Ionizing Radiation: Chemical Kinetics, Chemical Bounds, and Radiation Chemistry on Polymers.

Ionizing radiation has been used for decades and expanded to several applications in multivariate sectors, becoming an important tool to promote controlled chemical reactions in polymeric structures, according to their chemical properties for developing new materials. In addition, the use of radiation can also be applied in order to reduce or eliminate compounds from solutions that may be harmful or of low interest. In this review, we overviewed the chemistry behind material irradiation and the attractive use of ionizing radiation in scientific and industrial development. In this regard, the review was divided into three main sections titled (1) chemical kinetics intermediated by radiation, (2) chemical bonds intermediated by radiation, and (3) radiation chemistry on polymers. We concluded that graft polymerization, crosslinking and chain scission reactions induced by ionizing radiation are very efficient and green strategies for developing new materials with improved properties. Furthermore, water radiolysis plays a key role in the degradation of several contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and microplastics, in aqueous solutions. However, more studies must be conducted to complement the existing theory about the proposed mechanisms responsible for modifying the chemical, mechanical, thermal, optical, and so forth properties of irradiated materials.

Chitosan-graphene quantum dot based active film as smart wound dressing.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), are biocompatible materials, with mechanical strength and stability. Chitosan, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and biocompatibility. Wound healing is a challenging process especially in chronic diseases and infection. In this study, films consisting of chitosan and graphene quantum dots were developed for application in infected wounds. The chitosan-graphene films were prepared in the acidic solution followed by slow solvent evaporation and drying. The chitosan-graphene films were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The films' was evaluated by the wound healing assays, hemolytic potential, and nitrite production, cytokine production and swelling potential. The obtained films were flexible and well-structured, promoting cell migration, greater antibacterial activity, lower hemolytic activity, and maintaining wound moisture. Our data suggested that the use of graphene quantum dot-containing chitosan films would be an efficient and promising way in combating wounds.

Estratégias para colmatar as dificuldades dos enfermeiros triadores: Desenvolvimento de Competências em Enfermagem à Pessoa em Situação Crítica / Desenvolvimento de Competências em Enfermagem à Pessoa em Situação Crítica ­ Estratégias para colmatar as dificuldades dos enfermeiros triadores / Development of Competencies in Critical Care Nursing - Strategies for Overcoming the Difficulties of Screening Nurses

O Relatório de Estágio, surge no âmbito do Mestrado de Enfermagem Médico-cirúrgica na área da Pessoa em Situação Crítica, da Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, com objetivo de desenvolver competências diferenciadas de mestre e enfermeira especialista. Este relatório divide-se em 2 partes, na primeira parte, é feita uma análise crítico reflexiva sobre a construção de competências comuns e específicas do mestre e do enfermeiro especialista em médico-cirúrgica na área de Enfermagem à Pessoa em situação crítica, ao longo dos três ensinos clínicos nos diferentes contextos. Os contextos dos ensinos clínicos foram num Serviço de Urgência Geral Polivalente (Hospital A), numa Unidade de cuidados Intensivos (Hospital B) e numa ambulância SIV, todos instituições da área da grande Lisboa, entre 2021 e 2022. No desenvolvimento de competências do mestre e do enfermeiro especialista destacaram-se as seguintes: tomada de decisão, liderança, supervisão, gestão de cuidados e investigação. A segunda parte do relatório é referente ao projeto de investigação desenvolvido junto dos enfermeiros triadores do Serviço de Urgência de um hospital da Grande Lisboa (Hospital X), utilizando uma metodologia descritiva-correcional, por forma a responder à necessidade de melhoria contínua na promoção dos cuidados de saúde. Para isto, foi efetuada uma colheita de dados através de um questionário para identificar as "Dificuldades dos enfermeiros triadores", usando uma amostra de 44 enfermeiros triadores a exercer funções num serviço de urgência. O tratamento de dados foi feito recorrendo a análise descritiva. Através dos dados obtidos, emergiram como principais dificuldades para os enfermeiros: a iliteracia dos utentes relativamente à triagem e o tempo dispensado na triagem para o desenvolvimento de outras atividades. Após a análise dos dados foram desenvolvidas estratégias para colmatar as dificuldades sentidas. Assim, foi criado um vídeo explicativo sobre a Triagem de Manchester e uma aplicação de telemóvel para poder ser descarregada pelos utentes. Estas estratégias pretendiam aumentar a literacia dos utentes em saúde, melhorando as dificuldades percecionadas pelos enfermeiros na triagem. Para tal, foi efetuada uma formação online para apresentar as estratégias aos enfermeiros e perceber a sua perceção sobre a utilidade da sua implementação, aplicando um segundo questionário ao qual responderam 63 enfermeiros triadores.

The Internship Report arises within the scope of the Master´s degree of Medical-Surgical Nursing to the Person in Critical Condition, from the School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, with the objective of developing differentiated competencies of master and nurse specialist. The report is divided into 2 parts. The first part is regarding a critical reflexive analysis made on the construction of common and specific competencies of the master and the specialist nurse in Nursing to the Person in critical condition, throughout the three clinical teachings in the different practical contexts, between 2021 and 2022. The contexts of clinical teaching were in a General Polyvalent Emergency department (Hospital A), an Intensive Care Unit (Hospital B) and in an SIV ambulance, all institutions sited in the greater Lisbon area. In the development of skills for master and the specialist nurse, the following stand out: decision making, leadership, supervision, care management and research. The second part is related to the research project developed with the triage nurses of the Emergency Service of a hospital in Greater Lisbon (Hospital X), using a descriptivecorrectional methodology, to respond the need for continuous improvement in the promotion of health care. For this, a data was collected through a questionnaire to identify the "Difficulties of triage nurses", using a sample of triage nurses working in an emergency service. The data collected was processed using descriptive analysis. Through the data obtained, it was understood that the difficulties perceptive by the nurses, related to illiteracy of users in relation to Manchester's triage and the time spent during triage performing other activities. After data analysis, strategies were developed to overcome the difficulties felt. Thus, were created a descriptive video about the Manchester's triage and a mobile application to be downloaded by patients. These strategies aim to increase the literacy of users about healthcare, improving the difficulties experienced by nurses over the triage process. For this, an online training was done to present these strategies to nurses and a second questionnaire was applied to identify the perception of nurses about the usefulness of the implementation of these measures.

Nanomicelles of Radium Dichloride [223Ra]RaCl2 Co-Loaded with Radioactive Gold [198Au]Au Nanoparticles for Targeted Alpha-Beta Radionuclide Therapy of Osteosarcoma.

Alpha and beta particulate radiation are used for non-treated neoplasia, due to their ability to reach and remain in tumor sites. Radium-223 (223Ra), an alpha emitter, promotes localized cytotoxic effects, while radioactive gold (198Au), beta-type energy, reduces radiation in the surrounding tissues. Nanotechnology, including several radioactive nanoparticles, can be safely and effectively used in cancer treatment. In this context, this study aims to analyze the antitumoral effects of [223Ra]Ra nanomicelles co-loaded with radioactive gold nanoparticles ([198Au]AuNPs). For this, we synthesize and characterize nanomicelles, as well as analyze some parameters, such as particle size, radioactivity emission, dynamic light scattering, and microscopic atomic force. [223Ra]Ra nanomicelles co-loaded with [198Au]AuNPs, with simultaneous alpha and beta emission, showed no instability, a mean particle size of 296 nm, and a PDI of 0.201 (±0.096). Furthermore, nanomicelles were tested in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay. We observed a significant increase in tumor cell death using combined alpha and beta therapy in the same formulation, compared with these components used alone. Together, these results show, for the first time, an efficient association between alpha and beta therapies, which could become a promising tool in the control of tumor progression.

Mini-Invasive Surgery for Distal Radius Fractures: A Double Incision under 12 mm.

Background Distal radius fracture is one of the most common lesions in adults. Surgical techniques have evolved considerably with a clear tendency toward mini-invasive techniques. Objective Our aim is to push the limits to a 12 mm approach and evaluate its clinical and radiological results. Patients and Methods Ten fractures in nine patients were operated by a double incision with mean size 11.50 ± 3.41 mm (range 8.00-1.00) and using a specially designed volar distal locking plate. Results At the latest follow-up, visual analogue scale score for pain (0.20 ± 0.63 during rest and 0.60 ± 1.07 while making efforts) and quick DASH (quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score (6.14 ± 7.43) were extremely low. All the range of motion parameters and grip strength were above the 95% barrier of the contralateral side, with exception of ulnar deviation. Radiological parameters obtained were located within the normal ranges. Time to return to independent daily tasks and work was 6.67 ± 5.15 and 10.14 ± 14.24 days, respectively. One case of transient carpal tunnel syndrome was solved with watchful waiting and one case of extensor tendons impingement was improved after plate removal. All patients were completely satisfied at the end of the treatment. Conclusion In conclusion, mini-invasive volar technique for distal radius fractures with special designed plates in carefully selected patients allowed us to obtain good clinical and radiological results, minimal complications, fast recovery, and high-satisfactory rates. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, case series study.

Novel Peptides Derived from Dengue Virus Capsid Protein Translocate Reversibly the Blood-Brain Barrier through a Receptor-Free Mechanism.

The delivery of therapeutic molecules to the central nervous system is hampered by poor delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Several strategies have been proposed to enhance transport into the brain, including invasive techniques and receptor-mediated transport (RMT). Both approaches have several drawbacks, such as BBB disruption, receptor saturation, and off-target effects, raising safety issues. Herein, we show that specific domains of Dengue virus type 2 capsid protein (DEN2C) can be used as trans-BBB peptide vectors. Their mechanism of translocation is receptor-independent and consistent with adsorptive-mediated transport (AMT). One peptide in particular, named PepH3, reaches equilibrium distribution concentrations across the BBB in less than 24 h in a cellular in vitro assay. Importantly, in vivo biodistribution data with radiolabeled peptide derivatives show high brain penetration. In addition, there is fast clearance from the brain and high levels of excretion, showing that PepH3 is a very good candidate to be used as a peptide shuttle taking cargo in and out of the brain.

Radiolabeled block copolymer micelles for image-guided drug delivery.

We aimed at exploring block copolymer micelles (BCMs) for the simultaneous delivery of radiation/chemotherapy to cancer cells. To achieve that goal, we have prepared and characterized a novel type of docetaxel (DTX) loaded and non-loaded BCMs. The micelles were decorated with pyrazolyl-diamine chelating units to stabilize the matched pair 99mTc/Re for image-guided delivery of therapeutic drugs. The in vitro studies have shown that DTX release is pH-dependent increasing at lower pH values. Anti-proliferative studies in different cancer cell lines showed that DTX-loaded BCMs present relevant anti-proliferative activity. In comparison to free DTX, the loaded-micelles exhibited higher anti-proliferative activity for the same DTX concentration, which mean that a similar therapeutic outcome may be achieved with reduced side effects. The pyrazolyl-diamine-functionalized micelles were labeled with fac-[99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ in high radiochemical yield and purity. The radiolabeled micelles are stable in phosphate buffer and in cell culture media. Cellular uptake studies in different cancer cell lines indicate a cell type and time-dependent uptake, in agreement with the anti-proliferative activity. Early biodistribution studies in healthy BALB/c mice has shown prolonged circulation lifetime in the bloodstream and relevant in vivo stability, important features when considering an effective DTX delivery system and image-guided delivery agent for cancer theranostics.