bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial bioglass in dental implants: a canine clinical study
Authors: Gavinho Silvia , Graca Manuel , Prezas Pedro , Borges João , Silva Jorge , Pires Eduardo , Armes Henrique , Coucelo Jose 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Peri-implantitis is considered the most challenging biological complication in implantology, as untreated disease can progress and result in implant loss. Therefore, disease prevention is crucial in daily clinical practice. It has been reported that the use of bioactive glass, as an implant coating, can stimulate tissue integration and accelerate tissue regeneration. Besides these properties, it is possible to promote bacterial activity by inserting silver into the bioglass

Methods
Bioglass with composition 45S5 was synthesised by the fusion method, replacing the amount of Na2CO3 by AgNO3 (BG 2% wt). The implants were resealed by the CoBlast® technique. Clinical cases with pathology of the mandible/maxilla were selected and implants dimensioned for the canine bone structure were applied.

Results
Three months after implantation, imaging exams, namely CT scans, showed no signs of early rejection by septic or cytotoxic loss. No decrease or loss of peri-implant bone was observed. In all cases the implants remained without signs of instability, and with sufficient support for the application of the exo-prosthesis or dental crown. The results of histological analysis showed no signs of infection or osteolysis. The zone of peri-implant fibrosis was not observable in the samples, showing a good evolution in implant osteointegration.

Conclusions
The results show promising evidences for the use of this biomaterial as a coating, since aseptic rejection, later on, and that related to the shape and biomaterials used in the implant's design, usually begins during the first 3 months.
The influence of an aquatic exercise program on balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Ferreira Margarida , Mesquita Cristina , Santos Paula , Borges João , Graça Maria , Henriques Ana , Lopes Sofia 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that leads to a limitation of mobility, which can cause postural deficits and progressive loss of balance. Aquatic exercise improves this health condition. The objetive is to verify the influence of an aquatic exercise program, on balance and functionality, in individuals with AS.

Methods
Pre-experimental study carried out on 6 individuals with AS. All individuals were assessed at baseline (M0) and 12 weeks after the intervention (M1) using the Bath indices (BASMI, BASFI and BASDAI) and the balance assessment protocol (‘Body Sway’) by the Physiosensing Platform. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. Were used descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon test to compare M0 and M1. The significance value was 0.05.

Results
We verify improvements in BASMI (P = 0.046), BASFI (P = 0.042) and BASDAI (P = 0.027) scores. Through the analysis of the center of pressure variables, there were no statistically significant differences, between moments, in the protocol. However, when assessing balance, in the anteroposterior mean distance in both the protocol (eyes open) and in the protocol (eyes closed), in the root mean square in both protocols and in mediolateral mean velocity, only in the protocol (eyes open), there was a slight decrease in the median value.

Conclusions
The present study suggests that the specific aquatic exercise program, may influence balance and improve functionality in a population with AS. Therefore, the Bath indices translate improvements in the symptoms and functionalities of these participants.
COVID-19 and their outcomes: how personality, place, and sex of people play a role in the psychology of COVID-19 beliefs
Authors: Brito-Costa Sonia , Jonason Peter K , Tosi Michele , Antunes Rui , Silva Sofia , Castro Florêncio 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
There is considerable variation in people’s attitudes towards the COVID-19 pandemic. One way to understand why people differ in their attitudes is to examine how personality traits predict the degree to which people hold different attitudes.

Methods
We collected data (N = 1420) from Portugal and Spain using Facebook advertising. We measured the Dark Triad and Big Five traits, and negative affect, along with ad hoc items for religiousness, and attitudes towards and fear of COVID.

Results
Neuroticism and Negative affect was linked to various domains of insecurity or fear and provides insights into how personality predicts concerns and behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Religious people were less trusting in science, thought prayer was answer, and attributed the existence of the virus to an act of God. Women reported more fear of COVID-19 than men did, and this was enabled by women’s greater tendency to have Negative Affect and higher Neuroticism than men.

Conclusions
Neurotic people and those with more Negative Affect appear to be more fearful, more trusting in others and systems likely to protect them (e.g., scientists), and less likely to trust in systems shown to not help them (e.g., prayer). We found other effects for the Dark Triad traits and the Big Five traits. In total, we highlight some of the reasons that people may be in such disagreements about what to do about the virus at the individual and institutional levels. Personality, place, and participant’s sex all appear to play a role in the psychology of COVID-19 beliefs.
Portuguese European spoken cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the patient perception of patient-centredness (PPPC)
Authors: Santiago Luiz Miguel , Coelho Beatriz 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
There is growing evidence supporting the relevance of practicing Person-Centered Medicine (PCM). An English language tools exists to evaluate it from the person’s perspective.
The aim of this study was to culturally adapt and validate for the European spoken Portuguese the Patient Perception of Patient-Centeredness (PPPC), a 9-item questionnaire 4 grade answering, created by Moira Stewart with an internal consistency of 0.80, Cronbach's alpha.

