Search

This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic and health‐related factors associated with the consumption of voluntarily fortified foods with micronutrients (Mn‐FF) by the Portuguese population, using data from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN‐AF 2015–2016). Food consumption, sociodemographic and other health‐related factors, and physical activity data were computerised using the You Eat & Move e‐platform. Foods consumed by participants and labelled foods reported as consumed were included in the database. Mn‐FF were considered all foods containing added micronutrients legally authorised, and MN‐FF users were those who consumed at least one Mn‐FF on at least one of the dietary recall days. Approximately 57% of the population consumed at least one Mn‐FF. Children and adolescents consumed significantly more Mn‐FF than older age groups. The primary contributors to Mn‐FF consumption were breakfast cereals and fat spreads. Being a child (female OR 2.07 [95% CI: 1.52, 2.83]; male OR 4.80 [95% CI: 3.23, 7.14]) or adolescent (female OR 1.62 [95% CI: 1.78, 2.22]; male OR 4.59 [95% CI: 3.26, 6.47]), having a higher level of education (female OR 1.52 [95% CI: 1.17, 1.99]; male OR 1.85 [95% CI: 1.42, 2.42]) and engaging in regular physical activity (female OR 1.31 [95% CI: 1.09, 1.58]; male OR 1.36 [95% CI: 1.11, 1.68]) were factors positively associated with Mn‐FF consumption. Conversely, obesity (female OR 0.76 [95% CI: 0.60, 0.96]), living in predominantly rural areas (male OR 0.70 [95% CI: 0.49, 0.91]) and eating fewer mid‐meals per day (female OR 0.60 [95% CI: 0.48, 0.76]; male OR 0.64 [95% CI: 0.49, 0.84]) were associated with lower Mn‐FF consumption. Younger age, higher education and physical activity practice were positively associated with Mn‐FF consumption. These findings provide important insights on priority factors to be considered when deciding on nutrient fortification policies from both public health and food industry perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the validity and reliability evidence of the multidimensional measure of employability (MME) based on the internal structure and relations to career self‐efficacy and career success. Two hundred forty seven Portuguese persons (75.7% women) aged from 21–73 years old (M = 39.9, SD = 10.9) participated. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested adequate fit in the correlational and hierarchical models. Measurement reliability was good for total score and each factor. Correlations with the additional measures provided evidence of validity. MME provides a tool for research and career counseling, enabling comprehensive employability assessment and personalized interventions, while recognising the interplay between employability dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of career development among unemployed people is vital for effective institutional responses. This integrative review based on Torraco's protocol fills a literature gap by synthesizing research on interventions for this population. Seven keywords, five databases, and six eligibility criteria were defined. Among 324 articles, 36 were reviewed. Findings highlight diverse counseling modalities, emphasizing group interventions and remote delivery. Tailored approaches, including length, frequency, and social‐emotional and career dimensions, are crucial. Practical recommendations emphasize comprehensive, psychological support, goal‐oriented counseling, and postintervention assistance. These insights underscore vocational psychology's importance in addressing unemployment, impacting government policies, career services, and psychologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of detailed and high‐quality food consumption data is essential for EFSA's risk assessments. In 2014, EFSA published the EU Menu guidance on collecting such data in a harmonised way. The ERA EU Menu project aims to give evidence‐based recommendations for updating the EU menu guidance. Based on a literature review on the landscape of methods and tools available for national dietary surveys, lessons learned through an evaluation of the data collected under the EU menu, and a symposium on 'Harmonised Food Consumption Data Collection in Europe: Time to Reflect and Plan Ahead', recommendations for an update of the EU Menu guidance were derived. Regarding the topic organisation and planning, the current guidance seems adequate. It is recommended to stimulate more data collection on subgroups such as pregnant and lactating women, vegetarians, and adults over 74. For dietary assessment, flexibility is recommended to accommodate differences in the appropriateness of using interviewer‐administered or self‐administered new –technology‐based 24‐hour dietary recalls or food records. More specific guidance is recommended regarding the aspects of food description using FoodEx2 facets, standardisation of the food propensity questionnaire, quality monitoring and assurance, data transfer and reporting. Such updated guidance is thought to