Cyclodextrin/cellulose hydrogel with gallic acid to prevent wound infection

Cyclodextrin-based hydrogels have been described as suitable for the controlled-release of bioactive molecules to be used as wound dressing. These materials have major advantages, since they gather the hydrogel properties (high degree of swelling and easy manipulation) and the encapsulation ability of cyclodextrins. β-cyclodextrin (β) or hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβ) was cross-linked (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether) with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose under mild conditions. The hydrogels were chemically characterized by swelling degree, FTIR, DSC and contact angle. The gallic acid loading and release was also analysed, as well the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of the polymeric networks. The hydrogels obtained were firm and transparent, with good swelling ability. The gel-HPβ had a surface more hydrophilic when compared with the gel-β. Nevertheless, both hydrogels were capable to incorporate gallic acid and sustain the release for 48 h. The antibacterial activity of gallic acid was maintained after its adsorption within the polymeric matrix, as well as, gallic acid effect on fibroblast proliferation. Therefore, gel-β and gel-HPβ conjugated with gallic acid were shown to be a viable option for antibacterial wound dressing.The authors thank the FCT Strategic Projects PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013, PEst-C/CTM/UI0264/2011, the Project "BioHealth-Biotechnology and Bioengineering approaches to improve health quality'', Ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000027, co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional doNorte (ON.2-ONovoNorte), QREN, FEDER, and E. Pinho grant (SFRH/BD/62665/2009)

Characterization and comparison of Brazilian and foreign leased pelagic longline fleets in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean between 2003 and 2014. How different are these fisheries?

The pelagic zone of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean is an important area for longline fisheries. Brazilian waters are strategic regions for the performance of this modality in International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas - ICCAT. In order to reach international quotas government strengthened its rent policy of foreign vessels aiming to promote technology transfer to the national fleet. Knowledge of vessel characteristics, technology used in equipment and strategies used by skippers are important for the management of this activity. The present study characterized vessels from national and foreign fleets operating out of the port of Itajaí, in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), between 2003 and 2014. Results indicate that these fleets are different in relation to size of vessels, engine power, cargo hold capacity, length of the main and branchlines, and steel wire length. Despite these differences, strategies adopted are critical to achieve better yields per trip. For the national fleet, the skills acquired to the use of equipments, in understanding the behavior of the target species, and change of fishing strategies often compensate for the lack of technology

Awareness of stroke among patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Renal dysfunction is an important risk factor for stroke. Brazilian studies on stroke knowledge are generally population based. Studies stratifying stroke knowledge according to comorbidities are rare. Scientific data are essential to guide the awareness of stroke. OBJECTIVE: To assess stroke knowledge in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study of patients with CKD on hemodialysis in north-eastern Brazil. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire survey on stroke awareness was administered to patients with CKD on hemodialysis between April and November 2022. The chi-square test and other descriptive statistics were used. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were included in the analysis. The Brazilian acronym for stroke was used by 53.5% of the participants. Less than 10.0% of the sample showed optimal decision-making ability regarding stroke. Of the participants, 29.9% knew at least one risk factor and one symptom; however, this was considered as having below the minimum capacity because they did not know the emergency service call number. In the analysis adjusted for income and education, females (odds ratio [OR], 0.40%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.82), older patients (OR, 0.24%; 95% CI, 0.09-0.63) and having at most one comorbidity (OR, 0.48%; 95% CI, 0.23-0.98) were factors for lower levels of knowledge or ideal decision-making capacity against stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on hemodialysis, especially women and older people, have little knowledge about stroke

Comitê Local de Gestão Ambiental - CLGA.

Projeto/Plano de Ação: 11.11.11.111

Service planning and delivery outcomes of home adaptations for ageing in the UK

In response to the impact of demographic change on the healthcare system, ‘ageing in place’ was introduced as a national policy to support elderly people living independently in their homes. Housing adaptation is essential for successful independent living and has been given increased political priority. However, adaptation policies and practice vary regionally, reflecting statutory limits, policy choices and local planning. This study investigated the current status of adaptation provision in different regions in the UK and assessed the effectiveness of local service planning and management. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory research strategy was employed. In the first quantitative phase, a questionnaire survey was carried out involving all 378 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. This was followed by a second qualitative phase involving individual interviews with five professionals and two clients and a focus group meeting with six key stakeholders. The study found that the current number of adaptations was relatively small compared with potential demands in most local areas, as was funding for adaptations. On the operational side, the adaptation process was fragmented, involving different service groups in many local authorities. There were disconnections between these groups, which often caused inefficiencies and poor effectiveness. Moving forward, local authorities need to have a clear vision of the overall need for adaptations and allocate sufficient resources. Practical guidelines are also needed for better integrated working and performance management

Novel image–novel location object recognition task sensitive to age-related cognitive decline in nondemented elderly

Traditional tests used in the clinic to identify dementia, such as the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), are useful to identify severe cognitive impairments but might be less sensitive to detect more subtle age-related cognitive changes. Previously, the novel image–novel location (NINL) object recognition test was shown to be sensitive to detect effects of apolipoprotein E4, a risk factor for developing age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, in nondemented elderly. In the present longitudinal study, performance on the MMSE and the NINL tests were compared over a 4-year period. Individual NINL scores over this period were highly correlated. In addition, while MMSE scores did not change over the 4-year period, NINL scores did. In a final testing session of a subset of the participants, NINL scores correlated with logical memory and word recall lists, cognitive tasks used to detect dementia in the clinic, as well as clinical dementia rating scales. These results support that the NINL might be a valuable tool to assess age-related cognitive decline