Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-09-03"
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- Delphi technique on nursing competence studies: a scoping reviewPublication . Furtado, Luís; Coelho, Fábio; Pina, Sara; Ganito, Cátia; Araújo, Beatriz; Ferrito, CândidaThis scoping review was conducted under the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework. It included primary studies published until 30 April 2023, obtained through a systematic search across PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases. The review focused on primary studies that used the Delphi technique in nursing competence research, especially those related to defining core competency frameworks and developing instruments to assess professional competence. The goal was to analyze the different methodological approaches used by authors, synthesize them, and propose recommendations to enhance methodological rigor, reliability, and validity in the application of the Delphi technique. For this purpose, the following review question was established: “What is the available evidence on the use of the Delphi technique in the study of professional competence in nursing?”. The extracted textual elements underwent a content analysis, resulting in dimensions established through an inductive approach. Twenty studies were included, yielding insights into diverse methodological options for conducting Delphi studies, organised around a set of dimensions: (1) preparatory procedures; (2) procedures for accessing and selecting experts; (3) acquisition of expert input; (4) data analysis and consensus; and (5) ethical and legal procedures and guarantees. The study’s limitations include the inability to include certain studies due to a lack of response to requests for clarification from corresponding authors. Additionally, the primary studies’ methodological quality was not assessed, which is another relevant aspect. The study’s results offer valuable insights for researchers intending to utilise the Delphi technique within the context of the research referenced in the included studies. This information encompasses important methodological choices, highlighting their potential benefits and associated risks. The review was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (Registration No: osf.io/kp2vw).
- Development and bioactive potential of plant residue films enriched with eucalyptus extract and oregano essential oilPublication . Melo, Adma; Lopes, Ana I.; Barros, Lillian; Tavaria, Freni; Pintado, ManuelaIntroduction: Traditional plastic food packaging is typically non-renewable and non-biodegradable [1], creating a need for new eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives, such as plant-based films. Plant agro-industrial wastes, such as peels, stalks and bagasse, have been explored as sources of polymeric matrices in film development [2]. Additionally, natural compounds from plants, like plant extracts (PEs) and essential oils (EOs) can provide these films with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, conferring them the ability to act as food preservatives against a broad spectrum of food poisoning/contaminants microorganisms and taking the opportunity of their antioxidant properties to avoid the deterioration of fats and other food constituents [3]. Objectives: To extract and characterize the bioactive molecules from licorice residues. To produce polymeric films with licorice-based polymers incorporated with eucalyptus extract and oregano EO. To evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the films. Conclusions: Licorice residues are rich in insoluble fibers. These fibers were used to produce edible films incorporated with oregano EO and eucalyptus extract. Licorice residue film incorporated with eucalyptus extract and oregano essential oil inhibited the growth of S. aureus and E. coli after 2h; the film with eucalyptus extract inhibited S. aureus after 4h. All films presented antioxidant activity; the film with oregano EO presented higher antioxidant activity by ABTS, whereas the film with oregano EO and eucalyptus extract presented higher antioxidant values by DPPH.
- Development and bioactive potential of films from plant residue enriched with eucalyptus extract and oregano essential oilPublication . Melo, A.; Lopes, A. I.; Barros, L.; Tavaria, F.; Pintado, M.Introduction: Traditional plastic food packaging is typically non-renewable and non- biodegradable, creating a need for new eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives, such as plant- based films. Plant agro-industrial wastes have been explored as sources of polymeric matrices in film development. Additionally, natural compounds from plants, like plant extracts (PEs) and essential oils (EOs) can provide these films with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. So, this work aimed to produce polymeric films with licorice-based polymers incorporated with eucalyptus extract and oregano EO. Methodology: Licorice residue was characterized using high- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and used to develop films with alginate and glycerol. Films were produced with oregano EO (2%), eucalyptus extract (1%), and a combination of both (1% each). The antimicrobial activity was tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) using the viable cell method. Antioxidant activity was assessed by 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) scavenging assays. Results: The results showed that the residue consisted mostly of insoluble fibers from approximately 74%, with lignin being the main constituent from approximately 33%. The residue was, then, used to produce films incorporated with eucalyptus extract and oregano EO as bioactive agents. The antimicrobial activity test showed that the films with licorice residue incorporated with eucalyptus extract and oregano oil was able to completely inhibit E. coli after 2 h of exposure; Besides that, the film incorporated with eucalyptus extract was able to completely inhibit S. aureus after 4 h of exposure and the film incorporated with eucalyptus extract and oregano oil inhibited this bacterium after 2 h. Regarding the antioxidant potential of the films, the film with licorice residue (no extract nor oil) was the one with the least antioxidant activity (ABST: 226,7428 Trolox equivalents (μM)/mg film; DPPH: 162,2766 Trolox equivalents (μM)/mg film). The incorporation of eucalyptus extract and oregano EO to the films significantly increased its antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Polymeric films made from licorice residues and incorporated with EOs and PEs, due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, can constitute an alternative to conventional food packaging.