Experience at a Tertiary Center in the First 11 Months of the Pandemic

This study aimed to evaluate the experience of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients in a Southern Europe tertiary hospital. Retrospective observational study in tracheostomized patients from April 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. Data related to tracheostomy were evaluated in patients with and without COVID-19, including infections in healthcare professionals involved in patient care. Forty-two tracheostomies were performed in COVID-19 patients aged 68.4 ± 11.1 years, predominantly men (71%) and caucasians (81%). They had at least 1 comorbidity (93%), on average 3. The most frequent were heart disease (71%), age > 65 years (67%) diabetes (40%) and obesity (33%). The greater number of comorbidities was associated with the lesser probability of the patient's recovery (p =.001). Age (p =.047) and renal failure (p =.013) were associated with higher mortality. Patients were tracheostomized by prolonged endo-tracheal intubation (50%), pneumonia (33%) and extubation failure (10%). Ventilation time before the tracheostomy (22.9 ± 6.5 days) was higher than ventilation time after the tracheostomy (7.1 ± 15.1 days) (p < 0.001). No differences were found in ventilation time (p = 0.094) and tracheostomy time (p = 0.514) in the different indications. There were 3 minor complications (7.1%), 25 discharges (60%) and 11 deaths (26%). During the same period 49 tracheostomies were performed in patients without COVID-19, with a homogeneous gender and age distribution, 31% without comorbidities, with an average of 1 comorbidity per patient and higher mortality (43%). Tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients proved to be a safe procedure for both patients and healthcare professionals and improves the clinical outcome of patients with severe infection. The 21-day procedure timing seems adequate. Comorbidities played an essential role in patient´s recovery. Age and renal failure are associated with a worse vital prognosis.publishersversionpublishe

ANALYSIS OF THE PREVALENCE OF MENTAL DISORDERS IN PSORIASIS: THE RELEVANCE OF PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT IN DERMATOLOGY

Background: The boundary between Dermatology and Psychiatry has increasing recognition. Psoriasis is a common psychophysiological skin disease with a major impact on patient’s quality of life and a paradigmatic example of a pathology in that boundary. Studies are needed to exactly point out the prevalence of specific psychopathology and mental disorders associated with psoriasis. This work intends to analyse the prevalence of psychopathology and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with psoriasis. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the "5S" model proposed by Haynes. From all the papers retrieved by this search, a total of 34 papers met the inclusion criteria and were then deeply analysed. Results: The most prevalent mental disorders in these patients are sleep disorders (average prevalence: 62.0%), sexual dysfunction (45.6%), personality (35.0%), anxiety (30.4%), adjustment (29.0%), depressive (27.6%) and substance-related and addictive disorders (24.8%). Other mental disorders have been less described, namely somatic symptoms and related disorders, schizophrenia and other psychoses, bipolar disorder and eating disorders. Conclusions: This updated research shows that the prevalence of psychiatric conditions in psoriasis may range from 24% to 90%. The study of the mind-skin connection in psoriasis may improve the knowledge about psoriasis and its psychiatric comorbidities. The link between psoriasis and associated mental disorders is frequently forgotten or not considered in the clinical practice. Psychiatric disorders in patients with psoriasis may be underdiagnosed. These patients would really benefit from psychiatric assessment, with therapeutic relevance

Novel and revisited approaches in nanoparticle systems for buccal drug delivery

The buccal route is considered patient friendly due to its non-invasive nature and ease of administration. Such delivery route has been used as an alternative for the delivery of drugs that undergo first-pass metabolism or are susceptible to pH and enzymatic degradation, such as occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the drug concentration absorbed in the buccal mucosa is often low to obtain an acceptable therapeutic effect, mainly due to the saliva turnover, tongue and masticatory movements, phonation, enzymatic degradation and lack of epithelium permeation. Therefore, the encapsulation of drugs into nanoparticles is an important strategy to avoid such problems and improve their buccal delivery. Different materials from lipids to natural or synthetic polymers and others have been used to protect and deliver drugs in a sustained, controlled or targeted manner, and enhance their uptake through the buccal mucosa improving their bioavailability and therapeutic outcome. Overall, the main aim of this review is to perform an overview about the nanotechnological approaches developed so far to improve the buccal delivery of drugs. Herein, several types of nanoparticles and delivery strategies are addressed, and a special focus on pipeline products is also given.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

