Study, design and development of a new add-on function for the FRICTORQ® - Friction Test Instrument

The assessment of handle properties is of utmost importance in materials in our everyday life. There is a wide range of materials there are used in contact with the human skin, which may cause several unpleasant skin reactions. The FRICTORQ® is a laboratory equipment developed by the authors to measure the friction coefficient in fabrics, to enable a quantitative assessment of touch/handle, in order to predict the comfort behaviour of 2D/3D structures when used or touched by humans. In a further development, the FRICTORQ® was redesigned to accommodate a new testing kit function to determine the friction coefficient of fabrics in a liquid environment. This new design will be explained and the results obtained while testing different swimwear fabrics and hospital garments will be also presented and discussed

A vida feliz: uma reflexão sobre a concepção de felicidade em Santo Agostinho

ResumoO ser humano busca a felicidade, está na sua essência essa procura; por isso a importância de investigar ainda hoje esse tema. O presente artigo é fruto da análise e reflexão sobre a obra de Santo Agostinho que trata a temática da felicidade, intitulada De Beata Vita. Fruto da investigação bibliográfica dessa obra e de outras que versam sobre essa questão, o objetivo principal é analisar a obra em tela, buscando compreender qual a base do conceito de felicidade nesse filósofo e qual a sua aplicabilidade nos dias de hoje. Para tanto, faz-se um apanhado dos principais fatos da vida de Agostinho de Hipona, seguido por um breve esboço dos pressupostos da filosofia agostiniana. Também se desenvolve, na sequência, uma análise do livro De Beata Vita, finalizando com a relação dos principais tópicos tratados, além de algumas aplicações dos conceitos apresentados.Palavras-chave: Felicidade. Eudaimonia. Deus. Agostinho.AbstractThe human being seeks happiness, this search is in our essence; thus, it is important the investigating this topic even today. This article is the result of analysis and reflection on the work of Saint Augustine that deals with the theme of happiness, entitled De Beata Vita. As a result of the bibliographic investigation of this work and others that deal with this issue, the main objective is to analyze the work on screen, seeking to understand the basis of the concept of happiness in this philosopher and its applicability today. To this end, an overview of the main facts of the life of Augustine of Hippo is made, followed by a brief outline of the assumptions of Augustinian philosophy. An analysis of the book De Beata Vita is also developed next, ending with a list of the main topics covered, in addition to some applications of the concepts presented.Keywords: Happiness. Eudaimonia. God.Augustine.ResumenEl ser humano busca la felicidad; está en su esencia esa procura; de allí la importancia de investigar, todavía en los días de hoy, sobre ese tema. El presente artículo es fruto del análisis y reflexión acerca la obra de san Agustín que trata sobre la felicidad, cuyo título es De Beata Vita. Fruto de la investigación bibliográfica de esa obra y de otras que tratan la cuestión, el objetivo central es analizar la obra mencionada, buscando comprender la base del concepto de felicidad en ese filósofo y su aplicabilidad en los días actuales. Para ello, se presenta una visión general de la vida de Agustín de Hipona, seguida de una breve reseña de los presupuestos de la filosofía agustiniana. También se presenta, a seguir, un análisis del libro De Beata Vita, y se finaliza con una relación de los principales tópicos tratados, además de algunas aplicaciones de los conceptos estudiados.Palabras-clave: Felicidad. Eudaimonia. Dios. Agustín

Expression-based and co-localization detection of arabinogalactan protein 6 and arabinogalactan protein 11 interactors in Arabidopsis pollen and pollen tubes

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are cell wall proteoglycans that have been shown to be important for pollen development. An Arabidopsis double null mutant for two pollen-specific AGPs (agp6 agp11) showed reduced pollen tube growth and compromised response to germination cues in vivo. A microarray experiment was performed on agp6 agp11 pollen tubes to search for genetic interactions in the context of pollen tube growth. A yeast two-hybrid experiment for AGP6 and AGP11 was also designed.FEDER funds: (COMPETE program); COST Action FA0903

Kinesiology tape increases muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity: Effects of the direction of tape application

The claim that the effects of kinesiology tape are different depending on the direction of tape application needs to be clearly ascertained. This study aimed to determine the immediate effects of two forearm kinesiology tape applications on muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of young individuals. Thirty-nine participants (15 men and 24 women) were randomized (1:1:1) to: the facilitatory group, receiving kinesiology tape applied from origin to insertion; the inhibitory group, receiving kinesiology tape applied from insertion to origin; or, a control group, without any intervention. The mechanical properties – tone, elasticity, and stiffness – of the forearm muscles were measured with a handheld mechanical impulse-based myotonometric device before and 30 min after the kinesiology tape application. Only the application of kinesiology tape from origin to insertion significantly increased muscle tone [16.6 (2.5) to 17.4 (3.5) Hz, p = 0.036], stiffness [318.3 (52) to 355.0 (87) N/m, p = 0.004], and elasticity [0.98 (0.1) to 1.10 (0.1), p = 0.023]. No changes were observed in both inhibitory kinesiology tape and the control group. In conclusion, kinesiology tape application has different effects depending on the direction of the taping application. The facilitatory tapping increased muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence Of Different Dentin Substrate (caries-affected, Caries-infected, Sound) On Long-term ?tbs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the μTBS in different dentin substrates and water-storage periods. Twenty-four dentin blocks obtained from sound third molars were randomly divided into 3 groups: Sound dentin (Sd), Caries-affected dentin (Ca) and Caries-infected dentin (Ci). Dentin blocks from Ca and Ci groups were subjected to artificial caries development (S. mutans biofilm). The softest carious tissue was removed using spherical drills under visual inspection with Caries Detector solution (Ca group). It was considered as Ci (softer and deeply red stained dentin) and Ca (harder and slightly red stained dentin). The Adper Single Bond 2 adhesive system was applied and Z350 composite blocks were built in all groups. Teeth were stored in deionized water for 24 h at 37 ºC and sectioned into beams (1.0 mm2 section area). The beams from each tooth were randomly divided into three storages periods: 24 h, 6 months or 1 year. Specimens were submitted to µTBS using EZ test machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Failure mode was examined by SEM. Data from µTBS were submitted to split plot two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD tests (a=0.05). The µTBS (MPa) of Sd (41.2) was significantly higher than Ca (32.4) and Ci (27.2), regardless of storage. Ca and Ci after 6 months and 1 year, presented similar µTBS. Mixed and adhesive failures predominated in all groups. The highest µTBS values (48.1±9.1) were found for Sd at 24 h storage. Storage of specimens decreased the µTBS values for all conditions.281162

The Determination of Cannabinoids in Urine Samples Using Microextraction by Packed Sorbent and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Cannabis is the most consumed illicit drug worldwide, and its legal status is a source of concern. This study proposes a rapid procedure for the simultaneous quantification of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) in urine samples. Microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) was used to pre-concentrate the analytes, which were detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The procedure was previously optimized, and the final conditions were: conditioning with 50 µL methanol and 50 µL of water, sample load with two draw–eject cycles, and washing with 310 µL of 0.1% formic acid in water with 5% isopropanol; the elution was made with 35 µL of 0.1% ammonium hydroxide in methanol. This fast extraction procedure allowed quantification in the ranges of 1–400 ng/mL for THC and CBD, 5–400 ng/mL for CBN and 11-OH-THC, and 10–400 ng/mL for THC-COOH with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99. The limits of quantification and detection were between 1 and 10 ng/mL using 0.25 mL of sample. The extraction efficiencies varied between 26 and 85%. This analytical method is the first allowing the for determination of cannabinoids in urine samples using MEPS, a fast, simple, and low-cost alternative to conventional techniquesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Differential expression patterns of Arabinogalactan Proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana reproductive tissues

36 p.-6 fig.Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are heavily glycosylated proteins existing in all members of the plant kingdom and are differentially distributed through distinctive developmental stages. Here, we showed the individual distributions of specific Arabidopsis AGPs: AGP1, AGP9, AGP12, AGP15, and AGP23, throughout reproductive tissues and indicated their possible roles in several reproductive processes. AGP genes specifically expressed in female tissues were identified using available microarray data. This selection was confirmed by promoter analysis using multiple green fluorescent protein fusions to a nuclear localization signal, β-glucuronidase fusions, and in situ hybridization as approaches to confirm the expression patterns of the AGPs. Promoter analysis allowed the detection of a specific and differential presence of these proteins along the pathway followed by the pollen tube during its journey to reach the egg and the central cell inside the embryo sac. AGP1 was expressed in the stigma, style, transmitting tract, and the chalazal and funiculus tissues of the ovules. AGP9 was present along the vasculature of the reproductive tissues and AGP12 was expressed in the stigmatic cells, chalazal and funiculus cells of the ovules, and in the septum. AGP15 was expressed in all pistil tissues, except in the transmitting tract, while AGP23 was specific to the pollen grain and pollen tube. The expression pattern of these AGPs provides new evidence for the detection of a subset of specific AGPs involved in plant reproductive processes, being of significance for this field of study. AGPs are prominent candidates for male–female communication during reproduction.This work was financed by FEDER through the COMPETE programme, and by Portuguese National funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Project PTDC/AGR-GPL/115358/2009) and from an FCT PhD grant SFRH/BD/60995/2009 awarded to AMP. This project also benefited from financial support from the COST Action FA0903: ‘Harnessing Plant Reproduction for Crop Improvement’.Peer reviewe

Systematic Review and Correlations with HPV Status and Patient Survival

Funding: This study was financially supported by the Virology Laboratory from the Pathology Department of the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Lisboa IUIC/1168, with contributions by the Research Center of the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (project no. PI86-CI-IPOP-66-2017), by Base Funding-UIDB/00511/2020 of the Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology, and Energy—LEPABE—funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC), and Project 2SMART-engineered Smart materials for Smart citizens, with reference NORTE-01- 0145-FEDER-000054, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020) under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).PIK3CA mutations are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). This study aims to establish the frequency of PIK3CA mutations in a Portuguese HNSCC cohort and to determine their association with the HPV status and patient survival. A meta-analysis of scientific literature also revealed widely different mutation rates in cohorts from different world regions and a trend towards improved prognosis among patients with PIK3CA mutations. DNA samples were available from 95 patients diagnosed with HNSCC at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology in Lisbon between 2010 and 2019. HPV status was established based on viral DNA detected using real-time PCR. The evaluation of PIK3CA gene mutations was performed by real-time PCR for four mutations (H1047L; E542K, E545K, and E545D). Thirty-seven cases were found to harbour PIK3CA mutations (39%), with the E545D mutation (73%) more frequently detected. There were no significant associations between the mutational status and HPV status (74% WT and 68% MUT were HPV (+); p = 0.489) or overall survival (OS) (3-year OS: WT 54% and MUT 65%; p = 0.090). HPV status was the only factor significantly associated with both OS and disease-free survival (DFS), with HPV (+) patients having consistently better outcomes (3-year OS: HPV (+) 65% and HPV (-) 36%; p = 0.007; DFS HPV (+) 83% and HPV (-) 43%; p = 0.001). There was a statistically significant interaction effect between HPV status and PIK3CA mutation regarding DFS (Interaction test: p = 0.026). In HPV (+) patients, PIK3CA wild-type is associated with a significant 4.64 times increase in the hazard of recurrence or death (HR = 4.64; 95% CI 1.02-20.99; p = 0.047). Overall, PIK3CA gene mutations are present in a large number of patients and may help define patient subsets who can benefit from therapies targeting the PI3K pathway. The systematic assessment of PIK3CA gene mutations in HNSCC patients will require further methodological standardisation.publishersversionpublishe

Development of a preoperative risk score on admission in surgical intermediate care unit in gastrointestinal cancer surgery

DSAIPA/DS/0042/2018 UID/DTP/00617/2019Background: Gastrointestinal cancer surgery continues to be a significant cause of postoperative complications and mortality in high-risk patients. It is crucial to identify these patients. Our study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of specific perioperative risk assessment tools to predict postoperative complications, identifying the most informative variables and combining them to test their prediction ability as a new score. Methods: A prospective cohort study of digestive cancer surgical patients admitted to the surgical intermediate care unit of the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Portugal was conducted during the period January 2016 to April 2018. Demographic and medical information including sex, age, date from hospital admission, diagnosis, emergency or elective admission, and type of surgery, were collected. We analyzed and compared a set of measurements of surgical risk using the risk assessment instruments P-POSSUM Scoring, ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator, and ARISCAT Risk Score according to the outcomes classified by the Clavien-Dindo score. According to each risk score system, we studied the expected and observed post-operative complications. We performed a multivariable regression model retaining only the significant variables of these tools (age, gender, physiological P-Possum, and ACS NSQIP serious complication rate) and created a new score (MyIPOrisk-score). The predictive ability of each continuous score and the final panel obtained was evaluated using ROC curves and estimating the area under the curve (AUC). Results: We studied 341 patients. Our results showed that the predictive accuracy and agreement of P-POSSUM Scoring, ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator, and ARISCAT Risk Score were limited. The MyIPOrisk-score, shows to have greater discrimination ability than the one obtained with the other risk tools when evaluated individually (AUC = 0.808; 95% CI: 0.755-0.862). The expected and observed complication rates were similar to the new risk tool as opposed to the other risk calculators. Conclusions: The feasibility and usefulness of the MyIPOrisk-score have been demonstrated for the evaluation of patients undergoing digestive oncologic surgery. However, it requires further testing through a multicenter prospective study to validate the predictive accuracy of the proposed risk score.publishersversionpublishe

CISTO ODONTOGÊNICO CALCIFICANTE – RELATO DE CASO

 O cisto odontogênico calcificante é uma lesão incomum com comportamento clínico e histopatológico variável. Em alguns casos parecem ser cistos não-neoplásicos, enquanto em outros casos não apresentam características císticas, sendo considerados como neoplasias. A forma cística é a mais freqüente e a característica histológica mais comum é a presença de um número variável de células fantasmas no componente epitelial. A região de caninos e incisivos é a de maior incidência da lesão e a média de idade dos pacientes é de 33 anos. Geralmente se apresenta como uma lesão unilocular radiolúcida bem definida, podendo apresentar estruturas radiopacas no interior. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar o caso clínico da paciente L.G., 39 anos, gênero feminino, leucoderma, que foi encaminhada ao serviço de Cirurgia Buco-Maxilo-Facial da UFPR. A lesão apresentava-se assintomática e foi um achado durante o exame radiográfico, no qual observou-se a presença de uma lesão radiolúcida, estendendo-se da região do dente 12 ao 23. Os dentes 12, 11 e 21 apresentavam tratamento endodôntico e o dente 22 não respondeu ao teste de vitalidade. A hipótese diagnóstica foi de cisto periapical e o tratamento proposto foi a enucleação da lesão. O diagnóstico histopatológico foi de cisto odontogênico epitelial calcificante