How does hedonic aroma impact long-term anxiety, depression, and quality of life in women with breast cancer? a cross-lagged panel model analysis

Depression and anxiety are common symptoms during and after adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer (BC), with implications on quality of life (QoL). The present study evaluates the temporal relationship between anxiety, depression, and QoL (primary outcomes), as well as the impact of hedonic aroma (essential oils) on this relationship. This is a secondary analysis of a previously reported randomized controlled trial, with two groups: an experimental group (n=56), who were subjected to the inhalation of a self-selected essential oil during chemotherapy, and a control group (n=56), who were only subjected to the standard treatment. The hedonic aroma intervention occurred in the second (T1), third (T2), and fourth (T3) chemotherapy sessions, three weeks apart from each other. The follow-up (T4) assessments took place three months after the end of the treatment. Cross-lagged panel models were estimated in the path analysis framework, using structural equation modeling methodology. Regarding the control group, the cross-lagged panel model showed that anxiety at T1 predicted anxiety at T3, which in turn predicted both QoL and depression at T4. In the experimental group, hedonic aroma intervention was associated with stability of anxiety and QoL over time from T1 to T3, with no longitudinal prediction at T4. For women undergoing standard chemotherapy treatment, anxiety was the main longitudinal precursor to depression and QoL three months after chemotherapy. Thus, essential oils could complement chemotherapy treatment for early-stage BC as a way to improve long-term emotional and QoL-related adjustment.This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Centre (PSI/01662), School of Psychology, University of Minho, and was supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the Portuguese State Budget (Ref.: UIDB/PSI/01662/2020), and a PhD fellowship awarded to first author (SFRH/BD/137321/2018 PHD Fellowship) supported by the FCT and European Social Fund (Human Capital Operational Programme—HCOP). The research of CSM was partially supported by CMUP, which is financed by national funds through FCT under the project with reference UIDB/00144/2020. CBMA was founded by “Contrato-Programa” UIDB/04050/2020, through the FCT I.Pinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CdH003 - Bairro de Moradias Económicas da Cooperativa "O Lar Familiar" | Affordable Housing Estate of the Cooperative "O Lar Familiar"

Cadernos de Habitação n.º 003 - Os CADERNOS DE HABITAÇÃO (CDH Portugal) decorrem de um acordo de cooperação entre o Mapa da Habitação · MdH (FAUP-CEAU/FCT), o GIVCO (ETSAM-UPM) e o PC3 (FAUUSP) que resultou na elaboração da versão portuguesa dos "Cuadernos de Viviendas", originalmente desenvolvidos pelo GIVCO - Grupo de Investigación en Vivienda Colectiva, cuja Investigadora Responsável é a Prof. Carmen Espegel Alonso. Esse acordo visa a sistematização de informações sobre edifícios de habitação coletiva, que ficarão disponíveis para investigadores, arquitectos, instituições públicas e outros interessados.Cadernos de Habitação n.º 003 - The CADERNOS DE HABITAÇÃO (CDH Portugal) emerged from a cooperation agreement between Mapping Public Housing · MdH (FAUP-CEAU/FCT), GIVCO (ETSAM-UPM) and PC3 (FAUUSP) researchers which led to the portuguese version of "Cuadernos de Viviendas", originally published by GIVCO - Grupo de Investigación en Vivienda Colectiva, with the supervision of the Main Research Prof. Carmen Espegel Alonso. The aim of this agreement is to systemize information on collective housing which will be made available to researchers, architects, public organizations and other interested parties

Portuguese groceries: a potential indoor environment to be used as public health sentinel for fungal and mycotoxins contamination

This study aimed to characterize microbial contamination in Portuguese grocery stores. The research was carried out in 15 grocery stores in Cascais, Portugal. Electrostatic dust cloths (EDC) and surface swabs were used on 3 sampling sites: checkout, fruits/vegetables, and warehouse/dispenser. Fungal contamination was characterized by culture-based methods, through the inoculation onto two different culture media: malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05 %) and dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18). Screening of azole resistance was performed by inoculation of EDC extracts' in azole-supplemented Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) media, according to EUCAST guidelines. A total of 39 samples were screened for mycotoxin contamination. The highest fungal contamination was obtained from fruits/vegetables in swabs (76% MEA; 71% DG18). The most prevalent genera in swabs was Cladosporium sp. (54% MEA). Regarding EDC, besides Penicillium sp. (63%) the most prevalent were Aspergillus sections Circumdati (25%) and Aspergilli (35%). Penicillium sp. was highly prevalent in the checkout (61% SDA; 87% voriconazole), and warehouse/dispenser sectors (73% voriconazole; 52% posaconazole). Circumdati and Fumigati were the most prevalent Aspergillus sections in fruits/vegetables (73% and 64% in voriconazole, respectively). Four mycotoxins (fumonisin B1, B2, B3) were detected simultaneously in most of the 36 samples. Identifying the most critical workplaces in groceries concerning fungal and mycotoxin contamination is of utmost importance to human health (workers and consumers) when using a One Health approach.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

the neglected indoor environment to be tackled in the scope of the One Health approach

Funding Information: H&TRC authors gratefully acknowledge the FCT/MCTES national support through the UIDB/05608/2020 , the UIDP/05608/2020 and the PhD Grant UI/BD/151431/2021 . This work was also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE , UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020 within the scope of a PhD Grant. Funding Information: This work was supported by the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education under the program “Regional Initiative of Excellence” in 2019–2022 (Grant No. 008/RID/2018/19 ). Funding Information: All the authors acknowledge the scientific support from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in the scope of BioSkyNet workshop held by University of Essex (Ref: NE/V008293/1 ). Funding Information: ISGlobal authors acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and State Research Agency through the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019–2023” Program ( CEX2018-000806-S ) and support from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Program”. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The AuthorsMicrobial contamination in grocery shops (GS) should be evaluated since food commodities are commonly handled by workers and customers increasing the risk of food contamination and disease transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial contamination in Portuguese and Spanish GS with a multi-approach protocol using passive (electrostatic dust cloths and surface swabs) sampling methods. The molecular detection of Aspergillus sections, mycotoxin analysis, screening of azole resistance as well as cytotoxicity measurement were conducted to better estimate the potential health risks of exposure and to identify possible relations between the risk factors studied. Fruits/vegetables sampling location was the one identified has being the most contaminated (bacteria and fungi) area in GS from both countries. Aspergillus section Fumigati and Fusarium species were observed in samples from Portuguese groceries with reduced susceptibilities to azoles commonly used in the clinical treatment of fungal infections. Fumonisin B2 was detected in Portuguese GS possible unveiling this emergent threat concerning occupational exposure and food safety. Overall, the results obtained raise concerns regarding human health and food safety and must be surveilled applying a One Health approach.publishersversionpublishe

Cardiovascular risk rate in hypertensive patients attended in primary health care units: the influence of pharmaceutical care

Cardiovascular complications are relevant due to their frequency and severity on the hypertension scenario. Studies refer Pharmaceutical Care (PC) as capable of decreasing cardiovascular risk rate (%CVR) on hypertensive patients. This study aimed to investigate, through a randomized clinical assay, the influence of PC service on the %CVR of hypertensive patients assisted in a health primary care unit from Fortaleza-Ceará. Two study groups were formed: i. Intervention Group (IG), which received orientation about taking medicines, actions aiming to prevent/solve medicine interactions and adverse effects and non-pharmacological interventions for 9 months and, ii. Control Group (CG), which received traditional assistance of the unit and was monitored during the same period. It was observed a statistically significant reduction on %CVR (10.76 to 7.86; p=0.04) and systolic blood pressure levels (SBP) (137.69 to 131.54; pAs complicações cardiovasculares apresentam relevância devido à sua freqüência e gravidade no contexto da hipertensão. Estudos referem que a prestação do Cuidado Farmacêutico (CF) é capaz de reduzir a taxa de risco cardiovascular (%RCV) em hipertensos. Esse trabalho objetivou investigar, com um ensaio clínico randomizado, a influência da prestação do CF na %RCV em hipertensos atendidos em uma unidade de atenção primária à saúde de Fortaleza-Ceará. Formarm-se dois grupos de estudo: i. Grupo Intervenção (GI), que recebeu orientações sobre tomada dos medicamentos, ações visando prevenir/resolver interações medicamentosas e reações adversas e intervenções não-farmacológicas por 9 meses e ii. Grupo Controle (GC), que recebeu assistência tradicional da unidade e foi monitorado durante o mesmo período. Observou-se redução estatisticamente significativa nas %RCV (10,76 to 7,86; p=0,04) e nos níveis de pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) (137,69 to 131,54;

