Portuguese Lipid Study (e_LIPID).

: Incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries because of changing lifestyles. Since dyslipidaemia is a major independent cardiovascular risk factor, its correct identification is critical to implement specific interventions for CVD prevention. This study aimed to characterise the lipid profile of the Portuguese population.

Homologous expression, purification, and characterization of a recombinant acetylxylan esterase from Aspergillus nidulans.

Acetylxylan esterases (AXEs) are essential enzymes that break down the acetyl groups in acetylated xylan found in plant cell walls polysaccharides. They work synergistically with backbone-depolymerizing xylanolytic enzymes to accelerate the degradation of complex polysaccharides. In this study, we cloned the gene axeA, which encodes the acetylxylan esterase from Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 (AxeAN), into the pEXPYR expression vector and introduced it into the high protein-producing strain A.

Visceral pleura mechanics: Characterization of human, pig, and rat lung material properties.

Pulmonary air leaks are amongst the most common complications in lung surgery. Lung sealants are applied to the organ surface and need to synchronously stretch with the visceral pleura, the layer of tissue which encompasses the lung parenchymal tissue. These adhesives are commonly tested on pig and rat lungs, but applied to human lungs.

Lung Mechanics: Material Characterization of Pulmonary Constituents for an Experimentally Informed Computational Pipeline.

The lung comprises multiple components including the parenchyma, airways, and visceral pleura, where each constituent displays specific material properties that together govern the whole organ's properties. The structural and mechanical complexity of the lung has historically undermined its comprehensive characterization, especially compared to other biological organs, such as the heart or bones. This knowledge void is particularly remarkable when considering that pulmonary disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the globe.

Improving Care for Older Adults with Cancer in Canada: A Call to Action.

Most patients diagnosed with and dying from cancer in Canada are older adults, with aging contributing to the large projected growth in cancer incidence. Older adults with cancer have unique needs, and on a global scale increasing efforts have been made to address recognized gaps in their cancer care. However, in Canada, geriatric oncology remains a new and developing field.

A Tailored Self-Management App to Support Older Adults with Cancer and Multi-Morbidities: Development and Usability Testing.

Cancer self-management interventions improve symptom management and confidence, but few interventions target the complex needs of older adults with cancer and multi-morbidities. Despite growing evidence of digital health tools in cancer care, many such tools have not been co-designed with older adults to ensure that they are tailored to their specific needs. The objective of the study was to design a self-and symptom-management app to support older adults with cancer and multi-morbidities.

Tailored Self-Management App to Support Older Adults With Cancer and Multimorbidity: Development and Usability Testing.

Background: Globally, cancer predominates in adults aged older than 60 years, and 70% of older adults have ≥1 chronic condition. Cancer self-management interventions can improve symptom management and confidence, but few interventions target the complex needs of older adults with cancer and multimorbidity. Despite growing evidence of digital health tools in cancer care, there is a paucity of theoretically grounded digital self-management supports for older adults.

Gene editing in small and large animals for translational medicine: a review.

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a simpler and more versatile method compared to other engineered nucleases such as Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) and Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and since its discovery, the efficiency of CRISPR-based genome editing has increased to the point that multiple and different types of edits can be made simultaneously. These advances in gene editing have revolutionized biotechnology by enabling precise genome editing with greater simplicity and efficacy than ever before. This tool has been successfully applied to a wide range of animal species, including cattle, pigs, dogs, and other small animals.

A Scoping Review of Oncosexology Policy and Practice Tools Focused on Adolescents and Young Adults.

Despite being considered a key component of quality-of-life, sexual health concerns in adolescents and young adults (AYA) patients with cancer (aged 15-39 years old) are often unmet due to barriers from both patients and health care professionals (HCPs). Investigation into policy and practice tools in this scope of practice is also limited. To review the literature on policy and practice tools in AYA oncosexology.

Caring for older adults with cancer in Canada: Views from healthcare providers and cancer care allies in the community.

Background: Cancer is common and disproportionately impacts older adults. Moreover, cancer care of older adults is complex, and the current Canadian cancer care system struggles to address all of the dimensions. In this project, our goal was to understand the barriers and facilitators to caring for older adults with cancer from perspectives of healthcare professionals and cancer care allies, which included community groups, seniors' centers, and other community-based supports.

mRNA Expression and Methylation of the , , , , and Genes in Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Immunohistochemical prognostic significance of the homologous recombination-related proteins RAD51, ATM, BRCA1, and BRCA2 is known in gastric adenocarcinoma, one of the deadliest cancers.

Objective And Design: This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate mRNA expression and promoter methylation of some homologous recombination-related genes in this neoplasm.

Methods: We evaluated mRNA expression and methylation of , , , , and in tumor and non-tumor frozen samples from gastrectomy specimens by RT-qPCR and MS-HRM, correlating our results with previous immunohistochemistry data and prognostic features.

Key Considerations for the Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer in Older Adults: An Expert Consensus of the Canadian Treatment Landscape.

The prevalence of breast cancer amongst older adults in Canada is increasing. This patient population faces unique challenges in the management of breast cancer, as older adults often have distinct biological, psychosocial, and treatment-related considerations. This paper presents an expert consensus of the Canadian treatment landscape, focusing on key considerations for optimizing selection of systemic therapy for advanced breast cancer in older adults.

Access to cancer clinical trials for racialised older adults: an equity-focused rapid scoping review protocol.

Background: The intersection of race and older age compounds existing health disparities experienced by historically marginalised communities. Therefore, racialised older adults with cancer are more disadvantaged in their access to cancer clinical trials compared with age-matched counterparts. To determine what has already been published in this area, the rapid scoping review question are: what are the barriers, facilitators and potential solutions for enhancing access to cancer clinical trials among racialised older adults?

Methods: We will use a rapid scoping review methodology in which we follow the six-step framework of Arksey and O'Malley, including a systematic search of the literature with abstract and full-text screening to be conducted by two independent reviewers, data abstraction by one reviewer and verification by a second reviewer using an Excel data abstraction sheet.

Supportive care and healthcare service utilisation in older adults with a new cancer diagnosis: a population-based review.

Objectives: Older adults have unique needs and may benefit from additional supportive services through their cancer journey. It can be challenging for older adults to navigate the siloed systems within cancer centres and the community. We aimed to document the use of supportive care services in older adults with a new cancer diagnosis in a public healthcare system.

Impact of COVID-19 on older adults with cancer and their caregivers' cancer treatment experiences study: The ICE-OLD study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and health services impacts related to physical distancing posed many challenges for older adults with cancer. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of the pandemic on cancer treatment plans and cancer treatment experiences of older adults (ie, aged 65 years and older) and their caregiver' experiences of caring for older adults during the pandemic to highlight gaps in care experienced. In this multi-centre qualitative study guided by an interpretive descriptive research approach we interviewed older adults diagnosed with cancer and caregivers caring for them.

Implementing geriatric assessment and management for older Canadians with cancer: Adherence to and satisfaction with the intervention, results of the 5C study.

Introduction: Geriatric assessment and management (GAM) is recommended by professional organizations and recently several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated benefits in multiple health outcomes. GAM typically leads to one or more recommendations for the older adult on how to optimize their health. However, little is known about how well recommendations are adhered to.

Predictors and effects of toxicity experienced by older adults with cancer receiving systemic therapy in a randomized clinical trial of geriatric assessment.

Introduction: Older adults represent a large segment of the oncology population, however, they remain underrepresented in clinical research. Treatment of older adults is often extrapolated using data from younger and fitter patients, which may not be appropriate. Furthermore the implications of toxicity from treatment can be greater for this population.

Pressure-volume mechanics of inflating and deflating intact whole organ porcine lungs.

Pressure-volume curves of the lung are classical measurements of lung function and are impacted by changes in lung structure due to disease or shifts in air-delivery volume or cycling rate. Diseased and preterm infant lungs have been found to show heterogeneous behavior which is highly frequency dependent. This breathing rate dependency has motivated the exploration of multi-frequency oscillatory ventilators to deliver volume oscillation with optimal frequencies for various portions of the lung to provide more uniform air distribution.

Ferromagnetic single-atom spin catalyst for boosting water splitting.

Heterogeneous single-atom spin catalysts combined with magnetic fields provide a powerful means for accelerating chemical reactions with enhanced metal utilization and reaction efficiency. However, designing these catalysts remains challenging due to the need for a high density of atomically dispersed active sites with a short-range quantum spin exchange interaction and long-range ferromagnetic ordering. Here, we devised a scalable hydrothermal approach involving an operando acidic environment for synthesizing various single-atom spin catalysts with widely tunable substitutional magnetic atoms (M) in a MoS host.

Effects of tissue degradation by collagenase and elastase on the biaxial mechanics of porcine airways.

Background: Common respiratory illnesses, such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are characterized by connective tissue damage and remodeling. Two major fibers govern the mechanics of airway tissue: elastin enables stretch and permits airway recoil, while collagen prevents overextension with stiffer properties. Collagenase and elastase degradation treatments are common avenues for contrasting the role of collagen and elastin in healthy and diseased states; while previous lung studies of collagen and elastin have analyzed parenchymal strips in animal and human specimens, none have focused on the airways to date.

Ozone therapy: protocol for treating canine parvovirus infection.

Canine Parvovirus infection is a disease caused by Canine Parvovirus (CPV) that results in hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and secondary infections, mainly in puppies between six weeks and six months old that are not immunized. Since there is no specific treatment for the condition, supportive therapy based on antibiotics, antiemetics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is traditionally used. Ozone therapy is an economical treatment that has bactericidal, fungicidal, and antiviral properties, besides promoting oxygenation and tissue regeneration, as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and was used as a complementary therapy in this study.