Métodos de aplicação de bactérias diazotróficas em cana-soca para fins de determinação da eficiência agronômica.

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End-users’ perspectives of an eHealth platform to promote physical activity in COPD: a qualitative study

Introduction: eHealth platforms can be used as a tool to promote physical activity (PA) in patients with COPD. When developing such platforms, a bottom-up approach is needed to ensure that patients’ and healthcare professionals’ (HCP) needs and expectations are addressed. Aim: To assess patients’ and HCP’ perspectives on the ideal eHealth platform (web application - app - for HCP + mobile app for patients) for PA promotion in patients with COPD. Methods: One focus group with 5 patients (68±8 yrs, FEV1 44±21pp) and 6 individual interviews with HCP (physicians and physiotherapist, 39±10 yrs) were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were recorded and transcripts were analysed using the Grounded Theory approach. Results: Participants considered an eHealth platform to promote patients' PA valuable. Both groups suggested that PA should be individualised according to patients’ characteristics. The main features for a mobile app included: shared goal setting, PA progress graphs, motivational messages and goal badges, notifications, a bi-directional communication system to support patients and information on breathing exercises. Both groups highlighted the importance of measuring steps, PA duration, SpO2, and dyspnoea on exertion. For the web app, the HCP highlighted the importance of a notification system to signal PA changes or non-compliance (e.g., colour scheme), as well as tabs for PA goal setting and monitoring. HCP recommended this platform for patients with stable or mild disease and/or those attending pulmonary rehabilitation. Conclusion: Findings provide guidance to the design of future eHealth platforms for PA promotion in COPD.publishe

Construct validity and reliability of the Informal Caregiver Burden Assessment Questionnaire (QASCI) in caregivers of patients with COPD

Highlights • Caring for a person with COPD can impact several dimensions of caregivers' lives. • The caregiving experience should be assessed to develop tailored interventions. • The QASCI tool presented good construct validity and reliability results. • It may be valuable to assess caregiving burden in caregivers of patients with COPD.Introduction: COPD often leads to loss of independence in daily activities which may increase the dependency on the informal caregiver, resulting in caregiving burden. Several instruments have been used to assess caregiving burden in COPD; however, their measurement properties have been poorly investigated in this population. This study assessed the construct validity and reliability of the Informal Caregiver Burden Assessment Questionnaire (QASCI) in informal caregivers of patients with COPD. Methods: Participants completed the QASCI (higher scores indicate higher burden) and the following questionnaires to assess construct validity: Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument – Short Form (WHOQOL-Bref). QASCI was completed again one week later to assess test-retest reliability. Statistical analyses included: Pearson’s (r) or Spearman’s (ρ) correlations (construct validity); Cronbach’s α (internal consistency); Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2,1, test-retest reliability) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Minimal Detectable Change (MDC95) and Bland and Altman 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA). Results: Fifty caregivers (62.7 ± 9.8 years, 88% female; patients’ FEV1 = 45.2 ± 21.3%predicted) participated. QASCI mean score was 28.5 ± 19.8 (moderate burden). QASCI was positively correlated with ZBI (r = 0.908; p < 0.01), HADS anxiety (r = 0.613; p < 0.01) and depression (ρ = 0.634; <0.01) and negatively correlated with WHOQOL-Bref ( 0.476 to 0.739) (all p < 0.01). Cronbach’s α was 0.793 for the QASCI total score (subscales: 0.747–0.932). The ICC2,1 was 0.924, SEM 2.8 and MDC95 7.8, and the LoA were 18.3 to 11.1. Conclusions: The QASCI seems to be a promising measure to assess burden levels associated with informal caregiving in COPD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bilateral Metastases to the Extraocular Muscles From Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Bilateral orbital metastases restricted to the extraocular muscles (EOMs) are exceedingly rare. We report a case of bilateral extraocular muscle metastases from a small cell lung carcinoma and provide a review of the relevant literature. A 56-year-old smoker presented with proptosis, motility changes, and a relative afferent pupillary defect of the left eye, with a previous history of a small cell lung carcinoma. An orbital computerized tomography scan revealed a mass restricted to the left medial rectus. An incisional biopsy confirmed metastasis. Visual acuity of the left eye decreased rapidly, and right globe proptosis became evident. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging at two months follow-up showed marked left orbital mass enlargement and a new right lateral rectus mass. The patient was maintained on palliative care and died from metastatic disease-related complications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Construct validity and reliability of the Informal Caregiver Burden Assessment Questionnaire (QASCI) in caregivers of patients with COPD

COPD often leads to loss of independence in daily activities which may increase the dependency on the informal caregiver, resulting in caregiving burden. Several instruments have been used to assess caregiving burden in COPD; however, their measurement properties have been poorly investigated in this population. This study assessed the construct validity and reliability of the Informal Caregiver Burden Assessment Questionnaire (QASCI) in informal caregivers of patients with COPD.publishe

A Metabolic Signature to Monitor Endothelial Cell Differentiation, Activation, and Vascular Organization

Funding: The institutions are funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (FCT/MCTES, Portugal) through national funds to iNOVA4Health (UIDB/04462/2020 and UIDP/04462/2020), MOSTMICRO-ITQB (UIDB/04612/2020 and UIDP/04612/2020), and the Associated Laboratory LS4FUTURE (LA/P/0087/2020). Filipa Lopes-Coelho’s fellowship was funded by FCT (PD/BD/128337/2017). Luis G. Gonçalves was financed by an FCT contract according to DL57/2016 (SFRH/BPD/111100/2015). This work benefited from access to CERMAX, ITQB NOVA, Oeiras, Portugal, with equipment funded by FCT, project AAC 01/SAICT/2016.The formation of new blood vessels is an important step in the morphogenesis and organization of tissues and organs; hence, the success of regenerative medicine procedures is highly dependent on angiogenesis control. Despite the biotechnological advances, tissue engineering is still a challenge. Regarding vascular network formation, the regulators are well known, yet the identification of markers is pivotal in order to improve the monitoring of the differentiation and proliferation of endothelial cells, as well as the establishment of a vascular network supporting tissue viability for an efficacious implantation. The metabolic profile accompanies the physiological stages of cells involved in angiogenesis, being a fruitful hub of biomarkers, whose levels can be easily retrieved. Through NMR spectroscopy, we identified branched amino acids, acetate, and formate as central biomarkers of monocyte-to-endothelial-cell differentiation and endothelial cell proliferation. This study reinforces the successful differentiation process of monocytes into endothelial cells, allowing self-to-self transplantation of patient-derived vascular networks, which is an important step in tissue engineering, since monocytes are easily isolated and autologous transplantation reduces the immune rejection events.publishersversionpublishe

Eficiência agronômica do inoculante de cana-de-açúcar aplicado em três ensaios conduzidos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro durante o primeiro ano de cultivo.

A inoculação de cana-de-açúcar utilizando bactérias diazotróficas selecionadas pode reduzir a demanda de nitrogênio fertilizante na cultura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar o inoculante contendo uma mistura de cinco espécies de bactérias diazotróficas em duas variedades de cana-de-açúcar, RB72454 e RB867515, plantadas em três locais sendo duas usinas produtoras de açúcar do Estado Rio de Janeiro e o terceiro no Campo Experimental da Embrapa Agrobiologia. No primeiro ano de plantio no campo, apenas a variedade RB867515 respondeu a inoculação utilizando a mistura de estirpes.bitstream/item/42983/1/BOP-45.pd

Relationship between distress and physical activity in informal carers of patients with COPD

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to an increase in patient’s dependence on the informal carer and consequently to higher levels of distress. In the general population, higher levels of physical activity (PA) have been found to contribute to lower levels of distress. However, this relationship has been scarcely studied in carers of patients with COPD. Aim: This study aimed to explore the relationship between distress and PA in informal carers of patients with COPD and the influence of caregiving duration. Methods: Forty-one carers (62.4±10.1 years, 90.2% female; 41.5% caring for patients >40h/week; patients’ FEV1=43.7±19.7%pred) completed the Portuguese tool to assess distress related to caregiving (Informal Caregiver Burden Assessment Questionnaire [QASCI]; higher score meaning higher distress; 7 subscales); the Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire (HPAQ) to assess PA; and questions related to the caregiving duration (h/week, years). Pearson’s correlations and linear regressions were used. Results: There was a negative moderate correlation between the QASCI (30.3±20.7) and the HPAQ (5.1±1.2) (r=-.517; p=.01). Correlations were also found between PA and some of the QASCI subscales (emotional burden r=-.500; implications for personal life r=-.652; financial burden r=-.471; perception of efficacy and control mechanisms r=.428; p<.01). Two linear regression models were tested to predict the QASCI score involving as predictors: 1) HPAQ (B1=-9.094) (p=.001; r2=.27); 2) HPAQ (B1=-7.401) and caregiving h/week (B2=6.156) (p<.001; r2=.39). Conclusions: Higher PA levels may be related to decreased levels of distress in this population. Further research is needed.publishe

Test-retest reliability, agreement and construct validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form (IPAQ-sf) in people with COPD

Artigo 107027. In Press, Journal Pre-proof. YRMED 107087. PII S0954-6111(22)00352-3.Introduction This study assessed the test-retest reliability/agreement and construct validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form (IPAQ-sf) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also explored differences in its validity according to age, sex and GOLD airflow obstruction levels. Methods 62 participants (68 ± 8 years, 53 males, FEV1 51 ± 23%pred) completed the Portuguese IPAQ-sf, wore an accelerometer for 7 days and completed a second IPAQ-sf. Test-retest reliability/agreement was assessed with Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2,1), 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC95) for continuous variables, and percentage of agreement (%agreement) for categories (“active”/“inactive”). Validity was assessed with 95% LoA and Spearman's correlations (ρ) between IPAQ-sf 2 (METs-min/week, time in vigorous [VPA], moderate PA [MPA] and walking) and accelerometry (time in MVPA, VPA, MPA and step counts) for continuous variables; %agreement, Cohen's kappa, and sensitivity specificity and±predictive values for categories. Correlations were also performed for age, sex and GOLD airflow obstruction grades. Results Reliability was good (ICC2,1 = 0.707) with wide LoA (-6446—6409 METs-min/week). SEM and MDC95 were 1840 and 4971 METs-min/week, respectively. %agreement between the two IPAQ-sf was 84% (kappa = 0.660). Positive, moderate and significant correlations were found between IPAQ-sf and accelerometry (0.396 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.527, p  0.05). The strongest correlations were found in age (<65 years) and male (0.466 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.653, p < 0.05). %agreement between tools was 65% (kappa = 0.313), with high sensitivity (0.830) but low specificity (0.500). Conclusions The IPAQ-sf seems valid to be used in COPD but caution on its widespread use is recommended as its accuracy may be limited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio