The Genus Sch. Bip. A Comprehensive Review of Its Ethnobotanical Utilizations, Pharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Toxicity.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of the genus . , a prominent genus within the family Asteraceae, is recognized for its therapeutic potential in treating various ailments, including skin, digestive, and respiratory diseases; cancer; muscular pain; and stress and as a sedative. Through extensive phytochemical studies regarding the species, numerous chemical compounds have been identified and classified into distinct classes, predominantly encompassing terpenes, hydrocarbons, steroids, hydrocarbons, oxygenated compounds, flavonoids, tannins, alcohols, acids, melatonin, and fragrant compounds.

The Effects of Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sports Programs on Depressive Symptoms in Individuals with Disabilities: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Studies show that physical activity, exercise, or sport reduces depressive symptoms in the general population. However, little is known about its effects on individuals with disabilities. Thus, this systematic review with meta-analysis aims to verify the effects of this practice on depressive symptoms in individuals with disabilities.

The Relationship between Phthalates and Diabetes: A Review.

Since the beginning of their production, in the 1930s, phthalates have been widely used in the plastics industry to provide durability and elasticity to polymers that would otherwise be rigid, or as solvents in hygiene and cosmetic products. Taking into account their wide range of applications, it is easy to understand why their use has been increasing over the years, making them ubiquitous in the environment. This way, all living organisms are easily exposed to these compounds, which have already been classified as endocrine disruptor compounds (EDC), affecting hormone homeostasis.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Adults from Penafiel, Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to compare the physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) levels of young and middle-aged adults living in and around the municipality of Penafiel and to determine whether they meet PA recommendations. The researchers used the "International Physical Activity Questionnaire" (IPAQ) to measure moderate to vigorous PA and time spent on sedentary behavior (high vs. low).

HPV testing for cervical cancer screening: Should reflex cytology be performed after a positive test for HPV 16 and 18?

At Portuguese-organized cervical cancer (CC) screening programs, all women testing positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and/or 18 are referred for immediate colposcopy. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of reflex cytology in women who test positive for HPV 16 and/or 18 to improve the efficiency of CC screening. A cross-sectional and retrospective study was performed based on data from the routine CC screening protocol in force at Cova da Beira University Hospital Center, Portugal between August 2012 and June 2021.

Nose-to-brain delivery of perampanel formulated in a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system improves anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activity in mice.

Perampanel (PER) is a potent third-generation antiepileptic drug only available for oral administration. Additionally, PER has shown potential in managing epilepsy comorbidities such as anxiety. Previously, we demonstrated that the intranasal (IN) administration of PER, loaded in a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS), improved brain-targeting and exposure in mice.

Sociodemographic determinants of digital health literacy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Differences in digital health literacy levels are associated with a lack of access to digital tools, usage patterns, and the ability to effectively use digital technologies. Although some studies have investigated the impact of sociodemographic factors on digital health literacy, a comprehensive evaluation of these factors has not been conducted. Therefore, this study sought to examine the sociodemographic determinants of digital health literacy by conducting a systematic review of the existing literature.

Free-oscillation technique: The effect of the magnitude of the impulse applied on muscle and tendon stiffness around the ankle.

The importance of the muscle-tendon complex in sport and for activities of everyday living is well recognised. The free oscillation technique is frequently used to determine the musculo-articular "apparent" stiffness (obtained from vertical ground reaction force) and other parameters. However, an in-depth understanding of the muscle-tendon complex can be gained by separating the muscle (soleus) and the tendon (Achilles tendon) components and studying the "true" stiffness for each of these components (by considering the ankle joint moment arms), which can be valuable in improving our understanding of training, injury prevention, and recovery programs.

Association between elite swimmers' force production and 100 m front crawl inter-lap pacing and kinematics.

The present study aimed to analyse the associations between force production and 100 m front crawl inter-lap pacing and kinematics. Eleven elite male swimmers performed a 100 m front crawl maximal effort to collect 50 m lap time (T, s) and velocity (v, m·s) for pacing, stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and stroke index (SI) as kinematic variables. A 30 s tethered effort allowed to determine the peak (F) and mean force (F) as force production variables.

Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation Pattern.

Heat exchangers (HXs) play a critical role in maintaining human thermal comfort and ensuring product safety and quality in various industries. However, the formation of frost on HX surfaces during cooling operations can significantly impact their performance and energy efficiency. Traditional defrosting methods primarily rely on time-based control of heaters or HX operation, overlooking the actual frost formation pattern across the surface.

Performance Tiers within a Competitive Age Group of Young Swimmers Are Characterized by Different Kinetic and Kinematic Behaviors.

The present study aimed to analyze swimmers' in-water kinetic and kinematic behaviors according to different swimming performance tiers within the same age group. An amount of 53 highly trained swimmers (girls and boys: 12.40 ± 0.

Production and Characterization of k-Carrageenan Films Incorporating Essential Oil as New Food Packaging Materials.

The global production of synthetic plastics from petroleum-based raw ingredients exceeds 150 million metric tons. The environment is threatened by tons of plastic waste, thus endangering wildlife and the public's health. These consequences increased the interest in biodegradable polymers as potential substitutes for traditional packaging materials.

Identifying Differences in Swimming Speed Fluctuation in Age-Group Swimmers by Statistical Parametric Mapping: A Biomechanical Assessment for Performance Development.

The aim of this study was to compare the assessment of swimming speed processed as a discrete variable and as a continuous variable in young swimmers. One-hundred and twenty young swimmers (60 boys: age = 12.91 ± 0.

Chronic stroke survivors' perspective on the use of serious games to motivate upper limb rehabilitation - a qualitative study.

Upper limb paresis occurs quite commonly after stroke and may result in the affected limb's disuse or learned non-use. As a result, its cortical representation may be suppressed, further inhibiting its spontaneous utilization, resulting in motor function deterioration, increase in spasticity, joint stiffness and pain.The aim of this work was to involve stroke survivors in a qualitative study within a user centred design process to better understand the perspectives of stroke survivors on virtual reality - based serious games (SG) for upper limb rehabilitation during the chronic phase and use those insights to design a VR-based serious games which promotes activation of the affected cortical area.

Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Reduces Competitive Anxiety and Modulates Heart Rate Variability in an eSports Player.

Previous research has recently shown that high cognitive and somatic anxiety and low self-confidence, before and during sport competitions have a significant correlation with heart rate variability (HRV) changes and can reduce overall athletic performance. Therefore, interventions, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), can be a potential tool to reduce psychophysiological anxiety-related and enhance athletic performance. We present a case of a male professional athlete of eSports.

Practical approach to referral from primary health care to a cardiology hospital consultation in 2022.

In Portugal, up to 38% of the population has cardiovascular disease, which highlights the importance of primary health care (PHC) in its management. Adequate management of people with cardiovascular disease often requires hospital referral for a cardiology consultation. However, it is not always easy to ascertain which situations should be referred, especially given that PHC does not have access to all diagnostic exams recommended by international guidelines, such as natriuretic peptides in heart failure or computed tomography coronary angiogram in chronic coronary syndromes, among others.

Phthalates' exposure leads to an increasing concern on cardiovascular health.

Being an essential component in the plastics industry, phthalates are ubiquitous in the environment and in everyday life. They are considered environmental contaminants that have been classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds. Despite di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) being the most common plasticizer and the most studied to date, there are many others that, in addition to being widely used in the plastic, are also applied in the medical and pharmaceutical industries and cosmetics.

Interaction of Kinematic, Kinetic, and Energetic Predictors of Young Swimmers' Speed.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the interaction of kinematic, kinetic, and energetic variables as speed predictors in adolescent swimmers in the front-crawl stroke.

Design: Ten boys (mean age [SD] = 16.4 [0.

Factors associated with underreporting of adverse drug reactions by patients: a systematic review.

Background: Spontaneous reporting is the most used method to monitor post-marketing safety information. Although patient involvement in spontaneous reporting has increased overtime, little is known about factors associated with patients' adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting.

Aim: To identify and assess the sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes and knowledge that influence spontaneous reporting and the reasons associated with ADR underreporting by patients.

Comparison of different measuring methods in the assessment of the ISNT rule and its variants in a normal population: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare five different neuroretinal rim (NRR) measurement methods, based on quadrants and NRR widths, in the assessment of the ISNT (inferior (I) > superior (S) > nasal (N) > temporal (T)) rule, and its variants IST (inferior (I) > superior (S) > temporal (S)) rule, IS (inferior (I) > superior (S)) rule and T (temporal is the thinnest) rule in a normal population. Factors influencing compliance with this rule and its variants were also evaluated.

Methods: Stereoscopic fundus images were analysed through a dichoptic viewing system.

Assessment of Aptamer as a Potential Drug Targeted Delivery for Retinal Angiogenesis Inhibition.

AT11-L0 is an aptamer derivative of AS1411 composed of G-rich sequences that can adopt a G-quadruplex (G4) structure and target nucleolin (NCL), a protein that acts as a co-receptor for several growth factors. Hence, this study aimed to characterize the AT11-L0 G4 structure and its interaction with several ligands for NCL targeting and to evaluate their capacity to inhibit angiogenesis using an in vitro model. The AT11-L0 aptamer was then used to functionalize drug-associated liposomes to increase the bioavailability of the aptamer-based drug in the formulation.

Nanoformulations for the Delivery of Dietary Anthocyanins for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by abnormal blood glucose levels-hyperglycemia, caused by a lack of insulin secretion, impaired insulin action, or a combination of both. The incidence of DM is increasing, resulting in billions of dollars in annual healthcare costs worldwide. Current therapeutics aim to control hyperglycemia and reduce blood glucose levels to normal.

Nanogel Containing Gamma-Oryzanol-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers and TiO/MBBT: A Synergistic Nanotechnological Approach of Potent Natural Antioxidants and Nanosized UV Filters for Skin Protection.

The human skin is a recurring target of external aggressions, such as UV radiation, leading to exacerbation of the aging process and the occurrence of skin diseases, such as cancer. Hence, preventive measures should be taken to protect it against these aggressions, consequently decreasing the chance of disease development. In the present study, a topical xanthan gum nanogel containing gamma-oryzanol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and nanosized UV filters TiO and methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT) was developed to assess their synergistic potential in having multifunctional skin beneficial properties.