Embryonic zebrafish response to a commercial formulation of azoxystrobin at environmental concentrations

Azoxystrobin is a broad-spectrum strobilurin fungicide for use on a wide range of crops available to end-users as formulated products. Due to its extensive application, it has been detected in aquatic ecosystems, raising concerns about its environmental impact, which is still poorly explored. The objective of this work was to study the effects of a commercial formulation of azoxystrobin in the zebrafish embryo model. Sublethal and lethal effects were monitored during the exposure period from 2 h post fertilisation (hpf) to 96 hpf after exposure to azoxystrobin concentrations (1, 10 and 100 µg L-1). The responses of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR)) as well as detoxifying enzymes (glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and carboxylesterase (CarE)) were evaluated at 96 hpf. Similarly, glutathione levels (reduced (GSH) and oxidised (GSSG) glutathione), neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase (AChE)) and anaerobic respiration (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) -related enzymes were assayed. At 120 hpf, larvae from each group were used for behaviour analysis. Results from this study showed concentration-dependent teratogenic effects, particularly by increasing the number of malformations (yolk and eye), with a higher prevalence at the highest concentration. However, it was found that the lowest concentration induced a high generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased activity of SOD, GST, and CarE. In addition, GR and GSSG levels were decreased by the lowest concentration, suggesting an adaptive response to oxidative stress, which is also supported by the increased AChE activity and absence of behavioural changes. These findings advance the knowledge of the azoxystrobin developmental and environmental impacts, which may impose ecotoxicological risks to non-target species.The authors would like to thank Prof. Dr. Fernando Nunes for the experimental assistance in the chromatographic procedures. This work was financially supported by European Investment Funds by FEDER/ COMPETE/POCI– Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme, under the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT - “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”, under the project UIBD/04033/2020 and under the PhD grant SFRH/ BD/144904/2019

Teratogenic, oxidative stress and behavioural outcomes of three fungicides of natural origin (Equisetum arvense, mimosa tenuiflora, thymol) on zebrafish (danio rerio)

The improper use of synthetic fungicides has raised public concerns related to environmental pollution and animal health. Over the years, plant-derived antifungals have been investigated as safer alternatives, although little scientific evidence of its neurodevelopmental effects exist. The main objective of this study was to explore the effects of three alternative natural extracts (Equisetum arvense, Mimosa tenuiflora, Thymol) with antifungal properties during the early development of zebrafish by evaluating different teratogenic, oxidative stress and behavioural outcomes. Following the determination of the 96 h-LC50, exposure to sublethal concentrations showed the safety profile of both E. arvense and M. tenuiflora. However, following 96-h exposure to Thymol, increased lethality, pericardial oedema, yolk and eye deformations, and decreased body length were observed. The reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) ratio was increased, and the glutathione-s-transferase activity in the group exposed to the highest Thymol concentration. Overall, these results support a more reducing environment associated with possible effects at the cellular proliferation level. In addition, the disruption of behavioural states (fear-and anxiety-like disorders) were noted, pointing to alterations in the c-Jun N-terminal kinase developmental signalling pathway, although further studies are required to explore this rationale. Notwithstanding, the results provide direct evidence of the teratogenic effects of Thymol, which might have consequences for non-target species.This research was funded by European Investment Funds by FEDER/COMPETE/POCI– Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme, under the project POCI-01–0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT—“Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”, under the project UIBD/04033/2020 and under the PhD grant number SFRH/BD/144904/2019

Tailoring restoration interventions to the grassland-savanna-forest complex in central Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2019-09-18T00:41:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Schmidtetal2019RestorationEcology.pdf: 228617 bytes, checksum: f2e62c1741a1f02b90f6b15189f85175 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019bitstream/item/202063/1/Schmidt-et-al-2019-Restoration-Ecology.pd

Cross-Cultural Validation of the Falls Efficacy Scale International in Elderly: Systematic Literature Review

The aim of this study is to describe the psychometric properties of cultural adaptations of the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) in the elderly dwelling in the community. A systematic literature review was performed according to the research question: What are the psychometric properties of the FES-I in the elderly dwelling in the community in different cultural backgrounds? The Population, Interest, Context (PICo) strategy was used for inclusion criteriadPopulation: elderly; Interest area/intervention: psychometric properties of the FES-I; Context: dwelling in the community in various cultural settings. The sample was made up of 10 articles. Metric properties have been evaluated by the criteria of validity, reproducibility, reliability, and responsiveness. The FES-I is considered acceptable, understandable to measure the fear of falling in the elderly, valid, reliable, and comparable cross-culturally, so it is recommended in rehabilitation research, clinical trials, clinical practice, and in fall-prevention programs in elderly.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validación de la Positive and Negative Affect Schedule en Personas con Enfermedad Renal Crónica

