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The app ‘Roteiro Entre-Marés’ offers digital itineraries for exploring intertidal zones, such as the rocky platform of the Avencas Marine Protected Area. As users travel through the intertidal area, several challenges emphasising the biodiversity and environmental issues are presented. Eighth-grade students (n=63) used this application and were challenged to identify in situ the marine species present in different zones of the intertidal ecosystem. Then, questionnaires and interviews were performed with teachers and students to examine the utilisation of mobile apps as educational tools. The fact that they learnt a lot, autonomously, using the field guide of the app, was among the aspects that the students most appreciated, describing this app as an organised, informative, interesting, and interactive learning tool. Teachers say this is a useful didactic resource because it delivers clear and reliable information that links theory and practice. Hence, this study examines the acceptance of this mobile app as an instructional tool among students and teachers, highlighting the potential of mobile apps as educational tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present an appraisal of a lesson-study implementation with pre-service biology teachers concerning a health education issue, how blood pressure works and how it is affected. The participants were 11 pre-service teachers, a secondary school biology teacher and three teacher educators from a local University. A qualitative and interpretative approach was followed. Data were collected through participant observation, content analysis of the pre-service biology teachers' individual written reflections, and their proposal of a lesson plan. The results evidenced the value of this formative approach, concerning the learning opportunities it offers, not only related to the scientific content knowledge but also the didactic knowledge developed by pre-service teachers. They seemed to develop a holistic understanding of how to teach a theme as multidimensional as this one, health education, but they also developed didactic knowledge related to different central aspects of the teaching process, concerning lesson planning, task development, classroom management, and communication, and became aware of the importance of developing several crucial competencies as science teachers. The lesson-study approach revealed to be a strategy for learning about teaching planning that has the particularity of bringing theory and practice remarkably closer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes whether and how conferences and councils on policies for health and women in Minas Gerais interact with each other to shape a participatory and deliberative system in these policy areas. Thus, the article analytically and empirically evaluates: (1) how actors, topics, and norms act as connectors of these forums in each policy area; (2) whether those connections promote an integrated system in each policy area. To investigate the connections among the forums, we proposed four different techniques: observations of council meetings and conferences, document analysis, surveys, and interviews. We mixed these techniques to compare these two contrasting cases. As a result of this comparative analysis, we argue that the legal and political infrastructure in which policies are immersed induces the connectors to work systemically. Health policy, which is legally and institutionally more predictable than policy for women, ensures more favorable conditions for the actors to coordinate their actions, for the topics to be debated and transmitted, and for the norms to be disputed and legitimized. Therefore, we claim that the political-institutional resources are significant for the connectors to shape a participatory and deliberative system in each policy area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand if a project work methodology proposed to students, based on an inquiry perspective and dealing with different dimensions of sustainable development, contributed to creating an interdisciplinary solution for a problem on sustainability challenged by food production and consumption, and also to understand if this methodological approach is perceived as important to their learning as professionals and citizens. Data were collected by direct observation, a questionnaire applied to the students and students' individual reflections. Design/methodology/approach: This paper aims to present the research results of the impact of a pedagogical approach on students, implemented as a part of the Doctoral Programme in Sustainability Science, which was designed following an innovative model at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. The main drivers include building a new body of interdisciplinary knowledge leading to the application of science to address real problems towards transdisciplinary education. Findings: The results suggest great potential for an inquiry perspective in trying to solve a real problem. Students' proposals were realistic, viable and complementary enough to collectively contribute in response to the global problem. The use of approaches acquired from different areas of knowledge was clear, and the project methodology was well understood. Students considered the experience very rewarding in terms of learning and contributing positively to their personal and professional development. Originality/value: This Doctoral programme is anchored in a progressive continuum encompassing holistic debates with a multidisciplinary team of professors in environments that promote interdisciplinary attitudes and new knowledge, and also project work aimed at guiding students to transdisciplinary learning, which constitutes an innovative form of dealing with the complex challenges created by the science of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A literary criticism of the 2005 autobiography "Bilhete de identidade" by Maria Filomena Mônica is presented. The Portuguese sociologist republished her autobiography in 2017. She presents three reasons for the lack of interest in ego-documents in the country: the high rate of illiteracy; the effect of censorship; and the influence of the Catholic Church. She has been criticized for being egocentric and being part of an elite that does not represent Portuguese society.

This article evaluates comparatively the capacity of inclusion of the health and Social Assistance Conferences held in 2011 in Minas Gerais, through an analytical strategy that involves three distinct steps. Through a survey of 729 participants of these Conferences, this article comparatively analyzes: (1) who the participants of these Conferences are (2) whether or not the impact of scale changes the participant's socioeconomic and political profiles and (3) what the PPC rules are concerning recruitment (who can participate) and representative processes (how are the delegate-representatives selected). The article found that these innovations include new actors, but they are not able to scale up and to get the higher scales, at least in Minas Gerais. To deal with these constraints, this article suggests the discussion and the changes on the PPC rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the presence of life writing in Portugal, with early mentions of Catherine Dumas at Sorbonne Nouvelle University and author Andrée Crabbé Rocha and his work "A epistolografia em Portugal". The article also mentions Clara Rocha, author of "Máscaras de Narciso", Maria Alzira Seixo, professor at Lisbon University and Portuguese writer Vergilio Ferreira and his diary "Contracorrente". It mentions authors Irene Lisboa and Maria Gabriela Llanson.

Introduction: Despite being the second most frequent tumor in children, pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are rare, and the published European epidemiological data is limited. Our goal is to present the first surgical series of pediatric CNS tumors in Portugal and to review other similar worldwide series. Methods: Retrospective review of all patients younger than 19 years old, operated to a CNS tumor in the Neurosurgery Department at Hospital de Santa Maria (Lisbon, Portugal) between January 2004 and December 2014. Demographic data, tumor location, clinical data, histopathology, and surgical treatment were analyzed and compared to surgical series of pediatric CNS tumors published in PubMed indexed journals over the last 20 years. Results: We performed 253 surgeries in 215 patients, with a male:female ratio of 1.2:1 and a mean age of 9.2 years old. Primary brain tumors accounted for 95 % of all tumors and had more often a supratentorial location. Tumors of neuroepithelial tissue, particularly astrocytic tumors, embryonal tumors, neuronal and mixed neuronal-glial tumors, and oligodendrogliomas accounted for 81 % of cases. A gross-total resection was achieved in most cases. There was no mortality, and the overall morbidity was low. Conclusions: The demography, topography, and clinical presentation of the tumors and the surgical results of this series are comparable to other European ones. We found a higher incidence of neuronal and mixed neuronal-glial tumors and oligodendrogliomas and a slight lower incidence of ependymomas. Our results should encourage further national multi-institutional studies to better characterize these tumors in the pediatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobilizing scientific knowledge for understanding the natural world and for critically appraise socio-scientific situations and make decisions are key competencies for todays' society. Therefore, it is essential to understand how students at the end of compulsory schooling use scientific knowledge for understanding the surrounding world. The objective of this study is to understand how students construct a scientifically oriented explanation while making sense of a phenomenon related to health. We analysed 526 answers to a question of a Portuguese national 9th grade science exam. The results reveal that most students present difficulties in explaining a phenomenon related to health supported by logical and clear reasoning, and in mobilizing scientific knowledge for connecting different scientific domains. We reaffirm the need to reconceptualize the role of health education within science education. Developing reading, writing and discussion activities related to health, which requires the use of scientific knowledge from different domains, would facilitate students' understanding and appropriation of scientific knowledge and its transference. This is a fundamental competence for promoting active and informed citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purposes of the study were to analyse the promotion of scientific literacy through practical research activities and to identify children's conceptions about scientists and how they do science. Elementary school children were engaged in two scientific experiments in a marine biology research laboratory. A total of 136 students answered a questionnaire about their previous habits towards science and carried out the following actions: (1) a guided visit to the laboratory, (2) a brief presentation of the research theme, (3) the development of two experiments, and (4) a questionnaire about the experiments and science conceptions. The research methods included observation, document analysis, and content analysis of the answers to the questionnaires. Additionally, each visit was video recorded in order to design learning materials. The results revealed that most of the pupils were able to follow every stage of experimentation. However, some of them misinterpreted results and conclusions. One implication of the study is that this type of outdoor activity is extremely important to promote meaningful science learning in children, but more care should be taken in practical science activities so that children can overcome some common difficulties when performing scientific inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The treatment of the scoliosis needs periodic radiologics evaluations, increasing the risks of the radiation. The use of methods no-invasivos it can be an alternative. The aim was to evaluate individuals with an instrument noninvasive for quantification of the hump deformity and to correlate these measured with the values of the Cobb angle. Forty one participants accomplished anthropometric evaluation and Adams test, being applied an instrument composed by level plane and a ruler, to measure the hump deformity. It was requested radiologics exam in the measures > 5 mm. The lineal coefficient of Pearson was used. The escoliose was diagnosed in 68,4% of the total of x-rays. There was better association among the measure of the thoracic deformity with the thoracic Cobb angle (right, r=0,91; left, r=0,83). The positioning adopted during Adams test could favor the best correlation of the thoracic values. It was concluded that the method no-invasivo it presented better results for thoracic curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Healthy individuals present variable responses of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis induced by different patterns of physical training. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prolonged low-grade physical training influences the HPA axis and also glucocorticoid receptor-α (GRα) mRNA levels in mononuclear cells of obese adolescents. Methods: We studied 19 patients with BMI above the 95th percentile (male:female ratio 7:12) aged from 9.5 to 15.5 years. Patients underwent a 12-week physical exercise program. Before and after exercise, in vivo glucocorticoid sensitivity was determined by employing a very-low-dose intravenous dexamethasone suppression test, and in vitro GRα mRNA levels were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: After exercise there was a trend to reduce the in vivo glucocorticoid sensitivity (p = 0.071) and a significant increase in GRα mRNA levels (p = 0.025). Conclusion: For this subset of obese adolescents, prolonged low-grade physical training tended to reduce glucocorticoid sensitivity. The discrepancy of cortisol response to dexamethasone and the GRα mRNA measurement suggest a post-receptor phenomenon or should be related to target tissue-specific differences in glucocorticoid sensitivity. Future studies should address the adaptive GRα mRNA during different exercise protocols, and also the correlation of pituitary sensitivity with glucocorticoid target tissue sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoids (GC) play an important role in physiologic and pathophysiologic adaptive responses to stress. The majority of these effects are mediated by the GC receptors (GR). GC sensitivity largely depends of the amount of available GR, and their ability to bind the GC-responsive element and/or other nuclear transcription factors, leading to modulation of the expression of GC target genes. Clinical conditions of tissue-specific GC resistance or GC hypersensitivity have been described in several diseases, such as chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, and in visceral obesity, such as metabolic syndrome. Several in vivo and in vitro methods have been described, allowing the evaluation and quantitation of GC sensitivity. The recognition of these parameters has improved our comprehension of the mechanisms involved in those diseases, with potential implications for the diagnosis and therapy of such abnormalities. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The wide variability of responses to corticotherapy suggests a role for individual recognition of steroid sensitivity in order to customize treatment. Oral dexamethasone (DEX) administration may be hindered by the rate of its intestinal absorption and the liver first-passage effect. In this study we suggest that an intravenous very low dose DEX suppression test (VLD IV-DST) can be used as an index for glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity. Methods: We evaluated 87 normal subjects: 44 prepubertal children, 23 adolescents and 20 adults with a VLD IV-DST using 20 μg/m2 of DEX (dose able to recognize GC sensitivity). Cortisol was initially measured at several time-points after DEX prompting us to establish its nadir and subsequent simplification of the test by measuring cortisol at baseline and after 120 min. Results: Baseline cortisol was similar in adolescents and in adults, but lower in children. There was a spectrum of individual responses in all age groups. The percent reduction of cortisol after 120 min was different in these three age groups, with median values of 44.4% in children, 25.9% in adolescents and 61.6% in adults. Conclusion: This simplified VLD IV-DST using 20 μg/m2 of DEX is useful to evaluate individual sensitivity to GC in different age groups. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coryphoblennius galerita is a small intertidal fish with a wide distribution and limited dispersal ability, occurring in the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. In this study, we examined Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of C. galerita to assess levels of genetic divergence across populations and to elucidate historical and contemporary factors underlying the distribution of the genetic variability. We analyse three mitochondrial and one nuclear marker and 18 morphological measurements. The combined dataset clearly supports the existence of two groups of C. galerita: one in the Mediterranean and another in the northeastern Atlantic. The latter group is subdivided in two subgroups: Azores and the remaining northeastern Atlantic locations. Divergence between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean can be the result of historical isolation between the populations of the two basins during the Pleistocene glaciations. Present-day barriers such as the Gibraltar Strait or the ‘Almeria-Oran jet’ are also suggested as responsible for this isolation. Our results show no signs of local extinctions during the Pleistocene glaciations, namely at the Azores, and contrast with the biogeographical pattern that has been observed