Oral health literacy: a community-based learning experience at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Virtual reality and behaviour management in paediatric dentistry: a systematic review

Background: Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative tool in medicine and dentistry, improving anxiety and pain management in children. The immersive and interactive environments of VR technology facilitate positive engagement of young patients during dental procedures via distraction, potentially reducing anxiety levels and improving treatment experience. The aim of this review was to provide current evidence-based guidance on the usage of VR in the clinical practice of paediatric dentistry. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines with the following research question using the PICO format: Does VR (I) effectively manage anxiety and pain (O) during a paediatric dental consultation (P) compared to alternative behavioural control techniques (C)? PubMed/Medline®, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases were searched and analysed. Results: A total of 22 randomised control trials were included in this review. These studies have shown that VR is a highly effective method of behaviour management, successfully alleviating pain and anxiety in children during dental treatment, surpassing traditional tools. Selected studies included participants with a large age range and dental procedures varied greatly, from first consultations to infiltration of local anaesthetic and other invasive procedures. VR was mostly used during treatment delivery and different immersive VR techniques were considered. Behaviour, anxiety and pain scales were used to determine efficacy and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: VR offers an engaging and immersive experience, effectively diverting patients' attention away from the clinical environment, fostering a positive and enjoyable treatment experience. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of existing studies and the need for further research to enhance the understanding of VR's full potential in paediatric dentistry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of Potential Protective Factors Against Metabolic Syndrome in Bottlenose Dolphins: Feeding and Activity Patterns of Dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida

Free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) living in Sarasota Bay, Florida appear to have a lower risk of developing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome compared to a group of dolphins managed under human care. Similar to humans, differences in diet and activity cycles between these groups may explain why Sarasota dolphins have lower insulin, glucose, and lipids. To identify potential protective factors against metabolic syndrome, existing and new data were incorporated to describe feeding and activity patterns of the Sarasota Bay wild dolphin community. Sarasota dolphins eat a wide variety of live fish and spend 10–20% of daylight hours foraging and feeding. Feeding occurs throughout the day, with the dolphins eating small proportions of their total daily intake in brief bouts. The natural pattern of wild dolphins is to feed as necessary and possible at any time of the day or night. Wild dolphins rarely eat dead fish or consume large amounts of prey in concentrated time periods. Wild dolphins are active throughout the day and night; they may engage in bouts of each key activity category at any time during daytime. Dive patterns of radio-tagged dolphins varied only slightly with time of day. Travel rates may be slightly lower at night, suggesting a diurnal rhythm, albeit not one involving complete, extended rest. In comparison, the managed dolphins are older; often fed a smaller variety of frozen-thawed fish types; fed fish species not in their natural diet; feedings and engaged activities are often during the day; and they are fed larger but fewer meals. In summary, potential protective factors against metabolic syndrome in dolphins may include young age, activity, and small meals fed throughout the day and night, and specific fish nutrients. These protective factors against insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are similar to those reported in humans. Further studies may benefit humans and dolphins

Caracterização de pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) durante o seu crescimento

A espécie Caryocar brasiliense Camb. é muito comum na região que compõe o Cerrado, conhecido popularmente como pequi. Assume importante papel na vida dos habitantes dessa região, seja economicamente, com a venda dos frutos in natura, ou mesmo para o seu consumo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a caracterização do pequi ao longo do seu desenvolvimento. Os frutos foram coletados a 12km de Itumirim, sul de Minas Gerais, em intervalos de quinze dias, a partir da antese, até a abscisão dos frutos. A floração do pequi iniciou-se no mês de maio e o ápice desse evento ocorreu em junho; sua frutificação inicial ocorreu em julho, sendo que a maioria dos frutos maduros foi encontrada em agosto. O período compreendido entre a abertura da flor (antese) até a abscisão dos frutos foi de 117 dias. As coordenadas L* e a* aumentaram seus valores, indicando mudanças na coloração da casca, do verde-escuro (L*= 5,76 e a*= - 24,83) para o verde-claro (L*= 24,83 e a*= -6,32). O fruto atingiu seu tamanho máximo aos 102 dias após a antese, com 109g, 6,45cm e 6,50cm, representando a sua massa, diámetros longitudinal e transversal, respectivamente. O pequi constitui-se em um fruto com padrão respiratório extremamente alto, uma vez que apresentou respiração de 67,01mL.CO2.kg-1.h-1 aos 117 dias após a antese

Composição mineral zeolítica, processos de modificação e utilização

Em 17/06/2016: Anuidade de patente de invenção do 11º ao 15º ano no prazo ordinário.ConcedidaA presente invenção refere-se a uma composição mineral zeolítica constituída principalmente por zeólitas, quartzo, feldspatos, esmectita, óxidos e/ou hidróxidos de ferro, entre outros. A invenção refere-se ainda a um processo simples para a concentração e modificação de composições zeolíticas capaz de aumentar a capacidade de troca catiônica desses minerais in natura em até 70%. São descritos ainda processos para a utilização de tais composições zeolíticas modificadas, como a sorção e/ou dessorção de íons e/ou nutrientes no meio ambiente, uso como condicionador de solos, fertilizante de liberação lenta e outras aplicações agrícolas e ambientais