Antioxidant properties of thirty commercial cultivars of apples from Alcobaça region (Portugal): edible portion versus by-products

Alcobaça is a region located in the centre of Portugal known by its unique edaphoclimatic conditions that make it the largest apple production region in the country. The Maca de Alcobaca is one of the 1257 products registered as Protected Geographical Origin (PGI) by the eAmbrosia database of the EU [1]. This fruit is widely appreciated worldwide, not only because of the organoleptic properties, but also because of their antioxidant properties and association with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases [2-3]. The objective of this work was to determine the antioxidant properties as well as estimate the fructose content of 30 commercial cultivars produced in the Alcobaça region. The antioxidant properties were evaluated through antioxidant capacity tests (DPPH radical scavenging and -carotene bleaching). Moreover total phenolic content and total flavonoids were also determined. The fructose content was assessed as per Ashwell [4]. Overall, the by-products of the commercial cultivars of apple presented a higher antioxidant capacity than the pulp. The Fujion cultivar, for instance, presented a antioxidant capacity of 76.4 g Trolox equivalents (TE)/g of fresh fruit on the peels, comparatively to 53.7 g TE/g of fresh fruit on the seeds and 22.1 g TE/g of fresh fruit in the pulp. These results show that the by-products of the studied commercial cultivars of the studied apples fruit can be used as a valuable source of natural antioxidants, avoiding their waste and guaranteeing their valorisation for instance, by food industry, in a circular economy concept.This study was carried out in the frame of the clabel+ project: Innovative Natural, Nutritious and Consumer Oriented “Clean Label” Foods with the reference POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046080 financed by the Competitiveness and Internationalization Thematic Operational Programme (PO CI), under the COMPETE2020, PORTUGAL2020 Partnership Agreement, through the co-financing of European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), and of the IDfoods project: Food System of The Future - Research and Development in Sustainable Agrifood Systems and Healthy Nutrition with the reference POCI-01-0247- FEDER-039364 supported financed by the Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program (POCI), within the scope of COMPETE2020, Partnership Agreement PORTUGAL 2020, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).. The work was supported by UIDB/00211/2020 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds. J.D.T. would like to thank to clabel+ project for his fellowship (28/2021/BI). C. Almeida also acknowledges the financial support by LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/00511/2020 and UIDP/00511/2020 (LEPABE), funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Graves disease and IgA deficiency as manifestations of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome:

A síndrome de deleção 22q11.2 (SD22q11.2) está associada à alta variabilidade fenotípica, abrangendo o espectro velocardiofacial/síndrome de DiGeorge. Manifestações autoimunes, endocrinológicas e de imunodeficiência vêm sendo relatadas associadas à síndrome. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de SD22q11.2 associado à deficiência de IgA e à doença de Graves e rever a literatura visando verificar a frequência dessas alterações na SD22q11.2. Os distúrbios autoimunes, cada vez mais relacionadas a SD22q11.2 e novos fenótipos, vêm sendo incorporadas ao seu espectro clínico. No presente estudo, verificou-se que a doença de Graves associada à SD22q11.2 foi relatada em apenas dezesseis pacientes e quinze descritos na literatura nos últimos 13 anos. Com base na incidência e na amplitude de seu espectro de manifestações já reconhecidas, reforçaram-se os achados da literatura de que a doença de Graves deve ser incluída nas manifestações da SD22q11.2, o que nos levaria a pesquisá-la nos portadores da deleção 22q11.2.The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is related to a high phenotypic variability including the velocardiofacial/DiGeorge spectrum. Autoimmune, endocrine and immunodeficiency manifestations have been reportedly associated with the syndrome. The objective of this study was to report a case of 22q11.2DS associated with IgA deficiency and Graves disease and review literature in order to verify the frequency of syndrome alterations. Autoimmune disorders have been increasingly related to 22q11.2DS, and new phenotypes are being incorporated in the clinical spectrum of this syndrome. In our study we found that Graves disease in association with 22q11.2DS was reported in only sixteen patients, and fifteen cases were described in the last 13 years. Based on the incidence and on the amplitude of this recognized spectrum, we reinforce the findings of literature that Graves disease should be included on the 22q11.2DS manifestations, which would lead us to seek it with 22q11.2 deletion patients

Returns to Postgraduate Education in Portugal: Holding on to a Higher Ground?

