Implementação de ações estratégicas: participação dos alunos na vida da escola

O presente trabalho de projeto resulta de um estudo dos espaços de participação, dos alunos dos 2.º e 3.º ciclo do ensino básico, na vida da escola, permitindo a construção de um dispositivo de intervenção, que pretende implementar ações estratégicas que visem a ampliação desses espaços de participação. O seu desenvolvimento teórico assenta na necessidade da revitalização da cultura democrática participativa, através de uma maior e melhor participação. Neste campo, a escola, como lugar de interação quotidiana dos seus alunos, tem um papel importante a desempenhar na capacitação de uma participação ativa. Para tal urge a necessidade de implementação de ações estratégicas, em coerência com os documentos estruturantes da organização e de todos os seus órgãos de administração e gestão, de forma a instituir a mudança e a inovação na cultura de trabalho como um dos aspetos chave para o sucesso organizacional da escola. O trabalho de projeto foi realizado numa escola pública dos 2.º e 3.º ciclos e a amostra do estudo, foi composta por 401 alunos dos 2.º e 3.º ciclos e 31 professores Diretores de Turma. Os instrumentos de recolha de dados foram dois inquéritos por questionário, um para aplicar aos alunos, e outro aos Diretores de Turma, e a análise de conteúdo dos documentos orientadores da escola. Os resultados mostraram que os alunos possuem uma débil participação na vida da escola, quer ao nível dos documentos orientadores, quer na sua representação nos diferentes órgãos. No plano de ação, é apresentado um conjunto de propostas, que pretendem constituir-se como um dispositivo para colmatar esta debilidade.

Integration of sediment contamination with multi–biomarker responses in a novel bioindicator candidate (Sepia officinalis) for risk assessment in impacted estuaries

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente

RENAL HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS

Visceral leishmaniasis affects various organs including the kidneys; which can lead to renal failure and death. In order to verify this renal involvement, material was evaluated from 100 dogs naturally infected and with serological diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Inflammatory changes were present in 25.3% of the tubules, in 67.0% of interstitium and in 52.0% of glomeruli. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the presence of glomerulonephritis in symptomatic and oligosymptomatic dogs. The membranous and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis were the most frequent, both with 18.0% frequency, followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with 14.0%. Changes such as cylindruria, tubular and fibrosis hypertrophy, periglomerular inflammatory infiltrate, and multifocal and diffuse peritubular inflammatory infiltrate were observed. The findings are consistent with those of other authors indicating that renal involvement is common in CVL and the standards of membranous and membranoploriferative glomerulonephritis, as well as the tubulointerstitial involvement, are frequent.

Software development for estimation of optical clearing agent’s diffusion coefficients in biological tissues

The study of chemical diffusion in biological tissues is a research field of high importance and with application in many clinical, research and industrial areas. The evaluation of diffusion and viscosity properties of chemicals in tissues is necessary to characterize treatments or inclusion of preservatives in tissues or organs for low temperature conservation. Recently, we have demonstrated experimentally that the diffusion properties and dynamic viscosity of sugars and alcohols can be evaluated from optical measurements. Our studies were performed in skeletal muscle, but our results have revealed that the same methodology can be used with other tissues and different chemicals. Considering the significant number of studies that can be made with this method, it becomes necessary to turn data processing and calculation easier. With this objective, we have developed a software application that integrates all processing and calculations, turning the researcher work easier and faster. Using the same experimental data that previously was used to estimate the diffusion and viscosity of glucose in skeletal muscle, we have repeated the calculations with the new application. Comparing between the results obtained with the new application and with previous independent routines we have demonstrated great similarity and consequently validated the application. This new tool is now available to be used in similar research to obtain the diffusion properties of other chemicals in different tissues or organs.

SEROPOSITIVITY FOR ASCARIOSIS AND TOXOCARIOSIS AND CYTOKINE EXPRESSION AMONG THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN THE VENEZUELAN DELTA REGION

The present study aimed at measuring seropositivities for infection by Ascaris suum and Toxocara canis using the excretory/secretory (E/S) antigens from Ascaris suum (AES) and Toxocara canis (TES) within an indigenous population. In addition, quantification of cytokine expressions in peripheral blood cells was determined. A total of 50 Warao indigenous were included; of which 43 were adults and seven children. In adults, 44.1% were seropositive for both parasites; whereas children had only seropositivity to one or the other helminth. For ascariosis, the percentage of AES seropositivity in adults and children was high; 23.3% and 57.1%, respectively. While that for toxocariosis, the percentage of TES seropositivity in adults and children was low; 9.3% and 14.3%, respectively. The percentage of seronegativity was comparable for AES and TES antigens in adults (27.9%) and children (28.6%). When positive sera were analyzed by Western blotting technique using AES antigens; three bands of 97.2, 193.6 and 200.2 kDas were mostly recognized. When the TES antigens were used, nine major bands were mostly identified; 47.4, 52.2, 84.9, 98.2, 119.1, 131.3, 175.6, 184.4 and 193.6 kDas. Stool examinations showed that Blastocystis hominis, Hymenolepis nana and Entamoeba coli were the most commonly observed intestinal parasites. Quantification of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6, TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-4 expressions showed that there was only a significant increased expression of IL-4 in indigenous with TES seropositivity (p < 0.002). Ascaris and Toxocara seropositivity was prevalent among Warao indigenous.

Caucasian Familial Moyamoya Syndrome With Rare Multisystemic Malformations

Moyamoya disease is an idiopathic progressive steno-occlusive disorder of the intracranial arteries located at the base of the brain. It is associated with the development of compensatory extensive network of fine collaterals. Moyamoya disease is considered syndromic when certain genetic or acquired disorders such as polycystic kidney disease, neurofibromatosis, or meningitis are also present. Although the genetic contribution in moyamoya is indisputable, its cause and pathogenesis remain under discussion. Herein, we report a rare occurrence of moyamoya syndrome in two European Caucasian siblings in association with unusual multisystemic malformations (polycystic kidney disease in one, and intestinal duplication cyst in the other). The karyotype was normal. No mutation in the RFN213 gene was found, and none of the HLA types linked to moyamoya disease or described in similar familial cases were identified. By describing these multisystemic associations, polycystic kidney disease for the second time, and intestinal malformation for the first time in the literature, our report expands the phenotypic variability of moyamoya syndrome. The coexistence of disparate malformations among close relatives suggests an underlying common genetic background predisposing to structural or physiological abnormalities in different tissues and organs.

ELEVATED TRANS-MAMMARY TRANSMISSION OF Toxocara canis LARVAE IN BALB/c MICE

Toxocariasis is a widespread zoonosis and is considered an important worldwide public health problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of trans-mammary Toxocara canis infection in newborn BALB/c mice nursed by females experimentally infected with 1,200 eggs after delivery. After 50 days of age, the presence of larvae in different organs of the offspring was investigated. Trans-mammary infection was confirmed in 73.9% of the mice that had been nursed by infected females. These data show a high trans-mammary transmission of T. canis and confirm the significance of this transmission route in paratenic hosts.

Symmetry-out asymmetry-in: the role of DMRT2

Dissertation presented to obtain the PhD degree in Biology

EXPERIMENTAL PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS IN PREGNANT RATS

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. There are few reports in the literature about the disease damages during pregnancy and the consequences to the fetuses and breeding. This study evaluated the implications of PCM during pregnancy on offspring and mothers in Wistar rats. Groups of rats were submitted to systemic Pb infection, by intraperitoneal infusion, and mated 30 days after the infection date. Immediately after birth, rats and neonates were sacrificed to obtain organs for standard histological examination, morphometric analysis, fungi recovery by plating (CFU) and dosing of anti-Pb antibodies by ELISA. There were no stillbirths or miscarriages, however, the fetuses from infected pregnant rats had lower body and organ weight but the fertility rate was 100%. The largest number of CFU was recovered from the organ of pregnant rats, the pathological examination revealed more severe infection in the same group, further on the largest number of granulomas and fungal field. It can be concluded that the PCM was more severe in the group of pregnant rats, with implications to the weight of offspring.

THE POWER OF THE SMALL: THE EXAMPLE OF Paracoccidioides brasiliensis CONIDIA

SUMMARYResearch on Paracoccidioides brasiliensis has centered in the yeast cell probably because of the lack of distinctive features in the mycelium. In 1942 and for the first time, lateral conidia were noticed in the fungus' hyphae. Later on, Brazilian, Venezuelan and Argentinean researchers described "aleurias" when the fungus was grown in natural substrates. In 1970 authors became interested in the conidia and were able to obtain them in large numbers and treat them as individual units. Their shape and size were defined and the presence of all the elements of a competent eukaryotic cell were demonstrated. Conidia exhibited thermal dimorphism and, additionally, when given intranasally to BALB/c male mice, they converted into yeasts in the lungs and produce progressive pulmonary lesions with further dissemination to other organs. Studies on the phagocyte-conidia interaction were revealing and showed that these versatile structures allow a better understanding of the host- P. brasiliensisinteractions.

PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS TREATMENT

SUMMARYConsidered to be an emerging endemic mycosis in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis is characterized by a chronic course and involvement of multiple organs in immunocompromised hosts. Infection sequelae are mainly related to pulmonary and adrenal insufficiency. The host-parasite interaction results in different expressions of the immune response depending on parasite pathogenicity, fungal load and genetic characteristics of the host. A few controlled and case series reports have shown that azoles and fast-acting sulfa derivatives are useful treatment alternatives in milder forms of the disease. For moderate/severe cases, more prolonged treatments or even parenteral routes are required especially when there is involvement of the digestive tract mucosa, resulting in poor drug absorption. Although comparative studies have reported that shorter treatment regimens with itraconazole are able to induce cure in chronically-infected patients, there are still treatment challenges such as the need for more controlled studies involving acute cases, the search for new drugs and combinations, and the search for compounds capable of modulating the immune response in severe cases as well as the paradoxical reactions.

CD19 LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION INDUCED BY Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis IN C57BL/6 MICE EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasmosis is frequently acquired through the oral route by the ingestion of cysts or oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Once ingested, the parasites penetrate the intestinal epithelial cells and rapidly disseminate to all organs in the host. During T. gondii infection, the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in stimulating a protective immune response against the parasite. In this sense the use of probiotics is worthy of note since they are live microorganisms that have beneficial effects on the host through stimulation of the immune response that can be important in the control of T. gondii proliferation and dissemination in the host. In the present study, the action of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis was investigated in C57BL/6 mice infected with oocysts of ME49 strain of T. gondii. The probiotic had an immunomodulatory action, inducing CD19 lymphocyte proliferation and consequently increasing anti-T. gondii antibody level.Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactisprovided protection in supplemented mice, compared to the control group. In addition, supplemented animals had milder inflammatory process in the small intestine, indicating that the probiotic protects the intestinal mucosa during infection with T. gondii. It was concluded that the probioticB. animalis subsp. lactis induces humoral immune response capable of providing protection against T. gondii infection.

PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS IN A RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most common endemic mycosis in Latin America. The etiological agents, which comprise two species, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii, are thermodimorphic fungi that usually affect previously healthy adults. They primarily involve the lungs and then disseminate to other organs. Such mycosis is rare in organ transplant recipients; there have been only three cases reported in literature, until now. We report a case of PCM in a renal transplant recipient with an unusual dermatological presentation.

A new and practical viscerotome

An instrument consisting of a sheath-like tube 22 1/2 cm. long with a rod or trocar and attached cutting blade is described. It may be used to obtain fragments of non hollow organs, 7mm wide by five to ten centimeters long, to substitute the classic viscerotome. No failures have occurred in viscerotomies of the liver so far. The greatest advantage of this instrument is its relatively small size. Its more practical use is to overcome the difficulties which may hamper the use of the classical viscerotome. This is very important as the need arose to reorganize the network of viscerotomy service. In some areas or countries where no complete autopsies can be performed, biopsy samples have been reduced to such a small size that no practical Information has been received in the last few years. The difficulties of performing an autopsy prevents the obtention of useful vathological data on several diseases affecting the population, even among putients dying in hospitais. The viscerotomy is also the practical solution for this problem.

Idiopathic Hypocomplementaemic Tubulointerstitial Nephritis

Background: Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is a common cause of kidney injury typically seen in association with drug exposure, infection or autoimmune diseases. However, TIN with interstitial immune complex deposition, without glomerular injury, is rarely observed. Case: We report a case of a 64-yearold Indian woman admitted for dialysis-requiring renal failure, without involvement of other organs. Urinalysis showed blood 3+ and 24h proteinuria of 1.5 g. Renal ultrasound revealed normal sized kidneys with loss of parenchymal-sinus differentiation. Laboratory tests disclosed low C3, positive ANA but negative anti-dsDNA, SSA and SSB. Serum protein electrophoresis was normal. The renal biopsy showed tubulointerstitial nephritis with positive immunoglobulin staining involving the interstitium and tubular basement membrane with glomerular sparing. The patient started prednisolone (1mg/kg/day) without recovery of the renal function. Conclusion: Idiopathic hypocomplementaemic tubulointerstitial nephritis is a rare disease with few cases described in the literature. To our knowledge this is the first case reported in Portugal.