Cláudia de Freitas

Aiming for inclusion: a case study of motivations for involvement in mental health‐care governance by ethnic minority users

To examine the motivations for involvement in mental health‐care governance by socially disadvantaged ethnic minority users.

Follicular Fluid redox involvement for ovarian follicle growth

As the human ovarian follicle enlarges in the course of a regular cycle or following controlled ovarian stimulation, the changes in its structure reveal the oocyte environment composed of cumulus oophorus cells and the follicular fluid (FF).In contrast to the dynamic nature of cells, the fluid compartment appears as a reservoir rich in biomolecules. In some aspects, it is similar to the plasma, but it also exhibits differences that likely relate to its specific localization around the oocyte. The chemical composition indicates that the follicular fluid is able to detect and buffer excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species, employing a variety of antioxidants, some of them components of the intracellular milieu.An important part is played by albumin through specific cysteine residues. But the fluid contains other molecules whose cysteine residues may be involved in sensing and buffering the local oxidative conditions. How these molecules are recruited and regulated to intervene such process is unknown but it is a critical issue in reproduction.In fact, important proteins in the FF, that regulate follicle growth and oocyte quality, exhibit cysteine residues at specific points, whose untoward oxidation would result in functional loss. Therefore, preservation of controlled oxidative conditions in the FF is a requirement for the fine-tuned oocyte maturation process. In contrast, its disturbance enhances the susceptibility to the establishment of reproductive disorders that would require the intervention of reproductive medicine technology.

Couples' willingness to donate embryos for research: a longitudinal study

Decision‐making on embryo disposition is a source of distress and is subject to change over time. This paper analyzes the willingness of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization to donate cryopreserved embryos for research from 15 days after embryo transfer to 12 months later, taking into account the influence of psychosocial, demographic, and reproductive factors.

Consentir na criopreservação de embriões: perceção de casais usuários de medicina da reprodução

Este estudo qualitativo analisou as percecoes de casais quanto aos fatores que contextualizam o consentimento livre e esclarecido na criopreservacao de embrioes, a partir de 34 entrevistas semiestruturadas, em Portugal. Analisaram-se os dados segundo os principios da grounded theory. Dos resultados emergiram as seguintes necessidades: provisao de informacoes detalhadas, rigorosas, coerentes e no tempo adequado sobre os custos e duracao da criopreservacao e o destino dos embrioes; reforco da privacidade fisica; tempo para refletir sobre o destino dos embrioes e a divulgacao da identidade dos beneficiarios. As condicoes de aplicacao do consentimento parecem ameacar tres dos seus elementos fundamentais: informacao, voluntarismo e ponderacao. Importa desenvolver orientacoes etico-profissionais que assegurem um consentimento assente em praticas de aconselhamento e prestacao de informacao adequadas as necessidades e expectativas dos pacientes.