In this paper we use a large official employer-employee data set to document and decompose the rising graduates postgraduates’ wage differentials in Portugal. Using a non-parametric matching exercise we disentangle two different sources of postgraduates’ relative earnings: higher wages within the same type of occupations and the access to better paid occupations. We further look at displacement and deskilling effects due to relative demand inertia as possible sources of the evolution of relative earnings. Our results show that both displacement and deskilling effects, particularly of graduates with only a first-degree, appear to be at least as important as direct productivity effects in explaining postgraduates premiums. We also conclude that the relative importance of the former has been steadily increasing overtime and that, on the contrary, the net creation of high-paying, postgraduateonly jobs has been relatively modest. This evidence suggests that postgraduate degrees have largely worked as a way of holding on to a higher ground.COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020, FEDER, FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Usefulness of information and communication technologies : portuguese nurses' look

Objective: to identify nurses’ perception on the usefulness of information and communication technologies in their professional practice, as well as in communication among the multidisciplinary team. Method: this is a quantitative, descriptive study, of exploratory character, carried through with 3.451 nurses from 36 hospital institutions of Portugal. A questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. In data analysis, using SPSS® resorted to descriptive statistics. Results: of the nine technologies under study, we found that regarding their usefulness in professional practice, nurses qualified as useful or very useful: Intranet (84.3%), email (79.5%), SClínico® (74.8%), Nursing Practice Support System (70.9%), Physician Support System (63.2%), newsletter (62.9), ALERT® (59.4%), Health Data Platform (42.8%) and SONHO® (31.8). Regarding its usefulness in communication among the multidisciplinary team, nurses qualified as useful or very useful: email (75.2%), Intranet (74.2%), SClínico (72.5%), Nursing Practice Support System (67.1%), Physician Support System (63.6%), ALERT® (58.9%), newsletter (57.2), Health Data Platform (40.1%) and SONHO® (29.4%). Conclusion: despite the usefulness of technologies presenting relevant percentages, it is pertinent to analyze why nurses’ perceived usefulness is superior to Intranet and email when compared with specific technologies of care data used in the hospital context.Objetivo: identificar a percepção dos enfermeiros sobre a utilidade das tecnologias de informação e comunicação na sua prática profissional, bem como na comunicação entre a equipe multidisciplinar. Método: estudo quantitativo, descritivo, de caráter exploratório, realizado com 3.451 enfermeiros, de 36 instituições hospitalares de Portugal Continental. Como instrumento de coleta de dados foi utilizado um questionário. Na análise dos dados, utilizando o SPSS®, recorreu-se à estatística descritiva. Resultados: das nove tecnologias em estudo constata-se que relativamente à sua utilidade na prática profissional, os enfermeiros qualificaram como útil ou muito útil a Intranet (84,3%), o Correio Eletrônico (79,5%), o SClínico® (74,8), o Sistema de Apoio à Prática de Enfermagem (70,9%), o Sistema de Apoio ao Médico (63,2%), o Boletim informativo (62,9), o ALERT® (59,4%), a Plataforma de Dados da Saúde (42,8%) e o SONHO® (31,8). No que se refere à sua utilidade no âmbito da comunicação entre a equipe multidisciplinar, os enfermeiros qualificaram como útil ou muito útil o Correio Eletrônico (75,2%), a Intranet (74,2%), o SClínico (72,5%), o Sistema de Apoio à Prática de Enfermagem (67,1%), o Sistema de Apoio ao Médico (63,6%), o ALERT® (58,9%), o Boletim informativo (57,2), a Plataforma de Dados da Saúde (40,1%) e o SONHO® (29,4%). Conclusão: apesar da utilidade das tecnologias apresentar percentuais relevantes, torna-se pertinente analisar o motivo pelo qual a percepção de utilidade dos enfermeiros é superior para a Intranet e para o Correio Eletrônico quando comparados com as tecnologias específicas de dados assistenciais utilizadas no contexto hospitalar.Objetivo: identificar la percepción de los enfermeros sobre la utilidad de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en su práctica profesional, así como en la comunicación entre el equipo multidisciplinario. Método: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, exploratorio, realizado con 3.451 enfermeros, de 36 instituciones hospitalarias de Portugal. Como instrumento de recolección de datos se utilizó un cuestionario. En el análisis de datos, usando el SPSS®, fue utilizado estadística descriptiva. Resultados: de las nueve tecnologías estudiadas, encontramos que en relación a su utilidad en la práctica profesional, los enfermeros describieron la Intranet (84,3%), el correo electrónico (79,5%), el SClínico® (74,8%), el Sistema de Apoyo a la Práctica de Enfermería (70,9%), el Sistema de Apoyo al Médico (63,2%), el boletín informativo (62,9), el ALERT® (59,4%), el Plataforma de Datos de Salud (42,8%) y el SONHO® (31,8). En cuanto a su utilidad en el contexto de comunicación entre el equipo multidisciplinar, los enfermeros calificaron el correo electrónico (75,2%), la Intranet (74,2%), el SClínico® (72,5%), el Sistema de Apoyo a la Práctica de Enfermería (67,1%), el Sistema de Apoyo al Médico (63,6%), el ALERT® (58,9%), el boletín informativo (57,2%), la Plataforma de Datos de Salud (40,1%) y el SONHO® (29,4%). Conclusión: a pesar de la utilidad de las tecnologías para presentar porcentajes relevantes, es pertinente analizar la razón por la cual la percepción de utilidad de las enfermeras es superior para la Intranet y para el Correo Electrónico cuando se compara con las tecnologías específicas de datos asistenciales utilizadas en el contexto hospitalario.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparison of the phenolics profile of regional and commercial cultivars of apples (Malus domestica) from Alcobaça region (Portugal)

Phenolic compounds are believed to have antioxidant properties, and therefore many studies have been conducted in order to search for the presence of such compounds in food matrices and the effects that they cause [1, 2]. Some of the most common sources of phenolic compounds in human diet are fruit and fruit based products, particularly apples [3]. An Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography combined with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-ToF-MS) method was developed for the determination of individual phenolics in the pulp and by-products of regional and commercial cultivars of apples from Alcobaça region (Portugal). The analytical method was evaluated regarding linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification and accuracy, showing its suitability for the quantification of phenolic compounds. Epicatechin, quercetin-3-b-d-glucoside, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were the main phenolic compounds found in all portions of apples, namely: peels, seeds, and pulp (mesocarp). Apple peels presented the highest content of phenolic compounds. For example, in the Noiva variety, peels had the highest concentration of epicatechin (80.69 ± 0.59 g/g), followed by seeds (16.36 ± 0.48 g/g) and lower levels were found in the pulp (3.74 ± 0.08 g/g). Phloridzin, one of the most recognized apple polyphenols, was quantified in all apples, however, different cultivars have different levels of this phenolic compound. In peels, the level of phloridzin ranges between 10.8 g/g in the Bonita variety to 0.57 mg/g in the Fujion variety. Some cultivars of apples showed very high levels of phenolic compounds, associated with their putative benefits for Human Health. Moreover, their by-products showed great potential as source of natural antioxidants.This study was carried out in the frame of the clabel+ project: Innovative Natural, Nutritious and Consumer Oriented “Clean Label” Foods with the reference POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046080 financed by the Competitiveness and Internationalization Thematic Operational Programme (PO CI), under the COMPETE2020, PORTUGAL2020 Partnership Agreement, through the co-financing of European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and of the IDfoods project: Food System of The Future - Research and Development in Sustainable Agrifood Systems and Healthy Nutrition with the reference POCI-01-0247- FEDER-039364 supported financed by the Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program (POCI), within the scope of COMPETE2020, Partnership Agreement PORTUGAL 2020, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The work was supported by UIDB/00211/2020 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds. J.D.T. would like to thank to clabel+ project for his fellowship (28/2021/BI). C. Almeida also acknowledges the financial support by LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/00511/2020 and UIDP/00511/2020 (LEPABE), funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

THORACOSCOPIC SYMPATHECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS: EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER SURGERY

When approaching patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PH), refractory to conservative treatment, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is a safe and effective alternative. Methods and materials: Retrospective study in order to assess the quality of life of patients with PH undergoing ETS, from 1 of January 2009 to 31 of December 2014. The data was collected from the medical registries of each patient and from a clinical interview with the application of the quality of life SF-36 questionnaire. The statistical analysis was preformed using SPSS. Results: In this period, 21 patients were operated, 14 of which answered the questionnaire. It was found that ETS is an effective procedure in 100% of patients, who have a reasonable quality of life as assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire. Most patients have a perception of improved quality of life after ETS. In this study, 85.7% of patients developed compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH). Discussion: In this study we confirmed the benefit associated to ETS, in line with previous studies. However, this study as some limitations such as the subjectivity of the symptoms, the small sample size, the recall bias and the complexity of the SF-36 questionnaire. When referring a patient to ETS, the possibility of CH should be addressed in patient’s decision-making process given its high incidence. Conclusion: The ETS is a safe and effective procedure and is associated with an improved quality of life of individuals with PH

