607 results on '"Sequeira, A"'
Search Results
2. Colonisation by multidrug-resistant organisms in health workers in primary care: narrow spectrum oral antimicrobials are a risk factor.
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de Oliveira, Vítor Falcão, de Britto-Costa, Letícia Fernandes, de Aragão, Gabrielly Lacerda, Scaccia, Nazareno, Mamana, Ana Carolina, Côrtes, Marina Farrel, de Oliveira, Maura Salaroli, de Melo Tavares, Bruno, Manuli, Erika Regina, Leal, Fábio Eudes, de Oliveira Xavier, Gabriela Tonon, Grespan, Regina Maura Zetone, Sequeira, Cibele Cristine Remondes, Nunes, Fatima L. S., Dropa, Milena, Martone-Rocha, Solange, Razzolini, Maria Tereza Pepe, Sabino, Ester Cerdeira, Padoveze, Maria Clara, and Holmes, Alison
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COMMUNITY health workers ,STENOTROPHOMONAS maltophilia ,MULTIDRUG resistance ,METHICILLIN-resistant staphylococcus aureus ,BACTERIAL colonies - Abstract
Background: Limited information exists on carriage of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) by health workers (HWs) in primary care settings. This study aims to determine the prevalence of MDRO carriage among HWs in primary care and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across all 12 primary care units in São Caetano do Sul-SP, Brazil, from October to December 2023. Self-collected samples (nasal, oropharyngeal, and inguinal) were obtained. Environment cultures (potable water, sewage and stream water) were evaluated. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates (human and environmental) were typed. Results: The study included 265/288 (92%) of HWs in primary care teams, mostly women with a median age of 47 years (IQR 38—57); 78% had no comorbidities. MDRO colonisation was found in 8.7% (23 HWs). The following bacteria were found: S. maltophilia (n = 9; 3.4%) in inguinal swabs; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 8; 3%) from all sites; extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing bacteria (n = 5; 2%) in inguinal swabs; and vancomycin-resistant enterococci in an inguinal swab (n = 1; 0.4%). Previous antibiotic use was significantly associated with MDRO colonisation (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.19–7.09, p = 0.018), mainly narrow spectrum oral beta-lactams and macrolides. S. malthophilia was polyclonal and human and environmental isolates differed. Conclusion: Colonisation by MRSA, VRE, and ESBL-producing bacteria was low; however, 4% were surprisingly colonized by polyclonal S. maltophilia. This pathogen may also suggest using narrow-spectrum rather than the expected broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Antibiotic use was the only risk factor found, mainly with oral narrow-spectrum drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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3. Primary Care and Transgender Youth: Care Experiences and the Need for more Comprehensive Care Provision.
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Sethness, Janis and Sequeira, Gina M.
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- 2024
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4. Regional Variations in Nasal Parameters in South India: A Descriptive Study.
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Devika, J. and Sequeira, Joyce P.
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Background: This paper aims to evaluate and standardize measurements of 11 nasal parameters specific to the South Indian population. This is significant because different ethnicities exhibit varying nasal proportions. The findings of this study will serve as a foundation for rhinoplasty procedures performed on the South Indian population as currently there is a lack of literature in this area of study. Methodology: A total of 136 young individuals of age group 18–30 were taken as a sample; 34 from each state that is Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh were taken up for the study. Standardized photographs of the nose were taken. Eleven nasal parameters were measured using Digimiser software and analyzed. Results: Eight out of eleven parameters have statistically significant differences among the population of all four South Indian states, while three parameters did not have much of a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: When compared to the standard values of nasal parameters of the Indian population, only radix height and nasolabial angle were similar. The nasal index of all four South Indian ethnicities was platyrrhine. The nasal parameters did not differ among males and females in all the four South Indian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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5. Can local organizations act as middle actors in energy support? Exploring their functions, motivations, challenges, and needs.
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Sequeira, Miguel Macias, Gouveia, João Pedro, and Joanaz de Melo, João
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Energy efficiency is vital for energy transitions, and energy-poor, vulnerable, and hard-to-reach groups are at risk of being left behind. In this context, local middle actors have been suggested as partners in deploying targeted energy support. Nevertheless, scarce research has engaged with them to assess if they are willing and capable of contributing, if they can reach households, and if they have unmet needs. In this research, we draw on the mapping of 198 local organizations and 34 semi-structured interviews conducted after deploying a pilot energy support service in Setúbal, Portugal. Interviews characterized the organizations and target audiences, assessed energy literacy, explored potential collaborative roles, and recognized drivers, barriers, and solutions. Results show that most organizations are willing to disseminate activities, forward citizens, facilitate contacts, co-organize events, and participate in training. Half can identify vulnerable families for proactive support. Drivers include environmental concerns, community participation, and social support. However, few seem able to conduct energy support, hire/redirect staff, or participate in coordination. Scarce human resources, lack of time, other priorities, and financing concerns severely constrain local organizations. This case study finds some potential for local organizations to act as intermediaries in energy support, building on their communication channels and trusted relationships to fulfill specific roles. However, they are often hard-to-reach themselves and burdened with demanding activities. Thus, we suggest that fostering collaborations with local organizations is challenging but possible. It requires dedicated funding, time, and resources to empower, capacitate, and reward middle actors for their contributions in delivering energy support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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6. Effective doses of scout projections in maxillofacial cone beam computed tomography.
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Barros-Costa, Matheus, Britten, Jack, Jones, Colin, Ramage, Amanda, Cascante-Sequeira, Deivi, Blackburn, Megan, Swanson, Christine, Santaella, Gustavo Machado, Scarfe, William, and Oliveira-Santos, Christiano
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Objectives: To assess the effective and organ/tissue equivalent radiation doses of different scout projection protocols in four CBCT units. Methods: Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLD) were placed in reference anatomical locations in the head and neck segments of an anthropomorphic phantom representing an average adult male. Ten repeated exposures were obtained from each of the twelve scout projections studied, acquired from four maxillofacial cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) units (Midmark EIOS, 3D Accuitomo F170, Veraviewepocs 3D R100, and Veraview X800). The effective and organ/tissue equivalent doses were calculated for each protocol. Results: Effective doses ranged from 0.7 µSv (Accuitomo F170 60 × 60 mm—anterior maxilla) to 6.9 µSv (Midmark 50 × 50 mm—anterior maxilla). The highest organ/tissue equivalent doses were recorded for the oral mucosa and salivary glands; however, the thyroid was the highest contributor to the effective dose, followed by the salivary glands. Conclusions: Despite some variability among CBCT machines and protocols, the acquisition of scout projections is a low-dose procedure. The use of scout projections to ensure an adequate position of the region of interest within the field of view is highly desirable as they contribute minimally to overall CBCT patient dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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7. Struggling with fish age, a comparison of otolith preparation techniques to unravel age and growth of boarfish, Capros aper (Linnaeus, 1758).
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Silva, Maria Inês, Martins, Rui, Sequeira, Vera, Silva, Dina, Farias, Inês, Assis, Carlos A., Gordo, Leonel Serrano, and Vieira, Ana Rita
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OTOLITHS ,SIZE of fishes ,FISH growth ,ESTIMATION theory ,AGE ,LIFE history theory - Abstract
Fish age and growth data are crucial for understanding vital species' traits and their populations. Boarfish is a pelagic species widely distributed in the Northeast Atlantic that is one of the most discarded non-commercial species on the Portuguese coast. Due to its potential valorisation as a new fishery in the Northeast Atlantic, boarfish has become object of interest in several published studies. However, since no age standard protocol has been implemented for boarfish, studies have used a variety of different otolith preparation techniques to estimate age, leading to contradicting and discrepant results. This research aims to consolidate biological insights into boarfish age and growth, lay the foundation for a standardized ageing protocol and serve as a benchmark study for the Portuguese west coast before commercial exploitation. Through the comparison of two otolith ageing methodologies, this study recommends using whole otoliths as the best method, revealing a maximum age of 15 years. The growth pattern estimated, indicated a biphasic growth pattern, with a faster initial growth rate that slows down at 2.4 years, the moment of change, when energy is allocated for sexual maturation. This finding was corroborated by a maturity ogive and analysis of fish size and otolith length relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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8. Thermal Conductivity of AlSi12/Al2O3-Graded Composites Consolidated by Hot Pressing and Spark Plasma Sintering: Experimental Evaluation and Numerical Modeling.
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Sequeira, Anil, Węglewski, Witold, Bochenek, Kamil, Hutsch, Thomas, Jain, Amrita, Weissgaerber, Thomas, and Basista, Michał
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METALLIC composites ,HOT pressing ,THERMAL resistance ,THERMAL conductivity ,WEAR resistance ,ALUMINA composites - Abstract
Functionally graded metal matrix composites have attracted the attention of various industries as materials with tailorable properties due to spatially varying composition of constituents. This research work was inspired by an application, such as automotive brake disks, which requires advanced materials with improved wear resistance on the outer surface as combined with effective heat flux dissipation of the graded system. To this end, graded AlSi12/Al
2 O3 composites (FGMs) with a stepwise gradient in the volume fraction of alumina reinforcement were produced by hot pressing and spark plasma sintering techniques. The thermal conductivities of the individual composite layers and the FGMs were evaluated experimentally and simulated numerically using 3D finite element (FE) models based on micro-computed X-ray tomography (micro-XCT) images of actual AlSi12/Al2 O3 microstructures. The numerical models incorporated the effects of porosity of the fabricated AlSi12/Al2 O3 composites, thermal resistance, and imperfect interfaces between the AlSi12 matrix and the alumina particles. The obtained experimental data and the results of the numerical models are in good agreement, the relative error being in the range of 4 to 6 pct for different compositions and FGM structure. The predictive capability of the proposed micro-XCT-based FE model suggests that this model can be applied to similar types of composites and different composition gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
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9. Solid–Liquid Phase Equilibrium of the n-Nonane + n-Undecane System for Low-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage.
