Insights into cork weathering regarding colour, chemical and cellular changes in view of outdoor applications.

A comprehensive analysis of outdoor weathering and soil burial of cork during 1-year experiments was carried out with measurements of CIELAB color parameters, cellular observations by scanning electron microscopy, and surface chemical features analysed by ATR-FTIR and wet chemical analysis. Cork applied in outdoor conditions above and below ground retained its physical structure and integrity without signs of deterioration or fracturing. The cellular structure was maintained with some small changes at the one-cell layer at the surface, featuring cellular expansion and minute cell wall fractures. Surface color and chemistry showed distinct results for outdoor exposure and soil burial. The weathered cork surfaces acquired a lighter color while the soil buried cork surfaces became darker. With outdoor weathering, the cork polar solubles increased (13.0% vs. 7.6% o.d. mass) while a substantial decrease of lignin occurred (about 28% of the original lignin was removed) leading to a suberin-enriched cork surface. The chemical impact on lignin is therefore responsible for the surface change towards lighter colors. Soil-burial induced hydrolysis of ester bonds of suberin and xylan, and the lignin-enriched cork surface displayed a dark brown color. FTIR and wet chemical results were consistent. Overall cork showed a considerable structural and physical stability that allows its application in outdoor conditions, namely for building façades or other surfacing applications. Architects and designers should take into account the color dynamics of the cork surfaces.

Neuroanatomical predictors of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-induced modifications in neurocognitive task performance in typically developing individuals.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique gaining more attention in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Due to the phenotypic heterogeneity of NDDs, tDCS is unlikely to be equally effective in all individuals. The present study aimed to establish neuroanatomical markers in typical developing (TD) individuals that may be used for the prediction of individual responses to tDCS. 57 TD male and female children received 2mA anodal and sham tDCS, targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFCleft), right inferior frontal gyrus, and bilateral temporo-parietal junction. Response to tDCS was assessed based on task performance differences between anodal and sham tDCS in different neurocognitive tasks (N-back, Flanker, Mooney Faces Detection, Attentional Emotional Recognition task). Measures of cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) were derived from 3-Tesla structural MRI scans. Associations between neuroanatomy and task performance were assessed using a general linear model. Machine learning (ML) algorithms were employed to predict responses to tDCS. Overall, vertex-wise estimates of SA were more closely linked to differences in task performance than measures of CT. Across ML algorithms, highest accuracies were observed for the prediction of N-back task performance differences following stimulation of the DLPFCleft, where 65% of behavioural variance was explained by variability in SA. Lower accuracies were observed for all other tasks and stimulated regions. This suggests that it may be possible to predict individual responses to tDCS for some behavioural measures and target regions. In the future, these models might be extended to predict treatment outcome in individuals with NDDs.Significance statement Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has recently gained more attention in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, due to the phenotypic heterogeneity of NDDs, tDCS is unlikely to be equally effective in all individuals. The present study aimed to establish neuroanatomical biomarkers in typical developing individuals that may be used for the prediction of individual responses to tDCS. Our findings suggest that it may be possible to accurately predict individual responses to tDCS for some behavioural measures using measures of neuroanatomy. In the future, our models might be extended to predict treatment outcome in individuals with clinical diagnoses, and may allow for more individualized, person-centred interventions.

The stigma towards mental illness: Portuguese validation of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers (OMS-HC).

Background: Stigma toward mental illness significantly contributes to a lower quality of healthcare that can be provided. There are few studies on this topic in Portugal, so validating a scale that can evaluate and study the stigma is paramount. The aim of this study was to validate the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Portuguese healthcare professionals. Methods: A total of 503 participants were included in this study, and the majority was female (81.1%). The sample consisted mainly of psychologists (39.4%) and physicians (30.8%). Reliability and validity analyses were conducted and included exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: Our results suggest that a 12-item model was the most appropriate (RMSEA = 0.026, SRMR = 0.057, CFI = 0.979, TLI = 0.973, GFI = 0.955) compared to our 15-item model and the original model. Items 8, 9 and 10 were removed. The 12-item scale's internal consistency was adequate (α = 0.71; ω = 0.72). Conclusion: The 12-item model of the scale showed good reliability and validity and is appropriate for use with Portuguese healthcare professionals.

EHMT2/G9a and EZH2: Epimarkers in testicular germ cell tumors.

BACKGROUND: Testicular germ cell tumors remain the most frequent solid malignancies in young males. Despite excellent prognosis, the fact that only 60% of patients at diagnosis have elevated serum tumor markers (dependent on stage and histology) and the poor quality of life of patients who develop resistance to chemotherapy cannot be neglected. Consequently, it is mandatory to bring out novel biomarkers. OBJECTIVES: The main goal was to evaluate EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a immunoexpression in a well-characterized patients' cohort of primary and metastatic testicular germ cell tumors, seeking associations with clinicopathological features and discovering differential immunoexpression patterns among specific subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, an in silico analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas database was performed regarding EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a. Then, immunohistochemistry for EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a was carried out in a cohort of testicular germ cell tumor patients, comprising 155 chemo-naïve primary tumors and 11 chemo-treated metastases. Immunoexpression was evaluated using a digital pathology analysis software. RESULTS: Higher EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a expression levels were found in non-seminoma in the in silico analysis, particularly in embryonal carcinoma. Through digital pathology analysis, non-seminomas showed significantly higher EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a immunoexpression, with embryonal carcinoma showing higher expression. Moreover, mixed tumors with 50% or more of embryonal carcinoma component revealed the highest nuclei positivity for both biomarkers. Cisplatin-exposed metastases demonstrated a higher EZH2-positive nuclei and H-score, as well as higher EHMT2/G9a-positive nuclei. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Overall, our data suggest that EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a might be associated with greater aggressiveness and, eventually, involved in the metastatic setting, paving the way for testing targeted therapies.

Postlumpectomy imaging: is there a role for the study of the contralateral breast?-a retrospective cohort.

Background: Some patients with breast cancer submitted to breast-conserving surgery might benefit from a postlumpectomy imaging examination previously to radiation therapy. This aims to document the complete removal of cancer and might be accomplished using mammogram with breast and axillary ultrasonography. These modalities study not only the affected side but also the contralateral side. In fact, it is well-documented that women with breast cancer have an increased risk for contralateral breast cancer. Thus, we intended to evaluate the value of postlumpectomy imaging undertaken before adjuvant radiotherapy regarding the evaluation of the contralateral breast and axilla. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records for patients with breast cancer submitted to breast-conserving surgery and referred to our radiotherapy unit between 2018 and 2019 were reviewed. All patients had to be submitted to bilateral mammogram with breast and axillary ultrasonography previously to radiotherapy. Patients with bilateral disease or with a history of breast cancer were excluded. Results: One thousand two hundred forty patients were analyzed. 19 (1.5%) had suspicious findings for contralateral breast disease, and 8 (0.6%) had a re-excision positive for residual malignancy. Higher age, invasive lobular carcinoma associated or not with lobular carcinoma in situ, and presence of lobular carcinoma in situ were associated with an increased risk for residual disease. Conclusion: Contralateral evaluation as part of postlumpectomy imaging revealed itself useful at detecting contralateral cancer, with some demographic and clinical features being associated with an increased risk for residual disease.

Factors Impacting Survival After Transarterial Radioembolization in Patients with Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Combined Analysis of the Prospective CIRT Studies.

PURPOSE: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 resin microspheres is a treatment option for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, optimising the timing of TARE in relation to systemic therapies and patient selection remains challenging. We report here on the effectiveness, safety, and prognostic factors associated with TARE for ICC in a combined analysis of the prospective observational CIRT studies (NCT02305459 and NCT03256994). METHODS: A combined analysis of 174 unresectable ICC patients enrolled between 2015 and 2020 was performed. Patient characteristics and treatment-related data were collected at baseline; adverse events and time-to-event data (overall survival [OS], progression-free survival [PFS] and hepatic PFS) were collected at every follow-up visit. Log-rank tests and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model were used to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: Patients receiving a first-line strategy of TARE in addition to any systemic treatment had a median OS and PFS of 32.5 months and 11.3 months. Patients selected for first-line TARE alone showed a median OS and PFS of 16.2 months and 7.4 months, whereas TARE as 2nd or further treatment-line resulted in a median OS and PFS of 12 and 9.3 months (p = 0.0028), and 5.1 and 3.5 months (p = 0.0012), respectively. Partition model dosimetry was an independent predictor for better OS (HR 0.59 [95% CI 0.37-0.94], p = 0.0259). No extrahepatic disease, no ascites, and < 6.1 months from diagnosis to treatment were independent predictors for longer PFS. CONCLUSION: This combined analysis indicates that in unresectable ICC, TARE in combination with any systemic treatment is a promising treatment option. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: level 3, Prospective observational.

Genicular artery embolization for knee osteoarthritis: Results of the LipioJoint-1 trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transient genicular artery embolization (GAE) using an ethiodized oil-based emulsion for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicenter, first-in-human cohort trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04733092). The main inclusion criterion was diagnosis of KOA according to a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score ≥ 40 mm (score range: 0-100 mm), despite conservative treatment for at least three months. Treatment efficacy was assessed using changes in VAS pain score, Mean Western Ontario & McMaster Universities osteoarthritis (WOMAC) function score (normalized to 100; score ranging from 0 to100) and outcome measures in rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials (OMERACT)-Osteoarthritis Research Society (OARSI) set of responder criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-two consecutive participants (13 women; mean age, 66 ± 9 [standard deviation (SD)]) were included and underwent GAE. Emulsion consisted in a mixture of ioversol and ethiodized oil (ratio 1:3, respectively) prepared extemporaneously. The rate of serious adverse events attributed to GAE within one month was 5% (1/22), corresponding to reversible worsening of renal function. Immediate technical success rate was 100%. Mean VAS pain score dropped from 74.4 ± 16.5 (SD) mm at baseline to 37.2 ± 26.7 (SD) mm at three months (P < 0.001). Mean WOMAC function score (normalized to 100: score ranging from 0 to 100) decreased from 57.3 ± 17.1 (SD) at baseline to 33.5 ± 25.9 (SD) at three months (P < 0.001). At three months, 16 out of 22 participants (73%) were considered responders according to the OMERACT-OARSI set of responder criteria, including high improvement in either pain or WOMAC function, or improvement in both pain and WOMAC function. CONCLUSION: GAE using an ethiodized oil-based emulsion is safe and improves pain and function in participants with KOA for at least three months.

Antiviral activity of terpenes isolated from marine brown seaweeds against herpes simplex virus type 2.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the most common agent of sexually transmitted infections around the world. Currently, no vaccine is available, and acyclovir is the reference compound in treatment HSV-2 infections. However, the emergence of resistant strains has reduced the efficacy in treatment. Several studies have shown marine seaweed biological activities, but there are no studies yet about the activity anti-HSV-2 of two its secundary metabolites, atomaric acid (1) and marine dolastane (2), isolated from Stypopodium zonale and Canistrocarpus cervicornis respectively. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-HSV-2 activity of compounds 1 and 2. Both compounds showed anti-HSV-2 activity with low cytotoxicity and compound 1 inactivated 90% of the viral particles at 50 µM. Both compounds inhibited the penetration and results in silico indicated the compound 1 as possible therapy alternative anti -HSV-2.

Tendência de mortalidade prematura por doenças crônicas não transmissíveis no estado de São Paulo / Trends of premature mortality due to chronic non-communicable diseases in the state of São Paulo / Tendencia de la mortalidad prematura por enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en el estado de São Paulo

Objetivo: analisar a tendência de óbitos prematuros relacionados às doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e sua relação com o nível de escolaridade e renda da população do estado de São Paulo. Método: estudo ecológico, utilizando dados do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), referentes aos óbitos registrados no período de 2012 a 2019, de pessoas na faixa etária de 30 a 69 anos em decorrência de doenças cardiovasculares e respiratórias; neoplasias e diabetes mellitus. Os dados foram analisados por meio de modelo linear generalizado de distribuição binomial-negativa com função de ligação logarítmica Resultados: o coeficiente de mortalidade prematura por doenças crônicas não transmissíveis apresentou aumento, passando de 313,16 óbitos/ 100.000 habitantes no ano de 2012 para 315,08/100.000 habitantes em 2019. Conclusão: há necessidade de uma atenção especial da gestão em saúde às doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, ações para a prevenção, promoção e diagnóstico precoce, destacando-se o papel relevante dos serviços da atenção primária à saúde.

Objective: to analyze the trend of premature deaths related to chronic non-communicable diseases and their relationship with the level of education and income of the population in the state of São Paulo. Method: ecological study, using data from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), referring to deaths registered between 2012 and 2019 of people aged 30 to 69 years due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases; neoplasms and diabetes mellitus. The data were analyzed using a generalized linear model of negative binomial distribution with a logarithmic link function. Results: the premature mortality rate due to chronic non-communicable diseases increased, from 313.16 deaths/100,000 inhabitants in 2012 to 315 .08/100,000 inhabitants in 2019. Conclusion: there is a need for special attention from health management to chronic non-communicable diseases, actions for prevention, promotion and early diagnosis, highlighting the relevant role of primary health care services.

Objetivo: analizar la tendencia de muertes prematuras relacionadas con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y su relación con el nivel de educación y de ingresos de la población en el estado de São Paulo. Método: estudio ecológico, utilizando datos del Departamento de Informática del Sistema Único de Salud (DATASUS), relativos a muertes registradas entre 2012 y 2019 de personas de 30 a 69 años, por enfermedades cardiovasculares y respiratorias, neoplasias y diabetes mellitus. Se analizaron los datos utilizando un modelo lineal generalizado de distribución binomial negativa con una función de enlace logarítmica. Resultados: la tasa de mortalidad prematura por enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles aumentó, de 313,16 muertes/100.000 habitantes en 2012 a 315,08/100.000 habitantes en 2019. Conclusión: es necesaria una atención especial desde la gestión sanitaria a las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, acciones de prevención, promoción y diagnóstico temprano, destacando el papel relevante de los servicios de atención primaria de salud.

Organização e assistência da atenção primária à saúde no enfrentamento da COVID-19 / Organization and assistance of primary health care facing COVID-19 / Organización y asistencia de la atención primaria de salud en el enfrentamiento al COVID-19

Objetivo: analisar a organização e assistência dos serviços da Atenção Primária à Saúde no enfrentamento da COVID-19. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 49 profissionais da saúde de unidades básicas de saúde e estratégia de saúde da família no município de São Carlos. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário auto respondido no período de maio de 2021 a fevereiro de 2022. As associações foram analisadas por teste qui-quadrado e estimadas as razões de prevalência. O protocolo de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comite de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: a identificação de sinais e sintomas do paciente, orientações sobre as medidas de prevenção e verificação da disponibilidade de leitos em hospitais de referência, foram variáveis que se apresentaram diferentes entre os serviços de saúde. Conclusão: a APS exerce papel central no enfrentamento da pandemia, com necessidade de os gestores identificarem as fragilidades e direcionarem ações de educação permanente diante de novos cenários.

Objective: to analyze the organization and assistance of Primary Health Care services facing COVID-19. Method: cross-sectional study carried out with 49 health professionals from basic health units and family health strategy in the city of São Carlos. Data were collected through a self-answered questionnaire from May 2021 to February 2022. Associations were analyzed using the chi-square test and prevalence ratios were estimated. The research protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: identification of the patient's signs and symptoms, guidance on prevention measures and checking the availability of beds in reference hospitals were variables that differed between health services. Conclusion: Primary Health Care services play a central role facing COVID-19 pandemic, with managers needing to identify weaknesses and direct ongoing education actions in the face of new scenarios.

Objetivo: analizar la organización y asistencia de los servicios de Atención Primaria de Salud en el combate al COVID-19. Método: estudio transversal realizado con 49 profesionales de la salud de unidades básicas de salud y estrategia de salud de la familia de la ciudad de São Carlos. Los datos se recolectaron a través de un cuestionario de auto respuesta desde mayo de 2021 hasta febrero de 2022. Se analizaron las asociaciones mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado y se estimaron las razones de prevalencia. El protocolo de investigación lo aprobó el Comité de Ética en Investigación. Resultados: la identificación de los signos y síntomas del paciente, las orientaciones sobre medidas de prevención y la verificación de la disponibilidad de camas en los hospitales de referencia fueron variables que difirieron entre los servicios de salud. Conclusión: La APS juega un papel central en el enfrentamiento a la pandemia, siendo necesario que los gestores identifiquen debilidades y orienten acciones educativas continuas ante nuevos escenarios.

Cork cellular and chemical features underlying bark environmental protection in the miombo species Parinari curatellifolia.

Parinari curatellifolia is an important evergreen tree from the Miombo woodland of south-central and eastern Africa. The bark is corky, suggesting an increased protection against the ecosystem high temperatures and drought conditions as well as against wild fires. The cork in the bark rhytidome of P. curatellifolia was analyzed here for the first time with a focus on chemical and cellular features. P. curatellifolia cork has the cellular characteristics of cork tissues, with typical honeycomb structure in the tangential section and a brick-wall layer in the transverse and radial sections, without intercellular voids. Chemically P. curatellifolia cork has 8.4 % extractives, 33.9 % suberin, 31.9 % lignin and 25.2 % polysaccharides of the cork. The hemicelluloses are mostly xylans, with a substantial proportion of arabinose and galactose. Suberin showed a proportion of long chain lipids to glycerol (LCLip:Gly, mass ratio) of 8.5, and the long chain monomeric composition included a similar proportion of α,ω-diacids and ω-hydroxy acids (35.4 % and 31.5 % of long chain monomers) with a substantial proportion of monoacids (19.4 % of long chain monomers). Lignin is a guaiacyl-syringyl lignin with S/G of 0.32 and H:G:S of 1:14.1:4.5. The rhytidome composition and the cellular and chemical features of its cork are in line with environment-targeted protective features namely as a transpiration and insulation barrier, and as an increased fire protection.

Cuticular Waxes and Cutin in Terminalia catappa Leaves from the Equatorial São Tomé and Príncipe Islands.

This study presents for the first time an analysis of the content and chemical composition of the cuticular waxes and cutin in the leaves of the widespread and important tropical species Terminalia catappa. The leaves were collected in the equatorial Atlantic islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, in the Gulf of Guinea. The epicuticular and intracuticular waxes were determined via dichloromethane extraction and their chemical composition via GC-MS analysis, and the content and monomeric composition of cutin were determined after depolymerization via methanolysis. The leaves contained an epidermal cuticular coverage of 52.8 µg cm-2 of the cuticular waxes (1.4% of mass) and 63.3 µg cm-2 (1.5% of mass) of cutin. Cuticular waxes include mainly n-alkanols and fatty acids, with a substantial proportion of terpenes in the more easily solubilized fraction, and sterols in the more embedded waxes. Cutin is mostly constituted by C16 fatty acids and dihydroxyacids, also including aromatic monomers, suggesting a largely linear macromolecular arrangement. The high proportion of triacontanol, α-amyrin, ß-amyrin, germanicol, and lupeol in the easily solubilized cuticular fraction may explain the bioactive properties attributed to the T. catappa leaves via the popular medicine, which allows us to consider them as a potential source for the extraction of these compounds.

Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms Syndrome Caused by Itraconazole in a 17-Year-Old Girl.

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe adverse drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction. We report a case of DRESS syndrome in a 17-year-old female caused by itraconazole, confirmed by patch testing, that required treatment with both corticotherapy and cyclosporine. Our case highlights the importance of clinical suspicion of this syndrome in pediatric age and the novelty of an antifungal drug being identified as the culprit.

Trends in trust of professional groups in Portugal during COVID-19.

We repeated a Portuguese study, 5 months after a first evaluation, to observe any change in the average levels of trust of professional groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. From our sample of the Portuguese population, 1455 completed the questionnaire from June through September 2020, and 1156 during 2 months, February and March 2021. We found a trend toward higher trust of medical doctors, nurses, and researchers. Analysis of changes between the two pandemic periods (first and second lockdown) showed a statistically significant increase in trust in nurses (t = - 2.01; p = 0.04) and researchers (t = - 2.40; p = 0.02), and the opposite trend for journalists and politicians. This study shows a trend in increasing trust of the Portuguese people toward science-based activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conscientious Objection and Other Motivations for Refusal to Treat in Hastened Death: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Conscientious objection (CO) in the context of health care arises when a health care professional (HCP) refuses to participate in a certain procedure because it is not compatible with their ethical or moral principles. Refusal to treat in health care includes, in addition to CO, other factors that may lead the HCP not to want to participate in a certain procedure. Therefore, we can say that CO is a form of refusal of treatment based on conscience. Hastened death has become an increasingly reality around the world, being a procedure in which not all HCPs are willing to participate. There are several factors that can condition the HCPs' refusal to treat in this scenario. METHODS: With the aim of identifying these factors, we performed a systematic review, following the PRISMA guidelines. On 1 October 2022, we searched for relevant articles on Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus databases. RESULTS: From an initial search of 693 articles, 12 were included in the final analysis. Several motivations that condition refusal to treat were identified, including legal, technical, social, and CO. Three main motivations for CO were also identified, namely religious, moral/secular, and emotional/psychological motivations. CONCLUSIONS: We must adopt an understanding approach respecting the position of each HCP, avoiding judgmental and discriminatory positions, although we must ensure also that patients have access to care. The identification of these motivations may permit solutions that, while protecting the HCPS' position, may also mitigate potential problems concerning patients' access to this type of procedure.