973 research outputs found

    Cognitive functional therapy: a new approach on chronic pain in people with musculoskeletal conditions - A scoping revew

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    While some studies have been previously conducted to appraise the operationalization of Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) in chronic pain conditions, this topic is as far from being exhausted as a research area. The present study undertakes a scoping review to: (1) map the evidence of CFT to identify main concepts, theories, sources and knowledge gaps; (2) examine the extent, range and nature of the intervention and ascertain how it is operationalized for the management of chronic pain in people with musculoskeletal conditions. This scoping review undertakes the methodological framework according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Online databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, PEDro and PsycInfo were searched, to identify papers published of relevance without year of publication restriction. Two reviewers used inclusion criteria based on the ‘Population–Concept–Context’ framework to independently screen titles and abstracts of articles considered for inclusion. Full-text screening of relevant eligible articles have been carried out by two reviewers. Ultimately, a total of 14 studies were included in this scoping review. Most publications included in this review are Case-reports (28,6%; n=4). The remaining quantitative studies were Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) (14,3%; n=2), a Single Case Experimental Design study (SCEDs), a Quasi-experimental Design study (pretest-posttest intervention) and a Cohort study. Regarding the qualitative studies, there are two noninterventional Cross-sectional (66.7%, n=2) and a Descriptive comprehensive review (33.3%; n=1). Among the Mixed-method studies, there is a Case report and a Case series. CFT is a flexible integrated behavioral approach for individualizing care for people with disabling LBP. It is based on a multidimensional clinical reasoning framework designed to identify and target modifiable factors that drive pain, pain-related distress, and disability. CFT takes individuals with disabling LBP on a clinical journey that provides a multidimensional understanding of their pain within the context of their own story. In addition, pain and behavioral control strategies are used to allow individuals to return to valued functional activities and healthful lifestyle behaviors. The aim of this process is to build self-efficacy to break the cycle of pain-related distress and disability

    Generic and homophobic bullying in school context

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    Objetivo: Tendo em conta a reduzida literatura sobre o bullying homofóbico em Portugal, os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever a sua prevalência, comparativamente ao bullying genérico, na perspetiva das vítimas; comparar as diferenças de género e compreender a relação entre o bullying homofóbico e os sentimentos de infelicidade e humilhação e a denúncia por parte das vítimas. Método: Participaram 171 (7º ano), 160 (8º) e 156 (9º) alunos (52.0% feminino e 48.0% masculino), entre os 11 e os 17 anos, aos quais foi aplicado um questionário de autorrelato em formato digital, avaliando-se: género, vitimação, sentimentos infelicidade/humilhação e denúncia. Resultados: Um total de 33.0% dos alunos foram vítimas de bullying genérico, maioritariamente no 8º ano. Rapazes e raparigas registaram índices de vitimação semelhantes. Quanto ao bullying homofóbico, a prevalência aumentou do 7º para o 9º ano e os rapazes apresentaram maior frequência de vitimação comparativamente às raparigas, havendo diferenças estatisticamente significativas no 9º ano. À medida que as situações de vitimação homofóbica aumentam, maior foi o sentimento de infelicidade e humilhação nas vítimas e maior a denúncia. Conclusão: Estes dados reforçam a necessidade de ações e programas de prevenção nas escolas, enquadrados numa perspetiva sistémica, privilegiando a intervenção dos observadores de situações de bullying.Aim: Given the little scientific information about homophobic bullying in Portugal, the purpose of this study was to assess its prevalence, in comparison to generic bullying, from the perspective of the victims; to compare differences related to gender and to understand the association between homophobic bullying and feelings of unhappiness and humiliation and victim’s reporting. Method: A total of 171 (7th grade), 160 (8th) and 156 (9th) students (52.0% female/48.0% male), between 11 and 17 years old, completed a self-report questionnaire in digital format, assessing: gender, victimization, feelings of unhappiness and humiliation and victim’s reporting. Results: Of these students 33.0% were victims of bullying, mostly in the 8th grade. Boys and girls were equally likely to be victims. On the other hand, homophobic bullying situations in school increased from the 7th to the 9th grade and male students were more frequently bullied than females, showing statistically significant differences in the 9th grade. The more frequent the homophobic bullying episodes became, the greater the feelings of unhappiness and humiliation and more frequent the reporting. Conclusion: These findings strengthen the need to promote actions and programs aiming at prevention in schools, from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the intervention of observers of bullying episodes.CIEC - Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança, IE, UMinho (UI 317 da FCT), Portugal. Projeto Estratégico UID/CED/00317/2013, financiado através dos Fundos Nacionais da FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), cofinanciado pelo Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) através do COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) com a referência POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007562info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Versão curta do Mini Mental State Examination (NMSE) para screening de defeito cognitivo ligeiro (DCL)

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    Tese de mestrado, Psicopatologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2019Between 1961 and 2016, there was an increase of 121.2% in the Portuguese population over 60 years (PORDATA, 2016; INE, 2017). In parallel with the increase in life expectancy, diseases associated with aging are also increasingly frequent, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Generally, the first complaint in patients who will develop clinical AD is that of lack of memory, difficulty in retaining information or rapid forgetting of recent information. However, memory complaints, are very common in this population, not always represent an indicator of the onset of a dementia process (O'Connor et al 1990, Bolla et al 1991, Gagnon et al 1994, Schmand et al., 1996). These complaints may occur due to the natural aging process, anxiety disorders or depression, although some studies also indicate that, in some cases, they may be associated with a degenerative process (Grut et al., 1993; C et al 2000, Reid et al., 2006, Youn et al., 2009, Breton et al 2018). On the other hand, if memory complaints are more intense and objectified by neuropsychological tests, they may correspond to the initial phase of a neurodegenerative process, being called the "Mild Cognitive Impairment" (MCI) (Petersen et al., 1999, 2001). This condition often progresses to dementia, usually Alzheimer's Disease (AD) (Schmand et al., 1996; Reid et al., 2006; Mitchell et al., 2008, Youn et al., 2009; Silva et al., 2014). In consultations with your physician it may be difficult to assess these complaints, which leads to delays in diagnosis and possible therapeutic interventions (Riedel-Heller et al 1999, Mendes et al 2008). In this context, it may be important for the physician to have a brief screening tool that allows to objectify complaints within a short period of time (Deveugele et al 2002). Brief tests of neuropsychological evaluation are important for the screening or confirmation of cases with suspected cognitive impairment, and also allows the referral of cases to specialized consultations (neurology, neuropsychology, psychiatry) (Deveugele et al., 2002; Wilkinson et al., 2004, Iliffe, 2009, Freitas, 2015). In the literature there are many references to brief tests, although few validated for the Portuguese population. MMSE is probably the most used (Guerreiro et al., 1994; Morgado et al., 2009; Freitas et al, 2015). This test has an application time of about 10 to 15 minutes, which is still considered time consuming for consultation, particularly in General and Family Medicine (GFM) visits. In view of these limitations, we consider it important to have a short instrument with satisfatory sensitivity and specificity values in the Portuguese population for the detection of cognitive impairments. The objective of this study is to build a short version of this test, based on the Portuguese version of the MMSE (Guerreiro et al., 1994), with an application time that does not exceed 5 minutes and has similar sensitivity and specificity values, or higher, than those of the original version in the discrimination between subjects with MCI and normal subjects (without memory complaints and without objective cognitive impairment).O envelhecimento em Portugal, de acordo com os dados do Instituto Nacional de Estatística, tem vindo a aumentar (INE, 2017). Entre 1961 e 2016, verificou-se um aumento de 121,2% na população acima dos 60 anos (PORDATA, 2016). Em paralelo com o aumento da esperança de vida, as doenças associadas ao envelhecimento também são cada vez mais frequentes e, entre elas, as doenças neurodegenerativas, nomeadamente a doença de Alzheimer (DA). Geralmente, a primeira queixa em doentes que vão desenvolver DA clínica é a de falta de memória, sendo referido dificuldade em reter a informação ou esquecimento rápido da informação recente. No entanto, as queixas de memória, muito frequentes nesta população, nem sempre representam um indicador de início de um processo demencial (O’Connor et al 1990; Bolla et al 1991; Gagnon et al 1994; Schmand et al., 1996; Schofield et al 1997; Ginó et al., 2010; Breton et al., 2018). Estas queixas podem ocorrer devido ao processo natural de envelhecimento, a perturbações da ansiedade ou a depressão, embora alguns trabalhos também refiram que, em alguns casos, poderão estar associadas a um processo degenerativo (Grut et al 1993; Schmand et al. 1996; Jonker C et al 2000; Reid et al. 2006; Youn et al., 2009; Breton et al 2018). Por outro lado, se as queixas de memória forem mais intensas e objetivadas por testes neuropsicológicos, poderão corresponder à fase inicial de um processo neurodegenerativo designando-se o quadro por “Defeito Cognitivo Ligeiro” (DCL) (Petersen et al., 1999, 2001). Este quadro frequentemente progride para demência, geralmente Doença de Alzheimer (DA) (Schmand et al., 1996; Reid et al., 2006; Mitchell et al 2008, Youn et al., 2009; Silva et al., 2014). Nas consultas com o seu médico assistente pode ser difícil valorizar estas queixas, o que leva a atrasos de diagnóstico e de possíveis intervenções terapêuticas (Riedel-Heller et al 1999; Mendes et al 2008). Neste contexto, poderá será importante o médico dispor de um instrumento breve, de rastreio, que lhe permita objetivar as queixas, em curto período de tempo (Deveugele et al 2002). Os testes breves de avaliação neuropsicológica são importantes para fazer o screening, ou até confirmarem, casos com suspeita de deterioração cognitiva, permitindo também o encaminhamento de casos para consultas de especialidade (neurologia, neuropsicologia, psiquiatria) (Deveugele et al., 2002; Wilkinson et al., 2004; Iliffeet al., 2009; Freitas et al., 2015). Na literatura encontram-se muitas referências a testes breves, embora poucos validados para a população portuguesa. O MMSE é provavelmente o mais utilizado (Guerreiro et al, 1994; Morgado et al, 2009; Freitas et al, 2015). Este teste tem um tempo de aplicação de cerca de 10 a 15 minutos, o que, ainda assim, é considerado demorado para aplicação em consulta, particularmente em consultas de Medicina Geral e Familiar (MGF). Perante estas limitações, consideramos importante dispormos de um instrumento de aplicação muito rápida, com valores satisfatórios de sensibilidade e especificidade na população portuguesa, para a deteção de defeito cognitivo. O objetivo deste estudo é, com base na versão portuguesa do MMSE (Guerreiro et al., 1994), construir uma versão curta deste teste, com um tempo de aplicação que não exceda os 5 minutos e que apresente valores de sensibilidade e especificidade semelhantes, ou superiores, aos da versão original na discriminação entre sujeitos com DCL e sujeitos normais (sem queixas de memória e sem défices cognitivos objetivos)

    Linguagens para a Computação de Alto Desempenho, utilizadas no processamento de Big Data: Um Estudo de Mapeamento Sistemático

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    Big Data são conjuntos de informação de alto Volume, Velocidade e/ou Variedade que exigem formas inovadoras e económicas de processamento, que permitem uma melhor percepção, tomada de decisões e automação de processos. Desde 2002, a taxa de melhoria do desempenho em processadores simples diminuiu bruscamente. A fim de aumentar o poder dos processadores, foram utilizados múltiplos cores, em paralelo, num único chip. Para conseguir beneficiar deste tipo de arquiteturas, é necessário reescrever os programas sequenciais. O objetivo da Computação de Alto Desempenho (CAD) é estudar as metodologias e técnicas que permitem a exploração destas arquiteturas. O desafio é a necessidade de combinar o desenvolvimento de Software para a CAD com a gestão e análise de Big Data. Quando a computação paralela e distribuída é obrigatória, o código torna-se mais difícil. Para tal, é necessário saber quais são as linguagens a utilizar para facilitar essa tarefa. Pelo facto da literatura existente sobre o tópico da CAD se encontrar muito dispersa, foi conduzido um Estudo de Mapeamento Sistemático (EMS), que agrega caraterísticas sobre as diferentes linguagens encontradas (categoria; natureza; perfis de utilizador típicos; eficácia; tipos de artigos publicados na área), no processamento de Big Data, auxiliando estudantes, investigadores, ou outros profissionais que necessitem de uma introdução ou uma visão panorâmica sobre este tema. A pesquisa de artigos foi efetuada numa busca automatizada, baseada em palavraschave, nas bases de dados de 8 bibliotecas digitais selecionadas. Este processo resultou numa amostra inicial de 420 artigos, que foi reduzida a 152 artigos, publicados entre Janeiro de 2006 e Março de 2018. A análise manual desses artigos permitiu-nos identificar 26 linguagens em 33 publicações incluídas. Sumarizei e comparei as informações com as opiniões de profissionais. Os resultados indicaram que a maioria destas linguagens são Linguagem de Propósito Geral (LPG) em vez de Linguagem de Domínio Específico (LDE), o que nos leva a concluir que existe uma oportunidade de investigação aplicada de linguagens que tornem a codificação mais fácil para os especialistas do domínio

    Desafios da gestão de recursos humanos na atração e retenção de colaboradores no setor da restauração

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    Dissertação de mestradoO presente estudo tem como principal foco abordar os desafios da Gestão de Recursos Humanos (GRH) no setor da restauração. Pretende-se com esta investigação caracterizar e compreender as facilidades e/ou dificuldades que as empresas do setor da restauração sentem na GRH, nomeadamente nos processos de atração e retenção de talento. A importância deste estudo justifica-se pela elevada rotatividade de funcionários, horários extensos e desgaste físico e emocional serem umas das maiores dificuldades enfrentadas pelo setor, afetando diretamente a qualidade do serviço, os lucros das empresas e a satisfação dos colaboradores. O trabalho é desenvolvido num cenário pós pandemia mundial, provocada pela COVID-19, onde a necessidade de adaptação da gestão estratégica dos RH é imperativa. Inserindo-se num projeto mais amplo que objetiva ainda identificar o impacto desta crise nos trabalhadores do setor, tentando entender as mudanças adjacentes às práticas de GRH na restauração em Portugal, do ponto de vista de diferentes empresários. Para tal, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica exploratória sobre os conceitos supracitados e utilizada uma metodologia de caracter misto. O estudo tem uma componente quantitativa sob a forma de questionários direcionados a gestores de restaurantes. Simultaneamente, também foi adotada uma abordagem qualitativa a fim de compreender a perceção dos ex-colaboradores do setor da restauração. Os resultados possibilitaram identificar as atuais dificuldades sentidas na atração e retenção de colaboradores no setor e elencar algumas estratégias já adotadas ou a adotar pela GRH que lhes consigam dar resposta, podendo ajudar as empresas a tomar medidas para melhorar a satisfação dos funcionários e aumentar a retenção de talentos e a atração de novos funcionários. São percetíveis as incongruências entre a perspetiva da entidade patronal e aquilo que os colaboradores sentem, resultando num dos desafios primários que é entender as necessidades dos RH.The focus of this study is to address the challenges of Human Resource Management (HRM) in the restaurant sector. This investigation aims to characterize and understand the facilities and/or difficulties that companies in the catering sector experience with HRM, namely in the processes of attracting and retaining talent. The importance of this study is justified by the high turnover of employees, long hours, and physical and emotional wear and tear being one of the greatest difficulties faced by the sector, directly affecting the quality of service, company profits and employee satisfaction. The work is carried out in a post-world pandemic scenario, caused by COVID-19, where the need to adapt strategic HRM is imperative. As part of a broader project that also aims to identify the impact of this crisis on workers in the sector, trying to understand the changes adjacent to HRM practices in catering in Portugal, from the point of view of different entrepreneurs. To this end, exploratory bibliographic research will be carried out on the concepts and a mixed methodology will be used. The study will have a quantitative component in the form of destinations aimed at restaurant managers. Simultaneously, a qualitative approach will be adopted to understand the perception of employees. From the data obtained, the appropriate ones will be extracted. The results have made it possible to identify the current difficulties in attracting and retaining employees in the sector, as well as some HRM strategies that can address these challenges. This can help companies in taking measures to improve employee satisfaction and also increase talent retention and new employees’ attraction. The inconsistencies between the employer’s perspective and what employees actually feel are noticeable, resulting in one of the primary challenges emerged, understand the needs of operational workers in the field

    Towards honey authentication: Differentiation of Apis mellifera subspecies in European honeys based on mitochondrial DNA markers

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    Honey is the natural sweet substance produced by Apis mellifera honeybees in Europe. Depending on the country/region, the A. mellifera subspecies native to Europe belong to three different lineages: A (A. m. iberiensis), M (A. m. iberiensis and A. m. mellifera) and C (A. m. ligustica and A. m. carnica). In this work, two DNAbased approaches were developed with the aim of entomological authentication of European honeys. A cytb specific PCR assay was proposed to identify A-lineage honeybees, while a second method based on real-time PCR coupled to high resolution melting analysis targeting the COI gene was developed to differentiate C- and Mlineages honeybees. The proposed methodologies were validated successfully with honeys of known origin and applied to the entomological authentication of 20 commercial samples from different European countries. The results highlight the predominance of honeys from C-lineage honeybees in Europe, except in Iberian Peninsula countries (honey from A-lineage honeybees).The authors are grateful to Dora Henriques for assembling the mitogenomes and to Pilar de la Rua and António Pajuelo for supplying authentic honey samples. This work was supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) through project UID/QUI/50006/2013 – POCI/01/0145/FEDER/007265 with financial support from FCT/MEC through national funds and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020 and by the projects NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-000011 and BeeHappy – POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029871 (financed by FEDER through the COMPETE 2020 – Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI) and FCT). S. Soares, L. Grazina and J. Costa are grateful to FCT grants (SFRH/BD/75091/2010, SFRH/BD/132462/2017 and SFRH/BPD/102404/2014, respectively) financed by POPH-QREN (subsidised by FSE and MCTES).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Oscilaciones del centro de gravedad en la mielopatía asociada al HTLV-1/paraparesia espástica tropical

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    [Abstract] Introduction: Postural control in individuals with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is usually compromised, which increases the risk of falls, makes it difficult to perform activities of daily living, and impairs the quality of life. The profile of the center of gravity oscillations in this population is unknown and may aid in clinical follow-up and research. Objective: To compare the stabilometric values between HAM/TSP and uninfected individuals and verify the existence of correlations between stabilometric variables and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Method: A cross-sectional observational study was performed with infected individuals, classified as defined and likely (WHO criteria), compared to accompanying persons and seronegative relatives. A baropodometry platform (Footwork®) was used to obtain the oscillation values of the body’s center of gravity in total oscillation area (TOA), anterior-posterior oscillation (APO) and lateral oscillation (LO). Mean values were correlated with BBS by Spearman’s Correlation (5% alpha). Approved by the ethical committee of Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública under Opinion 49634815.2.0000.5628. Results: An asymmetric distribution of all the stabilometric variables analyzed in the HAM/TSP population was found, different from the uninfected group (p < 0.05). It was also possible to verify strong to moderate and inverse correlations between the variables of center of gravity oscillation with the scores obtained in BBS, especially for TOA and LO. Conclusion: People with HAM/TSP presented higher values for the center of gravity oscillations and these were correlated with the BBS in the balance evaluation.[Resumo] Introdução: o controle postural em indivíduos com mielopatia associada ao HTLV-1 ou paraparesia espástica tropical (HAM/TSP) é geralmente comprometido, o que aumenta o risco de quedas, dificulta a realização de atividades de vida diária e prejudica a qualidade de vida. O perfil das oscilações do centro de gravidade nesta população é desconhecido e pode auxiliar no acompanhamento clínico e na pesquisa. Objetivo: comparar os valores estabilométricos entre pessoas com HAM/TSP e não infectados, e verificar a existência de correlações entre variáveis estabilométricas e a Escala de Equilíbrio Berg (EEB). Método: foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal com indivíduos infectados, classificados como definidos e prováveis (critérios da OMS), comparados com acompanhantes e familiares soronegativos. Uma plataforma de baropodometria (Footwork®) foi utilizada para obter os valores de oscilação do centro de gravidade do corpo em área de oscilação total (AOT), oscilação anteroposterior (OAP) e oscilação laterolateral (OLL). Os valores médios foram correlacionados com a BBS pela Correlação de Spearman (alfa 5%). Aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública sob o CAAE 49634815.2.0000.5628. Resultados: encontrou-se distribuição assimétrica de todas as variáveis estabilométricas analisadas na população com HAM/TSP, diferentes do grupo de não infectados (p < 0,05). Também foi possível verificar correlações de forte a moderada e inversas entre as variáveis de oscilação do centro de gravidade com os escores obtidos na EEB, especialmente para AOT e OLL. Conclusão: Pessoas com HAM/TSP apresentaram valores maiores para as oscilações do centro de gravidade e estas foram correlacionadas com a EEB na avaliação do equilíbrio.[Resumen] Introducción: El control postural en individuos con mielopatía asociada al HTLV-1 o paraparesia espástica tropical (HAM/TSP) suele estar comprometido, lo que aumenta el riesgo de caídas, les dificulta en las actividades de la vida diaria y perjudica su calidad de vida. Conocer el perfil de las oscilaciones del centro de gravedad en esta población puede ayudar en el seguimiento clínico y la investigación. Objetivo: Comparar los valores estabilométricos entre personas con HAM/TSP y personas no infectadas, y verificar la existencia de correlaciones entre las variables estabilométricas y la Escala de Equilibrio de Berg (BBS). Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal con individuos infectados, clasificados como definidos y probables (criterios de la OMS), comparados a acompañantes y familiares seronegativos. Se utilizó una plataforma de baropodometría (Footwork®) para obtener los valores de oscilación del centro de gravedad del cuerpo en el área de oscilación total (AOT), oscilación antero-posterior (OAP) y oscilación lateral-lateral (OLL). Los valores medios se correlacionaron con la BBS por la correlación de Spearman (alfa 5%). Estudio aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la Escuela Bahiana de Medicina y Salud Pública bajo CAAE 49634815.2.0000.5628. Resultados: Se encontró una distribución asimétrica de todas las variables estabilométricas analizadas en la población HAM/TSP diferente en el grupo no infectado (p <0,05). También fue posible verificar correlaciones de fuertes a moderadas e inversas entre las variables de oscilación del centro de gravedad con las puntuaciones obtenidas en la BBS, especialmente para AOT y OLL. Conclusión: Las personas con HAM/TSP presentaron valores más altos en las oscilaciones del centro de gravedad, las cuales se correlacionaron con la BBS en la evaluación del equilibrio

    Prognostic value of Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 overexpression in cancer: a systematic review