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Sequeira, Maria C. M., Nikitin, Timur, Caetano, Fernando J. P., Diogo, Hermínio P., Fareleira, João M. N. A., and Fausto, Rui
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HEAT storage , *PHASE equilibrium , *LATENT heat of fusion , *MELTING points , *PHASE change materials - Abstract
The current article presents an exploration of the solid–liquid phase diagram for a binary system comprising n-alkanes with an odd number of carbon atoms, specifically n-nonane (n-C9) and n-undecane (n-C11). This binary system exhibits promising characteristics for application as a phase change material (PCM) in low-temperature thermal energy storage (TES), due to the fusion temperatures of the individual components, thereby motivating an in-depth investigation of the solid–liquid phase diagram of their mixtures. The n-nonane (n-C9) + n-undecane (n-C11) solid–liquid phase equilibrium study herein reported includes the construction of the phase diagram using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) data, complemented with Hot–Stage Microscopy (HSM) and low-temperature Raman Spectroscopy results. From the DSC analysis, both the temperature and the enthalpy of solid–solid and solid–liquid transitions were obtained. The binary system n-C9 + n-C11 has evidenced a congruent melting solid solution at low temperatures. In particular, the blend with a molar composition xundecane = 0.10 shows to be a congruent melting solid solution with a melting point at 215.84 K and an enthalpy of fusion of 13.6 kJ·mol–1. For this reason, this system has confirmed the initial signs to be a candidate with good potential to be applied as a PCM in low-temperature TES applications. This work aims not only to contribute to gather information on the solid–liquid phase equilibrium on the system n-C9 + n-C11, which presently are not available in the literature, but especially to obtain essential and practical information on the possibility to use this system as PCM at low temperatures. The solid–liquid phase diagram of the system n-C9 + n-C11 is being published for the first time, as far as the authors are aware. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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10. Capillary Viscometry for Routine Measurements of Newtonian Liquids.
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Sequeira, Maria C. M., Caetano, Fernando J. P., and Fareleira, João M. N. A.
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NEWTONIAN fluids , *MEASUREMENT of viscosity , *SURFACE tension measurement , *VISCOSIMETERS , *THERMOPHYSICAL properties - Abstract
Viscosity is a thermophysical property of paramount importance, being essential for many scientific and industrial applications. The most common instruments for its measurement are glass capillary viscometers. Therefore, the use of capillary viscometers is widespread both in industry and in research. The range of viscosities of interest range from lower than that of water to several orders of magnitude higher values, the measurement of which requires different capillary viscometers. Most of the practical applications concern routine instruments, mainly for quality control. One main issue for the utilization of capillary viscometers relates to the need for their calibration, assuring its traceability to the water primary viscosity standard, to certify its worldwide validity. The present paper focuses on capillary instruments dedicated to perform viscosity measurements on Newtonian organic liquids at atmospheric pressure, as it is assumed that is the most widespread type of application for these viscometers. Capillary viscometry has a completely well-defined working equation, namely, the Hagen–Poiseuille equation. However, the practical performance of the measuring instruments deviates from that working equation. Most of those deviations are currently considered by many users. However, some of those deviations have not reached that status yet, like those concerning the effects due to the surface tension of the sample on the measurements. All these aspects are summarized and analyzed in the present article, together with a brief general description of the most common types of capillary viscometers, namely, the Ostwald and the constant-level or Ubbelohde instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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11. An update on microRNA as a potential blood-based biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.
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Sequeira, Ronnita C. and Godad, Angel
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most commonly occurring forms of dementia in the elderly population worldwide. Despite the high prevalence of AD, diagnosis and treatment rates are poor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules consisting of about 19 to 25 nucleotides that serve as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. MiRNA dysfunction is closely linked to the formation of amyloid-β plaques and hyperphosphorylation of tau, both of which are the major hallmarks of AD. Thus, by knowing the miRNAs that are differentially expressed in AD patients as compared to normal healthy individuals, we can diagnose AD in patients during the early stages. In this review, we aim to address the role of miRNA in AD pathogenesis and consider how the differentially expressed miRNA or a sequence of miRNAs can serve as an early diagnostic biomarker for AD. Role of MicroRNA associated with Alzheimer's disease. Dysregulation of miRNA is associated with the formation and deposition of Amyloid-Beta Plaques as well as Neurofibrillary Tangles. Apart from this, it is also linked to impaired synaptic plasticity and increased expression of Beta-Amyloid Cleaving Enzyme 1(BACE1). All these eventually contribute to the progression of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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12. Understanding Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3: A Novel Avenue for Alzheimer's Disease.
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Sequeira, Ronnita C. and Godad, Angel
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Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of age-related dementia. Even though a century has passed since the discovery of AD, the exact cause of the disease still remains unknown. As a result, this poses a major hindrance in developing effective therapies for treating AD. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is one of the kinases that has been investigated recently as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AD. It is also known as human tau protein kinase and is a proline-directed serine-threonine kinase. Since dysregulation of this kinase affects all the major characteristic features of the disease, such as tau phosphorylation, amyloid formation, memory, and synaptic function, it is thought to be a major player in the pathogenesis of AD. In this review, we present the most recent information on the role of this kinase in the onset and progression of AD, as well as significant findings that identify GSK-3 as one of the most important targets for AD therapy. We further discuss the potential of treating AD by targeting GSK-3 and give an overview of the ongoing studies aimed at developing GSK-3 inhibitors in preclinical and clinical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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13. Microplastics Biodegradation by Estuarine and Landfill Microbiomes.
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Pires, Cristina S., Costa, Luís, Barbosa, Sónia G., Sequeira, João Carlos, Cachetas, Diogo, Freitas, José P., Martins, Gilberto, Machado, Ana Vera, Cavaleiro, Ana J., and Salvador, Andreia F.
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ANAEROBIC microorganisms ,BIODEGRADATION ,MICROPLASTICS ,LIPASES ,LANDFILLS ,ESTUARINE sediments ,POLYCAPROLACTONE ,POLYETHYLENE terephthalate - Abstract
Plastic pollution poses a worldwide environmental challenge, affecting wildlife and human health. Assessing the biodegradation capabilities of natural microbiomes in environments contaminated with microplastics is crucial for mitigating the effects of plastic pollution. In this work, we evaluated the potential of landfill leachate (LL) and estuarine sediments (ES) to biodegrade polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polycaprolactone (PCL), under aerobic, anaerobic, thermophilic, and mesophilic conditions. PCL underwent extensive aerobic biodegradation with LL (99 ± 7%) and ES (78 ± 3%) within 50–60 days. Under anaerobic conditions, LL degraded 87 ± 19% of PCL in 60 days, whereas ES showed minimal biodegradation (3 ± 0.3%). PE and PET showed no notable degradation. Metataxonomics results (16S rRNA sequencing) revealed the presence of highly abundant thermophilic microorganisms assigned to Coprothermobacter sp. (6.8% and 28% relative abundance in anaerobic and aerobic incubations, respectively). Coprothermobacter spp. contain genes encoding two enzymes, an esterase and a thermostable monoacylglycerol lipase, that can potentially catalyze PCL hydrolysis. These results suggest that Coprothermobacter sp. may be pivotal in landfill leachate microbiomes for thermophilic PCL biodegradation across varying conditions. The anaerobic microbial community was dominated by hydrogenotrophic methanogens assigned to Methanothermobacter sp. (21%), pointing at possible syntrophic interactions with Coprothermobacter sp. (a H
2 -producer) during PCL biodegradation. In the aerobic experiments, fungi dominated the eukaryotic microbial community (e.g., Exophiala (41%), Penicillium (17%), and Mucor (18%)), suggesting that aerobic PCL biodegradation by LL involves collaboration between fungi and bacteria. Our findings bring insights on the microbial communities and microbial interactions mediating plastic biodegradation, offering valuable perspectives for plastic pollution mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
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14. Improved recovery of urinary small extracellular vesicles by differential ultracentrifugation.
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Teixeira-Marques, Ana, Monteiro-Reis, Sara, Montezuma, Diana, Lourenço, Catarina, Oliveira, Miguel Carlos, Constâncio, Vera, Sequeira, José Pedro, Carvalho-Maia, Carina, Freitas, Rui, Martens-Uzunova, Elena S., Vasconcelos, M. Helena, Henrique, Rui, and Jerónimo, Carmen
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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-membrane enclosed structures that are associated with several diseases, including those of genitourinary tract. Urine contains EVs derived from urinary tract cells. Owing to its non-invasive collection, urine represents a promising source of biomarkers for genitourinary disorders, including cancer. The most used method for urinary EVs separation is differential ultracentrifugation (UC), but current protocols lead to a significant loss of EVs hampering its efficiency. Moreover, UC protocols are labor-intensive, further limiting clinical application. Herein, we sought to optimize an UC protocol, reducing the time spent and improving small EVs (SEVs) yield. By testing different ultracentrifugation times at 200,000g to pellet SEVs, we found that 48 min and 60 min enabled increased SEVs recovery compared to 25 min. A step for pelleting large EVs (LEVs) was also evaluated and compared with filtering of the urine supernatant. We found that urine supernatant filtering resulted in a 1.7-fold increase on SEVs recovery, whereas washing steps resulted in a 0.5 fold-decrease on SEVs yield. Globally, the optimized UC protocol was shown to be more time efficient, recovering higher numbers of SEVs than Exoquick-TC (EXO). Furthermore, the optimized UC protocol preserved RNA quality and quantity, while reducing SEVs separation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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15. Structured programs for the self-management of substance addiction consequences in outpatient services: A scoping review.
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Seabra, Paulo, Boska, Gabriella, Sequeira, Rui, Sequeira, Ana, Simões, Ana, Nunes, Inês, and Sequeira, Carlos
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SUBSTANCE abuse ,OUTPATIENT medical care ,MEDICAL personnel ,BEHAVIORISM (Psychology) ,PEOPLE with addiction ,MOTIVATIONAL interviewing - Abstract
Structured intervention programs are an important resource for supporting people with substance addiction. Although evidence suggests that they improve health outcomes, such as specific symptoms, less is known about their impact on patients' ability to self-manage the consequences of substance addiction. The aim of this review is to scope outpatient intervention programs focused on the self-management of substance addiction consequences. Approach. This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. MEDLINE and CINAHL (through Ebsco), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (including PsycINFO) and Web of Science were screened to identify articles published in the last 10 years. Only primary research was included. Out of 891 records, 19 were eligible for this review—12 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 6 quasi-experimental study and 1 observational study. Those studies reported group interventions (10), individual interventions (8) and 1 mixed approach. The most common interventions were based on motivational strategies, relapse prevention and definition of active plans for risky situations. 10 studies reported positive effects. The identification of structured programs may support the development of new approaches focused on empowerment and quality of life of people with substance addiction. Programs to empower patients for self-management of substance addiction consequences are often complex and rely on health professionals' commitment. Nevertheless, they are a feasible approach that seems to benefit patients managing chronic conditions associated with substance addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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16. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with SOD1 Mutation Presenting with Progressive Cerebellar Ataxia.
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Sequeira, Marta, Godinho, Filipe, and Lourenço, João
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AMYOTROPHIC lateral sclerosis , *CEREBELLAR ataxia , *MOTOR neuron diseases , *MOTOR neurons , *NEURODEGENERATION , *SPINOCEREBELLAR ataxia - Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects upper and lower motor neurons. SOD1 mutations are the second most commonly found in familial and sporadic cases. We describe a patient with a homozygous pathogenic mutation in SOD1 gene that presented with a progressive cerebellar ataxia and ultimately developed a complex phenotype of cerebellar ataxia and motor neuron disease. The linkage between the cerebellum and ALS is shortly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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17. Fabry Disease: Cardiac Implications and Molecular Mechanisms.
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Weissman, David, Dudek, Jan, Sequeira, Vasco, and Maack, Christoph
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Purpose of Review: This review explores the interplay among metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in Fabry disease, focusing on their potential implications for cardiac involvement. We aim to discuss the biochemical processes that operate in parallel to sphingolipid accumulation and contribute to disease pathogenesis, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive understanding of these processes. Recent Findings: Beyond sphingolipid accumulation, emerging studies have revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation could be significant contributors to Fabry disease and cardiac involvement. These factors promote cardiac remodeling and fibrosis and may predispose Fabry patients to conduction disturbances, ventricular arrhythmias, and heart failure. While current treatments, such as enzyme replacement therapy and pharmacological chaperones, address disease progression and symptoms, their effectiveness is limited. Summary: Our review uncovers the potential relationships among metabolic disturbances, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in Fabry disease–related cardiac complications. Current findings suggest that beyond sphingolipid accumulation, other mechanisms may significantly contribute to disease pathogenesis. This prompts the exploration of innovative therapeutic strategies and underscores the importance of a holistic approach to understanding and managing Fabry disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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18. Monitoring of spatio-temporal properties with nonlinear SAT solvers.
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Matos Pedro, André, Silva, Tomás, Sequeira, Tiago, Lourenço, João, Seco, João Costa, and Ferreira, Carla
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FIRST-order logic ,SPATIAL behavior ,SATISFIABILITY (Computer science) ,COMPUTER systems ,AUTONOMOUS vehicles ,AUTOMOBILE industry - Abstract
The automotive industry is increasingly dependent on computing systems with different critical requirements. The verification and validation methods for these systems are now leveraging complex AI methods, for which the decision algorithms introduce non-determinism, especially in autonomous driving. This paper presents a runtime verification technique agnostic to the target system, which focuses on monitoring spatio-temporal properties that abstract the evolution of objects' behavior in their spatial and temporal flow. First, a formalization of three known traffic rules (from the Vienna convention on road traffic) is presented, where a spatio-temporal logic fragment is used. Then, these logical expressions are translated to a monitoring model written in first-order logic, where they are processed by a non-linear satisfiability solver. Finally, the translation allows the solver to check the validity of the encoded properties according to an instance of a specific traffic scenario (a trace). The results obtained from our tool, which automatically generates a monitor from a formula, show that our approach is feasible for online monitoring in a real-world environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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19. Density and abundance estimation of unmarked ungulates using camera traps in the Mudumu National Park, Namibia.
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Nauyoma, LineekelaOmwene T., Warbington, Camille H., Azevedo, Fernanda C., Lemos, Frederico G., Sequeira, Fernando, and Fabiano, Ezequiel C.
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Density and abundance estimates are critical to effective wildlife management and are essential for monitoring population trends and setting effective quotas for harvesting. Management of roan (Hippotragus equinus) and sable (H. niger) antelopes in Mudumu National Park (MNP), Namibia, is challenging because they are elusive, naturally unmarked, and believed to occur at low densities. The species are threatened by habitat fragmentation, human population growth, and illegal hunting, and reliable density and abundance estimates have not been quantified, hampering management and conservation plans. Our objective was to estimate roan and sable densities and abundances using the time in front of the camera model (TIFC) and the Poisson-binomial N-mixture model (PB), respectively. We also evaluated the effects of environmental and ecological variables on roan and sable abundance. We used data from two camera trap surveys conducted between March and September 2021 in the MNP. Results showed that the TIFC model provided low-density estimates of 1.62 (95% CI 1.61–1.64) roans/km
2 and 2.46 (95% CI 2.42–2.50) sables/km2 , consistent with trends reported in Africa where these species occur at low densities. In addition, the total abundance of roans and sables in the MNP from the PB model were 57 and 242, respectively. Higher roan abundance occurred in sites with higher grass cover. This study provides the first accurate camera trap-derived density and abundance estimates for roan and sable in the MNP, which will be critical for developing comprehensive conservation programs and strategies that are likely to reduce the risk of extinction for both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
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20. Effect of Maternal Diabetes Mellitus on Neonatal Hearing.
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P, Amrutha, G, Nayana V, Sequeira, Nimalka Maria, and S, Hemaraj Nayaka
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DIABETES ,POISONS ,GLYCEMIC control ,AUDITORY pathways ,GESTATIONAL diabetes ,HYPERGLYCEMIA - Abstract
Introduction: Gestational diabetes is a potential risk factor for neonatal hearing loss. Increased circulating sugars in mothers during pregnancy can impairs the micro circulation and can cause congenital anomalies of the inner ear resulting in congenital hearing loss. This study attempts to find the incidence of neonatal hearing loss among diabetic mothers. Methodology: This was a case control study with 86 neonates of diabetic mothers as cases and neonates of non diabetic mothers(n = 86) as controls. Antenatal diabetic history and sugar values of mothers were documented. Hearing status of the neonates were tested using DPOAE test and ABR test. DPOAE test was done on 3rd day and those who did not get a positive response underwent 2nd DPOAE and also ABR test if 2nd DPOAE was negative. Results: All neonates underwent DPOAE test and few were lost on follow up. First and second DPOAE showed a statistically significant difference between cases and controls. All babies who underwent ABR test had abnormal waveforms. 98% of cases showed moderate and severe bilateral hearing loss whereas all controls had only mild bilateral hearing loss. Discussion: This study showed a significantly higher percentage of abnormal hearing outcome among neonates of diabetic mothers than non diabetic mothers. This could be because of the toxic effects of maternal hyperglycemia on developing auditory system of the fetus. This study emphasis the need for better glycaemic control in diabetic pregnancy, the importance of early and mandatory hearing screening in newborns of diabetic mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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21. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical squamous cell carcinoma of HIV-infected and non-infected patients.
