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BACKGROUND: Gluteus medius (GM) is a segmented muscle involving three muscular subdivisions. Rehabilitation exercises has been suggested to strengthen specific subdivisions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate muscular activation of the anterior, middle, and posterior subdivisions of the GM during two different exercises. METHODS: A total of 28 healthy active subjects participated in this study. Muscle activity using surface electromyography was recorded for the three GM subdivisions during figure-of-four position (FFP) and wall press (WP). Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to detect differences between GM subdivisions on each exercise and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare muscular activation across exercises. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences (P< 0.001) in all GM subdivision during FFP and WP exercises. Both exercises showed greater activation of the posterior subdivision than the middle and anterior subdivisions, with the WP causing highest activation of the posterior subdivision. CONCLUSION: In line with the WP exercise, the FFP produces sufficient activity to provide potential strength gains on the posterior subdivision and could be a viable option to include in the early stages of the rehabilitation process. Clinicians may use this information to make more informed decisions about exercise selection for strengthening specific GM subdivision.

The objective of this study was to explore the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise for People with Dementia (LiFE4D) on health-related physical fitness, cognitive function, physical activity, and respiratory and upper limb functions. A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted (control group: usual care; experimental group: usual care and LiFE4D). The feasibility of LiFE4D was determined considering recruitment, protocol acceptability, adherence, and safety. Measures of health-related physical fitness, cognitive function, physical activity, and respiratory and upper limb functions were assessed at the baseline and 3 months. Twelve participants (8 [66.7%] female, 82 [72.2–84] years) were included, six per group. Recruitment was challenging. LiFE4D was acceptable with excellent adherence and no major adverse events. Cardiorespiratory endurance (effect size = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI; 0.33, 2.95]) and balance (effect size = 1.46, 95% CI [0.19, 2.73]) improved after LiFE4D. LiFE4D seems to be feasible and safe, and it shows potential to significantly improve the health-related physical fitness of people with dementia.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become one of our time's most consequential issue. These micropolymeric particles are ubiquitously distributed across all natural and urban ecosystems. Current filtration systems in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) rely on non-biodegradable fossil-based polymeric filters whose maintenance procedures are environmentally damaging and unsustainable. Following the need to develop sustainable filtration frameworks for MPs water removal, years of RD lead to the conception of bacterial cellulose (BC) biopolymers. These bacterial-based naturally secreted polymers display unique features for biotechnological applications, such as straightforward production, large surface areas, nanoporous structures, biodegradability, and utilitarian circularity. Diligently, techniques such as flow cytometry, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate the feasibility and characterise the removal dynamics of highly concentrated MPs-polluted water by BC biopolymers. Results show that BC biopolymers display removal efficiencies of MPs of up to 99%, maintaining high performance for several continuous cycles. The polymer's characterisation showed that MPs were both adsorbed and incorporated in the 3D nanofibrillar network. The use of more economically- and logistics-favourable dried BC biopolymers preserves their physicochemical properties while maintaining high efficiency (93-96%). These polymers exhibited exceptional structural preservation, conserving a high water uptake capacity which drives microparticle retention. In sum, this study provides clear evidence that BC biopolymers are high performing, multifaceted and genuinely sustainable/circular alternatives to synthetic water treatment MPs-removal technologies.

Background/Aims Physical activity is effective in people with dementia. Most people with dementia live at home, but few home-based physical activity programmes have been developed. The aim of this protocol is to determine the feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Lifestyle Integrated Functional Exercise for People with Dementia (LiFE4D). Methods A randomised, controlled trial will be implemented. The experimental group will receive LiFE4D and the control group will maintain usual treatment. LiFE4D is a 3-month programme adjusted to daily routines and involving carers, with decreased face-to-face contact over time. The primary outcome measure is exercise capacity assessed with the 2-Minute Step Test. Secondary outcomes include cognitive function, physical activity, health-related physical fitness, respiratory function, functionality, quality of life, carers' burden and costs. Results Findings from this study will improve knowledge and provide guidance on home-based physical activity for people with dementia. Conclusions If effective, the trial will provide a model of home-based physical activity and inform international guidelines for dementia care.

Physical activity can improve function in people over 65. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of mild intensity exercise interventions on the functional health and quality of life of this population. A systematic review was conducted using WOS (n=20), Scopus (n=235), PubMed (n=15), and PEDro (n=20) databases. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Six hundred and nineteen subjects with an age range of 60-103 years were evaluated. Interventions included endurance, aerobic, and vibration exercises. Those who used pedometers, telephone calls and follow-up controls showed positive effects in increasing physical activity. Five studies evaluated strength and showed that increasing strength also improved balance and walking speed. The results indicate that applying mild intensity physical activity interventions is a way of ensuring improved functional health and quality of life in older people.