Aim: to analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scale in people with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Method: this was a methodological study. A random sample of 171 people chronic kidney disease who receive hemodialysis in two clinics in the region of Lisbon, Portugal. Data was collected from May to June 2015. The psychometric properties were evaluated: Validity (construct, convergent and predictive), reliability (Cronbach’s α) and stability (test-retest). Results: showed that the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scale has two distinct dimensions of positive and negative affect, reliable and stable both when obtained by interview or by questionnaire. Conclusion: the validity and reproducibility of the Portuguese version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scale in people with chronic kidney disease are consistent with the original version and the English version of this scale.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Factores que Influencian a Apreciación de Películas Cómicas por Personas con Enfermedad Renal Crónica

Objetivos: Identificar os factores que influenciam a apreciação de filmes humorosos em pessoas com doença renal crónica e conhecer os filmes humorosos mais apreciados por estas pessoas durante a sessão de hemodiálise. Métodos: Pesquisa descritiva e correlacional de delineamento transversal. Amostra randomizada composta por pessoas com doença renal crónica submetidas a hemodiálise numa clínica. A colheita de dados foi por meio de entrevista individual e questionário autopreenchido, utilizando-se os instrumentos: caracterização dos sujeitos e o formulário do sentido de humor. Os dados foram analisados recorrendo a procedimentos da estatística descritiva como média, desvio padrão e frequência simples e relativa e teste de hipóteses t student e qui quadrado para estabelecer a associação entre variáveis independentes e dependente. Resultados: Dos 171 participantes, os jovens e casados apreciam mais filmes de humor. As pessoas com doença renal crónica que apreciam filmes de humor consideram-se alegres e divertidas, referem ter sentido de humor e ter uma família divertida. Além disso, mencionam gostar de brincar, de rir, que as façam rir, de estar com pessoas com sentido de humor, de ouvir anedotas, de ler livros cómicos e de ouvir histórias engraçadas. Conclusões: Foram verificados os factores sociodemográficos e clínicos que estão relacionados com o sentido de humor e que influenciam a apreciação de filmes de humor, bem como foram identificados os principais tipos de filmes/vídeos de humor/cómicos apreciados pelas pessoas com doença renal crónica. Este estudo traz contributos importantes para a intervenção de enfermagem humor da Classificação das intervenções de enfermagem.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validation of the Subjective Happiness Scale in People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Objetivo: Validar as propriedades psicométricas da Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) em pessoas com Doença Renal Crônica (DRC) em programa de hemodiálise. Método: Trata-se de um estudo metodológico. A amostra randomizada foi constituída por 171 pessoas com DRC submetida a hemodiálise em duas clinicas na região de Lisboa, Portugal. Os dados foram colhidos de maio a junho de 2015. Foram avaliadas as propriedades psicométricas: validade (construto, convergente e discriminativa), fidedignidade por meio da consistência interna (α de Cronbach) e estabilidade (Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse e Coeficiente de Correlação de Spearman-Brown). Resultados: Os resultados suportam a estrutura unifatorial, com uma confiabilidade (α=0,90). Além disso, esta escala está positivamente correlacionada com a Escala de Satisfação com a Vida (r=0,60; p<0,001), apoiando assim a sua validade de critério. Conclusões: A versão portuguesa da SHS é válida e reprodutível em pessoas com DRC.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validación de la “Subjective Happiness Scale” en Personas con Enfermedad Renal Crónica

Objective: To explore the psychometric properties of the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This is a methodological study. The random sample included 171 patients with CKD under hemodialysis program in two clinics in the region of Lisbon, Portugal. Data was collected between May and June 2015. The following psychometric properties were evaluated: validity (construct, convergent and discriminant), reliability through internal consistency (Cronbach α) and stability (intraclass correlation coefficient and Spearman-Brown correlation coefficient). Results: The results support the unifactorial structure, with reliability (α = 0.90). In addition, this scale is positively correlated with the Satisfaction Life Scale (r = 0.60; p <0.001), supporting the validity criteria. Conclusions: The Portuguese version of the SHS is valid and reproducible in patients with CKD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Riesgo de Caídas de los Ancianos Residentes en la Comunidad: Revisión Sistemática de la Literatura

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors for falls of the community-dwelling elderly in order to update the Taxonomy II of NANDA International. METHOD: A systematic literature review based on research using the following platforms: EBSCOHost®, CINAHL and MEDLINE, from December 2010 to December 2014. The descriptors used were (Fall* OR Accidental Fall) AND (Community Dwelling OR Community Health Services OR Primary health care) AND (Risk OR Risk Assessment OR Fall Risk Factors) AND (Fall* OR Accidental Fall) AND (Community Dwelling OR older) AND Nurs* AND Fall Risk Factors. RESULTS: The sample comprised 62 studies and 50 risk factors have been identified. Of these risk factors, only 38 are already listed in the classification. CONCLUSIONS: Two new categories of risk factors are proposed: psychological and socio-economical. New fall risk factors for the community-dwelling elderly have been identified, which can contribute to the updating of this nursing diagnosis of the Taxonomy II of NANDA International.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio