University of Coimbra

About: University of Coimbra is a education organization based out in Coimbra, Portugal. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Mitochondrion. The organization has 14318 authors who have published 43067 publications receiving 994733 citations. The organization is also known as: UC & Universidade dos Estudos Gerais.

Self-Compassion and Dispositional Mindfulness Are Associated with Parenting Styles and Parenting Stress: the Mediating Role of Mindful Parenting

Abstract: Mindful parenting is a recent concept in parenting studies and has been described as a set of parental practices or skills that seek to enhance moment-to-moment awareness in the parent–child relationship. Some studies suggest that mindful parenting is associated with parent’s dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion, while others suggest that mindful parenting can reduce parenting stress and promote a positive parenting. However, there is no study describing an integrative model with these variables. The present study explored whether parents’ dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion are associated with parenting stress and parenting styles through mindful parenting. A sample of 333 parents (87 fathers, 246 mothers) between the ages of 27 and 63 years participated in the study. The results revealed that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion are associated with higher levels of mindful parenting that, in turn, is associated with lower levels of parenting stress, higher levels of authoritative parenting style, and lower levels of authoritarian and permissive parenting styles. This study provides relevant and innovative data on mindful parenting research by clarifying some of the modifiable variables that may facilitate the adoption of mindful parenting and of adaptive parenting styles and decrease parenting stress. These findings have important clinical implications for the identification of groups of more vulnerable parents who would benefit most from mindful parenting interventions.

Overexpression of the autophagic beclin-1 protein clears mutant ataxin-3 and alleviates Machado-Joseph disease.

Abstract: Machado–Joseph disease, also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, is the most common of the dominantly inherited ataxias worldwide and is characterized by mutant ataxin-3 misfolding, intracellular accumulation of aggregates and neuronal degeneration. Here we investigated the implication of autophagy, the major pathway for organelle and protein turnover, in the accumulation of mutant ataxin-3 aggregates and neurodegeneration found in Machado–Joseph disease and we assessed whether specific stimulation of this pathway could mitigate the disease. Using tissue from patients with Machado–Joseph disease, transgenic mice and a lentiviral-based rat model, we found an abnormal expression of endogenous autophagic markers, accumulation of autophagosomes and decreased levels of beclin-1, a crucial protein in the early nucleation step of autophagy. Lentiviral vector-mediated overexpression of beclin-1 led to stimulation of autophagic flux, mutant ataxin-3 clearance and overall neuroprotective effects in neuronal cultures and in a lentiviral-based rat model of Machado–Joseph disease. These data demonstrate that autophagy is a key degradation pathway, with beclin-1 playing a significant role in alleviating Machado–Joseph disease pathogenesis. * Abbreviations : Atg : autophagic related protein DARPP-32 : dopamine-and-cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa p62 : sequestosome 1/p62 protein

Prolactin and Autoimmunity.

Abstract: The great asymmetry of autoimmune diseases between genders represents one of the most enigmatic observations among the mosaic of autoimmunity. Sex hormones are believed to play a crucial role on this dimorphism. The higher prevalence of autoimmunity among women at childbearing ages, disease onset/relapses during pregnancy, and post-partum are some of the arguments that support this hypothesis. Certainly, motherhood represents one of the most remarkable challenges for the immune system, which not only has to allow for the conceptus, but also has to deal with complex endocrine alterations. Hormonal homeostasis is known to exert a crucial influence in achieving a competent and healthy immune system. Prolactin (PRL) has a bioactive function acting as a hormone and a cytokine. It interferes with immune system modulation, mainly inhibiting the negative selection of autoreactive B lymphocytes. Likewise, hyperprolactinemia has been described in relation to the pathogenesis and activity of several autoimmune disorders. Dopamine is an effective inhibitor of PRL secretion due to either a direct influence on the hypophysis or stimulation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the hypothalamus, arousing the release of the PRL inhibitory factor. Hence, dopamine agonists have proven to offer clinical benefits among autoimmune patients and represent a promising therapy to be explored. In this review, we attempt to provide a critical overview of the link between PRL, autoimmune diseases, and motherhood.

Comparing Optimal Relocation Operations With Simulated Relocation Policies in One-Way Carsharing Systems

Abstract: One-way carsharing systems allow travelers to pick up a car at one station and return it to a different station, thereby causing vehicle imbalances across the stations. In this paper, a way to mitigate that imbalance is discussed, which is relocating vehicles between stations. For this purpose, two methods are presented, i.e., a new mathematical model to optimize the relocation operations that maximize the profitability of a carsharing service and a simulation model to study different real-time relocation policies. Both methods were applied to networks of stations in Lisbon, Portugal. Results show that relocating vehicles, using any of the methods developed, can produce significant increases in profit. For instance, in the case where the carsharing system provides maximum coverage of the city area, the imbalances in the network resulted in an operating loss of C1160/day when no relocation operations were performed. When relocation policies were applied, however, the simulation results indicate that profits of C854/day could be achieved, even with increased costs due to relocations. Using the mathematical model, the results are even better, with a reached profit of C3865.7/day. This improvement was achieved through reductions in the number of vehicles needed to satisfy the demand and the number of parking spaces needed at stations. These results demonstrate the importance of relocation operations for profitably providing a network of stations in one-way carsharing systems that covers the entire city, thus reaching a higher number of users.

Mainzer-Saldino syndrome is a ciliopathy caused by IFT140 mutations.

Abstract: Mainzer-Saldino syndrome (MSS) is a rare disorder characterized by phalangeal cone-shaped epiphyses, chronic renal failure, and early-onset, severe retinal dystrophy. Through a combination of ciliome resequencing and Sanger sequencing, we identified IFT140 mutations in six MSS families and in a family with the clinically overlapping Jeune syndrome. IFT140 is one of the six currently known components of the intraflagellar transport complex A (IFT-A) that regulates retrograde protein transport in ciliated cells. Ciliary abundance and localization of anterograde IFTs were altered in fibroblasts of affected individuals, a result that supports the pivotal role of IFT140 in proper development and function of ciliated cells.