Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives (nitro-PAHs, oxygenated PAHs, and azaarenes) in PM2.5 from Southern European cities

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected over two one month periods during winter and summer in three Southern European cities (Oporto – traffic site, Florence – urban background, Athens - suburban). Concentrations of 27 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 15 nitro-PAHs (NPAHs), 15 oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs) and 4 azaarenes (AZAs) were determined. On average, the winter-summer concentrations of ΣPAHs were 16.3–5.60, 7.75–3.02 and 3.44–0.658 ng m− 3 in Oporto, Florence and Athens, respectively. The corresponding concentrations of ΣNPAHs were 15.8–9.15, 10.9–3.36 and 15.9–2.73 ng m− 3, whilst ΣOPAHs varied in the ranges 41.8–19.0, 11.3–3.10 and 12.6–0.704 ng m− 3. Concentrations of ΣAZAs were always below 0.5 ng m− 3. Irrespective of the city, the dominant PAHs were benzo[b + j + k]fluoranthene, retene, benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene. The most abundant OPAH in all cities was 1,8-naphthalic anhydride, whereas 5-nitroacenaphthene was the prevailing NPAH. The ΣOPAHs/ΣPAHs and ΣNPAHs/ΣPAHs were higher in summer than in winter, suggesting increasing formation of derivatives by photochemical degradation of PAHs. Molecular diagnostic ratios suggested that, after traffic, biomass burning was the dominant emission source. Apart from being influenced by seasonal sources, the marked differences between winter and summer may indicate that these diagnostic ratios are particularly sensitive to photodegradation, and thus should be applied and interpreted cautiously. The lifetime excess cancer risk from inhalation was, in part, attributable to PAH derivatives, acclaiming the need to include these compounds in regular monitoring programmes. On average, 206, 88 and 26 cancer cases per million people were estimated, by the World Health Organisation method, for the traffic-impacted, urban background and suburban atmospheres of Oporto, Florence and Athens, respectively

Appetite for self-destruction: suicidal biting as a nest defense strategy in Trigona stingless bees

Self-sacrificial behavior represents an extreme and relatively uncommon form of altruism in worker insects. It can occur, however, when inclusive fitness benefits are high, such as when defending the nest. We studied nest defense behaviors in stingless bees, which live in eusocial colonies subject to predation. We introduced a target flag to nest entrances to elicit defensive responses and quantified four measures of defensivity in 12 stingless bee species in São Paulo State, Brazil. These included three Trigona species, which are locally known for their aggression. Species varied significantly in their attack probability (cross species range = 0–1, P < 0.001), attack latency (7.0–23.5 s, P = 0.002), biting duration of individual bees (3.5–508.7 s, P < 0.001), and number of attackers (1.0–10.8, P < 0.001). A “suicide” bioassay on the six most aggressive species determined the proportion of workers willing to suffer fatal damage rather than disengage from an intruder. All six species had at least some suicidal individuals (7–83 %, P < 0.001), reaching 83 % in Trigona hyalinata. Biting pain was positively correlated with an index of overall aggression (P = 0.002). Microscopic examination revealed that all three Trigona species had five sharp teeth per mandible, a possible defensive adaptation and cause of increased pain. Suicidal defense via biting is a new example of self-sacrificial altruism and has both parallels and differences with other self-sacrificial worker insects, such as the honey bee. Our results indicate that suicidal biting may be a widespread defense strategy in stingless bees, but it is not universal

Remote experimentation network - yielding an inter-university peer-to-peer e-service

The goal of this paper is to discuss the benefits and challenges of yielding an inter-continental network of remote laboratories supported and used by both European and Latin American Institutions of Higher Education. Since remote experimentation, understood as the ability to carry out real-world experiments through a simple web browser, is already a proven solution for the educational community as a supplement to on-site practical lab work (and in some cases, namely for distance learning courses, a replacement to that work), the purpose is not to discuss its technical, pedagogical, or economical strengths, but rather to raise and try to answer some questions about the underlying benefits and challenges of establishing a peer-to-peer network of remote labs. Ultimately, we regard such a network as a constructive mechanism to help students gain the working and social skills often valued by multinational/global companies, while also providing awareness of local cultural aspects

