Exploring ionic liquids′ unique stimuli to elucidate uncharacterised cellular and molecular mechanisms in filamentous fungi

The emergence of new fungal pathogens, either of plants or animals, and the increasing number of reported cases of resistant human pathogenic strains to the available antifungal drugs reinforces the need for better understanding the biology of filamentous fungi. Conventional drugs target components of the fungal membrane or cell wall, therefore identifying novel intracellular targets, yet unique to fungi, is a global priority.(...)

Garland, since 1776- a unique ownership structure

The case is based on Garland, a 240 years old Portuguese family business, now owned by the Dawson family. It focuses on a decision made 50 years ago, aligned with what had been the company’s history, about the ownership rules for family members, which influences the ownership structure of the firm. It addresses the main issues about ownership in family businesses, and tackles the problem of succession planning and fair process. It contains a teaching note to support the utilization of the case in a classroom context, with learning objectives, target audience, a teaching plan, questions and proposed answers, and theory that relates to the case. It is also complemented with an epilogue and an overview of the case.

In-situ X-ray diffraction studies during growth of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy films and their complementary ex-situ characterization

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Ni-Ti films have attracted much interest as functional and smart materials due to their unique properties. However, there are still important issues unresolved like formation of film texture and its control as well as substrate effects. Thus, the main challenge is not only the control of the microstructure, including stoichiometry and precipitates, but also the identification and control of the preferential orientation since it is a crucial factor in determining the shape memory behaviour. The aim of this PhD thesis is to study the optimisation of the deposition conditions of films of Ni-Ti in order to obtain the material fully crystallized at the end of the deposition, and to establish a clear relationship between the substrates and texture development. In order to achieve this objective, a two-magnetron sputter deposition chamber has been used allowing to heat and to apply a bias voltage to the substrate. It can be mounted into the six-circle diffractometer of the Rossendorf Beamline (ROBL) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France, enabling an in-situ characterization by X-ray diffraction(XRD) of the films during their growth and annealing. The in-situ studies enable us to identify the different steps of the structural evolution during deposition with a set of parameters as well as to evaluate the effect of changing parameters on the structural characteristics of the deposited film. Besides the in-situ studies, other complementary ex-situ characterization techniques such as XRD at a laboratory source, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy(RBS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (X-TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrical resistivity (ER) measurements during temperature cycling have been used for a fine structural characterization. In this study, mainly naturally and thermally oxidized Si(100) substrates, TiN buffer layers with different thicknesses (i.e. the TiN topmost layer crystallographic orientation is thickness dependent) and MgO(100) single crystals were used as substrates. The chosen experimental procedure led to a controlled composition and preferential orientation of the films. The type of substrate plays an important role for the texture of the sputtered Ni-Ti films and according to the ER results, the distinct crystallographic orientations of the Ni-Ti films influence their phase transformation characteristics.

Importance of global co-innovation networks: A TCS case study

Today all kinds of innovations and research work is done by partnerships of competent entities each having some specialized skills. Like the development of the global economy, global innovation partnerships have grown considerably and form the basis of most of the sophisticated innovations today. To further streamline and simplify such cooperation, several innovation networks have been formed, both at local and global levels. This paper discusses the different types of innovations and how cooperation can benefit innovation in terms of pooling of resources and sharing of risks. One example of an open global co-innovation network promoted by Tata Consultancy Services, the TCS COIN is taken as a case. It enables venture capitalists, consultants, research agencies, companies and universities form nodes of the network so that each entity can play a meaningful role in the innovation network. Further, two innovation projects implemented using the COIN are discussed. Innovation Networks like these could form the basis of a unique global innovation network, which is not owned by any company and is used by innovation partners globally to collaborate and conduct research and development.

Molybdenum-containing proteins from Sulphate Reducing Bacteria: studying proteins with novel cofactors and revealing new features of old enzymes

Dissertação apresentada para a obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Bioquímica, especialidade de Bioquímica-Física pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Noble metal nanoparticles - Au and Ag - for biodetection

Dissertation submitted for obtainment of the Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, by the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Identification of mating type genes in the bipolar basidiomycetous yeast rhodosporidium toruloides: first insight into the MAT Locus structure of the sporidiobolales

