Communication preferences and perceptions of cancer patient during their first medical oncology appointment

© 2023 The Authors. Psycho-Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Background: The first medical oncology appointment serves as a platform for patients to comprehend their diagnosis and prognostic implications of cancer. This study aimed to determine patients' communication preferences during their first medical oncology appointment and to assess the disparities between patients' preferences and perceptions. Methods: A total of 169 cancer patients participated by completing the Communication in First Medical Oncology Appointment Questionnaire (C-FAQ), a two-section questionnaire designed to assess patients' preferences and perceptions regarding Content (information provided and its extent), Facilitation (timing and location of information delivery), and Support (emotional support) during their first medical oncology appointment. A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the variations between preferences and perceptions. Results: Content emerged as the most significant dimension compared to Facilitation and Support. The physician's knowledge, honesty, and ability to provide clear information were considered the most important attributes. Patients evaluated most of their preferences as "very important". Patients' perception of the communication dimensions present during their appointment was below preferences for 11 items, indicating significant discrepancies in clinical practice. Conclusions: Patients highly valued their preferences concerning Content, Facilitation, and Support dimensions of communication. However, patient preferences were more prominently oriented towards the Content dimension. The discrepancies between preferences and perceptions should be viewed as an opportunity for enhancing communication skills through training.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

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

AVANÇOS RECENTES NO DIAGNÓSTICO PRECOCE DO CÂNCER DE PULMÃO: UMA ANÁLISE DE REVISÕES SISTEMÁTICAS

The high mortality rate from lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in Brazil, highlights the urgent need for effective screening and early diagnosis policies. Late detection, often in advanced stages, compromises treatment options. The aim of this study was to reflect on the importance of recent advances in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. A systematic literature review was carried out using the Scielo, Lilacs and Medline databases. After a qualitative analysis of the results, it was concluded that early identification of the disease allows for more effective therapeutic interventions, resulting in greater survival and better clinical outcomes for patients.A alta taxa de mortalidade pelo câncer de pulmão, principal causa de óbito por câncer no Brasil, ressalta a urgência de políticas efetivas de rastreamento e diagnóstico precoce. A detecção tardia, frequentemente nos estágios avançados, compromete as opções de tratamento. Este estudo teve como objetivo refletir sobre a importância do avanços recentes no diagnóstico precoce do câncer de pulmão. Para isso, foi desenvolvida uma revisão sistemática da literatura, utilizando as bases de dados Scielo, Lilacs e Medline. Após análise qualitativa dos resultados, concluiu-se que a identificação precoce da doença permite intervenções terapêuticas mais eficazes, resultando em maior sobrevida e melhores resultados clínicos para os pacientes

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Controle patrimonial nos municípios : leis, rotinas e sistema informatizado

Discorre sobre as premissas para o estabelecimento de rotinas operacionais e para a análise dos sistemas informatizados relativos à matéria patrimonial, em consonância com as principais normas vigentes. Comenta o principio da legalidade

Candida albicans chitinase 3 with potential as a vaccine antigen: production, purification, and characterisation

Chitinases are widely studied enzymes that have already found widespread application. Their continued development and valorisation will be driven by the identification of new and improved variants and/or novel applications bringing benefits to industry and society. We previously identified a novel application for chitinases wherein the Candida albicans cell wall surface chitinase 3 (Cht3) was shown to have potential in vaccine applications as a subunit antigen against fungal infections. In the present study, this enzyme was investigated further, developing production and purification protocols, enriching our understanding of its properties, and advancing its application potential. Cht3 was heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris and a 4-step purification protocol developed and optimised: this involves activated carbon treatment, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, ammonium sulphate precipitation, and gel filtration chromatography. The recombinant enzyme was shown to be mainly O-glycosylated and to retain the epitopes of the native protein. Functional studies showed it to be highly specific, displaying activity on chitin, chitosan, and chito-oligosaccharides larger than chitotriose only. Furthermore, it was shown to be a stable enzyme, exhibiting activity, and stability over broad pH and temperature ranges. This study represents an important step forward in our understanding of Cht3 and contributes to its development for application.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Grant/Award Numbers: UIDP/04050/2020, LA/P/0069/2020, SFRH/BD/133513/2017, COVID/BD/152169/2021, UI/BD/150872/202

Two new diterpenoids from Plectranthus species

Two new diterpenoids, ent-7α-acetoxy-15-beyeren-18-oic acid and (13S,15S)-6β,7α,12α,19-tetrahydroxy-13β,16-cyclo-8-abietene-11,14-dione, have been isolated from Plectranthus saccatus and Plectranthus porcatus, respectively, and their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. The new diterpenes showed no activity against Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans (yeast strain). Among Gram-positive bacteria, the lower MIC value was 62.50 μg/ml for the abietane derivative against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538.FCT-MCES to iMed.UL; PhD Grant No. SFRH/BD/19250/2004; Grant No. CTQ2009-1034

Silica Aerogel-Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Silica aerogel is a material composed of SiO2 that has exceptional physical properties when utilized for tissue engineering applications. Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polyester that has been widely used for biomedical applications, namely as sutures, drug carriers, and implantable scaffolds. Herein, a hybrid composite of silica aerogel, prepared with two different silica precursors, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), and PCL was synthesized to fulfil bone regeneration requirements. The developed porous hybrid biocomposite scaffolds were extensively characterized, regarding their physical, morphological, and mechanical features. The results showed that their properties were relevant, leading to composites with different properties. The water absorption capacity and mass loss were evaluated as well as the influence of the different hybrid scaffolds on osteoblasts’ viability and morphology. Both hybrid scaffolds showed a hydrophobic character (with water contact angles higher than 90°), low swelling (maximum of 14%), and low mass loss (1–7%). hOB cells exposed to the different silica aerogel-PCL scaffolds remained highly viable, even for long periods of incubation (7 days). Considering the obtained results, the produced hybrid scaffolds may be good candidates for future application in bone tissue engineering