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Introduction Cognitive dysfunction has been reported in acute psychiatric patients for a long time and has profound implications for the management of severe mental disorders. The Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) is a scale developed for screening cognitive deficits. This tool is simple and easy to administer. Objectives To translate and to validate to Portuguese the SCIP. Methods The accepted back-translation method is employed for translating from English into Portuguese. One-hundred individuals in good health were characterized using demographic questionnaires and a neuropsychological battery. Subsequently, the new version of the scale was administered on two distinct occasions with a minimum one-week gap between them. Results High internal consistencies as well as strong correlations with comparable neuropsychological tests were obtained. Conclusions The results obtained from the Portuguese version of SCIP are in line with those from the English version. Effectively, SCIP serves as a key instrument for the initial assessment of cognitive function. Its characteristics, particularly its conciseness and independence from a technological platform, allow it to be integrated into clinical practice. Our aim is to use this version and apply it to different pathologies, comparing patients with controls. This will allow us to study different patients and apply it to our population. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Background: Connective tissue diseases (CTD) are frequently associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), significantly impacting their morbidity and mortality. Aim: Analyze the experience of an autoimmune specialized unit on treating CTD-ILD and characterize the population based on most frequent diseases, imaging patterns, lung function tests results, serology and treatment. Assess mortality and mortality predictors in these patients. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and statistical analysis of the CTD-ILD patients followed up at an autoimmune diseases unit during a 6-year period. Results: Over the study period, 75 patients with CTD-ILD were treated with a mean follow-up of 49 ± 31 months.The most frequent CTD were systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. ILD was diagnosed prior to CTD in 8% of patients and concomitantly in 35%. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia was the CT pattern in 60% and 35% had an isolated diminished DLCO on lung function tests. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 12% and it was the single most important mortality predictor (OR 14.41, p = 0.006). Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment but biologics were prescribed in 39% of the patients (mostly tocilizumab and rituximab). Two scleroderma patients were recently treated with nintedanib. Conclusions: ILD is a potential complication of every CTD and can impose a dramatic burden on these patients. The clinical relevance of ILD together with their early expression in the course of the disease underlines the importance of the presence of chest physicians in these units.

Introduction Pregnancy and the postpartum are generally characterized by positive feelings and expectations but they may also disguise maternal stress and difficulties. These are typical periods for the onset or relapse of psychiatric symptoms and disorders. Even though suicide during pregnancy and postpartum is rare, it is among the leading causes of maternal perinatal mortality. Objectives To provide an overview on the risk of suicide during pregnancy and postpartum. Methods PubMed database was searched using combinations of the terms “suicide”, combined with “pregnancy” and “depression”. Results The major risk factors for suicidal ideation are previous suicide attempts, self-harm, current or past history of psychiatric disorder, young maternal age, being unmarried, an unplanned pregnancy, substance use disorders, lack effective psychosocial support and discontinuation of psychotropic drugs. Pregnant women with suicidality behavior have also an increased risk for various adverse obstetric outcomes, including miscarriage, preterm delivery, maternal hemorrhage, and stillbirth. Furthermore, the postpartum period is often associated with the onset of mood and psychotic disorders with an increased risk of both suicide and infanticide. Women who have suffered from serious psychiatric conditions either after childbirth or in other phases of life should be informed about the possibility of relapse after subsequent pregnancies, thus presenting a higher risk of suicide. Conclusions During pregnancy and postpartum, it is fundamental to investigate suicide risk, including suicidal ideation, thoughts, and intent, especially (but not only) in women affected by mental pathology. Moreover, maternal suicide behaviour affects the child’s neuropsychological development and can also increase the infant´s suicide risk. Disclosure No significant relationships.

This work investigates the magnetic properties and the magnetocaloric effect in the spin-1 Blume-Capel model. The study was carried out using the mean-field theory from the Bogoliubov inequality to obtain the expressions of free energy, magnetization and entropy. The magnetocaloric effect was calculated from the variation of the entropy obtained by the mean-field theory. Due to the dependence on the external magnetic field and the anisotropy included in the model, the results for the magnetocaloric effect provided the system with first-order and continuous phase transitions. To ensure the results, the Maxwell relations were used in the intervals where the model presents continuous variations in magnetization and the Clausius-Clapeyron equation in the intervals where the model presents discontinuity in the magnetization. The methods and models for the analysis of a magnetic entropy change and first-order and continuous magnetic phase transitions, such as mean-field theory and the Blume-Capel model, are useful tools in understanding the nature of the magnetocaloric effect and its physical relevance.