for Atlantic–Mediterranean warm-water species, in which two groups of populations exist, one including the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast of western Europe, and another encompassing the western tropical coast of Africa and the Atlantic islands of the Azores, Madeira and Canaries. Species like C. galerita that tolerate cooler waters, may have persisted during the Pleistocene glaciations in moderately affected locations, thus being able to accumulate genetic differences in the more isolated locations such as the Azores and the Mediterranean. This study is one of the first to combine morphological and molecular markers (mitochondrial and nuclear) with variable rates of molecular evolution to the study of the relationships of the Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of a cool-water species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article intends to analyze the impact of a set of participatory forums at state level in the relation between executive and Legislative powers at Rio Grande do Sul, as well as in the improvement of the mechanisms of public control on the same ones. The objective is, therefore, to analyze the participatory effects of the forums promoted by Participatory Budgeting (OP-RS) -- a state Executive initiative -- and by the Democratic Forum -- a state Legislative initiative -- on democratic practice in the Rio Grande do Sul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The expression of glucocorticoid-receptor (GR) seems to be a key mechanism in the regulation of glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity and is potentially involved in cases of GC resistance or hypersensitivity. The aim of this study is to describe a method for quantitation of GR alpha isoform (GRá) expression using real-time PCR (qrt-PCR) with analytical capabilities to monitor patients, offering standard-curve reproducibility as well as intra- and inter-assay precision. Results: Standard-curves were constructed by employing standardized Jurkat cell culture procedures, both for GRá and BCR (breakpoint cluster region), as a normalizing gene. We evaluated standard-curves using five different sets of cell culture passages, RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and qrt-PCR quantification. Intra-assay precision was evaluated using 12 replicates of each gene, for 2 patients, in a single experiment. Inter-assay precision was evaluated on 8 experiments, using duplicate tests of each gene for two patients. Standard-curves were reproducible, with CV (coefficient of variation) of less than 11%, and Pearson correlation coefficients above 0,990 for most comparisons. Intra-assay and inter-assay were 2% and 7%, respectively. Conclusion: This is the first method for quantitation of GRá expression with technical characteristics that permit patient monitoring, in a fast, simple and robust way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we investigated the relationships between dominance rank and access to shelters in captive groups of Lipophrys pholis and Coryphoblennius galerita, as well as the effects of group size and shelter availability. Dominance rank was strongly correlated with size in juvenile L. pholis and with sex and size in adult C. galerita, males being dominant over females of similar size. Access to shelters was significantly correlated with dominance rank. For both species, most interactions occurred out of shelters. Direct disputes over shelters were always initiated by the dominant fish and the initiator was always the winner. The rate of aggression per fish per unit time decreased with an increase in the number of fish in L. pholis but not in C. galerita. No significant differences were found in groups differing in the number of shelters. C. galerita showed a higher rate of agonistic interactions and a higher proportion of overt aggression than L. pholis. It is suggested that one of the functions of agonistic interactions in these fishes is the control of a set of shelters, in the network of pathways used by each individual within its home range, minimising the time required to hide in case of danger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the dialogue between three authors: Jürgen Habermas, Joshua Cohen and James Bohman, this essay seeks to answer key questions as: Is it possible public deliberation through institutions that mediate the relationship between private interests and state? What are the best institutional conditions to operate it? What are the constraints imposed to the discussion? [TRANSLATION]

Simple Summary: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive BC that highly metastasizes to the brain, constituting a major hurdle and with poor survival after diagnosis. This strongly contributes to the lack of well-defined molecular targets, limiting effective TNBC therapeutic options. Nevertheless, TNBC has been associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression and downstream phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling activation. We hypothesized that blood–brain barrier (BBB)-permeant molecules with the predicted ability to inhibit the EGFR/PI3Kp110β pathway could be strong candidates to tackle metastatic TNBC. A screening of EGFR, PI3Kp110β, and dual inhibitors was performed to validate their efficacy in biological assays. We used TNBC cells with brain tropism to test the drugs' effects in downstream players of the EGFR/PI3Kp110β pathway, as well as in cell death, morphology, proliferation, and migration. We found that two dual inhibitors presented the strongest anti-tumor effects, pointing to their usefulness in abrogating TNBC cells' tumorigenic properties. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a devastating BC subtype. Its aggressiveness, allied to the lack of well-defined molecular targets, usually culminates in the appearance of metastases that account for poor prognosis, particularly when they develop in the brain. Nevertheless, TNBC has been associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression, leading to downstream phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling activation. We aimed to unravel novel drug candidates for TNBC treatment based on EGFR and/or PI3K inhibition. Using a highly metastatic TNBC cell line with brain tropism (MDA-MB-231 Br4) and a library of 27 drug candidates in silico predicted to inhibit EGFR, PI3K, or EGFR plus PI3K, and to cross the blood–brain barrier, we evaluated the effects on cell viability. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the most cytotoxic ones was established, and cell cycle and death, as well as migration and EGFR pathway intervenient, were further evaluated. Two dual inhibitors emerged as the most promising drugs, with the ability to modulate cell cycle, death, migration and proliferation, morphology, and PI3K/AKT cascade players such as myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) and forkhead box P1 (FOXP1). This work revealed EGFR/PI3K dual inhibitors as strong candidates to tackle brain metastatic TNBC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains a challenging disease, as it is the most common and deadly brain tumour in adults and has no curative solution and an overall short survival time. This incurability and short survival time means that, despite its rarity (average incidence of 3.2 per 100,000 persons), there has been an increased effort to try to treat this disease. Standard of care in newly diagnosed glioblastoma is maximal tumour resection followed by initial concomitant radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) and then further chemotherapy with TMZ. Imaging techniques are key not only to diagnose the extent of the affected tissue but also for surgery planning and even for intraoperative use. Eligible patients may combine TMZ with tumour treating fields (TTF) therapy, which delivers low-intensity and intermediate-frequency electric fields to arrest tumour growth. Nonetheless, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and systemic side effects are obstacles to successful chemotherapy in GBM; thus, more targeted, custom therapies such as immunotherapy and nanotechnological drug delivery systems have been undergoing research with varying degrees of success. This review proposes an overview of the pathophysiology, possible treatments, and the most (not all) representative examples of the latest advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is accompanied by various physiological manifestations, among them, reduced muscle strength, being considered one of the determinants for the maintenance of functional capacity factors, because it is directly related to the independence and performance of daily living activities, as well as quality of life for seniors. The aim of the study was to analyze the muscle strength of the lower limbs in elderly women engaged in physical activity. This is a sample of 62 female volunteers aged over 60 years. We carried out the one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. The results demonstrated a significant increase in muscle strength in relation to the extension and knee flexion comparing the periods pre and post-test. Therefore, it is concluded that physical activity promotes increased muscle strength of the lower limbs, which contributes to improved quality of life for seniors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate and correlate the vascular, sensory and motor components related to the plantar surface in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 68 patients were categorized into two groups: 28 in the neuropathic group and 40 in the control group. In each patient, we assessed: circulation and peripheral perfusion of the lower limbs; somatosensory sensitivity; ankle muscle strength; and pressure on the plantar surface in static, dynamic and gait states. We used the Mann-Whitney test and analysis of variance (ANOVA and MANOVA) for comparison between groups, and performed Pearson and Spearman linear correlations amongst the variables ( P < 0.05). The somatosensory sensitivity, peripheral circulation and ankle muscle strength were reduced in the neuropathic group. In full peak plantar pressures, no differences were seen between groups, but differences did appear when the foot surface was divided into regions (forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot). In the static condition, the plantar surface area was greater in the neuropathic group. In the dynamic state, peak pressures in the neuropathic group, were higher in the forefoot and lower in the hindfoot, as well as lower in the hindfoot during gait. There were positive or negative correlations between the sensitivity deficit, dorsal ankle flexor strength, plantar surface area, and peak pressure by plantar region. The sensitivity deficit contributed to the increased plantar surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elderly become more dependent with advancing age, with declines in functional capacity, gait, balance and mobility. The preservation of them can keep them active and autonomous, thus providing a more healthy aging. The objective was to evaluate the influence of regular physical activity in the submaximal functional capacity and functional mobility of elderly. It is a crosssectional study of 39 elderly women with a mean age of 69 ± 8.70 years. Tests of six-minute walk and the Timed Up and Go were applied. Results showed a significant increase between the results of the initial evaluation and end of the six-minute walk test, but in relation to the Timed Up and Go test, not significant difference was observed. Thus it is concluded that seniors who engage in regular physical activity have reduced and or maintenance of levels of functional capacity and mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]