Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-04"
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- Biodegradation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) by the bacterial strain Labrys portucalensis F11 and identification of metabolitesPublication . Wijayahena, Mindula K.; Moreira, Irina S.; Wallace, Joshua S.; Castro, Paula M. L.; Aga, Diana S.Introduction: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly fluorinated synthetic chemicals with a wide variety of uses1,2. The carbon-fluorine bonds exhibit very high bond dissociation energies: around 536 kJ/mol, making PFAS generally resistant to degradation by oxidation, thermal treatment, and biological mechanisms, which has led to their classification as “forever chemicals”3. Strategies to enhance the biodegradation of these compounds are of great interest, such as identifying bacterial species that may be used for bioaugmentation. Labrys portucalensis F11 is an aerobic bacterium that has been isolated in Portugal and can degrade fluorinated pharmaceuticals, fluorobenzene, and fluoxetine4,5. This F11 strain has the ability to cleave C-F bonds in these fluorinated organic compounds. Objectives: To determine whether the F11 bacteria strain can degrade PFAS; To identify biodegradation products by non-targeted analysis. Conclusions: Labrys portucalensis strain F11 can degrade PFOS under aerobic conditions. Microbial degradation products were identified for PFOS from C8 to C3 compounds. Non-target analysis facilitated the identification of the unsaturated and hydrogenated C8 compounds. IMS separation exhibited the separation of isomers of PFOS as well as defluorinated PFOS isomers including isomers of H-PFOS and isomers of unsaturated PFOS.
- A decade of analysis describe of maternal and neonatal characteristics of live births in southern BrazilPublication . Cardoso, Jane Laner; Amado, João Manuel da CostaIntroduction: Child health is conditioned by the circumstances of pregnancy, childbirth, and early life. Objective: To describe the maternal and neonatal characteristics of live births (LBs) in the Information System on Live Births of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study describedthe maternal and neonatal characteristics of 940,059 LBs, from 2010 to 2019. Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were conducted, with a statistical significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The mean values of maternal age, number of live children, and number of fetal deaths as well as abortions were 27.1 years, 0.9, and 0.2, respectively. The averages of the number of gestation weeks, number of prenatal consultations, the start date of the prenatal care, and birth weight were 38.5 weeks, 8.1 months, 2.5 monthsand 3,217.1 grams, respectively. Low birth weight (LBW) was prevalent among mothers without education (p < 0.001), including those without prenatal visits (p < 0.001). A higher prevalence of being underweight was observed among female neonates (p< 0.001) and with a maternal age of ≥ 40 years (10.8%; p < 0.001) compared to newborns with good vitality. Newborns with good vitality had a low prevalence of underweight (p < 0.001). The frequency of the variables studied increased, comparing the beginning and end of the period and whether the differences are statistically significant. Conclusions: The study draws attention to the need for interventions to improve the indicators that determine LBW.
- Bio-based superabsorbent hydrogels for nutrient releasePublication . Ribeiro, Alessandra B.; Moreira, Helena; Pereira, Sofia I. A.; Godinho, Mariana; Sousa, Ana Sofia da Silva; Castro, Paula; Pereira, Carla F.; Casanova, Francisca; Freixo, Ricardo; Pintado, Manuela E.; Ramos, Óscar L.Drought is characterized by a low water precipitation rate, with strong impact on crop productivity, threatening global food production. In this context, the use of soil amendments, such as superabsorbent hydrogels constitute a potential technology for better water use efficiency and higher crop yields. In this work, we synthesised cellulose-based hydrogels, characterized their physical and functional properties, evaluated their impact on the environment, and their potential to be used as a soil amendments. The hydrogel showed pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and conductivity below 10.0 µS cm-1. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed a low intensity peak in the crystallinity region, which was supported by the low crystallinity index (27.3% ± 0.6) verified by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The swelling capacity reached more than 200 g of water, the hydrogel showed good resistance to osmotic pressure and high thermostability, which favours the application in hot and arid areas. In addition, no potentially hazardous compound was detected, nor was there any adverse effect on soil microorganisms. Further, the hydrogel was found to be safe for use during seed sowing and for promoting seedling development. In the greenhouse pot experiment, the hydrogels showed a significant increase in maize shoot and root biomass, demonstrating their ability to contribute to the overall water holding capacity of the soil, thereby influencing nutrient availability for more efficient plant growth. In conclusion, the superabsorbent hydrogel exhibited promising characteristics for use as a soil amendment, scalability potential and constitutes a sustainable alternative for agricultural applications.
- Precision hematology: navigating the evolution of diagnostic classifications in the era of globalized medicinePublication . EHA Board; Macintyre, Elizabeth; Döhner, Konstanze; Gronbæk, Kirsten; Dreyling, Martin; Huntly, Brian; Almeida, António; Gribben, John
- Circular economyeast: saccharomyces cerevisiae as a sustainable source of glucans and its safety for skincare applicationPublication . Sousa, Pedro; Tavares-Valente, Diana; Pereira, Carla F.; Pinto-Ribeiro, Inês; Azevedo-Silva, João; Madureira, Raquel; Ramos, Óscar L.; Pintado, Manuela; Fernandes, João; Amorim, ManuelaGlucans, a polysaccharide naturally present in the yeast cell wall that can be obtained from side streams generated during the fermentation process, have gained increasing attention for their potential as a skin ingredient. Therefore, this study focused on the extraction method to isolate and purify water-insoluble glucans from two different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains: an engineered strain obtained from spent yeast in an industrial fermentation process and a wild strain produced through lab-scale fermentation. Two water-insoluble extracts with a high glucose content (> 90 %) were achieved and further subjected to a chemical modification using carboxymethylation to improve their water solubility. All the glucans' extracts, water-insoluble and carboxymethylated, were structurally and chemically characterized, showing almost no differences between both yeast-type strains. To ensure their safety for skin application, a broad safety assessment was undertaken, and no cytotoxic effect, immunomodulatory capacity (IL-6 and IL-8 regulation), genotoxicity, skin sensitization, and impact on the skin microbiota were observed. These findings highlight the potential of glucans derived from spent yeast as a sustainable and safe ingredient for cosmetic and skincare formulations, contributing to the sustainability and circular economy.
- Strategies to reduce the burden of respiratory syncytial virus infections in children in Portugal: results from the focus group RSV think tankPublication . Ferreira-Magalhães, Manuel; Bandeira, Teresa; Costa, Eduardo; Guerra, Paula; Lopes, Hugo; Martins, Maria Rosário; Mexia, Ricardo; Tomé, Teresa; Silva, Eduarda; Dias, Ana Rita
- Antimicrobial chitosan/TPP-based coatings for the prevention of biodeterioration of outdoor stone sculpturesPublication . Silva, Nádia C.; Castro, Diana; Neto, Cláudia; Madureira, Ana Raquel; Pintado, Manuela; Moreira, Patrícia R.Outdoor stone sculptures are prone to accelerated deterioration caused by the proliferation of microorganisms in the stone. The physical, chemical and mechanical action of microorganisms on stone heritage causes aesthetic and structural changes that devalue the artworks over time. Developing more sustainable and ecological alternatives for their preventive conservation is necessary to reduce the negative environmental and human health impacts of currently used toxic biocides. Chitosan-based coatings cross-linked with citric acid and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) were developed for application to stone sculptures, as antimicrobial protection to inhibit the growth of degrading microorganisms. After polymerisation of the formulations, the resulting films were only partially soluble while remaining permeable to water vapour. These characteristics offer the possibility to reverse the conservation treatments, or to re-treat in regular periods, as part of programmed conservation strategies. Bacteria and fungi commonly found in stone microbiomes that contribute to biodeterioration processes were inhibited, particularly the pigment-producing yeast Rhodotorula spp., which causes discolouration of stone surfaces. The most interesting coating was successfully tested on granite, limestone and marble samples, and its presence on the stones' surfaces was confirmed by FTIR and SEM analyses. The chitosan-based coating caused no visible colour changes to the stones and reduced the wettability of granite and limestone, thus representing a potential antimicrobial protective layer for stone cultural heritage.
- Instagram addiction, life satisfaction and self esteem in young adultsPublication . Reis, G.; Maia, B. R.Introduction: Addiction to Instagram can have severe consequences at a psychological, physiological and social level. On the other hand, social networks can be useful tools for an individual’s daily life. Studies show that the problematic use of some social networks, namely Instagram, can have an impact on users’ selfesteem. This construct is considered a predictor of life satisfaction, which is why in the literature these two variables appear positively related. Objectives: To explore the relationship between addiction to Instagram, life satisfaction and self-esteem in young adult university students and to carry out a comparison between groups with and without probable addiction to Instagram. Methods: The sample was composed by 241 Portuguese university students with a mean age of 22.03, (SD = 2.29, range 18-29), and who have an Instagram account. Subjects fulfilled a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the Portuguese version of the Bergen Instagram Addiction Scale, the Life Satisfaction Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results: The average score on the Bergen Instagram Addiction Scale was of 13.37 (SD = 4.41), with 29.5% of the sample spending one to two hours a day (n = 71) on the social network and 29.1% showing a probable Instagram addiction (n = 70). Mean scores of 27.17 (SD = 5.34) were found on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and 16.31 (SD = 3.97) on the Satisfaction with Life Scale. A strong relationship was found between life satisfaction and self-esteem, with males tending to have an higher self-esteem comparing to females. A low negative correlation was found between self-esteem and the total score on the Bergen Instagram Addiction Scale, which was not maintained when analyzing groups with and without a probable Instagram addiction. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the probable presence of instagram addiction and the potential role of low self-esteem. It also emphasizes the strong relationship between life satisfaction and self-esteem. Instagram updates, as well as habits developed during the pandemic period, may have worsened the instagram use. The study shows how paradoxical the impacts of using this social network can be. Furthermore, the present study raises awareness to new national investigations that explore the use of Instagram and how they are related to the impacts on users’ lives.
- Nomophobia and psychological distress in a sample of young adults and adultsPublication . Pinheiro, S.; Maia, B. R.Introduction: Nomophobia comes from the term “no-mobilephone phobia” and describes the discomfort, stress, or anxiety caused by the absence of a cell phone or any other virtual communication device in individuals who use these devices frequently. Research, although scarce, points to a statistically significant relationship between nomophobia and psychological distress factors such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Objectives: To explore the relationship between nomophobia and psychological distress in a sample of young adults and adults Methods: The sample was composed of 194 Portuguese subjects, aged between 18 and 30 years old (M = 22.08, DP = 2.89), who sulfilled a sociodeomographic questionnaire, and the Portuguese version of the Nomophobia Questionnaire, and of the Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Scale. Results: The entire sample showed some type of nomophobic symptomatology, specifically 59.3% (n = 106) had moderate nomophobia and 24.2% (n = 40) had severe nomophobia. Positive and statistically significant correlations, with strong magnitude, were found between nomophobia and anxiety (.46**), depression (.58**), and stress (.50**) subescales. Females presented significantly higher nomophobia levels (Md = 109.35) compared to males (Md = 71.66), U = 2480.50, p <.001, with an hight effect size (d =.69). A significant and negative correlation was found between nomophobia and age (.-.18*). Conclusions: Nomophobia was present in all the sample, and it is related to psychological distress. Females and younger subjects presented higher nomophobia levels. Further studies are needed to clarify their etiology, but some preventive and remediative actions need to be developed in order to minimize its emergence and their negative psychological impact.
- Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021Publication . GBD 2021 Nervous System Disorders Collaborators; Steinmetz, Jaimie D.; Seeher, Katrin Maria; Schiess, Nicoline; Nichols, Emma; Cao, Bochen; Servili, Chiara; Cavallera, Vanessa; Cousin, Ewerton; Hagins, Hailey; Moberg, Madeline E.; Mehlman, Max L.; Abate, Yohannes Habtegiorgis; Abbas, Jaffar; Abbasi, Madineh Akram; Abbasian, Mohammadreza; Abbastabar, Hedayat; Abdelmasseh, Michael; Abdollahi, Mohammad; Abdollahi, Mozhan; Abdollahifar, Mohammad Amin; Abd-Rabu, Rami; Abdulah, Deldar Morad; Abdullahi, Auwal; Abedi, Aidin; Abedi, Vida; Abeldaño Zuñiga, Roberto Ariel; Abidi, Hassan; Abiodun, Olumide; Aboagye, Richard Gyan; Abolhassani, Hassan; Aboyans, Victor; Abrha, Woldu Aberhe; Abualhasan, Ahmed; Abu-Gharbieh, Eman; Aburuz, Salahdein; Adamu, Lawan Hassan; Addo, Isaac Yeboah; Adebayo, Oladimeji M.; Adekanmbi, Victor; Adekiya, Tayo Alex; Adikusuma, Wirawan; Adnani, Qorinah Estiningtyas Sakilah; Adra, Saryia; Afework, Tsion; Afolabi, Aanuoluwapo Adeyimika; Afraz, Ali; Afzal, Saira; Aghamiri, Shahin; Agodi, Antonella; Bettencourt, Paulo J. G.Background: Disorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021. Methods: We estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined. Findings: Globally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer. Interpretation: As the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.