ENSEÑAR Y APRENDER FILOSOFÍAS NEGRAS: Entrevista a Renato Noguera

Does a good interview need an entry? Do we really need a presentation from our interviewee here? If so, we will be synthetic, because we are convinced that Renato Noguera's speech matters. We will let the interview say "something" about it that can not be pinched quickly from its curriculum lattes, bibliographic production, lectures and academic works, not without saying, however, that Noguera is one of those thinkers who bring knowledge to people. He does not write or speak as if he were in a cathedral, starched and aseptic. Noguera is pop: he gives interviews in television programs with the same competence with which he guides his students, develops researches and writes books. For some time, Renato Noguera is synonymous with innovative production that contradicts the black epistemicide and shaves the gaps of philosophy. Our interviewee thickens the reflections in this issue of Odeere / UESB, whose main theme is "Afrophilosophies and Diasporic Knowledge: Black Philosophies in the Palms of the Hands", questioning the silences of a white-cis-euro-hetero- committed to the fight against racism and equanimity. We thank him for giving us some of his time, having the internet served as a link. To you we dedicate this work, inviting you to follow a reading course, which, if we agree, will present: i) reflection and advancement of knowledge about a black philosophy; ii) other paths to philosophy, more to the "south"; iii) reinventions of research, because, now, the interviewee has turned to philosophy for childhood. It's because? Because Ernes, Ibejis, Exu Mirim, the boy Kiriku give what to philosophize, as much as Pinocchio, Mickey Mouse, Rico Rich or the Goofy, does not it? This interview is not just for philosophers, for researchers of categories such as race, ethnicity and cognitive justice. It serves those interested in teaching and learning black philosophies, in order to denigrate Life in a proactive and biocentric articulation in favor of the Community. In one word: Ubuntu!&nbsp; Keywords: Philosophy; Afrocentricity; AfricaUma boa entrevista precisa de uma entrada? Necessitamos aqui, realmente de uma apresentação de nosso entrevistado? Se sim, seremos sintéticos, porque estamos convencidos de que importa a fala de Renato Noguera. Deixaremos que a entrevista diga “algo” sobre ele que não possa ser pinçado rapidamente de seu currículo lattes, produção bibliográfica, palestras e bancas de trabalhos acadêmicos, não sem dizer, contudo, que Noguera é daqueles pensadores que aproximam o conhecimento das pessoas. Não escreve e nem fala como se estivesse em uma Catedral, engomado e asséptico. Noguera é pop: dá entrevistas em programas de televisão com a mesma competência com a qual orienta seus estudantes, desenvolve pesquisas e escreve livros. Já há algum tempo, Renato Noguera é sinônimo de produção inovadora que contraria o epistemicídio negro e rasura as lacunas da filosofia. Nosso entrevistado engrossa as reflexões presentes nesta edição da revista Odeere/UESB, cujo tema central é “Afrofilosofias e saberes diaspóricos: Filosofias pretas nas palmas das mãos”, questionando silêncios de uma ciência branca-cis-euro-hetero-usa-normativa, pouco comprometida com a luta antirracista e a equanimidade. A ele agradecemos por nos conceder um pouco de seu tempo, tendo a internet nos servido de elo. A você dedicamos este trabalho, convidando-a(o) a trilhar um percurso de leitura, o qual, se estivermos de acordo, apresentará: i) reflexão e avanço de conhecimento sobre uma filosofia negra; ii) outros caminhos para a filosofia, mais ao “sul”; iii) reinvenções de percurso de pesquisa, pois, ora, o entrevistado tem se voltado à filosofia para a infância. E por quê? Porque Erês, Ibejis, Exu Mirim, o menino Kiriku dão o que filosofar, tanto quanto Pinóquio, Mickey Mouse, Riquinho Rico ou o Pateta, não é mesmo? Esta entrevista não serve apenas aos estudiosos de filosofia, aos pesquisadores de categorias como raça, etnicidade e justiça cognitiva. Serve aquelxs interessadxs em ensinar e aprender filosofias negras, com vistas a denegrir a Vida numa articulação proativa e biocêntrica em favor da Comunidade. Em uma palavra: Ubuntu! Palavras chave: Filosofia; Afrocentricidade; África¿Una buena entrevista necesita una entrada? ¿Realmente necesitamos una presentación de nuestro entrevistado aquí? Si es así, seremos sintéticos, porque estamos convencidos de que el discurso de Renato Noguera es importante. Dejaremos que la entrevista diga "algo" sobre él que no pueda ser rápidamente eliminado de sus currículums, producción bibliográfica, conferencias y stands académicos, no sin decir, sin embargo, que Noguera es uno de esos pensadores que acercan el conocimiento a las personas. No escribe ni habla como si estuviera en una catedral aséptica y almidonada. Noguera es pop: da entrevistas en programas de televisión con la misma competencia con la que guía a sus alumnos, realiza investigaciones y escribe libros. Desde hace algún tiempo, Renato Noguera ha sido sinónimo de producción innovadora que va en contra del epistemicida negro y borra las brechas en la filosofía. Nuestro entrevistado profundiza las reflexiones presentes en este número de la revista Odeere / UESB, cuyo tema central es "Aphophilosophies and Diasporic Knowledge: Black Philosophies on the Palms", cuestionando los silencios de una ciencia normativa, poco-cis-Euro-hetero-usos. comprometido con la lucha antirracista y la ecuanimidad. Le agradecemos por darnos algo de su tiempo, e Internet ha servido como nuestro enlace. Le dedicamos este trabajo, invitándolo a seguir un camino de lectura que, si estamos de acuerdo, presentará: i) reflexión y avance del conocimiento sobre una filosofía negra; ii) otros caminos hacia la filosofía, más al sur; iii) reinvención de la ruta de investigación, porque, ahora, el entrevistado ha recurrido a la filosofía de la infancia. ¿Es porque? Porque Eres, Ibejis, Exu Mirim, el chico Kiriku te dan algo para filosofar, como Pinocho, Mickey Mouse, Rich Rich o Goofy, ¿verdad? Esta entrevista no es solo para estudiosos de filosofía, investigadores para categorías como raza, etnia y justicia cognitiva. Sirve a aquellos interesados ​​en enseñar y aprender filosofías negras para denigrar la vida en una articulación proactiva y biocéntrica a favor de la comunidad. En una palabra: Ubuntu! Palabras clave: filosofía; Afrocentricidad; Áfric

Plectranthus madagascariensis phytosomes

Medicinal plants have been a reliable source of bioactive natural products with potential pharmaceutical applications. The delivery of those bioactive agents into nanosystems is considered a promising strategy for the optimization of their pharmacologic effects. This work describes the preparation of phytosomes containing a bioactive extract from Plectranthus madagascariensis and optimization of the preparation method. Different formulations and process parameters were studied. It was observed that smaller and more uniform particles were obtained using acetone as solvent, a reaction time of two hours, and the addition of 2.5% molar concentration of cholesterol. The optimally prepared phytosomes had a diameter of 191.3 ± 75.3 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.243 ± 0.18, and a spherical shape with amorphous appearance. These nanosystems were able to encapsulate 92.8% of the extract, as evaluated by HPLC, relative to 7α,6β-dihydroxyroyleanona, the main extract component. This study suggests a future application of those phytosomes in the delivery of bioactive agents with therapeutic interest

Preparation and preliminary demonstration of in vivo tolerability

This research was funded by Universidade de Lisboa PhD grant: REITORIA/BD/FF01/2015. supported in part through Grant UID/DTP/04138/2019 from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal.Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.), a fruit rich in phenolic compounds (PCs), has been considered effective in mitigating oxidative damage induced by an excess of reactive oxygen species. Due to large molecular weight and intrinsic instability in some physiological fluids, PCs’ passage through biological membranes is very limited. Carriers like phytosomes are promising systems to optimize oral absorption of encapsulated extracts. This work prepared and fully characterized phytosomes containing bioactive phenolic extracts from persimmon in terms of size, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency and stability over six months. These phytosomes were orally dosed to Wistar rats during a 15-day period. Afterwards, haematological and biochemical analyses were performed. Monodisperse phytosomes were successfully prepared, with size less than 300nm (PI < 0.3) and high encapsulation efficiency (97.4%) of PCs. In contrast to free extract, extract-loaded phytosomes had higher antioxidant activity after 6 months storage. Oral administration of extract-loaded phytosomes and free extract did not lead to lipidic profile changes and were within referenced normal ranges, as well as glycaemia levels and urine parameters. The results highlighted the potential of persimmon PCs as food supplements or pharmacological tools, suggesting a promising and safe phytosomal formulation containing bioactive agents of persimmon that could lead to health benefits.publishersversionpublishe

Psoríase, Psicofármacos e Comorbilidades Psiquiátricas: Um Estudo de Caso-Controlo numa População de Doentes Hospitalizados

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with significant impact on quality of life and multiple comorbidities, with recognition especially given to cardiovascular risk factors. Recently it has been highlighted the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities.Methods: The primary outcome was to assess the prevalence of psychotropic drugs in the chronic medication of patients with diagnosis of psoriasis. We performed a case-control study at the Department of Dermatology of Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, between 2010 and 2015. The results were compared with age- and gender-matched controls. The medication was grouped according to the INFARMED. The secondary outcome was to compare the prevalence of treatments for cardiovascular risk factors in both groups and to compile the information on psychiatric comorbidities available in the medical records of the psoriasis patients included in this study. The data were processed by STATA 14 and statistical significance was considered when p&lt;0.05. Results: The sample consisted of 79 patients, 67% male and 33% female, mean age of 59.30±17.17 years. There was association (p&lt;0.01) between psoriasis and psychotropic drugs, especially anxiolytics and antipsychotics, with 63% of patients with at least one psychotropic drug. It was found an association between psoriasis and antihypertensive drugs (p&lt;0.05). Frequently, psychiatric diagnoses were not mentioned or were inaccurately described in the medical records.Conclusion: The results highlight the high prevalence of psychotropic drugs and reinforce previous studies about the lack of assessment of psychopathology in dermatology, a topic of high relevance in patients with psychodermatologic diseases, such as psoriasis.Introdução: A psoríase é uma dermatose inflamatória crónica com impacto significativo na qualidade de vida e múltiplas comorbilidades, com reconhecimento classicamente atribuído aos fatores de risco cardiovascular. Recentemente tem-se destacado a relação com as comorbilidades psiquiátricas.Material e Métodos: Estabeleceu-se como objetivo primário avaliar a prevalência de psicofármacos na medicação habitual dos doentes hospitalizados com o diagnóstico de psoríase. Realizou-se um estudo de caso-controlo no Serviço de Dermatologia do Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, entre 2010 e 2015, partindo da medicação habitual. Os fármacos foram agrupados pela classificação do INFARMED. Definiram- -se como objetivos secundários comparar a prevalência de fármacos para tratamento de fatores de risco cardiovascular nos dois grupos e reunir informação sobre comorbilidades psiquiátricas disponível nos processos clínicos dos doentes hospitalizados com psoríase. A análise estatística foi realizada recorrendo ao software STATA 14 e a significância estatística foi definida para p&lt;0,05.Resultados: O grupo com psoríase era constituído por 79 doentes, 67% do sexo masculino, 33% do sexo feminino e idade média de 59,30±17,17 anos. Observou-se uma associação entre psoríase e consumo de fármacos do sistema nervoso central, particularmente psicofármacos, sobretudo ansiolíticos e antipsicóticos (p&lt;0,01), com 63% dos doentes medicados com pelo menos um psicofármaco. Verificou-se também associação entre psoríase e medicação regular com anti-hipertensores (p&lt;0,05). A referência a diagnósticos psiquiátricos nos processos clínicos era, frequentemente, imprecisa ou inexistente.Conclusão: Os resultados salientam o peso do consumo de psicofármacos e reforçam estudos prévios sobre a subavaliação em psicopatologia dos doentes com psoríase. Salienta-se a importância da avaliação holística nas patologias da psicodermatologia

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio