Browsing by Author "Sousa, A. S. S."
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- Diversity of metallophytes and metal(loid)-tolerant bacterial strains in a portuguese mine for phytotechnologies purposesPublication . Sousa, A. S. S.; Pereira, S. I. A.; Moreira, H.; Cunha, J.; Vila-Viçosa, C.; Castro, P.M.L.Soil contamination with metal(loid)s due to anthropogenic activities, such as mining, is a worldwide issue that affects ecosystem functioning and human health. Efforts are currently made to restore these soils through sustainable and economically strategies. Phytotechnologies stand out as reliable and ecologically sound options, focusing on the use of plants and their associated microorganisms to reclaim contaminated lands and decrease pollutant linkages. These options can also provide economic revenues, integrating soil restoration into the circular economy concept. Mining areas host metallophytes, either excluders or (hyper)accumulators, and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), adapted to high concentrations of metal(loid)s, that can be used in phytoremediation strategies. The Borralha mine is a deactivated tungsten producer located in the northern Portugal, in which the ending of mineral extraction left several open-air tailings highly contaminated with metal(loid)s, such as Cu, Zn, Cd, As and Pb. This study aimed to assess the most abundant metallophytes and characterize the culturable bacterial community present in Borralha mine tailings for biotechnological purposes. Plant biodiversity was assessed over 1 year period, covering the different seasons. Based on plant taxonomy, a total of 14 plant species were identified, with some species (e.g., Agrostis capillaris, Cytisus striatus, Erica arborea, Pinus pinaster, Rubus ulmifolius, Salix caprea and Sedum arenarium) showing potential to be used in remediation strategies. For soil bacteria characterization, a composite soil sample was collected from vegetated and non-vegetated areas in the tailing zone. A total of 65 bacterial isolates were isolated and characterized genotypically and phenotypically (e.g. metal tolerance and plant growth promoting traits). Several bacterial strains showed potential to be used as bioinoculants in assisted- phytoremediation approaches
- Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: guideline adherence and outcomesPublication . Sousa, A. S. S.; Pinto, C. C.; Nogueira, N.; Ferrito, C.; Paiva, J. A.Introduction: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Intensive Care Units (ICU). VAP has a high incidence rate that can be reduced through the use of bundles, thus ensuring better outcomes. However, its effectiveness is closely related to implementation and dissemination strategies. Objectives: To assess adherence to a VAP prevention bundle; to assess the impact of adherence on outcomes (VAP, mortality rate, hospital length of stay (LOS), and duration of invasive ventilation (IV)). Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted, pre-and post-intervention, with historical control in three ICU over 6 months. The bundle was implemented and disseminated based on a multimodal approach, targeting physicians and nurses. The sample comprised patients hospitalized in the ICU aged≥18 years and submitted to endotracheal intubation for more than 48 h. Adherence to the bundle was assessed through auditing by observation. Outcome data were collected daily and entered into an intern database. Results were processed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee and the hospital’s Board of Directors following the ethical principles for health research. Results: The sample comprised 828 patients aged between 18 and 95 years (M=61.85; SD=15.8 years). Increasing adherence to most of the recommendations over the course of the study was found, with two being statistically significant (p = 0.014), (p = 0.002). Also, adherence to all interventions simultaneously increased from 83.4% to 88.2% (p = 0.015). These results showed the effectiveness of a multimodal strategy approach. In addition, the statistical analysis confirmed that greater adherence to maintaining endotracheal tube cuff pressure was associated with shorter IV (p<0.001), ICU LOS (p><0.001) and lower mortality rate (p=0.002). On the other hand, results showed that greater adherence to all interventions simultaneously was directly related to fewer in ICU LOS (p=0.004) and fewer IV (p=0.016, p=0.005). Conclusion: From the data obtained on the association between adherence to each recommendation and health outcomes, this study provided a valuable contribution to better understanding the effectiveness of each intervention individually concerning VAP prevention.><0.001), ICU LOS (p<0.001) and lower mortality rate (p=0.002). On the other hand, results showed that greater adherence to all interventions simultaneously was directly related to fewer in ICU LOS (p=0.004) and fewer IV (p=0.016, p=0.005). Conclusion: From the data obtained on the association between adherence to each recommendation and health outcomes, this study provided a valuable contribution to better understanding the effectiveness of each intervention individually concerning VAP prevention.