Publications by authors named "Abreu R"

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review to determine the acute and chronic effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients on cardiac autonomic function, glucose variability, inspiratory muscle strength and endurance, hemodynamic variables, and exercise capacity.

Methods: A search was carried out according to a specific search strategy, following the PRISMA statement, and three independent reviewers have undertaken the article selection process. Searches were carried out in June 2023, on the following electronic databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE (PubMed), SCOPUS (Elsevier), and Web of Science.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, closure of schools and other public places changed the circumstances under which young people engaged in identity development. This qualitative study examines the impact of COVID-19 on the gender identity development of 295 transgender and gender diverse youth, ages 13-22. Responses to the open-ended question 'How has the COVID pandemic changed or affected your own understanding of your gender identity?' were analysed through thematic analysis.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The global population growth is increasing the demand for food, but food loss and waste throughout the supply chain remain major issues that need addressing.
  • - Blockchain technology can improve food traceability, enhance sustainability, transparency, quality, and safety, and is key in reducing food waste when adopted by multiple players in the industry.
  • - The review discusses how blockchain is applied in the food chain, its advantages and challenges, and hints at the future evolution of both Blockchain and the Internet of Things in this area.
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This research aims to explore the impact of fraud on society, in general, and in the European Union, in particular. Methodologically, this research is divided into two analyses. Firstly, a theoretical analysis based on a systematic literature review of fraud and its impact on society and the economy.

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Objective: To ascertain the changes of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) values in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with ocrelizumab and their association with treatment response.

Methods: Multicenter prospective study including 115 RRMS patients initiating ocrelizumab treatment between February 2020 and March 2022 followed during a year. Serum samples were collected at baseline and every 3 months to measure sNfL and sGFAP levels using single-molecule array (SIMOA) technology.

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Background: Detraining refers to the decline in physical fitness that occurs after the cessation of exercise, compromising the adaptations resulting from regular exercise training. To understand how long the benefits acquired from an exercise program can be maintained, the present study evaluated the detraining effects of a 4-week exercise cessation period in older adults who performed combined training at various weekly frequencies for 12 weeks.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial assigned participants to one of two training programs: a combined training program twice a week (CT2) or four times a week (CT4) over a period of 12 weeks, followed by a four-week detraining period.

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Background: Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABGs) and cardiac valve replacement surgeries (CVRSs) are common lifesaving cardiac surgeries. They are linked to an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). This review scopes the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on adult patients, considering mainly exercise capacity, lung function, and the occurrence of PPCs.

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Restaurants are important institutions in the communities' economy with the potential to promote healthier foods but have been under-engaged in public health nutrition efforts. In particular, independently owned, minority-serving and minority-owned restaurants, remain under-represented in nutrition promotion efforts despite disproportionate burdens of diet-related health outcomes among minority populations. Addressing this gap in engagement, we undertook a process of co-designing and implementing healthy eating-focused interventions in two Latin American restaurants in New York City, combining the Behavior Change Wheel intervention development framework with a Human-Centered Design approach.

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Purpose: To analyze and compare the physiological responses of women during singles and doubles beach tennis sessions.

Methods: In this crossover trial, twenty-two women with previous participation in amateur beach tennis tournaments randomly performed two experimental sessions: singles and doubles beach tennis. The routine for both sessions consisted of 10-min of seated rest, followed by 45-min of beach tennis and 30-min of post-exercise recovery.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study describes the creation of polycyclic uracil derivatives using a combination of palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and cycloisomerization with Brønsted acids.
  • This new method effectively accommodates a variety of functional groups, resulting in product yields ranging from moderate to nearly complete.
  • The researchers also examined how different functional groups affect the optical properties of the final compounds using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy.
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Introduction: are considered an important genus in terms of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs), which means that their characterization regarding resistance and virulence profiles in the hospital environment is of extreme importance. This article addresses this issue through the characterization of enterococci collected from a Veterinary Biological Isolation and Containment Unit (BICU).

Methods: A total of 73 isolates, collected from different surfaces of a Veterinary BICU, were identified as through PCR at species level, after which 34 isolates were selected as representatives using (GTG) fingerprinting.

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Background: This study aimed at describing the demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and overall survival of patients with MM in Brazil to identify gaps in the disease diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: MMyBRAve (NCT03506386) was a multicenter, observational study of patients diagnosed with MM in Brazil between January 2008 and December 2016, with data collection between August 2018 and September 2019 at 17 participating centers.

Results: Of 943 patients included, 914 had complete data for overall survival (OS) analysis.

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Aim: To compare caregiver-reported current and desired home participation of infants with and without biological risk in the first year of life.

Method: Observational, cross-sectional and comparative study. Caregivers of 48 infants with (mean corrected age = 5.

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This study aimed to analyze the acute effects of combined calisthenic and walking exercises using different volumes on blood pressure (BP) in aging adults with primary hypertension. A total of 48 participants with primary hypertension aged 50-80 years were randomly assigned into two groups that performed two experimental sessions each: a non-exercising CONTROL session and a LOW (group 1) or HIGH (group 2) volume exercise session. The order of these sessions was randomized.

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Objective: This trial analyzes the effects of home-based isometric handgrip training (IHT) and aerobic exercise training (AET) on ambulatory and office blood pressure (BP) in older adults with high normal to established hypertension.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 84 participants (46 women, 71.1 ± 3.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines how well ChatGPT answers common questions about female urinary incontinence (UI), focusing on the accuracy and completeness of its responses compared to established medical guidelines.* -
  • Researchers tested 14 questions by assessing ChatGPT's answers on a scale for accuracy (1 to 5) and completeness (1 to 3), finding that while some answers were mostly correct, many lacked the detail provided in clinical guidelines.* -
  • The findings raise concerns for healthcare professionals regarding the reliability of artificial intelligence in patient counseling, as most responses from ChatGPT fell short of expected completeness and accuracy specified in scientific guidelines.*
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Background: Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading global cause of mortality worldwide especially in older adults. Although it is known that regular exercise reduces cardiovascular diseases incidence, its effects on specific cardiovascular aging parameters considering the influence of sex and different exercise designs are still not fully understood. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of different physical exercise protocols on age-related cardiovascular outcomes in older adults.

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The genus includes ubiquitous bacteria frequently described as animal and human opportunistic pathogens. A 9-year-old cat was referred for rhinoscopy at the Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal, for an investigation of the chronic respiratory signs. Upon rhinoscopy, nasal and nasopharyngeal discharge were observed, and the nasal turbinates showed signs of inflammation.

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Background: Post-Covid-19 syndrome is defined as non-self-sustaining signs and/or symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks, occurring during or after a Covid-19 infection. The primary outcome was the analysis of the respiratory muscle training (RMT) result in respiratory muscle strength, (maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) e maximum expiratory pressure (MEP)); and the secondary results were the analysis of lung function, dyspnea, quality of life (QoL), fatigue and functional performance.

Methods: The PICO description for this research was: P: patients diagnosed with post-Covid-19; I: RMT; C: Sham or simulated inspiratory or expiratory muscle training and usual care; O: MIP, MEP, Lung Function, level of dyspnea, QoL and functional performance.

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In premature births, deficiency and/or inactivation of surfactant and incomplete development of lung occur, leading to pulmonary complications and greater need for ventilatory interventions. Prenatal corticosteroid therapy is used to improve neonatal lung function and, thus, may reduce mortality and lower incidence and severity of lung injury. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the need for ventilatory support in preterm lambs subjected or not to prenatal betamethasone treatment, and to evaluate the effectiveness on neonatal survival.

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Despite the ever-growing presence of Black immigrant college students in the United States, little is known about their unique campus experiences or their mental health outcomes as it relates to psychopolitical determinants of well-being. This qualitative study aimed to explore the unique psychopolitical experiences of 14, first- and second-generation Black immigrant college students attending predominately White institutions in the United States. Using the theoretical frameworks of critical race theory, intersectionality, and psychopolitical validity to guide our study, a phenomenological approach uncovered six themes and 11 subthemes: (1) collective well-being, (2) relational well-being, (3) individual well-being (purpose; health and wellness; critical consciousness), (4) collective suffering (neocolonialism, oppressive policies, and political violence; institutional oppression; barriers to mental health care), (5) relational suffering (implicit racial bias, stereotypes, and microaggressions; violence and brutality), and (6) individual suffering (ethno-racial trauma; isolation; school-related stress).

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Germline TP53 pathogenic variants can lead to a cancer susceptibility syndrome known as Li-Fraumeni (LFS). Variants affecting its activity can drive tumorigenesis altering p53 pathways and their identification is crucial for assessing individual risk. This study explored the functional impact of TP53 missense variants on its transcription factor activity.

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Active commuting (AC) may have the potential to prevent the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the evidence for a correlation between AC and the risk of CVD remains uncertain. The current study thoroughly and qualitatively summarized research on the relationship between AC and the risk of CVD disease.

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