Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2020-04-01"
Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Toxicity of recombinant necrosis and ethylene-inducing proteins (NLPs) from Neofusicoccum parvumPublication . Pour, Forough Nazar; Cobos, Rebeca; Coque, Juan José Rubio; Serôdio, João; Alves, Artur; Félix, Carina; Ferreira, Vanessa; Esteves, Ana Cristina; Duarte, Ana SofiaNeofusicoccum parvum is a fungal pathogen associated with a wide range of plant hosts. Despite being widely studied, the molecular mechanism of infection of N. parvum is still far from being understood. Analysis of N. parvum genome lead to the identification of six putative genes encoding necrosis and ethylene-inducing proteins (NLPs). The sequence of NLPs genes (NprvNep 1-6) were analyzed and four of the six NLP genes were successfully cloned, expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. Pure recombinant proteins were characterized according to their phytotoxic and cytotoxic effects to tomato leaves and to mammalian Vero cells, respectively. These assays revealed that all NprvNeps tested are cytotoxic to Vero cells and also induce cell death in tomato leaves. NprvNep2 was the most toxic to Vero cells, followed by NprvNep1 and 3. NprvNep4 induced weaker, but, nevertheless, still significant toxic effects to Vero cells. A similar trend of toxicity was observed in tomato leaves: the most toxic was NprvNep 2 and the least toxic NprvNep 4. This study describes for the first time an overview of the NLP gene family of N. parvum and provides additional insights into its pathogenicity mechanism.
- Experiences of homeless families in parenthood: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative evidencePublication . Andrade, Filipa Maria Reinhardt; Figueiredo, Amélia Simões; Capelas, Manuel Luís; Charepe, Zaida; Deodato, SérgioThe objective of this systematic review was to identify the available qualitative data and to develop a framework to address the life experiences of homeless families in parenthood. The research was performed in the PubMed and CINAHL Complete databases, for works published in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish. Studies that included qualitative data, or both qualitative and quantitative data, were considered for this research. A total of 358 articles were obtained, of which 37 were assessed for eligibility, and 26 were rejected. In the end, 11 studies were selected. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was used. These studies were conducted mostly in the United States, in temporary/transitional shelters for nuclear or single-parent families (led by women) in a homeless situation. In this context, the area which arose as the more relevant one was mental health, followed by the social studies. Two types of dimensions emerged from the results: mediating dimensions (which include the categories “Insecurity”, “Lack of Privacy”, “Isolation”, “Stigma” and “Disempowerment”) that are responsible for difficulties related to education, and behavioural changes in both the parents and the children; and supporting dimensions (which include the categories “Context as a Facilitator”, “Relationship with Others” and “Parents’ and children’s Self”) that lead to motivation, as well as the acquisition of strategies by the parents, to resolve parenting issues. This research helps expand nursing knowledge and presents a synthesis of the life experiences of homeless families in parenthood. Nursing can respond to the vulnerable population, due to its predominant role in promoting their health.
- The Bajratari case: are all resources good enough for EU law?Publication . Queiroz, Benedita MenezesThe Bajratari case is a significant contribution of the Court of Justice of the European Union to the clarification of the meaning of the condition of sufficient resources within the regime of the Citizens Directive 2004/38 (Article 7 (1) (b)). Moreover, it is also a step towards strengthening EU citizen’s right to move and reside in another Member State. In this decision the Court held that income that results from the exercise of professional activities without a lawful residence and employment permit is not to be excluded from the condition of sufficient resources imposed by EU law to a Union citizen who is residing for more than three months in another Member State.
- EditorialPublication . Pais, Sofia Oliveira
- Pregnancy as a period of enhanced risk for non-cavitated caries lesionsPublication . Rio, Rute; Sampaio-Maia, Benedita; Pereira, Maria Lurdes; Silva, Mário Jorge; Azevedo, ÁlvaroPurpose: To investigate if pregnancy represents a period of increased risk of non-cavitated dental caries related to changes in saliva and oral health behaviours. Materials and Methods: A non-randomised longitudinal study was performed with 27 pregnant women and 25 nonpregnant women, who were evaluated twice with the same time gap (24 weeks on average). At the first visit sociodemographic and oral health-related behaviours were assessed through a structured questionnaire. At the second visit changes related to eating sweet snacks and oral hygiene habits were also assessed. In both visits the surface-related caries status was evaluated according to ICDAS II criteria. Calculation of D0 (Sound), D1-2 (visual changes) and D3-4 (precavitated caries lesions) Index was based on data collected from clinical examination. Saliva pH and saliva flow rate were also assessed. Results: Throughout pregnancy, a statistically significant increase of eating sweet snacks between main meals was reported, with no effective adaptation of oral hygiene habits. In comparison to the non-pregnant group, pregnant women presented a lower saliva pH at both the first and second visit, p < 0.0005. During the follow-up period, a decrease in the frequency of caries-free surfaces was observed in the pregnant women (p = 0.004) and an increase in precavitated caries lesions (p = 0.011). Conclusion: The main results support the hypothesis that during pregnancy women are prone to enamel demineralisation, namely, to exhibiting additional lesions characterised by precavitated caries lesions.
- 360 Health Analysis (H360) - a proposal for an integrated vision of breast cancer in PortugalPublication . Coelho, Sara; Rego, Inês Brandão; Dionísio, Maria Rita; Cavaco-Silva, Joana; Semedo, Patrícia Miguel; Pavão, Francisco; Leite, Ricardo Baptista; Costa, LuísH360 aims to provide a comprehensive picture of breast cancer management in Portugal by retrieving real-world data from 10 Portuguese hospitals and deriving a snapshot from the medical interpretation of evidence-based data to patient perspective on the quality and effectiveness of medical care provided. This article reviews evidence on breast cancer clinical practice and quality of care and disease management in Portugal. A review of evidence on breast cancer clinical practice and quality of care over the last 10 years was performed in PubMed using the query “Organization and Administration"[Mesh] AND "breast cancer"[All Fields] NOT “Review” [ptyp]. National cancer initiatives relevant for quality of care and national and international guidelines and consensus were analyzed. Retrieved results showed that breast cancer incidence is still increasing, including in Portugal. Studies investigating disease outcomes seek to derive improvements to clinical practice and better financial resource allocation. Setting performance measures (KPIs) in institutions treating cancer is not a reality in Portugal yet, but has potential to leverage the quality of clinical performance. A multidisciplinary approach within one health structure is also desirable. More investment in clinical (including academic) research is key to optimize the quality of care. Implementation of clinical practice guidelines (largely based on ESMO guidelines in Portugal) is crucial to improve patient outcomes. Not less importantly, quality of life is a treatment goal on its own in breast cancer care. Breast cancer remains a health challenge and a multidimensional, 360-degree appraisal, beyond the exclusively clinical perspective, may provide new insights towards an optimal patient-centered approach.