The Location of Home Support Services for Older Adults in the Aveiro Region of Portugal.

Home and community-based services are key to an aging society and the aging in place strategies that are preferred by older adults as well as policymakers. But the provision of these kinds of services is often inadequate in territorial terms, raising the question of how to increase their reach and efficiency. This article analyzes the spatial coverage of home support services in the Aveiro Region of Portugal, considering the distribution of their target population and identifying network configurations which would provide these services more efficiently, through a location analysis that minimizes the distance to potential users of these services.

Vasorelaxant effect of phenylpropanoids: Methyl eugenol and eugenol in human umbilical cord vein.

Methyl-eugenol (ME) and eugenol (EUG) are phenylpropanoids with vasodilatory effects. While EUG's vasorelaxant effect in human umbilical artery (HUA) is known, their action in veins is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate ME and EUG in human umbilical vein (HUV).

Molecular mechanism of cellulose depolymerization by the two-domain BlCel9A enzyme from the glycoside hydrolase family 9.

Carbohydrate-active enzymes from the glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) play a key role in processing lignocellulosic biomass. Although the structural features of some GH9 enzymes are known, the molecular mechanisms that drive their interactions with cellulosic substrates remain unclear. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that the two-domain Bacillus licheniformis BlCel9A enzyme utilizes to depolymerize cellulosic substrates, we used a combination of biochemical assays, X-ray crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering, and molecular dynamics simulations.

Perillyl Alcohol Promotes Relaxation in Human Umbilical Artery.

Background: Perillyl alcohol (POH) is a monoterpenoid found in plant essential oils and has been shown to relax murine vessels, but its effect on human vessels remains poorly studied.

Objective: The study aimed to characterize the effect of POH on human umbilical arteries (HUA).

Methods: Rings of HUA were obtained from uncomplicated patients and suspended in an organ bath for isometric recording.

Historical line of airglow observations at Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Station: measurements of temperature and studies on gravity waves.

The thermal dynamics of the upper atmosphere, especially in the mesosphere, have been improving our understanding about the effects of climate change, as well as how the dynamics and general circulation in the upper atmosphere are driven by different types of waves, such as the atmospheric gravity waves, planetary waves and atmospheric tides. In order to study the upper atmospheric temperature variability and gravity waves, several research groups have been employing the remote technique of observing the airglow emissions originated in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere, besides emissions from the ionosphere. INPE's airglow group started the studies on emissions from the upper atmosphere to investigate temperature and dynamics in the mesosphere, thermosphere/ionosphere at the end of 70's.

Vasorelaxant effect of (E,E)-farnesol in human umbilical vein ex vivo assays.

(E,E)-farnesol is a sesquiterpene acyclic alcohol produced by bacteria, protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals. The literature describes its applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, and also in the pharmacological context with a vasorelaxant effect. However, its effects on human umbilical vessels remain poorly investigated.

Vasodilation promoted by (,)-farnesol involving ion channels in human umbilical arteries.

Background: (,)-farnesol is a sesquiterpene alcohol derived from plants and animals that exhibits pharmacological properties in the cardiovascular system. However, its effects on human umbilical vessels remain unknown.

Purpose: Thus, this study aims to characterize the vasodilatory effect of (,)-farnesol in human umbilical arteries (HUA).

MDexciteR: Enhanced Sampling Molecular Dynamics by Excited Normal Modes or Principal Components Obtained from Experiments.

Molecular dynamics with excited normal modes (MDeNM) is an enhanced sampling method for exploring conformational changes in proteins with minimal biases. The excitation corresponds to injecting kinetic energy along normal modes describing intrinsic collective motions. Herein, we developed a new automated open-source implementation, MDexciteR (https://github.

Possible mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective effect of Trans,trans-farnesol on pilocarpine-induced seizures in mice.

This study aimed to investigate, through in vivo and in vitro methodologies, the effect of acute trans,trans-farnesol (12.5, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.

The C-terminal extension of VgrG4 from Klebsiella pneumoniae remodels host cell microfilaments.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen, which concerns public health systems worldwide, as multiple antibiotic-resistant strains are frequent. One of its pathogenicity factors is the Type VI Secretion System (T6SS), a macromolecular complex assembled through the bacterial membranes. T6SS injects effector proteins inside target cells.

Prediction of hemodynamic tolerance of intermittent hemodialysis in critically ill patients: a cohort study.

The evaluation and management of fluid balance are key challenges when caring for critically ill patients requiring renal replacement therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of clinical judgment and other variables to predict the occurrence of hypotension during intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) in critically ill patients. This was a prospective, observational, single-center study involving critically ill patients undergoing IHD.

Concerted conformational dynamics and water movements in the ghrelin G protein-coupled receptor.

There is increasing support for water molecules playing a role in signal propagation through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, exploration of the hydration features of GPCRs is still in its infancy. Here, we combined site-specific labeling with unnatural amino acids to molecular dynamics to delineate how local hydration of the ghrelin receptor growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) is rearranged upon activation.

Unplanned Transfers From Intermediate Care Units to Intensive Care Units: A Cohort Study.

This study evaluated unplanned transfers from the intermediate care unit (IMCU) to the intensive care unit (ICU) among urgent admissions. This retrospective, observational study was conducted in 2 ICUs and 1 IMCU. Three patterns of urgent admission were assessed: admissions to the ICU only, admissions to the IMCU only, and admissions to the IMCU with subsequent transfer to the ICU.

Efficacy of Brazilian green propolis (EPP-AF®) as an adjunct treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) promotes challenging immune and inflammatory phenomena. Though various therapeutic possibilities have been tested against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the most adequate treatment has not yet been established. Propolis is a natural product with considerable evidence of immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory activities, and experimental data point to potential against viral targets.

Realistic simulation is associated with healthcare professionals' increased self-perception of confidence in providing acute stroke care: a before-after controlled study.

Background: Simulations are becoming widely used in medical education, but there is little evidence of their effectiveness on neurocritical care. Because acute stroke is a neurological emergency demanding prompt attention, it is a promising candidate for simulation training.

Objective: To assess the impact of a stroke realistic simulation course on clinicians' self-perception of confidence in the management of acute stroke.

Positive fluid balance as an early biomarker for acute kidney injury: a prospective study in critically ill adult patients.

Objectives: Positive fluid balance is frequent in critically ill patients and has been considered a potential biomarker for acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to evaluate positive fluid balance as a biomarker for the early detection of AKI in critically ill patients.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study.

Differential impact of on-site or telepharmacy in the intensive care unit: a controlled before-after study.

Background: Clinical pharmacists have an important role in the intensive care unit (ICU) team but are scarce resources. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of on-site pharmacists on medical prescriptions in the ICU.

Methods: This is a retrospective, quasi-experimental, controlled before-after study in two ICUs.

Efficacy and safety of milrinone in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the current evidence on the efficacy of milrinone in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Methods: The Pubmed®, Cochrane and Embase databases were screened for articles published from April 2001 to February 2019. Two independent reviewers performed the methodological quality screening and data extraction of the studies.

Intrathoracic Acute Cholecystitis.

Unlabelled: The authors present the case of a 51-year-old woman with no history of surgical or traumatic injury or accident, who presented with right hypochondrium and epigastric discomfort, malaise, nausea, loss of appetite and episodes of dark urine and greenish stools. Initial laboratory work-up revealed elevated inflammatory markers including leucocytosis with left shift and C-reactive protein, and a slight elevation of gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase, with no other significant alterations. Computed tomography (CT) showed intrathoracic acute cholecystitis with a large diaphragmatic hernia.

COVID-ABS: An agent-based model of COVID-19 epidemic to simulate health and economic effects of social distancing interventions.

The COVID-19 pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has directly impacted the public health and economy worldwide. To overcome this problem, countries have adopted different policies and non-pharmaceutical interventions for controlling the spread of the virus. This paper proposes the COVID-ABS, a new SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered) agent-based model that aims to simulate the pandemic dynamics using a society of agents emulating people, business and government.

Ultrasound-based clinical profiles for predicting the risk of intradialytic hypotension in critically ill patients on intermittent dialysis: a prospective observational study.

Background: Intradialytic hypotension, a complication of intermittent hemodialysis, decreases the efficacy of dialysis and increases long-term mortality. This study was aimed to determine whether different predialysis ultrasound cardiopulmonary profiles could predict intradialytic hypotension.

Methods: This prospective observational single-center study was performed in 248 critically ill patients with acute kidney injury undergoing intermittent hemodialysis.

Glycosylation effects on the structure and dynamics of a full-length Cel7A cellulase.

Fungi cellulases are used to degrade cellulose-containing biomass for bioethanol production. Industrial cellulases such as Cel7A from Trichoderma reesei (TrCel7A) are critical in this process. Thus, the understanding of structure and dynamics is crucial for engineering variants with improved cellulolytic activity.

Agitated saline bubble-enhanced ultrasound for the positioning of cuffed, tunneled dialysis catheters in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Background: In patients with end-stage renal disease, the use of cuffed, tunneled dialysis catheters for hemodialysis has become integral to treatment plans. Fluoroscopy is a widely accepted method for the insertion and positioning of cuffed dialysis catheters, because it is easy to use, accurate and reliable, and has a relatively low incidence of complications. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of tunneled hemodialysis catheter placement without the use of fluoroscopy but with a dynamic ultrasound-imaging-based guided technique.

Acid base variables predict survival early in the course of treatment with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration.

Metabolic acid-base disorders, especially metabolic acidosis, are common in critically ill patients who require renal replacement therapy. Continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) achieves profound changes in acid-base status, but metabolic acidosis can remain unchanged or even deteriorate in some patients. The objective of this study is to understand the changes of acid-base variables in critically ill patients with septic associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) during CVVHDF and to determine how they relate to clinical outcome.