O estudo das Dificuldades de Aprendizagem (DA) tem vindo a desenvolver-se de forma mais considerável a partir da década de 60, quando Samuel Kirk utilizou, pela primeira vez, a expressão learning disabilities. As DA experienciadas precocemente, nomeadamente no 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico (CEB), comprometem o ajustamento futuro do aluno, tornando-se necessárias respostas educativas diferenciadas para alunos com DA na leitura, escrita e cálculo, competências essenciais ao longo de todo o percurso educativo, profissional e pessoal. Numa revisão da literatura relativa às DA confrontamo-nos com uma diversidade de perspetivas e definições. De salientar também que o conhecimento dos profissionais da educação acerca das DA interfere com o modo como as identificam e atuam junto destes alunos. Assim, tornou-se importante estudar de que forma os profissionais da educação definem o conceito de DA, uma vez que estes estão diretamente envolvidos na sua identificação e intervenção. Para tal, o presente estudo contou com a participação de 482 profissionais de diferentes áreas da educação que desempenham funções no 1º CEB em diferentes distritos do país. Todos os profissionais responderam a um questionário, contudo apenas 430 responderam à questão aberta que solicitava uma definição de DA. Os resultados indicaram que as definições apresentadas pelos diferentes grupos de profissionais da educação integram uma enorme variedade de dimensões, sendo que os fatores etiológicos e as manifestações foram as mais referidas. Contudo, observaram-se algumas diferenças entre os grupos de profissionais, tendo em conta as funções que exercem, os anos de experiência profissional e a aquisição de formação especializada em DA. O estudo revelou que estas caraterísticas dos profissionais da educação influenciam as conceções que estes têm acerca das DA. Assim, os dados deste estudo poderão contribuir para uma reflexão acerca das práticas desenvolvidas no 1º CEB junto dos alunos com DA, quer no seu encaminhamento, como na intervenção.

An exploratory study was implemented to characterize the sedentary behavior of people older than 75, attending day care, and study its association with quality-of-life. Sedentary behavior was measu...

Brain metastases remain an unmet clinical need in breast oncology, being frequently found in HER2-overexpressing and triple-negative carcinomas. These tumors were reported to be highly cancer stem-like cell-enriched, suggesting that brain metastases probably arise by the seeding of cancer cells with stem features. Accordingly, we found that brain-tropic breast cancer cells show increased stem cell activity and tumorigenic capacity in the chick embryo choriallantoic membrane when compared to the parental cell line. These observations were supported by a significant increase in their stem cell frequency and by the enrichment for the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) phenotype CD44+CD24&minus, /low. Based on this data, the expression of BCSC markers (CD44, CD49f, P-cadherin, EpCAM, and ALDH1) was determined and found to be significantly enriched in breast cancer brain metastases when compared to primary tumors. Therefore, a brain (BR)-BCSC signature was defined (3&ndash, 5 BCSC markers), which showed to be associated with decreased brain metastases-free and overall survival. Interestingly, this signature significantly predicted a worse prognosis in lymph node-positive patients, acting as an independent prognostic factor. Thus, an enrichment of a BCSC signature was found in brain metastases, which can be used as a new prognostic factor in clinically challenging breast cancer patients.

Relatório da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada apresentado no ISPA – Instituto Universitário/ESEI Maria Ulrich para obtenção de grau de Mestre em Educação Pré-Escolar e 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico O presente Relatório Final da Prática Supervisionada (PS) foi realizado no âmbito do Mestrado de Educação Pré-Escolar e Ensino do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e apresenta uma investigação decorrente da experiência e atividades desenvolvidas durante a PS. Assim, esta investigação é o culminar de uma formação consciente e reflexiva com vista à obtenção do grau de Mestre pela Escola Superior de Educadores de Infância Maria Ulrich em parceria com o ISPA. A problemática deste relatório, surgiu da suspensão das atividades letivas presenciais no seguimento da situação epidemiológica mundial que vivemos atualmente causada pela doença do novo coronavírus – Covid-19 – e, da consequente necessidade e interesse em compreender o seu impacto no ensino com crianças do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico (CEB). No sentido de ir ao encontro da problemática, o objetivo desta investigação prendeu-se com a compreensão das maiores transformações e possibilidades da transição do ensino presencial para o ensino não presencial, nomeadamente, algumas das suas vantagens, desvantagens e características. Foi desenvolvida uma investigação de caráter qualitativo numa instituição privada em Lisboa, com uma turma de 1.º e 2.º anos com 18 crianças: 12 do sexo feminino e 6 do sexo masculino, as respetivas famílias e a professora cooperante. Esta investigação de caráter qualitativo serviu-se dos seguintes instrumentos de recolha de dados: questionários, entrevista, observação naturalista e sistemática, registos do diário de bordo, registos fotográficos e portefólio da PS. Apesar da breve e da limitada amostra, foi possível chegar a algumas conclusões. Os resultados obtidos revelam que a transição do regime de ensino presencial para o regime de ensino não presencial provocou severas transformações na educação, mas também proporcionou uma abertura dos horizontes dos docentes a novas e inovadoras estratégias pedagógicas. As a requirement to conclude the Master’s in Pre-School and Primary Education at Escola Superior de Educadores de Infância Maria Ulrich in partnership with ISPA, I have conducted a study on the impact of home learning due to the recent pandemic. The research results hereby presented are the outcome of a conscious and reflective exercise based on an academic internship at a Primary School throughout the last 3 months. The current pandemic has brought numerous challenges to our society, with schooling being one of the most affected areas. With both teachers and students being required to quickly adapt to home learning. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the main changes occurred, by doing a deep dive on its main drawbacks, advantages and potentialities in the future. The final aim of the study is to examine how this phase may impact the future of education, namely becoming less on-site and increasingly remote. The data used is based on a 3 month-internship at a Primary school in Lisbon where I was an assisting teacher to a class composed of both 1st and 2nd grade students, with 18 children – 12 girls and 6 boys. Additionally, I also collected feedback from the families; held several discussions with the class’s teacher about this topic, observation detailed in my project’s diary, pictures and the internship portfolio. Although the short period of time and the limited size of the sample, this study allows one to draw some insights. The results obtained show that the transition from face-to-face education to home learning has led to several changes in education but has also opened teachers' minds to new and innovative pedagogical strategies.

MOVE.TE is a non-profit participatory physiotherapy platform that aims at translating knowledge in the field of physiotherapy and developing freely available evidence-based physiotherapy programmes targeting the primary care services of the Portuguese National Health service. A group of volunteer academics and clinicians collaborated at different stages and time points to create the first ever falls prevention and management programme and guidance for Physiotherapy in primary care, in Portugal. This report describes this seven-step process. In spite of many challenges, this project constitutes an example of advocacy in physiotherapy for the promotion of better healthcare for older adults. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Background and Objectives Physical activity has the potential to improve health outcomes in people with dementia, namely when living at home. However, the knowledge about home-based physical activity for this population is scarce. Thus, we aim to identify and synthesize the effects of home-based physical activity for people with dementia. Research Design and Methods A systematic review was conducted. Quality of studies was assessed using the Delphi List. Effect sizes (ES) were calculated with MetaXL 2.0. A meta-analysis was conducted for the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Group Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADCS-ADL), Functional Reach test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Short Physical Performance Battery, Dementia Quality of Life, NPI Caregivers subscale and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Results Sixteen randomized controlled trials were included. Most were of high quality and published after 2015. A large heterogeneity of interventions was found. Meta-analysis showed significant results in MMSE (ES = 0.71, 95% CI 0.43, 0.99), NPI (ES = −0.37, 95% CI −0.57, −0.17), ADCS-ADL (ES = 0.80, 95% CI 0.53, 1.07), Functional Reach test (ES = 2.24, 95% CI 1.80, 2.68), TUG test (ES = −2.40, 95% CI −2.84, −1.96), NPI Caregivers subscale (ES = −0.63, 95% CI −0.94, −0.32), and ZBI (ES = −0.45, 95% CI −0.77, −0.13). Few minor adverse events and high adherence to intervention were found. Discussion and Implications Home-based physical activity seems safe and effective in delaying cognitive function decline and improving changes in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, activities of daily living, health-related physical fitness, and carer’s burden in people with dementia living at home.

Physical activity can improve function in people over 65. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of mild intensity exercise interventions on the functional health and quality of life of this population. A systematic review was conducted using WOS (n=20), Scopus (n=235), PubMed (n=15), and PEDro (n=20) databases. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Six hundred and nineteen subjects with an age range of 60-103 years were evaluated. Interventions included endurance, aerobic, and vibration exercises. Those who used pedometers, telephone calls and follow-up controls showed positive effects in increasing physical activity. Five studies evaluated strength and showed that increasing strength also improved balance and walking speed. The results indicate that applying mild intensity physical activity interventions is a way of ensuring improved functional health and quality of life in older people.

Spinal cord injuries are one of the most traumatic situations with a major impact on a person's quality of life. This type of injury have a extremely impact in the performance of daily life activities not only due to motor alterations but also due to the appearance of neuropathic pain Throughout the rehabilitation process the evaluation and intervention methodologies are not very systematic and are not personalized. Thus, to bridge this gap, the VR4NeuroPain was developed a technology that associates virtual reality with a glove "GNeuroPathy". The glove "GNeuroPathy" allows the collection of physiological parameters, namely to identify the electrodermic activity (EDA) while the patient carries out activities in an immersive environment. The main objective of this article is to present the validation process of the "GNeuroPathy" in clinical context. "GNeuroPathy" was applied to a group of 17 individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury. The results showed that "GNeuroPathy" is easy to apply and is suitable for comfort and texture. Data were also collected from EDA and it was found that there is a significant difference in signal amplitude in patients with low and high functionality. preprint published

O crescimento do e-commerce, que tem vindo a decorrer na última década, criou um aumento das entregas ao cliente final, ou entregas last mile, no segmento Business to Consumer. Atualmente, o last mile é uma das fases mais dispendiosas e ineficientes de toda a cadeia de abastecimento. Ao efetuar uma compra, os clientes, consideram os serviços de entrega como um dos fatores com maior influência no processo de escolha de retalhista. Deste modo, para melhorar a qualidade do seu serviço, um retalhista deve melhorar o seu sistema de entregas ou desenvolver novos métodos. Assim, revela-se a importância da oferta de serviços de entrega last mile eficientes por parte dos retalhistas. Neste contexto, foi desenvolvida esta investigação, através de um estudo de caso com enfoque na operação de entrega de pequenos formatos da Worten. O presente estudo visa, numa primeira fase, à análise da eficiência e custos dos métodos de entrega last mile, oferecidos pela Worten, isto é, as home deliveries e o click&collect. De seguida, numa segunda fase visa foca- se na avaliação da introdução de um novo método de entrega do tipo collection points: a rede pick up, com o objetivo de aumentar a eficiência e reduzir custos. No final da presente dissertação, com base nos resultados obtidos, foi possível identificar os principais problemas dos métodos de entrega atuais propondo ações de melhoria. Para além disto, foi possível concluir que a introdução da rede pick up como método de entrega poderá ser vantajosa para a Worten. The growth of e-commerce, which has been taking place in the last decade, has created an increase in final consumer deliveries, or last mile deliveries, in the B2C segment. Today, the last mile is considered by many authors to be one of the most expensive and inefficient stages of the entire supply chain. Delivery services are considered to be one of the most influential factors in a consumer's decision to choose a retailer to make a purchase. Thus, the literature says that, to improve the quality of a service, a retailer should improve their current delivery system or create new methods. In that way, the importance of offering efficient last mile delivery services by retailers is revealed. In this context, this research was developed, through a case study focusing on the Worten small format delivery operation. The present study aims, initially, to analyze the efficiency and costs of the last mile delivery methods offered by Worten and in a second phase to evaluate the introduction of a new delivery method with a collection point tipology: the pick up network, with the aim of increasing efficiency and reducing costs. At the end of this dissertation, based on the results obtained, it was possible to identify the main problems of the current delivery methods proposing actions to improve it. In addition, it was possible to conclude that the introduction of the pick up network as a delivery method can be advantageous for Worten.

Spinal cord injuries are among the most traumatic situations, having relevant repercussions on an individual’s occupation performance. Although loss of functionality is considered to be the most significant consequence, neuropathic pain can determine an individual’s inability to return to daily activities. Therefore, it is imperative to develop new technologies with significant impact on the rehabilitation process of the spinal cord injuries. VR4NeuroPain combines virtual reality with a glove “GNeuroPathy”, covered with a variety of biosensors, that allows for the collection of physiological parameters and motor stimulation. The main purpose of this paper is to describe the system VR4NeuroPain, and to validate the “GNeuroPathy” concept. With that in mind, and after calibrating the VR4NeuroPain system using with a group of 16 individuals, the validation results showed that “GNeuroPathy” was comfort, accessibility in place and the collection of physiological parameters was performed as expected.

Sem resumo disponível. Not Published

Regucalcin (RGN) is a calcium-binding protein, which has been shown to be underexpressed in cancer cases. This study aimed to determine the association of RGN expression with clinico- pathological parameters of human breast cancer. In addition, the role of RGN in malignancy of mammary gland using transgenic rats overexpressing the protein (Tg-RGN) was investigated. Wild-type (Wt) and Tg-RGN rats were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (DMBA). Carcinogen-induced tumors were histologically classified and the Ki67 proliferation index was estimated. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that RGN immunoreactivity was negatively correlated with the histological grade of breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma suggesting that progression of breast cancer is associated with loss of RGN. Tg-RGN rats displayed lower incidence of carcinogen-induced mammary gland tumors, as well as lower incidence of invasive forms. Moreover, higher proliferation was observed in non-invasive tumors of Wt animals comparatively with Tg-RGN. Overexpression of RGN was associated with diminished expression of cell-cycle inhibitors and increased expression of apoptosis inducers. Augmented activity of apoptosis effector caspase-3 was found in the mammary gland of Tg-RGN. RGN overexpression protected from carcinogen-induced mammary gland tumor development and was linked with reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis. These findings indicated the protective role of RGN in the carcinogenesis of mammary gland.

Submitted by Isabel Gomes (itg@lisboa.ucp.pt) on 2017-10-27T10:00:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 1152115125_Madalena Fernandes (PDFA).pdf: 2248116 bytes, checksum: c242ebbfac2dd4e8dd75030601a58fa8 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Isabel Gomes (itg@lisboa.ucp.pt) on 2017-10-27T10:01:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 1152115125_Madalena Fernandes (PDFA).pdf: 2248116 bytes, checksum: c242ebbfac2dd4e8dd75030601a58fa8 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-27T10:01:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 1152115125_Madalena Fernandes (PDFA).pdf: 2248116 bytes, checksum: c242ebbfac2dd4e8dd75030601a58fa8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-28

A pregnancy complicated by typical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is reported. At 20 weeks of gestation, a case of HUS was diagnosed, with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli identified. Plasmapheresis allowed continuation of the pregnancy for 5 weeks. Superimposed preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome were diagnosed after the establishment of nephrotic range proteinuria, hypertension and recurrence of hemolysis. This is a singular case, as it demonstrates that HELLP syndrome can superimpose upon HUS, a fact that can impact future research on reproductive immunology. It also reminds clinicians that the overlapping of clinical and laboratory findings in HELLP syndrome makes the diagnosis of other thrombotic microangiopathies during pregnancy a clinical challenge. Resumo Descreve-se um caso clínico em que às 20 semanas de gestação é diagnosticada síndrome hemolítica-urêmica com isolamento de Escherichia coli produtora de toxina Shiga. A terapêutica com plasmaferese permitiu a manutenção da gravidez ao longo de 5 semanas. O surgimento de proteinúria nefrótica, hipertensão e recorrência de hemólise conduziu ao diagnóstico de sobreposição de pré-eclâmpsia e síndrome HELLP. Este caso é singular, pois demonstra que a síndrome HELLP pode se sobrepor a uma síndrome hemolítica-urêmica, um fato que pode influenciar futuras investigações no âmbito de imunologia reprodutiva. Reforça-se, ainda, que o diagnóstico de outras microangiopatias trombóticas durante a gestação é um desafio clínico ocasionado pela sobreposição de manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais com a síndrome HELLP.

Dissertação de Mestrado em Design, com a especialização em Design de Comunicação, apresentada na Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre. Submitted by Pilar Lago (mpilar@fa.utl.pt) on 2017-06-29T10:07:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RE_Madalena_Rita_20142003_CD x2.pdf: 11602242 bytes, checksum: 422482f2addad8319e436948cc5076f7 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-29T10:07:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RE_Madalena_Rita_20142003_CD x2.pdf: 11602242 bytes, checksum: 422482f2addad8319e436948cc5076f7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-06 N/A

A imputação dos direitos de voto é uma matéria muito importante, e que ainda não está suficientemente estudada, sobretudo relativamente ao teor e divergências da lei portuguesa face às diretivas europeias sobre a matéria. A imputação dos direitos de voto está regulada no artigo 20.º e seguintes do Código de Valores Mobiliários, por ser relevante para as sociedades abertas e para o funcionamento eficiente dos mercados de capitais. Este trabalho estuda o regime português e faz a sua avaliação face às normas europeias, concordando com a existência de um regime unificado, mas propugnando pelo seu alargamento. The attribution of voting rights is a very important matter, and that is not yet sufficiently studied, especially regarding the content and differences of Portuguese law against European directives on the matter. The attribution of voting rights is governed by Article 20 and following of the Portuguese Securities Code. It is very relevant to public companies and the efficient functioning of capital markets. This paper studies the Portuguese regime and makes its assessment against European standards, agreeing with the existence of a unified system, but advocating for its enlargement.

