In-vitro release profile of microencapsulated α-tocopherol under simulated gastrointestinal conditions

Alpha-tocopherol, the most common form of Vitamin E in nature, is a well-known antioxidant compound for its effective inhibition of lipid oxidation both in food and biological systems. Additionally, due to its preventive action against reactive oxygen species (ROS), α-tocopherol has been associated with risk decreasing of diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer [1]. The recommended ingestion of Vitamin E varies among the countries and according to criteria such as sex and age. In the USA, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for an adult is 15 mg/day, whereas in Europe it is 4-15 and 3-12 mg α-tocopherol/day for man and women, respectively. Although α-tocopherol is naturally present in several foods, such as vegetable oils and tree nuts, owing to its antioxidant capacity it is frequently included in food supplements and used in the food industry to extend the shelf-life of several products. Nevertheless, due to α-tocopherol instability and sensitivity towards oxygen and light and its poor aqueous solubility, it is generally administered in the acetate or succinate form. However, these forms are considered to have a lower intestinal absorption compared to α-tocopherol [2]. To overcome these problems, the encapsulation of α-tocopherol in protective matrixes to avoid its oxidation and increase shelf life has been suggested. In fact, during the last years, encapsulation technology has been increasingly important in the food industry as it permits the formation of a physical barrier between the external medium and sensitive core materials, being also used for controlled release of active molecules, formulation stability enhancement, and flavor and taste masking. In this context, it is important to assess α-tocopherol release pattern from microparticles as it can restrain its different applicability. In this work, α-tocopherol microspheres were produced using alginate as a polymeric matrix. This polymer, a linear polysaccharide obtained from brown algae consisting of β-mannuronic acid and α-guluronic acid units, was chosen due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. Moreover, it presents a high stability at acidic pH, being easily swollen under mild alkali conditions. Alginate microspheres (ME) loaded with α-tocopherol were produced using a NISCO Var J30 atomization unit, following a previously optimized methodology. The produced microspheres were evaluated for encapsulation efficiency and α-tocopherol release profile by measuring the absorbance at 297 nm using a spectrophotometer. The encapsulation efficiency was calculated both by directly measuring the maximum content released after ME disruption and by quantifying the nonencapsulated α-tocopherol present in the CaCl2 coagulation solution and in the wash solution. α-Tocopherol in-vitro release profiles were determined under simulated gastric (pH 1.2) and intestinal (pH 7.4) media during a period of 24 hours. Additionally, a sample of ME were mixed in gastric media during 1h and then transferred to intestinal media until a total of 24h to simulate gastrointestinal conditions. During the testing period samples of the supernatant were periodically taken to determine the amount of released α-tocopherol. Results evidence a very low % of α-tocopherol release under acidic conditions while an almost complete release is achieved when ME were submitted to simulated intestinal conditions suggesting that the proposed approach can constitute an interesting solution to protect α- tocopherol, allowing for its release in the intestine after ingestion. The next steps in this work in progress will include the evaluation of release profiles of ME added to different food matrices.The authors thank FCT for the financial support LSRE (PEst-C/EQB/LA0020/2011 strategic project).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Study of the encapsulation efficiency and release profiles of alginate microspheres containing α-tocopherol

Vitamin E, a lipophilic natural antioxidant comprising different vitamers (α, β, γ and δ-tocopherols and tocotrianols), is frequently used in food supplements and added in different products, such as foodstuffs and cosmetics, to prevent lipid oxidation processes. Due to solubility and stability issues, α-tocopherol is generally administrated as succinate or acetate derivatives, which have lower bioavailability. In this work, alginate microspheres containing α-tocopherol were produced and evaluated for encapsulation efficiency and release profiles at different pH conditions during 24h. In vitro release tests showed that alginate microspheres maintain its integrity under simulated gastric conditions. By the contrary, under simulated intestinal conditions, an almost complete release is achieved during 24h, with a major portion (70%) being released after 2h.Financial support was provided by FCT and FEDER under Programme COMPETE (Project PEst-C/EQB/LA0020/2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comunic' Arte : o contributo das expressões artísticas para o desenvolvimento da expressão oral, no 7º ano de escolaridade, na disciplina de português

