Biological and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Elderly Quality of Life Living in the Community in Baixo-Alentejo

Abstract Objectives: To identify the biological and socio-demographic factors considered as predictors of the Quality of Life of elderly people residing in an aged and predominantly rural community in Portugal, namely the Baixo-Alentejo. Methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive study, with a random sample of 351 elderly residing in the community, stratified by gender and age group, with data collection performed by health professionals in people’s homes, using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. In addition to a brief description of the general characteristics of the sample, a linear regression model by blocks was performed, in order to investigate about the biological and sociodemographic factors considered as predictors of Quality of life. Results: Highest percentage of women in the sample. Decreased Quality of Life in all domains as well as in the General Health Facet as age progresses. Higher average Quality of Life score obtained for the Social Relationships domain and smaller to the Physical Health one. Higher Quality of Life scores obtained for males compared to females. Education considered as one of the most significant predictors of Quality of Life, whose score increases with higher education levels. Discussion: Regarding the biological factors, age appears to be a significant predictor in the Physical Health and Environment domains, while the gender seems to be a significant predictor in the Physical Health and Psychological ones. In respect to the sociodemographic factors, the marital status appeared to be a significant predictor in Psychological and Social Relationships domains, but education was the only factor identified as a statistically significant predictor in all domains of Quality of Life

Conversion of cellulosic materials into glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, by Pseudozyma spp. under SHF and SSF processes

Background: Mannosylerythritol lipids (MEL) are glycolipids with unique biosurfactant properties and are produced by Pseudozyma spp. from different substrates, preferably vegetable oils, but also sugars, glycerol or hydrocarbons. However, solvent intensive downstream processing and the relatively high prices of raw materials currently used for MEL production are drawbacks in its sustainable commercial deployment. The present work aims to demonstrate MEL production from cellulosic materials and investigate the requirements and consequences of combining commercial cellulolytic enzymes and Pseudozyma spp. under separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) processes. Results: MEL was produced from cellulosic substrates, Avicel® as reference (>99% cellulose) and hydrothermally pretreated wheat straw, using commercial cellulolytic enzymes (Celluclast 1.5 L® and Novozyme 188®) and Pseudozyma antarctica PYCC 5048T or Pseudozyma aphidis PYCC 5535T. The strategies included SHF, SSF and fed-batch SSF with pre-hydrolysis. While SSF was isothermal at 28°C, in SHF and fed-batch SSF, yeast fermentation was preceded by an enzymatic (pre-)hydrolysis step at 50°C for 48 h. Pseudozyma antarctica showed the highest MEL yields from both cellulosic substrates, reaching titres of 4.0 and 1.4 g/l by SHF of Avicel® and wheat straw (40 g/l glucan), respectively, using enzymes at low dosage (3.6 and 8.5 FPU/gglucan at 28°C and 50°C, respectively) with prior dialysis. Higher MEL titres were obtained by fed-batch SSF with pre-hydrolysis, reaching 4.5 and 2.5 g/l from Avicel® and wheat straw (80 g/l glucan), respectively. Conclusions: This work reports for the first time MEL production from cellulosic materials. The process was successfully performed through SHF, SSF or Fed-batch SSF, requiring, for maximal performance, dialysed commercial cellulolytic enzymes. The use of inexpensive lignocellulosic substrates associated to straightforward downstream processing from sugary broths is expected to have a great impact in the economy of MEL production for the biosurfactant market, inasmuch as low enzyme dosage is sufficient for good systems performance

Sensitive Indicators to Rehabilitation Nursing Care in a Rehabilitation Program for People in the Surgical Process, Based on the Health Quality Model.

Abstract Continued improvement in care is one of the primary objectives of Rehabilitation Nursing. With the current medical-surgical evolution, the Rehabilitation Nurse faces new challenges related to the recovery, enhancement and maintenance of the functionality and capacity of the person in the surgical process. The identification of the indicators that are sensitive to the care of Rehabilitation Nursing, presents in the intervention plans carried out, allow us to measure the quality of the care provided and guarantee the excellence of the care performed. Objective: To identify sensible indicators for Rehabilitation Nursing care, presents in the Rehabilitation programs executed to the person in the surgical process, based on the health quality model. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out through the EBSCO host (MEDLINE with Full Text, CINAHL Plus with Full Text and MedicLatina), using the PI [C] O method. Results: 49 indicators were identified, with emphasis on: “Percentage of clients to whom rehabilitation plan and/or rehabilitation program has been implemented to maximize functional capabilities”; “Percentage of clients with potential to improve the walking ability” and “Percentage of clients with risk of muscle stiffness who were monitored for the range of joint motion through the goniometer”. Conclusion: The surgical patient, in the various areas of intervention (vascular, neurosurgical, orthopedic), presents health gains with the implementation of Rehabilitation programs, with 49 indicators that are sensitive to Rehabilitation Nursing care in the programs executed