Adsorption Technologies for the Removal of Cytostatics in Water: A Review

One of the most common treatments for cancer disease requires the administration of cytostatics, which are very effective drugs in the elimination of cancerous cells, but are toxic for healthy tissues. After being administered to patients, they are excreted and frequently reach natural water bodies, due to their poor degradation in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), posing a global threat to the environment and human health. The study of proper treatment approaches for the effective removal of these hazardous drugs in WWTPs is thus a topic of concern and of utmost importance to ensure environmental integrity, resilience and sustainability. The aim of this work is to perform a comprehensive review of the application of adsorption-based processes for the treatment of aqueous matrices contaminated with cytostatics, which has never been addressed before. A detailed discussion on the operating conditions, type and concentrations of sorbents used, toxicity of the effluents and other relevant parameters is presented. This paper aims to help identify the most promising sorbents and conditions, the current knowledge gaps, and future challenges/perspectives on adsorption technologies (isolated or coupled with other processes) to tackle the problem of cytostatic fingerprints in water courses. Additionally, information concerning the implementation of these technologies from an environmental and economic (life cycle assessment) perspective is given.This research was funded by: Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031297 (CytoStraTech)—funded by the FEDER funds through COMPETE2020—Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by the national funds (PIDDAC) through FCT/MCTES; Base Funding—UIDB/00511/2020 of the LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy; UIDB/04750/2020 (EPIUnit) and LA/P/0064/2020 (ITR), funded by the national funds through the FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology. I.P. Teresa I.A. Gouveia would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for her PhD grant (SFRH/BD/147301/2019)

Oxidative/nitrative stress in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis: are antioxidants beneficial?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease: characterised from the clinical side by progressive vasculopathy and fibrosis of the skin and different organs and from the biochemical side by fibroblast deregulation with excessive production of collagen and increased expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4). The latter contributes to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species that through an autocrine loop maintains NOX4 in a state of activation. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are implicated in the origin and perpetuation of several clinical manifestations of SSc having vascular damage in common; attempts to dampen oxidative and nitrative stress through different agents with antioxidant properties have not translated into a sustained clinical benefit. Objective of this narrative review is to describe the origin and clinical implications of oxidative and nitrative stress in SSc, with particular focus on the central role of NOX4 and its interactions, to re-evaluate the antioxidant approaches so far used to limit disease progression, to appraise the complexity of antioxidant treatment and to touch on novel pathways elements of which may represent specific treatment targets in the not so distant future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bilateral Shoulder Arthritis in COVID-19 Patient After Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation Assist: a Case Report

Prolonged immobilization and, in particular, mechanical ventilation, have been linked to muscle atrophy. Anecdotal reports in the literature describe rhabdomyolysis as a potential late complication of COVID-19 infection which, in severe cases, may coexist with fluid collections. We report a case of a 28-year-old patient that had been recently hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, with need for invasive ventilation support. Days after being discharged, the patient presents with retrosternal thoracalgia irradiating to the left upper limb. On physical examination, abduction and external rotation were limited due to pain complaints and there was soft tissue swelling of the corresponding shoulder and arm. Imaging evaluation was essential to establish the underlying condition, revealing bilateral arthritis communicating with large rotator cuff collections, which was considered of septic nature.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reprodutibilidade e Validade da Versão Portuguesa da Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton em Doentes de Cirurgia Cardíaca

Introduction: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by the loss of functional reserve, associated with higher mortality and less functional survival in cardiac surgery patients. The Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) is a comprehensive tool devised for brief frailty detection. To the best of our knowledge, there are no culturally adapted and validated frailty screening tools that enable the identification of vulnerability domains suited for use in the preoperative setting in Portugal. This was the motivation for this study. Objectives: To assess the validity and reproducibility of the Portuguese version of the EFS. Methods: Prospective observational study, in a sample of elective cardiac surgery patients. The Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) translation and backtranslation were performed. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and the translated EFS translated, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Mini Mental State Examination Portuguese versions, Katz and Clinical Frailty Scales were administered. To assess validity Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, marginal homogeneity test and Kappa coefficient were employed. Reproducibility was assessed estimating kappa coefficient for the frailty diagnosis and the 11 EFS items. Intra-class correlation coefficients and the corresponding 95% confidence interval were estimated using linear mixed effects model. Results: The EFS Portuguese version revealed construct validity for frailty identification, as well as criterion validity for cognition and mood domains. Reproducibility was demonstrated, with k=0.62 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-0.82) and intraclass correlation (ICC)=0.94 (95% CI 0.89-0.97) in inter-observer test and k=0.48 (95% CI 0.26-0.70) and ICC=0.85 (95% CI 0.72-0.92) in intra-observer test. Conclusions: The EFS Portuguese version is valid and reproducible for use, suiting pre-operative frailty screening in a cardiac surgery setting.Introdução: A fragilidade é uma síndrome multidimensional caracterizada pela perda de reserva funcional, associada a maior mortalidade e menor sobrevivência funcional após cirurgia cardíaca. A Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton (EFS) é uma ferramenta abrangente de deteção de fragilidade. Não existe ainda em Portugal uma ferramenta de rastreio culturalmente adaptada e validada que permita a identificação de domínios específicos de vulnerabilidade para utilização no pré-operatório. Objetivos: Avaliar a validade e reprodutibilidade da versão portuguesa da EFS. Métodos: Estudo prospetivo observacional, realizado numa amostra de doentes propostos para cirurgia cardíaca. A EFS foi traduzida e retrotraduzida. Colheram-se dados demográficos e clínicos, aplicaram-se as versões traduzidas da EFS, Escala de Depressão Geriátrica e MMSE, as escalas de Katz e Clinical Frailty Scale. Validade avaliada utilizando o teste de Mann-Whitney, o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman, o teste de homogeneidade marginal e o coeficiente Kappa. Reprodutibilidade avaliada pelo cálculo do coeficiente kappa para o diagnóstico de fragilidade e para os 11 itens da escala. Coeficientes de correlação intraclasse e correspondentes intervalos de confiança a 95% estimados usando um modelo linear de efeitos mistos. Resultados: A versão portuguesa da EFS demonstrou validade de constructo, assim como validade de critério nos domínios de cognição e humor. É reprodutível, com k=0,62 (95% IC 0,42-0,82) e CCI=0,94 (95% IC 0,89-0,97) no teste interobservador e k=0,48 (95% IC 0,26-0,70) e CCI=0,85 (95% IC 0,72-0,92) no teste intraobservador. Conclusões: A versão portuguesa da EFS é adequada para rastreio pré-operatório de fragilidade em cirurgia cardíaca.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Association Between Glycated Albumin, Fructosamine, and HbA1c with Neonatal Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To investigate whether glycated albumin, fructosamine, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are associated with neonatal complications in newborns of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Between November 2016 and September 2017, women with a singleton pregnancy and GDM were enrolled in a prospective study in an obstetric Portuguese referral center. Glycemic markers were compared between mothers of newborns with and without complications. Multivariable logistic regression models and corresponding areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used. Results: A total of 85 women participated in the study. Raised levels of glycated albumin and fructosamine were associated with at least one neonatal complication (OR- [odds ratio] estimate: 1.33, P=0.015; OR: 1.24, P=0.027, respectively) and with respiratory disorders at birth (OR 1.41, P=0.004; OR 1.26, P=0.014, respectively). HbA1c was not associated with these outcomes. All biomarkers were associated with large-for-gestational age (LGA) status (OR 1.61, P<0.001; OR 1.45, P<0.001; OR 3.62, P=0.032 for glycated albumin, fructosamine, and HbA1c, respectively). All had similar AUC for at least one neonatal complication (0.82; 0.81; 0.79, respectively). For newborn respiratory disorders, AUCs were 0.83, 0.81, and 0.76, respectively, and for LGA status were 0.81, 0.79, and 0.71, respectively. Conclusion: Raised values of glycated albumin and fructosamine were associated with particular perinatal complications in newborns of mothers with GDM, better discriminating mothers of newborns with and without complications than HbA1c.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio