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Repositório Institucional da Universidade Católica Portuguesa
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Assessing students’ perceptions of a new problem-based learning curriculum in medical education
Publication . Gaspar, Andreia; Mateus, Pedro; Menéres, Sofia
This study explores whether students' perceptions of aspects to be improved in pedagogical activities can contribute to understanding their level of adaptation to the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology in Medical Education. A clear understanding of academic tasks is essential for effective learning. The transition from traditional teacher-centered to a student-centered active learning model requires students to adjust their perceptions to new ways of learning to maximize their learning experiences. However, assessing students’ adaptation to the new method through purpose-designed instruments and sessions can be extremely demanding and overwhelming for educational researchers, those responsible for curriculum implementation and educational quality assurance, as well as for students themselves. Using content analysis, we evaluated the responses of 56 first-year students of an integrated Master's degree in Medicine to two open-ended questions in a pedagogical evaluation survey, already answered by the students, about suggestions for improvement in lectures and tutorial sessions. The identified categories indicate that responses to the questions in the pedagogical evaluation questionnaires offers valuable insights into students' perceptions of the new PBL educational approach. Regarding students' progressive adaptation to the new method, our findings suggest a gradual adjustment to the new learning model. However, by the end of Year 1, students still offer suggestions that align more with a teacher-centered approach rather than the student-centered philosophy inherent to PBL. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are proposed. Capturing students’ perceptions of the new learning model and their evolution provides valuable insights for developing strategies to enhance students’ learning experiences and achieve better educational outcomes, particularly in contexts where PBL has recently been implemented.
Guardians of journalism and free expression: Brazil's CDJor coalition in democratic flux
Publication . Novais, Rui Alexandre; Christofoletti , Rogério
This article analyzes the interplay between civic activism and communicative resilience in safeguarding freedom of expression and journalistic integrity, centering on the understudied Brazil's Coalition in Defense of Journalism (CDJor) that emerged to counteract systemic persecution of the press, and eroding public trust under Jair Bolsonaro's authoritarian regime. Using a multi-dimensional qualitative approach, the study explores two intertwined strands: the social movements dynamics, which include the coalition's lifecycle, collaborative partnerships, and governance models; and communicative resilience, which examines how CDJor has strategized to overcome challenges and achieve initial achievements despite structural barriers. It concludes that a defining feature of CDJor's communicative resilience lies in its refusal to normalize the belligerent press-state relations institutionalized by Bolsonaro. Instead, it championed democratic restoration, cultivating shared narratives about journalism's societal role and mobilizing cross-organizational communication channels for counter-repression. Following the political transition to Lula da Silva's administration, CDJor has strategically pivoted from reactive resistance to proactive adaptation, prioritizing dialogue and institutional collaboration in a more pluralistic yet still precarious democratic environment. This shift underscores its flexibility and dual imperative: ensuring vigilance against ongoing threats to freedom of expression while leveraging its political influence to enhance media integrity and restoring public trust in journalism.
Standardizing oral microbiome sampling for qPCR: methodological and exploratory insights into nutritional status
Publication . Mendes, Karina; Gomes, Ana T. P. C.; Resende, Cristina Maria Mendes; Ribeiro, Isabela S.; Oliveira, Rafael M. C.; Rosa, Nuno; Muniz, Maria T. C.; Correia, Maria J.
Standardization of oral sample collection methods is essential for accurate and reproducible microbiota quantification. This methodological study aimed to evaluate different oral collection methods to identify the most consistent approach for bacterial quantification by qPCR using samples from adolescent individuals. In addition, to assess the biological applicability of the best method, an exploratory analysis compared bacterial profiles between eutrophic and overweight/obese adolescents and explored associations between bacterial abundance and body composition parameters. Samples of unstimulated saliva, cheek swabs, and biofilm were collected from the same individuals, and qPCR was used to quantify total bacteria (16 S rRNA gene), Bacillota, and Bacteroidota phyla. Unstimulated saliva produced the lowest variability in bacterial quantification compared with other methods (p?
Hydrogel-forming ability and characterization of exopolysaccharide (eps) from Porphyridium cruentum for wound healing applications
Publication . Duarte, Marta M.; Suprinovych, Artem; Veiga, Anabela; Lopes, Ana I.; Tavaria, Freni K.; Morais, Rui C.; Oliveira, Ana L.
Marine exopolysaccharides (EPS) are emerging as sustainable bioactive polymers for biomedical hydrogels. Here, we report hydrogels from sulfated EPS produced by Porphyridium cruentum and ionically crosslinked with Ca²⁺, Ce³⁺, or Cu²⁺ to generate tunable networks for wound-healing applications. Rheological analysis showed that viscoelastic behavior was primarily governed by cation nature and accessible binding-site density, with diminishing gains above 2.5 wt% EPS and limited benefit beyond 10 wt% crosslinker. Ce³⁺ produced the most solid-like gel, Ca²⁺ yielded more thixotropic networks, and Cu²⁺ promoted rapid, heterogeneous crosslinking consistent with fast surface complexation. These network signatures translated into distinct in vitro performances. Cation selection tuned antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with Cu²⁺ achieving rapid bactericidal effects and Ce³⁺ enabling an 8-log reduction after 24 h. Antioxidant capacity was assay-dependent (ABTS vs DPPH), reflecting combined EPS radical-quenching and metal-associated redox contributions. Conditioned-media assays using human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes indicated the most favorable cytocompatibility balance for Ce³⁺-crosslinked gels, whereas Cu²⁺ gels were limited by cytotoxicity. Macrophage cytokine readouts (TNF-α, IL-6) further supported formulation-dependent immunobiological activity. This work establishes microalgal EPS as a versatile polymer platform and links ionic crosslinking chemistry to rheological control and multifunctional biomedical performance.
Thromboembolic disease in testicular germ cell tumors-real-world evidence of three Portuguese institutions
Publication . Albuquerque, Joana; Oliveira, Martim; Neto-Silva, Diana; Margarido, Inês; Correia, Jorge; Baptista, Carlota; Machete, Madalena; Bizarro, Rita; Rato, João; Godinho, João; Teixeira, José Alberto; Passos-Coelho, José Luís
Introduction: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are highly curable malignancies with long-term overall survival (OS) exceeding 90%. Thromboembolic (TE) events are a relevant treatment-related complication, reported in approximately 10% of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and prognostic impact of TE in TGCT. Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study including 136 post-pubertal male patients with histologically confirmed TGCT treated between 2007 and 2021 at three Portuguese centers. The primary endpoint was to characterize the population of TGCT patients with TE. Secondary endpoints included TE incidence and its impact on OS and progression-free survival (PFS). Identification of clinical, pathological, and treatment-related factors associated with increased TE risk was an exploratory endpoint. Results: Seven patients (5.1%) developed a TE event, all in advanced/recurrent disease (14.6% in this subgroup). No TE occurred in stage I patients, including those treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Visceral metastases (pulmonary and extra-pulmonary) and poor IGCCCG prognosis were associated with TE (p < 0.05). All TE patients had a central venous catheter (CVC), although only two had catheter-related thrombosis (p = 0.019). For advanced stages, survival outcomes did not differ significantly, with 5-year OS of 71.4% vs. 86.2% (p = 0.22) and PFS of 47.6% vs. 75.5% (p = 0.23) in TE versus non-TE groups, respectively. Most events (86%) occurred within 30 days of chemotherapy initiation, with pulmonary embolism as the most frequent presentation. Neither the Khorana nor the ONKOTEV scores predicted TE. Discussion: TE in TGCT occurred only in patients with advanced disease, was linked to tumor burden and CVC use, and was not predicted by current models. These findings highlight the need for TGCT-specific risk tools and prospective studies on risk-adapted prophylaxis.