Microfluidic Paper-Based Device Incorporated with Silica Nanoparticles for Iodide Quantification in Marine Source Dietary Supplements.

Iodine is an essential micronutrient for humans due to its fundamental role in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. As a key parameter to assess health conditions, iodine intake needs to be monitored to ascertain and prevent iodine deficiency. Iodine is available from various food sources (such as seaweed, fish, and seafood, among others) and dietary supplements (multivitamins or mineral supplements). In this work, a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) to quantify iodide in seaweed and dietary supplements is described. The developed µPAD is a small microfluidic device that emerges as quite relevant in terms of its analytical capacity. The quantification of iodide is based on the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iodine, which acts as the catalyst to produce the blue form of TMB. Additionally, powder silica was used to intensify and uniformize the colour of the obtained product. Following optimization, the developed µPAD enabled iodide quantification within the range of 10-100 µM, with a detection limit of 3 µM, and was successfully applied to seaweeds and dietary supplements. The device represents a valuable tool for point-of-care analysis, can be used by untrained personnel at home, and is easily disposable, low-cost, and user-friendly.

A Rare Cause of Intellectual Disability.

A seven-year-old female was followed in a developmental clinic from the age of nine months due to delayed psychomotor development. The first physical examination showed a newborn with irritability and a large anterior fontanelle. A transfontanellar ultrasound was performed, revealing mild enlargement of the lateral and third ventricles. Head circumference remained below the third percentile until the age of five months, then rose to the third percentile. Developmental milestones were globally delayed, with expressive language being more severely affected and axial hypotonia with appendicular hypertonia on neurological examination. Subsequent medical observation revealed deep-set eyes, mildly up-slanted palpebral fissures, a high nasal bridge with a broad nasal tip, a thin upper lip, widely spaced teeth, retrognathia, and a slight pectus excavatum. Genetic investigation revealed the diagnosis, with whole-exome sequencing consistent with the genetic diagnosis of autosomal dominant mental retardation type 7 (MRD7). All patients diagnosed with MRD7 have a development delay detected at a young age and, typically, a mild to severe intellectual disability later in life. All individuals present language impairment, especially in verbal expression. Motor development is typically affected by gait disturbances and generalized hypertonia, which are noted early in life. Microcephaly is a prominent feature of this syndrome, present in over 90% of the cases. The most common findings in MRD7 (microcephaly and intellectual disability) have a broad differential diagnosis. Some disorders have multiple findings in common with MRD7, such as Angelman syndrome (AS), MECP2 disorders, or Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS). MRD7 is a rare genetic syndrome characterized by developmental delay/intellectual disability, microcephaly, autism spectrum disorder, behavior problems, typical facial features, and seizures. Early intervention is more likely to be effective and potentially change a child's developmental path. Small gains early in life could represent a significant difference in the children's future autonomy.

Local Antimicrobial Resistance Trends in Pediatric Urinary Tract Infection: The Importance of Local Surveillance of a Global Problem.

Introduction Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common pediatric bacterial infections and consequently a major reason for antibiotic treatment. Despite being a global problem, antimicrobial resistance is often geographically heterogeneous. Thus, it is fundamental to know local epidemiology and practice frequent surveillance of each hospital's antibiograms. The aims of this study are to determine the local antimicrobial resistance profile in pediatric UTIs, to understand its evolution over 14 years, and finally, to infer if the currently instituted antibiotic empirical therapy remains effective. Materials and methods A retrospective observational study was performed through the analysis of urine cultures and respective antibiograms of children diagnosed with UTI from 2017 to 2019 in Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (Faro's unit, Portugal), followed by a comparison of the obtained data with the results of a similar study performed between 2003 and 2005. Results A total of 784 urine cultures were selected. Escherichia coli was the most frequent microorganism (n = 561; 71.56%), followed by Proteus mirabilis (n = 117; 14.92%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 40; 5.10%). The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was cefuroxime axetil (66.28%). Escherichia coli had an increase in resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate of 6.16% to 34.76% and cefuroxime axetil of 0.73% to 4.46%. Proteus mirabilis had an increase in resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate of 1.64% to 11.11%. Klebsiella pneumoniae had an increase in resistance to cefuroxime axetil (0%-27.50%) and nitrofurantoin (0%-47.50%). The three microorganisms showed a decrease in trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance profiles, as well as low resistance profiles to fosfomycin. In fifty cases in which antibiotic empirical therapy was instituted, the isolated microorganism revealed in vitro resistance; 37 of these cases had a good evolution, maintaining the antibiotic empirical therapy. Discussion Local surveillance of antimicrobial resistance allows monitoring of the resistance trends and adequacy of empirical antibiotic therapy. This study's local resistance profile was distinct from other regions of the country and the world. Continuous local surveillance also potentiates the dissemination of the results to the concerned healthcare providers and the initiation of timely responsive measures, containing the increase in antimicrobial resistance. As Escherichia coli was the commonest isolated microorganism, its antimicrobial profile should dictate antibiotic empirical therapy. This study supports that in vitro is not equivalent to in vivo resistance. Conclusion There was a significant increase in antimicrobial resistance profiles, especially to amoxicillin-clavulanate. Cefuroxime axetil remains the recommended antibiotic for empirical therapy in this hospital, although fosfomycin should be considered as an alternative in non-complicated cystitis in adolescent females. This study reinforces the importance of continuous local resistance surveillance as a preventive measure against the global increase in antimicrobial resistance.

Supporting Nature-Based Solutions via Nature-Based Thinking across European and Latin American cities.

Nature-Based Solutions concepts and practices are being used worldwide as part of attempts to address societal challenges but have also been criticised for not dealing with deeper transformations needed to face urgent issues including biodiversity loss, climate change and inclusion. In this paper, we explore how an inclusive, integrated and long-sighted approach, emphasising a more radical integration of nature within cities, might support the transformations needed to endure major contemporary challenges. Addressing important emerging critiques of Nature-Based Solutions, we consider the potential of a more incisive form of Nature-Based Thinking (NBT) in cities, based on more holistic perspectives. The paper draws on a reflective and iterative research process that engaged both the research and practice communities through a symposium and a series of futures workshops that together explored the potential of NBT to develop future nature-cities relations in Europe and Latin America. The results of the reflective process suggest that notions of nature with people-not for people- new organisational structures, and the intention and capacity to apply long-term perspectives, are needed when planning for NBS interventions aimed at sustainable urban development. This includes developing a cultural-structural change based on new and inclusive understandings of human-nature relations, and novel governance paradigms that allow cross-sectoral coordination and engagement of local stakeholders beyond formal organisational structures.

Stress, burnout e avaliação cognitiva: estudo na classe de enfermagem / Stress, burnout and cognitive appraisal: a study with nurses / Estrés, agotamiento y evaluación cognitiva: un estudio dos profesionales de enfermería

Este estudo analisa o stress laboral em enfermeiros, observando igualmente a importância dos processos de avaliação cognitiva no ajustamento aos contextos de trabalho. Foram aplicados, em um único momento, a 153 profissionais da classe de enfermagem instrumentos de avaliação do stress ocupacional, da avaliação cognitiva primária e secundária, do burnout e da sintomatologia depressiva. Os níveis de stress, de burnout e de sintomatologia depressiva confirmaram que essa profissão é exigente do ponto de vista emocional e psicológico. Os processos de avaliação cognitiva foram determinantes na explicação da experiência de stress ocupacional, burnout e sintomatologia depressiva. O stress ocupacional e a avaliação cognitiva foram variáveis importantes na predição do burnout. Os resultados deste estudo evidenciaram o papel central da avaliação cognitiva na adaptação humana aos contextos de trabalho bem como a utilidade do modelo transacional no estudo do stress laboral.

This study analyzes the occupational stress in nurses, observing also the importance of cognitive appraisal in the adjustment to work contexts. In a single moment, evaluation protocols that included instruments of occupational stress, primary and secondary cognitive appraisals, burnout, and depressive symptomatology were applied to 153 nurses. Levels of occupational stress, burnout, and depressive symptomatology have confirmed that this activity is very demanding, both on emotional and psychological levels. The processes of cognitive appraisal were determining factors in the comprehension of occupational stress, burnout, and depressive symptomatology. Occupational stress and cognitive appraisals dimensions were predictors of the burnout experience. The results of this study pointed out the central role of the cognitive appraisals in the human adaptation to the work contexts and the usefulness of the transactional model in the study of occupational stress.

Este estudio analiza el estrés laboral en profesionales de enfermería, observando también la importancia de la evaluacion cognitiva en la adaptación al trabajo. Mediante una metodología transversal, se aplicó un protocolo de evaluación a 153 profesionales de enfermería con instrumentos de estrés ocupacional, evaluación cognitivas primaria y secundaria, agotamiento y sintomatología depresiva. Los niveles de estrés laboral, agotamiento y sintomatología depresiva confirmaron que esta actividad es muy exigente a nivel psicológico y emocional. Los procesos de evaluación cognitiva fuerwon cruciales para explicar la experiencia de estrés laboral, de agotamiento y de sintomatología depresiva. El estrés laboral y la evaluación cognitiva fueron variables importantes en la predicción de agotamiento. Los resultados de este estudio demonstraron el papel central de la evaluación cognitiva en la adaptación humana al trabajo y la utilidad del modelo transaccional en el estudio del estrés laboral.