The effect of a joint clay-microorganism system to treat Ni and diethylketone solutions

The capacity of a combined system using a Streptococcus equisimilis biofilm supported in vermiculite to treat aqueous solutions polluted with diethylketone and nickel was accessed. In order to evaluate the interaction between the sorbent matrices and the two adsorbates several batch experiments were performed exposing 1) different amounts of vermiculite to Ni and diethylketone (Singular Sorbent Systems - SSS) or 2) a biofilm supported in different amounts of vermiculite to both pollutants (Binary Sorbent Systems - BSS). Fed batch pilot scale experiments were also conducted. For the SSS experiments, the removal of 3 g/L of DEK was complete for all the assays, whereas the removal of0.45 g/L of Ni ranged between 31 % and l00%. For the BSS experiments, the removal percentages of DEK and Ni decreased (77% to 97%, 23% to 97% respectively). Maximum removal percentages of 87.3% ofDEK and 57.6% of Ni were reached in the pilot scale experiments.Fundação para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Ministerio da Ciencia e Tecnologia, Portugal and co-funding by FSE (programme QREN-POPH), by the "FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013" and by the "BioEnv- Biotechnology and Bioengineering for a sustainable world", REF. NORTE-07- 0 I 24-FEDER-000048, co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2-0 Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER

Empoderamento dos enfermeiros: estudo de alguns intervenientes

Enquadramento: O empoderamento é um processo que resulta em fortalecimento pessoal e profissional, na forma de aquisição de competências, motivação, satisfação e tomada de decisão. Está vinculado á autonomia profissional e é percebida como a capacidade de assumir iniciativas e á investigação e produção de conhecimento, como forma de desenvolver a base de um poder que se concretiza na tomada de decisão autónoma do enfermeiro Objetivos: Quantificar o nível de Empoderamento dos Enfermeiros; Identificar as variáveis sociodemográficas e socioprofissionais que influenciam o Empoderamento dos enfermeiros; Determinar a influência das variáveis de contexto formativo e de motivação para o exercício profissional, no Empoderamento dos enfermeiros. Métodos: Estudo de natureza quantitativa, descritiva-analítico e correlacional com amostra não probabilística constituída por 240 enfermeiros. Colheita de dados realizada de Junho de 2014 a Dezembro de 2014, com aplicação de um instrumento composto pelo questionário sociodemográfica e profissional, pela escala “ Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale” (Mathews, Scott e Gallagher) e pela escala da motivação para o exercício profissional. Resultados: Os enfermeiros questionados tinham idades compreendidas entre os 26 e os 66 anos, e maioritariamente com vinculo por tempo indeterminado á instituição onde trabalham. Revelam uma boa perceção sobre o Empoderamento oscilando entre os 50,0% no reconhecimento organizacional e os 100% no reconhecimento por pares. Os Enfermeiros mais jovens possuem melhor perceção sobre o Empoderamento no reconhecimento por pares, organizacional e global, e os Enfermeiros com mais idade melhor Empoderamento na dimensão pessoal. São os Enfermeiros com mestrado e doutoramento que possuem uma menor perceção na dimensão multidimensional, reconhecimento por pares e reconhecimento organizacional. 40,0%dos participantes do estudo encontram-se muito motivados, e 70,0% dos inquiridos continua a investir na sua formação. Conclusão: Pelos Resultados obtidos podemos concluir que são os enfermeiros com maior motivação e com mais formação que revelam melhor perceção sobre o Empoderamento. Cabe ao Enfermeiro a sua evolução na conceção da sua autonomia e responsabilidade de suas ações e comportamentos que promovam o aumento dos níveis do Empoderamento nas diferentes dimensões a ele associado, melhorando a capacidade de decisão Palavras-chave: empoderamento, motivação, formação.Abstract: Background: Empowerment is a process that results in personal and professional empowerment provided by an addition of acquisition of skills, motivation, satisfaction and decision making. It is linked to a professional autonomy,being perceived as the ability to take initiatives and to a process researching and producing knowledge, in order to develop the basis of a power that manifests itself in making autonomous nursing decision. Objectives: To quantify the level of nursing empowerment; identify the socio-demographic and socioeconomic variables that influence the empowerment of nurses; determine the influence of variables formative context and of motivation for professional practice in the empowerment of nurses. Methods: A quantitative study, descriptive analytical and correlational with non-probabilistic sample of 240 nurses. Data sample from June 2014 to December 2014, with implementation of an instrument composed of a professional and socio-demographic questionnaire, through the "Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale" (Mathews, Scott and Gallagher) and the scale of motivation to professional exercise. Results: nurses involved in this survey were between 26 and 66 years old. Most of them had a bond, for an indefinite period of time, with the institution to which they were working. They show good perception on the Empowerment ranging between 50% in the organizational recognition and 100% in recognition by peers. Younger nurses have a better perception of Empowerment in organizational and global recognition by peers, whereas older Nurses have a better perception of Empowerment in the personal dimension. Nurses with master's degree and doctoral studies have a lower perception on multidimensional scale in recognition by peers and organizational recognition. 40% of nurses participating in this study, are very motivated and 70% continue to invest in their training. Conclusion: From the results obtained we can conclude that nurses who reveal better perception of Empowerment are those who are more motivated and having a better training. It was shown that nurses have power to decide about their evolution, in the design of their autonomy and responsibility for their actions and behaviours that promote increasing Empowerment levels in different dimensions associated to them, improving their decisionmaking capacity. Keywords: empowerment, motivation, training

