Surface degradation of composite resins by acidic medicines and ph-cycling

This study evaluated the effects of acidic medicines (Dimetapp® and Claritin®), under pH-cycling conditions, on the surface degradation of four composite resins (microhybrid: TPH, Concept, Opallis and Nanofilled: Supreme). Thirty disc-shaped specimens (Ø = 5.0 mm / thickness = 2.0 mm) of each composite were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 10): a control and two experimental groups, according to the acidic medicines evaluated. The specimens were finished and polished with aluminum oxide discs, and the surface roughness was measured by using a profilometer. After the specimens were submitted to a pH-cycling regimen and immersion in acidic medicines for 12 days, the surface roughness was measured again. Two specimens for each material and group were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after pH-cycling. Data were analyzed by the Student's-t test, ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test and paired t-test (α=0.05). Significant increase in roughness was found only for TPH in the control group and TPH and Supreme immersed in Claritin® (

The polar lipidome of cultured Emiliania huxleyi: a source of bioactive lipids with relevance for biotechnological applications

Polar lipids from microalgae have aroused greater interest as a natural source of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), an alternative to fish, but also as bioactive compounds with multiple applications. The present study aims to characterize the polar lipid profile of cultured microalga Emiliania huxleyi using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS) and fatty acids (FA) analysis by gas chromatography (GC-MS). The lipidome of E. huxleyi revealed the presence of distinct n-3 PUFA (40% of total FA), namely docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and stearidonic acid (18:4n-3), which give this microalga an increased commercial value as a source of n-3 PUFA present in the form of polar lipids. A total of 134 species of polar lipids were identified and some of these species, particularly glycolipids, have already been reported for their bioactive properties. Among betaine lipids, the diacylglyceryl carboxyhydroxymethylcholine (DGCC) class is the least reported in microalgae. For the first time, monomethylphosphatidylethanolamine (MMPE) has been found in the lipidome of E. huxleyi. Overall, this study highlights the potential of E. huxleyi as a sustainable source of high-value polar lipids that can be exploited for different applications, namely human and animal nutrition, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.FCT/ FCT/MCTES (Portugal) for the financial support to CICECO (UIDB/50011/2020 and 50011/2020), QOPNA (UID/QUI/00062/2019), LAQV-REQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020), CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020 and UIDP/50017/2020), RNEM (LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-402-022125) and CCMAR: (UIDB/04326/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Potential of Coccolithophore microalgae as fillers in starch-based films for active and sustainable food packaging

Coccolithophore microalgae, such as Emiliania huxleyi (EHUX) and Chrysotila pseudoroscoffensis (CP), are composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and contain bioactive compounds that can be explored to produce sustainable food packaging. In this study, for the first time, these microalgae were incorporated as fillers in starch-based films, envisioning the development of biodegradable and bioactive materials for food packaging applications. The films were obtained by solvent casting using different proportions of the filler (2.5, 5, 10, and 20%, w/w). For comparison, commercial CaCO3, used as filler in the plastic industry, was also tested. The incorporation of CaCO3 and microalgae (EHUX or CP) made the films significantly less rigid, decreasing Young’s modulus up to 4.7-fold. Moreover, the incorporation of microalgae hydrophobic compounds as lipids turned the surface hydrophobic (water contact angles > 90°). Contrary to what was observed with commercial CaCO3, the films prepared with microalgae exhibited antioxidant activity, increasing from 0.9% (control) up to 60.4% (EHUX 20%) of ABTS radical inhibition. Overall, the introduction of microalgae biomass improved hydrophobicity and antioxidant capacity of starch-based films. These findings should be considered for further research using coccolithophores to produce active and sustainable food packaging material.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Four decades of natural resources research in Brazil: A scientometric analysis