Dissertação de Mestrado em Arte e Educação apresentada à Universidade AbertaEste projeto de intervenção centra-se no contributo das expressões artísticas para o desenvolvimento do domínio da expressão oral, no âmbito da disciplina de Português, no 7.º ano de escolaridade. O projeto de intervenção Comunic’ARTE ocorre em quatro contextos educativos distintos (Escola Básica e Secundária de Santa Cruz, Casa da Cultura de Santa Cruz, Museu Quinta das Cruzes e Ginásio de São Martinho) e encontra-se desenvolvido em quatro andamentos: fundamentação, conceção, implementação, retroação e avaliação do projeto, de acordo com as orientações de Martins (2002). Nesta investigação-ação, que decorreu de setembro de 2013 a junho de 2014, optou-se por uma metodologia qualitativa, alicerçada no modelo de Relação Pedagógica de Renald Legendre (1993, 2005) que destaca quatro polos (Sujeito, Agente, Objeto e Meio). Esta metodologia permitiu-nos apreender as aprendizagens vivenciais dos intervenientes através de uma Educação pela Arte centralizada na comunicação verbal espontânea e planificada e realizada em contexto intra e extra sala de aula, com alunos que frequentam o 7.º ano de escolaridade. Os instrumentos de recolha de informação (observação participante, registos vídeo e fotográficos, opiniões e trabalhos dos sujeitos) permitiram observar e registar, pormenorizadamente, as práticas desenvolvidas para posterior reflexão. A abordagem pedagógica do domínio da expressão oral em articulação com as expressões artísticas permitiu constatar o desenvolvimento da comunicação verbal dos sujeitos e o acréscimo de competências e valores adquiridos pelos alunos num contexto de Educação pela Arte.This project of intervention is based on the contribution of artistic expressions for the development of oral communication in the subject of seventh form Portuguese. The project of intervention entitled Comunic’ARTE runs in four distinctive educational contexts (Elementary and Secondary School of Santa Cruz, Cultural Centre of Santa Cruz, the Museum Quinta das Cruzes and the Gymnasium of São Martinho) and is developed in four stages: rationale, conception, implementation and feedback, evaluation and reflection of the project, according to Martins’s guidelines (2002). The action-research occurred from September 2013 to June 2014, and it is based on a qualitative approach which is centered upon the Pedagogical Relationship Model of Renald Legendre (1993, 2005) that distinguishes four poles (Subject, Agent, Object and Environment). This methodology allowed us to fully understand the learning experiences of the intervenients in an Education through Art context, focused on spontaneous and planned verbal communication, inside and outside the classroom, with 7th form students. The data collection instruments (participative observation, video and photographic registrations, audio-recordings, opinions, comments and students’ work) allowed to observe and register, in detail, the practices developed for posterior reflection. The pedagogical approach of the oral expression domain in articulation with the artistic expressions allowed us to ascertain the development of verbal communication and an increase in acquired skills and values in students by an experience of Education through Art

COORDENAÇÃO MOTORA FINA E LATERALIDADE DAS CRIANÇAS DE 7 A 10 ANOS

O objetivo da pesquisa é verificar se há uma associação entre a coordenação motora fina e a lateralidade em crianças com idade entre 7 e 10 anos, de ambos os sexos, estudantes da EEB Druziana Sartori do município de Chapecó (SC). Esta é uma pesquisa caracterizada como descritiva quali-quantitativa, transversal, não probabilística, pois descreve as características de determinadas populações ou fenômenos. A amostra será composta por 100 crianças de ambos os sexos na faixa etária de 7 a 10 anos sendo 50 meninos e 50 meninas que freqüentam do 1º ao 5º ano do Ensino Fundamental I. O instrumento que será utilizado é a Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor (EDM). Ela compreende uma bateria de testes motores relacionados as seguintes áreas: coordenação motora fina, ampla, equilíbrio, esquema corporal, organização espacial, estrutura temporal e lateralidade. Neste estudo, serão utilizados somente os testes de coordenação motora fina e lateralidade. Para analisar os dados, primeiramente será calculada a idade cronológica da criança, a idade motora e o quociente motor referente a coordenação motora fina e a lateralidade das mãos, pés e olhos. Após os dadods serão exportados para o programa estatístico SPSS (Versão20.0) para fazer a analise descritiva por meio de frequência absoluta relativa, media e desvio padrão. Por fim será utilizado o teste quiquadrado para  verificar se há uma associação entre a coordenação motora fina e a lateralidade.Palavras-chave: Lateralidade. Coordenação Motora Fina. Escolare

