A simple inland culture system provides insights into ascidian post-embryonic developmental physiology.

Maintenance and breeding of experimental organisms are fundamental to life sciences, but both initial and running costs, and hands-on zootechnical demands can be challenging for many laboratories. Here, we first aimed to further develop a simple protocol for reliable inland culture of tunicate model species of the genus. We cultured both and in controlled experimental conditions, with a focus on dietary variables, and quantified growth and maturation parameters.

Globally approved vaccines for COVID-19: a systematic review.

COVID-19 caused a public health emergency, which instituted a global effort to develop vaccines using different platforms, such as basic types and new-generation vaccines. Considering the importance of vaccination in preventing the severity of infectious diseases and the success in developing and approving vaccines against COVID-19 in record time, it is essential to learn about the characteristics of these vaccines. This study aimed to conduct a structured, systematic review following the PRISMA guideline, to analyze the general characteristics of vaccines approved globally for use against COVID-19.

Prognostic value of Chagas heart disease on short- and long-term clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Background: Immunological similarities led us to explore potential interactions between Chagas heart disease (CHD) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We evaluated CHD's impact on the short- and long-term clinical courses of COVID-19 patients.

Methods: The CHD group comprised consecutive hospitalized patients (March 2020-March 2022), while the controls were selected through genetic matching based on COVID complications predictors.

Exergames for rehabilitation in stroke survivors: Umbrella review of meta-analyses.

Background: It is essential to explore alternative methods to motivate stroke survivors throughout their lengthy rehabilitation journey. Exergames have emerged as promising tools for rehabilitating this demographic.

Objective: We aimed to synthesize the combined evidence from meta-analyses that assessed the effects of exergames in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors.

The effect of exergame rehabilitation on the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Exergames, which combine digital games and physical exercise, have become increasingly popular for rehabilitation in the health domain. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of exergame rehabilitation on the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of exergame rehabilitation on the quality of life of cancer patients who had undergone abdominal surgery.

A quasi-experimental study on the energy expenditure, exercise intensity, and rating of perceived exertion of a male bodybuilding posing training.

This study is novel in classifying bodybuilding posing training as vigorous intensity exercise using metabolic equivalents (METs) and heart rate (HR) responses. It provides empirical evidence showing that posing training meets the vigorous intensity benchmarks, with METs and %HRmax values comparable to established vigorous exercise standards. The research highlights the novel finding that stimulant usage and the peak week phase of preparation significantly influence physiological responses and perceived exertion in bodybuilders.

Exergame-based rehabilitation for cancer patients undergoing abdominal surgery: Effects on pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue - A pilot study.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of an exergame rehabilitation program on pain, anxiety or depression, and fatigue in oncology patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Methods: The randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of exergame rehabilitation on Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue in oncology patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Patients were recruited from October 2022-March 2023 and were randomly assigned to the intervention group (postoperative traditional rehabilitation plus an exergame rehabilitation program) or control group (postoperative traditional rehabilitation).

Maternal Perception of Pregnancy Loss: Protocol for a Thematic Synthesis.

Introduction: The number of women who present this perineal loss is high. Identifying the existing knowledge about the women's experiences and perceptions of pregnancy loss is essential to understand the impact of the phenomenon on women. This identification is also crucial to adapt and improve the healthcare provided.

Exploring Vitamin B12 Supplementation in the Vegan Population: A Scoping Review of the Evidence.

With a significant portion of the population adopting veganism and conflicting views among nutrition professionals regarding the necessity of vitamin B12 supplementation, this review aims to explore existing studies evaluating interventions through food supplementation. It focuses on the impact of vitamin B12 deficiency across different demographics. The present study seeks to understand how research has addressed the relationship between the rise in veganism and vitamin B12 deficiency over the past decade.

Impact of Exergames on the Rehabilitation of Cancer Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Exergames can be an appealing strategy that is integrated into post-abdominal surgery rehabilitation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of exergame rehabilitation in improving independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) and patient balance after abdominal cancer surgery.

Methods: A randomized control-group study was carried out in an oncological hospital in Portugal.

Changes in mortality by tuberculosis in non-industrialized Coimbra (Portugal): Trends between 1861 and 1914.

Considering that before antibiotics and vaccination the course of tuberculosis depended mostly on the patient's immune response, this study tested the hypothesis that the mortality profile remained similar during the transition from the 19th to 20th century. The biographical data of the individuals buried in the Coimbra Municipal Cemetery of Conchada were analysed, and the records of those who were born in the city and had tuberculosis registered as the cause of death were analysed using SPSS. The years of death were grouped: 1861-1870 (n = 124, 22.

Characterization and monitoring of nutritional risk and nutritional status in oncological patients admitted to an oncological surgery unit: A longitudinal study.

Background And Aims: malnutrition is a common phenomenon in people with cancer and can occur at all stages of the disease trajectory. Prevention, early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition, nutritional diagnosis, and personalized intervention, monitoring and follow-up are essential measures to minimize the occurrence of malnutrition and its consequences. This study aims to evaluate if current institutional practices regarding nutritional intervention guarantees nutritional/dietary care for cancer patients.

DNA methylation as a triage marker for colposcopy referral in HPV-based cervical cancer screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Screening plays a key role in secondary prevention of cervical cancer. High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing, a highly sensitive test but with limited specificity, has become the gold standard frontline for screening programs. Thus, the importance of effective triage strategies, including DNA methylation markers, has been emphasized.

A scoping review of mobile apps for use with palliative patients in the context of home care.

Context: Progress in mobile technology, especially the use of applications for mobile devices, can support the process of monitoring patients in palliative care (therapeutics), controlling symptoms, or providing self-care guidelines for the user, namely patients or caregivers.

Objectives: To map the available knowledge regarding the use of applications for mobile devices to support adult patients in palliative care at home.

Methods: Literature review, based on the Joanna Briggs Institute model(s) for Scoping Review.

Neoadjuvant Gastric Cancer Treatment and Associated Nutritional Critical Domains for the Optimization of Care Pathways: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Gastric cancer patients are known to be at a high risk of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia, and the latter impairs the patient's nutritional status during their clinical course and also treatment response. A clearer identification of nutrition-related critical points during neoadjuvant treatment for gastric cancer is relevant to managing patient care and predicting clinical outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and describe nutrition-related critical domains associated with clinical outcomes.

Developing a Card Game for Assessment and Intervention in the Person and the Family in Palliative Care: "".

Communication between the multidisciplinary team, the person, and the family in palliative and end-of-life situations implies, in most situations, a high negative emotional burden. Therefore, innovative strategies are needed to reduce it. The goal of this study is to describe the various stages of development and validation of a collaborative card game for people in palliative care and their families.

The role of spirituality in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their caregivers: Scoping review.

Background: There are few studies evaluating the role of spirituality and the role of spiritually integrated interventions in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) and their caregivers.

Objectives: A scoping review was conducted to examine the nature and breadth of peer-reviewed literature on the role of spirituality, interventions integrating spirituality, and outcomes for PALS and their caregivers.

Methods: A literature review was performed, following the methods from the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers, based on all articles published between January 2006 and April 2022, identified in the CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, MedicLatina, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and SPORTDiscus with full-text databases using key terms.

Triazoles with inhibitory action on P2X7R impaired the acute inflammatory response in vivo and modulated the hemostatic balance in vitro and ex vivo.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate five triazole compounds as P2X7R inhibitors and evaluate their ability to reduce acute inflammation in vivo.

Material: The synthetic compounds were labeled 5e, 8h, 9i, 11, and 12.

Treatment: We administered 500 ng/kg triazole analogs in vivo, (1-10 µM) in vitro, and 1000 mg/kg for toxicological assays.

"EMPODEREENF": construction of an application for nurses' continuing education on psychological violence against women.

Objective: to construct a prototype of a mobile application on psychological violence against women to facilitate nurses' continuing education.

Method: an applied methodological research of technological development, based on the Contextualized Instructional Design method.

Results: the prototype content was based on the learning objectives developed through a narrative review, which guided an integrative review to compile the information.

Predictors of shorter- and longer-term mortality after COVID-19 presentation among dialysis patients: parallel use of machine learning models in Latin and North American countries.

Background: We developed machine learning models to understand the predictors of shorter-, intermediate-, and longer-term mortality among hemodialysis (HD) patients affected by COVID-19 in four countries in the Americas.

Methods: We used data from adult HD patients treated at regional institutions of a global provider in Latin America (LatAm) and North America who contracted COVID-19 in 2020 before SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were available. Using 93 commonly captured variables, we developed machine learning models that predicted the likelihood of death overall, as well as during 0-14, 15-30, > 30 days after COVID-19 presentation and identified the importance of predictors.

Effects of -9, -11 and -10, -12 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on maternal reproductive parameters.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of positional isomers of linoleic acid found in ruminant products and meat. The diet supplementing with CLA is an emerging area, requiring studies to elucidate its effects on animals and human reproduction, as well as its side effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CLA gastric administration, during the pregestational and gestational period in biometric and reproductive parameters, as well as in ovarian morphophysiology.

Efficacy and Safety of Immunosuppressive Therapy in Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Rationale & Objective: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a rare condition that can lead to kidney function decline and chronic kidney failure. Immunosuppressants are used to treat primary FSGS. However, their efficacy and safety in FSGS are not clearly established.

The impact of chronic cardiovascular disease on COVID-19 clinical course.

Background: According to previous univariate analyses, chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been associated with worse prognoses in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, in the presence of a complex system, such as a human organism, the use of multivariate analyses is more appropriate and there are still few studies with this approach.

Aim: Using a significant sample of patients hospitalized in a single center, this study aimed to evaluate, whether the presence of CVD was an independent factor in death due to COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Modelling Long-Term Outcomes and Risk of Death for Patients with Post-Stroke Spasticity Receiving Abobotulinumtoxina Treatment and Rehabilitation Therapy.

Objective: Stroke is associated with a high risk of death and cardiovascular events. Rehabilitation therapy is critical for functional recovery, to reduce hospital readmissions, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and stroke recurrence (long-term outcomes). Post-stroke spasticity may prevent effective recovery by restricting mobility.

Impact of Exergames on the Mental Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and GRADE Evidence Synthesis.

Exergames, which combine digital games and physical exercise, have become a popular alternative to traditional exercise programs and are increasingly used in the health domains. This study aimed to provide a systematic review to synthesize existing studies on the use of exergames for the mental wellbeing of healthy older adults, aggregating the collected data to identify effect size. We performed a Systematic Review and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Assessment (GRADE) evidence synthesis.