Association between pets and dry eye symptoms: a Chinese national-based study

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82122059).Background: Pet-derived allergens are another source of indoor air pollution that could affect human health. However, the association between pet ownership and the risk of dry eye symptoms (DES) remains to be elucidated. Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey among Chinese residents aged over 12 years from June 20, 2022, to August 31, 2022. The Ocular Surface Disease Index-6 (OSDI-6) questionnaire was utilized to evaluate the presence of DES. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between pet ownership and DES. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on sex, age, residence and affective disorders, and sensitivity analysis by excluding participants with major ocular diseases. The interactions between pet ownership and other risk factors on DES were explored in the additive scale by calculating the synergy index (SI). Results: A total of 21,916 subjects replied to the questionnaire. The prevalence of DES was 43.6 % (95 % confidence interval (CI), 43.0 %-44.3 %). Pet ownership was significantly associated with increased risk of DES (Odds ratio (OR): 1.13, 95%CI: 1.05-1.21), especially among the elderly (OR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.09-1.51) and urban residents (OR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.04-1.24). The individual effect of allergic rhinitis on DES was 2.59 (95%CI: 1.27-5.53), while the joint effect of pets and allergic rhinitis was 5.26 (95%CI: 1.20-36.74), suggesting a synergistic interaction with a SI of 2.48 (95%CI: 0.25-24.39). Furthermore, the interaction analysis also indicated a synergistic interaction between pet ownership and low health literacy with a SI of 1.12 (95%CI: 0.66-1.87). Conclusion: Pet ownership was identified as a risk factor for DES. The synergistic interaction of pet ownership and allergic rhinitis suggests shared mechanisms between DES and allergic conditions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Public libraries fighting disinformation: an analysis of knowledge, resources, and actions of Portuguese librarians

The disinformation fight is global and urgent, making it relevant to train librarians from all walks of life so that they can use its multiplier effect in training strategies for users. In the case of public libraries in Portugal, the actions developed in this regard are unknown. This exploratory study aims to better understand the level of knowledge, practices, and resources available in Portuguese public libraries to combat misinformation. To this end, a questionnaire was created and launched at public libraries in Portugal. The results show a consistent knowledge of librarians on the subject, but still incipient actions to combat disinformation, which anticipates the pressing need to carry out more targeted training for these professionals, as well as to provide pedagogical resources and strategies to encourage learning among populations, which can contribute to achieving a culture of more attentive, integrated and critical citizens.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predictive factors of long-term visual outcomes after primary Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK): retrospective study

Purpose: To determine predictive factors of higher levels of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the long-term after primary Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Methods: Retrospective, single-surgeon case series of 129 successful primary DMEK eyes without graft failure and with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 12 months. A mixed effect model for repeated measurements (MMRM) analysis was performed to determine recipient, donor, surgical, and postoperative factors associated with BCVA ≤ 0.10 logMAR (≥ 20/25 Snellen). Results: After primary DMEK, there was a statistically significant improvement in BCVA with a global reduction in logMAR BCVA (p < 0.00001). There was also a global tendency towards increasing the proportion of eyes with BCVA ≤ 0.10 logMAR at all time points (p < 0.00001), from 1.6% before DMEK to 64.4% in eyes with more than 5 years of F-U. The absence of retinal disease was associated with a decrease of 0.10 logMAR in postoperative BCVA after primary DMEK, maintaining constant the rest of the variables (p < 0.001). The variables age (OR 0.960), postoperative time (OR 1.083), preoperative BCVA ≥ 0.375 logMAR (OR 0.162), and indication for DMEK (OR 5.412) were included in the predictive MMRM model of BCVA ≤ 0.10 logMAR. Conclusion: Primary DMEK is associated with statistically and clinically significant improvement in BCVA that occurs early in the postoperative period and is continuous over time. Eyes with retinal comorbidities have an increased risk of worse postoperative BCVA after DMEK. Younger recipient age, Fuchs' dystrophy eyes, and eyes with better preoperative BCVA are more likely to achieve postoperative BCVA ≤ 0.10 logMAR.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Methodological quality and clinical recommendations of guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias for cardiovascular disease risk reduction: a systematic review and an appraisal through AGREE II and AGREE REX tools

This research was funded by Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel—Brazil (CAPES), grant number 001.Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are statements to assist practitioners and stakeholders in decisions about healthcare. Low methodological quality guidelines may prejudice decision-making and negatively affect clinical outcomes in non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases worsted by poor lipid management. We appraised the quality of CPGs on dyslipidemia management and synthesized the most updated pharmacological recommendations. Methods: A systematic review following international recommendations was performed. Searches to retrieve CPG on pharmacological treatments in adults with dyslipidaemia were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Trip databases. Eligible articles were assessed using AGREE II (methodological quality) and AGREE-REX (recommendation excellence) tools. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. The most updated guidelines (published after 2019) had their recommendations qualitatively synthesized in an exploratory analysis. Results: Overall, 66 guidelines authored by professional societies (75%) and targeting clinicians as primary users were selected. The AGREE II domains Scope and Purpose (89%) and Clarity of Presentation (97%), and the AGREE-REX item Clinical Applicability (77.0%) obtained the highest values. Conversely, guidelines were methodologically poorly performed/documented (46%) and scarcely provided data on the implementability of practical recommendations (38%). Recommendations on pharmacological treatments are overall similar, with slight differences concerning the use of supplements and the availability of drugs. Conclusion: High-quality dyslipidaemia CPG, especially outside North America and Europe, and strictly addressing evidence synthesis, appraisal, and recommendations are needed, especially to guide primary care decisions. CPG developers should consider stakeholders' values and preferences and adapt existing statements to individual populations and healthcare systems to ensure successful implementation interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An update review of new therapies in sickle cell disease: the prospects for drug combinations

S Lugthart received funding to attend international conferences; Pfizer (2023), Vertex (2023), GBT (2022), and Novartis (2021). Consultancy work: Sanius Health, UK (2023). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder characterized by polymerization of deoxygenated hemoglobin and microvascular obstruction. Generalized, it affects millions of people over 85% from low-and-middle-income countries. The cardinal feature is generalized pain referred to as vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), multi-organ damage, and premature death.). SCD is the most prevalent inherited reduced life-threatening disorder in the world and over 85% of the world's 400,000 annual births occur in low-and-middle-income countries. In the UK with about 250 annual births (1:200 live births, and over 14,00 living with the disorder. For decades span. Since 1998 Hydroxyurea remained the only disease-modifying therapy until the FDA approved L-glutamine (2017), Crizanlizumab and Voxelotor (2019), and gene therapies (Exa-cel and Lovo-cel, 2023). Areas covered: A literature review, we discuss established and new treatments. We provide an in-depth review of key clinical trials from 2013-2023. However, for pragmatic purposes we have approached this review in line with the different mechanisms of action, considering the possible options for the search performed in Pubmed Central using the search terms [sickle cell disease] or [sickle cell anemia] and the known treatments, i.e. Hydroxycarbamide/Hydroxyurea, L-Glutamine, Voxelotor, Crizanlizumab, Mitapivat, Etopivat, gene therapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and combination therapy. Clinical trials performed in the last 10 years (November 2013 - November 2023) were selected. Expert opinion: In our opinion section, we recommend the consideration of combination therapies for specific complications such as VOCs, pain, and renal impairment as well as personalized medicine based on disease phenotype and patient patience characteristics. Following the wake of the recent approval of gene therapy for SCD, the more curative option is now a reality, the challenge is addressing how to address issues such as access, affordability, and shared decision-making with families.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Association of sleep traits with myopia in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization study

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82122059).Purpose: The association between sleep and myopia in children and adolescents has been reported, yet it remains controversial and inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the influence of different sleep traits on the risk of myopia using meta-analytical and Mendelian randomization (MR) techniques. Methods: The literature search was performed on August 31, 2023, based on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. A meta-analysis of observational studies reporting the relationship between sleep and myopia was conducted. MR analyses were carried out to assess the causal impact of genetic pre-disposition for sleep traits on myopia. Results: The results of the meta-analysis indicated a significant association between the risk of myopia and both short sleep duration [odds ratio (OR) = 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08-1.42, P = 0.003] and long sleep duration (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.66-0.86, P 0.05). Conclusions: No evidence was found to support a causal relationship between sleep traits and myopia. While sleep may not independently predict the risk of myopia, the potential impact of sleep on the occurrence and development of myopia cannot be disregarded.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Accuracy of COVID-19 diagnostic tests via infrared spectroscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aims to synthesize the evidence on the accuracy parameters of COVID-19 diagnosis methods using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A systematic review with searches in PubMed and Embase was performed (September 2023). Studies reporting data on test specificity, sensitivity, true positive, true negative, false positive, and false negative using different human samples were included. Meta-analysis of accuracy estimates with 95 % confidence intervals and area under the ROC Curve (AUC) were conducted (Meta-Disc 1.4.7). Seventeen studies were included - all of them highlighted regions 650-1800 cm-1 and 2300-3900 cm-1 as most important for diagnosing COVID-19. The FTIR technique presented high sensitivity [0.912 (95 %CI, 0.878-0.939), especially in vaccinated [0.959 (CI95 %, 0.908-0.987)] compared to unvaccinated [0.625 (CI95 %, 0.584-0.664)] individuals for COVID-19. Overall specificity was also high [0.886 (95 %CI, 0.855-0.912), with increased rates in vaccinated [0.884 (CI95 %, 0.819-0.932)] than in unvaccinated [0.667 (CI95 %, 0.629-0.704)] patients. These findings reveal that FTIR is an accurate technique for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection in different biological matrices with advantages including low cost, rapid and environmentally friendly with minimal preparation analyses. This could lead to an easy implementation of this technique in practice as a screening tool for patients with suspected COVID-19, especially in low-income countries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Revestimentos poliméricos para aplicações biotecnológicas

Trabalho final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Química e Biológica – Perfil BioprocessosA formação de biofilme é um problema que afeta diversas indústrias. Atualmente a procura de novas soluções para combater este fenómeno, bem como todos os problemas a que este tipo de bioincrustação está associada é urgente.N/

LIS postsecondary and undergraduate education

This work was supported by National Funds through FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., under the scope of UIDEF - Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Educação e Formação, UIDB/04107/2020.An overview of the evolution, challenges, and future trends in Library and Information Science (LIS) education is presented. Traces the historical development of LIS worldwide, emphasizing the shift from practical training to academic recognition. The LIS programs’ structure is discussed, fundamentally covering undergraduate courses. Essential skills for LIS professionals include knowledge organization, use of technology, management, and customer service. Future trends highlight the importance of aligning curriculum with global changes in digital literacy, emerging technologies, and diversity. The profession׳s commitment to ethical values and user-centered services is emphasized, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the complexities of the information age.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identifying 124 new anti-HIV drug candidates in a 37 billion-compound database: an integrated approach of machine learning (QSAR), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation

Recent data from the World Health Organization reveals that in 2023, 38.8 million people were living with HIV. Within this population, there were 1.5 million new cases and 650 thousand deaths attributed to the disease. This study employs an integrated approach involving QSAR-based machine learning models, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to identify potential compounds for inhibiting the bioactivity of the CC chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) protein, a key entry point for HIV. Using non-redundant experimental data from the CHEMBL database, 40 different machine learning algorithms were trained and the top four models (XGBoost, Histogram gradient Boosting, Light Gradient Boosted Machine, and Extra Trees Regression) were utilized to predict anti-HIV bioactivity for 37 billion compounds in the ZINC-22 database. The screening resulted in the identification of 124 new anti-HIV drug candidates, confirmed through molecular docking and dynamics simulations. The study underscores the therapeutic potential of these compounds, paving the way for further in vitro and in vivo investigations. The convergence of machine learning and experimental findings presents a promising avenue for significant advancements in pharmaceutical research, particularly in the treatment of viral diseases such as HIV. To guarantee the reproducibility of our study, we have made the Python code (Google Collab) and the associated database available on GitHub. You can access them through the following link: GitHub Link: https://github.com/AlexandreCOBRE/codeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio