an RBM could be an affordable solution for public policies in the Montado system, given the limited government budget for supporting AES.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sexualidade e género no discurso dos media : um projecto de investigação no CIDTFF

Neste poster será apresentado um projecto de investigação em curso no Centro de Investigação Didáctica e Tecnologia na Formação de Formadores – CIDTFF da Universidade de Aveiro, que tem por objectivos: i) analisar o repertório das representações de sexualidade e de género simbolizado no discurso dos media enquanto estratégia de constituição de identidades e subjectividades culturais; ii) integrar nas competências profissionais dos(as) professores(as) a abordagem didáctica de novos suportes, conteúdos e linguagens dos media que as crianças e jovens usam no seu quotidiano; iii) avaliar o impacte de dispositivos metodológicos de questionamento do currículo cultural desenhado pelos media na qualidade da formação inicial e contínua de professores(as)

Bases moleculares da interação celular em modelos de reprodução e câncer: identificação de proteínas e mecanismos envolvidos

La interacción entre las células somáticas y entre las gametas involucra una serie de eventos moleculares que no han sido dilucidados totalmente. Nuestro grupo de investigación ha desarrollado proyectos dirigidos a profundizar el conocimiento de dichos eventos. Los estudios han comprendido el análisis de moduladores de la funcionalidad espermática (ej. efecto de la temperatura de incubación, las concentraciones del ión calcio, los anticuerpos antiespermáticos de fluidos biológicos en la motilidad, la capacitación y la exocitosis acrosomal). Asimismo, hemos caracterizado componentes del espermatozoide (ej. CaM Kinasa IV, proacrosina/acrosina) y de secreciones del tracto femenino (ej. Grp78/BiP), evaluado su rol en el desarrollo de capacidad fecundante y, en algunos casos, investigado su relación con la infertilidad. En años recientes, nuestros proyectos se han extendido al estudio de las cadherinas en eventos de adhesión celular durante la fecundación; hemos caracterizado la expresión de cadherina epitelial y neural en tejidos reproductivos y gametas y evaluado su participación en la fecundación. Dada su reconocida relevancia en el cáncer, hemos abordado estudios en diversos modelos tumorales. Nuestras investigaciones han contribuido a la comprensión de los eventos de interacción de las gametas durante la fecundación así como entre las células somáticas durante la progresión tumoral.Cell-cell interaction between somatic cells as well as gametes involves molecular events that have not been completely elucidated. Our research group has developed projects aimed at studying proteins and mechanisms participating in these interactions. Several modulators of sperm functions have been analyzed (i.e. incubation temperature, calcium ion concentration, and antisperm antibodies present in biological fluids upon sperm motility, capacitation and acrosomal exocytosis). In addition, proteins from spermatozoa (i.e. CaM Kinase IV, proacrosin/acrosin) and from secretions of the female tract (Grp78/BiP) have been characterized, and their role in the development of sperm fertilizing ability assessed. In some cases, their relationship with infertility was evaluated. In recent years, our projects have been extended to study members of the cadherin superfamily and related proteins; in particular, the expression of epithelial and neural cadherin in reproductive tissues and gametes was characterized and evidence of their participation in fertilization-related cell-cell adhesion events shown. Based on the vast evidence of the role of these proteins in tumor progression, our current research also involves studies of cancer models. Our projects have contributed to the understanding of the molecular basis of cell-cell interaction during fertilization as well as during tumor progression.A interação entre as células somáticas e entre os gametas envolve uma série de eventos moleculares que não têm sido elucidados totalmente. Nosso grupo de pesquisa tem desenvolvido projetos encaminhados a aprofundar o conhecimento de tais eventos. Os estudos têm compreendido a análise de moduladores da funcionalidade espermática (ex. efeito da temperatura de incubação, as concentrações do íon cálcio, os anticorpos antiespermáticos de fluidos biológicos na motilidade, a capacitação e a exocitose acrossomal). Do mesmo modo, caracterizamos componentes do espermatozoide (ex. CaM Kinase IV, proacrosina /acrosina) e de secreções do trato feminino (ex. Grp78/BiP), avaliamos seu papel no desenvolvimento de capacidade fecundante e, em alguns casos, investigamos sua relação com a infertilidade. Em anos recentes, nossos projetos se têm estendido ao estudo das caderinas em eventos de adesão celular durante a fecundação; temos caracterizado a expressão de caderina epitelial e neural em tecidos reprodutivos e gametas e avaliamos sua participação na fecundação. Dada sua reconhecida relevância no câncer, temos abordado estudos em diversos modelos tumorais. Nossas pesquisas têm contribuído à compreensão dos eventos de interação dos gametas durante a fecundação bem como entre as células somáticas durante a progressão tumoralFil: Vazquez, Monica Hebe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Furlong, Laura I.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Marin Briggiler, Clara Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Veaute, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Veiga, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Matos, María L.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Lapyckyj, Lara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Gabrielli, Nieves María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Rosso, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Arzondo, María M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Edelsztein, Nadia Yasmín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Besso, María José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentin