Age and Vasodilator Response to Different Hyperemic Agents: Adenosine versus Contrast Medium.

Background: Age-related remodelling has the potential to affect the microvascular response to hyperemic stimuli. However, its precise effects on the vasodilatory response to adenosine and contrast medium, as well as its influence on fractional flow reserve (FFR) and contrast fractional flow reserve (cFFR), have not been previously investigated. We investigate the impact of age on these indices.

Impact of device resistances in the performance of graphene-based terahertz photodetectors.

In recent years, graphene field-effect-transistors (GFETs) have demonstrated an outstanding potential for terahertz (THz) photodetection due to their fast response and high-sensitivity. Such features are essential to enable emerging THz applications, including 6G wireless communications, quantum information, bioimaging and security. However, the overall performance of these photodetectors may be utterly compromised by the impact of internal resistances presented in the device, so-called access or parasitic resistances.

Measurement-Based Care in Youth: An Opportunity for Better Clinical Outcomes?

Measurement-based care (MBC) is a procedure in which systematic and routine assessments are performed. Through this practice, clinicians can verify the progress of the symptomatology of the patient and adapt the appointments and the intervention to the current symptoms. Studies have reflected on the importance and the benefits of this type of procedure in the adult population, and have shown positive results.

Smartphone Applications to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Evidence supporting the use of apps for lifestyle behavior change and diabetes prevention in people at high risk of diabetes is lacking. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of smartphone applications (apps) for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsychInfo were searched from 2008 to 2023.

Feasibility and effectiveness of a two-tiered intervention involving training and a new consultation model for patients with palliative care needs in primary care: A before-after study.

Background: Evidence suggests that involving General Practitioners in the care of patients with palliative care needs may improve patient outcomes.

Aim: To evaluate whether a two-tiered intervention involving training in palliative care and a new consultation model in primary care for patients with palliative care needs is feasible and could reduce patients' symptom burden.

Design: Before-after study including an internal pilot.

Non-technical skills and teamwork in trauma: from the emergency department to the operating room.

Management of a trauma patient is a challenging process. Swift and accurate clinical assessment is required and time-sensitive decisions and life-saving procedures must be performed in an unstable patient. This requires a coordinated response by both the emergency room (ER) and operating room (OR) teams.

Visual Thinking Strategies in medical education: a systematic review.

Background: Arts-based pedagogical tools have been increasingly incorporated into medical education. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a research-based, constructivist teaching methodology that aims to improve visual literacy, critical thinking, and communication skills through the process of investigating works of art. Harvard Medical School pioneered the application of VTS within medical education in 2004.

Functional coronary angiography for the assessment of the epicardial vessels and the microcirculation.

Over the last decade, steady progress has been made in the ability to assess coronary stenosis relevance by merging computerised analyses of angiograms with fluid dynamic modelling. The new field of functional coronary angiography (FCA) has attracted the attention of both clinical and interventional cardiologists as it anticipates a new era of facilitated physiological assessment of coronary artery disease, without the need for intracoronary instrumentation or vasodilator drug administration, and an increased adoption of ischaemia-driven revascularisation. This state-of-the-art review performs a deep dive into the foundations and rationale behind FCA indices derived from either invasive or computed angiograms.

Kinetic Profile of Urine Metabolites after Acute Intake of a Phenolic Compounds-Rich Juice of Juçara ( Mart.) and Antioxidant Capacity in Serum and Erythrocytes: A Human Study.

The juçara palm tree produces a small spherical and black-purple fruit similar to açaí. It is rich in phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. A clinical trial evaluated the absorption and excretion of the main bioactive compounds in urine and the antioxidant capacity in serum and erythrocytes of 10 healthy subjects after juçara juice intake.

Occlusal Changes with Clear Aligners and the Case Complexity Influence: A Longitudinal Cohort Clinical Study.

Background: Clear aligners (CA) are used 22 h daily, creating a bite-block effect. This work aims to (i) analyze occlusal changes before the beginning of treatment, after the first set of CA and after the use of additional aligners; (ii) compare planned occlusal contacts with the ones obtained after the first set of CA; (iii) analyze the occlusal changes occurred after reaching the orthodontic goals after 3 months of using CA only at night; (iv) evaluate and characterize which tooth movements did not allow the treatment to be completed at the end of the first set of aligners, and finally (v) verify the possible relation between the changes in occlusal contact and areas and parameters such as case complexity and facial biotype.

Materials And Methods: A quantitative, comparative, and observational longitudinal cohort study design was implemented to evaluate the clinical data and the complexity levels of cases receiving CA.

The impact of structured self-monitoring of blood glucose on clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes among adults with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is considered of little clinical benefit for adults with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, but no comprehensive review of a structured approach to SMBG has been published to date.

Purpose: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of sSMBG on HbA1c, treatment modifications, behavioral and psychosocial outcomes, and; examine the moderating effects of sSMBG protocol characteristics on HbA1c.

Data Sources: Four databases searched (November 2020; updated: February 2022).

Translation and cultural adaptation of MedStopper®-A web-based decision aid for deprescribing in older adults: A protocol.

Background: Older patients are more likely to have medication-related problems, which are associated with changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy. Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing are well-known risk factors which commonly cause adverse clinical outcomes in older people. Prescribers struggle to identify potentially inappropriate medications and to choose an adequate tapering approach.

'Is Insulin Right for Me?': Web-based intervention to reduce psychological barriers to insulin therapy among adults with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes-A randomised controlled trial.

Aims: To test 'Is Insulin Right for Me?', a theory-informed, self-directed, web-based intervention designed to reduce psychological barriers to insulin therapy among adults with type 2 diabetes. Further, to examine resource engagement and associations between minimum engagement and outcomes.

Methods: Double-blind, two-arm randomised controlled trial (1:1), comparing the intervention with freely available online information (control).

The Social and Emotional Well-being of Indigenous Peoples Living With Diabetes: A Systematic Review Protocol.

Introduction: Globally, Indigenous people have a greater incidence and earlier onset of diabetes than the general population and have higher documented rates of emotional distress and mental illness. This systematic review will provide a synthesis and critical appraisal of the evidence focused on the social and emotional well-being of Indigenous peoples living with diabetes, including prevalence, impact, moderators, and the efficacy of interventions.

Methods: We will search MEDLINE Complete, EMBASE, APA PsycINFO, and CINAHL Complete from inception until late April 2021.

Observational Study About the Impact of Simulation Training of Non-Technical Skills on Teamwork: Towards a Paradigm Shift in Undergraduate Medical Training.

Introduction: Recently, simulation as an educational method has gained increasing importance in Medicine. However, medical education has favored the acquisition of individual knowledge and skills, while overlooking the development of teamwork skills. Since most errors in clinical practice are due to human factors, i.

Cosmetic emulsion based on the fucose-rich polysaccharide FucoPol: Bioactive properties and sensorial evaluation.

In this study, the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive properties, and sensorial evaluation of a O/W cosmetic formulation containing FucoPol, a fucose-containing bacterial polysaccharide, were assessed. The stability of the FucoPol-based cream, named F-cream, was demonstrated over a period of 2 months at different temperatures (4, 20 and 30 °C), during which it maintained the organoleptic characteristics and pH (5.88-6.

COVID-19 vaccinology landscape in Africa.

More than two years after the start of COVID-19 pandemic, Africa still lags behind in terms vaccine distribution. This highlights the predicament of Africa in terms of vaccine development, deployment, and sustainability, not only for COVID-19, but for other major infectious diseases that plague the continent. This opinion discusses the challenges Africa faces in its race to vaccinate its people, and offers recommendations on the way forward.

Portuguese Family Physicians' Perceptions on Pain Management-A Qualitative Study Protocol.

Pain is an important cause of disability and constitutes the main reason people seek medical care, especially in general practice. Nevertheless, nearly half of adult Europeans with chronic pain receive inadequate pain treatment. Limited knowledge about pain among physicians is recognized as a key barrier to treatment.

Multi-feedstock biorefinery concept: Valorization of winery wastes by engineered yeast.

The wine industry produces significant amounts of by-products and residues that are not properly managed, posing an environmental problem. Grape must surplus, vine shoots, and wine lees have the potential to be used as renewable resources for the production of energy and chemicals. Metabolic engineering efforts have established Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an efficient microbial cell factory for biorefineries.

Deacetylation and Desuccinylation of the Fucose-Rich Polysaccharide Fucopol: Impact on Biopolymer Physical and Chemical Properties.

FucoPol is an acylated polysaccharide with demonstrated valuable functional properties that include a shear thinning fluid behaviour, a film-forming capacity, and an emulsion forming and stabilizing capacity. In this study, the different conditions (concentration, temperature, and time) for alkaline treatment were investigated to deacylate FucoPol. Complete deacetylation and desuccinylation was achieved with 0.