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UIDB/03213/2020 UIDP/03213/2020 In this study, we aim to disentangle pantomime from early signs in a newly-born sign language: Sao Tome and Principe Sign Language. Our results show that within 2 years of their first contact with one another, a community of 100 participants interacting everyday was able to build a shared language. The growth of linguistic systematicity, which included a decrease in use of pantomime, reduction of the amplitude of signs and an increase in articulation economy, showcases a learning, and social interaction process that constitutes a continuum and not a cut-off system. The human cognitive system is endowed with mechanisms for symbolization that allow the process of arbitrariness to unfold and the expansion of linguistic complexity. Our study helps to clarify the role of pantomime in a new sign language and how this role might be linked with language itself, showing implications for language evolution research. publishersversion published

Introduction: Biological and biosimilar medicinal products have specific characteristics that call for a closer monitoring of their safety profile. Since the current legal framework stems from both European and national regulations, some gaps in the operational field may be expected. The goal of this paper is to identify these gaps and propose changes to the current information systems and pharmacovigilance regulations. Material and Methods: A qualitative analysis of current pharmacovigilance regulatory framework and supporting information system was conducted. Results: Current pharmacovigilance system does not seem to vouch for the safe use of biologicals and biosimilar drugs. The gaps found in reviewed materials may be attributable to their lack of specificity for biopharmaceuticals. Discussion: Biologicals therapy presents specific determinants related with the drugs, prescription, and traceability, without replication in any other segment of the pharmaceutical market. They are able to shape their safety profile. Conclusion: The existing pharmacovigilance’s regulatory framework should be adjusted in order to improve the safety related with biopharmaceutical therapy. Some intervention measures are proposed., Introdução: A monitorização da segurança associada aos medicamentos biológicos e biossimilares exige um sistema de informação alinhado com o enquadramento regulamentar. Tendo em conta que podem ocorrer descontinuidades entre a regulamentação europeia, nacional e a respetiva tradução operacional, importa pesquisar e identificar essas lacunas. Material e Métodos: Foi desenvolvida uma análise qualitativa dos suportes legais vigentes em julho de 2016 ao nível europeu e nacional, com foco na farmacovigilância. Desta análise decorreu a caracterização operacional do sistema em Portugal. Resultados: Foram identificadas zonas de descontinuidade no âmbito do sistema de farmacovigilância em Portugal, pela ausência de especificidade para os medicamentos biológicos e biossimilares. Discussão: A segurança associada à terapêutica biológica apresenta determinantes específicos relacionados com os medicamentos, prescrição e traçabilidade, que não encontram replicação nos outros segmentos do mercado farmacêutico. Conclusão: Com base nas lacunas identificadas, são apresentadas propostas de intervenção com o objetivo de incrementar a segurança associada à utilização clínica de medicamentos biológicos e biossimilares.

Background Knowledge of the process by which visual information is integrated into the brain reading system promotes a better understanding of writing and reading models. Objective This study aimed to use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to explore whether the Blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) contrast imaging patterns, of putative cortical region of the Visual Word Form Area (VWFA), are distinct in aphasia patients with moder- ate and severe alexia. Methods Twelve chronic stroke patients (5 patients with severe alexia and 7 pa- tients with moderate alexia) were included. A word categorization task was used to examine responses in the VWFA and its right homolog re- gion. Patients performed a semantic decision task in which words were contrasted with non-verbal fonts to assess the lateralization of reading ability in the ventral occipitotemporal region. Results A fixed effects (FFX) general linear model (GLM) multi-study from the contrast of patients with moderate alexia and those with severe alexia (FDR, p = 0.05, corrected for multiples comparisons using a Threshold Estimator plugin (1000 Monte Carlo simulations), was per- formed. Activation of the left VWFA was robust in patients with mod- erate alexia. Aphasia patients with severe reading deficits also activated the right homolog VWFA. Conclusions This bilateral activation pattern only in patients with severe alexia could be interpreted as a result of reduced recruitment of the left VWFA for reading tasks due to the severe reading deficit. This study provides some new insights about reading pathways and possible neuroplasti- city mechanisms in aphasia patients with alexia. Additional reports could explore the predictive value of right VWFA activation for reading recovery and aid language therapy in patients with aphasia. N/A

This research investigates the relationship betweenthe quality of infant sleep, the use of electronic devices and of videogames before bedtime and bullying behaviors in school context. Research Questions: Is the quality of infant sleep and the use of electronic devices at bedtime related to bullying? The use of electronic devices before bedtime affects sleep duration and latency? Purpose of the Study: To analyze the relationship between the use of electronic devices before bed and the sleep infant quality. As well as, the relation between the quality of the children sleep duration, children’ sleep latency, use of electronic devices, videogames in a daily basis, and bullying behaviors in school context. Research Methods: Participants are divided into two groups; one of these groups consists of the children who responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index andthe Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT), totalling 860. The other group had a sample of 51 children, the Sociodemographic Questionnaire and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT) were applied. Findings: A statistically significant relationship was found between sleep quality and use of electronic devices before bed, with the exception of television. As a relationship between sleep quality and bullying behaviors, and also between using electronic gadgets before bedtime and bullying behaviors just for listening to music. Considering the sleep latency, a negative correlation was found with daily videogames use. Conclusions: There seems to be a relationship between sleep quality and bullying behaviors in school, and between the use of electronic devices and sleep quality. Also listening to music at bedtime is positively related to bullying behaviors. On the other hand, the videogames daily use before bedtime affects in a significant manner the children’ sleep latency (and the sleep REM)..

This systematic review aims to analyze the methods used in the assessment of the efficacy of Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Programs (NRP) based on Information and Communication Technologies in patients with Acquired Brain Injury, namely platforms and online rehabilitation programs. Studies with the main purpose of evaluating the efficacy of those programs were retrieved from multiple literature databases, accordingly to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion and analysis of the studies followed preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) and Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines. Thirty-one studies were included in this review. Results showed that most studies used a pre-post methodological design, with few studies performing assessment moments during intervention or follow-up. Attention, memory, and executive functions were the cognitive variables considered by a larger number of studies at the assessment of NRP efficacy. Despite that, there is a growing evidence on the inclusion of variables related to everyday functioning in this process, increasing its ecological validity. Concerning the instruments used, the studies presented a large heterogeneity of the instruments and methods used, even for the same assessment purpose, highlighting a lack of consensus regarding assessment protocol. Psychophysiological and neuroimaging techniques are seldom used on this field. This review identifies the main characteristics of the methodology used at the assessment of NRP and potential limitations, providing useful information to guide the practice of the health care professionals in rehabilitation of Acquired Brain Injury. It also suggests new directions for future studies

Embora a capacidade criativa possa ser considerada uma virtude da natureza humana e tenha contribuído para a evolução da espécie, nem sempre as condições naturais do cérebro conduzem ao seu desempenho de forma intuitiva.

After acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation aims to increase the individual’s functionality promoting their Quality of Life (QoL). The main goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of a holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation program (HNRP) on quality of life dimensions. Twenty subjects with ABI participated, mean age 30 years (SD=7.62).Participants were assessed pre and post intervention, with a six months interval, using Quality of Life After Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) A paired-sample t-test was conducted for data analyzes, with corrected p for multiple comparisons. Significant results after intervention were observed at all dimensions: total [t(19) = -4.59, p < .001], cognitive [t(19) = -2.31, p = .003], self [t(19) =-5.76, p < .001], DLAs (daily life activities) [t(19) = -3.18, p = .001], social [t(19) = -1.29, p = .001], emotional [t(19) = -1.85, p = .001], except on physical [t(19) = -1.78, p = .01]. Results suggest that intervention, after ABI, with the HNRP improves patients’ QoL., A reabilitação após lesão cerebral adquirida (LCA) pretende aumentar a funcionalidade do indivíduo, promovendo a sua Qualidade de Vida (QdV). O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o impacto de um programa holístico de reabilitação neuropsicológica (PHRN) nas dimensões da QdV. Participaram 20 pessoas com LCA, média de idades 30 anos (DP = 7.62). Os participantes foram avaliados pré e pós intervenção, com intervalo de seis meses, utilizando-se o Quality of Life After Brain Injury (QOLIBRI). Para a análise usamos o t-test para amostras emparelhadas, com p corrigido para comparações múltiplas. Verificam-se resultados significativos após a intervenção em todas as dimensões: total [t(19) = -4.59, p < .001], cognitiva [t(19) = -2.31, p = .003], self [t(19) =-5.76, p < .001], AVD (atividades de vida diária) [t(19) = -3.18, p = .001], social [t(19) = -1.29, p = .001], emocional [t(19) = -1.85, p = .001], com exceção da dimensão físico [t(19) = -1.78, p = .01]. Os resultados sugerem que a intervenção com o PHRN promove a QdV das pessoas com LCA.