Do roads alter the trophic behavior of the mesocarnivore community living close to them?

Roads have impacts on the fauna arising from habitat fragmentation, roadkill and the barrier effect. Furthermore, roads lead species to change their activity with repercussions on predator– prey interactions and trigger indirect effects that are currently unknown. This study analyzes the effect of a motorway on the trophic behavior of the terrestrial carnivore community of its surroundings. Monthly scat sampling was conducted over a year at three distances from a motorway (0–50 m, 500–550 m and 1000–1050 m). We collected 498 scats, these originating from red fox (39.16%), cat (24.50%), stone marten (24.09%) and badger (12.25%). The relative abundance of the trophic resources in them was estimated together with the trophic diversity and niche overlap of the carnivore species. The results showed a distinct effect of distance from the road on trophic behavior of carnivores, as well as differences between species and seasons. The scats nearest the road had 10–20% more biomass of small mammals, equivalent in relative terms to a 21–48% increase in small mammals’ biomass when compared with scats collected further from the road. This finding indicates changes in predator–prey interactions near the road and shows that the human-generated structural and functional changes to ecosystems spread throughout trophic networks.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Simple Procedure to Fabricate Paper Biosensor and Its Applicability—NADH/NAD+ Redox System

A simple device which incorporates three electrodes (working electrode, counter electrode and reference electrode) was constructed to be used currently in laboratories without elevated cost. It does not need more than 2 μL of electrolyte, sample or working solution, his support material is paper, and the working electrode which is based on carbon ink can incorporate enzymes and cofactors. To test this concept we started this investigation using the NADH/NAD+ redox couple which is an omnipresent coenzyme in living systems but is also a challenge to electrochemistry. The paper sensor fabrication was simple, rapid and cheaper. NADH was incorporated in the carbon ink by mixing both and, this mixture was used to print the working electrode. The direct electrochemical system NADH/NAD+ signal obtained, using this device, appeared at low potentials. A quasi-reversible diffusional redox process was achieved and regeneration of the NADH after oxidation was reached. This small paper device was not only used to study the redox process of NAD+/NADH, but also its behavior in the presence of electroactive (ascorbic acid) and non-eletroactive species (glucose).publishersversionpublishe

Use of a Simple Fabrication Process to Produce A Biosensor: The 3-hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase Case

This study was aimed to construct a biodegradable but reliable 3-β-hydroxybutyrate biosensor. In this context a versatile paper based biosensor, quickly, easily and cheaply fabricated is reported. The procedure of fabrication is based on the assumption that the introduction of the enzyme in the carbon ink will allow enzyme stabilization and facilitate the study of the catalysis of enzymes and the detection of substrates. To prove this concept we use the enzyme 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, in aqueous solution. This enzyme was chosen because it catalyzes the 3-β-hydroxybutyrate, which results from ketoacidosis. The quantification this substance in the diabetics’ blood is very important as it can increase the reliability of the diagnosis of glycaemia. To prove the multi-use of this biosensor we not only study the redox process in steady state and during the catalytic process, but also detected and quantify the 3-β-hydroxybutyrate. Our results showed that it was possible to study the redox process that occurred during the catalysis and to confirm the amino acid residues that participate in it. It was also observed that glucose and ascorbic acid can interfere in the detection and quantification of the 3-β-hydroxybutyrate, what should be in mind when the quantification of the 3-β-hydroxybutyrate is made in blood samples.publishersversionpublishe

O prognóstico de câncer de mama na gravidez: evidências para o cuidado de enfermagem

This integrative review analyzed evidence available in the literature concerning the prognosis of breast cancer during pregnancy. The following databases were used for selecting studies: PubMed, CINAHL and LILACS. A total of 240 primary studies were identified; 13 papers were included in the integrative reviews sample after reading the titles and abstracts and according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. There is evidence indicating that pregnancy does not worsen the evolution of breast cancer and a poor prognosis is related to late stage tumors. Among the gaps identified in the studied theme, the need for further studies addressing nursing care provided to pregnant women with breast cancer is highlighted in order to promote improved care in the context of health care.Esta revisión integradora de la literatura objetivó analizar las evidencias disponibles en la literatura sobre el pronóstico del cáncer de mama durante el embarazo. La selección de los estudios primarios fue realizada en las bases de datos PubMed, CINAHL y LILACS; se identificaron 240 estudios primarios. Después de la lectura de los títulos y resúmenes y establecimiento de los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, 13 artículos fueron incluidos en la muestra de la revisión integradora. En la síntesis del conocimiento producido hay evidencias que indican que el embarazo no empeora la evolución del cáncer de mama y el pronóstico malo está relacionado con la estadificación clínica tardía del tumor. Entre las lagunas en el tópico investigado hay que resaltar la necesidad de realizar estudios sobre la atención de enfermería prestada a mujeres embarazadas con cáncer de mama para mejoría del cuidado en el contexto de la atención a la salud.O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar as evidências disponíveis na literatura sobre o prognóstico de câncer de mama na gravidez. O método de revisão adotado foi a revisão integrativa. Para a seleção dos estudos primários, utilizaram-se as bases de dados PubMed, CINAHL e LILACS. Na busca, foram identificados 240 estudos primários, após a leitura dos títulos e resumos e, frente aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão estabelecidos, 13 artigos foram incluídos na amostra da revisão integrativa. Na síntese do conhecimento produzido, há evidências que indicam que a gestação não piora a evolução do câncer de mama e o mau prognóstico está relacionado ao estadiamento tardio do tumor. Dentre as lacunas identificadas, sobre o tópico investigado, destaca-se a necessidade de condução de estudos direcionados para a assistência de enfermagem, prestada à mulher grávida, com câncer de mama, para promover a melhoria do cuidado no contexto da atenção à saúde

Introduction of robotic surgery for endometrial cancer into a Brazilian cancer service: a randomized trial evaluating perioperative clinical outcomes and costs

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome and costs after the implementation of robotic surgery in the treatment of endometrial cancer, compared to the traditional laparoscopic approach. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study from 2015 to 2017, eighty-nine patients with endometrial carcinoma that was clinically restricted to the uterus were randomized in robotic surgery (44 cases) and traditional laparoscopic surgery (45 cases). We compared the number of retrieved lymph nodes, total time of surgery, time of each surgical step, blood loss, length of hospital stay, major and minor complications, conversion rates and costs. RESULTS: The ages of the patients ranged from 47 to 69 years. The median body mass index was 31.1 (21.4-54.2) in the robotic surgery arm and 31.6 (22.9-58.6) in the traditional laparoscopic arm. The median tumor sizes were 4.0 (1.5-10.0) cm and 4.0 (0.0-9.0) cm in the robotic and traditional laparoscopic surgery groups, respectively. The median total numbers of lymph nodes retrieved were 19 (3-61) and 20 (4-34) in the robotic and traditional laparoscopic surgery arms, respectively. The median total duration of the whole procedure was 319.5 (170-520) minutes in the robotic surgery arm and 248 (85-465) minutes in the traditional laparoscopic arm. Eight major complications were registered in each group. The total cost was 41% higher for robotic surgery than for traditional laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic surgery for endometrial cancer presented equivalent perioperative morbidity to that of traditional laparoscopic surgery. The duration and total cost of robotic surgery were higher than those of traditional laparoscopic surgery

Natural-origin materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Recent advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have shown that combining biomaterials, cells, and bioactive molecules are important to promote the regeneration of damaged tissues or as therapeutic systems. Natural origin polymers have been used as matrices in such applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. This article provides an up-to-date review on the most promising natural biopolymers, focused on polysaccharides and proteins, their properties and applications. Membranes, micro/nanoparticles, scaffolds, and hydrogels as biomimetic strategies for tissue engineering and processing are described, along with the use of bioactive molecules and growth factors to improve tissue regeneration potential. Finally, current biomedical applications are also presented.The authors would like to thank to the financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the fellowship grants of Simone S Silva (SFRH/BPD/112140/2015), Emanuel M Fernandes (SFRH/BPD/96197/2013), Joana-Silva Correira (SFRH/BPD/100590/2014), Sandra Pina (SFRH/BPD/108763/2015), Silvia Vieira (SFRH/BD/102710/2014), “Fundo Social Europeu”- FSE and “ Programa Diferencial de Potencial Humano POPH”, and to the distinction attributed to J.M. Oliveira under the Investigator FCT program (IF/00423/2012). It is also greatly acknowledged the funds provided by FCT through the project EPIDisc (UTAP-EXPL/BBBECT/0050/2014), financed in the Framework of the “International Collaboratory for Emerging Technologies, CoLab”, UT Austin|Portugal Program.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio