Identifying Research Priorities for Cognition in CKD: A Delphi Study.

Background: Cognition is a research priority for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but identification of critical research questions is lacking. This study aimed to determine which cognition-related research questions are most important to CKD stakeholders.

Methods: A modified Delphi technique with 3 survey rounds was used.

Neuronal-ILC2 interactions regulate pancreatic glucagon and glucose homeostasis.

The immune system shapes body metabolism, while interactions between peripheral neurons and immune cells control tissue homeostasis and immunity. However, whether peripheral neuroimmune interactions orchestrate endocrine system functions remains unexplored. After fasting, mice lacking type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) displayed disrupted glucose homeostasis, impaired pancreatic glucagon secretion, and inefficient hepatic gluconeogenesis.

Combining in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches to evaluate the effect of serotonergic-based topical therapies on mild to moderate psoriasis.

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, poses a significant burden on patients' quality of life and healthcare systems. While mild-to-moderate cases are treated topically, usually combined with phototherapy, severe cases require systemic treatment with immunosuppressants, retinoids or biologics. However, all available treatments have drawbacks in terms of efficiency and side effects.

Construction of a bundle for the safety of patients with mental disorders during hospitalization.

Objective: to develop a bundle for the safety of psychiatric patients during hospitalization.

Methods: a methodological study conducted in two stages. In the first, a comprehensive literature review was developed through a scoping review and conducted to examine evidence on the safety of psychiatric patients during hospitalization.

Lung Cancer Screening With Low-Dose CT: A Systematic Review.

Lung cancer is highly prevalent worldwide and is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Portugal. There is increasing evidence that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening reduces mortality; however, few countries have implemented screening strategies. This review aims to gather the best evidence to assess the relevance of implementing lung cancer screening.

Multicenter research in dialysis centers in Brazil: recruitment and implementation of the SARC-HD study.

Introduction: Multicenter research initiatives in Brazilian dialysis centers are scarce. We described the recruitment and implementation phases of the SARC-HD study, aimed at investigating sarcopenia and its impact on adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods: The SARC-HD is a cohort study being conducted with patients on hemodialysis in Brazil.

Impact of inter-city interactions on disease scaling.

Inter-city interactions are critical for the transmission of infectious diseases, yet their effects on the scaling of disease cases remain largely underexplored. Here, we use the commuting network as a proxy for inter-city interactions, integrating it with a general scaling framework to describe the incidence of seven infectious diseases across Brazilian cities as a function of population size and the number of commuters. Our models significantly outperform traditional urban scaling approaches, revealing that the relationship between disease cases and a combination of population and commuters varies across diseases and is influenced by both factors.

Upgrading skin barrier Protection: Addition of active ingredients to a Gelatin/Tannic Acid-Based hydrogel patch for treating skin lesions related to Personal protective Equipment.

Prolonged use of Personal Protective Equipment, like surgical masks, can cause skin issues such as acne ("maskne") and rosacea flare-ups due to pressure and moisture. While dressings can protect the skin, they often reduce mask effectiveness and lack pharmaceuticals to treat common skin lesions. This study introduces an innovative dual-function gelatin/tannic acid-based hydrogel patch incorporating metronidazole (1% w/w) or salicylic acid (2% w/w) to offer both skin protection and treatment.

Prospective validation of a prespecified algorithm for the management of conduction disturbances after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: The PROMOTE study.

Background: There is a large variability in the management of conduction disturbances (CDs) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Objective: This study aimed to validate a prespecified algorithm for managing CDs in patients undergoing TAVR.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study including consecutive patients without prior pacemaker undergoing TAVR.

Geogenic characterisation of airborne particles from the former Regoufe mining area.

Mining operations contribute to higher environmental contaminant levels, such as particulate matter (PM) hosting potentially toxic elements (PTE). This study aimed to comprehensively characterise atmospheric PM in an environment impacted by former tungsten-tin mining exploration at Regoufe mine (Arouca, Portugal). Although this is a deactivated mine, its location near population clusters and integration into a Geopark belonging to the "World Geoparks Network" with frequent presence of hikers highlight the importance of air quality monitoring to keep its Geopark classification.