Desenvolvimento de um processo de microencapsulação baseado em quitosano para proteção do α-tocoferol

Este trabalho foi realizado no âmbito da unidade curricular de Projeto da Licenciatura em Engenharia Biomédica do Instituto Politécnico de Bragança. Teve como principal objetivo desenvolver um processo de microencapsulação para proteção do α-tocoferol, a principal forma da vitamina E. O α-tocoferol é um antioxidante que possui um papel importante na proteção do organismo contra certos tipos de cancro e do envelhecimento da pele. Contudo, apresenta instabilidade à temperatura, oxigénio e luz, sendo importante a sua microencapsulação para garantir a sua proteção. Os estudos preliminares levados a cabo no âmbito da unidade curricular supramencionada consideram a utilização de duas matrizes poliméricas (quitosano e alginato), optando-se neste trabalho por apresentar os resultados obtidos com o quitosano e na perspetiva do desenvolvimento do processo de microencapsulação. Numa última etapa, o comportamento das microesferas produzidas foi testado para diferentes condições de pH

Calypso’s array attenuation

Introduction: The Calypso 4D Localization System gives the possibility to track the tumour during treatment, with no additional ionising radiation delivered. To monitor the patient continuously an array is positioned above the patient during the treatment. We intend to study, for various gantry angles, the attenuation effect of the array for 6- and 10 MV and flattening filter free (FFF) 6- and FFF 10 MV photon beams. Materials and methods: Measurements were performed using an ion chamber placed in a slab phantom positioned at the linac isocenter for 6 MV, 10 MV, FFF 6 MV and FFF 10 MV photon beams. Measurements were performed with and without array above the phantom for 0°, 10°, 20°, 40° and 50° beam angle for a True Beam STx linac, for 5×5 and 10×10 and 15×15 cm2 field size beams to evaluate the attenuation of the array. A VMAT treatment plan was measured using an ArcCheck with and without the array in the beam path. Results and discussion: Attenuation measured values were up to 3%. Attenuation values were between 1 and 2% with the exception of the 30°–50° gantry angles which were up to 3.3%. The ratio values calculated in the ArcCheck for relative dose and absolute dose 10 were both 1·00. Conclusion: Attenuation of the treatment beam by the Calypso array is within acceptable limits

Inside the practicum: crossing the visions of the actors

The roles and responsibilities of preschool teachers require a broad range of skills that include promoting child development, being sensitive and responsive to individual needs, working collaboratively with families and communities, and negotiating unexpected and challenging situations. The understanding of the practical training component is that of experiential learning supervised and reflected in real working context, in the case under study, at infants and toddlers and preschool classrooms. The supervision of practicum is understood as one of the most critical components of the formation of childhood educators. The main goal of this study is to understand the perceptions of the three actors of practicum: student teachers; university supervisors and cooperative teachers. From this main goal the following objectives emerged: (i) to know the models of supervision adopted by university supervisors and cooperative teachers; (ii) to identify supervision strategies adopted by the university supervisor and the cooperative teacher that promote student teachers professional development; (iii) to identify the critical factors that promote or hinder student teachers success; (iv) to know the needs of other conditions and/or resources at the supervisory level. The study is part of the interpretation paradigm, using for this reason a qualitative method. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews to 15 cooperative teachers, 15 university supervisors and 30 student teachers of preschool master programmes. A content analysis approach was used to analyse the data. To ensure confidentiality no information is disclosed without participants' consent and the interviews were transcribed and send to the participants for a final revision.The results reveal the key role of interactions and relations between student teachers and cooperative teachers and student teachers and university supervisors for the success at practicum, the importance of interconnecting theory and practice, reflection has a crucial role for student teacher’s professional development, the need for more training in supervision for cooperative teachers and university supervisors.National Funds through the FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) and co-financed by European Regional Development Funds (FEDER) through the Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program (POCI) with the reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007562info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Emerging as early childhood teacher: critical challenges

This study aims to understand the experiences of beginning early childhood teachers as they transition roles from student to first-year teacher. Research has shown that are major areas of concern for novice teachers: relationships, knowledge of the curriculum, evaluation and grading, issues in autonomy and control, and workload and time management. Research also has identified a troubling support gap for new teachers during their first critical years in the job. Fifteen early childhood teachers in their first year of teaching were interviewed for this case study research. data were submitted to content analyse process which allowed identifying major themes, namely: initial expectations and feelings; problems and difficulties; types of support; achievements; critical moments; perceived changes. The data highlight the need to reflect on early childhood teacher education. The emphasis should be on how to help teachers to construct professional understanding from field-based experiences.CIEC – Research Centre on Child Studies, IE, UMinho (FCT R&D unit 317), Portugal; National Funds through the FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) and co-financed by European Regional Development Funds (FEDER) through the Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program (POCI) with the reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007562info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Obesity as a possible risk factor for progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance progression into multiple myeloma: could myeloma be prevented with metformin treatment?

Obesity is increasingly associated with the transformation of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) into multiple myeloma (MM). Obesity, MGUS, and MM share common etiopathogenesis mechanisms including altered insulin axis and the action of inflammatory cytokines. Consistent with this interconnection, metformin could predominantly exert inhibition of these pathophysiological factors and thus be an attractive therapeutic option for MGUS. Despite the possible clinical significance, only a limited number of epidemiological studies have focused on obesity as a risk factor for MGUS and MM. This review describes multiple biological pathways modulated by metformin at the cellular level and their possible impacts on the biology of MGUS and its progression into MM202

Multi-pathology detection and lesion localization in WCE videos by using the instance segmentation approach

The majority of current systems for automatic diagnosis considers the detection of a unique and previously known pathology. Considering specifically the diagnosis of lesions in the small bowel using endoscopic capsule images, very few consider the possible existence of more than one pathology and when they do, they are mainly detection based systems therefore unable to localize the suspected lesions. Such systems do not fully satisfy the medical community, that in fact needs a system that detects any pathology and eventually more than one, when they coexist. In addition, besides the diagnostic capability of these systems, localizing the lesions in the image has been of great interest to the medical community, mainly for training medical personnel purposes. So, nowadays, the inclusion of the lesion location in automatic diagnostic systems is practically mandatory. Multi-pathology detection can be seen as a multi-object detection task and as each frame can contain different instances of the same lesion, instance segmentation seems to be appropriate for the purpose. Consequently, we argue that a multi-pathology system benefits from using the instance segmentation approach, since classification and segmentation modules are both required complementing each other in lesion detection and localization. According to our best knowledge such a system does not yet exist for the detection of WCE pathologies. This paper proposes a multi-pathology system that can be applied to WCE images, which uses the Mask Improved RCNN (MI-RCNN), a new mask subnet scheme which has shown to significantly improve mask predictions of the high performing state-of-the-art Mask-RCNN and PANet systems. A novel training strategy based on the second momentum is also proposed for the first time for training Mask-RCNN and PANet based systems. These approaches were tested using the public database KID, and the included pathologies were bleeding, angioectasias, polyps and inflammatory lesions. Experimental results show significant improvements for the prFCT national funds, under the national support to R&D units grant, through the reference project UIDB/04436/2020 and UIDP/04436/2020 and through the PhD Grants with the references SFRH/BD/92143/2013 and SFRH/BD/139061/201