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- In vitro research methods used to evaluate shaping ability of rotary endodontic files : a literature reviewPublication . Elemam, Ranya F.; Azul, Ana Mano; Dias, João; Sahli, Khaled El; Leonardo, Renato de ToledoBackground/Objectives: In this article, we present a literature review of methods used to measure the shaping ability of endodontic rotary files, including the selection of endodontic sample type (extracted teeth versus simulated blocks) and an imaging evaluation method. This review was conducted as background research to identify concerns that arise when designing research studies in this domain and propose how the field can plan more systematic studies going forward. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and e B-on databases, including studies published in English from January 2010 to June 2024. Only studies that specified in vitro or ex vivo methods for evaluating the endodontic performance of NiTi rotary files on canal transportation and centering ability were considered. Results: A total of 86 studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 651. Of these, 67 studies used extracted teeth, while 20 utilized simulated root canals in resin blocks. For evaluation methods, 55 studies employed Micro-Computed Tomography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (MCT + CBCT), 30 used Double Digital Images/Radiographs/Photographs (DDIR + DDIP) with software analysis, 1 used both DDIR and MCT, 1 used high-precision nano-CT, and 1 used a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the MCT method and its advanced variations appear superior in many cases for evaluating the quality of root canal instrumentation due to their ability to provide detailed three-dimensional images. We also discuss the pros and cons of other evaluation methods, including CBCT and DDIR. Finally, we identify important factors to consider for optimizing future cross-study comparisons. This work highlights the importance of being familiar with shaping ability assessment methods as new instruments are introduced to the market.
- In vitro evaluation of surface roughness and color variation after two brushing protocols with toothpastes containing different whitening technologiesPublication . Lobito, Angel; Colaço, Catarina; Costa, Joana; Caldeira, Jorge; Proença, Luís; Mendes, José JoãoThe aim was to evaluate the effect of different whitening toothpastes on the enamel surface roughness and color variation. Twenty-four molars were sectioned and divided into eight groups (n = 3) considering the following two factors under study: toothpaste type (Colgate® Total Original, Oral B® 3D White Luxe Perfection, Curaprox® Black is White, and Signal® White Now) and brushing protocol (short- and long-term). Surface roughness was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and color change (ΔE) was measured using the CIE L*a*b* system. Data were statistically analyzed using comparative parametric tests at a 5% significance level. In the short-term protocol, only the Signal® White Now toothpaste increased surface roughness (p = 0.038) compared to the Colgate® Total Original group. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in surface roughness in the long-term protocol. Regarding color variation, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in either protocol. Overall, the whitening toothpastes did not affect enamel surface roughness or color, except for Signal® White Now, which caused increased roughness in the short-term protocol. However, all toothpastes induced a visual change in color.
- Improved triamcinolone acetonide-eluting contact lenses based on cyclodextrins and high hydrostatic pressure assisted complexationPublication . Marto-Costa, Carolina; Toffoletto, Nadia; Salema-Oom, Madalena; Antunes, Alexandra M.M.; Pinto, Carlos A.; Saraiva, Jorge A.; Silva-Herdade, Ana S.; Alvarez-Lorenzo, Carmen; Serro, Ana PaulaContact lenses (CLs) constitute an advantageous platform for the topical release of corticosteroids due to their prolonged contact with the eye. However, the lipophilic nature of corticosteroids hampers CLs' ability to release therapeutic amounts. Two approaches to improve loading and release of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-based hydrogels were investigated: adding 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) to the monomers solution before polymerization (HEMA/i-CD) and an hydrogels' post-treatment with HP-β-CD (HEMA/p-CD). The effect of HP-β-CD and sterilization by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the hydrogel properties (water content, oxygen and ion permeability, roughness, transmittance, and stiffness) was evaluated. The HEMA/i-CD hydrogels had stronger affinity for TA, sustaining its release for one day. HHP sterilization promoted the formation of cyclodextrin-TA complexes within the hydrogels, improving their drug-loading capacity »60 %. Cytotoxicity and irritability tests confirmed the safety of the therapeutic CLs. TA released from the hydrogels permeated through ocular tissues ex vivo and showed anti-inflammatory activity. Finally, a previously validated mathematical model was used to estimate the ability of the TA-loaded CLs to deliver therapeutic drug concentrations to the posterior part of the eye. Overall, HP-β-CD-containing CLs are promising candidates for the topical ocular application of TA as an alternative delivery system to intraocular injections.
