School-Age Child Routines: Adaptation and Validation Studies of the Portuguese Version of the Child Routines Questionnaire.

Child routines have been recognized as positive contributors to children's development. However, in Portugal there is still a lack of instruments available to assess school-age child routines. The purpose of this study was to present the translation, adaptation, and validation studies of the Portuguese version of the Child Routines Questionnaire (CRQ), a parent self-report measure developed to assess school-age child routines. A total of 460 parents of children aged between 6 and 12 years-old participated in the study. Two studies were conducted to define the CRQ-PT factor structure. In Study 1 (n = 204 children from 6 to 12 years-old), findings from the exploratory factor analysis provided evidence for a four-factor structure (for 32 items), which explained 43.53% of the total variance. In Study 2 (n = 256 children from 6 to 9 years-old), results from confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit indices (CFI = 0.84, RMSEA = 0.06). The total scale of the CRQ-PT (α = 0.89) and its subscales showed good internal consistency. Further evidence of construct validity was shown by weak to moderate correlations with measures of parental sense of competence and family mealtime routines. Relevant contributions of the study are underscored, namely the availability and usefulness of a reliable and valid assessment tool to evaluate the routines of Portuguese school-age children for clinical practice and research purposes.

Optimism and fear of COVID-19 in higher education students: the mediating role of general anxiety.

Higher education students have faced several changes in their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the effect of dispositional optimism in students' fear of COVID-19 and to test the mediating role of general anxiety in the relationship between optimism and fear. Using an online survey, data were collected during the second wave of the pandemic in Portugal. The sample included 312 higher education students (76% females) aged 18-25 years old, who completed measures of dispositional optimism, general anxiety and fear of COVID-19. The results showed that higher optimism and lower general anxiety reduce fear of COVID-19. Moreover, the link between optimism and fear is fully mediated by general anxiety, showing that optimism reduces fear of COVID-19 indirectly through the reduction of students' anxiety. The role of optimism, anxiety and fear in higher education students is discussed and topics for further research are presented.

Predictors of anaphylaxis to peanut and tree nuts in a Mediterranean population.

Background: Peanuts (PN) and tree nuts (TN) are major causes of anaphylaxis worldwide. We aimed to determine the clinical and demographic characteristics associated with anaphylaxis in patients sensitized to PN and/or TN in a Mediterranean population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, which included 198 patients allergic to PN and/or TN (allergy symptoms plus specific immunoglobulin E [sIgE] sensitization), evaluated in consultations from January 2015 to December 2020. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were developed, including demographic, clinical, and laboratory data as independent variables, and anaphylaxis to each PN and/or TN as a dependent variables. Results: Anaphylaxis was associated with an earlier age of onset of allergy to PN, cashew and/or pistachio, and pine nut allergy but not to other TN allergies. Gender, atopic comorbidities, and cofactors were not associated with PN and/or TN anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis to PN, cashew and/or pistachio, and pine nut were associated with reactivity to a fewer number of PN and/or TN foods. Although sIgE sensitization to lipid transfer proteins (LTP) was highly prevalent in our population, only seed storage protein (SSP) positivity was associated with anaphylaxis in PN allergy. The absence of pathogenesis-related protein family 10 sensitization correlated with PN and hazelnut anaphylaxis. A higher level of sIgE to almond extract predicted anaphylaxis but the level of sIgE to other PN and/or TN extracts did not predict it. Conclusion: The high prevalence of sensitization to the pan-allergen LTP did not seem to have a significant impact in PN and/or TN allergy severity in our study. Instead, other factors, such as early age of onset and positivity for SSPs, seem to strongly associate with anaphylaxis to specific PN and/or TN. These findings may contribute to individual risk assessment in these populations.

Effect of the treatment with Achyrocline satureioides (free and nanocapsules essential oil) and diminazene aceturate on hematological and biochemical parameters in rats infected by Trypanosoma evansi.