Methods
PPPC translation to Portuguese (PPPC-Pt), medical experts analisys, back-translation and degree of readability measurement were performed. Cross-sectional multicentric observational studies in convenience samples of persons having attended medical appointments and applying the PPPC-Pt and gender, age and academic training epidemiologic questioning were performed. Internal consistence by Cronbach’s alpha and descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were made for P &lt; 0.01 level for difference.

Results
PPPC-Pt internal consistency of Cronbach’s alpha = 0.724, range 0.691 to 0.720, item-total correlations between 0.324–0.652, F-test of F = 32 343.086, P &lt; 0.001, reliability of ρ = 0.960; P &lt; 0.001, and Flesh Index of ‘easy’ were found. In n = 570, 36.8% women, 17.0% under 35 and 36.3% above 65 years, 48.9% at 6th level and 16.3% high educational level, a mean ± SD of 32.7 ± 3.7, median 33, minimum 13 maximum 36 points no differences were found for gender P = 0.732, age P = 0.572 and educational level P = 0.436 for the mean score of the PPPC-Pt.

Conclusions
The PPPC-Pt was cross-culturally adapted and is reliable and a valid measure of the measure of person perception of a PCM for the Portuguese population, even though with slight internal consistency (0.724 Pt and 0.800 Eng)
Heart rate variability—study in futsal athletes
Authors: Pereira Joaquim , Santos Ana , Pereira Telmo 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
The practice of high perfomance sports leads to alterations of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The study of heart rate variability (HRV) resorting to the electrocardiogram (ECG) is a practical, efficient and non invasive tool that allows the monitorization of the cardiac-autonomic function in high perfomance athletes, exposing the physiological adaptations to repeated and intense physical exercise. To evaluate the resting heart rate variability of futsal players resorting to the electrocardiogram during the pre-season and competitive season.

Methods
The sample used in this study was composed of fifteen male futsal athletes, subjected to a resting electrocardiogram in supine position with the duration of 6 minutes, at two different moments.

Results
From the first to the second record heart rate variability, it was observed a significant decrease in heart rate from 66.53 ± 10.39 bpm to 61.50 ± 11.14 bpm (P &lt; 0.05) and the indexes related to the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), RMSSD, pNN50, HFnu did not present statistical significance (P &gt; 0.05) despite the verified increased of absolute values from the first to the second evaluation.

Conclusions
We were able to observe a decrease in heart rate (HR), as well as, a tendency for elevated parasympathetic indexes and a vagal predominance from the first to the second moment of evaluation. The monitorization of heart rate variability can be useful to identify adaptations to competitive loads and, thus, planning adequate training loads for each athlete, avoiding the occurrence of lesions and fatigue and allowing an improvement in performance.
The institutionality of the policy agenda against SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a comparative study between Brazil and Portugal
Authors: Ximenes Ana Carênina Albuquerque , Macedo Ana Angélica Mathias , Joaquim João José , Pinto Marta Vasconcelos , Mendes Fernando 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic imposed challenges to researchers and governments in proposing political strategies to contain the transmission chain. Despite being an issue of global impact, the public policy strategies in fighting this pandemic depend on each country. This scenario demands studies to describe and explore these policies' institutionality. In this context, a question raises on how the biggest economies of the Portuguese language, Brazil and Portugal, have conducted the public policy agenda against the pandemic.

Methods
A comparative, qualitative, and descriptive study of the public policy agenda setting in Brazil and Portugal to fight against the pandemic was conducted through bibliographic and document research. The theoretical axis adopted was the Institutional Economy and the elaborations and management of public policy, mainly Douglas North, Geoffrey M. Hodgson, and Amatya Sen’s studies.

Results
The combat against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was translated in a search for urgency analytical theories, elaboration, implementation, and evaluation of public policies in Brazil and Portugal. In both countries, social restriction strategies were adopted such as closing public places, stores, and schools. Also, some economic actions were established to mitigate these restrictions’ impacts, more limited in Brazil as a neoliberal picture of the current government.

Conclusions
The results pointed to differences and similarities in Portuguese and Brazilian agendas, especially with the virus transmission mitigating strategies and the social and economic assistance, being Brazil suffering from the negationism culture that promoted contagion and mortality acceleration.
Effects of the first quarantine in health care services on the Portuguese population
Authors: Cavaleiro Alexandre , Marouvo Joel , Saraiva Marina , Brito António , Castro Maria 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of information about this new virus, and its high transmissibility in humans, quarantine was declared to avoid spread. During early times of confinement, several health services closed or limited the patients' access. This study aims to analyze the impact of the first quarantine in health care services on the Portuguese population.

Methods
An online survey, approved by the IPC ethics committee, inquired about the health care services people attended before and during the quarantine period. 536 Portuguese with mean age 42.2 years (14.8) full-field the survey. The responses were gathered from the 18th of March till the 30th of April 2020. Differences between paired samples were established using the Wilcoxon test (P-value &lt; 0.05), due to an abnormal sample distribution (t = 0.0515, P &lt; 0.0001).

Results
The table shows the number of appointments that people attended before and after the quarantine and the statistics analysis (P) between the two moments.

Conclusions
There was a reduction in the number of appointments or treatments among all health care services. The total number of appointments decreased from 118 to 7 (P &lt; 0.001).
Psychosocial risk factors and work capacity in health professionals
Authors: Pocinho Margarida , Santos Cristina , Saraiva António 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Modern societies put enormous pressure on workers by putting their health at risk. Psychosocial risks are considered those related to the conception, organization and management of work, social and environmental factors, which can cause psychological, social or physical damage to the worker and the work capacity expresses the generic evaluation of a worker's productive capacities, worker's health, and their psychological resources. Important factor for maintaining a working life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between work ability and exposure to psychosocial risk factors in health professionals.

Methods
The sample consisted of 309 primary health care professionals, and validated instruments were applied to assess the Work Ability Index (WAI) and psychosocial risks in the work contexts (COPSOQ).

Results
It was found that female professionals are more exposed to psychosocial risk factors: Offensive Behaviors and Quantitative Requirements (P &lt; 0.05). Mental and physical demands influence work ability (P &lt; 0.05). There was a correlation between psychosocial risk factors and work ability in 11 COPSOQ subscales.

Conclusions
Thus, it is pertinent to evaluate and manage psychosocial risks and to take measures that enable a positive combination between psychosocial characteristics and individual resources, in order to minimize psychosocial risks and situations of vulnerability in health professionals.
Occupational exposure to particles and air pollutants in a car paint workshop
Authors: Ferreira Ana , Loureiro António , Seco Silvia , Figueiredo João Paulo , Paixão Susana , Costa Lucia Simões , Oliveira Gonçalo 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
In auto paint workshops there are several chemical, physical and biological agents that are harmful to health, making it essential to guarantee the well-being and safety of workers. In this sense, the assessment of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of these places, in an associated context of occupational health, proves to be important.

Methods
The present study had as main objective to evaluate the occupational exposure of workers in an automobile painting workshop to particles and air pollutants. The data collection consisted of the evaluation of air quality, using for this purpose, the assessment of atmospheric pollutants carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), formaldehyde (CH2O), carbon dioxide sulfur (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10, breathable and inhalable particles) and the meteorological variables temperature and relative humidity. The collected data was processed using the statistical software IBM SPSS version 27.0. The interpretation of the statistical tests was performed with a 95% confidence level for a maximum random error up to 5%.

Results
We found that the concentrations of inhalable particles recorded in some workstations exceeded the legally established exposure limit value.

Conclusions
IAQ should be a priority concern for the government and for all professionals working in the area of Occupational Health and Safety having in mind the implementation of measures that promote the continuous improvement of the IAQ of the facilities, thus guaranteeing a good assessment and monitoring of workstations, preventing atmospheric pollutants from reaching concentrations that could put workers' health at risk.
The influence of the use of earphones in the of young people’s hearing
Authors: Tavares Juelma , Nazaré Cristina 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Listening music is extremely important in our day life, but studies indicate that young people who use earphones for long periods tend to develop hearing problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing of young people who use earphones to listen to music very often and occasionally, and observe if there are differences between them.

Methods
The sample was composed by 2 groups (n = 15 in each) of young people, students in higher education (18–24 years) who use earphones to listen music every week, with Group 1 using earphones occasionally and Group 2 very often. Otoscopy, pure tone audiogram (PTA: 0.125–8 kHz), high frequencies (HF: 9–12.5 kHz) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs: 2–10 kHz) was performed.

Results
There were statistically significant differences between groups in PTA (0.125 and 0.5 kHz in right ear - RE) and DPOAEs (7.5, 8.3, 9.1 and 10 kHz in RE and 6.2, 7.5, 10 kHz in left ear), being the means of hearing thresholds (PTA and HF) higher and the means of the DPOAE’s amplitudes lower in Group 2, in most frequencies. Despite all individuals had normal hearing thresholds in PTA, in HF at 11.2 KHz in RE, the mean of threshold in Group 2 was over 20 dBHL.

