In situ H2O2 treatment of blue-green algae contaminated reservoirs causes significant improvement in drinking water treatability.

The evaluation of water quality improvement brought about by in situ treatment of eutrophic water bodies, especially those used for human supply, is a challenging task since each water system responds differently. To overcome this challenge, we applied exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to understand the effects of using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on eutrophic water used as a drinking water supply. This analysis was used to identify the main factors that described the water treatability after exposing blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) contaminated raw water to H2O2 at both 5 and 10 mg L-1. Cyanobacterial chlorophyll-a was undetectable following the application of both concentrations of H2O2 after four days, while not causing relevant changes to green algae and diatoms chlorophyll-a concentrations. EFA demonstrated that the main factors affected by both H2O2 concentrations were turbidity, pH and cyanobacterial chlorophyll-a concentration, which are important variables for a drinking water treatment plant. The H2O2 caused significant improvement in water treatability by decreasing those three variables. Finally, the use of EFA was demonstrated to be a promising tool in identifying which limnological variables are most relevant concerning the efficacy of water treatment, which in turn can make water quality monitoring more efficient and less costly

Structural changes in intestinal enteroendocrine cells after ileal interposition in normal rats

INTRODUCTION: No therapeutic approach has significantly impacted the progression of diabetes. As early improvement of glicaemic control is observed after bariatric surgeries, there is currently a search for surgical procedures that can promote euglycemia also in non-obese patients. Glicaemic control can be achieved by increasing the blood concentration of GLP-1, a hormone produced by L cells that are more densely concentrated in the terminal ileum. The interposition of ileal segment to a more anterior region (proximal jejunum) can promote a greater stimulation of the L cells by poorly digested food, increasing the production of GLP-1 and reflecting on glicaemic control.
AIMS: To investigate long-term histological modifications of intestinal mucosa of rats submitted to interposition of ileum segment to a proximal region (jejunum).
METHODS: Forty 8-week old male Wistar-EPM1 rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were randomly distributed into 3 groups: the Interposition Group (IG) was subjected to ileal interposition, the Sham Group (SG) was subjected to sham operations, and the Control Group (CG) was not subjected to surgery. All animals were followed until the 60th postoperative day (8 postoperative week) when they were euthanized. Segments of jejunum and ileum from all groups were collected and analyzed by optical microscopy and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS: No structural nor histological changes in intestinal L cells in the interposed intestinal segment and other intestinal segments were noted after ileal interposition surgery. 
CONCLUSION: As L cells endocrine characteristics were likely maintained, the use of metabolic surgical techniques for the treatment of metabolic diseases, especially diabetes, seems to be justified

Kinetic of water diffusion and color stability of a resin composite as a function of the curing tip distance

The influence of curing tip distance and storage time in the kinetics of water diffusion (water sorption-W SP, solubility-W SB, and net water uptake) and color stability of a composite were evaluated. Composite samples were polymerized at different distances (5, 10, and 15 mm) and compared to a control group (0 mm). After desiccation, the specimens were stored in distilled water to evaluate the water diffusion over a 120-day period. Net water uptake was calculated (sum of WSP and WSB). The color stability after immersion in a grape juice was compared to distilled water. Data were submitted to three-way ANOVA/Tukey's test (&#945; = 5%). The higher distances caused higher net water uptake (p < 0.05). The immersion in the juice caused significantly higher color change as a function of curing tip distance and the time (p < 0.05). The distance of photoactivation and storage time provide the color alteration and increased net water uptake of the resin composite tested

IPVConcilia- sistema de gest?o da concilia??o

O Instituto Polit?cnico de Viana do Castelo (IPVC), no ?mbito do Plano Estrat?gico IPVC2024, iniciou, em 2019, a implementa??o do Sistema de Gest?o da Concilia??o entre a vida profissional, familiar e pessoal, segundo a NP 4552, em integra??o com o atual Sistema de Gest?o (SG-IPVC), da Qualidade (ISSO 9001) e da Responsabilidade Social (NP 4469). Para a implementa??o do IPVConcilia e Integra??o do SGConcilia??o no SG-IPVC houve um forte investimento na capacita??o em Sistema de Gest?o da Concilia??o e em benchmarking. A concilia??o entre a vida profissional, familiar e pessoal permanece um desafio para as organiza??es e suas pessoas, tendo implica??es na qualidade de vida no trabalho e na qualidade de vida geral dos seus colaboradores. Com a implementa??o do IPVConcilia, o IPVC pretende refor?ar a resposta a necessidades e expetativas dos/as colaboradores/as e implementar a??es que promovam a concilia??o. Para isso, t?m sido adotadas medidas para a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos/as colaboradores/as, promovendo o bem-estar, o desenvolvimento pessoal e a Concilia??o e para refor?ar essas medidas realizou-se uma ausculta??o aos colaboradores. Os resultados mostram que os colaboradores est?o, de uma forma geral, muito satisfeitos havendo, no entanto, dimens?es a melhorar, entre elas: Ritmo de trabalho, Exig?ncias cognitivas e Exig?ncias emocionais. Espera-se obter a certifica??o do SG-Concilia??o do IPVC at? setembro de 2022.DA17-66FE-09A6 | Helena Sofia RodriguesN/