lead to better data quality and better insight in data quality. Moreover, better harmonised data can be achieved with improvements in various EU Menu guidance aspects. For dietary assessment, creating flexibility is needed due to differences in the degree of digitalisation in European societies and to gain more experience in the large‐scale application of self‐administered dietary assessment methods. It is recommended that EFSA also uses other strategies to obtain good quality and better harmonised data. These could include financial incentives, tender specifications consistent with the EU Menu guidance, and supporting capacity building and the sharing of protocols, materials, and lessons learned between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical overuse-defined as the provision of health services for which potential harms exceed potential benefits-constitutes a paradigm of low-value care and is seen as a threat to the quality of care. Value in healthcare implies a precise definition of disease. However, defining a disease may not be straightforward since clinical data do not show discrete boundaries, calling for some clinical judgment. And, if in time a redefinition of disease is needed, it is important to recognize that it can induce overdiagnosis, the identification of medical conditions that would, otherwise, never cause any significant symptoms or lead to clinical harm. A classic example is the impact of recommendations from professional societies in the late 1990s, lowering the threshold for abnormal total cholesterol from 240 mg/dl to 200 mg/dl. Due to these changes in risk factor definition, literally overnight there were 42 million new cases eligible for treatment in the United States. The same happened with hypertension-using either the 2019 NICE guidelines or the 2018 ESC/ECC guidelines criteria for arterial hypertension, the proportion of people overdiagnosed with hypertension was calculated to be between 14% and 33%. In this review, we will start by discussing resource overuse. We then present the basis for disease definition and its conceptual problems. Finally, we will discuss the impact of changing risk factor/disease definitions in the prevalence of disease and its consequences in overdiagnosis and overtreatment (a problem particularly relevant when definitions are widened to include earlier or milder disease). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sucupira‐branca is a popular name for the papilionoid legume tree genus Pterodon (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae), which is amply distributed across South American savannas and seasonally dry tropical forests. Pterodon has been strongly supported as monophyletic in all molecular phylogenetic analyses and stands out within the Dipterygeae clade by the pinnately compound leaves with terete rachis, symmetrical leaflets with emarginate apex, and indehiscent, one‐seeded cryptosamara fruit. Despite a growing interest in Pterodon species, mainly due to their potential as drug and timber sources, their nomenclature was never fully assessed. Here, we present a nomenclatural review of the economically and ecologically important Pterodon, where we assess all 15 names and designations ever associated with the genus and provide all known orthographic variants and type localities for the accepted names. Besides that, we propose one new species the designation of which has never been validly published, typify five names, propose one new synonym, and provide a list of all the accepted names in the genus. Also, we show that the nomenclatural history of P. emarginatus, one of the ecologically most dominant species in fire‐prone savanna vegetation, is closely related to how Friedrich Sellow (1789–1831) collected and numbered his gatherings. By elucidating the typification of this particularly important species, we shed light on how to more accurately annotate Sellow's specimens in nomenclatural revisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of detailed and high‐quality food consumption data is essential for EFSA's risk assessments. In 2014, EFSA published the EU‐menu guidance on the collection of harmonized and high‐quality food consumption data. The ERA‐EU Menu literature review aimed to evaluate the landscape of methods and tools available/used for national dietary surveys after 2006. Among completed national surveys there is a large variety in study characteristics, such as sampling designs, response rates, sample sizes, underreporting, and dietary assessment. The most commonly used dietary assessment methods are repeated 24‐hour dietary recalls and, among the younger children, food records. Among EU‐Menu surveys, the dietary assessment methods and number of days of data collection were more harmonised compared to the non‐EU‐Menu surveys. The umbrella review showed that the 2014 EU Menu guidance regarding the dietary assessment method is supported by the conclusions of evaluation studies on conventional dietary assessment methods. Moreover, the review showed that a range of new technology‐based tools were developed in the last decades. Most of these tools are self‐administered variations of the conventional dietary assessment methods. Technology‐based methods have advantages like reduced administration costs, flexibility in time and location, but also disadvantages such as the required e‐skills, non‐response bias, and investment costs. Although these methods are not yet extensively validated, they seem to have similar or slightly lower validity compared to conventional methods. Both online 24‐hour dietary recalls and smart‐phone food records have potential for use. However, additional research is needed to evaluate whether they are suitable for use in large‐scale settings in European countries. This study was part of the ERA EU‐Menu project, and will be followed by an evaluation of the quality of the surveys collected in the EU‐Menu framework and an advice for an update of the EU‐Menu guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transabdominal electrocardiographic (TAfECG) acquisition of fetal heart rate (FHR) signals has recently been introduced into leading commercial cardiotocographic (CTG) monitors. Continuous wireless transmission of signals has raised the possibility of the technology being used during maternal mobilization in labor. This study aims to evaluate signal quality and accuracy of TAfECG acquisition of FHR signals during static and active maternal positions in labor when compared with Doppler signals and with the gold‐standard method of fetal scalp electrode (FSE). Material and Methods: A total of 76 women with singleton term pregnancies in the active first stage of labor had simultaneously acquired FHR with TAfECG, Doppler, and FSE. Participants were asked to complete a supervised mobilization scheme, comprising five sequential 10‐min periods of lying down, standing, sitting, walking, and rocking on the birthing ball. The three FHR signals were compared, defining signal loss as the percentage of signals under 20 bpm or exceeding 250 bpm and accuracy as the difference with FSE values. Computer analysis was used to quantify variability, accelerations, and decelerations. Static labor positions (lying down, standing, and sitting) were compared with active labor positions (walking and rocking on the birthing ball). Results: Average signal loss was 5.3% with TAfECG (3.2% in static and 7.4% in active positions) and 15.5% with Doppler (8.3% in static and 30.7% in active positions). Average accuracy was 3.5 bpm with TAfECG (1.9 bpm in static and 5.04 bpm in active positions) and 13.9 bpm with Doppler (3.2 bpm in static and 24.7 bpm in active positions). Average variability was similar with TAfECG and FSE in static positions but significantly higher with TAfECG in active positions (23.6 vs. 13.5 bpm, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In static labor positions, TAfECG provides a low signal loss, similar to that obtained with FSE, and a good signal accuracy, so the technique can be considered reliable when the mother is lying down, standing, or sitting. During maternal movement, TAfECG causes an artificial increase in FHR variability, which can cause false reassurance regarding fetal oxygenation. Doppler signals are unreliable during maternal movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH) is an idiopathic excessive perspiration not related to external factors such as stress or temperature.[[1], [3]] In children, this condition usually involves the palms.[[2], [4]] PFH has its onset during childhood[[5]] and has an estimated prevalence of 3%.[[4], [7]] PFH is associated with profound levels of physical and social distress, having great impact on quality of life.[4] Children have difficulties in performing simple tasks, such as handling writing utensils or keeping papers dry.[4] Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy (BTS) has become standard of care for PFH[3] as is safe and effective in paediatric patients.[[8]] The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness and satisfaction with BTS in paediatric age. We recommend BTS as treatment of choice for PFH patients. RESULTS Thirty-four patients were submitted to BTS; two patients were discharged after the first 24 hours due to residual pneumothorax, resolved with oxygen therapy. [Extracted from the article]

Dose‐response meta‐analyses are of key relevance to identify causal relations between exposure and health‐related endpoints based on epidemiologic evidence, thus providing a powerful tool for both investigators and risk assessors. So far, their use has been limited in food safety risk assessment and in epidemiologic studies with either experimental or non‐experimental design, also since they could not be applied in studies with two levels of exposure only. However, the growing number of epidemiologic studies, the need to identify and shape relations between exposure and endpoints that are not linear, such as those L‐, U‐ and J‐shaped, and to locate possible thresholds of exposure which may characterize beneficial and adverse effects of dietary constituents, have increased the need of biostatistical tools for dose‐response modelling in meta‐analyses.We addressed these issues in two case‐studies, the relation between cadmium exposure and breast cancer risk in non‐experimental cohort studies, and between potassium exposure and blood pressure in randomized controlled trials, using a recently developed methodology for 'one‐stage' dose‐response modelling. This statistical methodologyis based on restricted cubic spline models fit with a generalized least‐squares regression, combining study‐specific estimates with a restricted maximum likelihood method within a multivariable random‐effects meta‐analysis. Such method allows to use studies based on less than three categories of exposure, such as trials based on two arms only.The implementation of such modelling in our two case studies hasshown that cadmium exposureis not generally related with breast cancer risk in cohort studies, and that potassium intake has a U‐shaped relation with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, also depending on hypertensive status.Overall, the availability and implementation of the one‐stage dose‐response meta‐analytic approach yields a flexible and powerful tool to comprehensively summarize and model the relation between dietary constituents and health endpoints based on epidemiologic evidence, greatly favouring the implementation of the risk assessment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The papilionoid legume trees generally known as tonka, baru and cumaru comprise the taxonomically complex genus Dipteryx. In addition to being ecologically important across the neotropical biomes of rain forests and savannas, Dipteryx species are valuable sources of timber as well as an array of coumarin products. This genus currently comprises 14 accepted species with a convoluted nomenclatural history. Dipteryx is morphologically recognized by the flattened leaf rachis, asymmetrical leaflets, truly papilionate flowers, and drupaceous fruits. The generic name Dipteryx is conserved against Coumarouna and Taralea since Taralea is a heterotypic synonym and is accepted here as a distinct entity. We analyzed 65 names and designations that have been associated with Dipteryx and provide all orthographic variants, type localities, one new combination, 10 new lectotypes, one neotype, and one new synonym. Finally, we present an updated checklist of accepted and excluded names in Dipteryx. By highlighting the nomenclatural problems in Dipteryx, we hope the genus can serve as a model of how the typification process of older names linked primarily to Amazonian species should be treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus name I Dipteryx i is currently accepted based on the successful conservation proposal of Harms (in Notizbl. So far, our reference survey counted 145, mostly ecological and conservation works, wherein the species name I D. panamensis i has been used or cited, whereas for I D. oleifera i 14 were found, most triggered after the Zarucchi (l.c.) publication. Thus, to assure nomenclatural stability and to avoid displacing a well-established name of a species linked with great ecological, conservation and economical importance for purely nomenclatural reasons, we propose the conservation, under Art. [Extracted from the article]

"RiskBenefit4EU - Partnering to strengthen the risk-benefit assessment within EU using a holistic approach" was a knowledge transfer project funded by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that integrated a multidisciplinary team from Portugal, Denmark and France. This project aimed to strengthen the EU capacity to assess risks and benefits associated with human food consumption, considering the fields of toxicology, microbiology and nutrition. To train the recipient partners from Portugal on Risk-Benefit Assessment (RBA), a capacity-building program was implemented, including three main activities: theoretical training on RBA concepts; hands-on training applying concepts to a case-study using methods and tools displayed; and scientific missions to provide advanced training in specific domains of RBA. The developed RBA strategy was applied to a case study focusing on the RBA of the consumption of cereal-based products by Portuguese young children. Risks due to aflatoxins, Bacillus cereus, sodium and free sugars, were evaluated, as well as the benefit of fibre intake. Five different scenarios of infant cereals and/or breakfast cereals consumption were considered, and the assessment showed that moving from the current consumption to the considered alternative scenarios would result in a gain of healthy-life years. The RiskBenefit4EU project applied a collaborative method to train a new team to perform RBAs of foods and face the challenge of cooperation between experts from different disciplines. During the process of capacity building, a movement from conceptual knowledge towards action was an essential step to effectively increase performance. The developed framework facilitated the case-study accomplishment and contributed to build a shared and harmonized RBA approach and culture. The suggested strategy can now be re-used to capacitate other teams in RBA,and can be considered as a basis to build upon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Post-transplant bone disease results from multiple factors, including previous bone and mineral metabolism disturbances and effects from transplant-related medications. Bone biopsy remains the gold-standard diagnostic tool. Methods We aimed to prospectively evaluate trabecular and cortical bone by histomorphometry after kidney transplantation. Seven patients, willing to perform follow-up bone biopsy, were included in the study. Dual- X-ray absorptiometry and trans-iliac bone biopsy were performed within the first 2 months after renal transplantation and repeated after 2-5 years of follow-up. Results Follow-up biopsy revealed a significant decrease in osteoblast surface/bone surface (0.91 ± 0.81 to 0.47 ± 0.12%, P = 0.036), osteoblasts number/bone surface (0.45 (0.23, 0.94) to 0.00/mm2, P = 0.018) and erosion surface/bone surface (3.75 ± 2.02 to 2.22 ± 1.38%, P = 0.044). A decrease in trabecular number (3.55 (1.81, 2.89) to 1.55/mm (1.24, 2.06), P = 0.018) and increase in trabecular separation (351.65 ± 135.04 to 541.79 ± 151.91 μm, P = 0.024) in follow-up biopsy suggest loss in bone quantity. We found no significant differences in cortical analysis, except a reduction in external cortical osteonal eroded surface (5.76 (2.94, 13.97) to 3.29% (0.00, 6.67), P = 0.043). Correlations between bone histomorphometric and dual- X-ray absorptiometry parameters gave inconsistent results. Conclusions The results show a reduction in bone activity, suggesting increased risk of adynamic bone and loss of bone volume. Cortical bone seems less affected by post-transplant biological changes in the first years after kidney transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carvalho C, Coentrão L, Bustorff M, Patrício E, Sampaio S, Santos J, Oliveira G, Pestana M. Conversion from sirolimus to everolimus in kidney transplant recipients receiving a calcineurin-free regimen. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E401-E405. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Everolimus (EVL) and sirolimus (SRL) were introduced into immunosuppressive regimens, in an attempt to replace or reduce the dose of the nephrotoxic calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). In our institution, due to an administrative decision, conversion from SRL to EVL, was carried out, providing us the opportunity to investigate the effectiveness and safety profile of both drugs and to review the practical conversion dose between them. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 51 maintenance kidney transplant recipients receiving an SRL-based CNI-free regimen, who were switched to EVL. SRL dose was concentration controlled to a through level of 4-8 ng/mL. Patients were converted to a variable dose of EVL that was adjusted to achieve a trough concentration of 3-8 ng/mL. Results: SRL mean dose at time of conversion was 2.0 ± 0.9 mg/d. Initial EVL mean dose was 1.3 ± 0.5 mg/d. Six months after conversion, mean EVL trough level was 6.2 ± 2.8 ng/mL. EVL dose at this point was 2.0 ± 0.9 mg/d, which was not statistically different from SRL dose at the time of conversion (p = 0.575), suggesting a conversion factor of 1:1. During this six month period post conversion, no significant changes were observed in serum creatinine, hematocrit level, platelet count, proteinuria or lipid levels. No patient experienced an acute rejection episode. Conclusions: Conversion from SRL to EVL in renal transplant recipients receiving a CNI-free immunosuppressive regimen can be performed safely with a low trough level range of EVL. We report for the first time a conversion factor between SRL and EVL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Rojo Brillante' persimmons were harvested in 2 different dates, early and late, and then submitted to 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment (500 nL/L) before stored at 1 or 15 °C up to 50 or 30 d, respectively. The influence of harvest date, 1-MCP treatment, orchard, storage time, and temperature on firmness loss and color evolution during storage of 'Rojo Brillante' persimmon was studied. Statistical models that allowed the prediction of these 2 quality parameters during the storage, as well as the modeling of the behavior of both of them, were also evaluated. The softening, as a consequence of chilling sensitiveness when stored at 1 °C, was more accentuated in the early harvested fruit. In storage at 15 °C, also, the firmness loss was faster in fruit harvested earlier. 1-MCP treatment drastically reduced chilling injury (CI) symptoms at 1 °C and retarded firmness loss at 15 °C, both of these effects being dependent on harvest date. The model presented to study the firmness and color relationship offers an important tool to predict firmness from fruit color measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]