This study aimed to verify the effect of the treatment with A. satureioides essential oil (free and nanoencapsulated forms) and diminazene aceturate on hematological and biochemical variables in rats infected by Trypanosoma evansi. The 56 rats were divided into seven groups with eight rats each. Groups A, C and D were composed by uninfected animals, and groups B, E, F and G were formed by infected rats with T. evansi. Rats from groups A and B were used as negative and positive control, respectively. Rats from the groups C and E were treated with A. satureioides essential oil, and groups D and F were treated with A. satureioides nanoencapsulated essential oil. Groups C, D, E and F received one dose of oil (1.5 mL kg(-1)) during five consecutive days orally. Group G was treated with diminazene aceturate (D.A.) in therapeutic dose (3.5 mg kg(-1)) in an only dose. The blood samples were collected on day 5 PI for analyses of hematological (erythrocytes and leukocytes count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) and biochemical (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, urea and creatinine) variables. A. satureioides administered was able to maintain low parasitemia, mainly the nanoencapsulated form, on 5 days post infection. On the infected animals with T. evansi treated with A. satureioides essential oil (free and nanocapsules) the number of total leucocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes present was similar to uninfected rats, and different from infected and not-treated animals (leukocytosis). Treatment with A. satureioides in free form elevated levels of ALT and AST, demonstrating liver damage; however, treatment with nanoencapsulated form did not cause elevation of these enzymes. Finally, treatments inhibited the increase in creatinine levels caused by infection for T. evansi. In summary, the nanoencapsulated form showed better activity on the trypanosome; it did not cause liver toxicity and prevented renal damage.

Meloxicam-loaded nanocapsules have antinociceptive and antiedematogenic effects in acute models of nociception.

AIMS: The development of new treatments for inflammation and pain continues to be of high interest, since long-acting effect is critical for patients. The present study investigated whether the polymeric nanocapsules, a drug delivery system, have pharmacological effect on acute nociceptive and inflammatory models in mice. MAIN METHODS: Swiss mice (20-25 g) were previously pre-treated with meloxicam-loaded nanocapsules (M-NC) or free meloxicam (M-F) or suspension without drug (B-NC), at a dose of 5 mg/kg (per oral) at different times (0.5-120 h). Antinociceptive and antiedematogenic effects were evaluated by chemical (acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, nociception and paw edema induced by formalin and glutamate, croton oil-induced ear edema) and thermal (tail immersion and hot-plate) tests. KEY FINDINGS: M-NC reduced the licking time- and paw edema-induced by glutamate and formalin, while M-F did not have an effect. In the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and croton oil-induced ear edema, analysis of time-course revealed that M-NC showed a response more prolonged than M-F. In the hot-plate test, a thermal test, the time-course analysis indicated a similar increase in the latency response to thermal stimuli of M-NC and M-F, while in the tail-immersion test M-F had an effect at 0.5 h and M-NC at 24 h. SIGNIFICANCE: Polymeric nanoparticles had antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antiedematogenic effects in the formalin and glutamate tests, and prolonged the effect in acetic acid and croton oil tests, but not in thermal tests, supporting the idea that the inflammatory process in tissues facilitates the vectoring of polymeric nanoparticles.

Treatment with essential oil of Achyrocline satureioides in rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi: relationship between protective effect and tissue damage.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatment with free and nanoencapsulated essential oil of Achyrocline satureioides on trypanosomosis and its oxidative/antioxidants variables in liver and kidney of rats infected experimentally with Trypanosoma evansi. For that, 48 rats were divided into six groups (A-F), eight animals each group. Groups A, C and D were composed of uninfected animals, while animals in groups B, E and F were inoculated intraperitoneally with T. evansi. Groups A and B were used as controls, negative and positive, respectively. Groups C and E receive oil (orally), as well as the animals in groups D and F were treated with nanoencapsulated essential oil. The treatment was not able to eliminate the parasites, but it remained the levels of parasitemia low. The carbonyl levels in liver and kidney did not differ between groups. Infected animals (group B) showed an increase in the TBARS levels and a decrease in the CAT activity and NPSH levels in liver and kidney, compared with the same parameters in the control (group A). Treatment with A. satureioides (groups C and D) did not influence the TBARS levels and CAT activity in the liver, but it increased the CAT activity in kidneys of the animals of group C. NPSH levels decreased in liver in the groups treated with nanoencapsulated essential oil (groups D and F). An interesting result observed was that the animals infected and then treated with essential oil of A. satureioides (groups E and F) did not differ from animals of group A for TBARS, CAT and NPSH, unlike what happened with the animals of group B. Therefore, the treatment with essential oil did not eliminate the parasites from the bloodstream, but it reduced the number of trypanosomes, mainly by its nanoencapsulated form. The same occurred with the lipid peroxidation in the liver. However, the treatments reduced the oxidative damage, and it led to the activation of the antioxidant enzymes. We believe that the association of this natural product with a trypanocidal drug may enhance its curative effect.

Diphenyl diselenide-loaded nanocapsules: preparation and biological distribution.

Over the past years, organoselenium compounds have been aimed as targets of interest in organic synthesis. Diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)2] is an important example of this class showing several pharmacological properties. However, the poor water-solubility and its low oral bioavailability may be considered an obstruction for the clinical utility of this compound. For this reason, the use of nanocapsules is a prominent approach to increase the bioavailability of lipophylic molecules. This study aims to prepare diphenyl diselenide-loaded nanocapsules with two different concentrations, by interfacial deposition of the preformed polymer in order to develop a system to improve its oral bioavailability. The drug-loaded nanocapsules with 1.56 and 5 mg ml−1 and unloaded nanocapsule suspensions presented macroscopic homogeneous aspect, as well as submicronic sizes, low polydispersity, negative zeta potentials and slightly acid or neutral pH values. The biological tests of selenium distribution in different tissues of mice show a higher bioavailability of the (PhSe)2 nanocapsules when compared with the free (PhSe)2, both administered by per oral route at the dose of 50 mg/kg, showing a prominent influence of the nanocarries systems for biological properties of this organochalcogenium compound.

Natural lipid nanoparticles containing nimesulide: synthesis, characterization and in vivo antiedematogenic and antinociceptive activities.

Lipid nanoparticles are drug delivery systems able to increase bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. They can be prepared with different lipid materials, especially natural lipids. Shea butter is a natural lipid obtained from the Butyrospermum parkii seed and rich in oleic and stearic acids. Nimesulide is a COX 2 selective anti-inflammatory that is poorly soluble in water. The purpose of this study was to develop and characterize shea butter lipid nanoparticles using a new technique and evaluate the in vivo activity of these nanoparticles. Lipid nanoparticles were prepared by melting shea butter and mixing with an aqueous phase using a high shear mixer. The nanoparticles presented pH of 6.9 +/- 0.1, mean particle size of 90 nm and a narrow polydispersity (0.21). Zeta potential was around -20 mV and the encapsulation efficiency was 97.5%. Drug release was evaluated using dialysis bags and presented monoexponential profile with t50% of 4.80 h (free drug t50% was only 2.86 h). Antinociceptive activity was performed by the acetic acid model. Both nimesulide and nimesulide-loaded nanoparticles presented significant activity compared to the control. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by paw edema and was statistically different for the nanoparticles containing nimesulide compared to free nimesulide, blank nanoparticles and saline. In conclusion, the use of shea butter as encapsulating lipid was very successful and allowed nanoparticles to be prepared with a very simple technique. The nanoparticles presented significant pharmacological effects that were not seen for free drug administration.

Protective effect of meloxicam-loaded nanocapsules against amyloid-ß peptide-induced damage in mice.

The objective of present study was to investigate the protective effect of M-NC against aß (25-35) peptide-induced damage in mice, as the first step to evaluate their potential value for the treatment of AD. Moreover, we compared the effects of M-NC with free meloxicam (M-F). Mice were divided into six groups: (I) sham, (II) aß, (III) M-NC, (IV) M-F, (V) M-NC+aß and (VI) M-F+aß. Mice were pre-treated with M-NC (5mg/kg, by gavage), M-F (5mg/kg, by gavage) or blank nanocapsules (B-NC). Thirty minutes after treatments, aß peptide (3nmol) or filtered water were i.c.v. injected. Learning and memory were assessed with the Morris water maze (MWM) (days 4-7) and step-down-type passive-avoidance (SDPA) (days 7-8) tasks. At the end of the experimental protocol (day 8), animals were euthanized and brains were removed for biochemical determinations (reactive species (RS), non-protein thiols (NPSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST)) and histological examination. Our results confirmed that aß peptide caused learning and memory deficits in mice. Histological analysis demonstrated neuronal loss, intense cellular accumulation and chromatolysis caused by aß peptide. Furthermore, this study showed that oxidative stress was increased in mice that received aß peptide. An important finding of the present study was the protective effect of M-NC in damage induced by aß peptide. However, M-F did not have protective effect. In summary, the data reported herein clearly demonstrate that meloxicam carried by polymeric nanocapsules protected against learning and memory impairments, loss neuronal and oxidative stress in a mouse model of AD induced by aß peptide.

Human skin penetration and distribution of nimesulide from hydrophilic gels containing nanocarriers.

The objective of this work was to study the in vitro skin penetration of a drug model (nimesulide) from semi-solid topical formulations containing nanospheres, nanocapsules or nanoemulsion. Nanoprecipitation, interfacial deposition and spontaneous emulsification methods were used to prepare the nanostructured suspension. The hydrodynamic diameters were 252nm for the nanoemulsion, 277nm for the nanocapsules and 202nm for the nanospheres containing nimesulide. The different nanocarrier systems were incorporated in the hydrophilic gels and their ability of delivering the drug into the human skin were investigated using stripping technique and Franz-type diffusion cells. The amount of nimesulide released into the stratum corneum (SC) from the gel containing nanocapsules (GNM-NC) and the gel containing nanospheres (GNM-NS) was similar. On the other hand, for the gel containing nanoemulsion (GNM-NE), the nimesulide was not quantified in SC, but it has been directly permeated for the dermis. The penetration of the nimesulide using the gel containing nanocapsules (GNM-NC) was larger in the deeper skin than using the gel containing nanospheres (GNM-NS) or the one containing nanoemulsion (GNM-NE). The gels containing nanocarriers (GNM-NC, GNM-NS and GNM-NE) were able to release the drug in the viable layer of the skin, comparing to a non-particulated nimesulide-loaded formulation at the same concentration.

Polymeric nanoparticles, nanospheres and nanocapsules, for cutaneous applications.

This review presents an overview about pharmaceutical and cosmetic topical products containing polymeric nanoparticles (nanospheres and nanocapsules), reporting the main preparation and characterization methods and the studies of penetration and transport of substances through the skin. The penetration and transport extent of those systems through the skin depends on the ingredients chemical composition, on the encapsulation mechanism influencing the drug release, on the size of nanoparticles and on the viscosity of the formulations. The polymeric nanoparticles are able to modify the activity of drugs, delay and control the drug release, and increase the drug adhesivity or its time of permanence in the skin. Briefly, the nanoparticles can be useful as reservoirs of lipophilic drugs to deliver them in the stratum corneum becoming an important strategy to control their permeation into the skin.

Thermomonas hydrothermalis sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic gamma-proteobacterium isolated from a hot spring in central Portugal.

Several non-pigmented bacterial isolates, with an optimum growth temperature of about 50 degrees C, were recovered from the hot spring at São Gemil in Central Portugal. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain SGM-6T indicated that this organism represents a new species of the gamma-subclass of the Proteobacteria that is closely related to the newly described slightly thermophilic species Thermomonas haemolytica. The major fatty acids of strains SGM-6T and SGM-7 are C15:0 iso, C16:0 iso, C11:0 iso and C11:0 iso 3OH. Ubiquinone 8 is the major respiratory quinone. The new isolates are strictly organotrophic and aerobic. Strain SGM-6T only assimilated D-glucose, D-maltose, D-cellobiose, D-furanose, L-glutamate, L-glutamine, L-lysine, L-proline, L-ornithine, acetate, L-glutamic acid and pyruvate of sixty-five carbon sources tested. Strain SGM-7 also assimilates L-serine, but does not assimilate L-ornithine. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strains SGM-6T and SGM-7 represent a new species most closely related to Thermomonas haemolytica for which we propose the name Thermomonas hydrothermalis.