Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2021-11-01"
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- Preparation, characterization and evaluation of guar films impregnated with relaxing peptide loaded into chitosan microparticlesPublication . Batista, Patrícia; Castro, Pedro M.; Madureira, Ana Raquel; Sarmento, Bruno; Pintado, ManuelaBackground: Biological molecules such as therapeutic proteins and peptides have provided ample opportunities for further improvements in health and wellbeing. However, such biomacro-molecules face stability challenges regarding premature processing and digestion, whenever any enteric delivery route is considered. Hence, oral guar films entrapping peptide-containing chitosan microparticles have been developed as a new delivery system to carry and protect therapeutic relaxing peptides. Results: The composite films were characterized regarding physicochemical properties using FTIR as well as peptide encapsulation efficiency, cytotoxicity, and peptide permeability through buccal and intestinal cell-based models. The composite films with 0.18% (w/w) of peptide demon-strated ca. 0.63% of peptide loading efficiency into the chitosan microparticles and to be safe for buccal and intestinal epithelial cells up to 24 h of contact. The permeability assays through TR146 cells to mimic buccal mucosa epithelium and Caco-2/HT29-MTX to mimic duodenum conditions showed that the incorporation of peptide chitosan microparticles into guar-gum oral films offered a faster permeability, when compared with the free peptide and peptide-chitosan-microparticles-loaded chitosan. Conclusion: This study suggests that peptide-loaded chitosan microparticles into guar-gum oral films might be a promising carrier for enhancement of the buccal and intestinal absorption of a relaxing peptide.
- Entre la Iglesia mexicana y el poder civil: debates, acuerdos y negociaciones en torno al patronato (1821-1835)Publication . Rosas, SergioEste artigo tem como objetivo reconstruir e analisar os debates e pactos ocorridos entre autoridades civis e eclesiásticas em torno do padroado no México entre 1821 e 1835, para compreender as posições dos atores envolvidos e a forma como esse debate deu lugar a três momentos: o debate das posições entre regalistas e canonistas entre 1821 e 1827; a busca de acordos entre 1827 e 1831 e, por fim, o conflito entre Igreja e Estado entre 1833 e 1834. Neste último processo destaca-se o interesse do governo mexicano em consolidar-se como a autoridade máxima do país e a constituição de um novo projeto eclesial a partir de 1834, que a hierarquia eclesiástica inequivocamente chamou Igreja Mexicana.
- Adult attachment in eating disorders mediates the association between perceived invalidating childhood environments and eating psychopathologyPublication . Gonçalves, Sónia; Vieira, Ana Isabel; Rodrigues, Tânia; Machado, Paulo P.; Brandão, Isabel; Timóteo, Sertório; Nunes, Patrícia; Machado, BárbaraThis study aimed to evaluate the associations between perceived invalidating childhood environments, attachment in intimate relationships and eating psychopathology, to explore how these variables interact with each other, and to explore potential mediators to this pattern of association in a clinical eating disorder (ED) sample. One hundred thirty-seven ED outpatients were evaluated with the Invalidating Childhood Environments Scale (ICES), the Eating Disorder-15 (ED-15) and the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory (ECR). Paternal invalidation was associated to the ED-15 total score through avoidance of proximity and anxiety over abandonment, while maternal invalidation was only associated to the ED-15 total score through avoidance of proximity. Our results highlight the potential role of the perception of an invalidating family environment in the development of eating pathology and of difficulties in intimate relationships. These results endorse the relevance of address parental invalidation and promote adequate emotion regulation strategies and interpersonal competencies in the context of intimate relationships.
- «Es obra de romanos cortar los abusos»: praxis y negociación del patronato en Cuba y Puerto Rico (1851-1898)Publication . Mellén, Consolación FernándezAo longo do século XIX o padroado espanhol normalizou a sua intervenção em áreas cada vez maiores do governo temporal da Igreja dos territórios espanhóis de Ultramar. Este processo foi visto pelos bispos dessas dioceses como uma ultrapassagem dos limites dos direitos de padroado e, por isso, a partir da década de 1850 vão multiplicar as suas denúncias contra esta “ingerência” do poder civil e as limitações que o sistema impunha ao exercício das suas faculdades episcopais. O presente artigo propõe projetar a realidade do padroado espanhol nas Antilhas espanholas, a partir da análise diacrónica de algumas das principais questões da fricção, nas quais subjaz o debate entre dois modelos de Igreja (regalista e ultramontano), e as tentativas e mecanismos arbitrados pelos bispos de Cuba e Porto Rico e pela justiça pontifícia para superar uma situação excepcional.
- Senior members in the police and security forces as politically exposed personPublication . Gonçalves, Francisco Jorge; Martins, VerónicaThe combat of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing has been a goal pressed by numerous governments around the world especially after 9/11. It is assumed that certain individuals, because they were entrusted with prominent public functions, present a higher risk for potential involvement: hence the designation “Politically Exposed Person” (PEP). Since the first anti-money laundering directive, only High-Ranking Officers in the Armed Forces are qualified as PEP. However, senior members in the Police and Security Forces, services that are generally headed by civilians, are also entrusted with prominent public functions. This paper will analyse the importance of PEP as a tool for fighting terrorism financing and whether senior members in the Police and Security Forces are qualified as PEP in six countries. The findings show that most countries do not qualify senior members of the Police and Security Forces as PEP, which may represent a security breach regarding terrorism financing. Likewise, this critique may guide policy makers to include senior members of Police and Security forces as PEP.
- Design and functionalization of a µpad for the enzymatic determination of nitrate in urinePublication . Ferreira, Francisca T. S. M.; Mesquita, Raquel B. R.; Rangel, António O. S. S.In this work, the design of a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) for the quantification of nitrate in urine samples was described. Nitrate monitoring is highly relevant due to its association to some diseases and health conditions. The nitrate determination was achieved by combining the selectivity of the nitrate reductase enzymatic reaction with the colorimetric detection of nitrite by the well-known Griess reagent. For the optimization of the nitrate determination µPAD, several variables associated with the design and construction of the device were studied. Furthermore, the interference of the urine matrix was evaluated, and stability studies were performed, under different conditions. The developed µPAD enabled us to obtain a limit of detection of 0.04 mM, a limit of quantification of 0.14 mM and a dynamic concentration range of 0.14–1.0 mM. The designed µPAD proved to be stable for 24 h when stored at room temperature in air or vacuum atmosphere, and 60 days when stored in vacuum at −20◦C. The accuracy of the nitrate µPAD measurements was confirmed by analyzing four certified samples (prepared in synthetic urine) and performing recovery studies using urine samples.
- Autologous Platelet Concentrate of 2 nd and 3 rd generations efficacy in the surgical treatment of gingival recession: an overview of systematic reviewsPublication . Fernandes, Gustavo; Santos, Nuno; Siqueira, Rafael; Wang, How Lay; Blanco-Carrion, Juan; Fernandes, JulianaBackground: Autologous platelet concentrate (APC)/platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) of second and third generations has increased use in periodontics to optimize wound healing. Few systematic reviews (SRs) have reported improved clinical outcomes, while other studies reported significantly better results for the connective tissue graft (CTG). There is still unclear clinical evidence about APC/PRF use to treat gingival recession (GR) defects. Then, the purpose of this SR was to evaluate the use of APC/PRF membranes (2 nd and 3 rd generations) in root coverage (RC) procedures and assess its efficacy as a substitute biomaterial. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, Google Scholar, BookSC databases, and gray literature. The search strategy, without date restriction up to April 2020, included keywords as 'platelet-rich fibrin,' 'autologous platelet concentrates,' 'blood,' 'systematic review,' 'periodontics,' 'surgery,' 'tissue,' 'gingiva,' 'gingival recession,' 'connective tissue,' 'graft,' and 'root coverage.' The methodological quality was evaluated through the AMSTAR2, and a population, index test, comparator, outcome strategy was used to assess specific clinical parameters such as recession depth, clinical attachment levels, and RC outcomes. Results: Nine SRs were included. Only three articles described the technique of APC/PRF production. Three studies reported unfavorable outcomes using APC, while six reported favorable results and postoperative discomfort reduction. Articles included in this SRs that provided information about APC/PRF membranes (n = 13) showed no significant difference between APC/PRF and the control group for the parameters analyzed. Conclusions: This implies that APC/PRF may be considered a feasible substitute biomaterial for treating GR defects, although the CTG still provides superior outcomes. Further long-term and controlled studies are needed to verify this finding.
- Apresentação do dossiê: aplicações e transgressões do último padroado régio ibero-americano (século XIX)Publication . Pinto, Sérgio Ribeiro; Mellén, Consolación Fernández
- Parental perceptions and practices regarding sugar intake by school-aged children: a qualitative study with Portuguese parentsPublication . Marília, Prada; Saraiva, Magda; Godinho, Cristina A.; Tourais, Bárbara; Cavalheiro, Bernardo P.; Garrido, Margarida V.Excessive sugar intake is one of the factors contributing to the alarming rates of childhood obesity and overweight in Portugal. Children's preferences and food consumption patterns are largely determined by the foods that are more familiar to them. Parents and caregivers are responsible for shaping children's eating habits since they are the ones who choose the food available in the household. The present study explores parental perceptions about sugar and sugar intake and its consequences on children's health. Moreover, we also examined the practices that parents use to regulate their children's diet, namely, to promote the consumption of desired foods (e.g., vegetables) and limit the intake of undesired food (e.g., sweets), and the perceived barriers and facilitators of sugar intake regulation. To this end, 42 interviews were conducted with parents of school-aged children (ages 6–10 years). A thematic analysis revealed that parents perceive sugar as highly negative (e.g., “evil”, “poison”, “addiction”) and its consumption as harmful (e.g., hyperactivity; overweight). Nonetheless, the view that sugary food consumption is not necessarily problematic was also common. Indeed, most parents considered that sugar intake should be regulated but not forbidden. To control the intake of sugary foods (e.g., sodas, cookies), they reported using strategies such as restriction, explanation, or negotiation. Several barriers to sugar intake regulation were identified (e.g., birthday parties, parents' lack of knowledge), but also a few facilitators (e.g., bringing food from home to school). Our findings may inform the development of interventions or policies to promote healthier eating habits in school-age children.
- Jogos digitais como estratégia de ensino e aprendizagem da cultura e das artesPublication . Orvalho, Luísa; Brandão, Rui MiguelEste estudo foi implementado na Academia de Música de Arouca, no ano letivo 2020/2021, e pretendeu conhecer o impacto da utilização de jogos digitais como estratégia de ensino e aprendizagem na disciplina de História da Cultura e das Artes – Música. Participaram, neste estudo, 22 alunos do Curso Secundário de Música, dos 6.º, 7.º e 8.º graus, em regime supletivo, com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e os 18 anos. Foi seguida uma estratégia de Investigação-Ação (I-A), de natureza essencialmente qualitativa, centrada num estudo empírico, para avaliar a eficácia de dois modos alternativos de trabalho pedagógico, correspondentes a dois grupos de alunos, um grupo de controlo e um grupo experimental que beneficiou da utilização da plataforma digital Wall of Fame como instrumento auxiliar de estudo. As técnicas e instrumentos de recolha e produção de dados utilizadas foram: inquéritos por questionários, focus group, entrevista semiestruturada feita à docente da disciplina, pesquisa documental relativa aos registos de avaliação trimestrais dos alunos, observação direta e participante, grelhas de observação e notas de campo registadas em diário de bordo do investigador. Para a interpretação e análise de todos os registos quantitativos e qualitativos desta pesquisa, foram usadas as técnicas de análise estatística e de conteúdo. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que as ferramentas digitais podem desempenhar um papel importante nos contextos de sala de aula e no estudo autónomo, contribuem para uma postura mais ativa e empenhada dos alunos e para a melhoria do seu desempenho nos momentos de avaliação.