- Impact of the use of cryoprotectants in the production of freeze-dried soluble coffee from cold brew arabica coffeePublication . Barroso, Livia Alves; Viegas, Cláudia; Stančiauskaitė, Monika; Macedo, Ana S.; Lemos, Iara Lopes; Costa, Joyce Maria Gomes da; Schmiele, Marcio; Silveira, João Vinícios Wirbitzki da; Brandão, Pedro; Amaral, Tatiana Nunes; Fonte, PedroCold brew is a method of coffee extraction that uses low temperature, preserving the volatile compounds of coffee. Freeze-drying allows the preservation of coffee features and nutritional value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different cryoprotectants in cold brew extracts as a basis for freeze-dried coffee production. Thus, the Coffea arabica extracts and the soluble coffee were characterized concerning caffeine content, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic compounds, and antimicrobial activity to verify the potential of this method. The extracts did not show antimicrobial activity with a high soluble solid content. It was observed that the cold extraction methods were efficient regarding the caffeine content, antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic compounds. Freeze-dried coffees also did not show antimicrobial activity, and they maintained the water and humidity activity standards. In general, cryoprotectants displayed an unfavorable influence on the extract and freeze-dried coffee in the analyses performed. The coffee extract without cryoprotectants had a higher antioxidant capacity (88.12%) and content of phenolic compounds (7.74 mg AG/mL of the coffee extract). Only for the analyses of soluble solids, the cryoprotectants mannitol and fructose showed promising results (14.03 °Brix, 14.40 °Brix, 11.33 °Brix, respectively). Thus, for the analyses conducted, the cryoprotectants did not lead to significant advantages for this process.
- Impact of the 2008 economic crisis on the burden of hepatitis B and C diseases in Southern European countriesPublication . Palladino, Claudia; Ramis, Rebeca; Ezeonwumelu, Ifeanyi Jude; Biondi, Antonio; Carreras, Giulia; Fischer, Florian; Gallus, Silvano; Golinelli, Davide; Gorini, Giuseppe; Hassan, Shoaib; Kabir, Zubair; Koyanagi, Ai; Lazarus, Jeffrey V.; Mentis, Alexios-Fotios A.; Meretoja, Tuomo J.; Mokdad, Ali H.; Monasta, Lorenzo; Mulita, Francesk; Postma, Maarten J.; Tabarés-Seisdedos, Rafael; Thiyagarajan, Arulmani; Taveira, Nuno; Briz, Verónica; GBD 2019 Southern Europe Hepatitis B & C CollaboratorsBackground: The economic crisis that began in 2008 has severely affected Southern (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain) Western European (SWE) countries of Western Europe (WE) and may have affected ongoing efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of the economic crisis on the burden of HBV and HCV disease. Methods: Global Burden of Diseases 2019 data were used to analyse the rates of epidemiological metrics of HBV and HCV acute and chronic infections in SWE and WE. Time series modelling was performed to quantify the impact of healthcare expenditure on the time trend of HBV and HCV disease burden in 2000–2019. Results: Declining trends in incidence and prevalence rates of acute HBV (aHBV) and chronic HBV were observed in SWE and WE, with the pace of decline being slower in the post-austerity period (2010–2019) and mortality due to HBV stabilised in SWE. Acute HCV (aHCV) metrics and chronic HCV incidence and mortality showed a stable trend in SWE and WE, whereas the prevalence of chronic HCV showed an oscillating trend, decreasing in WE in 2010–2019 (p < 0.001). Liver cancer due to both hepatitis infections showed a stagnant burden over time. An inverse association was observed between health expenditure and metrics of both acute and chronic HBV and HCV. Conclusions: Epidemiological metrics for HBV and HCV showed a slower pace of decline in the post-austerity period with better improvement for HBV, a stabilisation of mortality and a stagnant burden for liver cancer due to both hepatitis infections. The economic crisis of 2008 had a negative impact on the burden of hepatitis B and C. Elimination of HBV and HCV by 2030 will be a major challenge in the SWE countries.
- Impact of infrasound exposure and streptozotocin-induced glucose intolerance on bone composition in Wistar ratsPublication . Zagalo, Luísa; Pereira, Gonçalo; Casal, Diogo; Gonçalves, Luísa L.; Zagalo, Carlos; Oliveira, Maria João; Oliveira, Pedro; Brito, José A. A.The elemental composition of chemical elements can vary between healthy and diseased tissues, providing essential insights into metabolic processes in physiological and diseased states. This study aimed to evaluate the calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels in the bones of rats with/without streptozotocin-induced diabetes and/or exposure to infrasound. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine the concentrations of Ca and P in Wistar rat tibiae samples. The results showed a significant decrease in bone P concentration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to untreated animals. Similarly, the Ca/P ratio was higher in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic group. No significant differences were observed in bone Ca concentration between the studied groups or between animals exposed and not exposed to infrasound. Moreover, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats had lower bone P concentration but unaltered bone Ca concentration compared to untreated rats. Infrasound exposure did not impact bone Ca or P levels. The reduced bone P concentration may be associated with an increased risk of bone fractures in diabetes.
- Immobilisation of ZnO nanoparticles on carbon and on glass fibres for visible light photocatalytic applicationsPublication . Ferreira, Inês V.; Neng, Nuno R.; Monteiro, Olinda C.; Ferreira, Virgínia C.Crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NP) have been used for the evaluation of the effect of manganese doping on the photocatalytic performance towards the degradation of pharmaceutical products and for the preparation of photoactive composite materials based on fibres and ZnO. The presence of manganese effected on the particles size, as obtained by TEM analysis, and the impact on the crystallographic and optical properties was shown by XRD and DRS analysis. The multiple oxidation state of the doping manganese and its impact on the oxygen vacancies of the material, together with possibility of introducing energy levels in the forbidden zone and changes in the bandgap energy could contribute to improve the catalyst properties. However, and contrasting with some reported works, no advantage using the doped particles was observed on the photocatalytic response under UV or visible light irradiation. Later, the ZnO NP were immobilised by in situ hydrothermal approach on carbon and glass fibres and the composites show good nanoparticles coverage on the SEM images and the EDS, FTIR and DRS data are consistent with the presence of NP on the surfaces. Those composites have been successfully used for the degradation of the Diclofenac (DCF) and Carbamazepine (CMZ) pollutants. The complexity of the photodegradation under UV and visible light, due to the production of absorbing degradation products, was unveiled by UV–vis spectroscopy and HPLC analysis, and showed that distinct products may be detected during degradation, depending on the radiation used. The photostability of ZnO nanoparticles and the CF/ZnO composite maintaining 83 % of its initial efficiency after three cycles of reuse highlight the method's success in supporting nanoparticles on substrates and demonstrates promising applicability in fields such as environmental remediation.
- Hydrogel-based novel biomaterials : achievements and prospectsPublication . Serro, Ana Paula; Silva, Diana Cristina; Fernandes, Ana IsabelEditorial
- How to design a biomonitoring study : a practical guide for veterinary professionals under a one health approachPublication . Baptista, Catarina Jota; Seixas, Fernanda; Gonzalo-Orden, José M.; Oliveira, Paula A.Currently, veterinarians can see their daily practice and medical tasks as constant opportunities for passive surveillance of One Health threats, such as infectious zoonotic diseases and chemical pollution effects on living beings. The present study aimed to provide a practical guide to designing a biomonitoring study during veterinary clinical practice without time-consuming procedures or significant costs. The constant access to several species' specimens provides the necessary samples to perform a biomonitoring study of environmental pollutants at the regional or national level. Generally, most health professionals know what to do (or where to find information) to report a disease outbreak. However, a summarized background to perform a biomonitoring study of a chemical hazard is missing. The authors of the current study provided a flow chart with the main steps to conduct a biomonitoring study in different fields of veterinary medicine. Thus, a biomonitoring study might give veterinarians (as other health professionals) a positive contribution to the clinical cases’ resolution, while improving the general knowledge about the impact of environmental contamination on animals and human health.
- Home parenteral support in chronic intestinal failure : first results from a pioneer Portuguese intestinal failure centerPublication . Mendes, Ivo; Vara-Luiz, Francisco; Palma, Carolina; Nunes, Gonçalo; Lima, Maria João; Oliveira, Cátia; Brito, Marta; Santos, Ana Paula; Santos, Carla Adriana; Fonseca, JorgeBackground/Objectives: Home parenteral support (HPS) is the core of chronic intestinal failure (IF) treatment. For legal reasons, HPS in Portugal lags behind other European countries, and only a few patients were taken care of at home by nurses. Now, the legislation has changed, allowing patient self-care. The authors report their pioneer experience as the largest Portuguese IF center, evaluating the underlying conditions leading to IF, HPS nutritional impact, HPS-related complications and survival. Methods: This is a retrospective study including IF patients who underwent HPS in a Portuguese IF center. The data included demographics, underlying conditions, IF types, HPS duration, BMI at the beginning and end of HPS/follow-up, complications, microbiological agents of infectious complications and current status (deceased or alive with/without HPS). Survival was calculated until death or September 2024. Results: A total of 23 patients (52.2% female, mean age 57.3 years), all with type III IF, were included. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) was the most common cause of IF (69.6%). Of the included patients, 78.3% received home parenteral nutrition; the others received home parenteral hydration. The mean BMI increased significantly, from 19.1 kg/m2 to 22.5 kg/m2 (p < 0.001). Two patients received Teduglutide. The most common complication was catheter-related bloodstream infection (2.5/1000 catheter days). The complications did not increase with patient self-care. At the end of follow-up, 21.7% of patients remained on HPS, 34.8% were alive without HPS, and 43.5% died. The average survival was 43.4 months. One death (4.35%) was attributable to HPS-related complications. Conclusions: The conditions underlying IF varied, with SBS being the most frequent condition. HPS improved the BMI, allowing considerable survival. Despite the complications and one attributable death, HPS was safe, even when relying on patient self-care.