Waterfront Architectures: A comparative analysis between Lisbon and Trieste

The relationship between the city and the water has always been very close, being in some cases the reason for the origin and development of the territory­­. The proximity to the seaside it took to the development of commercial ports, which allowed the growth of the city they served. In this sense, the ports were, for a long time, the geographical and functional centre of the city, being the quay the centre of the structure of the urban fabrics. Thus, the quay was the main urban public space. The transformation of port activity resulting from industrialisation contributed to landfills and new waterfront architectures. In this sense, our research focuses on the comparative analysis between Praça do Comércio, in Lisboa (Portugal), and Piazza dell' Unità d'Italia, in Trieste (Italy).Keywords: Waterfronts; Port Cities; Architecture; Public SpaceeISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1683         

Epidemiologia da infeção por rotavírus em Huambo, Angola: prevalência da infeção e dos genótipos circulantes

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Microbiologia MédicaOs rotavírus são considerados a principal causa de gastroenterite aguda (GEA) em crianças menores de cinco anos de idade, afetando especialmente os países em desenvolvimento onde ocorre mais de 90% das mortes atribuídas a este vírus. O presente estudo foi realizado no Huambo, na região central de Angola, um país da África subsaariana com elevada mortalidade por diarreia pediátrica mas sem dados anteriores sobre epidemiologia dos rotavírus. O objetivo deste estudo consistiu em estudar a ocorrência da infeção e genotipar os rotavírus circulantes em crianças (<5 anos) com GEA naquela região de Angola. Durante o mês de Junho de 2012 (época seca), foram colhidas 246 amostras fecais de crianças com GEA atendidas no serviço da urgência de 3 hospitais municipais (Alto-Hama, Bailundo e Caála) e 3 centros de saúde (Calenga, Casseque III e Mineira) do distrito de Huambo. A realização do teste rápido imunocromatográfico permitiu detetar rotavírus em 37,4% (92/246) das amostras. A presença de rotavírus foi ainda confirmada por métodos de biologia molecular, tendo-se procedido à determinação dos respetivos genótipos pelo ensaio de RT-PCR multiplex e/ou sequenciação/análise filogenética. Observou-se predominância de rotavírus dos genótipos G1P[8] (45,6%) e G1P[6] (34,8%), este último considerado pouco comum. Os genótipos G2P[4], G8P[6], G12P[6] e G9P[6] também foram identificados, embora com frequências mais baixas (1%-5,4%) mostrando uma alta diversidade de estirpes de rotavírus a circular na região. Com base nos genótipos identificados, as vacinas atualmente usadas deverão, teoricamente, proteger contra >85% dos rotavírus circulantes. Porém, a análise filogenética demonstrou que as linhagens dos genótipos G1, G2 e P[8] são diferentes das estirpes vacinais. Assim, consideramos importante não só a introdução da vacina contra rotavírus na região como também a vigilância das estirpes virais, durante e após o processo, para avaliar a eficácia das vacinas atualmente disponíveis na proteção contra estes vírus

Small molecule fisetin modulates alpha-Synuclein aggregation

Funding Information: iNOVA4Health Research Unit (LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007344), which is co-funded by Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e Tecnologia (FCT)/Minist?rio da Ci?ncia e do Ensino Superior, through national funds, and by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement, is acknowledged. Authors would like to acknowledge FCT for financial support of RR (SFRH/BD/116597/2016). JP, RR, GG, and CNS acknowledges funding via BacHBerry (Project No. FP7-613793; www.bachberry.eu). RM is funded by FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus Contract CEEC/04567/CBIOS/2020. TFO was supported by the DFG Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB) and is currently supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany?s Excellence Strategy?EXC 2067/1-390729940. It is also acknowledged the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union?s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 804229. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Phenolic compounds are thought to be important to prevent neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder known for its typical motor features, the deposition of α-synuclein (αsyn)-positive inclusions in the brain, and for concomitant cellular pathologies that include oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Neuroprotective activity of fisetin, a dietary flavonoid, was evaluated against main hallmarks of PD in relevant cellular models. At physiologically relevant concentrations, fisetin protected SH-SY5Y cells against oxidative stress overtaken by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and against methyl-4-phenylpyridinuim (MPP+)-induced toxicity in dopaminergic neurons, the differentiated Lund human Mesencephalic (LUHMES) cells. In this cellular model, fisetin promotes the increase of the levels of dopamine transporter. Remarkably, fisetin reduced the percentage of cells containing αsyn inclusions as well as their size and subcellular localization in a yeast model of αsyn aggregation. Overall, our data show that fisetin exerts modulatory activities toward common cellular pathologies present in PD; remarkably, it modulates αsyn aggregation, supporting the idea that diets rich in this compound may prove beneficial.publishersversionpublishe