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Brito, Maria José, Sequeira, Pedro, Quintas, Ana, Silva, Iryna, Silva, Fernanda, Martins, Catarina, and Félix, Ana
- Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is overexpressed in cervical carcinoma, hindering tumor destruction. The aim of this study was to assess PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) from human immunodeficiency virus–positive (HIV+) and human immunodeficiency virus-negative (HIV-) patients. A total of 166 SCC and SIL samples of HIV+ and HIV- patients were included and analyzed for PD-L1 expression through tumor proportion score (TPS), and results were stratified in five TPS groups using SP263 antibody and, combined positive score (CPS) using 22C3 antibody. In cohort 1 (SP263 clone), all HIV+ patients were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) scored < 1; and 87.5% of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) adjacent to SCC, 19% of HSILs non-adjacent to SCC, and 69% of SCCs scored ≥ 1 (15.4% scored 5). In HIV- patients, all NILM, LSILs, HSILs adjacent to SCC, and two HSILs non-adjacent to SCC scored < 1. SCC: 88.2% scored ≥ 1 and 5.9% scored 5. In cohort 2 (SP263 and 22C3 clones), 16.7% of HIV+ patients with SCC were positive with both clones, CPS ≥ 1 (22C3) or score 5 (≥ 50%) (SP263), showing no significant differences in positivity between both clones. These results indicate that a relatively low percentage of SCCs (16.7%; both in HIV+ and in HIV- patients) express PD-L1 (TPS ≥ 50% and CPS > 1), which may be due to some samples being archival material, sample characteristics, or use of different methodologies, highlighting the need for standardization of PD-L1 assessment in SCC of the cervix. The fact that PD-L1 is overexpressed in SILs of HIV+ patients suggests potential additional applications for immunotherapy in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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22. Genetic evidence for a single founding population of the Lakshadweep Islands.
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Kumar, Sachin, Singh, Prajjval Pratap, Pasupuleti, Nagarjuna, Shendre, Shivanand S., Sequeira, Jaison Jeevan, Babu, Idrees, Mustak, Mohammed S., Rai, Niraj, and Chaubey, Gyaneshwer
- Subjects
SOUTH Asians ,ISLANDS ,GENETIC drift ,GENE flow ,POPULATION dynamics - Abstract
Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islands located in the Southeastern Arabian Sea. In the absence of a detailed archaeological record, the human settlement timing of this island is vague. Previous genetic studies on haploid DNA makers suggested sex-biased ancestry linked to North and South Indian populations. Maternal ancestry suggested a closer link with the Southern Indian, while paternal ancestry advocated the Northern Indian genetic affinity. Since the haploid markers are more sensitive to genetic drift, which is evident for the Island populations, we have used the biparental high-resolution single-nucleotide polymorphic markers to reconstruct the population history of Lakshadweep Islands. Using the fine-scaled analyses, we specifically focused on (A) the ancestry components of Lakshadweep Islands populations; (B) their relation with East, West Eurasia and South Asia; (C) the number of founding lineages and (D) the putative migration from Northern India as the paternal ancestry was closer to the North Indian populations. Our analysis of ancestry components confirmed relatively higher North Indian ancestry among the Lakshadweep population. These populations are closely related to the South Asian populations. We identified mainly a single founding population for these Islands, geographically divided into two sub-clusters. By examining the population's genetic composition and analysing the gene flow from different source populations, this study contributes to our understanding of Lakshadweep Island's evolutionary history and population dynamics. These findings shed light on the complex interactions between ethnic groups and their genetic contributions in making the Lakshadweep population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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23. Common mitochondrial deletions in RNA-Seq: evaluation of bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomic datasets.
- Author
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Omidsalar, Audrey A., McCullough, Carmel G., Xu, Lili, Boedijono, Stanley, Gerke, Daniel, Webb, Michelle G., Manojlovic, Zarko, Sequeira, Adolfo, Lew, Mark F., Santorelli, Marco, Serrano, Geidy E., Beach, Thomas G., Limon, Agenor, Vawter, Marquis P., and Hjelm, Brooke E.
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RNA sequencing ,DOPAMINERGIC neurons ,MITOCHONDRIAL DNA ,MITOCHONDRIA ,CAUDATE nucleus ,DELETION mutation - Abstract
Common mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions are large structural variants in the mitochondrial genome that accumulate in metabolically active tissues with age and have been investigated in various diseases. We applied the Splice-Break2 pipeline (designed for high-throughput quantification of mtDNA deletions) to human RNA-Seq datasets and describe the methodological considerations for evaluating common deletions in bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics datasets. A robust evaluation of 1570 samples from 14 RNA-Seq studies showed: (i) the abundance of some common deletions detected in PCR-amplified mtDNA correlates with levels observed in RNA-Seq data; (ii) RNA-Seq library preparation method has a strong effect on deletion detection; (iii) deletions had a significant, positive correlation with age in brain and muscle; (iv) deletions were enriched in cortical grey matter, specifically in layers 3 and 5; and (v) brain regions with dopaminergic neurons (i.e., substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and caudate nucleus) had remarkable enrichment of common mtDNA deletions. A methods application study demonstrates that the Splice-Break2 pipeline can detect large mitochondrial DNA deletions in RNA-Seq data. Analyses includes GTEx and GEO datasets and demonstrate differences across tissues, brain regions, and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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- View/download PDF
24. Synchrony of Bird Migration with Global Dispersal of Avian Influenza Reveals Exposed Bird Orders.
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Yang, Qiqi, Wang, Ben, Lemey, Phillipe, Dong, Lu, Mu, Tong, Wiebe, R. Alex, Guo, Fengyi, Trovão, Nídia Sequeira, Park, Sang Woo, Lewis, Nicola, Tsui, Joseph L.-H., Bajaj, Sumali, Cheng, Yachang, Yang, Luojun, Haba, Yuki, Li, Bingying, Zhang, Guogang, Pybus, Oliver G., Tian, Huaiyu, and Grenfell, Bryan
- Subjects
AVIAN influenza ,BIRD migration ,AVIAN influenza A virus ,POULTRY farms ,AVIAN influenza epidemiology ,BIRD behavior ,SYNCHRONIC order - Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) A H5, particularly clade 2.3.4.4, has caused worldwide outbreaks in domestic poultry, occasional spillover to humans, and increasing deaths of diverse species of wild birds since 2014. Wild bird migration is currently acknowledged as an important ecological process contributing to the global dispersal of HPAIV H5. However, this mechanism has not been quantified using bird movement data from different species, and the timing and location of exposure of different species is unclear. We sought to explore these questions through phylodynamic analyses based on empirical data of bird movement tracking and virus genome sequences of clade 2.3.4.4 and 2.3.2.1. First, we demonstrate that seasonal bird migration can explain salient features of the global dispersal of clade 2.3.4.4. Second, we detect synchrony between the seasonality of bird annual cycle phases and virus lineage movements. We reveal the differing exposed bird orders at geographical origins and destinations of HPAIV H5 clade 2.3.4.4 lineage movements, including relatively under-discussed orders. Our study provides a phylodynamic framework that links the bird movement ecology and genomic epidemiology of avian influenza; it highlights the importance of integrating bird behavior and life history in avian influenza studies. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5 is an important pathogen of wild birds and poultry that has also caused infection in humans and other mammals. Here the authors use wild bird movement tracking data and virus genome sequences to quantify how seasonal bird migration facilitates global dispersal of the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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25. Solid–Liquid Phase Equilibrium: Alkane Systems for Low-Temperature Energy Storage.
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Sequeira, Maria C. M., Nogueira, Bernardo A., Caetano, Fernando J. P., Diogo, Hermínio P., Fareleira, João M. N. A., and Fausto, Rui
- Subjects
- *
PHASE equilibrium , *SOLID-liquid equilibrium , *ENERGY storage , *HEAT storage , *PHASE diagrams , *BINARY mixtures , *MIXTURES - Abstract
The thermal characterization of two binary systems of n-alkanes that can be used as Phase Change Materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage at low temperatures is reported in this work. The construction of the solid–liquid binary phase diagrams was achieved using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Raman spectroscopy. The solidus and liquidus equilibrium temperatures were determined using DSC for thirty-nine different samples, three for the pure n-alkanes and the remaining for binary mixtures at selected molar compositions and used to acquire the corresponding solid–liquid phase diagrams. The two binary systems of n-octane/n-decane (C8/C10) and n-decane/n-dodecane (C10/C12) are characterized by a eutectic behavior at low temperatures. The eutectic temperature for the system C8/C10 was found at 211.95 K and the eutectic composition appeared at the molar fraction xoctane = 0.87. For the system C10/C12, the eutectic temperature was found at 237.85 K, and the eutectic composition appeared for the molar fraction xdecane = 0.78. This work aims to fulfill the lack of available data in the existing literature, considering the potential application of these systems for low-temperature thermal energy storage. Raman spectroscopy was used to complement the DSC data for the construction of the solid–liquid phase equilibrium diagrams, enabling the identification of the solid and liquid phases of the system. Additionally, the liquidus curve of the phase diagram was successfully described using a modified freezing point depression curve as fitting equation, the absolute root mean square deviation for the data correlation of the C8/C10 and C10/C12 systems being 2.56 K and 1.22 K, respectively. Ultimately, the fitting procedure also enabled a good prediction of the eutectic point for both studied systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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26. Electrically driven amplification of terahertz acoustic waves in graphene.
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Barajas-Aguilar, Aaron H., Zion, Jasen, Sequeira, Ian, Barabas, Andrew Z., Taniguchi, Takashi, Watanabe, Kenji, Barrett, Eric B., Scaffidi, Thomas, and Sanchez-Yamagishi, Javier D.