ATIVIDADES DE ENFERMAGEM QUE CONTRIBUEM PARA A QUALIDADE DOS CUIDADOS: ANÁLISE FATORIAL CONFIRMATÓRIA DA ESCALA

Objetivo: analisar a estrutura fatorial da Escala de Percepção das Atividades de Enfermagem que Contribuem para a Qualidade dos Cuidados. Método: estudo metodológico com participação de 3.451 enfermeiros de 36 hospitais portugueses. Além da realização da análise fatorial confirmatória, para avaliação da confiabilidade do modelo fatorial obtido, utilizou-se o alfa de Cronbach e a confiabilidade compósita. Resultados: os pesos fatoriais da solução encontrada foram majoritariamente elevados; os valores dos índices de ajustamento do modelo foram razoáveis; o alfa de Cronbach foi elevado para a totalidade da escala e para cinco dimensões, sendo aceitável em apenas uma dimensão. A confiabilidade compósita também foi elevada em cinco dimensões, excepto em uma, considerada como aceitável. Todas as atividades apresentaram uma confiabilidade individual elevada. Conclusão: em comparação com a escala original, o modelo fatorial identificado contempla seis dimensões e não sete, produzindo uma escala confiável e válida, passível de aplicação no contexto hospitalar.Descritores: Estudos de Validação. Análise Fatorial. Psicometria. Garantia da Qualidade dos Cuidados de Saúde.Cuidados de Enfermagem

Impact of COVID‐19 on professional nursing practice environments and patient safety culture

Aim: To analyse the impact of COVID-19 on professional nursing practice environments and patient safety culture. Background: The relationship between work environments and patient safety has been internationally recognized. In 2020, the pandemic imposed enormous challenges, yet the impact on these variables remains unknown. Method: This is a quantitative observational study, conducted in a Portuguese hospital, with 403 registered nurses. A self-completion questionnaire was used. Results: The impact on the Structure and Outcome components of nursing professional practice environments was positive. Although the Process component remained favourable to quality of care, a negative trend was confirmed in almost all dimensions. The results regarding safety culture showed weaknesses; ‘teamwork within units’ was the only dimension that maintained a positive culture. Conclusion: Positive responses regarding patient safety were significantly associated with the quality of the nursing professional practice environment. The need to invest in all dimensions of safety culture emerges to promote positive professional environments. Implications for nursing management: Improving professional nursing practice environments can be achieved through managers’ investment in the participation and involvement of nurses in the policies and functioning of institutions, as well as promoting an open, fair and participatory safety culture that encourages reporting events and provides adequate support for professionals.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of Renal Sympathetic Denervation on Left Ventricular Structure and Function at 1-Year Follow-Up

BACKGROUND: Catheter-based sympathetic renal denervation (RDN) is a recent therapeutic option for patients with resistant hypertension. However, the impact of RDN in left ventricular (LV) mass and function is not completely established. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of RDN on LV structure and function (systolic and diastolic) in patients with resistant hypertension (HTN). METHODS AND RESULTS: From a single centre prospective registry including 65 consecutive patients with resistant HTN submitted to RDN between July-2011 and April-2015, 31 patients with baseline and 1-year follow-up echocardiogram were included in this analysis. Mean age was 65 ± 7 years, 48% were males, 71% had type 2 diabetes. Most had hypertension lasting for more than 10 years (90%), and were being treated with a median number of 6 anti-hypertensive drugs, including 74% on spironolactone. At 1-year, there was a significant decrease both on office SBP (176 ± 24 to 149 ± 13 mmHg, p<0.001) and DBP (90 ± 14 to 79 ± 11 mmHg, p<0.001), and also in 24h ABPM SBP (150 ± 20 to 132 ± 14 mmhg, p<0.001) and DBP (83 ± 10 to 74 ± 9 mmHg, p<0.001). There was also a significant decrease in LV mass from 152 ± 32 to 136 ± 34 g/m(2) (p<0.001), an increase in LV end diastolic volume (93 ± 18 to 111 ± 27 mL, p = 0.004), an increase in LV ejection fraction (65 ± 9 to 68 ± 9%, p = 0.001) and mitral valve E deceleration time (225 ± 49 to 247 ± 51 ms, p = 0.015) at 1-year follow up. There were no significant changes in left atrium volume index or in the distribution of patients among the different left ventricle geometric patterns and diastolic function subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In this single centre registry of patients with resistant hypertension, renal denervation was associated with significant reduction in both office and ABPM blood pressure and a significant decrease in left ventricle mass evaluated by transthoracic echocardiogram at 1 year follow-up.publishersversionpublishe