Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Phenolic Compounds from Winery By-Products by Hydroethanolic Extraction.

The residues generated in the wine industry (pomace, stems, seeds, wine lees, and grapevine shoots) are a potential source of bioactive compounds that can be used in other industries despite being sometimes underestimated. Different extraction methods using various solvents and extraction conditions are currently being investigated. Due to its natural occurrence in wines, safe behavior, and low toxicity when compared to other organic solvents, ethanol is used as an extracting agent. The aim of this study was to identify the winery by-product from the Região Demarcada do Douro and its corresponding extraction solvents that yields the most favorable results in (poly)phenols content and antioxidant capacity. To achieve this, five different ratios of ethanol: water, namely 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0 (v/v), for extracting the phenolic compounds were employed. Afterwards, the determination of total phenolic content (TPC), ortho-diphenols content (ODC), and flavonoid content (FC) as well as the antioxidant capacity of the obtained extracts using three different methods was performed. Since the best results of the spectrophotometric assays were obtained mostly with hydroethanolic extracts of stems (50:50, v/v), identification by HPLC-DAD has carried out. It was possible to conclude that the Tinta Roriz variety displayed the highest number of identified (poly)phenols.

Characterization of Azorean Plant Leaves for Sustainable Valorization and Future Advanced Applications in the Food, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical Industries.

The historical use of plants as sources of natural compounds has persisted over time. Increasing the intake of bioactive substances shows significant potential for promoting overall well-being and health. This study delves into the pigments, phenolic composition, and profile, along with antioxidant properties, of leaf extracts rich in bioactives from plants in the Azores region, contributing to sustainable primary food production. Analyses encompassed chlorophylls, carotenoids, total phenols, ortho-diphenols, and flavonoids, as well as antioxidant capacity assessment, polyphenolic profiling, and quantification. Psidium guajava L. and Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H.Rob. exhibited elevated chlorophyll content, while Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott displayed the highest carotenoid levels. Annona cherimola Mill., Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl, and Psidium guajava L. demonstrated pronounced total phenols, ortho-diphenols, and flavonoids. These findings align with heightened antioxidant capacity. HPLC-DAD (high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection) characterization unveiled elevated hydroxycinnamic acids in E. japonica and Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam. compared to A. cherimola Mill., while C. esculenta exhibited increased flavone content. Among the quantified compounds, flavonols were the ones that predominantly demonstrated contribution to the antioxidant capacity of these leaves. This research highlights Azorean leaf plants' antioxidant potential, fostering natural product development for better health.

Reliability and validity of the Portuguese version of the Stroke Impact Scale 2.0 (SIS 2.0).

OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability and validity of the Portuguese version of the Stroke Impact Scale 2.0 (SIS 2.0). METHODS: Two samples (N = 448 and N = 50) of stroke patients attending physical therapy were evaluated. The Portuguese versions of the SIS 2.0 and Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment (CMSA), and a set of individual patient characteristics were the measures used. RESULTS: Reliability was good with Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.83 to 0.96, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between 0.70 and 0.95 for the SIS 2.0 domains. Construct validity was supported by 6 predefined hypotheses involving expected correlations between SIS 2.0 domains, CMSA dimensions and age. An additional predefined hypothesis was also confirmed, with subjects without complications during hospitalization obtaining significantly higher scores in 7 of the 8 SIS 2.0 domains (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Portuguese SIS 2.0 evidenced suitable psychometric characteristics in terms of reliability and validity.

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in a Multipurpose Intensive Care Unit: One-Year Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital-acquired pneumonia continues to be a frequent complication in the intensive care unit and an important cause of admission in the intensive care unit. The aim of our study was to evaluate the demography, incidence, risk factors, causative bacterial pathogens and outcome of all episodes of Hospital-acquired pneumonia in our unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective observational study, at a tertiary university hospital during one year (2014) including all the cases of hospital-acquired pneumonia in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: Sixty patients were identified with pneumonia. Thirty-five (58.3%) had an intensive care unit acquired pneumonia, corresponding to 6.9 cases/1000 intubation-days. Antibiotic treatment in the previous 30 days was present in 75% of the cases. The incidence of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii was 26.2%, 20.0% and 9.2%, respectively. Patients with late-onset hospital-acquired pneumonia (≥ 7 days) showed higher frequency of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli isolates, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Combination therapy was performed in 67.0%, and de-escalation in 18.3%. The mortality rate was 18.3%. The adjusted odds ratio for intensive care unit mortality in the group of patients with non-intensive care unit acquired pneumonia was 5.2 (95% CI of 1.02 - 22.10; p = 0.046). DISCUSSION: The knowledge of local bacterial flora and resistance patterns is of crucial importance and strongly recommended. This evidence increases the probability of success of empiric antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: S. aureus was the predominant causative agent of nosocomial pneumonia. The most frequent risk factor identified for infection with multidrug-resistant organisms was previous treatment with antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant organisms were present in 45% of documented hospital-acquired pneumonias. In admitted patients with non-intensive care unit acquired pneumonia, the intensive care unit mortality rate was nearly five times higher compared to intensive care unit acquired pneumonia.

Introdução: A pneumonia adquirida no hospital é uma complicação frequente nos doentes críticos e uma importante causa de admissão nos Cuidados Intensivos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a demografia, incidência, fatores de risco, microbiologia e outcome da pneumonia nosocomial num Serviço de Medicina Intensiva. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospectivo e observacional, num hospital universitário terciário, durante o período de um ano (2014). Resultados: Foram avaliados 60 doentes. Trinta e cinco (58,3%) com pneumonia nosocomial adquirida no Serviço de Medicina Intensiva, correspondendo a 6,9 casos/1000 dias de intubação. A antibioterapia nos últimos 30 dias esteve presente em 75% dos casos. A incidência de Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Acinetobacter baumannii foi de 26,2%, 20,0% e 9,2% respetivamente. Os doentes com pneumonia de início tardio (≥ 7 dias) apresentaram maior frequência de bacilos Gram-negativos não-fermentadores e S. aureus resistente à meticilina. A antibioterapia em associação foi aplicada em 67,0% e a descalação em 18,3% dos doentes. A taxa de mortalidade foi 18,3%. O odds ratio ajustado de mortalidade no grupo de doentes críticos com pneumonia nosocomial adquirida fora da UCI foi de 5,2 (95% CI de 1,02 ­ 22,10; p = 0,046). Discussão: O conhecimento da flora local bacteriana e os padrões de resistência bacteriana são de grande importância e amplamente recomendados. Esta evidência aumenta a probabilidade de sucesso da antibioterapia empírica. Conclusão: O S. aureus foi o agente causador predominante da pneumonia. O fator de risco mais frequente para infecção por organismos multirresistentes foi o tratamento prévio com antibióticos. Organismos multirresistentes estavam presentes em 45% das pneumonias adquiridas no hospital de origem bacteriana comprovada. O grupo de doentes críticos com pneumonia nosocomial não adquirida no Serviço de Medicina Intensiva apresentou um risco de mortalidade cerca de cinco vezes maior comparativamente aos doentes com pneumonia nosocomial adquirida no Serviço de Medicina Intensiva.