It has been demonstrated that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) associated with sodium hyaluronate (HY-CNTs) accelerate bone repair in the tooth sockets of rats. Before clinical application of HY-CNTs, it is important to assess their biocompatibility. Moreover, cardiac toxicity may be caused by the translocation of these particles to the blood stream. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes in cardiovascular function in male Wistar rats whose tooth sockets were treated with either CNTs or HY-CNTs (100 μg/mL, 0.1 mL). Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored in conscious rats 7 days after treatment. Cardiac function was evaluated using the Langendorff perfusion technique. The data showed no changes in blood pressure or heart rate in rats treated with either CNTs or HY-CNTs, and no significant changes in cardiac function were found in any of the groups. To confirm these findings, experiments were conducted in rats injected intraperitoneally with a high concentration of either CNTs or HY-CNTs (0.75 mg/kg). The same parameters were analyzed and similar results were observed. The results obtained 7 days following injection indicate that the administration of low concentrations of CNTs or HY-CNTs directly into tooth sockets did not cause any significant change in cardiovascular function in the rats. The present findings support the possibility of using these biocomposites in humans.

Proteins are essential for cell function, and their biological performance depends on three-dimensional (3D) structures. Insulin is made up of 51 amino acids and is a critical hormone involved in glycaemia regulation. In basic education, concepts involving proteins (synthesis, structure, interactions, and function) are abstract and difficult for students to understand. The use of protein 3D models that assist in visualising biomolecular structures can be an important didactic tool to understand the complexity of protein structure. Here, we propose a practical activity for the construction of a 3D model of insulin, as a tool for teaching protein synthesis and structure to students in the 9th-grade of basic education. The activity involved three classes of one hour each. 62 students role-played the insulin mRNA translation and represented the primary structure through balloons tied to a string. They also built an 3D insulin model using Styrofoam balls and wire. The activities proved to be effective, as there was a better understanding by students regarding proteins and their characteristics. Therefore, practical classes for teaching proteins can be used in basic education to improve learning of abstract and sub-microscopic concepts.

This study aims at evaluating the influence of mixotrophic growth and salinity stress in the lipid content and productivities of microalgae Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) and Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris). For comparison purposes, both microalgae were also cultivated in the standard autotrophic conditions: modified Zarrouk’s medium for A. platensis and Bold’s basal medium for C. vulgaris. The mixotrophic conditions were created by adding 1.00 g/L of glucose to their standard media, and the salt stress was induced by introducing sodium chloride (NaCl) in different amounts. As expected, the biomass concentration and productivity increases under mixotrophy but decreases with salinity stress. Therefore, although the lipid content increased with the salinity stress under mixotrophy, reaching maximum values of 15.4 and 23.0 % dry weight (dwt) respectively, for A. platensis (in 0.428 M of NaCl) and C. vulgaris (in 0.0214 M of NaCl), the biomass productivity reached minimum values. Consequently, the maximum biomass and lipid productivities were obtained with an intermedium lipid content and without the salinity stress. The maximum biomass and lipid productivities are 99.7 and 9.7 mg/L/day for A. platensis and 227.2, and 37.7 mg/L/day for C. vulgaris, respectively. This study also revealed that C. vulgaris adapts faster to salinity stress, whereas A. platensis is able to tolerate higher salinity concentrations.

