Search Results (38)

Urban environments and climate-related challenges impact older adults’ health and well-being. To address these challenges, climate adaptation strategies and urban design guidelines should be tailored to older adults’ needs. Ethnographic studies can help identify these needs by involving them directly in the research process. This study uses ethnographic research to explore older adults’ perceptions and behaviours regarding climate change risks and impacts, health, and mobility challenges in a vulnerable urban area—São Roque da Lameira, Porto, Portugal. It studies the applicability and complementarity of four participatory methods that can inform urban design: (I) semi-structured interviews, (II) ‘go-along’ interviews, (III) user observations, and (IV) emotional mapping. The qualitative data collected were analysed through thematic and spatial analysis. Common themes emerged between the four methods, including concerns about accessibility, safety, and comfort, such as uneven pavements, lack of seating, and poor infrastructure for people with reduced mobility. Participants recommended improvements, such as more green spaces and better pedestrian infrastructure quality. Notably, each method uncovered distinct dimensions, highlighting the added value of a multi-method approach. This study demonstrates that combining participatory methods offers deeper, context-specific insights to inform age-friendly and climate-resilient urban design. Future research should take climate-focused methods and a multidisciplinary approach into consideration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) exhibits a heterogeneous clinical course influenced by genetic factors, such as the mutational status of immunoglobulin variable regions (IGHV). Recently, B-cell receptor (BcR) stereotypes have shown promising prognostic value, potentially surpassing IGHV status. The PAIS study analyzed BcR stereotypes and IGHV mutations in newly diagnosed Portuguese CLL patients to assess prognostic characteristics and disease progression. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 463 adult patients from 15 Portuguese centers, recruited between November 2020 and September 2023. The median age at diagnosis was 70.4 years. The most common clinical stages were 0 (54%) and 1 (32.83%). Results: A total of 15 different BcR stereotypes were identified in the cohort studied. Subtype #1, associated with a poorer prognosis, was the most prevalent, observed in 3.90% of newly diagnosed Portuguese CLL patients. Considering the 19 major stereotypes that could be assigned by the ARResT subsets tool, most patients exhibited a heterogeneous BcR profile (90.14%). A total of 57.24% of patients had mutated IGHV. The concentration of β2-microglobulin was significantly lower in patients with mutated IGHV (2.6 mg/L vs. 3.6 mg/L, p < 0.001). Clinical stage, assessed by the RAI staging system, differed between subgroups, with a higher frequency of stage 0 in patients with mutated IGHV and stage 2 in unmutated patients (p = 0.009). Conclusions: The PAIS study highlighted the predominance of a heterogeneous BcR profile in Portuguese CLL patients. The higher percentage of patients with mutated IGHV at diagnosis supports prior findings. This study improves the characterization of the 10% of Portuguese CLL patients with major BcR stereotypes, offering healthcare providers better predictive power for disease progression and potentially impacting clinical decision making. Full article

Cathinones, a class of synthetic new psychoactive substances (NPSs), continue to emerge and pose public threats. Government control efforts often lead to the emergence of new isomers, which have adverse repercussions on NPSs identification and risk prediction. This work reports on the synthesis and structural characterization of twenty chloro-cathinones, including different isomers, to create analytical data to facilitate their identification in forensic and clinical contexts. Additionally, the potential of these cathinones to cause neuronal damage was evaluated. In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed using a differentiated human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) as a dopaminergic neuronal model. The tested cathinones showed LC₅₀ values from 0.6 to 2.5 mM, with 4-CBC being the most cytotoxic. The most toxic cathinones increase reactive oxygen species levels and/or cause mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization. Furthermore, this study explored, for the first time, the effect of cathinones on the cholinergic system through acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. All tested cathinones inhibited AChE with IC₅₀ values between 0.1 and 2 mM. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the most inhibitory cathinones interacted with the CASs and PASs in AChE’s active gorge. These findings provide valuable insights into the effects of cathinones, highlighting potential health risks and structural features that may influence their toxicity towards the cholinergic system and neuronal damage. Full article

The misuse of opioids and opiates has remained a persistent issue since the 19th century. The recent resurgence of non-fentanyl synthetic opioids, such as U-type opioids and nitazenes, has further exacerbated the ongoing crisis. Identifying these synthetic opioids presents many challenges, including the emergence of new substances, the lack of standards, and the presence of structural isomers. This highlights the need for a robust structural characterisation strategy in forensic laboratories. To address these challenges, we developed a methodology to identify a U-type opioid sample received by Kosmicare from the European Union-funded SCANNER project, which was suspected to be either U-48800 or U-51754. Our innovative approach combined gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and molecular dynamics to characterise the questioned sample unequivocally. While the GC-MS analysis suggested a potential match with the mass spectrum of U-51754 and its structural isomer U-48800, NMR analysis confirmed the presence of U-48800 in the sample, which was further validated through molecular dynamics experiments. These experiments provided additional insights, confirming the structural features underlying the obtained NMR profile. The presented methodology offers a valuable solution for cases involving the identification of isomers, which are currently one of the most significant challenges in identifying new psychoactive substances. Full article

Background: Substance use disorders present a tremendous challenge within contemporary healthcare systems. Specifically, in the domain of opioid use disorders (OUDs), several foundational elements are crucial for the efficacious management of afflicted individuals. Regrettably, the premature discontinuation of inpatient opioid withdrawal treatment is a prevalent phenomenon. This study aims to elucidate the prevalence of the premature termination of inpatient opioid withdrawal treatment among patients with comorbid ADHD. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive assessment of all participants currently undergoing inpatient opioid withdrawal treatment. Our assessment protocol included the administration of the ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-SR) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS-k). Additionally, participants who met the thresholds on one or both questionnaires underwent further evaluation using the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA-2.0). Results: The prevalence of individuals diagnosed with ADHD within the studied cohort was determined to be 29.3%. Among the subset of participants identified as ADHD-positive, a notable 54.5% prematurely ceased therapy. In contrast, among those identified as ADHD-negative, the premature discontinuation rate was substantially lower at 28.3%. Conclusions: In summary, the impact of ADHD as a comorbid condition on the efficacy of inpatient opioid withdrawal treatment has been underscored. By identifying comorbid ADHD early in the treatment process, tailored therapeutic approaches may help to maximize the effectiveness of interventions and may improve patient outcomes. This underscores the importance of proactive screening for ADHD as a psychiatric comorbidity in optimizing the management of individuals undergoing inpatient opioid withdrawal treatment. Full article

Treatment of chronic wounds is challenging, and the development of different formulations based on insulin has shown efficacy due to their ability to regulate oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. The formulation of insulin with polysaccharides in biohybrid hydrogel systems has the advantage of synergistically combining the bioactivity of the protein with the biocompatibility and hydrogel properties of polysaccharides. In this study, a hydrogel formulation containing insulin, chitosan, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (Chi/HPMC/Ins) was prepared and characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetric, and gel point analyses. The in vitro cell viability and cell migration potential of the Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogel were evaluated in human keratinocyte cells (HaCat) by MTT and wound scratch assay. The hydrogel was applied to excisional full-thickness wounds in diabetic mice for twenty days for in vivo studies. Cell viability studies indicated no cytotoxicity of the Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogel. Moreover, the Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogel promoted faster gap closure in the scratch assay. In vivo, the wounds treated with the Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogel resulted in faster wound closure, formation of a more organized granulation tissue, and hair follicle regeneration. These results suggest that Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogels might promote wound healing in vitro and in vivo and could be a new potential dressing for wound healing. Full article

Conveyor belts (CBs) are widely used for the continuous transport of bulk materials. CBs must be extremely reliable due to the cost associated with their failure in continuous production systems. Thus, it is highly relevant in terms of maintenance and planning to find solutions to reduce the existing stoppages from these assets. In this sense, it is essential to monitor and collect real-time data from this piece of equipment. This work presents a case study, where a model that combines the Lean Philosophy, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and the enabling technologies of Industry 4.0 is applied to a CB. The proposed model monitors the CB and provides data on its operation, which, using the calculation of indicators, allows a more accurate and thorough view and evaluation, contributing to improving and supporting decision making by those responsible for maintenance. The data collected by the sensor help those responsible for maintenance and production, in the readjustment of more accurate and optimized planning, programming, and execution, supporting decision making in these areas. During the field test of a two-hour monitoring period (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.), the model identified six stoppages, resulting in approximately 88.6% of operational time for the conveyor. The field test showed that this model can result in more accurate maintenance decision making than conventional approaches. This research also contributes to the advancement of electronics and industrial automation sectors by empowering companies to transform maintenance methodologies. The potential of this approach and its implications for enhanced productivity and overall performance are therefore highlighted. Full article

Companies actively seek innovative tools and methodologies to enhance operations and meet customer demands. Maintenance plays a crucial role in achieving such objectives. This study identifies existing models that combine Lean Philosophy and Industry 4.0 principles to enhance decision-making and activities related to maintenance management. A comprehensive literature review on key concepts of Lean Philosophy and Industry 4.0, as well as an in-depth analysis of existing models that integrate these principles, is performed. An innovative model based on the synergies between Lean Philosophy and Industry 4.0, named the Maintenance Management in Sustainable Operations (MMSO) model, is proposed. A pilot test of the application of the MMSO model on a conveyor belt led to an operational time increase from 82.3% to 87.7%, indicating a notable 6.6% improvement. The MMSO model significantly enhanced maintenance management, facilitating the collection, processing, and visualization of data via internet-connected devices. Through this integration, various benefits are achieved, including improved flexibility, efficiency, and effectiveness in addressing market needs. This study highlights the value of integrating Lean Philosophy and Industry 4.0 principles to improve maintenance management practices. The proposed MMSO model effectively leverages these principles, fostering agility, optimized resource utilization, heightened productivity and quality, and reduced energy consumption. The model not only serves as a tool for operational optimization and customer demand enhancement but also aligns with sustainability principles within the energy transition. Its successful application in the pilot test phase further reinforces its potential as a reliable approach for maintenance management and sustainable operations in both production and decision-making processes. Full article

The increase in the life expectancy average has led to a growing elderly population, thus leading to a prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by a progressive degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). The marine environment has proven to be a source of unique and diverse chemical structures with great therapeutic potential to be used in the treatment of several pathologies, including neurodegenerative impairments. This review is focused on compounds isolated from marine organisms with neuroprotective activities on in vitro and in vivo models based on their chemical structures, taxonomy, neuroprotective effects, and their possible mechanism of action in PD. About 60 compounds isolated from marine bacteria, fungi, mollusk, sea cucumber, seaweed, soft coral, sponge, and starfish with neuroprotective potential on PD therapy are reported. Peptides, alkaloids, quinones, terpenes, polysaccharides, polyphenols, lipids, pigments, and mycotoxins were isolated from those marine organisms. They can act in several PD hallmarks, reducing oxidative stress, preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, α-synuclein aggregation, and blocking inflammatory pathways through the inhibition translocation of NF-kB factor, reduction of human tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). This review gathers the marine natural products that have shown pharmacological activities acting on targets belonging to different intracellular signaling pathways related to PD development, which should be considered for future pre-clinical studies. Full article

As the global market becomes increasingly competitive and demanding, companies face the challenge of responding swiftly and efficiently to customer needs. To maintain a competitive advantage, organisations must optimise the usage of their assets. This study focuses on the critical role of maintenance management and presents a novel, cost-effective, and easily applicable model that integrates Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) principles to enhance production processes. The proposed model incorporates a real-time monitoring system equipped with sensors, a gateway, and Internet of Things (IoT) services. These components enable data acquisition, transmission, storage, and visualisation through both mobile and fixed devices. The model’s effectiveness was validated through its implementation on a conveyor belt in a feed mill. The availability of the conveyor belt was around 89.5% before TPM implementation. After the implementation of TPM, it was possible to observe that the availability of the treadmill increased to 92.7% in a workweek of 105 h. On the other hand, it was possible to observe a considerable improvement in terms of the average time of each intervention, with a reduction of around 53%. Moreover, the model also facilitated improvements in the maintenance plan for the conveyor belt. Operators were trained to effortlessly comply with the new autonomous maintenance plan, enhancing operational efficiency. The joint application of I4.0 and TPM demonstrated significant advancements in maintenance management. The flexibility of the developed model allows for easy adaptation to monitor other condition parameters, enabling real-time decision-making for both the maintenance and production departments. This integrated approach holds the potential to drive process optimisation, ultimately contributing to improved productivity, cost-effectiveness, and competitiveness. Full article

Entrepreneurial ecosystems are unique. Considering the singularities of the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem, this study aims to answer the following question: how can entrepreneurs overcome the challenges of starting their circular businesses in Portugal? To answer it, we carried out a focus group with experts. This study is based on the empirical analysis of data collected in the scope of the RE-START (Reinforcing the Circular Economy Model for START-Ups) Erasmus Plus project, involving organizations from five European countries. The solutions chosen to boost circular businesses predominantly involve education for circular entrepreneurship, cooperation between businesses and universities, and circular entrepreneurs’ competencies. Therefore, these research contributions involve an in-depth understanding of the current context of the circular entrepreneurial ecosystem in Portugal, aligned with elucidating what ought to be adopted to overcome the challenges of this context. These draw attention to the crucial issues that policymakers should consider when regulating and promoting the circular economy. Furthermore, we recommend various actions for the stakeholders in order to foster a sound circular economy ecosystem in Portugal while emphasizing collaborative behaviors. Full article

(1) Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common comorbid condition in opioid use disorder (OUD) and is associated with a more severe course of substance use. Patients with severe OUD who have not responded to oral opioid maintenance treatment can be treated with intravenous diamorphine up to three times per day. Here, we investigated the prevalence of ADHD among patients undergoing either daily diamorphine maintenance treatment or daily oral opioid maintenance treatment. (2) Methods: We assessed all participants with the WURS-k and the ADHD-SR. The Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA) was performed with all participants who met the cut-off in the WURS-k and/or ADHD-SR. (3) Results: The overall prevalence of ADHD was 17.9%. Prevalence of ADHD among patients undergoing daily diamorphine maintenance treatment was 14.3%. Prevalence of ADHD among patients undergoing daily oral opioid maintenance treatment was 20.3%. The combined presentation of ADHD was the most prevalent condition. In urine samples of participants with comorbid ADHD, heroin was detected the most and cocaine the least frequently. (4) Conclusions: Almost one out of five patients with OUD suffered from comorbid ADHD. In 83.3%, ADHD had not been diagnosed prior to participation in this study. Thus, patients with SUD could benefit from being routinely screened for ADHD. Full article

The marine environment presents itself as a treasure chest, full of a vast diversity of organisms yet to be explored. Among these organisms, macroalgae stand out as a major source of natural products due to their nature as primary producers and relevance in the sustainability of marine ecosystems. Sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) are a group of polymers biosynthesized by macroalgae, making up part of their cell wall composition. Such compounds are characterized by the presence of sulfate groups and a great structural diversity among the different classes of macroalgae, providing interesting biotechnological and therapeutical applications. However, due to the high complexity of these macromolecules, their chemical characterization is a huge challenge, driving the use of complementary physicochemical techniques to achieve an accurate structural elucidation. This review compiles the reports (2016–2021) of state-of-the-art methodologies used in the chemical characterization of macroalgae SPs aiming to provide, in a simple way, a key tool for researchers focused on the structural elucidation of these important marine macromolecules. Full article

Gastrointestinal diseases, such as peptic ulcers, are caused by a damage in the gastric mucosa provoked by several factors. This stomach injury is regulated by many inflammatory mediators and is commonly treated with proton-pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor blockers and antacids. However, various medicinal plants have demonstrated positive effects on gastric ulcer treatment, including plants of the Ceiba genus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of the stem bark ethanolic extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna. We performed a preliminary quantification of phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), followed by the prospection of other chemical groups through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A set of in vitro assays was used to evaluate the extract potential regarding its antioxidant activity (DPPH: 19.83 ± 0.34 µg/mL; TPC: 307.20 ± 6.20 mg GAE/g of extract), effects on cell viability and on the release of TNF-α in whole human blood. Additionally, in vivo assays were performed to evaluate the leukocyte accumulation and total protein quantification in carrageenan-induced air pouch, as well as the antiulcerogenic effect of the extract on an ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The extract contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds, as well as sugars and quinic acid derivatives exhibiting potent antioxidant activity and low toxicity. The extract reduced the release of TNF-α in human blood and inhibited the activity of p38α (1.66 µg/mL), JAK3 (5.25 µg/mL), and JNK3 (8.34 µg/mL). Moreover, it reduced the leukocyte recruitment on the pouch exudate and the formation of edema, reverting the effects caused by carrageenan. The extract presented a significant prevention of ulcer formation and a higher reduction than the reference drug, Omeprazole. Therefore, C. speciosa extract has demonstrated relevant therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastric diseases, deserving the continuation of further studies to unveil the mechanisms of action of plant bioactive ingredients. Full article

Seaweeds are a great source of compounds with cytotoxic properties with the potential to be used as anticancer agents. This study evaluated the cytotoxic and proteasome inhibitory activities of 12R-hydroxy-bromosphaerol, 12S-hydroxy-bromosphaerol, and bromosphaerol isolated from Sphaerococcus coronopifolius. The cytotoxicity was evaluated on malignant cell lines (A549, CACO-2, HCT-15, MCF-7, NCI-H226, PC-3, SH-SY5Y, and SK-MEL-28) using the MTT and LDH assays. The ability of compounds to stimulate the production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and to induce mitochondrial dysfunction, the externalization of phosphatidylserine, Caspase-9 activity, and changes in nuclear morphology was also studied on MCF-7 cells. The ability to induce DNA damage was also studied on L929 fibroblasts. The proteasome inhibitory activity was estimated through molecular docking studies. The compounds exhibited IC₅₀ values between 15.35 and 53.34 µM. 12R-hydroxy-bromosphaerol and 12S-hydroxy-bromosphaerol increased the H₂O₂ levels on MCF-7 cells, and bromosphaerol induced DNA damage on fibroblasts. All compounds promoted a depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, Caspase-9 activity, and nuclear condensation and fragmentation. The compounds have been shown to interact with the chymotrypsin-like catalytic site through molecular docking studies; however, only 12S-hydroxy-bromosphaerol evidenced interaction with ALA20 and SER169, key residues of the proteasome catalytic mechanism. Further studies should be outlined to deeply characterize and understand the potential of those bromoditerpenes for anticancer therapeutics. Full article