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    Energy production by cancer is driven by accelerated glycolysis, independently of oxygen levels, which results in increased lactate production. Lactate is shuttled to and from cancer cells via monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). MCT1 works both as an importer and an extruder of lactate, being widely studied in recent years and generally associated with a cancer aggressiveness phenotype. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the prognostic value of MCT1 immunoexpression in different malignancies. Study collection was performed by searching nine different databases (PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, OVID, TRIP and PsycINFO), using the keywords “cancer”, “Monocarboxylate transporter 1”, “SLC16A1” and “prognosis”. Results showed that MCT1 is an indicator of poor prognosis and decreased survival for cancer patients in sixteen types of malignancies; associations between the transporter’s overexpression and larger tumour sizes, higher disease stage/grade and metastasis occurrence were also frequently observed. Yet, MCT1 overexpression correlated with better outcomes in colorectal cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer patients. These results support the applicability of MCT1 as a biomarker of prognosis, although larger cohorts would be necessary to validate the overall role of MCT1 as an outcome predictor.This work has been funded by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)-project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020 and by the project NORTE-01- 0145-FEDER-000055, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). A.S., M.C.C. and J.A. received fellowships from FCT, references 2022.11018.BD (A.S.), 2022.10233.BD (M.C.C.) and SFRH/BPD/116784/2016 (J.A.)

    Novel diagnostic tools for Asian (Apis cerana) and European (Apis mellifera) honey authentication

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    Honey can be produced by different species of honeybees, with two being of economic importance due to their use in apiculture, namely Apis mellifera (known as European honeybee) and Apis cerana (known as Asian honeybee). Due to the decline of the wild populations of the Asian honeybee, this honey generally attains much higher market value, being prone to adulteration. This work aims at proposing new tools, based on the use of molecular markers, for the entomological authentication of honey. To this end, new species-specific primers were designed targeting the tRNA leu -cox2 intergenic region and allowing the detection of A. cerana DNA by qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, a novel real-time PCR method with high resolution melting analysis was developed to target the 16S rRNA gene of both bee species, allowing their discrimination in different clusters. The proposed methodologies were further applied with success in the authentication of Asian and European honey samples by the identification of honeybee DNA, demonstrating the usefulness of these simple and cost-effective new approaches.We thank Matt Webster from Uppsala University for providing the A. cerana samples from China and Thailand. This work was supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) through project UID/QUI/50006/2013 – POCI/01/0145/FEDER/007265 with financial support from FCT/MEC through national funds and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020 and by the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000011. S. Soares and J. Costa are grateful to FCT grants (SFRH/BD/75091/2010 and SFRH/BPD/102404/2014, respectively) financed by POPH-QREN (subsidised by FSE and MCTES).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Cyclic voltammetric analysis of 2-styrylchromones: Relationship with the antioxidant activity

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    2-Styrylchromones (2-SC) are a chemical family of oxygen heterocyclic compounds, vinylogues of flavones (2-phenylchromones), whose occurrence in nature has been reported. Recently, several 2-SC derivatives were demonstrated to have antioxidant properties, namely, xanthine oxidase inhibition, hepatoprotection against pro-oxidant agents in cellular and non-cellular systems and scavenging activity against reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). Considering these antioxidant properties, it may be hypothesised that the electrochemical redox behaviour of 2-SC contributes significantly to their activity. To test this hypothesis, the electrochemical behaviour of different 2-SC was studied, together with a number of flavonoids with well-known antioxidant activities, by cyclic voltammetry, and the results correlated to their ability to scavenge ROS and RNS. The results obtained showed that 2-SC with a catecholic B-ring have a low oxidation peak potential corresponding to the oxidation of the 30,40-OH (catechol) moiety. The compounds with a phenolic B-ring have a common peak, with oxidation potential values of about +0.4/+0.5 V versus Ag/AgCl, corresponding to the oxidation of the 40-OH. The oxidation of the hydroxyl substituents in the A-ring generated peaks of higher potentials (+0.7/+0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl). The results from the scavenging assays were in agreement with those obtained from the cyclic voltammetry, that is, higher scavenging effects corresponded to lower values of oxidation potentials, with significant correlation coefficients. The values obtained for the studied flavonoids are in accordance with the literature, and reflect their relative antioxidant activity, when compared to the studied 2-SC. Thus, in this family of compounds, oxidation potentials obtained by cyclic voltammetry seem to be applicable as a general indicator of radical scavenging activity.The authors acknowledge FCT and FEDER financial support for the Project POCI/QUI/59284/2004. Ana Gomes acknowledges FCT and FSE her Ph.D. Grant (SFRH/BD/23299/2005)
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