Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-06-12"
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- Parental involvement in school and quality of life: a longitudinal study with Portuguese parents during the COVID-19 pandemic periodPublication . BELÉM MOCHO ALCAPARRA, HELENA SOFIA; Martins, Cátia; Marcelo, Beatriz; Ferreira Cunha, Francisca; Nunes, CristinaObjectivesDuring the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, the lockdown periods were particularly challenging for families, and were marked by school closures and disruptions in work and educational routines, that may have significantly impacted children's well-being. The present study aims to analyse Parental Involvement in School (PIS) during the period of COVID-19 in Portugal and its relation to children's Quality of Life (QoL). The level of PIS was assessed at two times: (T1) during the first lockdown and (T2) at the end of the school year.MethodThe sample consisted of 131 parents, aged between 29 and 55 years, and 71.8% were mothers. The family's sociodemographic characteristics were assessed, as well as the Parental Involvement in School and the children's QoL.ResultsIn general, the results revealed that families evaluate child's QoL as higher in T2 and PIS and authoritative style were significant predictors of children's QoL in the two times and a mediation effect of the authoritative style was found.ConclusionBased on these results, the article discusses practical implications to promote PIS and children's QoL. What is already known about this topic: During the pandemic, different contexts provided children with different learning opportunities.Parental involvement in school is associated with better outcomes, however its relationship with quality of life remains understudied.There are few studies that investigate inequalities in parental involvement in school during the COVID-19 lockdown period.What does this topic add: Parents reveal more positive perceptions regarding their involvement and children's quality of life after a period of lockdown due to COVID-19.Parental involvement in school could be a protective factor that allows families to thrive in the face of adversity, in this case a period of lockdown.The higher socio-economic status and higher educational level of the parents seem to have a positive contribution to parental involvement in school.
- Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals molecular damage associated with cryopreservation in Crassostrea angulata D-larvae rather than to cryoprotectant exposurePublication . Anjos, Catarina; Duarte, Daniel Filipe Correia; Fatsini Fernández, Elvira; Domitília Matias; Cabrita, ElsaBackground The Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata, a bivalve of significant economic and ecological importance, has faced a decline in both production and natural populations due to pathologies, climate change, and anthropogenic factors. To safeguard its genetic diversity and improve reproductive management, cryopreservation emerges as a valuable strategy. However, the cryopreservation methodologies lead to some damage in structures and functions of the cells and tissues that can affect post-thaw quality. Transcriptomics may help to understand the molecular consequences related to cryopreservation steps and therefore to identify different freezability biomarkers. This study investigates the molecular damage induced by cryopreservation in C. angulata D-larvae, focusing on two critical steps: exposure to cryoprotectant solution and the freezing/thawing process. Results Expression analysis revealed 3 differentially expressed genes between larvae exposed to cryoprotectant solution and fresh larvae and 611 differentially expressed genes in cryopreserved larvae against fresh larvae. The most significantly enriched gene ontology terms were "carbohydrate metabolic process", "integral component of membrane" and "chitin binding" for biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis identified the "neuroactive ligand receptor interaction", "endocytosis" and "spliceosome" as the most enriched pathways. RNA sequencing results were validate by quantitative RT-PCR, once both techniques presented the same gene expression tendency and a group of 11 genes were considered important molecular biomarkers to be used in further studies for the evaluation of cryodamage. Conclusions The current work provided valuable insights into the molecular repercussions of cryopreservation on D-larvae of Crassostrea angulata, revealing that the freezing process had a more pronounced impact on larval quality compared to any potential cryoprotectant-induced toxicity. Additionally, was identify 11 genes serving as biomarkers of freezability for D-larvae quality assessment. This research contributes to the development of more effective cryopreservation protocols and detection methods for cryodamage in this species.
- Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals molecular damage associated with cryopreservation in Crassostrea angulata D-larvae rather than to cryoprotectant exposurePublication . Anjos, Catarina; Duarte, Daniel Filipe Correia; Fatsini Fernández, Elvira; Matias, Domitília; Cabrita, ElsaThe Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata, a bivalve of significant economic and ecological importance, has faced a decline in both production and natural populations due to pathologies, climate change, and anthropogenic factors. To safeguard its genetic diversity and improve reproductive management, cryopreservation emerges as a valuable strategy. However, the cryopreservation methodologies lead to some damage in structures and functions of the cells and tissues that can affect post-thaw quality. Transcriptomics may help to understand the molecular consequences related to cryopreservation steps and therefore to identify different freezability biomarkers. This study investigates the molecular damage induced by cryopreservation in C. angulata D-larvae, focusing on two critical steps: exposure to cryoprotectant solution and the freezing/thawing process. Results Expression analysis revealed 3 differentially expressed genes between larvae exposed to cryoprotectant solution and fresh larvae and 611 differentially expressed genes in cryopreserved larvae against fresh larvae. The most significantly enriched gene ontology terms were "carbohydrate metabolic process", "integral component of membrane" and "chitin binding" for biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis identified the "neuroactive ligand receptor interaction", "endocytosis" and "spliceosome" as the most enriched pathways. RNA sequencing results were validate by quantitative RT-PCR, once both techniques presented the same gene expression tendency and a group of 11 genes were considered important molecular biomarkers to be used in further studies for the evaluation of cryodamage. Conclusions The current work provided valuable insights into the molecular repercussions of cryopreservation on D-larvae of Crassostrea angulata, revealing that the freezing process had a more pronounced impact on larval quality compared to any potential cryoprotectant-induced toxicity. Additionally, was identify 11 genes serving as biomarkers of freezability for D-larvae quality assessment. This research contributes to the development of more effective cryopreservation protocols and detection methods for cryodamage in this species.
- Assessment and validation of the pet-owner relationship scale for BrazilPublication . Lopes, Luis Felipe Dias; Lopes Eduarda Grando; Lima, Mauren Pimentel; Lopes, Fillipe Grando; Pegoraro, Daniela; Saragozo, Rosangela de Arruda; Lauz, Thais Ribeiro; Vieira dos Santos, JoanaThis study aimed to perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the cat-owner/dog-owner relationship scales. The method involved several stages: conceptual, item, semantic, operational, measurement, and functional equivalence. Procedures included translation, synthesis of translations, back-translation, consensus on the English versions, external evaluation by the original authors, expert committee evaluation, and pre-tests.Methods The study surveyed 234 pet owners across Brazil using a 20-item questionnaire. Data analysis utilized confirmatory factor analysis, covariance-based modeling, and multigroup analysis.Results The study confirmed the content and construct validity of the model, demonstrating good convergent validity. Hypotheses testing revealed significant inverse relationships between Perceived Cost and Perceived Emotional Closeness, and between Perceived Cost and Pet-Owner Interactions. A positive correlation was found between Perceived Emotional Closeness and Pet-Owner Interactions, with Perceived Emotional Closeness also mediating the relationship between Perceived Cost and Pet-Owner Interactions. No significant differences were found across different pet owner groups, indicating the scale's invariance and reliability across various demographics.Discussion The study significantly expands understanding of the complex dynamics in pet-owner relationships and emphasizes the interplay between emotional and practical factors. It offers valuable insights for future research and practices in animal and human welfare.