Cognitive impairment in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome: a scoping review / Comprometimento cognitivo na síndrome pós-COVID-19 aguda: uma revisão de escopo

Abstract Emerging studies indicate the persistence of symptoms beyond the acute phase of COVID-19. Cognitive impairment has been observed in certain individuals for months following infection. Currently, there is limited knowledge about the specific cognitive domains that undergo alterations during the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and the potential impact of disease severity on cognition. The aim of this review is to examine studies that have reported cognitive impairment in post-acute COVID-19, categorizing them into subacute and chronic phases. The methodology proposed by JBI was followed in this study. The included studies were published between December 2019 and December 2022. The search was conducted in PubMed, PubMed PMC, BVS - BIREME, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane, Web of Science, Proquest, PsycInfo, and EBSCOHost. Data extraction included specific details about the population, concepts, context, and key findings or recommendations relevant to the review objectives. A total of 7,540 records were identified and examined, and 47 articles were included. The cognitive domains most frequently reported as altered 4 to 12 weeks after acute COVID-19 were language, episodic memory, and executive function, and after 12 weeks, the domains most affected were attention, episodic memory, and executive function. The results of this scoping review highlight that adults with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome may have impairment in specific cognitive domains.

Resumo Estudos emergentes indicam a persistência dos sintomas além da fase aguda da COVID-19. O comprometimento cognitivo foi observado em alguns indivíduos durante meses após a infecção. Atualmente, há pouco conhecimento sobre os domínios cognitivos específicos que sofrem alterações durante a síndrome pós-aguda da COVID-19 e o possível impacto da gravidade da doença na cognição. O objetivo desta revisão é examinar estudos que relataram comprometimento cognitivo na COVID-19 pós-aguda, categorizando-os em fases subaguda e crônica. A metodologia proposta pela Joanna Briggs Institute foi seguida neste estudo. Os estudos incluídos foram publicados entre dezembro de 2019 e dezembro de 2022. A busca foi realizada no PubMed, PubMed PMC, BVS - BIREME, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane, Web of Science, Proquest, PsycInfo e EBSCOHost. A extração de dados incluiu detalhes específicos sobre a população, os conceitos, o contexto e as principais descobertas ou recomendações relevantes para os objetivos da revisão. Um total de 7.540 registros foi identificado e examinado, e 47 artigos foram incluídos. Os domínios cognitivos mais frequentemente relatados como alterados de 4 a 12 semanas após a COVID-19 aguda foram linguagem, memória episódica e função executiva e, após 12 semanas, os domínios mais afetados foram atenção, memória episódica e função executiva. Os resultados dessa revisão de escopo destacam que adultos com síndrome pós-aguda da COVID-19 podem apresentar comprometimento em domínios cognitivos específicos.

Cognitive impairment in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome: a scoping review.

Emerging studies indicate the persistence of symptoms beyond the acute phase of COVID-19. Cognitive impairment has been observed in certain individuals for months following infection. Currently, there is limited knowledge about the specific cognitive domains that undergo alterations during the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and the potential impact of disease severity on cognition. The aim of this review is to examine studies that have reported cognitive impairment in post-acute COVID-19, categorizing them into subacute and chronic phases. The methodology proposed by JBI was followed in this study. The included studies were published between December 2019 and December 2022. The search was conducted in PubMed, PubMed PMC, BVS - BIREME, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane, Web of Science, Proquest, PsycInfo, and EBSCOHost. Data extraction included specific details about the population, concepts, context, and key findings or recommendations relevant to the review objectives. A total of 7,540 records were identified and examined, and 47 articles were included. The cognitive domains most frequently reported as altered 4 to 12 weeks after acute COVID-19 were language, episodic memory, and executive function, and after 12 weeks, the domains most affected were attention, episodic memory, and executive function. The results of this scoping review highlight that adults with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome may have impairment in specific cognitive domains.

Estudos emergentes indicam a persistência dos sintomas além da fase aguda da COVID-19. O comprometimento cognitivo foi observado em alguns indivíduos durante meses após a infecção. Atualmente, há pouco conhecimento sobre os domínios cognitivos específicos que sofrem alterações durante a síndrome pós-aguda da COVID-19 e o possível impacto da gravidade da doença na cognição. O objetivo desta revisão é examinar estudos que relataram comprometimento cognitivo na COVID-19 pós-aguda, categorizando-os em fases subaguda e crônica. A metodologia proposta pela Joanna Briggs Institute foi seguida neste estudo. Os estudos incluídos foram publicados entre dezembro de 2019 e dezembro de 2022. A busca foi realizada no PubMed, PubMed PMC, BVS ­ BIREME, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane, Web of Science, Proquest, PsycInfo e EBSCOHost. A extração de dados incluiu detalhes específicos sobre a população, os conceitos, o contexto e as principais descobertas ou recomendações relevantes para os objetivos da revisão. Um total de 7.540 registros foi identificado e examinado, e 47 artigos foram incluídos. Os domínios cognitivos mais frequentemente relatados como alterados de 4 a 12 semanas após a COVID-19 aguda foram linguagem, memória episódica e função executiva e, após 12 semanas, os domínios mais afetados foram atenção, memória episódica e função executiva. Os resultados dessa revisão de escopo destacam que adultos com síndrome pós-aguda da COVID-19 podem apresentar comprometimento em domínios cognitivos específicos.

Yeast biofilms on abiotic surfaces: Adhesion factors and control methods.

Biofilms are highly resistant to antimicrobials and are a common problem in many industries, including pharmaceutical, food and beverage. Yeast biofilms can be formed by various yeast species, including Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Yeast biofilm formation is a complex process that involves several stages, including reversible adhesion, followed by irreversible adhesion, colonization, exopolysaccharide matrix formation, maturation and dispersion. Intercellular communication in yeast biofilms (quorum-sensing mechanism), environmental factors (pH, temperature, composition of the culture medium), and physicochemical factors (hydrophobicity, Lifshitz-van der Waals and Lewis acid-base properties, and electrostatic interactions) are essential to the adhesion process. Studies on the adhesion of yeast to abiotic surfaces such as stainless steel, wood, plastic polymers, and glass are still scarce, representing a gap in the field. The biofilm control formation can be a challenging task for food industry. However, some strategies can help to reduce biofilm formation, such as good hygiene practices, including regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. The use of antimicrobials and alternative methods to remove the yeast biofilms may also be helpful to ensure food safety. Furthermore, physical control measures such as biosensors and advanced identification techniques are promising for yeast biofilms control. However, there is a gap in understanding why some yeast strains are more tolerant or resistant to sanitization methods. A better understanding of tolerance and resistance mechanisms can help researchers and industry professionals to develop more effective and targeted sanitization strategies to prevent bacterial contamination and ensure product quality. This review aimed to identify the most important information about yeast biofilms in the food industry, followed by the removal of these biofilms by antimicrobial agents. In addition, the review summarizes the alternative sanitizing methods and future perspectives for controlling yeast biofilm formation by biosensors.

Dry surface biofilms in the food processing industry: An overview on surface characteristics, adhesion and biofilm formation, detection of biofilms, and dry sanitization methods.

Bacterial biofilm formation in low moisture food processing (LMF) plants is related to matters of food safety, production efficiency, economic loss, and reduced consumer trust. Dry surfaces may appear dry to the naked eye, however, it is common to find a coverage of thin liquid films and microdroplets, known as microscopic surface wetness (MSW). The MSW may favor dry surface biofilm (DSB) formation. DSB formation is similar in other industries, it occurs through the processes of adhesion, production of extracellular polymeric substances, development of microcolonies and maturation, it is mediated by a quorum sensing (QS) system and is followed by dispersal, leading to disaggregation. Species that survive on dry surfaces develop tolerance to different stresses. DSB are recalcitrant and contribute to higher resistance to sanitation, becoming potential sources of contamination, related to the spoilage of processed products and foodborne disease outbreaks. In LMF industries, sanitization is performed using physical methods without the presence of water. Although alternative dry sanitizing methods can be efficiently used, additional studies are still required to develop and assess the effect of emerging technologies, and to propose possible combinations with traditional methods to enhance their effects on the sanitization process. Overall, more information about the different technologies can help to find the most appropriate method/s, contributing to the development of new sanitization protocols. Thus, this review aimed to identify the main characteristics and challenges of biofilm management in low moisture food industries, and summarizes the mechanisms of action of different dry sanitizing methods (alcohol, hot air, UV-C light, pulsed light, gaseous ozone, and cold plasma) and their effects on microbial metabolism.

Interventions used by health professionals in older adults with low levels of health literacy: a scoping review / Intervenções utilizadas por profissionais de saúde em idosos com baixo letramento em saúde: uma revisão de escopo

This scoping review sought to identify, synthesize, and assess the available evidence on the aims and effects of interventions used by health professionals in older adults with low levels of health literacy. Relevant articles were selected from the databases from April 2017 to April 2020. The Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis was used for conducting this scoping review, and a total of 22 studies were reviewed. The positive effects observed for each type of intervention, yielding significant results for some of the outcomes and improvements in intragroup scores, demonstrated that the interventions had good acceptability by older adults with limited health literacy. However, we were not able to determine which intervention strategies had a significant positive effect on health outcomes in these patients. Further high-quality randomized clinical trials employing greater methodological rigor for assessing results are needed to elucidate the potential benefits of interventions in this population. (AU)

Uma revisão de escopo foi conduzida para identificar, resumir e avaliar a evidência existente sobre os objetivos e efeitos das intervenções utilizadas por profissionais de saúde em idosos com baixo letramento em saúde. Artigos relevantes foram selecionados de bases de dados entre abril de 2017 a abril de 2020. Os autores consultaram o manual de síntese de evidências do The Joanna Briggs Institute para a condução desta revisão de escopo. Ao final, foram selecionados 22 estudos. Os efeitos positivos observados para cada tipo de intervenção, produzindo resultados significativos para alguns desfechos e melhoria na pontuação intragrupos, demonstraram que as intervenções têm boa aceitação por parte dos idosos com baixo letramento digital. No entanto, não foi possível concluir quais estratégias tiveram efeitos positivos significativos para melhoria de desfechos em saúde nesses pacientes. Futuros ensaios clínicos randomizados de alta qualidade com rigor metodológico para avaliação dos resultados são necessários para elucidar os potenciais benefícios das intervenções para essa população. (AU)

Morbidities, Self-reported Health, Purpose, and Satisfaction with Life in Older Adults / Morbidades, Autoavaliação de Saúde, Propósito e Satisfação com a Vida em Idosos / Morbilidades, Autoevaluación de Salud, Propósito y Satisfacción con la Vida en Adultos Mayores

Abstract This study aims to estimate the prevalence of overall satisfaction with life regarding sense of purpose in life, morbidities, and self-reported health, and to identify their direct and indirect associations among the domains in community-dwelling older adults. The research has a cross-sectional design, and we evaluated 419 older adults. Morbidities were assessed using a dichotomous question; self-reported health and satisfaction with life were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale; and sense of purpose was assessed using the Ryff and Keyes 10-item scale. An analysis of structural equations was conducted using Path Analysis. The relationship between morbidities and overall satisfaction with life was mediated by self-reported health; purpose in life mediated the relationship between self-reported health and overall satisfaction with life. Beyond managing chronic illnesses, subjective assessments of health and well-being are key to successful aging.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a prevalência de satisfação global com a vida e referenciada a domínios, propósito de vida, morbidades e autoavaliação de saúde e identificar associações diretas e indiretas de morbidades, autoavaliação geral de saúde e propósito de vida com satisfação global com a vida em idosos comunitários. Trata-se de um delineamento transversal que avaliou 419 idosos. Morbidades foram avaliadas por questão dicotômica, autoavaliação de saúde e satisfação com a vida por escala tipo Likert de 5 pontos, e propósito pela escala de 10 itens de Ryff e Keyes. Utilizou-se análise de equações estruturais via análise de caminhos. A relação entre morbidades e satisfação global com a vida foi mediada pela autoavaliação de saúde; propósito de vida mediou a relação entre autoavaliação de saúde e satisfação global com a vida. Além do tratamento de doenças crônicas, avaliações subjetivas da saúde e bem-estar são essenciais para o envelhecimento bem-sucedido.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la prevalencia de satisfacción global con la vida y referenciada a los dominios propósito de vida, morbilidades y salud autoevaluada, e identificar asociaciones directas e indirectas de morbilidades, autoevaluación general de salud y propósito con la satisfacción general con la vida en adultos mayores comunitarios. Es un diseño transversal que evaluó a 419 adultos mayores. Las morbilidades se evaluaron mediante una pregunta dicotómica, la autoevaluación de salud y la satisfacción con la vida por la escala Likert de 5 puntos, y el propósito mediante la escala de 10 ítems de Ryff y Keyes. Se utilizó análisis de ecuaciones estructurales vía análisis de trayectoria. La relación entre morbilidades y satisfacción general con la vida estuvo mediada por autoevaluación de la salud; el propósito de vida medió la relación entre autoevaluación de salud y satisfacción general con la vida. Más allá del manejo de enfermedades crónicas, las evaluaciones subjetivas de salud y bienestar son clave para un envejecimiento exitoso.

Meaning and Purpose in Life in Aging: A Scoping Review / Sentido e Propósito de Vida na Velhice: Uma Revisão de Escopo

ABSTRACT The feeling that life has meaning or purpose is essential for human beings. Absence of meaning can lead to an existential vacuum. Purpose in life, akin to meaning in life, derives from the humanistic psychology theory of Frankl, and they are considered synonymous. Other scholars, however, regard the two constructs as distinct. The objective of the review was to map both concepts in the gerontological literature, examining how they manifest in aging. The review of the databases was carried out between January 2019 and March 2020. Thirty articles were included. In the context of aging, results were conflicting. The literature review yielded evidence to affirm that meaning and purpose in life are distinct concepts, despite sharing the same existential-philosophical roots.

RESUMO O sentimento de que a vida tem sentido ou propósito é essencial ao ser humano. A ausência de sentido pode levar a um vácuo existencial. Propósito de vida, a exemplo de sentido, também deriva da psicologia humanística de Frankl, sendo considerados sinônimos. No entanto, há estudos que propõem distinção entre os dois construtos. A revisão tem por objetivos mapear ambos os conceitos na literatura gerontológica, examinando-os à luz do envelhecimento. O levantamento nas bases de dados foi realizado de janeiro de 2019 a março de 2020. Foram incluídos 30 artigos. No contexto do envelhecimento, os resultados foram controversos. A literatura revista apresentou evidências para afirmar que sentido de vida e propósito são conceitos distintos, apesar da origem filosófico-existencialista comum.

Relationship between self-reported health and neuroticism in older adults: a scoping review / Relação entre saúde autorreferida e neuroticismo em idosos: uma revisão de escopo

This scoping review aims to identify and map the existing literature regarding the relationship between neuroticism and self-reported health in community-dwelling older adults. We adopted the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis recommendations and followed the PRISMA-SCr when reporting it. The search was performed on ten different databases, including: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, Embase, PsycArticles, PsycInfo, United States National Library of Medicine, Scopus, Web of Science, Ageline and Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde/Centro Latino-Americano e do Caribe de Informação em Ciências da Saúde databases until February 2021. Data screening and extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. We included primary studies with older adults (≥60 years) [participants] that adopted validated instruments to assess neuroticism and self-reported health [concept] in the community [context], published in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. We identified 3453 articles and included 15 studies in this review. We extracted the main categories of included studies, characteristics of the participants, methodological issues, and biopsychosocial factors. Outcomes were reported in three sections: Focus of studies; Definitions and measures of neuroticism and self-reported health; Associations with biopsychosocial factors. We found an association between high neuroticism and poor self-reported health. Some biopsychosocial factors may influence this relationship, such as chronic diseases, depression, social support, and a sense of control, which must be considered in future studies to shed light on this topic

Esta revisão de escopo tem como objetivo identificar e mapear a literatura existente sobre a relação entre neuroticismo e saúde autorreferida em idosos vivendo na comunidade. Adotamos as recomendações do Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis e seguimos o PRISMA-SCr ao reportá-lo. A busca foi realizada em dez bases de dados diferentes, incluindo: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, Embase, PsycArticles, PsycInfo, United States National Library of Medicine, Scopus, Web of Science, Ageline e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde/Centro Latino -Americano e do Caribe de Informação em Ciências da Saúde até fevereiro de 2021. A triagem e extração dos dados foram realizadas por dois revisores independentes. Incluímos estudos primários com idosos (≥60 anos) [participantes] que adotaram instrumentos validados para avaliar neuroticismo e saúde autorreferida [conceito] na comunidade [contexto], publicados em português, inglês ou espanhol. Identificamos 3.453 artigos e incluímos 15 estudos nesta revisão. Extraímos as principais categorias dos estudos incluídos, características dos participantes, questões metodológicas e fatores biopsicossociais. Os resultados foram relatados em três seções: Foco dos estudos; Definições e medidas de neuroticismo e autoavaliação de saúde; Associações com fatores biopsicossociais. Encontramos uma associação entre alto neuroticismo e má saúde autorrelatada. Alguns fatores biopsicossociais podem influenciar nessa relação, como doenças crônicas, depressão, suporte social e senso de controle, que devem ser considerados em estudos futuros para elucidar esse tema

Microbial resistance to sanitizers in the food industry: review.

Hygiene programs which comprise the cleaning and sanitization steps are part of the Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and are considered essential to ensure food safety and quality. Inadequate hygiene practices may contribute to the occurrence of foodborne diseases, development of microbial resistance to sanitizers, and economic losses. In general, the sanitizer resistance is classified as intrinsic or acquired. The former is an inherent characteristic, naturally present in some microorganisms, whereas the latter is linked to genetic modifications that can occur at random or after continuous exposure to a nonnormal condition. The resistance mechanisms can involve changes in membrane permeability or in the efflux pump, and enzymatic activity. The efflux pump mechanism is the most elucidated in relation to the resistance caused by the use of different types of sanitizers. In addition, microbial resistance to sanitizers can also be favored in the presence of biofilms due to the protection given by the glycocalyx matrix and genetic changes. Therefore, this review aimed to show the main microbial resistance mechanisms to sanitizers, including genetic modifications, biofilm formation, and permeability barrier.

Salmonella spp. in low water activity food: Occurrence, survival mechanisms, and thermoresistance.

The occurrence of disease outbreaks involving low-water-activity (aw ) foods has gained increased prominence due in part to the fact that reducing free water in these foods is normally a measure that controls the growth and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms. Salmonella, one of the main bacteria involved in these outbreaks, represents a major public health problem worldwide and in Brazil, which highlights the importance of good manufacturing and handling practices for food quality. The virulence of this pathogen, associated with its high ability to persist in the environment, makes Salmonella one of the main challenges for the food industry. The objectives of this article are to present the general characteristics, virulence, thermoresistance, control, and relevance of Salmonella in foodborne diseases, and describe the so-called low-water-activity foods and the salmonellosis outbreaks involving them.

Are K-strategists yield-strategists in disguise? An example from autotrophic nitrogen removal.

The behavior of heterotrophic bacteria growing in systems with low or no external supply of chemical oxygen demand (COD) has become more relevant within the wastewater context. Growth strategies help to clarify how bacteria behave and adapt to different environmental conditions. In the case of substrate limited conditions, research has been mainly focused on the k-strategy, whereas another important strategy: the yield strategy has not been explored intensely. Some authors have, however, demonstrated the implications of bacteria pursuing the yield strategy when living in structured environments and facing low-substrate concentrations. This study uses a one-dimensional biofilm model to study the influence of the affinity constant, the maximum growth rate, and the growth yield on the heterotrophic formation of dinitrogen gas (N2 ) in a completely autotrophic partial nitritation anammox system. The effect of these parameters on the composition and the diversity of the heterotrophic community is also evaluated. In a first scenario, heterotrophic bacteria are allowed to grow only on the COD produced by biomass decay. In a second step, the competition with a second group of heterotrophs using external COD as electron donor is assessed. For both evaluated scenarios, the results suggest that the yield plays a crucial role in the heterotrophic biomass and dinitrogen gas formation. Moreover, in the case of the community diversity the yield seems to be the decisive parameter. Finally, we conceptually compared the K and the yield strategy and give some insight to the possibility of both either being closely related or even being the same strategy.

Digital media use among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review / O uso das mídias digitais entre idosos durante a pandemia de COVID-19: revisão de escopo

To identify and map the purpose of digital media use among older adults during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology involving a search of 7 databases for relevant articles in English, Spanish, and Portuguese published between 2020 and 2021. Most studies were retrieved from the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases. The inclusion criteria for this review were: participants ­ individuals aged ≥ 60 years; concept ­ digital media use during the pandemic; context ­ community-dwelling older adults. Results: The search led to the retrieval of 1992 studies. The titles and abstracts were screened by 2 independent reviewers. Full texts were then extracted according to the inclusion criteria, reaching a total of 12 articles for the review. The results showed that the main purposes of digital media use by older adults were to access and answer surveys sent by e-mail or posted on social media and virtual social networks (eg, Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter) and also for telemedicine consultations.

Identificar e mapear a finalidade do uso das mídias digitais entre idosos durante a pandemia. Metodologia: Realizou-se uma scoping review com a utilização da metodologia do Joanna Bringgs Institute, que envolveu uma busca em sete bases de dados de artigos relevantes em inglês, espanhol e português publicados entre 2020 e 2021. A maioria dos artigos recuperados foi: participantes ­ indivíduos com idade ≥ 60 anos; conceito ­ uso de mídia digital durante pandemia; contexto ­ idosos residentes na comunidade.

Associações diretas e indiretas entre autoavaliação de saúde, indicadores objetivos de saúde e neuroticismo em idosos / Direct and indirect associations between self-rated health, objective health indicators and neuroticism in older adults

Resumo Objetivo analisar associações diretas e indiretas entre autoavaliação de saúde, indicadores objetivos de saúde e neuroticismo em idosos Método Os dados foram extraídos dos registros de seguimento (2016-2017) do Estudo da Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros (Estudo FIBRA), de base populacional, sobre fragilidade e fatores associados na velhice. Trezentos e noventa e sete indivíduos com idade a partir de 73 anos no seguimento responderam a um item sobre autoavaliação de saúde. Polimedicação, dor crônica e multimorbidade foram autorrelatadas, fadiga foi mensurada pela CES-D, depressão pela EDG e neuroticismo pelo inventário NEO-PI-R. Foi realizada análise de caminhos, para verificar associações diretas e indiretas entre autoavaliação de saúde, indicadores objetivos de saúde e neuroticismo. Resultados Relações mais robustas foram observadas entre sexo e multimorbidade, depressão e neuroticismo, e neuroticismo e autoavaliação de saúde. Destaca-se que neuroticismo mediou a relação entre idade, dor crônica, multimorbidade e depressão com autoavaliação de saúde. Conclusão O neuroticismo é um importante mediador da relação entre autoavaliação de saúde e indicadores objetivos de saúde. Trabalhos longitudinais são necessários para explicar as relações observadas.

Abstract Objective to analyze the direct and indirect associations between self-rated health, objective health indicators and neuroticism in older adults. Method Data were extracted from follow-up records (2016-2017) of the Study of Frailty in Brazilian Elderly (FIBRA Study), a population-based study of frailty and associated variables in old age. Three hundred and ninety-seven individuals aged 73 years and over at follow-up answered an item on self-rated health. Polimedication, chronic pain and multimorbidity were self-reported, fatigue was measured by CES-D, depression by GDS and neuroticism by NEO-PI-R. Path analysis was performed to verify direct and indirect associations between self-rated health, objective health indicators and neuroticism in the follow-up. Results Neuroticism mediated the relationship between sex and age with self-rated health, and between depression and self-rated health. More robust relationships were observed between depression and neuroticism, pain and neuroticism, and sex and neuroticism; the least robust occurred between age and fatigue. Conclusion Neuroticism is an important mediator of the relationship between self-rated health and objective health indicators. Longitudinal work is needed to

Incidence of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus sporothermodurans and Geobacillus stearothermophilus in ultra-high temperature milk and biofilm formation capacity of isolates.

The presence of mesophilic and thermophilic spore-forming bacteria in UHT milk, as well as biofilm formation in dairy plants, are concerning. The current study explored the spore-forming bacilli diversity in 100 samples of UHT milk (skimmed and whole). Through this work, a total of 239 isolates from UHT milk samples were obtained. B. cereus s.s. was isolated from 7 samples, B. sporothermodurans from 19 and, G. stearothermophilus from 25 samples. Genes encoding hemolysin (HBL), and non-hemolytic (NHE) enterotoxins were detected in B. cereus s.s. isolates. All isolates of B. cereus s.s. (12) B. sporothermodurans (38), and G. stearothermophilus (47) were selected to verify the ability of biofilm formation in microtiter plates. The results showed all isolates could form biofilms. The OD595 values of biofilm formation varied between 0.14 and 1.04 for B. cereus, 0.20 to 1.87 for B. sporothermodurans, and 0.49 to 2.77 for G. stearothermophilus. The data highlights that the dairy industry needs to reinforce control in the initial quality of the raw material and in CIP cleaning procedures; avoiding biofilm formation and consequently a persistent microbiota in processing plants, which can shelter pathogenic species such as B. cereus s.s.

A multi-component model for granular activated carbon filters combining biofilm and adsorption kinetics.

Along with the rise of biological active granular activated carbon (bGAC) filtration as advanced treatment technology for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, the mathematical representation of such systems is gaining increasing importance. This work introduces a model that describes the performance of bGAC-filters for Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) removal from a WWTP effluent. The DOC removal within bGAC-filters is accomplished by two mechanisms: adsorptive removal and biological transformation. An appropriate representation of the adsorptive removal requires the DOC to be divided into fictive fractions according to its adsorbability. Likewise, a further DOC classification according to its biodegradability is necessary. Modeling a bGAC-filter then becomes a multi-component adsorption problem, with the simultaneous occurrence of DOC degradation within a biofilm. For dealing with this modeling task, this work integrated the Ideal Adsorbed Solution (IAS) theory into a traditional biofilm model compatible with the Activated Sludge Model (ASM) Framework. For the description of the adsorption dynamics, a Freundlich isotherm for the equilibrium and a pseudo first order model for the kinetics were selected. The biofilm consisted of heterotrophic bacteria able to oxidize DOC using oxygen as electron acceptor. The correctness of the model was evaluated using experimental data from a pilot plant. The predicted DOC breakthrough curve satisfactorily fitted the experimental measurements for empty bed contact times (EBCT) of 6, 12, 24 and 33 min. Moreover, the model predicted the relationship between EBCT, DOC removal and bGAC-filter lifespan. The developed model is the first that combines multi-component adsorption and biofilm kinetics in a wastewater treatment context.

A scoping review protocol to map the evidence on self-reported health and neuroticism in older adults / Protocolo de revisão de escopo para mapear as evidências sobre autopercepção de saúde e neuroticismo em idosos

OBJECTIVE: To identify the evidence on self-reported health and neuroticism in older adults. METHODS: Indexed literature published in English, Spanish and Portuguese will be systematically searched and retrieved from 10 databases; reference lists from included studies will be manually searched. Two authors will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full texts against the eligibility criteria. A customized data extraction form will be used to perform data extraction of the included studies, which will be: studies written in English, Portuguese, and Spanish; studies of older adults aged 55 years or over (mean age is 60 years at least); studies of community-dwelling older adults; studies that evaluated both self-reported health and personality; studies that evaluated self-reported health and personality with validated instruments; observational, review, and intervention studies. RESULTS: The results will be presented in a tabular format, accompanied by a narrative summary.

OBJETIVO: Identificar as evidências sobre autopercepção de saúde e neuroticismo em idosos. METODOLOGIA: A literatura indexada publicada em inglês, espanhol e português será sistematicamente pesquisada e coletada em 10 bases de dados; as listas de referência dos estudos incluídos serão pesquisadas manualmente. Dois autores irão avaliar títulos, resumos e textos completos de forma independente de acordo com os critérios de elegibilidade. Um formulário de extração de dados customizado será utilizado para realizar a extração de dados dos estudos incluídos, que serão: estudos em inglês, português e espanhol; estudos com idosos com 55 anos ou mais (a média de idade é de 60 anos, no mínimo); estudos com idosos residentes na comunidade; estudos que avaliaram autopercepção de saúde e personalidade; estudos que avaliaram autopercepção de saúde e personalidade com instrumentos validados; estudos observacionais, de revisão e de intervenção. RESULTADOS: Os resultados serão apresentados em formato tabular, acompanhado de resumo narrativo.

Competitive and/or Cooperative Interactions of Listeria monocytogenes With Bacillus cereus in Dual-Species Biofilm Formation.

Microorganisms in dairy industries can form monospecies, dual-species, or multispecies biofilms, showing cooperative or competitive behaviors, which might contribute to the reduction of efficiency of cleaning and sanitization processes and eventually turn into a potential source of contamination. This study proposes to evaluate the behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in monospecies biofilms, cocultured with Bacillus cereus. The isolates were of dairy origin, and the selection occurred after studies of competition among species. The biofilm formations on AISI 304 stainless steel at 25°C in a stationary culture were analyzed to observe the cooperative or competitive interactions among species, as well as the effect of pre-adhered cells. Biofilm formation assays were performed in four experiments: Experiment 1: in the presence of strains of antagonistic substance producer B. cereus (+); Experiment 2: extract of the antagonistic substance of B. cereus; Experiment 3: pre-adhered cells of B. cereus; and Experiment 4: pre-adhered cells of L. monocytogenes. Subsequently, cooperative behavior was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The L. monocytogenes monospecies biofilm counts of greater than 5 log colony-forming units (CFU)/cm2 were also observed in dual-species biofilms in the presence of B. cereus (non-producers of antagonist substance), showing cooperative behavior between species. However, in the presence of antagonistic substance produced by B. cereus, the counts were lower, 1.39 and 1.70 log CFU/cm2 (p > 0.05), indicating that the antagonistic substance contributes to competitive interactions. These data are relevant for the development of new studies to control L. monocytogenes in the dairy industry.

Reserva cognitiva e os diferentes perfis de ganho cognitivo em idosos: uma scoping review / Cognitive reserve and the different cognitive gain profiles in the aged: a scoping review / Reserva cognitiva y los perfiles diferentes de ganancia cognitiva en los ancianos: una escopulación de revisión

O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar diferentes perfis de ganho cognitivo em idosos para a reserva cognitiva. Trata-se de uma scoping review, utilizando-se PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, Lilacs, SciELO, PsycInfo, PsycNet e AgeLine como base de dados; restringiu-se à busca entre o ano de 2008 e 2018. Identificou-se 2295 estudos e 51 foram elegíveis para a revisão. Dentre os 51 estudos selecionados, encontrou-se nove perfis diferentes para manutenção cognitiva, sendo que cinco estudos não especificaram o perfil. Como conclusão, os perfis encontrados representaram relevância para a teoria de reserva cognitiva e forneceram esclarecimentos de como fatores individuais e de vida diária podem fazer o cérebro mais resiliente no envelhecimento e na velhice; no entanto, esses fatores individuais e o modo como eles contribuem para o desenvolvimento da reserva cognitiva e da manutenção da cognição ainda permanecem obscuros na literatura.

The objective of this study was to verify different profiles of cognitive gain in the elderly for cognitive reserve. This is a scoping review, using PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, Lilacs, SciELO, PsycInfo, PsycNet and AgeLine as a database; the search was restricted between 2008 and 2018. 2295 studies were identified and 51 were eligible for the review. Among 51 studies selected, 9 different profiles were found for cognitive maintenance, and 5 studies did not specify the profile. Conclusion: The profiles found were relevant to cognitive reserve theory and provide insights into how individual factors and daily life can make the brain more resilient in aging and old age. However, those individual factors and how they contribute to development of cognitive reserve and maintenance of cognition still remain obscure in the literature.

El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar diferentes perfiles de ganancia cognitiva en ancianos para la reserva cognitiva. Se trata de una escopulación de revisión, utilizando PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, Lilacs, SciELO, PsycInfo, PsycNet y AgeLine como base de datos, restringiendo entre el año 2008 y el 2018. Se identificaron 2295 estudios y 51 fueron elegibles para la revisión. De los 51 estudios seleccionados, se encontraron 9 perfiles diferentes para el mantenimiento cognitivo, siendo que 5 estudios no especificaron el perfil. Conclusión: Los perfiles encontrados representaron relevancia para la teoría de reserva cognitiva y proporciona aclaraciones de cómo factores individuales y de vida diaria pueden hacer el cerebro más resistente en el envejecimiento y en la vejez, sin embargo, estos factores individuales y de cómo contribuyen al desarrollo de la reserva cognitiva y del mantenimiento de la cognición, todavía permanecen obscuras en la literatura.

Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactors - How longitudinal gradients influence nitrogen removal - A conceptual study.

Membrane-aerated biofilm reactors are becoming more important for nitrogen removal in the wastewater sector. One-dimensional (1D) models are widely used to study the performance of such systems; however, 1D models are not able to simulate the longitudinal gradients that exist in the reactor. Although there is experimental evidence that points to the existence of longitudinal gradients simple modeling approaches that consider these gradients are not yet developed. This study proposes a novel multi-compartment model that simulates the longitudinal substrate and oxygen gradients. It assesses the effects of temperature, biofilm thickness, number of compartments, and flow configuration (liquid and gas phase) on the modeling results. Additionally, it compares the capabilities of a traditional 1D model with those of the novel multi-compartment model. Our results show that a classical 1D model predicts a lower total dissolved nitrogen concentration (TDN) in the effluent in contrast to the predictions of the multi-compartment model. In the worst-case scenario, the TDN predicted by the traditional 1D model was three times lower than the prediction of the multi-compartment model. The results delivered by the models differ also in the axial gradients. The traditional 1D model, for example, predicted an oxygen concentration at the membrane surface of 0.4 mg-O2/l while the multi-compartment model predicted a concentration of 2.9 mg-O2/l. Finally, the results of this study show that the longitudinal oxygen gradient has an important effect on both, biomass distribution and effluent TDN, whereas the longitudinal substrate exclusively affected the effluent TDN.

Avaliação microscópica de superfícies de aço inoxidável usados em ensaios de biofilmes / Microscopic evaluation on stainless steel surfaces used in biofilm assays

Superfícies de aço inoxidável com especificações determinadas pela American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) são usadas em testes in vitro para simular a formação e a remoção de biofilmes. Muitas vezes estas superfícies são reutilizadas nos ensaios de formação de biofilmes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se cupons de aço inoxidável anteriormente utilizados para formação de biofilmes multiespécies podem ser reutilizados em novos ensaios. Assim, cupons submetidos a diferentes procedimentos de higienização foram analisados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e perfilometria . A reutilização das superfícies em novos experimentos deve ser realizada com cautela, aplicando procedimentos que removam as células bacterianas e a substância polimérica extracelular (EPS) aderidas na superfície. Além disso, observações da superfície (topografia e rugosidade) devem ser avaliadas, comprovando as especificações da ASTM.