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Parental involvement in school and quality of life: a longitudinal study with Portuguese parents during the COVID-19 pandemic period
Publication . BELÉM MOCHO ALCAPARRA, HELENA SOFIA; Martins, Cátia; Marcelo, Beatriz; Ferreira Cunha, Francisca; Nunes, Cristina
ObjectivesDuring 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.
Chlorella vulgaris and Tetradesmus obliquus Protect Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) against Fusarium oxysporum
Publication . Viana, Catarina; Genevace, Méanne; Gama, Florinda; Guerreiro David Coelho, Luísa Isabel; Pereira, Hugo; Varela, João; Reis, Mário
Chlorella vulgaris and Tetradesmus obliquus were tested as biocontrol agents against the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. This evaluation was conducted through in vitro and in vivo trials with spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). The in vitro trials showed that C. vulgaris and T. obliquus were able to inhibit the phytopathogen, showing a similar inhibitory effect to that of the positive controls (Rovral, BASF® and Biocontrol T34, Biocontrol Technologies® S.L.). C. vulgaris aqueous suspensions at 3.0 g L−1 led to a hyphal growth of 0.55 cm, each corresponding to a reduction of 63% of fungal growth. With T. obliquus, the hyphal growth was 0.53 cm when applied at a concentration of 0.75 g L−1, having an inhibition of fungus growth of 64%. Thereafter, these results were validated in an in vivo trial on spinach using the same controls. The results revealed a lower severity and disease incidence and a reduction in the disease’s AUDPC (area under the disease progress curve) when spinach was treated with the microalgae suspensions. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of C. vulgaris and T. obliquus suspensions as promising biocontrol agents against F. oxysporum in spinach when applied through irrigation.
Carolina e o arco-íris das emoções
Publication . Fernandes, Carla; Matos, Filomena
Trabalhar sobre as emoções junto das crianças, e fazê-los saber que as emoções existem para que nos possamos adaptar a diversas situações, é importante para que a criança se desenvolva harmoniosamente. Neste livro, que é uma mais-valia para pais/ educadores/ cuidadores e crianças, falamos de emoções e qual a sua utilidade.
Bernardo e o arco-íris das emoções
Publication . Fernandes, Carla; Matos, Filomena
Trabalhar sobre as emoções junto das crianças, e fazê-los saber que as emoções existem para que nos possamos adaptar a diversas situações, é importante para que a criança se desenvolva harmoniosamente. Neste livro, que é uma mais-valia para pais/ educadores/ cuidadores e crianças, falamos de emoções e qual a sua utilidade.
Antibiotherapy of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive cocci
Publication . Matos, Carlos Adriano Albuquerque Andrade de; Conceição, Jaime Manuel Guedes Morais da
Since the discovery of penicillin almost 100 years ago, antibiotics have revolutionized the treatment of many bacterial infections that were previously incurable and often lethal. Nonetheless, success of antibiotherapy is currently challenged by the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when changes in microorganisms render drugs ineffective. Misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals and the environment is often presented as one of the main causes for the selection of microorganisms that are increasingly resistant to currently available antimicrobial agents. Infections by resistant pathogens constitute one of the most important threats to global public health in the 21st century, being associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality, as well as a significant economic burden.
Recent estimates suggest that, in 2019, approximately 1.27 million deaths worldwide were attributable to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Among these, more than 141.000 deaths were attributable to three multidrug-resistant Gram-positive cocci, namely: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). These bacteria are responsible for a large percentage of nosocomial infections and constitute a priority for new antimicrobial drug development.
This Dissertation aims to explore and analyze the current pharmacological approaches to the treatment of infections caused by the above bacteria. A description of these pathogens will be performed, addressing, among other relevant characteristics, their principal resistance mechanisms and the main clinical syndromes they can cause. Then, current antibiotherapeutic approaches used to manage each syndrome will be presented. The main pharmacological characteristics of each of the principal drugs mentioned in this context will be described, including its mechanism of action, posology and administration route, pharmacokinetic features, undesirable effects and main pharmacological interactions.
Comprehension of existing antibiotherapy practices will contribute to the optimization of the use of available medicines and will help delineate the future of multi-drug resistant Gram-positive cocci anti-infective chemotherapy.