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- Do smartphone applications and activity trackers increase physical activity in adults? Systematic review, meta-analysis and metaregressionPublication . Laranjo, Liliana; Ding, Ding; Heleno, Bruno; Kocaballi, Baki; Quiroz, Juan C; Tong, Huong Ly; Chahwan, Bahia; Neves, Ana Luisa; Gabarron, Elia; Dao, Kim Phuong; Rodrigues, David; Neves, Gisela Costa; Antunes, Maria Da Luz; Coiera, Enrico; Bates, David WObjective: To determine the effectiveness of physical activity interventions involving mobile applications (apps) or trackers with automated and continuous self-monitoring and feedback. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: PubMed and seven additional databases, from 2007 to 2020. Study selection: Randomised controlled trials in adults (18-65 years old) without chronic illness, testing a mobile app or an activity tracker, with any comparison, where the main outcome was a physical activity measure. Independent screening was conducted. Data extraction and synthesis: We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis and all effect sizes were transformed into a standardized difference in means (SDM). We conducted exploratory metaregression with continuous and discrete moderators identified as statistically significant in subgroup analyses. Main outcome measures: Physical activity: daily step counts, min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, weekly days exercised, min/week of total physical activity, metabolic equivalents. Results: Thirty-five studies met inclusion criteria and 28 were included in the meta-analysis (n=7454 participants, 28% women). The meta-analysis showed a small-to-moderate positive effect on physical activity measures (SDM 0.350, 95% CI 0.236 to 0.465, I2=69%, T 2=0.051) corresponding to 1850 steps per day (95% CI 1247 to 2457). Interventions including text-messaging and personalization features were significantly more effective in subgroup analyses and metaregression. Conclusion: Interventions using apps or trackers seem to be effective in promoting physical activity. Longer studies are needed to assess the impact of different intervention components on long-term engagement and effectiveness.
- A avaliação 360º: um novo caminho para as organizações modernasPublication . Mourão, Rita MonteiroRita Monteiro Mourão apresenta-nos uma obra que explora um tema particularmente oportuno e relevante para o funcionamento das organizações do século XXI, com implicações para as áreas da Gestão, dos Recursos Humanos e da Comunicação Interna: perceber no que consiste a avaliação 360º e que papel recebe no contexto português. A vertente aplicada da obra, assente numa recolha sistemática e exaustiva de dados, assume uma enorme relevância na medida em que permite conhecer melhor a avaliação feita por quem já esteve envolvido em processos de avaliação de desempenho e por ‘experts’ da temática em estudo. Por fim, a perspetiva normativa desenvolvida conduz a orientações que podem ser seguidas por qualquer organização. In Prefácio, Ana Margarida Barreto, professora Auxiliar na Universidade Nova de Lisboa — Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
- Colchicine blocks tubulin heterodimer recycling by tubulin cofactors TBCA, TBCB, and TBCEPublication . Nolasco, Sofia; Bellido, Javier; Serna, Marina; Carmona, Bruno; Soares, Helena; Zabala, Juan CarlosColchicine has been used to treat gout and, more recently, to effectively prevent autoinflammatory diseases and both primary and recurrent episodes of pericarditis. The anti-inflammatory action of colchicine seems to result from irreversible inhibition of tubulin polymerization and microtubule (MT) assembly by binding to the tubulin heterodimer, avoiding the signal transduction required to the activation of the entire NLRP3 inflammasome. Emerging results show that the MT network is a potential regulator of cardiac mechanics. Here, we investigated how colchicine impacts tubulin folding cofactors TBCA, TBCB, and TBCE activities. We show that TBCA is abundant in mouse heart insoluble protein extracts. Also, a decrease of the TBCA/β-tubulin complex followed by an increase of free TBCA is observed in human cells treated with colchicine. The presence of free TBCA is not observed in cells treated with other anti-mitotic agents such as nocodazole or cold shock, neither after translation inhibition by cycloheximide. In vitro assays show that colchicine inhibits tubulin heterodimer dissociation by TBCE/TBCB, probably by interfering with interactions of TBCE with tubulin dimers, leading to free TBCA. Manipulation of TBCA levels, either by RNAi or overexpression results in decreased levels of tubulin heterodimers. Together, these data strongly suggest that TBCA is mainly receiving β-tubulin from the dissociation of pre-existing heterodimers instead of newly synthesized tubulins. The TBCE/TBCB+TBCA system is crucial for controlling the critical concentration of free tubulin heterodimers and MT dynamics in the cells by recycling the tubulin heterodimers. It is conceivable that colchicine affects tubulin heterodimer recycling through the TBCE/TBCB+TBCA system producing the known benefits in the treatment of pericardium inflammation.
- Sistema de domótica para melhoria da eficiência energética em edifíciosPublication . Pedro, Bruno Lourenço; Barata, Filipe André de Sousa Figueira; Canacsinh, HirenCom a crescente evolução tecnológica presente em todo o mundo, existe uma procura também crescente de conforto, versatilidade e controlo automatizado em espaços de permanência humana. A domótica é utilizada em espaços interiores e exteriores, sejam domiciliários, escritórios, industriais, espaços recebendo público, entre outros. A capacidade de controlo e gestão inteligente das cargas elétricas afetas a um sistema de domótica, possibilita, entre outras valências, uma maior eficiência da instalação elétrica onde é aplicada. O tópico da eficiência energética é cada vez mais discutido e relevante no ramo da eletrotecnia. A gestão inteligente de fontes de energia, redes e instalações elétricas (iluminação, sistemas de climatização, eletrodomésticos e cargas terciárias) permite a utilização mais eficiente da energia elétrica em todo o seu espectro, seja nas fontes, redes, em edifícios ou estruturas, resultando numa desejada diminuição do consumo elétrico sem prejudicar a utilização das cargas. Deste modo, no presente documento, é contextualizada a temática da eficiência energética, dos sistemas de domótica e a sua corelação. É apresentado nesta dissertação, o projeto, desenvolvimento e implementação de um protótipo experimental de um sistema de domótica de baixo custo, com base na comunicação sem-fios. O protótipo contempla um conjunto de atuadores para controlo de luminárias e cargas elétricas genéricas, como também sensores de presença, corrente, temperatura, humidade relativa e luminosidade. O sistema implementado recorre às leituras efetuadas pelos sensores de corrente para efetuar o cálculo de energia elétrica consumida pelas cargas, contribuindo para uma gestão inteligente, monitorização do sistema e consequentemente da melhoria global da eficiência energética da instalação. O sistema de domótica é configurado, gerido, monitorizado e atuado através de uma plataforma online desenvolvida para este efeito.
- Identification of genetic variants in 65 obesity related genes in a cohort of Portuguese obese individualsPublication . Ginete, Catarina; Serrasqueiro, Bernardo; Silva-Nunes, José; Veiga, Luisa; Brito, MiguelObesity is a major public health problem, which has a strong genetic component that interplays with environmental factors. Several genes are known to be implicated in the regulation of body weight. The identification of alleles that can be associated with obesity is a key element to control this pandemic. On the basis of a Portuguese population, 65 obesity-related genes are sequenced using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) in 72 individuals with obesity, in order to identify variants associated with monogenic obesity and potential risk factors. A total of 429 variants are identified, 129 of which had already been associated with the phenotype. Comparing our results with the European and Global frequencies, from the 1000 Genomes project, 23 potential risk variants are identified. Six new variants are discovered in heterozygous carriers: four missense (genes ALMS1-NM_015120.4:c.5552C>T; SORCS1-NM_001013031.2:c.1072A>G and NM_001013031.2: c.2491A>C; TMEM67-NM_153704.5:c.158A>G) and two synonymous (genes BBS1-NM_024649.4:c.1437C>T; TMEM67-NM_153704.5:c.2583T>C). Functional studies should be performed to validate these new findings and evaluate their penetrance and pathogenicity. Regardless of no cases of monogenic obesity being identified, this kind of investigational study is important when we are still trying to understand the etiology and pathophysiology of obesity. This will allow the identification of rare variants associated with obesity and the study of their prevalence in specific populational groups.
- Museu da Paisagem: Uma plataforma participativa e geradora de conhecimento, representações e diálogos sobre a paisagemPublication . Pina, Helena Figueiredo; Abreu, João; Centeno, Maria João; Rodrigues, Ricardo PereiraO entendimento coletivo do que designamos por Paisagem advém de áreas do conhecimento tão diversas como a Geografia, Filosofia, Arte, Ecologia ou Comunicação e do que cada indivíduo vai construindo a partir da sua experiência quotidiana. Não sendo a maioria dos indivíduos estudiosos ou especialistas em paisagem, é possível identificar e analisar alguns dos principais construtores de opinião e transformadores do significado de Paisagem. O cinema ficcional, cinema documental, produção televisiva (documentários, ficção e informação), fotografia (através da comunicação social, livros, guias de viagem, campanhas de turismo, exposições, social media, etc.), desenho, ilustração, infografia e outros modos de registo e representação da paisagem contribuem, em conjunto, para a construção desse entendimento coletivo sobre a Paisagem. No projeto de investigação “Narrativas e Experiência do Lugar: Bases para um Museu da Paisagem” foram várias as opções de registo e representação da paisagem utilizadas nos conteúdos de mediação museológica desenvolvidos. Séries de vídeo, fotografia e ilustração contribuíram para diferentes soluções de comunicação criadas no sentido de uma sensibilização e educação para uma cidadania paisagística. O presente artigo propõe apresentar os processos, metodologias e resultados das séries audiovisuais e multimédia desenvolvidos no âmbito do Museu da Paisagem.
- Avaliação do efeito duma sessão de ensino no modo de utilização de dispositivos inalatórios por doentes com asma e DPOCPublication . Clérigo, Anália; Almeida, Beatriz; Bento, SaraA Organização Mundial da Saúde, define literacia em saúde como o conjunto de “competências cognitivas e sociais e a capacidade dos indivíduos para ganharem acesso a compreenderem e a usarem informação de formas que promovam e mantenham boa saúde”. A Asma e a DPOC são as doenças respiratórias crónicas mais comuns a nível mundial. As doenças respiratórias crónicas atingem cerca de 40% da população portuguesa, com uma prevalência de 10% para a asma e 14,2% para a DPOC em pessoas com mais de 40 anos. O tratamento destas doenças passa pela terapêutica inalatória, fundamental para o seu controlo. A má pratica no uso da terapêutica feita por via inalatória, associase a fatores relacionados com o tipo de dispositivo, com o paciente (nível socioeconómico, escolaridade, idade, entre outros) e com o profissional de saúde que acompanha o mesmo, tendo como efeito a falta de controlo da doença. Estudo de Coelho et al. (2011) mostra que programas educacionais, conduzidos por profissionais de saúde, em pacientes com Asma e DPOC aumentam a sua adesão á terapêutica. Objetivo do estudo: Avaliar o efeito duma sessão de ensino na utilização de dispositivos inalatórios (DI), em doentes com Asma e DPOC.
- Retinal structural changes in preterm children without retinopathy of prematurityPublication . Maleita, Diogo; Serras-Pereira, Rita; Passos, Inês; Elisa-Luís, Maria; Alves, Marta; Papoila, Ana Luísa; Brito, Cristina; Cunha, João Paulo; Ferreira, Joana TavaresPurpose: The aim of this study was to compare all retinal layers' thickness in full-term and preterm children without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: Cross-sectional study including two groups of patients: group 1 children with a history of preterm gestation without ROP (gestational age < 37 weeks) and group 2 healthy children with a history of full-term gestation. All subjects underwent an ophthalmic examination including spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. After automatic retinal segmentation, each retinal layer thickness (eight separate layers and overall thickness) was calculated in all nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study areas. Demographic, systemic, gestational, and birth data were collected. Generalized additive regression models were used to analyze the data. Results: Fifty-one children (51 eyes) were recruited, 19 full-term and 32 preterm children, mean age at an ophthalmic examination of 10.58 (4.21) and 14.13 (3.16), respectively. In multivariable analysis, the preterm group's retinal thickness was significantly decreased in total retina nasal outer sector, ganglion cell layer (GCL), and inner plexiform layer (IPL), specifically GCL temporal outer (p = 0.010), GCL superior outer (p = 0.009), IPL temporal outer (p = 0.022), and IPL superior outer (p = 0.004), when compared with the full-term group. From the variables compared only with a birth head circumference that influenced the models, a non-linear association was identified and consequently modeled with splines through a generalized additive model. Conclusion: This study suggests that preterm children without ROP have structural retinal alterations, mostly in GCL and IPL in outer areas of the macula. Therefore, it is crucial to question gestational history since these retinal changes may be found later in life leading to a useless investigation.
- Nutritional status, physical activity and quality of life in children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus infectionPublication . Martins, Inês de Carvalho; Asseiceira, Inês; Policarpo, Sara; Carolino, Elisabete; Prata, Filipa; Mouzinho, Ana; Marques, José GonçaloABSTRACT - Introduction: The growth and cellular immune function of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children are impaired by their nutritional status. The majority experience nutrition deficits and malnutrition, but with longer follow-up metabolic syndrome have been described. The aim of the study was to assess nutritional status, physical activity, and quality of life in HIV-infected children and adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study. 31 HIV-infected patients were assessed based on anthropometry: weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfolds (TSF), and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Body composition obtained by electrical bioimpedance and expressed as fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM); dietary intake through recall 24-hour, physical activity (PA) through BQHPA, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) through Kidscreen 27. Statistical analysis IBM® SPSS® v.25. Results: Z-scores of BMI: 25% overweight and 7,1% obese. Dietary intake of critical vitamins, nutrients, minerals, sugar, and energy does not correspond to DRI’s. BQHPA demonstrated that males PA are higher than females. Differences by gender were found in physical well-being (p<0,05) and psychological well-being (p<0,05), with males being associated with better well-being, they also presented higher physical and psychological well-being, autonomy & parent relation, and social support & pears. Higher BMI z-score values were associated with lower values of resistance, reactance, fiber intake, physical well-being. Discussion: Patients presented an unbalanced dietary intake. However, most were eutrophic. The subjects follow the trends of healthy children concerning physical activity, the same is not seen about health-related quality of life.
- Information theory, synchronization and topological order in complete dynamical networks of discontinuous mapsPublication . Rocha, J. Leonel; Carvalho, S.This paper is dedicated to the study of information measures, synchronization and a topological order in complete dynamical networks of discontinuous piecewise linear maps with different slopes. It stands out that the networks topologies are characterized by circulant matrices and the conditional Lyapunov exponents are explicitly determined. Some properties of the mutual information rate and the Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy, depending on the synchronization interval, are discussed. A topological order between the complete dynamical networks is presented, which is characterized by the monotony of the network topological entropy. It is proved that if the network topological entropy increases, then the mutual information rate and the Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy increase or decrease, according to the variation of the coupling parameter. Furthermore, various types of computer simulations show the experimental applications of these results and techniques.