- Abstract
In graphene devices, the electronic drift velocity can easily exceed the speed of sound in the material at moderate current biases. Under these conditions, the electronic system can efficiently amplify acoustic phonons, leading to an exponential growth of sound waves in the direction of the carrier flow. Here, we show that such phonon amplification can significantly modify the electrical properties of graphene devices. We observe a superlinear growth of the resistivity in the direction of the carrier flow when the drift velocity exceeds the speed of sound — resulting in a sevenfold increase over a distance of 8 µm. The resistivity growth is observed at carrier densities away from the Dirac point and is enhanced at cryogenic temperatures. We develop a theoretical model for the resistivity growth due to the electrical amplification of acoustic phonons — reaching frequencies up to 2.2 THz — where the wavelength is controlled by gate-tunable transitions across the Fermi surface. These findings provide a route to on-chip high-frequency sound generation and detection in the THz frequency range.Electron–phonon interactions are a crucial aspect of high-quality graphene devices. Here, the authors show that graphene resistivity grows strongly in the direction of the carrier flow when the drift velocity exceeds the speed of sound due to the electrical amplification of acoustic terahertz phonons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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27. Diaphragmatic hernia repair porcine model to compare the performance of biodegradable membranes against Gore-Tex®.
- Author
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Scuglia, Marianna, Frazão, Laura P., Miranda, Alice, Martins, Albino, Barbosa-Sequeira, Joana, Coimbra, Diana, Longatto-Filho, Adhemar, Reis, Rui L., Nogueira-Silva, Cristina, Neves, Nuno M., and Correia-Pinto, Jorge
- Subjects
DIAPHRAGMATIC hernia ,HERNIA surgery ,CHEST endoscopic surgery ,CONNECTIVE tissues ,CHORION - Abstract
Background: Patch repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using Gore-Tex
® is associated with infection, adhesions, hernia recurrence, long-term musculoskeletal sequels and poor tissue regeneration. To overcome these limitations, the performance of two novel biodegradable membranes was tested to repair CDH in a growing pig model. Methods: Twelve male pigs were randomly assigned to 3 different groups of 4 animals each, determined by the type of patch used during thoracoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair (Gore-Tex® , polycaprolactone electrospun membrane-PCLem, and decellularized human chorion membrane-dHCM). After 7 weeks, all animals were euthanized, followed by necropsy for diaphragmatic evaluation and histological analysis. Results: Thoracoscopic defect creation and diaphragmatic repair were performed without any technical difficulty in all groups. However, hernia recurrence rate was 0% in Gore-Tex® , 50% in PCLem and 100% in dHCM groups. At euthanasia, Gore-Tex® patches appeared virtually unchanged and covered with a fibrotic capsule, while PCLem and dHCM patches were replaced by either floppy connective tissue or vascularized and floppy regenerated membranous tissue, respectively. Conclusion: Gore-Tex® was associated with a higher survival rate and lower recurrence. Nevertheless, the proposed biodegradable membranes were associated with better tissue integration when compared with Gore-Tex® . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Predicting Physical Activity in Survivors of Breast Cancer: the Health Action Process Approach at the Intrapersonal Level.
- Author
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Sequeira, Margarida, Pereira, Cícero, and Alvarez, Maria-João
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BREAST tumor diagnosis , *CANCER patient psychology , *EVALUATION of medical care , *SOCIAL support , *PHYSICAL activity , *EXERCISE , *HEALTH behavior , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *RESEARCH funding , *BREAST tumors , *EVALUATION - Abstract
Background: Benefits have been established for regular physical activity (PA) and exercise after breast cancer, but a decline of PA has also been a reported result of breast cancer diagnosis and treatments. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model has been shown to predict various health behaviors, but few studies have tested it at the intrapersonal level. The aim of the present study was to test whether the HAPA constructs that are well confirmed at the interpersonal level also hold at the intrapersonal level in a group of women survivors of breast cancer. Method: PA behaviors (N = 338) by nine survivors of breast cancer were observed for 6 weeks, and the associations between the HAPA constructs and PA over time were examined. Participants completed a questionnaire with the HAPA constructs related to PA behavior (direct step count and self-reported). Results: A multilevel model of behavior prediction found that optimistic beliefs about ability to initiate and maintain PA (self-efficacy) were positively related to intentions to be active, and these intentions predicted plans to be active. PA was directly and positively predicted by planning and by confidence in the ability to resume PA after a break. Conclusion: Self-efficacy and planning are associated with PA behavior within women survivors of breast cancer over time, which was not the case for the outcome expectancies, social support, and action control at this intrapersonal level. A multilevel approach for psychological predictors of PA can be useful in grounding interventions for survivors of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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29. Convex triangular vs. cylindrical field of view: how does the shape of the FOV affect radiation dose?
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Cascante-Sequeira, Deivi, Oliveira-Santos, Christiano, Brasil, Danieli Moura, Santaella, Gustavo M., Swanson, Christine, Blackburn, Megan, Scarfe, William C., and Haiter-Neto, Francisco
- Subjects
- *
RADIATION doses , *OPTICALLY stimulated luminescence , *CONE beam computed tomography , *TWO-way analysis of variance , *DOSIMETERS , *RADIATION dosimetry , *FIDUCIAL markers (Imaging systems) - Abstract
Objective: To compare the dosimetry between convex triangular fields of view (FOV) and similar dimension cylindrical FOVs of two cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) models. Methods: Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) were placed in fiducial anatomical locations in an anthropomorphic phantom representing an adult head male for dosimetry scans. Convex triangular FOVs (100 × 80 mm/maxilla-mandible; 100 × 50 mm mandible; 100 × 50 mm/maxilla) from Veraviewepocs 3D R100 (J. Morita, Kyoto, Japan) (R100) and Veraview® X800 (J. Morita, Kyoto, Japan) (X800) and cylindrical FOVs from R100 and X800 (80 × 80 mm/maxilla-mandible; 80 × 50 mm/mandible; 80 × 50 mm/maxilla) were obtained, resulting in 12 different scan protocols. Equivalent doses for each relevant organ/tissue and the effective dose for each protocol were calculated. Mean effective doses were compared by the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post hoc test to evaluate the effect of the FOV and device (α = 0.05). Results: The effective doses ranged between 69 and 324 μSv for the convex triangular FOVs and 76 and 332 μSv for the cylindrical FOVs. Convex triangular FOVs from the R100 device had effective doses 2.3 to 15.3% lower than their corresponding cylindrical FOVs with similar height (p < 0.05), and that difference ranged between 8.8 and 11.8% for the X800 device (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Convex triangular fields of view delivered slightly lower effective doses than the cylindrical fields of view of similar dimensions in the R100 and X800 CBCT devices. Clinical relevance: Understanding the influence of the image geometry formation in effective dose allows optimization to reduce patient dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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30. Pemphiguserkrankungen: aktuelle und zukünftige Therapiekonzepte.
- Author
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Kussini, Jacqueline, Kaisers, Tabea, Sequeira Santos, Antonio Manuel, Eming, Rüdiger, and Didona, Dario
- Abstract
Copyright of Die Dermatologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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- 2023
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31. Syndromes of Concurrent Hypertension, Diastolic Dysfunction, and Pulmonary or Peripheral Edema in Cardio-Oncology: Case Studies, Literature Review, and New Classification System.
- Author
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Summey, Rebekah, Aliani, Rana, McAlarnen, Lindsey A., Sequeira, Nicole, Shaik, Tahseen, Uyar, Denise, and Brown, Sherry-Ann
- Abstract
Opinion statement: Individuals who have ever been diagnosed with cancer are at increased risk for cardiovascular conditions during and after cancer treatment. Especially during cancer treatment, cardiovascular conditions can manifest in many ways, including peripheral or pulmonary edema. Edema can indicate volume overload affecting the heart even without other unequivocal evidence of apparent diastolic or systolic left ventricular dysfunction, particularly at rest. We propose a novel algorithm to streamline the diagnostic evaluation and cardiovascular classification for cancer patients with edema. We initially advise prompt evaluation with a chest X-ray and echocardiogram. We then suggest classification into one of five categories based on the timing of presentation of edema relative to cancer treatment, as well as echocardiography results and the presence or absence of hypertension or lymphatic causes of edema. This classification tool can then be utilized to guide further cardiovascular management suggestions. These concurrent syndromes presenting as edema may indicate the development or aggravation of undiagnosed diastolic dysfunction with or without hypertension, even if transiently present only while on cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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32. Editorial of the Special Issue from WorldCIST'20.
- Author
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Domingues, Inês and Sequeira, Ana Filipa
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COVID-19 pandemic ,BUSINESS process management ,ORGANIZATIONAL sociology ,INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems ,BUSINESS intelligence - Abstract
This document is an editorial for a special issue of the journal Computational & Mathematical Organization Theory. The special issue includes seven papers that were presented at the 8th World Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (WorldCIST'20) in Budva, Montenegro. The papers cover a range of topics, including collaborative problem-solving, sharing failure in innovation, business intelligence, business process management, information systems in higher education, leadership in the context of University 4.0, and the simulation of the spread of COVID-19. The papers provide insights and propose methods to improve workflows and processes in various domains. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2023
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33. CNN with machine learning approaches using ExtraTreesClassifier and MRMR feature selection techniques to detect liver diseases on cloud.
- Author
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Lanjewar, Madhusudan G, Parab, Jivan S, Shaikh, Arman Yusuf, and Sequeira, Marlon
- Subjects
CONVOLUTIONAL neural networks ,LIVER diseases ,MACHINE learning ,LIVER disease diagnosis ,FEATURE selection ,SUPPORT vector machines - Abstract
Liver disease is a significant global burden on health, with about a few hundred million people suffering from chronic liver disease (CLD), with approximately 2 million deaths each year. Liver diseases are tough to identify and usually ignored in the early stages as it does not show any symptoms. The liver disease diagnosis in the early stage will help to take precautions to prevent future illness. Generally, recognition of people with liver illness is accomplished via liver biopsy and visual assessment of MRI by experienced professionals, which is a laborious and time-consuming practice. As a result, there is a need for the development of an automated detection method that can offer results with minimal and greater precision. The primary motivation of this work is to implement a machine learning (ML) based real-time liver diseases classification framework onto the cloud to reduce clinicians' burden. The Indian Liver Patient Dataset (ILPD) was applied to classify liver diseases. The dataset has eleven attributes or features employed to train the models. The Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was implemented and then the flatten layer output was given to the Logistic regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier and achieved a precision of 100% for all models. The ExtraTreesClassifier (ETC) and Maximum Relevance Minimum Redundancy (MRMR) techniques were applied to select the features extracted by CNN and achieved remarkable 100% precision. The stratified K-fold method was used to evaluate the model performance. The comparative results confirm that the CNN-RF outperforms the literature-reported models. After the evaluation, the model was deployed successfully to the Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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- View/download PDF
34. High Frequency Tympanometry in Early Infancy and Its Effect on Oto Acoustic Emissions.
- Author
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Suresh, Arjun, Basheer, Mubeena, Subramaniam, Vijayalakshmi, and Sequeira, Nimalka Maria
- Subjects
ACOUSTIC emission ,IMPEDANCE audiometry ,OTOACOUSTIC emissions ,MIDDLE ear ,EAR canal - Abstract
The present study was conducted to study the benefit of high frequency tympanometry (HFT) in detecting middle ear pathologies in infants. This study also aims to find the effect of middle ear diseases on absent otoacoustic emissions (OAE). Our study was a prospective study which included 123 healthy neonates below 1 month of age. The babies were referred for the new born hearing screening programme. They were subjected to DPOAE followed by tympanometry with a 1000z probe tone (HFT). The study was approved by the institutions ethical committee. "Present" OAE result was obtained for 202 ears, while "absent" OAE result was obtained for 44 ears. High frequency tympanometry was also performed on all the participants, where a normal tympanogram was obtained in 170 ears and 76 ears showed an abnormal tympanogram. The following parameters were studied: peak pressure, ear canal volume and compliance. Descriptive statistics were obtained for the same. Association of OAE with HFT was studied. Out of the 44 ears with refer OAE, 34 ears had an abnormal tympanogram and among 202 ears with a present OAE, 160 ears had a normal tympanometric peak indicating a sensitivity and specificity of 77.3% and 79.2% respectively. High frequency tympanometry not only helps in early detection of middle ear pathologies but also to find the effect of middle ear diseases on absent otoacoustic emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Diaphragmatic hernia repair porcine model to compare the performance of biodegradable membranes against Gore-Tex®.
- Author
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Scuglia, Marianna, Frazão, Laura P., Miranda, Alice, Martins, Albino, Barbosa-Sequeira, Joana, Coimbra, Diana, Longatto-Filho, Adhemar, Reis, Rui L., Nogueira-Silva, Cristina, Neves, Nuno M., and Correia-Pinto, Jorge
- Subjects
DIAPHRAGMATIC hernia ,HERNIA surgery ,CONNECTIVE tissues ,CHORION ,AUTOPSY - Abstract
Background: Patch repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using Gore-Tex
® is associated with infection, adhesions, hernia recurrence, long-term musculoskeletal sequels and poor tissue regeneration. To overcome these limitations, the performance of two novel biodegradable membranes was tested to repair CDH in a growing pig model. Methods: Twelve male pigs were randomly assigned to 3 different groups of 4 animals each, determined by the type of patch used during thoracoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair (Gore-Tex® , polycaprolactone electrospun membrane-PCLem, and decellularized human chorion membrane-dHCM). After 7 weeks, all animals were euthanized, followed by necropsy for diaphragmatic evaluation and histological analysis. Results: Thoracoscopic defect creation and diaphragmatic repair were performed without any technical difficulty in all groups. However, hernia recurrence rate was 0% in Gore-Tex® , 50% in PCLem and 100% in dHCM groups. At euthanasia, Gore-Tex® patches appeared virtually unchanged and covered with a fibrotic capsule, while PCLem and dHCM patches were replaced by either floppy connective tissue or vascularized and floppy regenerated membranous tissue, respectively. Conclusion: Gore-Tex® was associated with a higher survival rate and lower recurrence. Nevertheless, the proposed biodegradable membranes were associated with better tissue integration when compared with Gore-Tex® . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. The maternal ancestry of the Kavaratti islanders and the last glacial maximum aftermath.
- Author
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Tayyeh, Alnoman Mundher, Sequeira, Jaison Jeevan, Kumar, Lomous, Babu, Idrees, van Driem, George, and Mustak, Mohammed Shafiul
- Subjects
- *
LAST Glacial Maximum , *PREHISTORIC settlements , *GENEALOGY , *NUCLEOTIDE sequence , *HUMAN settlements - Abstract
The prehistoric human settlement of the Lakshadweep islands remains a mystery for various reasons. Uncertainty about the existence of indigenous tribes in these islands and the lack of folklore records present major obstacles to the reconstruction of Lakshadweep ancestry. However, with extant population data, we seek to understand the maternal ancestry of the Kavaratti islanders. Mitochondrial control region variation analysis of 80 individuals from this island shows maternal links with the populations in the northwestern region of the South Asian mainland. The founder clade R30b2, observed in the Kavaratti islanders, is so far present only in the Scheduled Castes from the Punjab region, Jat Sikhs and Nairs. All other mainland populations carry basal R30 or R30a subclades. The presence of a specific Uralic U4 lineage in our samples, in addition to the Indo-European affinity observed in the phylogeny tree, substantiates a northwestern maternal ancestry of the Kavaratti islanders and implies an ancestral admixture with early humans in the Near East at the time of the last glacial maximum (LGM). Based on our Bayesian analysis, we furthermore propose that a group bearing mostly R30b2 during the LGM recovery, moved eastward and southward, where they received Indian-specific M haplogroups. Hence, the maternal ancestry of the Kavaratti islanders is evidently a consequence of the demographic changes in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent caused by the Last Glacial Maximum. The haplogroup distribution pattern and nucleotide sequence data produced in this study will enrich the forensic database of the Lakshadweep islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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37. Di-Alkyl Adipates as New Phase Change Material for Low Temperature Energy Storage.
- Author
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Sequeira, Maria C. M., Nogueira, Bernardo A., Caetano, Fernando J. P., Diogo, Hermínio P., Fareleira, João M. N. A., and Fausto, Rui
- Subjects
- *
SOLID-liquid equilibrium , *MATERIALS at low temperatures , *PHASE change materials , *HEAT storage , *ENERGY storage , *PHASE diagrams , *BINARY mixtures , *MIXTURES - Abstract
This work is a contribution to the thermal characterization of a selected binary system of two di-n-alkyl adipates that can be used as phase change material for thermal energy storage at low temperatures. The construction of the solid–liquid phase diagram using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), complemented with Raman Spectroscopy studies for the system composed by diethyl and dibutyl adipates is presented. The solidus and liquidus equilibrium temperatures were determined by DSC for the pure components and 30 binary mixtures at selected molar compositions were used to construct the corresponding solid–liquid phase diagram. The binary system of diethyl and dibutyl adipates presents eutectic behaviour at low temperatures. The eutectic temperature was found at 240.46 K, and the eutectic composition was determined to occur at the molar fraction xdibutyl = 0.46. Additionally, the system shows a polymorphic transition, characteristic of dibutyl adipate, occurring at ca. 238 K, confirmed by optical microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, no reference to the phase diagram of the present system could be found in the literature. Raman spectroscopy was essential to complement the construction of the phase equilibrium diagram, enabling the identification of the solid and liquid phases of the system. Finally, the liquidus curve of the phase diagram was also successfully predicted using a suitable fitting equation, being the root mean square deviation of the data from the correlation equal to 0.54 K. In addition, this fitting operation enabled a correct prediction of the eutectic composition of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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38. Global Firms, (de)unionization and Wage Inequality.
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Afonso, Óscar, Sequeira, Tiago Neves, Santos, Marcelo, and Neves, Pedro Cunha
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INCOME inequality ,LABOR process ,LABOR supply ,LABOR organizing ,BUSINESS enterprises - Abstract
This paper studies the simultaneous effects of relocation of production (as part of globalization) and institutions on intra- and inter-country wage inequality. Firstly, empirical evidence shows that labor unions act at decreasing inequality, but this shrinking effect tends to be mitigated by globalization. Theoretically, we study the conditions under which this empirical evidence is verified. Unskilled labor-intensive relocations together with (de)unionization processes of the labor force contributed to the increasing path of intra-country wage inequality observed in some of the leading countries. However, most recently, skilled relocations may help to decrease intra-country inequality in leading countries (e.g., the US), but to increase it in follower countries (e.g., China). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. TAS2R38 bitter taste perception in the Koṅkaṇī Sārasvata Brahmin population.
- Author
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Sequeira, Jaison Jeevan, Nizamuddin, Sheikh, van Driem, George, and Mustak, Mohammed S.
- Abstract
Background: The TAS2R38 gene carries markers for phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) sensitivity. Various studies have investigated the genotype–phenotype association pattern for bitter tasting ability and other factors in different populations. However, a paucity of such information for endogamous Indian populations is the reason behind this study. Objective: To study the association of phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) sensitivity with TAS2R38 gene variations in Koṅkaṇī Sārasvata Brahmin population. Methods: We studied the association of the alleles rs714598, rs1726866, rs10246939 with PTC sensitivity and other factors in the Koṅkaṇī Sārasvata Brahmin population. DNA was extracted from 114 individuals belonging to the Koṅkaṇī Sārasvata Brahmin community. The TAS2R38 gene was sequenced to find the genotype distribution pattern. The association between genotype and phenotype was checked using the Chi-Square test and multifactorial logistical regression. Results: We observed a 58.8% frequency of the AVI haplotype, which is the most prevalent in European populations. A higher number of non-taster haplotypes and diplotypes were observed in Koṅkaṇī Sārasvata Brahmins, with the allele rs10246939 showing a significant association with PTC bitter taste sensitivity in both allelic (p = 8.6 × 10
–4 ; Allele-G, OR = 3.57 [95% CI = 1.66–7.69]) and genotype-based (p = 6.9 × 10–4 ; genotype-AG, OR = 3.11 [95% CI = 0.73–13.20]; genotype-GG, OR = 40 [95% CI = 3.58–447.03]) tests. Conclusion: Our results are in line with earlier studies, which report an association between PTC sensitivity and the TAS2R38 gene in different populations. In the global context, Koṅkaṇī Sārasvata Brahmins, who are mostly distributed along the southwestern coast of India, show a PTC sensitivity pattern slightly similar to that of West Eurasian populations. Our findings suggest ancestry specific selection in TAS2R38 gene variations for taste sensitivity at global level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
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- View/download PDF
40. Relapsing remitting encephalomyelitis with glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies following autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation—coincidence or consequence?
- Author
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Sequeira, Marta, Lobo, Gonçalo Gama, Ferro, Margarida, and Capela, Carlos
- Subjects
- *
HEMATOPOIETIC stem cell transplantation , *GLUTAMATE decarboxylase , *ANTI-NMDA receptor encephalitis , *ENCEPHALOMYELITIS , *STIFF-person syndrome , *GRAFT versus host disease , *AUTOIMMUNE diseases - Abstract
This article discusses a case of relapsing remitting encephalomyelitis with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). GAD antibodies have been associated with various neurological syndromes, including stiff person syndrome, cerebellar ataxia, limbic encephalitis, and epilepsy. While aHSCT is commonly used to treat autoimmune disorders, the development of new autoimmunity after the procedure is still not well understood. The article highlights the need for further research to understand the mechanisms behind this phenomenon. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Systemic insecticides in cotton plants: seed treatment, protection against early-season sucking insects, and their ecological selectivity with predatory insects of different feeding habits.
- Author
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Campos, Karolayne Lopes, Bastos, Cristina Schetino, Sequeira, Richard V., and Torres, Jorge Braz
- Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that systemic insecticides should be effective against sap-sucking insects which acquire toxicants from the tissues of treated plants whereas their natural enemies should be unaffected. Under this hypothesis, the suppression of early-season cotton insect infestations and the interaction with predatory insects of different feeding habits were investigated using the systemic insecticides cyantraniliprole and thiamethoxam through foliar application (FA) and seed treatment (ST). Insecticide residues on ST plants were quantified at 12, 22, and 32 days after emergence (DAE) to assess the survival of the zoophytophagous (Orius insidiosus) and chewing (Eriopis connexa), both predators of early-season cotton pests, when confined on treated plant material. Residues of both insecticides were detected on ST plants, but the level was significantly reduced between 12 and 22 DAE and not detected at 32 DAE. Both insecticides offered aphid suppression but with a more prolonged effect of thiamethoxam, and both were ineffective against high thrips infestation. Whitefly densities were at or below economic threshold in all treatments after the expected control provided through ST. Cyantraniliprole was compatible with both predators (> 92% survival) through FA and ST. Thiamethoxam was highly toxic to O. insidiosus through FA (0.5% survival) and diminished through ST (27.6% survival). At 22 DAE, O. insidiosus still showed lower survival with FA than ST with thiamethoxam (51.4% vs. 90.7%). Regardless of the insecticide used in ST, supplementary FA was required against early-season pests. The results show that ecological selectivity through seed treatment depends on the feeding habit of the predator and the insecticide applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Technological knowledge and wages: from skill premium to wage polarization.
- Author
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Afonso, Oscar, Sequeira, Tiago, and Almeida, Derick
- Subjects
WAGES ,INCOME inequality ,POLARIZATION (Economics) ,PRICES ,ECONOMIC expansion - Abstract
This paper studies the impact of automation shocks on the technological-knowledge level, skill premium (or wage inequality), real prices, output, and economic growth. To highlight the economic mechanisms, we devise a task-based direct technical change model that allows us to analyze the determinants of the threshold task, the relative output and prices between sectors, intra- and inter-sectoral wage differences, wage polarization and economic growth rates. We observe that an increase in the efficiency of skilled or unskilled workers as well as a decrease in the efficiency of medium-skilled workers as possible result of automation always increase wage polarization as well as economic growth rates. In a quantitative exercise we also assess the change in the weight of routine and non-routine sectors in the economy. In this context, governments should implement policies to support the professional transition of medium-skilled workers to non-routinazable tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. PET imaging of microglia using PBR28suv determines therapeutic efficacy of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells therapy in traumatic brain injury.
- Author
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Bedi, Supinder S., Scott, Michael C., Skibber, Max A., Kumar, Akshita, Caplan, Henry W., Xue, Hasen, Sequeira, David, Speer, Alison L., Cardenas, Fanni, Gudenkauf, Franciska, Uray, Karen, Srivastava, Amit K., Prossin, Alan R., and Cox Jr., Charles S.
- Subjects
BONE marrow cells ,BRAIN injuries ,BENZODIAZEPINE receptors ,POSITRON emission tomography ,MICROGLIA ,CELLULAR therapy - Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in activated microglia. Activated microglia can be measured in vivo by using positron emission topography (PET) ligand peripheral benzodiazepine receptor standardized uptake values (PBR28suv). Cell based therapies have utilized autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) to attenuate activated microglia after TBI. This study aims to utilize in vivo PBR28suv to assess the efficacy of BMMNCs therapy after TBI. Seventy-two hours after CCI injury, BMMNCs were harvested from the tibia and injected via tail-vein at 74 h after injury at a concentration of 2 million cells per kilogram of body weight. There were three groups of rats: Sham, CCI-alone and CCI-BMMNCs (AUTO). One hundred twenty days after injury, rodents were imaged with PBR28 and their cognitive behavior assessed utilizing the Morris Water Maze. Subsequent ex vivo analysis included brain volume and immunohistochemistry. BMMNCs therapy attenuated PBR28suv in comparison to CCI alone and it improved spatial learning as measured by the Morris Water Maze. Ex vivo analysis demonstrated preservation of brain volume, a decrease in amoeboid-shaped microglia in the dentate gyrus and an increase in the ratio of ramified to amoeboid microglia in the thalamus. PBR28suv is a viable option to measure efficacy of BMMNCs therapy after TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Lrig1-expression confers suppressive function to CD4+ cells and is essential for averting autoimmunity via the Smad2/3/Foxp3 axis.
- Author
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Moon, Jae-Seung, Ho, Chun-Chang, Park, Jong-Hyun, Park, Kyungsoo, Shin, Bo-Young, Lee, Su-Hyeon, Sequeira, Ines, Mun, Chin Hee, Shin, Jin-Su, Kim, Jung-Ho, Kim, Beom Seok, Noh, Jin-Wook, Lee, Eui-Seon, Son, Ji Young, Kim, Yuna, lee, Yeji, Cho, Hee, So, SunHyeon, Park, Jiyoon, and Choi, Eunsu
- Subjects
REGULATORY T cells ,T helper cells ,CELL physiology ,T cells ,CELL populations ,T cell receptors ,AUTOIMMUNITY - Abstract
Regulatory T cells (T
reg ) are CD4+ T cells with immune-suppressive function, which is defined by Foxp3 expression. However, the molecular determinants defining the suppressive population of T cells have yet to be discovered. Here we report that the cell surface protein Lrig1 is enriched in suppressive T cells and controls their suppressive behaviors. Within CD4+ T cells, Treg cells express the highest levels of Lrig1, and the expression level is further increasing with activation. The Lrig1+ subpopulation from T helper (Th) 17 cells showed higher suppressive activity than the Lrig1- subpopulation. Lrig1-deficiency impairs the suppressive function of Treg cells, while Lrig1-deficient naïve T cells normally differentiate into other T cell subsets. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ Lrig1+ T cells alleviates autoimmune symptoms in colitis and lupus nephritis mouse models. A monoclonal anti-Lrig1 antibody significantly improves the symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In conclusion, Lrig1 is an important regulator of suppressive T cell function and an exploitable target for treating autoimmune conditions. Regulatory T cells, and to certain extent other T cell subsets, limit the immune response to avoid harmful inflammation and tissue damage. Here authors identify a surface molecule, Lrig1, that is directly responsible for the suppressive function in regulatory T cells and in Il-17-producing helper T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Rendering massive indoor point clouds in virtual reality.
- Author
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Casado-Coscolla, Alvaro, Sanchez-Belenguer, Carlos, Wolfart, Erik, and Sequeira, Vitor
- Subjects
POINT cloud ,VIRTUAL reality ,DATA structures ,DATA visualization - Abstract
This paper addresses the challenges of rendering massive indoor point clouds in Virtual Reality. In these kind of visualizations the point of view is never static, imposing the need of a one-shot (i.e. non-iterative) rendering strategy, in contrast with progressive refinement approaches that assume that the camera position does not change between most consecutive frames. Our approach benefits from the static nature of indoor environments to pre-compute a visibility map that enables us to boost real-time rendering performance. The key idea behind our visibility map is to exploit the cluttered topology of buildings in order to effectively cull the regions of the space that are occluded by structural elements such as walls. This does not only improve performance but also the visual quality of the final render, allowing us to display in full detail the space and preventing the user to see the contiguous spaces through the walls. Additionally, we introduce a novel hierarchical data structure that enables us to display the point cloud with a continuous level of detail with a minimal impact on performance. Experimental results show that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art techniques in complex indoor environments and achieves comparable results in outdoor ones, proving the generality of our method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. A critical review of textile industry wastewater: green technologies for the removal of indigo dyes.
- Author
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Castillo-Suárez, L. A., Sierra-Sánchez, A. G., Linares-Hernández, I., Martínez-Miranda, V., and Teutli-Sequeira, E. A.
- Abstract
The denim textile industry represents an important productive sector. It generates wastewater with low biodegradability due to the presence of persistent pollutants, which can produce toxic and carcinogenic compounds; therefore, wastewater treatment reduces risks to aquatic life and public health. This paper presents a review of 172 papers regarding textile industry wastewater treatment for the removal of contaminants, especially indigo dyes used in the denim industry, in the context of green technologies. The physicochemical characteristics of textile wastewater, its environmental and health impacts, and the permissible limit regulations in different countries were reviewed. Biological, physicochemical and advanced oxidation processes for the removal of indigo dyes were reviewed. The goal of this study was to analyze the characteristics of green technologies; however, the research does not clearly demonstrate an effect on energy consumption savings, carbon footprint decreases, and/or waste generation. Advanced oxidation processes showed the highest color removal efficiency (95 and 97% in synthetic or real wastewater, respectively). Photocatalysis and Fenton reactions were the most efficient processes. None of the revised works presented results regarding upscaling for industrial application, and the results should be discussed in terms of the guidelines and maximum permissible limits established by international legislation. New technologies need to be developed and evaluated in a sustainable context with real wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Treatment processes and analysis of rainwater quality for human use and consumption regulations, treatment systems and quality of rainwater.
- Author
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Morales-Figueroa, C, Castillo-Suárez, L A, Linares-Hernández, I, Martínez-Miranda, V, and Teutli-Sequeira, E A
- Abstract
Water stress resulting from population growth, high water demand, and climate change currently represents an environmentally derived social and economic problem at global, regional, and local scales. The use of rainwater is a feasible option for reducing shortages of potable and nonpotable water. Therefore, this article critically reviewed 140 references on different currently used rainwater treatment systems and evaluated the quality of rainwater after its collection based on microbiological, physical–chemical, and heavy metal parameters. In addition to different biological treatment options, adsorption, filtration, oxidation, and disinfection have been applied to treat rainwater in different regions. Treatment performance in terms of the treated rainwater quality was compared with the World Health Organization regulations. Adsorption/filtration provided higher contaminant removal efficiencies during rainwater treatment than other treatments. The average removals from different studies were approximately 80% turbidity, 100% Escherichia coli, 100% total dissolved solids, 100% nutrients, and 60% chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand. At this level of treatment, the water was suitable for tertiary activities but not suitable for human consumption. However, coupled treatments allow for water quality improvements such that the rainwater becomes suitable for human consumption. Nevertheless, it is important to analyze the ionic composition of the water, which is essential for hydrating human beings. Therefore, it is necessary to establish standard guidelines for rainwater to ensure its suitability for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. A Longitudinal Study of Respiratory Mechanics in Pregnant Women with Obesity and Overweight.
- Author
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Bourjeily, Ghada, Sanapo, Laura, Messerlian, Geralyn, Bublitz, Margaret H., Hott, Beth, Guillen, Melissa, Aldana, Annaly, Avalos, Ashanti, Sequeira, Tamara, Felber, Cheryl, Brosnan, Cynthia, Zarif, Talal El, and McCool, F. Dennis
- Subjects
RESPIRATORY mechanics ,PREGNANT women ,OBESITY in women ,AIRWAY resistance (Respiration) ,OVERWEIGHT women - Abstract
Purpose: Respiratory mechanics and the role of sex hormones in pregnancy are not well elucidated. We examined longitudinal and positional changes in lung mechanics in pregnancy and investigated the role of sex hormones. Methods: A longitudinal study enrolled 135 women with obesity in early pregnancy. Fifty-nine percent of women identified as White; median body mass index at enrollment was 34.4 kg/m
2 . Women with respiratory disease were excluded. We obtained measurements of airway resistance and respiratory system reactance in various positions using impedance oscillometry and sex hormones in early and late pregnancy. Results: With pregnancy progression, there was a significant increase in resonant frequency (Fres) (p = 0.012), integrated area of low frequency reactance (AX) (p = 0.0012) and R5-R20Hz (p = 0.038) in the seated position, and a significant increase in R5Hz (p = 0.000), Fres (p = 0.001), AX (p < 0.001 = 0.000), and R5-R20Hz (p = 0.014) in the supine position. Compared to the seated position, the supine position was associated with a significant increase in R5Hz, R20Hz, X5Hz, Fres, and AX in early (p-values < 0.026) and late pregnancy (p-values ≤ 0.001). Changes in progesterone levels between early and late pregnancy predicted the change in R5, Fres, and AX (p-values ≤ 0.043). Conclusion: Resistive and elastic loads increase with pregnancy progression and a change in body position from seated to supine increases resistive and elastic loads in both early and late pregnancies. The increase in airway resistance is primarily related to an increase in peripheral rather than central airways resistance. There was an association between the change in progesterone levels and airway resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Peer Connectedness and Social Technology Use During COVID-19 Lockdown.
- Author
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James, Kiera M., Silk, Jennifer S., Scott, Lori N., Hutchinson, Emily A., Wang, Sarah, Sequeira, Stefanie L., Lu, Celine, Oppenheimer, Caroline, and Ladouceur, Cecile D.
- Subjects
COVID-19 pandemic ,SOCIAL belonging ,FIXED effects model ,STAY-at-home orders ,AFFECT (Psychology) ,LONELINESS ,CYBERBULLYING - Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, adolescents relied on social technology for social connection. Although some research suggests small, negative effects for quantity of social technology use on adolescent mental health, the quality of the interaction may be more important. We conducted a daily diary study in a risk-enriched sample of girls under COVID-19 lockdown to investigate associations between daily social technology use, peer closeness, and emotional health. For 10 days, 93 girls (ages 12–17) completed an online daily diary (88% compliance) assessing positive affect, symptoms of anxiety and depression, peer closeness, and daily time texting, video-chatting and using social media. Multilevel fixed effects models with Bayesian estimation were conducted. At the within-person level, more daily time texting or video-chatting with peers was associated with feeling closer to peers that day, which was associated with more positive affect and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms that day. At the between-person level, more time video-chatting with peers across the 10 days was indirectly associated with higher average positive affect during lockdown and less depression seven-months later, via higher mean closeness with peers. Social media use was not associated with emotional health at the within- or between-person levels. Messaging and video-chatting technologies are important tools for maintaining peer connectedness during social isolation, with beneficial effects on emotional health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. P2X7 receptor antagonism by AZ10606120 significantly reduced in vitro tumour growth in human glioblastoma.
- Author
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Kan, Liyen K., Drill, Matthew, Jayakrishnan, Padmakrishnan C., Sequeira, Richard P., Galea, Emily, Todaro, Marian, Sanfilippo, Paul G., Hunn, Martin, Williams, David A., O'Brien, Terence J., Drummond, Katharine J., and Monif, Mastura
- Subjects
GLIOBLASTOMA multiforme ,HUMAN growth ,BRAIN tumors ,LACTATE dehydrogenase ,TUMORS ,PURINERGIC receptors ,CELL culture - Abstract
Glioblastomas are highly aggressive and deadly brain tumours, with a median survival time of 14–18 months post-diagnosis. Current treatment modalities are limited and only modestly increase survival time. Effective therapeutic alternatives are urgently needed. The purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is activated within the glioblastoma microenvironment and evidence suggests it contributes to tumour growth. Studies have implicated P2X7R involvement in a range of neoplasms, including glioblastomas, although the roles of P2X7R in the tumour milieu remain unclear. Here, we report a trophic, tumour-promoting role of P2X7R activation in both patient-derived primary glioblastoma cultures and the U251 human glioblastoma cell line, and demonstrate its inhibition reduces tumour growth in vitro. Primary glioblastoma and U251 cell cultures were treated with the specific P2X7R antagonist, AZ10606120 (AZ), for 72 h. The effects of AZ treatment were also compared to cells treated with the current first-line chemotherapeutic drug, temozolomide (TMZ), and a combination of both AZ and TMZ. P2X7R antagonism by AZ significantly depleted glioblastoma cell numbers compared to untreated cells, in both primary glioblastoma and U251 cultures. Notably, AZ treatment was more effective at tumour cell killing than TMZ. No synergistic effect between AZ and TMZ was observed. AZ treatment also significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase release in primary glioblastoma cultures, suggesting AZ-induced cellular cytotoxicity. Our results reveal a trophic role of P2X7R in glioblastoma. Importantly, these data highlight the potential for P2X7R inhibition as a novel and effective alternative therapeutic approach for patients with lethal glioblastomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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