Axillary lymph node metastases represent the most powerful breast cancer prognostic factor, dictating disease staging and clinical therapeutic decisions. Nonetheless, breast cancer patients with positive lymph nodes still exhibit a heterogeneous behavior regarding disease progression. Stem-like subpopulations of cancer cells show high migratory and metastatic capacity, thus we hypothesize that breast cancer stem cell markers evaluation in metastasized lymph nodes could provide a more accurate prediction of patient's prognosis. Therefore, the expression profile of P-cadherin, CD44, and CD49f, which have been already associated to stem cell properties in breast cancer, has been evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a series of 135 primary tumors and matched axillary lymph node metastases from 135 breast cancer patients. Taking in consideration the expression of the stem cell markers only in axillary nodes, P-cadherin was the only biomarker significantly associated with poor disease-free and overall patient's survival. Moreover, although a concordant expression between primary tumors and matched lymph nodes has been found in the majority of the cases, a small but significant percentage displayed divergent expression (18.2-26.2%). Remarkably, although CD44 and CD49f changes between primary tumors and lymph node metastasis did not impact survival, the cases that were positive for P-cadherin in lymph node metastases being negative in the primary tumor, presented the worst disease-free and overall survival of the whole series. Accordingly, negative cases for this marker in the lymph nodes with positive expression in the matched breast carcinoma demonstrated a better prognosis, which overlapped with tumors that were negative in both sites. P-cadherin and CD49f gain of expression was mainly found in triple-negative carcinomas. Our results indicate for the first time that the evaluation of P-cadherin expression in lymph node metastases is an important predictor of disease outcome, being a putative valuable marker for axillary-based breast cancer decisions in the clinical practice.

Aims CD44, CD24 and ALDH1 are the most consistently used biomarkers to identify and characterise the breast cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype. However, most studies performed until now analysed samples of invasive ductal carcinomas of no special type (IDC-NST). Therefore, prevalence and clinical significance of these CSC markers in breast carcinomas of special histological types (SHT) is largely unknown. For that reason, this study aims to determine the distribution of the breast CD44, CD24 and ALDH1 CSC markers among a series of invasive breast carcinomas of SHT, in comparison with a series of IDC-NST. Methods 117 invasive SHT breast carcinomas were analysed for the expression of CD44, CD24 and ALDH1, by immuhohistochemistry. The distribution of these CSC markers was evaluated among the distinct histological special types, and the results were compared with a series of 466 IDC-NST. Results The expression prevalence of the breast CSC markers differed between special types and IDC-NST. Medullary, papillary and tubular carcinomas were enriched in the CSC phenotype CD44 + /CD24 −/low (80.0%, 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively, vs 45.3% in IDC-NST). Considering the ALDH1 cytoplasmic tumour expression, only medullary and metaplastic carcinomas displayed significant increase in CD44 + /CD24 -/low /ALDH1 + CSC phenotype frequency (36.4% and 28.6%, respectively, vs 4.8% in IDC-NST). Conclusions The expression distribution of breast CSC markers is largely dependent on histological type. Interestingly, within the distinct SHT, medullary and metaplastic carcinomas are the two types highly associated with high-grade carcinomas, basal-like and claudin-low molecular subtypes, and to the CSC phenotype CD44 + /CD24 −/low /ALDH1 + .

mestrado em Matemática e Aplicações O trabalho apresentado nesta dissertação consiste no estudo de uma aplicação de redes bayesianas num modelo do utilizador, que foi implementado numa aplicação web de apoio ao ensino. Esta aplicação e denominada SIACUA - Sistema Interativo de Aprendizagem por Computador, Universidade de Aveiro e tem como suporte gerador de questões os projetos PmatE, Megua. A utilização deste sistema e feita via internet em http://siacua.web.ua.pt/. Apresenta-se um exemplo de aplicação para a avaliação dos conhecimentos dos alunos na disciplina de Cálculo III, ilustrando a funcionalidade do sistema. Este transmite informações, em termos probabilísticos, ao aluno, sobre quais os temas do programa da disciplina que domina. Faz-se, também, neste trabalho uma introdução aos modelos probabilísticos, teoria de grafos e redes bayesianas. This thesis presents a user's model approach of a Bayesian network application, which is implemented in a web application and used as an aid to support education. This application called SIACUA, which is a Portuguese acronym for the University of Aveiro Computer Interactive Learning System, has questions generated from the PmatE, Megua projects. This system works on the http://siacua.web.ua.pt/ site. An example of the functionality of the application is shown through the evaluation of the student's knowledge in the subject of Calculus III. It shows the student, in probabilistic terms, what contents of the subject's curriculum that are mastered. It is also makes an introduction to probabilistic models, graph theory and Bayesian networks.

Objetivo: demonstrar a atuação do enfermeiro na promoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis para crianças em idade pré-escolar e escolar. Metodologia: estudo quantitativo, descritivo, prospectivo de intervenção com natureza analítica realizado em uma escola pública do interior piauiense, com 35 crianças com idades entre 5 a 7 anos, de ambos os sexos. A coleta dos dados foi realizada através de um questionário validado de preferências alimentares no período de fevereiro a abril de 2015. A pesquisa foi aprovada no comitê de ética e pesquisa da Universidade Estadual do Piauí com número da CAAE 39510214.0.0000.5209. Resultados: na pré-avaliação 56,5% afirmaram que gostavam muito de alimentos a consumir frequentemente e 71,3% de alimentos a consumir raramente. Na pós-avaliação 76,8% conseguiram classificar os alimentos considerados saudáveis e 75,5% os alimentos não saudáveis. Conclusão: Observou-se resultados significantes no que diz respeito a classificação de alimentos saudáveis, o que não ocorreu com os não saudáveis. Mesmo diante disso, a implementação de atividades educativas demonstrou ter efeitos positivos, sendo também de competência do enfermeiro intervir neste processo, estabelecendo parcerias e programas para prevenção e controle da obesidade infantil, como por exemplo, programa saúde na escola, refletindo-se acerca da promoção de saúde nas escolas.

The excision repair cross-complementation 1 (ERCC1) enzyme plays an essential role in the nucleotide excision repair pathway and is associated with resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in different types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of ERCC1 expression in breast cancer patients. We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of ERCC1 in a tissue microarray from 135 primary breast carcinomas and correlated the immunohistochemical findings with clinicopathological factors and outcome data. ERCC1 expression analysis was available for 109 cases. In this group, 58 (53.2%) were positive for ERCC1. ERCC1-positive expression was correlated with smaller tumor size (P=0.007) and with positivity for estrogen receptor (P=0.040), but no correlation was found with other clinicopathological features. Although not statistically significant, triple negative breast cancers were more frequently negative for ERCC1 (61.5% of the cases) compared to the non-triple negative breast cancer cases (41.5%). In conclusion, ERCC1 expression correlated significantly with favorable prognostic factors, such as smaller tumor size and ER-positivity, suggesting a possible role for ERCC1 as a predictive and/or prognostic marker in breast cancer.

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária As neoplasias pulmonares primárias são pouco comuns em canídeos. Quando ocorrem nesta espécie verifica-se uma maior predisposição para animais mais velhos e de médio a grande porte. Em canídeos, o tipo histológico mais comum destes tumores é o adenocarcinoma, estando referidos o adenocarcinoma papilífero e o carcinoma bronquíoloalveolar como os mais frequentes. Estes tumores surgem normalmente como uma massa solitária. Os animais afectados são assintomáticos até estado avançado do desenvolvimento tumoral. Quando surgem sintomas, os mais comuns são a tosse e a dispneia. A síndrome paraneoplásica mais frequente é a osteopatia hipertrófica (OH). A radiografia torácica é o método mais utilizado no diagnóstico das neoplasias pulmonares primárias, detectando normalmente uma massa, encaminhando o tratamento para a remoção cirúrgica da mesma e ainda auxiliando à sua localização precisa. Outros métodos de diagnóstico usados frequentemente incluem a tomografia axial computorizada (TAC) e a ecografia torácica. O diagnóstico definitivo é realizado apenas por exame histopatológico da massa. O tratamento é baseado na remoção cirúrgica do tumor, sendo a técnica mais utilizada a lobectomia total do lobo afectado por toracotomia intercostal. Outras técnicas cirúrgicas possíveis incluem a lobectomia parcial e a pneumectomia. A quimioterapia é pouco utilizada e apenas como complemento à cirurgia. O prognóstico é sempre reservado mas o tempo de sobrevivência e a qualidade de vida aumentam com a excisão cirúrgica. A associação existente em humanos entre neoplasias pulmonares e poluição ambiental - como o fumo de tabaco - não se verifica explicitamente em canídeos. Podem ainda ocorrer em cães neoplasias pulmonares metastáticas e multissistémicas, como o linfoma, a granulomatose linfomatóide (GL) e a histiocitose maligna (HM). Foram descritos quatro casos clínicos de neoplasia pulmonar primária em canídeos, abrangendo epidemiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento, realizando-se a comparação dessa informação com os dados recolhidos da bibliografia. ABSTRACT - Primary pulmonary neoplasia: bibliographic review regarding four clinical cases - Primary tumors of the lung are uncommon in dogs. In this species, older and larger dogs have a predisposition for this disease. In dogs, adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type, with papillary adenocarcinoma and bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma being reported as the most frequent ones. These tumors usually appear as a solitary mass. Affected animals are often asymptomatic until advanced stages of tumor development. When symptoms appear, the most common are cough and dyspnea. The most frequent paraneoplastic syndrome is hypertrophic osteopathy. Thoracic radiography is the most used method of primary pulmonary neoplasia diagnosis, usually detecting a mass, directing the treatment to its surgical removal and assisting in its accurate location. Other diagnostic methods commonly used include thoracic computed tomography and thoracic ultrasonography. The definitive diagnosis requires histopathological examination of the mass. Treatment is based on the surgical removal of the tumor and total lobectomy of the affected lobe through intercostal thoracotomy is the most commonly used technique. Other possible surgical techniques include parcial lobectomy and pneumectomy. Chemotherapy is used as complement to the surgical treatment but it´s not commonly used. The prognosis is always guarded but survival time and quality of life improves with surgical excision. Correlation between pulmonary neoplasia and environmental pollution, such as tobacco smoke, is not explicitly seen in dogs. Dogs can also suffer from pulmonary metastatic neoplasia and pulmonary multissystemic neoplasia such as lymphoma, lymphomatoid granulomatosis and malignant histiocytosis. The description of four clinical cases with primary pulmonary neoplasia is made, including epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment, comparing this information with data obtained from bibliography.

Histological special types (HST) account for about 25% of breast cancers, and correspond to at least 17 pathological entities. However, their molecular characteristics remain to be determined. The purpose of the present study is to apply the recently used immunohistochemical profiling of HST breast carcinomas (BC), as a surrogate for the molecular subtyping, what could be relevant for therapeutic purposes. One hundred and twenty-one cases were included. Immunohistochemical study was performed on paraffin sections, including markers for oestrogen, progesterone and androgen receptors, keratin 5, HER2/neu, epithelial growth factor receptor, p63 protein, P-cadherin, and Ki-67. Tubular (16 cases), mucinous (27) and papillary (9) types were all categorised as luminal-like A and B. The medullary (21) and metaplastic (10) types corresponded largely to the basal-like tumours (85.7% and 90%, respectively). Cases of the micropapillary type (8) were luminal A (3/8), luminal B (4/8) and HER2 overexpressing (1/8), whereas the apocrine carcinomas (24) presented a heterogeneous profile. The proliferation rate (Ki-67) varied among the types, being the medullary carcinoma subtype with higher proliferation. Comparing the current data with those based on molecular studies, there was good agreement in the classification of the tubular, mucinous and papillary types. Only a partial concordance was achieved for the other types, which may be due to sampling, and to the relatively low frequency of such cases. The present work supports the clinical usage of immunohistochemistry as a surrogate to molecular classification of special types of BC.

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancy worldwide and its prevalence is increasing. The introduction of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and endoflower dispositive in routine practice gives the possibility to examine endometrial cells by cytological diagnosis and may also release the opportunity to study molecular alterations, in endometrioid type cancer in which carcinogenesis is well known. We gathered 72 cases of endometrial LBC samples and corresponding formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks, collected from 2004 to 2010. DNA was isolated from both samples using standard protocols. DNA quality and quantity were assessed using Nanodrop and BIOMED2 multiplex PCR. Mutations in exon 5 of PTEN and exon 20 of PI3K were studied using Sanger sequencing. DNA with good quality and amount was isolated from 67/72 FFPE cases. In these samples, two cases were found to harbor mutations in exon 5 of PTEN. No PI3K mutations were identified. LBC samples were then assessed to verify the concordance with the FFPE DNA results. The results obtained were concordant, that is the wild type cases in FFPE were also wild type in LBC and vice versa for the mutated case. Unfortunately, the second case of mutation in PTEN could not be confirmed in LBC due to low amount of DNA obtained. Detection of molecular alterations in LBC will open a new era for the detection in asymptomatic women of precursor lesions that could evolve into cancer and for endometrial cancer diagnosis and screening in selected high-risk women. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The triple-negative subgroup of breast cancer includes a cluster of tumors exhibiting low E-cadherin expression (metaplastic carcinomas). In several cancer models, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1α,25(OH)(2)D(3)) induces differentiation by increasing E-cadherin expression. The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) was evaluated as a possible therapeutic target for metaplastic carcinomas and 1α,25(OH)(2)D(3) effects as a differentiating agent in triple-negative breast cancer cells were assessed.Metaplastic carcinomas were assessed for VDR expression by immunohistochemistry; differences in E-cadherin expression in triple-negative breast cancer cells were evaluated by real-time PCR, western blotting and Cadherin 1 (CDH1) methylation status.Most of the metaplastic carcinomas were positive for VDR expression. Furthermore, 1α,25(OH)(2)D(3) promoted differentiation of MDA-MB-231 cells by inducing de novo E-cadherin expression, an effect that was time- and dose-dependent. Also, E-cadherin expression was due to promoter demethylation.Metaplastic carcinomas may respond to 1α,25(OH)(2)D(3), since they express VDR and 1α,25(OH)(2)D(3) induces de novo E-cadherin expression in breast cancer cells by promoter demethylation.