This study performs a sustainability evaluation of biodiesel production from microalgae Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) and Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) cultivated in mixotrophic conditions, with and without salinity stress, in comparison to autotrophic conditions. The life cycle steps considered for the evaluation are microalgae cultivation, biomass harvesting, lipids extraction, biodiesel production, distribution and use. Three sustainability indicators (LCEE – Life Cycle Energy Efficiency, FER – Fossil Energy Ratio and GW – Global Warming) are calculated based on laboratory experiments conducted in this study and literature data to complement inventory data, thus allowing a more truthful and accurate sustainability evaluation. Results show that in the current conditions, production of biodiesel from these microalgae is not energy efficient, since LCEE and FER values are lower than one, except for C. Vulgaris at mixotrophic growth, without salinity stress. GW values are always positive, meaning that carbon captured during microalgae growth does not compensate the carbon emitted in the whole process. A comparative analysis of the various process steps is also conducted, showing that the water removal and lipids recovery are critical steps for the process sustainability. One possible solution is to explore these microalgae in a biorefinery process, where the desired product is obtained along with a host of by-products, increasing the process sustainability and competitiveness.

Concurrent lymphosarcoma and salmonellosis in a 12-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair cat in Grenada is described. Clinically, the cat was emaciated, and had a history of vomiting and diarrhea of two months duration. Clinical examination revealed a large palpable mass in the craniodorsal abdomen and fluid in the thoracic cavity. Gross lesions consisted of moderate pyothorax and pyoabdomen with variably-sized, single to multiple, soft, white masses in the mesentery adjacent to the pancreas, on the serosal surface of the stomach, and on the quadrate lobe of the liver. Histopathological findings associated with these masses were compatible with lymphosarcoma. Sheets of neoplastic round cells, some with intracytoplasmic eosinophilic granules, were found in the masses associated with the omentum, stomach, and liver. Salmonella enteritidis was isolated in pure culture from the thoracic fluid, collected during clinical examination, and mesenteric mass, collected during necropsy, and both isolates showed similar antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

This study aim to investigate the physical activity levels of older adults and its effect on life satisfaction, self-esteem and personal growth. A sample of 168 elderly persons of both sexes with ages between 60 and 95 years (M= 72.06, SD= 6.83) was used. Results reveal that about 41.1% of the sample is physically inactive, while only 31.5% of the older adults reported physical activity levels equal or above international recommended amounts. Correlation and comparative analysis demonstrate that physical activity participation is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction, self-esteem and personal growth, and that this effect is superior in the elderly people who practice at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity on five or more days a week.

Avaliou-se o processo de enriquecimento protéico da palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) com levedura Sacharomyces cerevisiae em cultivo semi-sólido, visando melhorar o valor nutritivo da palma para ser utilizada na alimentação de ruminantes. A levedura foi utilizada nas concentrações de 1, 2 e 3% em base úmida no substrato formado pela palma forrageira, incubada em biorreatores durante 6, 12, 24 e 36 horas de fermentação. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições. O conteúdo de proteína bruta quando se utilizou concentração de 3% de inóculo, no período de seis horas, aumentou de 4,4% na forma in natura para 10,4% após o processamento. Os teores protéicos na concentração de 1% do inóculo foram de 6,1, 8,1, 8,1 e 9,2%; na concentração de 2%, 9,6, 9,7, 9,8 e 9,8% e na concentração de 3%, 10,4, 10,4 7,9 e 7,9%, nos períodos de 6, 12, 24 e 36 horas de fermentação, respectivamente. Uma fonte alternativa para arraçoamento de ruminantes, pode ser obtida pela bioconversão da palma forrageira.The process of protein enrichment of the forage palm (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in a semi-solid culture to improve the nutritional value of forage palm for ruminants feeding was evaluated. The yeast concentrations of 1, 2 and 3% (wet basis) in the forage palm substrate were used. The periods of incubation were of 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours. A complete randomized experimental design in a split plot arrangement with four replicates was used. The crude protein content increased from 4.4% (in natura) to 10.4% when 3% of inoculums were used and the processing period was of 6 hours. The observed protein contents for 1% of the inoculum, used for the fermentation periods of 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours were 6.1, 8.1, 8.1, and 9.2%, respectively. These values were 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, and 9.8% for 2% of the inoculum, and 10.4, 10.4, 7.9, and 7.9% for 3% of the inoculum, respectively. An alternative for ruminant feeding can be obtained by bioconversion of forage palm.

Testou-se o efeito do plasma suíno ultrafiltrado spray-dried, associado a um acidificante comercial na água de bebida para a recuperação de leitões com sinais clínicos da síndrome multissistêmica do definhamento dos suínos (SMDS). Utilizaram-se 40 leitões com sinais clínicos da SMDS, selecionados 20 dias após o alojamento em uma unidade de terminação, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos (T) de 10 leitões cada. No T1, os animais receberam água clorada à vontade (controle); no T2, solução com 2,5% do plasma sangüíneo diluído em água; no T3, acidificante (Selko®) diluído em água na dosagem de 12ml/10l e, no T4, solução com 2,5% do plasma sangüíneo e o acidificante na dose de 12ml/10l, diluídos em água. Os leitões não foram medicados e foram sacrificados aos 28 ou 40 dias de experimento para avaliação sorológica e patológica. Não houve diferença no ganho de peso e na situação clínica-patológica entre os tratamentos. Entretanto, os leitões do T4 estavam em melhor situação clínica-patológica. Os leitões dos quatro tratamentos tiveram boa recuperação, sem terem sido medicados. Observou-se alta freqüência de lesões compatíveis com a SMDS nos pulmões, rins e linfonodos. Concluiu-se que o plasma spray dried associado ao ácido não melhoraram o desempenho e a situação clínica-patológica de leitões com sintomas da SMDS.The effect of the ultra-filtered spray-dried porcine plasma, associated to a commercial acid in the drinking water was tested for recovering pigs with clinical signs of the porcine postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Forty piglets with clinical signs of the PMWS were used following a selection at 20 days after their housing in one finishing facility. They were divided in four treatment groups (T) of 10 pigs each: T1 - chlorine treated water ad libitum (control); T2 - solution prepared with 2.5% of plasma diluted in water; T3 - acid (Selko® ) diluted in water at the concentration of 12 ml/10l; T4 - solution prepared with 2.5% of plasma diluted and the acid (Selko® ) diluted in water at the concentration of 12 ml/10l. The pigs received no medication and were euthanized at 28 or 40 days after the beginning of the experiment for serological and pathological tests. Differences at the weight gain and in the clinical-pathological situation were not observed among the treatments. However, pigs from T4 were in better clinical-pathological situation. The pigs of all four treatments showed a good recovery, although they were not medicated. Even though, it was observed a high frequency of lesions compatible to PMWS in the lungs, kidneys and lymph nodes. It was concluded that the plasma spray-dried associated to the acid did not improve the performance and the clinical-pathological situation of pigs with clinical signs of PMWS.

A general methodology for the probabilistic evaluation of landslide hazard is applied, taking in account both the landslide susceptibility and the instability triggering factors, mainly rainfall. The method is applied in the Fanhões-Trancão test site (north of Lisbon, Portugal) where 100 shallow translational slides were mapped and integrated into a GIS database. For the landslide susceptibility assessment it is assumed that future landslides can be predicted by statistical relationships between past landslides and the spatial data set of the predisposing factors (slope angle, slope aspect, transversal slope profile, lithology, superficial deposits, geomorphology, and land use). Susceptibility is evaluated using algorithms based on statistical/probabilistic analysis (Bayesian model) over unique-condition terrain units in a raster basis. The landslide susceptibility map is prepared by sorting all pixels according to the pixel susceptibility value in descending order. In order to validate the results of the susceptibility ana- lysis, the landslide data set is divided in two parts, using a temporal criterion. The first subset is used for obtaining a prediction image and the second subset is compared with the prediction results for validation. The obtained prediction-rate curve is used for the quantitative interpretation of the initial susceptibility map. Landslides in the study area are triggered by rainfall. The integration of triggering information in hazard assessment includes (i) the definition of thresholds of rainfall (quantity-duration) responsible for past landslide events; (ii) the calculation of the relevant return periods; (iii) the assumption that the same rainfall patterns (quantity/duration) which produced slope instability in the past will produce the same effects in the future (i.e. same types of landslides and same total affected area). The landslide hazard is present as the probability of each pixel to be affected by a slope movement, and results from the coupling between the susceptibility map, the prediction-rate curve, and the return periods of critical rainfall events, on a scenario basis. Using this methodology, different hazard scenarios were assessed, corresponding to different rain paths with different return periods.