Elevada prevalência de consumo inadequado de psicoestimulantes por universitários da área da saúde / High prevalence of inadequate psychostimulants use among students from health area

Os psicoestimulantes são substâncias capazes de aumentar o estado de alerta, desempenho intelectual e concentração dos usuários. O uso dessas substâncias têm crescido exponencialmente por estudantes na busca de um melhor desempenho acadêmico e seu uso irracional pode causar efeitos indesejáveis graves. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a prevalência e delinear o perfil do estudante que utiliza psicoestimulantes como automedicação, além de investigar fatores associados a esse comportamento dentre universitários da área da saúde. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, de caráter transversal composto por 378 universitários da área da saúde que responderam a um questionário sobre o uso de substâncias psicoestimulantes. Os resultados demonstraram que a maior parte da amostra fez uso de alguma substância psicoestimulante visando melhorar o desempenho acadêmico. Observou-se que há um predomínio de mulheres, com média de idade 24±4,5 anos e que a  maioria dos universitários cursavam Medicina entre o quinto e o oitavo período em turno integral. Residir com os familiares foi encontrado como fator de proteção para esse comportamento. A cafeína foi a principal responsável pela alta prevalência no consumo de psicoestimulantes encontrada nesta amostra. Diante do achado, sugere-se a importância da participação das instituições de ensino superior na conscientização sobre o uso irracional dessa classe de substâncias, visando assim, diminuir o consumo e, consequentemente, o risco do surgimento de efeitos indesejáveis relacionados ao uso de psicoestimulantes

Conhecendo a síndrome de autofermentação: etiopatogenia, apresentação e abordagem

Revisar os dados sobre síndrome da autofermentação disponíveis na literatura e reforçar a possibilidade dessa condição como hipótese durante as avaliações diagnósticas. Revisão de literatura de caráter exploratório com estudos selecionados nas plataformas PubMED e Google Scholar, no período de 2015 a 2024. Foram elegidos, após a aplicação dos critérios de seleção e exclusão, 20 artigos para a leitura completa e adicionados 4 materiais extras de valor para o estudo.&nbsp; A síndrome da autofermentação é uma intoxicação alcoólica de origem endógena, causada, principalmente, por fungos fermentadores após um processo de disbiose intestinal. Suas principais manifestações incluem desorientação, descoordenação motora, marcha atáxica e desinibição social. O diagnóstico é realizado por anamnese detalhada, detecção de altos níveis séricos de álcool e teste do desafio dos carboidratos positivo. O manejo da condição consiste em evitar fatores que prejudiquem o microbioma intestinal e tratar os agentes causadores com uso de antifúngicos principalmente. A síndrome da autofermentação pode ter impacto nos contextos médico, legal e social. É necessário que ela seja mais disseminada entre a comunidade médica e leiga com intuito de permitir que o paciente possa ter um diagnóstico e tratamento adequados

An original phylogenetic approach identified mitochondrial haplogroup T1a1 as inversely associated with breast cancer risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers

Introduction: Individuals carrying pathogenic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are involved in DNA double-strand break repair, DNA alterations that can be caused by exposure to reactive oxygen species, a main source of which are mitochondria. Mitochondrial genome variations affect electron transport chain efficiency and reactive oxygen species production. Individuals with different mitochondrial haplogroups differ in their metabolism and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Variability in mitochondrial genetic background can alter reactive oxygen species production, leading to cancer risk. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial haplogroups modify breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Methods: We genotyped 22,214 (11,421 affected, 10,793 unaffected) mutation carriers belonging to the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 for 129 mitochondrial polymorphisms using the iCOGS array. Haplogroup inference and association detection were performed using a phylogenetic approach. ALTree was applied to explore the reference mitochondrial evolutionary tree and detect subclades enriched in affected or unaffected individuals. Results: We discovered that subclade T1a1 was depleted in affected BRCA2 mutation carriers compared with the rest of clade T (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34 to 0.88; P = 0.01). Compared with the most frequent haplogroup in the general population (that is, H and T clades), the T1a1 haplogroup has a HR of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.40 to 0.95; P = 0.03). We also identified three potential susceptibility loci, including G13708A/rs28359178, which has demonstrated an inverse association with familial breast cancer risk. Conclusions: This study illustrates how original approaches such as the phylogeny-based method we used can empower classical molecular epidemiological studies aimed at identifying association or risk modification effects.Peer reviewe

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo