Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2022-05"
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- Manual de teste muscularPublication . CINTRA, RUI; Fontes, Ana Paula; Felício, JoãoO Teste Muscular é um dos instrumentos do Fisioterapeuta que duplamente o auxilia no quotidiano da sua prática baseada na evidência, ou seja, é um instrumento valioso do diagnóstico funcional, e um instrumento dos resultados da prestação de cuidados, contribuindo para uma Fisioterapia qualificada e empreendedora. Este Manual aborda o teste muscular analítico dos principais músculos/grupos musculares dos membros e tronco.
- Drug resistance and epigenetic modulatory potential of epigallocatechin-3-gallate against staphylococcus aureusPublication . Zeferino, Ana Sofia; Mira, Ana Rita; Delgadinho, Mariana; Brito, Miguel; Ponte, Tomás; Ribeiro, EdnaAntimicrobial resistance of human pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is described by the World Health Organization as a health global challenge and efforts must be made for the discovery of new effective and safe compounds. This work aims to evaluate epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) epigenetic and modulatory drug potential against S. aureus in vitro and in vivo. S. aureus strains were isolated from commensal flora of healthy volunteers. Antibiotic susceptibility and synergistic assay were assessed through disk diffusion accordingly to EUCAST guidelines with and without co-exposure to EGCG at final concentrations of 250 mu g/ml, 100 mu g/ml, 50 mu g/ml, and 25 mu g/ml. Transcriptional expression of orfx, spdC, and WalKR was performed through qRT-PCR. A 90-day interventional study was performed with daily consumption of 225 mg of EGCG. Obtained data revealed a high prevalence of S. aureus colonization in healthcare workers and clearly demonstrated the antimicrobial and synergistic potential of EGCG as well as divergent resistant phenotypes associated with altered transcriptional expression of epigenetic and drug response modulators genes. Here, we demonstrate the potential of EGCG for antimicrobial treatment and/or therapeutic adjuvant against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and report divergent patterns of epigenetic modulators expression associated with phenotypic resistance profiles.
- Leveraging breast cancer screening to promote timely detection, diagnosis and treatment among women in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocolPublication . Yakong, Vida Nyagre; Afaya, Agani; Alhassan, Robert Kaba; Sang, Somin; Salia, Solomon Mohammed; Afaya, Richard Adongo; Jebuni Fuseini, Karim; Kuug, Anthony; Selorm, Daniels-Donkor Silas; Atakro, Confidence Alorse; Akokre, Renna; Adatara, Peter; Ayanore, Martin AmogreIntroduction Female breast cancer is now the most often diagnosed cancer in the world. Breast cancer screening aims to reduce mortalities related to cancer, and morbidity associated with advanced stages of the disease, through timely detection in asymptomatic women. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the evidence on the factors that influence the provision and uptake of breast cancer screening among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods and analysis PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature including Google Scholar will be searched to identify published studies on barriers and facilitators to breast cancer screening from January 2010 to 2021. Two reviewers will independently assess the quality of all the included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool version 2018. We envisage that this review will adduce evidence on common barriers and facilitators to breast cancer screening in SSA. Identifying these barriers and facilitators will help guide the initialisation of effective interventions that will improve breast cancer screening uptake among women in SSA. This review will also guide future research in developing, implementing and evaluating appropriate interventions tailored toward increasing breast cancer screening uptake. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval for this protocol is not required since it does not involve collecting data from human participants. The outcomes of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory extracts from sea cucumbers and tunicates induce a pro-osteogenic effect in Zebrafish LarvaePublication . Carletti, Alessio; Cardoso, Carlos; Lobo-Arteaga, Jorge; Sales, Sabrina; Juliao, Diana; Ferreira, Inês; Chainho, Paula; Dionísio, Maria Ana; Gaudêncio, Maria J.; Afonso, Cláudia; Lourenço, Helena; Cancela, M. Leonor; Bandarra, Narcisa M.; J. Gavaia, PauloBone metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis are characterized by the loss of mineral from the bone tissue leading to its structural weakening and increased susceptibility to fractures. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathophysiological processes involved in the rise of these conditions. As the currently available therapeutic strategies are often characterized by toxic effects associated with their long-term use, natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds such as polyphenols promise to be a valuable alternative for the prevention and treatment of these disorders. In this scope, the marine environment is becoming an important source of bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological applications. Here, we explored the bioactive potential of three species of holothurians (Echinodermata) and four species of tunicates (Chordata) as sources of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds with a particular focus on polyphenolic substances. Hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts were obtained from animals' biomass and screened for their content of polyphenols and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Hydroethanolic fractions of three species of tunicates displayed high polyphenolic content associated with strong antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory activity. Extracts were thereafter tested for their capacity to promote bone formation and mineralization by applying an assay that uses the developing operculum of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to assess the osteogenic activity of compounds. The same three hydroethanolic fractions from tunicates were characterized by a strong in vivo osteogenic activity, which positively correlated with their anti-inflammatory potential as measured by COX-2 inhibition. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of polyphenol-rich hydroethanolic extracts obtained from three species of tunicates as a substrate for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of bone disorders correlated to oxidative stress and inflammatory processes.
- Neighborhood attributes and well-being among older adults in urban areas: a mixed-methods systematic reviewPublication . Padeiro, Miguel; de Sao Jose, Jose; Amado, Carla; Sousa, Liliana; Roma Oliveira, Carla; Esteves, Alina; McGarrigle, JenniferExpanding urbanization rates have engendered increasing research examining linkages between urban environments and older adults' well-being. This mixed-methods systematic review synthesizes the evidence for the influence of urban neighborhoods' attributes on older adults' well-being. We searched for literature published up to December 2020 across six databases and performed quality assessment and thematic analysis. The results, based on 39 identified studies, showed that natural areas in neighborhoods and a sense of community are the attributes most often associated with positive effects on well-being. Transit-related variables, urban furniture, and access to healthcare are also positively related to well-being. Neighborhoods may promote well-being more effectively when these elements are considered. However, almost half of the studies did not include all environmental dimensions simultaneously, and self-reported instruments were largely preferred over more objective assessments of the environment. Future research should thus holistically examine physical, social, and service-related attributes to produce more robust evidence.
- Intiligência artificial identifica PCR em chamada de emergênciaPublication . Segundo, Ana Catarina; Aguiar, André; Maciel, André; Eliseu, AfonsoUm grupo de investigadores Dinamarqueses testaram um modelo de inteligência artificial (IA) para reconhecer a presença de paragem cardiorrespiratória (PCR) em chamadas de emergência médica direcionadas a uma central de emergência médica de Copenhaga.Mais de 600 000 pessoas por ano sofrem uma paragem cardiorrespiratória (PCR) na Europa e E.U.A..O reconhecimento rápido deste evento, quer seja por uma testemunha presencial ou pelo profissional da central telefónica de emergência médica é um prérequisito para que se possa iniciar Suporte Básico de Vida (SBV), prestar o melhor atendimento, triagem,aconselhamento, selecção e envio de meios de socorro apropriados.
- O impacto psicológico da pandemia COVID-19 nos profissionais de emergência pré-hospitalar”: carta ao editorPublication . Relvas, Luís MiguelNo artigo “O impacto psicológico da pandemia COVID-19 nos profissionais de emergência pré-hospitalar[EPH (VMER, HELI, SIV, Bombeiros, …)]”, publicado no número 1 do volume 2 da Lifesaving Scientific, o autor aborda os principais riscos e problemas de saúde mental que a pandemia COVID-19 trouxe aos profissionais de saúde portugueses
- The upshot of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on nursing assistants: evaluating mental health indicators in HuelvaPublication . Javier Gago Valiente, Francisco; Moreno-Sánchez, Emilia; Vélez-Moreno, Emilia; de los Ángeles Merino Godoy, María; Sáez Padilla, Jesús; Rodríguez-Miranda, Francisco P.; Costa, Emília; Saenz-de-la-Torre, Luis-Carlos; Segura-Camacho, Adrián; Mendoza-Sierra, María-IsabelHealthcare professionals who work in front-line situations are among those under the highest risk of presenting negative mental health indicators. We sought to assess the prevalence of low personal realization, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization as well as probable non-psychotic psychiatric pathologies during the pandemic in nursing assistants in the city of Huelva (Spain), and to study the association between these mental health indicators and sociodemographic and professional variables. A cross-sectional descriptive investigation with a quantitative approach was used. A representative sample of these professionals, consisting of 29 men and 284 women, completed the GHQ-12 questionnaire, including sociodemographic data and the MBI-HSS questionnaire, collecting information on situations of contact with SARS-CoV-2. Data analysis was conducted, and correlations were established. We found that emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and probable non-psychotic, psychiatric pathologies were related to contact with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, personal realization, depersonalization and emotional exhaustion were related to just gender. We conclude that nursing assistants from public hospitals in the city of Huelva who had contact with patients with SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, showed poor mental health indicators than those who did not come into contact with infected individuals.
- Proposal of a non-linear curve for reporting the performance of solar cookersPublication . Ruivo, Celestino; Apaolaza-Pagoaga, Xabier; Coccia, Gianluca; Carrillo-Andrés, AntonioPerformance parameters of solar cookers have conventionally been determined by assuming a linear trend between the cooker power and the difference between load temperature and ambient air temperature. This approach may not be convenient for some solar cooker designs. In the present work, the suitability of a non-linear regression derived from fitting the measured load temperature to a second order exponential polynomial was investigated and compared with the linear regression. Both regressions were compared with the corresponding experimental curves of a panel cooker and a box cooker. In the case of the panel cooker, the linear trend of the experimental plot was confirmed over a large period of the conducted test. Minor deviations from the experimental data were observed only at the beginning and at the end of the test. On the contrary, in the box solar cooker, significant deviations between the linear regression plot and the experimental points were observed, while smaller deviations were obtained using the non-linear regression. Thus, the proposed method can be seen as a promising approach that should be considered when updating the existing procedures for testing and reporting the performance of solar cookers.
- Aquatic fungi: largely neglected targets for conservationPublication . Vatova, Mariyana; Rubin, Conrad; Grossart, Hans‐Peter; Gonçalves, Susana C; Schmidt, Susanne I; Jarić, IvanAquatic fungi (true fungi and fungi-like oomycetes) are a diverse group that plays a key role in aquatic ecosystems through carbon and nutrient cycling, production of essential organic compounds, foodweb dynamics, and energy flow (Gladfelter et al. 2019; Grossart et al. 2019; Ruess and Müller-Navarra 2019) (Figure 1). They have the ability to shift foodweb structure, affect eco-evolutionary processes via biotic interactions, and help in the degradation of pollutants (Harms et al. 2011). Despite their critical importance for aquatic ecosystems, some groups such as oomycetes and chytrid fungi are poorly studied, with the majority of species not yet described, and their ecosystem functions not properly understood (Shearer et al. 2007; Grossart and Rojas-Jimenez 2016; Amend et al. 2019; Grossart et al. 2019).