Study of Ni (II) and diethylketone removal from aqueous solutions using a biofilm of Streptococcus equisimilis supported on vermiculite

The novelty of this work lies in the development of an environmental-friendly technology to remove diethylketone and Ni (II) from aqueous solutions using the interaction between bacteria and clays. Concentrated biomass of Streptococcus equisimilis and vermiculite were used for the removal of both pollutants No published work on the usage of this combination to remove heavy metals and organic solvents from aqueous solutions was acknowledged. The developed work is original and its impact on society and on environment is evident due to the toxicological effects of those substances on the health of living beings

DERMATOSES EM GRÁVIDAS E PUÉRPERAS OBSERVADAS NUM SERVIÇO DE URGÊNCIA – AVALIAÇÃO DE 86 CASOS

Introduction: Besides morbidity related to skin lesions and pruritus, dermatologic disorders during preg- nancy cause psychological concern and some of them carry a fetal risk. Objective: Assessment of the type, frequency and clinical characteristics of the dermatoses seen in pregnant and postpartum women seeking support from the Emer- gency Department. Methods: Retrospective study of pregnant and postpartum women observed by dermatologists at the Emergency Department between September 2006 and September 2010. Results: The study included 79 pregnant and 7 postpartum women, with a median age of 33 years. Specific dermatoses of pregnancy were diagnosed in 42 patients (48.8%). Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy was the most frequent specific dermatosis (n=16), followed by eczema in pregnancy (n=12), prurigo of pregnancy (n=8), pemphigoid gestationis (n=5), and pruritic foliculitis of pregnancy (n=1). Other dermatoses were diagnosed in 44 patients (51.2%), including: pityriasis rosea (n=11), infections and infestations, dyshidrotic eczema, contact dermatitis, lupus erythematosus and acute generalized exanthe- matous pustulosis. In the cases with an atypical presentation, the biopsy helped in the characterization of the disease. The fetal outcome was assessed in 43 cases, only 3 cases of preterm delivery being registered.Discussion: The onset of the specific dermatoses of pregnancy was more likely to occur in the late pregnancy, especially the third trimester. In pregnant women with exuberant or atypical skin lesions, laboratory and histological study are indispensable for the specific diagnosis, allowing appropriate therapeutic approach and fetal risk assessment.KEYWORDS – Skin Diseases; Pregnancy Complications; Pruritus.Introdução: Além da morbilidade relacionada às lesões cutâneas e prurido, as dermatoses da gravidez causam preocupação psicológica e algumas formas implicam riscos fetais. Objectivo: Avaliação do tipo, frequência e características clínicas das dermatoses nas grávidas e puérperas que recorreram ao Serviço de Urgência. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo das dermatoses nas grávidas e puérperas observadas por Dermatologia no Serviço de Urgência entre Setembro de 2006 e Setembro de 2010. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 79 grávidas e 7 puérperas, com idade mediana de 33 anos. Foram diagnosticadas dermatoses específicas de gravidez em 42 doentes (48,8%). A forma mais comum foi a erupção polimorfa da gravidez (n=16), seguida por eczema da gravidez (n=12), prurigo da gra- videz (n=8), penfigóide gestacional (n=5) e foliculite pruriginosa da gravidez (n=1). Observamos outras dermatoses em 44 doentes (51,2%), incluindo: pitiríase rósea (n=11), infecções e infestações, eczema desidrótico, dermatite de contacto, lúpus eritematoso e pustulose exantemática aguda. Nas dermatoses com apresentação atípica a biópsia ajudou na caracterização da doença. Em 43 casos analisou-se o estado dos recém-nascidos, com registo de parto pré-termo em 3 casos. Discussão: As dermatoses específicas de gravidez têm maior tendência de ocorrer na segunda parte da gravidez, especialmente durante o terceiro trimestre. Nas grávidas com lesões cutâneas exuberantes ou atípicas, o estudo laboratorial e histológico é imprescindível para o diagnóstico específico, permitindo abordagem terapêutica adequada e avaliação dos riscos fetais.PALAVRAS-CHAVE – Doenças da Pele; Prurido; Complicações da Gravidez

Biorecovery of heavy metals using vermiculite for sediment and water protection

The release of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems is a matter of great concern due to their toxicity and accumulation in biota. Bottom sediments can act as sink of these pollutants. Several remediation technologies have been applied in order to treat wastewater and contaminated sediments. In this study, a permeable bio-barrier composed by low cost biomaterials was tested for water treatment and sediment protection against metal adsorption. The novelty of this work entails the combination of bacterial biosorption properties with the adsorption capacity of a natural clay. The results of preliminary continuous column experiments reveal the ability of vermiculite to entrap Cu ions, and highlight that metal adsorption can be enhanced by the presence of a Pseudomonas putida biofilm attached to the vermiculite surface

Mycoplasmas: what is the role in human infections?

Mycoplasmas, the common denomination of the Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma genera, represent a unique and complex group of microorganisms that has been ignored by the majority of diagnostic laboratories, not only because of its fastidious growth, absence of commercial media and of procedures for a rapid diagnosis, but most of all due to a clinical perception established for many years that these microorganisms are of minor importance. Recently, this situation has changed, because there s a better understanding of mycoplasmas clinical importance, they have been recently associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), complications in pregnant women and their neonates and with rheumatological disorders, resulting in a need to cure infected persons. The development of laboratory techniques that allows their culture and identification has contributed for a clarification of the role of these microorganisms as etiological agents or as co-factor of specific diseases. This article wishes to be, not only a revision of the main characteristics of the human mycoplasmas, but also to contribute for a better understanding of the diseases to which these fascinating microorganisms are associated and of the available diagnostic methods by the health professionals.publishersversionpublishe

Rehabilitation of water contaminated with an organic solvent by an aerobic bacterium: tolerance and bioremoval assays

e Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the research project PTDC/AAG-TEC/5269/2014, the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norteinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rehabilitation of a complex industrial wastewater containing heavy metals and organic solvents using low cost permeable bio-barriers from lab-scale to pilot-scale

This work addresses the treatment of a complex industrial effluent containing high concentrations of metals and spiked with two organic solvents (diethylketone DEK, and methyl ethyl ketone - MEK) using an eco-friendly approach. The treatment system herein proposed consists of a bio-barrier that combines the adsorption capacity of sepiolite with the properties of a Streptococcus equisimilis biofilm with proven ability in the degradation and bioremoval of a wide range of pollutants. Results from the open-systems experiments conducted with raw sepiolite exposed to a binary mixture of DEK and MEK revealed the preference of the sorbent towards DEK. The results from the biodegradation experiments also revealed the preference of S. equisimilis to degrade/bioremove DEK over MEK independently of their initial concentration (100 mg/L to 3200 mg/L). Bioremoval percentages higher than 95 % were reached for all the concentrations of DEK tested. The lab-scale experiments conducted in open-system with sepiolite and sepiolite covered with biofilm, and the pilot-scale experiment conducted in closed-loop, revealed similar performances on the rehabilitation of an industrial effluent containing heavy metals and additionally spiked with DEK and MEK. Regarding the selectivity towards the different pollutants, Cu was preferentially removed over Cr and Ni, and DEK over MEK. The presence of the biofilm allowed an improvement on the removal of heavy metals, particularly Cr, besides preventing the leaching of Al, Fe, and Mg from the sepiolite structure, an extremely important advantage in comparison to the system without biofilm. EDS analyses performed in sepiolite samples revealed the presence of several metals (Cr, Cu and Ni), proving thus the occurrence of sorption processes by sepiolite and by sepiolite covered by biofilm. The breakthrough data obtained in the open-systems were properly described by the Dose Response and the Yoon and Nelson mathematical models. More research work needs to be performed with complex industrial effluents aiming the optimization of the treatment systems to be applied in real context scenarios.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the research project PTDC/ AAG-TEC/5269/2014, the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte, Portugal. A. Lago and V. Rocha, thank FCT for the concession of their PhD grants (SFRH/ BD/132271/2017 and SFRH/BD/141073/2018).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Novel insights for permeant lead structures through in vitro skin diffusion assays of Prunus lusitanica L., the Portugal Laurel

As a contribution for the generation of libraries in which a natural product (NP) is used as the guiding structure, this work sought to investigate molecular features of triterpenes as deliver leads to cross the stratum corneum at a significant rate. Seeking a bioguided investigation of the dermocosmetic lead-like potential of triterpenes in Prunus lusitanica L., various extracts were obtained by two different methods (Soxhlet extractor and Accelerated Solvent Extraction-ASE) and analyzed by GC–MS and NMR. In vitro assays were conducted to quantify the friedelin 1 and crude plant extract permeation through a membrane of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), as well as their skin penetration enhancement capacity using two model molecules, caffeine 19 and ibuprofen 20. Friedelin 1 was identified as the major component (16–77%, GC) with isolated yield of 51% w/w (94%, GC) from Soxhlet residue (1.7% p/p) of the dried aerial parts of the plant harvested when in early flowering stage. Friedelin 1 promoted the penetration of the lipophilic molecule 20, however, it did not influence the permeation of the hydrophilic permeant 20. On the other hand, the crude extract acted as a retardant of the penetration of both substances. Molecular characteristics for the applicability of P. lusitanica L. in the development of dermocosmetics, as well as a new potential use for friedelin 1 in particular, are demonstrated. Probable mechanisms for chemical penetration enhancement using triterpenes as models for transdermal administration are herein discussed

Role of fibrinogen–erythrocyte and erythrocyte–erythrocyte adhesion on cardiovascular pathologies

Abstract in proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio