Validation of the Portuguese version of the Personal Outcomes Scale.

Background/objective: Quality of life (QOL) is actually helpful to organizations for guiding personalized support plans and enhance personal outcomes. However, there is a lack of consensus about the QOL construct in the field of intellectual disability (ID). This study aims (a) to analyze the first-order factor structure (i.

In Vitro Behavior of Osteoblasts on Zirconia After Different Intensities of Erbium, Chromium-Doped: Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium, and Garnet-Laser Irradiation.

Objective: This study investigated the osteoblastic behavior to yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) surface after different intensities of erbium, chromium-doped:yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation treatment.

Materials And Methods: Y-TZP blocks were randomized divided into 4 groups to Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation: group G1 = control (no laser irradiation); group G2 = 1.5 W; group G3 = 3.

A novel bis-furan scaffold for transthyretin stabilization and amyloid inhibition.

The design and synthesis of a novel bis-furan scaffold tailored for high efficiency at inhibiting transthyretin amyloid formation is reported. In vitro results show that the discovered compounds are more efficient inhibitors of amyloid formation than tafamidis, a drug currently used in the treatment of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), despite their lower molecular weight and lipophilicity. Moreover, ex vivo experiments with the strongest inhibitor in the series, conducted in human blood plasma from normal and FAP Val30Met-transthyretin carriers, disclose remarkable affinity and selectivity profiles.

Analyses of pressure ulcer point prevalence at the first skin assessment in a Portuguese hospital.

Aim: To analyze the first pressure ulcer risk and skin assessment records of hospitalized adult patients in medical and surgical areas of Aveiro Hospital during 2012 in association with their demographic and clinical characteristics.

Material And Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of electronic health record database from 7132 adult patients admitted to medical and surgical areas in a Portuguese hospital during 2012. The presence of (at least) one pressure ulcer at the first skin assessment in inpatient setting was associated with age, gender, type of admission, specialty units, length of stay, patient discharge and ICD-9 diagnosis.

Pharmacokinetics of Saquinavir Mesylate from Oral Self-Emulsifying Lipid-Based Delivery Systems.

Background And Objectives: Although lipid-based drug delivery systems have gained much importance in recent years due to their ability to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, compartmental pharmacokinetic analyses have not been extensively explored. The oral pharmacokinetics of commercial liquid formulation and a developed semisolid system containing saquinavir mesylate (SQVM) were compared in Beagle dogs. A compartmental analysis after intravenous bolus administration of this drug (1 mg/kg) was also performed.

Comparing the quality of life of adults with and without intellectual disability.

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is an important issue for all citizens, comprising equity, equality, inclusion and participation of each person in society. The research purposes driving this investigation were (1) to compare QOL among people with and without intellectual disability (ID) and (2) to examine the predictors of QOL in both groups of participants.

Methods: Data were collected from 1929 adults, including 1264 individuals with an ID and the remainder (n = 665) were participants without a disability.

Cytotoxic effects of natural and semisynthetic cucurbitacins on lung cancer cell line A549.

Cucurbitacins and their derivatives are triterpenoids that are found in various plant families, and are known for their pharmacological and biological activities, including anti-cancer effects. Lung cancer represents a major public health problem, with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most frequent and aggressive type of lung cancer. The objective of this work was to evaluate four cucurbitacins (CUCs) for their cytotoxic activity, effects on apoptosis induction, cell cycle progression, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive effects on the human NSCLC cell line (A549 cells).

Inclusion complexes of hydrochlorothiazide and β-cyclodextrin: Physicochemical characteristics, in vitro and in vivo studies.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic widely used in clinics to treat arterial hypertension. It is a class IV drug according to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System, that is, it presents low solubility and low permeability and, consequently, low absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. As a strategy to improve stability and biopharmaceutical properties of hydrochlorothiazide, the use of cyclodextrins to produce inclusion complexes, applying different methods, was investigated.

Feasibility study with 99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14) as an agent to early visualization of lung tumour cells in nude mice.

Aim: More sensitive and accurate imaging approaches for early detection and therapy monitoring of lung tumours are needed to ameliorate prognosis and outcome. Lung tumours are known to overexpress receptors for bombesin-like peptides. However, thus far, no study has demonstrated the potential role of bombesin-like peptides in identifying A549 lung tumour cells in xenograft animal models.

Microbial Contaminants of Cord Blood Units Identified by 16S rRNA Sequencing and by API Test System, and Antibiotic Sensitivity Profiling.

Over a period of ten months a total of 5618 cord blood units (CBU) were screened for microbial contamination under routine conditions. The antibiotic resistance profile for all isolates was also examined using ATB strips. The detection rate for culture positive units was 7.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Decrease Bone Morphogenetic Protein Type 2-Induced Inflammation In Vivo.

Purpose: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein type 2 (rhBMP-2) has been used to promote bone regeneration. In contrast, some reports have suggested rhBMP-2 does not provide advantages over autogenous bone grafting owing to the undesirable postoperative symptoms of this growth factor. Because the undesirable symptoms of rhBMP-2 are usually promoted by inflammation, this study evaluated the in vivo effect of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) incorporated into polylactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds in decreasing the inflammatory response induced by a low dose of rhBMP-2.

Riga-Fede Disease Associated with Natal Teeth: Two Different Approaches in the Same Case.

Natal teeth are those present in the oral cavity at the child's birth. These teeth can cause ulcers on the ventral surface of the tongue, lip, and the mother's breast characterizing the Riga-Fede Disease. The treatment depends on the tooth's mobility and the risk of aspiration or swallowing; whether it is supernumerary or regular primary teeth; whether it is causing interference in breastfeeding; breast and oral soft tissue injuries; and the general state of child's health.

Changes in the salivary protein profile of morbidly obese women either previously subjected to bariatric surgery or not.

Saliva is a non-invasive source of biomarkers useful in the study of physiological mechanisms. Moreover, this fluid has diverse functions, among which food perception and ingestion, making it particularly suitable for the study of obesity. The aims of this study were to assess changes in salivary proteome among morbidly obese women, with a view to provide information about mechanisms potentially related to the development of obesity, and to evaluate whether these changes persist after weight loss.

Synergistic Antiproliferative Effects of a New Cucurbitacin B Derivative and Chemotherapy Drugs on Lung Cancer Cell Line A549.

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents an important cause of mortality worldwide due to its aggressiveness and growing resistance to currently available therapy. Cucurbitacins have emerged as novel potential anticancer agents showing strong antiproliferative effects and can be promising candidates for combined treatments with clinically used anticancer agents. This study investigates the synergistic antiproliferative effects of a new semisynthetic derivative of cucurbitacin B (DACE) with three chemotherapy drugs: cisplatin (CIS), irinotecan (IRI), and paclitaxel (PAC) on A549 cells.

Evaluation of the Wound Healing Properties of Hancornia speciosa Leaves.

The leaves of Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae), a medicinal species found in the Brazilian cerrado biome, are traditionally used to treat wounds and inflammatory disorders. The goal of the present study was to investigate the in vitro wound healing properties of ethanolic extract of H. speciosa leaves and its isolated compounds, using the scratch assay, and to evaluate their effects on the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human acute monocytic (THP-1) cells.

Novel perspectives in the tuberculosis treatment: Administration of isoniazid through the skin.

Despite its high efficacy in anti-tuberculosis therapy, the oral administration of isoniazid (INH) may lead to poor patient compliance due to hepatotoxicity events. In this context, the transdermal administration of INH was evaluated, for the first time, since this route avoids hepatic first pass effect. INH was applied to porcine skin in Franz diffusion chambers alone and with 5% menthol, limonene or Transcutol(®).

Pressure ulcer risk assessment: retrospective analysis of Braden Scale scores in Portuguese hospitalised adult patients.

Aims And Objectives: To analyse the Braden Scale scores and sub-scores assessed in Portuguese hospitalised adult patients in association with their characteristics, diagnoses and length of stay.

Background: The Braden Scale is used worldwide for pressure ulcer risk assessment and supports nurses in the implementation of preventive interventions.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis of electronic health record database from adult patients admitted to medical and surgical areas during 2012.

Biometric measurements involving the terminal portion of the thoracic duct on left cervical level IV: an anatomic study.

To determine the point of entrance of the thoracic duct in the venous system, as well as to evaluate some biometric measurements concerning its terminal portion, we conducted an anatomic study on 25 non-preserved cadavers. The termination of the thoracic duct occurred on the confluence between the left internal jugular vein and the left subclavian vein in 60 % of the individuals. The average results for the biometric measurements were: distance between the end of left internal jugular vein and omohyoid muscle 31.

Inhibition of cell proliferation, invasion and migration by the cardenolides digitoxigenin monodigitoxoside and convallatoxin in human lung cancer cell line.

Cardiac glycosides consist of a large family of naturally derived compounds that are clinically used to treat congestive heart failure, and also present anticancer properties. In this study, the cytotoxic effects of two cardenolides, digitoxigenin monodigitoxoside (DGX) and convallatoxin (CON) were screened in four human tumour cell lines. Both compounds showed anti-proliferative effects in all tumour cells, at nanomolar concentrations.

Facing the Adversity: the Role of Internal Assets on Well-Being in Adolescents with Special Needs.

Negative life events are one of the major threats to well-being. Some adolescents are more vulnerable, namely adolescents with special needs that face special challenges for growing up healthy and happy. Nevertheless, internal assets can act as protective factors.

Antiherpes evaluation of soybean isoflavonoids.

The antiviral effects of soybean isoflavonoids have been investigated recently, especially those of genistein. It has been reported that this isoflavone is able to inhibit herpes simplex virus (HSV) replication, which is associated with skin and epithelial mucosa infections. The treatment of these infections with antiherpes drugs has resulted in the emergence of resistant viral strains.

Antiherpes Activity and Skin/Mucosa Distribution of Flavonoids from Achyrocline satureioides Extract Incorporated into Topical Nanoemulsions.

This study investigated the inhibitory effects of Achyrocline satureioides extract (ASE) incorporated into a topical nanoemulsion on Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1/KOS strain) replication, as well as the distribution of the main ASE flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, and 3-O-methylquercetin) in porcine skin and mucosa. The ASE-loaded nanoemulsion showed more pronounced effects against HSV-1 replication when compared to the ASE or pure quercetin, as determined by the viral plaque number reduction assay. All flavonoids were detected in the skin epidermis (2.

Videoendoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing After Thyroidectomy: 7 and 60 Days.

Deglutition complaints are frequent after thyroidectomy. The purpose of this study was to follow-up on patients with thyroidectomy indication to compare the videoendoscopic evaluation of swallowing on the seventh day (early postoperative, EPO) and on the 60th day after thyroidectomy, (late postoperative, LPO) and to compare patients that evolved with normal laryngeal mobility (NLM) and abnormal laryngeal mobility (ALM). Nasofibroscopic evaluation was performed preoperatively (PRE), on the EPO and LPO.