Hydrothermal pretreatment of several lignocellulosic mixtures containing wheat straw and two hardwood residues available in Southern Europe

This work studied the processing of biomass mixtures containing three lignocellulosic materials largely available in Southern Europe, eucalyptus residues (ER), wheat straw (WS) and olive tree pruning (OP). The mixtures were chemically characterized, and their pretreatment, by autohydrolysis, evaluated within a severity factor (log R0) ranging from 1.73 up to 4.24. A simple modeling strategy was used to optimize the autohydrolysis conditions based on the chemical characterization of the liquid fraction. The solid fraction was characterized to quantify the polysaccharide and lignin content. The pretreatment conditions for maximal saccharides recovery in the liquid fraction were at a severity range (log R0) of 3.65–3.72, independently of the mixture tested, which suggests that autohydrolysis can effectively process mixtures of lignocellulosic materials for further biochemical conversion processes

What Technologies Can the Nurse Use to Increase the Quality of Life of the Elderly Population with Leg Ulcers?–Systematic Literature Review.

The purpose of this study was to identify the new technologies that nurses could use to increase the quality of life on an elderly person with leg ulcer. Methods: it was made a systematic revision of literature with qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. Results: Elderly persons with chronic leg ulcers frequently experience multiple disabling symptoms and these symptoms are highly related with impairment of quality of life. Nowadays, the technology is prepared to improve diagnosis and treatment of illness. For the leg ulcer, one of the newest technologies is electrical stimulation on skin with two types: electrical stimulation therapy and electroceutical treatment. These therapies consist on the application of microcurrents of electric energy to replace the current of injury which has become disrupted in chronic wounds. The therapy reduces the wound size, pain and exudate levels. Conclusion: With this recent investigation and with the enforcement of new technologies in association with the usual therapies it is possible to improve the quality of life of the patient, however, it is extremely important to continue the investigation on this area

Biorefining strategy for maximal monosaccharide recovery from three different feedstocks: eucalyptus residues, wheat straw and olive tree pruning

This work proposes the biorefining of eucalyptus residues (ER), wheat straw (WS) and olive tree pruning (OP) combining hydrothermal pretreatment (autohydrolysis) with acid post-hydrolysis of the liquid fraction and enzymatic hydrolysis of the solid fraction towards maximal recovery of monosaccharides from those lignocellulose materials. Autohydrolysis of ER, WS and OP was performed under non-isothermal conditions (195–230 C) and the non-cellulosic saccharides were recovered in the liquid fraction while cellulose and lignin remained in the solid fraction. The acid post-hydrolysis of the soluble oligosaccharides was studied by optimizing sulfuric acid concentration (1–4% w/w) and reaction time (10–60 min), employing a factorial (22) experimental design. The solids resulting from pretreatment were submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis by applying commercial cellulolytic enzymes Celluclast1.5 L and Novozyme 188 (0.225 and 0.025 g/g solid, respectively). This strategy provides high total monosaccharide recovery or high glucose recovery from lignocellulosic materials, depending on the autohydrolysis conditions applied

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of metacognitive training for older adults with depression (MCT-Silver) in Portugal: study protocol

First publication by Frontiers MediaDepression is one of the most common psychological disorders in later life. Although psychological interventions are recommended by treatment guidelines, most older adults with depression remain untreated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Portuguese version of Metacognitive Training for Depression in later life (MCT-Silver)

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of metacognitive training for older adults with depression (MCT-Silver) in Portugal: study protocol

IntroductionDepression is one of the most common psychological disorders in later life. Although psychological interventions are recommended by treatment guidelines, most older adults with depression remain untreated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Portuguese version of Metacognitive Training for Depression in later life (MCT-Silver).MethodsThis is a study protocol of an observer-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of MCT-Silver with a treatment as usual (TAU) control group among older adults (age 65 years and older) with depressive symptoms according to the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale. Participants will be tested at three assessment time points (baseline, immediately following the intervention [8 weeks], and 3 months after the intervention). The primary outcome is change in self-rated depression symptoms assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Secondary outcomes include clinician-rated depression, self-esteem, dysfunctional beliefs, metacognitive beliefs, ruminations, attitudes toward aging and quality of life. A self-designed subjective appraisal rating scale consisting of 21-items will be used to assess participant acceptance of MCT-Silver.DiscussionMCT-Silver is an innovative intervention, which aims to reduce dysfunctional thoughts as well as depression-related behaviors and coping strategies through the metacognitive perspective. Until now, the training has only been tested in Germany. It is expected that after 8 weeks of treatment and 3 months later, the experimental group will demonstrate significant reductions in depressive symptoms, metacognitive beliefs, dysfunctional attitudes and ruminative responses compared to the TAU group. Moreover, quality of life, self-esteem, and attitudes towards aging will be significantly improved in MCT-Silver compared to the TAU group.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05640492