Exploring the potential of 7,4'-di(diethylamino)flavylium as a novel photosensitizer for topical photodynamic therapy of skin cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic approach that has shown promising results in recent years, particularly in the dermatological clinical treatment of several pathologies, including neoplastic skin diseases. In light of the recent discovery of the photosensitizing properties of a water-soluble group of amino-based flavylium dyes, research efforts have led to the development of a novel synthetic dye with two diethylamino moieties in its structure, 7,4'-di(diethylamino)flavylium (7,4'diN(Et)). This dye was tested as a potential photosensitizer for PDT of skin cancer.

Organic Sulfur Markers as Proxies of Depositional Paleoeenvironments Related to Recôncavo and Amazon Basins, Brazil.

This study employed organic sulfur markers (S-markers) associated with geochemistry parameters to evaluate the paleoenvironment of different depositional settings in 24 samples collected in vertical sections of outcrops of the Candeias and Barreirinha Formations in Recôncavo and Amazon basins, respectively. A total of twenty-one S-markers from benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT), and benzonaphtothiophenes (BNT) classes were optimized and quantified by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). S-markers efficiently evaluated and differentiated the depositional paleoenvironment in the source rocks based on the individual compound, in cross-validation with saturated biomarkers, and associated with parameters such as total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval pyrolysis.

Airborne DNA: State of the art - Established methods and missing pieces in the molecular genetic detection of airborne microorganisms, viruses and plant particles.

Bioaerosol is composed of different particles, originating from organisms, or their fragments with different origin, shape, and size. Sampling, analysing, identification and describing this airborne diversity has been carried out for over 100 years, and more recently the use of molecular genetic tools has been implemented. However, up to now there are no established protocols or standards for detecting airborne diversity of bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen, and plant particles.

Basal Ganglia's influence on awake test in carotid endarterectomy.

Background: White matter changes (WMC) have been associated with the underlying presence of chronic cerebral ischemia, such as in carotid stenosis and age-related white matter changes (ARWMC). A low attenuation on computed tomography (CT) characterizes these alterations. Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with severe WMC may be at increased risk of intraoperative neurologic deficits (IND) during carotid clamping.

Monocyte Count as a Predictor of Major Adverse Limb Events in Aortoiliac Revascularization.

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death, especially in the developed world, and is marked by chronic arterial inflammation and lipid accumulation. As key players in its progression, monocytes contribute to plaque formation, inflammation, and tissue repair. Understanding monocyte involvement is crucial for developing better therapeutic approaches.

HPV Vaccination Coverage in Brazil's State of Paraná: Spatial Distribution and Advances in Public Health.

To analyze the spatial distribution of HPV vaccination coverage in relation to sociodemographic variables in a state of Southern Brazil. This was an ecological, retrospective study with secondary data from the Department of Information Technology of the Unified Health System/Ministry of Health from 2015 to 2022. The cohort method was used to calculate vaccination coverage.

Clinical impact of sex differences and procedural setting in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a well-established treatment for symptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. Yet, the impact of sex differences and public vs. private procedural setting on TAVI outcomes remain uncertain.

Long-term outcomes of cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest complicating ST-elevation myocardial infarction according to timing of occurrence.

Aims: Cardiogenic shock (CS) and cardiac arrest (CA) are serious complications in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, with lack of long-term data according to their timing of occurrence. This study sought to determine the incidence and relationship between the timing of occurrence and prognostic impact of CS and CA complicating STEMI in the long-term follow-up.

Methods And Results: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive STEMI patients treated between 2004 and 2017.

Pharmacological Prescription at the End of Life: Quality Assessment in the Transition of Care to a Community Palliative Care Support Team.

Appropriate pharmacological management is a cornerstone of quality in palliative care (PC), focusing on comfort and quality of life. Therapeutic review is crucial in PC, aiming to optimize symptom relief, reduce adverse effects, and manage drug interactions. This study aims to delve into the real-world pharmacological prescription practices within a Community Palliative Care Support Team (CPCST) in the northern region of Portugal, comparing practices at admission and at the last consultation before death.