Eukaryotic Cell, Vol.7, Nº6

Vigilância activa de eventos após vacinação

A vigilância de efeitos indesejáveis após a vacinação é complexa. Existem vários actores de confundimento que podem dar origem a associações espúrias, meramente temporais mas que podem provocar uma percepção do risco alterada e uma consequente desconfiança generalizada acerca do uso das vacinas. Com efeito as vacinas são medicamentos complexos com características únicas cuja vigilância necessita de abordagens metodológicas desenvolvidas para esse propósito. Do exposto se entende que, desde o desenvolvimento da farmacovigilância se tem procurado desenvolver novas metodologias que sejam concomitantes aos Sistemas de Notificação Espontânea que já existem. Neste trabalho propusemo-nos a desenvolver e testar um modelo de vigilância de reacções adversas a vacinas, baseado na auto-declaração pelo utente de eventos ocorridos após a vacinação e testar a capacidade de gerar sinais aplicando cálculos de desproporção a datamining. Para esse efeito foi constituída uma coorte não controlada de utentes vacinados em Centros de Saúde que foram seguidos durante quinze dias. A recolha de eventos adversos a vacinas foi efectuada pelos próprios utentes através de um diário de registo. Os dados recolhidos foram objecto de análise descritiva e análise de data-mining utilizando os cálculos Proportional Reporting Ratio e o Information Component. A metodologia utilizada permitiu gerar um corpo de evidência suficiente para a geração de sinais. Tendo sido gerados quatro sinais. No âmbito do data-mining a utilização do Information Component como método de geração de sinais parece aumentar a eficiência científica ao permitir reduzir o número de ocorrências até detecção de sinal. A informação reportada pelos utentes parece válida como indicador de sinais de reacções adversas não graves, o que permitiu o registo de eventos sem incluir o viés da avaliação da relação causal pelo notificador. Os principais eventos reportados foram eventos adversos locais (62,7%) e febre (31,4%).------------------------------------------ABSTRACT: The monitoring of undesirable effects following vaccination is complex. There are several confounding factors that can lead to merely temporal but spurious associations that can cause a change in the risk perception and a consequent generalized distrust about the safe use of vaccines. Indeed, vaccines are complex drugs with unique characteristics so that its monitoring requires specifically designed methodological approaches. From the above-cited it is understandable that since the development of Pharmacovigilance there has been a drive for the development of new methodologies that are concomitant with Spontaneous Reporting Systems already in place. We proposed to develop and test a new model for vaccine adverse reaction monitoring, based on self-report by users of events following vaccination and to test its capability to generate disproportionality signals applying quantitative methods of signal generation to data-mining. For that effect we set up an uncontrolled cohort of users vaccinated in Healthcare Centers,with a follow-up period of fifteen days. Adverse vaccine events we registered by the users themselves in a paper diary The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and two quantitative methods of signal generation: Proportional Reporting Ratio and Information Component. themselves in a paper diary The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and two quantitative methods of signal generation: Proportional Reporting Ratio and Information Component. The methodology we used allowed for the generation of a sufficient body of evidence for signal generation. Four signals were generated. Regarding the data-mining, the use of Information Component as a method for generating disproportionality signals seems to increase scientific efficiency by reducing the number of events needed to signal detection. The information reported by users seems valid as an indicator of non serious adverse vaccine reactions, allowing for the registry of events without the bias of the evaluation of the casual relation by the reporter. The main adverse events reported were injection site reactions (62,7%) and fever (31,4%).

Adesão ao regime terapêutico na pessoa com enfarte agudo do miócardio: contributo dos enfermeiros no internamento hospita