Fighting methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus with targeted nanoparticles

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the greatest threats to global health. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains at the core of this threat, accounting for about 90% of S. aureus infections widespread in the community and hospital settings. In recent years, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) has emerged as a promising strategy to treat MRSA infections. NPs can act directly as antibacterial agents via antibiotic-independent activity and/or serve as drug delivery systems (DDSs), releasing loaded antibiotics. Nonetheless, directing NPs to the infection site is fundamental for effective MRSA treatment so that highly concentrated therapeutic agents are delivered to the infection site while directly reducing the toxicity to healthy human cells. This leads to decreased AMR emergence and less disturbance of the individual’s healthy microbiota. Hence, this review compiles and discusses the scientific evidence related to targeted NPs developed for MRSA treatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Oral manifestations and diabetes

The diabetic patient is subjected to a series of systemic complications and is more prone to develop other types of pathologies. This is equally applied to the oral cavity. This revision article aims to analyze some of the possible oral manifestations and complication derived from diabetes. Concomitantly it is also pretended to know why these complications and more related to these patients, as well as to observe the differences between the pathogenesis and severity of oral pathologies among diabetics and non-diabetics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Strategies used by nurses and tracheostomized users in communication: systematic review

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

Abdominal muscle activity during breathing in different postures in COPD “Stage 0” and healthy subjects

This study aims to evaluate the effect of different postures on the abdominal muscle activity during breathing in subjects "at risk" for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy. Twenty-nine volunteers, divided in "At Risk" for COPD (n=16; 47.38±5.08years) and Healthy (n=13; 47.54±6.65years) groups, breathed at the same rhythm in supine, standing, tripod and 4-point-kneeling positions. Surface electromyography was performed to assess the activation intensity of rectus abdominis, external oblique and transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO) muscles, during inspiration and expiration. From supine to standing, an increased activation of all abdominal muscles was observed in "At Risk" for COPD group; however, in Healthy group, TrA/IO muscle showed an increased activation. In both groups, the TrA/IO muscle activation in tripod and 4-point kneeling positions was higher than in supine and lower than in standing. Subjects "at risk" for the development of COPD seemed to have a specific recruitment of the superficial layer of ventrolateral abdominal wall for the synchronization of postural function and mechanics of breathing.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tradução e validação da Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-CA-5) em crianças e adolescentes portugueses

Introduction: The aim of this study was to translate and validate into European Portuguese the CAPS-CA-5 (Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents), a semi-structured scale for the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents, according to the DSM-5 criteria. Material and Methods: This study was developed in three stages. In the first stage, the translation and back-translation of CAPS-CA-5 into European Portuguese was carried out. In the second stage, the version obtained in the previous step was subjected to a pre-test. In the third stage, the final version of CAPS-CA-5, the KIDCOPE questionnaires and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-Children were applied to 101 children who had experienced at least one potentially traumatic event. The children included in this study were between seven and 18 years old and had a follow-up period in a Child Psychiatry or Pediatrics Clinic in one of the three hospitals involved in this project of at least one month. Results: Regarding the confirmatory factor analysis, our results show that the CAPS-CA-5 is a suitable psychometric instrument to assess the diagnosis and symptoms severity of post-traumatic stress disorder according to DSM-5. Convergent validity was comparable to its original version. Although there were negative relationships with almost all of its clusters, these were not statistically significant when applied with the positive coping strategies of the KIDCOPE. The European Portuguese version of the CAPS-CA-5 showed a good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α for the total scale was 0.89). Conclusion: The European Portuguese version of CAPS-CA-5 has similar psychometric properties to its original versionIntrodução: O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir e validar para português europeu a CAPS-CA-5 (Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents), uma escala semiestruturada para o diagnóstico de perturbação de stress pós-traumático em crianças e adolescentes, de acordo com os critérios do DSM-5. Material e Métodos: Este estudo foi desenvolvido em três etapas. Na primeira, foi realizada a tradução e contra-tradução da CAPS- -CA-5 para português europeu. Na segunda etapa, a versão obtida anteriormente foi submetida a um pré-teste. Na terceira etapa, a versão final da CAPS-CA-5, os questionários KIDCOPE e a Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Stresse - Crianças foram aplicados em 101 crianças que experienciaram pelo menos um evento potencialmente traumático. As crianças incluídas neste estudo tinham entre sete e 18 anos e tinham um período de acompanhamento em consulta de Psiquiatria Infantil ou Pediatria de pelo menos um mês, num dos três hospitais envolvidos neste projeto. Resultados: Em relação à análise fatorial confirmatória, os nossos resultados mostram que a CAPS-CA-5 é um instrumento psico-métrico adequado para avaliar o diagnóstico e a gravidade dos sintomas de perturbação de stresse pós-traumático de acordo com o DSM-5. A validade convergente foi comparável à versão original. Embora tenha havido relações negativas com quase todos os seus clusters, estas não foram estatisticamente significativas quando aplicadas com as estratégias de coping positivo do KIDCOPE. A versão em português europeu da CAPS-CA-5 apresentou boa consistência interna (α de Cronbach para a escala total foi de 0,89). Conclusão: A versão em português europeu do CAPS-CA-5 possui propriedades psicométricas semelhantes à sua versão originalinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exploring the correlations between epi indicators of COVID-19 and the concentration of pharmaceutical compounds in Wastewater Treatment Plants in Northern Portugal

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to changes in the lifestyle and human behaviour, which resulted in different consumption patterns of some classes of pharmaceuticals including curative, symptom-relieving, and psychotropic drugs. The trends in the consumption of these compounds are related to their concentrations in wastewater systems, since incompletely metabolised drugs (or their metabolites back transformed into the parental form) may be detected and quantified by analytical methods. Pharmaceuticals are highly recalcitrant compounds and conventional activated sludge processes implemented in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are ineffective at degrading these substances. As a results, these compounds end up in waterways or accumulate in the sludge, being a serious concern given their potential effects on ecosystems and public health. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the presence of pharmaceuticals in water and sludge to assist in the search for more effective processes. In this work, eight pharmaceuticals from five therapeutic classes were analysed in wastewater and sludge samples collected in two WWTP located in the Northern Portugal, during the third COVID-19 epidemic wave in Portugal. The two WWTP demonstrated a similar pattern with respect to the concentration levels in that period. However, the drugs loads reaching each WWTP were dissimilar when normalising the concentrations to the inlet flow rate. Acetaminophen (ACET) was the compound detected at highest concentrations in aqueous samples of both WWTP (98. 516 g L1 in WWTP2 and 123. 506 g L1in WWTP1), indicating that this drug is extensively used without the need of a prescription, known of general public knowledge as an antipyretic and analgesic agent to treat pain and fever. The concentrations determined in the sludge samples were below 1.65 µg g1 in both WWTP, the highest value being found for azithromycin (AZT). This result may be justified by the physico-chemical characteristics of the compound that favour its adsorption to the sludge surface through ionic interactions. It was not possible to establish a clear relationship between the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the sewer catchment and the concentration of drugs detected in the same period. However, looking at the data obtained, the high incidence of COVID-19 in January 2021 is in line with the high concentration of drugs detected in the aqueous and sludge samples but prediction of drug load from viral load data was unfeasible.This study was supported by the Competitiveness and Internationalisation Operational Programme, Lisbon Regional Operational Programme and Algarve Regional Operational Programme with the support of FEDER, through the Incentive Scheme: research and development activities and investment in testing and optimisation (upscaling) infrastructures in the context of COVID-19, through the Project “SARS CONTROL: Evaluation of the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the urban water cycle and the downstream effects on Public Health" (Ref. 070076). Acknowledge is also due to the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, and by LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020. Strategic funding from FCT to cE3c and BioISI Research Units (UIDB/00329/2020 and UIDB/04046/2020) and to the Associate Laboratory CHANGE (LA/P/0121/2020) is also gratefully acknowledged. ARS holds an FCT grant SFRH/BD/131905/2017 and COVID/BD/151951/2021.ARLR and MFRP acknowledge the financial support from LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/50020/2020 and UIDP/50020/2020 (LSRE-LCM), funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). ARLR acknowledges FCT funding under DL57/2016 Transitory Norm Programme.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio