Resultados preliminares do rastreio neonatal de doenças das células falciformes no Hospital Geral do Bengo, Caxito, Angola

As Hemoglobinopatias são doenças hereditárias com uma prevalência de 10 a 30% de portadores na população africana. As alterações das hemoglobinas envolvem a síntese estrutural e quantitativa dos aminoácidos que compõem as diferentes cadeias de globinas. A Doença das Células Falciformes compreende um grupo de hemoglobinopatias que apresentam um conjunto de sinais e sintomas, sendo a forma mais grave da doença. Dada a importância do tema e a escassez de dados no Caxito, Angola, iniciou-se o rastreio Neonatal de Doenças das Células Falciformes no Hospital Geral do Bengo (HGB), onde se localiza o CISA (Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Angola). Objetivos: - Determinar a frequência de recém-nascidos normais (AA), portadores (AS) e patológicos (SS); - Calcular os valores médios dos índices hematrimétricos por classe fenótipica.

Carcinossarcoma: estudo de caso em citologia ginecológica

O carcinossarcoma uterino, ou tumor mülleriano misto maligno, é um tumor raro, que compreende 2-5% dos tumores malignos do útero, com origem nos canais embrionários denominados canais müllerianos, que dão origem aos componentes epitelial e mesenquimatoso do órgão. O carcinossarcoma tem mau prognóstico e a taxa de sobrevida aos 5 anos é de 33-39%. Desenvolve-se geralmente em mulheres pós-menopausa, com idade superior a 60 anos, sem antecedentes ginecológicos, com maior incidência em mulheres obesas, hipertensas, nulíparas e/ou diabéticas. A sintomatologia inclui piometra, hemorragia vaginal, dor abdominal e massa abdominal.

Bilirubin directly disrupts membrane lipid polarity and fluidity, protein order, and redox status in rat mitochondria

Background/Aims: Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) impairs crucial aspects of cell function and induces apoptosis in primary cultured neurones. While mechanisms of cytotoxicity begin to unfold, mitochondria appear as potential primary targets. Methods: We used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis of isolated rat mitochondria to test the hypothesis that UCB physically interacts with mitochondria to induce structural membrane perturbation, leading to increased permeability, and subsequent release of apoptotic factors. Results: Our data demonstrate profound changes on mitochondrial membrane properties during incubation with UCB, including modified membrane lipid polarity and fluidity (P , 0:01), as well as disrupted protein mobility(P , 0:001). Consistent with increased permeability, cytochrome c was released from the intermembrane space(P , 0:01), perhaps uncoupling the respiratory chain and further increasing oxidative stress (P , 0:01). Both ursodeoxycholate, a mitochondrial-membrane stabilising agent, and cyclosporine A, an inhibitor of the permeability transition, almost completely abrogated UCB-induced perturbation. Conclusions: UCB directly interacts with mitochondria influencing membrane lipid and protein properties, redox status, and cytochrome c content. Thus, apoptosis induced by UCB may be mediated, at least in part, by physical perturbation of the mitochondrial membrane. These novel findings should ultimately prove useful to our evolving understanding of UCB cytotoxicity.

Job quality in Europe: the North-South divide

This paper examines the job quality in Europe. It is based on the results of the Fourth European Foundation Survey on working conditions covering different dimensions including work organisation, job content, autonomy at work, aspects of worker dignity, working time and work-life balance, working conditions and safety in the workplace. The results point to the existence of great diversity in the job quality across Europe and the north-south divide. The job quality differences are related to the variety of social and institutional contexts. The countries of Southern Europe, with their social and institutional contexts falling within the scope of the Mediterranean model, generally present indicators below the European average contrasting Nordic countries having the best job quality indicators.

Gravidez e visão: manifestações oculares durante a gestação

Durante toda a gestação a grávida está sujeita a um elevado número de alterações, tanto sistémicas como oculares. A maioria das mudanças oculares que ocorrem durante a gravidez são de origem: hormonal (alterações da produção de progesterona), metabólica (ganho de peso pela retenção de líquidos hídricos), hematológica (aumento do volume sanguíneo), cardiovascular (diminuição da pressão arterial), imunológica (diminuição da imunidade celular). Podem ser divididas em 3 categorias: alterações fisiológicas, modificações em doenças oculares pré-existentes, alterações patológicas. Projeto desenvolvido em conjunto com a equipa de Enfermagem do C. S. Vagos (ACES Baixo Vouga), nas sessões de preparação pré-parto para: transmitir à grávida as manifestações visuais que ocorrem durante o período gestacional e as medidas de prevenção a considerar; promover ações de sensibilização e educação para a saúde da visão nesta temática; divulgar o desempenho profissional do Ortoptista.

New water-soluble Ruthenium(II) cytotoxic complex: biological activity and celular distribution

A novel water soluble organometallic compound, [RuCp(mTPPMSNa)(2,2'-bipy)][CF3SO3] (TM85, where Cp=eta(5)-cyclopentadienyl, mTPPMS = diphenylphosphane-benzene-3-sulfonate and 2,2'-bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) is presented herein. Studies of interactions with relevant proteins were performed to understand the behavior and mode of action of this complex in the biological environment. Electrochemical and fluorescence studies showed that TM85 strongly binds to albumin. Studies carried out to study the formation of TM85 which adducts with ubiquitin and cytochrome c were performed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Antitumor activity was evaluated against a variety of human cancer cell lines, namely A2780, A2780cisR, MCF7, MDAMB231, HT29, PC3 and V79 non-tumorigenic cells and compared with the reference drug cisplatin. TM85 cytotoxic effect was reduced in the presence of endocytosis modulators at low temperatures, suggesting an energy-dependent mechanism consistent with endocytosis. Ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that TM85 targets the endomembranar system disrupting the Golgi and also affects the mitochondria. Disruption of plasma membrane observed by flow cytometry could lead to cellular damage and cell death. On the whole, the biological activity evaluated herein combined with the water solubility property suggests that complex TM85 could be a promising anticancer agent. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Estudo comparativo da estereopsia: testando a aplicação digital Stereo TAB em estudantes do ensino superior

A estereopsia é o 3º grau da visão binocular. Define-se pela perceção de profundidade e baseia-se na disparidade retiniana. Estereopsia global – estereograma de pontos aleatórios (perceção necessita de disparidade retiniana). Estereopsia local – estereogramas com contornos percebidos monocularmente (processo de fusão facilitado). Objectivos do estudo: 1) comparar valores de estereopsia obtidos em cada teste e analisar valores de estereopsia local e global; 2) estudar a correlação de valores de estereopsia nos testes (TNO goldstandard); 3) estudar a associação entre o resultado dos testes; 4) comparar exatidão entre FlyTeste StereoTAB; 5) estudar a sensibilidade e a especificidade do FlyTeste StereoTAB; 6) averiguar a aplicabilidade do SteroTABna prática clínica.

Optimisation of exposure parameters for spinal curvature measurements in paediatric radiography

This review aims to identify strategies to optimise radiography practice using digital technologies, for full spine studies on paediatrics focusing particularly on methods used to diagnose and measure severity of spinal curvatures. The literature search was performed on different databases (PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect) and relevant websites (e.g., American College of Radiology and International Commission on Radiological Protection) to identify guidelines and recent studies focused on dose optimisation in paediatrics using digital technologies. Plain radiography was identified as the most accurate method. The American College of Radiology (ACR) and European Commission (EC) provided two guidelines that were identified as the most relevant to the subject. The ACR guidelines were updated in 2014; however these guidelines do not provide detailed guidance on technical exposure parameters. The EC guidelines are more complete but are dedicated to screen film systems. Other studies provided reviews on the several exposure parameters that should be included for optimisation, such as tube current, tube voltage and source-to-image distance; however, only explored few of these parameters and not all of them together. One publication explored all parameters together but this was for adults only. Due to lack of literature on exposure parameters for paediatrics, more research is required to guide and harmonise practice.

Optimisation of paediatrics computed radiography for full spine curvature measurements using a phantom: a pilot study

Aim: Optimise a set of exposure factors, with the lowest effective dose, to delineate spinal curvature with the modified Cobb method in a full spine using computed radiography (CR) for a 5-year-old paediatric anthropomorphic phantom. Methods: Images were acquired by varying a set of parameters: positions (antero-posterior (AP), posteroanterior (PA) and lateral), kilo-voltage peak (kVp) (66-90), source-to-image distance (SID) (150 to 200cm), broad focus and the use of a grid (grid in/out) to analyse the impact on E and image quality (IQ). IQ was analysed applying two approaches: objective [contrast-to-noise-ratio/(CNR] and perceptual, using 5 observers. Monte-Carlo modelling was used for dose estimation. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to calculate inter-observer-variability. The angle was measured using Cobb’s method on lateral projections under different imaging conditions. Results: PA promoted the lowest effective dose (0.013 mSv) compared to AP (0.048 mSv) and lateral (0.025 mSv). The exposure parameters that allowed lower dose were 200cm SID, 90 kVp, broad focus and grid out for paediatrics using an Agfa CR system. Thirty-seven images were assessed for IQ and thirty-two were classified adequate. Cobb angle measurements varied between 16°±2.9 and 19.9°±0.9. Conclusion: Cobb angle measurements can be performed using the lowest dose with a low contrast-tonoise ratio. The variation on measurements for this was ±2.9° and this is within the range of acceptable clinical error without impact on clinical diagnosis. Further work is recommended on improvement to the sample size and a more robust perceptual IQ assessment protocol for observers.

Evaluation of the influence of testing parameters on the melt flow index of thermoplastics

The main goals of the present work are the evaluation of the influence of several variables and test parameters on the melt flow index (MFI) of thermoplastics, and the determination of the uncertainty associated with the measurements. To evaluate the influence of test parameters on the measurement of MFI the design of experiments (DOE) approach has been used. The uncertainty has been calculated using a "bottom-up" approach given in the "Guide to the Expression of the Uncertainty of Measurement" (GUM). Since an analytical expression relating the output response (MFI) with input parameters does not exist, it has been necessary to build mathematical models by adjusting the experimental observations of the response variable in accordance with each input parameter. Subsequently, the determination of the uncertainty associated with the measurement of MFI has been performed by applying the law of propagation of uncertainty to the values of uncertainty of the input parameters. Finally, the activation energy (Ea) of the melt flow at around 200 degrees C and the respective uncertainty have also been determined.

Desenho universal para a aprendizagem: construindo práticas pedagógicas inclusivas

O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma grelha de planificação da intervenção facilitadora do desenvolvimento de práticas pedagógicas inclusivas. Para o efeito, procedeu-se a uma revisão da literatura centrada nos conceitos de Educação Inclusiva e de Desenho Universal para a Aprendizagem (Universal Design for Learning), a qual permitiu identificar e fundamentar a pertinência das dimensões a considerar na planificação da intervenção pedagógica, de modo a assegurar o acesso, a participação e o sucesso de todos os alunos. Com a apresentação da grelha de planificação da intervenção pedagógica pretende-se, em última análise, sublinhar a necessidade e a importância de desenvolver processos de planificação que disponibilizem formas diversificadas de motivação e envolvimento dos alunos, que equacionem múltiplos processos de apresentação dos conteúdos a aprender e, por último, que possibilitem a utilização de diversas formas de ação e expressão por parte dos alunos.

Estudo comparativo da imuno-antigenicidade de 8 amostras de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Para se detectar diferenças imuno-antigênicas entre 8 amostras de P. brasiliensis isoladas de diferentes áreas endêmicas (Botucatu: Pb 1, 2 e 3; São Paulo: Pb: 18, 192 e 265; Venezuela: Pb 9 e 73), esutdaram-se: 1. A reatividade antigênica de cada amostra nas reações de imunofluorescência indireta (II) e de imunodifusão dupla em gel de agar (ID) contra painel de 20 soros controles positivos para paracoccidioidomicose; 2. A capacidade de induzir resposta imune humoral (medida por imunodifusão) e celular (medida pelo teste de coxim plantar) em camundongos imunizados com an-tígenos de cada amostra. Observamos: 1. As amostras Pb 265 e Pb 9 mostraram-se mais reativas na II; 2. Os antígenos das amostras Pb 192 e Pb 73 foram significativamente mais reativas na ID; 3. Estes dados demonstram diferenças de antigenicidade entre estas amostras; 4. A amostra Pb 18 mostrou baixo poder indutor de resposta imune celular e alta capacidade de indução de resposta imune humoral em camundongos imunizados, revelando dissociação de sua imunogenicidade. Estas diferenças podem indicar a existência de cepas distintas do fungo ou refletir modificações do parasita no hospedeiro ou du rante seu cultivo.

Antibody response to heat-inactivated hepatitis B vaccine (CLB-3mg) in hemodialysis patients and occupational risk personnel: a one year follow-up

Immune response against hepatitis B vaccine (CLB 3mg) was evaluated in 59 hemodialysis patients and 20 occupational risk personnel. Seroconversion was induced in 52.5% and 70.0% respectively. Twelve months after the first dose, 37.5% of patients and 60.0% of occupational risk personnel had detectable anti-HBs level. Antibody level was expressed in sample ratio units (SRU). Considering only the responders, in the patients group 38.7% had a low anti-HBs response (2.1-9.9 SRU) 32.3% a medium response (10-99.9 SRU) and 29.0% a high response (>100 SRU) while in occupational risk personnel these values were 14.3%, 64.3% and 21.4% respectively. The authors suggest the use of HBV vaccines with more elevated HBsAg concentration or a reinforced immunization schedule to improve the anti-HBs response not only for patients but also for healthy persons.

The contribution of cellblock – histogel – in bronchial washing samples

Introduction: The cellblock is a technique that enables the pathologist to study the morphological detail of residual samples and can be used when it is necessary to perform additional diagnostic techniques. Objective: Demonstrate the processing of bronchial washings in liquid based cytology to cellblock using HistoGel in residual samples, evaluating the morphology and preservation of cytological material. Methods: There were used 40 residual samples from bronchial washings in liquid based cytology, after determination of the clinical diagnosis, being made subsequently 40 cellblocks using HistoGel. For each cellblock there was made one histological section for analysis of cell morphology, which was subsequently stained with the routine histological staining. After microscope observation, the morphology was evaluated by 3 experts in the field of pathology, based on the parameters: Cellularity, Preservation and Background. Results: The average final score of 3 evaluators, on a scale of 0 to 100, in assessing the morphology of the 40 samples was 55.6. From the 40 histological sections, 5 of them were considered not viable for evaluation. Conclusions: The results obtained indicate median quality maintenance of morphology. However, it is noted that in only 5 cases it was not possible to determine an evaluation, knowing from the outset that these are residual samples with a very scant cellularity. Thus, it is possible to say that the processing of bronchial washings to cellblock using HistoGel contributes to a concentration of the cytological material, allowing its evaluation and subsequent diagnosis. Additional diagnostic techniques are shown equally viable in these cellblocks.

Influence of the substrate on structure and magnetic properties of Co-N thin films

Cubic cobalt nitride films were grown onto different single crystalline substrates Al2O3 (0 0 0 1) and (1 1 View the MathML source 0), MgO (1 0 0) and (1 1 0) and TiO2 (1 0 0) and (1 1 0). The films display low atomic densities compared with the bulk material, are ferromagnetic and have metallic electrical conductivity. X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption fine structure confirm the cubic structure of the films and with RBS results indicate that samples are not homogeneous at the microscopic scale, coexisting Co4+xN nitride with nitrogen rich regions. The magnetization of the films decreases with increase of the nitrogen content, variation that is shown to be due to the decrease of the cobalt density, and not to a decrease of the magnetic moment per cobalt ion. The films are crystalline with a nitrogen deficient stoichiometry and epitaxial with orientation determined by the substrate.