Browsing by resource type "review article"
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- Advancing diabetes treatment: from human beta cell technology to bioartificial pancreas developmentPublication . Sá, Joana; Sá, Simone; Leménager, Hélène; Costa, Raquel; Onteniente, Brigitte; Soares, Raquel; Ribeiro, Viviana P.; Oliveira, Ana L.In 2021, approximately 537 million people worldwide, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, were affected by diabetes, leading to approximately 6.7 million deaths annually or severe secondary complications including life-threatening hyperglycemia. For nearly 50 years, current therapeutic approaches include full pancreas transplantation and isolated pancreatic islets, more recently, cell therapy such as in vitro generated islets and stem cell derived. The transplantation of pancreatic islet cells can be less invasive than full organ transplantation, however, does not achieve the same rate of functional success due to the low survival of the engrafted cells. Tissue-engineered bioartificial pancreas has been designed to address such issues, improving cell engraftment, survival, and immune rejection problems, with the added advantage that the tissue produced in vitro has an unlimited source of material.
- Applications of large language models in cardiovascular disease: a systematic reviewPublication . Santos, José Ferreira; Ladeiras-Lopes, Ricardo; Leite, Francisca; Dores, HélderCardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Large language models (LLMs) offer potential solutions for enhancing patient education and supporting clinical decision-making. This study aimed to evaluate LLMs’ applications in CVD and explore their current implementation, from prevention to treatment. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, this systematic review assessed LLM applications in CVD. A comprehensive PubMed search identified relevant studies. The review prioritized pragmatic and practical applications of LLMs. Key applications, benefits, and limitations of LLMs in CVD prevention were summarized. Thirty-five observational studies met the eligibility criteria. Of these, 54% addressed primary prevention and risk factor management, while 46% focused on established CVD. Commercial LLMs were evaluated in all but one study, with 91% (32 studies) assessing ChatGPT. The LLM applications were categorized as follows: 72% addressed patient education, 17% clinical decision support, and 11% both. In 68% of studies, the primary objective was to evaluate LLMs’ performance in answering frequently asked patient questions, with results indicating accurate, comprehensive, and generally safe responses. However, occasional misinformation and hallucinated references were noted. Additional applications included patient guidance on CVD, first aid, and lifestyle recommendations. Large language models were assessed for medical questions, diagnostic support, and treatment recommendations in clinical decision support. Large language models hold significant potential in CVD prevention and treatment. Evidence supports their potential as an alternative source of information for addressing patients’ questions about common CVD. However, further validation is needed for their application in individualized care, from diagnosis to treatment.
- Arresting images: inhabiting the Nazi archive in Yael Hersonski’s a Film unfinishedPublication . Agostinho, DanielaThe filmic appropriation of archival imagery has become pivotal within the new archival economy of memory. What is particularly striking about this transnational trend is that more than a reproduction of images of the past for illustrative purposes, at stake in many recent appropriation films is a post-memorial fascination with archival images and simultaneously a critical interrogation of their epistemological gaps, their conditions of production, and their role in shaping the memory of historical violence. Yael Hersonski’s A Film Unfinished (2010), which refigures a Nazi propaganda film of the Warsaw ghetto, is a symptomatic case where the enigmatic appeal of archival images coexists with a suspicious examination of their constitutive flaws. Through close reading of the film, and a discussion of Derrida’s notion of “archive fever” in relation to the Nazi archival culture, this article will inquire into the dynamics of archive imagery at play within contemporary cinematic practices, arguing that the disappearance of the witness has raised a renewed crisis of representation of the Holocaust, in which the archive becomes a critical but fraught centrepiece.
- The Artificial Intelligence act: critical overviewPublication . Silva, Nuno Sousa eThis article provides a critical overview of the recently approved Artificial Intelligence Act. It starts by presenting the main structure, objectives, and approach of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689. Followed by a definition of key concepts, finally the material and territorial scope, as well asan examination of the timing of application, are analyzed. Although the Regulation does not explicitly set out principles, the main ideas of fairness, accountability, transparency, and equity in AI underly a set of rules of the regulation. This is discussed before looking at the ill-defined set of forbidden AI practices (manipulation and exploitation of vulnerabilities, social scoring, biometric identification and classification, and predictive policing). It is highlighted that those rules deal with behaviors rather than AI systems. The qualification and regulation of high-risk AI systems are tackled, alongside the obligation of transparency for certain AI systems, the regulation of general-purpose models, and the rules on certification, supervision, and sanctions. The text concludes that even if the overall framework can be deemed adequate and balanced, the approach is so complex that it risks defeating its own purpose of promoting responsible innovation within the European Union and beyond its borders.
- Artificial intelligence-powered microscopy: transforming the landscape of parasitologyPublication . Niz, Mariana De; Pereira, Sara Silva; Kirchenbuechler, David; Lemgruber, Leandro; Arvanitis, ConstadinaMicroscopy and image analysis play a vital role in parasitology research; they are critical for identifying parasitic organisms and elucidating their complex life cycles. Despite major advancements in imaging and analysis, several challenges remain. These include the integration of interdisciplinary data; information derived from various model organisms; and data acquired from clinical research. In our view, artificial intelligence—with the latest advances in machine and deep learning—holds enormous potential to address many of these challenges. This review addresses how artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning have been used in the field of parasitology—mainly focused on Apicomplexan, Diplomonad, and Kinetoplastid groups. We explore how gaps in our understanding could be filled by AI in future parasitology research and diagnosis in the field. Moreover, it addresses challenges and limitations currently faced in implementing and expanding the use of artificial intelligence across biomedical fields. The necessary increased collaboration between biologists and computational scientists will facilitate understanding, development, and implementation of the latest advances for both scientific discovery and clinical impact. Current and future AI tools hold the potential to revolutionise parasitology and expand One Health principles.
- Beliefs and violent behavior in interpersonal relationships of young adults: a systematic reviewPublication . Araújo, Eduardo; Santos, Anita; Oliveira, Claúdia; Cruz, Olga Souza; Moreira, DianaBeliefs are information-processing structures formed along an individual’s developmental pathway. Beliefs can legitimize involvement in inappropriate or violent behaviors, particularly when they crystallize into cognitive schemas. While beliefs aid individuals in interpreting the surrounding world, overly rigid and inflexible beliefs can constrain the individual’s ability to process available information. This Systematic Review, carried out according to the PRISMA norms and guidelines, aims to understand the most prevalent beliefs regarding relationships among young adults and to examine their associations with violent or deviant behaviors. Articles included in this review were retrieved from the EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science databases in July 2022, resulting in a total of 594 studies, which were subsequently screened by two independent reviewers. A total of 51 studies were then selected for full reading, but 36 were excluded based on pre-defined eligibility criteria, leaving a final sample of 18 studies published between 2014 and 2022. The main objectives, country of origin, instruments used, sample composition and age, main results and conclusions were extracted from each study. Findings point toward the presence of related and legitimate beliefs about violence in intimate relationships, domestic violence, sexual violence, acceptance of the rape myth, or consent to engage in sexual activities.
- Candida albicans: the current status regarding vaginal infectionsPublication . Faustino, Margarida; Ferreira, Carlos M. H.; Pereira, Ana Margarida; Carvalho, Ana P.Vaginal infections caused by Candida albicans are a significant global health concern due to their recurrence and negative impact on quality of life. This review examines the pathogenesis of C. albicans infections, emphasizing critical virulence factors such as biofilm formation, adherence, and phenotypic switching. Risk factors include immune system suppression, antibiotic use, and hormonal changes, all of which can lead to fungal overgrowth and infection. Current prevention and/or treatment strategies primarily rely on antifungal therapies, personal hygiene practices, and probiotics. However, challenges like antifungal resistance, recurrence, and limited treatment efficacy highlight the need for innovative approaches. Therefore, emerging methods such as novel antifungal agents, vaccines, and nanotechnology-based delivery systems offer promising advancements to improve infection control. Additionally, the immune system plays a key role in preventing C. albicans infections, with both innate and adaptive immunity acting to restrict fungal colonization and growth. Commercially available products, such as antifungal creams, vaginal probiotics, and hygiene solutions, are practical options but often lack long-term efficacy. Persistent challenges, including resistance, patient noncompliance, and restricted access to emerging therapies, hinder comprehensive prevention and treatment efforts. Thus, future research should focus on promoting interdisciplinary approaches, integrating personalized medicine, and enhancing healthcare accessibility. This review intends to present the current state of the art within the abovementioned issues and to enhance the understanding of the multifactorial nature of C. albicans infections and advanced prevention strategies, which are essential to reduce the burden of vaginal candidiasis worldwide and improve patient quality of life outcomes. KEY POINTS: • Candida albicans pathogenesis involves biofilms, adherence, and phenotypic switching. • Vaccines, nanotechnology, and new drugs offer improved prevention and treatment. • Addressing antifungal resistance and patient compliance is key for prevention success.
- Cirurgia de cancro de cabeça e pescoço: a especificidade dos cuidados à pessoa com faringostoma e esofagostomaPublication . Pires, Lucinda; Frade, Inês; Almeida, Anabela; Miguel, SusanaTemos como objetivo descrever os cuidados específicos à pessoa com faringostoma e esofagostoma, impulsionadores da melhoria da prática clínica e da qualidade de vida da pessoa. Cirurgias como a laringectomia total induzem enorme impacto físico, social e emocional na pessoa e família, cujas consequências e possíveis complicações são potenciadas quando seguidas da confeção de um faringostoma e esofagostoma. A pessoa com faringostoma e esofagostoma requer cuidados diferenciados que incluem a realização do penso, vigilância e cuidados específicos, não esquecendo os cuida-dos inerentes à ostomia respiratória, bem como a todas as outras dimensões da pessoa (psicológica, social, cultural e espiritual). Perante toda a complexidade cirúrgica, as pessoas portadoras deste tipo específico de estomas carecem de intervenções de enfermagem especializadas, as quais são baseadas na evidência. E incidem em prevenir complicações e contribuir para a qualidade de vida da pessoa, justificando-se igualmente a necessidade de intervenção de toda a equipa multidisciplinar.
- Clean label approaches in cheese production: where are we?Publication . Fernandes, Jaime; Gomes, Sandra; Reboredo, Fernando H.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Amaral, Olga; Dias, João; Alvarenga, NunoThe Clean Label concept has gained significant traction in the cheese industry due to consumer preferences for minimally processed cheeses free from synthetic additives. This review explores different approaches for applying Clean Label principles to the cheese industry while maintaining food safety, sensory quality, and shelf life. Non-thermal technologies, such as high-pressure processing (HPP), pulsed electric fields (PEF), ultra-violet (UV), and visible light (VL), are among the most promising methods that effectively control microbial growth while preserving the nutritional and functional properties of cheese. Protective cultures, postbiotics, and bacteriophages represent microbiological strategies that are natural alternatives to conventional preservatives. Another efficient approach involves plant extracts, which contribute to microbial control, and enhance cheese functionality and potential health benefits. Edible coatings, either alone or combined with other methods, also show promising applications. Despite these advantages, several challenges persist: higher costs of production and technical limitations, possible shorter shelf-life, and regulatory challenges, such as the absence of standardized Clean Label definitions and compliance complexities. Further research is needed to develop and refine Clean Label formulations, especially regarding bioactive peptides, sustainable packaging, and advanced microbial control techniques. Addressing these challenges will be essential for expanding Clean Label cheese availability while ensuring product quality and maintaining consumer acceptance.
- Comparison between tooth-derived matrix and DBBM granules on an enhanced bone healingPublication . Cifreda, Victor; Fidalgo-Pereira, Rita; Henriques, Bruno; Teughels, Wim; Özcan, Mutlu; Souza, Júlio C. M.Purpose of the Review: The purpose of this study was to perform a scoping review on the comparison between tooth-derived matrix and demineralized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) granules for enhanced bone healing. Recent Findings: Previous studies reported micro-scale pores in dentin-matrix granules due to the remnant dentin that promote the adsorption of proteins and bioactive molecules. It should be highlighted the remnant dentin is an intrinsic source of collagen and growth factors such as TGF-1, BMP-2, VEGF, and PDGF. The DBBM showed macro-scale interconnected pores which enhances the adhesion of cells and formation of new blood vessels. DBBM also revealed a porosity of around 80% and a lower resorption rate when compared to tooth-derived granules. On in vivo models, dentin-matrix granules induced quite similar results for bone growth when compared to grafting with DBBM as confirmed by histological analyses. Summary: The dentin-derived matrix granules showed morphological aspects and chemical composition suitable for enhancing bone repair comparable to the effects of deproteinized bovine bone mineral granules. The adequate space among particles and size of pores plays a key role in the events of bone formation since the protein adsorption towards the bone growth. Also, a well-adjusted content of DBBM and dentin-derived granules in the mixture maintains the bone volume over the bone healing. Thus, autologous dentin-derived granules are alternative materials for bone healing without any adverse inflammatory reactions.