Brazil holds vast natural resources reserves, but their depletion can cause serious environmental issues on natural ecosystems and human society, such as desertification, pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. In this study, we update the perspectives of natural resources publications by Brazilian scientists. We investigated articles in the Web of Science and Scopus databases published until December 31st 2020 using the key terms “natural resource”, and “Brasil” or “Brazil” in the authors’ address field. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, Biblioshiny for RStudio, and SigmaPlot. From the first publication in 1977 until 2020, 3,983 articles were published, totalizing 88,530 citations. A total of 5,950 institutions from 78 countries collaborated on publishing in 1,101 journals, with 13,763 signed authors. Conservation and sustainability were the hot topics cited in keyword analyses, while the Amazon Forest was the most studied ecosystem. Brazilian natural resources’ research focuses on sustainable development, environmental management politics, and strategies to protect biodiversity and cope with climate change effects

How long does adaption last for? An update on the psychological impact of the confinement in Portugal

During the first COVID-19 related confinement in Portugal, there was a decrease in the levels of psychological symptoms measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (March to April 2020). Upon experiencing a new period of restraints in 2021, the psychological impact of this sample was assessed again (N = 322, two more time points). It was expected that the psychological symptoms evidenced in February 2021 would be at similar levels to those found in April 2020, leading to a transfer of adaptation. Contrary to our hypothesis, in the second confinement in Portugal there were higher levels of depression and stress symptoms than at the beginning of the pandemic. On the other hand, the maximum level of anxiety was observed in March 2020. It seems that our perception of the threats in 2021 was not the same as at the onset of COVID-19, or that knowledge was not disseminated to the general population to increase their mental health literacy and help them cope with the imposed challenges.This work was funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the project 110_596697345 (Research 4 COVID) and UIDB/50026/2020. This work has also been funded by ICVS Scientific Microscopy Platform, member of the national infrastructure PPBI—Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122; and by the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000039, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Os efeitos do uso da cetamina em pacientes com depressão resistente ao tratamento / The ketamine effects in pacients with resistant-treatment depression

Cerca de um terço das pessoas acometidas com depressão não respondem aos tratamentos até então conhecidos e aprovados. Estudos demonstraram que a cetamina, um antagonista de receptores glutamatergicos, em doses subanestésicas, apresenta ação antidepressiva em poucas horas, principalmente nos pacientes que são resistentes ao tratamento, além de exibir um bom perfil de segurança. Diante disso, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo descrever o uso da cetamina e seus efeitos em pacientes com depressão resistente a tratamentos convencionais através da comparação dos escores na Escala de Avaliação de Depressão de Hamilton (HAM-D), avaliando-os no início e no decorrer do tratamento. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, quantitativo, do tipo transversal, realizado na Pax Clínica Psiquiátrica – Instituto de Neurociências, situada em Goiânia – Goiás em pacientes com diagnóstico de Episódio Depressivo e resistentes ao tratamento. Dentre os sintomas presentes na HAM-D, houve melhora significativa em 83,3% dos pacientes no sintoma de ideação suicida (p-valor= 0,038); 66,7% nos sintomas somáticos em geral (p-valor=0,046); 83,3% na variação diurna do humor (p-valor=0,038); 66,7% nos sintomas de despersonalização e desrealização (p-valor=0,046) e 83,3% dos pacientes relataram redução do escore total da escala (p-valor=0,046). Concluiu-se que a cetamina proporcionou benefício em importantes sintomas e ofereceu uma melhora clínica da depressão nos pacientes participantes. A realização de novas pesquisas é de expressiva importância a fim de possibilitar maiores evidências estatísticas e subsídios para oferecer uma opção concreta à biologia da depressão

Cuidados paliativos pediátricos em enfermagem: ressignificação a partir de uma revisão integrativa

The aim was to promote reflections, based on the bibliographic survey, in relation to death and dying and care and caregivers. Integrative literature review through the Virtual Health Library platform, carried out in August 2021. Thirteen articles were analyzed that met the determined inclusion criteria. Among the selected articles, the national studies covered 76.92% of the theoretical framework used and the approaches mainly emphasized the need for inclusion and active participation of the whole family in palliative care, the indispensability of strengthening the nurse's bond with his client and the autonomy of this professional through internal and/or ethical dilemmas. It is concluded that the implementation of palliation education for nursing students and nurses should receive greater emphasis in order to provide means for the personal and professional growth of these individuals.Objetivou-se fomentar reflexões, a partir do levantamento bibliográfico, em relação à morte e ao morrer e aos cuidados e cuidadores. Revisão integrativa da literatura através da plataforma Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, realizada em agosto de 2021. Foram analisados 13 artigos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão determinados. Dentre os artigos selecionados, os estudos nacionais contemplaram 76,92% do referencial teórico utilizado e os enfoques enfatizaram, principalmente, a necessidade de inclusão e participação ativa de toda a família nos cuidados paliativos, a indispensabilidade do fortalecimento do vínculo do enfermeiro com seu cliente e a autonomia deste profissional mediante dilemas internos e/ou éticos. Conclui-se que a implementação do ensino da paliação para graduandos de enfermagem e enfermeiros deve receber maior ênfase a fim de fornecer meios para o crescimento pessoal e profissional destes indivíduos

CONCEPÇÃO DE MULHERES SOBRE VIVÊNCIA COM VÍRUS DA IMUNODEFICIÊNCIA HUMANA E IMPOSSIBILIDADE DE AMAMENTAR

Objetivos: discutir a concepção de mulheres sobre a vivência com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana e a impossibilidade de amamentar. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 12 mulheres em um hospital universitário no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A coleta de dados, por meio de entrevista individual e semiestruturada, ocorreu entre junho de 2017 e março de 2018. Os dados foram analisados mediante a utilização do referencial metodológico da análise de conteúdo. Resultados: a maioria das participantes foi diagnosticada no pré-natal e no parto. Elas reconheceram os benefícios da amamentação e seguiram a recomendação de não amamentar. Conclusão: as participantes reconheceram os benefícios da amamentação e, mesmo que tristes e frustradas diante da impossibilidade de amamentar, transcenderam esses sentimentos, por proteção ao filho, reafirmando o papel atribuído pela sociedade e pela cultura e as assimetrias de gênero relacionadas à reprodução e maternidade.Descritores: Enfermagem. Saúde da Mulher. Aleitamento Materno. Período Pós-parto. Sorodiagnóstico da Aids

Cuidados paliativos pediátricos em enfermagem: ressignificação a partir de uma revisão integrativa

The aim was to promote reflections, based on the bibliographic survey, in relation to death and dying and care and caregivers. Integrative literature review through the Virtual Health Library platform, carried out in August 2021. Thirteen articles were analyzed that met the determined inclusion criteria. Among the selected articles, the national studies covered 76.92% of the theoretical framework used and the approaches mainly emphasized the need for inclusion and active participation of the whole family in palliative care, the indispensability of strengthening the nurse's bond with his client and the autonomy of this professional through internal and/or ethical dilemmas. It is concluded that the implementation of palliation education for nursing students and nurses should receive greater emphasis in order to provide means for the personal and professional growth of these individuals.Objetivou-se fomentar reflexões, a partir do levantamento bibliográfico, em relação à morte e ao morrer e aos cuidados e cuidadores. Revisão integrativa da literatura através da plataforma Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, realizada em agosto de 2021. Foram analisados 13 artigos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão determinados. Dentre os artigos selecionados, os estudos nacionais contemplaram 76,92% do referencial teórico utilizado e os enfoques enfatizaram, principalmente, a necessidade de inclusão e participação ativa de toda a família nos cuidados paliativos, a indispensabilidade do fortalecimento do vínculo do enfermeiro com seu cliente e a autonomia deste profissional mediante dilemas internos e/ou éticos. Conclui-se que a implementação do ensino da paliação para graduandos de enfermagem e enfermeiros deve receber maior ênfase a fim de fornecer meios para o crescimento pessoal e profissional destes indivíduos