Recepção das ações do Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco por agricultores de São Bento do Una, Pernambuco

A produção de alimentos está sendo muito discutida mundialmente, tanto no que diz respeito ao aumento da produtividade para atender as necessidades da crescente população como também à qualidade desses alimentos. As pequenas propriedades agrícolas são encarregadas de produzir para a maioria da população e para própria subsistência familiar. Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho revelar a importância das ações de Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (ATER) para permanência de pequenos agricultores no campo, devido ao seu papel na produção de alimentos e na geração de emprego. O estudo foi realizado no município de São Bento do Una/Pernambuco, o qual recebe assistência técnica do Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco (IPA). Foram feitas entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado aos agricultores familiares e aos técnicos do IPA, além de observações diretas englobando dados qualitativos e quantitativos. Foi percebida uma necessidade de maior atenção do governo, com mais políticas públicas para que os serviços, projetos e programas possam ser melhores desenvolvidos. Nesse sentido, os agricultores familiares necessitam de ações de ATER mais efetivas e que tragam melhores condições de trabalho e desenvolvimento para o meio rural do município

State of the art of blue light effects on hidradenitis suppurativa: a concise systematic review

Introduction: In the setting of inflammatory diseases, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), or acne inversa, is an immune-mediated skin disease with a prevalence of 0.1-1% and characterized by nodules and abscesses in the armpits, groin, and inframammary areas, which may evolve for fistulas and scars. Still, an update is needed on the recent understanding of the pathogenesis of HS, including the central role of inflammatory cytokines and other contributing factors such as genetics, hormones, and pathogenic microorganisms. As an innovative approach, antimicrobial blue light in the 400-470 nm spectrum has demonstrated its intrinsic antimicrobial properties resulting from the presence of endogenous photosensitizing chromophores in pathogenic microorganisms. Objective: To carry out a narrative and systematic review of the literature to explore the main clinical and experimental results of the use of photobiomodulation with blue light for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa by antibacterial action. Methods: The present study followed a model of narrative and systematic review, according to PRISMA rules, to gather the main information about the efficiency and safety of blue light in the treatment of HS. The research was carried out from January 2018 to May 2019 and developed based on Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, and Cochrane Library. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results: Microorganisms are less able to develop resistance to antimicrobial blue light than to traditional antibiotics, due to the multi-targeting characteristics of antimicrobial blue light. Furthermore, it is well accepted that antimicrobial blue light is much less harmful to host cells than UV irradiation. Clinical studies have presented scientific evidence of treatment for HS with light-based therapy, showing efficacy and safety through articles published in quality journals in scientific evidence. A meta-analysis published in 2019, based on the quality of the evidence, showed that the most recommended treatments for HS include adalimumab and laser (blue light) therapy. For intense pulsed light with blue light, two RCTs reported improvements in HS-LASI scores and the Dermatology Quality of Life Index. Conclusion: The use of blue light for dermal treatments, particularly for HS, is finding an increasing role in dermatology. However, more robust and consistent studies are still needed to better demonstrate the antibacterial effects of blue light on HS