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In the face of escalating climate change impacts, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations present a comprehensive blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. The wine industry, with its extensive global reach and significant economic impact, holds a unique position to contribute toward these goals. This review examines how the wine industry can, directly and indirectly, support all 17 SDGs through a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating extensive literature analysis. The study explores the alignment of wine industry practices with the SDGs across three key pillars: social, environmental, and governance goals. Social initiatives focus on enhancing livelihoods, food security, fair and safe working conditions, inclusive and ethical development among the workers and communities, education, and economic growth. Environmental efforts emphasize reducing the industry’s carbon footprint, conserving water, improving water and energy use efficiency, improving grapevine resilience against adverse environmental conditions, minimizing pollution, protecting biodiversity, creating more sustainable cities, and promoting moderate wine consumption. Governance goals highlight the importance of regulatory frameworks, wine industry standards, and stakeholder engagement in promoting sustainable, responsible and ethical practices, contributing to effective partnerships and institutional capacity. Conclusions highlight the wine industry’s commitment to sustainability as a catalyst for positive change, demonstrating that profitability and environmental stewardship can coexist. Future perspectives call for enhanced collaboration, research, education, supportive policies, robust monitoring, and equality initiatives. By embracing sustainable practices, the wine industry can play a vital role in advancing the global agenda for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future.

Abstract Background The expressions of a “wish to hasten death” or “wish to die” raise ethical concerns and challenges. These expressions are related to ethical principles intertwined within the field of medical ethics, particularly in end-of-life care. Although some reviews were conducted about this topic, none of them provides an in-depth analysis of the meanings behind the “wish to hasten death/die” based specifically on the ethical principles of autonomy, dignity, and vulnerability. The aim of this review is to understand if and how the meanings behind the “wish to hasten death/die” relate to and are interpreted in light of ethical principles in palliative care. Methods We conducted a meta-ethnographic review according to the PRISMA guidelines and aligned with Noblit and Hare’s framework. Searches were performed in three databases, Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, with no time restrictions. Original qualitative studies exploring the meanings given by patients, family caregivers and healthcare professionals in any context of palliative and end-of-life care were included. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. PROSPERO registration CRD42023360330. Results Out of 893 retrieved articles, 26 were included in the analysis, accounting for the meanings of a total of 2,398 participants. Several factors and meanings associated with the “wish to hasten death” and/or “wish to die” were identified and are mainly of a psychosocial and spiritual nature. The ethical principles of autonomy and dignity were the ones mostly associated with the “wish to hasten death”. Ethical principles were essentially inferred from the content of included articles, although not explicitly stated as bioethical principles. Conclusions This meta-ethnographic review shows a reduced number of qualitative studies on the “wish to hasten death” and/or “wish to die” explicitly stating ethical principles. This suggests a lack of bioethical reflection and reasoning in the empirical end-of-life literature and a lack of embedded ethics in clinical practice. There is a need for healthcare professionals to address these topics compassionately and ethically, taking into account the unique perspectives of patients and family members. More qualitative studies on the meanings behind a wish to hasten death, their ethical contours, ethical reasoning, and implications for clinical practice are needed.

Olive cultivation, an icon of Mediterranean agriculture, economy, and cultural heritage, faces significant challenges due to climate change and soil degradation. Climate projections indicate that altered precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and increased frequency of extreme weather events will adversely affect olive tree growth, fruit quality, and yield. This review provides a novel perspective on addressing these challenges through both long-term and short-term adaptation strategies, emphasizing innovative products, advanced technologies, and practical solutions that must work synergistically and be tailored to regional conditions. Long-term practices refer to proactive strategies for enduring climate resilience, including cover cropping, mulching, soil amendments, and breeding programs which enhance soil health, improve water retention, and increase the trees’ resilience. Short-term strategies focus on immediate impacts, offering immediate stress relief and enhanced plant physiological responses, including optimized irrigation systems, pruning management, particle coating films, biostimulants, and plant growth regulators. The review underscores the importance of aligning agricultural practices with sustainability goals and evolving environmental policies and the education of farmers and policymakers. By integrating adaptive practices and technological advancements, the olive sector can better address climate challenges, contribute to global food security, and advance environmental sustainability.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) stands as a predominant heart condition, characterised by left ventricle hypertrophy in the absence of any associated loading conditions, with affected individuals having an increased risk of developing heart failure and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Two induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from two unrelated individuals with previously reported nonsense mutations in the MYBPC3 gene. The first individual is a 48-year-old male (F26) with the MYBPC3 c.1731G > A HCM mutation, whereas the second individual is a 43-year-old female (F82) carrying the MYBPC3 c.2670G > A HCM mutation. The generated iPSCs exhibit appropriate expression of pluripotency markers, trilineage differentiation capacity and a normal karyotype. This resource contributes to gaining deeper insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie HCM.

Abstract Inflammation may play a significant role in Keratoconus (KC), but the relationship between inflammatory markers and choroidal thickness (CT) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum inflammatory markers and correlate them with the choroidal profile of KC patients and control subjects. Forty patients with KC and 26 age-matched control subjects were enrolled in a cross-sectional case–control study. Choroidal profile was studied with a Spectralis Heidelberg apparatus and venous blood samples were collected. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) were calculated. Serum inflammatory biomarkers IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alfa were also analyzed. KC group presented thicker choroids in each evaluated point when compared to the control group (subfoveal CT 417.38 ± 79.79 vs 299.61 ± 76.13, p

Abstract Migraine is a common and complex neurological disease potentially caused by a polygenic interaction of multiple gene variants. Many genes associated with migraine are involved in pathways controlling the synaptic function and neurotransmitters release. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning migraine need to be further explored. Recent studies raised the possibility that migraine may arise from the effect of regulatory non-coding variants. In this study, we explored the effect of candidate non-coding variants potentially associated with migraine and predicted to lie within regulatory elements: VAMP2_rs1150, SNAP25_rs2327264, and STX1A_rs6951030. The involvement of these genes, which are constituents of the SNARE complex involved in membrane fusion and neurotransmitter release, underscores their significance in migraine pathogenesis. Our reporter gene assays confirmed the impact of at least two of these non-coding variants. VAMP2 and SNAP25 risk alleles were associated with a decrease and increase in gene expression, respectively, while STX1A risk allele showed a tendency to reduce luciferase activity in neuronal-like cells. Therefore, the VAMP2_rs1150 and SNAP25_rs2327264 non-coding variants affect gene expression, which may have implications in migraine susceptibility. Based on previous in silico analysis, it is plausible that these variants influence the binding of regulators, such as transcription factors and micro-RNAs. Still, further studies exploring these mechanisms would be important to shed light on the association between SNAREs dysregulation and migraine susceptibility.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart condition. HCM patients show left ventricle hypertrophy without any associated loading conditions, being at risk for heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Two induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from two unrelated individuals, a 54-year-old male (F81) and a 44-year-old female (F93), both carrying the MYBPC3 c.1484G>A HCM mutation. iPSCs show expression of pluripotency markers, trilineage differentiation capacity and a normal karyotype. This resource enables further assessment of the pathophysiological development of HCM.

To predict protective immunity to SARS-CoV-2, cellular immunity seems to be more sensitive than humoral immunity. Through an Interferon-Gamma (IFN-γ) Release Assay (IGRA), we show that, despite a marked decrease in total antibodies, 94.3% of 123 healthcare workers have a positive cellular response 6 months after inoculation with the 2nd dose of BNT162b2 vaccine. Despite the qualitative relationship found, we did not observe a quantitative correlation between IFN-γ and IgG levels against SARS-CoV-2. Using stimulated whole blood from a subset of participants, we confirmed the specific T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2 by dosing elevated levels of the IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α. Through a 20-month follow-up, we found that none of the infected participants had severe COVID-19 and that the first positive cases were only 12 months after the 2nd dose inoculation. Future studies are needed to understand if IGRA-SARS-CoV-2 can be a powerful diagnostic tool to predict future COVID-19 severe disease, guiding vaccination policies.

Eco-friendly lighting systems, like LED lights, can reduce energy consumption in greenhouse operations, have a long lifespan, and enable precise control over plant growth through spectrum selection. On the other hand, Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient with a beneficial role in plant metabolism and an essential element for human health. In this study, we aim to unravel the effects of LED lighting combined with Se supplementation on the physiological behavior, yield, and quality of arugula (Eruca sativa). Arugula plants were cultivated under controlled conditions using two distinct LED lights: full white spectrum (W) and a mix of 80%/20% of red/blue light (R:B). These plants were then supplemented with three levels of Se: 0 mg Se kg−1 soil [0], 0.3 mg Se kg−1 soil [0.3], and 0.6 mg Se kg−1 soil [0.6]. The results showed that stomatal conductance remained unaffected by the light script. However, the plants exposed to R:B displayed more pronounced signs of photodamage and reduced net photosynthetic rate. Supplementation with Se plays a significant role in mitigating light-induced stress and in improving the antioxidant defense system; this was especially notable in R:B plants. Finally, R:B light decreased the accumulation of aboveground biomass, while no significant impact of Se was noticed on this outcome. Se accumulation exhibited a direct and proportional relationship with the concentration of Se applied. The integration of LED technology and Se supplementation not only enhances crop nutritional value but also aligns with the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices.

Soil degradation and climate change are threatening the sustainability of Mediterranean olive orchards, typically grown under rainfed conditions and conventional soil tillage. Thus, implementing sustainable soil management practices is crucial to preserve soil health and mitigate the negative effects on plant performance. In this study, we assessed the effects of conventional tillage (T), an early maturing and self-reseeding annual legume cover crop (LC) and its combination with natural zeolites (ZL) on plant physiological performance, tree nutritional status, crop yield, and soil physicochemical and microbiological properties. Although both LC and ZL enhanced the photosynthetic activity, tree nutritional status, soil moisture and olive yield relative to T, ZL was clearly more efficient at improving some soil health indicators, namely at the 0–10 cm soil layer, once soil acidity decreased and Kjeldahl N, extractable P and B, cation exchange capacity and microbiological activity increased, as evidenced by the higher concentrations of easily extractable and total glomalin-related soil protein, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass quotient, and actinomycetes. Therefore, using natural zeolite with leguminous cover crops appears to be a promising strategy of sustainable soil management in rainfed olive orchards, as it is able to provide numerous ecosystem services.

Bariatric surgery is the treatment for severe obesity, with proven efficacy in reducing weight. Weight loss associated with bariatric surgery is greatly associated with a significant reduction of skeletal muscle and bone mineral mass, which leads us to induce that after bariatric surgery, patients incur an increased risk of sarcopenia. Prophylactic programs that prevent sarcopenia in bariatric surgery patients seems to be one of the crucial points for the long-term surgical success of bariatric and metabolic surgery. This article presents a initial data set of skeletal muscle mass index, body composition and strength to determinate sarcopenia in bariatric patients. The data were collected in a Central Hospital and in the University. In total, is necessary to recruit 46 patients waiting for bariatric surgery, between 18 and 60 years, men, and woman, without contradiction for exercise. The patients are randomized in two groups, for exercise group and control group. The evaluation is made on five points of timeline, before the surgery, after the surgery, after de exercise program, six months, and twelve months after the exercise program.

Introduction: Bariatric surgery is one of the treatments for severe obesity, with proven efficacy in reducing weight and diseases associated with obesity. Weight loss associated with bariatric surgery is greatly associated with a significant reduction of skeletal muscle and bone mineral mass, which leads us to induce that after bariatric surgery, patients incur an increased risk of sarcopenia. The need for prophylactic programs that prevent sarcopenia in bariatric surgery patients seems to be one of the crucial points for the long-term surgical success of bariatric and metabolic surgery. The aim of this randomized clinical trial will be to study the effects of a 16-week supervised exercise intervention program on the prevention of sarcopenia, in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. As a secondary purpose, it is also intended to characterize metabolic risk factors, physical fitness, and quality of life in post-bariatric surgery patients. Method: A total of 45 patients on the waiting list for bariatric surgery and who have subsequently perfurgery, will be include on EXPOBAR (EXercise POst BARiatric) and randomized into 2 groups, experimental and control. The intervention starts one month after surgery, for a total of 16 weeks. Parameters of body composition, metabolic risk, quality of life, physical activity, physical fitness, and sedentary behavior will be determined. For each participant, outcomes are measured at five different time points: before the surgery, before the exercise program, after the exercise program, six and twelve months after de exercise program. Results: This study will provide the effects of a physical exercise on sarcopenia, in patients after bariatric surgery. Trial registration: The trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03497546.

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) have recently emerged as promising therapeutic approaches for neuropathic pain (NP). We evaluated the effects of oral treatment with the SPM Maresin 1 (MaR1) on behavioral pain responses and spinal neuroinflammation in male and female C57BL/6J mice with spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced NP. MaR1, or vehicle, was administered once daily, on post-surgical days 3 to 5, by voluntary oral intake. Sensory-discriminative and affective-motivational components of pain were evaluated with von Frey and place escape/avoidance paradigm (PEAP) tests, respectively. Spinal microglial and astrocytic activation were assessed by immunofluorescence, and the spinal concentration of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were evaluated by multiplex immunoassay. MaR1 treatment reduced SNI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity on days 7 and 11 in both male and female mice, and appeared to ameliorate the affective component of pain in males on day 11. No definitive conclusions could be drawn about the impact of MaR1 on the affective-motivational aspects of pain in female mice, since repeated suprathreshold mechanical stimulation of the affected paw in the dark compartment did not increase the preference of vehicle-treated SNI females for the light side, during the PEAP test session (a fundamental assumption for PAEP’s validity). MaR1 treatment also reduced ipsilateral spinal microglial and astrocytic activation in both sexes and marginally increased M-CSF in males, while not affecting cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in either sex. In summary, our study has shown that oral treatment with MaR1 (i) produces antinociception even in an already installed peripheral NP mouse model, and (ii) this antinociception may extend for several days beyond the treatment time-frame. These therapeutic effects are associated with attenuated microglial and astrocytic activation in both sexes, and possibly involve modulation of M-CSF action in males.

Severe obesity is a chronic disease and bariatric surgery is the treatment with more proven efficacy in reducing weight. After surgery, the weight loss is greatly associated with a significant reduction of skeletal muscle and bone mineral mass, with an increased risk of sarcopenia for these patients. Prophylactic programs that prevent sarcopenia in bariatric surgery patients seems to be one of the crucial points for the long-term surgical success of bariatric and metabolic surgery. This article aims to describe a protocol using supervised exercise applied after bariatric surgery on skeletal muscle mass index, body composition and strength to determinate sarcopenia in bariatric patients. A RCT will be conducted with 46 patients. Baseline measures will be compared with measures after de exercise program, in five different chronologic times. Participants will be randomly allocated to: 1) combined exercise group or 2) control group. The intervention will be 16 weeks for a combined exercise, started 1 month after surgery. The present study is expected to generate significant information about the role of exercise in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

En el contexto de la educación y, concretamente, en la etapa universitaria, la presencia de personas con discapacidad en la Educación Superior es hoy en día una realidad, tanto en España como en otros contextos internacionales. En la actualidad, existe un movimiento global que reivindica el derecho al acceso, permanencia y éxito de estudiantes no tradicionales, entre los que se encuentran las personas con discapacidad. Este estudio pretende presentar y analizar las concepciones de 676 universitarios (grado y posgrado) de diferentes áreas de conocimiento de la Universidad de Sevilla (España) sobre la discapacidad. Se ha utilizado una metodología cuantitativa con la aplicación de la Escala Intercultural de Conceptos de Discapacidad (EICD). Los resultados mostraron una preponderancia de la concepción social de discapacidad, seguida de los aspectos biológicos/médicos. Se observaron diferencias en relación con las variables analizadas, universitarios más jóvenes y aquellos que realizaban estudios de posgrado señalaron la prevalencia de afirmaciones vinculadas al modelo social de discapacidad. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los y las participantes con y sin discapacidad. Entre las conclusiones, podemos destacar la relevancia de la comprensión de la discapacidad como un fenómeno social para la oferta de prácticas psicosociales y psicoeducativas inclusivas. Esta decisión revela entonces que, aceptar la revisión de los paradigmas sociales para resignificar conceptos en la concepción social de la discapacidad, es un camino posible por el reconocimiento de las diferencias que constituyen lo humano.

Appendicectomy is one of the most performed surgical procedures. Neoplasms of the appendix are identified in approximately 1% of appendiceal specimens, and the incidence seems to be rising. The aim of this review was to summarize the current data on these neoplasms, focusing on the recent classification, clinical manifestations, management, and follow-up of such patients, which remain under debate. A literature search was performed using the database PubMed. The keywords used were related to appendiceal neoplasms, mucocele, pseudomyxoma peritonei and treatment. Records without abstracts, case reports, opinion articles and experimental studies were excluded. The appendix tumors can be classified between epithelial or nonepithelial. The epithelial variant is composed by mucinous neoplasms, nonmucinous adenocarcinoma, and signet ring cell tumors; instead, neuroendocrine tumors, lymphoma, and sarcoma are included in nonepithelial neoplasia. Goblet cell carcinoids share characteristics of both epithelial and nonepithelial tumors. The clinical presentation can be variable and the algorithm for evaluation and treatment is complex. Treatment is based on stage and histology. Our intention is to clarify some questions and help the surgeon in operative decisions, treatment strategies, and patient counseling. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0303-9 Full Text: PDF

BackgroundThyroid hormones are important modulators of cardiovascular function. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are known to contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk. It remains uncertain whether thyroid hormones level within the euthyroid range are associated with cardiometabolic risk. We aimed to evaluate the association between thyroid function levels within the euthyroid range and cardiovascular risk in a population-based cohort.MethodsEight hundred thirty-five subjects aged ≥45 years from the EPIPorto population-based cohort were included. We excluded participants with TSH, free T4 (FT4), or free T3 (FT3) outside of the reference range, or with previous cardiovascular or thyroid disease. The associations between thyroid function, cardiovascular risk factors and the 10-year estimated risk of cardiovascular events (using SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP) were evaluated in linear and logistic regression models, crudely and adjusting for age, sex, BMI, diabetes, and smoking.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 61.5 (SD 10.5) years and 38.9% were men. Eleven percent of the participants had diabetes, 47.8% had dyslipidemia, and 54.8% had hypertension. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.4 (SD 4.6) kg/m2, and the median (percentile25-75) 10-year risk of cardiovascular events was 5.46% (2.92, 10.11). Participants with higher BMI, larger waist circumference and higher hs-CRP had higher levels of FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio. Lower FT3/FT4 ratio and higher FT4 levels were associated with higher prevalence of diabetes and more adverse lipid profile. Higher TSH, lower FT3 and lower FT3/FT4 ratio were associated with lower eGFR. Lower FT3, lower FT3/FT4 ratio and higher FT4 were associated with an increased 10-year risk of cardiovascular events.ConclusionsIn a population-based study, variations of thyroid function within the euthyroid range were associated with cardiovascular risk factors. On one hand, individuals with higher BMI, larger waist circumference and higher hs-CRP had higher levels of FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio. On the other hand, a decreased conversion of T4 to T3 (lower FT3, lower FT3/FT4 ratio and/or higher FT4) was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, a more adverse lipid profile, a lower eGFR and an increased 10-year risk of cardiovascular events.

Introduction: Living at high altitude increases oxidative stress. Likewise, growth and maturation during adolescence can increase levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Changes in redox profiles have been evaluated in adults living at high altitudes; however, there are no studies on these changes in peripubertal populations living at moderate altitudes, we determine how living at moderate altitude affects the oxidative and inflammatory status of healthy preadolescents and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthy male Colombian preadolescents and adolescents (9–18 years old, Tanner scale classification) who lived at low altitude (n = 26) or moderate altitude (n = 26). Plasma oxidative and inflammatory status was assessed via spectrophotometry. Oxidative markers included malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal, and carbonyl groups. Antioxidant markers included total antioxidant status, glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, uric acid, and thiols. Inflammatory markers included interleukins-1, -6, and -10 and tumor necrosis factor. Results: Only uric acid levels were higher in adolescents (5.34 and 5.66 mg/dl) compared to preadolescents (3.85 and 4.07 mg/dl) in both moderate and low altitude groups, respectively. Participants who lived at moderate altitude presented significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde (4.82 and 3.73 nM/mg protein) and lower level of glutathione and thiols (1.21 and 1.26 μmol/mg protein) than in those at low altitude. Their inflammatory profiles did not differ. Conclusion: Oxidant profiles increased in peripubertal populations residing at moderate altitude; this could be owing to antioxidant consumption by ROS and active metabolism during puberty.

Aims: Inflammation-driven endothelitis seems to be a hallmark of acute heart failure (AHF) and cardiogenic shock (CS). Endocan, a soluble proteoglycan secreted by the activated endothelium, contributes to inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, but has been scarcely explored in human AHF. We aimed to evaluate serum (S-Endocan) and urinary endocan (U-Endocan) profiles in AHF and CS patients and to correlate them with biomarkers/parameters of inflammation, endothelial activation, cardiovascular dysfunction and prognosis.Methods: Blood and spot urine were collected from patients with AHF (n = 23) or CS (n = 25) at days 1–2 (admission), 3-4 and 5-8 and from controls (blood donors, n = 22) at a single time point. S-Endocan, U-Endocan, serum IL-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (S-TNF-α), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (S-ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (S-VCAM-1) and E-selectin were determined by ELISA or multiplex immunoassays. Serum C-reactive protein (S-CRP), plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (P-BNP) and high-sensitivity troponin I (P-hs-trop I), lactate, urea, creatinine and urinary proteins, as well as prognostic scores (APACHE II, SAPS II) and echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were also evaluated.Results: Admission S-Endocan was higher in both patient groups, with CS presenting greater values than AHF (AHF and CS vs. Controls, p < 0.001; CS vs. AHF, p < 0.01). Admission U-Endocan was only higher in CS patients (p < 0.01 vs. Controls). At admission, S-VCAM-1, S-IL-6 and S-TNF-α were also higher in both patient groups but there were no differences in S-E-selectin and S-IL-1β among the groups, nor in P-BNP, S-CRP or renal function between AHF and CS. Neither endocan nor other endothelial and inflammatory markers were reduced during hospitalization (p > 0.05). S-Endocan positively correlated with S-VCAM-1, S-IL-6, S-CRP, APACHE II and SAPS II scores and was positively associated with P-BNP in multivariate analyses. Admission S-Endocan raised in line with LVEF impairment (p = 0.008 for linear trend).Conclusion: Admission endocan significantly increases across AHF spectrum. The lack of reduction in endothelial and inflammatory markers throughout hospitalization suggests a perpetuation of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. S-Endocan appears to be a biomarker of endothelitis and a putative therapeutic target in AHF and CS, given its association with LVEF impairment and P-BNP and its positive correlation with prognostic scores.

Climate change is leading to the loss of oxygen content in the oceans and endangering the survival of many marine species. Due to sea surface temperature warming and changing circulation, the ocean has become more stratified and is consequently losing its oxygen content. Oviparous elasmobranchs are particularly vulnerable as they lay their eggs in coastal and shallow areas, where they experience significant oscillations in oxygen levels. Here, we investigated the effects of deoxygenation (93% air saturation) and hypoxia (26% air saturation) during a short-term period (six days) on the anti-predator avoidance behavior and physiology (oxidative stress) of small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) embryos. Their survival rate decreased to 88% and 56% under deoxygenation and hypoxia, respectively. The tail beat rates were significantly enhanced in the embryos under hypoxia compared to those exposed to deoxygenation and control conditions, and the freeze response duration showed a significant opposite trend. Yet, at the physiological level, through the analyses of key biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST activities as well as HSP70, Ubiquitin, and MDA levels), we found no evidence of increased oxidative stress and cell damage under hypoxia. Thus, the present findings show that the projected end-of-the-century deoxygenation levels elicit neglectable biological effects on shark embryos. On the other hand, hypoxia causes a high embryo mortality rate. Additionally, hypoxia makes embryos more vulnerable to predators, because the increased tail beat frequency will enhance the release of chemical and physical cues that can be detected by predators. The shortening of the shark freeze response under hypoxia also makes the embryos more prone to predation.

Consumer expectations regarding the quality of octopus are often frustrated and dissatisfaction is frequent, namely due to the excessive reduction in weight after cooking. Therefore, a rapid and non-destructive method based in time domain reflectometry (TDR) was developed for the control of water added to octopus (Octopus vulgaris and Eledone cirrhosa). O. vulgaris had significant higher values of moisture content, moisture/protein ratio, and cooking loss than E. cirrhosa. Immersion in freshwater increased the weight of O. vulgaris in ca. 32% after 32 h, and of E. cirrhosa in ca. 21% after 36 h, and cooking losses increased about 13.9% and 26.1%, respectively. The results reveal how consumers can be misled by abusive water addition. Changes in electrical conductivity and TDR curves were linked with the increasing incorporation of water and dilution effect of salts from octopus muscle. TDR technology and linear discriminant analysis were combined to detect added water in octopus. The classification model developed was cross-validated and 98.6% of samples were correctly classified. The method can be used to proof the authenticity of octopus (O. vulgaris and E. cirrhosa) or to detect fraudulent practices regarding added water.

Under climate change threats, there is a growing need to adapt the conventional agronomic practices used in rainfed olive orchards by sustainable practices, in order to ensure adequate crop yield and olive oil quality and to preserve soil health. Therefore, for two years, the effects of conventional tillage practice (T) and two sustainable soil management strategies, a leguminous cover crop (LC) and its combination with natural zeolites (ZL), on the yield, fatty acid composition, polyphenolic profile and quality indices of olive fruits and oil were evaluated. Crop yield was significantly increased by LC and ZL in the first year. Although in the second year no significant differences were verified, the cumulative yield increased significantly by 31.6% and 35.5% in LC and ZL trees, respectively. LC enhanced the moisture and size of olives, while ZL increased, in general, the concentrations of oleuropein, verbascoside, caffeic acid and epicatechin, as well the oleic/linoleic ratio in fruits and the levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, tyrosol, verbascoside and caffeic acid in olive oil. Despite the higher concentration of total phenols in the fruits and oil from T trees in the warmer and dryer year, the quality of the oil decreased, mainly when compared with ZL, as evidenced by the peroxide value and K232 and K270 coefficients. In short, both sustainable soil management strategies appear to be promising practices to implement in olive orchards under rainfed conditions, but the innovative strategy of combining zeolites with legume cover crops, first reported in the present study, confers advantages from a nutritional and technological point of view. Nevertheless, studies subjected to the long-term use of these practices should be conducted to ensure the sustainability of the crop yield and olive oil quality.

Algumas práticas no Ensino de Ciências têm se colocado como obsoletas, dada a variedade de informações disseminadas hoje com as redes sociais. Por isso, formas de ensinar centradas nos debates e na troca de saberes podem ser um caminho viável para a construção participativa do conhecimento científico nos espaços de escolarização. Nesse contexto, surge o Projeto de Educação Popular em Ciências (PEPCiências), com o intuito de convidar diferentes cientistas e profissionais para conversar sobre temas variados, com a perspectiva da popularização das Ciências a partir do reconhecimento e valorização de outros saberes sociais. Neste relato, as impressões dos monitores desse projeto de extensão são analisadas e discutidas à luz da Educação Popular e do voluntariado dos oficineiros convidados, com vistas aos limites e potencialidades dessa ação para outras escolas.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar se a hiperemia reativa correlaciona-se com marcadores de disfunção endotelial e pode ser utilizada para identificar sepse na doença crítica. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo prospectivo em uma coorte de pacientes críticos. A disfunção endotelial foi avaliada quando da admissão, por meio da quantificação de hiperemia por tonometria arterial periférica e níveis plasmáticos de endotelina 1, E-selectina solúvel, endocana e sindecano 1. Os pacientes sépticos foram comparados com pacientes sem evidência de infecção. Resultados: Cinquenta e oito pacientes sépticos foram comparados com 28 controle. O logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica teve correlação negativa com comorbidades cardiovasculares, severidade da doença e níveis plasmáticos de E-selectina solúvel (p = 0,024) e sindecano 1 (p < 0,001). O logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica foi mais baixo nos pacientes sépticos quando comparado com os de pacientes controle (0,53 ± 0,48 versus 0,69 ± 0,42, respectivamente) e, quando ajustado à idade, o modelo multivariado predisse que cada 0,1 de diminuição em unidades de logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica levou a aumento de 14,6% na probabilidade de infecção. Conclusão: A hiperemia reativa avaliada por tonometria arterial periférica tem estreita relação com E-selectina solúvel e sindecano 1, o que sugere associação entre ativação endotelial, degradação de glicocálix e reatividade vascular. A hiperemia reativa por tonometria arterial periférica parece estar comprometida em pacientes críticos, especialmente os com sepse.

Over the years, the number of researches and studies focused on psychosomatic diseases are greater and, each time, but based on scientific input. These studies are related to emotions, feelings and thoughts that may be out of balance with several factors, such as traumatic experiences, somatizations and episodes of stress. Renowned authors, such as Sigmund Freud(1956 –1939)and contemporaries like Mello Filho, identified that the body can become ill as a result of emotional problems, since the organism is constituted by a partnership between mind-body that interact with cultural, social and environmental factors. These diseases are the result of harmonic imbalance or deregulation of the fields of the mind, body and external environment. This article aimed, through bibliographic and descriptive research, to present the manifestation of psychosomatic symptoms, relating stress to work activities and proposing ways to combat this type of illness. We observed that psychosomatic illnesses can be linked to stress arising from the work environment, causing physical symptoms, including nausea, insomnia, flu, migraine allergies, sweating, among others. However, we understand that a cultural and social change in the way we look at the worker is necessary, factors that imply strategies and organizational alternatives that seek to avoid and alleviate these symptoms. Daily activities carried out by the institutions, as alternatives for the individual to understand the meaning of their work, to be calm and satisfied with their functions,as well,as with the challenges inherent to work, can help in minimizing psychosomatic symptoms.

NADPH oxidase isoform-2 (NOX2) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain (NP), mostly through the modulation of neuroinflammation. Since it is also accepted that some neuroimmune mechanisms underlying NP are sex-dependent, we aimed to evaluate the effects of early systemic treatment with the NOX2-selective inhibitor (NOX2i) GSK2795039 on behavioral responses and spinal neuroinflammation in spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced NP in male and female mice. Mechanical sensitivity was evaluated with the von Frey test, while general well-being and anxiety-like behavior were assessed with burrowing and light/dark box tests. Spinal microglial activation and cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, as well as macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were evaluated by immunofluorescence and multiplex immunoassay, respectively. NOX2i treatment reduced SNI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and early SNI-induced microglial activation in both sexes. SNI-females, but not males, showed a transient reduction in burrowing activity. NOX2i treatment did not improve their burrowing activity, but tendentially reduced their anxiety-like behavior. NOX2i marginally decreased IL-6 in females, and increased M-CSF in males. Our findings suggest that NOX2-selective inhibition may be a potential therapeutic strategy for NP in both male and female individuals, with particular interest in females due to its apparent favorable impact in anxiety-like behavior.

The effects of mineral fertilizers on the physicochemical properties of olives and oil under rainfed conditions is scarce. In this three-year study, the results of a nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and boron (B) fertilization trial carried out in a young rainfed olive grove and arranged as a nutrient omission trial are reported. The control consisted of the application of N, P, K and B (NPKB) and four other treatments corresponded to the removal of one of them (N0, P0, K0 and B0). Olive yield and several variables associated with the physicochemical properties of olives and oil were evaluated. The NPKB treatment increased olive yield compared to the treatment that did not receive N (N0). Although dependent on the climate conditions of the crop season, the NPKB treatment increased fruit weight and the pulp/pit ratio and its fruits tended to accumulate more oil than K0. However, the phenolics concentrations on fruits and oil tended to be lower. All olive oil samples were classified in the “extra virgin” category and all showed a decrease in its stability between 3 and 15 months of storage, regardless of treatment, especially in N0, P0 and B0 treatments. The results of the sensorial analysis indicate that all the oils fell into the medium fruitiness and greenly-fruity category. Only in P0 and B0 were defects detected, namely muddy sediment. Thus, this study seems to indicate the importance of N application, but also a balanced nutrient application and that further studies are needed, given the difficulty in finding clear trends in the response of measured variables to fertilizer treatments.

Nitrogen (N) fertilization has been extensively studied all over the world, not only due to its impact on plant growth and yield, but also on product quality. Olive oil is a natural product highly valued by the markets, due to its role in the Mediterranean diet, but only when its quality is above legally established standards. Thus, it is important to continue to study how cropping practices can impact the quality of olive oil in order to fine-tune the guidelines issued to producers. The objective of the three-year study was to assess the effect of the application of 0, (N0), 40 (N40) and 120 (N120) kg ha−1 of N in a rainfed olive grove on variables associated with fruit biometry and the maturation index, polyphenols in olives and olive oil, the evolution of the quality of the oil over time and sensory analysis. The application of N prolonged the period of coloration, delaying the maturation of the fruits, particularly in the higher doses of N applied. N application changed the phenolic composition and the antioxidant capacity of the fruits and olive oil, but without a clear trend among years. In general, the high N rate negatively affected the quality of the oils, reducing the oxidative stability and bitterness of the oil when compared to N40 treatment; this is due to the lower content of phenolic compounds that have a radical scavenging capacity. Excessive N application (N120) increased the degradation of the oil quality, as it led to an increase in the K232 extinction coefficient. Moderate N rates (N40) seem to be a good compromise to guarantee the quality and stability of the oil, although there was some interference from other uncontrolled environmental variables; these were probably accentuated because the olives came from a rainfed olive grove. The sensory analysis panel detected a defect (winey-vinegary flavour) in the oil from N40 treatment that is difficult to justify and will need more attention in future studies.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLT) are potent vascular leakage-promoting agents but have been scarcely explored in human septic shock (SS). We evaluated CysLT at admission and during hospitalization and their correlation with endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, and cardiac, renal, respiratory, and hepatic parameters in SS patients. Blood and spot-urine samples were collected at days 1–2 (admission), 3–4, and 5–8 in SS patients (n = 13) and at a single time point in controls (n = 22). Urinary CysLT (u-CysLT) and isoprostanes, plasma, and urinary angiotensinogen, serum myeloperoxidase, and IL-10 were quantified by ELISA. Serum intercellular-adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell-adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were measured by multiplex immunoassays. Routine markers were evaluated using automated analyzers. At admission, SS patients had increased u-CysLT, endothelial activation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and plasma and urinary angiotensinogen, as well as cardiac, respiratory, hepatic, and renal injury/dysfunction. There were no changes in u-CysLT during hospitalization. Both correlation and multivariate analyses showed positive relationships of u-CysLT with endothelial activation, inflammation, oxidative stress, proteinuria, and hepatic injury/dysfunction markers. These results suggest that u-CysLT may be potential non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying SS, as well as putative therapeutic targets.

O Código do Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares contem inúmeras opções legítimas de tributação, que estão ao alcance do sujeito passivo residente e não residente, pela liberdade jurídica e fiscal que lhe é inerente, e que lhe permitem alcançar a tão desejada poupança fiscal. Neste sentido, pretendemos elencar e desenvolver algumas das opções concedidas ao sujeito passivo residente noutro Estado-Membro da União Europeia ou do Espaço Económico Europeu, seguindo uma abordagem que se centra não só num esclarecimento da própria opção, como na motivação delineada pelo legislador fiscal na introdução das alternativas e as vantagens e desvantagens subjacentes.

Soil degradation processes and climate change threaten the sustainability of Mediterranean rainfed olive orchards, with repercussions on crop yield and quality of olives, olive oil and olive by-products. Using soil amendments can enhance soil fertility for sustained environmental quality and plant performance. For two years, we evaluated, under rainfed conditions, the effects of a fertilizer compound (FC) and its combination with zeolites (ZL) and biochar (BC) amendments on soil moisture, yield, fruit and oil polyphenols and quality indices. The polyphenolic composition was strongly influenced by treatments, although no effects were observed on crop yield. ZL improved soil moisture (average increase of 26.3% compared to FC), fruit fatty acid composition (increase of 12.4% in oleic/linoleic ratio in 2018) and oil quality, BC enhanced the concentrations of polyphenols with high nutritional value (average annual increase of 25.6, 84.8 and 11.6% for 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, oleuropein and rutin, respectively). In contrast, olive oil from FC fruits showed the poorest quality, with oxidation and hydrolytic breakdown signals. The applied soil amendments appear to be a promising sustainable strategy to implement in olive rainfed orchards.

Migraine is a complex neurovascular disorder affecting one billion people worldwide, mainly females. It is characterized by attacks of moderate to severe headache pain, with associated symptoms. Receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP1) is part of the Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) receptor, a pharmacological target for migraine. Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, play a role in clinical presentation of various diseases. DNA methylation occurs mostly in the gene promoter and can control gene expression. We investigated the methylation state of the RAMP1 promoter in 104 female blood DNA samples: 54 migraineurs and 50 controls. We treated DNA with sodium bisulfite and performed PCR, Sanger Sequencing, and Epigenetic Sequencing Methylation (ESME) software analysis. We identified 51 CpG dinucleotides, and 5 showed methylation variability. Migraineurs had a higher number of individuals with all five CpG methylated when compared to controls (26% vs. 16%), although non-significant (p = 0.216). We also found that CpG −284 bp, related to the transcription start site (TSS), showed higher methylation levels in cases (p = 0.011). This CpG may potentially play a role in migraine, affecting RAMP1 transcription or receptor malfunctioning and/or altered CGRP binding. We hope to confirm this finding in a larger cohort and establish an epigenetic biomarker to predict female migraine risk.

A rapid and non-destructive method based in time domain reflectometry analysis (TDR), which detects and quantifies the water content in the muscle, was developed for the control of abusive water addition to octopus. Common octopus samples were immersed in freshwater for different periods (0.5–32 h) to give a wide range of moisture contents, representing different commercial conditions. Control and water-added octopus were analyzed with a TDR sensor, and data correlated with moisture content were used for calibration and method validation. A maximum limit of moisture content of 85.2 g/100 g in octopus is proposed for conformity assessment, unless the label indicates that water (>5%) was added. Calibration results showed that TDR analysis can discriminate control and water-added octopus, especially for octopus immersed for longer periods (32 h). In addition, moisture content can be quantified in octopus using only TDR analysis (between 80 and 90 g/100 g; RMSE = 1.1%). TDR data and correlation with moisture content show that this non-destructive methodology can be used by the industry and quality control inspections for assessment of octopus quality and to verify compliance with legislation, promoting fair trade practices, and further contributing to a sustainable use of resources.

Abstract This article aimed to simulate the new method proposed by the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES) for the classification of Qualis 2017-2020 by tracing the path that led to the B3 stratification attributed to the journal Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology (BABT). Data collection was based on the evaluation of articles published between 2017 and 2018 to obtain the Lattes curricula of the author(s). Other goals were to verify their participation in stricto sensu postgraduate programs recognized by CAPES; to identify the program’s evaluation area according to CAPES; and to establish the association of authors/co-authors with their respective countries. Overall 199 articles were identified, with 897 authors/co-authors, 359 of which are associated with Brazilian institutions. A participation of at least one Brazilian author/co-author could be verified in 69 articles, out of which 60 had at least one professor affiliated to a stricto sensu postgraduate program recognized by CAPES. There was professors linked to 26 of the 49 CAPES evaluation areas, whereby the highest number of publications were Food Science and Agrarian Sciences I, both with 16 occurrences each. It was verified that the criteria established by the CAPES’ guiding document were not adequately followed. It could be concluded that the journal BABT should have been classified in the stratum A2, with a possible oscillation between A1 and A4, so that its classification as a B3 publication is out of the range foreseen in CAPES’ established criteria.

Soil conditioners and beneficial microorganisms are important tools that can be used to increase the sustainability of agro-systems. However, the high diversity of conditions where they can be applied may influence the results, which requires extensive field research. In this study, a field trial of four years was conducted in olive (Olea europaea L.) to assess the effect of biochar, zeolites and a commercial mycorrhizal inoculum in the photosynthetic performance, nutritional status of trees, olive yield and soil properties. The experimental design also included a fertilizer treatment with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and boron (B), which nutrients were applied at 50 kg ha−1 of N, P2O5 and K2O and 2 kg ha−1 of B, and an untreated control. The mineral fertilizer treatment increased significantly the dry mass of pruning wood and the average olive yield by 21% over the control treatment. The mineral treatment increased plant N nutritional status, the most likely reason why the trees of this treatment performed better. Overall, the soil treatments had net photosynthetic rates similar to each other and higher than the control treatment, from the second year onwards. Biochar increased soil organic matter, as a result of the carbon (C) contained in the amendment itself, and probably by stimulating soil biological activity. Biochar and zeolites did not improve the productive performances of the tress, but increased the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), which can benefit the system in the long-term. Mycorrhizal fungi did not show any benefit for soil or plants, which could mean that mycorrhization was not established, or their effect was not better than that of native microorganisms. In the conditions of this study, the interest of using commercial mycorrhizal fungi in a mature olive orchard seems to be low.

Abstract Background Education sessions about palliative care among teenagers are uncommon in developed countries. However, very little is known either about the impact of this type of intervention or about how this age-group perceives its impact. The purpose of this study was therefore to (i) implement an education program about palliative care among teenagers and (ii) to investigate the impact of the program on the participants. Methods An action-research study was conducted at a local community parish in Portugal in November 2015. An education programme was purposively built about palliative care, using active educational strategies adapted for teenagers. Quantitative and qualitative techniques and instruments were used for data collection: questionnaire; reflective diaries; interviews and written testimony. The program had three stages: preparation; intervention; and evaluation. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis; quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Results 69 people (47 teenagers) participated in the education program. Findings show that the education program contributed to creating awareness about palliative care. Both the teenagers and other participants assessed the education program positively. At the end of the program, teenagers had a constructive message about palliative care. Conclusions The education-intervention contributed to create awareness about palliative care among the participant teenagers, who ended the program with a positive message about palliative care. Based on our findings, the following policy implications can be drawn: (1) Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of education programs about palliative care among younger age groups (teenagers and children), particularly in relation to the changing of attitudes toward palliative care. (2) Education about palliative care should be promoted to local communities, involving all age groups, to foster involvement, participation and empowerment. (3) Compassionate communities should be promoted to enhance the health and wellbeing of all citizens at the end of their life.

The use of anti-hail nets on orchards changes the microclimate underneath the net. This might be of great importance in apple growing regions characterized by high radiation levels and hot and dry climates during the summer season. But, depending on the net colour and on the local climatic conditions, the shade promoted triggers different responses by the trees. Grey and black anti-hail nets were applied in an apple orchard (cv. ‘Golden Delicious’) located in Northeast Portugal. Under the nets a lower concentration of glomalin related-soil proteins was observed, along with an improvement on trees water status, stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, total chlorophylls, N, Mg, Fe and Cu concentrations, as well as an increase in mean fruit weight. The major difference between nets was on the photosynthetic efficiency, being higher on black net in sunny days, while grey net performed better under cloudy conditions. The use of netting systems proved to be effective in improving “Golden Delicious” apple trees performance under a Mediterranean climate, mainly when the radiation reaching the plants surpass the tree saturation point for photosynthesis. Therefore, these findings anticipate solutions for current and forecasted negative effects of climate change.

Strategies for waste valorisation from domestic and agro-industrial activities must be pursued, and its use as a soil amendment is an interesting possibility. In this four-year study, the effect of applying municipal solid waste (MSW), farmyard manure (FYM), bottom wood ash supplemented with nitrogen (Ash + N), the inorganic fertilization common in the region (50 kg ha−1 N, P2O5 and K2O) (Control) and this inorganic fertilization supplemented with 70 kg N ha−1 (High N) was assessed in a rainfed olive grove planted in a shallow soil with low organic matter and managed with conventional tillage. The High N treatment significantly increased olive yield in comparison to the other treatments (165% more than MSW), and soil available N proved to be the main driver for tree productivity. MSW and FYM increased soil organic matter, as well as the levels of phosphorus and cation exchange capacity, leaving good indications for future production cycles, although during the four years of the study these treatments provided little N to the trees. The High N treatment significantly reduced soil organic matter (63% less than MSW). The result was attributed in part to the soil management system that did not allow the development of herbaceous vegetation, but also to an effect known as “added N interaction”, in which the excess of inorganic N in the soil might have contributed to accelerate the mineralization of native soil organic matter, an aspect that compromises the sustainability of this fertilization strategy. Although MSW and wood ash are sometimes associated with risks of environmental contamination with heavy metals, in this study the levels of heavy metals in soils and in plant tissues were not of concern.

Abstract Background Vitamin D (VitD) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) play important roles in calcium metabolism and skeletal homeostasis. Estimates of the VitD status in several European countries show large variations between them. In addition, no national population-based estimate has been published. VitD and PTH may also play important roles in cardiovascular risk, which has been suggested to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and is very prevalent in Portugal. The goal of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and its determinants as well as PTH serum level determinants and associations of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PTH serum levels with MetS and its individual components in a sample of the Portuguese mainland population. Methods PORMETS is a national cross-sectional study that includes a total sample of 4095 adults. A subsample, including 500 participants, was randomly selected for the present study. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect information on personal medical histories and socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics. Blood pressure and anthropometrics measurements were performed. Fasting venous samples were collected and PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured. VitD adequacy was classified according to the Institute of Medicine, and MetS was classified according to the Joint Interim Statement recommendations. Multiple linear regression and unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between the levels of PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and with MetS and its individual components. Results The prevalence of VitD deficiency was 37.7%, and MetS was present in 191 participants (38.4%). The serum PTH levels showed a positive association (OR: 1.014; 95%CI: 1.002, 1.026) with the waist circumference component of MetS. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were negatively associated with MetS (OR: 0.957; 95%CI: 0.922, 0.993) as well as with its blood pressure (OR: 0.949; 95%CI: 0.912, 0.987) and triglycerides (OR: 0.930; 95%CI: 0.892, 0.969) components. Conclusion This study showed a high national prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. The PTH levels showed a significant positive association with the WC component of MetS, and the VitD levels were negatively associated with the BP and triglycerides components as well as with the MetS.

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD, also known as spinocerebellar ataxia 3 or SCA3) is the most common dominant ataxia worldwide, with an overall average prevalence of 1–5/100,000. To this date, two major ancestral lineages have been found throughout the world. In China, the relative frequency of MJD among the SCAs reaches as high as 63%, however, little is known about its mutational origin in this country. We analyzed 50 families with MJD patients in two or more generations to study the hypothesis that new mutational events have occurred in this population. Haplotypes based on 20 SNPs have shown new genetic backgrounds segregating with MJD mutations in our cohort from China. We found the “Joseph-derived” lineage (Joseph lineage with a G variant in rs56268847) to be very common among Chinese MJD patients. Moreover, we estimated the time for the origin of this MJD SNP background based on STR diversity flanking the (CAG)n of ATXN3. It was surprising to find that the Chinese MJD population originated from 8,000 to 17,000 years ago, far earlier than the previous literature reports, which will be an important evidence to explain the origin, spread and founder effects of MJD.

At least 40 human diseases are associated with repeat expansions; yet, the mutational origin and instability mechanisms remain unknown for most of them. Previously, genetic epidemiology and predisposing backgrounds for the instability of some expanding loci have been studied in different populations through the analysis of diversity flanking the respective pathogenic repeats. Here, we aimed at developing a pipeline to assess disease-associated haplotypes at oligonucleotide repeat loci, combining analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short tandem repeats (STRs). Machado-Joseph disease (MJD/SCA3), the most frequent dominant ataxia worldwide, was used as an example of a detailed procedure. Thus, to identify genetic backgrounds that segregate with expanded/mutated alleles in MJD, we selected a set of 26 SNPs and 7 STRs flanking the causative CAG repeat. Key criteria and steps for this selection are described, and included (1) haplotype blocks minimizing the occurrence of recombination (for SNPs); and (2) match scores to increase potential for polymorphic information content of repetitive sequences found in Tandem Repeats Finder (for STRs). To directly assess SNP haplotypes in phase with MJD expansions, we optimized a strategy with preferential amplification of normal over expanded alleles, in addition to SNP allele-specific amplifications; this allowed the identification of disease-associated SNP haplotypes, even when only the proband is available in a given family. To infer STR haplotypes, we optimized a multiplex PCR, including 7 STRs plus the MJD_CAG repeat, followed by analysis of segregation or the use of the PHASE software. This protocol is a ready-to-use tool to assess MJD haplotypes in different populations. The pipeline designed can be used to assess disease-associated haplotypes in other repeat-expansion diseases. This should be of great utility to study (1) genetic epidemiology (population-of-origin, age and spreading routes of mutations) and (2) mechanisms responsible for de novo expansions, in these neurological diseases; (3) to detect predisposing haplotypes and (4) phenotype modifiers; (5) to help solving cases of apparent homoallelism (two same-size normal alleles) in diagnosis; and (6) to identify the best targets for the development of allele-specific therapies in ethnically diverse patient populations.

The effect of commercial mycorrhizal fungi on pre-rooted olive cuttings was assessed. The study consisted of two experiments, the first arranged as a factorial design with three cultivars (Cobrançosa, Madural, and Verdeal Transmontana) and three soil treatments (commercial mycorrhizal fungi, zeolites, and control) and the second as a completely randomized design with three treatments (commercial mycorrhizal fungi, sterilized soil, and control). Cobrançosa grew better than the other cultivars, showing good rooting and initial growth features. Mycorrhizal plants showed reduced growth in comparison to those of the untreated control. This result was explained by competition for photosynthates between plant growth and the expansion of fungi hyphae. Cuttings of reduced leaf area and a twin-wall polycarbonate cover of the greenhouse, somewhat opaque to photosynthetic active radiation, may also have contributed to limit the maximum photosynthetic rate and delay the growth of the inoculated plants. Accordingly, in the mycorrhizal pots, the soil organic carbon (C) increased, probably due to the presence of fungi hyphae in soil samples. Zeolites reduced plant dry matter (DM) yield and tissue phosphorus (P) concentration compared to the control, while increasing the availability in the soil of the cations present in their initial composition. Soil sterilization seems to have reduced soil P bioavailability by inactivating soil enzymes. This study showed that the inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi of pre-rooted cuttings can delay their initial growth. Although these plants may be better prepared to grow in the field, in the short term, their lower development can be a problem for the nurseryman.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent cause of dementia, being considered a major health problem, especially in developed countries. Late-onset AD is the most common form of the disease, with symptoms appearing after 65 years old. Genetic determinants of AD risk are vastly unknown, though, ε 4 allele of the ApoE gene has been reported as the strongest genetic risk factor for AD. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between brain complexity and the presence of ApoE ε 4 alleles along the AD continuum. For this purpose, resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) activity was analyzed by computing Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC) from 46 healthy control subjects, 49 mild cognitive impairment subjects, 45 mild AD patients, 44 moderate AD patients and 33 severe AD patients, subdivided by ApoE status. Subjects with one or more ApoE ε 4 alleles were included in the carriers subgroups, whereas the ApoE ε 4 non-carriers subgroups were formed by subjects without any ε 4 allele. Our results showed that AD continuum is characterized by a progressive complexity loss. No differences were observed between AD ApoE ε 4 carriers and non-carriers. However, brain activity from healthy subjects with ApoE ε 4 allele (carriers subgroup) is more complex than from non-carriers, mainly in left temporal, frontal and posterior regions (p-values < 0.05, FDR-corrected Mann–Whitney U-test). These results suggest that the presence of ApoE ε 4 allele could modify the EEG complexity patterns in different brain regions, as the temporal lobes. These alterations might be related to anatomical changes associated to neurodegeneration, increasing the risk of suffering dementia due to AD before its clinical onset. This interesting finding might help to advance in the development of new tools for early AD diagnosis.

The significant increase of the enrollment rate of target-public students from Special Education to Higher Education has been problematized today. This text aims to describe and analyze the contributions of using of an instrument provided by INEP/MEC to identify this public in a university context. Sample used in this research was compounded by 597 students who declared themselves as people with disabilities, pervasive developmental disorders or intellectual giftedness according a mapping done by a São Paulo State public university in Brazil. Data collection was done through an electronic formulary during the re-enrolling process, according the Higher Education Census. Although the findings of this study revealed that the collection instrument indicated by INEP/MEC allowed mapping data of the special education public in this teaching modality, it was found that the use of terminologies, without making explicit the target-audience features, corroborated an overvaluation of the disability indication by the respondents. In spite of these findings, this kind of study asserts the provision of public policies to this purpose has helped to demystify the anonymity of persons with disabilities in higher education.

Pathologic staging is currently the most important prognostic factor in colon cancer, although individually this procedure does not provide a complete clinical outcome.This study aimed to determine the disease-specific survival of patients with colon cancer treated in the Braga Hospital from January 2005 to December 2013, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 6th edition, and the disease-free survival and disease-specific survival of high- and low-risk stage II patients, whether in use, or not, of adjuvant chemotherapy.We obtained a total sample of 578 patients, with 145 and 65 high- and low-risk stage II patients, respectively. We observed a 5-year disease-specific survival rate of 93%, 27.4% and 75% for stage IIA, IIB and IIIA patients, respectively, where IIIA and IIB present statistically significant differences (p = 0.001). In high-risk stage II patients, disease-free survival (p = 0.107) and disease-specific survival (p = 0.037) were higher in the group submitted to chemotherapy. In low- risk patients, disease-free survival was higher in the group submitted to chemotherapy (p = 0.494), while disease-specific survival was lower (p = 0.426).The differences observed between stage IIB and IIIA survival can be explained by the consensual use of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IIIA, and by its controversial use in stage IIB. Adjuvant chemotherapy showed to be effective only in high-risk stage II patients in terms of disease-specific survival.In the future, other markers, namely molecular ones, may be used to stratify the risk of stage II patients and determine who will benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Resumo: O estadiamento patológico é, atualmente, o fator de prognóstico mais importante do câncer de cólon, embora individualmente não preveja totalmente o resultado clínico.Neste estudo, pretendeu-se determinar a sobrevivência para uma doença específica (SDE) dos pacientes com câncer de cólon tratados no Hospital de Braga entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2013, de acordo com a 6ª edição da American Joint Committee on Cancer e a Sobrevivência Livre de Doença (SLD) e SDE dos doentes em estadio II, classificados em alto e baixo risco, de acordo com a realização ou não de quimioterapia adjuvante.Obtivemos uma amostra total de 578 pacientes, dos quais uma parcela pertencia ao estadio II de alto ou de baixo risco (145 e 65 pacientes, respetivamente). Observamos SDE a 5 anos de: 93%, 27,4% e 75% para os estadios IIA, IIB e IIIA, respetivamente; IIIA e IIB apresentaram diferenças significativas (p = 0,001). SLD (p = 0,107) e SDE (p = 0,037) para o estadio II de alto risco foram superiores no grupo tratado com quimioterapia. Nos doentes de baixo risco, SLD foi superior no grupo tratado com quimioterapia (p = 0,494), enquanto que SDE foi inferior (p = 0,426).As diferenças de sobrevivência observadas para os estadios IIB e IIIA podem se dever ao uso controverso da quimioterapia em IIB e ao uso consensual em IIIA. O uso da quimioterapia adjuvante demonstrou ser efetivo nos doentes em estadio II de alto risco em termos de SDE.Futuramente, outros marcadores, nomeadamente moleculares, poderão vir a ser utilizados para estratificar o risco do estadio II e definir quem se beneficiará com o tratamento adjuvante. Keywords: Colon cancer, High- and low-risk stage II, Disease-free survival, Disease-specific survival, Palavras-chave: Câncer de cólon, Estadio II de alto risco e baixo risco, Sobrevivência livre de doença, Sobrevivência para uma doença específica

O artigo busca analisar a gestão de qualidade do ensino básico de Moçambique como forma de contribuição para a melhoria no processo de ensino aprendizagem em três instituições de ensino primário. Foram pesquisados professores e diretores escolares centrando-se na análise de conteúdo e de documentos oficiais do Governo moçambicano. Como técnica para coleta de dados utilizou-se entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado, optando-se pela abordagem qualitativa. As variáveis analisadas foram mecanismos de qualidade, competência dos diretores e professores e, perfil e formação dos mesmos. Os resultados mostram os fatores considerados pertinentes para melhorar a qualidade de educação, como políticas mais efetivas de orientação ao aluno, formação continuada e integrada dos professores, e profissionais das escolas, condições de trabalho, gestão democrático-participativa e implementação de sistema de avaliação. Constatou-se que uma melhor gestão é importante para um melhor desempenho das escolas e dos alunos, exigindo do diretor esforços para um melhor controle e análise do processo dentro e fora da sala de aula.

High throughput sequencing technologies have revolutionized the identification of mutations responsible for genetic diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, approximately 50% of individuals with a clinical diagnosis of HCM have no causal mutation identified. This may be due to the presence of pathogenic mutations located deep within the introns, which are not detected by conventional sequencing analysis restricted to exons and exon-intron boundaries.The aim of this study was to develop a whole-gene sequencing strategy to prioritize deep intronic variants that may play a role in HCM pathogenesis.The full genomic DNA sequence of 26 genes previously associated with HCM was analysed in 16 unrelated patients. We identified likely pathogenic deep intronic variants in VCL, PRKAG2 and TTN genes. These variants, which are predicted to act through disruption of either splicing or transcription factor binding sites, are 3-fold more frequent in our cohort of probands than in normal European populations. Moreover, we found a patient that is compound heterozygous for a splice site mutation in MYBPC3 and the deep intronic VCL variant. Analysis of family members revealed that carriers of the MYBPC3 mutation alone do not manifest the disease, while family members that are compound heterozygous are clinically affected.This study provides a framework for scrutinizing variation along the complete intronic sequence of HCM-associated genes and prioritizing candidates for mechanistic and functional analysis. Our data suggest that deep intronic variation contributes to HCM phenotype.

INTRODUCTION:Professionals working in intensive and palliative care units, hence caring for patients at the end-of-life, are at risk of developing burnout. Workplace conditions are determinant factors to develop this syndrome among professionals providing end-of-life care. OBJECTIVES:To identify and compare burnout levels between professionals working in intensive and palliative care units; and to assess which workplace experiences are associated with burnout. METHODS:A nationwide, multicentre quantitative comparative survey study was conducted in Portugal using the following instruments: Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, Questionnaire of workplace experiences and ethical decisions, and Questionnaire of socio-demographic and professional characteristics. A total of 355 professionals from 10 intensive care and 9 palliative care units participated in the survey. A series of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed; odds ratio sidelong with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS:27% of the professionals exhibited burnout. This was more frequent in intensive care units (OR = 2.525, 95% CI: 1.025-6.221, p = .006). Univariate regression analyses showed that higher burnout levels were significantly associated with conflicts, decisions to withhold/withdraw treatment, and implementing palliative sedation. When controlling for socio-demographic and educational characteristics, and setting (intensive care units versus palliative care units), higher burnout levels were significantly and positively associated with experiencing conflicts in the workplace. Having post-graduate education in intensive/palliative care was significantly but inversely associated to higher burnout levels. CONCLUSIONS:Compared to palliative care, working in intensive care units more than doubled the likelihood of exhibiting burnout. Experiencing conflicts (e.g., with patients and/or families, intra and/or inter-teams) was the most significant determinant of burnout and having post-graduate education in intensive/palliative care protected professionals from developing this syndrome. This highlights the need for promoting empowering workplace conditions, such as team empowerment and conflict management. Moreover, findings suggest the need for implementing quality improvement strategies and organizational redesign strategies aimed at integrating the philosophy, principles and practices of palliative care in intensive care units.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the top model organisms used in biomedical research. Therefore, it is fundamental that zebrafish facilities continuously improve husbandry methods to provide fish with the best physiological and welfare conditions that suit each experimental purpose. Nutrition is a husbandry aspect that needs further optimization, as it greatly affects growth, reproduction, health and behaviour. Here, we have compared the impact of different feeding regimens on zebrafish survival, growth and reproductive performance. Mutant and wild-type zebrafish were raised using several combinations of two cold-extruded processed feeds—Skretting®GemmaMicro and Sparos®Zebrafeed—and one live feed (rotifers). Zebrafeed® outperformed GemmaMicro® in terms of survival rate, and embryo viability was also higher when the spawners were fed with Zebrafeed® either from larval stage or upon sexual maturation. In contrast, GemmaMicro® favoured growth, both in size and weight. The use of rotifers until 60 days post-fertilization improved survival of fish co-fed with GemmaMicro®, while delaying their growth. Zebrafeed® performance was not affected by co-feeding rotifers. Overall, we showed that different nutritional formulas affect physiological parameters, allowing for the establishment of feeding protocols adapted to the objectives of each facility. At the same time, we validated Skretting®GemmaMicro and Sparos®Zebrafeed as two commercially available feeds that are well suited for zebrafish nutrition in a laboratory environment.