RESUMO: O Enfarte Agudo do Miocárdio (EAM) representa um dos principais problemas de saúde pública em Portugal. A rápida intervenção nos factores de risco determinantes da saúde cardíaca pode ter um impacto positivo em vários indicadores de saúde. O objectivo final dessa intervenção passa por capacitar a pessoa, para que, autonomamente, adopte um conjunto de comportamentos de saúde, baseados em estilos de vida protectores da saúde cardíaca, que favorecem positivamente o processo de reabilitação. Esta procura e aquisição do comportamento de saúde, adesão ao regime terapêutico, deve ser desenvolvido em parceria com os profissionais de saúde. O hospital representa a porta de entrada da pessoa com EAM no sistema de saúde. É neste contacto que se inicia uma intervenção de sensibilização e promoção da adesão ao regime terapêutico. Sendo os enfermeiros um grupo profissional que estabelece uma relação continua com a pessoa, importa conhecer um conjunto de dimensões do desempenho dos enfermeiros na promoção da adesão ao regime terapêutico. Breve referência ao desenho de estudo. Foram incluídas no estudo 143 enfermeiros de 9 serviços hospitalares da Região de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Os dados foram obtidos através de um questionário auto-preenchido. Os dados mostraram que a população de enfermeiros é jovem (M= 30,5: dp= 8,0), 49% têm uma idade £ 26 anos e apresenta pouca experiência profissional (M=7,7; dp= 7,6), 48,2% exerce a profissão há menos de 3 anos. A antiguidade no serviço actual é reduzida (M= 4,7; dp= 4,6), 48,9% estão no serviço há menos de 2 anos. Os enfermeiros acreditam que deviam intervir com mais frequência nos factores de risco fisiológicos e comportamentais que nos factores psicossociais e ambientais; a confiança que têm nas capacidades para intervir nos factores de risco fisiológicos e comportamentais é maior que nos factores psicossociais e ambientais e no último ano, intervieram mais frequentemente nos factores de risco fisiológicos e comportamentais que nos psicossociais e ambientais. O “ensaio” da validação da escala de Will scale de Anderson et al (2004), sobre a capacidade de intervenção na saúde cardíaca, mostrou que o teste de Esfericidade de Bartlett e Medida de adequação da amostragem de Kaiser-Meyer- Olkin (KMO) permitiram a realização da análise factorial em componentes principais (AFCP). Da AFCP emergiram 16 factores, os mesmos que no estudo original de Anderson et al (2004), que revelaram boa consistência interna, com valores de alpha de Cronbach que variaram entre 0,71 a 0,98. Os resultados revelam a necessidade de sensibilizar os enfermeiros para valorizar a intervenção no âmbito dos factores de risco psicossociais e ambientais para promover a adesão ao regime terapêutico. Sugerem ainda que a intervenção baseada na evidência pode ser potenciada de forma a melhorar as práticas de cuidados dos enfermeiros. ABSTRACT: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most important problems in public health in Portugal. A prompt intervention in cardiac health determinants means a positive impact in health outcomes, individually and collectively. The main purpose of this intervention lays on patient’s empowerment so he or she becomes able to choose healthy behaviours, based on heart health protective life styles, and therefore to manage his/hers therapeutic regime. This search and acquisition of health behaviours leading to therapeutic regime adherence may positively have an influence on the whole rehabilitation process and it must be developed in partnership with health workers. MI patients’ first contact with the Health System usually happens at the Hospital. Here the first steps are taken to start an intervention in order to promote therapeutic regime adherence. Nurses are a group of health workers who establish a unique and continuous relation with patients, so it matters to have knowledge of their performance skills that can actually promote a healthy behaviours and increase therapeutic regime adherence. Short Study design The study sample includes 143 nurses working on 9 different hospital wards, belonging to the Lisboa and Tejo’s Valley Health Region, in the district of Lisbon. Data were collected trough a self-administered questionnaire. It revealed that the nurses sample is a young population (M=30,5; dp=8,0), 49% of whom are aged less than 26 years old and has little professional experience (M=7,7; dp= 7,6); 48,2% work has nurses for less than 3 years. There’s a low percentage of seniority (M=4,7; dp=4,6), 48,9% of nurses work in these wards for less than 2 years. Nurses believe they should have intervene more frequently in physiological and behaviour risk factors than in psychological, social and environmental factors; they have greater confidence in their ability to intervene in physiological and behaviour risk factors than to intervene in psychological, social and environmental factors. In last year they took interventions more frequently in physiological and behaviour risk factors than in the other health determinants. The Scale Validation “essay” on Will Scale (Anderson et al, 2004), about heart health intervention capacity, revealed that the Bartlett’s test sphericity and the Kaiser-Meyer- Olkin’s (KMO) appropriate sample measure allowed the factorial analysis on main components (FAMC). From FAMC emerged 16 factors, the same number found on Anderson’s et al (2004) study, revealing good internal consistence, with Cronbach’s alpha values that varied between 0,71 and 0,98. The results point a need for nurses to attribute bigger value to other health determinants intervention - such as psychological, social and environmental determinants - so they’ll take part in promoting therapeutic regime adherence. The results also suggest t

Dual-phase inkjet printed electrochromic layers based on PTA and WOX/TiO2 nanoparticles for electrochromic applications

Thesis submitted in Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa for the degree of Master in Materials Engineering

Metal ions and protein folding: conformational and functional interplay

Dissertation presented to obtain a PhD degree in Biochemistry at Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Natural and amyloid self-assembly of S100 proteins: structural basis of functional diversity

The S100 proteins are 10-12 kDa EF-hand proteins that act as central regulators in a multitude of cellular processes including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and motility. Consequently, many S100 proteins are implicated and display marked changes in their expression levels in many types of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The structure and function of S100 proteins are modulated by metal ions via Ca2+ binding through EF-hand motifs and binding of Zn2+ and Cu2+ at additional sites, usually at the homodimer interfaces. Ca2+ binding modulates S100 conformational opening and thus promotes and affects the interaction with p53, the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts and Toll-like receptor 4, among many others. Structural plasticity also occurs at the quaternary level, where several S100 proteins self-assemble into multiple oligomeric states, many being functionally relevant. Recently, we have found that the S100A8/A9 proteins are involved in amyloidogenic processes in corpora amylacea of prostate cancer patients, and undergo metal-mediated amyloid oligomerization and fibrillation in vitro. Here we review the unique chemical and structural properties of S100 proteins that underlie the conformational changes resulting in their oligomerization upon metal ion binding and ultimately in functional control. The possibility that S100 proteins have intrinsic amyloid-forming capacity is also addressed, as well as the hypothesis that amyloid self-assemblies may, under particular physiological conditions, affect the S100 functions within the cellular milieu.

