Search

Copyright of Apotheke is the property of Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: This study reported a family with most members affected by Czech dysplasia. We examined the patients' clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics and evaluated their functional capacity using the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index. Methods: The method used was case series description and literature review. Results: This study showed that the pathogenic variant c.823C>T in the COL2A1 gene, which is a characteristic of Czech dysplasia, was found in 12 Brazilian individuals. Half of the patients in this family met the criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria. Patients had arthritis in their hand joints, synovitis detected by ultrasound, and alterations in inflammatory tests. The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index assessment revealed that all patients exhibited moderate-to-severe functional disability. What distinguish Czech dysplasia from RA are an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, platyspondyly, sensorineural hearing loss, and shortening of the metatarsal bones. Conclusions: It is important to consider Czech dysplasia as a potential differential diagnosis for RA. This autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia is associated with normal height, short metatarsals, platyspondyly, hearing loss, enlarged epiphyses, and precocious osteoarthritis. Inflammatory findings such as arthritis, synovitis, and alteration of inflammatory markers may also be present in individuals with Czech dysplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Spanish Journal of Comparative Education / Revista Española de Educación Comparada is the property of Editorial UNED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Obesity is characterized by low-grade inflammation, energy imbalance and impaired thermogenesis. The role of regulatory T cells (Treg) in inflammation-mediated maladaptive thermogenesis is not well established. Here, we find that the p38 pathway is a key regulator of T cell-mediated adipose tissue (AT) inflammation and browning. Mice with T cells specifically lacking the p38 activators MKK3/6 are protected against diet-induced obesity, leading to an improved metabolic profile, increased browning, and enhanced thermogenesis. We identify IL-35 as a driver of adipocyte thermogenic program through the ATF2/UCP1/FGF21 pathway. IL-35 limits CD8+ T cell infiltration and inflammation in AT. Interestingly, we find that IL-35 levels are reduced in visceral fat from obese patients. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that p38 controls the expression of IL-35 in human and mouse Treg cells through mTOR pathway activation. Our findings highlight p38 signaling as a molecular orchestrator of AT T cell accumulation and function. Synopsis: The p38 pathway regulates T cell-mediated adipose tissue inflammation and browning via IL-35. Lack of p38 activation in T cells increases IL-35, thereby inducing thermogenesis and reducing inflammation. T cell-specific deletion of p38 activators protects against diet-induced obesity, improves metabolic profiles, and enhances browning and thermogenesis. The p38 pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating T cell-mediated adipose tissue inflammation and browning. IL-35 is a significant driver of adipocyte thermogenesis and suppression of adipose tissue inflammation. The p38 pathway controls IL-35 expression in human and mouse regulatory T cells through mTOR pathway activation. The p38 pathway regulates T cell-mediated adipose tissue inflammation and browning via IL-35. Lack of p38 activation in T cells increases IL-35, thereby inducing thermogenesis and reducing inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical incidents are unanticipated events (either positive or negative) that teachers may encounter during a lesson or other situation causing them to reflect on their approach and change accordingly..Critical incidents have great potential for learning as they are vividly remembered and set the conditions for systematic reflection. However, despite the importance of the critical incident technique for professional learning in Initial Teacher Education (ITE), it is not generally used in teacher education programmes until the practicum stage when video-analysis is used. This study aims to analyse student teachers' individual and group reflections regarding two cases recorded on video in Portugal and Spain. Under the context of an Erasmus research project entitled 'Digital Practicum 3.0: Exploring Augmented Reality, Remote Classrooms, and Virtual Learning to enrich and expand preservice teacher education preparation (2020–1-ES01-KA226-HE - 096,120)' two cohorts of 39 and 22 student teachers, respectively, reflected upon two critical incidents previously selected by the student teachers who had taught the two lessons that were video recorded. They had to watch the videos and analyse the incidents both in group discussion and individual reflection. Findings suggest that such a strategy is key to enhancing the development of critical reflection in Initial Teacher Education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The closure of higher education institutions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a sudden and unexpected transition from face-to-face to online teaching and learning. This paper draws on data from a broader study focusing on higher education students' perceptions and experiences of online learning during the first lockdown in 2020. In total, 2,718 students from different Portuguese institutions participated in the study. Findings indicate that students who felt they had been provided with more feedback reported less difficulty in online teaching and learning. Students reported more perceived difficulty than perceived feedback in online teaching and learning. Findings point to the importance of feedback in fostering self-regulation of learning, thereby helping students better adapt to online teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial discusses the issue of teacher shortages and attrition in the post-pandemic era and the role of teacher educators in policy development to address this problem. It emphasizes the need for teacher educators to engage in holistic policy development to ensure equal access to quality educators for all learners. The editorial proposes the 5Ps of holistic policy development: purpose, process, plan, and pointers, as a way forward for addressing the challenges in teacher education. It also highlights the importance of inclusive processes and local buy-in in implementing systemic level policies and the need to consider diverse cultural perspectives in teacher education policy. The text raises questions about who should control standards and how they should be implemented, highlighting the tensions between control and professional freedom in the teaching profession. The authors argue for a holistic approach to policy development that considers the unique contexts and needs of each jurisdiction. The text concludes by calling on teacher educators to actively engage in holistic policy development to address the challenges of unfinished learning and educator resignations in the post-COVID-19 era. [Extracted from the article]

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a devastating bone disease that is caused by a disruption of blood supply leading to necrotic cell death. Clinically, it was found that obesity has a high prevalence with ONFH. However, it remains unclear how obesity may directly affect tissue regeneration and bone healing in osteonecrosis (ON). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of obesity and weight loss (WL) on ON healing. In this study, we induced obesity and WL in an established surgery‐induced ON mouse model via feeding a high‐fat diet (HFD) and altering the diet respectively. All mice received a surgical induction of ON of distal femoral epiphysis at the age of 12 weeks. HFD was switched to normal diet (ND) after ON surgery to induce WL. Mouse body weight was recorded weekly. Mouse body composition was scanned by DEXA (Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry) right after sacrifice at the age of 16 weeks. The distal femoral bone samples were fixed and embedded for histology such as H&E, immunohistochemistry, and TRAP staining. In this study, we found that HFD‐induced obesity impaired revascularization and bone remodeling showing decreased vessel areas and reduced osteoblast and osteoclast numbers. WL could rescue obesity‐induced bone healing defects. Our study is the first to test the direct effects of obesity and WL on ON bone healing. We believe our work may provide new concepts for osteonecrosis treatment in obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many changes have taken place in initial teacher education (ITE) programmes over the last number of years in countries such as Israel, Portugal, Jamaica, Ontario (Canada), and England. This paper outlines some of these changes, why they occurred, and to the extent possible, how effective these changes have been from the experience of the teacher educators who have written this paper. In particular, they describe one significant change that would greatly improve ITE in their respective jurisdictions. In the latter part of the paper, the writers discuss current trends and possible directions for teacher education across international contexts. With its contrasting accounts of ITE in different national contexts across the world, this article argues for high quality initial teacher education to provide a global educational workforce in which teachers and learners can flourish within an equal, yet diverse and decolonialised ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine if short-term outcomes differed for pediatric patients with suspected musculoskeletal infection with or without a preoperative MRI. This was a multicenter, retrospective review of patients aged 0–16 years who presented with atraumatic extremity pain, underwent irrigation and debridement (I&D), and received at least one preoperative or postoperative MRI over a 10-year period. Primary outcomes were time to OR, total I&Ds, readmission rate, time from OR to discharge, and total number of MRIs. Secondary outcomes entailed the rate at which concurrent osteomyelitis was identified in patients with septic arthritis and the extent of the resulting surgical debridement. Of the 104 patients, 72.1% had a preoperative MRI. Patients with a preoperative MRI were significantly less likely to have surgery on the day of admission. No difference was found between groups regarding total I&Ds, readmission rate, time from OR to discharge, and total number of MRIs. Of the 57 patients diagnosed with septic arthritis, those with a preoperative MRI were significantly more likely to have concurrent osteomyelitis identified and to undergo bony debridement in addition to arthrotomy of the joint. In conclusion, patient outcomes are not adversely affected by obtaining a preoperative MRI despite the delay in time to OR. Although preoperative MRI can be beneficial in ruling out other pathologies and identifying the extent of concurrent osteomyelitis, the decision to obtain a preoperative MRI and timing of surgery should be left to the discretion of the treating surgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on data from a broader research study focusing on Portuguese teachers' perceptions and experiences of remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 2638 teachers participated in the study. Data were collected through an online survey which included both closed- and open-ended questions. Findings suggest that, overall, teachers experienced a positive adaptation process and were able to teach according to what they had planned. However, difficulties were also found. These relate to reconciling work with family life and extra workload in the context of remote teaching. In addition, findings show that pupils from lower socioeconomic backgrounds presented a lower level of participation in learning tasks. Differences as a function of gender and age were identified. Implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesomelic skeletal dysplasia is a heterogeneous group of skeletal disorders that has grown since the molecular basis of these conditions is in the process of research and discovery. Here, we report a Brazilian family with eight affected members over three generations with a phenotype similar to mesomelic Kantaputra dysplasia. This family presents marked shortening of the upper limbs with hypotrophy of the lower limbs and clubfeet without synostosis. Array‐based CNV analysis and exome sequencing of four family members failed to show any region or gene candidate. Interestingly, males were more severely affected than females in this family, suggesting that gender differences could play a role in the phenotypic expressivity of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inner ear is the hub where hair cells (HCs) transduce sound, gravity, and head acceleration stimuli to the brain. Hearing and balance rely on mechanosensation, the fastest sensory signals transmitted to the brain. The mechanoelectrical transducer (MET) channel is the entryway for the sound-balance-brain interface, but the channel-complex composition is not entirely known. Here, we report that the mouse utilizes Piezo1 (Pz1) and Piezo2 (Pz2) isoforms as MET-complex components. The Pz channels, expressed in HC stereocilia, and cell lines are co-localized and co-assembled with MET complex partners. Mice expressing non-functional Pz1 and Pz2 at the ROSA26 locus have impaired auditory and vestibular traits that can only be explained if the Pzs are integral to the MET complex. We suggest that Pz subunits constitute part of the MET complex and that interactions with other MET complex components yield functional MET units to generate HC MET currents. The identity of hair cells' mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) channel-complex components is unknown. Here, the authors used multiple biochemical, genetic, and functional approaches to show that mouse hair cells utilize Piezo1 and Piezo2 isoforms as part of the MET-complex component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education institutions and teacher education programmes to transition from face-to-face to remote teaching. In this new educational environment, universities and schools had to make changes to address emerging teaching and learning needs. This literature review study provides an overview of research on teaching and learning practices published after the outbreak of COVID-19 in the context of teacher education. It aims to examine their characteristics after the pandemic and analyse issues that have affected their development. Based on the inclusion criteria, 28 papers were considered in the analysis. Findings point to the social and collaborative dimension of teaching, the caring component and the adoption of a more democratic and inclusive approach to teaching and learning. Personal and contextual factors and the challenges encountered related to poor interaction and difficulties in assessing students' performance are also identified. Implications for rethinking current online teaching and learning practices in the context of teacher education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, Miriam Ben-Peretz, the Israel Scholar of 2006 and a member of the U.S. National Academy (in addition to being a recipient of Israel's EMET Prize for Research in Education and an American Educational Research Association Fellow) passed away. Ben-Peretz, whose life patterned Israel's contested history (including its wars), was equally well known worldwide and at home. This intellectual biography captures her career trajectory, her abridged academic family tree, her research interests, and how her scholarship spread at home and abroad. Her knowledge creations: curriculum making, curriculum potential and curriculum encounters, are spotlighted. Her longstanding relationship with, and support of MOFET (Institute for Research and Curriculum Development in Teacher Education), which was founded Israel's Ministry of Education, formed a seedbed for her knowledge utilization, knowledge mediation, and knowledge dissemination. Ben-Peretz's career illuminates how she, as a pioneering female and founding citizen of Israel, made headway so that others, could follow in her footsteps. How to live optimistically, despite encountering barriers that would break others, is the legacy that Miriam Ben-Peretz left. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher education is facing global challenges that are mutually concerning to educators around the world. Those who teach teachers are being called upon to rethink their purpose, method and stance, as the very notion of what a teacher should know and be able to do is dramatically changing. This issue offers stories of rethinking as teacher educators use crises to create opportunities for transformation. Their narratives illustrate dilemmas, many of which are ongoing. Our paper begins with a discussion of four enduring dilemmas or tensions that have long plagued and puzzled teacher educators. We then turn to three themes that emerge from the articles in this issue and offer a lens for reimagining the tensions laid out earlier so as to work our way into a different reality for teacher education. We conclude with thoughts about challenges relating to emerging practice areas and timely improvements we need to meet them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we examine current and future challenges of the teaching profession by reimagining teacher education using Portugal and the USA (i.e. Texas) as examples. Our comparative analyses in this area began in 2016 when we discovered our common research interests and the relevance of these topics for our contexts. In this paper, we particularly focus on challenges related to i) the teacher shortage, ii) the nature of teachers' work, iii) approaches to teacher education in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that times of crisis may present opportunities to enhance the profession, to recognise its increasingly complex and dynamic nature, and to produce solid, multifaceted knowledge of social and educational significance for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, bee products are commended by consumers for their medicinal and dietary properties. This study aimed to differentiate between monofloral bee pollens originating from Portugal using phenolic and volatile profiles and investigate their antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were recorded between 2.9–35.8 mg GAE/g and 0.7–4.8 mg QE/g, respectively. The LC/DAD/ESI-MSn analytical results allowed us to identify and quantify a total of 72 compounds, including phenolic and phenylamide compounds, whereas GC-MS results revealed the presence of 49 different compounds, mostly ketones, aldehydes, esters, hydrocarbons, and terpenes. The highest DPPH• radical scavenging activity, EC50: 0.07 mg/mL, was recorded in the sample dominated by Castanae sp. pollen, whereas the Rubus sp. (1.59 mM Trolox/mg) and Cistaceae sp. (0.09 mg GAE/g) pollen species exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in ABTS•+ and reducing power assays, respectively. Regarding the anti-carcinogenic activity, only Carduus sp. showed remarkable cytotoxic potential against MCF-7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including enhancing reflective skills in pre-service English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and addressing uncertainties in student teaching through core reflection.

School reform, curriculum, autonomy, control, policy implementation, school principals. [Extracted from the article]

In conclusion, this 10 y-FU update suggests that TILs markers that CD3, FOXP3 and CD8 IHC counts have predictive value by identifying patients with better sensitivity to R-maintenance. Ten years follow-up of PFS (months) according to CD3 IHC scores in the R-maintenance arm (A) and in the control (R-chemo without maintenance) arm (B) of the PRIMA trial. Long-term follow-up confirms the favourable prognostic impact of high numbers of tumour infiltrating CD3 T-cells in follicular lymphoma patients treated by rituximab-maintenance regimen. [Extracted from the article]

INTRODUCTION: Children's exposure to parental tobacco smoke is a public health concern. Guiding parents towards smoking cessation plays a key role in protecting the child's health. This study aims to evaluate parents' smoking habits and their availability for a smoking cessation intervention in the context of a pediatric consultation or hospitalization. METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted between January 2020 and October 2021 in a level two hospital in the central region of Portugal. Parents of all children hospitalized or seen in a pediatric consultation unit during this period were approached consecutively and fulfilled an anonymous survey about their smoking habits, nicotine dependence and motivation to quit smoking. RESULTS: A total of 133 questionnaires were evaluated, 39 from hospitalization and 94 from consultation. Smoking exposure was 39.8% in the study sample. Among smoking parents, 57% of parents at inpatient and 23% at outpatient consultation were probably in the preparation phase for smoking cessation. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric hospitalization and outpatient consultation may be excellent opportunities for the implementation of measures to raise awareness and intervene in parental smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the crisis in the teaching profession, addressing issues of recruitment, retention, and deteriorating conditions, emphasizing the need for investment in quality teacher education to enhance professionalism and avoid deprofessionalization.

This article reports on a case of a 73-year-old white Portuguese female farmer who presented with pain, numbness, and weakness in her left limb. A CT-scan revealed a non-calcified lesion suggestive of a hydatid cyst in the gluteal muscle. The patient was treated with albendazole and underwent partial surgical resection of the lesions. The article provides information on the parasite Echinococcus sp., its mode of transmission, and the rarity of hydatid cysts in muscle tissue. The case highlights the importance of diagnosing and managing cysts in this location due to the risk of rupture. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Dialogia is the property of Editorial Revista Dialogia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista FAVE is the property of Universidad Nacional del Litoral and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We present the perspectives of Portuguese pre-service teachers about a formative strategy developed to promote learning about language and literacy education. The strategy was underpinned by theories about the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), rehearsed (or simulated) agency, the epistemology of reflective practise and assessment for learning. It was implemented during a whole semester, after which pre-service teachers answered to a questionnaire focusing on their perceptions about their learning and the learning experience. The results of the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the collected data reveal positive and critical perceptions about the construction of PCK and agentic identities, evidencing the role of curricular analysis, rehearsed practice, reflection and assessment in the learning process. The final discussion, which highlights the possibilities and challenges of the strategy, aims to contribute to the construction of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning of pre-service teachers after the Bologna Process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented which discusses topics within the issue including planning of teaching and learning activities; teacher education; and promoting professionalism through preservice teachers collaboration.

This study extends research on school-based teacher collaboration from single country to comparative settings in Chile and Portugal. Based on interviews with school teachers and principals, the study focused on collaboration engagement and factors conditioning its modalities and depth. Findings indicate that more than country differences and between school differences, collaboration factors and experiences vary according to teacher perception of its value, collective efficacy, school culture/practices and leadership, and in Chile by rural/urban location. Collaboration forms rarely involve more than mutual learning based on sharing of experience. However, involvement in school-based external projects engage teachers in deeper forms of collaboration. Available spaces, time, work-load, systemic policies, testing/accountability are limiting factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a global crisis affecting all sectors of society. Higher education is no exception. The closure of higher education institutions has dictated a sudden and unexpected transition from face-to-face to remote teaching to mitigate the spread of the SARS-CoV-2. This paper draws upon a wider piece of research which aimed to understand how higher education students adapted to the closure of their institution and how they looked at their experience of online teaching and learning. In total, 2718 students from different Portuguese higher education institutions participated in the study. Findings showed that both personal and contextual factors explained students' positive or negative adaptation to online teaching and learning as a result of the closure of higher education institutions. Institutional and pedagogical responses, individual self-regulatory and socio-emotional competencies and adequate resources were factors that led to either a more positive or negative student experience of online teaching and learning in times of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon a wider piece of research, this paper focuses on students' views of assessment in higher education. It reports on data collected from a total of 5,549 students in five Portuguese public universities. The study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of two scales, one measuring the purposes and effects associated by students with assessment; and the other determining the most commonly used assessment methods. Both scales demonstrated adequate validity based on internal structure and acceptable reliability. Findings indicate that students reported more purposes and effects associated with a summative dimension of assessment than with a formative dimension. The most commonly used methods were written tests/exams and collective methods. Statistically significant differences were found in assessment methods, purposes and effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although both teacher educators and preservice teachers state that preservice teacher inquiry is relevant and interesting, there is less agreement with respect to preservice teachers' expectations to undertake inquiry as part of their teaching. For instance, the effectiveness of the cooperating teacher was not associated with teacher persistence (c.f., CAEP Standard 2.2), but matching school type (i.e., elementary) and student characteristics between the student teaching school and the initial employment school were associated with greater teacher persistence. Van Katwijk et al. (this issue) examine the purpose and value of preservice teacher inquiry in primary TPPs in the Netherlands through including both teacher educators' and preservice teachers' views. Conversations about teacher education programs, teacher candidates and the place of inquiry, teacher effectiveness, reflection, and professionalization in teaching must continue. [Extracted from the article]

Among the features of cisplatin chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy are chronic pain and innocuous mechanical hypersensitivity. The complete etiology of the latter remains unknown. Here, we show that cisplatin targets a heterogeneous population of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) primary afferent dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGNs) in mice, determined using single-cell transcriptome and electrophysiological analyses. TH+ DRGNs regulate innocuous mechanical sensation through C-low threshold mechanoreceptors. A differential assessment of wild-type and vitamin E deficient TH+ DRGNs revealed heterogeneity and specific functional phenotypes. The TH+ DRGNs comprise; fast-adapting eliciting one action potential (AP; 1-AP), moderately-adapting (≥2-APs), in responses to square-pulse current injection, and spontaneously active (SA). Cisplatin increased the input resistance and AP frequency but reduced the temporal coding feature of 1-AP and ≥2-APs neurons. By contrast, cisplatin has no measurable effect on the SA neurons. Vitamin E reduced the cisplatin-mediated increased excitability but did not improve the TH+ neuron temporal coding properties. Cisplatin mediates its effect by targeting outward K+ current, likely carried through K2P18.1 (Kcnk18), discovered through the differential transcriptome studies and heterologous expression. Studies show a potential new cellular target for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and implicate the possible neuroprotective effects of vitamin E in cisplatin chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Providing optimal care for type 2 diabetes (DM2) patients remains a challenge for all healthcare systems. Patients often encounter various barriers in adhering to self-management programs due to lack of knowledge and understanding of self-care activities, lack of individualized and coordinated care, inconvenient and costly education sessions, and poor patient-provider communication. Mobile technologies such as cell phones/smartphones, handheld tablets, and other wireless devices offer new and exciting opportunities for addressing some of these challenges. The purpose of this study is to compare a diabetes management strategy using an information board and a mobile application versus standard care in patients with uncontrolled DM2.Method: The SANENT (Sistema de Análisis de Enfermedades No Transmisibles) trial is a primary care-based, prospective, two-arm, randomized controlled, open-label, blinded-endpoint study. We aim to recruit 1440 DM2 patients during a period of 6 months until the requested number of participants has been achieved. The total length of the intervention will be 1 year. Both men and women treated for DM2 with an HbA1c > 8.5% and ≥ 20 years of age are eligible to participate in the study. The primary outcome of the study is improved diabetes control measured by changes in HbA1c in the study participants. HbA1c will be measured at baseline, 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month follow-up visits in all participants. The main analysis will be based on the intention-to-treat principle. The primary endpoint of the study will be the change in HbA1C within the groups and the differences between the groups. This will be assessed by a repeated measurement approach based on mixed models which contain both fixed effects and random effects.Discussion: The overall goal of this project is to contribute to the evidence for the use of mobile technology to improve the treatment and regulation of poorly controlled DM2 patients living in Mexico. Our proposed project will show how mobile health technology tools can be used in the treatment of patients with uncontrolled DM2 in primary health care in a Latin American population, and particularly how they could help diabetes patients take better care of themselves.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , US National Institutes of Health NCT04974333 . Prospectively registered on July 13, 2021. Protocol version number 1, dated August 15th, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the views of assessment of programme directors at a Portuguese public university (n = 60). Data were collected through a questionnaire which included closed and open-ended questions. The participants hold different professional categories and come from medical and health sciences, exact sciences, engineering and technology, social sciences and humanities. Data suggest the use of a variety of assessment methods, through a mix of learner-centred and traditional methods. The year of study, the type of course, the nature of the programmes and the institutional regulations were identified by the programme directors as factors that may influence the selection of the assessment methods. The participants considered assessment practices to be in general adequate, but there is room for improvement, namely through an integrated and interdisciplinary approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]