Genes that contain small open reading frames (smORFs) constitute a new group of eukaryotic genes and are expected to represent 5% of the Drosophila melanogaster transcribed genes. In this review we provide a historical perspective of their recent discovery, describe their general mechanism and discuss the importance of smORFs for future genomic and transcriptomic studies. Finally, we discuss the biological role of the most studied smORF so far, the Mlpt/Pri/Tal gene in arthropods. The pleiotropic action of Mlpt/Pri/Tal in D. melanogaster suggests a complex evolutionary scenario that can be used to understand the origins, evolution and integration of smORFs into complex gene regulatory networks.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of children's exposure to second-hand smoke in the family car; to compare exposure among children with smoking and non-smoking parents. Methods: In 2011, a self-administered questionnaire was applied to a 4th grade Portuguese children national sample (N = 3187, mean age 9.5 ± 0.7, 51.1% boys). Prevalence rates and chi-square tests were computed. Results: Of the participants, 52.0% reported having, at least, one smoking parent. Overall exposure in the car was 28.9% (95% CI 27.3-30.5). Children's exposure among those reporting smoking parents was 46.9% (95% CI 44.4-49.4); and 8.6% (95% CI 7.1-10.1) among those reporting non-smoking parents (p<.001). Therefore, children with smoking parents were 5.44 times more likely to be exposed. Conclusions: Children's exposure to second-hand smoke in the family car is frequent, especially if one or both parents smoke. This highlights the need for effective tobacco control measures to prevent this severe health hazard.

Objetivos: Describir la prevalencia de la exposición de niños y niñas al humo ambiental del tabaco en el coche familiar; comparar la exposición de niños y niñas con padres fumadores y no fumadores. Métodos: En 2011, se aplicó un cuestionario auto-administrado a una muestra de niños y niñas portugueses de 4º curso (N = 3187, edad promedio 9,5 ± 0,7, 51,1% varones). Se calcularon ratios de prevalencia y pruebas de chi-cuadrado. Resultados: El 52,0% informaron tener al menos un padre/madre fumador. En la muestra total, la exposición fue del 28,9% (CI95%: 27,3-30,5). Esta exposición fue del 46,9% (CI95%:44,4-49,4) entre los niños y niñas con padres fumadores y del 8,6% (CI95%:7,1-10,1) entre los con padres no fumadores (p < 0,001), por lo tanto, fue más de cinco veces mayor entre los niños y niñas con padres fumadores. Conclusiones: La exposición es alta, especialmente si uno o ambos padres fuman. Esto indica la necesidad de medidas de control efectivo del consumo de tabaco para prevenir este severo riesgo para la salud.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of children's exposure to second-hand smoke in the family car; to compare exposure among children with smoking and non-smoking parents. Methods: In 2011, a self-administered questionnaire was applied to a 4th grade Portuguese children national sample (N = 3187, mean age 9.5 ± 0.7, 51.1% boys). Prevalence rates and chi-square tests were computed. Results: Of the participants, 52.0% reported having, at least, one smoking parent. Overall exposure in the car was 28.9% (95% CI 27.3-30.5). Children's exposure among those reporting smoking parents was 46.9% (95% CI 44.4-49.4); and 8.6% (95% CI 7.1-10.1) among those reporting non-smoking parents (p<.001). Therefore, children with smoking parents were 5.44 times more likely to be exposed. Conclusions: Children's exposure to second-hand smoke in the family car is frequent, especially if one or both parents smoke. This highlights the need for effective tobacco control measures to prevent this severe health hazard.

Objetivos: Describir la prevalencia de la exposición de niños y niñas al humo ambiental del tabaco en el coche familiar; comparar la exposición de niños y niñas con padres fumadores y no fumadores. Métodos: En 2011, se aplicó un cuestionario auto-administrado a una muestra de niños y niñas portugueses de 4º curso (N = 3187, edad promedio 9,5 ± 0,7, 51,1% varones). Se calcularon ratios de prevalencia y pruebas de chi-cuadrado. Resultados: El 52,0% informaron tener al menos un padre/madre fumador. En la muestra total, la exposición fue del 28,9% (CI95%: 27,3-30,5). Esta exposición fue del 46,9% (CI95%:44,4-49,4) entre los niños y niñas con padres fumadores y del 8,6% (CI95%:7,1-10,1) entre los con padres no fumadores (p < 0,001), por lo tanto, fue más de cinco veces mayor entre los niños y niñas con padres fumadores. Conclusiones: La exposición es alta, especialmente si uno o ambos padres fuman. Esto indica la necesidad de medidas de control efectivo del consumo de tabaco para prevenir este severo riesgo para la salud.

To assess topical delivery studies of glycoalkaloids, an analytical method by HPLC-UV was developed and validated for the determination of solasonine (SN) and solamargine (SM) in different skin layers, as well as in a topical formulation. The method was linear within the ranges 0.86 to 990.00 µg/mL for SN and 1.74 to 1000.00 µg/mL for SM (r = 0.9996). Moreover, the recoveries for both glycoalkaloids were higher than 88.94 and 93.23% from skin samples and topical formulation, respectively. The method developed is reliable and suitable for topical delivery skin studies and for determining the content of SN and SM in topical formulations.

O tabagismo é classificado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) como a principal causa evitável de doença e morte no mundo ocidental. Cerca de 90% dos fumadores fumam todos os dias, podendo ser considerados dependentes do tabaco. Nestes casos, a desabituação tabágica é muito difícil -cerca de 70% dos fumadores declaram que gostariam de deixar de fumar, mas apenas alguns conseguem. Na União Europeia a iniciação tabágica ocorre antes dos 14 anos para a maioria dos fumadores. Mais de metade dos jovens que experimentam tornam-se dependentes. Por este conjunto de razões, a estratégia para controlar o tabagismo e os problemas associados deve basear-se na prevenção primária dirigida aos jovens, procurando evitar (ou atrasar) a iniciação e a habituação tabágicas. A escola é a base mais comum para desenvolver acções de prevenção do tabagismo. Mas estará a escola interessada neste tipo de acções? E quais as estratégias mais adequadas para prevenir o tabagismo no contexto escolar? Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de um inquérito realizado em 13 escolas (N=1811) com o objectivo de caracterizar o problema do tabagismo na escola e avaliar o interesse da comunidade escolar no desenvolvimento de acções de prevenção do tabagismo. Os resultados deste inquérito oferecem pistas para a definição de estratégias de prevenção tabágica na escola e expressam um forte apoio da comunidade escolar às acções de prevenção do tabagismo.

Tobacco smoking is the most important preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. About 90% of smokers smoke everyday and could be considered addicts. In these cases, smoking cessation is very difficult - about 70% of smokers admit they would like to quit, but only a few succeed. In the European Union the onset of smoking occurs, in the majority of smokers, before the age of 14 years. More than 50% of the adolescents that try to smoke become addicted. For all of these reasons the control of tobacco smoking should be based on prevention. Programs should be targeted at adolescents, trying to avoid or delay the onset of smoking and possible future addiction. School is an important base to develop smoking prevention programs aimed at adolescents. But is the school interested in developing smoking prevention programs? We will present the results of a questionnaire applied in 13 schools (N=1811) aimed at evaluating the schools interest in developing smoking prevention programs. The results of this questionnaire show strong levels of support from the schools for the introduction of smoking prevention programs.