Braquiterapia prostática: morbilidade urinária e sexual

RESUMO: Objectivos 1. Avaliar a morbilidade urinária e sexual secundária à braquiterapia prostática com implante de I125. 2. Avaliar a influência da hormonoterapia neoadjuvante e adjuvante na morbilidade urinária e sexual secundária à braquiterapia(I125). 3. Avaliar a influência da associação da radioterapia externa na morbilidade urinária e sexual secundária à braquiterapia(I125). 4. Avaliar a morbilidade urinária dos doentes com contra-indicação relativa (próstatas volumosas, IPSS elevado).Material e métodos De Setembro de 2000 a Dezembro de 2004 foram recrutados 204 doentes com o diagnóstico de carcinoma da próstata localizado (T1 e T2) ou localmente avançado (T3) e expectativa de vida superior a 10 anos. Foram submetidos a braquiterapia, com implante transperineal de Iodo 125 (I125) em monoterapia ou combinada com hormonoterapia e/ou radioterapia externa (tratamento trimodal). Definiram-se diversos sub-grupos de pacientes, consoante algumas características habitualmente referidas como factores de risco para a morbilidade do tratamento de braquiterapia prostática, com o objectivo de analisar a sua influência sobre a morbilidade urinária e sexual: Grupo 1: Braquiterapia em monoterapia (MONO) versus braquiterapia associada a radioterapia externa (BCOMB) Grupo 2: Próstatas volumosas (>50ml) versus próstatas não volumosas (<50ml)Grupo 3: Braquiterapia associada a hormonoterapia (HORM) versus braquiterapia sem hormonoterapia (NHORM)Grupo 4: IPSS elevado versus IPSS baixo Avaliou-se a evolução do IPSS, QoL, taxa de RTU-P e retenção urinária pós implante, e evolução do BSFI durante todo o período de seguimento. Resultados Grupo 1: Para o grupo MONO o IPSS iniciou-se com 7.1, sofreu agravamento para 16.1 e 15.9 ao primeiro e terceiro meses. Aos 12 meses, o IPSS desceu para 10.1 enquanto que, aos 18 e 24 meses, o IPSS foi de 7.3 e 5.8. O grupo BCOMB iniciou com IPSS de 9.4. Sofreu agravamento ligeiro e pouco acentuado até aos 6 meses (IPSS de 14). A evolução do IPSS foi, então, flutuante com IPSS de 5.9 aos 12 meses e 9.5 aos 18 meses. Aos 24 meses apresentava IPSS de 6.7. A taxa de retenção urinária (6.4% e 0%) e de RTU-P (2.0% e 0%) foram semelhantes nos grupos MONO e BCOMB, respectivamente (p=0.375 e p=1). A evolução da qualidade das erecções foi semelhante nos dois grupos excepto aos 6 meses em que MONO apresentou o valor 6 e BCOMB 3.7 (p=0.029). A percentagem de doentes potentes foi significativamente inferior nos primeiros 6 meses após a braquiterapia para o grupo BCOMB relativamente ao grupo MONO: 36%–74%; 33%–73%; 33%–75%. Após os 6 meses os grupos foram homogéneos. Grupo 2: O IPSS evoluiu nas próstatas <50ml e >50ml de 7–9 para 15-19 ao primeiro mês e 15-18 ao 3.º mês. Apenas ao primeiro mês é que as diferenças no IPSS foram significativas (p=0.061). Após o 3.º mês os dois grupos foram semelhantes: IPSS de 8 e 12 ao 12.º mês e 5.7 e 6 ao 24.º mês. As taxas de retenção urinária e de RTU-P foram semelhantes (p=0.054 e p=0.286) Grupo 3: A evolução do IPSS, taxas de retenção urinária e de RTU-P foram sobreponíveis em ambos os grupos. A evolução da líbido, erecções, percentagem de doentes potentes, ejaculação, incómodo e satisfação foi significativamente inferior no grupo HORM relativamente ao grupo N HORM apenas ao primeiro mês (valores de p<0.0001; <0.0001; < 0.0001; 0.009 e 0.002 respectivamente) Grupo 4: A evolução do IPSS nos doentes com IPSS elevado foi a seguinte: 22.17(0M); 19.5(1M); 20.5(3M); 15.3(6M); 15.7(12M); 11(18M); 8(24M) A evolução do IPSS nos doentes com IPSS baixo foi a seguinte: 5.9(0M); 15.3(1M); 14.9(3M); 12.2(6M); 8.9(12M); 7.2(18M), 5.5(24M) As taxas de RTU-P (2.8% e 0%) e retenção urinária (5.1% e 5.9%) foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos de doentes (p=1). Conclusões 1. A radioterapia intersticial da próstata com implante transperineal e ecoguiado de Iodo 125 é frequentemente acompanhada de morbilidade urinária transitória e de intensidade moderada. A Morbilidade consiste em sintomatologia do aparelho urinário baixo (“LUTS – lower urinary tract symptoms”) que, na maioria dos doentes, sofre um agravamento máximo do primeiro ao 3.º mês. Segue-se uma melhoria ligeira até ao 6.º mês que é mais acentuada daí em diante. Por volta do 12.º e 18.º mês, a maior parte dos doentes apresenta sintomatologia urinária muito semelhante à que apresentava antes do tratamento. Após o 18.º mês, os doentes mantêm uma melhoria da sintomatologia urinária para além da que apresentavam previamente ao implante. As taxas de retenção urinária e de ressecção transuretral prostática após o implante de braquiterapia são muito baixas, inferiores a 10%. 2. A associação da braquiterapia prostática com radioterapia externa adjuvante influencia a evolução da sintomatologia urinária: o aparecimento da sintomatologia urinária é mais lento, demorando 6 meses a atingir o seu valor máximo que, por sua vez, é de intensidade menos acentuada do que quando a braquiterapia é utilizada em monoterapia. 3. O volume prostático superior a 50 ml não influencia a morbilidade urinária. 4. A terapêutica hormonal, neoadjuvante e adjuvante, não influencia a sintomatologia urinária. 5. Os doentes com sintomatologia urinária prévia muito acentuada não sofrem agravamento da referida sintomatologia. Pelo contrário, apresentam uma melhoria de sintomas urinários desde o primeiro mês, e que se mantém ao longo dos 24 meses de seguimento, apresentando, no final deste período, sintomatologia urinária ligeira e muito inferior à que apresentavam antes do implante. As taxas de retenção urinária e RTU-P após a braquiterapia são semelhantes às que ocorrem nos doentes assintomáticos previamente ao implante. 6. A vida sexual está preservada, em mais de 70% dos casos, ao fim dos 24 meses de seguimento. No entanto, imediatamente após o primeiro mês de seguimento, ocorre uma diminuição ligeira da qualidade das erecções que se mantém, sem melhoria ou agravamento, durante todo o período de seguimento. A hormonoterapia afecta todos os parâmetros da vida sexual, embora de forma apenas temporária. Após a suspensão da terapêutica hormonal este grupo de doentes recupera a actividade sexual e apresenta-se idêntico ao grupo de doentes que não foram sujeitos a essa terapêutica.----------------ABSTRACT: Objectives 1. To assess urinary and sexual morbility after prostatic brachytherapy with the implant of I125 seeds. 2. To assess the influence of neoadjuvant and adjuvant hormone therapy in urinary and sexual morbility after prostatic brachytherapy with the implant of I125 seeds. 3. To assess the effects, on urinary and sexual morbility, of associating external radiotherapy after prostatic brachytherapy with the implant of I125 seeds. 4. To assess the urinary morbility in patients with relative contraindications (voluminous prostates, high IPSS). Material and Methods From September, 2000 to December, 2004 a total of 204 patients were recruited with a diagnosis of localized (T1 and T2) or locally advanced (T3) carcinoma of the prostate and a life expectancy in excess of 10 years. The patients underwent brachytherapy with transperineal seed implant of iodine (I125) as a monotherapy or in combination with hormone therapy and/or external radiotherapy (trimodal treatment). With the aim of evaluating the treatment’s influence on urinary and sexual morbility, a number of patient sub-groups were defined in accordance with certain characteristics normally mentioned as morbility risk factors for prostatic brachytherapy treatment: Group 1: Brachytherapy as monotherapy (MONO) versus brachytherapy in combination with external radiotherapy (BCOMB) Group 2: Voluminous prostates (>50ml) versus non- voluminous prostates (<50ml) Group 3: Brachytherapy in combination with hormone therapy (HORM) versus brachytherapy without hormone therapy (NHORM)Group 4: High IPSS versus a low IPSS. The evolution of the IPSS, QoL, TURP rate and post-implant urinary retention as well as the BSFI were assessed throughout the entire follow-up period. Results Group 1: For the MONO group the IPSS began at 7.1, and then rose to 16.1 and 15.9 in the first and third months, respectively. At month 12, the IPSS had dropped to 10.1 and at month 18 and 24 the IPSS was registered at 7.3 and 5.8, respectively. The BCOMB group started out with an IPSS of 9.4. It underwent a slight and little-significant rise until month 6 (IPSS at 14). The evolution of the IPSS then began to fluctuate from an IPSS of 5.9 at month 12 and 9.5 at month 18. At month 24 we registered an IPSS of 6.7. The urinary retention rate (6.4% and 0%) and TURP rate (2.0% e 0%) were similar to those of the MONO and BCOMB groups, respectively (p=0.375 and p=1). The evolution regarding the quality of erections was similar for the two groups except at 6 months when the MONO group displayed a value of 6 and the BCOMB group 3.7 (p=0.029). The percentage of sexually potent patients was significantly lower in the first six months after brachytherapy for the BCOMB group when compared with the MONO group: 36%–74%; 33%–73%; 33%–75%. After six months, the results became more consistent. Group 2: IPSS results evolved in <50ml and >50ml prostates from 7–9 to 15-19 in the first month and from 15-18 after the third month. It was only in the first month that the differences in the IPSS were significant (p=0.061). After the third month, the two groups displayed similar outcomes: IPSS 8 and 12 at month 12 and 5.7 and 6 at month 24. Urinary retention and TURP rates were similar (p=0.054 e p=0.286). Group 3: IPSS evolution and rates of urinary retention and TURP were identical in both groups. Figures regarding libido, erections, percentage of sexually potent patients, ejaculation, discomfort and sexual satisfaction were always significantly lower for the HORM group, when compared to the NHORM group in the first month only (values of p<0.0001; <0.0001; <0.0001; 0.009 e 0.002, respectively). Group 4: IPSS evolution in patients with a high IPSS was as follows: 22.17(0M); 19.5(1M); 20.5(3M); 15.3(6M); 15.7(12M); 11(18M); 8(24M) IPSS evolution in patients with a low IPSS was as follows: 5.9(0M); 15.3(1M); 14.9(3M); 12.2(6M); 8.9(12M); 7.2(18M), 5.5(24M)TURP rates (2.8% e 0%) and those for urinary retention (5.1% e 5.9%) were similar in both patient groups (p=1). Conclusions 1. Interstitial radiotherapy of the prostate with transperineal, ultrasound-guided implant of Iodine-125 seeds is often followed by transitory urinary morbility of moderate intensity. The morbility involves symptoms of the lower urinary tract which, in most cases are at their worst from the first to the third months. There is a slight improvement up to the sixth month, at which point improvement becomes more accentuated. Around months 12 or 18, most patients display urinary symptoms that are very similar to those noted before treatment. After month 18, patients’ urinary symptoms continue to improve past the point they displayed prior to the implant. Urinary retention rates and those for transurethral resection of the prostate are very low (below 10%), after brachytherapy seed implant. 2. The combination of prostatic brachytherapy and adjuvant external radiotherapy affects the evolution of urinary symptoms: the appearance of urinary symptoms is much slower, taking six months to peak, and is less intense than when brachytherapy is employed as the only means of treatment. 3. The fact that the prostate displays a volume greater than 50 ml does not influence urinary morbility. 4. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant hormone therapy do not influence urinary symptomology. 5. Patients with severe, preexisting symptoms of the urinary tract do not experience a worsening of those symptoms. On the contrary, they exhibit an improvement in urinary symptoms as of the first month. This improvement continues for the 24 months, after which patients display symptoms of the urinary tract that are slight and a noticeable improvement over the urinary complaints registered before the implant. Urinary retention and TURP rates subsequent to brachytherapy are similar to those registered for asymptomatic patients. 6. The patient’s sexual performance is maintained in more than 70% of the cases, as noted after 24 months of follow-up. However, immediately after the first follow-up month there is a lessening in the quality of erections that continues, without improving or worsening, for the whole follow-up period. Hormone therapy affects all the parameters of sexual performance, albeit temporarily. After suspending hormone therapy, this group recovered with regard to sexual performance, and showed itself to be identical to the group of patients that had not undergone hormone therapy.-------------------RESUMÉ:Objectives 1. Évaluer la morbilité urinaire et sexuelle après la realisation la curiethérapie de la prostate avec implant de I125. 2. Évaluer l’ influence de la thérapie hormonale néoadjuvante et adjuvante en ce qui concerne la morbilité urinaire et sexuelle après la réalisation de la curiethérapie (I125). 3. Évaluer l’influence de l’association de la radiothérapie externe dans la morbilité urinaire et sexuelle après la réalisation de la curiethérapie (I125). 4. Évaluer la morbilité urinaire des malades avec des contre indications relatives (prostates volumineuses, IPSS élevé). Matériel et méthodologie De Septembre 2000 à Décembre 2004, on a recruté 204 patients ayant pour diagnostique un carcinome de la prostate localisé (T1 et T2) ou localement avancé (T3) et dont l’expectative de vie était de plus de 10 ans. Ils ont été soumis au traitement de la curiethérapie avec l’implantation transpérinéal de l’iode 125 (I125) en monothérapie ou en traitement combiné avec une thérapie hormonale et/ou radiothérapie externe (traitement trimodale). Il y a eu plusieurs sous-catégories de patients, et cela dépend de quelques caractéristiques normalement considérées comme des facteurs à risque en ce qui concerne la morbilité du traitement de la curiethérapie de la prostate, et l’objective étant d’analyser son influence sur la morbilité urinaire et sexuelle. Groupe 1: Curiethérapie en traitement unique (MONO) par rapport à la curiethérapie associée au traitement externe (BCOMB). Groupe 2: Prostates volumineuses (>50ml) par rapport au prostates qui ne sont pas volumineuses (<50ml). Groupe 3: Curiethérapie associée au traitement hormonale (HORM) par rapport à la curiethérapie sans traitement hormonale (NHORM). Groupe 4: IPSS élevé par rapport au IPSS diminué. Nous avons évalué l’evolution du IPSS, Qualité de vie, le taux de RTU-P et la retention de l’urine après l’implant, BSFI pendant toute la période du traitement. Résultats Groupe 1: Pour le groupe MONO l’IPSS a commençé avec un taux de 7.1, et les patients ont souffert d’un empirement allant jusqu’à 16.1 et 15.9 pendant le premier et le troisième mois. 12 mois après l’IPSS diminua jusqu’à 10.1 À 18 mois le taux fût de 7.3 et à 24 mois il diminua encore jusqu’à atteindre 5.8. Le groupe BCOMB commença avec un taux d’IPSS de 9.4. Ils souffrirent un empirement légér et peu accentué jusqu’aux 6 premiers mois (IPSS de 14). L’évolution de l’IPSS était fluctuante allant de 5.9 à 12 mois et 9.5 à 18 mois. À 24 mois, l’IPSS était de 6.7. Le taux de retention de l’urine (6.4% et 0%) et de la RTU-P (2.0% et 0%) étaient simmilaires dans les groupes MONO et BCOMB respectivement (p=0.375 et p=1). L’ évolution de la qualité des érections fût semblable dans les 2 groupes excepté le groupe MONO qui présenta une valeure de 6 à 6 mois et le groupe BCOMB qui présenta une valeure de 3.7 (p=0.029). Le pourcentage des malades sexuellement puissants a été significativement inférieur pendant les 6 premiers mois depuis la curiethérapie pour le groupe BCOMB si on le compare au groupe MONO: 36%–74%; 33%–73%; 33%–75%. Après cette période, les groupes eûrent des résultats homogénes. Groupe 2: L’ IPSS a évolué dans les prostates <50ml et >50ml de 7–9 jusqu’à 15-19 pendant le premier mois et jusqu’à 15-18 au 3ème mois. C’est seulement pendant le premier mois que les différences de l’IPSS ont été significatives (p=0.061). Après le 3ème mois les deux groupes ont eu des résultats semblables: IPSS 8 et 12 à 12.º mois et 5.7 et 6 à 24.º mois. Le taux de retention de l’urine et de la RTU-P ont été simmilaires (p=0.054 e p=0.286). Groupe 3: L’evolution de l’ IPSS, les taux de retention de l’urine et de la RTU-P pourraient se surposer pour les deux groupes. L’évolution de la libido, des érections, le pourcentage des malades sexuellements puissants, l’incommodité et la satisfaction ont été toujours significativement infériures dans le groupe HORM par rapport au groupe NHORM dès le premier mois (valeurs de p <0.0001; <0.0001; < 0.0001; 0.009 et 0.002 respectivement) Groupe 4: L’évolution de l’ IPSS pour les malades ayant un IPSS élevé fût ainsi: 22.17(0M); 19.5(1M); 20.5(3M); 15.3(6M); 15.7(12M); 11(18M); 8(24M)L’évolution de l’ IPSS pour les malades ayant un IPSS diminué fût ainsi:5.9(0M); 15.3(1M); 14.9(3M); 12.2(6M); 8.9(12M); 7.2(18M), 5.5(24M) Le taux de RTU-P (2.8% e 0%) et de retention de l’urine (5.1% et 5.9%) ont été semblables dans les 2 groupes de malades (p=1). Conclusions 1. La radiothérapie interstitielle de la prostate avec implant transpérinéal de l’iode 125 est fréquamment acompagnée d’une morbilité urinaire transitoire et d’intensité modérée. La morbilité consiste d’une symptomatologie de l’apparéil urinaire inférieure qui, dans la plupart des malades, empire gravement du premier au troisième mois. La situation s’améliore légèrement jusqu’au 6ème mois, l’amélioration étant plus accentuée à partir de là. Autour du 12ème jusqu’au 18ème mois, la majorité des malades présente une symptomatologie urinaire qui se ressemble beaucoup à celle qu’ils avaient avant le traitement. Après le 18ème mois l’amélioration de la symptomatologie urinaire est constante par rapport à celle qu’ils présentaient avant l’implant. Le taux de retention de l’urine et de RTU-P après l’implant de la curiethérapie sont très basses, au dessus de 10%. 2. L’association de la curiethérapie de la prostate avec la radiothérapie externe adjuvante a une influence sur l’évolution de la symptomatologie urinaire: l’apparition des symptômes est plus lente, prenant jusqu’à 6 mois pour atteindre son niveau maximum, qui à son tour, a une intensité moins accentuée que lorsque la curiethérapie est utilisée en monothérapie. 3. Le volume de la prostate supérieure à 50 ml n’a pas d’influence sur la morbilité urinaire. 4. La thérapie hormonale, néoadjuvante et adjuvante, n’a pas d’influence sur la symptomatologie urinaire. 5. Les malades ayant une symptomatologie urinaire préalable et très accentuée ne souffrent pas d’empirement de leur situation. Au contraire, ils présentent une amélioration des symptômes urinaires à partir du premier mois et ceci se maintient tout au long des 24 mois que dure le traitement, ayant à la fin de cette période une symptomatologie urinaire légère et beaucoup plus basse que celle qu’ils présentaient avant l’implant. Le taux de retention de l’urine et de la RTU-P après la curiethérapie est simmilaire à celui que les malades qui n’ont pas de symptômes présentent avant l’implant. 6. La vie sexuelle est préservée dans plus du 70% des cas à la fin de la période de traitement (24 mois). Entretemps, immédiatement après le premier mois d’étude, on note une légère diminution de la qualité des érections qui se maintient sans amélioration ou empirement tout au long du traitement. Le traitement à base d’hormones affecte tous les paramètres de la vie sexuelle, mais de façon temporaire. Après la suspension de la thérapie hormonale ce groupe de malades récupère l’activité sexuelle et se présente de façon égale au groupe de malades qui n’ont pas été soumis à ce traitement.