Conclusions
The differences found between groups can be a warning sign for future hearing loss in young people who use earphones very often to listen to music, so it is important to raise awareness among young people for the prevention of hearing loss and change behaviours.
Aging and auditory temporal ordering
Authors: Reis Cláudia , Gaspar Cláudia , Nazaré Cristina 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
The aging process is characterized by a gradual impairment of several capacities, such as hearing, memory and communication, which implies changes at various levels and, consequently, changes in both hearing and auditory skills, of which the auditory temporal ordering is an example.

Methods
The sample consisted of 23 elderly individuals, aged between 70 and 96 years (average of 83.09 years) and with mild to severe type I sensorineural hearing loss. For the collection of information, the pure tone audiogram, the frequency and duration pattern tests, the verbal and non-verbal sequential memory tests were used.

Results
The results revealed that between age and the auditory temporal order tests there was a negative correlation (except in the duration pattern test in the left ear) and between the auditory threshold and the auditory temporal order tests there was negative correlation (except in the duration pattern test in the right ear).

Conclusions
It is concluded that in this sample the ability of auditory temporal ordering was influenced by aging and hearing loss, which shows that as the age of the elderly progresses and the degree of hearing loss increases the difficulties in temporal auditory processing become larger. This leads us to consider that these elderly have several difficulties in temporal auditory processing and that an intervention as auditory training may be advantageous for the elderly, as it could improve their central auditory processing and, consequently, their hearing, memory and quality of life.
Characterization of neuronal precursors obtained from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Oliveira N B , Irioda A C , Stricker P E F , Mogharbel B F , Rosa N N , Perussolo M C , Carvalho K A T 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from any tissue derived from the mesoderm and have as main characteristics: high plasticity, the ability to originate mesodermal and non-mesodermal tissues, acting in the modulation of the inflammatory response, and the tissue repair. When grown in microenvironments with elasticity comparable to the human brain, these cells can differentiate efficiently in neural cells due to the mechanism related to the YAP protein, which can mediate responses to substrate stiffness in mesenchymal stem cells.

Methods
Human adipose-derived MSCs were isolated*, then it was done the trilineage test into adipocytes, osteocytes and, chondrocytes. Besides that, differentiation to neural precursor cells was through neurospheres after seeding the cells over a natural biopolymer matrix as NFBX. Those cells were analyzed using flow cytometry for the surface markers CD13, CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD105, HLA-DR, HLA-ABC, immunocytochemistry for the proteins Nestina, ß-tubulin III, YAP and AMOT and RT-PCR for the NEFM and TUBB3 genes.

Results
Isolated cells demonstrated characteristics of MSCs. Those cells were differentiated in neural precursors, expressing the proteins Nestina and ß-tubulin III on immunocytochemistry and, the NEFM and TUBB3 genes in RT-PCR. Regarding the YAP and AMOT proteins, it was possible to observe the translocation of the YAP protein in response to the regulation of AMOT out of the cell nucleus, proving neurodifferentiation.

Conclusions
Human adipose-derived MSCs seeded in a natural biopolymer matrix were able to differentiate into neural precursors expressing characteristic neural markers without adding any neural growth factors or genetic induction.
Biodegradable nanoparticles loaded with levodopa and/or curcumin for treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Cardoso Marco André , Mogharbel Bassam Felipe , Irioda Ana Carolina , Stricker Priscila Elias Ferreira , Slompo Robson Camilotti , Perussolo Maiara Carolina , Travelet Christophe , Halila Sami , Borsali Redouane , de Carvalho Katherine Athayde Teixeira 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Levodopa (L-DOPA) remains the standard gold drug available for the treatment of PD. Curcumin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-amyloid, antitumor properties. Copolymers composed of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and biodegradable polyesters like poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) that can self-assemble into nanoparticles (NP). This study describes the development of NH2-PEO-PCL diblock copolymer positively charged and modified by the addition of glutathione (GSH) on the outer surface, resulting in a synergistic delivery of L-DOPA and curcumin that would be able to pass the blood-brain barrier.

Methods
The NH2-PEO-PCL nanoparticles suspensions were prepared using a nanoprecipitation and solvent displacement method and were coated with GSH. NP was submitted to various characterizations assays, and to ensure the bioavailability, Vero and PC12 cells were treated with various concentrations of the loaded and unloaded NP to observe cytotoxicity.

Results
NP has successfully loaded L-DOPA and curcumin was stable after freeze-drying, capable of advancing into in vitro toxicity testing. After being treated up to 72 hours of various concentrations of L-DOPA and curcumin loaded NP Vero and PC12 cells, the viability of the treated cells maintained a high percentage indicating that the NPs are biocompatible.

Conclusions
NP consisting of NH2-PEO-PCL have been characterized as potential formulations for brain delivery of L-DOPA and curcumin, and obtained results also indicate that the developed biodegradable nanomicelles were blood compatible, presented low cytotoxicity even in longer exposure times.