22,249 results match your criteria: "University of Porto.[Affiliation]"

Background: Seipin is a protein encoded by the BSCL2 gene in humans and SEI1 gene in yeast, forming an Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-bound homo-oligomer. This oligomer is crucial in targeting ER-lipid droplet (LD) contact sites, facilitating the delivery of triacylglycerol (TG) to nascent LDs. Mutations in BSCL2, particularly N88S and S90L, lead to seipinopathies, which correspond to a cohort of motor neuron diseases (MNDs) characterized by the accumulation of misfolded N88S seipin into inclusion bodies (IBs) and cellular dysfunctions.

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Purpose: This mini-review discusses the clinical implication of respiratory pathogens in the biofilm on acrylic resin removable dentures in the elderly.

Methods: A search was conducted using the keywords: "dentures", " acrylic resin", "biofilm", "pneumonia", "elderly", "respiratory pathogens", and "respiratory diseases" in databases PubMed/Medline, Lilacs, SciELO and textbooks between 1999 and 2024.

Results: The elderly are more susceptible to chronic diseases and/or life-threatening infections because of senescence itself and functional and degenerative alterations.

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Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) induces profound immunosuppression, significantly increasing susceptibility to severe infections. This review examines vaccinations' necessity, timing, and efficacy post-HCT to reduce infection-related morbidity and mortality. It aims to provide a structured protocol aligned with international and national recommendations.

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When companies are uncertain about the potential of a new formulation to be bioequivalent to a Reference product, it is common practice to carry out downsized pilot studies as a gatekeeping in vivo strategy to decide whether to move forward or not with a full-size pivotal study. However, due to the small study size, these studies are inarguably more sensitive to variability. To address and mitigate the uncertainty of the conclusions of pilot studies concerning the maximum observed concentration (C), the factor was proposed as an alternative approach to the average bioequivalence statistical methodology.

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Advances in Encapsulating Marine Bioactive Compounds Using Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) for Health Applications.

Pharmaceutics

November 2024

UCIBIO (Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit), Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.

As life expectancy rises and modern lifestyles improve, there is an increasing focus on health, disease prevention, and enhancing physical appearance. Consumers are more aware of the benefits of natural ingredients in healthcare products while also being mindful of sustainability challenges. Consequently, marine bioactive compounds have gained popularity as ingredients in cosmetics and food supplements due to their diverse beneficial properties.

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Recently, the liquid composite molding technique (LCM) has been used for producing fiber-reinforced polymer composites, since it allows the molding of complex parts, presenting good surface finishing and control of the mechanical properties of the product at the end of the process. Studies in this area have been focused on resin transfer molding (RTM), specifically on the resin rectilinear infiltration through the porous preform inserted in the closed cavity neglecting the sorption effect of the polymeric fluid by the reinforcement. Thus, the objective of this work is to predict resin radial flow in porous media (fibrous preform), including the effect of resin sorption by fibers considering a one-dimensional approach.

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Chronic pruritus, or persistent itching, is a debilitating condition that severely impacts quality of life, especially in palliative care settings. Traditional treatments often fail to provide adequate relief or are associated with significant side effects, prompting interest in alternative therapies. This review investigates the antipruritic potential of eight medicinal plants: chamomile (), aloe vera (), calendula (), curcumin (), lavender (), licorice (), peppermint (), and evening primrose ().

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Dietary sulfur amino acid restriction (SAAR) elicits various health benefits, some mediated by fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). However, research on SAAR's effects on the heart is limited and presents mixed findings. This study aimed to evaluate SAAR-induced molecular alterations associated with cardiac remodeling and their dependence on FGF21.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing aerosol-generating procedures became fundamental, particularly in ophthalmic surgeries traditionally performed under general anesthesia (GA). Regional anesthesia, such as sub-Tenon's block (STB), is widely used in vitreoretinal surgeries, offering a safer alternative by avoiding airway manipulation. However, the altered orbital anatomy in patients with previous scleral explant surgery creates unique challenges to STB application.

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that affects more than 10% of the population worldwide, accounting for more than 843 million (M) individuals. The prevalence of CKD (844 M patients) is higher than that of diabetes mellitus (422 M patients), cancer (42 M patients), and HIV (37 M patients), but people are often less aware of it. Global expert groups predict reductions in the nephrology workforce in the next decade, with a declining interest in nephrology careers.

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Endothelial Dysfunction Markers in Ovarian Cancer: VTE Risk and Tumour Prognostic Outcomes.

Life (Basel)

December 2024

Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Centre of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP), Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department, Clinical Pathology SV/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto. CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.

Ovarian cancer (OC) presents daunting lethality rates worldwide, with frequent late-stage diagnosis and chemoresistance, highlighting the need for improved prognostic approaches. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), a major cancer mortality factor, is partially driven by endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED's pro-inflammatory state fosters tumour progression, suggesting a VTE-independent link between ED and cancer.

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Isolation, Expansion, and Characterization of Rat Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Their Secretome: Insights into Wound Healing Potential.

Biomedicines

December 2024

Departamento de Clínicas Veterinárias, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto (UP), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, No. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.

Stem cells are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various specialized cells, making them a potential therapeutic option in regenerative medicine. This study establishes a comprehensive methodology for isolating, culturing, and characterizing rat hair follicle stem cells. Hair follicles were harvested from Sprague-Dawley rats and subjected to two different isolation techniques.

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Co-Creation in the Development of Digital Therapeutics: A Narrative Review.

Int J Environ Res Public Health

November 2024

CINTESIS@RISE, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.

Digital therapeutics (DTx) are transforming healthcare delivery through personalised, evidence-based interventions that offer a cost-effective approach to health management. However, their widespread adoption faces significant barriers including privacy concerns, usability issues, and integration challenges within healthcare systems. This review assesses the current evidence on DTx, with a particular focus on the role of co-creation in enhancing design and usability.

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L. extract is attracting interest as a natural colorant alternative. However, the presence of anthocyanins (ACNs), which are sensitive to pH changes, limits its application.

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Dairy Cattle and the Iconic Autochthonous Cattle in Northern Portugal Are Reservoirs of Multidrug-Resistant .

Antibiotics (Basel)

December 2024

UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Avenida Central de Gandra 1317, 4585-116 Paredes, Portugal.

Animals destined for human consumption play a key role in potentially transmitting bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes. However, there is limited knowledge about the carriage of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in native breeds. We aimed to characterize the phenotypic profiles and antibiotic resistance genes in isolated from bovines, including three native Portuguese bovine breeds.

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Cell Wall-Mediated Antifungal Activity of the Aqueous Extract of L. Leaves Against .

Antibiotics (Basel)

November 2024

Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.

Cork oak forests have been declining due to fungal pathogens such as . However, the preventive fungicides against this fungus have restricted use due to the deleterious effects on human health and the environment, prompting the need for sustainable alternatives. Here, we describe the antifungal activity of an aqueous extract of L.

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Introduction: Cancer patients in palliative care frequently experience psychological distress, encompassing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dimensions. This distress can significantly affect their capacity to accept the inevitability of death. Commonly, such distress manifests as sadness, depression, anxiety, and fear, which may culminate in an existential crisis.

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Oxidative stress plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes, particularly during pregnancy, where it can significantly affect maternal and fetal health. In the context of viral infections, such as those caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), oxidative stress may exacerbate complications by disrupting cellular function and immune responses. Antiviral drugs, while essential in managing these infections, can also contribute to oxidative stress, potentially impacting both the mother and the developing fetus.

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Gastric lymphofollicular hyperplasia (GLFH) is characterized by large lymphoid nodules in the lamina propria. Its etiology and immunohistochemical characteristics are poorly understood. This study analyzed 41 canine GLFH cases, including clinical, endoscopic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical evaluations.

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Nutritional Value of for Weaner Piglets.

Animals (Basel)

December 2024

LEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Center, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal.

This study evaluates the nutritional value of spray-dried biomass to infer its applicability for weaner piglet feeding. Twenty-four piglets were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments ( = 6) with increasing inclusion (0, 5, 10, and 15%) levels. After a 4-day adaptation period, the digestibility experiment lasted two weeks, with daily excreta collection.

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Synthetic peptides bioactive against phytopathogens have lower impact on some beneficial bacteria: An assessment of peptides biosafety in agriculture.

J Environ Manage

January 2025

iB(2) Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Conservación y Mejora de la Agrodiversidad Valenciana, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain; LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal. Electronic address:

The emergence of bacterial resistance and the increasing restrictions on the use of agrochemicals are boosting the search for novel, sustainable antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) arise as a new generation of antibiotics due to their effectiveness at low doses and biocompatibility. We compared the antimicrobial activity of four promising AMPs (CA-M, BP100, RW-BP100, and 3.

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This study investigates the structural and dynamic properties of ternary mixtures composed of NaPF, ethylene carbonate (EC), and the ionic liquid choline glycine (ChGly), with a focus on their potential as electrolytes for supercapacitors. The combination of NaPF-EC, known for its high ionic conductivity, with the biodegradable and environmentally friendly ChGly offers a promising approach to enhancing electrolyte performance. Through molecular simulations, we analyze how the inclusion of small concentrations of ChGly affects key properties such as density, cohesive energy, and ion mobility.

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Objective: The objective of this review will be to evaluate the effect of prior aspiration versus non-aspiration during intramuscular injection on the occurrence of adverse effects in adult patients.

Introduction: Aspiration is a procedure conducted prior to the administration of intramuscular medications that aims to ensure that the needle tip is inserted in the proper place. Although aspiration is a common procedure, questions have been raised about adverse effects.

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Objective: The objective of this review will be to synthesize the best available evidence on fathers' lived experiences of fatherhood during the child's first 1,000 days of life.

Introduction: Involved and caring fatherhood is crucial for the healthy cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of children. However, fatherhood is a challenging process for most men.

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Aims: The development and selection of T cells occur within the thymus. This organ involutes throughout life, compromising the generation of T cells and, consequently, the efficacy of the immune system. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have beneficial effects on the immune system.

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