A passagem à reforma : um estudo exploratório sobre mulheres profissionalizadas na sociedade portuguesa

RESUMO: Devido às mudanças políticas e sociais que ocorreram no passado, a proporção de mulheres activas no mercado de trabalho tem vindo a aumentar, e neste sentido, cada vez mais mulheres têm vindo a entrar na reforma. As recentes evoluções demográficas mostram um crescente envelhecimento populacional caracterizado por um aumento da proporção de pessoas idosas e pela sua maior longevidade. As mulheres são em número superior, no entanto, a realidade da mulher portuguesa reformada tem sido pouco avaliada sob o ponto de vista em que decorre esta transição. A passagem à reforma é um momento fulcral para conhecer como se adaptam os indivíduos a uma nova etapa da sua vida que é actualmente vivida por mais tempo, e que representa também a passagem para outra categoria social, a categoria de reformado. Condicionantes sociais, culturais e individuais, contribuem para modelar esta transição e o ajustamento à mesma. A reforma para as mulheres deverá corresponder a uma etapa com características únicas, devido às particularidades em termos profissionais e sociais que as distinguem dos homens. Pretende-se neste trabalho “dar voz” às mulheres portuguesas que tiveram uma carreira profissional e conhecer as suas experiências de transição para a reforma e a forma como vivem esta condição. Foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade com mulheres portuguesas profissionais reformadas, cujos conteúdos foram analisados em torno das seguintes categorias: sentimentos vividos; planeamento e motivações para a passagem à reforma; relação com o trabalho; noção de si própria; gestão de tempo e organização quotidiana e interacções familiares e sociais.-------- ABSTRACT: Due to past political and social changes the number of women working actively in the labor market is growing. This implies that, more women are also entering in the retirement period. Recent demographic trends show an increasing ageing population, characterized by a higher proportion of elderly people, and a higher longevity. Women’s proportion outnumbers older men, yet the reality of Portuguese retired women has been poorly evaluated in regard to this transition process. Retirement transition is a crucial period to understand how individuals adapt to a new stage in their life, that is actually being enjoyed for a longer period and that also represents the transition to retiree’s social role. Social, cultural and individual conditions help to shape this transition and adjustment to it. Retirement for women should be an event with unique features, mostly because of the peculiarities in professional and social relationships, distinct from men. Through in-depth interviews, we explored how Portuguese women, who had a professional career, experience the retirement transition and how they live this new condition. The women’s narratives were analyzed within the following categories: experienced feelings, planning and motivation for retirement; notion of self; time management and daily organization; family and social interactions.

Valorization of traditional portuguese apples and cherries: biochemical characterization and development of functional ingredients

Dissertation presented to obtain a Ph.D degree in Engineering and Technology Sciences, Biotechnology at the Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa