Publications by authors named "Luis Costa"

Microalgae are emerging as valuable sources of bioactive compounds. This study evaluates hexane extracts from Thalassiosira sp. and Raphidonema sp.

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Introduction Over the past decades, clinical research has evolved significantly, driven by advances in regulatory frameworks, technological innovations, and methodological approaches. In Portugal, while there has been progress - such as increased regulatory alignment with European standards and the adoption of digital trial management tools - various challenges remain. These may include, among others, limited access to funding, slower patient recruitment rates, and regulatory hurdles that can delay trial approvals.

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  • Greenhouse gas emissions are primarily responsible for rising global temperatures, with Brazil's major contributions coming from forestry, land use, and agriculture sectors.
  • The study analyzed two GHG inventories (Climate TRACE and SEEG) to assess carbon removal's impact on Brazil's national emissions and investigated how seasonal factors like precipitation and photosynthesis affect these estimates.
  • Results showed significant differences in GHG inventory estimates, especially in the forestry sector, with the Caatinga biome contributing nearly 50% to Brazil's carbon removals in 2022, emphasizing the importance of halting deforestation for achieving net-zero emissions.
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Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) often develops a tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC). Radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy is the standard treatment, although prognostic factors are yet to be properly established.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to review the clinicopathological features of surgically treated patients with RCC and IVC thrombus and to investigate potential prognostic factors.

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Background: Sepsis remains a major global health concern due to its high prevalence and mortality. Changes in body temperature (Tb), such as hypothermia or fever, are diagnostic indicators and play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. This study aims to characterize the thermoregulatory mechanisms during sepsis using the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model and explore how sepsis severity and ambient temperature (Ta) influence Tb regulation and mortality.

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Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may be the missing renal cell carcinoma (RCC) biomarker. No-touch (NT) resection has shown benefit in several tumors.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial comparing CTC and circulating mesenchymal cell (CMC) release in no-touch (NT) vs.

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Existing literature suggests that infection-specific mechanisms may play a significant role in the onset and progression of dementia, as opposed to the broader phenomenon of systemic inflammation. In addition, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme A (CoA) reductase inhibitors have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for sepsis, given their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) by analyzing neurodegenerative markers, mitochondrial respiration, and neuronal tracing in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE) of sepsis survivor animals.

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  • Emergence agitation, a common issue after nasal surgeries, can lead to increased restlessness and injury, with younger patients and certain medical factors heightening its risk.* -
  • A network meta-analysis was conducted following rigorous guidelines, reviewing randomized controlled trials on both drug and non-drug methods to prevent this agitation, utilizing multiple scientific databases for data collection.* -
  • The analysis included 17 studies with over 2,100 patients, identifying effective treatments such as dexmedetomidine, nerve blocks, ketamine, and pre-anesthesia nasal compression, suggesting a range of options for clinicians to enhance postoperative care.*
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Recent collecting efforts in the upper Malagarazi basin (2013-2022) allowed for an integrative study based on qualitative (colour), quantitative (meristic and metric), and barcoding gene [mtDNA, cytochrome c oxidase (COI)] data of specimens similar to Enteromius sp. 'ascutelatus', being a previously identified, potentially, new species. Based on these data, the present study confirms its identification as a new species for science, which is here formally described as Enteromius nzigidaherai sp.

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Background: Molecular profiling in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) with synchronous or metachronous urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is scarce. We intended to assess immunohistochemical (IHC) and genetic differences between UTUC-only and UTUC with synchronous or metachronous UBC (UTUC + UBC) and evaluate the effect of subsequent UBC on the outcome of UTUC patients stratified by luminal-basal subtypes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of UTUC was divided into UTUC-only ( = 71) and UTUC + UBC ( = 43).

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  • The study examined changes in hip joint structure in rabbits with induced hip dysplasia by performing surgeries and immobilizing their limbs.
  • Researchers used radiographic and CT imaging to analyze key measurements, including femoral angles and acetabular depth, in seventeen rabbits.
  • Results indicated that hip instability led to significant alterations in femoral anteversion and acetabular depth, suggesting this rabbit model could be useful for further research on hip joint disorders.
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The combination of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) with endocrine therapy (ET) is the standard-of-care for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative (ER+/HER2- advanced/metastatic breast cancer (mBC). However, the impact of CDK4/6i on circulating immune cells and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients receiving CDK4/6i and ET (CDK4/6i+ET) remains poorly understood. This was a prospective cohort study including 44 patients with ER+/HER2- mBC treated with CDK4/6i+ET in either first or second line.

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  • Remimazolam is a new anesthetic agent developed to replace propofol, which has notable hemodynamic effects that may pose risks during surgery.
  • A systematic review of 16 clinical trials involving 1951 patients assessed the hemodynamic impacts of remimazolam compared to propofol, revealing that remimazolam leads to lower instances of intraoperative hypotension, bradycardia, and reduced need for vasoactive drugs.
  • The findings suggest that remimazolam has a safer and more favorable side effect profile than propofol during general anesthesia, making it a promising alternative.
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Purpose: To evaluate the effects on peripheral neural regeneration of the end-to-side embracing repair technique compared to the autograft repair technique in Wistar rats.

Methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups with five animals each: denervated group (GD), autograft group (GA), and embracing group (EG). For the evaluation, the grasping test, electroneuromyography (ENMG), and muscle weight assessment were used.

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Despite the enormous efforts of the pharmaceutical industry in the generation of new drugs (55 new ones last year) [...

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  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally, with hereditary mutations, particularly in the BRCA1/2 genes, accounting for 5-10% of cases.
  • These mutations increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, especially in younger women, and affect the function of BRCA proteins which are vital for repairing DNA.
  • The review examines how HR deficiency related to BRCA mutations influences treatment responses to platinum-based chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors in metastatic breast cancer, with insights from a Portuguese healthcare facility's management of these patients.
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Plastic pollution poses a worldwide environmental challenge, affecting wildlife and human health. Assessing the biodegradation capabilities of natural microbiomes in environments contaminated with microplastics is crucial for mitigating the effects of plastic pollution. In this work, we evaluated the potential of landfill leachate (LL) and estuarine sediments (ES) to biodegrade polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polycaprolactone (PCL), under aerobic, anaerobic, thermophilic, and mesophilic conditions.

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Few studies have explored the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on the heat vulnerability of mental health (MH) patients. As individual socioeconomic data was unavailable, we aimed to fill this gap by using the healthcare system type as a proxy for SES. Brazilian national statistics indicate that public patients have lower SES than private.

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Background: Simulation is a technique being used increasingly in healthcare education which offers opportunities to evaluate nursing proficiencies. The use of valid and reliable instruments is recognised as the foundation for a robust assessment, however competency-based health assessment courses for graduate nurses can consequently become reductionist in measuring proficiencies.

Objective: The specific review question was: In simulation-based education, what are the criteria that evaluate graduate nursing student's competence in obtaining a health history and performance of patient assessment?

Methods: Eleven studies were included in the review.

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In recent decades, the requirements for implantable medical devices have increased, but the risks of implant rejection still exist. These issues are primarily associated with poor osseointegration, leading to biofilm formation on the implant surface. This study focuses on addressing these issues by developing a biomaterial for implant coatings.

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Background: Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC), a worldwide distributed venereal disease caused by Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv), has a relevant negative economic impact in cattle herds. The control of BGC is hampered by the inexistence of globally available effective vaccines.

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Radium-223 dichloride (Ra223) is the first targeted alpha agent approved for treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with bone-exclusive disease. A benefit in overall survival and time to the first symptomatic skeletal-related event was shown in the Alpharadin in Symptomatic Prostate Cancer Patients (ALSYMPCA) trial. However, this trial did not describe a bone scan response to Ra223, and there is no universal consensus about how it should be monitored.

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The blood pressure-lowering effect of aerobic training is preceded by improving cardiovascular autonomic control. We previously demonstrated that aerobic training conducted in the evening (ET) induces a greater decrease in blood pressure than morning training (MT). To study whether the greater blood pressure decrease after ET occurs through better cardiovascular autonomic regulation, this study aimed to compare MT versus ET on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in treated patients with hypertension.

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